INFINITY WAR: Can we please talk about that ending?

(This should go without saying but the following contains major spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War.) 

In early 2015, I realized that if I watched one Marvel movie every other month I would finish just in time for the release of Avengers: Infinity War.

So I typed up and printed off this movie schedule which has been on our fridge ever since.

Yes, The Princess Bride is an honorary member of the MCU, because why not?

As you can see the list is out of date. I made it before Spider-Man: Homecoming had a title, before Black Panther was scheduled and before How to Train Your Dragon 3 was pushed back to 2019. Also, while my wife and I watched Marvel movies on the odd months in 2016 we started watching animated films from our childhoods on the even months.

But enough of all this personal stuff, on to Infinity War:

A shot so bad ass it wasn't included in the film.

For what it's worth, I liked this movie. Yes, it is overstuffed, but I'd argue that it's exactly what most of us wanted. It's an over-the-top super hero bar brawl that included every major (and several minor) characters from the MCU, and while the movie as a whole could have used work on pacing, the filmmakers did an excellent job for such an ambitious story.

But about that ending. 

I was expecting a bleak cliffhanger.  I was certain at least one major character would fall in battle. In fact before we left for the theater my wife said, "Let's go see how Captain America dies!"

But we weren't expecting this. 

I don't think anyone was expecting this. 

Sixteen, that's right, SIXTEEN characters "bit the dust."

And while part of me wants to say good for the studio for being so ballsy, I'm not buying it.

The second the screen cut from Thanos' pleased face to the end credits, my wife and I turned to each other and said, "the Time Stone." And I know we aren't the only ones thinking it.

The scene in which Thanos temporarily brings Vision back even foreshadows what I am certain will happen in the fourth Avengers movie. Tony or Steve or maybe even Rocket will get their hands (paws) on the Time Stone and ctrl-alt-z the most devastating conclusion in super hero movie history.

Also, let's not forget Doctor Strange's little prophesy about how this is the only way they will win.

If you need any proof look no further than IMDB and Wikipedia which both state that Spider-Man 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy 3 are in the works. Also, after Black Panther crossed the billion dollar threshold there is a zero percent chance they aren't making a sequel.

And part of me is happy that T'challa and Peter and Groot and Bucky and maybe even Gamora will be fine in the long run, but such a move also ruins the gravity of death.  There are some exceptions, but one of the major rules of storytelling is when a character dies, keep them dead. 

Harry Potter, The Song of Ice and Fire, Y: The Last Man, Locke and Key and even This is Us all have heartbreaking deaths. We want the other characters to be able to turn back the clock and make things right, but deep down we know that if they could death would become meaningless and the stories would lose their significance. Not to be that guy who compares the MCU to Shakespeare but would Romeo and Juliette be as powerful of a love story if they'd both been resurrected? What about Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows?

In fact, part of me is dreading what Avengers 4 will do. Why stop at bringing back those who were dusted? They could bring back everyone who has ever died in the MCU. The movie may turn out to be one of those notorious events in which the entire universe is "rebooted," a comic book trope that does not need to be translated into movies. 

What might help is if there is a true sacrifice at the end of Avengers 4. One way I could see this playing out is if Steve Rogers gives up his own life (Chris Evans is leaving the franchise after all) to bring back his fallen comrades . Then the Infinity Stones are destroyed, making his death permanent.  Then we will get a bunch of great heroes back while feeling the sting of dramatic loss. While part of me would still be disappointed that they rolled back on such a soul crushing ending, it will still make for a dramatic conclusion. 

At the end of the day, I really did enjoy Infinity War. Even after a three-year movie marathon, it actually managed to exceed my expectations. I just wonder if the future MCU entries will do the same. 

In conclusion, as as certain as I am that most of their deaths are temporary, thanks for the great stories Peter Parker, T'Challa, Gamora, Drax, Adolescent Groot, Mantis, Quill, Barnes, Maximoff, Vision, Strange, Wilson, Heimdall, Hill, Fury and even Loki. 

52 MOVIES FROM 52 COUNTRIES - #16 ITALY

This post is a part of an ongoing project in which I watch one movie from a different country every week. 

