X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

“You are all my children, and you're lost because you follow blind leaders. These false gods, systems of the weak, they've ruined my world. No more.”

            Ever wonder where all the superpowers the superheroes have in movies comes from? Like, heck, how did that kid get laser beams coming out of his and this girl have the ability to read minds or another girl get the ability to practically suck the life outta people with just one touch? Who was the first person to show signs of being a “mutant” or someone “special”? X-Men: Apocalypse shows the origins of where it is believed the first mutant originated and how he comes back and almost destroys the world.

            The first mutant is believed to have been En Sabah Nur (Oscar Isaac) in Ancient Egypt. He had amassed a great following and was just about to transfer his powers into a younger pharaoh when a few of his followers betrayed him. The disloyal followers caved the tomb in and buried En Sabah Nur and others in the ground for what was supposed to be for all eternity.

            Flash forward to Egypt in 1983. CIA agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) has been researching this legend of Nur. She finds an entrance to the buried tomb underneath a modern Egyptian market. When she climbs down she finds Nur Worshippers trying to resurrect Nur. They are successful. Their success brings with it a seismic wave that can be felt all around the world.

            In the United States Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) is running his school for mutants along with Hank McCoy (Nicholas Hoult). He has not seen his fellow mutants Erik (Michael Fassbender) or Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) in years. He has no idea where in the world they could be. In the years since they were last together Raven has been trying to save mutants around the world and Erik has been living quietly and secretly in Poland with his family.

            Nur, or Apocalypse, begins to assemble mutants to begin to make the world the way he believes it should be. He believes the world has lost its way and wants to change that. He finds a young Storm, Archangel, and Psylocke (Olivia Munn). Through some unfortunate events Apocalypse is able to recruit Erik to his cause.

            Much like Captain America: Civil War, the mutants battle each other. It is Xavier vs. Erik for some time. Xavier knows that Erik is a good man who has just had rough times and truly does not want to hurt anyone. And as in Civil War, young mutants/superheroes are allowed along to help fight Apocalypse from taking over the world.

            There are a lot of other side stories running throughout X-Men: Apocalypse but for the most part I have written up the main and most important plot of the story. The side stories are good and interesting such as the arrival of Scott Summers, the manifestation of young Jean Grey’s mental powers, Quicksilver saving everyone in the school before it blows up, and Quicksilver’s quest to find his father Magneto.

            The cast of X-Men has been great since the franchise began. Every one of the characters is perfectly cast. I still find it awesome that Jennifer Lawrence is playing a superhero. The girl is such a good actress she can literally play anything and be great. Michael Fassbender is perfection as the younger Magneto. I liked seeing Olivia Munn as Psylocke. I think she is an actress that has potential to become very good and maybe even have a future as a Sci-Fi/comic book-movie actress. I would really like to see Psylocke in another X-Men movie. When I found out Oscar Isaac played Apocalypse I was actually stunned because I could not even tell it was him! I love Isaac as an actor he is another actor I think has a great future ahead of him when it comes to his acting and the roles he can play. He has played so many different types of characters in so many different types of roles. Isaac did a fantastic job as Apocalypse. I would love to see him another action/comic book-story movie, just this time as a good guy. Rose Byrne is one of my all-time favorite actresses. She is truly so versatile with whatever role she is in and fits in so well in the Marvel superhero universe even if she does not have any powers.

            X-Men: Apocalypse was a good movie. The story was interesting and the cast and characters were awesome. The movie did not get good reviews; a lot of reviewers were on the fence about it. I can definitely see why. There is such an insane amount of generic superhero movies out now. As I mentioned, the plot reminded of Captain America: Civil War with the mutants facing off against each other. I feel like how many times can these superheroes save the world using their powers to save the world? I also see like the world needs a break from superhero movies for a while but they make so much money so that will never happen. X-Men: Apocalypse is worth seeing if you enjoy comic book and action movies. 

A Most Violent Year (2014)

“You should know that I have always taken the path that is most right. The result is never in question for me. Just what path do you take to get there, and there is always one that is most right. And that is what this is.”

            Oh New York City. So many stories have revolved around it. Yes, I said revolved. Stories that take place in the City and the City is part of the story. Manhattan has been romanticized to death and I am one of those people that have been sucked into that romanticism. But I can say I have been to the City plenty of times and I love it. Anyway… when most people think of New York they think of either rom coms or gangster movies or violence. A Most Violent Year is about the most violent year in New York City’s history and how a business owner tries to stay straight as the City falls apart and corruption reigns.

            Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) has worked for twenty-years to build up his oil company in New York. He has made a deal to buy an old factory to expand his business. Things for the company begin to spiral when one of his truck drivers is attacked in broad daylight while making a delivery and the truck is stolen. It was not the first time one of Abel’s full trucks of oil has been stolen and then sold.

            Abel tries to stay on the right path. He prides himself on doing business by the books even if he had made some shady dealings in a few times to get what he wants. Someone within the government is cracking down on the violence and bullying within the oil business. The guy feels he has enough evidence to bring multiple charges against Abel and his company. Things get worse when his driver that had been attacked is attacked again and fires a gun in broad daylight surrounded by cars. Abel is more upset that the man who runs the trucks wanted to give guns to the drivers which would give the company a bad reputation if they were to be used. Also his family is almost attacked one night by an enemy looking to take him down. After that things get personal for him especially since his wife (Jessica Chastain) gets on his back about protecting her and their kids.

            More happens in the story but it was really, really too long for my attention to handle. Basically, though, my summary is all you need to know about the movie.

            A Most Violent Year, as I said, was really long. It was an interesting story, it was very well made and directed, and the acting was great. Oscar Isaac just continues to amaze with every movie I watch him in. Jessica Chastain can do no wrong no matter what kind of role she plays. Her scenes were fantastic because you can see she really got into her character and always does. The Academy just needs to hand Chastain an Oscar they really just need to bow down to her and acknowledge her awesomeness. A Most Violent Year, despite being way too long, is worth watching at least once just for Isaac and Chastain.