Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo

Screenplay written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely

Based on the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby 

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Scarlett Johansson

Caution for potential spoilers ahead!

11 years ago, Marvel released the first Iron Man movie, and nothing has been the same since. Every year since then, Marvel has released movie after movie introducing us to more and more amazing superheroes to fall in love with, and more villains to root against. Every year I kept thinking how could they top themselves, then they released last years Avengers: Infinity War which merged many Marvel superheroes including The Avengers, Black Panther, Doctor Strange and more. After that movie ended with such a cliffhanger, myself and every other Marvel fan have been eagerly awaiting Endgame-- dare I say, the glorious, bittersweet end to the past 11 years. 

The movie begins just a short amount of time after the tragic events at the end of Infinity War. The remaining Avengers; Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) and Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) are joined by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and together they plan to track down Thanos (Josh Brolin) and steal the infinity stones to reverse the actions they caused. After Thanos reveals that he already destroyed the stones, Thor kills him. The movie then picks up 5 years later, with Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), returning from the Quantum Realm and proposing that they travel back in time through the Quantum Realm to stop Thanos from ever getting the 6 infinity stones. 

This movie is an amazing way to reward all the loyal Marvel fans who have been following these heroes for more than a decade on screen. Everything that happens in this movie is so incredibly satisfying for someone who has seen all the movies. The time traveling aspect may seem a little corny at first, but it is actually the perfect way to bring in some characters from all the other movies one last time, and to give some characters the happy ending they deserve. The merging between the different movies in Endgame is even better than in Infinity War-- as this time we get to see some characters from Thor, Doctor Strange, Captain America and even the latest lady hero, Captain Marvel. 

For those who maybe haven't seen every Marvel movie from the past 11 years, you will still thoroughly enjoy this movie you may just miss some references, or you may not cry so hard with nostalgia like the rest of us!  

The Marvel movies have always had a lot of comic relief thrown in with the action, but this one seemed to hit harder with the comedy. It seemed to hit harder with all the emotions actually. Thor brings a lot of comedy, since he is now an alcoholic with a beer gut and no more chizzled abs. His character has gone through tremendous loss and is experiencing a lot of guilt from not killing Thanos, so he is in rough shape in the beginning of the movie. But, his condition does give for some big laughs. Even though this film has less of the characters we know and love, it adds a few of the older ones we didn't get to see in Infinity War like Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Ant-Man. 

As fas as acting performances go, Chris Hemsworth wins the gold with his new version of chubby and sad Thor. Robert Downey Jr. brings some real change to Tony this time around, while he's no longer the arrogant and selfish man he has been in the past. Paul Rudd is fantastically hilarious again as Ant-Man, Mark Ruffalo brings a new level of acceptance for being The Hulk, Scarlett Johansson brings a lot of emotion this time around to Black Widow, Brie Larson is a bad-ass as Carol Danvers, saving the day more than once.  The whole cast does an amazing job. I was so happy with the smaller cameos from people like; Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Rene Russo (Frigga), Evangeline Lilly (The Wasp), Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter), John Slattery (Howard Stark) and Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One). 

The 3 hour run time may seem a little daunting at first, but it flies by with all the non-stop excitement. It pays homage to not only the Avengers but the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so brilliantly it will give you goosebumps, make you laugh and undoubtedly cry. There is a scene of the Marvel women all together that did all three for me actually, I thought I would combust. 

10/10

Unicorn Store (2019)

Directed by Brie Larson

Written by Samantha McIntyre

Starring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Joan Cusack and Bradley Whitford

This film originally premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and didn't reach the public eye until it hit Netflix in early 2019, and I think there is a reason for that. For a film to open at TIFF and then skip theaters and go to Netflix isn't necessarily a bad thing, with Netflix producing many good movies now-- but Brie Larson's directorial debut unfortunately is not one of those quality Netflix products. 

Unicorn Store is about a woman named Kit (Brie Larson) who is a kid at heart. After Kit is dismissed from art school she moves back in with her parents (played by Bradley Whitford and Joan Cusack), where she decides to join a temp agency and work at an office job. At this job she is tasked with pitching a campaign for a new vacuum cleaner, when she receives a mysterious invitation to "The Store" where she meets the salesman (Samuel L. Jackson). He tells her that she can make her childhood dreams come true and be the proud new owner of a unicorn, if she follows a few demands first. 

I wanted to like this movie so badly, considering how much of a Brie Larson fan I am. After her monster of a great performance in Room and other great movies like Short Term 12 and Trainwreck, I had high hopes for her starring role in this as well as first time directing. This movie wants to be a quirky, weird coming-of-age story but it doesn't achieve that. Most of the time it's really corny and just a little awkward, frankly. Half the time I was confused wether this was supposed to be a kids movie, because of how much it really focused on glitter and unicorns. 

