May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers...In Theaters, September 12

Hitting theaters on September 12th, for one night only, is May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers. The documentary, directed and produced by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio, is an intimate look at North Carolina band The Avett Brothers.

The band, led by brothers Scott and Seth Avett, allow cameras into their world to document the making of their album True Sadness as well as their home lives. If you expect to see behind the scenes drama or sibling wars, you've come to the wrong place. The brothers display a genuine affection for each other. If you're looking for a 'making of an album' type documentary, again wrong place. Yes, they make an album during the course of the film, but to me, it's more of an aside. This film is about family...blood and chosen. It's about friendships. It's about down to earth people who happen to create music and share it with the world.

In the film, producer Rick Rubin mentions a history of families not getting along in bands. You don't get that with the Avett's. The brothers, opposites, get on well. Scott Avett goes from full-tilt, look at me, let me entertain you mode to reflective awe...something we get to witness as he's looking at his daughter on her sixth birthday. On the flip side, Seth Avett displays a more low-key, easygoing personality with a healthy admiration of his big brother. I suspect it's their respect and understanding of their opposite natures that make them work so well together. They seem to act as each others grounding wire. We get to see photos and hear audio of the brothers as children. We hear stories of how protective Scott was (and probably still is) of his little brother while also being a typical big brother. It's interesting watching them write together. You don't see battling egos. They're partners that flow well together. They bounce ideas off each other and at times, one picks up where the other left off with a natural ease ending with shared looks of reverence.

We get a glimpse into core member Bob Crawford's world as well. He gives you a sense of unwavering calm. It's with him that you really get a sense of the chosen family aspect of the group. When the band members speak of Bob and his daughter's illness you can hear the love and loyalty in their voices.

 

The core group has surrounded themselves with a team of chosen family and longtime friends that has helped them go from small stages (I first saw them on the smallest stage at a festival) to arenas and Grammy nominations. They have a wealth of strength and support at home that allows and encourages the work lives they've chosen.

Proud papa Jim Avett I think sums it up best, 'I'd like these guys even if they weren't my sons.' While he was speaking on the music, I think it fits for them as people. You walk away from this film with a smile. They're just a likable group of people who for 104 minutes makes you feel like a part of the family.

You don't need to be a fan of The Avett Brothers to enjoy May It Last. You just need to appreciate music and passion.

Oh, and Seth's "C-Sections and Railway Trestles" song is stuck in my head on a loop.

The Avett Brothers released True Sadness, in June 2016. You can pick it up HERE.

About The Film

Filmed with extraordinary access over more than two years, MAY IT LAST: A PORTRAIT OF THE AVETT BROTHERS is a deeply intimate and revealing look at the Grammy Award-nominated North Carolina band fronted by Seth and Scott Avett. Directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio chart the Avett Brothers' decade-and-a-half rise, while chronicling their 2016 collaboration with famed producer Rick Rubin on the critically-acclaimed album “True Sadness,” released on American Recordings/Republic Records. Using the recording process as a backdrop, the film depicts a lifelong creative partnership put to the test as band members undergo marriage, divorce, parenthood, illness, and the challenges of the music business. More than just a concert documentary, MAY IT LAST is a meditation on family, love, and the passage of time.

Oscilloscope Laboratories presents

An Apatow production In association with RadicalMedia

A film by Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio

MAY IT LAST: A PORTRAIT OF THE AVETT BROTHERS

Director of Photography Jonathan Furmanski Sound Recordist Brad Bergbom

Additional Camera Michael Richard Martin Edited by Paul Little

Executive Producers Jon Kamen Dave O’Connor Justin Wilkes

Produced and Directed by Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio

Marvel Studios Releases Black Panther Teaser

Marvel Studios released a trailer for their upcoming superhero movie, Black Panther. I've been waiting for this release since I saw Chadwick Boseman bring "Black Panther" T'Challa to live action in Captain American: Civil War. Check out the teaser below.

Black Panther is in theatres, February 16, 2018.

Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" follows T'Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king-and Black Panther-is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life. 

"Black Panther" stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. 

The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay. 

 

Donald Cried Is Awkward And Droll

Jesse Wakeman and Kris Avedisian

Donald Cried is one of those movies that you're not sure whether you're supposed to awkwardly laugh, cringe or do both. The film centers around former childhood friends Peter (Jesse Wakeman) and Donald (Kris Avedisian) from Warwick, RI. Peter left for New York and changed. Donald, still lives with his mom (and his horrid stepdad) and has lived a rather dreary unchanged life.

Peter has returned home to settle his grandmothers affairs. He looses his wallet and realizes that the only person he has left to ask for help is Donald. From there everything is awkward...bizarre...insane...intense...at times just outright painfully uncomfortable.

When we first meet Donald, my first reaction was, 'oh hell no! Don't ask this questionable guy for anything...walk wherever you need to go...panhandle, anything just don't ask Donald. But of course he does. You learn right off this isn't going to be an easy afternoon starting with the weird bedroom scene which sees Donald butt naked in front of clearly uncomfortable Peter while proudly showing off his autographed porn poster.

Little by little you start to realize that Donald's annoying and odd behavior brings out the fact that Peter, who can't wait to be rid of Donald, wasn't such a nice friend back when. Donald goes from childlike to aggressive and back again at the blink of the eye getting a little payback while humiliating Peter throughout their adventure. A part of you feels sorry for Donald while a part of you just wants to punch him. At the same time, you wonder what and how bad is Peter's defect. He hasn't been back home in about twenty years because he doesn't like how he feels when he's there. He's been so absent from his grandmothers life that the nursing home staff thinks he's an imposter due to Donald visiting her as Peter...which is creepy and yet enduring. One has to wonder just how good life really is in New York for Peter. How is it that there's nobody in all of New York that he can call in an emergency that would make that roughly three and a half hour drive to Warwick with some money and to help him out.

After an increasingly bizarre day that eventually sees the pair bonding over memories, it all comes to a head. By the end, Peter, after witnessing Donald's stepfather belittle him over breakfast, seemingly understands Donald better even offering him a bit of genuine friendship as they say goodbye. While I wouldn't want to hang out with either of them, I found that I don't find them as intolerable as I did when we first met them and you realize this odd adventure needed to happen between them. Both Avedisian and Wakeman give appropriate, awkwardly entertaining performances.

Donald Cried is in theaters now.

Synopsis:

Director/writer/star Kris Avedisian expertly deconstructs the contemporary obsession with the "man-child" in this darkly funny story about former childhood best friends who reconnect decades later in their working-class Rhode Island neighborhood. Peter Latang (Jesse Wakeman) left his childhood home of Warwick, Rhode Island to reinvent himself as a slick, Wall Street mover and shaker.  When he's suddenly forced to return home to bury his grandmother, he loses his wallet on the trip and ends up at loose ends. Stranded and broke, Peter looks to the only person he can think of to help him out - his next door neighbor and former childhood friend Donald (played by Avedisian). The ever-eccentric Donald hasn't changed a bit, and what starts as a simple favor turns into a long and unhinged van ride into their past. Painfully awkward moments and increasingly bizarre – and dangerous – hijinks ensue, as the friends rediscover their stifled aggression and teenaged rebelliousness.  Avedisian’s pitch-perfect first feature is a brilliant twist on the family-reunion melodrama and the classic buddy comedy.

TRT: 85 Minutes

Directed by Kris Avedisian

Produced by Kyle Martin

Written by Kris Avedisian, Kyle Espeleta and Jesse Wakeman

Starring: Kris Avedisian, Jesse Wakeman, Louisa Krause

Catfight Opens Friday, March 3

Anne Heche and Sandra Oh

Catfight, written and directed by Onur Tukel, is the story of two former friends who after years of not seeing each other reignite an old feud within minutes of seeing each other. Veronica (Sandra Oh) is rich, drunk and oblivious. Ashley (Anne Heche) is struggling, bitter and abusive. They're not likable people when we meet them.

