DR. STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital and currently on digital from director Sam Raimi, Marvel and Walt Disney Home Entertainment is DR. STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS.

American Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) is being hunted by a demon while looking for the Book of Vishanti and oddly enough is rescued by Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). Trying to get away, America accidentally brings herself to Earth-616. At the wedding of ex-girlfriend Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), Strange has jump into action and rescue America with the help of Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong).

American tries to explain that she has the power to travel through multiverses and that’s why the demons are hunting her. Strange discovers rune markings but knows only one person who would understand them, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). The problem is, she is the one responsible for America’s problems after getting the Darkhold, she is now the Scarlet Witch.

She believes that taking America’s powers will bring her back to sons Billy and Tommy. Dr. Strange refuses to let him have the girl and that’s when the Scarlet Witch attacks the Kamar-Taj. In the midst of it, America and Dr. Strange transport to Earth-838. There, Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who is the Sorcerer Supreme in this version of Earth, takes Dr. Strange as a prisoner believing it is for the best.

When America and Dr. Strange confront the Scarlet Witch, but it is when Maximoff sees what she has become through her children’s eyes is their hope that the madness will stop!

Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange returns to his cloak and attitude except this time there are more of him to deal with. I have to say that it seems Cumberbatch is having a great time even though the story is an intense one. Gomez as America is a young lady that does not know the extent of her own powers but soon will. She gives a fast-paced performance in a story that is very complex.

Olsen as Maximoff is terrifying in this incarnate of her role but then again when last we saw her, the world she had made for herself was falling apart. Her anger is getting the better of her and everyone in her way will feel that wrath. Olsen gives an amazing performance and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this character that lives in pain and only sees revenge.

Wong as Sorcerer Supreme helps Strange even though every fiber of his being knows that is going to be trouble and chaos. I love watching him in this role. Ejiofor as Mordo also has a chance to play his character differently. Being good at hiding the lies and getting his hands on Strange (no matter what incarnate) is the only way to stop more chaos.

It was great to see Captain Carter, Black Bolt, Captain Marvel and Reed Richards on the screen. I think Krasinski would do a stellar job as Richards as well as Theron as Clea.

Other cast include Jett Klyne as Tommy Maximoff, Julian Hilliard as Billy Maximoff, Michael Stuhlbarg as Dr. Nic West, Hayley Atwell as Captain Carter, Anson Mount as Black Bolt, Lashana Lynch as Captain Marvel, John Krasinski as Reed Richards, Charlize Theron as Clea, Sheila Atim as Sara, Adam Hugill as Rintrah, Bruce Campbell as Pizza Poppa and Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier.

Bonus Features include Method to the Madness – Join various crew members and Marvel employees in interviews as they discuss their love of Sam Raimi and all the details of DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS that make it quintessentially Raimi, Introducing America Chavez – In this short and fun profile piece, we’ll learn about America’s humble beginnings in the comics. We’ll meet Xochitl Gomez and discuss the complications her character’s unique power presents for the future of the MCU.

Also, Constructing the Multiverse – Writing a feature film for Marvel is no easy task. In this playful yet informative featurette, we’ll dive into the challenges that writer Michael Waldron faced in creating the twisting and turning story of DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS, Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes such as A Great Team, Pizza Poppa, It’s Not Permanent, and Audio Commentary.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

DR. STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS lives up to its lengthy title. It is fast paced so keep up and don’t look away from the screen. There is so much unraveling in the story that the intensity goes with a big bowl of popcorn.

Cumberbatch, Gomez, Wong and Olsen bring the story out slowly and the answers are not always what we would expect. Especially since there are different universes with different stories about Strange. Enjoy watching it all come together with vivid special effects as well!

In the end – enter a new dimension of strange!

WIND RIVER Brings a Winter Chill to a Dark Story

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from writer/director Taylor Sheridan and The Weinstein Company is the mystery and murder on WIND RIVER.

Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) is a Fish and Game Agent who sometimes must hunt down animals that kill ranchers’ herds. While following the tracks of a mountain lion, Lambert comes across human tracks. Following them he finds the body of a young girl.

On Native American lands, Lambert calls Ben (Graham Greene) the local law enforcement who also calls federal officer Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen). Clearly not ready to take on a case like this, she asks Lambert to assist in finding out who is responsible.

Lambert agrees but only because the young girl, Natalie (Kelsey Asbille) is the daughter of his dear friend Martin (Gil Birmingham). He understands his pain all to which makes him promise Martin that the murderer will be caught. Banner looks to Lambert who begins to put the pieces together but in an unconventional way.

What becomes clear is that the truth with far more shocking than anyone could imagine.

Renner as Lambert is an introspective person but that’s brought on by tragedy of his own. His character finds solace being a tracker and Renner gives Lambert a stoic disposition that keeps him focused. The scenes between Renner and Birmingham are absolutely stunning, moving and their relationship becomes even clearer to the audience taking my breath away. Renner always brings something memorable to his characters and in WIND RIVER it is heart.

Olsen as Banner is a young FBI officer who isn’t prepared for the case or the weather. This is a character that is tested in every way and isn’t very welcomes by the indigenous people on the reservation. Their trust in the outside world has been filled with disappointments and lies which puts Banner immediately at odds with them.

Greene as Ben is the law enforcement that has a wicked and biting sense of humor. Feeling as if the case is going to get mishandled, he is with Lambert almost every step of the way to ensure justice is done – even if that justice is tribal. I love that Greene is in this film and with a face that doesn’t give anything away, he adds to the mysteriousness of it all.

Birmingham as Martin has another fantastic role of a father dealing with not only the death of his daughter but feeling helpless about their situation all together. He knows that Lambert understands him and knows between his friend and Ben – something will get done. This isn’t Birmingham’s first go around with a Taylor Sheridan film playing Alberto Parker in HELL OR HIGH WATER, another amazing role.

Other cast include Julia Jones as Wilma, Teo Briones as Casey, Apesanahkwat as Dan Crowheart, Tantoo Cardinal as Alice Crowheart, Eric Lange as Dr. Whitehurst, Althea Sam as Annie, Tokala Clifford as Sam Littlefeather, Martin Sensmeier as Chip, Tyler Laracca as Frank, Blake Robbins as Tim, Norman Lehnert as Dale, James Jordan as Pete, Matthew Del Negro as Dillon, Hugh Dillon as Curtis, Ian Bohen as Evan, Austin Grant as Carl and Jon Bernthal as Matt.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give WIND RIVER four tubs of popcorn out of five. First of all, the cinematographer is amazing set up in the wilderness and harsh setting of winter. It sets the stage for the harshness of the story that is being told drawing you in completely. There is an innate sadness in it and once the story takes off, it becomes clear that there is another story wrapped in.

Renner and Olsen are in it completely character wise and it is such a pleasure to see Greene, Apesanahkwat and Crowheart brought to the screen. Portraying Native American characters called for one thing absolutely – that they should be portrayed by Native American actors to which I give Sheridan much appreciation.

That story is Native American women are attacked so much more than anyone has ever been made aware of. That becomes clear by the end of the film along with the injustice and hopelessness those living on the reservations live with. From drugs to the taking of their land by, in this case, an oil company, Sheridan makes it clear that none of this should continue to be ignored.

WIND RIVER has a few bumps here and there but nothing that bothers me in the slightest. The performances stand out and the story is harsh and believable from start to finish. Capturing it all in the rough setting gives the film another character that doesn’t need to say a word – it is quite clear.

In the end – nothing is harder to track than the truth!