3 movies to hook you into its comic universe

 The era of comic-based movies started when Marvel released a movie after movie coming from its rich comic universe. Although these movie universes and comic universes have very different storylines, their characters most, if not all, are unchanged from each other. Joseph Cianciotto is here to share some of his recommended movies to watch if you’re into comics. Joe Cianciotto. 

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Shazam!

This 2019 film features a foster boy named Billy who was chosen by a wizard of the past to inherit the power of one of the 5 great wizards of the past to battle against the 7 deadly sins. This seemingly normal boy turns into an electric-wielding superhuman by shouting the hero’s name “Shazam!”. In the comics Shazam also has a villain counterpart called Black Adam who seeks his power. This film has been highly rated and features Zachary Levi as the cast for the quirky Shazam. Joe Cianciotto.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Another recent movie, Spider-Man features Peter Parker, a highschool student who so happened to get bit by a radioactive spider. However, in the film mentioned, Parker is more experienced as the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and is duty bound to protect Harlem, his hometown, from harm. He battles relevant figures such as Vulture, Mysterio and others. This movie also features cameos from famous Avengers such as Iron-Man and Captain America. Peter Parker is played by English actor Tom Holland. Joe Cianciotto. 

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Logan

Logan is a 2017 film featuring the grumpy but nevertheless reliable Wolverine. In the film, Logan, also known as Wolverine, roams the land with his “daughter”, Laura, also known as X-23. Together, they run from people who are hunting Laura, wanting to experiment on her. Joseph Cianciotto suggests you get some tissues as this film is very emotionally heavy. It follows as well that Logan is played by the ever iconic Hugh Jackman. Joe Cianciotto.

What can viewers expect from MCU Phase 4?

 

Joe Cianciotto.Marvel Phase 3 has left many fans wanting for more. While many are missing the presence of the franchise's old guards, the cinematic universe's most loyal fans are awaiting new stories that will introduce them to more characters. Here are the series and movies fans can anticipate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4. 

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Black Widow, 2021

Joe Cianciotto. After Natasha Romanoff's death in Endgame, it seems that there's still a lot to unpack with her character. The movie will become Marvel Studios' first movie with a solo female director in Cate Shortland. For those who are wondering where the story will fit, it will follow the events of Captain America: Civil War and will tackle the past of Natasha's time as a KGB assassin. Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and David Harbour are also set to appear in the film.

WandaVision, 2020

Joe Cianciotto. According to insiders, this Disney+ series will likely draw from the series House of M and Vision. In the trailer, fans will recognize a 1950s sitcom style and the usual MCU action featuring Wanda and Vision. However, in this series, other MCU characters from various films will also make an appearance such as Darcy from Thor, Jimmy Woo from Ant-Man, Monica Rambeau Captain Marvel, and possibly more. Many think that the story of the star-crossed lovers might pave the way for the plot in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. 

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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, 2021

This movie hopes to make the same effect as Black Panther as it features the MCU's first Asian-American lead character. With Simu Liu playing the role of Shang-Chi, a skilled martial artist. In this movie, Asian superstar Tony Leung will play the role of the Mandarin. As an Asian outlet, the film was written by Chinese-American Dave Callaham and directed by Asian-American Destin Daniel Cretton. Joe Cianciotto.

The effects of the global health crisis on the film industry

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The film industry has taken quite a hit since the global health crisis went into full swing around March. While viewers miss seeing some of their favorite A-list celebrities in potential blockbusters, many more people working in the film and movie theater industries have felt the brunt of the economic fall-out. Joe Cianciotto. 

 

For starters, many films were pushed back, some to even more than a year. Since cinemas have been shut down or offered tickets at only half their capacity or less, many major studios decided to delay movie release dates to avoid losing tens of millions of revenue. Other studios elected to release their features on streaming sites. Joe Cianciotto. 

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For many films and TV shows as well, production has only resumed in the past few weeks. Filming was halted all over the world to keep the cast and crew safe. This also resulted in the delayed release of countless more titles. Joe Cianciotto.