In your typical movie with two catty female leads, they'd generally yell, probably cry, hug it out, become friends again and we'd get some sort of life lesson. In Catfight, we get two women who beat the shit out of each other like two dudes in a street brawl...multiple times, laced with odd talk show moments telling us about the war that is going on.

This dark humored film shows a vicious cycle of anger, loss and an astounding amount of absurdity. After a spectacular smackdown that felt endless, Oh's Veronica wakes up to a dry witted doctor (Dylan Baker) who tells her she's been in a coma for two years and her former housekeeper Donna (Myra Lucretia Taylor) who sums things up for her with mock cheerfulness 'no family, no home and you're broke but you're awake and you look great...' Faced with both the loss of her husband (in an accident) and son (in the war) and with the help of Donna and a small box containing her worldly goods, Veronica realizes she wasn't nice, needs to be a better person and makes an effort.

On the flip side, Heche's Ashley has become a successful artist painting political and war inspired art. At no point do I find this character likable. Ashley is a rude, obnoxious mean person whether she's struggling or successful and takes it out on her assistant, Sally (Ariel Karouss). She and her girlfriend Lisa (Alicia Silverstone) are having a baby...life is great until Veronica's anger is sparked by one of Ashley's paintings and we get another smackdown that feels endless as well. This time the roles are reversed and Ashley wakes up to the same dry witted coma doctor and circumstances mirroring her rivals awakening. It's at this point that I feel the film lets me down. I don't ever feel like Ashley learns her lesson, even a tiny bit, or becomes a better person or even wants to be. I wanted to at some point like her, just a little bit but, I never reached that point.

Both Sandra Oh and Anne Heche give good performances and so does the supporting cast. Yet, the film at times feels disjointed and incomplete. The fight scenes, however, are cult classic status worthy. Unfortunately, by the time the final scene of these rivals beating the crap out of each other rolls around, what was dark and humorous becomes tedious.

Catfight opens in select cities and on-demand on March 3.

Synopsis:

One-time college pals Veronica (Sandra Oh) and Ashley (Anne Heche) run into each other at a party. The women, now in their forties and having not seen each other since school, find that their lives have taken radically different paths. Ashley is barely scraping by as a painter of politically charged canvases, while Veronica is married to a wealthy businessman who's about to profit hugely off yet another US-led war in the Middle East.

Within minutes of their reunion, a rivalry is revived, old wounds are torn open, and a Manhattan stairwell becomes home to a woman-on-woman brawl the likes of which are seldom seen outside of martial-arts epics. And now the gloves are off. The new feature from writer-director Onur Tukel takes a set-up that in most films would lead to a heartwarming story of female friendship — and uses it instead as the springboard for an outrageously madcap black comedy.

TRT: 96 min
Director: Onur Tukel
Producers: Gigi Graff, Greg Newman
Writer: Onur Tukel
Cast: Sandra Oh, Anne Heche, Alicia Silverstone, Amy Hill, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Ariel Kavoussi, Craig Bierko, Dylan Baker
Distributor: MPI Media Group / Dark Sky Films

The Lego Batman Movie Opens This Friday

The Lego Batman Movie opens this Friday, February, 10. Lego stories have grown on me; I look forward to catching this one.

Cast: Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes. It's directed by Chris McKay.

Fences In Theatres, December 25

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis star in Fences...in theaters December 25 © Paramount Pictures 2016

Opening on Christmas Day, Fences (Paramount Pictures), the film adaption of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize winning play. The film is directed by and stars Denzel Washington. Joining him is Viola Davis reprising their roles from the 2010 Broadway revival. Check out the trailer below.

I saw the play when it was on Broadway starring James Earl Jones and Mary Alice. My mother and I have a bit of a tradition going to see August Wilson plays. I foresee us upholding our tradition with the film!

