MARVEL STUDIOS UNVEILS PHASE 3 OF MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
I was not planning on putting out a full article on this, but a press release does make things a lot easier, so here it is: This morning, Marvel unveiled a heap of announcements regarding their upcoming films for Phase 3 of their cinematic universe. Lots of reasons for comic book and superhero movie fans to get excited, as this list of films is composed of exciting sequels, new film properties, and a chance to see some exciting comic book storylines come to life. Personally I am most excited for Black Panther (with a wonderful casting choice of Chadwick Boseman no less), but I cannot deny how epic Thor: Ragnarok is for a title of a movie, regardless of its quality. That in mind, to get a list of the films, some concept artwork, and more, continue on with this post. Updated with Images from the event and a Q&A video with Kevin Feige.
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In 1972, John Wojtowicz attempted to rob a Brooklyn bank to pay for his lover’s sex change operation. The act resulted in a fourteen-hour hostage situation that was broadcasted across the nation. Three years later Al Pacino portrayed his crime in Dog Day Afternoon. Drawing upon extraordinary archival footage, the film shuffles between the 1970s and the 2000s. We gain a historic perspective on New York’s gay liberation movement, in which Wojtowicz played an active role. In later footage, he remains a subversive force, backed by the unconditional love of his mother Terry, whose wit and charm infuse the film. How and why the bank robbery took place is recounted in gripping detail by Wojtowicz and various eyewitnesses. 
The Taking Of Deborah Logan boats “From The Producer Of X-Men and Trick r’ Treat” because Bryan Singer is a producer on it. Although, I’m not too sure how involved the guy is on it, as its a low budget found footage horror cash in that doesn’t at all feel like some sort of passion or special project. Jill Larson, Anne Ramsay, Michelle Ang and Ryan Cutrona who have all no doubt popped up in various things you may have seen over the years. Over the last five years we’ve had a zillion of these found footage exorcism/possession/haunted house movies, so what would it be with this film that would set it apart from the pack? Or would it just be another run of the mill exercise in the horror found footage aesthetic? I guess that’s what I’m here to analyze and take a look at. 
Brace yourself for a gritty gangster crime drama that delivers neo-Western violence, revenge and a captivating tale of love in equal measure. Shout! Factory releases to DVD and Blu-ray the much-anticipated South American box office hit Brazilian Western. Since its theatrical premiere in Brazil and at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, this movie has been hailed by international critics and audiences alike for its passionate storytelling, melding the stylistic approach of classic genre films with a distinct and original vision. The film truly has the spirit, tone and feel in that of a modernized western film in the setting of Brazil as opposed to the old west we’re most familiar with those movies tackling. Much in the vein of something akin to a No Country For Old Men when it comes to westerns. Not the same kind of movie, but that same kind of more modernized feeling to the western tropes and aesthetic. This movie is mainly a kind of love story. 
Disney’s Maleficent was not only one of the biggest hits of summer, its one of the biggest movies of the the 2014 cinema-going year. The film has grossed over $241 million just domestically and dominated worldwide taking in over $757 million. Its another instance in helping prove that female-led and driven blockbusters should be more commonplace in our theatrical release slate. The film also goes to show Angelina Jolie is just a genuine superstar. She doesn’t do many films of this ilk anymore, but when she does, people will flock out to go and see it. Plus, there’s also the perfect joining of her and Disney to take on this character for the film. A film that tells a different angle on a classic fairy tale.
Back in 2oo6, I was a big big fan of the sort of musical film Once. Love the movie, loved the soundtrack even more. It was a daring film, because above all else, that music had to be excellent in order for the film to truly work, and it did. Then, it wound up winning an Academy Award for one of its songs, all was great and then I never really followed anyone involved from the film afterward. Writer and Director John Carney has made two films since, but I didn’t know about them until I looked him up for this review. He returns to craft another music based film, this time focused in a bigger city, with bigger stars and a story dealing with a similar musical mission to Once, but this one with a little more promised success and bigger ambition. And wow, Keira Knightley isn’t too bad of a singer. I was surprised to learn she actually sang for her own songs that were performed in the film. 
