In 2019, Netflix released Klaus, a highly praised Christmas film from Sergio Pablos, and one that I’m so happy to have discovered recently. The movie follows Jesper Johansen, a rich and spoiled postman who is sent to the North to expand the postal business in a secluded and gloomy town. Along the way, he grows close to several of the townspeople, but especially befriends an old recluse named Klaus.
There are so many Christmas movies that try to expand on the magical origins of Santa Claus and the meaning of Christmas. But Klaus excels in this task so well that you almost forget it’s about Christmas. It’s not about the gift giving, the decorations, or even the symbolism of the holiday. In fact, the holiday itself is only subtly referenced throughout the film until the finale. It prioritizes getting its message across regarding kindness and setting aside old differences and past losses while also building a new life and passion for one’s self.
Jason Schwartzman as Jesper Johansen and J.K. Simmons as Klaus, in the movie “Klaus”. All Rights Reserved by Netflix.
I loved that every character was written with purpose, no matter how small, and contributed to the overall themes of the movie. No matter what happens, the audience is kept engaged and on edge as we anticipate what is about to happen to our heroes. And while it’s not a new formula when it comes to Christmas movies, it’s certainly one that is unique and unpredictable. What helps is having a great vocal cast that can relay both loud and quiet comedic relief as well as handling emotional moments with care simultaneously.
There’s also no way to ignore the animation and music of the film. A hand-drawn film, Klaus successfully manipulates 2D animation to give us an almost 3D look while still maintaining the look of traditional animation. Meanwhile, its score is simple but provides an added layer of emotion, adding to the warmth and joy of some moments, and evoking sympathy in others. Sprinkled throughout the movie are also some fantastic songs to enhance the mood of the scene, particularly Zara Larsson’s “Invisible”.
Jason Schwartzman as Jesper Johansen and J.K. Simmons as Klaus, in the movie “Klaus”. All Rights Reserved by Netflix.
If there’s a movie I have to recommend everyone to watch every holiday season going forward, it’s Klaus. The simple yet heartfelt and warm story is something that one has to see for themselves, and is one that I could watch over and over again. There are many films that consistently prove the validity and beauty of animation as an art form and style of storytelling, and Klaus falls under that category. It is truly one of the most unique and magical experiences that cannot be skipped out on.
Netflix’s latest film from Guillermo Del Toro, Pinocchio is a fresh take on the classic tale known to many and follows the same familiar story. As we know, Geppetto, an old woodcarver, creates a boyish marionette that comes to life, giving him the chance to become a father again after the loss of his own son many years ago.
David Bradley voices Geppetto and Gregory Mann voices Pinocchio in Guillermo Del Toro’s “Pinocchio”. All Rights Reserved By Netflix.
Del Toro is known for his unique style of storytelling and presentation, and it shines in his own retelling of Pinocchio. Through the details accomplished by stop motion animation, we see so much of his previous work represented throughout the film. It’s difficult to not want to stop and take in everything that we see as the movie captures a part of Italian and world history, while also providing us characters that are animated to have so much heart, and cause us to sympathize and empathize with them.
I have to admit that I wasn’t initially engaged throughout the first half of the film and it felt like it was dragging its feet to get to the meat of the story. But pushing through the rest felt like a breeze as it gave so much more context and foundation to the first hour with its themes and inclusion of historical events to help elevate but also mirror the original story of Pinocchio. It’s certainly a movie that required patience from me and it paid off in the end with its emotional and bittersweet finale.
Tilda Swinton voices both The Wood Sprite and Death in Guillermo Del Toro’s “Pinocchio”. All Rights Reserved By Netflix.
I really believe this adaptation of Pinocchio is one that needs to be watched. In the end, it felt like the adaptation I wanted that made me nostalgic for the 1996 version with Jonathan Taylor-Thomas. It’s an incredible and very Italian story that forces the viewer to address the consequences of our life choices and while also facing our own mortality, something one cannot evade for long. And when you have Guillermo Del Toro at the helm, you are gifted with a darkened yet childlike twist on a classic tale that feels authentic as well as memorable.