The characters don't have much depth either. Kit is a young women who doesn't want to grow up, and is obsessed with glitter and wacky outfits and getting a unicorn. She's not your average character from a coming of age movie who just does not want to grow up, she's just immature and we never really get to know where that personality came from. However, that isn't a negative testament to Larson's acting performance in the film. Kit is a young-spirited, optimistic women and that is definitely portrayed throughout the movie. Larson gets a chance to show her comedic skills off a bit with her acting in this movie. The supporting performances were just okay. Seeing Sam Jackson in a pink suit, afro with strings of glitter, and selling unicorns was a bit out of character for him. A little too tacky for me, to be honest. But, you can tell how much fun he and Larson had making this, so that makes it better. Cusack and Whitford do well as Kit's parents too. 

Unicorn Store isn't an all bad movie. It has some funny moments, mostly from Brie Larson. It has some fun, aesthetically pleasing outfits and sets. The sub-plot of not wanting to grow up, and everyone having a little magic in them, is definitely a unique one. Just the delivery of it all is a little sub-par for me. 

4/10

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts 

Written by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly and John Gatins 

Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson and John C. Reilly 

     Once again, King Kong has risen from his figurative cage and roared and banged on his chest at the big screens. This time however, it wasn't for another re-make of the original movie. Kong: Skull Island, is a completely different story and time period (the 70's to be exact), where that film-crew from the original movie, never entered the island. This time instead of a film crew, its a scientific investigation of the never before inhabited, mysterious: Skull Island. With the same amount of monster fights (if not more), shooting guns, running through the jungle, and a big hairy ape with a thing for blonde women as the original- this is a fresh new story with all our favorite aspects of the first Kong story. All the more reason to love it. 

     This time around, the story begins with a government backed group of scientists, fronted by Bill Randa (John Goodman). He has his eyes and heart set on getting to the mysterious, Skull Island, so he and his team can explore. Bill and his team believe that this island could hold manners of wonder, perhaps beyond human imagining. Once they get the go-ahead to fly into this dangerous island, they embark on the mission with military assistance led by Lt. Col. Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) and his unit. Also along for the ride on the dangerous mission is the feminist, anti-war photographer, Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), and the world's most handsome mercenary, James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston).  Once the team penetrates the thick storm clouds which surround Skull Island, they come face to face with the gigantic, famous Kong- who, to the shock of some, isn't the real monster to fear. Skull Island is crawling with much creepier, more menacing, and just as big beasts that don't show as much mercy as Kong. After being swatted down in their helicopters by the mighty Kong, the team is scattered on the island- forced to face the many creatures this island has to offer-while they all venture to the opposite side of the island in attempt to be rescued. Of course they have some help from a local islander played by John C. Reilly- however I won't get into much detail on his character to spare everyone from potential spoilers. 

     It wouldn't be a Kong movie without incredible set and monster design- which this movie exceeds in. With the time period of the film being post Vietman war, they actually did most of the filming in Vietnam, thus providing for a realistic looking set. So sure, this movie may have most of the cliche monster movie attributes like the intense battle to the death between two building high monsters- but this kind of action is what the audience eats up with their popcorn, so to not include it wouldn't be fair. It's hard to criticize the cliche's however when they're so beautifully done. The special effects are so incredible, the monsters are so big, the noises are so loud- you can't not enjoy it. 

     Step aside Jessica Lange and Naomi Watts, Kong has a new doll, and she's certainly feistier than her predecessors. Larson's character may be a photographer, but its more than her camera that she is pointing and shooting. Her and Kong may not have as close of a relationship as he and his other gal pal's had- however they do share a lot of sympathetic glances throughout the movie. Samuel L. Jackson plays the character that the writers make you hate. Haven't we seen this before? Though he may not be the handsomest cast member (that goes to you Tom), Reilly has the most significant role bringing lots of humor to this action packed flick. 

     Aside from nailing an all-star cast including two oscar nominees, an oscar winner, and a former Taylor Swift boyfriend- the film succeeds on many levels. 

I give Kong: Skull Island a...

8/10 

     

21 Jump Street (2012)

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Written by Michael Bacall and Jonah Hill 

Starring Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube and Brie Larson

     A comedy, spin-off from the popular 80's television show starring Johnny Depp, "21 Jump Street." This old crime show didn't really have a high demand for a spin-off, but this comedy about an unlikely duo working on the same team undercover as high school students, is quite comical. I didn't have high expectations going into this film considering i'm not the biggest Jonah Hill fan, and Channing Tatum isn't normally a comedy star- however this film proved me wrong. 

