In Defense of Avengers: Age of Ultron

Five years ago, Avengers: Age of Ultron was the unexpected and divisive sequel to The Avengers. Upon its initial release, the sequel was  a weird position of not connecting with fans unless the previous films were watched and had yet to be the inciting incident for more films to follow. It's not the most popular, and often the least favorite film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (as far as Avengers movies goes), but I wanted to take a moment of why I've come to appreciate it over the past year or two.

Best and Worst of 2019 Movies

2019 has come and gone, and it took me a far while to catch with as many movies as I wanted to. I finally felt before the entire year is completely over, it's time to choose my picks of best and worst films. From Staler Than Expired Bread to My Soul Needed This, and everything in-between, here's my 2019 of movie-going in review.

This post contains slight spoilers for Knives Out, The Lighthouse, and Avengers: Endgame.

The Other Lamb (2020) Gives Rage A New Visceral Lease on Life

Since Martha Marcy May Marlene followed the traumatic aftermath of a young woman's escape from a cult, similar films have reinvented women's power in cinema over the past several years. By confronting and rejecting a regime designed to keep their followers' autonomy at bay, films like The Witch (2016) to Suspiria (2018) have laid the groundwork in exploring the 'chosen' one who decides to break free. In a similar vein, The Other Lamb takes a hypnotic dive into a young girl questioning her narrative and helping her sisters do the same.

Deep in the wilderness away from civilization, The Shepherd (Michel Huisman) tends to his flock of wives and daughters who worship his every word. On the cusp of teenage-hood, Selah (Raffey Cassidy) begins experiencing strange visions about the only community and family she's ever known. When the group seeks to find a new Eden, everything Selah thought she knew about The Shepherd might lead to the freedom she's secretly seeking.

Clover (2020) Entertains the Dubious Nature of Luck in the Mob Genre

In the gritty world of mobsters, there’s the hunter and the prey. A hierarchy of crime bosses rule the roost while their henchmen or women, loaners, and sharks must obey pecking order to survive. Step one toe out of line and the whole business descends into chaos. This is something two hapless brothers in Clover learn the hard way.

Mickey (Jon Abrahams) and Jackie (Mark Webber) Callaghan are about to lose the pub that's been in the family for generations. The night before they’re supposed to payback a sizable loan, Jackie loses it all while gambling. When local mobster Tony Davolio (Chazz Palminteri) offers one last opportunity to wipe the slate clean, the siblings must go on the run with a young girl Clover (Nicole Elizabeth Berger) after she accidentally kills Davolio’s son.

10 Ways to Cure Social Distancing Boredom

Sporting events cancelled. Productions halted. Movie releases delayed. Schools and workplaces closed. As COVID-19 winds it way from country to country, we've been asked to practice the art of social distancing - to stay in our homes as much as possible to prevent the virus from spreading to family, colleagues, and strangers.

If you don't work from home, or you're not used to staying home for extended periods of time, it's easy to catch cabin fever. To stay as happy as possible, here are ten ways to cure boredom while social distancing.

(M.O.M.) Mothers of Monsters (2020) Compels Us To Question A Mother's Love

One of the scariest crossroads a parent can imagine is their children heading towards a destructive path where they want to cause themselves or others harm. What’s worse is when their child exhibits violent tendencies, but they aren't able to seek proper help and are left to their own devices. Tapping into the dysfunctional relationship between a mother and son, as well as the violence springing from young adults today, M.O.M. (Mothers of Monsters) tackles mother’s intuition and societal paranoia.

Concerned mother Abbey (Melinda Page Hamilton) has recognized a pattern of mental health issues with her son Jacob (Bailey Edwards) since he was a young boy. Having grown up as a teenager with an obsession for video games and Nazi paraphernalia, Abbey now questions whether her son is planning an attack on his school. Left to take matters into her own hands, Abbey rigs their house with an elaborate surveillance system in the hope of helping other mothers recognize the warning signs.

Everything I Love About Captain America in Avengers: Endgame (Part 2)

After breaking down the Captain America and The Avengers films, we're finally reaching the end of my series, which has been an ongoing tribute to Steve Rogers and his arc throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Today, I'm picking up with part two from covering Avengers: Endgame.

It's hard to believe that we're coming to the end of his series. I hope enjoy! (This post is picture-heavy. Credit can be found by clicking on the images.)