Review: ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ is Full of Holes

Set in the aftermath of the tumultuous events of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, the third installment of the Ant-Man franchise, and the beginning of Marvel Studios’ Phase Five, wastes no time getting to the heart of the action, and more importantly, a proper introduction to the new “big bad.” Unfortunately, Phase Five starts not with a bang, but with a mess of characterization, pacing, and green-screen level CGI. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania loses sight of its characters, and in the process delivers a final product devoid of meaningful stakes and filled with lackluster action. 

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Review: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ is a Goodbye and a New Horizon

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (dir. Ryan Coogler) is the sequel to Marvel’s Black Panther (2018). Wakanda Forever is exactly what Marvel’s Phase Four of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) needs to say goodbye to the late Chadwick Boseman (who died in 2020), as well as reintroduce some beloved characters and debut refreshing new ones.

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Review: ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’ Brings Home the Bacon

Tacking the words “Holiday Special” onto the end of a beloved franchise is guaranteed to raise some eyebrows regarding a film’s artistic integrity, but, thankfully, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special has the mind of James Gunn working in its favor. It’s become abundantly clear over the past few years that Gunn is perhaps the most passionate filmmaker within the superhero movie circle, carrying a love for his misfit characters that makes all of his projects stand out amongst the never-ending output of superhero media in pop culture. So, when James Gunn wants to do an idea as inherently stupid as a Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, he’s earned enough goodwill to convince audiences that the story serves some kind of purpose beyond profit. Although, granted, the project certainly wouldn’t have been greenlit if “Christmas Tree Groot” merchandise didn’t sell itself.

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Review: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ is Marvel’s First Horror Movie

Mainstream movie-goers have embraced the superhero film as a genre of its own. Besides the regular offerings from major studios Marvel and DC, other studios have dipped their toes into the genre, spinning tales of characters with spectacular abilities on a mission to save the world. The major studios, Marvel in particular, have spent years creating an ever-expanding universe that builds to a blockbuster team-up movie. But, by now, fans and casual viewers alike know what to expect from the modern superhero film. And really, how many times can one be exposed to the same story in which people with CGI superpowers fight a CGI villain? Where Marvel Studios in particular shines is when they strive to create another genre of film, and then just add the superheroes. The best example of this is 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which felt more like a spy thriller than a superhero sequel. And Marvel has done it again, with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the studio’s first horror movie. 

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Sarah Kelley’s Top 10 Films of 2021

I saw four movies in theaters in 2020, which is an impressive fact when you consider that theaters were only open three months that year. In 2021, thanks to widespread vaccination availability, I was so excited to be able to return to seeing movies on the big screen. Many highly anticipated releases that were delayed due to the pandemic finally got their moment to shine. Continue reading “Sarah Kelley’s Top 10 Films of 2021” →

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UW Film Club Podcast #31 – Avengers: Endgame

“Even if there’s a small chance, we owe this to every listener who’s not in this room.” “We will. Whatever podcast it takes.”

Like ever other site on the internet, Avengers: End Game is here and we have some takes! In this SPOILER-FILLED episode, we assemble to talk about this highly anticipated blockbuster, and what we thought of the MCU’s grand finale! Drop a listen to the 31st episode of the UW Film Club Podcast now!

For those who don’t want spoilers, we’re including our spoiler-free written review as well: https://wp.me/p9yO3g-zp

On this week’s episode: Issac Flores, Cynthia Li, and Greg Arietta.

You can find us on Facebook at /UWFilmClub, and on Twitter and Instagram @FilmClubUW.  Make sure to rate, comment, and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts,  Soundcloud, Spotify, and Google Play, and tune in every Monday for a new episode of the UW Film Club Podcast!

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UW Film Club Podcast #30 – Avengers: Infinity War

“Mr. Podcast, I don’t feel so good.”

Avengers: End Game is right around the corner, so we’re preparing by talking about Infinity War. Resident super hero expert Issac Flores returns to the podcast to talk about this jam packed cross over event. We discuss how the film juggles so many characters in one film, our persistent gripes with the MCU, and how we assess the film with respect to a larger narrative. We’re in the endgame now with the 30th episode of the UW Film Club Podcast!

On this week’s episode: Issac Flores, Cynthia Li, and Greg Arietta.

You can find us on Facebook at /UWFilmClub, and on Twitter and Instagram @FilmClubUW.  Make sure to rate, comment, and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts,  Soundcloud, Spotify, and Google Play, and tune in every Monday for a new episode of the UW Film Club Podcast!

Review: Pass the Time with Antman and the Wasp

Like the original film, Scott Lang and crew has the tough task of following in the footsteps of the latest Avengers film, and this time, its no easy feat. With the release of Avengers: Infinity War (a film which you can read about here and here), Antman and the Wasp has rather large shoes to fill, but Marvel aficionados are lucky because this film does the same shtick on a different day. Fans of by-the-number plot lines, light-hearted tone, and flat motives should rejoice as the latest Marvel film does just that and does what all Marvel films do the best: pass the time and service passive entertainment value.

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