At the Movies: *****Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)

 A great time at the movies yesterday.  The new Spider-Man (Tom Holland) is excellent.  The story is very good as Spider-Man struggles with mor of the spider DNA taking over as a result of his being stressed.  He is working too hard cleaning up the city, and then he sees MJ (Zendaya) kiss his old nemesis at school.  Turns out he is her girlfriend.  He also sees his old best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon).  As you remember in the last Spider-Man Doctor Strange has erased all memory of him from everyone.  On top of this there is a new nemesis, Jean Grey (Sadie Sink) who is a character from X-Men.  She has unique telepathic power, and the ability to control people telepathically and is trying to break into Department of Damage Control headed by Director Metzger (Tramell Tillman). The Punisher/Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) helps Spider-Man even though they have different styles.  Spider-Man also consults Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) with regards to suppressing his spider DNA.  The DNA enhances Spider-Man's abilities but also makes him more rageful.  This movie is very good.  There are flashbacks of Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and they play an important part in the story.  Additionally Black Widow/Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) consults with Spider-Man and uses her Avenger resources to help.  There is a new character, Spidey's liaison with the police, Detective Jean Dewolff (Lisa Colón-Zayas). Fun interactions between she and her kids and Spider-Man.  

This is a terrific movie.  I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but there is a major twist and it doesn't go where you think it will.  Jean's powers are significant.  She even manipulates the Hulk and sets him loss on DODC.  Classic battle between Spider-Man and Hulk.  

*****Spider Man: No Way Home: Movie Review

 In my mind the movie of the year 2021.  It is the movie that made the most money, and the movie I have enjoyed the most.  The three Spider Men is just cool and brings back so many fond memories.  This is the funnest movie of 2021 and the highest grossing.  You have Spider Man (Tom Holland) interaction with Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and also interacting with MJ (Zendaya).  In addition to past Spider Man versions making an appearance; you also have the bad guys, Green Goblin, Electro, Octavius, Dr Connors/Lizard, and Sandman.  This movie is a good time.  It is no wonder it has made loads of money at the box office.  I wish the Oscars would wake up and reward the movies people like.  The only Oscar nomination is best visual effects.  The Oscars have become less relevant as they focus too much on someone's definition of woke (not mine).  But this movie has it all, nostalgia, love, heartache and action.

In Theaters: ****^Spider-Man: Far From Home

The new Spider-Man movie doesn't fail to impress.  We have a new super hero/villain, Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal).  Tom Holland continues as Spider-Man.  Zendaya is MJ.  Other notable characters are Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson) and Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau).  I think Zendaya steals the show, and the romantic scenes between she and Spider-Man seem to steel the show.  But then we also have illusion and almost dream-like scenes that bit Spider-Man against himself, and against a train.  But the biggest struggle is keeping the Peter Tingle or the sixth sense. 
But I love the part where the hands of Peter Parker and MJ creep closer and closer together. 

***^ In Theaters: Smallfoot (2018)

***^ Small Foot (2018)  Here is a cute animated movie about a reporter who is willing to bend the rules, even using an impersonated Big Foot for a news story, but gets a huge awakening when one actually kidnaps him to take back to his village to prove that the Smallfeet actually exist.  Then follows a confrontation, and two cultures deciding if they can live together. Among other voice contributors are Channing Tatum, LaBron James, Danny Devito, Common and Zendaya.  

Movie Review: ****Smallfoot (2018)

The Bigfeet live in a community above the clouds, where people cannot survive.  The all are comfortable in their lives, except those who suspect something is not quite right.  Migo (Channing Tatum) is not one of them.  He is the son of the bell ringer.  On his first trial, he misses the gong, and travels well outside of the community, where he sees a plane crashing, and the pilot who jettisons in his parachute.  He observes the pilot, and sees his small feet before the wind carries him through the clouds. 
However Migo's story is not welcome; in fact it is scary, and he is banished when he refuses to recant.  While banished he meets the King's daughter, Meechee (Zendaya).  Migo is convinced to go through the clouds, which he does, and finds people, and brings one of them back, Percy (James Corden) a reporter..  The king (Meechee's father) (Common) takes Migo under his wing, and shows him pictures of history where the humans tried to kill the Yeti, forcing them to hide.  Their community is an elaborate scheme to keep their community balance.  This is done through deceit.  The Yeti (which are much bigger than people) decide to return the on they brought back.  However this results in the humans chasing after the Yeti as they try to capture them.  They have different languages, and it is hard to understand each other.  Only with Percy's help are they able to escape. 
This movie is about relationships, and whether we can get past differences and find common ground.  Both sides have to give.
This movie feels like a ray of sunshine amongst all the "R" rated fare available.  Great family movie.

Movie Review: ****^The Greatest Showman (2017)

This is a positive thinking film of the first order.  It shows what happens when you chase a dream, lose sight of the dream, and then regain your focus.  P.T. Barnum is from a poor family, with a big dream and a love of his life who is from a rich family.  How can he support her in the style she deserves.  He comes upon the idea of presenting those who are on the edge of society, a midget, a bearded lady, a tall man, a fat man etc.  His show in New York keeps getting bigger and expanding.  However he loses sight we he tries to be accepting by the aristocratic society, financing a U.S. tour of a European opera star.
P.T. Barnum... Hugh Jackman
His wife Charity Barnum...Michelle Williams
Co M.C. Phillip Carlyle...Zac Efron
Trapeze artist...Zendaya
Opera singer Jenny Lind...Rebecca Ferguson
Bearded woman Lenny Lutz...Keala Settle
Midget Tom Thumb... Sam Humphrey
Young P.T. Barnum...Ellis Rubin
Barnum children Caroline and Helen...Austyn Johnson and Cameron Seely
This movie is thoroughly entertaining throughout.  Tony and Miranda are still singing the songs.  The theme of pursuing your dreams is prominent.