A New Years Message From Handsome J...

The year is almost over and what an enjoyable film reviewing ride it has been. So many terrific movies this year and a few duds. I’d argue that 2015 produced a majority of entertaining films. I didn’t start writing reviews for this website until about four months ago which leaves so many other films unaccounted for. This is in no way an indication they aren’t worth seeing. They are, I just wasn’t writing about them at the time. 

Below is a list of films that came out in 2015 and are ready for you to read, if you are so inclined. Each of the movies I saw in theaters and decided to write about for you. The goal is to provide you insight that might help you decide which films are worth your hard earned dollars and which can wait for Redbox. Additionally, I try to keep each review near 500 words. I do this specifically to ensure you have time to read them without it taking up no more than perhaps 5 minutes. I understand that all film is subjective, just like all art, but it’s my hope that you read these and appreciate the perspective I provide.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E, End of the Tour, Hitman Agent 47, Ant-Man, Black Mass, The Intern, The Visit, Sicario, Bridge of Spies, Hotel Transylvania, Crimson Peak, The Martian, Our Brand is Crisis, Spectre, Trumbo, The Peanuts Movie, The Night Before, Secret In Their Eyes, Creed, Krampus, Macbeth, Legend, The Good Dinosaur, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Sisters, The Big Short

2016 is almost here, possibly has arrived when you read this, and I’m excited about what Hollywood is distributing. Below are a few films I’m looking forward to in 2016 and I hope you have films you are excited to see as well! 

The Nice Guys, Captain America Civil War, Batman VS Superman, Deadpool, GhostBusters, X-Men Apocalypse, Dirty Grandpa, Kung Fu Panda 3, Assassins Creed, Zootopia, Star Trek Beyond, Rogue 1, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Suicide Squad, Jungle Book, Hail Caesar, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Zoolander 2, Barbershop the Next Cut, and my most anticipated film of 2016 is Doctor Strange. 

I hope you all continue to tell your friends and family what you enjoy here with Maskerpiece Theatre. Thank you again for your support folks. Here’s to 2016, being a movie junkie and reviewing film!

Cheers,

Handsome J

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The Good Dinosaur: Box Office Review

When Pixar announces they are making a new film there’s a certain level of excitement that happens. They have built a reputation for emotionally moving, entertaining and thought provoking animated films that probably make Shel Silverstein jealous. Unfortunately, nobody has a career of home runs. Michael Jordan missed some shots during his career. Even Tom Brady throws an interception from time to time and that’s what I felt walking out of “The Good Dinosaur” this weekend. Pixar tried and failed to meet the level of excellence I have come to expect from their films.

The film opens with a “what if” scenario. What if a comet didn’t strike the earth and eliminate all the dinosaurs? Well, in theory, it’s plausible that dinosaurs and prehistoric man would co-exist, however briefly. This is a solid concept for story telling because it allows the viewer the chance to understand immediately what world we are about to enter. A world where dinosaurs and man co-exist on a prehistoric earth. That’s where it felt like the thinking stopped and the questionable took over.

The creative team behind this film decided that the dinosaurs would all sound like they belonged in a western film. So, the main dinosaur family sounds like cowboy farmers, the pterodactyls sound like stage coach or train robbing buffoons, and the Tyyannosaurus Rex family, led by Sam Elliott, really took the western cowboy rancher sound to the extreme. An odd choice, but they made a decision and stuck it… but they didn’t. For some reason, while every other dinosaur character sounds like a cowboy, the main dinosaur sounds like a normal city kid. Apparently accents aren’t hereditary and dinosaurs are born sounding western, except for one. This is not a learned accent. It’s a birthright and the lead character did not have this pattern of speech even though his family did. Bizarre.

The story is a coming of age tale for the young dinosaur. He must become a grown up dinosaur and face his fears head on. This film details the crucible that he must endure if he is ever to find his family again. He won’t do this alone either. He’ll have a trusty side kick human who acts like a dog. At one point the dinosaur and the kid get stoned on berries and the audience is treated to a weird drug trip montage which felt wildly out of place in a Pixar movie. This film felt like that scene in the movie “Elf” where they ship the children’s book that didn’t make sense because they didn’t want to go back and start over with a story that worked.

Then the ending, the dinosaur finds a family of humans for the kid before he heads back to his farm with the surviving family members that didn’t die (it’s Pixar, someone always dies). I thought maybe we’d have a scene where the kid finds the dinosaur and his family and both families live on the farm and it’s all happily ever after. Nope. The kid goes off with his adopted human family and the dinosaur finds his family on the farm. So, the moral of the story is, have fun with strangers but don’t get too close because you’ll leave them eventually because they’re different? I walked out of that film so confused. The animation looked incredible though. So while I was thoroughly confused I did love how real some of the scenic shots looked.

