"I Fight for what's right, and sometimes you gotta Fight Dirty" Deadpool 2 Review

Deadpool 2

2/5

Directed by: David Leitch

Rated: R

          In 2016 audiences all across the world and producers all cushy in L.A. saw the beginning of something unthinkable, the amount of cash a well done R rated Deadpool movie can bring in. A 132 million dollars and change opening weekend is nothing short of flipping awesome, and its numbers like this that get studios to make other R rated super-hero flicks. Logan, however, had to go and steal Deadpool's R rated thunder, but the merk with the mouth is here to get his groove back and make some new friends along the way. Just stand back and watch what happens in this heartfelt comedy that just about broke even with its 125 million opening weekend, Deadpool 2. This could be good.
          Well, it had the potential to be good. It's got one good looking cast, and they can also act well too. Real life jerk-a-holic Ryan Reynolds stars in the role he was born to play, and almost did in a 2008 X-men flop that "we do not discuss." Reynolds plays Deadpool and suits the role and the tight tight suit just fine. Watching this guy do Deadpool things (a little bang bang all over the room and also shooting people) is worth the overprice of admission alone. Posed against Deadpool is a villainous big bad bad guy on a self justified mission to save his planet by killing certain people, and it's not Thanos. It's a time traveling assassin named Cable, but he is played by the same snappy Josh Brolin Marvel fans have come to know and love and hate. Other than these two nut bags going at it there are other good and perhaps not so good characters in this movie. There's the lovely Vanessa, Deadpool's gorgeous wifey, Fire-fist, a teen angsty super-hero, Domino, a crazy mutant with the overpowered yet surprisingly cinematic ability to be super lucky, and Peter, the everyman made of marshmallowy goodness and happy thoughts. Oh, there's also the fan favorite characters from Deadpool's first bender, Weasel the bartender, Blind Al, Collosus and Dopinder the taxi driver. Together they make up an alright cast complete with plenty of surprises.
           It's too bad this cast isn't used that well in this movie's screenplay. Now, Deadpool 2's script has got more twists and turns and secrecy than Blade Runner's overly hyped up not the best sequel ever, but twists and turns can only go so far, before someone crashes the car. When the twists and turns don't satisfy and just kind of lead nowhere fast, then someone has to get out and push the car and its usually Deadpool. He has to get behind this plot car and push as hard as he can. He pushes so hard. Where was this metaphor going? No one is entirely sure, but it wouldn't be a JFMview without some random imagery, and this time it's a little provocative. Point is, Deadpool 2's story continuously doubts itself and unnecessarily fakes out audiences, until it ends and leaves most audience members satisfied while others are annoyed. Fun can be had at this movie, but for some it would probably be a better time being seen at home.
           One thing that makes little sense about this little sequel that could, is how political it is. That's right. 20th Century Fox got political in a Deadpool movie. Deadpool 2's basic plot revolves around its political nature, and most of Deadpool's motivations are founded in social justice topics. This makes no sense, especially considering how anti-politically-correct Deadpool's character is supposed to be. This also greatly detracts from this movie's ability to use clever euphemisms, so characters often repeat the same innuendoes in the hopes that is funnier the second or fifth time. In a fun comedy with this seriously messed up leading man, politics shouldn't even be a factor, much less a major plot point. It should not matter whether Deadpool is an "elephant" or a "donkey." He should just be an "ass."

Verdict: Deadpool 2 is a fine comedy led by Ryan Reynolds, but its off paced screenplay, incessant fake outs and bizarrely politically charged tone unnecessarily detract from this movie's overall experience.

