It’s been 6 years since we last saw the “Merc with the Mouth” on the big screen, but the wait is finally over with Deadpool and Wolverine. Directed by Shawn Levy best known for The Adam Project, Free Guy, Stranger Things, and Night at the Museum. 

In this latest installment, we find Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) giving up the mantle of Deadpool after the events in the second film. He is no longer with his longtime girlfriend, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), and is living with his former roommate Blind Al (Leslie Uggams). Everything seems to be quite normal for Wade until he gets intercepted by the TVA (The Time Variance Authority) who oversees the sacred timeline throughout all the multiverses. To best understand the TVA, just watch Loki on Disney Plus. Wade believes he’s been taken for changing the outcome of specific events in the last film, but that’s not why Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) has taken Wade. Mr. Paradox oversees Wade's timeline across universes and must warn Wade that his timeline will be erased because the anchor being of his timeline has died. Once an anchor passes away, that world’s timeline ceases to exist on the sacred timeline. That anchor for Wade was Wolverine, and he passed away in the film Logan. When Wade learns about Wolverine he must make a choice. He can either leave his friends behind and let his world die, or he can travel the multiverse to find another Wolverine to save his timeline. Let’s just say the title of the film gives away that plot line. So, Wade snatches a new Wolverine from a different universe. Mr. Paradox isn’t quite a fan of that decision because it sends both Deadpool and Wolverine to the Void. Deadpool and Wolverine will have to work together to make their way through this wasteland of forgotten timelines. On this Journey, they will have to deal with Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), the evil twin of Charles Xavier, and avoid being eaten by the being Alioth. To make it back to the real world they’ll have to be able to work with each other and not try to kill each other. If not, Mr. Paradox will completely prune Wade’s timeline.

I know this explanation is a bit confusing, but this movie is all about the epic journey of two comic book characters that fans have been dreaming about for years. Marvel has been striking out on most of their projects ever since Avengers End Game, and to release a film like this now has bumped them back up into the good graces of Marvel fans. I have been one of those comic book fans that has been patiently waiting for this day, and boy was I not disappointed. From the very first scene to the very last I was on cloud nine. All the cameos, jokes, and rapport between Jackman and Reynolds were top tier. I never felt like the movie dragged on or found myself bored while watching it. It was so much fun, and the action was phenomenal. Shawn Levy understood the task of what the fans wanted out of this movie and went above and beyond. Plus, we get to see Wolverine in his actual suit from the comics and that just sweetened the deal. The cameos in this film were insane, some expected and others a total surprise. When it came to the villains of the film, they were there to help with the plot but weren’t that influential to the story. This was about why Deadpool exists and how Wolverine can redeem himself after disappearing from the timeline he came from. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed seeing Cassandra Nova on the big screen, but she wasn’t much of a threat. This movie really focused on Deadpool and Wolverines interactions, Deadpool entering the MCU, cameos, action, and comedy. If you’re seeing a Deadpool film that’s what you want to see. I was not disappointed. 

Overall, if you’re a comic book fan like me go see this film! If you enjoy action, go see this film! Or if you’re just an avid movie fan, go see this film! This is the film of the summer and maybe the year. See it a couple of times in theaters and then buy it on Blu Ray or 4K DVD. 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Almost 28 years after the original tornado disaster film hit the big screen with Twister, we are being treated to a new take on the classic with Director Lee Isaac Chung’s version called Twisters. The question is “Does this live up to the hype of the original?” I guess we’ll find out. 

Our story takes place in Oklahoma as we follow storm chaser and college student, Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones). She is trying to destroy a tornado using a concept she created to gain grant money for her PhD. In doing so, the tornado she tries to extinguish is an EF5 instead of an EF1.  The EF5 prevents the chemical components from working and this results in the loss of her boyfriend and two other college friends who were helping with project “Dorothy.” Five years go by, and Kate is working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in New York City. She is approached by her former colleague and friend who was at the scene of the incident five years ago, Javi (Anthony Ramos), and he is asking Kate to help study tornadoes. The goal is to help people in Oklahoma that must deal with the devastation of losing their homes. She agrees to do so and is introduced to the hot head, Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), who calls himself the “Tornado Wrangler” on YouTube. As Javi’s research team and Owens compete to find the perfect tornado to study, Kate and Tyler start to form a connection that seems to be unexpected because of how opposite they are. As Kate continues to struggle with the repercussions of what happened when she last went storm chasing, she finds the strength in herself to try her theory out once more with the help of Tyler. Will it be all for nothing? Or can Kate redeem herself and save the people of Oklahoma from these deadly tornadoes?