“The Good Dinosaur” is in theaters now! I give this film the earth destroying comet it deserves so this ridiculous story would not have been made. Let’s leave the dinosaur and human experience to the Jurassic Park franchise. They seem to be back on track finally.

Comment below if you’ve already seen it and share your thoughts! Join in on the fun of movie watching and share this post with anyone who you feel would enjoy another one of my Box Office Reviews.

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Doctor Strange, Concept Art and Rumor Analysis.

New footage dropped today for Marvel's "Doctor Strange" movie which is due out November 2016. Additionally, the above image is concept art that was released today. I'm so excited about this film and it all started with curiosity. When Marvel announced they were going to be making a movie about the Sorcerer Supreme I was curious. I knew nothing about the good doctor and because of that I knew of no reason why a movie about this character was so important. So I did what any curious person would do, I started researching.

Doctor Strange has become a personal favorite after all the research I've done. His stories, his villains, the worlds and realms he travels through, his abilities, his intellect, this character is complex. I recently picked up "Marvel Masterworks Doctor Strange Vol 1" and in the introduction Dean Mullaney captures the value of this character perfectly...

"Unlike the essentialist protagonist who has power placed upon him by an external source (Peter Parker bitten by a radioactive spider, Ben Grimm bombarded with cosmic rays), Stephen Strange makes a direct and deliberate choice to be a hero. While he has tools such as his enchanted amulet and can use magic spells with the best of them, they don't explain what he can do or define who he is. He becomes a hero by proving himself worthy."

Poignant and accurate to what makes this character so enjoyable. He's a man who has to prove himself worthy and in so doing becomes the most powerful sorcerer in the universe. I'd say that's quite the accomplishment.

There's rumors circulating about the villains in this film. We know that Baron Mordo will be part of this film as Chiwetel Ejiofor is the actor chosen to portray this arch nemesis. But what about the other potential baddie that is rumored to be showing up? Who is Mads Mikkelsen playing? Let's look at the most popular guess on the internet right now, the Dread Dormammu.

When I first heard this I didn't like it only because Doctor Strange is becoming Sorcerer Supreme in this film. He's brand new to being a sorcerer so what sense does it make for him to go up against one of the most powerful villains in the Marvel universe? I know that he battles him in the animated movie but I didn't like that because it lessens the potential threat of a villain when he would be bested by a new sorcerer so quickly. How tough are you if a noob defeats you day 1 on the job? 

There is a story that occurs early in the original Doctor Strange mythos where Strange and Dormammu are battling and Clea releases the Mindless Ones from their imprisonment. Since Dormammu is weakened from fighting Strange he can't restrain the Mindless Ones on his own and Strange offers his powers to boost Dormammu's in order to trap the Mindless Ones before they destroy everything. Dormammu releases Strange and agrees to his conditions for assisting him in trapping the Mindless Ones. If they go this route for the movie I'd be on board for Dormammu. Strange can't defeat him but helping him provides him victory and now we have a story that makes sense. 

However, let's take a look now at who I'd prefer and then who might make more sense cinematically. 

Nightmare and Mephisto. Here's two villains who could work incredibly well on the big screen. Let's start with my preferred choice, Nightmare.

Ruler of the Nightmare realm we find a villain so terrifying that Doctor Strange has to cast a spell of protection over himself before he sleeps. Once he forgot and Nightmare wasted no time in capturing the good doctor and creating quite the entertaining story. A story with this villain could work well because it introduces us to the bizarre realms that Doctor Strange travels to. Plus, the idea of being trapped in a nightmare forever sounds terrifying. Long before Freddy was killing people in their sleep there was Nightmare. Plus it would allow us to see a more physical side of Doctor Strange in combat as his magic powers aren't so useful in the nightmare realm. I enjoy this villain and if I see a comic that he's on the cover of I'll pick it up. 

Now, Mephisto. Granted, we had one villain already in the MCU that had a red face but let's be serious for a second and acknowledge that the ruler of Hell would be an incredible addition to this universe. Also, for canon sake it makes sense. During the Infinity Gauntlet we see that Mephisto is working with Thanos and being as manipulative as he always is. Additionally, we have Thor Ragnarok coming up and we have been told that the Valkerie will be part of that film. So why not add the Prince of Lies and ruler of Hell to the universe? It makes sense from a canon point of view from what we know about the cinematic universe so far. 

I'll be fine with either of these characters and Mads is a phenomenal actor who will bring depth and life to any of the rumored possibilities. 

What do you think? Share your thoughts below and invite a friend into the conversation who would add perspective to this lengthy analysis regarding the Sorcerer Supreme Doctor Strange and his foes. 

