reelvibes91

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War Zone: Into the Heart of the Land of Bad

With War movies, sometimes it is hard to pull off emotional depth and a hard-hitting war story at the same time. Land of Bad sure did not have any issues making this both a character drive drama and a high stakes war film.

The style of the film was very well done. In this movie, we have a team of 4 men sent on a rescue mission. When something goes wrong, the lone remaining member (Hemsworth) must rely on a drone Captain (Crowe) to help him navigate his way to safety.

Hemsworth is great as the young, inexperienced soldier who is relying on the veteran Captain Eddie, aka Reaper. Crowe is top form as he talks about College Basketball , cracks jokes about Vegans, and tries to talk the lone soldier through a harrowing ordeal.

What really helps elevate this film is that during the high stakes war drama, Reaper is dealing with the impending arrival of his child. It adds a human element to the film as it reminds us that while war takes a toll, everyone not on the front lines has personal things going on.

Action is always a big part of how a movie like this comes together, and for the most part, here it looked great. One small gripe is that they used too much slow motion to convey the scope of each missile dropped. It worked for the first one as it really showed the impact the eyes in the sky have on war. It also highlighted a conversation two of the characters had about technological warfare vs hand to hand combat. After that first use, though, it did slow down all the major action sequences and created somewhat of a pacing issue. That is my only issue with this near 2 hour film, though, so that is by no means a deterrent from recommending this film.

The reasons to see this movie far outweigh the small issues created by the decisions made in post-production. It has an easy to follow storyline with intense scenes of violence that war movies should have. Hemsworth and Crowe do a tremendous job adding to that tension with brilliant acting performances. This is one of the better war movies that has come out in recent memory. If this is the kind of movie you enjoy, give it a chance.

#land of bad #liam hemsworth #War Movie #Reaper #drone pilot #russell crowe

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One Love

Bob Marley is an influential musician who sadly passed away at a very young age. Marley stood on the principles of love and unity for the people of Jamaica.

During a time of unrest and political turmoil, Marley was forced to relocate his family to the US and himself to England. During that time, Marley always wanted peace and tried to do whatever it took to bring people together.

Kingsley Ben-Adir is tremendous in the lead role of Bob Marley. His power as an actor really shines during the scenes with Marley and the band coming together to create the iconic songs we still love today. Marley is a soft soul who pushed really hard for the legalization of Cannabis through out his career. That is one thing the movie could have handled better along with showing us the political unrest in his home nation.

Other than those small gripes this movie handled the story really well. The decision not to show the concert to me was a smart one. Why? A movie simply cannot recreate the same passion as watching the real and raw footage of these big historical moments. Film only allows us to view them in 4K with an actor recreating these iconic moments. The idea is the footage should look grainy and real. The only thing the film could have done is transition from Ben-Adir into the real footage of the concert to play just before the credits role.

In terms of the story showing as different aspects that was acceptable as well. Here see Marley receive his cancer diagnosis but the film does not need to address it further as we know the tragic outcome. The world lost an icon at the young age of 36. This story tells us the essential details of the failed assassination attempt on Marley leading all the way to his homecoming. If you want to see the passion of that event, the entire concert is on YouTube free to view. I strongly suggest watching that as opposed to wishing the movie would have seen it. If we want these legends to live on we should watch the real thing as often as possible. Solid movie, solid acting.

#Bob Marley #One Love #Biopic #kingsley ben adir #bob marley one love #Exodus #bob marley and the wailers #rita marley

[reelvibes91]

What a Teen Titans Movie Should Look Like

Recently it was announced that DC Studios plans to make a live action Teen Titans movie. For long time fans of the team this is huge news. This has the potential to be one of the best movies to come out the newly formed studio if done right.

A few things to note before diving too deep into this. There are different iterations of the team over the years and people have different takes on which team works the best. This is also merely my opinion on what I believe a true Teen Titans movie should be.

