Summer 2018
A list of movies I watched in the summer of 2018 with some brief thoughts about them.
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- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleMichael CaineKen WatanabeAfter witnessing his parents' death, Bruce learns the art of fighting to confront injustice. When he returns to Gotham as Batman, he must stop a secret society that intends to destroy the city.Best Superhero origin story I've seen. Has good character motives and handles it's themes very well. 9/10
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.One of my personal favorite movies. The acting is great, and it has so many unforgettable moments. All while introducing and exploring complex themes. Best superhero movie I've seen. 9/10
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleTom HardyAnne HathawayEight years after the Joker's reign of chaos, Batman is coerced out of exile with the assistance of the mysterious Selina Kyle in order to defend Gotham City from the vicious guerrilla terrorist Bane.Not as good as the other two in the trilogy, but still has great moments. Producing a satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy. 8/10
- DirectorTimothy A. CheyStarsMiles SlomanJerald SokolowskiPaul HughesThis epic movie filmed in North Africa and London follows young shepherd David as he takes on the mighty warrior Goliath against all odds.Legitimately the worst move I have ever seen in my life. Produced with the same quality as a high school project, this movie is worth watching just for how bad everything about it is. The fact that it had a 50 million dollar budget only makes this movies quality even more egregious. 0/10
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA secretary on the run for embezzlement takes refuge at a secluded California motel owned by a repressed man and his overbearing mother.Horror done right. This movie doesn't rely on cheap-in-the-moment scary jump scares. it builds suspense as the movie plays out. The great directing and acting make this even better. 9/10
- DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsKristen StewartRobert PattinsonBilly BurkeWhen Bella Swan moves to a small town in the Pacific Northwest, she falls in love with Edward Cullen, a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire.Though not as bad as some may say, this film falls flat due to it's poorly written characters that stalls any chance of crafting an interesting narrative. Taking it's goofy premise too seriously also helps create some unintentional funny moments in this movie. 4/10
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.This movie is beautifully made with an intriguing premise, but a confusing ending and cliches in some of it's themes bring down an otherwise great movie. 8/10
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsBen AffleckHenry CavillAmy AdamsBatman is manipulated by Lex Luthor to fear Superman. Superman´s existence is meanwhile dividing the world and he is framed for murder during an international crisis. The heroes clash and force the neutral Wonder Woman to reemerge.This movie is a mess. Character are all unlikable and motives are not fleshed out enough. Cool action sequences can't save this movie's messy, unbelievable plot. 4/10
- DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandMichael KeatonRobert Downey Jr.Peter Parker balances his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens with his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man, and finds himself on the trail of a new menace prowling the skies of New York City.Great coming of age story packed into a superhero blockbuster. This movie is primarily driven by Tom Holland's charm and charisma as a lovable, young Spider-Man. 8/10
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsHenry CavillAmy AdamsMichael ShannonAn alien child is evacuated from his dying world and sent to Earth to live among humans. His peace is threatened when other survivors of his home planet invade Earth.I feel like this movie trades action and visuals for character development. The best scenes are flashbacks that seem to rushed so we can get to some more tiresome over-the-top action sequences. Good potential here, but poorly executed. 6/10
- DirectorSam RaimiStarsTobey MaguireKirsten DunstWillem DafoeAfter being bitten by a genetically-modified spider, a shy teenager gains spider-like abilities that he uses to fight injustice as a masked superhero and face a vengeful enemy.Although some of the effects and CGI may look a little dated, this movie was pretty revolutionary at the time is a nice heart a feel to it. Tobey Maguire is a likable Peter Parker and easy to root for. 7/10
- DirectorSam RaimiStarsTobey MaguireKirsten DunstAlfred MolinaPeter Parker is beset with troubles in his failing personal life as he battles a former brilliant scientist named Otto Octavius.This was definitely the high point of the original Spider-Man trilogy. Well fleshed out characters and actions make this one of the more memorable superhero blockbusters. Alfred Molina especially turns in a great performance here as Doctor Octopus. 8/10
- DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddMichael DouglasCorey StollArmed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, pull off a plan that will save the world.Aided by a charming performance from Paul Rudd, Ant-Man stands out from other similar MCU movies with unique CGI sequences and humor. 8/10
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.I found this one to be a bit overrated. The characters are fun and likable enough, but this movie doesn't feel like it brings anything new to the table that we haven't already seen a lot of in other sci-fi/MCU movies. 7/10
