Category: Z-View

“The Irishman” / Z-View

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The Irishman (2019)

Director: Martin Scorsese

Screenplay: Steve Zallian based on the book by Charles Brandt

Stars:  Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, and Jesse Plemons.

The Pitch: “Martin Scorsese wants to do a new gangster movie!”

Tagline: His story changed history.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

On his deathbed in 2003, Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran, a former bodyguard and alleged mob hitman confessed to a killing that if true would resolve a mystery that has remained unsolved for decades.  Sheeran’s confessions (of that murder and more) became the basis of I Heard You Paint Houses: The Inside Story of the Mobsters, the Teamsters & the Last Ride of Jimmy Hoffa by Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran and Charles Brandt.  That book became the inspiration for The Irishman.

The Irishman re-teams Scorsese, De Niro, and Pesci, then adds Pacino for good measure. De Niro plays Sheeran who accidentally meets and becomes friends with mobster, Russell Bufalino (Pesci). As the years pass Sheeran works his way into Bufalono’s inner circle because of his willingness to take care of business.  Sheeran’s choices take him down a road that leads inevitably to the loss of his family, friends and the betrayal of those he cares about.

The Irishman is getting almost universal praise.  It should. Scorsese is in top form and gets the best performances from De Niro and Pacino that we’ve seen in years.  Pesci gives his best performance ever.  Pesci deserves all of the awards he’ll receive for this role.  I was worried that Pacino would be too over the top for his role as Hoffa, but he reined it in and pulled it off.

Now to the two nits, many are picking: 1) The de-aging CGI and 2) the length of The Irishman.

I’ll admit that at first the CGI is distracting.  As the film went on it became less so.  Scorsese has said that a lot of attention was paid in the de-aging scenes to make sure the main actors (all 70+) moved age appropriately for their scenes.  (“Uh, Al, let’s do that again.  Remember when you’re getting out of the chair in this scene, you’re 45.”)  There were a couple of scenes where the faces look younger but the body movements don’t have the same snap as a younger man.  Minor distractions in my opinion, but some folks are complaining big time so your mileage may vary.

The second nit some are picking is the length of The Irishman which clocks in at 3 hours and 29 minutes making it the longest movie Scorsese has directed, and reportedly the longest mainstream film released in decades.  I thought the film moved at the right pace.  I was never bored.  I never checked my watch.  It didn’t feel like a three hour plus movie.  Again your mileage may vary.

I loved The Irishman.

Rating:

“El Camino” (2019) / Z-View

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El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)

Director: Vince Gilligan

Screenplay: Vince Gilligan

Stars:  Aaron Paul, Jonathan Banks, Matt Jones, Jonathon Banks, Matt Jones, Charles Baker, Larry Hankin, Marla Gibbs and Robert Forster.

The Pitch: “Vince Gilligan wants to do a Breaking Bad movie!”

Tagline: A Breaking Bad Movie.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

When Breaking Bad ended, Vince Gilligan thought he had told the story he had wanted to tell.  As time went on he realized that although the story was told, there were more details to share.

When Breaking Bad ended Jesse Pinkman was last seen speeding away as police cars raced to the lab where he had been held prisoner, tortured and forced to produce meth.  Walter White lay on the floor bleeding out from a gunshot wound received while freeing Jesse.  Fans speculated if Jesse really would get away and if Walter would really die.

El Camino answers those questions.  And in doing so we get to revisit characters from the series and fill in the gaps.  El Camino ultimately does answer our questions, but leaves us guessing right up until the reveals.  The great thing about El Camino is it doesn’t feel forced and fans of the series who don’t tune in (can’t imagine there would be many) don’t miss out on the broad strokes.  Those who never watched Breaking Bad should still enjoy El Camino, but to a lesser extent.  As for me, I really liked it.

Rating:

“Rambo: Last Blood” (2019) / Z-View

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Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Director: Adrian Grunberg

Screenplay:  Matthew Cirulnick & Sylvester Stallone from a story by Dan Gordon & Sylvester Stallone based on the character created by David Morrell.

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Paz Vega and Yvette Monreal.

The Pitch: “Sly Stallone is ready to do another Rambo!”