"This my Movie, and this My life. Okay, be Cool." The Disaster Artist Review

The Disaster Artist

4/5

Directed by: James Franco

Rated: R

           There is a film that lives in legend...for being one of the worst films ever made. This piece of pure disastrous pleasure is Tommy Wiseau's The Room (2003), a masterpiece of garbage that still has midnight screenings to sold out auditoriums. How did a film so horribly designed and poorly executed become one of the most popular pieces of cinema, and how was such a film created? Director James Franco has brought this story and the curious and unforgettable mastermind behind it all, Tommy Wiseau, to life. Based on the autobiography of the same name by Greg Sestero, this is the true story of The Disaster Artist.
          The Disaster Artist's greatest appeal comes from its top notch performances from leads James and Dave Franco. These two real life brothers play one of the most unique best friend duos ever portrayed on screen. Dave Franco plays Greg Sestero, a young bachelor who wants to make something of himself in L.A. He's got charm and charisma, but he lacks confidence and the ability to cut loose. If Greg is one side of the wide eyed L.A. dreamer (apprehensive and yet eager), then James Franco's character, Tommy Wiseau, is more than the opposite end. Tommy holds nothing back and lets all of his craziness run his life. He makes choices on whims, and will follow his dreams no matter where they will lead. James Franco plays this enigmatic lunatic with spirit and insanity, complete with Wiseau's famous unworldly accent. When these two friends team up to take L.A. by making their own film, The Room, they encounter a series of other great performers, including Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, Ari Graynor, Jacki Weaver, Josh Hutcherson and plenty more.
          The Disaster Artist's screenplay does an excellent job framing the events surrounding The Room's creation. This film follows Sestero and Wiseau from the day they first met, to their early adventures in L.A., to the moment they decided to write and produce their own film, through all of the trials and chaos that came with making such a project and finally concluding with their finished project's big premier and initial reception. There is quite a lot of ground covered in this film's story, and The Disaster Artist's screenplay is a great guide for this journey. It's humorous, truthful and full of heart. Aside from one or two slow segments, The Disaster Artist wastes none of its 104 minute runtime.
          Beyond this film's great performances and excellent screenplay, The Disaster Artist features unpredictable direction provided by James Franco. The manner in which the camera captures the mood of The Disaster Artist closely matches the look and feel present in Wiseau's The Room. When The Disaster Artist reaches the moment in its screenplay where it shows recreated footage from The Room, audience members might think the only thing separating The Disaster Artist from The Room is its narrative coherence. Its this level of nutty direction placing this biographical picture in a category both above and below other biopics (Above because it elevates the realm of what a high quality biopic can cover, and below because it covers this unfamiliar realm through a film that is made to look as if it was unskillfully made). Ultimately, The Disaster Artist is a fun and ridiculous true story that is easily worth checking out from Redbox or the local library.

Verdict: Documenting the uncanny true story of the creation of The Room, The Disaster Artist features terrific performances, an excellent screenplay and fantastic direction making it one wild and fun experience.

"We are Formed of Frailty and Error" Roman J. Israel, Esq. Review

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

3/5

Written and Directed by: Dan Gilroy

Rated: PG-13

           In 2014 writer Dan Gilroy directed his first feature length film, Nightcrawler, a neo noir thriller about the haunting underbelly behind filming disturbing daytime news footage. The film illustrated the lengths someone will go to achieve their vision, and how underhanded those lengths may be, if the individual taking them has no moral compass. Adding to his directorial work on human nature and the mortality of man and his flawed ideals, Gilroy has created a film highlighting the importance of universal law and its inherent destruction in human hands. It features unique characters, terrific performances and a script with metaphorical imagery keeping audience's head's scratching. This is the story of lawyer, activist and human, the one and only Roman J. Israel Esq.
          Heading Gilroy's story is a character most peculiar from others, and yet bound to the same mortality all men face. Roman J. Israel, Esq. (Denzel Washington) is an eager lawyer, seeking to do good above all else. He will stand up for the weak and cry out against the proud. Roman's hours were spent working on cases in the back of his law office unseen and untouched by the world. When Roman's partner suffers from a heart attack, Roman, a misunderstood and determined individual, is thrown into the insurmountable social world and reminded of his human nature and ultimate inadequacy. In addition to this Roman's law firm is now being led by a stranger, George Pierce (Colin Farrell), who may not be able to guarantee Roman's isolation or job safety. With the future of Roman's law firm uncertain, Roman takes up the reigns of his life and searches the streets of L.A. for where his calling lies, but how long can this weather beaten old dog wander, before he realizes he cannot go anywhere without also taking himself?
          Roman J. Israel, Esq. features terrific performances bringing life to Gilroy's memorable and unique characters. Farrell offers a distant and yet uncomfortably personal performance as George Pierce. Though it is difficult discerning where Pierce's intentions lie, when Pierce has to be direct and clearer than glass, Farrell will not even unintentionally blink. Along with Farrell, this film has a heartfelt gesture from actress Carmen Ejogo who gives vitality and spirit to social justice fighter Maya Alston. Ejogo's onscreen charm and bright nature, make for a great platform for Alston's character to shine through. Beyond these two and anyone else in the film, Denzel Washington fills the screen as the unabashed and yet unsure of himself Roman J. Israel, Esq. The research Washington did in order to fully embody his character shows, and it seems no other actor could have known how to make this intimidating and unruly character appear so meek and humane.
          Apart from Roman J. Israel, Esq.'s curious characters and the enigmatic performances behind them, comprising this film is an intriguing script complete with perplexing imagery and allegorical symbolism. Not only do most of the images present in this film represent something more than the sum of their parts, but each image's metaphorical meaning is constantly expanding and changing as the film progresses. What could be shown as a sign of innocence in one scene could later on represent insipidity. This is where Roman J. Israel, Esq. will lose most of its audience members, as the film requires subsequent viewings in order to accurately determine why events occurred and what mindset characters had during these moments. As the film would be referred to as a "slow burner," most audience members would not want to spend their time watching and rewatching this lethargic morality play. Some audience members, however, will appreciate this film's narrative structure and stylistic soundtrack, with Jazz hits from Eddie Kendricks, Marvin Gaye and The Chambers Brothers. To them Roman J. Israel, Esq. may be just the hidden gem they're hoping to find at Redbox or their local library.

