Waking in the Modern World is BLACK ADAM

 

 Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from director Jaume Collet-Serra and Warner Bros. Pictures is the DC antihero is none other than BLACK ADAM.

The city of Kahndaq is being taken over by the gun toting repressors called the Intergang. Living in the city is archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi), son Amon (Bodhi Sabongui) and brother Karim (Mohammed Amer). She is looking to obtain the Crown of Sabbac along with colleague Ishmael Gregor (Marwan Kenzari). When they are ambushed, Adrianna is close to being killed when she utters the words that awaken Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson).

Now her enemies are about to be in for a world of hurt because Teth-Adam does not take prisoners – literally. Trying to explain to him that it has been 5,000 years since he was last seen, the antihero tries to make sense of what is happening. It is Amon that seems to be able to reach him and explain quickly.

Government official Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) hears about Black Adam and calls in reinforcements to get him under control. First, Carter Hall aka Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Kent Nelson aka Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Maxine Hunkel aka Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) and Al Rothstein aka Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) get together to discuss a plan to contain him.

In the meantime, the Intergang want what Adrianna has, the Crown of Sabbac. They want it bad enough that kidnapping Amon is the next step to getting it. Teth-Adam can not get along with the Justice Society gang as its clear he and Hawkman have serious issues. It is Doctor Fate that tries his best to make the men understand they have to work together.

It is Teth-Adam that realizes he might have more of a problem with his anger than he can control. Being put on ice might be the only way to save those he has come to care about – but it isn’t as over as everyone thinks. The world just might, once again, need Black Adam!

Johnson as Teth-Adam/Black Adam is the only reason I wanted to see this film. I enjoy what he does because it is the reason I have always gone to the movies. Being entertained is what he does and, lets face it, he does really well. From comedy to a bit of drama, he has taken his name and put it to some very good characters.

Shahi as Adrianna is not only an archeologist but a mom to an equally curious son. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. She also has the opportunity to bring the city she loves together while making sure Teth-Adam and Hawkman behave themselves. Sabongui as Amon just loves having Teth-Adam around. Getting the chance to update him on the world and know that he truly is good deep down, there is a connection between them and Sabongui makes that happen.

Kenzari as Gregor has a secret or two of his own and gives us just enough good and evil to keep us guessing. Amer as Karim is the brotherly comic relief and gives it in full measure.

Hodge as Hawkman is fine but I don’t know his back story other than he has a huge chip on his shoulder. Its hard I know going from the BMOC then dropping down to a mere-superhero up against a god. Brosnan as Dr. Fate also has a back-story, I don’t know but he does step aside when Hawkman and Teth-Adam get into it which cracked me up.

Swindell as Cyclone is cute as a button and that’s about all I get out of that story. Well, that and she obviously likes being a colorful wind that throws things. Centineo as Al is a young man who is clearly not use to working with his powers and can not get out of his own way. He’s sweet so there’s that.

Shout out to Jalon Christian who plays Teth-Adam’s son Hurut. He is a boy who understands how the world worked then and now, well done young sir!

Other cast include Djimon Hounsou as Shazam wizard, Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt and Henry Winkler as Al Pratt. There is also a special moment between Black Adam and another beloved superhero! 

Now this is probably where I’m going to get blowback but (she cringes as the keyboard), I was not that impressed with the film. First of all, it is confusing and although I’m sure the comic book readers are up to speed on all this, I felt like it was just thrown at me and I was supposed to go along for the ride? Yea, well I am not made that way. I got Teth-Adams story clear enough and it was well defined and Johnson won me over with his portrayal.

Who is Dr. Fate? Where did he get Magneto’s helmet and have it dipped in gold? Who is Cyclone and what’s her deal? How did Atom Smasher figure out he can be as big as, oh, I don’t know, Ant-Man? What, for gawd’s sake, are Hawkman’s issues? Does he realize he isn’t the only superhero who has wings? Asking for a friend.

Also, if Teth-Adam says Shazam and has god-like powers, what does this do for Billy Batson’s Shazam? Sloppy seconds? Did he get the sub-dose of superpowers because he got them from the same place as Teth-Adam. More importantly, do I have to read to get these answers? See why I’m confused?

Look, I get that this film is a set up for other films but man this one took everything I had to stick with. It is quite possible that I don’t see superheroes anymore, I see destructors of cities because, seriously, you can not tell me those buildings they crash into don’t have people inside them that get hurt or die. When Hawkman is giving Teth-Adam grief about ‘killing’, I’m sitting in my seat shouting out, ‘what do you think you do dude?’.