Tagline: They Drew First Blood. He Will Draw Last.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Rambo: Last Blood takes place ten years after Rambo has returned home to the farm of his childhood.  All of his friends and family are dead except for his adopted family of Maria (his housekeeper) and her granddaughter Gabrielle who is about to leave for college.

When Gabrielle doesn’t return from a trip across the border to confront the father that deserted her years ago, Rambo goes to find her.  In Mexico, Rambo learns that Gabrielle has been kidnapped by a gang led by two brothers who are sex-traffickers.  It’s not giving away anything to say that he goes to rescue her and the fight begins in Mexico and culminates on Rambo’s ranch in Arizona.

Rambo: Last Blood is not for everyone (is any film?).  It is excessively brutal.  It’s not a feel-good film.  I liked it, but understand why some folks don’t.  I’ll tell you more about what I liked and address some criticisms after the trailer — be advised spoilers will follow.

Rating:

Rambo: Last Blood seemed like a natural extension of Rambo (the last movie).  Rambo has returned to his childhood farm where he lives with his adopted family.  I liked that while Rambo has made progress, he still suffers from memories of the war, but is getting medical help.  I liked that although Gabrielle’s father is a horrible person, he wasn’t a member of the gang.

I’m not a fan of overly gory movies.  I don’t like slasher movies.  I agree that the violence in Rambo: Last Blood is excessive, but complaining about violence in a Rambo movie (especially one that advertises itself as being “savage”) is like going out into the rain and complaining when you get wet.

It is strange to me that folks who loved First Blood (where Rambo did terrible physical damage to innocent police officers and National Guard troops, and destroyed businesses of innocent citizens) are finding fault with the violence in this movie.

There were a couple of twists that I liked: Rambo being caught watching the house and when he tries to walk away is met by overwhelming force.  It was unexpected of how bad a beating he took and that Gabrielle died after Rambo rescued her.  I liked that Rambo went back in without his gun or knife and used a hammer.  It seemed like a real choice.

Some folks are complaining that all Mexicans are being portrayed as evil.  I get the concern but it reminds me of the same complaints that Italians made about The Godfather.  Not all Mexicans are bad and to get that message from the movie is extremely simplistic.

The movie focuses on Rambo and the revenge he takes upon the gang members that kidnapped, drugged, raped and killed his adopted  niece.  The people who did that are not good people.  These outlaws don’t represent all of Mexico just as Rambo doesn’t represent all of America.  Had the movie focused on the Mexican reporter or other good people in Mexico it would have been a different film.  Perhaps some would have liked that film better, but to judge a movie on what it isn’t, doesn’t seem right to me.

There has been a lot of criticism leveled at the last act where Rambo has lured the gang members back to his ranch which has been riddled with traps.  Did these people not see a single trailer?  Wouldn’t that be like going to a McDonalds after watching ads for a Big Mac and then complaining when you got what you saw in the commercial?

I think that some of the complaints against Rambo: Last Blood may have been from folks who’ve romanticized John Rambo.  Don’t get me wrong, he’s the guy you’d want in the fox hole next to you. He’s also the same guy who was described as “slipping up” when he didn’t kill Teasle and all his deputies in First Blood.  Rambo is a guy fighting to keep the lid on and when he loses it, he becomes war.  And war is brutal and unforgiving.

I’m a huge Stallone fan and that plays into my enjoyment of his movies.  I liked Rambo: Last Blood a lot more than I thought I would.  As with anyone’s review of anything, your mileage may vary.

“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” / Z-View

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Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood (2019)

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, Timothy Olyphant, Julia Butters, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern, Mike Moh, Luke Perry and Al Pacino.

The Pitch: “Quentin Tarantino’s 9th Film!”

Tagline: The 9th Film from Quentin Tarantino.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is an interesting film that isn’t easily summarized because it doesn’t follow the traditional three act format of most films.  Instead Tarantino focuses on three main characters, fading movie/tv star Rick Dalton (DiCaprio), his best friend and stunt double, Cliff Booth (Pitt) and Dalton’s next door neighbor and rising star, Sharon Tate (Robbie).  Dalton and Booth are fictional characters interacting with fictionalized versions of real Hollywood celebrities of the era.  And since this is a fairy tale (Once Upon a Time), liberties are taken.