The first thing is do not over think it. Settle on the line up and create a great story. There are plenty of great ones out there. Personally I would just have the Teen Titans take on Deathstroke in the first film. Simple, easy and it could be used as a way to end all of the debates online about which Rogues Gallery he belongs in.

Above is the lineup I would run with for the first movie. With Brave and the Bold already establishing the dynamic between Bruce and Damian this would be a perfect follow up for Damian's Robin. Beast Boy and Kid Flash are two of my favorite personal members of the team as I really want this franchise to focus on Beast Boy and his ever evolving relationship with Raven. That is one of the key foundations to the comics and the maturation of the characters.

I also know in recent years in the comics there have been a difference between Wallace and Wally West however for the sake of continuity this could easily be one character. Various iterations including the Flash tv show and the Flash movie hinted at this. It would too confusing to create two versions of the character. Keep it very simple. Kid Flash Wally West. Easy Done. Whoever they cast. It opens the doors to whomever has the best chemistry with others via screen testing.

These characters mean a lot to me. Personally I enjoy these characters moreso than the Justice League because they have are so young and grow up a lot together as a team. If they go the route of Damian there is the option to have Nightwing/Dick Grayson as a mentor for the current lineup of team members. They also have room for Cyborg, Superboy and others to make appearances. Depending on the route taken with the Flash as well within in the DCU there is plenty of potential for a well known character from the future to make an appearance in future films.

Now is the time for the DCU to really take the leaps that past iterations have not taken. Teen Titans is a great start do that. Perhaps an early start like this will be the first step in creating that difference and doing big things. Teen Titans has to be done right and lay the foundations for the future. However getting the lineup right off the start is essential. We shall see what this movie ends up becoming.

#Teen Titans #DC Studios #James Gunn #damian wayne #Robin #Beast Boy #Kid Flash #Wally West #garfield logan #Raven #Starfire #Deathstroke

[reelvibes91]

Late Night with the Devil

Sometimes a trailer is enough to get you hooked on a films premise and draw you in. That is what Late Night with the Devil did. It gave enough of the premise away that you want to sit down and watch the movie and it certainly did deliver.

It wonderfully recreates the aesthetic of the 70s talk shows. During the 70s the world was fearful of changes and was skeptical of everything that didn't align with a traditional 9-5 lifestyle. This film is presented in that style because it perfectly blends found footage genre with psychological horror aspects.

This film succeeds thanks in large part due to David Dastmalchian and his charismatic performance as talk show host Jack Delroy. Jack is locked in a coveted battle for ratings with real life legend Johnny Carson. Don't worry the events of this film are entirely fictional they just added Carson for context. Jack having recently lost his wife to a battle with cancer will do almost anything to achieve that success.

Dastmalchian plays the middle ground perfectly as Jack trots out guests connected to the supernatural on a spooky Halloween edition of his Night Owls talk show. He even has a known skeptic on the show.

The ultimate guest comes later in the show and the film provides enough tension leading up to that moment you will be on the edge of your seat. Ingrid Torelli as a young girl believed to be possessed by a supernatural entity is a scene stealer. She has the creepiest scenes in the movie and her performance elevates the film from a wild ride to an instant classic. Before her entry into the film the middle ground truly was the exploration. Her role in the film is meant to show that the wildest of all conspiracy theories known to man are possible and the film is that much better for being willing to explore those themes. Without spoiling the ending it takes two different directions that were very much unexpected but thrilling none the less.

The final 15 minutes of this film are truly breathtaking in the way it is presented and the way it uses visual cues instead of needing to tie everything up in dialogue. If you enjoy films that dabble in the occult and challenge the status quo of a genre then this film is for you.

#late night with the devil #jack delroy #david dastmalchian #Psychological Horror #ingrid torelli

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Road House Remake a Smashing Success

Remakes are always a questionable endeavor from Hollywood. You have to find a movie people are okay with remaking. Fans of the original have to accept that idea and you have to find a way to modernize that while staying true to the original.