PLOT: The newest student at a prestigious ballet academy (Jessica Harper) realizes that supernatural forces are behind a series of murders taking place at her school.

 

MEMORABLE MOMENT: The film opens with a narrator telling us that a girl named Suzy Bannion has been accepted into a dance academy. We meet her walking along an airport hallway toward a pair of automatic doors. The audience has been told everything. The setting is well lit and populated. However, haunting music (composed by the band Goblin) plays at full blast in the background. The music, which is arguably even more haunting than the Halloween theme or "Tubular Bells" from The Exorcist, lets us know that things are about to go very wrong for poor Suzy. 

ACCORDING TO IMDB:

• Director Dario Argento originally wanted all the students at the dance academy to be younger than twelve. However, the studio and producer Salvatore Argento (his father) stated that a film this violent involving children would be banned. Dario turned the characters into teenagers but didn't rewrite the script, hence the naiveté of the characters and the childlike dialogue. (Honestly, this explains a lot of the bizarre interactions between women in their late teens.)

• Director Dario Argento composed the creepy music with the band Goblin and played it at full blast on set to unnerve the actors.  

•  Dario Argento was inspired to make this film by stories from his fellow screenwriter, Daria Nicolodi  whose grandmother claimed to have fled from a German music academy because witchcraft was secretly practiced there.

•  The first of the director's "Three Mothers" trilogy, which continued with the films Inferno (1980) - not the Tom Hanks movie - and Mother of Tears (2007).  

 

WHO IS THIS MOVIE FOR?: If you are a fan of horror, Suspiria is required viewing, the same way Alien or Blade Runner is required for fans of sci-fi. Had this film been made in America it would be up there with The Shining and Rosemary's Baby as an intelligent horror film that's a household name. 

Even if you aren't particularly fond of horror this is a movie for anyone who enjoys films by David Lynch, Darren Aronofsky, early Tim Burtin or any filmmaker that delves into the weird. Suspiria isn't particularly violent. Don't get me wrong, there are a some gory scenes but for the most part the fear found in this film doesn't come from serial killers or blood drenched knives (although one of those does make an appearance). 

Suspiria is set in a world where everything is a little...off.  The lighting, angles and colors are over the top (this is arguably the most colorful horror film ever made) and as I already mentioned the characters act in ways that don't fit their age or the situation.  There is an unsettling creepiness lurking in the shadows. We often can't put our finger on what is bothering us, we just know it's there. 

This is not a film for people looking for logic.  Even after the end credits roll, much of the story still doesn't make sense. However, Suspiria is such a beautiful film, we really don't care. 

WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?: For some reason this movie isn't available on Amazon instant but you can buy the blue-ray and DVD. It's also available on Netflix DVD. I borrowed it for free from the Baltimore County Library System. 

RUNTIME: 98 Minutes

DIRECTOR:  Dario Argento

WRITER: 

Dario Argento 

Daria Nicolodi 

STARING:

Jessica Harper

Stefania Casini

Flavio Bucci

52 MOVIES FROM 52 COUNTRIES - #15 THAILAND

This post is a part of an ongoing project in which I watch one movie from a different country every week. 

PLOT: When the head of a sacred statue is stolen from a rural village in Thailand, a young martial artist (Tony Jaa) must travel to Bangkok and fight his way through the underworld in order to retrieve it.

(This movie isn't nearly as serious as the trailer makes it seem.)

MEMORABLE MOMENT: I know that the most memorable moment should be an unbelievable action sequence filled with jaw dropping stunts, but I'll let those speak for themselves.

No, my favorite moment has to be when the comic relief character, Humlae (Petchtai Wongkamlao), is being chased through the streets of Bangkok by a gang of criminals. He grabs a meat cleaver off a table in a market and turns to face his pursuers. For an instant the gang is intimidated and the audience believes that Humlae might actually escape. Then, an old woman comes between Humlae and the thugs carrying two enormous baskets calling, "Knives for sale!"

You can guess what happens next.


ACCORDING TO IMDB:

• As you might guess, Tony Jaa performed all of his own stunts. No wires or computer effects were used during the fights.

