Mark Hamill Reminisces About ‘Star Wars’ Sibling Carrie Fisher

Just a few weeks away from the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Luke Skywalker himself Mark Hamill is taking time to remember his on-screen sister, Carrie Fisher.

In an interview on The Ellen Show, Hamill discussed how much he misses his co-star and how he chooses to remember her:

“She’s like an irreplaceable member of the family, but the whole world feels that way. We are all sort of mourning her. I always think of her in the present tense. I don’t think of her in the past. Any time you were with her it was just fun.”

Also read: ‘Star Wars’: Empire Unveils New Rey & Kylo Ren Covers

The two starred in the original Star Wars trilogy spanning from 1977 to 1983 and reprised their respective roles decades later in 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Hamill expresses that even off-screen, the two shared a very special bond:

“Carrie used to drive me crazy. We were more like siblings than I thought, because we would have these huge fights. We wouldn’t see each other for months or even years, and then you would see each other and remind yourself how much fun it was to be together.

Not only could she make me laugh, but I could make her laugh. That was our goal.”

Carrie Fisher passed away on December 27, 2016 at the age of 60. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the late actress’ final performance.

Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, Laura Dern, Kelly Marie Tran and Benicio del Toro.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be released in theaters on December 15, 2017.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

5 Ways ‘The Last Jedi’ Links To Greater ‘Star Wars’ Canon

Previous1 of 6Next

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is right around the corner. The film is the next chapter in the ongoing Skywalker saga. It’s also unique in the Star Wars films as it is the first one to be an immediate sequel to its predecessor. But that does not mean there won’t be plenty of Easter eggs for fans of the greater Star Wars canon to pick up on and enjoy.

One of the biggest criticisms about the previous Star Wars canon, now dubbed Legends, is that ancillary material never connected. Since Disney has taken over and the establishment of the Star Wars Story Group, that has all changed. The modus operandi has been to have everything connect but not in an intrusive way– one that feels more natural to reward the more hardcore fans as well as to intrigue new fans.

Here are 5 ways The Last Jedi links to greater Star Wars canon. Click Next to get started!

Previous1 of 6Next

VIEW IN GALLERY

 

The post Mark Hamill Reminisces About ‘Star Wars’ Sibling Carrie Fisher appeared first on Heroic Hollywood.

‘Doomsday Clock’ #1 Review: The Watchmen Return

Last year, DC announced that they were giving their comic books a makeover with DC Rebirth. In DC Rebirth, Wally West, a.k.a, Kid Flash, fought his way out of the Speed Force to reunite with his mentor and current Flash, Barry Allen, only to find out that an unknown force has been messing with their reality. Wally tried to escape the Speed Force multiple times before finding success with Barry, once by going to the greatest detective in the world for help. The centrifugal energy Wally used to talk to Batman also spit out an important item all the while merging the DC and The Watchmen universes. Batman finds the Comedian’s smiley face button on the the floor of his cave leading him and The Flash on a mission to find who it belonged to. At the end of the book it was revealed to us that Dr. Manhattan was the architect of the reality change that plagued all of our favorite heroes.

While Batman and The Flash had their main storylines to worry about, they were still investigating the button. When Batman gets a lead he sets up a meeting with The Flash. That gets interrupted by none other than Eoabard Thawne who beats the living hell out of Batman and then dies before Barry reaches the Batcave. This leads the Dark Knight and the Scarlet Speedster on a time-traveling mission where they uncover that reality is unraveling. At the end of the book, Thawne finds Dr. Manhattan in the same place he was during Rebirth, adding more depth to this mystery.

It was announced in May that the third part to the mystery would be titled “Doomsday Clock,” have 12 issues and hit stores in November. Doomsday Clock would officially introduce other Watchmen characters to DC Comics lore. I’ve read the first issue and it perfectly acts as a sequel to Alan Moore’s Watchmen miniseries while intertwining the universes.

Doomsday Clock begins with a journal entry from Rorschach. It seems like not much time has passed since Watchmen. The world is on the brink of nuclear destruction and Rorschach is in the middle of a prison break. His boss, Ozymandias, hires the escapees to help find God/Dr. Manhattan and Ozymandias reveals he doesn’t have much longer to live as he suffers from cancer. It is also heavily implied that this is not the same Rorschach we know and love. As you remember, Walter Kovacs kind of died at the end of Watchmen. The comic pans to a sleeping Clark Kent who is having a nightmare about the death of his parents. He gets comforted by Lois and the comic ends perfectly combining the Watchmen and DC Universe.