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Krampus: Box Office Review

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not lose all hope in Christmas and then summon an evil Christmas demon to your house for the holiday. Krampus is a B rated horror/comedy of a good time. This film felt like director Michael Dougherty decided he will make a potential cult classic and I think he succeeded. This film is so outrageous and it is aware of that. If you desire to see a holiday movie that breaks away from the standard Christmas family experience then this is a film for you.

The plot is simple enough, a boy has a bad christmas experience and then mistakenly summons Krampus, who terrorizes the family and neighborhood. The story doesn't really get any more involved than that. It's a simple story with similar execution but it's entertaining. This is a dark comedy/horror and it's important that you know that before watching the film. If you expect this to be just a scary movie you might miss some of the jokes, spoken and situational. There's plenty of laughs if you know that jokes are happening intentionally. 

Adam Scott and David Koerchner deliver great performances considering the type of movie this is. When snow piles are attacking you and you have a shot gun, I expect certain expressions and Adam Scott gave them. When Gingerbread Men are shooting at you with a nail gun and trying to stab you, I expect certain reactions and David Koerchner made it work. The supporting cast was equally talented and entertaining. 

Curiously, the most believable character on screen is the mysterious German grandmother who speaks German but understands English. This role was fantastically acted out by Krista Stadler. Her facial expressions took the elements of fear and concern and elevated the overall enjoyment of this film. If not for her, I doubt the moments that were meant to be scary or threatening would've felt cheesy and forced. Her performance pulls me into the film for brief moments and it was worth it. 

The minions that accompany Krampus are simply out of control and Tim Burton-esqueue. These supporting characters provided some hilarious moments that are always present in cult classics. Such a fun time on screen terrorizing the family and the dog. 

“Krampus” is in theaters now! I give this film all the candy canes and Christmas cookies because it doesn't pretend to be something it's not. The ending was a pleasant surprise that I wasn't expecting and overall the film was entertaining and enjoyable. If you only see 1 or 2 movies a month I'd recommend you consider this for Redbox rental night. It's fun but it's limited in scope for who might be their target audience. 

Comment below if you’ve already seen it and share your thoughts! Join in on the fun of movie watching and share this post with anyone who you feel would enjoy another one of my Box Office Reviews.

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Comic Book Review: The Shadow - Issue 4 - Dynamite

“The Shadow"  Issue #4

Written By: Cullen Bunn

Art By: Giovanni Timpano and Marco Lesko

The issue begins with the Shadow monologuing about a item he took from London in the last issue, and the author of that particular item, while making his way back to America. We then cut to Los Angeles, California, where the Shadow is attending a magicians show for high paying customers who enjoy grand spectacles. More dialogue confirms in the minds of the reader that the Shadow is a servant of justice and will stop at nothing to ensure that the guilty pay for their crimes. The Shadow makes his way back stage to discover who else is behind these recent criminal actions and he’s confronted by the Sandman once more. After a brief entanglement it’s revealed that they aren’t the only two there and it’s not looking good for the Shadow or the Sandman.

This issue was dialogue heavy which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You need some issues to explain more about what has and will be occurring in the series. This felt like that issue. While there is some enjoyable action towards the end the one aspect that I enjoyed the most was a two page spread showing the mind of a writer who composes stories from nightmares. The art work was unique and I was entranced. The panels used to tell the story were not typical squared off panels and it flowed so well across two pages. Excellent work on the art early in the issue.

The Sandman is becoming quite a complex villain as we move from issue to issue getting just a little bit more of his character with every encounter he has with the Shadow. I’m not fully convinced he’s as menacing as I feel we’re being led to believe. He feels like that one villain who talks too much, is a adequate fighter but escapes on some level of luck, similar to Bond villains. None the less, he’s proving to be a challenge to the Shadow and that keeps his character entertaining to read. 

Again, another $3.99 well spent. This series continues to build and build upon the detective type story with the golden age of Hollywood design. The Shadow and all characters present had some enjoyable dialogue this issue and I still look forward to reading the next issue. Who knows what evil lurks in the pages of the next issue? Only the Shadow knows… so stop by your local comic book shop and pick a copy up today. Oh, and tell them Maskerpiece Theatre sent you. 

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Box Office Review: Secret In Their Eyes

Abandon all hope moviegoers who enter a theater showing this film. The dark psychological crime drama that is "Secret In Their Eyes" starts with the chilling murder of a teenage girl. Within the first five minutes of this movie what soul you have will feel lost. The film does well enough to leave some of the murder to your imagination but depending on your imagination that might be worse than just showing it. There is little joy found at all in this dark tale and from beginning to end you journey further down the rabbit hole to encounter some of the worst aspects of humanity... and the movie was enjoyable even still.