Synopsis:

Fences is the story of Troy Maxson, a mid-century Pittsburgh sanitation worker who once dreamed of a baseball career, but was too old when the major leagues began admitting black players. He tries to be a good husband and father, but his lost dream of glory eats at him, and causes him to make a decision that threatens to tear his family apart.

FENCES is directed by Denzel Washington from a screenplay by August Wilson, adapted from Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The film stars Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, and Saniyya Sydney. The film is produced by Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington and Todd Black.

Duff McKagan Documentary Opens Friday, June 3

Duff McKagan in the documentary IT’S SO EASY AND OTHER LIES an XLrator Media release. Photo courtesy of XLrator Media. 

Opening this Friday, June 3 is It's So Easy and Other Lies. The documentary is based on the best-selling biography of the same name by Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver). The film is a mix of Behind the Music style commentary (with Slash, Matt Sorum, Mike McCready and Nikki Sixx among others offering up insight) and a spoken word artist performance with backing musicians.

McKagan is a likable, witty guy and his memoir that this draws from is a good read. So I had some high expectations going in. There's even plenty of archival footage to keep long time fans happy. But, sadly, it feels like there's something missing from the film…inflection, energy perhaps. There were times that I wondered how we got from one bit to the next due to some of the vagueness. A few instances made me feel like I'd left the room for a few moments and came back in the middle of a story. I suppose this would be the fault of director Christopher Duddy and I guess Keith Megna who edited it.

By the end of It's So Easy and Other Lies, I was left thinking, I probably would have really enjoyed this had I been there live.  The film however, it felt long, bordering on lifeless and choppy in parts which is a great shame. This could have been a great documentary instead of just a good one. However, if you're a McKagan, Guns or rock fan, it's worth seeing.

About The Film

Based on his New York Times best-selling memoir and featuring exclusive archival footage, this authorized music documentary of Duff McKagan – founding member and bass player for Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and other bands – chronicles his meteoric rise to fame and fortune, his near-fatal struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, and his remarkable life transformation.

Me Before You Soundtrack To Be Released, June 3

Me Before You (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is set to be released on June 3, via Interscope Records, the same day as the film. I listened to this album on a rainy, foggy, mildly humid day. It was as if it was curated just for the day. I can't tell you how good the film will be but its soundtrack fit my day nearly perfectly…had to skip Jack Garratt's "Surprise Yourself".  You can pick up the album HERE.

About Me Before You

Based on the critically acclaimed, best-selling novel by Jojo Moyes, who also wrote the screenplay, Me Before You stars Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games series), under the direction of Thea Sharrock, making her feature film directorial debut. 

In Me Before You, Louisa “Lou” Clark (Clarke) is quirky and creative, but her cheery outlook is put to the test when she meets Will Traynor (Claflin), a once adventurous young man whose whole world changed dramatically in the blink of an eye.  The now cynical Will has all but given up…that is until Lou determines to show him that life is worth living, and that love can take you where you never expected to go.

About Me Before You Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The soundtrack features songs from Imagine Dragons, X Ambassadors, Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Jessie Ware, Jack Garratt, Cloves and more,  including three new tracks: Jessie Ware’s “Till The End,” Imagine Dragons’ “Not Today,” and X Ambassadors’ “Unsteady” (Erich Lee Gravity Remix).

Track List

• Max Jury – “Numb”
• HOLYCHILD – “Happy With Me”
• X Ambassadors – “Unsteady” (Erich Lee Gravity Remix)
• Jessie Ware – “Till The End”
• The 1975 – “The Sound”
• Jack Garratt – “Surprise Yourself”
• Cloves – “Don’t Forget About Me”
• Ed Sheeran – “Photograph”
• Imagine Dragons – “Not Today”

Rooftop Films Announces 2016 Summer Series

Pictured Film: The Fits - it will be presented on May 31. Photo credit: Paul Yee and Oscilloscope Laboratories

Rooftop Films announced their 2016 summer series.  See below for the schedule and more information.

