Disney Sets Record- Captain America

Disney has reached the 1 Billion dollar mark in just over 128 days concluding with its latest Marvel Film, Captain America: Civil War.  The blockbuster follows the team of Avengers in their latest fight against each other, especially when the United Nations force the super heroes to limit their effects on the world to only being called upon in extreme situations.  But the heroes are divided on whether or not leaving the saving to the UN is such a good idea and thus the Civil War begins.  The two sides, headed up by Iron man and Captain America leave for some powerful fight sequences as well as witty bantering back and forth until they come to some kind of understanding.

At 2 and a half hours, Captain America: Civil War introduces a whole new team and challenges along the way.  It is very much entertaining to the eye and ultimately leaves the viewer wanting more every second that goes by.  Captain America stars a line up of well-known actors including, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America as well as Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Paul Bettany as Vision, Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlett Witch, Paul Rudd as Antman and Emily Vancamp as Sharon Carter and of course, no Avenger film is complete without a cameo by creator Stan Lee.

Thus far, Captain America has earned just shy of 200 million domestically and is currently playing at a theater near you.  See it soon, you won’t regret it.

The “Huntsman” Returns

Chris Hemsworth is back in the latest adventure as the Huntsman, this time showing the icy past that made him become the huntsman.  In this latest adventure, Ravenna’s younger sister, Freya, after the unforeseen death of her day old daughter, the young queen is drawn to the icy powers that she has hidden inside of her.  Grief stricken, Freya takes refuge in the North, as her sister goes after Snow White.

Freya focuses her attention on raising an army of children to become her warriors and huntsman, raising fear and not getting close to anyone again.  As Freya’s powers and army grows in numbers, she realizes a chemistry forming in two of her strongest warriors, Eric (Hemsworth) and Sara (Jessica Chastain) and seeks to destroy the flame by showing two alternative fates that forces Eric to run away, which turns Sara into a heartless killer, but not before the two secretly marry before the departure.

Fast forward seven years after Snow White vanquishes Ravenna (Charize Theron), Erik discovers Sarah is still alive and is on a quest to find the mirror of Freya’s deceased older sister.  Hoping to rekindle the love, Eric and a couple of dwarf accompany Sara but is it too late to rekindle their love while trying to prevent the snow queen from gaining possession of the mirror.

At just under 2 hours run time, Universal’s The Huntman is packed with swords and punches as audiences learn even more about the relationships of the sisters, the lovers and the dwarves in an epic change of events that will have you asking questions and leaving you feeling somewhat fulfilled by the truth.  It’s a move that is ultimately worth giving it a chance to see on the big screen, though its opening weekend earned a solid 20 million, which was three times less then Disney’s The Jungle Book which took 60 million, raising its 10-day total to just under 200 million domestically.

The Huntsman:Winter’s War came out April 22 in theaters everywhere and is currently playing at a theater near you.

“London” Hits 60 Million

The Focus Films sequel, London Has Fallen is still drawing movie goers to theaters nearly a month after it premiered on the big screen, bringing in over 61 million dollars in revenue.

The movie follows secret service agent, Mike Banning, played by Gerald Butler as he is sent on one final protection detail to protect the president of the United States, Benjamin Asher, played by Aaron Eikhart, who is among the top political figures that are called to attend the funeral of the former prime minister in London.   While there, a botch assignation attack on the leaders nearly destroys the city and causes Banning to go into full protection mode, when he discovers the terrorist mission to publicly assassinate the president.

At an hour forty minute run time, its and action adventure, that has a lot of bang for its bucks as the first explosion is just the beginning and for those who never saw the original Olympus Has Fallen, one won’t be missing too much to see London Has Fallen.  In addition to being a high action drama, there are a few humorous banter that will break the monotony of the action.

London has Fallen is still currently playing in select theaters near you.  For an action suspense drama, this is the movie for you.

“Jungle Book” Remade

Disney has done it again, this time bringing Rudyard Kipling’s beloved tale to the big screen in an all new live action Jungle Book.  The movie picks up with Mowgli, played by newcomer, Neel Sethi, being raised by a pack of Wolves.  Everything is peaceful, until Shere Khan, voiced by Idris Elba, discovers the man cub and because of a deep run in that he had with an explorer and the “red flower”, Khan is determined to end young Mowgli’s life before he can end his.