More and more people in the film and TV industries, especially those who don’t make as much as stars and executives, are all trying to do what they can to make ends meet since their main income comes from studio productions or employed theaters and other entertainment outfits. Joe Cianciotto.

Controversial films series: 'The Last Jedi'

 

No other film in recent history has divided an entire fandom quite like "Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi." While the sequel trilogy (Episodes VII, VIII, and IX) have been box-office hits, all of them have had mixed reviews, with The Last Jedi being the most extreme of them all. Joe Cianciotto. 

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Very few fans have stayed in the middle and thought, "It was okay." Most Star Wars fans either believed it was one of the best entries of the franchise or simply the worst film they've ever seen. In fact, "The Last Jedi" effectively ruins relationships as much as political and religious inclinations are. Joe Cianciotto.

Much of the blame goes to Rian Johnson, who, to be fair, made the Herculean effort to craft his vision in George Lucas' creation. But maybe because it was his first attempt at the genre, some aspects of the film felt out of place, such as the unnecessary humor and disconnecting subplots. Joe Cianciotto. 

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But perhaps the greatest sin of "The Last Jedi" or the fault that earned the fury of legions of fans was how the death of Luke Skywalker was handled. Being the centerpiece and main hero of the Star Wars saga, every fan wanted to see Luke in action again, 30 years after defeating Vader. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. It was tragic, and not in a good way. Joe Cianciotto.

Netflix’s ‘Dark’ is probably the greatest sci-fi series the world will never know

 

Over the past five years, streaming giant Netflix has delivered some of the most memorable science fiction shows such as “Stranger Things,” “Altered Carbon,” and “Black Mirror.” However, the best of these shows is a little German gem, which deserves so much more attention that it’s given. That show is “Dark.” Joe Cianciotto.

 

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This blog will attempt to explain why “Dark” is the greatest sci-fi series today, with minimal spoilers. Joe Cianciotto. 

It has the most intriguing time-travel premise ever filmed.

Movies and TV shows have depicted time travel in countless ways, from space-age cars to police boxes to magic spells and the like. “Dark” has something entirely different. In fact, it takes time travel and pushes that envelope in a way that no other film or series has ever done before.

It has an interesting and realistic cast of characters.

Curiously, in “Dark,” there are no larger-than-life characters. Instead, each character is incredibly nuanced, and the writers and directors nail all these unique traits to the wall. And, as the story unfolds, the character development just makes things more realistic and incredible. Joe Cianciotto.

It connects everyone to everyone and everything to everything in almost flawless fashion.

With dozens of characters and a number of timelines, it’s mind-blowing just how the writers of the show have connected everyone and everything in almost flawless fashion. What seems confusing becomes clearer, and the journey is quite unforgettable. Joe Cianciotto.

A few more epic fantasy features from the ‘80s

Until now, a lot of people still consider the ‘80s to be one of the greatest decade of film. In every genre, the decade has produced countless of the most iconic and memorable movies in history. Joe Cianciotto.

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Today’s blog will feature a few more of the most epic fantasy features from the decade. Joe Cianciotto.

Legend

Ridley Scott, the acclaimed director of “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” and “Gladiator” tried his hand with fantasy, casting a young Tom Cruise in the film “Legend.” The result was one of the most atmospheric and magical films of all-time. Joe Cianciotto.

Excalibur

The greatest film depiction of the Arthurian legend in film history came out in the ‘80s with this absolute fantasy gem. “Excalibur” had some of the greatest thespians of the generation acting their hearts out, in a brutal and bloody sword and armor epic. Joe Cianciotto.

Willow

“Willow” was hilarious as much as it was magically epic. And the fact that George Lucas came up with the story was a huge plus. There isn’t anything in the film that old-school fantasy fans wouldn’t enjoy.

The Last Unicorn

Very few animated features can compare with “The Last Unicorn.” Heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, terrifying, wonderful, awe-inspiring, and filled with amazing music, the film truly stands out as a bright spot in classic animation.

