As a Quirky Spin on the Superhero Genre, 'My Hero Academia' Is Pretty Refreshing

It can’t be helped but compare My Hero Academia – alternatively known as Boku no Hero Academia – with One-Punch Man.  Both are anime spins on the superhero genre, and have a roster of colorful characters.  In fact, I checked out My Hero Academia in the first place to serve as a One-Punch Man fix, since there’s still no announcement of when its second season is expected to air.  At early episodes, I thought it wasn’t as fun, funny, and exciting as One-Punch Man.  But a bit later, it turned out being a distinctive and special superhero anime on its own.  Now, I’m just as excitedly looking forward to its season 2 as I do with One-Punch Man.

'The Bronze' Is Comedy, Er, Bronze

There’s one primary reason why I decided to watch The Bronze: Melissa Rauch.  I just love Bernadette, her adorable character in The Big Bang Theory, and I’m intrigued on what more she can do as a comedienne.  She not only stars in this movie – the first time that she’s ever headlined one –  but she also co-wrote the script.

The Bronze focuses on former gymnast Hope Ann Greggory (Melissa Rauch) who, years ago, won an unlikely Olympic bronze due to an inspiring performance she opt to execute despite suffering a career-ending Achilles injury.  This made her a household name, and is celebrated by her hometown ever since.  However, she never amounted to anything else after it.  At the present, she lives a spoiled, unproductive life living in her dad’s basement, stealing money from the mail that he delivers, and then roaming around town in her Team USA gym suit, milking whatever goodwill still remaining from her old achievement to get free food and products.

One day, though unwilling, she’s compelled to coach her town’s next big gymnast, Maggie (Haley Lu Richardson).  As a result, she is left with a very difficult decision to make: should she sincerely help this rising star to reach the success – i.e. Olympic gold medal – she never could, thus risking being replaced as the hometown’s darling, or should she sabotage her protégé’s training so that she can remain as the town’s sole star?

'Sing Street' Is a Feel-Good Film About the Impact of Music and the Abounding Sanguinity of Youth

In a nutshell, Sing Street is about a boy who decides to form a band to impress a girl.  If only put that way, it makes the premise of the movie seems simplistic, clichéd, and petty.  However, it’s actually a rich, feel-good, and heartwarming teen comedy-drama.

Set in mid-1980’s Dublin, the plot centers on the youngest son of the struggling Lalor family, Connor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo).  Unable anymore to pay for his expensive fee-paying school, Connor’s father transfers him to a free state-school, overseen by the despotic principal Bro. Baxter (Don Wycherley).  One day, outside the school, he meets a beautiful aspiring model named Raphina (Lucy Boynton), and he is quickly smitten.  In an attempt to win her, he declares that his band needs a model for their music video, and asks her to be in it.

To make true of his ruse, Connor seeks the help of his classmate Darren (Ben Carolan), a wannabe businessman/producer, in forming his band.  The first recruit is the multi-instrumentalist Eamon (Mark McKenna), who becomes Connor’s songwriting partner.  Soon, the band positions are filled out by their other classmates.  They named their band “Sing Street”, and Connor pours his heart into writing songs... and Raphina.

Tom Holland Should Date Brie Larson, and Team up with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield (Or "What I Want to See After 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'")

The debut of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War blew me away.  He hasn’t even had his own movie yet, but with just a couple of scenes in Civil War, he has already impressed enough for many to declare – including me – that he’s the best live-action depiction of the character yet.  And this opinion is further being constantly enforced by every new detail being released and announced about next year’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.

As a huge Spidey fan, there are a lot of things about the character’s mythos that I would love to have Marvel do in future movies.  However, I have two fantasies – two unlikely and strange fantasies – that I badly want to see happen the most.

'Batman: The Killing Joke' Is Creepy and Shocking... But Not in the Way Expected

The Batman: The Killing Joke graphic novel – written by Alan Moore (who I’m a big fan of) and illustrated by Brian Bolland – is widely considered as one of the best Batman stories of all time.  It’s an intelligent, visceral, and endearing – albeit also disturbing – tale about the Joker terrorizing Commissioner Gordon at length in an attempt to drive him crazy, in order to drive a point to Batman.  It’s particularly a fascinating character study of the Joker, and an analysis of the psychological parallels of Batman and Joker.  It also presents an origin story for the Joker, though its authenticity is questionable since he’s an unreliable narrator.  Another significant thing about it is that it brought about the paralysis of Barbara Gordon in the DC Comics continuity, which she had been for many years afterwards (prompting her to retire as Batgirl; becoming the super-hacker Oracle later on, until the New 52 made her Batgirl again).

