Movie Review: SHAZAM!

The DC Extended Universe has experienced quite the resurgence following a much needed change of pace by inserting a more adventurous and lighter tone in their films. It began last December with the Jason Momoa led "Aquaman" - with the King of the Seven Seas dominating the box office and taking us on a wild sea adventure full of action and spectacle. Now another hero rises to take us on a coming of age journey like no other.. And it's full of the stuff that kids and adults will enjoy because the hero in literally a Man Child with powers!!!

Of course, I'm talking about Billy Batson - a kid searching for his family who ends up in foster care and the unwitting inheritor of magical powers that turns him into a powerful adult with superpowers called "SHAZAM!". Based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name, this is a movie that serves as a representation of every kid's dream fantasy of turning into a superhero - what do you do with all that power when you get it and how will you use it? Thanks to director David F. Sandberg we get the answer in a FUN ENERGETIC MOVIE that introduces us to a hero who is relatable and a kid at heart... Literally!

Thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines, I got to see the movie last March 28 during the IMAX press screening - and the format is all kinds of WOW bringing Billy and his big boy alter ego to life as he faces off a dark reflection of himself in Dr. Thaddeus Sivana! As a fan of the DC Universe, how does this film fare bringing this particular magic powered hero to the big screen? Well here we go with the review to "Say The Word"!

Mini Movie Reviews: US and Dumbo (2019)

Wow... March went by so fast! There's been a LOT of stories and events to cover (which you can follow in my other blog Pop Culture Crusader), as well as celebrating the 80th Anniversary of a certain Caped Crusader - but I haven't found the time to write my thoughts for two movies that are currently out in theaters as of this writing - Jordan Peele's fantastic new horror flick "Us" and Disney's live-action reimagination of the flying elephant story Dumbo. I enjoyed each of these movies for presenting fresh and unique film experiences in their respective genres, and I think it needs to be expressed in this batch of mini reviews I need to get out there.

Movie: US 
Distributed by: UIP Philippines through Columbia Pictures Philippines

Not your ordinary kind of horror film, director Jordan Peele's second outing in the genre is psychological as it is brilliant - with Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke leading the charge in this thriller that explores a family taking a vacation only to encounter doppelgangers of themselves. This is something straight out of The Twilight Zone (which Peele is helming too!), and this is the kind of movie that does not emphasize special effects and action - but rather the serious acting chops of its cast which Lupita embodies in both of her characters Adelaide and Red. DEFINITELY A MUST SEE for horror fans and those looking for something VERY UNIQUE - and it's littered with lots of 80's references and easter eggs.

Us - Official Trailer [HD]
You can also check my Quick Reaction video here!

Rating - 5/5

Movie: Dumbo (2019) 
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Philippines

A live-action remake of the 1941 Disney animated classic of the same name, "Dumbo" is a very similar yet different take on the story of a young elephant with huge ears who has the ability to fly - something that changes the lives of those around him in the circus and the audience he entertains with his unique gift. Gone are the talking elephants, mice, and other animals though - instead this Tim Burton directed film powers on with a magnificent cast led by Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Danny DeVito, and Michael Keaton. It's a very different movie altogether when compared to its cartoon counterpart - but I enjoyed the family friendly message, production values, and energy only a Burton production combined with Disney magic can give!

Disney's Dumbo | Courage Trailer

You can also check my Quick Reaction video here!

Rating - 4/5

Movie Review: Captain Marvel

It's always a celebration and joy whenever a Marvel Studios film makes its debut into theaters, and today marks the release of the first 2019 entry in the long running Marvel Cinematic Universe that not only sets up a new hero to join Earth's Mightiest Heroes in their final stand against Thanos in April's "Avengers: Endgame", but also takes us back to the 90's and introduces us to a cosmic powered heroine like no other. That lady is Carol Danvers - also known as the Kree powered human superhero called "Captain Marvel"!

Thanks to Walt Disney Studios PH and Marvel Philippines, I got to see an EARLY GLIMPSE of this fantastic film last February 27 at a private viewing of the movie for the press (which you can view my QUICK REACTIONS VIDEO here!). It was intimate, exciting, and certainly something I've been looking forward to since we saw the post-credits scene of Infinity War last year - where Nick Fury activated a secret beeper that showed us the familiar logo of Captain Marvel when everything was going dark and dust (literally thanks to the Snappening). Of course, I've always known Carol Danvers as the hero "Ms. Marvel" - following her adventures with the Avengers, X-Men, and of course her storied rivalry and complicated relationship with the X-Man Rogue (who stole her powers and life, but that's for the internet to explain). This film gives us a very fresh take on the character, while also staying true to her roots and adding a bit of nostalgia at the same time by bringing us another period superhero film after "Captain America: The First Avenger" that perfectly recreates the era and soaps it up with RnB songs, Blockbuster Video stores, and all that 1990's flavor we love to hate or miss.

So without further ado, here is my review for CAPTAIN MARVEL - which is now playing in theaters in the Philippines and opens in the US Friday! SPOILER ALERT for those who want to avoid any surprises, as I may be talking about some key points about the film below!