Iron Man 2 is able to build onto its predecessor from two years prior while paving the way for an expanded Marvel Cinematic Universe. The sequel takes place a few months after the events of the first film. The world now knows Tony Stark is a superhero. Stark himself is having some other issues to worry about such as the fact that the palladium core in the device keeping him alive is also killing him. …
"Iron Man 2 – The Road to Endgame"Month: April 2019
Thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s charismatic performance, Iron Man provides a fresh change to the superhero genre in a way nobody could have predicted. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) took over Stark Industries from his late father, Howard Stark. We only see the elder Stark in photos where he looks nothing like John Slattery or Dominic Cooper. It’s quite possible that Marvel didn’t complete casting yet for the future films so they use another person…
"Iron Man – The Road to Endgame"
Chris Evans embodies the spirit of Captain America as the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces us to the super soldier from Brooklyn. A brief prologue in Norway introduces us to Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) and his quest for the Tesseract. Shortly thereafter, we go stateside to Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) in New York. Rogers is a sickly young man but he’s not one to give up. It does not matter how many times the army turns him down…
"Captain America: The First Avenger – The Road to Endgame"
Satan and Adam explores the history and heartbreak behind the unique musical duo that was Sterling Magee and Adam Gussow. The documentary as a whole is merely conventional as documentaries go. Director V. Scott Balcerek gets to the root of what he wants this film to be about. The two subjects of this film, Sterling Magee and Adam Gussow, could not be more different. Magee experienced what it was like to be exploited as a black musician. …
"Satan and Adam: An Odd Couple Story"
With comedic narration provided by Ed Helms, Disneynature’s Penguins is able to offer some lively insight into the lives of Adélie penguins. Earth Day traditionally means the release of a new nature documentary from Disneynature. This year’s offering takes us to the cold of Antarctica and go after our funny bone in the way that Helms narrates the film. We’re quickly introduced to Steve. He is a 5-year-old Adélie penguin making his way back home to Antarctica after…
"Penguins: Ed Helms livens up Disneynature Film"
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a genius satire as the musical mockumentary genre gets an update for the 21st century. When we first meet singer/rapper Conner4Real (Andy Samberg) in Popstar, the former Conner Friel on the verge of releasing his sophomore album, Connquest. It’s been some time since his former band, The Style Boyz, broke up. While he’s still working with Owen Bouchard (Jorma Taccone), former bandmate Lawrence Dunn (Akiva Schaffer) has been pushed aside. Much…
"Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is Genius Satire"
Little tries too hard in trying to please its audience but the film’s premise is one that has been so much in that it’s become a cliche. Imagine having to give a large presentation at work but wake up the morning before in your 13-year-old body. This is what happens for tech mogul Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall) when she discovers her younger self (Marsai Martin) looking back in the mirror. The only person who is…
"Little isn’t all that fun"
Peterloo revisits the Peterloo Massacre of 1819 but Mike Leigh’s period epic could stand to lose a good half hour or full hour in length. I love a good epic as much as the next person. Hell, I even love a sexy British accent. But I could not fall in love with Peterloo due to the film’s bloated length. This isn’t to say anything bad about long films but the pacing was too slow for…
"Peterloo: Period Epic Could Be Trimmed"
Janice Engel sat down with Solzy at the Movies during the 2019 SXSW Film Festival to discuss Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins. While I was hoping to schedule this interview when the film premiered at Sundance, scheduling didn’t work out. I spoke with Janice Engel on the Tuesday following the Texas premiere. What was it that drew you to tell Molly Ivins’ story? Janice Engel: What drew me to Molly’s story…
"SXSW 2019: Janice Engel talks Raise Hell"
A few eighth graders see their world change in A World Away when an overnight field trip takes them into another dimension. A quick prologue sets the stage for what’s to come before we find ourselves watching an eighth grade graduation. It’s here where Principal Garcia (Mary Lynn Rajskub) invites Thomas Landry (David DeLuise) to the stage for a raffle. A few lucky eighth graders will join him on an overnight trip to the Grand Canyon. …
"CIFF 2019: A World Away"