At long last, I finally sat down to watch Riz Ahmed’s 2020 film, Mogul Mowgli. The movie follows Zed, a British Pakistani rapper who makes a trip back home after two years to reconnect with his parents before embarking on a tour.
But as fate would have it, Zed discovers he has an autoimmune disease, forcing him to rehabilitate his health and rectify his relationship with his parents. In the process, we see aspects of his career and his culture blend together as he embarks on a journey of healing, both outward and inward.
The film dives deep into the South Asian diasporic experience and the generational trauma that grows alongside it. Woven throughout the film are key moments that serve to represent multiple aspects of Zed’s life, from childhood to adulthood. There are deeper discussions of the struggle to maintain a connection to culture and religion while one’s assimilation to westernized culture takes over. Simultaneously, it acknowledges the different experiences people have as they are raised under a traditional household in a western nation. Through the dynamic Zed has with his family and religious community, we see glimpses of the way people of his own generation feel about and react to his own personal perspectives of religion and culture.
For those part of any diaspora, it’s never easy to find that feeling of belonging, and often it becomes nearly impossible. Throughout the movie, this exact conversation is held multiple times, whether between Zed and his parents, or through the rap tracks that we see performed on stage or formulated in Zed’s mind. Along with it is the discussion of the partition and its continued impact in the present day, as well as cultural appropriation, further adding to the conversation of belonging.
Visually and performance-wise, Mogul Mowgli is absolutely stunning. From the off-putting and disorienting visions that our main character has, down to the intense and raw rap tracks that are performed, there is so much to take in throughout the film. I especially loved the heavy use of culture and language as a natural and significant aspect of the characters’ lives instead of it being casually thrown in for plot. In addition, Riz Ahmed exudes an energy in his performance that is enhanced by the small parallels between his life and the character itself. I cannot think of a better person to push a story like Mogul Mowgli along than Ahmed himself.
Mogul Worthy
In a time when the South Asian experience is becoming more prominent with our history being shared and taught through media, I can confidently say that Mogul Mowgli is an invigorating film. Not only does it provide us with a narrative that many of us are familiar with, but it does so in such a way that is blunt and digs deep beneath the surface of the diasporic experience. If you have 90 minutes to spare, I highly recommend taking that time to watch this film and to soak it all in. Yes, it will require your full and undivided attention, and it will take you in directions you may not expect. But I promise that the payoff is something very bizarre yet also very satisfying.
Four Samosas takes inspiration from the Wes Anderson style of storytelling but with a South Asian twist. The movie follows Vinny, a hopeful rapper from Artesia, California who finds out his ex-girlfriend is engaged. As a result, he teams up with three other misfits to execute a heist to steal her father’s diamonds and get her back.
Right off the bat, there’s a certain level of cheesy humor this movie manages to reach, causing it to have some extremely cringey moments. That may come off as a negative quality to some and understandably so, particularly with the execution of certain scenes and jokes. But I think given the nature of the film and the inspiration for its style, it fits rather well and gives the movie its own unique flair. I was kept amused throughout the film as it reminded me of lesser known Bollywood comedies I used to watch as a teenager.
(L-R) Sonal Shah as Paru; Venk Potula as Vinny; Sharmita Battacharya as Anjali; Nirvan Patnaik as Zak; in “Four Samosas”. All Rights Reserved by IFC FIlms
The visuals deeply resemble Wes Anderson’s style, both in the way it moves from one point of the story to the next, as well as in color tones. But what I love so much about it is that it meshes well with South Asian culture which plays a large role throughout the movie, especially with its yellow tones that are typically used in western media to represent South Asian countries, now being used to paint an Indian community in Southern California. Additionally, it uses textual introductions and transitions to move the story along while also giving the viewer just enough information as indicator of relevant characters and important stages of the plot.
