The Moral Majority takes a look at The Possession of Hannah Grace this week from a Christian viewpoint. Is the movie appropriate for the youngsters and what can we expect going into it? Movieguide breaks it all down and grades films based on their content and possible messages they are trying to convey.
Check out what they think after the jump.
A shocking exorcism spirals out of control, claiming the life of a young woman. Months later, morgue worker Megan Reed takes delivery of a disfigured cadaver during the graveyard shift. Locked inside the basement corridors, Megan's horrifying visions soon lead her to believe that the body is possessed by a demonic force.
The Possession of Hannah Grace has several creative visual tropes, and the acting from Shay Mitchell is better than most horror movies. What keeps the movie from being truly scary is it makes the common mistake of showing way too much. Sadly, the worldview of The Possession of Hannah Grace is strongly unbiblical. For example, the beginning has a scene where priests try an exorcism over the little girl that proves unsuccessful. One priest is even killed by the demon-possessed girl. Eventually, supernatural evil is beaten by willpower, not by Jesus or Christian faith. Also, the movie’s violence is often grotesque. The Possession of Hannah Grace is an abhorrent occult horror movie.
Movieguide reviews all movies from a Christian perspective and how movies affect children at different stages of cognitive development. We analyze movies using over 150 different criteria that cover the dramatic elements, the literary, the worldview, and the theological… and much more.
The Moral Majority takes a look at The Possession of Hannah Grace this week from a Christian viewpoint. Is the movie appropriate for the youngsters and what can we expect going into it? Movieguide breaks it all down and grades films based on their content and possible messages they are trying to convey.
The Moral Majority takes a look at Ralph Breaks the Internet this week from a Christian viewpoint. Is the movie appropriate for the youngsters and what can we expect going into it? Movieguide breaks it all down and grades films based on their content and possible messages they are trying to convey. Check out what they think after the jump.
Video game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz must risk it all by traveling to the World Wide Web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope's video game, "Sugar Rush." In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet -- the netizens -- to help navigate their way, including an entrepreneur named Yesss, who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site BuzzzTube in Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Ralph Breaks the Internet is very clever in its exploration of the Internet, with tongue-in-cheek jokes about Disney, technology and our media-obsessed culture. There are strong moral messages about not holding friends back from following their passions, loyalty, courage, and even the beautiful act of adoption. The movie also contains positive Christian references. Ralph Breaks the Internet is loads of fun, and many families will enjoy it. Caution is advised for younger children for light innuendos, scenes occurring in an intense game and other thematic elements.
Movieguide reviews all movies from a Christian perspective and how movies affect children at different stages of cognitive development. We analyze movies using over 150 different criteria that cover the dramatic elements, the literary, the worldview, and the theological… and much more.
The Moral Majority takes a look at Ralph Breaks the Internet this week from a Christian viewpoint. Is the movie appropriate for the youngsters and what can we expect going into it? Movieguide breaks it all down and grades films based on their content and possible messages they are trying to convey. Check out what they think after the jump.
DC Entertainment has been dominating the animated movie department for the last few years and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. In 2014 they kicked off the new arc alongside the comics New 52 with the feature Justice League: War that reintroduced the world the Justice League. Much like the comics it led directly into the follow-up with a cool sequence that promised fans they weren’t finished with this story yet. Now with the king of the sea getting ready to make his live action debut what better time to bring that sequel, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis home once again with an all-new Commemorative Edition.
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis follows the aftermath of Justice League: War where the world is seemingly at peace, but when Cyborg discovers an imminent threat in the depths of the ocean it rallies together the newly formed Justice League once again. Meanwhile, wandering thousands of feet above the ocean floor is drifter Arthur Curry, a man with strange powers who may be the last chance to bridge the ancient Atlantean world with our own. Now the Justice League must band together as they face off against warmongering Orm, an army of sea creatures, otherworldly weapons and perilous odds with mankind’s only hope of escaping from the darkness lying with the guiding light of a man – Aquaman!
This latest entry continued their long running success with these films. Sure they change up the stories a bit from the source material and it irritates some fans, but they still work. Aquaman is one of those characters that has been the brunt of a lot of jokes over the years, but since the New 52 launch had been made cool again and this film is no different. Here he is a bad ass character that has little to make fun of and the perfect film to prepare fans of the live action film to come in the future. Once again it features a great voice cast including Matt Lanter, Shemar Moore, Jerry O’Connell, Jason O’Mara, Christopher Gorham, Sam Witwer, Rosario Dawson, Sean Astin, and Nathan Fillion who all do a good job with their characters.
