AVENGERS: Endgame

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this Friday to theatres is the highly anticipated finale with an iconic team from directors Anthony and Joe Russo, Marvel and Walt Disney Studios with AVENGERS: Endgame.

That's about the most I want to tell you about AVENGERS: Endgame and why is that? Well, I don't want to spoil anything about the film for those who have been waiting patiently and to back me up is this letter from the Russo brothers that circled the internet.

It reads as follows:

To the greatest fans in the world,

This is it. This is the end. The end of an unprecedented narrative mosaic spanning eleven years and eleven franchises. For all of you who have been on this journey with us since the very beginning, sharing every high and low with your family, your friends, your classmates, your co-workers. Investing so deeply in every character and storyline. Laughing. Cheering. Shedding tears. Giving so freely of your thoughts and emotions

In spirited dialogue, theories, fan art and fan fiction. Please know that the two of us, along with everyone involved in Endgame, have worked tirelessly for the last three years with the sole intention of delivering a surprising and emotionally powerful conclusion to the Infinity Saga.

Because so many of you have invested your time, your hearts, and your souls into these stories, we're once again asking for your help.

When you see Endgame in the coming weeks, please don't spoil it for others, the same way you wouldn't want it spoiled for you.

Remember, Thanos still demands your silence.

As always, good luck and happy viewing….

The Russo Brothers

#Don'tSpoilTheEndgame

This is important for people to read because AVENGERS: Endgame is the end of eleven years of storytelling and eleven years of a journey that has brought comic book fans to the theatres and at the same time created new comic book readers. After seeing it for myself, I agree with the Russo Brothers and ask the same of all those who are reading this.

In 2008, we were all introduced to IRON MAN, Tony Stark and the only man who will ever be this character to my way of thinking - Robert Downey, Jr. I didn't know much about this character and turned to my two sons to talk about it. I knew Iron Man's place in the world of comics and knew what he looked like but that's about it. Robert Downey, Jr. gave me a quick lesson which was not a surprise to me.

Seeing this first offering was fantastic and I remember thinking at the time that I wouldn't mind seeing more of Tony Stark. I had no idea that somewhere in the world someone else was thinking the very same thing as the universe (to be tagged the ‘Marvel Universe’) was about to get oh so much bigger.

Then came more Marvel characters with THE INCREDIBLE HULK, more IRON MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, and THOR in 2012. Then the crew of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, the second AVENGERS in 2015, ANT-MAN, the return of SPIDER MAN, the introduction of DOCTOR STRANGE, and Wakanda brought us BLACK PANTHER. All of these set the stage for the 2018 AVENGERS: Infinity Wars.

Adding the final piece of the puzzle, we meet the new CAPTAIN MARVEL. All of this guiding us to this Friday's inevitable finale of AVENGERS: Endgame.

As each film came to the big screen, the crowds of people became bigger and bigger and all for different reasons. The most interesting thing about these Marvel films is that everyone's reason for becoming part of the theatre experience is different but the kid-like excitement is the same and generationally shared.

That is what Marvel has brought to everyone who has experienced the comic-book-to-screen phenomena. Each character has something that we all can relate to in some way or another. Their stories of struggle and reconciling love and loss is relatable and heartfelt. We want them to be our heroes and cheer for them to save our planet time and time again.

So, for AVENGERS: Endgame what can I tell you? The film picks up with what has happened after Thanos snapped his Infinity Stone-laden chunky fingers and what the left-over Avengers are doing in this new reality. Each is now dealing with their losses and the wish that the world were right again. That is where a plan to make that right happen is formed.

Sounds easy right? Hardly, because everything done by the Avengers isn't a straight line from chaos to success. Obstacles get in their way, twists and turns are put into play and stories have an opportunity to be told. There is also so much raw emotion in the entire three hours of the film, there are giggles, jaw drops and I do so highly suggest bringing tissue.

At the premier for the film, Chris Evans aka Captain America says about AVENGERS: Endgame, "It’s a double edged sword in that you have this wonderful fan base but also the pressure to satisfy the people who's taste is from the source material. You can't deviate too much and they deserve this."

The ever so charming and never-aging Paul Rudd says, "I can't believe we are finally going to see the movie. I'm excited for audiences to experience the culmination of these films and see where this thing has landed and have a satisfying emotional roller coaster ride experience."

I'm giving Robert Downey, Jr. the final say about how he feels with, "I'm excited, nervous and have such pride. We are fans and that is the reason this has been such a great adventure."

I have always found it difficult to watch a film where there is a huge cast because I always want to see more of one character over another, not the case with the AVENGERS films. Don't get me wrong, I do have my personal favorites in Tony Stark and Loki (I love a smart smart-ass and a smooth talking Asgardian what can I say!), but the AVENGERS cast mesh in the sense that each has a job to do and they don't screen-hog to do it.

