Bright seeks a balance it never strikes. It's a boldly written and brazenly directed film, and while that kind of confidence has both merit and a place in Hollywood, it just doesn't translate well here.
Simply by existing, San Diego Comic-Con makes an annual promise to outdo similar gatherings and keep the crown placed upon the head of only the very best of its kind. The convention has gained world renown for its internet-breaking reveals, unmatched programming, and lengthy celebrity guest list, but its appeal doesn't stop there.
Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman is a gem. Released between two heavily-hyped MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) films, the hero's solo adventure stands as the only DC feature to debut this summer. As such, it needed to stand tall against Marvel's might lest it strengthen the stigma now surrounding many DC properties. Thankfully, it does that and so much more. Jenkins' deep understanding, coupled with her obvious love for what Diana stands for, makes her one of the only directors truly capable of delivering a film worthy of this incredible character. Gal Gadot shines bright too, of course, bringing levity and love to a titular role that requires both but guarantees neither.
Following last year's disastrous Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, appalled critics and enraged fans have refused to look backward and instead look forward. Mired in mediocrity and characterized by Zack Snyder's incompetence, the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) has yet to find a firm enough footing to inspire confidence in the naysayers. Granted, the franchise hasn't completely failed the hardcore and the hopeful, as many defend the films with a ferocity that you wouldn't want to cross.
Star Wars: Episode IX, the final entry in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, is still over two years away, but the big wigs at Lucasfilm are already planning what comes next. As yesterday's trailer for The Last Jedi so mysteriously suggested, the ongoing saga following the Skywalker family may take a sinister turn. The trailer ends with a determined Luke saying, "It is time for the Jedi to end," leading many to believe the legendary Jedi has betrayed the values and principles that once saved the galaxy. Regardless of how you interpret that, one thing remains certain: Luke Skywalker is not the same.
Following that awesome new trailer released earlier today, anticipation for Spider-Man: Homecoming has never been higher. It looks like the upcoming reboot is going to be a big hit both critically and commercially and as such, Spidey appears to have a bright future ahead of him in the MCU. Or does he?
Neil Gaiman ranks among the most celebrated storytellers of our time. A gifted writer with a penchant for crafting odd tales with mythological underpinnings, he's written novels, short story collections and even comics that speak to the most curious, most human parts of ourselves. It's difficult to pick a favorite amongst his many brilliant works, but most regard his groundbreaking American Gods to be his greatest achievement as a writer.
Spider-Man has an impressive rogues gallery, but few of his enemies can match the monstrous Venom in ferocity. Controlled by a parasitic symbiote, Eddie Brock (the original Venom) harbors a hatred for Spidey that drives him to insanity, and it's made him a great villain for the hero over the years.
