I was a faithful watcher of WandaVision as the series ran on Disney +. It was very hard to figure out at first, and was very confusing as they went through different decades of television sitcom styles. However the characters are very intriguing with Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda and Paul Bettany as Vision. The sit-con episodes center around them but Vision slowly realizes that things aren't as they seem. The have twins, Billy and Tommy played by Julian Hilliard and Jett Klyne, who age very quickly but have their own superpowers. Kathryn Hahn plays Agnes, who plays an important part but unwilling to give the show away won't say more. Teyonah Parris plays Monica Rambeau (a character introduced in Captain Marvel.) Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) also shows up. She is a character from the Thor movies and has expertise on unnatural phenomena, because the town of Westview where everything takes place is very strange and has a protective energy field around it. Rambeau and Lewis are studying this energy. Another interesting additional character is Pietro, Wanda's twin brother who died at the end of Avengers Ultron. However things are not quite right as he is played by Evan Peters, who played a similar character in X-men universe rather than Marvel. With these characters we have the making of a very good time and that is was this series is; a very good time. I really enjoyed myself. It will be interesting to see how these characters play into future Marvel offerings.
Friday, April 30, 2021
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Disney Movie Review: ***Mulan
This movie had a strike against it before I saw it given the political situation in China and Disney given thank you credits to the regime that has ethnic populations in concentration camp. What it had going for it was a plot that was already familiar. Of course, not being animated, somethings had to change, and mostly this is the dropping of the dragons and the ancestors. The other drop was the music.
There were some nice additions. The skill with which people maneuvered on posts and planks was very exciting. They were jumping from building to building and doing all kinds of crazy stuff. The growth of Mulan was also well done.
I prefer the original animated version with music from Donnie Osmond and Lea Salonga.
Yifei Liu stars as Mulan and Donnie Yen as Commander Tung.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: My Reviews
Phase I
Captain America: The First Avenger
Phase II
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Phase III
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Phase IV
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Disney Movie Review: ****Onward
This is a movie that sort of got forgotten with the Covid madness. This is the movie I thought should have won the animated Oscar. I am partial to father and son movies, and this is a father son movie with a twist. The twist is dad is only a bottom half as he is stuck in an incantation to bring him back, but it only works half way. This also makes for a great brother bonding movie, and a mother to the rescue movie. I really liked the story. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt provide the voice for our brothers.
Disney Movie Review: ***Soul
Now since Soul won the Oscar for best animated picture this last weekend, I will put in my two-cents worth. I didn't much care for this film, even though I enjoyed the music. I didn't care for the depiction of the afterlife, and if you don't accept the hullabaloo they've created the movie is not very enjoyable. That is my spot, I have a hard time buying into it and so this movie wasn't my favorite. It stars Jamie Foxx.
Sunday, April 25, 2021
TV Review: *****The Mandalorian
I have really enjoyed the first two seasons of Mandalorian. It was genius on the part of Disney to introduce the little Yoda from the very first episode. I think after that introduction everyone was hooked. And then to bring Ahsoka Tano to the screen in season two. She is so hard core. The return of Luke Skywalker was just the most. I love the Star Wars universe and characters; and this film reintroduced old characters but also brought to the screen new intriguing characters. I wait for the next season and hope Disney politics don't ruin it. Great fun. Pedro Pascal as the Mandalorian, Gina Carano as Cara Dune, Giancarlo as Moff Gideon (the bad guy) and Rosario Dawson and Ahsoka Tano.
Saturday, April 24, 2021
In Theaters: Movie Review: ****^Raya and the Last Dragon
This is an offering from Disney but has the feel of Japanese Anime. It has a definite Asian flavor with writers from Malaysian and Vietnamese backgrounds. Kellie Marie Tran of Vietnamese descent and Star Wars voices Raya. This movie is very entertaining. The fantasy world Kumandra fascinated me with its dragons and rivers. This is a great family movie and teaches not only perseverance but also trust and loyalty. I would recommend this movie to others. It is playing locally in Kingman as well as available through Disney +