The MCU is one of action, adventure, storytelling, lessons to be learned, friendship, loyalty, chaos, a lot of destruction, those who want to see the world burn and superheroes that make it their life mission to stop it and all of this brought to a hungry audience who want more. That's what Marvel does and will continue to do. Although AVENGERS: Endgame is a finale in this particular chapter of that MCU, there are so many more stories waiting in the wings to be shown to us on the big screen.

This weekend I suspect that theatres on our particular universe and planet will be bursting at the seams with fans waiting to spend three hours with their closest super hero friends. AVENGERS: Endgame is a film to be experienced with your family, friends and every person in what ever theatre you find yourself in. I don't think anyone who has invested so much time and emotion into these films will be disappointed.

There is so much to take in and so much to prepare for. Here are a few suggestions if I may: 1) Lay off the liquids a few hours before the film so you can have plenty of popcorn and drink during the film, 2) take a deep breath and exhale slowly from the moment the theatre goes dark and then remember to breathe often after that, 3) bring tissue…lots and lots of tissue.

They started this together and each scene attempts to bring closure for fans so embrace every moment of the film. Clearly AVENGERS: Endgame was made with love, fun and a sense that the creators wanted to give fans everything – the good, the bad, the cheering and the sad. AVENGERS: Endgame is going to give everyone exactly that. 

In the end - each of these Avengers has something to lose, something to gain and a world that needs to be set right.

TAG Reminds Us You’re Never Too Old to Play

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this week from director Jeff Tomsic and New Line Cinema is a game that takes childhood into adulthood just by a simple TAG.

Hoagie (Ed Helms), Chili (Jake Johnson), Callahan (Jon Hamm), Sable (Hannibal Buress) and Jerry (Jeremy Renner) have been friends since childhood. Following them into adulthood is a game they look forward to for a whole month – tag!

Well, May has rolled around and it’s on beginning with Hoagie recruiting the guys with a new plan aimed at the one man who hasn’t been tagged in thirty years. Jerry is a pro at the game and plays with precision and, well, ingenuity really. This time Hoagie convinces the guys that the best place to finally make it happen is at Jerry’s wedding.

Following the group is Rebecca (Annabelle Wallis), a reporter who started one story but found this to be much more interesting. Also, Hoagie’s wife Anna (Isla Fisher), a very intense and hands on supporter of her husband’s dream of getting Jerry.

Heading home for the wedding, the boys meet Jerry’s bride Susan (Leslie Bibb) who knows about the game and begs them all too please hold off and let her have her dream day. Signing a pact to be off limits to certain events, it doesn’t stop them from trying.

Jerry brings in the big guns when Cheryl (Rashida Jones) manages to keep Chili and Callahan emotionally busy, Sable just goes with the flow and Hoagie continues to plot. Mayhem and friendship go hand in hand with these boys in the longest running game of tag ever.

Helms as Hoagie is dedicated to one goal – getting Jerry. Putting himself in crazy situations to make that happen is something Helms is used to doing because he does it so damn well. Johnson as Chili may have started out with a few goals but finds himself pretty much back to life’s square one. As much as he fights getting into the game, it doesn’t take much to become all in.

Hamm as Callahan wants to go for the gold where Jerry is concerned and looks good in a suit while doing it. Buress as Sable is easy going and the quiet under-comic relief. His sassy comes in smaller waves but it hilarious just the same.

Renner as Jerry is the obvious ninja in the group having perfects his moves and ability to remain untouched after 30 years. Looking sharp and having all the right connections, Renner’s character is sharp and prepared for anything.

Fisher as Anna can be hostile, explosive and charming all in 2.5 seconds and I loved it. Supporting her man she wants in the game so badly but a rule created in the initial tag agreement doesn’t include girls. That’s not going to stop her from trying! Bibb as Susan smiles her way into the group wanting a beautiful wedding without boyish tricks. Jones as Cheryl is a diversion sent in by Jerry with a history that plays to his advantage.

Other cast include Brian Dennehy as Chili’s father, Nora Dunn as Linda, Sebastian Maniscalco as Pastor, and Steve Berg as Lou.

TAG is based on an article written in The Wall Street Journal about a group of men from Spokane, Washington who played the game of tag one month a year for 23 years.

TAG is just that, a romp of a film that proves boys can still be boys in the most epic way possible. Personally I think it’s fantastic that this band of mischief (great name guys if you want to start a rock group!) continue to find the most creative ways of keeping the game alive. The film is also about a rock solid friendship that has just found a way to stay connected.

Isn’t that what we are all trying to do in this world of disillusion and disconnect? These men who really continue to do this are defying the odds in that childhood friendships are just memories for most of us. The game of tag for these tag-artists is based around the one thing we seem to forget as we get older – mashing memories, fun and a genuine effort to stay connected through a simple game.

TAG is fun, funny, charming and doesn’t ask a lot of its audience. It’s more of a ‘sit back – we got this’ kind of movie and I’m more than okay with that. The laughs are there and a bucket of popcorn is icing on the cake. The ending is a tad hokey but then again who said it stops there?

In the end – based on a true story and we’re not kidding!

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!