Movie Review - Rogue One : A Star Wars Story

Title: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Series: Star Wars

Director: Gareth Edwards

Rating :

What is it about?

This Star Wars story takes place between Star Wars 3 and Star Wars 4.  The Rebel Alliance is in search of plans on how to destroy the Death Star.

Shannon’s Thoughts:

We learn how the Rebel Alliance gained the plans on how to destroy the Death Star.

I have heard many people call this one better than the original Star Wars and I would not go that far but I think I understand it. It seemed very true to the canon of the Star Wars world.  It is not fan fiction like and it got dark when it needed to making it feel very real.

You would think that a movie where you know what is going to happen after it might be boring. It could have been but it was not. The story was compelling, and action packed. I have never been big fan of general war movies but this was made enjoyable to watch.

I hope to see more movies like this in the Star Wars world. I never read the books that tell of other Star Wars stories, some not in canon.  Just hope the movie  are as good this.

Website:

http://www.starwars.com/rogue-one/

Trailer:

Movie Review - Doctor Strange

Title: Doctor Strange

Series: Doctor Strange #1

Director: Scott Derrickson

Rating :

What is it about?

An expert surgeon injures his hands.  While looking for a way to heal he finds an unexpected place in a world of magic fighting evil.

Shannon’s Thoughts:

A doctor, by the name of Stephen Strange, believes in the scientific and thinks himself a hotshot because of the intricate surgery he done, not to mention lives he’s saved.  After a car crash Stephen has to learn how live without some use of his hands, and his job.  As he searches for a way to heal his hands he finds a place where magic and science meet.

When this movie was first announced that Benedict Cumberbatch would be stepping into the role of Doctor Strange, I think everyone agreed he looked the part and we knew he could play the part.  So the movie success relied writing and CGI. It blew me away.  The acting was great, the characters were great, and CGI was top notch. It is even better than the comics in my opinion.  Some of the characters are different gender than the comics and it works even better.

I can not think of anything I did not like about this movie.  Except maybe I wanted some of the characters to get more screen time.   But even that is not that big deal because I also feel most characters had enough time on screen too.   If I could find anything else I did not like it would really be nit picking so I am not going there.

I eagerly await to see more Doctor Strange in the Marvel Universe.  His unique take on life can not make it back to theatres soon enough.

Website:

http://marvel.com/doctorstrange

Trailer:

Movie Review - Captain America: Civil War

Title: Captain America: Civil War

Series: Captain America #3

Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

Rating :

What is it about? Captain America: Civil War is the third installment of the Captain America movies.  Based on the Marvel comics by the same name. Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark / Ironman (Robert Downey Jr.) stand on opposite sides about whether the government should have control of the Avengers and superheroes in general.

Shannon’s Thoughts:

I was a little afraid going into Captain America: Civil War because many movies with a lot of strong characters tend to focus less on the story.  I am ecstatic to said that this did not happen. Each opinion of the characters are shown and the story comes together nicely.  

Now let's talk about the fight scenes and CGI.  They were awesome! I think Black Widow had some the most intricate fight moves.  Sure it was not actually Scarlett Johansson and probably her stunt double, I say this because her back is facing the camera most of the fight scene. The CGI was so well done and the biggest CGI image is in the very beginning of the movie that involves Tony Stark.  I don’t want to spoil too much about it but it is very neat.

I had only one issue.  The fight scenes while they were great they did go on for a while.  I do not know if I was just tired that day but one fight scene I started nodding off.  But like I said it may have to do more with me then the movie.

Better than the second Avenger movie, Captain America: Civil War is action packed and enjoyable for all ages.

Website:

http://marvel.com/captainamerica

Trailer:

Anime Review - Princess Tutu : Epsiode 1 Season 1

Title: Princess Tutu: Epsiode 1 Season 1
Series: Princess Tutu
Director: Shogo Kawamoto, Junichi Sato
Rating :



What is it about? A young girl in ballet school tries to function with her clumsiness, a crush and strange dreams or are they dreams.

My Thoughts:

I thought this to be strange and sometimes cute.   It also put me in mind of another anime Ranma ½ because the main character changes into an animal.  The strangest part was the ballet teacher. I couldn’t figure out if it was a Japanese reference to a joke or just plan silliness when the teacher would threaten them with marriage to himself.

I am not sure if I will keep watching because the first episode did seem a little slow moving.

Website:

N/A

Trailer:

Anime Review - This Ugly Yet Beautiful World Epsiode 1

Title: Dawn is the Dividing Line Between Light and Darkness Epsiode 1
Series: This Ugly Yet Beautiful World
Director: Shoji Saeki
Rating :


What is it about?
A lazy high school student and his friend come across a strange light in the sky that turns out to be a beautiful girl.

My Thoughts:

The cover for this attracted me on Netflix but it ended up being an Anime I don’t think I would like.  I am more for the cutey animes, like Ranma ½.  This had me a little interested but bored at the same time.  

Yes I understood the title and knew that it might get a little dark but the way it was described just seemed that it would be different.   

Maybe it was because I related a little to much to Takeru, the lazy high school student, maybe because part of me was interested in the ending of this episode and at the same time disliked.  Could be that is the point.  Yes there are part that are ugly yet beautiful.  It is just this kind of darkness brings me down sometimes just because of the fact I guess it is true.

I don’t think I will be watching the rest as it just wasn’t for me.  Although my interested is a little curious to know what happens.  Maybe another time I will turn to it.  The nice thing about time sometimes it changes your views on things so this rating may not be permanent.

Had I watched the trailer on YouTube before hand I probably would have not watched it.

Website:
N/A

Trailer:

Movie Review - Avalon High

  










Avalon High

Title: Avalon High
Series: N/A
Director: Stuart Gillard
Rating :



What is it about?
The reincarnation of King Arthur has come back to fight for his kingdom only now it in high school

My Thoughts:

First I want to say I love anything usually to do with King Arthur and Camelot and I wasn’t sure about this movie.  I knew it was based on the book by the same name by Meg Cabot but I had not read it. (From what I understand you want to see the movie before the book because it horribly butchers it.)  I was expecting a pretty cheese filled movie with bad effects that I have seen Disney do but I was pleasantly surprised.

The acting was not as cheesy as I thought would be (except for the end) the production was great.  I thought the story was written well enough.   It was entertaining.   It had me curious to know if some of the story had been in the myths.  Like the Order of the Bear...I was very curious about that.  I thought for a teen Disney movie it was pretty good and would watch it again if it came on. It made me want to read the book which sounds even better to me.


Website:
Official Avalon High Disney Site
http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/originalmovies/avalonhigh/

Trailer: