Forget the Meat Dress! That Lady Looks Like a Tiger: Why You Should Suck it Up and Watch Mockingjay-Part II

Whether it’s a scrumptious slice of pizza, a steamy white chocolate mocha (and heck yes I want whipped cream on that), or your favorite novel-based film series, it seems like everyone dreads the moment it all comes to an inevitable end. For nearly three years, movie-goers have been mesmerized by the world of The Hunger Games. Fans of the film series have faithfully followed Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, (my future wife and mother of my adopted black baby) on her quest to save her family and the nation of Panem from the relentless and tyrannical President Snow (Donald Sutherland). However, once the third film Mockingjay-Part I hit theaters, a handful of fans began to lose interest in the fate of the bow-and-arrow-wielding heroine. It had seemed that Lionsgate Studio had become more interested in Katniss’ quest for saving the box office, than creating a cinematic masterpiece to wrap up the popular series.

In my review of Mockingjay-Part I, I had compared the film to a wedding ceremony, setting up Part II as the wedding reception to end all wedding receptions (a bachelor’s dream come true). A soirée in which even grandma would ditch her walker and demand you watch her whip and nae nae. Unfortunately, grandma lost her back on the C of YMCA early in the evening.

Mockingjay-Part II picks up right where the last film left off (no kidding). The revolution is gaining momentum and the time to attack has never been more precise. Katniss and her team of rebels are only a couple of blocks away from invading the mansion of President Snow. So close yet so far couldn’t better describe their situation, for Snow has booby trapped the city as if it were an arena from a televised Hunger Games event. Like all good TV specials desperate for ratings, the twists never seem to cease. Katniss will have to reevaluate her mission and her allies if she is to find peace in all the mayhem.

Just like the previous installments, the cast is made up of incredible actors, whose passionate performances maintain the larger-than-life characters grounded and relatable. Katniss’ evolution from average teenager to war survivor reaches darker nuances, and Lawrence once again hits a bull’s-eye with her portrayal. In essence, everything that turned the franchise into a global phenomenon is still present, but for some reason it left some viewers, myself included, a bit unsatisfied.

Without touching key plot points, it felt as if the ending did not do justice to the cruelty that Katniss and the citizens of Panem underwent. For three films, innocent children and survivors from previous Hunger Games faced death under the hands of the corrupt government of Panem. Although the film ended in a hopeful note, there was no actual redemption for the nation’s victims. In other words, relative to what the filmmakers had built up, the final climax felt flimsy. I agree with the message of the film that no government is perfect, and that revolting against the government simply replaces it for an infrastructure with a new set of problems. However, that doesn’t mean life can’t have a happy ending. Then again, director Francis Lawrence created an adaptation faithful to the source material, so perhaps my grievance should be with the author rather than with him. Nevertheless, studios have the right, and perhaps even the obligation, to take artistic liberty with the purpose of making a movie that works best on the big screen.

After seeing how the studio split the final book into two films, I fail to see how that was necessary. Both films struggle with pacing issues and creating emotional resonance. The longer runtime could’ve been justified by offering new and deeper insight of the characters. Instead, the scenes were overstretched with superfluous dialogue. Mockingjay: Part I and II would have benefitted from the sage advice given by the Charmin toilet paper bears: less is more. That doesn’t mean that the film is bad. Exciting action sequences, heartfelt performances, and a good-but-not-great closure to an esteemed film series are just a handful of reasons why viewers should stand by Katniss on her final mission to save Panem.

 

Overall Grade: B-

Somebody Really Ticked Off Yoshi: Why You Should Stomp Your Way To Watch Jurassic World

Three films and a theme park attraction later, director Colin Trevorrow and his crew bring the dinosaurs back from extinction in an all new heart-pounding adventure audiences can truly stick their teeth in.

Taking place roughly 20 years after the events of the first Jurassic Park, a dinosaur themed park off the coast of Costa Rica is fully functional and open for the public. Park investors are searching for a gimmick to keep people interested in visiting and revisiting the park (Because apparently a real life Little Foot and Petrie can’t compete with your friends’ silly Instagram selfies). Therefore, a group of scientists is hired to create the Indominus Rex, a dinosaur with a smorgasbord of genetic material that makes it difficult to figure out what it’s truly made of (similar to a Big Mac). Like Frankenstein’s creature, the freak of nature escapes its emotionless environment and wreaks havoc among those that surround it. It is up to dinosaur whisperer Owen (Chris Pratt) to track down and stop the genetically modified beast.

This film franchise has resurfaced onto the silver screen with a bang. In simply 13 days from its debut, Jurassic World has become the fastest film to cross the one billion dollar mark in the global box office, beating the 17-day record of this year’s Furious Seven. (I guess the economy is not as bad as they say.) However, a motion picture’s financial success isn’t always indicative of its artistic grandeur. Universal’s latest dino production suffers from loop holes and underdeveloped characters, yet it’s not a severe enough case to eclipse the movie’s charm and amusement.

Regarding the plot, it’s slightly unbelievable that society would quickly lose interest in a park that showcases live dinosaurs. Instead of fabricating a new dinosaur, couldn’t an annual pass have done the trick? That’s what gets me back to Universal Studios and standing in line for an hour just to view an attraction I’ve seen dozens of times before. (Ah humans! Such complex creatures we are.) Then again, as the movie progresses, it’s revealed that there is an ulterior motive behind the creation of the prehistoric abomination. (Okay, you win this round writers.) Like many of its plot holes though, they are subject to debate.

In case there were any nonbelievers out there, Jurassic World has solidified Chris Pratt’s “A” list status in Hollywood. He portrays a character that is slightly more over the top than his Guardians of the Galaxy persona. However, keep in mind that his job is to train and tend a group of velociraptors. He’s like the Crocodile Hunter in the sense that to be in that line of work, you have to be a little cray cray.

His co-star Bryce Dallas Howard plays Claire, a workaholic aunt who’s in charge of running the park. Her two nephews come to visit, but she is an inattentive host. Once she decides to be a caring aunt, it’s hard to figure out if it’s because she realized that all of her dedication to the park’s success means absolutely nothing for her survival, or if she simply wants the kids’ mother to stop nagging at her. Another example is when the younger nephew shares with his older brother his concern over their parents’ divorce. It was a subplot meant to emotionally pull in audiences, but it felt out of place. At no other point in the film is that issue addressed.

Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, my conscience can allow me to freely express how fun and exciting this film was. I saw this in a 4D motion screening and it absolutely enhanced the viewing experience, just don’t take any snacks with you. There’s a sense of predictability that’s hard to get away from while watching the film, but this makes the unexpected twists and turns even more enjoyable. It’s not an uber bloody horror film, yet there are a few scenes that may shock the smaller folk. It pays tribute to the tone of the original film. There’s plenty of comedic relief peppered across the entire film to allow viewers to manifest their fear through hearty chuckles.

What might explain the enormous success of Jurassic World is that there is nothing else like it in Hollywood. There’s a huge list of superhero flicks, yet nobody watches Spider-Man and thinks that it’s a cheesy Superman knock off. Each film has unique storylines and characters that cater to different demographics. However, if another dinosaur film came out that was not from the Jurassic Park realm, it would run the risk of being scrutinized. If audiences want to get their dinosaur fix, there’s only one dealer supplying it, and Universal doesn’t seem to want to let this puppy go.

Overall Grade: B-

That Is One Gnarly Cocktail: Why You May Want to Watch Avengers: Age of Ultron

Earth’s mightiest heroes are back to save the day from global annihilation; however, moviegoers may be more concerned with whether or not the Avengers will save the box office and surpass its predecessor’s hype, than figuring out how Tony Stark got his super suit after destroying them all in Iron Man 3. (Wished we had forgotten, don’t you Marvel?) Regardless of what the urban legend says, lightning can strike the same place twice (just ask Thor), and recent film history has shown us that follow ups to iconic films can indeed rock.

After a failed mission to retrieve a powerful, heavily-guarded scepter, wisecracking millionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downy Jr.) realizes that he and his gang of super heroes won’t always be around to protect the planet from evil galactic threats. He takes the liberty of designing Ultron, an artificially intelligent program, to carry on with their legacy. Nevertheless, his invention goes haywire. Ultron adopts the philosophy that humans are their own worse enemy, and in order to be saved, they must be destroyed. Devastated with the outcome, Stark seeks to rectify the situation by fighting fire with fire (iOS 8 meet iOS 9).

Avengers: Age of Ultron is essentially the same film as the first installment, but with no significant upgrades. Like the iPhone 6 Plus, it’s simply larger in scale compared to its counterpart. Key players such as Captain America (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) do not undergo any major character arches; however, second bananas Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) do get to shine within the large ensemble. Considering that they don’t star in their own self-titled film, it’s a smart move in behalf of Marvel to show these characters some love. Even newcomers Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson offer a decent performance.

Since we’re on the subject of love, throughout the film, it’s suggested that Johansson’s character and Mark Ruffalo’s the Hulk have a thang for each other. This relationship came out of the blue…or green in this matter. At no point, as far as I can remember, was this hinted in the previous film. In fact, the love story felt out of place and a bit disturbing. (So how would they…you know.)

Also, the title villain Ultron was a disappointment. Yes he was menacing and powerful, but there was no actual depth to him. As I was watching it, I took my eyes off the screen just to take a quick sip from my drink, and all of a sudden there’s an evil, disfigured C-3PO on the screen bent on destroying the world. The film could have taken less time on pointless sequences of mass destruction in South Africa, and have dedicated more effort in exploring the psychology behind Ultron’s actions.

