Review: Spider-Man: Far From Home is far from spectacular

Spider-Man: Far From Home is a summer blockbuster that makes sense as a sequel and epilogue to Avengers: Endgame. Far From Home’s affable, good-nature isn’t exactly the Spider-man story that I find most compelling. It will take a 3rd or 4th installment in the franchise to build up and earn darker moments with emotional resonance. However, Far From Home’s light tone is perfectly in line with a teen-aged Peter Parker and what was previously established in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Putting aside what I personally want from a Spider-Man movie, Far From Home delivers a decent teen-comedy with ample comic-book action. Playing it relatively safe, director Jon Watts avoids the mistakes in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and moves the franchise a step in the right direction.

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What I Learned from watching Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated superhero movie that will be referenced by fans and cultural commentators for many years to come. The film takes the popular formula of a coming of age meets superhero origin story but tells it through a fresh, bright-eyed perspective. Miles Morales as a new Spider-Man and Peter Parker (also Spider-Man), team up when their alternate universes collide. The hallmarks of what makes a good Spider-Man movie are in Spider-Verse. There is plenty of web-slinging action presented through visually stunning animation. The story has enough heart and depth to engage viewers of all ages. Overall, the quality of the story, voice-acting and presentation is far above what one might expect from an animated superhero movie.

Game Talk: E3 2018 Impressions

E3 2018 dropped a ton of announcements, trailers and footage of actual gameplay. Most gamers come away with at least several games to get excited about. I’m sharing some impressions on a handful of games based on what I watched online and I didn’t watch everything. Please feel free to share your own personal highlights, impressions and anything I missed in the comments below.

Avengers: Infinity War – The good, the big bad and the snuggly

A local radio DJ talked about how much he liked Avengers: Infinity War. He was able to follow what was happening in the film despite not being a big comic book movie fan. I’m a little surprised that someone with a passing interest in superhero films could wrap their head around a fairly complex universe that consists of 18 films prior. I would say a good handful of these films would be prerequisites to fully appreciate what Marvel is accomplishing with Avengers: Infinity War. I’m not sure if the radio DJ was trying to be funny when he asked “how come Wonder Woman is not in this?”

My perspective is from having watched the Marvel Films. Sure, some of them fell short of expectations. That’s not the case with Avengers: Infinity War, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable film. At the same time, I can understand why not everyone is on board with it.

I won’t be repeating what I wrote in Avengers: Infinity War Review. Check it out, it captures my thoughts the same day I watched it. I will expanding on some other points below now that I’ve had a couple of days to process it.

The Biggest Superhero Movies of 2017, Ranked Worst to Best

Superhero movies continue to dominate. Each of this year’s big six live-action superhero movies are in the top ten at the box office for 2017. DC served up a double volley with the first Wonder Woman film and the team-up Justice League. The best stand-alone Wolverine movie marks the end of Hugh Jackman’s era as Logan. Marvel Studios is still going strong adding Spider-Man: Homecoming into their shared universe. Here’s a personal take on how the biggest superheroes movies of 2017 stacked up. Your opinions may vary from this list, you can share your own rankings in the comments below.

Just a quick note, for a friendly discussion on 2017 Superhero Movies, check out Film Focus podcast hosted by Hypersonic55 Realm of Reviews and Other Stuff. P.S. There will be mild spoilers for Logan, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and Wonder Woman. Thanks to Hypersonic55 for inviting me on his podcast.

Spider-Man: Homecoming Review – “Marvel’s biggest superhero comes home”

Spider-Man: Homecoming movie review. Minor spoilers below.

As mentioned in previous reviews, I was cautiously optimistic about Wonder Woman and Logan heading into 2017. On the contrary, I was pretty sure that in the hands of Marvel Studios, Spider-Man: Homecoming would turn out to be at the least a good superhero flick.

Superhero Movies of 2016 Ranked Worst to Best

This year has plenty to offer fans of superhero movies.  The cinematic universes expanding and superheroes battling each other is all the rage. Also Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles returned in the sequel Out of the Shadows (Full Review Here). For the rest of the superhero movie lineup, here’s a personal take on how they all stacked up.

What’s New @ Jaccendo.com! 5 Things To Know Before Seeing Captain America: Civil War & Much More

 

Hello Everyone! Are you wondering where the latest The Walking Dead reviews are? Or why it’s been a little quiet over here? Let me personally invite you to my new site! Please join us at Jaccendo.com for the very latest in movies, TV, comics and fan art news & reviews.

Here’s a quick update on some posts you might have missed at Jaccendo:

The Walking Dead Season 6, Episode 12 “Not Tomorrow Yet” Review
I thought this episode was awesome and brutal! I also have some thoughts about it that I don’t think has been covered elsewhere. And yes Carol, I would really love one of your cookies. Read my complete breakdown by following the link above.

The Walking Dead Season 6, Episode 13 “The Same Boat” Review
This is my most read The Walking Dead review, I’m really happy with the way it came out. Not bad for writing it over night. “Meet us on the kill floor” … Carol you are one scary lady!

5 Things To Know Before Seeing Captain America: Civil War
This is a post that breaks down the most important things you should know or remember to get you ready for Civil War. I also give my thoughts on the new Spidey!

Battle Of The Movies: Spider-Man (2002) vs The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Spider-man is officially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe! After much speculation, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Marvel Studios have announced a “new Spider-man” will appear first in an upcoming Marvel film within the MCU. After that, Sony will release the next installment of it’s solo Spider-Man franchise on July 28, 2017. According to Forbes, we might see a soft reboot but not another origin story at this point. While we take a moment to let this sink in, now is a good of a time as any to revisit the web-swinger’s previous two origin tales.  

Time to put on your favourite stretchy pants! It’s the battle of the spandex between Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002) versus Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man (2012). After going head to head in several categories such as Story, Hero and Villain we’ll turn the floor over to the all important people’s decision (that’s you!) for your vote for the best Spidey origin movie.

Whiplash (2014) Movie Review

Whiplash (2014)
Director: Damien Chazelle
Cast: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist

Miles Teller is on a roll. A year after his critically acclaimed performance in The Spectacular Now, Teller’s latest film Whiplash is one of my personal favourite indie movies of 2014.

Whiplash is throughly engaging and entertaining. There’s genuine dramatic tension between characters, lines of dialogue that’ll either make you laugh out loud or marvel at its razor-sharp cruelty and an exhilarating ending.

Director Damien Chazell’s jazz music drama centers on a highly driven nineteen year old drummer named Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) and his music conductor Terrence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) whose bully like tactics can either make or break Neyman’s dreams for greatness.