Captain America: The Winter Soldier - A Mighty Marvel

Captain America: The Winter Solider is the latest in the single hero installments of the Marvel super heroes franchise. After the less than stellar showings of Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, my thoughts for The Winter Soldier were less than optimistic. However, directors Anthony and Joe Russo have managed to shift Steve Rogers from a less than interesting human Popsicle and transform him into a mature and moodier presence that shifts the series in a more serious tone.

Chris Evans and Scarlett Johannsen's subtle performances help develop their characters into more than the two dimensional one liner suppliers that we were previously used to, however they are helped by Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan who hold their own as supporting characters the Falcon and Winter Soldier. This sequel also pleases audiences with some very intriguing new world order espionage plot full of backstabbing, assassination attempts, and enemies hidden in every corner.
What's most impressive about The Winter Soldier is the technical levels director brothers Anthony and Joe Russo elevate the film to. Well cut scenes from hand to hand combats to wide sweeping VFX driven sequences that put some other Marvel films to shame.

Overall, there were a few moments that could have been left on the cutting room floor and one does have to get past the fact that a simple text to some super friends would have expedited the solving of this epic crisis, however Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a visual treat that is sure to dazzle young and older fans alike- definitely worth a trip to the theatres. (B+)

Jack the Giant Slayer- Fun Folktale

Jack the Giant Slayer is a fantasy action adventure from director Bryan Singer, which features Nicholas Hoult as Jack, the plucky protagonist who unwittingly participates in an evil plot to bring about a reunion of war between mankind and the resentful giants who live between Heaven and Earth- and at the same time must rescue the Princess in distress, who he happens to be in love with.

The story is simple and the stakes are high: save the Princess and stop the giants or all is lost. Bryan Singer, along with his talented cast, competently takes the audience on a whirlwind adventure filled with laughter, scares, thrills, the ever handsome Ewan McGregor, and most of all FUN.

Not the most artfully made film and certainly won't be in an Oscar pool any time soon, but it was definitely a pleasure to sit back, relax, and be taken on this adventure.

Looper- A Time Bending Must See

Looper is a futuristic time travelling action film from the mind of Rian Johnson (director of Brick) and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. The actors play one man, Joe, a "looper" who in the year 2042 begins murdering individuals that the futuristic mob deems necessary to kill from 2072. The job of a looper is clear and the retirement package is finite- when the mob is done with you, they close your loop by sending back your futuristic self along with a delicious gold payload that signifies the beginning of a looper's final 30 years.

The plot is simple enough and doesn't dare try to justify or explain the complications that such time travel would entail. The movie is filmed efficiently with style despite limitations and does its best to present a plausible looking future world, however, all is not perfect. Rian Johnson throws in some plot points that seem forced- better yet pushed in order for the audience to accept the events that have to inevitably happen (i.e. do we really need the presence of TK mutants? Well you better remember this fact, it will probably become part of the plot in 30 or so minutes when Joseph and Bruce get tired of chasing each other).

What's appreciated in this film is the dedication to the cause. It is genuinely refreshing to see a talented director/writer give their all in trying to create a new and stimulating science fiction film. Looper is ultra slick, violent, creative, and incredibly tense. There were real moments when the audience ohh'd and ahh'd together at gruesome or pleasantly surprising scenes. Furthermore, it is a delight to see a cast of well rounded and very talented actors (in particular, Joseph Gordon-Levitt who takes on Bruce Willis' mannerisms and tone with seasoned ease) present an engaging story that definitely kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.