Age of Ultron, however, does deliver plenty of goods. The final major fight scene seemed like it had been taken out directly from a comic book page. It’s not like before where one character had to basically take a number and wait for their turn to kick some booty. There is so much going on you don’t know who to keep your eyes on. If you have invested some serious time into this universe, I would highly encourage you to go watch it.

As exciting as the film is, watching this installment of the MCU brings to mind a Jenga tower. At first, every player can easily take out a block and place it on top of the tower, but as the game progresses, it becomes more and more unstable. Audiences have gone through two Marvel Phases, and Age of Ultron was a piece that made the tower tremble. It was overstuffed with unnecessary subplots and shameless groundwork for films to come. The Avengers are trying to stop Ultron in one scene, and out of nowhere, the film cuts to Thor taking a bath. I’m sure the audience had no complains about that per se, but it was a slight derail. At this point, like in the game, spectators may be anticipating the collapse of the tower. Marvel has several films scheduled for the near future, and fans may worry as to which superhero film will end up shouting Jenga!

Overall Grade: B-

Take It Easy On Those Camels Darth Vader: Why You Should Absolutely Watch Star Wars

No need to fear brothers and sisters, your deliverance is here. Social trends are drastically changing, and jocks and cheerleaders are no longer the popular kids in school. Nerdom is at an all-time high. Capes and spandex are suddenly in.  Although for chubbier fans, wearing a Princess Leia slave outfit may radiate more cheek than chic. Nevertheless, regardless of your size, color, gender, or species, feel free to wave your lightsaber up in the air because you have won the rebellion.

It has been nearly forty years since the original theatrical release of Star Wars, or as the History books will call it: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (a fitting subtitle considering the funky aftertaste the prequel trilogy left); however, its immense impact in society as a whole resonates with today’s contemporary movie-goers.  Since I have no Wookiee subscribers and I play to win, shoot to kill; expect an organic, sugar-free critique of this quasi-sacred relic.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and apparently a whole other galaxy with tauntauns, Ewoks, and Wookiees. A rebellion against the evil Galactic Empire has sparked in the galaxy. Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), a feisty, “don’t call me a chick” chick, has in her possession the technical schematics to the Death Star, a type of spherical military base with the capacity to destroy entire planets. She sends her trusty droid R2-D2 with a message of distress to help her escape the evil clutches of Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones), the lead enforcer of the Empire, and pass along the plans that will assist the rebels in taking down the Empire. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined Farmer Luke (Mark Hamill), Chewie the walking carpet (Peter Mayhew), or a whip-less Han Solo (Harrison Ford) coming to her rescue and saving the galaxy.

Directed by George Lucas, Star Wars takes off with an exciting action sequence, pulling in viewers into the intergalactic world; however, the pacing of the film gets a bit rocky about one-fourth into the movie. It’s an issue commonly found among films aimed at pre-Facebook, pre-Netflix, pre- “OMG! Check out this YouTube video” generations.  It’s understandable that the filmmakers wanted audiences to buy into the fantasy world (Yes! That’s right! Fantasy world.) by showcasing the various planets and creatures, but after establishing a tone of urgency (“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope”), audiences can’t help but want things to cut to the chase.

Also, despite placing a menacing antagonist, the film doesn’t project a flagrant depiction of how the Empire suppresses the entire galaxy. There is a scene in which the planet Alderaan is blown into smithereens, but it’s not like The Hunger Games where it’s evident how the Capitol socially and economically restricts the masses, or the machine-ruled, dystopian future of Terminator.

Before getting bombarded with hate comments, it’s noteworthy that the filmmakers presented a cohesive, original adventure with the potential to be expanded into multiple stories. Whether it’s dumb luck or genius from Lucas’ behalf, Star Wars succeeded in what a significant number of blockbuster fail to do nowadays: create a compelling stand-alone film, while developing a larger universe. The film completes its story arch, yet it leaves enough loose ends to keep viewers wanting more, rather than alienating viewers the way The Amazing Spider-Man 2 did with its fans.  With the success of the Avengers, every movie studio wants to take a shot at creating their own shared-movie universe, but it’s impressive to see how this one film set the groundwork for numerous movies, books, TV shows, and video games to be developed.

In addition, the characters are both memorable and likeable (at least the ones in this installment). Luke Skywalker, the ultimate underdog, is a farm boy who has his world completely changed after hearing Princess Leia’s distress call. He learns the way of the Force, a notion that someone can harness energy within or around them and use it for either righteous or dark motives. His elderly friend Ben Kenobi (Alec Guiness) teaches him the way of the Force. However, not everyone is a believer. Han Solo is skeptical to believe in an out of touch doctrine, but Star Wars fans are very open to the idea. There are actual folks who believe in the concept of the Force, and they claim Jediism to be their religion. (Which I’m guessing depicts George Lucas as both their god and devil.)

