Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald (2018)

J.K Rowling's ultra-popular "Wizarding World" has taken the world by storm. For almost 20 years, her magical works have entertained millions worldwide. With this being the second film in the spin-off series, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald", is another magical film entry into the self proclaimed "Wizarding World", but isn't as thoroughly enjoyable as "Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them". 

Unlike the predecessor, the follow-up is slow to start, drags on a little but is entertaining, even if it's not the likes of the 2016 film. David Yates director of the film, is no stranger to directing films in this saga. For this film, he ups the magic, and adds compelling set pieces and a riveting story, that may consist of wandering off abruptly with plot and story holes. This sequel will do anything and [succeedingly] cater to the fans of the beloved films. 

Resuming his magical duties as Newt Scamander once again is Eddie Redmayne. Redmayne gives another charming go at Scamander. Co-starring alongside him are returning cast members: Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol and playing the eponymous foe, Grindelwald, Johnny Depp. Viewers also see the likes of characters they've seen before and some that get a backstory. Playing a young Professor Dumbledore is Jude Law and playing the cursed woman who turns into a snake, [Voldemort's Nagini] is Claudia Kim. This cast is a magical one even if the performances get a little dry and boring at times. 

One of the best parts about this film, is not only its special effects, but a riveting story and adds more to character arcs and offers audiences an ending you did not see coming. You'll be begging for more once it ends. 

Giving the film a magical score once more, is film composer James Newton-Howard. Howard makes a lively and contemporary plethora of scores to accompany the film and all of its magic. [Howard]  also brings in a new spin on the iconic "Harry Potter" theme made famous by John Williams. 

This franchise has been known for its stunning special effects and CGI, this film adds even more stunning and creative creatures that fit right into the zest of any installments in the franchise. This film boasts its creativity and special effects constantly, which audiences will enjoy. 

Creating magic, one filmmaker at a time. This film is delightful in its presentation and succeeds in offering more to audiences as far as character development goes. Despite the lack of a consistent wow factor, and a slow start, this film is another magical achievement in the "Wizarding World" even if it doesn't quite make the mark that the other films in the saga had made. 

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. 

Rate: B- 

Director: David Yates 

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Johnny Depp, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol

MPAA Rating: PG-13-(for sequences of fantasy action)

Runtime: 2 Hours and 15 Minutes

Synopsis: 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.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

One of the most prolific singers of all time and the frontman of Queen, Freddie Mercury, gets a highly anticipated film. While watching this film, you feel as if you are at one of the many concerts. The overall excitement and heart this film has is astounding. This film gives audiences an inside look at the upbringing one of rocks most flamboyant singers of all time. One of the most iconic rock bands of all time gets the film treatment it so long deserved.

Is there anyone who could possibly resemble the iconic singer in such a way? Not only does Rami Malek (Mr. Robot) resemble the late singer, he plays him in an unbelievable way. Malek puts all into this take on as Queen's leading man. Not only does Malek look like the iconic singer, but the rest of the cast resemble their real-life counterparts.

X-Men director Bryan Singer helms this biopic. Singer crafts an amazing film with depth and realness that make this film resonate with those who grew up with the sounds of Queen and those who didn't. Singer has made one of his best films to-date. The utter flashiness of the film is a sight to see and is one hell of a ride.

Though this film doesn't have a score, it has the discography of the band instead. The film uses the bands hit songs in a way that is uniquely fit in the film and also gives viewers an inside look at the crafting of each iconic song.

Mercury was a very eccentric and undoubtedly fashionable man. This film shows audiences that very aspect of the singer, while also adding a comedic light to all of the film, which is successfully incorporated here.

This film not only delves into the early days of Queen, but also the life of leading man Freddie. He's considered to be a gay-icon for many people but also a person who couldn't give a damn what people thought of him. What's so inspiring about this film is the struggle of the band in their early days. They faced adversity head on and overcame that flawlessly. Seeing this portrayed in film is unique and empowering.