• In the three-wheeled taxi chase scene, one of the little taxis crashes into a wall on which is written, "Hi Luc Besson we are waiting for you."   (I guess they really like Luc Besson)

• Prior to the film's release in the western world, Steven Seagal was so impressed by the movie he planned to release the film through his production company with newly-shot scenes featuring himself as Tony Jaa's teacher (I kind of hope this isn't true).

WHO IS THIS MOVIE FOR?: Ong-Bak was made for fans of Enter The Dragon, Ip Man, and especially Jackie Chan's films.

I singled out Jackie Chan in particular because like Chan's most popular movies, Ong-Bak combines "oh my God they actually did that!" stunts with comedy. The chase scene described above has several moments right out of a Buster Keaton movie (maybe fans of silent film slapstick should also watch this film).

As for films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, Ong-Bak is similar to those only in that it contains fantastic martial arts sequences. However, if you're looking for Crouching Tiger's stunning natural visuals and easy going pace, you might prefer movies by Yimou Zhang (who also directed Hero).

That being said, if you are looking for action but haven't been introduced to the martial arts genre, Ong-Bak is an excellent place to start, especially if you've enjoyed the recent Avengers and Star Wars movies, which are more focused on comedy. Like those films, Ong-Bak isn't a spoof and contains some very dire scenes (especially in the second half), but there are plenty of hilarious moments that would have easily been at home in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnorok or even Force Awakens. 


WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT? Netflix DVD. It is also available to rent ($3.99) or buy ($12.99) on Amazon. I'm sure you could also borrow it from many public or university library systems.

RUNTIME: 105 Minutes (104 Minutes Directors Cut...those tend to be longer.)

DIRECTOR: Prachya Pinkaew

WRITERS:
Panna Rittikrai
Prachya Pinkaew
Suphachai Sittiaumponpan

STARING:
Tony Jaa
Petchtai Wongkamlao
Pumwaree Yodkamol

52 MOVIES FROM 52 COUNTRIES - #14 BELGIUM

This is a part of an ongoing project in which I watch one movie from a different country every week. 

PLOT: Ludovic (Georges Du Fresne), a seven-year-old transgender girl, comes out to her family and neighborhood. While her parents insist that she wear boys clothing and play sports, Ludovic dresses in pink skirts and falls in love with the son of her father's ultra-conservative boss.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Ludovic goes over to to play with Jérôme (Julien Rivière), a local neighborhood boy and the son of Ludovic's father's boss. While exploring the house, Ludovic wanders into a girl's bedroom. Jérôme says that his sister is "away." Later, Jérôme's mother catches the boys putting on a pretend wedding in which Ludovic is wearing one of her daughter's dresses. It's only then that the audience learns what really happened to the sister.

WHO IS THIS MOVIE FOR?:  Obviously, anyone interested in films with LGBTQ themes should check it out. However, I'd also recommend Ma Vie en Rose (My Life in Pink) for anyone who just wants a funny, moving coming of age story.  

I would especially recommend this movie for parents who want to expose their kids to stories with transgender characters. Ma Vie en Rose isn't necessarily a children's movie, but it might help kids understand what their friends and loved ones are experiencing. The film would be especially important for kids who are themselves transgender. Don't let the R rating discourage you. There are some "Thematic Moments" (SPOILER: a child attempts suicide) and a bit of swearing, but most PG-13 blockbusters are more unsettling than this film.

According to Wikipedia there are many who disagree with the film's R rating, believing that it was a result of transphobia. Ma Vie en Rose came out over twenty years ago. Even if the film had been released in 2018 it would have still been met with controversy. It must have been considered particularly progressive by 1997 standards (unless Belgium is more accepting than the United States)


WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?: Netflix DVD. It is also available to rent ($3.99) or buy ($12.99) on Amazon.

RUNTIME: 88 Minutes

DIRECTOR: Alain Berliner

WRITER:
Alain Berliner
Chris Vander Stappen

STARING:
Julien Rivière
Michèle Laroque
Jean-Philippe Ècoffey

Publications Seeking Short Fiction: TERRAFORM

I just wanted to give all of my fellow writers a heads up, TERRAFORM, a weekly science-fiction publication is open for submissions.