The irony about the success of this film franchise is that its popularity extends to the point in which it’s nearly inhuman not knowing who are Darth Vader or Chewbacca. Forget George Washington, Gandhi, and Kim Kardashian. The personalities worth knowing are those who lived a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.

The hard-core fans’ appreciation for this franchise is unlike any other subculture’s admiration. There are conventions in which fans get to dress up and not be judged for sporting their Star Wars love. (Unless you’re a female sporting a skimpy outfit. Girls will be girls, and haters will hate.) There are even parenting videos that teach how to pull kids away from the dark side.

Whether people love it or hate it, Star Wars has become a cinematic work worth analyzing. Despite the dated technological and visual effects, it stands the test of time. Since it continues to manifest into various media, Star Wars, much like the Force, is all around us.

Overall Grade: B

The Dog Whisperer Ain’t Got Nothing on This: Why You Might Want to Watch How to Train Your Dragon 2

Being the bearer of bad news is never an easy task, especially when your target audience still needs a night light to go to bed. Bursting a child’s bubble that their teeth cannot be pawned to an elusive fairy who’s stuck working the graveyard shift, that Amazon doesn’t outsource its delivery of infants to the stork, or that Iggy Azalea isn’t black can be devastating and somewhat traumatic for a person of such a tender age. Therefore, it’s noteworthy when a film geared towards kids, addresses harsh subjects relevant to humanity’s imperfect nature in a colorful and epic manner.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 sees the return of our favorite dragon-riding heroes in an all-new adventure. Twenty-something-year-old Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is in line to take over as ruler of the Viking nation of Berk. The people are experiencing a period of peace unlike any other in its history after learning to coexist with the neighboring dragon community. However, an old foe by the name of Drago Bludvist (Djimon Hounsou) resurfaces to wreck the harmony between man and dragon. Hiccup and his trusty Night Fury Toothless will need to learn more than sit and roll over if they expect to safeguard their utopia.

This animated feature was nominated for a 2015 Oscar, and after The Lego Movie was left out of the list of contenders, How to Train Your Dragon 2 became the favorite to receive the esteemed accolade. Nevertheless, Big Hero 6 ended up taking the award for Best Animated Film. What some consider a snub, others would consider a relief. Although the film received plenty of positive reviews, it failed to create a lasting impression. The characters were engaging and the visual effects were extremely vivid, yet some of the key subplots were passively resolved.

In the movie, Hiccup befriends an experienced dragon rider with so much baggage that it makes your black widow ex-girlfriend worthy of going on another date (Just don’t put her as a beneficiary in the insurance policy). The dragon rider in question doesn’t offer much explanation for its actions, and the story arch between it and Hiccup forcefully closes like a notch on a belt after Thanksgiving dinner. Furthermore, Hiccup’s flying sidekick Toothless is at one point manipulated into carrying out an evil plan, but he shows little sign of remorse. Filmmakers utilized the shock factor to rock children and parents from their seats. It’s very similar to what Disney did with The Lion King when it killed off one of the major characters half way through the film, but justice and redemption were met at the end. In Dragon 2, everyone’s embarrassing actions were gracefully swept under the rug like in an American history book. Also, the humor wasn’t entirely genuine. While some scenes generated a few chuckles, it was evident that childish humor was slapped onto the screen, either front row center or in the background, simply to lighten the dark nuances of the film.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 sparks a flame by teaching kids that the wicked don’t always act with a motive, and that even the nicest people are capable of malevolence (And you thought having a remainder in a division problem was a lot to take in); however, the film doesn’t do much to keep that flame burning. Dragon 2 pushes the envelope but quickly seals it by not following up with the consequences of the characters’ actions. A third installment will certainly swoop into theatres sometime this decade, and although this production doesn’t skyrocket to infinity and beyond, it manages to soar with poignant themes and impressive sceneries.

Overall Grade: C+

Run to the Forest, Run! Why You Don’t Have to Rush to See The Maze Runner

Yet another YA film adaptation graces the silver screen, except this time it’s based off an activity that IHOP patrons would typically find in a kids’ menu. Leeching off the momentum of the highly successful Twilight and Hunger Games book-to-movie productions, The Maze Runner attempts to sequester movie audiences into a world of thrills and conspiracies for however long it takes 2Oth Century Fox to adapt the entire book trilogy; not including the prequel novel and its sequel that is rumored to hit bookshelves next year. (Ahh franchises! The gifts that keep on giving.)