"We will. we will. rock you!" One of the most iconic bands of all time gets the film treatment long overdue. You will be rockin' out to the film as this isn't just a biographical film, but a concert film. Showcasing the roller coaster career and personal life of Freddie is one of the greatest parts of this film. So grab your tickets to this film, because you'll want to see just how amazing this band and leading man Freddie Mercury really are.

Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Rate: A 

Director: Bryan Singer 

Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Ben Hardy, Mike Myers, with Joseph Mazzello and Gwilym Lee

MPAA Rating: PG-13 -(for thematic elements,suggestive material, drug content and language) 

Runtime: 2 Hours & 15 Minutes 

Synopsis: Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound, their near-implosion as Mercury's lifestyle spirals out of control, and their triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. In the process, cementing the legacy of a band that were always more like a family, and who continue to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

Halloween (2018)

In my review of the original film, I hated on it, that all changed dramatically when I saw this sequel 40 years in the making. This film unlike its predecessor, is an entertaining film with quality. Yeah, given this films genre and the title, it's supposed to be scary as hell, but, it's actually a thrilling film with suspense.

This film has a lot to offer, given the 40 year wait for the reunion of the Shape aka (Michael Myers) and Laurie Strode. This film has at all, frights, edginess, suspense, and action sequences that are some of the best parts of the film. Halloween is a phenomenal film, which is one of the best films of the year by far. 

This film has a very effective use of flashbacks to the 78' original. Flashbacks to the very beginning to where Michael killed his first victim. The flashbacks really help the film be as thrilling as if they weren't included.

Taking over the directing duties from jack-of-all trades John Carpenter, is David Gordon Green. Green makes a thrilling film, while still encompassing the style of Carpenters directing style. Green has made an authentic film that offers more thrilling and suspenseful qualities than frights. 

When the original film came out in 1978, this was the first film audiences saw Jamie-Lee Curtis. Her character is a frightened woman forty years after Michael's demise, her granddaughter is now put in her position. Laurie, who's been suffering from agoraphobia since that Halloween night 40 years ago, is now ready for him to escape that mental institution. 

Lee-Curtis does a great job in this film, way better than the original. Co-starring opposite Jamie-Lee Curtis, is the original Michael Myers actor, Nick Castle, Lee-Curtis' daughter on screen, Judy Greer and the granddaughter played by newcomer Andi Matichak. This cast does a great job at providing audiences with genuine performance and depth and curiosity. 

Once again crafting an iconic score, is not only the creator of the franchise, John Carpenter, but his son Cody, and composer Daniel Davies. The films score is electric and edgy. The trio of composers put a modernized twist into Carpenters iconic theme while bringing a new edge of sound to the film. 

The Halloween film genre can be a hit or a miss. But, this film is a total hit. This film is an outstanding film, its got edge and depth and complexity that you usually don't see in a film of this caliber. The direct follow-up of the 1978 original Halloween, does not disappoint. 

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions

Rate: B+ 

Director: David Gordon Green

Starring: Jamie-Lee Curtis, Nick Castle, Judy Greer and Andi Matichak

MPAA Rating: R-(for horror violence and bloody images, language, brief drug use and nudity) 

Synopsis: Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.

Runtime: 1 Hour & 45 Minutes 

Hocus Pocus (1993)

One of the best things about the fall season is not only the leaves and trees, its the annual Halloween movie marathon on Freeform. One of my personal favorite Halloween movies is the cult classic, critic hammered film Hocus Pocus. Yeah, this film may have been a disaster at the box office, but has. been a cultural phenomenon for two decades and will continue to be a classic phenomenon and cult favor

Long before director Kenny Ortega made the High School Musical films, he made this one. Cooking  up a witchy film, that is fun and exciting and one of the best films of the genre. The sets, costumes and special effects are fun and vibrant, they keep the film on the right path. 

