DEADPOOL
Ryan Reynolds playing the role of rebellious superhero Deadpool is as fitting as Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine. The fans’ favorite Marvel creation does a spectacular job hitting every moment of satire throughout the film as he continuously breaks the fourth wall to show viewers how much he cares about the “rules” your average superhero is expected to follow.
It is the ideal movie date for you and your significant other. However, the Marvel movie is rated R – as it should be – disappointing tons of kids who expected to watch another crime-fighting superhero in tights. Sorry kids, you’ll just have to see Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Director Tim Miller did an exceptional job casting roles for this project as actor Ed Skrein was fantastic playing the role of Ajax the nemesis. Well known for his lead role in The Transporter Refueled, Skrein shared the spotlight with Reynolds as he was the butt of many jokes throughout the film and absolutely captivated the audience with his stellar evil doctor performance.
Even if you aren’t a fully devoted comic-geek, you can still enjoy this movie. There are several other superhero references that might fly right over your head, but don’t worry, ask the person sitting right next to you what Reynolds meant when he subliminally commented on his disappointment with Green Lantern and the lack of other superheroes included in the film. Altogether, Deadpool was a fun film that was saved by Reynolds and his excellent performance. Comedy in comics. What more can you ask for?
BROOKLYN
Soarsie Ronan, back at it again with the terrific performance! For those who still have yet to hear about this film because of its quiet announcement and low reception, you’re missing out on something great here. The film about a young Irish immigrant finding her way in life through the harsh and busy streets of Brooklyn, New York, takes place during the 1950’s and delivers a moving romance story that we all crave and love.
Ronan, well known for her lead roles in other movies such as The Lovely Bones and Hanna, often finds herself in a voyage of self-discovery. In The Lovely Bones she found herself caught between two worlds, heaven and actuality, after being gruesomely murdered by her pedophile killer. Similar to, yet different in its own respective way, is Brooklyn, as Ronan once again takes part on a journey to finding herself, but is caught between two worlds – her native land and her newly found home in Brooklyn after falling in love with two men who steal her heart. This movie offers people something they can relate to as it fully explains the difficulties that drag along with leaving behind a past relationship, home, family, and job in search for a brighter and promising future. The film dabbles back and forth between Ireland and Brooklyn showing the complexities many Americans here in our country may have dealt with or still are dealing with today understanding that this nation was and is built by immigrants.
ROOM
After being kidnapped and placed in a shed for seven years, Brie Larson plays the young victim who is repeatedly raped and abused by her predator. She eventually ends up having a child as a product of her abuse. Her son Jacob Tremblay, who spends his entire five years of existence within a small 11 x 11 box with a high skylight window that only allows them a two-foot view of reality.
Larson along with Tremblay spend five years together in solitude with no access to the outside world aside from a small dusty television. Tremblay, who plays the role of Jack, is ultimately victimized by the tragedy of being held captive without any understanding of what lies beyond the walls in which he is confined. He is unable to fathom a world that does not include his Ma, Larson, or Room, for his reasonably naïve nature forces him to believe Room in its entirety is the outermost space of reality. This low-budget film, given the majority of it takes place within a small shed, delivers a powerfully emotional punch. There are several instances where Jack shows his traumatic abrasions and leaves viewers with goose-bumps and tear-filled eyes.
It is near impossible to watch this movie in its entirety without questioning. Who are we? Do we absolutely need everything around us or are most of these things luxuries? Is separating ourselves from the outside world an absolutely terrible thing? Or does it ensure that we build stronger relationships with those around us instead of constantly attaching ourselves to other things? Must watch film.
SPOTLIGHT
The movie about already existing cases on priests’ sexual abuse in churches is finally brought to the spotlight for a much larger audience. The case that originally landed in 2002 was investigated by the actual “Spotlight” team of The Boston Globe and written by reporter Michael Rezendes, played by Mark Ruffalo, who had a heartfelt performance as he convincingly brought us back to that dark period in time.
The investigation was attacked and split asunder for several reporters to dreadfully and meticulously interview each and every assailant and victim. Spotlight’s team fully devoted themselves into making sure that everyone involved in this crime would be justifiably indicted. The film is able to make palpable the tension between the reporters and the mostly devout Catholic community.They attacked not only one Catholic priest, but the entire system, including Cardinal Bernard Law, who was later found to have known entirely of the situation at hand including sexual abuse cases all over Boston. Extremely informative and passion driven.
Hats off to Thomas McCarthy for delivering an important and enlightening film.
