Webbing onto Bluray is SPIDER-MAN: No Way Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Jon Watts and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings a whole new look at SPIDER-MAN: No Way Home.

The world has turned upside down since Quentin Beck/Mysterio announced to the world that Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is Spider-Man. Now, he is followed by media, cell phones and helicopters now being called a bad guy. Peter turns to girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), Ned (Jacob Batalon), Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) and Happy (Jon Favreau) for help, especially when the Department of Damage Control raids their house.

Trying to find control of his life, Peter and friend return to school but even then, things are bad. Especially when all three receive word that Pater is accepted to MIT but not MJ or Ned. Thinking he might have an answer, he goes to Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) hoping he turn time back to change everything. Reluctantly agreeing to help, Strange starts a spell but is constantly interrupted by Peter. As the spell starts to get out of hand, the good Doctor has to now contain it!

Going to an administrator for reconsideration, he is attacked by none other than Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), soon after by Norman Osborn/Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe)! Strange has to step in once again telling Peter that they all have to be put in a protective cell where Dr. Curt Connors/Lizard (Rhys Ifans) is already waiting. But they all want the box and Peter has to make sure they do not get their hands on it.

MJ and Ned are helping Peter as they also find Max Dillon/Electro (Jamie Foxx) and Flint Marko/Sandman (Thomas Haden Church). Osborn attacks the building where Peter and Aunt May are staying and where Peter is trying to help the others before they go back to their own place in time and now as the battle heats up. As Ned uses the sling ring, they try to find Peter and instead they find alternate Parkers!

Now the Statue of Liberty becomes the place where good and evil takes a stand and Peter must make a decision that will completely change his life!

Holland as Peter Parker has once again proven why he was the perfect choice to pick up the Spiderman mantle. He definetly handle the motional parts of this young man’s life but is also quick and seems to be having, well, fun in his role. Bringing three universes together is difficult enough but Holland makes it look flawless.

Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange has also made his role look seamless. Quick witted and cool, he is not thrilled about helping Parker, but he does see what it is that the young man is trying to accomplish. Cumberbatch makes Strange so cool and a character that did not really have my attention before, got it!

Dafoe as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin is caught up between his two personalities and now confused by the world that he has been brought to. Trying to fight the evil, Dafoe jumps between his two characters as easily as his character does through the universes. Molina as Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus discovers that he has the chance to be released from the madness and likes it.

Church as Flint Marko/Sandman brings the sand and the confusion between what happened in his own universe and not liking being told what to do in this one. Foxx as Max Dillon/Electro returns with the same bad attitude and need for power as he ever did. Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors/Lizard just wants out and to get the box that could potentially hold him back again.

Other cast include Angourie Rice as Betty Brant, J.K. Simmons asJ. Jonah Jameson, Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, Benedict Wong as Wong, Arian Moayed as DODC Cleary, Mary Rivera as Grandma, Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire as Peter Parker.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

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SPIDER-MAN: No Way Home is a fast-paced film filled with characters that are recognizable with their own stories making the story easy to follow. They all have their issues of anger and resentment but there is a divide. Some of them want to be ‘normal’ and some want more power.

Realizing that he might have made a mistake, the cost of it all is beginning to show and instead of doing it all himself, Peter realizes it is about helping one another for the best outcome. The last half hour of the film is pretty darn cool and brings the multi-verse close to collapse. Of course, young Parker makes the ultimate decision that leaves the fabric of time open for another story to be told.

In the end – this is where universes collide!

SPIDER-MAN: Far From Home Brings Early Fireworks to the July 4th Holidays

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres just in time to help celebrate the 4^th from director Jon Watts, Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures is our friendly neighborhood SPIDER-MAN: Far From Home.

It is after the Endgame as Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is still dealing with the loss of Tony Stark and looking forward to a school trip to Europe. His hope is that he can finally tell MJ (Zendaya) how he feels and enjoy some time away from his spider suit. His Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) is happy for him as well.