After waking up in a mysterious forest with no recollection of his past, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) finds himself struggling to adapt to an all-young-male society. (Or how J-Lo and online predators would call it: Paradise.) Strangely enough, none of the youngsters have a clue as to how they got there in the first place; however, there’s an enormous life-threatening maze that opens up by day and closes by night. Only trusted and trained individuals are allowed to go scout. Eager to find a way out, Thomas breaks the established social order and goes into the eerie labyrinth, discovering new clues that may hold the key to their salvation. But like most organized governments, there’s always that prick stuck in his old ways who resists innovative strategies.

Despite sounding clichéd, this film did have plenty of potential. It has a humble fan base, a compelling mystery, and teenage appeal. In fact, the beginning of the film slightly resembles the tone of the series Lost. (The good seasons. One, two, and half of three.) However, much like Lost, the second half of the film gets flimsy. As mysteries start getting answered, more questions begin to arise. Furthermore, the big Ta-da moment at the very end is not all-that spectacular. In about five minutes, the film makers try to sell the audience a concept that’s as flawed as wearing socks with sandals. (Just make up your mind!)

It’s unreasonable to expect all YA film adaptations to have the same degree of prominence as The Hunger Games franchise, but much of what Hunger Games got right, Maze Runner missed out on. The cast itself, composed of fresh talent, is indeed functional, but none of them stand out. The male lead makes Josh Hutcherson look like a juggling Leonardo DiCaprio on a unicycle. Also, the film didn’t spend enough time developing the characters. There was no emotional pull to drive their smelly, sweaty behinds back home, except for maybe a bag of Doritos. The Maze Runner, however, does deliver a fast-paced adrenaline rush. The ending may either win over or lose the audience, but with a major cliffhanger, it’s hard to resist not caring what’s in store for the group of youngsters. A sequel is already scheduled for a September 2015 release, so as long as the studio improves upon those minor yet perceivable missteps, the ambitious book series may cinematically outrun those who have previously attempted to make their way out of the book pages and on to the Hollywood screen.

Overall Grade: C

Revenge of the Nerds: Why You Should Like Totally Watch Guardians of the Galaxy

Ahh the 80s! Who could forget the decade that bestowed upon us neon-colored leg warmers, an insatiable Pac-Man, and a black Michael Jackson? After more than twenty years since its windup, the Age of the Mullet still manages to either inspire or rejuvenate musical and cinematic trends. Even the most recent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is subject to the aftershocks from crowds stomping “The Electric Slide.” Guardians of the Galaxy, directed by James Gunn, follows a group of unlikely heroes in a modern-day space adventure, taking place in a galaxy far, far away (No! Not that galaxy).

Abducted as a child in 1988 by a group of space bandits, the earthling Peter Quill aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is a full-grown-man with a mindset stuck in the 80s, following in the footsteps of his abductors. (So what is your dad’s excuse for sporting his fanny pack?) After snagging a mysterious orb, Quill embarks on a journey to safeguard the coveted sphere from falling into the hands of Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), an evil Smurf-like bigot, who strives to dominate its power to wipe out an entire planetary race. It will take Quill and an emerald-skin assassin, a bazooka-wielding raccoon, a human-like timber with a vocabulary as extensive as Kim Kardashian’s, and a burly convict covered in red tattoos, to prevent an astronomical holocaust. (Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel.)

Right off the bat, the premise of the film is not easy to swallow. First and foremost, there is a plethora of comic book films that already address the origin of a superhero or superhero team, and many more are expected to avalanche at a theatre near you. Therefore, it’s becoming increasingly competitive for studios to produce a unique comic book film with a predictable storyline. (Let’s face it. Is the bad guy ever really going to win?) In addition, this space odyssey reeks with geeky, scifi, nerdy jargon. There is constant talk about an Infinity Stone harboring unimaginable power and how it has the potential of eradicating entire planets. (Eradicating your paycheck: maybe. An entire planet: doubtful.) The introduction of a few villainous characters is done throughout the movie, but not much information is given to understand what their role is in all the madness. In fact, several ends to their individual story arch are left loose (But that’s just how these films roll). Moreover, even the main villain, although intimidating, is one-dimensional like the bad guys in those 80s action movies. Lastly, who in Joss Whedon’s name are the Guardians of the Galaxy anyway? Marvel made a risky move when they introduced the relatively-unknown Iron-Man to movie viewers back in 2008, but a coon with a gun is really pushing it (And I like raccoons). Nevertheless, even with copious elements in its disfavor, Guardians of the Galaxy succeeds in floating among the deep sea of superhero and space adventure flicks.