- DirectorKevin SorboStarsKevin SorboSam SorboDaniel RoebuckAn atheist goes through a near-death experience in a car accident before converting to Christianity.This one was just terrible. The characters were laughably over the top. The plot was ridiculous. The acting was terrible apart from Kevin Sorbo. The one main CGI sequence was so poorly rendered that I almost burst out laughing the first time I saw it. The only passable part about this movie was the cinematography and lighting. 1.5/10
- DirectorMatt MitchellStarsAudrey BattahChristopher HouldsworthAmy MitchellSome friends enjoy an out-of-town rock concert. After some eerie events at their hotel, the friends abandon their night of rest and decide to drive thru the night back to their hometown several hours away. However, someone or something follows them home. After a seemingly uneventful school day, events unfold that find the lead character alone at the Mall later that evening. As the night closes in, the mall closes, and we find our heroine mysteriously trapped inside. However, she is not alone. It will take her resolute strength and unflinching faith (and a few shocking "miracles" along the way) for her to escape the night.This movie is one of the worst I've ever seen. The christian horror genre is a really funny one that is either doesn't try to be scary or goes too over the top trying to be scary. The acting, story, and cinematography are all horrendous. The plot twist at the end is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in a movie. 0.5/10
- DirectorMatt MitchellStarsChristopher HouldsworthAmy MitchellAndrea MoodyContinue the heart-pounding suspense of Pray, as the thrill ride mystery movies into the woods! Pray 2: The Woods is guaranteed to keep its viewers clinging to the edge of their seats.Absolutely horrendous. Stupid plot, with terrible characters with the worst cinematic quality you can get. This movie gets nothing right and everything wrong. 0.5/10
- DirectorMatt MitchellStarsElliana EsquivelAmy MitchellMadeline OrmandAutumn leaves gently rustle in the October breeze as the days shorten, and the nights grow darker. It's been three peaceful years since evil walked the streets in the sleepy town of Smithfield. Laurie Curtis and her family have finally put the nightmare of the mysterious masked villain behind them, and life has returned to normal...until tonight. While a raging storm is heading toward them, Laurie and her husband, Michael, attempt to enjoy a quiet dinner out with friends. At home, their favorite teenage babysitter keeps an eye on their precious children. The growing storm isn't the only thing that threatens the safety of their home tonight. The sinister shape is back! The storm cuts off all access to the infamous Curtis house, and now the race is on to rescue the children and their sitter! Will faith conquer fear once again? From the team that brought you Paranormal and the previous Pray films, comes the latest faith-friendly thriller from Cross Shadow Productions! Once again, CSP delivers the perfect uplifting alternative to the typical secular Hollywood horror movie. Full of heart-pounding suspense and stunning 3D images, nothing will prepare you for the white-knuckle roller coaster ride that awaits you in Pray 3D: The Storm!Third movie in this awful trilogy, and almost nothing has improved. The acting quality is slightly better, but that could only go up. Once again, nothing in this train wreck is done well and it is as laughable as the christian horror genre it belongs in. 0.5/10
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Gwyneth PaltrowTerrence HowardAfter being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.Solid movie, but Robert Downey Jr. totally carries this movie on his back. Without him, this would turn into a B grade action flick. The antagonist amounts to nothing more than the greedy corporate villain who is out to take control of the company, which makes him extremely forgettable. 7/10
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.A real classic. Lots of iconic songs and lines make this film quite unforgettable. 9/10
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.More of a spy action thriller than most MCU movies, I found this one to be high on the visuals but low on the story. The characters were decent, but not that great. I felt no reason to care about Steve and Buckey's friendship even after the seeing the first Captain America movie. 6.5/10
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsRussell CroweJennifer ConnellyAnthony HopkinsNoah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.This is an odd one. While boasting solid visuals and interesting source material, this one falls short with a really contrived and poorly thought out third act. Would benefit if you just cut the forced conflict of the third act out of the movie. 5/10
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsAndrew GarfieldEmma StoneRhys IfansAfter Peter Parker is bitten by a genetically altered spider, he gains newfound, spider-like powers and ventures out to save the city from the machinations of a mysterious reptilian foe.A by the book origin story, that focuses too much on Peter's parents, and not enough on more important motivations to become Spider-Man. Sporting a mediocre villain, nice visuals aren't enough to save this one from mediocrity. 6/10
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsAndrew GarfieldEmma StoneJamie FoxxWhen New York is put under siege by Oscorp, it is up to Spider-Man to save the city he swore to protect as well as his loved ones.This sequal ups the light heartedness, and focuses on too many boring sub plots. Over crowded by terribly motivated villains, this film is a misfire. 4/10
- DirectorChris McKayStarsWill ArnettMichael CeraRosario DawsonA cooler-than-ever Bruce Wayne must deal with the usual suspects as they plan to rule Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage orphan who wishes to become his sidekick.This movie is so much better then it should be. There's plenty here for children and adults. This movie serves more as a tribute to the batman character. 8/10