From Brightburn To Burnout: Why The Movie Did Not Deliver

There were high hopes for this film. It seemed as if this could bring in a new chapter in two genres. Seeing how Fox did not get into gear with their horror superhero movie in The New Mutants, there was a void that was left to fill. Now I'm thinking that its a void for a reason. I did not hate Brightburn. There were more great qualities than bad. The bad was in the overall execution of this kind of story. Elizabeth Banks was the gem in this movie. If you did not feel a connection between her and Jackson Dunn this movie was not going to work. In comparisons to Superman, the connections between father and son was more important. Brightburn was bond between a boy and his mother.

Why are there a lot of horrors about a corrupt child with issues with his mother? This is probably why this movie could not connect with me. I am a man who was raised by a single mother. I left this film feeling like this weight of seeing these stories done so many times could have left a better impression when they were fused together but it just made the load that much more harder to carry. We've seen a superman done plenty of times, a killer child movie has been done to death (pun intended and nailed), we've seen alien movie. Mix all three of these types of stories and we could have a tremendous final result or we could have a mixed bag of a mess.


Brightburn was not a mess, it just did not push me to want more. I do not feel like I've seen anything new. A bad kid who goes on a hormonal rampage, I've been that kid. The only thing we've introduced is superpowers. I feel that a kid who's lived a life of love which this character has could have had more of a struggle dealing with his desires to kill or at the least be hurtful. The heel turn was on a dime and the whiplash from that made the final season of Game of Thrones look meek in comparison. The problem I had with it was that it was a bit confusing on whether the boy was being controlled, was just a bad kid, or his alien instincts were just set to indifference from day one. The last one would make the least since because those tendencies would have been there in him since the day he arrived. He seems more of a Clark Kent and he turns Lex in a matter of a second. It never really clarified what his problem was or what was going on in his head. At one point I believed he was just gone and a completely different alien mind took him over.

Or maybe its just a message of a crappy kid and this was really a metaphor of privileged youth who feel like the world owes them everything for nothing.

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Terminator: Dark Fate Trailer | My Thoughts & First Reaction

The first thing that came to mind as I watched this trailer was my curiosity and interest about the Grace character played by Mackenzie Davis. From what I can tell she has gone through an intense trailing routine and is in fantastic shape. Seeing a female protector reminds me of the Terminator series and from what I've seen it looks like she will be a great fit. Her expressions, her physical performances and intensity was gripping. The other thing about this cast that has me buzzing out loud is from Gabriel Luna. The only thing I've been exposed to is his performance on The Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. as the MCU Ghost Rider. To see him as a terminator, something like the T-1000 from Terminator 2. Everything I saw from him, the look and the mannerisms were pure perfection. I can tell he has put a lot of hard work in the worlds most persistent cyber stalker from the future.

The parts that I'm still a bit confused about is the red conning of the past films after T2. Here are a few things I'm thinking will need to be clarified. The new mission to have a protector save a new girl. The original John Connor played by Jude Collie is casted so who is the target? When the Grace character said "I am human" are we dealing with a robot in denial like we got on Genysis? One of my subscribers commented that Arnold will be the human the T100 was modeled after. Why would they even need him? Why does Sky-Net need him?

The last thing that came to my attention was that the thrilling theme song from the other films was not used at all. I did not know how much I would miss it until it became obvious that it was not even used. This is the biggest fail on a short list of criticism. This trailer did its job in building my interest but how could they not use that iconic song. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. Is this the new standard of terminator teams? My hope is that there will be a continuous course correcting that will bring this franchise back to the action/horror mountain top that it is meant for.

Will there be an "I'll be back" or "Get Out" moment? There better be.






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The Longshot Movie | REVIEW

My review on my YouTube channel is up.



I took my fiance out to a lovely Mexican dinner after we watched this film. The first thing she said to me was that she loved every minute of it. The only thing that took her out of the film were the couple next to us who decided to take their shoes completely off. One of the only set backs to having new reclining seats. The first thing that stayed in the back of my mind when the movie began was the run time. I kept asking myself about the parts that will drag. Now I can admit that the movie could have been shorter and there were definitely some areas where the fat could be trimmed but the chemistry between Rogan and Theron is so enjoyable that I could not feel the length of the film anymore, I could only feel the warmth of the story. The parts that hit hardest to me was the feeling that everyone felt like they were enjoying the work they were putting in to the development of this film. When you have a Jonathan Levine directing one of my favorite surprise hits Warm Bodies, I'm not too surprised. He really knows how to capture the heart of a romantic comedy and keep it fresh and extremely funny.