Man, it was exhausting as the conversation in the car with my family had me asking even more questions. BLACK ADAM has its moments and that’s thanks to Johnson but it might take me a moment to get past the questions.

That being said, it was nice to see Johnson and another beloved superhero have a moment – you will see!

In the end – it is power born from rage!

 

TOMB RAIDER - Spoiler Alert and Rant Ahead!!

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from director Roar Uthaug and Warner Bros. Pictures is the beginning adventure of Lara Croft becoming the Tomb Raider.

Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) is a young woman trying to find her place by making it on her own. She really doesn't need to since her father Lord Richard Croft (Dominic West), who has been missing for seven years, left his daughter an inheritance. When family friend Ana Miller (Kristin Scott Thomas) bails Lara out of a problem, she is told it is time to sign the papers legally declaring her father dead.

Agreeing to finally do so, family lawyer Mr. Yaffe (Derek Jacobi) is presented with a puzzle and in it is something that sets Lara off on a quest for answers. Finding clues to the last place her father went, she discovers a diary and maps along with a cryptex with a story about a Japanese Queen and a power that has the capability of world destruction.

Lara makes her way to the Far East in search of a man named Lu Ren, instead she finds the son, also Lu Ren (Daniel Wu) who is shocked to learn that they have something in common. Explaining that they both need answers about their fathers, Lu and Lara head off to a dangerous island that shows them no mercy.

So much so that the ship is grounded and Lara is washed ashore only to be taken by Mathias Vogel (Walton Coggins). He is thrilled at the new island arrival because she holds the answers he has spent seven years looking for. Lara has no plan on letting Vogel get away with what he is doing and manages to escape. In an adventure within an adventure, she is surprised to find someone else on the island she hasn't expected to see.

Vogel finds the tomb and along with his well weaponized mercenaries forces Lara to go in first and lead them to the final resting place of the Queen of Death. The horror that awaits them is nothing they are prepared for but that isn't going to stop Lara from doing the right thing and save the world!

Vikander as Lara shows the beginnings of Lara Croft and how hard headed and yet still an adrenaline junkie she is. Wanting to avoid signing the papers declaring her father dead, she is told by Ana that if it doesn’t happen, Lara will lose everything that her father built. Vikander literally jumps into action and I can clearly see why she was chosen to be a younger Lara Croft.

Coggins as Vogel has made being a bad guy so deliciously easy. All balled up with anger at being forced to live in a dangerous place for seven years, he isn’t very forgiving. Looking for the one thing that can bring him home means nothing or no one, not even Lara Croft, is going to get in his way. Coggins is an actor who can play a good guy (or gal), a mediocre guy and a bad guy – all with such skill. Can you tell I’m a fan?

Wu as the younger Lu Ren is a boat owner who doesn't want to get involved with Lara's mystery. Talking him into it isn't hard and after being thrown on the island with Lara, he jumps into the action when seeing how wrong everything around him is. Of course I am a serious fan of Wu and if you've seen the AMC series Into the Badlands where he plays Sunny, you'd be hooked on him too.

West as Lord Richard Croft raises his young daughter but leads a very secretive life. As Lara gets older she accepts her father's 'business' trips with ease knowing that her father loves her. West takes the role of Richard and gives the audience a little more back story and experience the father-daughter relationship.

Thomas as Ana has been keeping Croft Holdings up and running for Lara but knows its time for decisions to be made so she doesn't lose what her father has left behind. I have to say I love seeing Thomas taken on a shady character.

Other cast includes: Alexandre Willaume, Tamer Burjaq, Adrian Collins, Keenan Arrison, Andrian Mazive, Milton Schorr and a cameo by Nick Frost.

Okay, time to get real and announce this is where there may be a few spoilers because there is no way to talk about the film without letting things slip here and there. So if you don't want to know - check out right here - still here? Then prepare for a rant.

I want to be taken away and go on an adventure when I'm watching a movie that is suppose to be, well, an adventure. Then a scene takes me completely out of it and I'm spending the rest of the time seeing nothing but what's wrong. Let’s begin being hit by a car, I realize she is Lara Croft but, um, yea, a car usually puts people out of commission for a day at least. Then again I guess that’s what one does when dealing with daddy issues.

Then there is a camera left behind seven years after Richard Croft's disappearance. Lara finds it and - low and behold - it works. Really? REALLY? My cell phone can't hold a charge for more than a day and this frikken camera is still working after seven years?

Also, knowing a thing or two about keeping a house - is it me or shouldn’t there be more dust and cobwebs in an office that has been left untouched for seven years. I mean not a single cobweb?

