Avengers: Age of Ultron

The Earth's Mightiest Heroes have reassembled after three years of solo Marvel films, and the result is the a film that is bigger in almost every way. That means bigger action, a larger scope, and most importantly, more character development. In an absolutely massive film, director Joss Whedon has not forgotten that it was the character development and sharply written dialogue that made 2012's "The Avengers" so memorable, and he does not shy away from including even more of that into this movie. This more than anything is what keeps "Age of Ultron" from falling into cliche sequel territory.

If somehow you haven't managed to hear about the plot of the film from Disney's huge marketing campaign, "Age of Ultron" deals with the problematic creation of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). He wants to create a permanent solution to the dangers the threaten Earth, he wants a solution that will allow The Avengers to stay home and relax the next time an alien army threatens Earth. That solution is Ultron (voiced brilliantly by James Spader), a global peacekeeping AI that Tony creates with the help of Loki's powerful scepter left behind on Earth after The Battle of New York. There is just one problem, Ultron realizes (in typical evil AI fashion) that humans are the greatest threat to Earth's survival, and the first step to Tony's vision of "peace in our time" begins with The Avenger's extinction.

The quest to stop Ultron sends our hero's on an adventure that stretches all over the world in places like Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. The scope in "Age of Ultron" is truly on an epic scale, and that's how it should be. The first film really just took place in and around New York, but now we see these super heroes living up to their title of "Earth's Mightiest Heroes." They aren't just responsible for the safety of one city like Spider-Man or Daredevil, they have to protect the entire world. And that responsibility begins to take its toll, something we get to see some of in the second act of the film.

And that isn't even the most stressful part of the job, that would be preventing civilian casualties. After "Man of Steel" featured a climax where the "hero" decimated a city with little concern for any human life, it's so refreshing to see Joss Whedon remind us that being a hero doesn't just mean beating the bad guy, it means protecting people as well. Captain America (Chris Evans) is always making sure that there is no one in harms way when it's time to fight Ultron and his army of machines. Iron Man makes sure a skyscraper has no civilians inside before he throws Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) inside during their giant beat-down that has been heavily advertised in the trailers (and is a breathtaking fight). The action scenes feature plenty of satisfying explosions and punches, but the best part about them is that they remind us what true heroism is through The Avengers' acts of selflessness and bravery. They are willing to die for the people they are protecting, they are prepared to take a bullet for the child that is caught in the crossfire, they are super-heroes.

Depending on your tastes, the abundance of action sequences could get a little exhausting by the time the final fight begins. There are a total of four huge set pieces throughout the film's runtime (with a fifth smaller one near the beginning). While they are all set in different locations and tend to showcase the abilities of different characters, the amount of action makes it more difficult to pick out one or two standout moment from the film's action. Save for one--and amazing circular shot of the entire team holding off Ultron's army at the end of the film (made even more exciting by Brian Tyler and Danny Elfman's upbeat score).

Yet the heavy amounts of action are balanced out by the moments of character development scattered throughout the film. Without spoiling anything, the middle of the film slows things down and allows for some great dialogue between characters that allows us to learn even more about them after more than five years of seeing them on the screen. "Age of Ultron" features some of its best moments when all we see is two characters talking. The budding romance between Hulk and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) is more touching than I thought, the ongoing clash of ideologies between Cap and Iron Man is always entertaining (a clash that will progress to fist fights in next years "Civil War"), and everything that Hawkeye (an excellent Jeremy Renner) says or does in this film is gold. And without saying too much, Paul Bettany's hits it out of the park with the introduction of Vision, who was responsible for my favorite parts of the film.

Of course in a film with so many characters, it is impossible to do every one of them justice. Of all the main Avengers, Thor is the one left with not much to do until the last act of the film (the movie does set up an exciting plot arc for him in future films thought), although he has some great lines. Also, newcomer Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor Johnson) is left in the shadow of his more interesting sister Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). Both character's have around the same amount of lines and screen-time, but Olsen makes a greater impression with her character. And even if all the characters don't get an equal amount of attention, they all are so much fun to watch thanks to the superb performances of everyone involved. At this point, Downey, Evans, Hemsworth, Johansson, and company are so comfortable playing these characters that it has become so natural for them. They ARE these heroes, no one else can do it but them. And Spader makes a fantastic first impression voicing Ultron. From his opening monologue Spader fills the machine with charisma and life that isn't often seen in most Marvel villains.