Rooftop Films

2016 Free Summer Program

www.rooftopfilms.com

Rooftop Films and lululemon athletica 

Various Locations

May 31
Elevated Acre, Financial District, Manhattan
THE FITS (Anna Rose Holmer)
A tomboy's desire for a dance team's acceptance warps when its members fall prey to mysterious spasms.
Presented in Partnership with: Oscilloscope Laboratories. In theaters June 3rd.
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/the-fits

June 25
Solar One, Kips Bay, Manhattan
LIVING STARS (Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat)
Free screening. Free Dance Party! No script, no plot, just music and gyrating bodies. Living Stars is a sixty-minute dance party and everyone’s invited!
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/living-stars

July 30
Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place, Financial District, Manhattan
IN PURSUIT OF SILENCE (Patrick Shen)
A meditative exploration of our relationship with silence, sound, and the impact of noise on our lives.
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/in-pursuit-of-silence

August 13
Storm King Art Center, New Windsor, NY
CINEMA RAMBLE AT STORM KING ART CENTER
A special night of short films sited among the sculptures and meadows of the Storm King Art Center. 
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/cinema-ramble-at-storm-king-art-center

Rooftop Films and The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

All Screenings take place at Metrotech Commons, Downtown Brooklyn

June 10
SUNDANCE SHORT FILMS
Highlights from Sundance 2016 include these wild, weird and wonderful short films.
More Info and film list: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/sundance-short-films

June 15
TIES THAT BIND: SHORT FILMS ABOUT FAMILIES
Family, for better and for worse: the protagonists of these films are the people we wish our family would be and sometimes are.
More Info and film list: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/ties-that-bind-short-films-about-families

June 24
DANGEROUS DOCS: SHORT DOCUMENTARIES
Thrilling and unsettling and frighteningly true.
More Info and film list: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/dangerous-docs-1

Rooftop Films and Roosevelt Island

All Screenings take place at Firefighters’ Field, Roosevelt Island, Manhattan

June 11
TERRITORY: SHORT FILMS ABOUT TURF WARS
Stories of the (sometimes) shared (sometimes) human space.
More Info and film list: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/territory-short-films-about-turf-wars

Rooftop Films and the River to River Festival 

All Screenings take place at Liberty Plaza, Manhattan

June 22
RIVER TO RIVER PRESENTS: OLGA BELL’S KRAI
Olga Bell’s Krai is an audio‐visual performance concerned with the rest of the map: the wilderness, the towns, the inhabitants and their stories. 
Presented by: The River to River Festival
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/river-to-river-presents-krai

Rooftop Films and Arts Brookfield

All Screenings take place at Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place, Financial District, Manhattan

July 28
ANIMATION BLOCK PARTY
Experience some of the year's best animated short films at the incomparable Animation Block Party!
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/animation-block-party-3 

July 30
IN PURSUIT OF SILENCE (Patrick Shen)
A meditative exploration of our relationship with silence, sound, and the impact of noise on our lives.
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/in-pursuit-of-silence

Rooftop Films and Outdoor Cinema at Socrates Sculpture Park

All Screenings take place at Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City, Queens

July 20
SONITA (Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami)
18-year-old rapper Sonita looks for a better life outside Iran in this complex and layered doc. Presented in partnership with Women Make Movies.
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/sonita

August 3
GIRL ASLEEP (Rosemary Meyers)
Greta's bubble of obscure loserdom is burst when her parents throw a surprise 15th birthday party with her whole school! 
Presented in partnership with Oscilloscope Laboratories 
More Info: http://rooftopfilms.com/2016/schedule/girl-asleep

Rooftop Films and Coney Island Flicks on the Beach

All Screenings take place Mondays on the beach at West 10th Street. Dates TBA

JURASSIC WORLD (Colin Trevorrow)

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (J.J. Abrams)

INSIDE OUT (Pete Docter, Ronnie del Carmen)

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (Joss Whedon)

LABYRINTH (Jim Henson)

CREED (Ryan Coogler)

More info: http://www.coneyislandfunguide.com/Attraction/Coney-Island-Flicks-on-the-Beach.htm   

About Rooftop Films

Rooftop Films is a non-profit organization whose mission is to engage and inspire the diverse communities of New York City by showcasing the work of emerging filmmakers and musicians. In addition to their annual Summer Series – which takes place in unique outdoor venues every weekend throughout the summer – Rooftop provides grants to filmmakers, teaches media literacy and filmmaking to young people, rents equipment at low-cost to artists and non-profits, and produces new independent films.

