Captain America: Civil War

Marvel pulls all the punches.

Everything that Batman v. Superman got wrong (kinda everything), Civil War gets right; story, conflict, action, comic banter, introducing new heroes, juggling a team of characters, wrestling with the implications of vigilantes, super-sized mother issues...I could go on.

It may be called Captain America: Civil War, but this is the premier Avengers movie (including the stellar 2012 film). I loved it.

The hero-versus-hero premise was always one of the most exciting ones to me as a comic book-reading kid, but BvS convinced me that a versus story wouldn't translate to the movies. That superfluous movie had some lazy Lex Luthor story with a contrived reason for a fight, but the script for Civil War has something believable at stake for each character and each team. When the heroes line up to fight, it was as like they flashed all my favorite comic book covers in front of me at once. 

For the non-comic book readers, there's plenty of comedy and entertainment to go around. Most of it comes from the superb Robert Downey Jr. 

I'm a bit worried about future Avengers movies without him. While DC introduced new characters by having Wonder Woman scroll through a computer with their logos on them (not kidding), Tony Stark winningly unveils a hero I didn't want to see again — Spider-Man. The onscreen powers of Robert Downey Jr. sold the introduction and set up a film that I would buy tickets for today. (Downey Jr. will have a mentor role in the upcoming Spider-Man film.)

Unlike BvS or Avengers: Age of Ultron, I didn't notice that it was overlong at two and a half hours. Themes of violence and vigilantism, friendships challenged and bureaucracy fill Civil War with a story that matters and drives us to a final battle of brains and brawn. What a relief from all those recent hero films where something hideous grows big at the end of the movie and heroes have to climb a tall thing to throw something special at it. 
 
Simply put: A marvelous edition to the top shelf of super-hero films and a rock 'em sock 'em good time at the movies.

Award potential: Not an awards film, but it's the current front runner for Best Visual FX.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.

Summer 2016 Movie List: Blockbusters and Ghostbusters

Ready, set, action movies! Summer movie season kicks off this weekend with Captain America. Look for some reboots, a lost fish, some naughty sausages and a few expected blockbusters, er, Ghostbusters. Here's a quick guide to what's coming each weekend of summer:

Friday May 6 

The Blockbuster: Captain America: Civil War

Friday May 13 

The Star Vehicle: Money Monster (George Clooney, Julia Roberts)

The Scary Movie: Dark Horse (Kevin Bacon)

The Jane Austen Film: Love & Friendship (Kate Beckinsale)

The Counter Programming: High-Rise (Tom Hiddleston)

Friday May 20 

The Family Film: Angry Birds

The Comedy: The Nice Guys (Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe)
The Comedy Sequel: Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising
The Counterprogramming: A Bigger Splash (Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes)

Friday May 27 

The Family Film: Alice Through the Looking Glass
The Superhero Film: X-Men: Apocalypse
The Sci-Fi Film: The Lobster (Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz)

Friday June 3 

The Date Night Film: Me Before You (Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin)
The Superhero Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
The Date Night Film: Maggie’s Plan (Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore)

The Comedy: PopStar: Never Stop Stopping (Andy Samberg)

The Documentary: Time to Choose (Oscar-winning documentarian Charles Ferguson)

Friday June 10 

The Sequel: Now You See Me 2 (Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson)
The Scary Movie: The Conjuring 2 (Vera Farmiga)

The Sci-Fi Film: Warcraft

Friday June 17 

The Buddy Comedy: Central Intelligence (Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart)
The Family Film: Pixar's Finding Dory (Voice by Ellen DeGeneres)
The Counterprogramming: Genius (Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman)

Friday June 24 

The Counterprogramming:Free State of Jones (Matthew McConaughey)
The Reboot: Independence Day: Resurgence
The Texas One:The Duel (Liam Hemsworth, Woddy Harrelson)

Friday July 1 

The Sci-Fi Film: The BFG (Steven Spielberg)
The Superhero Film: The Legend of Tarzan (Margot Robbie, Alexander Skarsgard)
The Fart Comedy: Swiss Army Man 

Friday July 8 

The Comedy: Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates
The Family Film: The Secret Life of Pets
The Thriller: Captain Fantastic (Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella)

Friday July 15 

The Franchise Reboot: Ghostbusters (Calls on Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones)

The Thriller: The Infiltrator (Bryan Cranston)

 

Friday July 22

The Sequel: Star Trek Beyond

The Family Film: Ice Age: Collision Course
The Comedy: Absolutely Fabulous The Movie

