Reviews: Avengers: Endgame, Booksmart

A Double Feature Review!

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Avengers: Endgame

One of the most satisfying superhero movies you’ll ever see. Avengers: Endgame is everything you want it to be and more. 11-years in the making, Avengers: Endgame has completed it’s 22-film arc for our original six (Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Black Widow, and Haweye). As far as superhero movies go, Endgame is emotionally resonant and is full of heart. This is a summer blockbuster you don’t want to miss. I am amazed at how well this franchise has done over the last decade. Through the highs and lows, we have been with each of these characters every step of the way. Endgame is a goodbye sway song for The Avengers gang. Now, we are entering Post-Avengers territory for the MCU. This could lead to another decade of superhero films waiting to be uncovered. I’ll stick with them through thick and thin. What I enjoyed most about Endgame was the passion and raw emotional power our cast put into their characters.

​A cast consisting of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Josh Brolin as Thanos. Writer’s Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely give our characters hope and determination to finish the job. While the Russo Brother’s direct and guide our story to an epic conclusion. In the end, Endgame takes its time with the story expanding to a whopping 3 hours and 2 minutes. Nothing ever felt rushed or sluggish, the pacing was evenly placed throughout the film. Yes, we do get that epic battle, but we have to wait for it until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this because Marvel scaled back the action / CGI fights and focused on the more important aspects – the characters. This monumental superhero film receives five-stars from me. Endgame was everything I dreamt it would be and more. Job well done. 

Avengers: Endgame is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) For sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language.

Directed by The Russo Bros. 

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Josh Brolin as Thanos.

Booksmart

“Getting Straight A's. Giving Zero F's.” I haven’t laughed that hard at a movie in a long time. Booksmart is the funniest movie of the year, it’s also one of the best. Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut is fast-paced and completely original. Actresses Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein are knockouts. I highly recommend seeing this coming-of-age movie. Dare I say, it’s a masterpiece? Booksmart is a rare coming-of-age movie that goes beyond the status quo. Ms. Wilde’s directorial debut is a blast from start to finish. This film is a home run in my books and receives a five-star review from me. “What if the two friends realized that they did high school all wrong? What if they realized that everyone they thought just partied and wasted their high-school years were going to Ivy League schools just like them?” Our story follows two academic superstars and best friends (Amy played by Denver and Molly played by Feldstein) who, on the eve of their high school graduation, suddenly realize that they should have worked less and played more.

​All of the other students at their school partied until they couldn’t party anymore. These students also got into elite colleges, proving Amy and Molly were wrong on their ‘good student’ academics. So, determined never to fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission to cram four years of fun into one night. Trust me, you’ll laugh until your sides hurt and then you’ll laugh some more. Booksmart is full of rapid-fire gags that are crisp, raw, cruel. It’s raunchy fun from the first frame until the last. Not only is the film funny, but it’s also well-written, well-acted, and well-scored. The soundtrack throughout the film is lively and upbeat, keeping our viewer’s attention in-focus. Amy and Molly road trip throughout Los Angeles, while each song underlines their shifting perspective. Sequence after sequence, we see our character’s emotions forming onto the screen. From hopeful to nervousness, each song adds to that changing perspective. This again is perfectly done by Ms. Wilde’s brilliant vision. Booksmart is a summer Indie film I highly recommend. Trust me, it won’t disappoint.

Booksmart is rated R (Restricted) For strong sexual content and language throughout, drug use and drinking - all involving teens.

Directed by Olivia Wilde

Starring Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Billie Lourd, Skyler Gisondo, Diana Silvers, Noah Galvin, Jason Sudeikis, and Lisa Kudrow