On the trip is best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), Betty (Angourie Rice), Brad (Remy Hii), Flash (Tony Revolori) and teachers Mr. Bell (J.B. Smoove) and Mr. Harrington (Martin Starr). They are ready to explore Italy first but there is a creature under them with other plans. When it rises to the surface, Peter must do his best to protect as many people as possible.

That is until he sees Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal), fly in and lend a hand. When it’s all over, his friends give the superhero a name – Mysterio. Later Peter is visited by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) because he needs Spider-Man’s help and gives him something special. Yet Peter can only think of MJ, their trip and being a kid.

Trying to explain his feelings to Fury, he goes back to his classmates only to discover that their itinerary has changed to go, oddly enough, where Fury wants Spider-Man to be. A plan is set in motion with Mysterio and Spider-Man working together to save even more people.

That is when Peter makes a decision that may cost far more than he could have imagined!

Holland as Spider-Man has to be one of the best choices ever made for the Marvel Universe next to Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man. He is funny, insecure, fearless and fearful at the same time, has teen angst and most of all – just plain adorably charming. He has made the role of Spider-man his and fans love it.

Gyllenhaal as Mysterio is, and lets be honest here, so cool to watch. Here he works with Spider-Man and befriends him which helps Peter with the loss of his good friend. Gyllenhaal fits into his costume as if it were always destine to be his.

Jackson is back as Nick Fury who doesn’t mind guilting Spider-Man into getting a gang back together. Zendaya as MJ is still her dark self and occasionally has an eye on Peter, Batalone as Ned is there for his web weaving friend but has his eyes drawn in an unexpected way. Tomei as May is happy with her life and to have Peter in it but may have a surprise of her own.

Hii as Brad returns a little older and crushing on MJ. Revolori as Flash once again plays the tourist except he spends more time trying to get social media friends than actual friends.

Shout out to Favreau for returning as Happy Hogan! I have come to love his character and am thrilled to see him be there for Peter Parker.

Other cast include: Toni Garrn as The Seamstress, Michael Mando as MacGargan, Numan Acar as Dimitri, Hemky Madera as Mr. Delmar, and Cobie Smulders as Marla Hill.

SPIDER-MAN: Far From Home is going to delight fans because Holland has done such an amazing job of portrayed the young webbed one. There is something for everyone in the film with action, story, twists, turns and – well, a teen love story that has been trying to break free.

Being a superhero has its price and it is a talk between Happy and Peter that helps the young man decide how to continue being a hero people can look to. I honestly believe that’s what makes this incarnation of the Spider-Man franchise more believable than it has ever been. Holland brings it all together with a tender and emotion filled performance that is so relatable.

The film is fast paced, full of cgi eye-candy and warmth that lets us know that AVENGERS: Endgame is just a beginning for the webbed one. Of course I’m being evasive in my description of the film because, as with most fun films, the fun is absolutely seeing it with the least amount of spoilers possible. I want everyone to have just as much fun as I did!

So as you prepare for the 4^th of July holiday, make sure you start it off with a visit from your friendly neighborhood (both in country and out) Spider-Man!

In the end – he is more than your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, so much more!

SPIDERMAN: Homecoming is Going to Spin a Web of Success this Weekend!

Jeri Jacquin

The anticipation builds as this Friday in theatres from director Jon Watts, Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures is SPIDERMAN: Homecoming.

It has been a while since Peter Parker/Spiderman (Tom Holland) had his experience with the Avengers. Now he’s back home with Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) living the life of a teenager. Watching him is Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) who gives Happy (Jon Favreau) the babysitting gig.

In school Peter finds himself love-struck by Liz (Laura Harrier) who is also part of the debate team. Hanging out with best buddy Ned (Jacob Batalon) is just as nerdy as Peter in some ways. By day he is anxious for the night when he can dawn his Spiderman persona and search for ways to help fight crime.

When the opportunity to hang with Liz at a party comes about, both Peter and Ned are ready to mingle with the cool kids. Promising that Spiderman would make an appearance, that would fall through when busting up a crime is more important. More so than Peter could have imagined when he finds a piece of their equipment that has incredibly technology not seen before.