I absolutely love the diversity of characters in personality as they each have different goals and varying contributions to their overall mission. Personally, I resonated and loved the character of Paru played by Sonal Shah, who kept me laughing in every scene in which she took priority. And with the exception of Karan Soni who remains a ray of light and comedy when he shows up on the screen, the remainder of the cast was very fresh and new for me. Venk Potula stands out as an entertaining lead while the rest of the small cast bring out their comedic talent as best as they can to round out the film.
(L-R) Sonal Shah as Paru; Nirvan Patnaik as Zak; Venk Potula as Vinny; Sharmita Battacharya as Anjali; in “Four Samosas”. All Rights Reserved by IFC FIlms
Samosa Says…
Four Samosas is by no means “Oscar material”, whatever that means, but it’s completely worth the watch. The visuals are familiar yet unique, the dialogue is corny and reminiscent of South Asian humor, and the cast of characters are diverse amongst themselves. And as simple as the story is, it allows for other aspects of the film to shine, even if at times, it leads to you shaking your head and facepalming. If you’re looking for a South Asian-led film to watch or you need a Wes Anderson fix, you simply can’t miss out on Four Samosas.
Samosa Rating:
Four Samosas receives 4 out of 5 Samosas.
Four Samosas is now playing in select theaters, and is available to rent/buy on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime.
By now, I think we all know the story of Scrooge from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Netflix’s newest adaptation follows the same formula with very few changes to the story. There’s music, a dog, and a slight change of appearance to a certain Ghost of Christmas Past. And the story continues to be about Scrooge, an old stingy man who is shown his past, present, and future in the hopes that he will change his ways.
Scrooge isn’t exactly perfect. It’s a bit longer than it needs to be, partly because of some musical numbers we could do without, and its opening scene is rocky and startling at best. The character designs feel rudimentary, almost like those old early 2000’s direct-to-video movies. In general, it definitely feels like a A Christmas Carol adaptation that Netflix felt obligated to throw into the mix of all the others we’ve seen, and frankly, I’ve seen better versions that I’d prefer to watch.
However, casting aside all its flaws and my feelings that it’s not the greatest adaptation, Scrooge isn’t terrible and in some ways, it’s actually surprising. As it should be, the majority of the voice acting is done by those who do voice acting all the time, the exceptions being Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, and Jonathan Pryce. If I’m being honest, Olivia Colman was the most fun to hear and watch out of the three.
And without giving much away, there are two extremely heartfelt songs that really caught my ear, and astounded me particularly in the way they are presented. Sure, the character designs are wonky, but the animation of a few musical numbers, certain transitions, and the way situations bleed together is stunning. The movie pulls up the parallels of past and present day and lays them out side by side for the viewer with such vivid color.
I think if you’re looking for more adaptations of A Christmas Carol to add to your list because you love the story that much, I say go for it. Once you get past the rough beginnings, it can be enjoyable at times and younger audiences may prefer it. But personally, I don’t think I’ll be adding it to my annual holiday viewings, especially since I’ve seen better versions of this story be told. After all, there’s only so many depictions of the same story one can handle after a while and Scrooge is a little past my limit.
Samosa Rating:
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol receives 2 out of 5 Samosas.
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is now streaming on Netflix.
So Phase 4 is officially in the MCU books and it’s time for the obligatory rankings.
I’m Mickey, also known as Cellphone_Wallet_Keys on social media and I’m sure no one is breaking down any doors to know my opinions on these projects, but as the saying goes: “When in Rome”.
I’m a fan of Marvel, comics and cinematic universes, so I thought I would have fun with this. Remember that these are my personal opinions and not those of Nerd Initiative as a whole.
1. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
I know you’re all thinking recency bias here, but no I really think that this was the most compelling and heavy project that Marvel has produced. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that one of the best directors in cinema was at the helm. The world building was as good as it gets and Namor is a bright, rising star!
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
This film was like the ice cream sundae bar of MCU films. All the best toppings were available and each of them highlighted ice cream that was already a delicacy all on its own (the ice cream in this metaphor being Tom Holland’s Spiderman btw). These movies are supposed to be fun above all else and No Way Home definitely delivers on that!
