Captain Marvel

My View:  Captain Marvel  (2019)  PG-13   Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes and she will need that power when Earth is caught in the middle of a battle between two alien races. I absolutely love this movie! There is a wonderful and moving tribute to Stan Lee before the film starts, and he does make one last cameo in the film. Brie Larson is amazing in the role, and her character kicks major butt. There is a cat in the named Goose that will steal your heart. The action sequences are fun and well choreographed. The film starts a little slow but I liked that there is a quite big mystery on how Captain Marvel got her powers. There are some nice twists and turns to the plot that keeps you guessing. I loved the chemistry between Samuel L. Jackson, playing Fury and Larson. The film has a killer soundtrack from the 80s and 90s. This film features a very strong supporting cast, the best of the bunch is Lashana Lynch, who plays an Air Force pilot. This picture delivered everything I wanted and more. There are two bonus scenes in the credits, so make sure to stay all the way through the credits.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    Captain Marvel Website

Indiefest:  The Invisibles  (2017)  In 1943, the Nazi’s declared that Berlin was ‘free of Jews.’ Little did they know that  Jews still lived in the city. This is the story of four Jews who somehow hid, some in plain sight. This is a fascinating documentary that uses recreations, interviews and archival footage to tell the story of these people that stayed in Berlin and survived. Their stories are all varied on how they were able to hide for so long in a city that was hostile to them. The recreations are well done and really helpful in experiencing the terror that these people felt every day. It also shows you how many ordinary Germans helped them survive.   My Rating: Full Price   The Invisibles Website

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  Creed II  (2018)  PG-13   With Rocky’s (Sylvester Stallone) help, newly crowned light heavyweight champion Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) faces off against Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), the son of the man that killed Adonis’ father. This is a disappointing film because the first Creed film was one of the best of that year. Sylvester Stallone co-wrote this film, and it has his heavy hand all over it. This feels more like a Rocky picture than a sequel to Creed. What is surprising is how good Dolph Lundgren is as Ivan Drago, the boxer who lost everything when Rocky beat him thirty years ago. Lundren makes Drago a real character who wants revenge through his son and it’s the best performance in the film. I just wish the movie wasn’t so over the top and was much too long.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Creed II Website

Forgotten Film:  Short Term 12  (2013)  R   Grace (Brie Larson) works as a supervisor at a foster-care facility for at-risk teenagers.  Her boyfriend, Mason (John Gallagher Jr.), works with her at the home.  Grace’s world is changed when Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), a troubled teenaged girl, enters the facility, and Grace sees herself in Jayden.  Brie Larson gives one of the best performances of the year as the tough, but kind-hearted Grace.  She is able to show, just in her eyes, all the pain and empathy that her character has.  I also loved the scenes between Grace and Mason, as both actors bring a nice, comfortable chemistry that two people who have been together for awhile should exhibit.  The supporting cast of kids are good, and Larson plays off of them with an ability to show us she has dealt with their problems before, possibly in her own life.  This is a film that gives you hope for kids who are troubled, and there are people out there trying to help them and give them some sort of feeling of family, even if that family is not ordinary.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again     Short Term 12 Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Captain Marvel:  Prosthetic Makeup Artist

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Penguins  (2019)  A Disney documentary that centers on the story of Steve, a very clumsy Addie penguin, who is looking for a mate. The trailer just looks adorable.    Penguins Website

Until Next Time!