This Week in Film: September 16th – 23rd 2018.

So, this week I didn’t get a chance to head to the cinema because of work and a cold which made me feel like death. So, no I didn’t get to see Mile 22 (let’s be honest I wasn’t going to that, sorry Marky Mark) or the ludicrously long titled The House with a Clock in Its Walls (My brother seen it and told me that it’s a little bit boring but does feature Jack Black being turned into a baby so that’s something). Luckily for me though Hollywood has provided me with enough trailers and news that I could write a book with, or a blog. So, what did I think of Captain Marvel? Did the new Joker reveal give me the spooks? And does Ralph over shadow Mary Poppins Return?  Buckle up people because we’re about to talk about this week.

Captain Marvel nails superhero landing.

I don’t know much about the comic book version of Captain Marvel but if she punches old ladies like this one I need to check those out. This is my type of trailer, it ticks all the boxes for me. It doesn’t reveal the plot of the film which so many Marvel Trailers do. Everyone knew the plot of Spiderman: Homecoming before they even seen it. After this trailer all we really know is that we’re going back to the 90s to see an origin story. The Krees are briefly seen in the trailer and as one of Marvels best comic book villains this could be a game changer for the franchise. I’m just hoping that there won’t be a villain that has the same powers as Captain Marvel. Let’s face it Marvel has done the story of the hero fighting a clone of themselves to death at this point. Brie Larson could be the franchises new head honcho very soon. Captain Marvel looks like a superhero and its about time that Marvel has a female led film. Little girls all around the world will be able to look up to Larson in the same way that I looked up to Captain America when I was growing up. The technology used to de age Samuel L Jackson is incredible. Jackson looks younger then he did in Pulp fiction, it’s also nice to see Nick Fury with two eyes. Coulson is back too, although it looks like they passed on giving him the de ageing treatment and just slapped a wig on him instead. Captain Marvel looks like it could be another home run for Marvel, March can’t come quick enough.

Mary Poppins Returns to cinemas.

This is going to be this year’s Greatest Showman. I can already hear Disney rolling in their family fun holiday money. Emily Blunt is going to nail this role. As one of the best actresses in the world today I don’t think there is anyone else who could give Julie Andrews performance a run for its money. Blunt has an instantly iconic look and by the sound of her singing voice this will be another chart-topping album. Ben Whinshaw is my only gripe with the trailer. The young actor is overacting the hell out of his role and some of his line delivery made me laugh when it wasn’t supposed to. Lin-Manuel Miranda is bouncing onto to this film off his masterpiece musical Hamilton and he is going to be excellent as Jack. The visuals of this film look beautiful, both in live action and when it uses old school animation.  Plaudits to Dick Van Dyke who is still dancing on tables aged 91. Mary Poppins Returns has the potential to match the originals brilliance. Although be prepared to hear the soundtrack being played for 12 months straight.

Ralph Wrecks the Trailer

Oh God…. This is going to suck isn’t it. Wreck it Ralph is one of my favourite Disney movies of all time. It was original, funny, intelligent and heart-warming. This sequel Ralph Breaks the Internet looks like a soulless marketing scheme by Disney. The opposite of what their doing with Mary Poppins Returns. This is now the third trailer for the film and with each passing trailer I keep saying to myself maybe this will be the one that runs things around but unfortunately it hasn’t happened. So basically, this film is going to be a reference movie. Where the film doesn’t need to have a plot because it has references. Where’s the first act? Don’t worry there’s Disney Princesses! Does this film have a villain? Hey, look Ralph is flossing!!!  Where’s the heart of the original? HAHAH WE JUST RICK ROLLED YOU. This film has the same good will as the emoji movie. Maybe it will prove me wrong but so far Ralph has broken my heart.

The names Fukunaga, Cary Fukunaga.

Bond 25 has found its director in Cary Fukunaga. This is a genius move. The man behind True Detective season one is a master of storytelling. Even if you aren’t a fan of his plots there is no denying that everything he makes is aesthetically beautiful. The man is possibly the most unique man in Hollywood and with Craig returning for the 5^th time it’s a move the franchise needed. My ideal version of this film would a psychological investigation into the mind of Bond and what the effects of having a license to kill has on a man because surely that takes a toll on you. It’s been a great week for Fukunaga with his new series Maniac debuting on Netflix.  The series is being applauded for being unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. That’s the type of reaction this beloved series needs right now.

Kingsman the Third is claiming the throne in 2019.

Kingsman 3 has been confirmed by Twentieth Century Fox and is arriving in theatres on November 9^th, 2019. Mathew Vaughan, the man behind the series is returning to write and direct the third chapter of the series. I’m in two minds about this announcement. On one hand the first film was an absolute blast. The film was funny and more importantly fresh. It’s my favourite film by Vaughan and that church is one of the best action scenes in cinema. Now on the other hand its sequel, The Golden Circle was one of the biggest duds of last year. The sequel was atrocious an overlong clunky film which lost the heart of the original. The Golden Circle features a disgustingly sexist scene which made me feel uncomfortable watching it. Now the scene in question wasn’t written to be stomach churning but it was written for laughs. Both films have horribly mistreated its female characters to the point where I’m not looking forward to this third film. It’s up to Vaughan to make up for his past mistakes and put some female heroes into the film and write a shorter film that is all action and returns the series to the highs of the first film.

The Joker rises like a Phoenix.

Now THIS is how you reveal the Joker! Joaquin Phoenix looks terrifying as the most iconic comic book villain of all time. The reveal video was edited to perfection with brief flashes of Phoenix with and without make up while his smirk slowly appears until it reveals the new Jokers Face. The best thing about the makeup is that even though it’s in ways like Ledgers in the mouth the touches of blue in the eyes and the red eyebrows create a look that feels unlike any other Joker we’ve seen on screen. Now I love this look from the get go and unlike when Leto’s Joker was revealed I wasn’t left staring at my screen in confusion. Phoenix is going to be an amazing Joker. The actor is one of the best in Hollywood, he’s proven himself time and time again with terrific performances. I firmly believe that this Joker could match Ledgers. The look is there, the actor is there now let’s see what the script delivers. Joker has now become my most anticipated film of next year. Let’s hope Todd Philips can muster some magic and give this villain the justice he deserves.

And Finally,

The Jared Leto and Margot Robbie Joker and Harley Quinn film is being pitched as This is us meets Bad Santa. Sigh….