Movie Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A superior superhero movie. 

This ranks among one of the best live action Spider-Man movies (even if Spider-Man 2 (2004) still gets the top spot for me). The reason for this is simple. The new Spider-Man movie is full of heart. What has always made Spider-Man stand out with all the superheroes out there is not the superpowers or the villains. Rather it is the person behind the mask. The best Spider-Man stories, whether in comics or film, have always been more about Peter Parker than about Spider-Man and that is easily the case here. Though there are some stellar Spider-Man action scenes here, the heart of the story revolves around Peter Parker's loneliness. This film focuses on Peter's fear to let anyone in and to love him after the passing of his Aunt May. As the film starts superhero-ing is becoming the character's full life as a way to compensate for how lonely his personal life is. As Peter, he spends nearly all his time watching social media videos of his former friends being sad he is not there. Yet as the movie goes on Peter's loneliness and action-packed adventures become quite intwined creating many moments that will truly pull on your heart strings. Tom Holland's previous films as the webslinger have been rather lighthearted, however he proves he is more than up to the more emotionally heavy material given to him here. 

Yet as well as being quite emotional, this movie is also a lot of fun. As mentioned before the action scenes are fantastic. The action-packed climax is truly wonderful. This movie also has some of the funniest post-Endgame bits of MCU humor. Unlike the weakest MCU films, the humor and the drama are balanced out very well. The filmmakers know when to be funny and when to be serious. Neither ever gets in the way of the other. 

Like many Marvel movies, this tries to put a lot of Marvel into a movie that is supposed to be about a specific one. On the bright side all of these characters are entertaining in their roles. On the downside it can make the movie feel a bit overstuffed. However, this is not enough to truly hurt a movie as delightful as this. 

A must-watch for all Marvel fans.  

Movie Trailer: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Movie Trailer: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Movie Review: Spider-Man: No Way Home

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

The third in director, Jon Watts' Spider-Man Trilogy is easily the best. 

This is top notch superhero movie making in every way. Tom Holland's version of Spider-man has always been very likable, but this film digs deeper into just who this character is with great results. He retains everything we have loved about this character including his great mix of great intelligence and young naiveté. Yet we get to see a much deeper and more human side to him, as he is forced to grow up and take on responsibility beyond anything he is ever done before. While I do not want to give any spoilers over the course of this film, we can see him really mature. This all leads to a finale (that I will not give away here), which has an emotional power that none of his previous outings even came close to. All the while though he remains the same Spider-Man we have got to know and love since Captain America: Civil War (2016). 

Yet the bigger emotional weight does not mean that this movie is missing any of the fun that the MCU is loved for. The action scenes are up there with the best of the MCU and are extremely exciting and cinematic. However, what really stands out in the fun department is the humor. This is a very funny movie and nearly every joke hits the mark. To add to this is that the humor gets even funnier as the film goes along. 

There is no denying that quite a few scenes in this film were intended to have movie fans (especially superhero movie fans) geek-out. These moments are directed not only to fans of the MCU but also all of the fans of Spider-Man movies dating back to Spider-Man (2002). These moments are extremely effective. The audience I saw this with went into huge applause every time one of these moments happened, and I found it impossible not to get drawn into the excitement. Reactions like this are a major part of why I love the movie going experience so much. Yet all of these geek-out moments are tied into the story and none of them feel like they are there simply for fan service. 

If you are a fan of superhero movies, then this is a must see.

Some Must See Movies From the 2010's

With the 2010's coming to a close, I feel it is only appropriate to look back on some of the great movies of this decade. This post will not be a best of list. Rather this is simply me listing some movies from this decade that I really enjoyed.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013, Japan). In my mind this is one of Studio Ghibli's best films and deserves to be mentioned with Spirited Away (2001) and Grave of the Fireflies (1988). This movie is a deceptively simple fairy tale that works on multiple levels. It can be enjoyed simply as a very charming fairy tale or a highly intelligent commentary on how our world defines happiness. The animation is incredible and with films like this, it is easy to wish hand drawn animation could still be the norm. I love how the animation will change to fit the emotional mood of the moment, while never feeling abrupt or distracting. The ending makes me tear up every time.

Lean on Pete (2018, U.S.A.). This is easily one of the most emotionally powerful movies of recent years. Yet this movie never slides into forced sentimentality. That is because this movie is an open and honest depiction of how harsh the world can be, but also the beauty that can be found in other moments. With the lack of warmth in our main character's life it is impossible not to understand or relate to his deep connection with the horse he works with. This movie never follows a conventional path and you will never know what we happen next, but be sure whatever does will hit your emotions hard. Be prepared to cry when you see this movie.