While the novelty of finally seeing these heroes together may no longer be present, that doesn't mean "Age of Ultron" has any shortage of excitement. These actors just get better and better with portraying these characters, and with the help of Joss Whedon, not only do we get more action, but we get to know these characters even more. The dialogue is great, the humor is spot on, the scope is epic, and the film is a must see. Check it out this weekend!

Summer Movie Checklist

The Summer Movie Season has arrived! Having just seen "Avengers: Age of Ultron" last night, I couldn't be more excited looking at the next couple of months and the (potentially) good movies they could bring. "Age of Ultron" is a massive film with explosive action, great humor, and an intimidating villain. I'll have my full review up early next week as I will need to see it a second time to fully process everything. In the mean time though, here are the films that you should check out this summer!

MAY

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Why you should see it: The sequel to the most successful superhero film of all time is finally here. The stakes are bigger, the scope it bigger, the action is bigger. Yet, while most of the film can be described as being bigger than the first film, director Joss Whedon still does not forget that the smaller, character driven moments are what made the first "Avengers" so good, and he gives us plenty of those one on one interactions in this sequel as well. Go check it out this weekend!

Mad Max: Fury Road

Why you should see it: People complain a lot today about how movies are too similar. The action is the same, the characters are the same, the plot is the same, etc. Everyone who makes these complaints should check out the new "Mad Max" film. For starters, it looks like an absolutely insane, non-stop thrill ride. The trailers have done an amazing job of showing us that this is something unique, something not afraid to embrace its own insanity. All signs point to this film being one of the greatest action films of the decade, and I can only hope that the film makes good on the promises of the trailers.

Tomorrowland

Why you should see it: Nothing looks more promising in Hollywood than original sci-fi movies. The genre is known for pushing the boundaries of the imagination and challenging us to think on tough moral questions, and "Tomorrowland" looks no different. The film is in good hands with director Brad Bird, who has impressed with films such as "The Incredibles" and "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol", and the trailers have done of good job at keeping most of the film under wraps, only really focusing on a handful of scenes and the two main characters. It could end up being pretty bad, but my money is on the Mouse House providing another memorable film in the sci-fi genre.

Could Go Either Way: Poltergeist

Why you should (maybe) see it: Usually horror movie remakes are pretty terrible, but the trailers for the "Poltergeist" remake look terrifying (I hate clowns)! The film also has some great actors such as Jared Harris and Sam Rockwell. Chances are this will be a better horror offering than "Insidious Chapter 3" which comes out a couple weeks after this film.

JUNE

Jurassic World 

Why you should see it: The argument can be made that the only "good" Jurassic Park film is the first one. The argument can then be made, "Why do we need a third sequel if that first two were both failures?" Yes, it is interesting that we are getting a fourth film in the series after almost 15 years, but this new film carries with it a very intriguing premise: "What would it look like if Jurassic Park became a fully realized theme park?" Seeing the park operational makes me excited enough to see the film, but it's also gathered a strong cast that includes breakout star Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Vincent D'Onofrio who just amazed with his performance in Netflix's Daredevil as Wilson Fisk. Also, who doesn't want to watch people fight genetically enchained dinosaurs with help from friendly velociraptors?

Inside Out

Why you should see it: It feels like it has been years since we have seen an original movie come out of Pixar, but this year we get TWO! The first already looks very promising and centers around the "emotions" of a young girl named Riley. Amy Poehler leads the voice cast as Joy, the main character of the film. Pixar hasn't messed up with original stories yet, and I doubt this film will be an exception to their great track record.

Could Go Either Way: Ted 2

Why you should (maybe) see it: It's not for everyone, but Family Guy mastermind Seth MacFarland's first feature film did huge business at the box office (and with critics) three years ago with "Ted" a comedy about a foul mouthed, pot-smoking Teddy Bear. Comedy sequels are hard to pull off (for a great example of one done right, see "22 Jump Street"), and MacFarland's last film, "A Million Ways to Die in the West" bombed, so the odds are against him right now. Still, don't be surprised if he redeems himself from last year's blunder with "Ted 2."