Road House does all of those. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior and Billy Magnussen the remake has a new set of visuals that definitely don't look as dated in todays age. The change of locale plays a big part in the plot and helps differentiate the two films. We all know the original from 1989 starring Patrick Swayze. Perhaps when you think of all the movies out there that could be modernized this not the first one that comes to mind but it certainly is a fun.

There are a lot or positives in this movie. One is of course Jake Gyllenhaal being in peak physical form as well as giving one of the best performances of his career. He has a lot to choose from but this one to me is an instant classic. His chemistry with Daniela Melchior is what sealed the deal for me. She is becoming a must see actress and her presence immediately elevates a film for me.

It goes without saying that the action is very much over the top but that is part of the charm. The fight sequences are brutal and it really helps give you sense of what these people have at stake. Conor McGregor in his film debut brings an absolute absurd psychotic performance. He is built for this kind of role. He brought the extreme parts of the plot to life while Gyllenhaal and Melchior kept it grounded.

It's fun because at the end of the day it is what is great about storytelling. You can get lost in these characters and this fun little romp for a little over two hours. Movies should allow you the ability to disconnect from the real world and fully immerse yourself in these fictional worlds. This one provides that. The story is simple yet effective. The cast is phenomenal. It's fun. Very well shot, very cool action sequences. Truly all you could want.

#Road House #jake gyllenhaal #daniela melchior #patrick swayze #elwood dalton #Remake #billy magnussen #conor mcgregor #road house 1989

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DC Decisions causing crazy confusion

James Gunn came out and said that season 2 of Peacemaker is essentially not going to be canon to season one. That is probably the most confusing thing he could say at this moment. Somehow season 2 is going to tie into a world that features his new Superman movie.

There is a lot to unpack here. This confusing because Peacemaker was very loose to begin with. The only two DCU confirmations in Peacemaker were The Flash and Aquaman. Waller is going to remain the same in this new universe. He had his storytelling way to explain anything he needed after The Flash. There is no indication with the cast all returning this was ever going to be a full reboot anyway.

By doing this he essentially is throwing away all of the character development that occurred during season one. Casual viewers as well will be confused when most of season 2 makes zero sense at all.

During Gunn's time all his comments on social media have led to more and more confusion among the fanbase. Many including myself believed when he stepped away from Henry Cavill he should have went the way of full reboot. It just makes sense. Seeing the same cast members appear with no previous ties to any story is going to be odd. It's not going to flow.

Having spoken with some good friends of mine (check out Nerd Doctors on YouTube) we have said time and time again this is a way for Gunn to keep his friends and those he cast on board in his new DCEU. That to me is a sure fire way to fail. These characters are bigger than Gunn playing in the sandbox with his friends or even casting people he has previously worked with before. No one should be safe unless it is best for business and if that means throwing away the continuity established in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker then so be it. This is supposed to be a new age for DC and a step away from the problems that have always plagued them.

#James Gunn #DCEU #Peacemaker #Superman #The Suicide Squad #DC Studios #nerd doctors

[reelvibes91]

Code 8 Part 2 Review

One of the best things about experiencing stories are those with original concepts. Code 8 is one of those stories. It does feature super powered humans but they craft an original story and world that surrounds that.

When Code 8 Part One dropped I really enjoyed it. It was a dark and gritty take on the super powers story. It was refreshing to see such a movie being made among big budget IPs left and right. Truth be told, we need more movies like Code 8.

Another thing that is rare these days is a sequel being just as good as the original. What works for Code 8 Part 2 is the exploration of the themes. In a world of Super Powers and drugs to enhance that we get a glimpse into Police Corruption and various other real world inspired themes. That allows for the world to be expanded upon and for the characters to be utilized well. Stephen Amell is probably the most fun to watch here because his true motives are unpredictable and that adds a layer of tension.

The core story of the film also had more at stake than the original did. It is why it works so well. It builds upon the foundations of the first film and definitely leaves the door open for more. Superhero cinema is definitely a huge genre right now and stories like Code 8 allow that to be more than just Marvel vs DC. Films like Code 8 show us a good story can always avoid genre fatigue. It also makes the bad movies stand out more. How can a smaller scale movie have better effects and themes? Writing. Code 8 is grittier, real and more grounded than 80 percent of the genre.