As expected there are tons of action moments here letting every member of the Justice League shine, but this is Aquaman all the way. Where Justice League: War served as an origin story of the Justice League, this does the same for Aquaman. Here we get an all-new tale of how he not only became a member of the League, but also Aquaman himself and the King of Atlantis. They have managed to inject a couple of levels the to the story to not only successfully tell this story, but also keep it a cohesive sequel to the previous film. The animation is great as always with some really epic shots underwater and pulling out all the stops with the characters.
DC and Warner Brothers continues to make the good decision of making these films PG-13 which allows them to go all in without watering it down and that is no different here. Sure this film can be seen by the younger fans, but it is really violent and sports some language that some might find unfitting for the young ones. While some might complain about this, you have to understand that this is how the books are written and the movies should be this way as well.
The 4K Commemorative Edition is beautiful to look at making the already excellent animation pop off the screen. This is the way to see a film like this and a must have for fans of Aquaman or comics in general. In addition to the film this release also includes tons of bonus content including commentary, featurettes, bonus cartoons, a sneak peek at the next feature Reign of the Supermen and more. Return to the sea and grab your copy of Justice League: Throne of Atlantis available now on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Review by Bobby Blakey - Bobby reviews way more movies on his own website than the genre-specific ones I post here. Check out Bobby's awesome website and his live show he co-hosts with his wife, Drusilla, at Hollywood Matrimony.
DC Entertainment has been dominating the animated movie department for the last few years and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. In 2014 they kicked off the new arc alongside the comics New 52 with the feature Justice League: War that reintroduced the world the Justice League. Much like the comics it led directly into the follow-up with a cool sequence that promised fans they weren’t finished with this story yet. Now with the king of the sea getting ready to make his live action debut what better time to bring that sequel, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis home once again with an all-new Commemorative Edition.
Disney continues to churn out some of the best animated features around. One of my favorites outside of the Incredibles that is finally getting the much hyped sequel was 2012s Wreck it Ralph, that I honestly wasn’t sure it was going to work. Obviously I was completely wrong and it has become one of my favorites and now it’s time to return to the digital world with sequel Ralph Breaks The Internet starring John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, Kristen Bell, Mandy Moore, Alan Tudyk, Taraji P. Henson, and Ming Na Wen. Could this latest chapter offer up more of the fun from the video game world or will it feel more like a virus to the internet?
Video game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz must risk it all by traveling to the World Wide Web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope's video game, "Sugar Rush." In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet -- the netizens -- to help navigate their way, including an entrepreneur named Yesss, who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site BuzzzTube in Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Ralph Breaks The Internet follows six years after saving the arcade from Turbo's vengeance, but the Sugar Rush arcade cabinet has broken, forcing Ralph and Vanellope to travel to the Internet via the newly-installed Wi-Fi router in Litwak's Arcade to retrieve the piece capable of saving the game. I was so surprised that not only did this film live up to the hype I think it surpassed the original in a lot of ways. The expansion of the world they live in made for so many more fun situations that they could have done anything they wanted, but smartly they used all the Disney resources to take it to the next level.
As seen in the trailers you already know that there are so many varying characters and properties popping up, but that is just the tip of the iceberg to the overall execution. This story once again focuses on the friendship between Ralph and Vanellope as we get to see the fun still there, but new directions they both deal with when opened up to a bigger world. Sure these are all elements that we have seen a hundred times over and pretty much know where it is heading, but these characters are so great it still works to perfection. Both Reily and Silverman bring all the emotion and heart to their roles making them easily some of my favorites in the world of Pixar and Disney.
The world around them offers up so much fun and the best use of the Disney princesses to date by far. I don’t want to give up anything more than you might have seen in the trailers, but its so much more fun that what you might think. This includes the various cameos, directions and overall execution of the finished product. Filled with beautiful animation filled with vibrant colors and great character designs Ralph Breaks The Internet is another example to why Pixar and Disney are the top tier in animation.
Review by Bobby Blakey - Bobby reviews way more movies on his own website than the genre-specific ones I post here. Check out Bobby's awesome website and his live show he co-hosts with his wife, Drusilla, at Hollywood Matrimony.