JULY

Terminator Genisys

Why you should see it: This film is getting a lot of hate prior to its release which I don't quite understand. Yes the last two films could not live up to the greatness of the first two installments of the Terminator series, but that doesn't mean we should give up. Here's why I think this film is going to impress, two words...Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's back. And not only is he back, but he looks more than capable of still being a robotic killing machine after twenty years away from the films. Unfortunately the most recent trailer has given away the big twist (which I won't give away in case you haven't seen it yet) but hopefully there are still some surprises in store. If not, "Genisys" still has a very "Back to the Future Part II" vibe that makes the premise very interesting to me, and I'm sure we will have more than enough entertaining action to feast upon when the film is released.

Ant-Man

Why you should see it: Say what you want about how "dumb" or "pointless" this movie sounds but you know what? Marvel hasn't had a real mess up yet, and they aren't going to start with "Ant-Man" (and we all know that you are going to go see it no matter what you say beforehand). With a script by Adam McKay, the guy behind some of the funniest movies of the last decade (like "Anchorman" films) and a very strong cast including Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, and Evangeline Lilly, there is no reason why "Ant-Man" won't be yet another hit for Marvel. The humor seems great, the "heist movie" feel makes it feel unique, and most of all, it's just something different (much like "Guardians of the Galaxy" was).

Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation

Why you should see it: It can be argued that each Mission Impossible film is better than the last one, and "Rouge Nation" seems like it could continue this trend. Tom Cruise is one of the greatest action stars in the business and these films are known for their amazing practical stunts and chase sequences. Director Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise also gave us last year's fantastic "Edge of Tomorrow" and I'm confident that they can deliver another entertaining thrill ride with the newest "Mission Impossible."

Could Go Either Way: Minions 

Why you should (maybe) see it: Both "Despicable Me" films are great, and the Minions are absolutely  hilarious in those films. But can they carry and entire film on their own? They may not have too if Sandra Bullock's character, Scarlett Overkill, comes in to steal the show. If not though, and most of the film is just the Minions, then I'm not sure how long it will take before the charming humor that works great in short doses will wear off on audiences.

AUGUST

Could Go Either Way: Fantastic Four

Why you should (maybe) see it: The two "Fantastic Four" movies from 2004/2006 are pretty bad, and before I saw the first trailer for the remake, I hated everything I heard about the film. But then I saw the first trailer and it blew me away. It looks serious, it looks different, it looks like it is trying to tell a different story than most superhero movies. I really like the direction the film seems to be going, that these "superpowers" these four people get are more like a disease than a blessing. They are unpleasant, they hurt, and the young heroes want to get rid of them. The film boasts a talented up-and-coming cast that is led by Miles Teller, but I'm still not convinced that this film will leave a mark on the comic-book genre.

Daredevil Season 1 Review (Spoiler-Free)

When it was announced that Marvel and Netflix would partner to create four super-hero shows (which would eventually lead to an Avengers-like team up show), many were scratching their heads. Would the shows be darker and more intense like "House of Cards", or would they follow suit with the lighthearted tone of the Marvel movies? An even bigger question was...would the shows even be good? After all, "Agents of SHEILD" and "Agent Carter" both received lukewarm reviews (I haven't watched the former but did enjoy the brief first season of "Carter). Well after months of speculating and being cautiously optimistic, I got to watch "Daredevil", the first of five shows for the Netflix/Marvel partnership, and all I could say during the first few hours was, "Wow!" Marvel has created a compelling, intense new drama that is both radically different from anything they have done before, and better than anything they have done before.

An Origin Story Done Right

One of the greatest strengths of "Daredevil" is that it presents the origin story of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) in a very effective way. What a super-hero film has to do in an hour (before getting to all the action), this show has over ten hours to accomplish, and it takes advantage of the time it has. The very first scene of the series shows us how Matt became blind as a child, but then it immediately flashes forward to the present day to show his alter-ego, Daredevil, taking down a bunch of bad guys. There is no info given to how he fights so well without being able to see, or why he decided to become a hero, the show just keeps moving without explanation, and that is a GOOD thing! The writers don't just throw the origin story into the first couple episodes so that they can get to the action. Instead, we are slowly learning new things about Matt, his past, and his motivations throughout season one. Even at episode seven there is still (very important) flashbacks showing us how this character his evolved from a frightened boy to a frightening vigilante. Because of this, the show benefits from great character develop all throughout the season so that by the time it is over, I feel like I know Matt Murdock after a week of TV episodes much more than I know Tony Stark after seven years and four (soon to be five) Marvel movies.