It is so much more grounded, reviews for the first film point out the lack of humor and light moments as if that is a blue print to being successful. Code 8 proves that what you need is a good story and dedicated actors to bring that story to life. Let's hope Code 8 Part 3 happens or a series set in the same universe about different characters. Either one would be welcomed.

#code 8 part 2 #superheros #Stephen Amell #robbie amell #Netflix #original movie

[reelvibes91]

Enjoying Awards Season

Every year during the first quarter of the year we have various award shows to celebrate the previous years achievements in cinema. Every year there are winners and there are fan favorites who don't win.

With that comes the inevitable insufferable discourse about why someone did not deserve their victory. It continued last night. There are many people who considered Emma Stone a lock to win the SAG award for best actress. Winning that award is often a precursor to who eventually wins the Oscar. Last night it was Lily Gladstone who won for her performance in Killers of the Flower Moon.

Both were incredible performances that audiences had nothing but positive things to say about. We should never pit these amazingly talented performers against each other. When they called out Lily Gladstone, Emma Stone cheered the loudest. That's how it should be. This is art at the end of the day and who is best is merely an opinion. We should be celebrating the amazing performances across the board. 5 people get nominated each year out of 100s of possibilities. Let's embrace the amazing movies we have each year. Not always run to social media and create excuses. It's unbecoming and society has a bad habit of doing this with everything lately. We should all be better.

#lily gladstone #Emma Stone #sag awards #best actress #poor things #killers of the flower moon #oscars

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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Review

In terms of big IPs, you could not escape the 10s without having atleast been exposed to The Hunger Games franchise. Now we get a prequel that focuses on Coriolanus Snow and what made him into the man he becomes.

There is a lot this film does right so let's begin the journey with that. The first 2/3s of the movie were top notch character building and introduction to the new necessary characters for this story. Lucy Gray Baird is probably my favorite character in the Hunger Games franchise after viewing this movie. They did a good job of presenting a lead who is not heroic and relied on the help of her mentor to survive. Lucy's talented was in the field of music and the film really allowed Rachel Zegler to shine. She has a tremendous singing voice and it helped build her character.

Her chemistry with Tom Blyth was crucial to the films success. You could easily buy into them being from different worlds but also the bond the formed as things progressed. They both had a lot at stake and grew closer through grasping the straws of humanity and not letting themselves go to far. It was an incredibly well structured story.

As great as the first two acts were the final one definitely felt rushed. Which is very odd given the film runs at 2hrs38mins and definitely had the room to create a much more subtle ending. This story takes place 64 years before the events of the Hunger Games films and the story of Katniss Everdeen. By the end of this movie we didn't need that nice little bow tied ending. 64 years is an incredibly long time for things to happen to a person. It's odd to think a man would have the definitive personality of his life time for that amount of time with no growth happening through out. It would have been nice to see smaller cracks in the foundation so we are teased of the man he becomes. We know that man is pure evil but we also know it takes a lot to make a person that way.

After a tremendous start it just lost all momentum because they gave you reason to care about Snow and Lucy but threw it all away in the final act. We know Lucy is not in the main franchise and by the end of the film out of Snows life. We didn't need to see a full reason why. Sometimes interpretation is good in story. Sometimes neatly wrapped endings ruin a story because we know life does not work that way a lot of the time.

The Hunger Games franchise is one I do enjoy and this one is definitely enjoyable if you look past the rushed ending. The first two acts have incredible pacing and chemistry among the talent involved. The cast is phenomenal all the way through. As mentioned Zegler and Blyth as well Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis and others. Had the ending been a little better constructed I would safely say this would have been the best in the franchise. After this movie that title still belongs to Mockingjay.

#lucy gray baird #coriolanus snow #Rachel Zegler #tom blyth #The Hunger Games #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #peter dinklage #Viola Davis #katniss everdeen #mockingjay

[reelvibes91]

It's my 1 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

Thank you for all the support over the last year! It has been an amazing ride and I look forward to the next 365 days with you all.

#1 year tumblrversary #tumblr milestone

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Jeffrey Wright's Oscar-Worthy Brilliance Shines in American Fiction

Some movies change the landscape of how a story can structure itself. American Fiction is one of those movies. It transcends the genre and becomes a massive study of both the characters we have tuned into watch and society as a whole.

Jeffrey Wright stars as American Author Thelonious Ellison, who is struggling with his latest book. When he writes an exaggerated look at african american culture his publisher receives an offer a lifetime. Now he must debate between continuing the charade or sticking with his own true love, classic literature.

Wright is phenomenal in this movie in what could be defined as the best performance of his career. Wright is mostly a character actor but here is allowed to shine and he does so brightly. As his characters personal life unravels and his career takes an odd turn we really see Wright display the crushing weight of that.

American Fiction pokes fun at the media we are currently consuming as a culture while being a true character study. We are given a set of flawed characters who are learning to be true to themselves. It is really well written and gives insight into how we devour all this content with very little substance. It also begs the question of do we truly know who the person behind the content is. As Ellison delves into playing this new persona to try and help pay for his mother's mounting medical bills we see the real struggle. Even those in lucrative jobs as we see it struggle on a daily basis.

Ellison's family dynamic is filled with past unresolved trauma with his parents and his two siblings. At the core of the movie it tries to play the middle ground between comedy and drama and does so effectively. There are truly comedic moments as well as effective emotionally charged moments.

What we get in the third act is a bait and switch of sorts but not the kind that ruins the story. The kind that enhanced the story and furthers the themes already presented. It truly is a very good movie that will make you think, make you laugh and at times make you question if the you being presented it truly your authentic self. Well done.

#American Fiction #cord jefferson #Jeffrey Wright #Oscar Nomination #Best Actor

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One Way: Simple Story, Brilliant Execution

It is worth noting that most times keeping it simple is the best approach. Sometimes people probably say I am a broken record when I say this but it is true. In terms of making the best quality product it always seems to be the best case towards presenting the best product.

In One Way we have Freddy, a petty criminal who has stolen drugs and money. He has been shot and he is on the run and the criminals want their money back.

It is that simple in this one and it works because within that you put talented actors in the necessary spots and they hit their marks. Colson Baker (better known as Machine Gun Kelly) stars as Freddy. Regardless of whether you like his music or personality he does a fine job here. That is all it takes for me to be impressed. Sell me on the role you are here to play. Baker does that and does it well.

Add in talents like Storm Reid, Drea De Matteo, Travis Fimmel and Kevin Bacon and you have a cast full of shady characters with mostly shady interests.

One Way is never trying to be more than it is. It is not a perfect film. There are a few things that were added to reach a feature length but for the most part they make it work through tension building and giving Freddy two possible outcomes. The situation is dire when the film begins and as it progresses you know there is no way out for Freddy. That is simple and effective writing and that is what I like. Slow burning drama where a story is built and characters make actions and it results in consequences.

Baker definitely has a future in acting if he wishes to pursue it. I genuinely think he has the talent. He can play a variety of age ranges and that helps cast a wider net for future roles. If this is the indication of what he can do then I for one would seek out movies he stars in. Very well told story. Dark and Gritty movie from beginning to end. Very little light shines in this small scale story and sometimes that is exactly a story needs to do in order to be the most effective.

#Colson Baker #machine gun kelly #Storm Reid #Kevin Bacon #drea de matteo #One Way #Crime Thriller.

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Story Ave: Street Art and Powerful Themes Collide

Stories are supposed to be captivating and bring you into a world you know little about. Story Ave just does that as it immerses you in the world of Kadir and his bond with graffiti and the way it helps him express his emotions.

Led by Asanta Blackk as Kadir, we see a lot of heavy themes on display. Loss, grief, family, and choices. Blackk is phenomenal in the lead role as he feels the grief of losing his little brother and making a series of choices that could have a larger impact on his life going forward.

