“Aquaman” is not like any of the other recent DC films. James Wan’s “Aquaman” is an fantasy and action-packed film that does not try to connect to the other DC superheroes at all. Its focus is our hero Arthur aka “Aquaman” (Jason Momoa). Wan gears the focus solely on “Aquaman.” The storyline, the cinematography, and the visual effects all do so well to make the viewers want to follow the story. I felt “Justice League” (2017) last year was somewhat stepping up its game, but nowhere close to “Aquaman.”

“Aquaman” is not a superhero movie where the plot is the good hero defeats the bad guy. The film goes in depth with how “Aquaman” came into the world, who taught him who to be who he was, and where his homeland is. However, after being out of the loop within the world, he comes back to realize he can be a hero. To do so, he realizes he is the head of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and that he has the chance to step up and be a hero. To do so, he travels with his side kick Mera (Amber Heard), and takes in the skills that his former teacher Vulko (Willem Dafoe) has taught him.

Wan definitely helps us understand the importance that each character plays into the movie. Especially with the hero’s mother, Atlanna (Nicole Kidman). Arthur wants to figure out why his mother has vanished, and with that there is many elements in the film that take place in different portions. More around different moments of different story lines or conflicts. Wan helps us care about the hero’s background, and creates a dramatic, yet suspenseful tone. When I saw this film in IMAX, the technology, the surround sound, and and the projection I felt brought me deeper into the emotions of “Aquaman.”

The film is visually captivating. There were multiple underwater and desert sequences, and with that suspenseful fighting was included with that element. Filming locations ranged from Australia, Canda, and Morocco. Viewers will wonder based on the scenery, how the film jumps to multiple lands. That is why “Aquaman” is deep with its story because it is focusing on our hero but also following him to different locations that serve an important purpose in the movie.

In terms of the antagonist in the film, that person is King Orm (Patrick Wilson). This is what I believe to be Wilson’s second superhero movie. He has not done one in almost a decade after playing Night Owl in “Watchmen” (2009). This was definitely a good come back for him. “Watchmen” was a superhero movie for grown-ups, and Wilson returns to do one that is for the whole family. Also, his mellow-toned dramatic acting style as being the antagonist adds to the suspense that “Aquaman” faces.

For Momoa, he has been stepping up his game quite well. He went from doing small roles to being on the hit HBO series “Game Of Thrones” (from 2011 to 2012), “Conan the Barbarian” (2011 and not one of my favorites), and playing “Aquaman” in “Batman Vs Superman” (2016), and “Justice League” (2017). However both those DC movies did not really make “Aquaman” a huge focus, but this one really does and this is Momoa’s role. He is the true “Aquaman.”

I will say, this movie has to be seen in IMAX. That is because, viewers will be immersed in an underwater thrill ride for two and a half hours of action and adventure. I saw it in 2D IMAX. Some locations have it in 3D IMAX but only at certain times, however I do not see 3D necessary, the giant IMAX screen is already the experience.

I walked in with not the highest expectations for “Green Book.” I left feeling positive though. “Green Book” is definitely one of my favorite films of the year. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali both deliver knockout performances. It is funny, charming, and will make viewers cry. I will say director Peter Farrelly has been stepping up his game with his directing, because “Green Book” was a masterpiece.

Tony Lip (Mortensen) is an Italian-American bouncer that does his job at a night club. However, the night club is going into renovations and this leaves Lip out of the job and he is desperate to find work support his kids and his wife. Lip finds an offer to be a driver for a wealthy pianist named Don Shirley (Ali) who is African-American. Shirley hires Lip to drive him on his concert tour across the states in the Deep South. Once Lip accepts the job, he realizes the types of problems in his society and Shirley’s society have upon them. Lip and Shirley’s attitudes towards each other are challenged, they disagree about life, politics, and responsibilities. Those conflicts, however, start to bring them close together as friends. They slowly begin to realize they both are talented in different areas but can relate to one another. That aspect will change their lives.

This movie brought me to realize how friends are made, and what we respect about our friends. The connections between Mortensen and Ali is quite enthralling, where it will encourage its audience to not envy other people’s talents. I find the main message of the movie is to think to about what talents people have to offer the world. For Lip, it is being humorous and charming, and for Shirley it is being a skillful pianist. Both are talented among so many levels and they start to respect that about one another. That is why I love “Green Book” it encourages people to be positive and supportive.

Peter Farrelly is talented at making movies about friendship when it comes to comedy. After directing the “Dumb and Dumber” movies, and many other films, they have geared on friendships, but in a comedic way. This is the first film by Farrelly that is a serious film (still gearing on friendship though).

Also, in terms of Mortensen’s performance, I had no idea Mortensen could act the way he did in “Green Book.” I am so use to seeing Mortensen playing intense and violent characeters in a majority of his movies, but he can definitely play someone humorous. He went from playing the hero Aragorn from “The Lord of the Rings” series to playing the laid-back and hysterical Italian man in “Green Book.”

I will say, I was impressed with “Green Book.” I really hope that the director continues to make Oscar-worthy movies like this. This one is definitely one I will remember for a long time. Four stars.

For Director Adam Mckay, I found “Vice” to be one his most serious movies he has ever directed. He went from directing comedy to drama. I remember his last film, “The Big short” (2015) was somewhat serious as well, but had some laughing moments, however there is rarely anything funny or charming about “Vice.” If the trailers make it seem like it is an entertaining movie to watch on Christmas day, it is entertaining for those who are deep into politics. Not so much for those who are not into politics.

Christian Bale is Dick Cheney, Amy Adams is Lynne Cheney, Steve Carell is Donald Rumsfeld, and Sam Rockwell is George W. Bush. The film’s main focus is Dick Cheney, and follows through his days leading up to his position of being the Vice President To George W. Bush. The jumps back and forth a couple of times between Cheney’s younger days, his relationship with his wife and Rumsfeld, and a couple of other global events. However, the movie does not focus deeply into the politics, I found that the element of the movie was mostly focusing on Cheney’s appearances, his power, and his attitude. Not as deep as “The Big Short.”

However, the health problems of Cheney comes up a decent amount of times in the movie. Bale has done multiple transformations and sacrifices for a variety of his roles. Before watching “Vice” I was reading that Bale had to learn how to ad-lib for the role, and also know the political backgrounds of what Cheney actually dealt with. Bale also put on 45 pounds to play Cheney. This is not the only time he has gained weight for a role. He gained weight for “American Hustle” (2013), and then lost it again to perform in different flicks. Bale is the master at changes and appearances.

For Carell, I found he did an excellent job at playing the role of Rumsfeld. He has the nerd features and the seriousness in him. However, his role was fairly brief.

Rockwell’s role of Bush did fit him somewhat. However, I felt there was not a lot of work done on Rockwell’s character to make him look similar to George W. Bush, but he played the part well. The self-centered, snarky, and opinionated tone Rockwell was successful with.

Mckay also did the writing for “Vice.” I will say I was able to tell he did the writing because it had some similar approaches in introductions and jumping to new scenes. That is because Mckay would have words listed or quotes listed in different moments to introduce a new event in the film. However, I still found the political background to be lacking.

Overall, “Vice” is not one of my favorite movies. I also would not recommend it as a film to watch on Christmas if you are trying to find something that is positive. This is a good movie if viewers do not mind some negative events, negative words, or negative content.  Two and a half stars.