     Schmidt (Jonah Hill) was the pudgy nerd in high school, with braces and acne, who couldn't work up the nerve to ask a girl to prom. Jenko (Channing Tatum) was the long-haired athlete who shoved kids like Schmidt in lockers in high school. They were polar opposites in high school, and 8 years later when they're both in the police academy, they're still that way. The two quickly find out they need each other when Schmidt can't pass the physical exam, and Jenko can't pass the written exam. Once the two graduate and prepare for an exciting career on the force, they quickly discover it is not what they were hoping when they're stuck patrolling a park on bicycles. After their brief lapse of shame, they're exiled to an undercover unit that is investigating a new drug that has infiltrated a local high school. Led by the head honcho, veteran cop (Ice Cube), the two are forced to reprise their roles as high school students in order to find the supplier of this drug. 

     While Jenko is much more bitty about returning to high school than Schmidt- that quickly reverses when they both realize how what is "cool" in high school is way different from 8 years prior. Schmidt sinks right into the cool kid crowd led by the superior, Eric Molson (Dave Franco)- and even ventures so deeply into the facade of being a high school student that he asks the sweet Molly (Brie Larson) to the prom. While on the other hand, Jenko ironically begins to hangout with the nerd crowd. 

     The funny thing about this movie is how much Tatum and Hill don't look like high school students at all- and the writers aren't shy about pointing that out in the script. This film could have been utterly cliche with the unlikely duo being paired together and becoming best friends or "brothers" in this case - but 21 Jump Street was not at all. It started with a lot of momentum and never really died down. Hill has an impressive track record with two oscar nominations to his name, so now blockbuster comedies like this are a piece of cake for him as this movie clearly exemplifies. Tatum is funny as the stupid hot guy, once again proving we can't all be pretty and smart. 

I give 21 Jump Street a...

7/10

Room (2015)

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson 

Written by Emma Donoghue (screenplay and novel) 

Starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, and Joan Allen

     A movie that will make you happy cry, sad cry, and audibly rejoice throughout the 2 hours. Director, Lenny Abrahamson makes his big time debut with this drama adapted by the novel Room written by Emma Donoghue, who also wrote the screenplay. Donoghue perfectly transitions her masterpiece novel into a screenplay without leaving viewers repeating to themselves, "the book was better." 

     19 year old woman, Joy (Brie Larson) is abducted off the streets, taken captive in a garden shed and continuously raped by her captor (Sean Bridgers). After two agonizingly depressing years for her in captivity, she gives birth to a boy- Jack (Jacob Tremblay). With Jack growing up in this tiny room, he has no knowledge of the world outside of room. When Jack turns five, his Ma becomes increasingly more aware of how his growth effects their perilous situation. Ma then devises a plan of a great escape with the help of naive little Jack. The plan involves Jack playing dead, all rolled up in a rug as the captor who they call "Old Nick" removes him. Once Jack enters the outside world via Old Nick's truck, he jumps out and retrieves help from the first person he finds. With the assistance of the police, they find Ma and cue the hugging and crying as the two are reunited in the outside world. I watched this movie with my boyfriend and at this point he was waiting for the credits to start rolling not having read the book. This movie does not end on a note of optimism. 

    The second half of Room continues on with Ma and Jack's life outside of the four tiny walls of their once home. Although their life inside room is a major aspect of this film, the most important aspect is the post kid-napping return to normality. Like Donoghue's book, the movie is told from Jack's point of view of how he perceives the world. In room, Ma has sheltered Jack from the cruel reality of their situation by making him believe that the "world" is what exists behind the closed locked door of the shed they are kept in. Jack believes that everything he can see through their skylight is outer space, and that nothing on the television is real, and Old Nick is magic and comes from the fake television world. In the second half of the movie we see Ma struggle with their sudden freedom as Jack flourishes. Jack is seeing so many things for the first time, and Ma is stuck on all the wasted time she lost. 

     The screenplay differs from the novel in that we get to see a much more prominent role from Ma. Watching Brie Larson take on this intricate role is breath taking. Her acting in this movie is effortless and unforced almost as if this were a candid filming of an actual circumstance that happen to her. She plays her sons image of her - Ma. Not this un-hinged captive woman always seeking a way out. She's living everyday as Jack's Ma in what he thinks is their world. Larson had the role of her career in this film and scored an Academy Award win for it. Her performance was admirable and she perfectly portrays my expectations from Ma in the novel. Jacob Tremblay is eight years old. Every time I watch this movie I am reminding myself that. It is so incredible to watch his performance. Its not like any other child actor. I am shocked he didn't get an Oscar nomination for this. Joan Allen provides a strong supporting role as Joy's mom. 

     With such a horrific backstory, Room is surprisingly uplifting. The transition from captivity to reality is not one of peace and prosperity. It is honest and it is dark at some points and that is what sets this apart and makes it amazing. With true and real and impeccable acting performances from the two lead roles and an incredible adaptation from book to movie, Room is one of the best movies of the decade. 

I give Room a... 

10/10