Marvel Movie Review: Fantastic Four: ****Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

 This movie is very fun, with the Silver Surfer (Laurence Fishburne) appearing from outer space and wreaking havoc on earth citizens, and making large holes in the earth.  Turns out this is for another entity which is coming, the devourer of worlds/ Galuctus.  Earth is earmarked for destruction.  The surfer causes havoc amongst the Fantastic Four,  Mr. Fantastic/Steve Richards, Sue Storm/ Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/ Human Torch and the Thing/ Ben Grimm (Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis) as they keep changing abilities with each other.  And then Dr. Doom/ Victor Von Doom (Julian McMahon) comes back into the picture as team lead.  It does not go well, as Dr. Doom uses the efforts of Fantastic Four to steal the surf board, from which point he goes nuts with killing people.  They realize the Surfer with his surf board is the only way to save the earth, so basically they have to defeat Dr. Doom.  

Marvel Movie Review: ***^ Fantastic Four (2005)

 This presets the classic story of how five astronauts go to space to study DNA.  They are hit with a solar flash, four of them while outside the vehicle, and their DNA is altered, Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, brother Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis).  The movie deals with their coming to terms with their changes.  The Thing struggles the most, as his fiancé breaks off the relationship due to his changed appearance (he looks like a rock.). Richards, the lead scientist vows to find a way to reverse the machine, creating a controlled solar storm.  Mean while te fifth member of the company, Victor von Doom/Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon) begins to develop his own powers, unbeknownst to the others.  His body is turning to metal and can generate electricity.  While the Fantastic Four use their powers for good, Doom uses his powers to murder others, and wants to take the powers of the oter four so he will be the only one with powers.  He cures the thing for a time, using his generated electricity to have the power needed.  This leads to a battle between Dr. Doom and the Four.

The Thing finally meets a woman who accepts him as he is, Alicia Masters (Kerry Washington).  He seems to be more accepting of himself as a result.  

At the Movies: ***^Senior (2023/2025)

 This movie is based on the true story of Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis) who missed his senior year of college football because he fought too much.  aHe decides to come back to school 35 years later to play out his senior year at 59.  He does not get to his first game as he is injured in practice.  However he works through his injury, and rejoins the team with a couple games left.  Coach (Rob Corddry) finally decides to let him play the last game on the field goal unit.  His team has had trouble with allowing blocked kicks.  

However his estranged son (Brandon Flynn) doesn't understand his need to be part of a team.  He, and many others, think he is crazy to be laying at such an age.  His wife (Mary Stuart Masterson) has also struggled, but comes to understand her husband more.  He makes good friends with the players, and he is part of something special.  The final game is very exciting.  This is a feel good movie.  It seems like the local theater has mostly rated R movies so it is good to have a choice you can actually go to.

Movie Review: *****When the Game Stands Tall

This is the best movie I have seen in some time.  It has a Christian undercurrent, which I like; of course it is based on the story of a Catholic High School football team, De La Salle from Concord, CA.  I had heard the story of the team, but this movie is spectacular.  This movie starts with the record, 151 consecutive victories.  But then it goes further.  It explores adversity.  A graduating player's mother is in a coma; and he feels he has no one.  Then Coach Bob Ladouceur has a heart attack, and can't coach for a time.  One of the graduating seniors is murdered, before he can play college ball.  That is hard to understand.  However Coach talks of his funeral, and puts this into some perspective.  That his father and grandmother could be proud of raising such a good young man. 
They add to this hardship, with a loss to start the season, they streak of consecutive wins is over at 151. 
This movie is about overcoming hardship.  About bouncing back, and holding your head up.  The coach always reminded the players it wasn't about winning, but giving your best, and becoming outstanding young men and citizens.
This is a movie I recommend everyone see.  It is excellent.  It is incredible how you can get vested in football games that were played so many years ago, but there I was, rooting and cringing when things didn't go right; Well done!
The cast Coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel)
Chris Ryan (player pursuing a touchdown record, Alexander Ludwig)

Terry Edison (assistant coach, Michael Chiklis)
Coach's wife Bev Ladouceur (Laura Dern)
Ryan's father Mickey (Clancy Brown)
Coach's son Danny (Matthew Daddario)