A common weakness in superhero movies today is that you tend to care way more about the super-hero side of a character and less about their alter-ego. A strength of Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy is that the films are about Peter Parker, not Spider-Man. And the same can be said for "Daredevil." Matt Murdock is a very interesting character. One of his most interesting traits is that he is deeply conflicted about what he is doing. One of the first scenes in episode one shows him at confession, asking forgiveness for what he is about to do. This is a repeating idea throughout the season. His faith makes him call into question whether what he is doing is considered justice or sinful.

Furthermore, I found myself enjoying the scenes of Matt doing his job as a lawyer just as much as I enjoyed some of the action scenes. One of my complaints about season one is that I wish there was more of Matt in the courtroom. His monologue to the jury in episode three is one of the season one's best moments. I'm not just cheering for Daredevil to catch the bad guys, but I'm also cheering for Matt and his partner Foggy (Elden Henson) to be successful at starting their own law firm. And the show doesn't ignore the supporting cast either. Each character has their time(s) to shine and grow throughout the season...which brings me to my next point.

A Villain That Compels You

It has been said that a movie is only as good as its villain. Well if this is true, then Marvel has found a way to be an exception to that rule since none of their film's villains have been particularly great (with, of course, the exception of Tom Hiddleston's Loki). Enter Wilson Fisk, aka The Kingpin, aka far and away the best Marvel villain we have seen on screen yet. Fisk is a dangerous, scary force to be reckoned with and Vincent D'Onofrio does a remarkable job bringing this character to life. Like our hero, the writers devote a surprising amount of time to the character development of Fisk, even giving us flashbacks to his unpleasant upbringing as a child. Just when I was starting to hate Fisk, something new (and sometimes tragic) about his character was revealed and I found myself feeling sympathetic towards him, and that is the sign of a truly great villain. His motivations are something that we can understand and find some good in, and they are motivations that closely mirror Matt's.

A great choice by the makers of the show was to not even show us Fisk until the very end of the third episode. So during the first few hours, his character is just a shadow lurking over the events taking place in Hells Kitchen. We don't see him, and we don't even hear his name, which really helps to build up his threatening persona which is made even stronger by D'Onofrio's acting once he finally appears on screen. He has no super-powers (although he is very strong), yet he feels far more threatening than Loki or Ronan the Accuser (Guardians of the Galaxy) so that when Daredevil and Fisk first meet, we are much more worried for our hero than we would be in most superhero films. The downside to Fisk being such a great villain is that the more minor bad guys throughout the season just can't compare, and are mostly uninteresting. One notable exception is Fisk's right hand man, Wesley (Toby Leonard Moore), who at times can feel just as intimidating as his boss.

A Hero That Bleeds

In addition to this show being much darker than any of Marvel's previous projects, it's also much more brutal. Blood spews out from mouths, bones break out of skin, even a head gets smashed in repeatedly by a car door in one of the most graphic scenes in the show. And this added intensity adds even more to the character of Daredevil. He doesn't have a suit of armor or super soldier serum, he is not an unstoppable force, and we are reminded of that repeatedly. Daredevil gets hit, and he gets hit hard. Perhaps the best action sequence, a hallway brawl in episode two captured in one long take, is also the most grueling to watch. Our hero gets knocked down over and over again, and it was hard to watch him struggle to get back up and throw another punch. Even his "superpowers" are downplayed throughout the series. Yes, he does have heightened senses than allow him to still "see" even though he is blind, but that doesn't make him a powerful super-hero. Not only is he a conflicted character, but he is a very human character, one that is able to relate more easily to the audience than a god of thunder.

A Great Step in a New Direction

"Daredevil" is not without its faults. The show drags in its final third as it slowly builds up to the climactic finale. Several episodes in the back half of the season also struggle with pacing, as the show has to take a pause in the action to give time to the supporting character arcs which is usually not as exciting as whatever Matt is doing that episode. Also, more courtroom scenes next season please. Overall though, this is a great first step for Marvel's new line of shows with Netflix. The lack of content restrictions that comes with airing a show on Netflix has allowed Marvel to create an R-rated series, a rating that is necessary to fully capture the intensity and grim tone of the character of Daredevil. The story is moving, the characters are compelling, and the action is exciting. If you don't have plans this weekend, then you should definitely consider binge-watching this new superhero drama.

