Aladdin 2019

Aladdin 2019 is Disney's latest live action remake based on one of their most popular animated films, one that I fondly grew up with and loved. Ever since the film was announced everyone knew it would be impossible to top the 1992 original with Robin Williams, and while that is true it's still a good film. While having the same story it does do things differently such as Jasmine leaving the palace from the start but doing so to know the people, Jafar not disguising himself to convince Aladdin to get the lamp, and what happens to Genie after he's wished free. Most of the changes made were done well and made some sense, though some odd and a few that feel forced at trying to be different. It tells its story well and many of the reused and new songs are just as well done as the animated version. The performances from Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Nasim Pedrad, and the rest of the cast are very powerful. Will Smith's take on Genie is a lot different from Robin's, where instead of doing it as a showy comedian with a lot of pop culture references the new Genie is more of an entertainer that wants to get the specifics right while trying to find the fun in anything. The direction of Aladdin 2019 is good, but Guy Ritchie's usual style isn't present so it's hard to remember a lot of the time that he directed. But still the effects are for the most part really good, especially when dealing with Genie, the set design and production value really makes you believe they're in the desert, and the costumes are beautiful. As for the pacing, there are times when certain scenes happen too quickly and then just go to the next to really enjoy them. Giving Jafar a bigger motivation in which he wants to rule Agrabah because of fear of other kingdoms attacking and having some similarities to Aladdin are great changes and thus foreshadow what Aladdin could have been. So while there are many problems and not on par with the 1992 classic, Aladdin 2019 is still very memorable and on its own is still well done. Over all: 97%

2019 top list so far:
1. Avengers: Endgame

2. Shazam!

3. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

4. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

5. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

6. Us

7. Aladdin 2019

8. Pokemon Detective Pikachu

9. Captain Marvel

10. Pet Sematary 2019

11. The Upside
12. Cold Pursuit
13. Glass

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

Raising the stakes as high as they can, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum sees Keanu Reeves' unstoppable former hitman take on wave after wave of similar dangerous hitmen after a large bounty was placed on his head by the organization he worked for. Due to this, any help Wick tries to get are either reluctant or refuse out of fear of what the High Table could do. Despite not seeing the first film, knowing its very basic plot doesn't really hurt in the experience of this one. These films' biggest strongpoints come from the action sequences and the performances from the cast. Like before, the action and stunt sequences are well choreographed, shot eloquently, and edited smoothly without showing too many cuts and making them so clear. There are numerous moments when Wick has to improvise during a fight sequence because his usual method of using a handgun may not work and it is awesome. Though sometimes the constant gunfights happened too often and could get a little boring and basic. Even when some action scenes were magnificent there were times were it became a bit comical due to Wick and others being able to survive extreme forms of punishment. Halle Berry plays an old friend of Wick's who agrees to help, and the action sequence with the two and her dogs is really good but the camera lingers too much on the dogs as they still attack even when the enemies were shot dead. It's really interesting how it is hard to tell who's part of the organization or a regular person whenever you see a large group of people, and there are times where it feels unbelievable that not many people react to all of the violence and gun shots. What makes Reeves so great in this role isn't just the subtle but intense performance, but also just how quick he is when taking apart, putting together, and using guns and other weapons. Despite not having much of a resolution, now that Wick no longer wants to hide anymore and face the High Table head on it does get me exited for what he plans to do. Over all: 99%

