Movie Review: ***^X-Men Apocalypse (2016)

 This movie uses the younger X-Men actors putting it chronologically before the original X-Men.  An ancient Egyptian, Apocalypse or En Sabah Nur, has come back to life, who has incredible power which he uses to increase everyone's power, and dong so recruits a good group of X-Men, Magneto, Angel, Storm, Jubilee, Psylocke.  Magneto is easy to recruit because his wife and child were killed by humans.  He is seeking revenge.  In addition they capture Professor Charles Xavier, who is to help them get everyone at the same time, mutant and human.  He is able to send a message to everyone with his powers supplemented by Apocalypse.  

For the other side they are first taken prisoner by Colonel William Stryker.  They have to get away from him, before than can go to Egypt and capture the real bad guy.  They release Wolverine, who was being held for experimentation.  He takes care of all the guards.  

Then they are off to Egypt to confront the real danger.  This sets up a very big confrontation and everyone's loyalties are tested.  Jean finally unleashes her true power.  

Moira shows up as she is investigating the Egyptian phenomena the turned into Apocalypse for the CIA.  Xavier gives her back her memories.

	James McAvoy	...	Professor Charles Xavier
	Michael Fassbender	...	Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto
	Jennifer Lawrence	...	Raven / Mystique
	Nicholas Hoult	...	Hank McCoy / Beast
	Oscar Isaac	...	En Sabah Nur / Apocalypse
	Rose Byrne	...	Moira Mactaggert
	Evan Peters	...	Peter Maximoff / Quicksilver
	Josh Helman	...	Col. William Stryker
	Sophie Turner	...	Jean Grey
	Tye Sheridan	...	Scott Summers / Cyclops
	Lucas Till	...	Alex Summers / Havok
	Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler
	Ben Hardy	...	Angel
	Alexandra Shipp	...	Ororo Munroe / Storm
	Lana Condor	...	Jubilee
	Olivia Munn	...	Psylocke

Movie Review: ****^X-Men: First Class

 X-Men series

This version of X-Men provides the origin story for Xavier (James McAvoy), Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence)  and Eric/Magneto (Michael Fassbender).  In the case of Xavier and Eric different actors are used than the original X-Men.  Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) is also a mutant, but intent on starting WWIII.  This is around the time of the Cuban missile crisis.  At the end of the show the Russians and thr Americans are facing off over the American embargo of Cuba.  Will war begin?  Will war begin?  Magneto and Xavier work together, but have a falling out by the end over differing techniques.  This movie shows why Xavier was in a wheel chair; among other background stories.  

M. Night Shyamalan Movies

Old

**** Glass (2019) our three superheroes, Glass (Samuel Jackson), David Dunn (Bruce Willis) and Split (James McAvoy)

*** Split (2016)  A bit too intense but James McAvoy does great portraying multiple personalities

**** The Last Airbender. (2010)  Great fantasy show

***^ Lady in the Water (2006) Bryce Dallas Howard and Paul Giamatti

***^ The Village (2004) Bryce Dallas Howard and Joaquin Phoenix

**** Signs (2002). Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix, excellent alien invasion movie

**** Unbreakable (2000)  Again Bruce Willis, superhero, Samuel Jackson super villain

 ****^ The Sixth Sense (1999) Bruce Willis and Joel Osment, terrific ghost story

Movie Review: ***Split (2016)

***Split (2016)  This movie is a bit slow for a Shyamalan, but our villain, superhero is well done.  When he starts bouncing between personalities is when the acting is really noted.  A person with multiple personalities kidnaps three young woman.  James McAvoy portrays our split personality.  Betty Buckley who is just a bit too trusting but suspects something is wrong.  Anya Taylor-Joy portrays a young lady who appeals to the child of “Split.”  This movie is headed for a tragedy from the beginning.  I must admit, I prefer the sequel, “Glass.”

In Theaters: Dark Phoenix (2019) X-Men

X-Men Series

****Dark Phoenix (2019)  This movie plays on an alien power getting inside of Jean (Sophie Turner) and creating all kind of havoc.  Of course there are aliens who pursue Jean wanting the power for themselves, and the X-Men who are wary of Jean and her new powers.  The lack of control leads to the death of Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) and other similar mishaps.  With her new powers Jean starts to remember her past as it really was, not as it was manipulated by Professor Xavier (James McAvoy).  Of course the other X-Men get involved.  At one point Magneto (Michael Fassbender) is intent on killing Jean for her having killed Raven.  Other X-Men include Beast (Nicholas Hoult), Cyclops (Tye Sheridan), Storm (Alexandra Shipp) and Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee).  I really enjoyed this movie.  I am not sure why people have been staying away.  Perhaps Xavier is a little too self-loathing in his part in Jean’s past, but we come to understand what is actually happening we hat past that.  This movie seems to give us a future look at what has happened to the X-Men.  However one problem with the X-Men movie series is the timeline is all over the place.  Great fun none-the-less. 

In Theaters: ****Glass (2019)

  This is another classic from M. Night Shyamalan.  I love the movie, but hated the ending.  Our three superheroes, Glass (Samuel Jackson), David Dunn or “Overseer” (Bruce Willis) and Split (James McAvoy) who plays many split personality characters, both male and female, including "The Beast” who can walk on the ceiling and hurts and kills others.   They are in a psychiatric unit headed by Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulsen) who has developed a method of curing super heroes.  She attempts to convince them that they are all delusional.  Casey Cooke portrays a young woman who is a former prisoner of “The Beast” but is infatuated with his true character.  Eventually the treatment goes wrong and there is a big confrontation at the end. 

Movie Review: ***^Arthur Christmas 2011)

This was a delightful Christmas movie.  This is a British/American collaboration between Aardman Animations and Sony Pictures.  This movie presents Santa Claus (who many believe is due for retirement) and his sons, the older, capable and the younger, mail room klutz.  Santa Clause, and his older son have a smooth operation, computerized, with a rocket powered sleigh, and everything is in order--except one child is missed.  Steve the older brother (Hugh Laurie) feels almost 100 percent is OK, and convinces his father, Santa (Jim Broadbent) the same.  However Arthur (James McAvoy), the younger brother worries about the little girl who will wake up without a toy.  Grandpa Santa (Bill Nighy) is seeking some honor for the last time, and takes Arthur to the barn with the old sleigh, and the flying reindeer.  Just like that they are off, but going through many adventures and bumps on the way.  It takes quite of bit of doing to get that bike there, and many times all seems lost.  However, in the end, all of the Santa realize they had lost the true meaning of Christmas.  For next year Santa is retiring, and younger brother who still believes, is going to be the next Santa, and Steve will be the top executive.  Imelda Saunton plays Mrs. Claus.