As I've remarked with some friends, this year feels fairly light in terms of big movies. The summer season was pretty heavy regarding big releases early on, but most of the films I was really excited for I've already seen. Anyway, onto my movie blog thing...
The Predator
I've never really been too crazy about The Predator franchise. I've always been more of an Alien fan. That's probably because I feel that Alien is a really effectively creepy sci-fi horror that has some interesting ideas about how terrifying the universe can be. Predator just seems like a better than average Arnold movie with a cool alien monster. Really, I feel like taking the monster out would just make it a pretty standard 80's action flick. Beyond that, the franchise has really just been ok. I generally don't find them that scary or enticing, but I know plenty of people do. This new film does seem to suggest something new for the series. My favorite one was actually when they took the premise of the first movie and put people on an alien planet. This new one should be more grounded. No matter what, September looks like a pretty light month for movies anyway. I may see it to kill some time.
Venom
Venom is a character I've always enjoyed for what he is. I've accepted that he's one of Spider-man's most dangerous villains. Compared to the campy guys in animal themed costumes, gangsters and mad scientists that made up his rogues gallery, Venom provided a new way to elevate the violence and creepy factor for future Spidey comics. He has an unapologetic dark humor and provides a good foil, being sort of a literal darker reflection of the hero. Sam Raimi's version of the character wasn't very well received. I think that version missed both the visual appeal and the actual personality of Eddie Brock. This one seems to get it about half right from the trailers. When he's in the suit, Venom looks and acts like he should. I actually would be more intrigued if he was a villain in the Tom Holland films. To be honest though, I've always preferred Venom as a straight up villain. I know he's been interpreted as an anti-hero of sorts a number of times in the comics, but they've never really been able to sustain a long run as far as I know. It also doesn't help that Eddie Brock seems a bit out of character. The guy in the comics is a crooked journalist who sometimes created crimes to investigate to put himself in the spotlight. Maybe they will be able to pull it off but I'm not sure. Being the big comic book fan I am, I will probably check this one out. However, my expectations are not very high.
Halloween
John Carpenter is producing and providing another soundtrack to this reboot from his most popular film. Halloween is easily one of the best slashers and I'm curious to see if this one will bring anything new. After all, I generally love the works of Mr. Carpenter.
Ralph Breaks the Internet
I liked Wreck-It Ralph. It was a pretty good time from Disney. I still think they should have had more video game cameos. Even so, I guess I'll see the new one. I like John C. Reilly.
Creed II
I'm not sure how many film critics have said this. Creed is the best Rocky movie. I know the first one is a classic. I think they all have their charm. Creed seemed to really elevate the drama to a new place, focusing on the idea of legacy and how it impacts us. I wonder how many movies it will take before Creed's legacy is tainted by more ridiculous sequels.
Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse
I don't have much interest in Miles Morales. I understand why people generally do. I just really enjoyed Ultimate Spider-man and that version of Peter Parker. His tragic death and then the sudden introduction of Morales didn't really work for me in the comics. That being said, I'm open to the character existing and an animated Spidey movie could be a fun way to reintroduce him for me. The transition between the two heroes seems more natural and respectful to both.
Mary Poppins Returns
Sure. Why not? Everything has a sequel these days. Mary Poppins is probably due. That one movie about her creator was pretty good. I don't know if I've mentioned this much, but Mary Poppins was one of my favorite films at a very young age. It's among the many classic musicals I've enjoyed. That's probably my mother's influence there to some extent. Other than that, I don't have much to say. Will it be a musical?
Aquaman
I chuckle as I write about this one. I feel like most of my videos over the past few months have been complaining about the DCEU. It's really sad that my life has led me to a point where that's what most of my content is. I also don't really care that much. Even so, I'm so desperate for a good DC movie that I will go see a film about a character that I have virtually never had any real interest in. Aquaman's place in pop culture honestly befuddles me. In all my years reading comics, I was under the impression that Aquaman was one of the old players...and that was it. He was the dumb, worthless hero from The Super Friends that everyone has made fun of for decades. So in a way he's popular. It seems that Aquaman has had a solid group of serious fans though. I guess they'll be happy. The trailer didn't look too bad. My girlfriend likes the lead though, so I might endure it. I keep saying that I'm done with DC. I just keep getting pulled back in. Maybe I don't mind as much as I say I do.
Alita: Battle Angel
You know, I guess I'm still an anime fan. I'm pretty burnt out lately on that front. I'm also not particularly intrigued by most new shows or films out. I have however, decided to watch the live action adaptations for Death Note and Fullmetal Alchemist. I feel that encapsulates my current state as an anime fan now. I'm just a little sad I guess. I haven't watched the Bleach one yet, though I'm sure I will. Anyway, Alita is based on an anime from the early 90's, a time when anime was more about exploitation and pushing the envelope for shock value more than anything else. I'm not saying it was all good, but it was typically more entertaining or interesting. That's opposed to everything nowadays, which all seems pretty safe and redundant by comparison. That was a little before my time, so I'm not being nostalgic on that one. I never watched the original, so I have no attachment. It looks weird. This time they're going to give the lead girl big anime eyes? I don't know. It doesn't look particularly good, but it looks different in that respect. Anime live action adaptations rarely seem to be good, especially American ones. It looks too weird for me to pass up though. At the very least, it'll be something anime related for me to discuss on my channel. Then it will probably forgotten by us all. Unless it's fantastic...or fantastically bad.
Bumblebee
I guess I'll end this little blog with something a tad hopeful on the cinematic front. Everyone pretty much accepts that Michael Bay's Transformers films aren't particularly good. Then again, they aren't supposed to have much depth and people don't seem to mind, no matter how far removed they often seem to be from the cartoons they are based on. They make tons of money. Thankfully, Bumblebee seems to be aiming for some of the heart of the franchise, perhaps toning down the choppily edited action and explosions for a more character based story. It looks cute. I'm actually looking forward to one of these. I've literally never said that about any of the other ones. I guess that's something.
Thanks for reading folks. Stay magical.
