John Ostrander: For What It’s Worth

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by John Ostrander

 “Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong.” – For What It’s Worth, 1967, written by Stephen Stills, performed by Buffalo Springfield

SPOILERS! Warning! Danger! I’m going to discuss some questions raised in Captain America: Civil War, which means some plot points will get spilled. If you haven’t yet seen the film – it’s just out on Blu-Ray – you may not want to proceed.

There are a lot of things I enjoyed about Captain America: Civil War but what I liked best was the question that was at the center of the narrative. During an action in Legos involving Cap and some members of the Avengers, there is a mistake and an explosion and innocent bystanders get killed. This, coupled with the human collateral damage witnessed in previous Marvel films, causes members of the United Nations to create The Slovenia Accords – named after the site of the massive destruction in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Now the Avengers must submit to an oversight panel. If they don’t, they will be disbanded. read article

Diana Vacc sees “Sully”

by Diana Vaccarelli

*Warning: this review may contain spoilers!*

sullyFrom Blockbuster/Tentpole Season to Award Season. The earth keeps turning, and Hollywood’s studios are putting out their best work as each tries to garner the top awards.

Sully tells the true story of the “Miracle on the Hudson” when  pilot Chesley Sullenberger became a hero after he made an emergency landing of his limping jetliner on the river and saved everyone on board. read article

Diana Vacc sees “Pete’s Dragon”

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by Diana Vaccarelli

*If you haven’t viewed this film yet be warned this review may contain spoilers!*

With the summer blockbuster season coming to an end I had the opportunity to see Pete’s Dragon.  Pete’s Dragon tells the story of orphaned boy Pete and his Dragon Elliot and the true meaning of family.

THE GOOD: read article

Diana Vacc sees “Ben-Hur”

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by Diana Vaccarelli

*If you haven’t viewed this film yet be warned this review may contain spoilers!*

Hollywood has gotten into the habit of taking classic films and remaking them for a new generation. I believe there are pro’s and con’s to this.  Ben-Hur being the latest of such remakes (and a remake of a remake of a remake, no less), tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur back in the First Century A.D., a young Jewish royal falsely accused of treason who regains his name and honor during a pivotal chariot race.

THE GOOD: read article

Diana Vacc sees “Suicide Squad”

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by Diana Vaccarelli

 *If you haven’t viewed this film yet be warned this review may contain spoilers!*

The villains of the comic book age have now become the heroes in Suicide Squad.  The U.S Government gives a team of supervillains the chance to do some good in the world.  Lead by Deadshot (Will Smith), the villains are tasked to save the world from an evil, ancient power.

THE GOOD: read article