Dalton is a mash-up of Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood with a bit of Steve McQueen thrown in.  A former tv star of a popular western bounty hunter series from a decade earlier, Dalton now makes his living guest starring as the bad guy on other folks’ tv shows.  He knows his star is fading and worries that his career is over.

Booth is Dalton’s best friend and stunt double.  He’s a mash-up of stuntman Hal Needham and Robert Wagner (due to the rumors that he killed his wife on a boat).

Robbie is Sharon Tate, the beautiful young starlet who was just gaining fame when she (along with several of her friends) were brutally murdered by members of the Manson family.

As we follow Dalton & Booth and Robbie, we know that they’re on a trajectory that in the real world leads to brutal murders.  The journey Tarantino takes us on is a fun one.  The world looks, feels and sounds like 1969.  The real joy of the movie is the journey but be advised there are moments of suspense and shocking brutality.  As expected, the movie doesn’t have the expected real-world outcome. (How’s that for an oxymoron?)

DiCaprio is excellent in his role as Rick Dalton displaying perhaps his best acting ever which is ironic considering he’s an actor worrying about his career.  Pitt is perfect in his role as the best bud, cool sidekick. Margaret Qualley and  Julia Butters were especially good in the roles.  And it’s always cool to see Kurt Russell and Timothy Olyphant.

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is a movie that I think I’m going to grow to like more and more as time goes on.  I’ve been thinking about it a lot since I left the theater yesterday.  I really liked it.  Below the trailer and my rating I’m going to speak about a couple of scenes that give away major plot points.  Don’t read on if you don’t like major spoilers.

Rating:

The first scene that I want to discuss is the fight between Bruce Lee and Cliff Booth.  In the scene Lee comes off as arrogant and Booth appears to be beating or at the very least holding his own against Lee.  Bruce Lee’s daughter has taken offense at the scene saying it puts her dad in a bad light.  Initially I one hundred percent agreed with her.  Thinking more about the scene I realize that Tarantino set the scene up so we’re seeing it by how Booth remembers it.  From Booth’s viewpoint Lee was arrogant and even in this remembered version Booth isn’t beating Lee.  From this perspective I don’t have a problem with the scene.

The scenes where Dalton screws up his lines in a scene, goes to his trailer and has a meltdown and then goes up for the next scene and nails it, is some of DiCaprio’s best acting.  The payoff is set up in an earlier scene with Julia Butters and it’s a great one.

The most suspenseful scenes occur when Booth goes to the Spahn ranch, then decides to check on old man Spahn and later when Dalton unknowingly confronts members of the Manson family who are ready to kill.  Both of these scenes had me fearing that Booth and Dalton were about to die.  

I thought that when the Manson followers go in to kill Booth and Dalton’s wife it was excessively brutal and over the top.  Looking back, that’s exactly what the Manson murders were — excessively brutal and over the top.

I liked the final scene where Dalton is invited in to meet Sharon Tate.  Following the trajectory of the real-life characters I believe that Dalton will go on to become a major movie star and Booth will get a shot directing action movies.

I felt certain going in to the movie that Dalton and Booth would somehow save Sharon Tate and her friends from being murdered.  I was surprised when the Manson family members ended up going into Dalton’s house.  As the movie progressed I thought maybe Bruce Lee would be at Sharon’s house and he and Booth would have additional words.  Dalton would attempt to calm them down when the killers show up.  Lee and Booth would save the day and of course Dalton would also get credit and that would get him back  into the star light.  Kudos to Tarantino for surprising me (and the audience).

I look forward to future viewings of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

The Far Empty by J. Todd Scott / Z-View

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The Far Empty by J. Todd Scott

Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

First sentence…

My father has killed three men.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

J. Todd Scott pulls us in from the first sentence and proceeds to unfold his story from the perspective of believable characters with a slow burn to a dramatic conclusion that leaves us satisfied and yet hoping for more. (Rest easy, more stories are coming about those who survive.)

The Far Empty is a modern day western-noir wrapped around a mystery (mysteries) with enough action and suspense to satisfy the most critical reader.