2019 top list so far:
1. Avengers: Endgame

2. Shazam!

3. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

4. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

5. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

6. Us

7. Pokemon Detective Pikachu

8. Captain Marvel

9. Pet Sematary 2019

10. The Upside
11. Cold Pursuit
12. Glass

Pokemon Detective Pikachu

Pokemon Detective Pikachu is the first live action film based on the Pokemon video game franchise that first started in 1996. While there is an ongoing anime series with its own series of films, mangas, and a trading card game Detective Pikachu is set in its own continuity that's inspired by an adventure game of the same name. Much like the game, the film is more about solving a mystery than the regular capturing Pokemon and fighting with others. Justice Smith plays a former Pokemon trainer looking for his missing father in a city wherein humans and Pokemon are treated as equal, all with the help of his father's Pikachu that is somehow able to talk to him. I'm not a huge fan of Pokemon, as I stopped being interested when 4Kids Entertainment no longer dubbed the show, and was only interested once I saw the trailer and Ryan Reynold's voice coming out of Pikachu. While Detective Pikachu has a very standard mystery plot, the way it tells it and its writing is very fresh and unique due to adding the variety of Pokemon. The comedy is really good, especially due to Reynold's performance and how odd it is coming from a Pikachu. Due to how many Pokemon there have been since it all started, you expect the movie to be filled to the brim with the over 800 species there are, but it manages to perfectly limit itself to just enough so it won't feel so bloated. As for those that are shown, the effects manage to not only make them realistic but also capture their image from the game and shows very perfectly. There are some fun references and easter eggs to the entire franchise scattered about that hints at what future movies could deal with, and the fact that it never ends with a hint or an idea for a sequel is appreciated to keep it self contained. Though it does a few flaws, such as a lot of expositional dialogue and certain Pokemon related moments that feel shoehorned in to remind you what you're seeing that doesn't affect much of the story. Over all: 96%

2019 top list so far:
1. Avengers: Endgame

2. Shazam!

3. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

4. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

5. Us

6. Pokemon Detective Pikachu

7. Captain Marvel

8. Pet Sematary 2019

9. The Upside
10. Cold Pursuit
11. Glass

Deadpool Kills Deadpool

The third and final part to the Deadpool Kills trilogy, Deadpool Kills Deadpool is just as crazy, fun, and messed up as the first two stories. This third installment sees the main version of Deadpool, from the 616 universe, team up with alternate versions of himself to stop the crazed Deadpool from the first two issues in trying to destroy the entire multiverse by killing all versions of themselves. Along the way, the main Merc with the Mouth joins up with a female and panda version alongside a Watcher who looks over all Deadpools to not only fight the crazed version but others who have agreed with his motivation, like a Galactus version and one that's a cyborg. Deadpool Kills Deadpool continues the insanity with great artwork, dark comedy befitting a crazed loon, and a story so crazy that justified having hundreds of Deadpool. If I had some complaints I think they would be that a lot of the time when someone dies they always leave the same body parts behind and that I would have loved to see a bigger final fight between the main and killer Deadpools. So in the end, this and the rest of the trilogy were all a fun read that told a darkly comedic but also very epic story. Over all: 100%
Top list so far for 2nd set of comics:
1. Deadpool Kills Deadpool
2. The Tick: Free Comic Book Day 2018
3. Free Comic Book Day 2018: James Bond 007-VARGR
4. Free Comic Book Day 2018 Invader Zim: Floopsy Bloops Shmoopsy
5. The Legend of Wonder Woman (2015-2016) #1
6. Free Comic Book Day: The Legend of Korra & Nintendo ARMS 2018
7. Ant-Man (2015) Vol. 1 #1: Second-Chance Man Part 1
8. Batman/The Flash: The Button
9. The Adventures of Superman Vol. 1 #500
10. The Unworthy Thor (2016-2017) #1
11. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #5
12. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #6
13. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #4
14. Thor: God of Thunder Vol. 1 #1
15. Wonder Woman Free Comic Book Day 2017 Special Edition (2017-) issue #1
16. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2
17. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #1
18. Incredible Hulk (1999-2007) #92: Planet Hulk Part One
19. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #3
20. Wonder Woman (2006-2011) #1
21. The Astonishing Ant-Man (2015-2016) #1
22. Star Wars: Rogue One Adaptation #1
23. Tate's Not At Comic Con Local Indy Anthology #8