Every single person has faced a crossroads in their life where a decision is made. That is what this film showcases. We are in control of what we do, the consequences that arise from choosing one over the other and how we must live with the outcome.

Story Ave is a beautifully shot movie which puts the Bronx on full display. Every aspect of it. The good and the bad. Real stories don't hide the truth, they embrace it and that is why Story Ave is so captivating right from the beginning.

It is mostly after Kadir is given the task of robbing someone as initiation into a street art gang the film really kicks off. He chooses Luis (Luis Guzman) a lonely MTA worker with very little left to lose. Instead of hating on Kadir he asks to have a meal with him which leads to the two of them bonding.

It is really heavy at times as Kadir is forced to choose a life of violence or take the risk of applying to school and facing rejection. Blackk and all of his cast mates take this on well. We see the juxtaposition of those who tried hard and escaped the violence and those who did not.

Story Ave is compelling because there are so many people who don't escape the violence and who willingly choose it as way to feel like they have a place. We can tell any story we want through creative expression in this life. We don't have to choose a predetermined path in life. The relationships we have shape the choices we make in life, good and bad. All anyone can do is try and make the right ones given the circumstances.

#Story Ave #street art #graffiti #asante blackk #luis guzmán #the bronx

[reelvibes91]

Milly Alcock Cast as Supergirl

The DCU castings have officially begun to shape the world. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow had previously been announced as one of the films in the first chapter of this new DC universe. Now we have the actress confirmed to take on the role, Milly Alcock.

Alcock is known for House of Dragons and definitely has some big pressure here. Immediately hearing the news I was skeptical as there is not a large body of work to showcase why she undoubtedly deserves this role. There will be much more information to release regarding the forthcoming Supergirl movie. The next step will be finalizing a director and rounding out the rest of the cast. Hopefully Milly will rock this role and will make me a fan of her portrayal. All the best to her.

#milly alcock #DCU #supergirl #woman of tomorrow #James Gunn #DC Comics #DC Studios

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Hypnotic Illusion: A Mediocre Mind-Bending Thriller with a Stellar Cast

Some movies get you there because they have a bankable star in the lead role. Hypnotic was one of those movies. It got me to watch it because Ben Affleck has been a staple of Hollywood for a while now. Some of his movies are hit and miss. Where does this one fall?

Detective Danny Rourke gets tipped off about a bank robbery and when he finds a picture of his missing daughter in the safe deposit box, he is sent on a wild goose chase where reality becomes distorted in pursuit of the truth.

Once again, Affleck turns in a great performance. Right from the opening frame of the movie, you can feel the pain his character is feeling, and that is enough to hook you. That is why Affleck is one of the most bankable stars working. He can take a subpar concept and elevate it, and help the viewer attach to it. Some of the ideas on display here work and some don't. Let's dive into why that is.

The concept is rushed. This movie clocks in under 2hrs and tries to build up the idea of mind control and reality distortion. It would have easily been better as a miniseries instead of trying to throw it all in our faces in such a short amount of time. With that being said, the visuals reminded me of inception at times when we started to question what was real and what wasn't. By no means is this film executed on the same level as Inception as it faulters a little bit in terms of execution. There is too much happening in a short amount of time. There are one too many twists instead of just allowing the story to progress organically.

When a film forces that one extra twist it is uncertain what the film is trying to accomplish. This one felt like that. Did it want to be a mind-bending thriller? Did it want to be a hard-hitting drama? Were they trying to lay the foundations for a franchise? All of those questions leave you pondering what could have been had they just focused on telling the story at hand. Sometimes movies can do too much and this is one of those occasions.

That is not the fault of the cast whatsoever as they all played their roles, respectively. We see a lot of familiar faces in this one. From Alice Braga to William Fichtner, Jeff Fahey, and JD Pardo. It is the fault of bad pacing and a script that tries to maximize the potential in the shortest amount of screen time. Sometimes, that works. Sometimes, it doesn't. This time, overall, it missed because nothing was memorable in a film that threw everything, including the kitchen sink at you.

