What Kevin Feige and the folks and Marvel have done is unparalleled, and we may never again see the likes of what they have accomplished since the introduction of Robert Downey, Jr.’s Iron Man in 2008. The conclusion to Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe does not disappoint, and uses every single minute of its three-hour runtime wisely, not wasting any beats or character interactions.
Alyssa Christian
Review: Bound (1996)
Bound is exactly the kind of sexy, stylish thriller with intriguing characters that still holds up over two decades later. It’s almost like an audition for the Wachowskis, who would go on to make the Matrix trilogy.
Review: Toy Story 4
I’m not sure if this movie was needed, seeing as Toy Story 3 ended so terrifically that it seemed like the end of the toys’ stories (see what I did there?), yet it’s hard not to love seeing Woody, Buzz, and the others yet again — and supposedly for the last time. I grew up with these movies, having been only seven when the first one was released in 1995.
Review: Colette (2018)
It is hardly unusual to see Keira Knightley in yet another period price. It is unusual, however, to see her play a queer character. And, as she has done with her previous, heterosexual characters, she gives a committed, fully-realized performance.
Review: Green Book (2018)
Green Book is one of the worst best pictures in recent memory. It’s not a terrible film, per se, but it’s hardly perfect. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali do the best they can with their underdeveloped characters, but it’s not enough to make the film special.
Review: Vice (2018)
As a fan of Adam McKay’s previous work (e.g., The Big Short), I was fairly disappointed in this movie that can’t decide if it wants to be a biopic or a mockumentary. Despite Christian Bale’s as-expected commitment to the role of Dick Cheney, it’s unclear whether we are meant to root for him or hate him or something in between.
Review: BlacKkKlansman (2018)
With solid performances from John David Washington and Adam Driver, Spike Lee’s is a powerful, at times comedic and even a tough watch, look at our history that is still relevant today.
A Star Is Born: Review (2018)
Who’d have thought that Lady Gaga could act? Or that Bradley Cooper could sing (and direct)? I was pleasantly surprised to find out that both these things are true, and that Cooper’s directorial debut is a slam dunk.
Review: Black Panther
It’s unfortunate it took so long to make a superhero film with a black lead, but I’m glad Ryan Coogler was the one to shepherd it. Chadwick Bozeman is solid in the lead role, but it doesn’t take much for female characters like Danai Gurira’s Okoye to outshine him in some scenes – and that’s okay.
Review: The Favourite (2018)
The Favourite is delightfully bizarre, and I wouldn’t expect less from the man behind wholly original films like The Lobster. Rachel Weiss and Emma Stone are strong and committed, but it’s Oscar winner Olivia Colman who carries the film, in one of the most complex performances I’ve ever seen.