Doomsday Clock is Geoff John’s return to comics after DC Rebirth and he comes back swinging. He encapsulated the feel and energy of Watchmen so perfectly you would think it was Alan Moore penning the book. The mystery of what exactly Dr. Manhattan has planned continues to get interesting and you haven’t the slightest idea what they’ll do next. The way Johns writes the characters feels right and Gary Frank’s artwork makes the book feel whole. Merging the Watchmen and DC Universes was the smartest idea that DC has come up with in a long time. It makes everything feel fresh. When you hit the final page you just want more.

Score: 9.5/10

“Doomsday Clock will feature twelve issues releasing over a year-long period beginning on November 22, 2017. The story will include many DC characters but has particular focus on Superman and Doctor Manhattan. Johns felt like there was interesting story to be told in Rebirth with Doctor Manhattan.”

Doomsday Clock #1 is available at comic retailers starting today!

5 Potential Marvel TV Shows To Rival HBO’s ‘Watchmen’

Previous1 of 6Next

With news breaking that Damon Lindelof, the co-creator of both Lost and The Leftovers, is in talks to develop a Watchmen show for HBO, Marvel needs a new TV hit. Don’t get me wrong, I know Agents of Shield still has a huge following, but I stopped watching the Netflix shows during the second season of Daredevil. And FX’s Legion was just… okay for me. It’s not that I don’t love Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, but it’s not fair to put lower-tier characters like them in competition with a juggernaut like Watchmen.

HBO was clearly taking notes when Netflix started releasing their shows, so this seems like a great moment for Marvel to take some notes on their competition. If DC is going to churn out a Watchmen series, then Marvel needs to dig deep into their libraries to find stories worthy of being brought to the silver screen.

So hit Next to find out about five properties Marvel should consider adapting if they want to match HBO’s Watchmen.

Previous1 of 6Next

VIEW IN GALLERY

The post ‘Doomsday Clock’ #1 Review: The Watchmen Return appeared first on Heroic Hollywood.

Review: ‘Justice League’ Is A Really Fun Time At The Movies

The road leading up to Justice League has been a pretty bumpy one. From the start of DC’s Extended Universe, they’ve been hit with a barrage of polarizing reactions, bad reviews, and bad press. Man of Steel led the charge being the highest rated film in the DCEU, but even that got mixed reviews. Then came Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the majority of reviews for that were pretty bad. Followed by Suicide Squad which was basically a poorly edited mess. DC’s negative stigma finally changed with this summers Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman was met with praise due to its masterful direction, story, and cast. Now DC Films looks to keep its positive momentum going with Justice League.

Justice League has had a pretty bad wrap from the get-go. People hated it going in due to disliking previous films and Zack Snyder. There were rumors flying around that the film would be canceled after Batman v Superman failing on a critical level until Jason Momoa squashed that with an Instagram post indicating filming had begun. Zack Snyder brought the first look to San Diego Comic-Con 2016 and the crowd went nuts. When the film finished filming in fall of 2016 everyone believed it was smooth sailing until tragedy struck. The director left due to the loss of his daughter and personally brought Joss Whedon in as a replacement. Whedon would go on to do a few pickup shots to compliment Snyder’s film and fans took that as a hopeful sign the film could be better. Now that I have seen Justice League, I can officially tell you with full authority that the film is amazingly fun and epic.

WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

Justice League is a film that satisfies every expectation I had. I had a problem with the villain, but Steppenwolf is a forgettable villain from the comics and I expected him to be just as forgettable in the film. The film is cut pretty tight to fit a 2-hour time frame and you can tell they cut important story bits which makes the plot less coherent than it could be if they included an extra 30 minutes. On the positive side, If they make an extended cut we’ll have a ton of extra DC goodness to look forward to. The CGI is pretty bad in most of the action sequences, but if you sit back and ignore the flaws you’ll have an amazing time at the theater.

Ben Affleck returns for his third go-round as Bruce Wayne/Batman and he’s sporting some comedic chops and older man angst throughout Justice League. Affleck’s Batman is drastically different than the one shown in Batman v Superman. Superman’s death has changed his life. He seems hopeful and ready to save the world again by banding together a team of unlikely allies. The Batman action scenes looked like they were ripped straight out of the comics. While there were no scenes as good as the warehouse scene from BvS, there is one scene in the beginning of Justice League that involves Batman fighting a bad guy on a roof like it was drawn by Jim Lee. Batman’s relationship with Wonder Woman gets complicated in a will they or won’t they way in Justice League, so much so that Alfred points it out, but Affleck and Gadot make it work. Justice League shows that Affleck is more comfortable in the role and I am really looking forward to seeing him in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.

