Captain America

When America needed soldiers he was not a man they wanted. But, when they needed a hero, he was the only man for the job!

Steve Rogers, a kid from Brooklyn, small and weak of body, with courage and idealism defying expectation. He dared what few men would dare. A miracle of science gave form to that which lay within him – a soldier, a leader, an avenger – a hero!

{There’s a reason Captain America has been published monthly since 1941 – he’s the man few of us will ever be and the hero most of us would to be.}

World War Two, Adolf Hitler’s chief of advanced science, Johann Schmidt, has an agenda of his own. Schmidt has the desire to rule the world and the intellect to fulfill that dream. Herr Schmidt has vowed to dominate the world or destroy it. And, only Captain America has the power to stop him.

Brilliantly written and directed, with superb performances throughout, this film is exciting and energetic. Set with circa 1904s costumes and features, plus the fantastic advanced machines which stimulate adventure seeking audiences, this is the kind of film from which legends can be born!

{Graphic novel readers will appreciate the inclusion of nearly every creative tenure of this icon for liberty and freedom created by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.}

A / PG2

Starring: Chris Evans; Hugo Weaving; Tommy Lee Jones; and, Hayley Atwell
Featuring: Sebastian Stan; Toby Jones; Dominic Cooper; and, Neal McDonough
With: Derek Luke; Kenneth Choi; JJ Field; and, Bruno Ricci
Plus: Stanley Tucci and Samuel L. Jackson
Writers: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Director: Joe Johnston

By Frank Jaymes

Wolverine

Edgy. Sharp. Fast. Thrilling.

He’s much older than anyone would believe. His life before joining the mutant team created and trained by Professor X was as unpleasant as it was long. He began his life simply, sickly, but an act of brutality gave birth to the animal within him and he’s been running from it ever since. Beside his brother, even more an animal than himself, he’s traversed the world fighting and killing... until one day he left it all behind.

But, men such as he can’t escape the tragedies of life. All too soon, his past has come for him and he’ll strike a bargain with a devil to put down an animal...!

Borrowing from graphic novel masterpieces, “Origin” and “Weapon X”, plus thirty years of stories by such masters as Chris Claremont and Jim Lee, this film is brilliantly written and performed. It’s fast pace and hard edge was likely a challenge to direct, especially when faced with working it all into an established cinematic history [something which was remarkably well done in the end]. That challenge was remarkably well met here.

A / PG2

Starring: Hugh Jackman; Liev Schreiber; Danny Huston; Lynn Collins; and, Taylor Kitsch.
Featuring: Ryan Reynolds; will I am; Daniel Henney; and, Scott Adkins.
With: Dominic Monaghan; Tim Pocock; Kevin Durand; Julia Blake; and, Max Cullen.
Writers: David Benioff and Skip Woods.
Director: Gavin Hood

Reel Review by Josef Franklin