 When Chris Cherry, a new deputy in Murfee, Texas, finds the handcuffed, skeletal remains of a body in a remote area not far from the Mexico/Texas border, he starts an investigation.  It’s an investigation that will uncover secrets best left hidden and may cost him his life.

The Far Empty hooked me from the first sentence.  I loved every page and give it my highest recommendation.  J. Todd Scott is the real deal.

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John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) / Z-View

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John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum (2019)

Director: Chad Stahelski

Screenplay: Derek Kolstad and Shay Hatten and Chris Collins & Marc Abrams from a story by  Derek Kolstad

Stars: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacascos, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Reddick and Anjelica Huston.

The Pitch: “It’s time for the sequel”

Tagline: “Tick Tock, Mr. Wick”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

John Wick [Reeves] is on the run after killing a member of the High Table on neutral ground.  With a $14 million bounty on his head, there’s danger at every turn.  Wick has a plan, but for it to work, he’ll have to fight his way out of the city and to the one person who can provide a possible option for his life.  The odds are against any of it working, but then again, this is John Wick we’re talking about.

The John Wick series is the best movie franchise in years.  Each new chapter (film) really feels like an extension of the previous films.  In other franchises each film often feels like a step up or slightly different world.  John Wick 3 raises the bar for action and provides a broader view of Wick’s world.  The new cast members (Berry, Dacascos and Dillon) are perfectly cast.

If you liked John Wick 1 and 2, you’ll dig Chapter 3.  They’ve already set a release date for John Wick 4 and that’s May 21, 2021.

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“Breaking In” / Z-View

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Breaking In (2018)

Director: James McTeigue

Screenplay: Ryan Engle from a story by Jaime Primak Sullivan

Stars: Gabrielle Union, Billy Burke, Richard Cabral, Ajiona Alexus, Levi Meaden, Seth Carr and Mark Furze.

The Pitch: “Let’s turn Tim Lebbon’s novel into a movie.”

Tagline: Payback is a Mother.

The Overview:

After her father is killed in a hit-and-run, Shaun (Union) and her two children travel to his secluded house to prepare it to be sold.  Shortly after their arrival four criminals looking for a safe containing four million in cash show up.  The thugs take her children hostage, but Shaun is able to escape.  With no means of contacting anyone and the nearest help miles away, Shaun realizes she is her children’s only hope.

Gabrielle Union is extremely likable and believable as a mother looking to protect her children.  I was glad to see that they didn’t provide her with a martial arts, military or some other background with “special skills.”  She’s just a ticked off mom.

Breaking In is predictable in the broad strokes but there are a couple of unexpected surprises which make it a good way to spend an hour and a half.

Rating: 

“The Dark Side of the Ring” / Z-View

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On April 1st, I posted The Dark Side of the Ring is a 6 episode series airing on Viceland with the series summary and trailer below…

From backstage controversies to mysterious deaths and unsolved homicides, this series explores the darkest stories from the golden age of professional wrestling, and tries to find truth at the intersection of fantasy and reality. From backstage controversies to mysterious deaths and unsolved homicides, this series explores the darkest stories from the golden age of professional wrestling, and tries to find truth at the intersection of fantasy and reality.

I’ve had a chance to watch the first two episodes and was impressed.  The series interviews the wrestlers, referees and behind-the-scenes folks that were actually involved in the events that each episode covers.  If you have any interest in the business of old school professional wrestling, then The Dark Side of the Ring is worth checking out.

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The Killer Collective by Barry Eisler / Z-View

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The Killer Collective by Barry Eisler

Hardcover: 401 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

First sentence…

That was the dirty little secret of 9/11, he thought.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

When sex crimes detective, Livia Lone uncovers a child pornography ring with ties to government officials and a cover-up by the FBI, she becomes a target.  Barely avoiding assassination by a two person hit team, Lone reaches out to Dox, a mercenary and former Marine sniper.  When a second attack on Livia is thwarted, Dox contacts his former team:  John Rain, Rain’s ex-lover Delilah, black ops soldiers Ben Treven, Daniel Larison, and Colonel Scot “Hort” Horton.

Eisler is not only an excellent writer but his experience in a covert position for the CIA and black belt in judo provide authenticity to the action scenes.  He’s especially good at bringing out the underlying tension when a group of mercenaries are brought together under circumstances where any one (or more of them) may be secretly part of the group they are working to bring down.