Rogan has been great at casting himself and being cast as the unlikely love interest, as reluctant as the person he is attempting to make us believe he will live happily ever after with. Its happened so many times that now its not so unbelievable. This was not an opposites attract situation, Theron's character as Secretary of State, driven and professional, political giant is living a lifestyle that is not really her true self. You would think that the extremely self destructive an outspoken do-gooder to a fault, Rogan, would be a polar opposite that would never have a chance but the history they share makes the situation of them falling for each other make sense and you keep rooting for them through every scene.

What I loved about this movie was that the cliche moments that in any other romantic comedy from yesteryear would have put the lead characters ad odds by the third act, kept happening throughout the whole movie, but instead of doing the campy thing and letting the lies, truth and haters get in their way. Theron and Rogan fight hard for their happiness and successfully get out of their own ways and allow the logical thing to them set in despite how crazy it looked to everyone else. I applaud this film and the steps the writers took. Longshot is funny as hell and a great addition to the video home library. While its in the theater, if you have not seen it with someone you love, do yourselves a favor.


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Pet Sematary on 4K Ultra HD & Blu-Ray Releases with Extended Scense

The Digital*, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray releases are packed with over 90 minutes of special features, including hair-raising deleted and extended scenes, a chilling alternate ending, a look at the main characters, behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews and more.  A must-own for every Stephen King fan, PET SEMATARY is a “twisted and bone-chilling” (Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting) thrill ride.

“A creepy masterpiece”

--Alyse Wax, ComingSoon.net 

BASED ON STEPHEN KING’S TERRIFYING NOVEL,
THE BONE-CHILLING THRILLER RETURNS HOME

Including Footage Not Shown in Theaters and a Shocking Alternate Ending!

On Digital June 25 
Unearth the 4K Ultra HD^™ & Blu-ray^™ Combo Packs July 9 with Over 90 Minutes of Extras  

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.  – Called “the stuff of nightmares” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) and “flat out terrifying” (Erik Davis, Fandango), the chilling new adaptation PET SEMATARY comes home on Digital June 25, 2019 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Video-On-Demand July 9 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

The Digital*, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray releases are packed with over 90 minutes of special features, including hair-raising deleted and extended scenes, a chilling alternate ending, a look at the main characters, behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews and more.  A must-own for every Stephen King fan, PET SEMATARY is a “twisted and bone-chilling” (Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting) thrill ride.

The film also boasts a Dolby Atmos^® soundtrack to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead**.  In addition, both the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Combo Packs include access to a Digital copy of the film.

Synopsis

After the Creed family relocates from Boston to rural Maine, they soon discover an ancient burial ground hidden deep in the woods near their new home. When tragedy strikes, the grief-stricken father is driven by the cemetery’s sinister power, setting off a perilous chain of events that unleashes an unfathomable evil with horrific consequences.  Some secrets are best left buried in this twisted thriller.

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD COMBO, BLU-RAY COMBO & DIGITAL*

• Alternate Ending
• Deleted and Extended Scenes
• Night Terrors – Family Haunting Visions

o   Louis

o   Rachel

o   Ellie

• The Tale of Timmy Baterman
• Beyond the Deadfall

o   Chapter One: Resurrection –Directors, screenwriters and cast discuss bringing this classic back to life

o   Chapter Two: The Final Resting Place—A deeper look into finding the right location for the terror to unfold

o   Chapter Three: The Road to Sorrow— Inside the film’s tragic themes and creating the iconic cat “Church”

o   Chapter Four: Death Comes home—Unearth the creepy elements behind the climax and final scenes of the film

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3 Billion Box Office: How Spider-man Far From Home Will Boost Endgame Like Endgame Did For Cpt Marvel

They say "The bigger they are, the harder they fall". Avatar and Titanic were two of James Cameron's heaviest hitters for the box office. For two decades Titanic has held the top two positions for twenty years. When Avatar took the top spot it was by an amount unimaginable. Seemed untouchable until the MCU took shape. 

