Deadpool & Wolverine

My View: Deadpool & Wolverine  (2024)  R   Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is recovering from some serious injuries when he comes across someone he really doesn’t like, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds). After trying to kill each other, the two frenemies team up to defeat a common enemy. Be sure to try to avoid all spoilers, as there are a lot of them because of the almost endless cameos and easter eggs that constantly appear. I loved the first Deadpool as it continually mocked superhero movies, with Ryan Reynolds breaking the fourth wall to talk to us. I loved the character and thoroughly had a good time. The second film was entertaining, but it's hard to match the first one. Now we have a third film, and to save the day, Hugh Jackman, the man who has played Wolverine for an incredible 23 years, is on board. The film breaks the fourth wall from the start, as Deadpool makes fun of Marvel during the opening credits. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, laughing and clapping so hard that I missed some of the dialogue. There is great chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Reynolds. It's easy to see how Jackman would get back in shape to play the role one more time, because he is having the time of his life in this film. Yes, the plot is a little (ok, a lot) convoluted, Reynolds goes a bit too far talking to the audience, and the film starts to drag a bit in the last thirty minutes. Still, it's great fun trying to find all the easter eggs, and some of the cameos are jaw-droppingly good. The end seems a little too easy, but it’s still a blast to watch. They do a nice job during the credits to salute all the characters that have appeared in the 20th Century Fox superhero movies, and yes, there is a bonus scene at the end of all the credits. And oh, there is a dog that has a pretty big part in the film that has to be seen to be believed. So go get your Deadpool/Wolverine popcorn bucket and have a great time.  My Rating: Full Price Deadpool & Wolverine Website  Now playing in theaters.

My View: Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net  (2023)  PG-13  In the documentary Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net, the company, after shutting down and declaring bankruptcy due to the worldwide Covid outbreak, moves to reboot its flagship production O. The film documents the struggle of both performers and crew members as they work to return to their world-class standards in time for an opening night. My love for Cirque is immense and I am lucky to live in a city where their circus tents are set up every year with a touring show. So I was excited to find out that a documentary was being done on Cirque du Soleil putting their flagship Las Vegas show, O, back on after 400 days of being dark because of the COVID crisis. The film does an outstanding job of letting us get to know some of the performers, as they have to quickly get back in the groove of performing after being sidelined. O is a unique show in the Cirque lineup, as a great part of the performance is done in or around water. The film shows us all the trials and tribulations that go on behind the scenes to put on the show, including getting used to new partners and having equipment that doesn’t always work the way it’s supposed to. I loved seeing all the practices they had to go through, and it made me appreciate the spectacular show they put on night after night. So put on your tights, limber up, and join in on the fun. My Rating: Full Price  Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net Info     Now playing on Amazon Prime.

Indiefest:  Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger  (2024)  Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger is a documentary that chronicles the British cinematic partnership of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, known as The Archers. Between 1939 and 1972, the duo created 24 award-winning films, including Black Narcissus (1947), The Red Shoes (1948) and The Elusive Pimpernel (1950). Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Killers of the Flower Moon) gives us a Master Class on the films of The Archers. Their films greatly impacted filmmakers like Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, as they did with me. I can tell you exactly what theater I was in when I saw The Red Shoes; that's how big an impact their films had on me. The film gives us the history of Powell and Pressburger’s unusual partnership, with Powell directing the films and Pressburger writing them. The two then produced the films together, and their output was some of the finest films ever to come out of England. Scorsese spends time giving us insight into each film they made, with behind-the-scenes stories and a ton of footage from the archives of the two men. If you have never seen one of their films, this is an excellent introduction, as Scorsese shows us the magic they created on the screen. The wonderful thing about The Archers is that you can find any type of film you love because they did it all, from musicals to war films to even romantic comedies. There is something from The Archers that will amaze and astound you. This documentary will help you find a movie of theirs that you will fall in love with, just like Martin and me.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Made in England Website   Now playing in theaters.

Indiefest:  National Anthem  (2023)  R Dylan (Charlie Plummer) is a 21-year-old construction worker in New Mexico when he finds himself working on a ranch with a community of queer rodeo performers. Dylan is about to meet someone, Sky (Eve Lindley), who will change his life forever. National Anthem is a coming-of-age film with a twist. It is set in the world of rodeos and ranches with a setting that makes Dylan’s discovery come naturally, with acceptance and love. Charlie Plummer is fantastic as the love-stuck wannabe cowboy who comes upon this community by chance and falls instantly for a woman named Sky. The only problem is that Sky is in a relationship with the group leader, Pepe (Rene Rosado). Plummer portrays Dylan as someone tired of his life, worn down by a mother (Robin Lively) who likes to party and having to take care of his little brother (Joey DeLon), all the while trying to save up money to buy a camper so he can get out of his situation. Along comes Sky and the rest of the gang at the ranch, and Dylan finds his place in the world. I loved the film’s cinematography, as the land becomes a welcoming surrounding where Dylan can become who he truly is. National Anthem is a beautiful story that works because of the performances of Plummer and Lindley, making Charlie’s first genuine romance feel part of his growth from a lost soul to someone ready to explore what life will bring him next.  My Rating: Full Price National Anthem Website   Now playing in theaters. 

Forgotten Film:  Dominick and Eugene (1988)  PG-13  Dominick (Tom Hulce) and Eugene (Ray Liotta) are twins. Eugene is soon going to graduate from medical school. Dominick had an accident as a child and is a little slow, often having trouble dealing with everyday life, but he is able to have a job as a sanitation worker. Soon, Eugene will go off to do his residency, and that means leaving Dominick on his own, something Eugene isn’t sure that is something that he can do. Tom Hulce is the reason to see this film as he gives Dominick a person who is so sweet and earnest that you have to root for him. Ray Liotta is perfect as the brother who is conflicted by wanting a life for himself but wanting to make sure his brother can live on his own. Dominick and Eugene is a warm and sometimes funny movie that works throughout.  My Rating: Full Price  Dominick and Eugene Info  Available on Amazon.

Weird Credits: From the credits of Deadpool & Wolverine:  Drapes Trainee. 

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:  Borderlands  (2024)  PG-13  Lilith (Cate Blanchett) is an infamous bounty hunter who has reluctantly returned to her home planet, Pandora, to find the missing daughter of Atlas (Edgar Ramirez), the universe’s most powerful villain. Lilith recruits a ragtag team to find the missing daughter, who just might be the key to saving the universe. The film is based on one of the best-selling video game franchises ever. The cast includes Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Menteanu, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis.  Borderlands Website In theaters on Friday, August 9, 2024.

Until Next Time!