Disney continues to churn out some of the best animated features around. One of my favorites outside of the Incredibles that is finally getting the much hyped sequel was 2012s Wreck it Ralph, that I honestly wasn’t sure it was going to work. Obviously I was completely wrong and it has become one of my favorites and now it’s time to return to the digital world with sequel Ralph Breaks The Internet starring John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, Kristen Bell, Mandy Moore, Alan Tudyk, Taraji P. Henson, and Ming Na Wen. Could this latest chapter offer up more of the fun from the video game world or will it feel more like a virus to the internet?
While Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald doesn't hold a candle to the magic of the Harry Potter films, it's still an improvement over the first entry. Many have complained about how convoluted the story is getting by the ties being made to the Potterverse, but it's hard to agree with that when the creator of the entire franchise is the writer of the script for this movie. Let's be honest - the Harry Potter films grow increasingly more complex by the time we get to the Deathly Hollows.
In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
After being taken out of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the first Fantastic Beasts, it was nice to return to the European settings of Hogwarts and France. The New York setting just didn't hold the same escapist vibe the original Potter films did, where you felt like you were transported to another world.
All the actors gave genuine performances and injected a lot of emotion into Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. There are a lot of pivotal moments in the movie, and the cast really pour their heart and souls into those moments. Whether you're "burned" out by him or not, Johnny Depp is deliciously evil and quietly charismatic as Grindelwald.
My main gripe is that the Fantastic Beasts in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald still feel shoe-horned in most of the time. They really only show up to miraculously save the day and then sit around waiting to get pet. I don't really know what else I want them to do, but can't J.K. Rowling figure out how to make them meatier presences?
The CGI and special effects for FB2 look great for the most part. The backrounds, environments, and different types of creatures all successfully put you in the Wizarding World. The only shaky spots were when a human character was riding one of the beasts. It looked sort of off-putting and odd the way the two melded together.
While Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald doesn't hold a candle to the magic of the Harry Potter films, it's still an improvement over the first entry. Many have complained about how convoluted the story is getting by the ties being made to the Potterverse, but it's hard to agree with that when the creator of the entire franchise is the writer of the script for this movie. Let's be honest - the Harry Potter films grow increasingly more complex by the time we get to the Deathly Hollows.
KISS is coming to Dallas for their End of the Road tour on February 20th, 2018. The legendary super-group promises an unforgettable night of rock 'n roll that only the Hottest Band in the World can deliver as they go out with a bang after over four decades of chart-topping albums and bombastic concerts. The American Airlines Center is hosting the ultimate going-away party and details have been released.
Members of the KISS Army will want to check out the official press release after the jump.
KISS END OF THE ROAD WORLD TOUR COMING TO AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER FEBRUARY 20, 2019 TICKETS ON SALE NOW BUY TICKETS AT LIVENATION.COM
After an epic and storied 45 year career that launched an era of rock n roll legends, KISS announced that they will launch their final tour ever in 2019, appropriately named END OF THE ROAD. The initial announcement was made a month ago on NBC’s America’s Got Talent which sent the internet into overdrive with fans hoping their city would get one final KISS show. The band announced today the first set of dates and cities in North America, produced by Live Nation. International markets were also announced simultaneously today. Tour itinerary detailed below; KISS will be offering VIP experiences and special KISS Army fan presales.
KISS Meet & Greet Experiences are available NOW through kissonline.com. KISS Army fan club sales are available NOW also through www.kissonline.com. Tickets to the general public available NOW at LiveNation.com.
Known for their trademark larger-than-life blistering performances, KISS has proven for decades why they are hands down the most iconic live show in rock n roll. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide have said this tour is devoted to the millions of KISS Army fans.
"All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who've filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years. This will be the ultimate celebration for those who've seen us and a last chance for those who haven't. KISS Army, we're saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we'll go out the same way we came in... Unapologetic and Unstoppable," said KISS.
KISS is coming to Dallas for their End of the Road tour on February 20th, 2018. The legendary super-group promises an unforgettable night of rock 'n roll that only the Hottest Band in the World can deliver as they go out with a bang after over four decades of chart-topping albums and bombastic concerts. The American Airlines Center is hosting the ultimate going-away party and details have been released.
