GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY – VOL. 3 – Review by Susan Granger

If you’ve been an avid follower of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and writer/director James Gunn’s fun-loving band of intergalactic outcasts, you may be intrigued by Rocket Raccoon’s origin story. In previous installments of the Guardians sci-fi action-comedy concept, there’s been good-natured, space-pirate humor but, here, they’re just babbling nonsense for a bloated two hours, 30 minutes. The best sequences are poignant flashbacks showing how young Rocket gains sentience and bonds with other genetically-altered species, like an otter, rabbit and walrus. The worst sequences involve gross ‘n’ gruesome, heavy-handed destruction. And it’s curious that James Gunn seems to be connecting with the currently controversial ‘trans’ experience.

Read more

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 3 – Review by Susan Kamyab

I know I have been saying that since Endgame and Spiderman: No Way Home, Marvel has cranked out some underwhelming sequels. So, that put a lot of pressure on the third installment of the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Well, I am so happy to say that Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 is a hit and a solid ending to a fantastic trilogy.

Read more

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY – Review by Valerie Kalfrin

Nine years after entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the lovably flawed Guardians of the Galaxy say goodbye with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, an eclectic and affectionate mixtape that’s funny, thrilling, shattering, and bittersweet. The satisfying ending is a sendoff that lands just right, emphasizing how the unlikely heroes have been saving each other all along.

Read more

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER – Review by Susan Granger

It’s been 13 years since James Cameron’s Avatar was released. And it’s well worth the wait to see his $350 million Avatar: The Way of Water, demonstrating how he uses cinematic technology to create a new, fantastical Na’vi realm on a distant moon called Pandora. Working with James Cameron, screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver have developed an emotional arc for each motion-captured character. The result is compelling, fully digital sci-fi, highlighted by cinematographer Russell Carpenter’s dazzling visual effects, particularly the breathtaking deep-sea sequences.

Read more

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER – Review by Diane Carson

Avatar: The Way of Water highlights spectacle plus heady issues. For thirteen years, the much-anticipated sequel to Avatar has required intensive production work. Now, Avatar: The Way of Water rewards the long wait with an extravaganza of special effects cinematic spectacle. And as the title announces, a great deal of action takes place in and around water with thrilling play, risky adventures, and rousing combat.

Read more

WEEK IN WOMEN: Laysla De Oliveira joins Zoe Saldaña in Taylor Sheridan’s LIONESS -Brandy McDonnell reports

Laysla De Oliveira is starring opposite Zoe Saldaña in the upcoming Paramount+ original series Lioness, from Academy Award nominee Taylor Sheridan.
Saldaña also is serving as executive producer alongside Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman and her production company, Blossom Films. Lioness is based on a real-life CIA program and follows Cruz Manuelos (De Oliveira), a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine recruited to join the CIA’s Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within.

Read more

THE ADAM PROJECT – Review by Susan Granger

Still grieving over the death of his father, nerdy, asthmatic 12-year-old Adam finds it difficult to cope with school bullies. Then, one night, he discovers a wounded fighter pilot hiding in his garage.
To Adam’s astonishment, the pilot turns out to be a buff, older version of himself from 2050, when time-travel is trendy. He needs incredulous young Adam to help him on a secret mission which involves going back to 2018 to find their workaholic physicist father, who can save future mankind from total chaos by changing the past.

Read more