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An error has ocurred. Please try againWHAT TO CUT (for a shorter journey): "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron" are the weakest of the bunch but contain a few important elements. They are skippable though. If you are looking to trim some more movies, then you can cut "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and "Doctor Strange". They are not too important to the story but they are good movies. That leaves the minimalistic package: 8 films.
WHAT TO ADD (for a longer journey): Both Ant-Man movies, Black Panther. They are solid movies. If you want to have a more wholesome experience and have enjoyed the journey until "Captain America: Civil War" then you can fit those films in nicely too.
NEVER WATCH: Captain Marvel, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
Reviews
The Sopranos: College (1999)
Ant(iher)ony Soprano
Until this episode we have seen Tony in a fairly traditional good light. He still calls his mistress before his wife among other flaws but he has been a mobster we can root for. Even the first half of the episode establishes an honest relationship with Meadow. But we see all this undeveloped as Tony's anti-heroic side takes over.
When the rat revealed that he abstained from killing Tony when he had the chance then we expect the main character to show some form of compassion or difficulty in making the kill. But with a shallow response, Tony villainously kills the man.
Carmela's storyline and the college surfing make the episode not too engaging as a whole. I can still appreciate the complex development with Carmela and the priest but it's just not good enough.
Most important episode in terms of Tony and television history - yes, maybe.
Best episode of S1 - definitely not.
The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor (2022)
Good enough
Nothing too spectacular, somewhat safe and predictable but nothing short of epic. The main reason I cannot give it much more than 7.5 is because it was mainly action. A few magical moments were missing. Remember Mandalorian Season 1 ending? In addition to the epic shoot-out, it was a brilliant send-off for IG-11, there were more cool speeches and more diverse action scenes than just blaster fire. It had magic.
What I did not like:
Cad Bane died while only having one introduction episode - then gets killed off. Although he is old and his death makes sense in a duel with Boba, he should've been included more or left alive for a second season.
The Gamorreans were just thrown off a cliff and the scene is cut off. At least after the one Gamorrean falls, give the second one last epic axe swing before joining his brother. A warrior's death. Also should have killed off one or two power rangers. Increase the stakes a bit more.
The post-credit scene was also very underwhelming. People do not care about Cobb Vanth yet, he has about 20 minutes of screen time. Was expecting something more meaningful - a tease to a new series, Cad Bane survival or a new villian. Anything would be better.
What I did like:
Pretty much every action scene. The Droidekas, the Ranchor were all brilliant. Boba and Mando fighting together. Everyone was in danger at some point. Cad Bane vs Boba was really cool. Cad was truly a menacing spokesman.
The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 2: The Tribes of Tatooine (2022)
Oh, yes!
Amazing. I don't think that you can make an episode with Tusken Raiders more exiting than this.
The first sequence with the politics and outwitting/manipulation between all the parties had me raising an eyebrow once or twice. However I have nothing else to criticise. The story with the Raiders was beautifully constructed and had that prime Mandalorian episode vibe.
The train sequence was truly exciting and the conclusion made so much sense. The ending promotion and celebration would usually steer my attention away as it's usually plain, but it made so much sense in completing the Tusken Raider world that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Loved it.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
A third grader has written a Venom sequel
Look, I liked the first movie (6/10). It was edgy and funny with exciting and unique action. So I was looking forward to the sequel.
But the story is just plain and unexciting. There is no real threat or engaging elements. It is trying to mimic the first movie in some ways but it just feels worse and repetative. The action is just more chaotic but less entertaining. I cracked a few smiles but there is nothing really heartwarming or funny.
I would not recommend this movie even if you were just looking for some cool action and witty scenes to relax your mind. Just skip it and wait for the third movie if you're hungry for some Venom action.
El Hijo (2019)
THE SON!! What did she do?
Great slow burning film. Builds great intensity with every minute passing by. The ending leaves you wondering like no other movie. Did you miss anything? Is there an explanation? You don't really know. There is no moral decisions to interpret in the end and it really teases you with unanswered questions.
Here is my take on the ending that lets me at least cope until someone analyzes the original books or finds clues from the Norwegian dialogue spoken:
SPOILER:
Although you could come up with crazy scenarios like cloning, mutations and whatnot, I don't really think that's the case. Like most theories, I think the woman just has Munchausen syndrome by proxy ("mental health problem in which a caregiver makes up or causes an illness or injury in a person under his or her care") and she goes to expected limits relevant to this mental illness. The midwife might know about Sigrid's condition but ultimately it does not matter because no scene implicates the midwife's importance. We could maybe go deeper if the Norwegian was translated.
I think Henrik that we don't get to see at the end is in fact sick from the lack of sunlight, vitamins and breastmilk, but ultimately a normal unmutated child. It's just the discovery of the child that leaves Julieta with the shocked look. There is no evidence of twins and the lab equipment to be related to any twisted experiments. Sigrid is not planning anything and she just firmly believes in Henrik being sick. Lorenzo did not seem overly surprised about the appearance Henrik their final scene either. The origin of fake Henrik is not important to the story as well - maybe Sigrid bought him from the dark web. It does not matter.
We already know Lorenzo is right and the ending does not bring any revalation to that. Julieta is shocked just to find the child, and everything Sigrid does is just the reflection of her mental illness and protectiveness of her child.
Not the best ending for a great build-up and it leaves you with only stoner theories about what Sigrid could actually be doing with Henrik in that basement. Just a straight-forward story that if longer, could've left you with just an unsuspensful "oh, Henrik is fine and Sigrid is feeding him dairy-free yoghurt".
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
Drama done perfectly
This engaging story leaves you rooting for all the characters. Everyone has their intriguing motives and the character development is done flawlessly. Every decision is mostly rational but not at all unquestionable which leaves the viewer contemplating on the real moral values one should follow.
The film has also perfectly infused drama with comedy. Tears to laughter real quick. The masterful acting is just the cream on top of this thoroughly fine film. 10/10.