Members of the KISS Army will want to check out the official press release after the jump.
Based on DC Comics' legendary alternate universe series of tales, the CW's superhero crossover event Elseworlds has an ad designed to look like a classic issue of the long-running title.
Batwoman comic book talent Amy Reeder provided the artwork for the ad.
You can check out the official press release and a video for Elseworlds after the jump.
While there’s a lot we still don’t know about this year’s DCTV crossover event, “Elseworlds,” one thing readers are pretty clear on is what that title is a reference to. “Elseworlds” is the name of a popular line of comics from DC’s past that completely reimagined the worlds of DC’s greatest heroes. It’s a part of the company’s legacy, something that’s nodded to in a unique new image that’s promoting the three-night event.
Drawn by comic book artist Amy Reeder and designed to look like the cover of one of DC’s monthly comics, this illustration also includes the classic, all-lowercase “Elseworlds” logo. With LaMonica Garrett’s Monitor seen looming in the background, Reeder’s illustration portrays the heroes of the crossover—Green Arrow, the Flash, Supergirl, Superman and Batwoman—seemingly battling each other. Beneath them, Jeremy Davies’ maniacal-looking Dr. John Deegan can be seen looking up at them in delight, suggesting he might be the cause of the mayhem. Fans who look closely will also notice that the Flash in the image is actually Stephen Amell, while Green Arrow looks to be Grant Gustin—a development we know occurs in the event.
Reeder has drawn several highly regarded comics for DC, including the bestselling New 52 Batwoman series, which helped to define the Kate Kane version of the character.
Look for the “Elseworlds” crossover event to kick off on Sunday, December 9 at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CST), then continue at the same time on December 10 and December 11 on The CW.
Based on DC Comics' legendary alternate universe series of tales, the CW's superhero crossover event Elseworlds has an ad designed to look like a classic issue of the long-running title.
Batwoman comic book talent Amy Reeder provided the artwork for the ad.
You can check out the official press release and a video for Elseworlds after the jump.
Electric Warriors #1 is the comic book world going full-on sci-fi. I admire its world building and enthusiasm at broadening the horizons of the DC Universe, but I can't say it's anything that I care to keep up with on a limited regular basis. References are made to familiar superheroes, but they really feel like a piece of thread barely connecting this to more iconic figures at this point. However, I must consider that this is the first chapter in a six issue miniseries.
The artwork is colorful and nice to look at. The script is rather wordy at times. It might be a bit too complex for folks who just want to turn off their minds and see some basic hero-on villain action.
Years after the Great Disaster, the Earth has started to rebuild and rejoin the universal coalition in Electric Warriors #1. In order to prevent a galactic war, different worlds throughout the known cosmos have created a new system of competitive combat to give each participating planet their own voice in the intergalactic struggle. Each world has one diplomatic gladiator, chosen to possess the Electric Seed and fight for their homeland as the Electric Warrior! Each fighter forsakes their personal life in the name of peace.
So what happens when Earth can’t choose a single combatant and sends two instead? The bruiser War Cry represents the humans of Earth, while Deep Dweller, a shape-shifter from the Octopus Tribe, represents the animal kingdom. Can they maintain one common goal, or will they tear Earth’s tenuous coexistence to shreds and destroy the rest of the universe with it? Oh, and War Cry also has a powerful relic from Earth’s past: Superman’s cape!
Electric Warriors #1 is written by Steve Orlando (Justice League of America, Supergirl). Art is provided by Travel Foreman (Birds of Prey, Justice League United). The issue is 32 pages long. It is rated T+ (Teen Plus) and contains violence and frightening and intense scenes.
Electric Warriors #1 is the comic book world going full-on sci-fi. I admire its world building and enthusiasm at broadening the horizons of the DC Universe, but I can't say it's anything that I care to keep up with on a limited regular basis. References are made to familiar superheroes, but they really feel like a piece of thread barely connecting this to more iconic figures at this point. However, I must consider that this is the first chapter in a six issue miniseries.
DC Comics will be celebrating 80 years of Batman next year and they plan on going all out. The publishing giant will be releasing two books celebrating two milestones of the Dark Knight fans will want to get their hands on - Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman The Deluxe Edition and Batman #1000.
Read the official press release after the jump.
