February 12 – February 18
Cinema movies: 1
Home movies: 0
TV series: 1
[su_note note_color=”#ffff66″ radius=”8″]If you like this article, you’re gonna love these:
- What the ding dong heck is My MoviePass Year all about?
- Err, so how does MoviePass work?
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The pair of us were so excited for Black Panther we hit up the Thursday night preview.
The last few times I’ve attended the 7pm preview at our local multiplex, attendance has been somewhat lacking. Was I naive to hope that the early screening of Alien: Covenant would be a raucous, B-movie blast, a night I’d forever remember for its role in successfully rebooting my favourite franchise? Yes. Very naive.
The whole experience of watching a film in a crowded room is why I picked up MoviePass and why I am striving (I know I didn’t hit my target this week, but dangit, illness is a devil!) to see more films in their intended environment. The buzz of an early screening is infectious; surrounded by people eager to see a movie as soon as possible is the best way to experience it.
So, what of Black Panther?
The showing itself was exactly what I’d wanted. The air buzzed with intrigue, bristled even, and I found myself so caught up in several scenes that I punched the air with an affirmative “YES!”
It’s one of the better Marvel Studios movies, yet, it didn’t land with quite the impact or amazement that I expected. Here’s what it does well:
- World-building
- Three-dimensional supporting characters
- Action sequences and fight choreography
To be honest, what more could you want from a superhero outing? It’s no surprise that Marvel continues to acquire praise from audiences and critics alike, while its rival, Warner Bros-DC, has failed to achieve the same with its own cinematic universe.
Black Panther stumbles because there’s no plot.
T’Challa takes on the mantle of the Black Panther, following the murder of his father King T’Chaka (as seen in Captain America: Civil War) and plans to locate the man who killed him. Thing is, that once that is wrapped up, there’s no clear direction as to where the film is going or what it wants to do. Its saving grace is the Dora Milaje. Strong, compelling secondary characters – who are all women of colour, hurrah! – they steal the limelight from the Black Panther and forge a strong case for their own movie.
I picked up Neil Gaiman’s novel American Gods about ten years ago. I devoured it while traveling, and it had such an impact, plans were derailed so my best friend and I could visit The House on the Rock – a location that features heavily in the book.
This first season is deranged – and I say that lovingly. At this point I am three episodes in, and it’s a delightful meander into a world that screams “this is unadaptable!” Storywise, it follows the experiences of Shadow Moon, an ex-convict who learns that his wife died the week prior to his release. On the plane ride home he meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane) who convinces him to come and work for him. I won’t say anymore until I’ve finished this season.
Until next week, dear readers.