Gal Gadot returns as Wonder Woman and its as if she never left. Wonder Woman is struggling with her own legacy and Bruce is trying to push her into leading the team. Her fights with Steppenwolf are definitely the best action pieces in the film. Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry/Aquaman lives up to the Badass hype. The scenes where he’s in Atlantis were incredible. The tension between he and Mera raises my excitement for his solo film and exploring Aquaman’s Lore on the big screen. His chemistry with the league is a bit comical, especially with Batman. There’s a hilarious scene involving the lasso of truth that will make DC fans go into a fit of laughter.

Ezra Miller makes his debut as Barry Allen/The Flash and he brings a sense of naivety to the team. Miller’s portrayal of Barry Allen is a lot different then fans are used to. He’s not a CSI, he’s a lot younger than normal, a totally rookie at being The Flash and that’s what makes him so much fun to watch. I look forward to his solo film the most. Ray Fisher’s portrayal of Cyborg reminds me so much of the Teen Titans animated series. I wanted to save the best for last. Superman is in the movie and it finally feels like he’s Superman. Henry Cavill flys in and brings so much charm to the character that was never there before. Superman has a new lease on life and you feel it in Cavill’s portrayal. His lines and energy will make you feel like you’re watching Superman: The Animated Series. He’s easily my favorite part of Justice League and he especially shines when he faces Steppenwolf.

Steppenwolf has to be one of the weakest villains in the DCEU. There was bad CGI during the final battle. His motivations were laughable and his plan was atrocious. It almost felt as if you didn’t need the full team to defeat him. His army of Parademons were like the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz. They don’t really do much but are there for a fear factor and do a horrible job at that. The supporting cast was great for what little screen time they were given. Alfred with his back up as the man behind the computer and snarky comments. Martha Kent and Lois Lane are there to remind you that Superman is in fact in the movie. Joe Morton’s Cylas Stone is there to remind you that you have a better father than Cyborg and also to become a damsel in distress. J.K. Simmons kills it as Commissioner Gordon. All the Batman pieces in the film get me amped for the solo film. Connie Neilsen returns as Hippolyta and brings the Amazons with her for this insane battle with Steppenwolf. Amber Heard didn’t have much screen time as Mera, but the little scene we got with her and Momoa’s Aquaman really makes me want to see more.

Overall thoughts

Justice League is the DC team-up you’ve been waiting for. I had so much fun from beginning to end. The expansion of DC mythology will make fans go nuts. Superman’s return will make you really happy. Justice League does have its flaws, but the fun negated most of that for me. The cast was amazing. Favorite characters were Flash and Aquaman. The final post-credits scene will make you scream!

SCORE: 7.5/10

“Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.”

Justice League hits theaters November 17, 2017.

After ‘Justice League,’ What’s Next For Its Six Members?

Previous1 of 7Next

Justice League is right around the corner and is a cornerstone film in the growing cinematic universe featuring the DC Comics heroes. While the DC Trinity (Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman) have already been featured in films before, the other half of the team will be receiving their own films post Justice League.

This burgeoning universe is still relatively new and there are tons of directions that have either been confirmed, speculated or just up in the air, so it’s the perfect time to look at possible scenarios where each member of the Justice League can go.

Here’s what’s next for the six heroes featured in Justice League! Click Next to get started.

Previous1 of 7Next

VIEW IN GALLERY

The post Review: ‘Justice League’ Is A Really Fun Time At The Movies appeared first on Heroic Hollywood.

Review: ‘The Punisher’ Is Marvel’s Best Netflix Show Yet

After a few bad films, Frank Castle and The Punisher came back with a vengeance for the second season of Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix. Jon Bernthal was cast as the Skull wearing, gun-toting anti-hero back in 2015 and he was so much of a stand out on Daredevil that Netflix decided to give The Punisher his own 13-part series. We’ve seen the first few episodes of the series and can tell you right now that it’s incredible and perhaps even Marvel and Netflix’s best effort to date.

The second season of Marvel’s Daredevil was pretty dark due to its inclusion of The Punisher and his spin-off isn’t any different. The grit, grime and killing has intensified to peak Punisher levels. This is obviously the darkest Marvel show that Netflix has done so far and this was the best possible route that the people behind the series could have gone with. The Punisher takes some real world elements like the shows before it, but also handles things like PTSD in the military brilliantly.