Here is the real reason Avatar became vulnerable. 

The power of the Avatar franchise was in danger with every delay of its sequel. The year Avatar came out all the kids were dressed up as characters from the movie for Halloween. The following year, the number of costumes declined dramatically. The year following, it was none existent. Then came the fist announcement of the fist delay of Avatar 2. Since then we were blessed with our first Avengers film, Man of Steel and rise in horror. How was it handled by the man? We were given yet another delay. Why James, Why? Well, he tells us that the technology isn't here yet. Avatar two will take place primarily underwater. Maybe we're getting a new race of Na'vi. The more time that goes by the shorter my memory gets. To be honest I lose more interest in the film over all. Its not that I don't believe that his vision needs to come to life the way Cameron wants it too, its just that I feel that the delay is not as necessary as he believes it is. 

Its his franchise though so I put it in the hands of the genius himself. If he were to ask me, I'd tell him that a whole generation of kids have been born and are being taken to the theaters to see films that have not even seen Avatar yet. Since Iron-man, Marvel Studios have been consistent in bringing quality films to life on time and on schedule. The fan base is strong, its loyal and is growing. The stories build and connect. With every cinematic universe film that comes out is another missed opportunity. 

George Lucas new technology was not where it was needed to be to make episode one so we got episode four with a great story and the rest is history. Maybe if James stuck with his timeline the technology would not have been where he wanted it to be but Avatar 2 coming off of part one would have made over a billion probably two billion short of guaranteed with the power of momentum and a great story behind it. If by the third film or even the fourth film the technology was not exactly where he wanted it to be, it would be there eventually. Probably by the fourth or fifth installment we finally got where we wanted to be technologically wise it would have made an epic finale. Just like with what happened with Endgame. 

Now we're not expected to see Avatar 2 till 2021. I'm putting my money on 2022 which means I'l be pushing my 50's by the time this franchise ends. I was in my 20's when it began. Now the world of movie goers and Marvel film fans have begun to assemble to make Avengers Endgame the number one box office film of all time. I was skeptical until AMC theaters started to show films round the clock. This countered the theory that the movie was too long to beat Avatar. It made Endgame have the biggest opening weekend in history. An accomplishment that probably will never be matched or beaten. 

The road to 3 billion was my hope. I would still hold on to this hope until the third weekend. Endgame has only been out, at this point, for three weeks and beginning the fourth weekend and has started to lose steam. I said, that if the movie hits 2.5 billion before the end of May it was a lock for the top stop and 3 billion. I mean, movies tend to stay in theaters for four or more months on average but we are headed to the summer and the majority of average fans and fanatics have already seen it multiple times. The number of people who have not seen it and plan too is shrinking. Another Two hundred million world wide before the end of its run seems likely, 3 Billion target does not.

The Captain Marvel Miracle

Here is where the hunt for a 3 billion dollar box open is still viable. By the time Endgame came around, captain Marvel survived the trolls and hit over a billion dollars in the box office. When Endgame had its monster debut Captain Marvel came from out of the top five back to second place. Why is this, marathon mode my friends. People will go the movies to see the previous marvel film just before the next in order to add to the experience. I believe this will happen again with Spider-Man Far From Home. People who have seen Endgame will defiantly see it again just before they see spider-man. The only questions will Endgame surpass Avatar before or after Spider-Man is released. 

If Avengers Endgame catches Avatar before the end of May or by the middle of June, the chances of reaching 3 billion dollars becomes extremely realistic. Overall, if Avengers needs Spider-man to catch Avatar it will probably not reach the goal. If it doesn't the goal for 3 billion is very possible and I will be pulling for it. I want to see the movie in 3D. I've already seen it in Dolby and IMAX. 

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2019 Best Summer Movies to Watch

The Talking Through The Medias team has been invited to screen and review the following upcoming films. These are the film line ups we are excited about because they are originals and franchises that seem like they will pack a punch. Here is my break down of each one and why I think you'll want to join us in the theaters.