For starters, neither of the characters are technically “good guys,” which makes for an interesting narrative because they get to go through a life-changing journey. Each of the self-centered Guardians want something, whether it’s freedom, wealth, or vengeance; but they wisely put all their differences aside to work for an altruistic cause. My personal favorite, Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper, is a cynical, fury little guy who has no compassion for other people’s misfortunes. His BFF Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel, is an anthropomorphous tree whose response to everything is “I am Groot.” Considering how unsympathetic Rocket may be, he shares a strong bond with him, for he is able to decipher the true underlying meaning of Groot’s utterances. The same goes for the other two Guardians. Gamora, played by Zoe Saldana, and Drax, interpreted by Dave Bautista, are each given enough backstory for the audience to care about and root for (Although, a little more wouldn’t have hurt). The character with the most spotlight (that little diva), was Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord. Pratt did a phenomenal job at undertaking a role distinct from his secondary character on the sitcom Parks and Recreation. Not only did he embody the 80s spirit, but he firmly took center stage as the leader of the team (That’s how it’s done Cyclops).

Also, despite the film’s impeccable comedic timing and well-paced chronical, it is a comic book adaptation, so if you’re not a fan of the genre, I wouldn’t bet on this film winning you over from the dark side. It’s noteworthy, however, that even though this film proudly sits on the nerd table, it struts confidently down the school hallways, with that omnipresent 80s teen comedy “Oh Yeah” song playing in the background. Guardians knows what kind of film it is, and it doesn’t hold back.

The fact that Guardians of the Galaxy was not a household-name prior to its film release served as an advantage. Spider-Man, Superman, and X-Men are all well-known properties, even before the release of any of their respective films, so there has always been pressure on movie studios to produce one of those films without enraging fans. In this particular scenario, Guardians didn’t have the same expectations. In fact, some would say there weren’t any, as long as it wouldn’t become the black sheep of the MCU (That title firmly stays with Iron Man 2…for now. We have our eye on you Ant-Man). Now that the film has proven it can stand on its own two feet like Rocket, the bar has been set for future installments to attempt to surpass it…or at least scratch it.

Overall Grade: A-

What’s One Half of One-Third? Why You Should Consider Watching The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 (Part 2)

What is a wedding? According to the great Homer Simpson, it is “the process of eliminating weeds from one’s garden.” While some might strangely agree with that, most would concur that weddings tend to generate more mixed feelings than a presidential debate. Although everyone is all in favor of live bands and open bars, not everyone would agree that the future-bride-to-be has indeed found her prince charming. (She’s just too good for him.) As if there wasn’t already enough drama, the couple makes a daring move by sending their guests a response card attached to an origami-like wedding invitation, that needs to be checked off with their meal choice and sent back through snail mail. (Do any of you guys have stamps?) Frankly, how can anyone decide what they will want to eat at an event that won’t take place for months? What if they change their mind after taking a whiff of the Chicken Marsala? Or what if PETA gets to them and they suddenly adopt a vegetarian lifestyle? In any case, this ain’t no soup kitchen, so they can’t get their fillet mignon to-go. They’ll have to work for it: they’ll have to attend the wedding. (What does this have to do with the movie?)

Weddings are the two-part finale of singlehood, composed of a ceremony and a reception, each different in nature, yet they celebrate the same solemn occasion. A wedding ceremony usually takes place at a religious site such as a church, synagogue, or kingdom hall. In some extreme cases, it might take place at a theological-neutral zone, like a cousin’s backyard. It’s this first half of the event that legally and spiritually binds the two individuals in matrimony. For the most part, the ceremony is quite uneventful. There are bridesmaids and groomsmen in color-coordinated attires who parade down the aisle. Their sole purpose is to build up hype for the main attraction (and to conceal the fact that the couple has no real friends). Unless you’re emotionally attached to the bride and groom, or you like to play fashion police, there really isn’t anything to keep you or the rest of the audience engaged for such a long period of time. After all, this may be the first of many trips down the aisle for either participant, so for the average cynic, the marital vows may not carry as much weight as the bridesmaid hiding in the corner behind the floral arrangement on stage. If they’re fortunate, the guests might be treated with a bridesmaids fainting on stage, the groom’s ex-girlfriend making an appearance in a dazzling white dress, or watching how the ring bearer throws up on the bride’s dress. For the most part, however, these events tend to run smoothly. After the couple’s first kiss (as husband and wife), they parade off stage with their army of minions, and disappear to an enchanted forest or serene coast line to document this milestone through photographs. Meanwhile, the guests are left dazed and confused, wondering how to kill one year…I mean three hours, before part two of the event begins.