3. Loki
Loki went from being my least anticipated MCU project to darn near my favorite. With fantastic acting, writing, and visuals, as well as The TVA, the iconic Loki Variants and an introduction of the new MCU big bad, Kang (or in this case He Who Remains), this show felt like the meat and potatoes of phase 4, and I really like meat and potatoes.
4. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
Like most MCU projects of this phase, this show tackles some serious social subject matter, but then again, that’s what Captain America is all about. The intrigue and action in this series was engaging and the reveal of Sam’s Captain America uniform?…*chef’s kiss
5. Shang-Chi And The Legend of The Ten Rings
Shang-Chi felt like a true Marvel movie and did such a great job of representing the culture, especially in cinema, from which the character is based on. There was depth to each character and finally getting the Ten Rings in the MCU was icing on the cake!
6. Werewolf By Night
I had to resist putting this at #1 because I enjoyed it so much. As a fan of horror, this special had me wanting more from the macabre world that was built in such a small amount of screen time. I need more Man-Thing in my life!
7. Hawkeye
Hawkeye is a fun ride, plain and simple. There’s a balance of comedy, action, and drama in what feels like a solid passing of the torch from Clint to Kate. When we add in the introduction of Echo and The Kingpin, Hawkeye adds depth to our street level MCU that we so desperately needed.
8. Ms. Marvel
This series tackled a lot of the same heavy themes that Wakanda Forever and Falcon and The Winter Soldier took on. What made Ms. Marvel special was the heart it carried. The issues with balancing family and responsibility while dealing with new superpowers reminded me heavily of Spiderman, but Ms. Marvel stands out in the cultural heritage that comes along with it all. It’s that cultural history that made Ms. Marvel a stand out to me.
9. She Hulk: Attorney At Law
If you asked me which Phase 4 project I found most entertaining? It might be She-Hulk. I found myself looking forward to a new episode each week. It was funny and smart and Tatiana Maslany was fantastic as always! I’d also add that the supporting cast of this series took the show to an even higher level, and yes that includes Matt Murdock!
10. The Guardians of The Galaxy Holiday Special
Touching and entertaining, the holiday special is actually a special dessert topping on an already large meal that is Phase 4. Drax and Mantis are a fun team up and bringing Kevin Bacon into the MCU, that’s special. I will admit that other than seeing Groot maturing and the reveal of Mantis as Peter’s sister, not much else furthered the story of The Guardians of The Galaxy. I also understand that this special is truly meant to just be pure fun, so the heck with it!
11. Black Widow
This was one of the Phase 4 movies that did not deserve the amount of contempt that it received. I will admit that this film should have been in an earlier phase, but it was still a solid addition to the MCU. The intrigue of The Red Room and the introduction of Black Widows family, who have slowly become fan favorites, made this film entertaining.
12. Wandavision
Wandavision is important to the MCU for addressing the issues Wanda is dealing with in the aftermath of Endgame. There is quite a bit of character development for Wanda and Vision and seeing their children in the MCU was a treat. However, there were many running threads in this series that may have ended up doing it a disservice. Also, I’ll never forgive them for Ralph Bohner.
13. Moon Knight
Moon Knight felt like an MCU outlier and I don’t believe that’s a bad thing. Oscaar Isaac and Ethan Hawke put on an acting clinic and any time we get a peek behind the horror curtain in the MCU, I’m game. I just wish there had been more Moon Knight.
14. Eternals
This is another film that received quite a bit of vitriol, but I say forget that. The Eternals gave us a look into this universe’s history and dug deeper into the cosmic world of the MCU. Did some of the characters fall flat? Yes. Was there enough time to develop that many in an ensemble cast? No. This one would have benefited from a series as opposed to a film.