Captain America: Civil War - A Review (Of Sorts…)

© 2016 Marvel Studios / Walt Disney Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Captain America: Civil War was released in the US last week. I bypassed opening weekend and opted to catch the film on Monday afternoon because responsible adults skip work to see superhero movies…right? Since its opening oversees, I had made a pointed effort to avoid spoilers…not an easy task when you have the internet at your beck and call and friends who have seen it. I made notes afterwards but can't find them so I'm going with strictly my memory!

Warning, this may contain minor spoilers.

The previous Captain America film has been my favorite in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), thus far, so I was a little apprehensive about Captain America: Civil War. With all of the hype surrounding it, I prepared myself for any disappointment I might feel as that's generally what happens when things I really like are so talked up. First things first, there's a lot going on in this movie and to be honest, it needs another viewing to properly process everything that's happening…but, here's my take.

We all know the basic plot of story. The Avengers have protected our world from various evils but in doing so, innocent lives have been lost. In the first Avengers, New York City was wrecked. In Captain America: Winter Soldier, Washington, DC was wrecked. In The Avengers: Age of Ultron, the fictional Sokovia was wrecked. And now in Captain America: Civil War, Lagos, Nigeria falls victim. As a result of all of this destruction and loss of life the governments of the world want to regulate superheros under an accord. Let us be honest. In real life, we wouldn't want a legion of super-powered beings running around "saving" the world vigilante style. Hell, I'm not even sure I'd want it with regulation, no, I know I wouldn't want it. It's all a rather frightening concept when you think about it.

As for the regulations, the Sokovia Accords, what about all of the other superheros working on the Earth? How do the regulations affect them? Is there a sign-up sheet? Forms to fill out? Are their fines imposed or are they automatically criminals if they don't sign? 

One would think Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) would be all for the government regulations being the good soldier man that he is. But Rogers has become disillusioned plus the added factor of sticking with his oldest friend, Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). He's suffering from guilt and loss and in typical Cap style, he's unwavering in his stance. He doesn't want to be regulated by authority. He feels they are capable self-regulation, that they don't need someone telling them when and where they should help people. 

On the opposite side, we have Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) who you would expect to disagree with the accord. Stark in the past has been arrogant and reckless. But, guilt (coming face to face with the mother of someone who was "collateral damage" in one of the battles) and loss have made him be more conscience. His logic makes perfect sense, you can't really realistically argue with  with his line of reasoning.

Lines are drawn and sides are picked. Rolling with Cap is Bucky (they're basically a ride or die relationship as far as Cap is concerned), Falcon/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) who seems to be first runner up in the ride or die with Cap thing, Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), Hawkeye/Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) who job wise is with the authorities but slides Cap info and a smooch. 

Rolling with Iron Man is Rhodey/War Machine (Don Cheadle) who is taken down by friendly fire, Vision (Paul Battany), Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) who works both sides, Spider-Man/Peter Parker (Tom Holland) whom Stark apparently found trolling the internet (?) and by default Black Panther/T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who wants justice/vengeance for his father.

Both Evans and Downey Jr. give stellar performances. The latter particularly so. I'll be honest, this is possibly the first time I've not wanted to give Tony Stark a smack at some point. This time out, Downey Jr. made me feel Stark's feelings…his guilt, sadness and betrayal as if it were my own.  I found myself by the end, wanting to give him a hug. Evans in the previous two Captain America movies made me like Cap…he (the scripts and direction) made what I've always considered a vanilla bore, a relatable interesting character; he is Cap in my mind now and I'd be tempted to address him as such if I ran into him on the street. Steve Rogers loyalty to his friend Bucky is intense. There's a point where they joke about a girl they used to know and Bucky declares she must be about a hundred years old now and Steve says 'so are we' as they laugh. This brings home why this friendship means so much, why he's fighting so hard for it especially having just lost the only other person from his past. 