The reception is basically a celebration of the first part of the wedding. It typically takes place at a banquet hall in a fancy hotel, a community center, or an abandoned indoor soccer field (I’ve actually been to a wedding there once. One word: Yikes!). In some extreme cases, it may also take place at a cousin’s backyard. Half the wedding guests arrive before the newlyweds do, and are often left waiting either at the lobby of said fancy hotel eating rat food (cheese and crackers) or inside the reception hall. Once the wedding party comes back from playing Vanity Fair models, they make a royal entrance inside the reception hall. Soon after, dinner gets served, and the fillet mignon that guests eagerly awaited to devour for months, turns out to be as rare as a drug-free, Lindsay Lohan urine sample. Nevertheless, things start to really get juicy when one of the bridesmaids changes into a black slinky halter dress who takes the word “ratchet” to new heights. The in-laws can’t even look at each other, and the DJ shows up an hour late. Meanwhile, a cynical attendee manages to make a connection with someone who is just as jaded, and ends the evening dancing and with a new contact saved on an iPhone that will surely become outdated by the time they go on their first date.

The final two-part finale of the Hunger Games is like a wedding. Part 1 gives audiences the emotional side of the story, while the thrills are reserved for Mockingjay-Part 2. Part 1 not only sets up what’s to come in the following installment, but it gives significance to it. A wedding reception without a bride and groom is simply a party. Likewise, without Part 1, whatever action takes place in Part 2 won’t have any importance. It would simply be an action flick. Also, you need to have some sort of attachment to the characters to care about their struggles and root for them. It wouldn’t make sense for someone to watch this film without having seen the two previous ones, for it doesn’t offer newbies enough context to truly understand the plot or to even care about Katniss’ emotional turmoil. Just like it wouldn’t make sense for someone to randomly start bawling at a wedding where the couple is unknown to them. (Keep it together woman!) No one can accurately predict how successful the nuptials will be past the wedding day. All a guest could hope for is that at least the bride and groom treasure that glorious moment. Although there’s no certainty that Panem will become a long lasting utopia, fans could only hope that their favorite characters are left in good hands after the grand finale.

Overall Grade: B+

What’s One Half of One-Third? Why You Should Consider Watching The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1 (Part 1)

Previously on: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. After being thrown back into the Hunger Games arena, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and her on-screen boo Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) have no other option but to form an alliance with the opposing tributes, if they want to stand a chance of surviving this season of the games. Katniss and her so-called buddies device a plan to wipe out the remaining contestants, but after an unexpected twist, Katniss launches a supercharged arrow to the sky, blasting away the force field that cages them. Katniss loses consciousness, but soon wakes up in an aircraft, only to realize that Peeta is being held captive at the Capital. Katniss’ days as a reality-TV star are hastily coming to an end, but don’t expect to see her washing up onto the next season of Dancing with the Stars, rather she’s about to catch her biggest break yet.

Mockingjay-Part 1 is the first half of the epic conclusion to the Hunger Games series. Katniss is residing in District 13, a province that was thought to have been wiped out by the totalitarian Capital for its attempted uprising. In fact, the Hunger Games is a product of that failed rebellion, intended to discourage any future political upheavals. Although it appears to be a wasteland, District 13 has an underground society with its own organized government, plotting to retaliate against the Capital. Considering that the entire nation was left agitated by the game’s finale, the rogue government decides to use Katniss’ star power to unite the other twelve districts and overthrow the tyrannical President Snow (Donald Sutherland). She consents to be their Mockingjay, but with the condition that they will do whatever it takes to rescue Peeta. Nevertheless, President Snow has an Ace up his sleeve, and he will make absolute use of it to crumble Katniss’ spirit.

Without beating around the bush, there has been quite a bit of hate for this installment. This is yet another Y(oung)A(dult) book series turned film saga that follows the trend of having the final book split into two movies, and apparently Marvel Studios has gotten bit by the bug as well. The fan-proclaimed Avengers 3 will also be getting split into two films. (Under what section of Barnes and Noble can I find the Avengers book trilogy?) This is obviously just a ploy for studios to milk the Hollywood cash cow as much as possible before it’s time to tip it over, but the reason why they don’t create a standard third and fourth film instead of simply chopping one long movie in half is beyond my understanding. Mockingjay-Part 1 resembles a half sandwich cut by a well-sharpen knife, and not by your little nephew’s bare, probably unwashed, hands. The movie has a beginning, middle, and end; however, the viewer may feel unsatisfied by the time the credits roll out because, structural-wise, it’s only half a sandwich (… I mean movie), and the piece Lionsgate film studios decided to serve viewers first was the slow, emotional half with hardly any ham. Regardless, the film has a lot to be proud of. It delivers Grade A characterization, outstanding set pieces, and an a’ight musical performance by THE Girl on Fire. (But do keep your day job J-Law.)

