Quick Movie Review: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

If we're being honest with each other, I can't say I've enjoyed too many installments in the Avengers series since 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger. I mean, REALLY enjoyed them. I liked most of them, but not to the point of needing to rewatch them. The first Avengers film was very enjoyable. And so was last year's Ant-Man. But other than that, it's been growing a bit tiresome.

And within the first ten minutes of Captain America: Civil War, I thought it wasn't boding well for this one either. There was a random action scene, which felt more like action for action's sake. We weren't sure why things were happening. It was more self-aggrandizing than anything else.

But soon after, we realize it was supposed to be somewhat unimportant. Merely setting up the theme for the rest of the movie.

The Avengers are trying to stop some bad guys in Nigeria, but kill some civilians in the process.

Afterwards, the superhero team faces a lot of adversity across the entire world. The United Nations issues an act that will oversee and control the Avengers' missions. This divides everyone in the group. Some feel that not fighting every battle they hear of is a waste of their abilities, while others are affected more by the death toll of the innocent.

I wasn't expecting the "civil war" to be much more than a verbal conflict, but it escalates pretty badly. You know something really catastrophic is going to happen as a result of this.

Halfway through this movie, I've already realized that it's better than most that came before it.

Here's why I like it: More than almost any Avengers film, there's no convoluted premise or overuse of impenetrable fanboy references. Everything here is clearcut. There are no alien races trying to takeover the planet. Nothing here feels like it's beating a dead horse.

This film also contains the best cast yet. Chadwick Boseman ups the ante playing Black Panther, as his acting abilities almost seem too good for this franchise. We also get some great character surprises, as well as a few minutes of Marisa Tomei.

It's a refreshing mix of each character's personality and wit, without it sacrificing the film's intent or them stepping on each other's toes.

Like any of Marvel's Avengers movie, this one has tons of charisma. But it's different this time, because it isn't forced. It makes you think philosophically--and morally--even if you don't realize you are.

It becomes top tier in this glorified franchise, and moves into my top 3 favorite Marvel films since the series was launched in 2008--along with Iron Man and the aforementioned Captain America: The First Avenger.

It isn't perfect, but it's pretty close as far as superhero movies go.

It's also important to note that you should probably know some background on the whole Bucky-Captain America relationship or you might be a little lost. Also, for those of you who've never seen ANY Avengers film, this will probably all be lost on you.

Twizard Rating: 98

Quick Movie Review: The Judge (2014)

The biggest complaint that I heard with this film is that it's full of cliches. I have to disagree somewhat. Yeah, sure, I know that it's the typical father-son drama where the dad never had time for his son and all that cat's in the cradle stuff. But when it comes down to it, this film goes far beyond the typical courtroom drama. It's full of surprises and twists that are slowly and carefully exposed along the course of the narrative. The first act takes its time, but never drags. It doesn't rush to reveal the plot all at once, saving things for later and not spoiling us with all the details right away. But then it gets really interesting when you don't see it coming. 

While I'm praising it, the acting and writing were phenomenal. Robert Downey Jr. commands your attention with his presence on screen, and his troubles with his father and his family are believable. It's also really funny at the right times without ever becoming irreverent to the point at hand. 

It's well-paced and deceivingly flawless. You're never able to predict the outcome. It remains mysterious enough to not make it predictable. Is it wrong that this movie gives us what we want? What we need? It makes points but never hands us our opinions on the characters. And it never tells us whose side to pick. Sure, it may be cliched at parts, but it's thoroughly enjoyable and leaves us feeling something a lot rarer than what we've been getting at the movies lately--which means, by definition, that it is in fact the opposite of cliche.

Twizard Rating: 96

Quick Movie Review: Chef

Finally! All summer long I've been waiting for this! Let me just say that this summer has been terrible for film--with the exception of maybe 3 movies. And with the batch that have been coming out lately, I needed a pick-me-up movie that would get me back into wanting to go to the cinema again. And here it is in all it's glory--a film that isn't as simple as it may seem. It's not just a story about a Chef trying to rediscover himself, but it's a film that beautifully exhibits the happy medium between the old and the new generations' views on technology and orchestrates perfectly how neither ideal is to be shoved aside as we need both schools to get by in life.

Along with a great cast and an amazing soundtrack, I love the subtle humor. It doesn't realize how funny it is, which makes it that much funnier. 

As for the negative, a disjointing detail about Robert Downey Jr.'s character being Inez' ex-husband wasn't really made clear prior to his appearance, but it's only distracting for that one scene. Also, because the first half of the movie is such a riot, everything after that may seem like it's taking its time. But even though it slows down towards the end, it's still entertaining and satisfying as we get to see a mini-roadtrip and a great father-son development.

Although it may not set the world on fire with innovative results, Chef is a thoroughly pleasing movie that you will be bobbing your head to. It's predictable, but in the best possible way.

Twizard Rating: 94

Quick Movie Review: Heart and Souls (1993)

I think I have found my first lost gem of 1993. This film was simply amazing. Robert Downey Jr. was fantastic in this movie, which perfectly balances genuine laughs with emotional tears. It makes you cry without ever being depressing. It may be too sappy for some, but I think that most will be very entertained. It's so much fun that you don't want it to end.

Heart and Souls provides us with a unique twist on a familiar story. It's anything but formulaic as there are two 2nd acts and a new climax is reached each time one of the ghosts "concludes" their life. All of this followed by one big ending that you don't really see coming. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't come without some predictability, but it never nears annoyance. Initially I thought that the 1st act was a little rushed and didn't give enough background to the characters, but as the movie progressed I saw how the filmmakers utilized the rest of the movie to develop the characters and give them depth. And perhaps they wanted to keep it light and felt that if they were too developed early on that the audience would become too upset when they all die in the bus accident 10 minutes into the movie. I also applaud the script for not overly explaining things for the audience. It kept it very free-flowing.

There are some great comedy scenes here too. It's a silly movie and it even comedically acknowledges the fact that it waited so long to have Thomas (Downey Jr.) help the ghosts out with their unfinished business. And Thomas (as Harrison) belting out the National Anthem before an audience waiting for B.B. King to come on stage is a classic scene. 

Ron Underwood's direction is on point, and Shaiman's sweeping score fits perfectly with the tone of this movie.

My only criticism is that it didn't address the fact that Thomas was still mad at the ghosts for leaving him when he was a child. His resentment was never clearly resolved with his invisible friends. But this is a minor complaint compared to how much joy this movie has brought to me.

People will either love it or hate it. It may have been forgotten about since 1993 but I think if people started watching it now, they'd realize that this is a nice treasure waiting to be rediscovered. It holds up well and should be considered a classic by today's standards.

Twizard Rating: 96