Strongest MCU characters ever featured

Ever since the re-reboot of The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has released 23 films, not counting movies produced by Fox. And in the span of 12 years, the MCU has featured some of the strongest heroes and villains in all of Marvel. Of course, their power levels may have slightly differed from comic book versions, but their strength cannot be understated. Here are some of the strongest MCU characters ever featured in the films. Joe Cianciotto.

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Hela

In all of the MCU, Hela played by Cate Blanchett, was the only villain that was not defeated by the movie’s protagonist. She was able to defeat Thor and Loki singlehandedly, destroying Thor’s hammer in the process. She is so powerful, she could only be defeated by destroying Asgard itself.

Dormamu

Dormamu didn’t get a lot of screen time compared to most MCU villains as Doctor Strange mainly focused on Kaecilius as the movie’s antagonist. But based on the many ways we’ve seen Dormamu kill off Doctor Strange, we’d be foolish not to recognize his power at manipulating matter in his dimension. Joe Cianciotto.

Ego

Played by Kurt Russell, it was only later on in the Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 that was revealed that Ego was in fact an entire planet. The Malicious planet while strong on its own grounds, has shown that it is capable of destroying other planets with ease.

Thanos

The mad titan himself, Thanos has been the strongest MCU villain so far. Able to go toe-to-toe with the Hulk in a brawl, Thanos shows just how powerful and skilled he is in the art of combat. Even without wielding a single Infinity Stone, Thanos was able to hold his own against Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man all at the same time. Joe Cianciotto.

Superhero movies that deserve more recognition

Joe Cianciotto. The superhero movie genre has gotten bigger and better through the years. But while some moviegoers only watch those produced within the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universes, there are still a lot of films outside of these worlds that deserve more recognition. Here are some of them.

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Watchmen

Joe Cianciotto. While this comic book series is part of the DC Universe, not a lot of people associated this group of antiheroes with the publisher's well-known characters. A thriller drama, this superhero movie directed by Zack Snyder took an unfamiliar route and gained fans along the way.

Sky High

Joe Cianciotto. This 2005 film is about teenagers in a superhero school. One of them, Will Stronghold, is the son of famous superheroes whose powers haven't yet manifested. In Sky High, he meets other aspiring superheroes who also need to grow into their own personalities and abilities. While the plot might sound trivial and teenybopper, the film earned rave reviews from critics for its light, fantastic, and comedic appeal.



Darkman

Joe Cianciotto. This 1990 film was directed by Sam Raimi who later on directed the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man films. Liam Neeson stars as Peyton Westlake, a disfigured scientist who develops superhuman powers. Strong, powerful, and unstable, Darkman sets out to find justice for those who ruined his life. As Neeson’s first action film, his take on Westlake was praised by critics and fans alike. Darkman became a franchise with two direct-to-video sequels.

Looking for a different kind of superhero tale? These underrated movies are worth a watch.

Why 'Parasite' is truly deserving of the Oscar win

The 92nd Academy Awards signaled a much-needed change in the prestigious award-giving institution for films and filmmakers. That a foreign language movie won a slew of key awards from Best Screenplay and Best International Film to Best Director and Best Picture is unprecedented, and should shake up how international films are (and should be) perceived in the United States. Joe Cianciotto.

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The monumental film is "Parasite," a South Korean movie directed by Bong Joon-Ho, whose previous works include the 2017 hit Netflix movie "Okja" and the critically acclaimed "Snowpiercer" (2013). The win shows the Oscars' newfound appreciation of things outside the scope of Hollywood, especially in the time of woke politics and the #metoo movement. Joe Cianciotto.

Of course, the important thing to note here is that "Parasite" surely deserved the haul of awards. Apart from the engrossing plot and storyline, the film offers a refreshing commentary on social injustice and the economic divide between the poor and the rich, concerns that encompass the modern world. The film is sad and funny in most places and even surreal in certain instances, but is gripping throughout with a cast of actors offering truly memorable performances. What's even more interesting and enthralling is that the events depicted are based on real events. Joe Cianciotto.