Peter Jackson to Return to Middle Earth: Part 1 of "The Fellowship of the Ring" Trilogy to Hit Theaters in 2017

It's been about fourteen years since "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy kicked off in theaters, starting what many would consider the greatest work of fantasy in film. The third film, "Return of the King" has a huge success and cleared out the Academy Awards that year, tying "Ben Hur" and "Titanic" for the most Oscars won by a single film. But it looks like Peter Jackson isn't totally content with those films after all.

While doing press for the Blu-Ray release of "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies," Jackson revealed that he is getting ready to break ground of the remake of the LOTR trilogy next year. Jackson is bringing back screenwriter Fran Walsh and is planning to split each of Tolkien's books into three films.

"I just love that world," Jackson said when asked why he was returning to direct the remake. "There is so much in Tolkien's books that you can't possibly hope to include in one film. With three films, every plot line and every corner of lore will be able to make it to the final cut, and I'm confident that these will be the most faithful book adaptations to ever hit the screen so far."

Jackson went on the reference certain things that he was looking forward to including in the new films. Probably one of the most exciting inclusions will be the character of Tom Bombadil, whom many fans were sad to not see in the original trilogy. At this point it's too early to have actors attached to roles, but Sean Bean is expected to reprise his role as Boromir.

"It's an honor to be asked to come back," said Bean. "I can't wait to dive back into the character of Boromir and hopefully allow the character to connect with audiences even more. Then I intend to film my most dramatic death yet, it's going to be insane."

I can't say I'm thrilled with this announcement since "The Hobbit" trilogy dragged a lot throughout the three, three hour films. However, LOTR has a much stronger story, and if anyone had to do a remake, I guess Peter Jackson is the best man for the job. I'll be interested to see how this story develops in the coming months.

Cinderella

From the very first shot of Kenneth's Branagh's live-action remake of "Cinderella," one thing is immediately clear--the following two hours are going to be full of gorgeous filmmaking. Branagh knows what aspects of film are a necessity when adapting one of Disney's most famous fairy tales. In terms of cinematography, the colors are vibrant, the scenery is bright, and the costuming is beautiful. These aspects could have easily allowed the film to feel over-the-top and cheesy, but the solid performances and heart-felt script make this another solid entry in the Disney live-action canon.

Since 2010's "Alice and Wonderland," the Mouse House has been cranking out live action remakes of some of their most famous animated films (in fact, "Alice" did so well that Disney hired Tim Burton to direct another remake for them, Dumbo in 2018/2019). "Cinderella" sets itself apart from these other remakes in a couple ways.

First, it doesn't suffer from the CGI overload that plagued "Alice" and "Maleficent." Instead, there are beautiful shots of sweeping countrysides and glistening ballrooms (where one of the film's greatest scenes takes place). And the film is all the better for it. It feels all the more real when a film is shot on location as opposed to a green screen warehouse. That being said however, when the film does take advantage of CGI, it is indeed magical. The sequence when the Fairy Godmother (a very fun performance by Helena Bonham Carter) transformers various objects and animals into the royal coach and coachmen for Cinderella (played by Downton Abby's Lily James) looks spectacular and is just another example of Branagh's excellent vision for this film. He knows to use visual effects sparingly, and that allows for those select sequences and shots to stand out.

Second, unlike the two other films previously mentioned, that sought to present a revisionist take on the original musicals, "Cinderella" does not deviate at all from the original. On paper this way seem like a drawback, but I consider it a strength. The film may not be refreshingly original, but it is refreshingly traditional. I don't want to see a "gritty" remake of Cinderella. I don't want to see how Lady Tremaine was actually the hero of the story (besides Cate Blanchett is much too delightfully evil in this film for me to want anything else). The story of Cinderella is a timeless fairy-tale, it's ok to have a remake that pays homage to that by keeping everything the same! Plus, its been 65 years since the Disney released the original "Cinderella." In today's Hollywood, that's plenty of time to justify a remake (especially when you have two Spider-Man remakes in five years).