It's hard not to watch this film and think of the original. From the very first scene to the very last all I could think about was Bill Paxton’s and Helen Hunt’s characters going through this insane journey of surviving tornadoes so Paxton can get Hunt to sign divorce papers. Spoiler Alert, she doesn’t sign them, and they stay together. Now, don’t get me wrong, even though I was thinking about the original I still had some fun watching this new rendition. I think the show stealer was Glen Powell, but I did like the chemistry between Powell and Jones. It felt very natural and not like some cheesy rom-com. The special effects were somewhat impressive, but I do have to say some of them did not look great, and I think the original did a better job. There are effects that make you feel like you are looking at a real tornado, but there are also many scenes where you could just tell it was a CGI funnel wiping across the screen. That did disappoint me a bit because the first film really made it feel real. 

If you want excitement and the thrill of what it’s like to be up close and personal with a tornado, go see this film in theaters at least once. This is one of the few Summer Blockbusters that has been popular this year. Even though I do lean more towards watching the original over the new reboot, it’s worth the watch.
 
Rating: 3.7 out 5

It’s time once again to stay as quiet as possible to avoid the creepy crawling alien creatures that just invaded Earth in A Quiet Place: Day One. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, best known for Pig.

We are introduced to Sam (Lupita Nyong’o) who lives in hospice care in New York City as she is dealing with a terminal illness. You learn that she is angry about her situation as she speaks out in support groups about her disdain of living in hospice care. She does have a support animal, a cat named Frodo, that provides her comfort, protection, and a way to find help when she has a medical emergency. Sam’s therapist, Reuben (Alex Wolff), convinces her to head to the city to see a show with the group and to get pizza. She agrees to go not knowing that everything is about to change in the world she once knew. As they enjoy a puppet show there is a heavy military presence in the city, but the residents don’t seem to be concerned and go about their day. That’s until Reuben receives a call and is told to leave the city with the hospice patients. But, by that time it’s too late. Asteroids have entered Earth’s atmosphere and are landing in the city. That’s when we are introduced to the alien creatures that seek silence. This is when Sam’s and Frodo’s journey begins. The goal is to head to Harlem to get a piece of pizza from Patsy’s. I know what you’re thinking, “A whole movie about alien creatures and the main character wants a piece of pizza?” Trust me, I get it, but there’s more to it than just getting pizza. Along the way, she will run into an English law student, Eric (Joseph Quinn), who tags along to help her get to Harlem. She will help him get out of the city and to the boating docks. Even though Sam isn’t happy that Eric has joined her she will eventually find comfort that she had at least one friend by her side during the end of the world. 

Overall, this film is very different from the other two films that came before it. Since it is a prequel, It doesn’t connect to the original storyline of the family from the first film. There is a character from the second film that makes a tiny appearance in this film, but that is the only connection to the other films. A viewer who hasn’t seen the prior two films won’t feel confused about what is happening in the story. I felt that the chemistry between Nyong’o and Quinn was electric. The rapport between them made you believe that they were two random strangers that would ultimately end up being friends through the worst experience ever. When it came to special effects, I think those were also well done. The creatures seemed even more realistic than the first film. The sound design was very impressive and really heightened those tense moments when characters needed to be silent. Some problems I had with the film were unnecessary scenes that didn’t serve a purpose to the story, and how easy it was for the characters to reach their pen-ultimate goal. There were obstacles that they needed to get through, but it didn’t have the same sense of urgency as the other films gave off. 

If you enjoyed the previous two films of this franchise, I believe you will enjoy this film. If you have never seen any of these films and are just curious to see what all the news is about, then this would be a good first step before watching the other films. It won’t blow you away like the other two films, but it still has its own flavor to it that makes it watchable. 

Rating 3.8 out 5