Now it is up to Bagheera, the panther, voiced by Ben Kingsley, who has been watching out for Mowgli all his life as well as Baloo, a lazy, carefree bear, voiced by Bill Murray, who lives by the “Bear Necessities”, to join together and bring Mowgli back to the “man village”, but will they succeed and will Mowgli want to go back, after living with the wolves for so long.

At 105 minutes, its a movie that will keep you engaged with the scenery of the forest as well as beloved characters that show up along the way, including King Louie the Orangutan, voiced by Christopher Walken and Kaa the python, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.  Overall, the director, Jon Favreau, did a good job of sticking to the original animated movie.  With familiar songs like “Bear Necessities” and “Trust In Me” generations will be taken back to their childhood, while new generations equally will experience the magic of the Jungle Book.

Jungle book opened in theaters April 15, 2016 and earned over 32-million in revenues its opening day.  It is currently playing in one near you.  See it and relive your childhood again.

“God” Takes Court

In the latest faith-based movie sequel, God’s Not Dead 2 is touching light on the civil state vs church cases that have swept the nation and inspired a movement.

Pure Flex’s God’s Not Dead 2 reunites David A.R. White as Pastor Dave, Benjamin A. Onyango as Rev. Jude, Paul Kwo as the Chinese student, Martin and Trisha LaFache, as the journalist, Amy Ryan, as their faith is further tested in the latest adventure.

This time the story deals with a teacher named Grace Wesley (Melissa Joan Hart) who is challenged by the school board after responding to a student’s (Hayley Orrantia) honest question about Jesus during a lesson.  Not wanting to back down from her beliefs, Hart is taken to court to prove once again, God’s Not Dead as she and her Union appointed attorney, Tom Endler (Jesse Metcalfe) fight to win against the school board who wants to bury her in front of the public forum headed by Judge Robert Stennis (Ernie Hudson).

At 2 hours and 1 minute, it’s a movie that will have you cheering as familiar faces such as the Christian Pop Band, Newsboys, who like in the original, close out the movie with a live concert this time at Grand Canyon University.

God’s Not Dead 2 came out in theaters April 1 and has thus earned just under 3 million its opening day.  See it in a theater near you and join the movement.

 

“Miracles” Battle For Number One

The Faith-based True Story about a family’s love and dedication to one another especially when tragedy strikes is bringing movie goers to tears in “Miracles From Heaven“.

The film stars Jennifer Garner, who plays Christy Beam, the mother with the undying will to help her little girl, Anna (Kylie Rogers), who is diagnosed with a rare life-threatening digestive disorder.  Overall, Garner’s portrayal and acting sends chills down one’s spine as she acts brilliantly as a mother whose faith is tested at all times.  It is a test of true faith that ultimately leads to the climatic miracle that changes everything and leaves the audience feeling a sense of humbleness and strength even in the tiniest of miracles.

Miracles From Heaven also stars Queen Latifah, who plays a waitress in Boston that “Christy” and “Anna” first meet on their spontaneous trip to the children’s hospital and offers comfort and fun in the mix of the race for a cure.

Inspired by the real family from Texas, Miracles From Heaven is a feel good movie for the whole family that will hopefully empower people to live each day for what it is and appreciate everything one has.

The faith-based movie came out March 18 and thus far has reached 7.7 million in its first two days at the box office.  It is currently playing in a theater near you.  See it this week or Easter weekend and experience the “Miracle” in front of you.

“Messiah” Opens Eyes

The latest christian film about the life of Jesus at the age of seven is drawing a small number of viewers to theaters its opening weekend as it brought in roughly 3.4 million in revenues at the box office.

Based on the novel, Christ The Lord: Out of Egypt by acclaimed author, Anne Rice, The Young Messiah stars newcomer Adam Greaves-Neal in his first feature length film playing 7-year-old Jesus who is just releasing his powers as Mary and Joseph are told in a dream to move from Egypt back to Nazareth.

Overall, the movie is entertaining as the story makes you think about Jesus as a child however because there is no proof, some theologians might be skeptical as to the validity of how they are portraying the character of Jesus.  That being said, people are encouraged to see it and make their own decisions.