Thus, as a comic book fan, I was thrilled when it was announced last year that such monumental comic story was going to be finally made into an animated movie.  And having Bruce Timm oversee the whole thing, and with the voice cast of the 90’s Batman animated series – Kevin Conroy (Batman), Mark Hamill (Joker), Tara Strong (Batgirl), and Ray Wise (Commissioner Gordon) – reprising their respective roles for the movie, there’s more than enough reason to expect that it would be great.

'Assassination Classroom' Is the Ultimate Teacher Anime

When Assassination Classroom debuted last year, my review of it concluded with the words, “I’m definitely along for the long ride.”  I had no idea that it would only have two seasons (I thought the manga was still ongoing).  But that just might as well, since the fast pacing was one of the reasons I got to love this anime.

I also loved its strange, fresh premise – which was what initially intrigued me about it.  When I read a synopsis that states it’s about this class in which the students are being trained and challenged by their weird teacher to kill him, I just got to see it.  And when I did, I immediately find it an extremely great watch.

Centering on the bizarre, ironic teacher-students dynamic between Koro Sensei and Class 3-E, the anime has an endearing story to tell.  The former is sincere in his desire to be a great teacher, to bring the best out of his students, and see them succeed.  However, his methods are beyond unconventional: he threatens to destroy the world at the end of the school year, and the only option to stop this from happening is if the students will be able to kill him before that.  With this goal forcibly given to the students, he proceeds to teach them the art of assassination, which principles he then uses to help them learn their school lessons.  Thus, not only do these students begin improving academically, but also gradually transform into genuine, highly-skilled assassins.  Meanwhile, Class 3-E – who are deemed “losers” by others – get to respect and love this teacher who chooses to see their potentials and does his best to develop them.  And the only way they can honor and repay him?  By succeeding in assassinating him. (It’s truly a quite peculiar setup, even for an anime, and it’s probably impossible to fully make sense out of it without giving major spoilers.)

The Shade

We all have our Mal Cobbs.

The Shade.

The 'Ghostbusters' Reboot Is Part Quirky, Part Stupid, Part Funny, Part Annoying

The trailer for the Ghostbusters reboot (sometimes subtitled Answer the Call) – featuring four female Ghostbusters instead of four males, as what the original 1984 Ghostbusters had – has become the most disliked movie trailer in Youtube history.  There was much extensive displeasure for this movie even before actually being released.  People were already hating the mere fact that this movie existed.  As for me, I chose to reserve my judgment until I could finally get to watch it, and now that I just did, here are my three main assessments of the movie:

1.) It’s nowhere near deserving of the hate it’s getting.  It’s not atrocious at all.

2.) However, it’s also nowhere near the fun, charm, and wit of the original movie.

3.) It’s also not as good as what the current Rotten Tomatoes score is telling (as of writing, 73% rating out of 160 reviews; for me, it should sit at around 60%).

As I've Expected, 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' Ultimate Edition Is Barely an Improvement

When I saw the theatrical cut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice earlier this year, I was disappointed.   Though I don’t agree with the intensity of how critics panned it (it’s a mess, but it’s not Fant4stic bad), I nonetheless think it failed of being a satisfactory vehicle for showing the “DC Trinity” together in the big screen for the first time.   It did have aspects that were genuinely exciting and entertaining, but they weren’t sufficient to redeem the movie as a whole.

When it was announced that this movie has an R-rated, extended “director’s cut”, there was an anticipation among fans that this would mightily improve the otherwise underwhelming theatrical version.  As for me, I was doubtful.  True, its problems with pacing, editing, and poorly developed plot points and character arcs would probably be remedied by a director’s cut.  However, BvS had other significant flaws that were rooted at its core, making them impossible to address without completely overhauling or changing the movie itself.  Examples are the gritty tone that doesn’t mesh with the silly plot points; the shortage of clever or powerful dialogue; the bad characterizations; the missed opportunities; and, to some extent, the inorganic scenes that don’t really fit to the narrative but are just obviously there in order to set up future movies.

Contrasting and Comparing Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan

There’s something poetic about Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan retiring after the same season – and the manner they did.

Although Kobe and Tim weren’t drafted in the same year (’96 and ’97, respectively), they are essentially of the same crop or generation of NBA players.  They were able to play in three decades.  They were able to play against the likes of Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, and then the likes of Allen Iverson and Kevin Garnett, and then the likes of Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, and then the likes of Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.  And they served as embodiments of two different player types at the opposite sides of the spectrum.