DC CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR SUPER HERO WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF TWO TENTPOLE BATMAN ANNIVERSARY BOOKS IN 2019 DETECTIVE COMICS: 80 YEARS OF BATMAN THE DELUXE EDITION This Oversized Hardcover Will Feature the Best of the Best from the Dark Knight’s 80-Year Publishing History DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 The Landmark Comic Book to Introduce New Version of the “Arkham Knight”; Original Story by New York Times Best-Selling Writer Peter J. Tomasi and Acclaimed Artist Doug Mahnke; Bonus Stories from All-Star DC Lineup, Including Geoff Johns, Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Dini and More
Leading into Batman’s big 80th celebration next year, DC announced today the World’s Greatest Detective will be honored with two milestone book releases in March 2019. DETECTIVE COMICS: 80 YEARS OF BATMAN THE DELUXE EDITION will be a spectacular oversize hardcover book, and DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 will be a collector’s edition of the 1,000th issue of the periodical comic that launched the high-flying adventures of the world’s most popular Super Hero. Retail orders for these books will be available soon.
Since his debut in DETECTIVE COMICS #27 in March 1939, Batman has been the most popular DC Super Hero in the world, resulting in repeated waves of pop culture “Bat-mania” for many generations. Whether known as the Dark Knight, the Caped Crusader or simply Batman, his appeal is global, and he has headlined comic books consistently since 1940, representing thousands of comics titles that have regularly been industry best-sellers no matter the comic book era.
“The enduring popularity of Batman over the past 80 years speaks to the character’s multi-generational appeal,” said DC Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio. “We’re proud to celebrate Batman’s cultural impact with these special releases and look forward to a year of commemorating this milestone anniversary with fans across the globe.”
DETECTIVE COMICS: 80 YEARS OF BATMAN THE DELUXE EDITION will feature an all-new cover by Jim Lee and several unpublished treasures, including a story about a traumatic early moment in Bruce Wayne’s life by Paul Levitz and acclaimed artist Denys Cowan and an extraordinary look at a work in progress—Bob Kane “ghost” Lew Sayre Schwartz’s original layouts for the Batman tale from DETECTIVE COMICS #200. In addition, the celebratory book will include essays looking at Batman from extraordinary perspectives including Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Glen David Gold, Denny O’Neil, former San Diego police chief Shelley Zimmerman and pulp historian Anthony Tollin.
The collectible hardcover book follows the best-selling ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN and again features guest editor Paul Levitz. Classic reprints of the Dark Knight’s most memorable adventures will also be highlighted, from his first appearance to peak moments and the debuts of Robin, Batwoman, Bat-Mite, Batgirl and Super-Villains such as Two-Face, the Riddler, Clayface and Man-Bat. Plus, the must-have book will include the first tales of Slam Bradley, Air Wave, the Boy Commandos and the Martian Manhunter.
DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 periodical commemorates the anniversary of Batman’s first appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS, the title from which the DC brand itself was born. The 96-page landmark issue will feature an original story written by New York Times best-selling author Peter J. Tomasi (BATMAN AND ROBIN, DETECTIVE COMICS, BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT) with stunning artwork by Doug Mahnke (BATMAN: THE MAN WHO LAUGHS, BLACKEST NIGHT). Paying tribute to the Caped Crusader’s 80-year legacy, the book will also include a series of supporting stories by top DC talent, including Geoff Johns, Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Dini, Christopher Priest, Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, Kelley Jones, Dustin Nguyen, Alex Maleev and more.
Marking eight decades of crime-fighting, the oversize 1,000th issue of DETECTIVE COMICS will reveal a never-before-seen iteration of the Arkham Knight, as well as original stories by some of the biggest names in comics. To further celebrate the cultural legacy of the iconic Super Hero, DC will present a special hardcover release, DETECTIVE COMICS: 80 YEARS OF BATMAN THE DELUXE EDITION, including new artwork, all-star contributors and thrilling untold stories.
These two special publishing exclusives, available in March 2019, are certain to become collector’s items as part of DC’s yearlong plans to honor 80 years of Batman storytelling. More details on the cross-company festivities and global celebration will be released in the coming months. Visit www.dccomics.com or the DC YouTube channel for the latest news and updates.
DC Comics will be celebrating 80 years of Batman next year and they plan on going all out. The publishing giant will be releasing two books celebrating two milestones of the Dark Knight fans will want to get their hands on - Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman The Deluxe Edition and Batman #1000.
