Black Panther Review

Directed by: Ryan Coogler (Creed, Fruitvale Station)

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Guira, Martin Freeman, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis

Written by: Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, Based on the comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Review: For the most part, very few mainstream superhero movies have taken on themes that are particularly current themes. But Black Panther is the most socially conscious superhero film in years, as well as one of the best movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The movie takes place in the fictional African country of Wakanda, which is technically advanced, but keeps its technology a secret from the rest of the world. It is a visually stunning place that mixes futuristic and tribal settings seamlessly. The story is also brought to life with a memorable soundtrack from Kendrick Lamar, and the rest of Top Dog Entertainment.
The story brings up difficult and relevant questions. The morality of Wakanda keeping their technology for themselves is brought into question for the vast majority of the movie. This could easily be applied to the real world, but the message is never preachy.
It also features a mostly black cast, who not only do a great job of representation, but are also great actors and interesting characters. Particularly memorable is the villain, played by Michael B Jordan. He is a very sympathetic villain, who legitimately believes that he is doing the right thing throughout. It is for this reason that I think that he is the most interesting villain that the MCU has had so far.
Black Panther has a more different feel from other Marvel movies. It is slightly more intellectually challenging, and less comedic, while still being upbeat and fun. But it is because of this difference that it is so interesting.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Before I Wake Review

Directed by: Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Hush, Gerald's Game)

Starring: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Jacob Tremblay

Written by: Mike Flanagan and Jeff Howard (Gerald's Game, Oculus, Ouija: Origin of Evil)

Review: Apparently, the US release of Before I Wake has been long delayed since its initial 2015 release. Now, it's available for streaming on Netflix. Normally, this would be a sign that the movie is really bad, but that is not the case here.
I was interested in this movie after finding out it was directed by Mike Flanagan, who is quickly becoming my favorite horror director working today. I haven't seen all of his movies, but  I really liked Oculus and Gerald's Game, and also enjoyed Hush, another Netflix original. Before I Wake is the weakest of these movies, but it is still better than most horror movies out there.
It is about a couple (Bosworth and Jane) who adopt an orphan played by Jacob Tremblay (who after filming, got his big break in the Oscar-winning movie Room). They find out that whenever he is asleep his dreams materialize in the house. For the first third or so of this movie's run time, it comes across as almost whimsical. But later on, his dreams become much darker, and have real impacts on the world around him.
What sets this movie apart from other horror movies is the characters. The movie fleshes them out and you often feel for them, especially the kid. In the end, we get a good glimpse into the kid's mind, and it becomes something more than just a mindless horror flick.
Unfortunately, even though there is some pretty disturbing imagery, there are also a few jump scares. Also, the ending is a little too sentimental, to the point where it comes off as cheesy.
But despite all these flaws, and the bizarre premise, this is still a very moving horror story.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Cloverfield Paradox Review

Directed by: Julius Onah (The Girl Is in Trouble)

Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Oyelowo, Daniel Bruhl, Chris O'Dowd

Written by: Oren Uziel and Doug Jung

Review: As most of you know, this movie has made a big splash by unexpectedly airing a Super Bowl commercial, announcing, not only its existence, but that it would be available for streaming on Netflix right after the game. And so, of course, several people who previously had no idea it existed were eager to rush to their Netflix accounts to see it. This was helped by the fact that the trailer promised that the movie would explain how the events of the first film happened. It didn't. Or at least not very well.
It takes place in the future. There is a global energy crisis, and a bunch of astronauts go into space to test out a new source of energy. Things go horribly wrong.
The rest is a really confusing story about parallel universes or something like that. Weird things happen, but we never know why. The movie never explains the rules of the parallel universe, and it just feels like bad things happen to the crew just for the sake of things happening.
But the biggest mystery is how does any of this connect to the other movies. After 10 Cloverfield Lane, I had accepted that these movies may not have taken place in the same universe. But this shows scenes on Earth, where apocalyptic things are randomly happening, and in the end it's revealed that this is the same universe. But was the main story even related to what happened? Did they even land in the same universe. Because the first movie didn't seem to take place in such a bleak future. If it did, then it would probably be even worse that the characters kept filming for so long.
Basically, this is the kind of movie where you think things are going to be explained in the end, but they never are.
The characters are entertaining, but they written pretty generically. The standout is the main character (Mbatha-Raw), who has a troubling past and the performance shows emotional depth. Also, Chris O'Dowd is good at delivering the comic relief moments.
This is still an entertaining movie, but its a very confusing one, that often feels like a second-rate Alien. It was not originally intended to be in the Cloverfield universe, but was re-written to include references to the original, and it shows. The references are forced, and none of it comes together in a way that is satisfying or even makes any sense.

Review: 2 out of 5 stars

The Shape of Water Review

Directed by: Guilermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, Pacific Rim)

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon

Written by: Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor

Review: The Shape of Water is a story about a mute woman who falls in love with a human-like aquatic creature held captive in the government facility where she works. Yeah, that's probably not the best sales pitch. But this is still an amazing film.
It is directed by Guillermo del Toro who's known for creating affecting monster movies. He does his usual excellent job in fleshing out the creature. It is a sympathetic, lovable character, and I cared about him throughout. Also, he is made with practical effects that never once seemed fake.
The story is basically a romantic fairy tale. The fantasy elements mesh well with the Cold War setting, much like they did in del Toro's masterpiece Pan's Labyrinth. It keeps a whimsical tone throughout, and features a few scenes that are surreal. It's like Pan's Labyrinth meets ET meets a romantic drama.
Some people might be put off by its more surreal moments, and the ending which raises a few questions. But those who just want a sweet fantasy romance should definitely see this movie.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars