Tag: zoe saldana

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH – Review

Varang (Oona Chaplin) in 20th Century Studios’ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Director James Cameron is back with a third installment of his AVATAR franchise, which continues to deliver astounding visual effects and world-creation at the highest level. In the first film, a human expedition looking for resources to extract is sent to world called Pandora, a place with an un-breathable atmosphere and inhabited by tall, blue, technologically less-advanced people, dispatches a Marine, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), in the form of an avatar that looks like the forest-living Na’vi people, to learn more about them. But after falling in love with a Na’vi warrior woman, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), Jake switches sides and leads a rebellion against the humans. The second film takes place some 15 years later, as Jake, wife Neytiri and their kids hide out from the human among some beach-dwelling peoples, pursued by Jake’s nemesis and fellow Marine, Quaritch (Stephen Lang). This third one, AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, takes place shortly after that second film.

The main reason to see AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, are the spectacular visual effects and it’s breathtaking world-building. The 3D visual effects are immersive and beautiful, with one breathtaking vista after another. AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH continues to astonish with innovative visual effects that combine motion-capture and digital effects, like the first film, and now including 3D like the second one, but the effects are even more fully integrated, allowing one to entirely be enveloped by its imaginary world. The impressive effects even continue in the scenes with regular non-CGI or motion-capture actor, creating a seamlessly believable world.

Since the outstanding visual effects are the major reason to see this film, the best way to do that is in a theater, on a big screen with 3D capability. If you watch it on a small screen at home or on a phone, you will be missing out most of the reason to see it at all.

The reason why that matters so much is, despite all that visual effect artistry and technical dazzle, the characters and story do not reach that same high level, remaining familiar figures from a classic hero’s tale, with the addition of a historical tale of a colonial or corporate power moving in on a less-technological indigenous one. These indigenous people are aided greatly by that fellow who switched sides, which sets up a David and Goliath / underdog tale.

Action is plentiful and looks great but the story adds more and more characters without expanding on the ones already there. The main characters remain underdeveloped, being either noble good guys or evil bad ones. The story focuses on battles and those breathtaking new vistas but that can hold audience interest forever.

The effects are 3D but the characters remain 2D. It is not the fault of the cast, but the writer. The characters are written to be simple: Worthington’s Jake is noble and brave, Saldana’s Neytiri is emotional and protective, Stephen Lang as Jake’s enemy is relentless, while Giovanni Ribisi’s corporate boss is greedy and heartless. If the story is familiar, the audience has to care about the people in the story to maintain interest, and that means making them more real, more rounded and full-developed.

This story introduces new peoples on Pandora, with peaceful trading peoples who travel through the air in ships attached to blip-like floating creatures. There is another, less peaceful group too, the raiders/pirates known as the Ash People, who prey on the traders and others less warlike folk.

Quaritch, now also using an avatar body, sets out to make contact the war-like Ash People, with the aim of forming an alliance. He hits it off with the Ash People’s fierce, fearless, blood-thirsty queen Varang (a splendid Oona Chaplin, granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin), and a deal is struck.

Meanwhile, Jake struggles with getting the Na’vi and water-based Metkayina Clan to consider using human weapons that he retrieved from the water after the last battle, rather than just bows and arrows. Jake and Neytiri, in addition to their own kids, have adopted two more: Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), the Na’vi child of the avatar of the scientist played by Sigourney Weaver in the first AVATAR, and a human boy nicknamed Spider (Jack Champion), the biological son of Jake’s enemy Quaritch, who needs a special mask to breath the air, a mask that has to be continually replenished to keep him alive.

Stephen Lang’s Quaritch and Oona Chaplin’s Ash queen are by far the most interesting in this one, but if left undeveloped, will just join the crowd of cookie-cutter characters. The story is packed with action and battles and so full of twists (and new characters) that there isn’t much time to do much with this growing cast of characters anyway. But failing to develop the characters beyond the two-dimensional means that maintaining interest in the familiar tropes of this tale will become increasingly challenging.

Reportedly, director/writer James Cameron has two more of these visual effects extravaganzas in the planning stage but unless he starts creating depth to this characters to sustain this hero tale, he is likely to see waning audience interest, something already underway. It can’t just be pretty pictures.

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH opens in theaters on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.

RATING: 2.5 out of 4 stars

ELIO – Review

They’ve had their time in the sun (the multiplex, actually), so move over live-action adaptations, and make room for a fully animated feature film (so the humans are behind the microphones). After scoring lasr Summer with the box office juggernaut INSIDE OUT 2, the artists of Emoryville, California, are back. But, hold on to your computer monitors, this weekend’s new release is indeed “new”, as in not a sequel (or prequel or “spin-off”. This is the first flick without a number in the title in over two years, when we entered the world of ELEMENTAL, which didn’t have a spectacular opening weekend, but stayed in the B.O. top ten for many weeks. Now this world is a tad familiar, as Pixar returns to space again, after the iconic WALL-E and the misguided LIGHTYEAR (oh well, he’ll always be integral to the TOY STORY series). Really, this is a bit of both, or all, worlds as much of this adventure begins on Earth, birthplace of the story’s focus, ELIO.

When we first meet the title character, a pre-teen lad called Elio (voice of Yonas Kibreab), he’s having a tough time adjusting to life without his recently departed mother and father. But luckily, he’s been taken in by his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldana), an Air Force major stationed at a base that tracks space debris. And that’s where sad little Elio really wants to relocate, outer space. Or any other planet than his home world. In the opening scene, he sneaks away from his “tia” to view a special museum exhibit all about the 1977 Voyager space probe. He soon becomes obsessed with tracking it and using the device to contact alien life. And when one of Olga’s equally fervent co-workers, Gunther Melmac (Brendan Hunt) thinks he’s picked up an alien transmission, Elio sneaks to his computer and sends out his own message to “anyone out there”. Which causes a big power outage and nearly gets Olga dismissed (she’s already given up on becoming an astronaut). This, and a recent “dust-up” with two other kids over a “ham” radio, prompts Olga to send her nephew off to a military camp. Another altercation with the same kids is interrupted by a beam of light that freezes his tormentors and sends Elio floating into a spaceship. There , he is greeted by a diverse group of aliens known as the “Communiverse”, who believe that Elio is the leader of Earth, which they’re considering admitting into the group. Ah, but there’s also another candidate. It’s the angry, armored warrior king from the planet Hylurg, Grigon (Brad Garrett). When he’s rejected, Grigon returns to his battle cruiser in order to organize his troops and return to conquer. Since the Communiverse would rather flee than fight, they prepare to send Elio back home. Thinking quickly, he convinces them that he can negotiate with Grigon. So they make an Earth-bound clone of Elio (using a gross source for DNA) and put him into a ship and send him back to the Hylurg star cruiser. When things go sideways, Elio is thrown into the “brig”, escapes, and meets Grigon’s timid young son, Glordon (Remy Edgerly), which leads to an unlikely friendship. Can the two new BFFS broker a truce? And will the clone somehow fool Aunt Olga back on Earth?


Once again, the braintrust at Pixar hasn’t embraced the notion of the current “hot celeb” casting for their vocal talent. Sure, there’s a recent Oscar winner, but this is a fairly unknown, though very talented, ensemble. In the lead role, Kibreab is a true ball of youthful energy threatening to explode as the boy embarking on his dream adventure, and possibly a new life. Sure, Elio has his moments of doubt, but Kibreab conveys his endearing optimism and his ability to “go with the flow”. He’s got great rapport with Saldana (in her first feature follow-up to taking the gold for EMILIA PEREZ), who is a warm, nurturing caregiver, also given to doubt in her choices as a suddenly new parent. And Kibreab has a great comedic “back and forth” with Edgerly as the adorable, sweet Glordon who blossoms with his new friendship even as he balks at his family’s plans. That future is spearheaded (ah, weaponry) by Garrett, who provides the gravelly threats as Glordon’s rage-fueled daddy, invoking memories of Buzz Lightyear’s nemesis, Emperor Zurg. But he’s still funny, especially as he mulls over his own parental concerns and decisions. Hunt is all manic frenzy as the conspiracy-crazed Melmac (perhaps a shout-out to 1980s TV icon “Alf”), a character who seems to have sprinted in from THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES. Plus, there’s terrific support from the vocalists behind the Communiverse, particularly Jameela Jamil and Shirley Henderson (a floating computer aide called OOOO).

This galaxy-spanning adventure apparently required a solid directing team to pilot its course. But it’s not a duo, but rather a trio of filmmakers, Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian, and Domee Shi, who guide Elio’s journey, from the map/screenplay of eight (!) authors. The Pixar artisans have again crafted a visual marvel, full of eye-popping landscapes, imaginative props (love the beverage cups and the living encyclopedia), and delightful designs of the alien races. The Communiverse delegates have distinctive looks (I was drawn to one that resembled a shifting smooth “paperweight” that Don Draper might have used at his desk) and Glordon who looked like one of those magnified “dust mites” crossed with a bald mole rat (a challenge for the animators since he had no eyes and his emotions are all conveyed form the mouth shapes and body language). The film is pushing its 3D version (unlike most other recent flicks), and I’m sorely tempted to check out the “up-convert” for the many scenes of floating and flying past the great backdrops. The human characters are also well done, though they seem to harken back to the “rounded” facial features seen in TURNING RED and especially LUCA, but just as expressive (yes, the “acting” is superb all around). The movie’s look often “makes up” for the screenplay’s wobbly structure. Yes, there are several terrific scenes inspired by sci-fi classics (E.T. is obvious at the camp’s forest, while the clone recalls the many “Body Snatchers” adaptations). Perhaps the script needed a couple more “passes” to flesh out the lead as he’s often too “single focused” and doesn’t evoke enough empathy, although he does reference his “lost” parents. They may have thought that this would add more dramatic weight to his third act “decision” that also builds on the finale of Spielberg’s 77 alien epic. The marketing folks are making many comparisons to COCO, but this doesn’t come close to that film’s emotional wallop (which packs a punch many years later). Still, it’s great to see that the studio isn’t putting all of its energy into sequels (mind you, they’re on the way), and they can still produce worlds that are so immersive and dazzling. So, for a fun, family trip away from the remakes, moviegoers will have a blast blasting off into the cosmos with ELIO.

3 out of 4

ELIO is now playing in theatres everywhere

EMILIA PEREZ – Review

All through cinema’s history we’ve seen countless stories of characters who want to “start over” and “reinvent themselves”. Often they’re wanting to atone for past behaviors (as in the recent GOODRICH or WILD HEART), while others make a radical change in appearance (way back to NOW VOYAGER). This weekend’s “buzzy” new Netflix release encompasses both in an unorthodox way, since it’s a “full out” musical, and proves to be quite a showcase for the superb talents involved. It’s also a “message” movie, a domestic drama, and a nail-biting crime thriller. The latter is the starting point as this tune-filled fable focuses on a ruthless drug kingpin (accent on the king) who yearns to become the “queen” named EMILIA PEREZ.


But first we encounter another woman. Rita Moro Castro (Zoe Saldana) is a frustrated lawyer in Mexico City where the bigoted hierarchy of her firm have put her “on the bench”, writing speeches to the jury delivered by an ill-prepared, male co-worker trying to get acquittals for guilty lowlife clients. Then things radically change when she gets a phone call from someone powerful who wishes to pay her very well for her services. A clandestine “meet on the street” takes a scary turn when somebody covers her head with a hood and pushes her into a dark SVU. She meets her employer, the notorious head of the big national drug cartel, Juan “Manitas” Del Monte, who doesn’t want Rita’s legal skills, but rather needs her to do the “legwork’ to find the best doctors (not in Mexico or the US) that can transition him into a woman. After the search concludes (and secret overseas accounts for Rita are in place). Castro joins the Del Monte clan for a secret “farewell party”. There she meets Mrs. Del Monte, Jessi (Selena Gomez), who doesn’t know of her husband’s wishes. Rather, Rita tells her that she and her two young sons must relocate to Switzerland as Manitas stays behind to broker a deadly cartel war. While the family and Rita head to the Alps, the surgeries begin in Israel for Manitas. Several years pass, and Rita is now living and working in London. A statuesque Spanish-speaking woman approaches her at a dinner party. She introduces herself as Emilia Perez (Karla Sofia Gascon), then whispers to Rita that she has a new job for her. It is the former Manitas. She wants Rita to bring Jessi and her sons back from Europe to live in her Mexico City mansion where Emilia will pose as the aunt of Manitas. The “reunion” happens, and all seems to go well as Jessi buys into the “family connection” (including the faked demise of Manitas). But then she reaches out to a former flame, the dangerous Gustavo (Edgar Ramirez), while Emilia starts a charity which leads to a romance with an abused widow named Epifania (Adriana Paz). Can Emilia maintain her new life and leave her old brutal criminal past behind her? And can Rita avoid being caught up in the impending “clash”?

Although she’s not in the title role, Ms. Saldana absolutely steals the film as the “by the book” lawyer who is swayed (by loads a’ cash) into the underworld. She expertly conveys the full range of Rita’s emotions, whether ethically conflicted, frustrated (as a cloddish male co-worker mangles her words), or terrified . I’m referring to her first “meeting” of Emilia as she believes that she’s a “loose end” to be severed. Ah, but we get the full range of her talents as Saldana displays a rubbery, fierce grace in the musical numbers, especially with one set at a charity ball, using the rich patrons as props. Truly an performance worthy of many awards. I was not aware of the career of Ms. Gascon, so I was delightfully surprised at her work, starting as the sinister Manitas growling threats while pleading for help, but then showing a tender side with his two sons. Much of that quality is there as the maternal Perez, who wants to heal her homeland while exploring a new type of romance with the sympathetic Paz as Epifania. More recently honing her comedic chops as part of the trio in “Only Murders in the Building”, Gomez returns to her musical roots and delves into some heavy dramatics as the often bewildered Jessi. She gets a couple of engaging dance numbers, but she’s at her best as she rebels against the smothering Perez to pursue a steamy romance with Ramirez as the macho manipulative Gustavo.

This unique cinema experience comes from veteran director Jacques Audiard whose screenplay adapts his opera libretto, which sprung from the novel Ecoute by Boris Razon. Audiard works in a dark gritty color palette, particularly on the mean dangerous streets of Mexico City (Rita is engulfed by the darkness). There’s a lighter look in the blissful confines of the Perez home, which switches with the desert hellscape of the missing murdered. The background dissolves away for the musical numbers, though these aren’t glossy MGM-inspired Technicolor fantasies. Especially powerful is a haunting ballad about the “lost souls” sung by floating heads of the families and friends against a dismal black limbo. But he does indulge in a bit of movie “camp” as Rita gets a tour of a sparkling “surgery spa” in Thailand. Big kudos to the musical talents of songwriter Camile, the score of Clement Ducol, and the choreography by Damien Jalet. This word be a compelling story if it just focused on the gender “transition”, but the powerful look at the real-life kidnapping epidemic, and the parental conflicts make this an outstanding and important artistic statement. There are lots of secrets and compassion in the the life and legend of EMILIA PEREZ.

3.5 Out of 4

EMILIA PEREZ is now playing in select theatres

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 Tickets On Sale Today And On May 3 Attend The IMAX Guardians of the Galaxy Marathon

Today, Marvel Studios announced that advance tickets are now on sale for the highly anticipated third and final film of James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy. 

On Wednesday, May 3rd, fans can be among the first to see “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” by attending the exclusive “The IMAX Guardians of the Galaxy Marathon.” Experience all three films back on the big screen in IMAX and receive an exclusive, commemorative poster & lanyard. Check your local listings for a participating IMAX theatre near you. Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” will fill the entire IMAX screen as intended by director James Gunn, allowing moviegoers to experience more of the images with unprecedented detail and clarity.  Combined with next generation IMAX precision sound, audiences are in for a truly spectacular and immersive experience. Get your tickets now to see it in Dolby Cinema here: https://dolbylabs.co/GotG3 

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3. © 2023 MARVEL.

Revealed by James Gunn earlier this morning, the track list for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3:  Awesome Mix Vol. 3 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a collection of 17 songs and is set for release on CD and Digital Download May 3.  The soundtrack will also be available on 12” 2-LP vinyl on May 5 and will be followed by the cassette version on July 7.   The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Original Score digital album featuring music by composer John Murphy (“The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” “Suicide Squad”) will be released on May 3.

Listen to the Guardians of the Galaxy: The Official Mixtape playlist here.

Pre-order the Vinyl here.

Pre-order the CD here.

Advance tickets for both Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and the IMAX “Guardians of the Galaxy” Marathon are on sale everywhere tickets are sold, including Fandango.

In Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life—a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

(L-R): Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Karen Gillan as Nebula, and Pom Klementieff as Mantis in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.

The film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot and Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter and Maria Bakalova.

James Gunn is the director and also wrote the screenplay. Kevin Feige produces with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nikolas Korda, Sara Smith, and Simon Hatt serving as executive producers. 

Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” opens in U.S. theaters on May 5.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3. © 2023 MARVEL.

Marvel Studios’ GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 Big Game Spot Features Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff And Will Poulter

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. © 2023 MARVEL.

Today, during the Big Game, Marvel Studios and James Gunn released a poster and brand-new, action-packed trailer online for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” the final film in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, spearheaded by James Gunn.

In Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life—a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

The film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot and Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter and Maria Bakalova.

(L-R): Will Poulter as Adam Warlock in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo by Jessica Miglio. © 2022 MARVEL.
(L-R): Dave Bautista as Drax, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, and Karen Gillan as Nebula in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo by Jessica Miglio. © 2022 MARVEL.

James Gunn is the director and also wrote the screenplay. Kevin Feige produces with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nikolas Korda, Sara Smith, and Simon Hatt serving as executive producers.

The Galaxy’s Favorite Guardians Take One Last Ride May 5.

(L-R): Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Dave Bautista as Drax, and Pom Klementieff as Mantis in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.
(L-R): Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Karen Gillan as Nebula, and Pom Klementieff as Mantis in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER – Review

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

Along with EMPIRE OF LIGHT, this week’s film is also a bit of cinema nostalgia. No, it’s not about the beginning of Hollywood or a particular famous director, nor Like EOL a movie palace. That’s because it has something in common with this year’s (so far) biggest box office earner: it is a sequel several years after the original. Now it doesn’t come close to the 36 years between the TOP GUN flicks, but 13 is a long stretch indeed. That’s when James Cameron followed up the, then, biggest film of all time, TITANIC, with a film that surpassed it (at the time). And now after endless reports and rumors, official and unofficial announcements, the sequel to his SF-fantasy epic is finally here (supposedly the first of at least four follow-ups). So dust off those 3D stereo specs for a return to Pandora in AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER.


The story does pick up on that said planet, as the human invaders are banished, except a few sympathetic scientists, by the native Na-vi tribes. As for the focus of the first flick, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington in voice and “mo-cap”) is still in his cloned Na-vi body and has started a family with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), plus he’s the chief of the Omaticaya (forest) tribe. The couple has two teenage sons, Neteyam and Lo’ak along with their pre-teen daughter Tuk. Oh, and they’ve adopted two more. there’s teenager Kiri who is the avatar of late human researcher Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) and an actual human teenage boy who couldn’t be part of the exile, though he’s the son of Jake’s enemy. He prefers the nickname ‘Spider’ (Jack Champion). Things are tranquil until that same enemy, Quaritch (Stephen Lang) actually returns in a Na’vi avatar complete with his still ill-tempered “brain template”., Of course, the Earthers are back with another attempt to colonize Pandora under the command of General Ardmore (Edie Falco). Quaritch is thirsting for revenge and targets Jake. When the kids, except Spider, avoid capture by his forces, Jake decides that they must leave the tribe in order to protect their forest friends. Moving quickly, they dash toward the wide ocean to join the Metkayina, the reef people. Their chief Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) and his wife Ronal (Kate Winslett) hesitantly take them in. Jake doesn’t wish to upset his hosts, but his sons soon clash with Tonowari’s aggressive sons, though daughter Tiserya seems to ‘like” Neteyama. But the underwater explorations of the Sully family may be cut short as the forces of Quartich zero in. leading to a massive battle for the fate of the entire planet.

For most films, I’d delve right into the performances, but this film is quite unique in that aspect. Since so much motion-capture technology is utilized you’d perhaps wish to consider it an animated feature. But that’s not really the case as we do have “un-augmented” performers throughout the film. Weaver and Lang are seen in flashback cameos as is Giovanni Ribisi. Champion has probably the most “live time” as Spider who’s an interesting hybrid of the feral “wild child” of ROAD WARRIOR and ERB’s Korak (son of Tarzan) and Jack Kirby’s 70’s creation for DC, Kamandi (“the last boy on Earth”). Falco’s a formidable general, while comic actor Jermaine Clement is a funny nervous scientist in the big third-act battle. Yet here’s what sets apart the use of CGI enhancements here: the acting performances still shine through. Worthington’s a glowering stern, but fair, father. Salanda’s eyes well with tears as she worries about her “clan”. And Lang’s arrogant sneer is there amidst all the blue skin and cat-like features of the Na’vi.


That’s just the tip of this film’s incredible wizardry and wonders. Pandora’s is as gorgeous as you recall, perhaps even more so in the depth and details of the floating mountains and lush jungle that sparkles with shimmering creatures that seem to float inches from our noses. But then Cameron tops that by setting so much of the second half in the new beautiful blues of the underwater vistas. The characters glide in a beautiful ballet with the astounding creatures (their “scalp tails” connect with seal-like transports) and later dance upon whale-like behemoths. But the creativity’s not limited to the new forms of wildlife. Ardmore has an “upgrade” of Ripley’s exoskeleton from ALIENS, while the other Earth weaponry resembles a rampaging metallic crab. In the oceans, the battleship-sized vessels shoot out torpedoes that are tiny one-manned subs. This just doubles the frustrations of an often trite screenplay with too many bits of clunky dialogue. The environmental themes are hammered home while those inter-family conflicts (sibling rivalries, estrangements, repressed attractions) feel “tacked on” to balance the action set-pieces. And yes, they’re truly awesome, but it wears us down after extended aquatic exploring. Still, Cameron has pushed the boundaries of special effects once more making a trek to the biggest screen available (along with enhanced sound and 3D) a real cinematic thrill ride. He makes Pandora the ultimate movie dreamscape in AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER.

3 Out of 4

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is now playing in theatres everywhere

The Gang Is Back In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 New Trailer And Poster – Plus Catch A First Look At Will Poulter As Adam Warlock

Hot off the heels of the highly successful THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY HOLIDAY SPECIAL (review) on Disney+, comes the first trailer for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3.

Today at CCXP22 (Comic-Con Experience 2022) in São Paulo, Brazil, Marvel Studios debuted the preview. Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, introduced Zoe Saldana, who plays Gamora in the franchise, before delighting the enthusiastic fans with the trailer debut for the highly anticipated upcoming feature film, releasing in U.S. theaters on May 5, 2023.

In Marvel Studios “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

James Gunn writes and directs “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” which stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter and Maria Bakalova. Kevin Feige is the producer and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nikolas Korda, Simon Hatt and Sara Smith serve as executive producers.

The 8 Best Things About The Terrific Trailer For Shawn Levy’s THE ADAM PROJECT Starring Ryan Reynolds

Netflix has released the fantastic trailer for THE ADAM PROJECT from director Shawn Levy (REAL STEEL, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, FREE GUY, Producer of ARRIVAL and LOVE AND MONSTERS).

A time-traveling pilot teams up with his younger self and his late father to come to terms with his past while saving the future.

Sc-Fi Genius. I can’t wait for March 11.

So why watch this sci-fi film?

It’s got a great cast starring Ryan Reynolds, Zoe Saldana, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Garner (yes Marvel fans – Gamora, Elektra, The Hulk, Deadpool). The editing of the trailer along with the rousing music is brilliant. The other-worldly score by Rob Simonsen is gripping. The story, written by Jonathan Tropper, T.S. Nowlin, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin, is funny, emotional, heart-warming and somewhat relatable. The Baddies. The spaceships and how we want these in Lego form! The cool weapons and that platform! And lastly time travel!!

Watch The Adam Project, on Netflix March 11: https://www.netflix.com/title/81309354

The Adam Project (L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Big Adam and Walker Scobell as Young Adam. Cr.Netflix © 2022
The Adam Project (L to R) Walker Scobell as Young Adam and Ryan Reynolds as Big Adam. Cr. Doane Gregory/Netflix © 2021
The Adam Project (L to R) Zoe Saldana as Laura and Ryan Reynolds as Big Adam. Cr. Doane Gregory/Netflix © 2021
The Adam Project (L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Big Adam and Jennifer Garner as Ellie. Cr. Doane Gregory/Netflix © 2022
The Adam Project (L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Big Adam, Mark Ruffalo as Louis Reed and Walker Scobell as Young Adam. Cr. Doana Gregory/Netflix © 2022

Check Out The First Trailer And Poster For MISSING LINK Starring Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana And Zach Galifianakis

Opening in theaters on April 12, 2019 is the upcoming animated film MISSING LINK. From LAIKA and Annapurna Pictures watch the first trailer and check out the new poster for the film featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Zach Galifianakis, Timothy Olyphant, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ching Valdes-Aran, Stephen Fry, Amrita Acharia and Dame Emma Thompson.

This April, meet Mr. Link: 8 feet tall, 630 lbs, and covered in fur, but don’t let his appearance fool you… he is funny, sweet, and adorably literal, making him the world’s most lovable legend at the heart of Missing Link, the globe-trotting family adventure from LAIKA.

Tired of living a solitary life in the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Link recruits fearless explorer Sir Lionel Frost to guide him on a journey to find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight, our fearless trio of explorers encounter more than their fair share of peril as they travel to the far reaches of the world to help their new friend. Through it all, the three learn that sometimes you can find a family in the places you least expect.

Visit the official site: missinglink.movie

WAMG Giveaway – Win I KILL GIANTS on DVD

 
From the producers of Harry Potter, I KILL GIANTS stars Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar), Imogen Poots (“Roadies,” Green Room), Madison Wolfe (The Conjuring 2, “True Detective”), and Sydney Wade (360, Una). The film was directed by the Academy Award winning writer/director Anders Walter (Helium) and was written by Joe Kelly (Deadpool graphic novel, Big Hero 6 graphic novel, “Avengers Assemble,” “Ultimate Spider-Man”).
 
Teen Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe) is the only thing that stands between terrible giants and the destruction of her small town. But as she boldy confronts her fears in increasingly dangerous ways, her new school counselor (Zoe Saldana) leads her to question everything she’s always believed to be true.
The adventure, fantasy film will be available on DVD and Blu-ray on May 22nd by RLJE Films.
Now you can own I KILL GIANTS on DVD. We Are Movie Geeks has 2 copies to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite movie costarring Zoe Saldana? (mine is AVATAR!). It’s so easy!
Good Luck!

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES.  NO P.O. BOXES.  NO DUPLICATE ADDRESSES.

2. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES.

RLJE Films (NASDAQ: RLJE) will release the adventure, fantasy film I KILL GIANTS on DVD and Blu-ray on May 22, 2018. From the producers of Harry Potter, I KILL GIANTS stars Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar), Imogen Poots (“Roadies,” Green Room), Madison Wolfe (The Conjuring 2, “True Detective”), and Sydney Wade (360, Una). The film was directed by the Academy Award winning writer/director Anders Walter (Helium) and was written by Joe Kelly (Deadpool graphic novel, Big Hero 6 graphic novel, “Avengers Assemble,” “Ultimate Spider-Man”). RLJE Films will release I KILL GIANTS on DVD for an SRP of $29.96 and on Blu-ray for an SRP of $29.97.
 
Teen Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe) is the only thing that stands between terrible giants and the destruction of her small town. But as she boldy confronts her fears in increasingly dangerous ways, her new school counselor (Zoe Saldana) leads her to question everything she’s always believed to be true.
 
I KILL GIANTS is based on the critically acclaimed “Man of Action” graphic novel written by Kelly and Ken Niimura (“Henshin”).  The graphic novel won many awards including IGN’S Best Indy Book of 2008, New York Magazine’s Top 10 Comics of 2009 and the Gold Award at the International Manga Awards.
 
The I KILL GIANTS DVD and Blu-ray includes the bonus features “The Making of I Kill Giants,” Anatomy of a Scene, I Kill Giants Graphic Novel: Chapter 1 and a Photo Gallery.