But the film has more than great cinematography and directing. The cast performs wonderfully as well. The true scene-stealer is Blanchett, who seems to be having a ball playing the evil stepmother, Lady Termaine. Every line of vile dialogue is delivered in a cold, yet civilized way, and her way of carrying herself around each scene sets her high above anyone else in the room. Yet she is not just a throwaway villain. The film does humanize her to an extent and allow to audience to see why she has become so bitter towards the world. There isn't much of it, but there is just enough in a film as short as this (just over 90 minutes) for it to work.

In addition to Blanchett, Lily James and Richard Madden (making his big-screen debut after playing Rob Stark in HBO's "Game of Thrones") both do a fine job of leading the film. Both bring charm and passion to their characters and together they have great chemistry. As I briefly mentioned before, the scene in which Cinderella and the Prince share their first dance in the middle of the ballroom is one of the best moments in the film. It isn't rushed, there isn't anything complex or special about it, it is simply a three or four minute dance between the two main characters, and the result is an intimate, captivating moment.

I've praised Kenneth Branagh a lot in this review, but he deserves every bit of that praise. Disney could not have chosen a better director to bring the tale of "Cinderella" back to the screen for a new generation. Thanks to his vision for the film, the newest Disney remake is full of gorgeous cinematography, charming performances, romance, and most importantly...magic!

American Sniper

There was no murmuring while the credits rolled for "American Sniper." There was no sound of seats slamming backwards as people got up to leave. Instead, there was only silence; no one stirred for a few minutes. There was not even music that played during the credits, which created a metaphorical moment of silence in the theater. It is clear that director Clint Eastwood understands, and is passionate about, what he is doing here--paying tribute to an American hero in a gripping drama about the trials of war.

For those that don't know, "American Sniper" is a true story based on the memoir of Chris Kyle (played in the film by Bradley Cooper), the deadliest sniper in U.S. history. The film opens in the middle of Kyle's first tour, right before his first kill, but before we see the conflict play out, the film flashes back to Kyle before he enlists. It's here that we see how Kyle was brought up as a child, why he enlisted, and how he fell in love with his future wife, Taya (played by Sienna Miller). Eastwood certainly didn't have to devote time to these scenes (many other directors wouldn't), but by doing so the film is made so much better. The heart of the film is created in these scenes, primarily in the relationship between Kyle and his wife, as this will be the focus of much of the film later on. The rest of the film will follow Kyle through his four tours in Iraq as we see not only how he becomes the deadliest sniper in US history, but also how this title haunts him throughout the rest of his life. 

And that is what sets "American Sniper" apart from other war dramas from recent memory. The audience really gets to see inside the mind of Kyle as he becomes "The Legend," a nickname that other SEALs come to call him. We see how this affects him at home, how this affects his marriage, and how it affects his whole personality. Kyle never once positively reacts to being called, "The Legend." Instead it's almost as if the name is a burden to him, a constant reminder of what war has forced him to do, and also a reminder of what he could NOT do. While Kyle says that he does not regret the lives he took (as it saved the lives of many American soldiers), he is haunted by those he could not save. Even though he is incredibly good at what he does, he is kept up at night because he could not be perfect. 

All of this would not be so easily seen on screen if not for a gripping performance, but Bradley Cooper delivers in what may be his best job yet. Five years ago, when I first saw Cooper in "The Hangover," I would have not expected him to gather three Oscar nominations over the next several years, but he has proved himself to be an incredible actor capably of taking on a variety of roles. In this film he excellently portrays the tough, hardened exterior of Kyle. But more importantly, he nails the scenes when we see past the hard exterior, and into his tired and troubled mind. It is truly a performance deserving of an Oscar nomination. 

Comments have been made by certain people that "American Sniper" glorifies war and makes sniper shootings entertaining, and I cannot stress how wrong these claims are. There was never a cheer or applause when Kyle killed in the film. Instead there were only gasps, many gasps, as the theater was shocked to see the events on screen play out. The film is by no means meant to be an "action film," and it is not edited as such. Again, Eastwood knows what he is doing, and therefore he shoots and edits the film not to let us be entertained, but to provide a shocking glimpse at what these soldiers went through during the war. Kyle is haunted by the war for the rest of his life, and it greatly affects how he is even in the comfort of his own home. Does that "glorify war?" Definitely not. 