Full kudos to director Billy Ray for his delivery of difficult and disturbing material. The performances he got from his all star cast was remarkable. The mental break down scene Jess (Julia Roberts) has when she finds her daughter murdered and left in a dumpster was impacting. Even how frantically she climbed into the dumpster and removed her gloves to feel her daughter while she suffered heartbreak and loss was powerful. You will believe every emotion you see on screen.

If Julia Roberts wasn't enough this film gives us Alfred Molina, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor. It's an Oscar worthy cast and I don't believe the release of this film to start Oscar season was a mistake.  The characters are believable as only actors of this caliber can be. The characters are rich, calculated, emotional and provocative. There is not a single complaint from the performances I saw on screen. This movie is an acting delight.

The critiques I have for this film are more technical in the way the story was told and the way scenes were captured. The story is told in two time lines, simultaneously. One story is moving forward while the other is feeding us background information. For a while I thought I was on track but then realized I was no longer following the present but the past. I started to wonder if this method was intentionally confusing. If it wasn't meant to add confusion then it missed the mark. The other issue was how long it took to establish a shot. The camera would pan or zoom slowly as if to add tension but it felt slowly paced and tiresome. That being said, the surprise twist ending is well thought out and did in fact surprise me. So there's that.

"Secret In Their Eyes" is in Theaters now! I give this film all the Prozac necessary to keep it in theaters a little while longer. It's not a film for everyone but it's certainly acted well enough for anyone who enjoys topnotch performances. I recommend a theater viewing so Hollywood knows that even a choppy story, acted well, is worth being made with actors of this quality.

Comment below if you've already seen it and share your thoughts! Join in on the fun of movie watching and share this post with anyone who you feel would enjoy another one of my Box Office Reviews.

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Comic Book Review: The Shadow - Issue 3 - Dynamite

“The Shadow"  Issue #3

Written By: Cullen Bunn

Art By: Giovanni Timpano and Marco Lesko

The issue begins with the Shadow battling wild and mysterious beasts who have been released from their cages. After defeating the animals the Shadow finds Sandman in a room full of mutilated human bodies, seemingly dead, and the dialogue between characters tells us there’s more to Sandman than just being a hired hand to kill the Shadow. Furthermore, it’s revealed that there’s another secret society of magicians and in order to find out more about this war that is building the Shadow must travel to London. There he meets one of Houdini’s competing magicians and friend but their time together is cut short when Shadow discovers that she has been poisoned. 

This issue starts off with action and ends with murder. What a ride this issue was! The art work done for the room full of mutilated bodies was enjoyable. It’s not every day I read a comic that has bodies lying dead on the floor from being strangled but somehow the strangling hand was cut off. Also, what type of murderer pops out someones eyes and then lays them next to the head of the now presumably dead body? This issue pulled out all the stops for murder and mayhem. 

The dialogue between Shadow and Sandman was entertaining as well. We learn that Sandman is more methodical than originally thought and he’s not just a hit man, but more a calculated assassin of sorts. The writing also informs us that Shadow realizes his powers are being tested and that he needs to increase his abilities to become more powerful in order to stop the secret societies of magicians that are waging war on each other. 

This series will be staying at $3.99 it appears but I’ve accepted that and I still feel it’s worth it. I also still feel that even a dollar less would attract more readers who might not know anything about The Shadow. It’s worth the read if you’re into the 1940’s era detective crime and murder saga’s. It’s worth the read if you’re into magic also. Stop on by your local comic book shop and pick a copy up today. Oh, and tell them Maskerpiece Theatre sent you. 

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Box Office Review: The Night Before

There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who celebrate the Christmas season before Thanksgiving and the others who start celebrating after Thanksgiving. Either way, "The Night Before" is humorous enough for both types of folks. It's a film that's aware of it's limitations and it embraces the holiday spirit in refreshing ways. There's plenty of cliche's in this film that help the audience enjoy a festive film that isn't trying to be some dynamic holiday comedy that would've left everyone wanting. It's comical, irreverent, drug and booze filled with enough questionable subject matter to keep you laughing almost the entire time. 

The story is certainly a familiar one. Friends (or family) coming together to celebrate Christmas and at some point acting out selfishly and then realizing by the finale' friends and family are all we have. The film starts with Tracy Morgan narrating the events of the film that led to where we find the best friends Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie). From there we go on a drug and booze fueled romp through New York City looking for the greatest party imaginable. There's some heartfelt moments peppered throughout the film but the bulk of this movie is comedy, sometimes off beat, but comedy all the same. 

It felt like director Jonathan Levine wanted a cast that was completely typecast. Seth is the drug user (which is always funny to me because of how well he plays paranoid and out of control), Joseph is the heartbreak kid looking for love in the bright holiday places, and Anthony is the handsome jock who has a dark secret. This all works well. Yes, it felt campy at times but this combination, oddly enough, worked. These three had chemistry on screen that had folks believing they were best of friends. 