Veteran actresses: Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker are a witty and outright hilarious trio of comedic proportions. They add a balance that is equal and works in which the film is more entertaining. Co-stars: Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, Thora Birch and Jason Marsden are fantastic. They are the highlight of this film. The film has some of the most memorable one-liners & humor that make this one of the best halloween films.

Rate: A 

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

 

Halloween (1978)

A staple in horror films for forty years,  [It] Halloween has aged like rotten cheese. It was good then, but this is now. This film isn't your typical scary movie. It's a slasher, thriller. Not only that, but, it is terrifying in that the score is extremely effective. While it's a great horror film of its time, I see this film in the 21st century, thinking that it'll be as scary as it was 40 years ago. I was dead wrong. When this film ended, I was like: "this was dumb and weird."

Jack of all trades, John Carpenter not only directed the film, but he is also responsible for creating the score, writing the film and producing. One of the films most thrilling aspects is every time Michael Myers appears on screen faceless, the films iconic theme is tuned in. That right there shows Carpenters original approach on directing and scoring.

In her first film, Jamie-Lee Curtis, plays a terrified high school student, one of Myers sisters, and a babysitter. She plays her character in a dramatic way, but a little to dramatic, and cheesy.

The films best parts are when for 1. are whenever Myers appears on screen, he is breathing heavily and that is one of the best, yet creepy, parts of this film. 2. Whenever he shows up, the theme plays. I give this film credit for at least trying to be somewhat scary.

Orchestrating the madness is director of the film, and composer John Carpenter. Carpenter not only makes a film so original and the least bit scary, he makes a score that is possibly more terrifying then the film itself.

This film doesn't even make the climb as being still a scary movie forty years later, with a variety of films of this kind coming out every year. The horror films nowadays can be even scarier than this or perhaps worse? No, this film isn't all that bad. I just think this film is an average scary movie. In retrospect, this film was scary when it debut 40 years ago, but 40 years later, it loses its scare factor.

Photo courtesy of Compass International Pictures

Rate: C 

Starring: Jamie Lee-Curtis

Director: John Carpenter

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 1 Hour & 33 Minutes

Venom (2018)

Who says a villain can't have their own film? The infamous foe of Peter Parker (aka) Spider-Man gets his long-awaited film. This isn't your average superhero film. Well, in this case, "hero-villain", an oxymoron for the title character.  It [Venom] may seem all bad but he's actually the opposite of a villain. The symbiotic-alien, takes on a host, Eddie Brock, who's a flawed yet cunning character. Brock, played by Tom Hardy, who is no stranger to playing baddies, morphs into the creature in terrifying fashion. This film isn't your average superhero film, it's more of a villainous tale into one of Marvel's most terrifying creatures.

Unleashing terror one director at a time, is "Zombieland"  director Ruben Fleischer. Fleischer crafts a film that does not disappoint. His vision for creating this origin story, is exciting and thrilling every second. He adds insight to one of comic books most iconic villains. Granted that this films namesake is bad and scary, the villain is actually good in a way. He helps Brock defeat the films villain in the most badass way possible. 

Playing Brock and the namesake Venom is Tom Hardy. Hardy is no stranger to playing a film baddie, Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises" and Praetor Shinzon in "Star Trek-Nemesis". Hardy brings his A-Game in this role. Co-starring is Michelle Williams as his love interest. Williams brings the film to a more emotionally sappy path alongside Hardy. 

One of the most unexpected things this film has are the complex relationship between Brock and his body inhabitant Venom. It's complex because it shows a lighter and surprising side of the title character. This makes the film more interesting and gripping. 

I do, however, have a few issues with this film. One, being the character of Dora Skirth. She's played by Jenny Slate, who has a high pitched, nasally voice. That and her character is unnecessary and makes the film drag on. Second, the film starts off slow but gradually gets better once we see Tom Hardy and Venom tag-team in action. 

Organizing the music for this film, is composer Ludwig Goransson. Goransson, who is notable for scoring "Black Panther", score yet another comic book based film. He makes a plethora of electronic and fast paced sounds to keep the film on its feet. 