I, like so many others, walked silently out of theater that night. I was speechless after watching the story of these brave men and women, risking their lives to protect the country they loved, to protect the wives and husbands they loved, and to protect the children they loved. The incredible true story is brought to life on screen by an amazing performance by Cooper, tense cinematography and editing, and masterful directing by Clint Eastwood. Before the Oscars air next month, go see "American Sniper." You won't regret it. 

2015: The Year the Box Office Will Explode

It's here! It's finally here! The year that movie lovers have been waiting for has arrived. Over the next twelve months, we will be returning to a galaxy far far away, we will get to ride along on another top secret mission with 007, we will get to see Hulk smash, and so much more. 2014 was a good year for movies (in an earlier article I talked about how it was the best year for comic-book films since 2008), but 2015 just looks better in every way. Both classic and new movie franchises are returning to the big screen and if all goes according to Hollywood's plan, it could be the biggest year at the box office in a long time. What is making this a possibility is that there are potentially FOUR blockbusters being released this year that will gross over one billion dollars. Now in any given year, there isn't always a movie that reaches one billion. In fact, only nineteen movies have ever crossed that number (last year it was Transformers: Age of Extinction). So the idea that there are four or five films this year that could join the billion dollar club means that this could end up being the year when the box office explodes. So what are the big films coming out this year that will bring in the cash? Let's go in chronological order.

Cinderella (Billion Dollar Alert)!

Release Date: March 13th
Studio: Disney
Box Office Comparisons: Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent

In 2010, Disney began releasing it's line of "reimagined" fairy tales that are characterized mostly by bright visual effects and A-list actors stepping into classic Disney roles (Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie). Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland became the sixth film to cross the billion dollar mark back in 2010, but many could argue that this was aided by 3D still being a big new thing after Avatar's release a few months earlier. Last year's Maleficent didn't quite reach the heights of Alice, but it still came pretty close. This year we get Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella, which actually seems to have quite a few differences between the other two films. First, judging by the trailers, it does not seem like this new film deviates much from the original Disney musical. It also seems that the CGI overload seen in Alice and Maleficent is toned down immensely and the film's two leads are largely unknown to those who don't watch the TV shows the two actors got their starts in. However, this is a live-action remake of Cinderella, arguably the most beloved Disney film of all time, and it will be huge because of that simple fact. However, to reach the billion dollar mark, the film has to be good, really good actually. If it is, Disney may have their first mega-hit of the year. Oh yeah, did I mention that of the four billion dollar potentials this year, Disney made three of them?

Furious 7
Release Date: April 3rd
Studio: Universal
Box Office Comparisons: The Fast and the Furious franchise

This film could very easily have been in the running for the billion dollar club, but I doubt if it can reach that number due to it being sandwiched in between two other blockbusters. However, Furious 7 will still likely make around $800,000 in its worldwide run. The franchise has made more money with each film (save for Tokyo Drift), and the series reached new heights with Fast Five when The Rock came on board to fight Vin Diesel. The newest entry is the biggest one yet. The Rock is returning for a third time, and this time we also get British badass Jason Statham as the villain and Kurt Russell in a mysterious role. Many will also come to see Paul Walker's final performance after his tragic death in a car crash in 2013. I didn't start watching these films until Fast Five (which many said was the first "good" film in the series) and I have thoroughly enjoyed the fifth and sixth installments, so I can't wait to see the seventh.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (Billion Dollar Alert)
Release Date: May 3rd
Studio: Marvel/Disney
Box Office Comparisons: The Avengers, all Marvel films since the Avengers

This is the big one folks. The sequel to the third highest grossing film of all time is just a few months away. All signs point to Age of Ultron being bigger and better than it's predecessor, and if it is truly better, than this film is a lock for grossing over a billion dollars. Looking back at Marvel films over the last three years, it's clear that all films after The Avengers were aided by the "Avengers effect." What the "Avengers effect" did was significantly increase the box office numbers of all their hero's solo films (Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2). Then, Guardians of the Galaxy was released and became the highest grossing film of 2014, and it became clear that Marvel is now a box office king drunk on his own power. Guardians proved that nothing can stop Marvel, and nothing is going to stop Age of Ultron from being one of the two highest grossing films of the year.