The highlight of the film for me was little touches of authenticity that could've been left out. They decided to add these little gems and that only helped build upon this world they created for everyone to enjoy.The fact they find the only pay phone in town so the drug dealer (Michael Shannon) can call them was hilarious. The fact they were playing Nintendo 64 "Golden Eye" at Chris's mothers apartment (while waiting for the drug dealer a second time) because that was the popular game when they hung out there last, priceless. So many fun moments that kept me laughing almost the entire film.

At the end of it all, I was most impressed with Jillian Bell (Betsy, Isaac's wife). Her onscreen chemistry with Seth Rogen was spot on for what a supportive, slightly crazy, wife could be in my imagination. She complimented Seth Rogen so much while they shared screen time together. At times I enjoyed her performance more than his. A job well done from start to finish.

"The Night Before" is in theaters now! I give this film an elf on the shelf with plenty of eggnog and mistletoe kisses. Just a funny and entertaining film in multiple aspects. You can probably catch it on Redbox and laugh just as hard; however, being surround by people laughing with you is worth the theater ticket price.

Comment below if you’ve already seen it and share your thoughts! Join in on the fun of movie watching 

and be sure to share this post with anyone who you feel would enjoy another one of my Box Office Reviews.

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Comic Book Review: The Shadow - Issue 2 - Dynamite

"The Shadow"  Issue #2

Written By: Cullen Bunn

Art By: Giovanni Timpano and Marco Lesko

The issue begins with the Shadow in a graveyard speaking to the grave of Houdini who has been dead for 10 years. We cut to a shipping yard where the Society of United Magicians is seeking the aid of “Sandman” who brings with him boxes full of mysterious and powerful creatures. From we cut to the Shadow interrogating a man who tells us the back story on Houdini’s last great spell and it’s origins., why the Magicians want it and what it’s potential power is. 

“The Shadow” continues to entertain in this second issue. We find out how desperate the Society of United Magicians is and to what lengths they’ll consider to achieve their goal. The Shadow continues to build on his knowledge using his detective skills and interrogation methods that only he has at his disposal. The final pages reveal that there’s more danger in store for our hero and I can’t wait to read how the Shadow handles this threat. 

This issue was $3.99 but could’ve been $2 and still been just as enjoyable. I don’t feel the $4 price tag was unreasonable but this series could be less expensive and would probably reach more readers. “The Shadow” is a fun read and it’s sometimes campy delivery works well. I’m excited for read more in this series and want to see how far the magicians will go to achieve the knowledge that they seek. 

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Comic Book Review: The Shadow -Issue 1 - Dynamite

“The Shadow"  Issue #1

Written By: Cullen Bunn

Art By: Giovanni Timpano and Marco Lesko

The issue begins with a magician, Carlini, dying in bed and being greeted by “The Society of United Magicians" who are in search of Houdini’s last great magic trick, from beyond the grave. From there it cuts to a circus where the Shadow is trying to apprehend another magician while battling circus freaks, who are literally shooting themselves at him from cannons. It’s revealed that the Magicians are searching for Houdini’s secret with violent means but only the Shadow knows Houdini’s secret and the Magicians will not stop until they’ve uncovered the secret… by any means necessary.

What a fun trip back into the world of “The Shadow” and mystery meets crime drama. All the aspects of the Shadow are captured here and even the dialogue is appropriate to the character and the world this story takes place in. Old cars, old planes, old guns, classic outfits and hairstyles, it’s all here. Even the font used when the Shadow laughs and disappears feels right. If you’re a fan of the Shadow you’ll appreciate this issue. If you aren’t yet a fan, you might still enjoy the campy feel of a 1940’s murder mystery that deals with magicians.

The initial issue was only $1 and well worth it. The story is well paced and keeps you engaged without slowing down too much for dialogue. The swiftness in which the Shadow moves is captured here as well and if you grew up listening to, or recently have enjoyed, the old radio shows you can hear Orson Welles maniacal laugh each time the laugh happens in this issue. I’m curious to see where the story goes with this nefarious group calling themselves “The Society of United Magicians” and I hope after reading you are too. 

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Comic Book Review: Deadpool VS Thanos #4 - Marvel

“Deadpool VS Thanos”  Issue #4

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Elmo Bondoc, Ruth Redmond and VCs Joe Sabino

The issue opens up with Eternity and Death discussing judgement when they are interrupted by the In-Betweener. From there we see Thanos and Deadpool freeing Mistress Death and then being granted all of Deaths power to combat Eternity. This doesn’t go as smoothly as Mistress Death would Hope as Deadpool realizes that life is important and her power is removed from him and left to Thanos who battles Eternity. A surprise visitor shows up and grants Deadpool certain powers to fight for Eternity and stop Thanos and certain revelations are made that show Deadpool might be more insightful than he let’s on.  