Onward trying not to shake my head, the next jaw dropper - I could be wrong but when a tree stabs you in the side and you get sewn up, do you (less than 8 hours later) run top speed through the jungle like Katniss Everdeen hunting President Snow? It could be she is a descendant of Legolas from Lord of the Rings with the ability to run and shoot rapid arrows at close range. Maybe it’s Indian Jones figuring out the traps so that she can get her hands on the Grail? That can’t be possible since Dan Brown has taken care of that faux cup right? Professor Jones must feel sheepish.

I mean seriously we have had the Grail, Priory, Illuminati which, by the way, the original Lara Croft’s father was a part of. Since that’s been covered, it’s on to the new secret sect of crazies called the Trinity. My head is spinning.

Yes, I am completely over it which once again proves to my stubborn self that there is no reason to redo films that are perfectly okay as they are. The thought process should have been this; how about saving millions of dollars and have a Lara Croft: Tomb Raider marathon of the original films and pocket money without out really spending millions. Oh I know, I'm going to get garbage about how old the other film is or how a "new generation" needs a revamp of the story. I'm calling b.s. on that Hollywood.

And as far as the theme song does it really have to be 'Survivor'? This song has been played into the dirt and this is the best you could come up with? What's with calling the film TOMB RAIDER as if Lara Croft is an after thought. Did you think that leaving it off would mean people wouldn't IMDB it to see that this is a remake, rethink, reimaging or anything else re?

So here is the deal - is the film heinous? No, it's just annoying and I hate being annoyed. Is it a good cast? Yes, and in lies another dilemma for me. I don't have issue with the cast at all, I am a Vikander, West and Wu fan and am completely in love with anything Walton Coggins does. I mean really, any guy who can pull off the ever so lovely Venus Van Damn with a heart of gold to sway Tig from Sons of Anarchy fame works for me completely. That’s where my thumbs up ends.

Come on studios! Are you going to rely on Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Alfonso Cuaron and Spike Jonze to do all the original film heavy lifting forever?

In the end – her legend begins.

WONDER WOMAN Gets Opposing Views

Jeri Jacquin and Vince Munn

In theatres this Friday is the highly anticipated film directed by Patty Jenkins with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures bringing WONDER WOMAN.

Jeri Jacquin: First of all, it is no secret that I’m not the most ardent fan of super hero films, mainly because you can’t swing a tattered comic book without hitting one in theatres. I don’t need 15 super hero characters mushing up my screen time doing the same thing they always do – mainly tearing up the world that other people have to live in after.

I’ve been told in whispers I am suppose to slobber all over WONDER WOMAN because we share the same body parts (minus the wrist cuffs and svelty figure) because the film is suppose to “empower women”. Robin Wright looked amazing in her Amazonian get up, do I get points for that? So knowing you are not going to get it out of me my irk list is extensive.

Instead, from the get-go dear Diana is lied to by the people she is suppose to trust the most – her family, then she is lied to by a man (why should she be any different) and then ends up helping humanity save itself basically showing her altruistism. I spent more time rolling my eyes than cheering.

Yes, I’m just horrible for not feeling empowered by WONDER WOMEN which is why I am letting someone who loves all things DC do his thing and give his views on the film. Ladies and gentlemen – I give you Vince Munn, take it away!

Vince Munn: Diana (Gal Gidot), princess of the Amazons is a trained lethal warrior, blessed by the gods and raised on an island of women. When American spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes on their island of Themyscira, he tells of a great conflict in the outside world. Diana she seeks to travel with him into the heart of the conflict convinced she can end the threat.

Through her journey Diana will see the dark side of man while discovering her full power and destiny. Warner Brothers and DC comics have found the bright light in their dark cinematic universe. Wonder Woman is a film with heart, humor, and forgive the pun, wonder.

Gal Gadot reprises her role of Diana, first introduced in Batman v Superman, a highlight of that film. Carrying the film she imbues it with charm, beauty, and heroism. Were I a young girl, this would absolutely be my heroine. The core of the character is there as her motives for what she does.

Chris Pine is solid in his role of Steve Trevor. While he is the male lead, he never steals the spotlight and supports his lead in the best way. Connie Nielsen, Danny Huston, and Robin Wright round out the main cast, each filling their role with full talent and commitment - sometimes a little beyond what is necessary.

While the villains are there, much like most Marvel antagonists, they lack the bite you want. The spectacle of the film is there as well. This is a comic book film and feels like one, but at no time does it ever wink at its audience.