The Comedy Sleeper: Don’t Think Twice (Gillan Jacobs)

Friday July 29 

The Sequel: Jason Bourne (Matt Damon, whatever)

The Buddy Comedy: Bad Moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell)

The Counterprogramming: Café Society (Woody Allen)
The Sleeper Hit: Indignation (Philip Roth novel)

Friday August 5 

The Superhero Film: Suicide Squad (Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis)

The man turns into a cat film: Nine Lives (Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner)
The Counter Programming: The Founder (Michael Keaton)

Friday August 12 

The Family Film: Pete's Dragon (Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford)
The Non-family Film: Sausage Party
The Counterprogramming: Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep)

Friday August 19 

The Reboot: Ben-Hur

The Family Film: Kubo and the Two Strings (Voices by Matthew McConaughy, Charlize Theron)
The Sci-Fi Film: The Space Between Us (Gary Oldman)

Friday August 26 

The Sequel: Mechanic: Resurrection (Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones)
The Boxing Film: Hands of Stone (Robert De Niro)
The Date Night Film: Southside With You (Inspired by the Obama’s First Date. Really, it is.)

Five enchanting Netflix finds in April

Netflix offers a couple of spring breaks from lame TV if you know where to look. Here are five choices that are totally ten-buck worthy.

Enchanted April (1991)
Four British women rent a chateau on a remote Italian island in this sophisticated romantic comedy. I watch this breezy gem every April. Trust me; it’s charming enough for you to do the same. (Available now.)

Batkid Begins (2015)
If you were wondering why Batman v. Superman didn’t have any heart, perhaps it’s because it’s all here. This documentary chronicles the story of Batkid, the San Francisco Make-A-Wish phenomenon. It’s a super treat to see a five-year-old boy's wish to become Batman for a day come true. (Available now.)
 
Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday (2016)
Although he’s no longer an innovator, a loner or a rebel, Paul Reubens is still a comic genius who only needs a balloon and two minutes of screen time to deliver the biggest laugh of the year so far. (Available now.)

Finding Vivian Maier (2014)
Don’t miss this half-detective story/half-documentary focused on the late Vivian Maier, a nanny whose previously unknown collection of 100,000 photographs revealed her to be one of the most accomplished street photographers of our time.(Available now.)

Minions April (2015)
La Cucaracha? If you read the early reviews, like me, and avoided this over-the-top sequel in the theaters, now is our time to enjoy those silly minions in small doses, without being stuck in a theater for two hours. HEEEEHAAAHEHA! (April 24)

The Ten Buck Review: All are worth ten bucks.
  
Bonus: Special Correspondents (2016)
Special Correspondents is an upcoming comedy written and directed by Ricky Gervais. The film is a remake of the French comedy of the same name and it stars Gervais, Eric Bana and Vera Gramiga. I haven’t seen this yet, but it’s a solid bet for a few free laughs. (April 29)

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a turkey.

When Marvel’s original The Avengers movie debuted, Jon Favreau’s Iron Man, Kenneth Branagh’s Thor and the WW2-era Captain America: The First Avenger were already fan and critic favorites. In 2012, we just hoped that adding too many heroes didn’t spoil the fun, which didn’t happen in that excellent superhero film. (Avengers: Age of Ultron is another story.)

DC has given us the low-flying Man of Steel, the unwatchable The Green Lantern, Razzie winner Catwoman and as many good Batman films as bad ones.

We should have seen this mess coming as far away as Krypton.

We didn't because Zack Snyder’s much hyped Batman v Superman has one of DC comic’s best storylines going for it: the rivalry and conflict between the vigilante Dark Knight (Ben Afflek) and the do-gooding Man of Steel (Henry Cavill). When we do get to the fight between the duo, it's dynamic. Unfortunately there are two and a half hours of bloated action scenes, a preposterous plot, pointless dream sequences, dark cinematography, an annoying Joker-take on Lex Luthor(Jesse Eisenberg), something big and tall to fight for the final act and countless teasers for future DC films.

Even worse, Snyder’s film insults us by making us watch Bruce Wayne’s parents get murdered again. How many times have we seen that in our lifetime?

A film with these top heroes should have either been a tight, single story clash-of-the-titans drama for the ages, or a lighter, vibrant alternative to Marvel. This is neither. Is it too late to cancel all the future DC hero films?

Simply put: Superfluous and super disappointing. DC should stick to TV (Flash, Green Arrow) and Legos (The Lego Movie.) Not for kids. Not for adults.

Award potential: Zero.

The ten buck review: Not worth ten bucks.