The much talked about airport scene was visually epic but, in my opinion, was a little too long. It did however give a platform for Spider-Man, Ant-Man (go big or go home) and to a lesser extent Black Panther to be showcased. I'm still not a Spider-Man fan but I think I might like this latest incarnation better than any of the previous. There was something relatable and fun about him fanboy'ing while in the mist of a battle. 

There was a villain, Zemo (Daniel Brühl). He is set up nicely for something down the line should he be needed. But, for this film, I felt he was lacking. 

I would like to see more of the friendship between Scarlet Witch and Vision. They're both learning who they are and what they can do. I thought they had nice chemistry. They are connected. Both end up going through similar trauma as a result of how they used their power. The one thing I did have a problem with was her being so much stronger than him. Yes, her powers come from the same stone that powers him but one would think the one who has the stone within him would be the stronger one but she laid him out.

I didn't really see a good point in having Hawkeye come out of retirement for this. Yes, he was tasked with getting through to Wanda but was he really needed for that? It felt like he was was wasted in this. I enjoy the character as much as the next person but I just wasn't feeling his presence. I guess he had to be put into position for what's to come. Though I get why they were there, I think Ant-man and Spider-Man could have been left out too. I especially get the whole Spider-Man inclusion thing; they needed to set up his upcoming foray into the MCU. It would have been more fun though to not have told us he was going to be there and let us be surprised though with the internet, how long would it have stayed a surprise?

I think everyone wants to go on a road-trip with Bucky and Falcon…preferably in the Beetle Bug with Cap driving. At some point he'd have to say 'don't make me pull this car over!' The relationship between Bucky and Falcon is one of both trust (they both trust Cap so they reluctantly trust each other) and distrust (Bucky did try to kill them last movie) with a smidge of insecurity and jealousy sprinkled in. 

One thing I don't get though. When and where did Cap learn about Tony Starks parents? Am I forgetting something from a previous movie? Did I miss something in this one? There just seemed to be a missing piece. Oh hold up, he learned when he and Widow were on honeymoon in New Jersey inside the brain…son of a gun, can't believe I forgot that until re-watching Winter Soldier again.

The standout performance for me came from Boseman. I wanted more of his Black Panther but that will come in due time. Black Panther spent the majority of the film with a single minded determination, very similar to Cap in determination when you think about it. Plus he was just all kinds of badass.

In the end, no one won. We lost Captain America. What we re-gain is Steve Rogers, the guy from Brooklyn full of heart and courage, standing up for what he believes in…yeah, we've come full circle. After all was said and done…after willing to go to the end for his Bucky, betraying another friend for him, becoming a renegade, Cap still had to let him go. Yes, he's still alive but at what cost. From the first moment he hit the screen, I wanted to give Bucky a hug and at the end, I felt the same way and was a little saddened that Cap couldn't even spare a bro hug for his friend. 

I know a lot of people missed the presence of the Hulk and Thor. I however didn't miss them; there were more than enough characters involved. I can't think of one scene that would have benefitted from them being there.

Captain America: Civil War is a really good movie; I enjoyed it a lot. I think I still might prefer Winter Solder but that may simply be because I've had time to dissect it, pick up all the little bits and bobs that comes from seeing something more than once. 

Deadpool Blu-ray/DVD Available TODAY.

Have you picked up your copy of Deadpool? Did you pre-order it? No? What are you waiting for? Get it on. Pick it up HERE.

Ghostbusters: Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

The Ghostbusters new receptionist Kevin (Chris Hemsworth) in Columbia Pictures’ GHOSTBUSTERS. Photo Credit: Hopper Stone - © 2016 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **IMAGE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. 