Tokyo Fiancée (2014, Belgium) Possibly one of the most offbeat romantic comedies of the decade and certainly one of the most enjoyable. This movie was based off the real life romance of Amélie Nothomb. Our main character grew up in Belgium but spent her life obsessed with all things Japanese. When she moves to Japan (as a French language tutor), she falls in love with a young man obsessed with all things French. What really makes this movie stand out are Pauline Etienne's incredible performance and the breathtaking shots of Japan. Though its offbeat and often very funny sense of humor doesn't hurt either.

Marie's Story (2014, France). A very heartwarming film about a young woman who is both blind and deaf and a nun who helps change her life. The story may seem familiar but it is told so spectacularly here, you won't care. This is a quiet little movie that requires you to pay attention but rewards you extremely richly when you do.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse (2018, U.S.A.). This animated feature is everything one could wish for in superhero movie. It is extremely fun, it has a great story with some depth, a fantastically original visual style and great characters. More than any other superhero movie I have ever seen this film makes it feel like a comic book come to life. This is not only one of the best animated superhero movies but one of the best superhero movies period.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011, U.S.A.) and Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014, U.S.A.). You may love or hate the MCU. Personally I love it and these are in my mind the finest movies to come out of it. The first Captain America is a lovely done period piece that is as fun as any MCU movie has ever been. The second is a more dark and serious film set in the modern day. Both are the smartest and best written movies Marvel Studios ever put out.

Parasite (2019, Korea). I would like to say as little about this movie as possible, as it is best to go in knowing as little as possible. Only know that this is one of the finest suspense movies of recent years.

Moana (2016, U.S.A.). This movie shows Disney animation at its best. Everything is as good as it gets including the songs, the animation, the characters, the story, the action and the pure Disney magic.

Inside Out (2015, U.S.A.). This is easily my favorite Pixar movie. It has everything that is great about Pixar films with none of the faults. Like with all the best movies from this studio, I felt like I traveled to another world. The design work is so perfectly imaginative and detailed that you can easily believe the inside of our mind really looks like this. The characters are fantastic and I like that they even tried to see how far they could push Joy while still making her likable. The story is the finest and most heartfelt to ever come from Pixar and this is the only movie from the studio that has actually made me cry.

Lady Bird (2017, U.S.A.). With just her debut feature, I am willing to accept Greta Gerwig as one of the finest directors of this generation. It is hard to think of any movie in recent years more perfect than Lady Bird. While there have been many movies about young people in their late teens coming of age, I hesitate to think of one that does it as well as this film. This movie is extremely intelligent, perfectly acted and cast, very funny, extremely heartfelt and perfectly directed. If there was a movie this decade I would dare call perfect it is Lady Bird.

Ida (2014, Poland). Movies as beautiful as this come along extremely rarely. This movie is full of pure cinematic magic from beginning to end. Made in black and white, this is one of the best looking films of this decade. The cinematography is perfection, often making one wish black and white movies were still common. However this film is hardly all style and no substance. Director and Co-writer Pawel Pawlikowski revisits his childhood with this movie's story and does it in an incredibly moving and powerful way. No movie buff should go without seeing this brilliant work of art.

Feliz Año Tijuana (2018, Mexico). I came into this movie knowing nothing about it. Little did I except it would be such a moving and powerful film. This movie takes a small simple story a professor who by chance meets an old student in Tijuana at New Years, and turns it into something truly special. This is an independent movie all the way. In fact it was shot without a script, being mostly improvised over six days of shooting. This movie came and left theatres with hardly anybody noticing. However it is truly a great movie and I hope some of you will take the time to seek it out.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Movie Review: Spider-Man: Far From Home

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

Review: Just like how Avengers: Infinity War was followed by Ant-Man and the Wasp, the massive Avengers: Endgame is followed by the lighthearted and very fun Spider-Man: Far From Home. This is not a big scale film by any means, but rather a film that has no goals to be anything more than lighthearted escapism. It succeeds very well at this, and is a movie that I am sure nearly every Marvel fan will enjoy.

Just as much as this is a superhero movie, it is also a lighthearted high school aged romantic comedy.  MJ (Zendaya) has grown up and become much more of an interesting and likable character than she was in Homecoming. Her and Peter (Tom Holland) truly have fantastic chemistry together. It is strange to use the word adorable in a review of a Spider-Man movie, but they truly do make an adorable couple. They are equally sweet, awkward and smart, yet still stand out as different, unique personalities. Every scene between them is not only charming, but feels perfectly natural. Peter's best friend (Jacob Batalon) also gets a love interest (Angourie Rice) in this movie. This couple is played much more for laughs and this is quite effective as they provide many funny moments. Some of the funniest moments come from our old friend Happy (Jon Favreau). Even Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) can at times be played for laughs and again very effectively. The action itself is typically good Marvel action.