The trailer for Leprechaun Returns has hit the internet and it looks to be a direct sequel to the original movie. Much like the latest Halloween, it appears to ignore all the other sequels in the franchise and takes us back to the old house we were introduced to in the 1993 film. Actor Mark Holton returns as Ozzie, the painter who helped save the day when the Leprechaun came looking for his gold the first time around. The only thing missing (and it's a big minus) is Warwick Davis, who is replaced here in the title role by Linden Porco (Channel Zero). In Porco's defense, he does a pretty good job filling Davis's shoes.
You can see the trailer and a couple new posters for Leprechaun Returns after the jump.
"The deadly, wisecracking Leprechaun is back in all his gory glory. When the sorority sisters of the Alpha Upsilon house decide to go green and use an old well as their water source, they unwittingly awaken a pint-sized, green-clad monster. The Leprechaun wants a pot of gold buried near the sorority house, but first he must recover his powers with a killing spree—and only the girls of AU can stop him."
Leprechaun Returns arrives to Digital and Video on Demand on December 11th.
The trailer for Leprechaun Returns has hit the internet and it looks to be a direct sequel to the original movie. Much like the latest Halloween, it appears to ignore all the other sequels in the franchise and takes us back to the old house we were introduced to in the 1993 film. Actor Mark Holton returns as Ozzie, the painter who helped save the day when the Leprechaun came looking for his gold the first time around. The only thing missing (and it's a big minus) is Warwick Davis, who is replaced here in the title role by Linden Porco (Channel Zero). In Porco's defense, he does a pretty good job filling Davis's shoes.
You can see the trailer and a couple new posters for Leprechaun Returns after the jump.
The Moral Majority takes a look at Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald this week from a Christian viewpoint. Is the movie appropriate for the youngsters and what can we expect going into it? Movieguide breaks it all down and grades films based on their content and possible messages they are trying to convey. Check out what they think after the jump.
In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second of five planned movies. The plot and messages in The Crimes of Grindelwald are sometimes a bit weak. The movie’s moral premise should have been stronger and more dynamic. The movie also has a strong occult worldview, mitigated by some moral, redemptive elements, but the positive elements never take off and soar. Perhaps, the filmmakers should have planned to make only three movies. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald contains some strong and scary violence.
Movieguide reviews all movies from a Christian perspective and how movies affect children at different stages of cognitive development. We analyze movies using over 150 different criteria that cover the dramatic elements, the literary, the worldview, and the theological… and much more.
The Moral Majority takes a look at Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald this week from a Christian viewpoint. Is the movie appropriate for the youngsters and what can we expect going into it? Movieguide breaks it all down and grades films based on their content and possible messages they are trying to convey. Check out what they think after the jump.
There are few franchises that have had the staying power as that of Harry Potter. When the hit book series was brought to life with the first film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001 it instantly became a worldwide phenomenon. After the series came to an end fans thought that was all from the Wizarding World until 2016 with the prequel film Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp. Now they are back for the next chapter The Crimes of Grindlewald, but does it bring more of the same magic or will it be a spell not worth casting?
At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
I admit that while I really love the first three Harry Potter films I felt they lost their spark after that and really enjoyed the fresh new world with the first Fantastic Beasts. With the end of the first film I was even more excited for this latest entry, but was a bit let down that it didn’t fully cast the spell that I had hoped this time around. Make no mistake I still enjoyed the film, but for the most part it just dragged on serving more as a middle ground stepping stone to the next film as opposed to its own story. I know that sounds silly, but despite the open ending to the original film it still felt like a complete story and that is just lost this time around.
The film kicks off with a pretty fun sequence, but despite a few here and there it moves at a snail’s pace to really nothing. The last few minutes of the film give you more than information and intrigue than the entire film prior to it. Had it not been for such great characters and the fun world they inhabit this might have fallen completely flat. When it works it is a ton of fun and there are some great moments here so don’t think it is a complete disaster. I love Depp in the role and he plays it with a subtle sinister tone that makes him seem more evil than anything we have gotten before. Sadly he doesn’t do all that much, but when he does he is all in. Redmayne is great as always bringing the same awkwardness and innocence to the character that makes you root for him.