#Hypnotic #Ben Affleck #Mind Bending #robert rodriguez #2023 movie #Alice Braga #william fichtner #jd pardo

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Pacing Predicament: Marvel's 'Echo' Falls Flat in Tempo

Marvel started off 2024 early dropping all five episodes of Echo earlier this week. This project has been in the works for a while and promised to have a more mature tone. That aspect it delivered on. However beyond that, there was not much about Echo as a series that stood out.

What was good was very good. The depiction of Native American culture had me intrigued. The way it was displayed was visually stunning and told a story within a story. It was well done and very respectful towards the preservation of their culture. The small town atmosphere really allowed that culture to grow. The closeness of the community was really well done.

Had that story been done with better pacing and better pay off Echo, it could have easily been a masterpiece. However, the uneven pacing and the long stretches of no plot advancement really hurt the seriss. It went from bold in your face action sequences to literally nothing happening for an episode and a half.

The fight scenes, for the most part, did look cool. They showcased Maya's skillset well, but inevitably, the show leaves her at a point where there is nowhere else for her character to go. They used this story as a Fisk springboard and a way to introduce Daredevil. Nothing more, nothing else. Maya chose her heritage over Fisk in the end, but it took her 20 odd years to do. At one point, she said she was all alone for 20 years because Fisk isolated her. Yet when she was attending her dad's funeral, she got a text from Bonnie saying she was not alone. They could have handled that much better. They could have had her family come looking for her, and Fisk denied them access. Something that shows how they tried.

Marvel tends to do this. Disguise mediocre storytelling with one or two big things they know fans have been clamoring for. This time, they did it with Daredevil and Fisk. However, what is in between still has to warrant the story as a whole. A lot of what was supposed to be Maya's big developments already happened in Hawkeye. This series was poorly structured to try and show us more development for her. It was just fall out from Hawkeye which dragged out. It could have easily been a much better show overall.

#Echo #Marvel #Superhero #wilson fisk #kingpin #Hawkeye #choctaw #marvel spotlight

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Traversing Realities in DC's 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'

DC has always been better known for their animated films. It is the one aspect of story telling where they have stayed so far ahead of the competition. They have had a few missteps along the way but generally have found success time and time again.

When they announced Crisis on Infinite Earths, there was both cause for celebration and for concern. The cause for celebration is crisis is one of the best stories ever told from DC, and the concern was they announced it would be three parts.

After having now viewed Part One of the three part event, I can say they have eased my fears for now. There is still a lot of ground to cover, but the first part was full of heart and emotion. They centered the story around The Flash, and for those who have read the Crisis comic, they know why. Matt Bomer voices Barry Allen here, and he does a great job of creating the chemistry between Barry and Iris. They provide the soul of the movie as Barry struggles to find answers to the impending doom that all realities are facing.

The reason why centering part one on The Flash is a key component to the film working is because we needed fresh perspective. So many of these films are focused around The Trinity and this one was not. It felt fresh and invigorating to see heroes like Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Vixen, and others given the spotlight. Perhaps that won't sit well with some who just want to see the same old same old, but it was very welcoming as a Flash fan and a fan of the larger DC Universe itself. Heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, while obvious pillars of the DC universe have been given their dues time and time again. Some of the best stories in comic history don't feature them heavily and shine brightly on other characters. Crisis is one of those.

DC has a vast array of characters. We get glimpses of all the past movies here. All the different timelines that have been explored and it all ends up making sense in this movie. It was a great start to what will end the continuity known as the Tomorrowverse. It also shows that while Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are well known, you don't always need them to tell a successful story. What you need for epic stories is a conflict that requires other characters to use their strengths as well. A very well told story with brilliant action sequences and use of the Speedforce. Well done.

#dc films #Animated DC movie #crisis on infinite earths #The Flash #matt bomer #Barry Allen #Green Arrow #Vixen #Green Lantern #tomorrowverse