The Young Messiah also stars, Sara Lazzaro as Mary,  Vincent Walsh as Joseph, David Bradley as the Old Rabbi, Rory Keenan as the demon and Sean Bean as Severus.

At an hour 51 minutes, it’s a film that makes you sit on the edge of your seat waiting for the next miracle while envision the life of Jesus as a child.

See it now in a theater near you.

“Spotlight” Review

One of the Oscar nominated films, Spotlight is still drawing a small number of viewers to theaters across the nation as it brings in over half a million, the last week before the Oscars, bringing its told number up to 57 million worldwide since it opened back in November.

The Independent Newsroom drama stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams as the team of investigative journalists from the Boston Globe uncover the scandal of the century and fight to be the first to break the news in “Spotlight“.

Overall, it’s a film that is packed with powerful performances by Ruffalo, McAdams, and Keaton that show the struggle that real journalists face in dealing with touchy topics in order to get the story and uncover the truth and is definitely worth the consideration for best picture at this year’s Oscar.

In addition to its nomination for best picture, Spotlight also has 5 other nominations, including best supporting actor, best supporting actress, film editing and original screenplay.  The 88th Annual Academy Awards will air on Sunday February 22, 2016 at 7 eastern/ 4 pacific standard time.

Spotlight is currently available to own Tuesday February 23, 2016.  See it.  It’s clearly another classic in the genre along with Citizen Kane as well as All the President’s Men.

New Super in Town

Marvel has done it again and wowed crowds with their latest comic book brought to life on the big screen.  20th Century Fox’s, Deadpool is about wise cracking Wade played by Ryan Reynolds as he tells the sequence of events that lead to him putting on the red and black mask and becoming Deadpool.

Overall, the audience is full immersed in the action, drama and ultimately the chain of events that Wade goes through from meeting his girlfriend, Vanessa, played by Morena Baccarin, where life is perfect to discovering that he has cancer which leads to him meeting up with Francis/Ajax, played by  Ed Skrein, who promises a cure for the cancer, but ultimately cures him from everything, making him immortal as well as disfiguring his outward appearance.  Destined to figure out some way back to Vanessa and revenge for the way he looks, Wade crafts his costume and Deadpool is born.

At an hour and 48 minutes, Deadpool is packed with all the same punches as its former marvel movies, even with hidden references that diehard comic book enthusiasts can not miss, including the iconic Stan Lee, creator of the comics who also was the executive producer of nearly all the movies, as well as subtle cameos by some of the other avengers.

Deadpool opened in theaters valentine’s weekend with strong numbers taking number one at the box office with over 150 million for the four day weekend.

Viewer discretion is strongly advised as it is rated R for several raunchy scenes as well as graphic language, but for a diehard comic book fan, Deadpool is a definite much see and is currently playing in a theater near you.

Drama Gives Lucasfilm Run At Box Office

The latest drama based on true events has movie goers racing to see it opening weekend and rightfully so.

20th Century Fox’s The Revenant stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass, in an exceptional portrayal of a frontiersman as he battles nature, weather and ultimately each other in a survival of the fittest action adventure film.   When DiCaprio finds himself on the verge of death after being viciously attacked by a giant mama bear, he is eventually left for dead and finds refuge and aid in a few friendly natives as he fights to get back to the base camp.   The movie also stars actor Tom Hardy who plays alongside DiCaprio as fellow frontiersman who ends up being DiCaprio’s worst nightmare, when he turns on Glass and his native American son, ultimately stabbing the to death.  As revenge for his son’s murder, DiCaprio has a new will to survive in his son’s honor.

The Revenant came out in limited theaters Dec 25 and everywhere January 8 and it’s first full weekend debut brought in an estimated 38 million, just barely behind Star Wars.

In addition, The Revenant took home three Golden Globes on Sunday night for best drama, best actor for Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio and best director, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.

See The Revenant in a theater near you.  It’s a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seats with anticipation and wonder and though it’s not a movie for everyone, those that see it will not be disappointed.  At 2 hours and 36 minutes, it’s one of those movies that time doesn’t matter.