Mission Impossible- Fallout (2018)

Tom Cruise is like the "Energizer Bunny", the more films he does, the better the film is. In almost every film Cruise does, he is running like hell for some reason. He's been doing the Mission Impossible films since 1996, and it looks like this franchise shows no sign of ending just yet. It much like the "James Bond" and "Jason Bourne" films, brings a whole new level of complexity, suspense and action- which this franchise ups every time. Being pretty synonymous to "007", The "Mission Impossible" films are a unique and vivid set of suspense thrillers.

Very rarely do you see films directed by the same one director and they end up being good films. Director of both this installment and the 2015 predecessor "Rogue Nation", Christopher McQuarrie, helms yet another absolute stunner. Having written the screenplay in both of these films, McQuarrie adds more sophistication and cleverness to each film. This film has that quality of being better upon its prior films in that it has unrelenting depth throughout the film. 

This franchise stands out from others in being that it has unbelievable action sequences in every film. This film has some of the best action scenes in any movie this year, apart from "Avengers: Infinity War", of course. I have no doubt audiences will be as thrilled and excited for the action in this film, as I was. 

This film has an incredible cast beside its star, Tom Cruise. What's an incredible cast without its films insane action? The cast rounding out are: Simon Pegg (Benji), Rebecca Ferguson (Ilsa) Ving Rhames (Luther), Sean Harris (Solomon Lane) and Henry Cavill (Walker). This cast offers an exciting plot execution and dare devilish stunts -(Cruise stands out here, obviously). They make it one of the best films of the suspense-thriller genre of the year, possible the best of any since 2011's "Ghost Protocol"-the franchises fourth entry. 

The film did something clever with its villains unsuspectingly. But going into this film I knew Cavill was up to no good. He played a sneaky and conniving CIA agent in a thrilling fashion. Overall, the films cast is exciting and memorable in which their performances enhance the films thrilling and exciting qualities. 

I was surprised to hear the score comprised of drums in the film. It makes the film unique even more. Lorne Balfe scores this not so impossible mission in an upbeat and suspenseful way. Being based on a TV show from the 1960's, the film franchise uses each film to incorporate the shows now iconic theme. Like previous composers for the series, Balfe takes the theme and puts his own unique twist on it, making the film even more engaging. 

Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood's greatest action films actor. Given he has made his marks through this franchise, I have no doubt he'll be an inspiration for other franchises like this. For over twenty years, audiences have been enthralled by the uniqueness and spy-like franchise that is "Mission Impossible". This franchise has been a phenomenon at the box office and from the likes of things, this franchise will continue to succeed not only financially, but as it's craft- a brilliantly developed film series. 

Photo courtsey of Skydance and Bad Robot Films

Rate: A 

Director: Christopher McQuarrie 

Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin, Rebecca Ferguson, Henry Cavill, with Angela Bassett and Michelle Monaghan 

MPAA Rating: PG-13-(for violence and intense sequences of action, and for brief strong language)

Synopsis: The best intentions often come back to haunt you. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie returning to the helm.

Runtime: 2 Hours & 27 Minutes

A Quiet Place (2018)

What would you do if you had to live your life in complete silence? There's a catch to it though, you're being hunted by demonic aliens that hunt you when you make any noise. For the Abbott family, they live like it's the norm. Taking place in the not-so-distant 2020's, the world is a wasteland of sound makers and all that's left are those who are willing to do anything it takes to survive, even if that means silent living. This film is a standout of epic proportions. The acting. Adrenaline. Suspense. This film is one of the most original in decades.

Making his outstanding directorial debut, John Kransinski, makes a film so edgy, sharp and poignant from start to finish. Krasinski makes the film a unique horror-thriller. He uses sign-language in the film completely, as this is the only way for the family in the film to communicate. He also has chosen to cast a real deaf actor in the role of his characters daughter. A typical teen, a little feisty and rebellious-that's adolescence for ya. This new star, Millicent Simmonds, is brilliant in her first major role. She uses her disability to an advantage and is a key role to her and her family's survival and communicating. 

On the other hand, Krasinski's off screen wife, actress Emily Blunt, stars as the wife of her husbands character. She is also a standout part of the film. Blunt's onscreen persona is heart pounding and authentic. Blunt, with the rest of the film, makes an impressive performance. 

The action and dramatic efforts in this film are no near inadequate. It's crafted in a detailed fashion and it is astounding. The creatures that hunt the family are created in a spider look and a dinosaur way. They're simply, one of the best demonic creatures of the horror film genre. 

Composer Marco Beltrami captures the fear of sound for this film. It's the kind of score you expect in a film like this. Edgy and rapid, yet slow and stringy. 

One of the very few films to incorporate disability in a major film, this one gets that job done. It's spectacular and bravo to John Krasinski for taking that step to add disability into mainstream motion pictures.  This film is perhaps one of the best horror films i've ever seen and should standout to others as an impressive and edgy film. 

Rate:🍿🍿🍿🍿 4 popcorn buckets out of 5 (A- equivalent)

Director: John Krasinski 

Starring: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Cade Woodward and Noah Jupe 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for terror and some bloody images.) 

Synopsis: In the modern horror thriller A QUIET PLACE, a family of four must navigate their lives in silence after mysterious creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival. If they hear you, they hunt you.

Runtime: 1 Hour & 30 Minutes 

Photo courtsey of Paramount Pictures

Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)

This film is no feat too big or too small. This film is just, to put it plain and simple: Exciting. In 2015, "Marvel" gave audiences a new film on a pint sized superhero "Ant-Man". Three years later, an even more entertaining film more than the sequel. One of the most uninteresting hero's, became interesting.Superheros are not just one size fits all, they come in all shapes and sizes. 2018 has been the year of some of the best superhero films ever. This film joins the ranks of this years best superhero films, quite frankly, one of "Marvel's" best sequels to a film.

Director of the first film, Peyton Reed, is back at another round for this sequel. Reed, who created an amusing and action-packed first film does it again, this time funnier in the sequel. It's one of the few "Marvel" films that takes humor to new levels and incorporates that into the film as part of it's story and characters.

Once a superhero. Always a superhero. Back at it again, is our Ant-Man, aka Scott Lang, aka Paul Rudd. Rudd, who has made an even bigger name for himself as the self titled "Ant-Man", does a great job once more. While also suiting up again, is Evangeline Lilly. Lilly plays Hope Pym and the "Wasp". She portrays her characters in excellent style. Lily makes her character exciting and is one of the highlights of the film. One of the more memorable female characters in any "Marvel" film.

Rounding out the cast are: Michael Pena, Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer. Pena is the comedic relief of the film, just like he was in the first film. Douglas plays the tech genius and father of Hope in a funny yet serious role. Whereas Pfeiffer plays long lost mother to Hope and wife of Douglas' character, who is also the original Wasp and Douglas was the original Ant-Man. They all play an important part in the film and they add to the pizazz of the film.

Let me tell you, Lilly and Rudd have amazing chemistry in the film. The instantaneous connection they have on screen is clearly palpable. They make the film even better and more entertaining than ever before. One of the "MCU's" best superhero pairs.

Scoring the joy-ride of a film is returning composer Christophe Beck. Beck creates melodic and punchy sounds that keep the film going strong. With a very fitting theme for Ant-Man, Beck makes a score perfect for this film.

Despite some prejudgements three years ago when the first film came out, I was blown away with it and ended up liking the movie. On top of that, is the utter brilliance when it comes to the shrinkage concepts and how it played out in both films. Marvel typically adds humor in most of their films, but this is just one if not the funniest film and best sequel to any film in the "MCU".

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

Rate: A

Director: Peyton Reed

Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lily, Michelle Pfeiffer with Michael Pena and Judy Greer 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sci-fi action violence) 

Runtime: 2 Hours

Synopsis: From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink: "Ant-Man and The Wasp." In the aftermath of "Captain America: Civil War," Scott Lang (Rudd) grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he's confronted by Hope van Dyne (Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Douglas) with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.