Like every Marvel/Netflix series before it, The Punisher has assembled a tremendous cast of talented actors. Jon Bernthal picks up where he left off in Marvel’s Daredevil and expertly brings all of the rage and sadness of Frank Castle back while being at the forefront of his own series. Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Micro is a tech wiz who enlists Castle’s help to get back to his family all the while developing a love/hate relationship with the Punisher. The standout of the series is Amber Rose Revah, who plays Agent Madani. She’s on the hunt for The Punisher and completely dominates the screen every scene she’s in.

It’s almost impossible not to compare the villains of each of the Marvel/Netflix shows, with the likes of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, David Tennant’s Kilgrave and the ingeniously-calculated villains of The Punisher. What Ben Barnes and Paul Shulze bring to the series are two intense, fun, calculated but also complicated in a way villains. That is the main thing that sets The Punisher apart from Marvel’s previous Netflix shows. The two characters have a very complex relationship and they both have a tricky past with Frank Castle. Without going into specifics, I’ll say that The Punisher has the best written villains of any Marvel show.

Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page returns as Frank Castle’s confidant in this series. While she doesn’t have much screentime, Woll brings the same emotion she did in the second season of Marvel’s Daredevil. The scenes she shares with Frank are reminiscent of the ones between her and Matt and I am totally looking forward to seeing her return in Daredevil season 3.

As a fan of The Punisher, I feel like the series delivers on every level. The Punisher is not a superhero and I feel like the producers totally understand that and that’s what makes the series so incredible. The show is about a man who lost his family and is struggling to cope with that and to also do right by them by killing the people responsible for their deaths. The way the show portrays the people who come home from the Military and have PTSD felt real. The show touches on a lot of other dark topics that we deal with in the real world every day, making things really intense.

If I only had one word to describe The Punisher it would be masterful. Not just the character of Frank Castle, but the show itself with all of its characters and the story. There are a lot of gory action pieces because let’s face it, when you are dealing with a broken man who kills for a living, you are in for a lot of blood. The tone of the series may seem kinda off when compared to the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it’s definitely able to stand on its own. Then again, The Punisher definitely matches this big world that Marvel Studios has built.

The Punisher didn’t really do well on the big screen, but his Netflix series is definitely something you won’t want to miss. After only seeing the first few episodes, I am definitely hyped to see what comes next.

Score: 9/10

Marvel’s The Punisher hits Netflix on November 17th!

7 Punisher Stories You Need To Read Before Marvel’s Netflix Series

Previous1 of 8Next

Now that the Punisher trailer has hit the general audience, it’s time for fans to read up on the character before it’s too late. Even though the Punisher has had two movies already, the upcoming Netflix series looks like it will be the definitive adaptation of the character. His morals may be too dark for some people, but at the end of the day, Frank Castle is a hero through-and-through. Whether you want to put him in jail or let him keep working, there’s no denying that he has taken down deadly criminals who put innocent lives in danger.

The Punisher has been a part of the Marvel Universe since 1974 and he has quite a few amazing stories to choose from. Sometimes he’s left alone in his own corner of the Marvel Universe, and sometimes he’s a fully integrated member of the Avengers. No matter where he is or who he is interacting with, the Punisher always means business.

Hit Next to learn more about seven essential Punisher stories you need to read before his 13-part Marvel series arrives on Netflix!

Previous1 of 8Next

VIEW IN GALLERY

The post Review: ‘The Punisher’ Is Marvel’s Best Netflix Show Yet appeared first on Heroic Hollywood.

‘Murder On The Orient Express’ Review: A Joyous Spectacle With A Stellar Cast

Nothing ruins a relaxing holiday quite like a murder. But when duty calls, Detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is on the case in his never-ending quest to find order in the world. There’s a murderer afoot as a group of individuals are stuck on a snowed-in train, and only this prissy, Charles Dickens-reading detective can solve the mystery.

Director and star Sir Kenneth Branagh did a great job crafting this delightful project for the big screen. With a screenplay from Michael Green, the writer of Blade Runner 2049, Murder on the Orient Express is a luxurious, fun-filled affair designed for people of all ages. Adapted from Agatha Christie’s classic novel, the film serves as a window into the past as a group of apparent strangers congregates for a cross-country trip on the Orient Express in 1934. Full of classical music and beautifully crafted costumes, the movie practically leaps off the screen in a flash of elegant glory. From the film’s opening scene in Jerusalem all the way up to its closing moments, Orient Express is an enjoyable, thought-provoking movie that proves no detail is irrelevant. Everything from Poirot’s excellently crafted mustache down to the dressings on the table scream authenticity and give the movie’s 20th century setting a crisp, believable feeling.