As the summer months approach and schools’ prep to let out their students for summer break, theaters are bound to be filled with countless comedies, thrillers and dramas to escape the raging sun for some much-needed cool air shelter. From teens trying to escape a dream-scenario turned nightmare in MA with Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, to a spin-off of the wildly popular series X-men with its most beloved character DARK PHOENIX, to comedy icon Kevin Heart returning to the big screen in a small package as Snowball for THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 to an audience favorite duo fighting it out on stage in FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW and a Hispanic film of a turbulent relationship that will make you non-stop laugh with LAS PILDORAS DE MI NOVIO these summer film’s cover all genres that are sure to have something for all the ages to enjoy!

MA (May 31)

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | #MAMovie

Developed by the executive producer of cinematic hit Get Out, the film stars Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer), a loner, who one day is asked by a teenager to buy some booze for her and her friends. She offers the kids her basement for them to drink, but MA’s hospitality soon starts to turn into obsession, and now these teenagers must find a way to escape the terrorizing ways of MA.

My Thoughts: Octavia Spencer, this award winning phenom has not let me down yet. Her acting style and presents is warm and inviting, strong and illuminating. Now take all of that charisma and put it in to a world of horror and madness. I have the feeling that this movie will have me speculating and have all of my expectations pleasantly and shockingly shattered. I'm looking forward to this screening because I trust the star and the 

Dark Phoenix (June 7)

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | #DarkPhoenix

This is the story of one of the X-Men’s most beloved character as she evolves into the iconic DARK PHOENIX. Wrestling with an increasingly unstable power as well as her own personal demons, Jean Grey spiraling out of control threaten the fabric of just not the X-Men but of our planet. The family of mutants that we’ve come to know and love must face their most devastating enemy yet – one of their own.

My thoughts: This may be the one I'm most excited about. How will the Fox version of the X-Men conclude now that the property is back home with Marvel Studios? We may not be getting a film with the X-Men for five years according to the Disney executives but the end of an era is putting it mildly. I hope it delivers and can not wait till my crew and I are gobbling up more popcorn and getting our mutation on. This has been about 20 years in the making since the original X-Men film. Yes it has come to a new team but remember we're still in the same universe as the original.

Abominable (September 27)

Official Website | #Abominable

This film will transport the audiences on an epic 2,000-mile adventure from the streets of Shanghai to the breathtaking Himalayan snowscapes. When teenage Yi (Chloe Bennet, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) encounters a young Yeti on the roof of her apartment building in Shanghai, that starts an epic adventure with her mischievous friends, Jin and Peng, to help the magical creature “Everest” before zoologist Dr. Zara captures the Yeti and takes it far away from its family.

My thoughts: Just like you, I was thinking "what is this" don't worry, its Dreamworks. We should be in great hands. Lets take the family out and see what Chloe Bennet and Sarah Paulson, two of my favorite actors of the small screen have to show us. 

The Secret Life of Pets 2 (June 7)

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | #SLOP2

This is the highly anticipated sequel to 2016’s comedic blockbuster that had the biggest opening weekend of any original film. Starring Kevin Heart as Snowball, Tiffany Haddish as Daisy and Harrison Ford as Rooster, these pets are up against obstacles that will determine their courage. The film explores the emotional lives of our pets, the deep bond between them and the families that love them, and answers the question that has long intrigued every pet owner: What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home?

My Thoughts: Okay, Now I'm ready. I feel that this time around we're really going to stick the landing and see exactly what our pets do when we're not at home. Maybe they'll save the city again from an army of upset animals but I'm thinking we're going to stay grounded and just keep the story domesticated and have more of a wholesome fun time as the secret is finally revealed.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (August 2)

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | #HobbsandShaw

The Fast & Furious franchise is back, now featuring its first stand-alone vehicle, with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprising their roles as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw that must team up to defeat cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton (Idris Elba) as he gains control of an insidious bio-threat that could alter humanity forever. These two sworn enemies will have to partner up to bring down the only guy who might be worse than themselves.

My Thoughts: Dude, you had me at The Rock and Jason. There's no way that this movie shouldn't be a contender for the billion dollar club. Its coming from a powerhouse of a franchise and has franchise viagre staring in it. It looks funny and finally features superpowers in the Fast and Furious universe. Shut up and take my money!!!

