Categories
Mark's 21st Century Movie Milestones

Number 13…

In the past 15 years, I’ve been blessed to get to work a lot in my Church’s children’s ministry.

This has included being a camp counselor 11 times, plus another 3 at another Christian Camp. Yet all of this can’t hold a candle to what Rocky Braat has achieved in the film Blood Brother (and continues to achieve).

Categories
3 1/2 Stars

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the first MCU entry in some time where prior knowledge of previous films/TV Shows is not entirely needed. 

Admittedly, I was thrown off at the start when I found out the setting was Earth-828, which is not the main earth from the prior MCU films  (that was…let me check…oh right, Earth-616). This is an interesting approach, since the Fantastic Four are, as far as I can tell, behind only Spider-Man and the X-Men when it comes to the most prominent of Marvel characters.

Categories
Mark's 21st Century Movie Milestones

Number 15…

As of now, there have been two times the Oscars have occurred on my birthday during my lifetime.

I have had a few birthday parties on Oscar night (such as the one in 2002, when A Beautiful Mind won Best Picture), but it was exactly two decades later, on my 35th birthday, when it was even more memorable. All people remember from this night, of course, is Will Smith slapping Chris Rock (giving me the ample chance to tell my friends not interested what had transpired), yet even that could not dampen my spirits. I got my highest prediction score to date, getting 21 of 23 (I missed Best Editing and one of the shorts categories). And, of course, the Best Picture award went to my favorite movie of 2021, CODA.

Categories
4 Stars

Superman (2025)

Ever since his 1938 introduction to society, no other fictional character (let alone superhero) has had to put up with society more than Superman. 

It is no wonder there have been comparisons to biblical figures like Moses and Jesus (in the original film, remember the dialogue of “I have sent them you, my only son”). It is not too far fetched to believe that we as humans would not take long to start treating the man of steel as an after thought. Yet still, as portrayed in James Gunn’s Superman, he persists to protect us.

Categories
1 Star

Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)

A decade after the rather refreshing return to the dino verse with Jurassic World, I’ve finally found the one high point that has occurred: The Lego Jurassic World Video game.

Like all the Lego games based off of IP, the humor is right in my wheel house. The best part by far is unlocking Lego Steven Spielberg and having him hit targets by throwing Oscars. That to me is bliss. On the other end of this spectrum is misery, which is reserved for every one of the sequels that has followed: Fallen Kingdom, Dominion, and, now, Rebirth.

Categories
4 1/2 Stars

F1 (2025)

Since my review of Ford v Ferrari,my views and knowledge of motor racing as a sport have been so unchanged I almost started this review the same way as I did that film. Not sure what that says, but oh well.

Either way, there are not many films out there about the sport of motor racing (and while I’ve only seen two of the films in The Fast and the Furious franchise, I’m confident in saying those don’t count). Regardless, two years after he brought sensational effects with Top Gun: Maverick, director Joseph Kosinski brings that same bravado and care with F1.

Categories
Mark's 21st Century Movie Milestones

Number 17…

I can’t recall why I was asked to go to a certain YMCA week long camp back in 2003 (probably so my little brother was not alone, even though I hardly saw him the whole week), but the last night was indeed eventful. 

We had a canoe ride that was to be followed by a dance, in which a girl I developed a summer crush on said she would dance with me. The canoe ride when over by an hour or so (we got lost in the rain), but I got that last bit of time to dance with her (to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t help falling in love”, for that matter).

Categories
3 Stars

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (2025)

Recently, the married couple of my church went on a (much deserved) sabbatical. I also learned that their three sons (who are amazing) are fans of sorts of the Mission Impossible movies.

Well, by the time they come back from their sabbatical, I may finally be able to explain the plot of Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.

Categories
4 Stars Movies

Thunderbolts* (2025)

It is odd to think of, but Marvel is almost going to have more movies than I have in years on this planet (according to wiki, they will have caught up to me by 2027).

(This of course does not include the TV shows, Limited Series, and what not).

Categories
2 Stars Movies

Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

“Don’t die. Copy that.”

This is more than a repeated piece of dialogue that Joaquin Torres’ Falcon says to Sam Wilson’s Captain America. It could also be reflective of the MCU offices these days, making sure their movies (and TV shows, for that matter) are not being sent out without a thought of survival.