15. Thor: Love And Thunder
Jane Foster’s story arc was fantastic. Expanding on the MCU Pantheon of Gods was entertaining, but limited. Christian Bale brought his best to the role of Gorr, but he didn’t have enough screen time. The theme of family and dealing with grief in different ways was important, but I find myself not as engaged with the people of Asgard. It’s like their tragedies have become a commodity. Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie does her best to fill the void left by Loki, but it just isn’t the same.
16. What if?
What If is actually good. Don’t let its low ranking be judged on its quality, but what does it add to the MCU as a whole? There are some entertaining stories to tell with all of the alternate universe characters. The original actors returning to voice them was a plus and the introduction of The Watcher was the best addition. What If really felt more like a Beta Test for what the MCU fandom was ready for.
17. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness
Boy do I hate to put a Sam Raimi movie at the bottom of any list, but MoM felt like a little bit of a mess. Whatever work Wandavision did to grow the character of Wanda, MoM seemed to try to reverse. America Chavez was a nice addition, but in the end her character just kind of felt like a plot device, and Baron Mordo felt wasted here. I will say the visuals in this are a strong suit as well as some fun cameos and solid acting performances, but ultimately MoM fell far short of personal expectations.
Now that Thanksgiving has come to a close and we’re getting ready to celebrate the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Yuletide, etc.), the world around us seems to transform before us. Decorations, lights, food, drink, almost everything has a touch of the holiday spirit, and comics are no exception.
I’m a huge fan of comics and love the holidays. So I thought I would share with you my top 5 comics that are connected to the holidays.
If after reading this top 5 list you want to explore more holiday-themed comics, check out this list of holiday-themed comics I have started (it is still a work in progress but let me know if you have any suggestions). I also discussed some of our favorite holiday comics with fellow Nerd Initiative member, Bumpkins, on an episode of my show, “The Captioned Life.” You can listen to the show on your pod player of choice or watch the YouTube video below.
#5 – Batman/Catwoman Holiday Special #1
So here’s the deal with this issue – even though it’s on my #5 spot, I personally did not enjoy it. In fact, I don’t think I would ever read it again. When I first read the issue I was confused because I thought it was taking place during one particular Christmas but the whole issue takes place over a lifetime of Christmases for Batman and Catwoman. Even more, I did not like the way the book ended and it was very depressing in the last third of the issue.
That said – I did list it here for this article because there are some redeeming qualities of this and I do think that the majority of you may, somewhat at least, enjoy it. It shows Batman and Catwoman’s lives together through the holidays, you get some new details and insights on the characters that you may not have known before, the artwork is enjoyable, and it is a different kind of story that you may not have read or seen before. Plus, it’s one of the few books out there that is solely based on the Christmas holiday (which is even doubly interesting considering that Bruce Wayne is Jewish – not sure why Hanukkah isn’t mentioned).
Creative team consists of Tom King, John Paul Leon, Bernard Chang, Shawn Crystal, Mitch Gerads, and Dave Stewart. Published by DC Comics on January 25th, 2022.
#4 – Spider-Man/Deadpool #12
If you want a silly, enjoyable comic about a superhero duo who has to save Christmas, then you should definitely read this comic. This is part of a larger duo series of the two titular characters that takes place during the holiday seasons but can be read as a stand-alone issue, so no need to have to read any issues prior to this.
After a moment of sadness for Spider-Man spending the holidays by himself and a hilarious Avengers party thrown by Deadpool (who eventually gets kicked out), the duo find themselves in a fight for their lives when ancient being Saturnalia wreaks havoc in New York City, killing and beheading people dressed as Santa for perverting his holiday. After a few battles with the surprising deity, the duo realizes that they need to show Saturnalia what Christmas is really all about as they take him through events and experiences that truly make it the most wonderful time of the year!
Creative team consists of Paul Sheer, Nick Giovannetti, Todd Nauck, and Rachelle Rosenberg. Published by Marvel Comics on December 28th, 2016.
#3 – Deadpool #7
If you liked Spider-Man/Deadpool #12, then you’ll love this issue! A solo issue of Deadpool who is set out to… kill Santa?!?