Branagh may have led the cast, but every role in the ensemble was filled by a phenomenal actor. Everyone from Josh Gad to Dame Judi Dench and Willem Dafoe turned in sharp performances and left strong impressions with their minimal screen time. Michelle Pfeifer, still swinging after her amazing work in mother!, turns in an equally captivating performance here as the mystery unfolds for the audience. I have to give a shout out to Olivia Colman, probably best known for starring in Broadchurch, as a standout who deserves more praise and attention from American audiences. The only performance that was hard to accept was Johnny Depp’s take on Edward Ratchett. Depp is a great actor and there was nothing inherently wrong with his performance here, but it never felt like I was watching a character — I was constantly reminded that it was Johnny Depp, an annoying fact that kept pulling me out of the moment whenever he was on screen.

Branagh has proved himself a crafty director over the years capable of tackling everything from the emotional complexities of Hamlet to the bombastic world of Thor. He may have a great eye, but without his long-time collaborator Haris Zambarloukos working as Director of Photography, Murder on the Orient Express wouldn’t have looked nearly as beautiful. The film was full of some breathtaking camera work, including a five-minute Steadicam shot towards the end that gave the claustrophobic movie an energetic feel. To get around the cramped conditions of the Orient Express, the movie is full of tight camera choreography that shifts back-and-forth between swooping crane movements and bird’s eye views of characters in their cramped quarters. More often than not the camera moves with each character as they pace back-and-forth or walk around, making the camera feel like another individual taking in all the action.

While the film is an ensemble piece, the focus is put squarely on Branagh’s Poirot. There may be an enticing mystery propelling the story forward, but the main character undergoes a personal transformation throughout the movie directly related to his work. His steadfast belief that “there is right, and there is wrong, and there is nothing in between,” slowly melts away as he is faced with an increasingly gray situation that questions his moral code.

For long-time, potentially nitpicky fans of Agatha Christie’s original novel and its peculiar detective, there may be a few problems but nothing close to a deal breaker. The action scenes, if you can really even call them that, are a bit out of place for a character who prefers sitting in his chair to chasing down the perp. It was clear the team wanted to infuse a little bit of the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes style, but it never feels nearly as over-the-top as that series. Anyone who wants to watch a juicy mystery unfold in front of their face in a lavish style will get a kick out of this modern twist on an old classic. Full of intrigue and genuine laughs, Murder on the Orient Express is the perfect movie to catch with your family around the holidays.

Score: 7.5/10

5 Superhero Projects You Should Be Excited About In 2018

Previous1 of 6Next

Some people may complain about superhero fatigue, but for fans of the genre, 2018 looks like it will be an amazing year. Not only will hit shows like Marvel’s Daredevil and Arrow continue, but there are a lot of new projects coming for superhero fans. Ranging from games to movies, Marvel and DC have been hard at work turning their comic book characters into multimedia icons.

This list doesn’t even include things like New Mutants and The Runaways, two superhero projects coming in 2018. There are so many amazing things coming out of the comic book world, with new projects seemingly announced every day, so this is just a quick rundown of the five things that excite my inner fanboy.

Hit Next to learn more about five exciting superhero projects coming in 2018! 

Previous1 of 6Next

VIEW IN GALLERY

The post ‘Murder On The Orient Express’ Review: A Joyous Spectacle With A Stellar Cast appeared first on Heroic Hollywood.

‘Coco’ Review: An Emotional Powerhouse That Proves Pixar Is Still King

With Coco, Pixar proves that they are still the dominant animated storytellers in the business. Hidden underneath a cute, lively film is a story about setting your own path in a world that appears to be rooting against you. Just like Ernesto de la Cruz, an Elvis-like figure who is considered the greatest musician in the world, always says, “seize your moment,” because no one is going to hand you your dreams.

At its core, Coco is a story about finding yourself and the importance of family. To get that message across, Pixar takes audiences on a crazy, energetic journey that explores Mexican heritage and Dia de los Muertos. This is a story that could only be told on Dia de los Muertos as Miguel finds himself stuck in the land of the dead interacting with past generations of his family. While the plot follows a basic structure of “stop the curse before sunrise,” Coco is certainly a case where the journey is just as powerful as the conclusion. Interlaced between comedic moments is a truly heartfelt tale that proves Pixar is still the king at mixing laughs and heart.