The Killer Collective is an intelligent action novel that entertains.

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“Black Summer” / Z-View

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Black Summer (2019)

Creators: John Hyams, Karl Schaefer

Stars: Jaime King, Justin Chu Cary, Christine Lee, Sal Velez Jr., Kelsey Flower and Erika Hau.

The Pitch: “Let’s make a prequel to Z-Nation.”

The Overview:

Black Summer is a new Netflix series that serves as a prequel to Z-Nation. Since it’s a prequel it’s not necessary to have watched Z-Nation.  (Truth be told, I like Black Summer better than Z-Nation).

The series starts off following what appears to be random folks working to survive a zombie outbreak.  The cool thing is that as the episodes progress people that we see in the background might become the focus of the next installment.  Ultimately a band of survivors forms with the goal of getting to a stadium where they hope the military is waiting to transport them to safety.  Because Black Summer is (at this point) a limited series, there is no “star” that you just know is going to survive.  This raises the stakes and adds to the tension.

You’d think by now we’d have seen it all when it comes to zombie stories.  Black Summer is proof that just ain’t so.  I really liked this first season and hope that it returns for a second.  Guess who else likes Black Summer?  Stephen King said this today…

“BLACK SUMMER (Netflix): Just when you think there’s no more scare left in zombies, THIS comes along. Existential hell in the suburbs, stripped to the bone.”

So don’t just take my word for it, take Stephen King’s.

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“The Silence” / Z-View

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The Silence (2019)

Director: John R. Leonetti

Screenplay: Carey Van Dyke & Shane Van Dyke based on the novel by Tim Lebbon.

Stars: Stanley Tucci, Kiernan Shipka, Miranda Otto, Kate Trotter, John Corbett, Kyle Breitkopf, Dempsey Bryk and Billy MacLellan.

The Pitch: “Let’s turn Tim Lebbon’s novel into a movie.”

Tagline: They’re listening.

The Overview:

The Silence can be summarized as Pitch Black meets A Quiet Place but unfortunately The Silence is not on the same level as either.

The creatures in The Silence are like smaller versions of those in Pitch Black.  And like the monsters in Vin Diesel’s best movie, they are accidentally released from underground.

The similarities to A Quiet Place include: monsters that are blind and hunt by sound, a young girl who is deaf and a family struggling to survive.  I’m sure many folks will think The Silence was made to cash in on the success of A Quiet Place but the truth is Tim Lebbon’s novel and filming on The Silence came first.

The Silence follows a family (father, mother, son, daughter and grandma) as they work to survive in a world where prehistoric flying creatures who hunt by sound are wiping out cities.  In addition, sometimes the other people hoping to survive are as dangerous as the monsters.

The Silence works best when things are first starting to go sideways.  What is happening?  How do we survive?  What is the best course of action?  Things should be off and running but it’s more like off and walking.

I enjoyed The Silence but not to the degree I had hoped.

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All the Way Down by Eric Beetner / Z-View

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All the Way Down by Eric Beetner

TPB: 276 pages
Publisher: Down and Out Books

First sentence…

As Dale rode up in the elevator he thought, This is it, they know everything.  I’m fired and then off to jail.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Dale is a crooked cop who gets a chance at redemption if he can save the mayor’s daughter, Lauren. She’s being held captive in an abandoned building by a local gang.  Being on the gang leader’s payroll will get Dale in the building and to the top floor where Lauren is being held.  It will take a miracle and a lot of people dying for Dale and Lauren to get out alive.

All the Way Down, reads like a cross between Game of Death, Die Hard and The Raid: Redemption.  It’s an action-packed page-turner as Dale and Lauren work their way down, floor-to-floor meeting different folks out to kill them.  To complicate matters, thanks to Dale’s efforts, his wife is now in the crosshairs of gang members who want her dead… and does the Mayor really want Lauren brought out alive?

I’m a big Eric Beetner fan and All the Way Down doesn’t disappoint.

Rating:

“Us” / Z-View

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Us (2019)

Director: Jordan Peele

Screenplay: Jordan Peele

Stars: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex.

The Pitch: “Jordan Peele is ready to do his next film.  It’s about – ” “Do it!”

