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Film reviews

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Review:

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As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues in down its track, there are plateaus and valleys. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has some humor and joyful characterizations, especially with Paul Lang back as Scott Lange/Ant-Man, and it has hints of what is to come in this franchise. But this film is definitely not at the top of the Marvel heap.


In this Ant-Man, Scott Lange is back to normal, non-super hero life (temporarily). He writes a book and is taking care of his daughter Cassie (played by Kathryn Newton). We think that maybe Scott has decided to go public as Ant-Man, but that’s not the case—not until he ends up in the Quantum Realm. The other characters in the Realm with him, many of whom we know from previous films, are Dr. Hank Pym (played by Michael Douglas), Janet Van Dyne/Wasp (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), and Hope Van Dyne (played by Evangeline Lilly). The Quantum Realm is a strange world with odd creatures, a lot of them being like characters from the Netflix series Squid Game. The enemy of the realm is Kang the Conqueror (played by Jonathan Majors). Because Scott is stuck in a planet outside his control, we think he’s powerless. So Scott must regain his powers to find a way to escape and battle enemies of the Realm. The future is at risk from where Scott stands. Being Ant-Man may not be enough for Scott this time.

One of the problems with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is that there aren’t very many shrinking scenes, which of course is Ant-Man’s main super power. And as I mentioned, the characters on the planet are a little too like ones from Squid Game. The universe is simply mediocre. The film seems to care more about humor than action, and the plot is just rushed. Not terrible, and it does have some good qualities, especially with its backstory. Maybe the Marvel Cinematic Universe is just getting overwhelmed. The CGI in this film is over the top, the creativity is retro in many ways, and it’s hard to follow what is important in the strange planet where much of the film takes place.

Despite the silliness of the Realm, there are new beginnings. No doubt the audience will wait through the credits to see what is new going forward in the other Marvel films. Even though the Realm in this film is corny, the performances of Rudd, Douglas, Pfeiffer, and Jordan are solid, and a cameo from Bill Murray provides some joy. Are there any new surprises? Are there any new enemies? Are there any new evolutions? The Marvel films always have a multiple new beginnings and continuations among superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Overall, this one is not totally bad, but not stellar and, again, it has a foundational setup to give its audience an idea of the new direction for Marvel superheroes and Ant-Man himself. So it has some faithfulness, but more quirkiness. And even though I was not fond of this Ant-Man film, that doesn’t mean the other films in the franchise won’t be better. Altogether, then, the film is bit of a mess, fun at times, some decent humor, and some good action moments. But just two stars for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Film reviews, Revisited classics

Titanic 25 Year Anniversary Review (Revisited in IMAX 3D)

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“The magic doesn’t come from within the director’s mind, it comes from within the heart of the actors.”

-James Cameron

These words from Cameron hold true due to his magnificent directing from his current success with Avatar: The Way of Water which was many years in the making to his anniversary re-release of Titanic. I had the privilege of revisiting Titanic in the IMAX 3D format at Seven Bridges IMAX in Woodridge, Illinois. I have seen Titanic two previous times on the big screen, but this new and immersive experience made me feel like I was watching Titanic for the first time. The backstory of the archives, the many journeys below the deep, and the magnificent technology utilized will take your Titanic experience to a new level.

I remember seeing a documentary, Ghosts of the Abyss, in IMAX 3D directed by James Cameron, which enlightened me on the main Titanic film. Those were the days when IMAX was not big with blockbusters yet, but now big studios use IMAX all the time. Cameron, however, really knows how to bring his previous projects back with a sense of excitement as he does this time with Titanic.

The mind of Cameron is one that surpasses many directors because he always links his works to his previous projects. He takes the time to think about how his audience will appreciate his films years later. Above all, he spaces out the time frames of when it is the right time for his projects to be launched. Cameron consistently rewrites until his films are on-point. That is because he wants his characterizations, plot, and concepts to all have meaning. In all his projects they truly do. With Titanic back in 3D, 4K formats, and IMAX 3D, his emphasis on cinematic brilliance shows.

The experience of Titanic in IMAX 3D is one-of-a-kind. The image is the sharpest ever, the technological aspects beyond wonderful which make fans feel they are face-to-face with the monumental performances of Kate Winslet (as Rose) and Leonardo DiCaprio (as Jack). Find your local IMAX location, get your tickets, and experience Titanic like never before. It is rewarding to experience Titanic in this format for fans who are in love with the movie as well as those experiencing it for the first time.