Audiences initially might be captivated by the vibrant settings, but it’s the characters that bring Coco to life. Against the wishes of his family, Miguel dreams about playing music and emulating his hero, Ernesto de la Cruz, the best musician of all time. A hopeful child, Miguel’s determination to make his dreams a reality pushes the whole story forward. He won’t be satisfied unless he can play music, but his family, who he thinks “may be the only family in Mexico who doesn’t like music,” want to indoctrinate him into the family cobbler business. Each member of his family is entertaining and plays a role in discouraging him from pursuing his dreams, but his abuelita may be the most enjoyable. A woman who wears her heart on her sleeve and just wants to see her grandson live a safe life, she has no problem whipping out the chancla and doling out a whooping when the time calls for it. The Land of the Dead is jam-packed full of unique individuals, and a few famous historical faces, who give the movie a dynamic feeling. Guided by Hector, a sleazy trickster with his own motivations to help the stranded child, Miguel has to interact with all types of people to return home.

Part of what made the characters so lively were the solid voice performances behind each one of them. Anthony Gonzalez, the young performer who brought Miguel to life, brings a sense of excitement to the character that translates throughout the movie. Whether Miguel is singing or running away from an alebrije, Gonzalez, who only made his acting debut back in 2013, infuses each moment with a raw, emotional quality that makes his character easy to empathize with and root for. Joining Gonzalez was Gael Garcia Bernal, the legendary actor from projects like Mozart in the Jungle and Y Tu Mamá También, who voiced Hector, and Benjamin Bratt, who plays Ernesto de la Cruz.

Also read: ‘Coco’ Directing Team & Producer Discuss Pixar’s Newest Feature

Coco is an exploration of the power of music. As a result of that, the music is a character in itself. The various types of source music used in Santa Cecilia, ranging from mariachi to banda, give the plazas an authentic, lively feel that highlight their power to bring communities together. Miguel dreams of connecting to those around him through music, something that’s apparent in the line “music is my language, the world is my familia.” The two original songs “Remember Me” and “Poco Loco” are both extremely catchy and play key parts in the film. Watching Miguel play these songs is about more than just seeing a boy emulate his hero —  it’s a journey that slowly transforms a nervous boy into a man who is proud of his abilities.

From a technical standpoint, this might be Pixar’s most impressive film yet. The warm tan and orange color palettes  featured in Santa Cecilia are a sharp contrast compared to the cool blues used in the land of the dead, giving each setting a unique feel. Everything from the paint chipping off the market’s walls to the grooves on an individual skeleton’s face were expertly textured and give each world a lived in quality. Not only is the Land of the Dead well textured, but it is also extremely well lit. Every window in the Land of the Dead’s sprawling towers has a candle that casts shadows and adds a new layer of depth to the massive world. It’s little things like dense fog and moving trolleys in the background of city shots that make the world pop and increase the sense of scale.

While its an extremely well made movie I have no doubt will make a killing at the box office, I sincerely hope it doesn’t receive a sequel. The Land of the Dead may be one of Pixar’s most vibrant settings and the world is ripe with story potential, but this feels like a beautiful self-contained story that doesn’t need expansion. Teaching young audiences about the circle of life and the importance of establishing their own path, Coco maintains its comedic edge throughout and never seems over-the-top during its most emotional moments. Do yourself a favor and take your kids, friends or anyone willing to sit next to you for an hour and forty nine minutes to see this one over the Thanksgiving break.

Score: 8.5/10

5 Superhero Projects You Should Be Excited About In 2018

Some people may complain about superhero fatigue, but for fans of the genre, 2018 looks like it will be an amazing year. Not only will hit shows like Marvel’s Daredevil and Arrow continue, but there are a lot of new projects coming for superhero fans. Ranging from games to movies, Marvel and DC have been hard at work turning their comic book characters into multimedia icons.

This list doesn’t even include things like New Mutants and The Runaways, two superhero projects coming in 2018. There are so many amazing things coming out of the comic book world, with new projects seemingly announced every day, so this is just a quick rundown of the five things that excite my inner fanboy.

Hit Next to learn more about five exciting superhero projects coming in 2018! 

VIEW IN GALLERY

The post ‘Coco’ Review: An Emotional Powerhouse That Proves Pixar Is Still King appeared first on Heroic Hollywood.