They've published a lot of fantastic works. Two of my favorites are:

MUSIC FOR THE UNDERWORLD - A man uses music to reconnect with the love of his life in a bleak futuristic city.

THE INVENTOR - A genius creates a world-changing device in war-torn Syria. 


-Submissions shouldn't be longer than two thousand words.

-Baseline payment is 20 cents a word.

-Publication qualifies for the Science Fiction Writers of America.


According to their website they are seeking: "...Nearer-future fiction; think a bit more along the lines of sentient chat bots or climate-changed dystopias and less far-flung alien space operas. And we don't care what form it comes in: Classic-style SF short stories, social media posts from beyond the horizon, fictive data dumps, experimental graphic narratives, and so on."
Make sure you read the guidelines in full here.

Good luck! 

52 MOVIES FROM 52 COUNTRIES - #13 MEXICO

This is a part of an ongoing project in which I watch one movie from a different country every week. 

PLOT: Two oversexed teenage boys and an attractive older woman set out on a road trip to a beach that doesn't exist. During their travels each of them experiences an unexpected awakening.

MEMORABLE MOMENT:  This movie is known for its graphic sex scenes. However, there is considerably more to this film. The characters who inhabit Y Tu Mamá También's world, especially Luisa (Maribel Verdú), all have very deep, incredibly complex personalities.  The scene that stuck with me the most is relatively PG, but is also absolutely devastating.
 
Luisa, the gorgeous "older woman" (whose character is probably younger than I am, yikes), talks on the phone with her unfaithful husband.  The film has previously implied that she is facing disastrous health issues. As her relationship and life fall apart, she breaks down into sobs. In the phone booth's glass we see the reflection of the two boys (Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal) bounding around, playing fooseball and acting like teenage assholes. This moment sums up her world vs. their world.  Her life is in shambles while they are so caught up in their prime they don't notice her distress.


IMDB TRIVIA

• When the producers tried to buy the rights to Frank Zappa's "Watermelon in Easter Hay" they were told that Zappa had requested that this song would never be played in any media outside the original album. However, Frank's widow saw the movie when editing was almost complete. She agreed to make an exception because she believed Zappa would be proud of the film. 

• Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki said he used "90% natural light". Only a few scenes include additional lighting.

• On his bedroom wall, one of the two boys has a poster from the movie Harold and Maude (1971), another film about a young man who has a sexual relationship with an older woman.

WHO IS THIS MOVIE FOR?: As I mentioned above, this movie has some very graphic sex scenes. While I would encourage viewers to not be turned away by this, I have to be realistic. Y Tu Mamá También isn't for everyone.

However, I think even more viewers will turned away because the two boys act like total dicks. I certainly don't expect (or want) characters who act like cherubs but there where some scenes when I wanted to smack these two guys over the head with an oatmeal spoon. Not enough to hurt them, just enough to put them in a mild coma.

That being said, there are tremendous character arches and these two guys do develop as the movie progresses. If you are looking for a coming of age road trip movie this one will probably be right up your alley.

I also want to add that for some reason, I have always associated this film with Nico and Dani.  The two movies are thematically very similar.  If you like one you'll probably enjoy the other.

Also, lets not forget that this is an Alfonso Cuarón movie. If you're a fan, this film should already be on your list, especially if you want to see where he developed the documentary, long-take style he perfected in Children of Men.

That being said, don't pick up this movie simply because you enjoyed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I won't say there are zero similarities (both movies are about young men growing up), but Y Tu Mamá También is magical in a very different way.

(I've noticed that I've made Harry Potter references three movie posts in a row now.) 
 
WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?: Netflix Instant. It is also available to rent ($3.99) or buy ($12.99) on Amazon. I'm sure you could also borrow it from many public or university library systems.

RUNTIME: 106 Minutes (exact same as Devil's Backbone, from a few weeks back) 

DIRECTOR: Alfonso Cuarón

WRITER:
Carlos Cuarón
Alfonso Cuarón

STARING
Maribel Verdú 
Diego Luna
Gael García Bernal