A group of children hires Deadpool to assassinate Santa after they woke up on Christmas morning with no presents from the not-so-jolly St. Nicholas. Deadpool, not being one to deny a child’s wishes, accepts the job (after the kids give him more cash than he thought possible from a, well, group of kids). During his mission, he encounters some hilarious moments at the North Pole, which include a gunfight with Mrs. Claus and a drunken battle with a skinny Santa. But after the Merc With A Mouth listens to Santa about what really happened on Christmas, Deadpool set out to make it right, and eventually helps Santa delivers his Christmas presents to all children of the world.
Creative team consists of Skottie Young & Nic Klein. Published by Marvel Comics on December 5th, 2018.
#2 – Batman: Noel
I just recently read this book and I have to say that this is one I wished I knew about when it first came out. As a holiday comic, it was so well written and as a form of visual art, it’s something I haven’t quite experienced before.
Batman: Noel is an adaptation of the classic holiday Charles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol, using the world and characters of Batman to tell the story of Gotham’s modern day Scrooge, Bruce Wayne/Batman! It’s not an exact adaptation but the narration does a great job of tying in those story details so that as you read the story, you know that it follows the Christmas Carol formula. There are no Christmas ghosts in this story but rather figures that represents Batman’s past, present, and future. The Christmas Carol story serves as a frame story while the main story itself could still be told on its own. The art is fantastic and the use of lettering for the narration is captivating.
Written and art by Lee Bermejo. Published by DC Comics on November 2nd, 2021.
#1 – Klaus
No matter what holiday comics I’ll read in the future (or ones that I finally read that have been printed ages ago), Klaus will always be at the number 1 spot for me.
The story is a whole series about the Viking named Klaus, who is the original Santa Claus. The original series is a 7-issue story arc that takes place roughly around 1600s within a fantasy version of our world, showing Klaus as a former general warrior who visits the once joyful town of Grimsvig during the Yuletide season. However, he finds that the town is now under a totalitarian control of Magnus, who has banned joy and presents. Enraged with how the people are treated (especially the children), Klaus sets on a mission to bring joy back to the town, delivering toys to the children, and engaging in a physical fight with Lord Magnus, his army, and the legendary Krampus. Along the way, we see how Klaus eventually receives his magical powers, his past, and reuniting with his long lost love. This story fills in a lot of the details and origins of the traditions of Christmas/winter holidays, as well as some new details (for example, he has a man-sized white wolf named Lilli!)
Created by Grant Morrison and Dan Mora. Published by Boom! Studios, first issue released November 4th, 2015.
Honorable Mentions
Although I have listed my top 5, there are a couple of issues I want to recognize as honorable mentions.
Marvel Holiday Special 1991
I have not had a chance to read this issue because I do not have a physical copy and it is not on Marvel Unlimited (at least not that I’ve found, anyways). But this issue is always brought up because this contains the story of how Santa Claus was confirmed to not only be a mutant (omega-level), but supposedly the most powerful mutant ever registered by Cerebro.
Hawkeye by Matt Fraction, David Aja, and Matt Hollingsworth
Although this is not an exclusive holiday-themed comic series, some issues of this Hawkeye run does take place around the holiday season. Being the inspiration for the Marvel Studios show of the same name, this is a must-have series to read and it’s perfect to read at any time of the year. It has a great story, an awesome duo of Clint Barton and Kate Bishop that is both witty and hysterical, and just an overall great story with amazing art from Aja and Hollingsworth.
So those are my top 5 holiday-themed comics! What are yours? Let me know by tagging me on social media, @CaptionedLife !
Disney’s newest animated feature film, Strange World, puts its focus on the Clade Family whose legacy runs deep in exploration and discovery. When the longevity of their home is threatened, they must embark on a journey to find a way to save their way of life, only to find themselves in an even stranger world. Don’t worry, there will be no spoilers ahead as always!