Pee Wee’s Big Holiday

That’s his name don’t wear it out.

The word of the day is: relief. For fans (like me) that have been worried a sequel to 1985’s Pee Wee’s Big Adventure from a 63-year old Paul Reubens would be a sad, creepy or embarrassing bookend to the Pee Wee legacy — fear no more.

Pee Wee’s Big Holiday is a solid Judd Apatow production with a ton of laughs and just a few flaws. Surprisingly, none of those flaws are physical. Digital retouching has made Pee Wee visually timeless, and Reubens has energy to spare.

Similar to last year’s Star Wars and Jurassic Park reboots, Big Holiday hits the nostalgia button often by recreating similar moments. Unfortunately the road trip plot is too similar and begs too many comparisons to the groundbreaking eighties comedy.

Despite those missteps, Apatow (SuperBad, Stepbrothers) and Reubens know how to tap into a kid mindset to pull off sweet funny moments like a bromance with Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike) that totally works, and LOL moments from tantrums and screams that go too far to some comic gold hilarity with a balloon.

Although he’s no longer an innovator, a loner or a rebel, Reubens is still a comic genius who only needs a balloon and two minutes of screen time to deliver the biggest laugh of the year so far.

Simply put: For a nostalgic trip, Pee Wee fits into the suit just fine.

Award potential: Despite a score by Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) and seamless visual effects to keep Pee Wee young, this is not awards bait.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.

 

How to survive the first Sunday without Downton Abbey

Missing Downton Abbey already? Get your fix next Sunday with these five films that even the Dowager Countess of Grantham would approve of.

1. Gosford Park (2001)
Gosford Park is a 1930’s period film, written by Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, and directed by the legendary Robert Altman. Upstairs guests and downstairs servants are assembled for a hunting party weekend when one of the group is murdered. It’s a high-class whodunit with a dream ensemble cast including: Helen Mirren, Kristin Scott Thomas, Emily Watson, Clive Owen, Ryan Phillippe — and Maggie Smith as Constance, a dependent countess with a quip for every occasion.

2. The Remains Of The Day (1993)
If you think Mr. Carson is uptight, then it’s time to meet Mr. Stevens. Anthony Hopkins (Mr. Stevens) and Emma Thompson (Miss Kenton) star in this moving story of a butler's steely devotion to his master (Christopher Reeve) and the high-spirited young woman who threatens to crack his reserve. The Remains of the Day received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and more.

3. Cranford (2007)
Cranford, a BBC mini series, is a charming period drama set in northwest England in 1842. Dame Judi Dench leads a cast of quirky, snarky and lovable characters who live in a place governed by etiquette, custom and above all, an intricate network of ladies. Jim Carter, Downton’s Mr. Carson, appears in many episodes.

4. Anna Karenia (2012)
Set in late-19th-century Russia high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky (Jude Law). Michelle Dockery, Downton’s Lady Mary Crawley, has a role as Princess Myagkaya. 
 
5. The Secrets of The Manor House Series
The Secrets of the Manor House, a PBS documentary series, looks at many ancient British houses, and how mounting financial, political and social pressures brought momentous changes to both the wealthy and their servants. The Secrets of Highclere Castle explores the home that is the setting to Downton Abbey, The Secrets of Althorp –The Spencers navigates viewers through the childhood home and final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales and The Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace: Hampton Court Secrets of Chatsworth visits the Tudor palace. All are perfectly charming. 

Worth ten bucks? All are worth ten bucks.

London Has Fallen

This franchise has fallen.

In 2013, Olympus Has Fallen, the modest Die Hard-in-the-White-House film, outperformed the similarly plotted but ultimately less entertaining White House Down. Both were better than London Has Fallen.

In this sequel to Olympus, the death of the British prime minister lures the world's most powerful leaders to a funeral in London — and to a terrorist trap. After the attack, Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) guides U.S. President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) through the city to escape from the bad guys.

True to many sequels, bigger is not better. All the original’s suspense of being trapped in the White House disappears when the action is expanded to a sprawling city.

This is the type of film where the heroes are targeted by armies of terrorists who can’t seem to get just one shot or grenade on the heroes before they are all taken out. Those types of films can be fun with James Bond or Arnold Schwarzenegger’s characters, but I don’t buy it from a serious, gritty Gerard Butler.

Even worse, the xenophobic ending felt reckless and irresponsible given everything going on in the world today.

Simply put: Sometimes having Morgan Freeman as Vice President is not enough.

Award potential: None.

The ten buck review: Not worth ten bucks.