There’s a good chance that you spent a portion of your Memorial Day weekend in a movie theater, and there’s an equally good chance that you were there to watch Bryan Singer's X-Men: Days of Future Past. The fifth film in the X-Men franchise, seventh if you include two solo Wolverine outings, combines many of the characters and lore across all the various X-films. Naturally, this can lead to many unanswered questions, as with so many stories, characters, plots and motivations, it’s pretty easy to lose focus on all the pieces that are in motion.
Netflix has revolutionized the way we watch movies and television, starting simply by mailing titles directly to your house, then evolving into the streaming mecca of all things instantly watchable. Let’s be honest though, how often do we still get Netflix titles in the mail? How many of us have the same Netflix envelope from eight moths ago sitting on our dresser, pushed aside for television series binge-watching and impulse selections? We’ve all been there, and we’re all still paying for that monthly by-mail DVD delivery subscription because hey, you never know, right?
Summer is one of the best times to be out in nature, soaking up the sun and scenery, but it's also one of the most exciting times to be at the movies. Through the months of May, June, July and August, Hollywood's biggest studios pull out all the stops week after week to deliver some of the year's most spectacular, enjoyable popcorn flicks.
Ah, yes, the first date. An event that strikes fear into the hearts of almost everyone who calls themselves human. For many, the first date is a daunting, intimidating and even downright frightening occurrence, something that could make or break a potential relationship. While there are many great ideas for what a couple can do during their first outing, sometimes watching a good movie is the perfect thing to help break the ice and bring two people closer together.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is nothing short of amazing. Over the course of 8 films, 9 if you count next week's Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Marvel has weaved together an intricate universe of characters, stories, events and history, on both film and television. The incredible thing about it all is that it works. So much could have gone wrong but somehow, someway, it all flows together seamlessly to create a universe that's incredibly pleasing for both fans, and non-fans, of these famous comic book characters.
Despite what Hollywood would have us believe, not all villains are purely evil. In fact, many of them are often conflicted individuals who are horribly confused. Or, in some cases, they are forced to behave a certain way due to unfortunate circumstances. Of course, there's a multitude of other scenarios as well, but when it all comes down to it, there's no denying that many movie and television villains are simply misunderstood.
Tomorrow, nine terrific films will go head-to-head for the coveted title of Best Picture, and there are still heated arguments about who is currently in the lead, between Alfonso Cuarón's thrilling space odyssey Gravity and Steve McQueen's devastating historical drama 12 Years a Slave. Other races are just as tough to call, with Best Actor looking like a photo finish between Matthew McConaughey, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leonardo DiCaprio. And of course, Oscar night always has surprises in store, so even the most seemingly sure calls are actually far from assured.