Life Of Crime interested me because it features characters from Jackie Brown. On any given day, Jackie Brown is either my absolute favorite Quentin Tarantino film or at the very least Top 3. Life Of Crime takes place with Ordell, Louis, Melanie and brief appearance from Ray in the year 1978. This was a festival touring film that wound up playing in theaters finally around the end of August. A side note, I’m just curious, but the film takes place in 1978 and features a scene with Will Forte trapped in a closet and he begins smashing his way out of the door just like Michael Myers did in the original Halloween. I’m wondering if this was intentional, as Forte strangely knocks the pieces of the door out in the same manner that Michael did even. Oh well, the Halloween season is upon us, so I thought I’d take note of that. 
Remember that huge 4th of July weekend this past summer that everyone overly criticized, yet didn’t realize no “majory” blockbusters or anything were released? You know, that the film Tammy got most of the blunt negativity from? There was another film that showed up, the found footage kids sci fi movie Earth To Echo. Earth To Echo was deemed a disappointment, but a further look at it…it was actually a pretty nice success story. The film only had a budget of $13 million and wound up taking in $38.9 million domestically. Factoring in overseas money, it made an additional haul for a total of over $45 million dollars. That’s almost four times its budget back. A very very very good investment. So, this movie was actually a pretty darn big success even if it was huffed at by “experts”. The film is hitting Blu-ray to the possibility of just adding to that financial success and possibly bringing in some more fans. 
Don’t look now, but apparently we are on Wrong Turn number 6. Personally, I haven’t seen any of them past the original. That one had Eliza Dushku, Jeremy Sisto, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Desmond Harrington and was the only one of these released theatrically (Others played at events like ScreamFest and the like). When I signed up for Vudu I got Wrong Turn 2 for free but I’ve not watched it. That one was directed by Joe Lynch and actually was critically acclaimed with a unanimous approval that its better than the first film. I’ve still not had a chance to check it out, but I want to. Every one following has been reviled though. So, of course I’m going into part 6 with the lowest expectations. And I hope I can keep up having missed the 4 previous installments. 
The Prince is brought to us from producers behind last year’s films Lone Survivor and Escape Plan. That’s a weird balance as I really enjoyed one of those quite a bit and sort of despised the other. And if you want a clue as to which, lets just say its the one that wasn’t based on a true story. The film boasts an impressive one-two punch of actors for me as I’ve never seen two of my favorites, John Cusack and Bruce Willis in a film together before. According to my research this film did play in theaters, but seems to be more of a straight to video or Video OnDemand kind of film. And no, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that as there have been some truly terrific films going by way of VOD over the past couple years and sort of the replacement of sorts for an outlet for independent genre films. 
Millennium Entertainment brings us the home entertainment release of the crime-thriller, Good People. The film feature plenty of prestige and award respect flaunting talent in front of and behind the camera. Let’s just start listing off shall we? Academy Award nominee Henrik Ruben Genz directs the all-star cast lead by Academy Award nominee James Franco, Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson, Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson and Omar Sy of Gregg Senko’s favorite film that he loves The Intouchables. Written by Kelly Masterson (Same person who wrote Snowpiercer!) and adapted from the book of the same title by Marcus Sakey, Good People. 
Well, I never saw the original Planes, so right out of the gate know that my only experience with the Disney Planes films is this one here today. The original film really didn’t catch my interest as it looked like it was a cash in of Cars, which I’m not too big a fan of. And also it came and went and nobody really seemed to care or craft any buzz or praise for it. I didn’t even think it took the box office too big, but apparently it did good enough to get this sequel. That, or like Cars, the toys were just selling like hot cakes and they needed another go round. Even being a novice going into a sequel blindly without knowledge of the first, I was still open to this Dane Cook-led film to surprise me. Sometimes lowered expectations can help in situations. 
In honor of See No Evil 2 releasing this week from Lionsgate and WWE Films, and with Jacob Goodnight donning a mask for the new outing, it seemed fun to look back as some of my favorite or creepier slasher masks of all time. Here’s a list of 10, but I could have gone further as there are many masks and such that could have made the list as well and maybe you could shed light on them below. How does one qualify? Well, you have to don a mask that covers your face for your killing. No, Hannibal Lector’s restraint does not count, sorry. He’s not willing loving that masking popping it on so he can kill. And people like Freddy and Chucky are cool, but they are moreso monsters and we’re looking at their actual faces. Anywho, here’s my pick of Ten Creepiest Slasher Masks in alphabetical order by film. 