"Parasite"'s win shows —and it's about time—that knowledge of film language is not something monopolized by western directors. The universality of the themes of societal hierarchy and class divide is felt everywhere and is thus relevant to everyone. Ultimately, what sets "Parasite" apart is the director's vision, a keen understanding of the nuances of filmmaking, and the ability to depict wonderfully and unabashedly the all-too-familiar human situation. This film is a definite must-see. Joe Cianciotto.

More sci-fi classics from the '90s

When the ‘90s rolled in, film buffs were doubtful if films in the next 10 years could measure up to the previous decade’s. After all, the ‘80s saw some of the most iconic movies in almost all genres. However, in many ways, the ‘90s exceeded expectations.

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On that note, here are three more great science fiction films from the ‘90s. Joe Cianciotto.

Flatliners: Joel Schumacher opened up the decade with a sci-fi thriller unlike any other in the 1990’s “Flatliners.” Incredibly harrowing and impeccably shot, the film gives a unique take on the afterlife, and what may happen if people take a stroll in it before their time. Joe Cianciotto.

Jurassic Park: Master director Steven Spielberg redefined the use of CGI on film with his mega-blockbuster “Jurassic Park.” A breathtaking thrill-ride through a perilous natural (and not-so-natural) park, this film marks the first wide-release wherein creatures seemed all too real. It was something absolutely no one had ever seen before. Joe Cianciotto.

Galaxy Quest: A hilarious and quirk-filled take on “Star Trek” and almost every similar space opera, “Galaxy Quest” is the perfect example of how the elements of a film simply work. From the plot to the action sequences to the comedic timing to the iconic punchlines, “Galaxy Quest” has over the years, become quite a cult favorite, as it deservedly should be. Joe Cianciotto.

Why Peter Jackson’s LOTR will stand the test of time

Why Peter Jackson’s LOTR will stand the test of time Joe Cianciotto. There’s no debate about it, as far as fantasy movies go, Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is the be-all and end-all. One could probably count the other fantasy films that can hold a candle to this epic series of movies with the fingers in his right hand.

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What J.R.R. Tolkien’s magnum opus was, and still is to literature, that’s what Peter Jackson’s trilogy is to films. It’s a body of work that has risen head and shoulders above the rest, standing the test of time, and even getting better with age.

While some critics may not give that much credit to Jackson and his team and cite that it naturally helped that they had arguably the greatest fantasy source material, to begin with, it has to be said that no director had been willing to take on the responsibility of a live-action adaptation. Joe Cianciotto.

And Peter Jackson didn’t just take it on; he crafted the best adaptation that any living director could craft. Critically praised and huge blockbuster hits, those three movies didn’t just do the books justice (although nitpickers and elitists would always have something negative to point out), they also ushered in a new era in epic filmmaking, the likes of which the world has never seen before. Joe Cianciotto.

And just like the books, which are revered almost a century later, Peter Jackson’s films will live on just as long. Joe Cianciotto.

Ranking the Star Wars movies now that the Skywalker Saga is complete

Joe Cianciotto. Now that “Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker” has completed the Skywalker Saga of the Star Wars franchise, it’s time to rank the films.

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A few notes though before the rankings. First, this is only a list that includes the episodes. That means, no Star Wars Stories. No “Rogue One” and “Solo.” It also doesn’t include that animated film “The Clone Wars.” Joe Cianciotto.
Also, this ranking doesn’t take into account critics’ or viewers’ reviews. It mostly pertains to the overall enjoyment the movies bring and the amount of Star Wars “spirit” that they possess.

So, without further ado, here are the Star Wars episodes ranked from worst to best. Joe Cianciotto.

9. Star Wars Episode II: The Attack of the Clones
8. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
7. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
6. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
5. Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
4. Star Wars Episode I: A New Hope
3. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
2. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
1. Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back.

  Joe Cianciotto.