Tagline: From Jordan Peele, writer/director of ‘Get Out,’ comes a New Nightmare.

The Overview:

Us is a beautifully crafted movie that works on two levels:

1) It provides just under two hours of entertainment for those looking for a scary movie
2) It provides plenty of food for thought after the movie is over looking at the symbolism and depth of thought Peele put into creating a great horror film.  In fact, I liked Us even better the more I thought about it.

Gabe Wilson has decided to surprise his wife (Adelaide) and two children (Zora and Jason) with a Santa Cruz beach vacation.  Surprisingly, Adelaide is against the trip because of a frightening event that happened to her there when she was a child.  Despite, her concerns, Adelaide relents and the family heads for the beach on a vacation that they may not survive.

There’s no denying that a major part of the appeal of Us is writer / director Jordan Peele.  Peele knows how to create a suspenseful scene, uses just the right amount of humor, cranks up the tension and layers the story so there’s more than just what’s happening on the screen for those who take the time to look.  Peele should also be credited for surrounding himself with an awesome cast. Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke are excellent actors and come across as just plain likeable (I hope that’s not just acting.)  As do Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex  who play the kids.

Us is one of those movies that will entertain and provide the audience plenty to talk about long after the film has ended.  Because I like my reviews to be spoiler free,  I’m not going to say more but I definitely recommend /Film’s ‘Us’ Movie Explained: Exploring the Biggest Questions and Craziest Twists in Jordan Peele’s Film.   I’d be more than happy to discuss symbolism, plot twists, your opinions of Us and more in the comments section of this post — so if you venture there beware of spoilers.

Rating:

“Free Solo” / Z-View

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Free Solo (2018)

Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth, Chai Vasarhelyi

Stars: Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin and Sanni McCandless

The Pitch: “Alex Honnold plans to free solo climb Yosemite’s 3,000 ft high El Capitan and will let us film it!”

Tagline: Live Beyond Fear

The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…

Alex Honnold is one of the most skilled mountain climbers of all time.  His love of climbing has taken him to the best known and most dangerous peaks anywhere.  His ability to climb these  mountains has made him one of the very few professional climbers in the world.

Honnold often climbs “free solo” — without ropes or any safety gear.  Many of the best known free solo climbers have died, which isn’t surprising considering that any mistake that causes a fall is usually fatal.  Honnold plans to do what no one has ever done before – –  to free solo climb Yosemite’s 3,000 ft high El Capitan or die trying.

This documentary does an excellent job of introducing the audience to Honnold and his eccentricities.  Honnold’s personal quirks have cost him relationships but help with his focus and drive.  The film makers are tasked with presenting the climb and staying out of Honnold’s way.

Watching Honnold’s climb is scary, exhilerating and will leave you in awe at how close to the edge (literally and figuartively) free solo climbers live.  If you plan to watch I promise moments where you will push back away from the screen and find yourself wiping the sweat from your palms.

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“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018) / Z-View

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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Director:  Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman

Screenplay: Phil Lord & Rodney Rothman from a story by Phil Lord

Stars: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Lily Tomlin, Zoë Kravitz, Nicholas Cage, Liev Schreiber and Chris Pine.

The Pitch: “Let’s make an amazing animated Spider-Man movie featuring all of the various versions of Spidey!”

Tagline: Enter a universe where more than one wears the mask.

The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a beautifully animated movie that is a joy to watch and a love letter to comic books.  That’s because Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is unlike any other animated movie ever.  It actually looks like a comic book come to life right down to the zip-a-tone dot patterns, captions and sound effects come to life.

The story involves young Miles Morales bitten by a radioactive spider and empowered with, you guessed it, spider-like powers.  Miles finds himself the heir to Spider-Man when Peter Parker is killed trying to stop Wilson The Kingpin Fisk from opening up a portal to other dimensions.  Miles has no idea how to use his new powers or to stop Fisk.  Fortunately, when the portal opened alternate universe versions of Spider-Man came through.  These versions of Spider-Man team with Miles to try to stop Fisk and get back to their rightful dimensions before they disintegrate.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has well-developed characters, humor and suspense.  It’s beautiful to watch and a fun way to spend a couple of hours.

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