Not about to let him take it, Peter meets Vulture (Michael Keaton) who puts a thrown down on the young superhero. If that isn’t enough, best bud Ned discovers what Peter has been up to. That’s going to have to wait because Peter is on his way to Washington D.C. with the debate team to compete.

Of course that’s the side story he tells Aunt May but with Ned’s help they begin to locate who is responsible for the technology in the weapon Peter found and who is the Vulture! Taking it upon himself, it only takes one mistake before Tony Stark comes calling and brushes away Peter’s big cobweb dreams.

Once again back to his high school life, Peter is taking Liz to the dance. When he shows up with his flowers looking dapper – it is who opens the door that set in motion an epic test of good versus evil.

Holland as Peter Parker is just frakken amazing. I will be honest from the get-go and say that I rolled my eyes time and time again thinking how awful another Spiderman would be. I was even more grumpy when I learned Holland took the role. I felt this way mainly because Holland captured my attention completely in 2012 with the film THE IMPOSSIBLE.

I said then that Holland “is a tremendous talent ... with the amazing capability of showing such strength of character” and nothing, I mean nothing has changed my mind since. My only worry (as all Mom’s have them) is that he will be sucked into the superhero universe leaving little time to expand is resume. This is an actor to keep an eye on when he’s out of the suit as much as when he’s in it. Well done young man, well done.

Keaton as Toomes is a man irritated with the system that tried to rob him of a business. Finding a way around that is what keeps everyone on their toes. I absolutely love Keaton so to see him once again doing what we all know he can do is a treat scene after scene. Yes he and Adam West are my Batman but I’m willing to cut him a little slack for his character in the film.

Batalon as Ned is the buddy we all should have in our lives. He’s a bit goofy, a lot nerdy, and scary when it comes to keeping secrets but we wouldn’t change him for anything. His loyalty to Parker is without questions and helping makes him outrageously happy.

Zendaya as Michelle is that girl everyone is irritated with one moment and laughs with the next. Her one liners are pretty good. Harrier as Liz is lovely and plays her storyline well. Tomei as May Parker is a bit scatter brained and pops in and out of the storyline, it is good to see her again.

Downey Jr., as Tony Stark just continues to cause cheers in a filled theatre. Fans love him and there will never be another Tony Stark like this (so don’t try to recast it for at least 100 years okay?). He keeps his eye on Peter Parker in the oddest ways as his inner father-figure kicks in. Favreau as Happy is irritated to have to babysit but also has a soft spot for the kid. These two actors bring in the comedy in the most bizarre places yet I love it.

Other cast includes Donald Glover as Aaron, Tony Revolori as Flash, Bokeem Woodbine as Herman Schultz, Tyne Daly as Anne Hoag, Abraham Attah as Abe, and Hannibal Buress as Coach Wilson.

SPIDERMAN: Homecoming doesn’t need my tubs of popcorn because it’s going to blow up the screens. So much so that you might forget the other incarnations of the webbed kid and believe they may have finally gotten it completely right. Holland gives us teen angst, a bit of teen hero-rebellion, loyalty to friends, battles that are worthy of the webbed one and moments of a kid trying to be a kid.

In case you are wondering, of course I’m not telling you things about the film. Seriously, why would I do that? I’m not into spoiling fun! Fans are going to be leaving the theatre giddy and probably buying tickets to see it again with more friends who are fans. With ComicCon right around the corner I am expecting to see more Spidey suits than ever before because of this film.

There is excitement, action, laughs, surprises and a cast that bring it all together in such a way that it’s almost a bummer when it’s over. As for what happens after the credits, well, I guess you’ll have to make sure you stay in your seat for a few minutes longer than normal (insert grin here). SPIDERMAN: Homecoming is completely epic without being full of itself and I’m refreshingly okay with that.

In the end – he’s just your friendly neighborhood Spiderman!