Verdict: Dan Gilroy's Roman J. Israel Esq. is a morality play with enigmatic performances, especially from Denzel Washington, but its slow pacing and peculiar style may deter uneasy viewers.

"Fun isn't something one considers when Balancing the Universe" Avengers: Infinity War Review

Avengers: Infinity War

2.5/5

Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo

Rated: PG-13

           In 2008 a young Tony Stark shocked audiences, when he said, "I am Iron Man." Since then, a door's been opened to heroes; heroes who won't lay down no matter how many times they are knocked down; heroes who discover their true worth is not in their almighty power but their virtuous heart; heroes who you wouldn't like when they're angry, and many more across the universe and all of time and space. These powerful, cunning and noble heroes have overcome an infinite number of challenges and dark forces, but they have never faced Thanos. Will the universe's heroes rise above this new threat, or will they crumble under the weight of Thanos' fists? The war has begun.
           The MARVEL Cinematic Universe's (MCU) 19th film entry is the Russo brothers' Avengers: Infinity War, and it features more iconic named characters than any film before or may appear since. Iron Man suits up, Captain America dons a new shield, Thor brings the thunder, Bruce Banner and the Hulk smash through walls, Black Widow sneaks in undetected, The Guardians of the Galaxy are ready for some action, Doctor Strange has opened his mind, Spider-Man swings in from his friendly neighborhood and Black Panther rallies his warriors. These heroes, along with many others, are going up against one threat, Thanos, and he is more than enough of a challenge. Josh Brolin offers a momentous and emotional performance as Thanos, making this new villain a malevolent and memorable MARVEL addition. The large amount of characters and well executed performances in this film is enough to send people to the box office in droves, and MARVEL fans will be surprised how every single one of these characters has their own individual moment and battle. This film feels like a climatic comic book series complete with a large quantity of characters thrown together sandbox style. It is a massive balancing act, one the Russo brothers handle rather well.
          While the film handles its cast well, its screenplay is an issue. Though Avengers: Infinity War contains a handful of intense battles, the majority consists of slow paced repetitious scenes wherein characters stand in semicircular formations and talk. During these scenes, characters say rather inconsequential lines only serving driving the narrative towards its next action scene. This makes Avengers: Infinity War's extensive 2 hour and 29 minute runtime feel longer than it already is. It is possible some audience members may see these long dialogue scenes as the film stalling for time, while others will see them as melodramatic moments. Since the film's screenplay only addresses story elements at face value, Avengers: Infinity War is a melodrama lacking drama and ultimately dialogic substance.
          Avengers: Infinity War's story is a straightforward narrative about one being's desire to bring balance to the universe and the people who stand in his way. While this story is simplistic and can be predictable, due to its overt foreshadowing, Avengers: Infinity War relays this story through a morbidly horrific atmosphere. This film will terrify audiences and may not be suitable for younger audience members. This is a dark story, extinguishing any flicker of hope it finds. Even when the film's heroes appear to be winning, the story surrounds them in sorrow and reminds them of impending doom. If this were not bad enough, in order for audiences to fully comprehend Avengers: Infinity War's storyline, audience members will have to watch all 18 previous MCU films (except for Ant Man), which is no easy task for casual viewers. Curiously enough, the only way this film's story has meaning and can impact audiences on its own, aside from how it is a sequel 10 years in the making, is if audience members fear death. Audiences have to fear their death and the possible death of this film's characters for this film to matter. If death has no power and people did not fear their mortality, then Avengers: Infinity War would be seen and may inevitably be remembered as a depressing and forlorn movie. 
           One surprising aspect of Avengers: Infinity War is where its focus is. The story is from the MARVEL heroes' perspective, but it shadows Thanos' journey to collect the infinity stones. This story depicts the heroes as passive characters only acting upon Thanos' moves. The heroes' goal in this film is stopping Thanos, but they themselves are not pursuing anything to stop him. They only seek to stand in his way. As Thanos is the character with the most motivation, a clear goal and the most character development, it would not be uninformed claiming Thanos as this film's protagonist. Since Thanos is this film's protagonist, the heroes' role is second as well as their character development and charming moments. This removes something from Avengers: Infinity War that every other MCU film has, a sense of heroic fun and enjoyment.

Verdict: Avengers: Infinity War is a dark and morbidly depressing story, containing a large variety of iconic characters and intense battles, but its slow paced melodramatic dialogue and obsession with death make this film a terrifying experience lacking MARVEL's familiar fun.