Jurassic World
Release Date: June 12th
Studio: Universal
Box Office Comparisons: Jurassic Park, Transformers, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 

The first Jurassic Park is a classic piece of Hollywood film making that never quite shared its greatness with the two sequels that followed it. Because of this, it's hard to say how Jurassic World will be received. The film stars Chris Pratt, who is still riding on the success of Guardians of the Galaxy, and this fourth entry to the series will finally allow viewers to see what it would look like if the dinosaur theme park actually opened for the public. Will this premise be enough to get viewers to come back for the newest entry? I would say so. It has been fourteen years since Jurassic Park III, more than enough time for viewers to be curious enough to revisit the world of dinosaurs. If the film follows the same trend of other sci-fi franchises with CGI characters (Transformers, Planet of the Apes), then it should have no trouble grossing between $600,000 and $700,000.

Terminator: Genisys
Release Date: July 1st
Studio: Skydance Productions
Box Office Comparisons: Terminator Salvation, Oblivion, Edge of Tomorrow 

It has a terrible title, it has a pretty mediocre trailer, there hasn't been a good Terminator film in almost 25 years, honestly...this could be a terrible movie AND the big box office bomb of 2015. But on the other hand, the fifth film in the robot franchise could restore the series to its former glory. After all, Arnold is back, Alan Taylor, who as directed episodes of some of HBO's best shows, is directing, the cast includes the mother of dragons, Emile Clarke, as Sarah Conner. There's a lot to like about the new Terminator, it's just that the marketing campaign is making it really difficult to be optimistic so far.

Ant-Man
Release Date: July 17th
Studio: Marvel/Disney
Box Office Comparisons: Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

Again, it's a Marvel movie, people are going to see it. Even though it is unlikely that Ant-Man will reach the heights of Guardians of the Galaxy, it will still likely make the money that the Thor and Captain America films made, especially since everyone will want more Marvel after seeing Age of Ultron. Having Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas lead the film could also help draw in more of those who aren't as big on Marvel films, in addition to the film being called a "heist film" which would make it quite different from other super-hero films.

Spectre (Billion Dollar Alert)
Release Date: November 6th
Studio: MGM
Box Office Comparisons: Skyfall, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol 

James Bond is back after his last adventure, Skyfall, worked its way to the ninth highest grossing film of all time with $1.1 billion. Daniel Craig has had massive success with the 007 franchise and his return should continue to trend. Not much is known about the 24th installment, but we do know that the evil organization, Spectre, is coming back, along with a mysterious villain played by the wonderfully terrifying Christoph Waltz. Sam Mendez, the director of Skyfall, is returning to direct as well which holds promise since many considered the Skyfall to be one of the best entries in the Bond series. With nothing standing in its way for a couple weeks, the new entry has a great shot a grossing more than its predecessor. The only film that could stop this from happening is...

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
Release Date: November 20th
Studio: Lionsgate
Box Office Comparison: The Hunger Games franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Like Furious 7, the final chapter in the Hunger Games saga has a chance at reaching the billion dollar mark, but will have a tough time doing so since its being released in between 007 and Star Wars. Also, none of the Hunger Games films have reached that number at the box office yet, though that doesn't necessarily mean anything. None of the Harry Potter films grossed over a billion until the final installment which is currently the 4th highest grossing film of all time. Of course, The Hunger Games isn't as big as Harry Potter, but it's still likely that a total of around $900,000 is a possible.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (Billion Dollar Alert)

Release Date: December 18th
Studio: Disney
Box Office Comparison: Avatar, Harry Potter, every major Hollywood franchise

There isn't just a billion dollar alert on this film, there is an all time record alert as well. Episode VI is one of the biggest movie events of the 21st century. The original three lead actors from the original trilogy are returning along with an incredible line-up of up and coming actors, and some inspired choices as well like Andy Serkis and Max von Sydow. Fans are jumping at every tiny detail that escapes the set of the film, but since JJ Abrams is directing, details have been quite scarce. The first teaser trailer provided ample amounts of questions and chills that make the new entry look incredibly promising, and it will be a great Christmas present to return to a galaxy far far away. Look to this film for being the highest grossing film of the year.