Coming out at this time in history, amidst all the politic and unrest, Wonder Woman will stand out as a beacon to women. This is a strong character and is not pandered to. A personal stand out moment is the crossing of No Man’s Land. You’ll know it when you see it. Absolutely beautiful. “I will fight, for those who cannot fight for themselves.”

Fully enjoyable, while at times feeling its length, the only real issue is that you could shave a close 15 minutes and probably have a tighter, better film. That being said, this is a lot of fun, a lot of eye candy, and worth a second viewing.

Jeri: Thank you Vince! Although there are moments in the film that I agree with Vince it really doesn’t matter because WONDER WOMAN will earn its stop spot, at least for a week. With big films showing up week after week, each one will take its place on the top stop unless WONDER WOMAN has other super powers that can keep her there longer.

In the end – the future of justice begins with her…apparently.

KING ARTHUR: Legend of the Sword Strikes in Theatres

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from writer/director Guy Ritchie and Warner Bros. Pictures comes a different telling of KING ARTHUR: Legend of the Sword.

Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) is a young man raised in a brothel in the middle of Londinium with his friends Back Lack (Neil Maskell) & Wet Stick (Kingsley Ben-Adir). Taking care of business and saving his riches, it is a life he’s known.

Vortigern (Jude Law) is a vicious ruler who will stop at nothing to keep his crown, including the murder of his brother King Uther (Eric Bana). When the waters begin to recede around the castle, it exposes the sword Excalibur that is embedded in the stone. The evil king discovers that his brother’s son is alive and could stop him with the mere pulling of the sword out of the stone.

Calling for young men to try and receive a mark of testing, Arthur finds himself in the line after the brothel is raided. To the surprise of prisoners and guards a like, the sword glides out of the stone with ease sending Arthur into a state.

Rescued by Bill (Aidan Gillen), Bedivere (Djimon Hounsou) and helped by the young Mage (Astrid Berges-Frisbey). Told the story of his parents and how Vortigern came to power, Arthur isn’t sure he wants to help. Changing his mind is Vortigern himself when he comes after everyone he has come to respect.

The only way to stop the evil is by taking down the tower where Vortigern’s evil geminates and Arthur has learned the power of Excalibur and wields it as only a king could.

That’s what happens when you are raised in the brothel but born to be King!

Hunnam as Arthur gives it his all in biting line delivery and knock down drag out fight scenes. I actually enjoyed his performance but then again so did about every other gal in the theatre. There is a pull between wanting to be the regular guy running a brother Arthur and knowing that there is something more to his life.

Law as Vortigern takes evil to another level in that he does it with such calm. Sometimes that’s much scarier than crazy shouting evil characters. Of course if I had a crazy creature living in my basement I might feel good about ruling my world. I just love the fact that Law is so versatile and makes being a bad king kind of fun to watch.

Berges-Frisbey as the Mage is quiet but careful in everything she does. Knowing that ever move it to rid their kingdom of Vortigern, she also knows that only Arthur can make that happen. Maskell as Back Lack believes in Arthur and is actually one of my favorite characters because he does stand by his friend so steadfastly.

Gillen as Bill is a determined arrow shooting man who isn’t about to let evil take over anything which is quite a change for this actor given his Game of Thrones character. Hounsou as Bedivere is a strong leader and wants Arthur to accept his heritage and the power of the sword.

Other cast includes Freddie Fox as Rubio, Craig McGinlay as Percival, Tom Wu as George, Geoff Bell as Mischief John, Annabelle Wallis as Maggie, Zac and Oliver Barker as Young Arthur.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give KING ARTHUR: Legend of the Sword three tubs of popcorn out of five. Here’s the problem, from the moments of the opening scene I felt as if I’d been in this scene before. A tower with a red glow? Fighting elephants? Did someone break into the Weta Workshop and revive Sauron? Apparently not as my plus one revealed to me that it was his second cousin once removed Ted.

And then there is the humor that is fantastic and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. The scene where Arthur is explaining his wear-a-bouts to a town official is nothing short of well done. The exchange between Arthur and his friends is equally funny.

So in lies the dilemma – I’m not actually sure how I feel about the film. I honestly didn’t go in expecting much so in that sense I wasn’t disappointed. Perhaps I wanted more, perhaps I wanted not so much predictability or perhaps I am asking too much since the films coming out of Hollywood lately keep me out of theatres and into Netflix.

Hunnam and Law fans will be happy to see the two go head to head but whether that is enough I will leave up to the audience. It isn’t going to be an easy opening because Arthur and the gang are still up against some heavy hitters that aren’t going to go down quietly.

In the end – from the stone to the throne!