Movie Review: Dunkirk (2017)

In this day and age where superhero films and big action films seem to generate the most noise, leave it to director Christopher Nolan to do another blockbuster that takes us back to a period in history where hope and the bravery of good men led to one of the most documented events in the early days of World War II. Way after finishing "The Dark Knight Trilogy" and following his space adventure flick "Interstellar", the British-American director gives us "Dunkirk" - his latest film epic that details the story of "Operation Dynamo"  - the evacuation of Allied soldiers in the seaside city that the film is named after.

Thanks to Warner Bros., I got to see this spectacular piece of cinematic beauty through IMAX - a format Nolan has mastered and perfected since utilizing first nearly a decade ago with "The Dark Knight". If there was ever a time Nolan maximized his use of IMAX cameras, "Dunkirk" is a shining example of that because 75% of the film was shot using it and is the most compared to his previous films. Now on its second week, this is truly a historical drama that deserves to be viewed and seen - just for how much tension, action, suspense, and fear was put into creating something audiences will find immersive and breathtaking as they see three perspectives covered telling the entire story of this 1940 war film.

Movie Review: War for the Planet of the Apes

Since it began in 2011 with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", the Apes' reboot film series have carried a certain amount of fanfare and weight in chronicling the eventual ascension of intelligent apes in a world that is slowly making humanity the minority. 2014's "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" showed how the devastation caused by the "Simian Flu" reduced the human population to a low point, while Apes affected by the same virus have become smarter and sought to build a new civilization for themselves. Unfortunately the fragile bonds of peace broke as tensions and conflict caused both sides to declare war on one another, leading to the current and what is possibly the final installment of the "Prequel Series" with this year's "War for the Planet of the Apes".

Thanks to 20th Century Fox Philippines, I was able to see this pretty EPIC yet bold and darker entry into the series the day before it opened in theaters through a special advanced screening. I won't go into detail much for this review and keep it brief and simple, but I'll add a considerate SPOILER WARNING in any case since I may mention some things that are pretty revealing to the plot. Other than that, the film is now playing in theaters - so catch it now!

Movie Review: Spider-Man: Homecoming

There comes a time when a hero finally makes his long awaited return to a place he rightfully belongs to, and in the case of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man he is now at home with the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to the deal Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios a few years back that allowed the wallcrawler to join the multimillion dollar shared film universe filled with superheroes based on Marvel Comics. That meant rebooting and reintroducing Peter Parker/ Spider-Man to the MCU with a new actor, and that role fell right into the hands of one Tom Holland - a young English performer who has an extensive background on acting and dancing - qualities that befit a young and nimble Spidey!

Making his debut in last year's "Captain America: Civil War" where he was recruited by Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, Holland's Spider-Man emerged as a quick fan favorite - becoming a witty, energetic, and very green addition to the MCU. After the fallout of that film and the division of the Avengers, it became very clear that we would see Tony Stark mentoring his new protege just like his comic book counterpart did - thus one of the key elements of the inevitable sequel was established. Add the fact audiences will see Peter's young High School and teenaged life fleshed out for the first time, and you have "Spider-Man: Homecoming" - the new Spidey film that certainly prioritizes the words "FUN" and "AMAZING" all around it.

Thanks to the folks at Columbia Pictures Philippines, I was able to see the film a weekend just before its release in a special "Spider-Man: Homecoming Fan Screening" where my team of webheads in Spider-Verse PH was invited! We went straight from ToyCon 2017 just to see the wallcrawler swing into theaters once more in young and rejuvenated fashion, and WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED. We loved the film and wore our respective Spidey suits to see it, and it was SPECTACULAR beyond words.

This review is meant to express how much I enjoyed the movie, and to invite fans new and old to see this wonderful film that redefines "Great Power and Great Responsibility" for a new generation with the webhead filling his rightful spot in the MCU!