None of this is to say there are no serious moments in this movie (if you haven't seen Endgame yet skip this paragraph). Peter feels like he is expected to be the next Iron Man, but also that he is simply unable to do this. He feels that he is just a kid and a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Because of this he is constantly doubting himself and wondering why Tony would choose him. He is also so hurt by Tony's death that he can't muster up the same enthusiasm for crime fighting as he did in Homecoming. This is extremely relatable and just makes the character feel much more real to us.

True this film is very predictable and the villain's plan is too complex for its own good. Still neither of these stop the fun from coming, and this is still an excellent film.

-Michael J. Ruhland    

Annie Award Winners

Last night was the 46th annual Annie Awards. This is the biggest award show exclusively for animation. Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse ran off with the most awards this year. Congratz to all the winners and thank you to all the nominees for provided us with such great animated entertainment.


Below are listed the winners as well as the other nominees.

Best Animated Feature
Winner: Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse

Other Nominees: Early Man, Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Ralph Breaks the Internet.

Best Animated Independent Feature
Winner: Mirai

Other Nominees: Ce Magnifique Gateau!, MFKZ, Ruben Brandt Collector, Tito and the Birds.

Best Animated Special Production

Winner: Mary Poppins Returns.


Other Nominees: Back to the Moon, The Emperor's Newest Clothes, The Highway Rat.


Best Animated Short Subject

Winner: Weekends.


Other Nominees: Grandpa Walrus, Lost & Found, SOLAR WALK, Untravel.


Best Animated Television/Broadcast Commercial
Winner: Greenpeace 'There's a Rang-tan in My Bedroom'

Other Nominees: Goldfish at the Fair, Grinch/40/Olympics Spot, JD.com Joy and Heron, The Fearless are Here.

Best Animated/Broadcast Television Production for Preschool Children
Winner: Ask the StoryBots.

Other Nominees: PJ Masks, Dinotrux: Supercharged, Hey Duggee, Tumble Leaf.

Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production for Children
Winner: Hilda.

Other Nominees: Kung Fu Panda: Paws of Destiny, Little Big Awesome, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters.

Best General Audience Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Winner: BoJack Horseman

Other Nominees: Big Mouth, Bobs Burgers, Human Kind Of, The Venture Brothers.

Best Student Film
Winner: Best Friend.

Other Nominees: A Blink of an Eye, Facing It, Sister, Hors Piste.

Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production

Winner: Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters.


Other Nominees: DreamWorks Theatre Presents Kung Fu Panda, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SuperMansion, Watership Down.


Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated Feature Production

Winner: Ralph Breaks the Internet.


Other Nominees: Early Man, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, Incredibles 2, Next Gen.


Outstanding Achievement For Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production

Winner: Hilda.


Other Nominees: Age of Sail, Back to the Moon, Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, Tumble Leaf.


Outstanding Achievement For Character Animation in a Animated Feature Production

Winner: Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.


Other Nominees: Early Man, Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Ralph Breaks the Internet.


Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Live Action Production
Winner: Mary Poppins Returns.

Nominees: Avengers: Infinity War, Christopher Robin, Paddington 2, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Video Game

Winner: GRIS.


Other Nominees: God of War, Marvel's Spider-Man, Moss, Shadow of the Tomb Raider.


Outstanding Achievement in Character Design in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Winner: Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure.

Other Nominees: Age of Sail, Niko and the Sword of Light, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.

Outstanding Achievement in Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Winner: Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.

Other Nominees: Incredibles 2, Mary Poppins Returns, Next Gen, Ralph Breaks the Internet.


Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Winner: Disney's Mickey Mouse.

Other Nominees: Ask the Storybots, Niko and the Sword of Light, SuperMansion, Tales of Arcadia: 3Below.

Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production

Winner: Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.

Other Nominees: Early Man, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, Ralph Breaks the Internet.

Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Winner: Disney's Mickey Mouse.

Other Nominees: Back to the Moon, Elena of Avalor, Tangled the Series, The Tom and Jerry Show.

Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production    
   
Winner: Incredibles 2.

Other Nominees: Early Man, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Smallfoot.

Outstanding Production Design in an Animated Television/ Broadcast Production
Winner: Age of Sail.


Other Nominees: Disney's Mickey Mouse, Little Big Awesome, Niko and the Sword of Light, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.


Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production

Winner: Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.