By this point, most fans of the series are convinced that Jennifer Lawrence was born to play this role. With such an erratic character, it’s doubtful that a generic Disney or Nick star could have fit in her Louis Vuitton pumps. No offense to Mickey’s gals, but considering that Katniss is going through a severe case of PTSD, only a brilliant actress, whose range is not limited to characters living a double life or creating a web show, could pull off a performance with such gravitas. The movie has a much darker tone, with the Capital executing anyone and everyone who supports the Mockingjay movement, but it manages to squeeze in enough comic relief to prevent even the most troubled female fans from cutting themselves with a Twizzler. Effie, the eccentric fashionista, played by Elizabeth Banks, radiates charm and humor in an environment that literally exhibits fifty shades of gray. Philip Seymour Hoffman comes back as the charismatic Plutarch Heavensbee in what has become one of his final acting performances, after his untimely death in early 2014. Even Thor’s little brother (No. Not Loki), Liam Hemsworth, manages to make his character Gale twinkle through the dense cloud of on-screen talent, not limited to Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson and Natalie Dormer

In addition, the set pieces are top notch. There’s a clever blend of concept technology and actual machinery that wraps the Hunger Games universe, suggesting a plausible future instead of a cheesy scifi one with everything covered in aluminum foil. The few action sequences that highlight the plot are intense, and nearly compel the audience to dig through their pocket and check if they did in fact purchase a ticket to a Hunger Games movie. There is no actual blood sport, simply war, and after witnessing the cruelty that President Snow inflicts upon defenseless civilians, the audience recognizes that he must be stopped. However, it will take more than just arrows to take down his regime, but until that day comes, (darn you November 20^th, 2015) movie-goers may wonder if it’s worth watching the first half of the finale this early, or if it’s worth watching, period. For those who are in this predicament, the following question arises: chicken or steak?

Overall Grade:-P

Do You Smell That? Why You Need to Check Out The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Previously on: The Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) outsmarts the game makers to victory, and makes history by offering the blood sport its first runner up, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). However, a “happily ever after” is nowhere on radar for the two champions. The malevolent ruler of Panem, President Snow (Donald Sutherland), is not satisfied with the show’s season finale (he probably shouldn’t check out Lost), for it promotes the opportunity to revolt against the legislature. He must now act quickly before losing his grip on the unstable nation.

About a year after the games, Katniss realizes that her true purpose as a Hunger Games celebrity is not to release her own fashion line, launch a studio album produced by Pharrell Williams, or star in her own spin-off reality show on the E network; rather it’s to distract citizens from the corruption taking place in Panem. Her (maybe/maybe not) faux romance with Peeta, isn’t enough to extinguish the flame of rebellion that’s brewing within the nation. Therefore, in an attempt to squash any hope of reform, President Snow decrees what every hard-core fan dreams about their beloved TV show competition: a battle of the All-Stars. The latest season of the Hunger Games will showcase Katniss and Peeta, duking it out and forging alliances with previous winners of the spectacle, while each having their own ulterior motives.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire plays like a remixed music track that is produced by, no other than, Pharrell Williams. It follows a story structure very similar to the previous movie: Katniss living in the messed up world of the Hunger Games, Katniss getting called into the Hunger Games, Katniss training for the Hunger Games, and finally Katniss entering the Hunger Games. However, the film manages to feel fresh and push the story forward. Comparing both films is like comparing two celebrities for a “Who Wore it Best” column. Yes it’s the same cocktail dress, but inevitably, it will better accentuate one of the star’s booty. (Hey! It’s all about the bass man.) Gary Ross did a magnificent job at introducing audiences to the world that Suzanne Collins created in her novels, but newly hired director Francis Lawrence (no relation) simply wore it better…the film that is. (God knows we don’t need an image of that Lawrence in a black dress leaking into the Internet.) He was able to cement over the minor cracks of the story’s foundation, and expand upon it. He also cut back on the shaky-cam effect, which, although it rendered a less organic and gritty effect, provided a more fluid cinematography. Nevertheless, it’s the other Lawrence that makes this film sizzle.

During the lapse of both film releases, Jennifer Lawrence went on her own little victory tour. She starred in the critically acclaimed Silver Lining Playbook, which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress, solidifying her A-List status in Hollywood. Considering that many stars depend on the franchises that saved them from “Nobody-Ville” to breathe life into their acting careers, it’s impressive to see J-Law try different bodies of work and receive acknowledgment for it. (That mamasita ain’t no mediocre.) Furthermore, Lawrence displays a wide acting range in this film, from traumatized war veteran to cheeky reality-TV star, all of them convincing and engaging. Fan-favorite characters such as Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), Effie (Elizabeth Banks), and Gale (Liam Hemsworth), make their way back to the sequel, along with newcomers Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), and Johanna (Jena Malone); each fueling the flame ignited by Miss Lawrence.

The social and political commentary that was not as clean cut in the previous film, becomes more evident this time around to viewers who believed that these films were just a sick excuse to exploit children in dramatized gore. While not as gruesome as its predecessor, Catching Fire succeeds in making a poignant statement regarding warfare and political propaganda. Although the film ends in a cliffhanger, it completes a satisfactory story arch, leaving the audience anxious for what’s to come in future installments.

Overall Grade: A