Father Figures (2017)

Father Figures (2017)

C. – 113m.
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Bastards
Starring: Owen Wilson, Christopher Walken, J.K. Simmons, Ed Helms, Ving Rhames, Terry Bradshaw, Katie Aselton, Ryan Cartwright, June Squibb, Katt Williams, Harry Shearer and Rachel Eggleston.

After finding out their mother has been lying to them for years about their dead father, two fraternal twin brothers set out to find him. Talk about a misstep! The only reason this gets any rating at all is that it has some superb actors in it. Sadly this slow moving film only has a handful of laughs and nothing else to recommend it. Skip it!

Rated: [R] – Language & Sexual References Throughout
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Justice League Films (2017–Present)

Justice League (2017)

C – 120m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Justice League Of America, Justice League Mortal
Exec. Prod.s: Ben Affleck and Christopher Nolan
Producer: Deborah Snyder
Co–Story Writer – Dir.: Zack Snyder
Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, J.K. Simmons, Amber Heard, David Thewlis, Jesse Eisenberg and Robin Wright.
Music By: Danny Elfman

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. One cannot do much better than this film for a superhero film. Affleck is, once again, almost miscast as Bruce Wayne / Batman, though he carries it off mildly well. Everyone else is in fine form. This moves along with no real slow / dull periods in the film and the action – humor ratio is satisfactory. Adams, Irons, Lane and Simmons are always welcome!   

Trivia: Zack and Deborah Snyder stepped away from this film after their daughter’s suicide in March 2017. Joss Whedon finished the film. Danny Elfman took over for Junkie XL, who had replaced Hans Zimmer. Laurence Fishburne was asked to reprise his role as Perry White in a cameo. Due to scheduling conflicts he was unavailable to do so on the day that scene was set to film. Ben Affleck was considered to direct this film. This was Zack Snyder’s first film to be shot in the 1.85:1 – Widescreen aspect ratio. 

Rated: [PG–13] – Sequences Of Sci–Fi Violence & Action
Available on 3D and 2D Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Tobey Maguire Spider – Man Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

The Tobey Maguire Spider – Man Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

Spider–Man (2002)

C – 121m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man: The Motion Picture, Spiderman
Marvel Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screenplay By: David Koepp
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Joe Manganiello, Gerry Becker, Elizabeth Banks, John Paxton, Jason Padgett, Jim Ward, David Holcomb, Octavia Spencer, Jim Norton and Stan Lee.

A geeky high school outcast gets bitten by a spider and gains superpowers. A very entertaining way to bring the comic book hero to the big screen. A good start to the trilogy.

Trivia: Hugh Jackman was supposed to have a cameo as Wolverine and even showed up to shoot the scene but the idea was scrapped because the production could not get the costume from X–Men (2000). Tobey Maguire’s nose kept filling with water during the upside–down kiss in the rain. The first issued film poster was recalled because it featured The World Trade Center as part of the NYC skyline, 9/11/2001 had just occurred.

Oscar® nominated for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
Rated: [PG–13] – Stylized Violence & Action
Available on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Spider–Man 2 (2004)

C – 127m (Theatrical Cut) / 135m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 2: The IMAX Experience, The Amazing Spider–Man, Spider–Man: No More, Spider–Man 2 Lives, Spider–Man 2.1, Spider–Man 1.5, Spiderman 2
Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screen Story By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Michael Chabon
Screenplay By: Alvin Sargent
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Dylan Baker, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, Elizabeth Banks, Bruce Campbell, Stan Lee, John Paxton and John Landis.

Peter Parker’s personal life is in a tailspin as he battles Dr. Otto Octavius. Smart sequel and by far the best entry in the Raimi – Maguire trilogy. Everything works! The preferred cut is the Extended Cut. 

Trivia: Tobey Maguire was having back problems and almost didn’t make this film. Jake Gyllenhaal was set to replace him but Maguire returned for the film. The, “My back!” joke after Peter Parker falls from the roof, just happened to be in the script before Maguire’s back issues arose. (Anyone else skeptical?) When Peter Parker flips over an oncoming car, Tobey Maguire did the stunt himself. A stuntman also did it but director Sam Raimi liked Maguire’s take and thought it looked more natural, so he used it. 

Oscar® winner for: Best Visual Effects. Additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing.

Rated: [PG–13] – Stylized Action Violence
Available in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Spider–Man 3 (2007)

C – 139m (Theatrical Cut) / 137 (Editor’s Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 3: The IMAX Experience, Spiderman 3, 3
Marvel Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screen Story By: Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi
Screenplay By: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, James Cromwell, Theresa Russell, Dylan Baker, Bruce Campbell, Elizabeth Banks, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, John Paxton, Becky Ann Baker, Stan Lee and Joe Manganiello. 

A dark entity from another world threatens to take over Peter Parker as he battles new villians, causing inner turmoil. Dismal final outing in the Raimi – Maguire trilogy leaves one feeling sorry that the story came to this. Watchable only as part of the series. The preferred cut is the theatrical cut, oddly.

Trivia: All of the screams Kirsten Dunst has in this film are reused from Spider–Man 2 (2004). The film took two years and ten months to make. At one point it was a consideration to split the film into two parts. Many scenes were shot that were never released theatrically as part of the film or on home video as part of the bonus features. Many of them considered too dark for consumption. This was Cliff Robertson’s final film before his death on September 10, 2011 at the age of 88.

Rated: [PG–13] Sequences Of Intense Action Violence
Available in Theatrical Cut and Editor’s Cut on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Rewrite & Some Kind Of Beautiful (2014)

The Rewrite (2014)

C. – 107m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Reluctant Professor
Writer – Dir.: Marc Lawrence
Starring: Hugh Grant, J.K. Simmons, Marisa Tomei and Allison Janney.

An Academy Award winning Hollywood screenwriter is forced to take a job as a writing teacher to pay the bills after Hollywood has rejected all of his ideas for another film. Affairs of the heart come into play here too. Surprisingly well done film is a sleeper hit of 2014. Good performances and a solid story leave one feeling satisfied at the end of the film. The cast is in fine form.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

Some Kind Of Beautiful (2014)

C. – 99m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen.
A.K.A.: How To Make Love Like An Englishman, Professor Love
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba, Malcolm McDowell and Ben McKenzie.

A Cambridge poetry professor reevaluates his life when true love enters the picture. The premise is simple, the genre is drama but what sits in front of the audience is a romantic Dramady that has a good heart. Worth watching… Fine performances help this sleeper hit. On a trivial note, Malcolm McDowell is only ten years older than Pierce Brosnan but plays his father here anyway.

Rated: [R] – Language, Sexual Content, Some Nudity & Drug Use
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy