Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

It has been 10 years since we last saw our favorite ragtag group of zombie-slayers. It has since become a cult-classic and one of the very few satisfying horror-comedy films. The zombie film phenomenon has been a thing for a long time now, with these films on the rise, it’s only a matter of time when they get old. But, in this case, that is not true. This film is wild, gory and insane which is why people love the films.

The writers behind the first film and Deadpool bring audiences back to Zombieland. Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick return with a funny as hell film that is even better than the sequel. They are clever and witty in their approach at their return to the franchise. Alongside the writing duo, is returning director Ruben Fleischer. Fleischer returns with yet another hilarious film. Gory and a bloody good time, this film tops the first one by a longshot.

This film wouldn’t be back to where the first film was without this amazing cast. Lead once again by Jesse Eisenberg, he is as quirky as ever in this sequel. Alongside him once again are Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson and Abigail Breslin. They are all as goofy as ever in this sequel. This cast is fun and exciting in the whole film, which makes this film even more entertaining.

The film also sees newcomers to the series, Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch. They’re just as goofy and entertaining as the rest of the cast. These new additions to the cast, are just as hilarious as the rest of the ensemble.

Just like the first film, this film is undeniably gory but in a very comedic way. The action sequences are much more action-packed and exciting, improving even more than the first film. It is hilarious throughout the entire film.

Returning to score the film, is David Sardy. The score as a western-country style vibe to it. With the sounds of bluegrass and soul, the score is a great addition to the film overall.

With this year not having a whole lot of comedic films released, this film is oe of the funniest films yet. Ten years it’s been since we first took a trip to Zombieland. And here we are ten years later, with a highly anticipated sequel. Audiences can expect nothing less of a film that has an extensive number of fans. This film has the same type of gore, humor and fun as the first film, but tops it on a much larger scale, which is why fans will see this sequel to a cult classic phenomenon.

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Rate: A

Director: Ruben Fleicher

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, Thomas Middleditch and Bill Murray 

MPAA Rating: R (for bloody violence, language throughout, some drug and sexual content)

Runtime: 1 Hour & 40 Minutes 

Synopsis: Zombie slayers Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita and Little Rock leave the confines of the White House to travel to Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. Along the way, they encounter other post-apocalyptic warriors and a group of survivors who find refuge in a commune. The scrappy fighters must now rely on their wits and weapons more than ever as they soon find themselves in a relentless battle against smarter, faster and seemingly indestructible zombies.

Gemini Man (2019)

One of the things that can make a sci-fi film great, are not only the stunning visuals that it may have, but also a compelling story. To this day, countless sci-fi films have been made. Some have been great ones, while others have been average and just downright boring sci-fi films. This film is another one of those sci-fi films that is worth watching but it does tend to be over the top and overly dramatic for its craft.

The thing about sci-fi movies, is that they all have something in common with one another. Whether that be eye-popping visual effects or exciting action sequences, sci-fi films are arguably one of the most stunning and mesmerizing. But given those attributes, some sci-fi films go over the top. This new Will Smith film does exactly that.

You think with big stars and directors a film would succeed, but not in this case. It does a seldom job at thoroughly entertaining. This film helmed by acclaimed director Ang Lee is imaginative but slow. What goes on in the film seems a bit dull with an intriguing story, but it just doesn’t match up with the rest of sci-fi films because of its mediocrity.  Lee does a great job at crafting the action sequences and eye-popping visuals, yet the film seems a little to cliché with a been there, done that approach as far as sci-fi films are concerned.

Will Smith stars in what might be one of his better roles, even though the film may seem dull at times or to dramatic and near sighted, this film is worth watching just for its exciting action sequences and visuals. Alongside Smith, is Mary Elizabeth Winstead, “Sky High”. She brings a balance to the film that is compatible with her leading co-star.

Acclaimed composer Lorne Balfe scores this sci-fi action film. Balfe adds a riveting score to the film to where it blends well into the film overall. This score is as upbeat and intense as the film itself. With the film being somewhat of a slow work of sci-fi cinema, this films score compensates for that quality.

Like I said, this is one of Will Smiths better roles we’ve seen him in lately. Smith was able to achieve yet another sci-fi film while being an integral part of it. I don’t think that this is my favorite Will Smith film at all, because this film missed so many opportunities to be successful.

The sci-fi genre is one of my favorite kind of films. With that in mind, it’s disappointing that a film with such potential to be a good sci-fi film, just ignores all and just makes it up as it goes on. This year hasn’t really seen much of sci-fi films. But that doesn’t mean that there are a few here and there. With Will Smith making sci-fi films part of him, this film is just overall a bleak and downright let down- even if the film is thoroughly entertaining.

Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Rate: C+

Starring: Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong 

Director: Ang Lee 

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

Runtime: 2 Hours 

Synopsis: Henry Brogan is an elite 51-year-old assassin who's ready to call it quits after completing his 72nd job. His plans get turned upside down when he becomes the target of a mysterious operative who can seemingly predict his every move. To his horror, Brogan soon learns that the man who's trying to kill him is a younger, faster, cloned version of himself.

Joker (2019)

When it was first announced that a film would be made on the iconic “Joker” and serve as a backstory, I was annoyed. For one, because Heath Ledger’s masterful performance as the character in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight”, was and still is the single greatest portrayal of the iconic villain. My negative thoughts on this new film completely changed when this film took me by utter surprise. This film is stunning to the highest level. What this film manages to do so masterfully is pull off the most in-depth character study in all of comic book films.

This film from start to finish is simply eerily mesmerizing. It is unlike any other comic book-based film because this film is one of the darkest most foreboding film in the comic book film genre. The film not only is an in-depth character study, it is an impressive and grim look at the psychology of the title character.

Director Todd Phillips crafts one hell of a film. His vision for the film is bold and shocking to say the least. It is a groundbreaking film achievement in comic book cinema. This film is a dark and dedicated film that shows us how the “Joker” came to be. Phillips outdoes himself and shows his true visionary capabilities.

All I can say is wow! Joaquin Phoenix pulls off the impossible by exceeding expectations. He would’ve certainly made Heath Ledger proud. There are two big differences between Ledgers and Phoenix’s portrayal of the iconic character. Ledger’s was more on the hellbent on chaos and a new world order based on anarchy. On the other hand, Phoenix makes a performance that is as psychologically twisted but more on the mental breakdown of the character.

Composer ‎Hildur Guðnadóttir crafts a haunting and eerie score for a film that is as haunting as the film itself. He makes the film more haunting and darker as possible and it shows all throughout the film with the cello solos making the film more gripping. Though the score isn’t as haunting as Hans Zimmer & James Newton-Howard’s craft of “The Dark Knight”, this film score acts yet another haunting sound that is perfect for this film.

Though this film is almost perfect, the film starts a little slow with some pacing issues and progression throughout. It does make up with its dark comedy and action sequences, along with the score.

One of “Batman’s” most iconic foes, finally gets his silver screen origin story of his very own. What makes as a fantastic film, it sets the stage as a landmark achievement in comic book cinema. I have no doubt that this film and Joaquín Phoenix’s take on the “Joker” will be memorable for years to come.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. 

Rate B+

Director: Todd Phillips 

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen and Robert DeNiro

MPAA Rating: R (for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images)

Runtime: 2 Hours & 2 Minutes 

Synopsis:  Forever alone in a crowd, failed comedian Arthur Fleck seeks connection as he walks the streets of Gotham City. Arthur wears two masks -- the one he paints for his day job as a clown, and the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel like he's part of the world around him. Isolated, bullied and disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.