"We are Venom". Based on one of comic books most terrifying baddies, is a film that finally brings audiences an inside scoop on how Venom/Eddie Brock came to be. This film is action-packed and detailed immensely, not only on the villain, but the whole film. It's terrifying yet comedic. This film ranks up to be one of many successful origin films of villains. 

Photo Courtesy: Sony and Columbia Pictures

Rate: B 

Director: Ruben Fleischer 

Starring: Tom Hardy 

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

Runtime: 2 Hours & 20 Minutes 

Synopsis: Investigative journalist Eddie Brock attempts a comeback following a scandal, but accidentally becomes the host of an alien symbiote that gives him a violent super alter-ego: Venom. Soon, he must rely on his newfound powers to protect the world from a shadowy organisation looking for a symbiote of their own. 

Operation Finale (2018)

In the latter years that followed the "Holocaust", a team of Israeli intelligence agents of the "Mossad" track down one of the living post-war architects of the "Final Solution". Adolf Eichmann, one of Hitler's confidante's, avoided being caught for his crimes and escaped to Buenos Aries, Argentina with his family in hiding. One of the most astounding feats and unfathomable was that he used a fake name to successfully enter the country. It's one of the most thrilling historical films to date. This film is stunning and is a testament of time and justice for the Jewish people.

Director Chris Weitz and writer Matthew Orton craft a vividly captivating film. Weitz who so eloquently creates a stunning biographical narrative with authenticity and finesse that audiences will  truly appreciate the art of this compelling film and its very important role in history. Meanwhile, Orton crafts a screenplay that is filled with tension and relentlessness.

Leading the charge is Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens). Isaac plays the leader of the mission, Peter Malkin. Isaac plays Malkin in an intense and emotional take on the hero of the Jewish people. Playing the mastermind behind the mask, is Ben Kingsley (Ghandi). Kingsley plays the war criminal in cunning fashion. He's conniving and an emotional manipulator. His take on Eichmann is one of the best performances in a film with historical purpose.

One of the most effective parts of this film is inclusion of real footage of the mission, trial of Eichmann and the killings during the "Holocaust". Including these important parts makes the film as accurate and real as possible. This can get a little graphic despite its PG-13 rating, but it's as effective if it wasn't included in the film or if it was more detailed to receive an R rating.

Keeping the film more dramatic is composer Alexandre Desplat. Desplat (The King's Speech), makes a score as thrilling and dramatic as the film itself. It's edgy and dramatic to the highest levels.

One of the most daring and courageous of historical events has come to audiences globally. The men and women of the US equivalent to the CIA, Israel's "Mossad", as heroes that stood the test of time and with a race against the clock to capture one of the most notorious men of the Nazi Germany- Hitlerian regime. This film services the Jewish people and the 6 million fallen, justice and peace, which was fought ferociously to obtain. Even for those who aren't personally impact by this tragedy will certainly feel empathy and renewed sense of hope after watching this breathtaking film.

Rate: A 

Director: Chris Weitz 

Starring: Oscar Issac, Ben Kingsley, Joe Alwyn, Nick Kroll, Lior Raz 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for disturbing thematic content and related violent images, and for some language) 

Runtime: 2 Hours 

Synopsis: Fifteen years after the end of World War II, Israel's intelligence agency Mossad and security agency Shin Bet - led by the tireless and heroic agent Peter Malkin (Isaac) - launched a daring top-secret raid to capture the notorious Eichmann (Kingsley), who had been reported dead in the chaos following Nazi Germany's collapse but was, in fact, living and working in a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina under an assumed identity along with his wife and two sons. Monitoring his daily routine, Malkin and his operatives plot and execute the abduction under the cover of darkness just a few feet from Eichmann's home. Determined to sneak him out of Argentina to stand trial in Israel, Malkin and Eichmann engage in an intense and gripping game of cat-and-mouse.