"Transcendence" certainly starts off with great intentions and expectations. But the results are ultimately confused and the terrific turns by Hall and Depp are unable to truly rise above the mess.
"A Promise" is ultimately a run-of-the-mill period film that neither elevates the genre or has anything new to add. The performances are solid throughout, but unfortunately the actors are unable to make sense of this choppy and derivative period melodrama.
Disney's Frozen has emerged as one of the most successful movies ever and it comes as no surprise that many people are wondering whether or not a sequel is in the works.
The emergence of the comic book film over the last decade has resulted in a number of top quality films and an even greater number of mediocre and horrible ones. With the release of the solid "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" this weekend, Reel Salazars is looking to honor the best of the pack. Here are my top five favorite comic book films.
From 2008 until present day, Marvel has created the Avengers' universe in cooperation with Disney and Paramount Pictures. The films have been known for their quality and terrific box office success. But which films continue to stand the test of time. In honor of the release of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" I will write about my three personal favorite Avenger films thus far. They are ranked from third to first.
Despite these shortcomings, Aronofsky's "Noah" dares to be bold with the source material and manages to create an intricate and psychologically-piercing thriller that also touches upon existential issues relating humans' interactions with God. The film's major fault may be that it strives to be a blockbuster when it really never needs to be. But even then, "Noah" sets a higher standard for what large Hollywood productions can achieve and should strive for.
When Disney set out on creating its Marvel Universe, it is likely that the company felt that it was embarking on a lucrative project. There were certainly some risks to be had. Would audiences really warm up to some of the lesser known Super heroes? How much success would these films be from a financial standpoint? Would the company be able to maintain the quality from film to film or would they suffer from mediocrity exhibited by other comic book franchises?
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is a lot of fun and features solid performances from its cast throughout. However, it is impossible to walk away from the film without feeling that it is incomplete; it becomes abundantly clear at the end that a lot was left out with the intention of saving things for the sequel. Fans of the Marvel Universe will undoubtedly savor and converse about all the questions left in store for the sequel, but the rest of the viewers might start to feel a bit wary about the ongoing parade of Marvel movies and their increasing manipulation.
"Nymphomaniac Vol. 2" needs to be watched with the first installment in order for the viewer to truly experience the full power of Van Trier's intricate character study on human degradation. The film is far from easy viewing, but those courageous enough to traverse along its rocky road will come away transformed. The four-hour saga is a defining masterpiece that will be discussed for years to come.
Despite surprisingly solid acting, especially from Shailene Woodley, "Divergent" misses the mark throughout. As a standalone film, it is an utter failure that feels like a rip-off of other superior novels and movies; as the first part of a trilogy, it is a bland and boring entry. Fans of the book will likely flock to see and give the movie its approval, but most other moviegoers will likely be turned off by the plodding pace and generic execution.
The film will undoubtedly be unwatchable for many. And even those brave enough to take on the film will likely find some moments objectionable and excessive. However, Von Trier ultimately frames the first part of his examination of sexual addiction with unique commentary and fascinating insight.
Wes Anderson, the true hero of "The Grand Budapest Hotel," manages to imbue his ever-quirky style with potent humanity and vibrancy that keeps the viewer not only immersed in his fantasy world (arguably his most fantastical film to date), but also grounded in the emotional realism that it portrays. Anderson's films seem to be getting better and better and with this film he has set a new standard.
The release date for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales", the fifth installment of the movie series, has been sailing through unfriendly waters since it was moved from 2015 to 2016. Deadline previously reported that "Pirates of Caribbean 5" was originally scheduled for a 2015 release but Disney executives have decided to delay it to 2016 to give the production crew enough to perfect the script.
Is Neo coming back to the big screen? According to new rumors, the Wachowski siblings Andy and Lana are hard at work on a prequel trilogy to the popular "Matrix" franchise.