A Ghostbusters vignette featuring Kevin, the receptionist in the upcoming film, was released yesterday in honor Administrative Professionals Day. Kevin is played adorably by Chris Hemsworth who looks to be hilarious in the role. 

So, who do I speak to about hiring Kevin for our office?!  Oh, and to all you fantastic Administrative Professionals out there, thank you!

Ghostbusters is set to open in theaters July 15. Check out the clip below.

About The Film

Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters.  Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today - Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth.  This summer, they're here to save the world!  The film is produced by Ivan Reitman and Amy Pascal, and written by Katie Dippold & Paul Feig, based on the 1984 film "Ghostbusters," written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis and directed by Ivan Reitman.  Ghostbusters will be released in theaters nationwide on July 15, 2016.

© 2016 Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures Entertainment. All Rights Reserved

The Magnificent Seven - Official Trailer

(l to r) Vincent D’Onofrio, Martin Sensmeier, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ethan Hawke, Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Byung-hun Lee star in Columbia Pictures’ THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. © 2016 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and CTMG. All rights reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. 

The Magnificent Seven is set to open, September 23, 2016. Check out the teaser below.

About The Film

Director Antoine Fuqua brings his modern vision to a classic story in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ and Columbia Pictures’ The Magnificent Seven. With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns – Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.

Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt star in Columbia Pictures’ THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. © 2016 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and CTMG. All rights reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. 

© 2016 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. and Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Film: Money Monster Opens May 13

George Clooney (Lee Gates, center) stars with Giancarlo Esposito (Captain Marcus Powell, left) in TriStar Pictures’ MONEY MONSTER. © 2016 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Property of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

Money Monster, starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Jack O'Connell opens Friday, May 13. The film was directed by Jodie Foster. Check out the trailer below.

Julia Roberts (Patty Fenn, center) stars with Carsey Walker, Jr. (Sam Shaw, left), James Warden (Jim, right) in TriStar Pictures’ MONEY MONSTER. © 2016 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Property of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. 

About The Film

In the taut and tense thriller Money Monster, Lee Gates (George Clooney) is a bombastic TV personality whose popular financial network show has made him the money wiz of Wall Street. But after he hawks a high tech stock that mysteriously crashes, an irate investor (Jack O’Connell) takes Gates, his crew, and his ace producer Patty Fenn (Julia Roberts) hostage live on air. Unfolding in real time, Gates and Fenn must find a way to keep themselves alive while simultaneously uncovering the truth behind a tangle of big money lies.

© 2016 TriStar Pictures / Sony Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

The Girl On The Train - Official Trailer

The Girl On The Train, starring Emily Blunt, is scheduled to hit theaters, October 7. Check out the trailer below.

About The Film

Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Allison Janney, Edgar Ramirez, Lisa Kudrow and Laura Prepon star in DreamWorks Pictures’ The Girl on the Train, from director Tate Taylor (The Help, Get on Up) and producer Marc Platt (Bridge of Spies, Into the Woods).

In the thriller, Rachel (Blunt), who is devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes entangled in the mystery that unfolds.

Based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel, The Girl on the Train is adapted for the screen by Erin Cressida Wilson and Taylor. The film’s executive producers are Jared LeBoff and Celia Costas, and it will be released by Universal Pictures.

© 2016 DreamWorks Pictures / Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Jason Bourne - Official Trailer

MATT DAMON returns to his most iconic role in "Jason Bourne." Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, once again joins Damon for the next chapter of Universal Pictures' Bourne franchise, which finds the CIA's most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows. In theaters July 29.  Photo Credit: Jasin Boland. © 2016 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Today we've got a peek at the upcoming Universal film, Jason Bourne. 

Matt Damon is back as title character Jason Bourne.  Damon is joined by Julia Stiles, who reprises her role in the series, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel and Tommy Lee Jones. The film is scheduled to be released, July 29. Check out the trailer below.

© 2016 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.