Another enjoyable issue that has some laugh out loud moments from the Merc with a mouth. The art continues to be one of the main delights in this series as Deadpool and Thanos travel the cosmos, Hell and beyond in pursuit of Death. The attention to detail and coloring for each location helps build on the concept that the characters are traveling all over. It feels like Deadpool and Thanos are actually in these realms and not just the same location with a slightly different look. 

Towards the end of the issue there’s some great dialogue between Deadpool and Thanos that show the true nature of Thanos. Tim Seeley went with Thanos being surprised with Deadpools perspective and it’s accuracy and truth which I thought was a great idea. Ultimately, Deadpool realizes that the life and death balance makes eternity all the more important and beautiful which does not sit well with Death. The closing observations by Deadpool really allow you to appreciate his quick wit because now it’s with the understanding the shallow comments originate from a deeper place… like his lover for the Golden Girls TV show. 

This issue is $3.99 and worth it, again. This story builds and builds until you completely understand and appreciate the final battle between Deadpool and Thanos. It’s a fun read and it has some thought provoking perspective on the value of life and the importance of death. Hop over to your local comic book store and pick up the issue and back issues if you haven’t read them yet.  Oh, and tell them Maskerpiece Theatre sent you. 

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Box Office Review: Trumbo

"Better dead than red" was a popular slogan during the Cold War era for most Americans, but not for Dalton Trumbo. A Hollywood screenwriter who wrote the screen plays for films such as, Roman Holiday, Spartacus, Exodus and The Brave One found himself and his comrades under investigation and eventually jailed for their communist beliefs. Trumbo is the story of Dalton Trumbo and his rise, fall and climb back to being one of the greatest screenwriters Hollywood has ever seen.

At first glance there's little pause for concern that this film won't be enjoyable. It's directed by Jay Roach and has a cast so star studded it's clear this film will be given consideration come the Oscars. If you are a fan of Bryan Cranston this film will not disappoint you either. He transforms his persona on screen so incredibly that you forget you're watching the same guy who gave the world "Walter White" and "Hal".  Supporting his character is the incredibly talented and beautiful Diane Lane. She plays "Cleo Trumbo" his wife. And the list of talent goes on from there. John Goodman, Helen Mirren, Stephen Root, Alan Tudyk, Louis C.K. and more. It's casting gold, folks. 

If there's any concern that you might be walking into a communist propaganda film I won't say those feelings are completely unwarranted. I will say that despite it's left leaning bias the story is balanced enough to be thought provoking, humorous and entertaining. Does it paint the picture that Trumbo is a victim more than a traitor? Sure, because that's the point of this particular film and it would serve you well to keep that in mind if you choose to see it in theaters. 

The only criticism I had for this film was regarding one particular actor. It's true that if you are inexperienced and surrounded by experience one of two things can happen. You either become better or you remain the same and your short-comings are highlighted. In this film Louis C.K. was the weakest part. It felt like he was directed to act like he was acting like himself. Were he told to be himself and let the character evolve there's a possibility that his performance would've been more believable. Unfortunately that wasn't the case and for the first two acts of the film he shares a bulk of the screen time with Bryan Cranston, noticeably struggling to be the character he was hired to be. 

"Trumbo" is in theaters now! I give this film a few shots of Russian vodka for good measure. It's an entertaining film that's well written and well acted.  There's little that doesn't work in this film and the aspects of movie making that do work do so in spades. It's worth the cost of a full priced ticket and the possible lengthy drive if the independent theater isn't near by. 

Comment below if you’ve already seen it and share your thoughts! Join in on the fun of movie watching and be sure to share this post with anyone who you feel would enjoy another one of my Box Office Reviews.

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Box Office Review: The Peanuts Movie

Good grief, Charlie Brown is back and the gangs all here in this wonderfully entertaining animated film. This movie has something for everyone because of its familiar characters or new faces, depending on your age. There was nothing lost in the story due in part to how much attention was paid to who the characters are, truly. If you have children this is a great opportunity to spend some time laughing together while Snoopy helps tell the story of becoming a winner and celebrating who you are. This delightful look at the lives of all the Peanuts characters will have longevity and hopefully that doesn't mean we'll have to wait decades for another film. If it does we at least have this movie to enjoy in the meanwhile.

The film centers around the story of Charlie Brown and his infatuation with the new girl in town, the little red haired girl. Charlie Brown expresses believable joy at the fact a new kid has arrived in town and this gives him a chance to start fresh and not be known as the perpetual failure and blockhead. After some stumbling about Charlie Brown decides to visit the town "shrink" and Lucy, for a nickel, gives Charlie Brown a book on how to be a winner. From here the movie really takes shape and we see the always lovable Snoopy take over story telling and blending different types of animation the movie delights.