Danielle Cage Is the Best New, Alternate Captain America

Steve Rogers passing the “Captain America” name and shield to Sam Wilson never made sense to me.  I really tried to give this new Cap a chance, but up until now he hasn’t won me over.  The “wings + shield” look doesn’t aesthetically appeal to me – to be honest, I find it cheesy.  He doesn’t have the characteristics and history that made Steve Rogers an impeccable fit to the idea and essence of “Captain America.”  In fact, among all the dramatic status quo changes that happened to Marvel’s A-tiered heroes in the past few years – Jane Foster replaces the Odinson as Thor (keeping fingers crossed in seeing Portman in that role), X-23 take’s the name (and costume) of Wolverine after Logan’s death (plus, Old Man Logan is around), Amadeus Cho replaces Bruce Banner as the Hulk – only Sam Wilson as Captain America didn’t work for me.

I understand that the move to make the former Falcon the new Captain America is just part of Marvel’s recent inspired initiative to inject diversity to their comics.  However, if diversity was the main rationale, I believe Marvel had only been months late in introducing the new Captain America who perfectly nailed that intent.

In the 2015 underrated mini-series called Avengers: Ultron Forever (Sam Wilson debuted as Captain America months earlier, in December 2014), wherein various Avengers from different time periods team up to fight Ultron, the Captain America of the not so distant future was introduced…

'The Nice Guys' Is So Good, It Deserves a Franchise

I’m somewhat of a fan of Shane Black.  His work has this appealing, unique flavor in it; he’s quite good in making witty, violent, fast-paced action comedies.  He wrote the first two movies of the Lethal Weapon franchise (which is arguably the definitive buddy cop action comedy) as well as The Last Action Hero, which are among my most favorite action films. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which he both wrote and directed, is immensely entertaining and clever.  Also, for me, his Iron Man 3 is the best Iron Man installment.

Thus, I understandably had big expectations for The Nice Guys (which he both directed and wrote).  And he delivered.

'Criminal' Has an Interesting Cast and an Intriguing Premise, but Fails to Be an Enjoyable Thriller

Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot.  That’s Jonathan Kent, Two-Face, Commissioner Gordon, Deadpool, and Wonder Woman.  This cast in a science fiction action thriller sounds a lot of fun, right?

Criminal is about a sociopathic criminal named Jericho Stewart (Kevin Costner) who is implanted with the brain patterns of deceased CIA agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds), allowing the former to assimilate the latter’s memories and skills.

The Sulu Problem

Yesterday, it was announced that Star Trek Beyond will reveal that the nu-Star Trek version of Hikaru Sulu (played by Jon Cho) is gay.  This was supposed to honor George Takei, the original actor of Sulu, who is gay and an outspoken LGBT activist.

Ironically, Takei said in a recent interview that he doesn’t want Sulu to be made gay.   He declares that this “twisted” Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s intention for the character.  He even appealed to the team behind Star Trek Beyond to not to do it, but instead create a new character who happens to be gay.  He urged them: “Be imaginative and create a character who has a history of being gay, rather than Sulu, who had been straight all this time, suddenly being revealed as being closeted.”

'Central Intelligence' Gives a Glimpse of That Awesome Rock-Headlined Buddy Action Comedy Movie That Is yet to Be Made

Central Intelligence features the first on screen pairing of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart.  It tells the story of two former high school classmates whose reunion escalates towards a crazy, world-saving, espionage adventure.

'The Angry Birds Movie' Should've Come Out in 2011

The Angry Birds Movie is, obviously, based on the Angry Birds game app.  Set on an island with a community of cheerful, colorful, flightless birds living in it, the story centers on Red (Jason Sudeikis), a bitter bird with a bad temper.  After his latest outburst, he’s sentenced to undergo anger management classes under Matilda (Maya Rudolph), wherein he meets the other social outcasts of the island: the super fast Chuck (Josh Gad), the self-detonating Bomb (Danny McBride), and the huge, grim Terrence (a few lines from Sean Penn).

One day, a ship of green pigs arrives in the island.  The pigs claim to be explorers who seek friendship with the birds, giving them various gifts and entertaining them with shows.  In return, the cordial, naïve birds easily welcome them.  However, the pigs are actually harboring ill intentions, and only the cynical Red is capable of being distrustful of them.  With his own kind dismissing his warnings, it’s up to Red and his band of misfits to figure out what the pigs are really up to and save the other birds.

Chain of Thoughts on Gilas Pilipinas Before the FIBA OQT Starts

The 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament – wherein three countries host three simultaneous contests to determine three wildcard teams for the basketball tournament competition in the Rio Olympics next month – is just a few days away.  As one of the host countries and the runner-up from last year’s FIBA Asia (which China cheated won), the Philippines is set to compete in it.  As a Filipino hoops fan, I’ve some thoughts on the matter…