The effects are as great as ever, but it seemed like some of the creatures were more cartoonish than the previous Wizarding World. Despite that I would be lying if I said I didn’t still enjoy seeing all the creative creatures and worlds that inhabit Newt’s collections of beasts. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those films that will end up working way better once the final chapter is out as opposed to how it sits now. Either way if you are a fan of the Wizarding World at all it is still worth checking out and here is hoping that the next chapter steps its game up based on the great ending.
Review by Bobby Blakey - Bobby reviews way more movies on his own website than the genre-specific ones I post here. Check out Bobby's awesome website and his live show he co-hosts with his wife, Drusilla, at Hollywood Matrimony.
There are few franchises that have had the staying power as that of Harry Potter. When the hit book series was brought to life with the first film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001 it instantly became a worldwide phenomenon. After the series came to an end fans thought that was all from the Wizarding World until 2016 with the prequel film Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp. Now they are back for the next chapter The Crimes of Grindlewald, but does it bring more of the same magic or will it be a spell not worth casting?
One of my biggest regrets in my life as the editor and writer of my own website is never getting to meet Stan Lee. Over my decade and a half og going to conventions and interviewing countless celebritites, I just never had the opportunity to cross paths with him. I did get to see him speak a few times and every one of those was a memorable experience I will cherish even more now that he is gone. His genius and contribution to both the comic book and movie world is not lost on me.
You can read his "obituary" via The Hollywood Reporter after the jump.
Hit Twitter with a search on "@TheRealStanLee" and you'll run see just how huge of an impact this creative colossus had on the world.
Stan Lee, the legendary writer, editor and publisher of Marvel Comics whose fantabulous but flawed creations made him a real-life superhero to comic book lovers everywhere, has died. He was 95.
Lee, who began in the business in 1939 and created or co-created Black Panther, Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Mighty Thor, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Daredevil and Ant-Man, among countless other characters, died early Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, a family representative told The Hollywood Reporter.
Born Stanley Martin Lieber on Dec. 28, 1922, he grew up poor in Washington Heights, where his father, a Romanian immigrant, was a dress-cutter. A lover of adventure books and Errol Flynn movies, Lee graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School, joined the WPA Federal Theatre Project, where he appeared in a few stage shows, and wrote obituaries.
In 1939, Lee got a job as a gofer for $8 a week at Marvel predecessor Timely Comics. Two years later, for Kirby and Joe Simon's Captain America No. 3, he wrote a two-page story titled "The Traitor's Revenge!" that was used as text filler to qualify the company for the inexpensive magazine mailing rate. He used the pen name Stan Lee.
He was named interim editor at 19 by publisher Martin Goodman when the previous editor quit. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Signal Corps, where he wrote manuals and training films with a group that included Oscar-winner Frank Capra, Pulitzer-winner William Saroyan and Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss). After the war, he returned to the publisher and served as the editor for decades.
Following DC Comics' lead with the Justice League, Lee and Kirby in November 1961 launched their own superhero team, the Fantastic Four, for the newly renamed Marvel Comics, and Hulk, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Daredevil and X-Men soon followed. The Avengers launched as its own title in September 1963.
One of my biggest regrets in my life as the editor and writer of my own website is never getting to meet Stan Lee. Over my decade and a half og going to conventions and interviewing countless celebritites, I just never had the opportunity to cross paths with him. I did get to see him speak a few times and every one of those was a memorable experience I will cherish even more now that he is gone. His genius and contribution to both the comic book and movie world is not lost on me.
You can read his "obituary" via The Hollywood Reporter after the jump.
Hit Twitter with a search on "@TheRealStanLee" and you'll run see just how huge of an impact this creative colossus had on the world.
Woody has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”), Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.
Check out the Toy Story 4 Teaser Trauiler after the jump.
Woody has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”), Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.
Check out the Toy Story 4 Teaser Trauiler after the jump.
On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee the Autobot seeks refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. Charlie, on the brink of turning 18 years old and trying to find her place in the world, soon discovers the battle-scarred and broken Bumblebee. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns that this is no ordinary yellow Volkswagen.
See the new poster for Bumblebee after the jump.
In Theatres December 21st, 2018
DIRECTED BY Travis Knight
PRODUCED BY Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto & Don Murphy, Michael Bay, and Mark Vahradian
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, and Chris Brigham
WRITTEN BY Christina Hodson
STARRING Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., John Ortiz, Jason Drucker, Pamela Adlon, and Stephen Schneider