To recap the plot, Titanic is based on the true story of the Titanic, a ship that sank after hitting an iceberg in 1912, resulting in over 1500 lost lives. Bill Paxton plays Brock Lovett, an oceanographer who is researching the shipwreck when a drawing of Rose is discovered. An aging Rose (played by Gloria Stuart) is brought in for discussion and she elaborates her story of being a passenger on Titanic.  Above all, her beloved memory is falling in love with Jack (DiCaprio). Rose’s story is the film’s backstory and creates one of the most wonderful and engrossing stories I have seen on film in my life. All my experiences with Titanic have been unforgettable and I’ve cried each time.

Experiencing Titanic in IMAX is incredible and goes far beyond watching as the ship is destroyed. The scenes with Jack and Rose will dazzle audiences in IMAX, especially the famous scene when Jack asks Rose to have her hand so he can hold her up at the front of the ship to make her feel like she is flying. This moment is one of the most vivid and exhilarating in the IMAX experience of Titanic and left me breathless.

Titanic has lived with me. It has been a monumental cinematic example in my life and has fueled my passion for movies. It has always inspired me to take what I love in movies and explain my fascination in my own voice. Titanic is completely rewarding because of the depth of characterization, its technological effects, the skillful writing, and the outstanding directing by Cameron.

For those who are considering this experience, it is not to be missed. Seeing Titanic again is simply awesome and seeing it in IMAX is vivid and dazzling. Join the journey and get back in Titanic mode to celebrate this film’s 25-year anniversary. Four stars.

Film reviews

Magic Mike’s Last Dance

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The concept of the Magic Mike films did not grab my attention when Magic Mike was released in 2012. However, Steven Soderbergh as the director was what caught my attention and caused me to give the first film a shot. Soderbergh did not direct the second film, Magic Mike XXL, in 2015 which was directed by Gregory Jacobs. In the third and final film, Soderbergh is back which is why Magic Mike’s Last Dance is quite fun and cheerful. Based on my experience, Magic Mike’s Last Dance is a decent conclusion, because this film has more meaning and does not rely solely on provocative repeats.

What I mean by “decent conclusion” refers to the approach Soderbergh took with the way the third film begins. In Magic Mike’s Last Dance, Channing Tatum is back as Mike Lane. It seems as if Mike is just doing gigs being a bartender at events and other side gigs to make ends meet. It seems as if the world of being a stripper has been dismissed from his lifestyle. This all changes when, through the grapevine a rich socialite becomes aware that Mike has experience as a dancer. This socialite is Maxandra Mendoza, played by Salma Hayek. Mike instantly grabs Maxandra’s attention, and she brings him into a project in London to put on a show. For Mike, this may be a chance to redeem himself, but also prove he is more than he thinks. When bigger things abound in Magic Mike’s Last Dance, viewers will come to understand my opinion that this film is a  “decent conclusion.”

There is more exploration into the depths of talent that lies within Mike. Maxandra sees that in him as well. Soderbergh’s directing of the connection between the two invigorates their mindset regarding success and talent. This time around, the art of dancing can be taken seriously. Admittedly, I had a hard time taking the dancing seriously in the first two films. With Soderbergh back as the director, he places more emphasis on the skills that Mike has honed over the years and is now using in the show he is working on with Maxandra. Magic Mike’s Last Dance channels the artistic value in Mike’s choreography and those he trains for the theatrical production. The film continues to build on elements more spectacular than just partying and stripping. The seriousness lacked in Magic Mike XXL, but it is regained with Soderbergh back as the director.

The film thrives on the theatricals of dancing and blending intimacy while Mike proves he can play an important role. This time around, he has so much more to offer than his sexy moves. What stands out in Magic Mike’s Last Dance is that Mike is taken seriously for a change. Of course, there are many intimate moments with Maxandra, but for once there is a person in his life to prove what he is worth. There is more interest and value in Mike’s character in this movie.  While it is a conclusion of many fond memories from the previous two films, the film builds for a big shot for Mike. In Tatum’s final time playing Mike, he regains his confidence and finally realizes that there is more to his art and his moves than to just get the ladies excited.

Linking back to my “decent conclusion” assessment, the film includes several theatrical concepts to fulfill its mission of being a monumental finale. It begins where the previous two films left off but doesn’t involve constant dancing and stripping. In Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the dance performances have a higher purpose, and no one could play the roles better than Tatum or Hayek. Magic Mike’s Last Dance is a fun finale even though it’s still a bit cheesy in parts. Three stars for Magic Mike’s Last Dance.