The theater was filled with the laughter of children which says the target audience enjoyed the film. Occasionally a child would cheer or shout something appropriate because kids are honest and when they have a reaction it's an honest reaction. This film brought out the best in the kids as viewers. Normally, when people talk during a movie it irks folks, myself included, however the children's reactions added to the enjoyment. It was an animated success and this film won't be out of theaters anytime soon, I'm sure. The joke about "Leo's Toystore" by "Warren Piece" was written so accurately to how kids speak to each other and hear things I couldn't help but smile and laugh along with the other adults enjoying this fine movie.

"The Peanuts Movie" is in theaters now! I give this film a kite that even Charlie Brown can fly and some cupcakes. It's worth the cost of a theater ticket for matinee or evening it's that entertaining. If you have children I recommend you schedule a family movie night. Go enjoy laughing along with your kids as Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and the rest of the children all come to play in this delightfully charming animated movie.

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Box Office Review: Spectre

The James Bond franchise might be predictable but its characters are so engaging and charming movie-goers will gladly hand over hard earned dollars for 007.  The new Bondfilm “Spectre” is no exception. Box Office Mojo reports earnings over $70 million dollars which puts the fourth Daniel Craig Bond film within expectations for opening weekend earnings. This is good news for Sony who is currently in negotiations to maintain the filming rights for this franchise. Sam Mendes returned to direct this film and the buzz around the internet was positive because of how incredible his previous 007 film “Skyfall” was. And that’s where the good news stops…

This movie felt like it was originally five or six hours long and then editing had to cut it down to an appropriate runtime. The 3rd act of the film felt like it should’ve been the 2nd act and by the time it reached that part of the story the audience was less than engaged. So much so, the lady sitting next to me fell asleep and was snoring, not quietly, just more than halfway into the movie. If you follow me on Twitter you probably noticed I did the unthinkable, live tweet during a movie. This movie was that poorly made.

This film did have some highlights and one was Christoph Waltz, an incredible actor, whose performance was what movie watchers have come to expect and enjoy. However, we are introduced to his character while he sits in the shadows. This doesn’t work because the audience already knows who he is, so the mystery is lost. Get out of the shadows Christoph, we all know it’s you.

Daniel Craig reprises his role as James Bond and it felt like he just phoned in his performance. To summarize, “Here I am, I’m Bond, doing Bond things, because that’s what Bonds do. Where’s a hot chick and my martini?” He didn’t seem to have the visible drive that he had previously and it was noticeable. One could argue this Bond could’ve let the world end as long as he had a Martini and a super model to watch it with.

This movie was a disappointment for me personally. I grew up loving the 007 movies and  the persona of James Bond. I would’ve preferred Timothy Dalton come back as Bond in this film because at least my expectations would’ve been less going in. I probably would’ve been more tolerant of this films short comings. To summarize my overall feelings regarding this film in comparison to its counterparts, I submit one of my live tweets…

“Spectre” is in theaters now! In closing, this film gets no bullets for 007’s Walther PPK and his martini is stirred, not shaken. If Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes decide not to return to the franchise that’s fine. If they decide to stay, that’s ok too. As long as they make another great film like “Skyfall” and not “Spectre” I’m all in. Talented people making good movies is how everyone wins and the box office scores.

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Comic Book Review: Ian Flemmings "James Bond, 007: Vargr"- Issue 1 - Dynamite

“James Bond 007: Vargr”  Issue #1

Written By: Warren Ellis

Art By: Jason Masters and Guy Majors

Synopsis

Issue 1 starts off with a strange man running through snow, trying to escape from someone. While it’s unclear who these two men are that are actively engaging one another it’s clear that they are not friends. After some enjoyable fighting and dismemberment we meet Bond, James Bond.

It’s revealed that 007 has, curiously, been struggling to complete missions in a timely order. The last mission he completed so quickly “M” wonders if revenge jobs are what motivate James to be more efficient. We are also introduced to Money Penny and “Q” at this point. 

Finally we’re shown a man who appears to be experiencing medical procedures in an effort to find a cure for what ails him. It’s revealed that he is, in some manner, an assassin and James Bond is his next target...

Opinion

This comic read just like the James Bond movies perform. The voicing of characters is spectacular. As I’m reading the dialogue I can hear the voices of each character familiar to us from the movies. The dialogue is enjoyable and hearing those memorable voices in my head as I read made this comic such fun.

The challenges that face James Bond in this comic are dangerous, humorous and slightly ridiculous. All in all, the challenges make sense and the reactions from 007 are spot on. Even the witty/flirty banter between James and Money Penny draws you into this world we have come to enjoy so much over the decades. 

While humming the James Bond theme song and smiling like a noob, I can’t help but give this issue a Martini, shaken not stirred. If you are as much a fan of James Bond as I am or merely a 007 enthusiast you’ll enjoy this issue. Plus what better time to read a new James Bond comic than right before the new Bond movie is released in theater! #JamesBondapalooza 

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Box Office Review: Our Brand Is Crisis

The box office numbers don’t properly portray how enjoyable this film is. The numbers do reflect one fact, the truth in “Our Brand Is Crisis” might be for a more select audience. This is an examination on politics, manipulation and using truth to create lies.  Everything people love or hate about politics is on display throughout the entire movie. To say this film is a comedy would be an inaccurate description; however, there are enjoyable moments of comedy to provide levity in an otherwise revealing and dramatic film. “Our Brand Is Crisis” explores the art of politics and the relationships of politicians, their teams and the people they are trying to persuade.

The film centers around the country of Bolivia and its presidential election. The crew hired to help Castillo (played by Joaquim de Almeida) come up from being behind in the polls to win the election is an incredibly diverse group of talented individuals. The star who really drives the story is Jane (played by Sandra Bullock) who has come out of retirement. She’s determined to prove that she still has what it takes to win elections and will stop at nothing to beat her nemesis, Pat Candy (played by Billy Bob Thornton). The onscreen chemistry between these two incredible actors is charming and engaging to say the least. The conversations regarding their sordid past, the current election and the future are all written so well. It’s challenging not to create an opinion on the characters and the election because of how three dimensional each character is written.

This film felt like a blending of the political comedy “Wag the Dog” made in the style of Steven Soderbergh. It’s unfortunate how poorly it’s performing in box office numbers alone because this movie is worth seeing in a theater. This isn’t a special effects spectacular or action packed adventure film but it’s entertaining. There’s good reason to assume that people might finish the movie and feel slightly troubled by the truth of politics. It’s fairly common to feel an individual votes on what they believe instead of what they’re told to believe. If  the movie-going audience can embrace the fact this film reveals how politicians manipulate the public but still find enjoyment in the presentation it will see an increase in viewership. It’s unlikely but possible.

“Our Brand Is Crisis” is in theaters now! I give it my vote of confidence and hope you vote yes as well. This film is worth the ticket price and if you know someone who loves politics this is a film to treat them too. You could wait for it on Redbox but it’s a quality film you should see sooner than later. The characters are entertaining and written well, plus the story is topical and revealing.

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Box Office Review: The Martian

If a movie about a character alone in a location difficult, if not impossible, to escape from sounds familiar, that’s because it is familiar.  First there’s “Cast Away” starring Tom Hanksand second there’s “Moon” starring Sam Rockwell. Since both of these films were terrific, starred talented actors and share a similar concept, movie-going patrons can have higher expectations with this film. “The Martian” stars Matt Damon and is directed by Ridley Scott and provided an ensemble of talent to share screen time in the telling of this story. In addition to the cast, there are moments humor, suspense, and drama throughout the movie creating a more developed and enjoyable tale.

Ridley Scott, as a director, has made some incredible films. He has also made some stinkers, to be fair. This film is going on the shelf as an achievement for him as a director. His ability to capture the tension in certain scenes blending special effects and camera angles on difficult shots (the storm on Mars for example) and then wide angle shots from cameras on board the Mars space station to continue telling the story was enjoyable. Ridley Scott had a vision in his head and conveyed it brilliantly onto the big screen. A director also has to get the best out of their actors and Ridley did that in spades. Even Kristen Wiig’s character was done well and hers was the only name that peaked curiosity considering her enjoyable background with comedic films.

The story takes you from feeling the relieving achievements of Mark Watney (Matt Damon) as he finds one way after another to sustain life on Mars to feeling the heartbreak and terror when things go awry. Back on earth while NASA is debating on which course of action to take, who, what and when tell certain things, the audience feels like part of the intense closed door discussions about the value of human life and political maneuvering. This film leaves nothing out and it forces everyone to consider the value of human life on this planet, another and the space in-between.

Towards the end of the film it’s safe to say you might all be exhausted from the highs and lows of this emotional roller coaster film. This fact is what makes the final act of the film so  amazing. The audience is all but worn out from the success and failures of Mark Watney and NASA by the 3rd act. Then, a glimmer of hope takes over and if Mark Watney can try one more thing, by god, so can the audience. The final act of the film is filled intense emotion as everyone on earth, in space, on Mars and sitting in the theater realizes it is officially that time, all or nothing, life or death. Does Mark Watley survive? Does his crew ever make it back to earth alive? Is anyone at NASA held responsible? Was disco music the best choice for a soundtrack on Mars? Go see the film and decide for yourself.

“The Martian” is in theaters now! I give this film all the thumbs space travel and NASA will allow. It’s an incredible film and it’s even one I could recommend to my religious family and friends without hesitation. It’s a movie for everyone and it’s so good!

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