Las Pildoras de mi Novio (August 30)

YouTube | #pildorasdeminovio
The film stars “Jane the Virgin’s” Jaime Camil as Hank, a charismatic store owner with a big secret: he takes several amounts of assortment prescription drugs for his multiple personality disorder. His new girlfriend, unaware of this information, invites him to an island resort for a business retreat. After Hank discovers he forgot his medication, things go from calm to chaotic as he becomes unable to control his symptoms – something his relationship might not be able to sustain.

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Booksmart Movie Review

On a guys night out you would expect my friends to say lets just stay in the house and play some video games on the Xbox. This is a typical conversation that we have unless its a movie night. The things that get the boys out of the door are you run of the mill action movies. So how was I so successful in convincing a group of guys in their mid to late 30's to see a film directed by Olivia Wilde. Not starring Wilde, just directing, about two academic overachievers named Amy and Molly who spent their entire years in school staying out of trouble, hitting the books and getting into the best schools just to find out that the kids they grew up with all partied like rock stars and still got into the same schools?

On the surface this doesn't seem like our kind of movie. Well, we're the kind of guys who will see almost anything but lets just say we're the stereotypical red blooded American males. No way would we buy a ticket but something was in the synopsis that still was intriguing enough to get us in the car and to the theaters for the screening. After seeing the trailers and reviews our expectations grew a little more. I was sold from the get go but some of my friends required a nudge. Seeing a movie about two funny girls who are trying to have an epic night together before graduation seems like a plot that's been handled, remixed and done to death. Superbad kept coming to mind and a little American Pie. 

Though the plot was in the vein of "been done before" there was still something that this movie offered us that none has ever before. The bond between the two may characters was something that felt believable. The kinds in the era of time that we are in today was captured extremely well. There was no typical bully versus geek scenario. These were not the most popular kids but the ones you would think were considered popular were not trying to start fights that needed to be handled in a Karate tournament with a crane kick. No one was going out of their way to hurt anyone else but at the same time it was clear that if you were not apart of the crowd you wanted to be apart of it was because you took yourself out of it and did your own thing. No one tormented you for it. That was refreshing in this film. 

This movie tackled the notion that when you're a teenager and you're headed for the real world, life isn't just about checking off the boxes its about taking a little risk and putting yourself out there. Even though Amy was a lesbian and not in the closet she was still isolating herself from what she could have had if she took further steps. Molly may feel she is destined for greatness but her character was more about prejudging that she couldn't see the big picture right in front of her until it was too late. 

Now once we get through the set up lets get to the meat. This movie was funny. Extremely funny. In comparison to the other mentioned films, the jury is still out on which ones I enjoyed more. but here is something that I could say about this film that I'm not going to say about the others. I want to see more from these characters. This movie is book smart on the basis that it can live in a world where extreme ridiculous things can happen and the way you adapt to them, one may need to be smart about. Other comedies just relied on the ridiculous and it just continue to be ridiculous. In other words, a movie like American Pie and Superbad were funny people in a ridiculous world where Booksmart had funny things happen that tend to be a tad ridiculous but the way through the moments were handled with more maturity and I give a tremendous amount of credit to the writing and Olivia Wilde as a director for pulling off this tidbit. 

You could easily go into traditions and take the easy way out. The pretty boy jock is a jerk, the popular rich girl is mean. No, this movie was more complex than that because people are more than what we assume they are most of the time.

Here are a list of actors that stood out to me in this film.

Diana Silvers, she is also staring in the horror/thriller Ma. In this movie her connection with the main cast was shocking and not what I expected. Expect to laugh so hard in her scene. You've been warned.

Jessica Williams

When I first saw her pop on the scene I thought to myself "Yes, this queen fits perfectly in this world. I knew I was not going to be disappointed in her character and I was not. 

Mason Gooding, son of Kuba Gooding Jr. I remember seeing him on Ballers, staring The Rock, I assumed his character was one dimensional. Boy, was I wrong. I see a bright future for this young actor. 

I recommend that everyone see this film. Especially young people. I'm curious to see if this movie to them feels like it reflected on them well. If so, please let me know. I'm available on my YouTube channel, twitter and Facebook for comments.

Release date: May 24, 2019 (USA)

Director: Olivia Wilde

Producers: Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Megan Ellison, Chelsea Barnard, Jessica Elbaum, David Distenfeld

Production companies: Annapurna Pictures, Gloria Sanchez Productions

Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Billie Catherine Lourd