Brie Larson

  • Review: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is what fans want but not what they expected (Includes first-hand account)

    After 11 years and 22 films, the penultimate movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s phase three brings it all full circle. With only a handful of Avengers left to fix the world — most of whom are ready to hang-up their superhero costumes — it was obvious they’d need to find a way to reverse Thanos’ snap. But who or how remained to be seen. As the Russo brothers swore everyone to secrecy via social media, anxious fans bought their movie tickets and prepared to find out just how a defeated group or heroes save a world that no longer exists in Avengers: Endgame.

  • Review: ‘Captain Marvel’ is a galactic force to be reckoned with (Includes first-hand account)

    While the Marvel Cinematic Universe consistently delivers entertaining films, they are less committed to sticking to a linear timeline. Consequently, the movies must be rearranged like puzzle pieces to get the full picture. The latest movie is about to bring things full circle by going all the way back to the beginning (or actually, just before the beginning) before swinging back to the present debacle caused by Thanos. In spite of featuring some very strong female characters in their films, it unfortunately took Marvel 20 outings to make a movie with a female lead. Nonetheless, the moment has finally arrived with Captain Marvel.

  • Review: ‘Kong: Skull Island’ gives the king due respect (Includes first-hand account)

    Before CGI and other technologies existed, filmmakers still sought ways to make the monsters of their imaginations a reality on the big screen. Thus, early creature-based narratives, such as King Kong and Clash of the Titans, were created using stop-motion animation and, later, animatronics were used. Obviously there were limitations to what was possible, particularly regarding the design’s interaction with the actors and sets, but they accomplished a lot with what they had at the time. However, technological advancements have all but made this practical art form archaic. Now that it seems simpler to make these types of movies, many of them have been made again (and in some cases, again and again). Kong: Skull Island is the latest depiction of the colossal ape that first captured audience’s attentions in 1933.

  • Review: ‘Room’ begins where most stories about captivity end (Includes first-hand account)

    A large proportion of Lifetime TV movies focus on the survivors of horrific crimes, creating melodramatic depictions of the offense and its consequences. As terrible as these incidents are, the formula used to portray their stories is predictable and calculating to affect viewers’ emotions in certain ways at specific parts of the narrative. But that doesn’t mean these tales are immune to ingenuity; it just hasn’t been applied as often. Room approaches a story that has become far too common in the news from a fresh perspective that truly captures the intense effects of being held against one’s will.