Other Nominees: Early Man, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, Isle of Dogs, Mary Poppins Returns.

Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Winner: Disney's Mickey Mouse.

Other Nominees: Ben 10, Big Hero Six: the Series, Star Vs. the Forces of Evil, Rise of the Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Winner: Incredibles 2.

Other Nominees: Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Mary Poppins Returns.

Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Winner: BoJack Horseman.

Other Nominees: Unikitty, F is for Family, Pete the Cat, Skylanders Academy.


Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production

Winner: Isle of Dogs.


Other Nominees: Early Man, Incredibles 2, Next Gen, Ralph Breaks the Internet.


Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Winner: Hilda.  


Other Nominees: Big Mouth, Craig of the Creek, We Bare Bears, Star Vs. The Forces of Evil.


Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Feature Production

Winner: Spider-Man into the Spiderverse.


Other Nominees: Incredibles 2, Mirai, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Teen Titans Go! to the Movies.


Outstanding Achievement for Editorial in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Winner: Big Hero 6: The Series.

Other Nominees: Puppy Dog Tails, SpongeBob SquarePants, Tales of Arcadia: 3Below, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants.

Outstanding Achievement for Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
Winner: Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.

Other Nominees: Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, Incredibles 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Ruben Brandt Collector.




-Michael J. Ruhland     

     

   

"Spider-Man Far From Home" Trailer

Two days ago the first trailer from Spider-Man Far From Home came out. If you have not seen it yet here it is.





In this film Peter Parker (Tom Holland) goes to Europe for his summer vacation. However the trip turns out not to be as much a vacation as he thought, when Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) recruits him. Appearing in this movie will be the long time Spiderman villain Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhall), making his big screen debut.

The movie will be directed by Jon Watts who directed Spider-Man Homecoming. The writers will be Chis McKenna and Erik Sommers, both of whom were previously writers on Spider-Man Homecoming and Antman and Wasp for Marvel.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

Movie Review: Avengers: Infinity War

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland









Michael's Movie Grade: A-

Review: This is easily one of the most intense Marvel movies. It is also one of the best.

This movie does a fantastic job of combining so many characters into one film. When I first saw the preview, I had my doubts about this movie working. I felt it had too many characters and would feel much too crowded and unfocused. I am happy to say I was very wrong on that point. The balance between the characters is perfect. Many are given the time for their arcs to be completely fleshed out. However these arcs all help tell the same story and are interwoven very well. This is also a movie, where you often do not see what is coming next. Many of the twists took me by complete surprise and some were even shocking. This helped create a very intense and uneasy feeling at times. Infinity War is definitely a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

One thing that has to be mentioned is that this film requires watching of previous Marvel movies. If you haven't seen Guardian's of the Galaxy Vol. 1 & 2, Avengers: The Age of Ultron or Spider-Man: Homecoming you are putting yourself at a disadvantage seeing this movie. I definitely recommend watching these films first.

All in all though this is a fantastic movie and a must see for superhero fans.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Movie Review: Spider-Man: Homecoming

 Michael's Movie Grade: B

 Quite enjoyable movie and definitely a huge step up from the last three Spider-Man movies.

What interestingly works best about this movie is the high school stuff. None of it is exactly original, but it is done so well that who cares? Three of these kid characters feel especially real. Luckily one of these is Peter Parker himself. Also two characters that could have easily been too cliché are also very real. The best friend and the love interest are much more than that and actually really likable characters. As well as this Peter's troubles in school are done very well and are much better done here than any other Spider-Man movie. You really feel for the kid and anyone who has been through High School will easily relate. On the down side the other kids are not as well fleshed out. In the case of a certain character named Michelle, kind of annoying and pointless. The school scenes are also really tied well into the superhero story, especially in a delightful scene where Spider-Man talks to Karen (those who seen the movie will know what that means). On top of all this the movie contains probably the best cameos Captain America will ever have (the gym teacher's comments after one of these cameos easily my favorite line in the whole film), and a fantastic musical score (by Michael Giacchino) that just makes the whole movie so much better. On especially great use of the score is how in one scene that gets intense, it goes from very present and upbeat, to very sparse and downbeat. I will also give this movie credit for not always doing the obvious thing (not giving away how, no spoilers here).

On the downside is certainly the villain. I get what they were trying to do with this guy, and appreciate that, but he is rather boring. There is just simply little interesting about this guy. Michael Keaton does a very good job playing this character, but is just given too little to work with. On top of this the action scenes go on much too long at times, and are kind of bland compared to the more character driven scenes in the movie.

Overall a quite enjoyable movie and well worth a watch for Marvel fans.