Strange World feels a combination of Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Pixar’s Up but all in the Indiana Jones font. While it is targeted toward children of all ages, it’s the combination of those three movies that made me feel as if it was an adventure story for adults. It is colorful and vibrant, and gives us a whole new world to explore and release our curiosity. What you see isn’t exactly what it seems and that mystery is what keeps you guessing and engaged till the very end.
Image from Strange World. All Rights Reserved by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
This movie knows what story it wants to tell, and succeeds in doing so without dragging its feet or trying to take the audience in different directions. Yes, it’s predictable but that is never a bad thing so long as it manages to tell its story in a new and unique way. And without giving too much away, I can say that Strange World introduced us to something that’s a little different and unusual, while tackling some great themes that need to be openly discussed.
What really pushes this movie to being as great as it is are the different characters that we are introduced to. From every member of the Clade family to the crew mates, they’re each enjoyable and never really feel out of place to where it disrupts the movie’s more serious moments. I have to admit that it’s a shame this movie did not get the proper marketing it should have gotten given the representation it offers. Not only do you have an interracial family, but you also have a leading queer character whose queerness is not an obstacle but rather something normal and a part of life, the way it should be.
Image from Strange World. All Rights Reserved by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Overall…It’s An Adventure!
I will say that while I was able to connect to the characters and their journeys with one another, there wasn’t anything in particular to get me to feel the heavy or strong emotions that Disney and Pixar are known to evoke. It’s your typical run-of-the-mill exploration story that gives you obstacles, complicated relationship dynamics, fun sidekicks, and an adventure that you’ll hopefully remember. And while I loved it tremendously, it feels as if Strange World’s popularity may not pick up for a couple years minimum, if it does at all. Which is all the more reason to go and watch it.
Nothing will stop me from imploring you to give this movie a chance. Whether you watch it with kids, with your significant other, with friends, or just on your own, it’s worth the watch. It’s a short and comforting movie to watch in the midst of a busy holiday season, and it has enough heart to serve as a fun pick-me-up. If you’re looking to explore something new, go watch Strange World, a movie that proves anyone can lead an adventure.
Although I do not enjoy ranking favorite movies in the MCU, I have no issue with saying that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is definitely my favorite from Phase 4 for many reasons. The fight scenes of WenWu with Li & Shang-Chi is by far one of the most beautiful, poetic fighting choreography that I’ve seen in quite some time. I love the parallels that they used to show defining moments for WenWu in how he fought his wife and son in the same way, and the choreography resembles a dance in the sense that there was meaning and passion beyond the hitting. There is so much to unpack in these two scenes that I could do a whole article breaking down those two scenes alone.
#2 – Spider-Men On The Statue Of Liberty
I would honestly be surprised if this scene didn’t make it into someone’s top 5 moments from Phase 4 of the MCU. Spider-Man: No Way Home was the most anticipated movie since Avengers: Endgame, and as we got closer to the release date, we became obvious that they were going to bring back and retrofit the characters from the previous Spider-Man installments. Seeing Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield back in their roles was really great to see, and I’d argue that this was probably their best performance in their roles (especially Maguire, who I thought played an older, wiser Peter Parker/Spider-Man better than his original trilogy films).
Although there were many moments for the audience where we all cheered in the theaters (I’m looking at you, Charlie Cox), the moment when the three Spider-Men landing on the top of the Statue of Liberty was almost a dream come true manifested. This was truly nostalgia at its peak for many Marvel fans.
#3 – Harmony Battle Of Doctor Strange Vs. Sinister Strange
Now if you know me, you probably would be surprised by this selection, given that I am not a fan of the character, Doctor Strange. However, I can still put my own biases aside and recognize good art, and this was definitely one of the most engaging and creative scenes in Phase 4 of the MCU in my opinion. This fight scene was very unexpected and was mesmerizing to say the least. This was such a fun and creative way to do a magical battle, and it was such a great composure and harmony between the visual and audio elements. This is one I can watch over and over again, and there truly isn’t any other fight scene like it in any superhero genre film.
#4 – Battle On Shadow Realm
This scene from Thor: Love And Thunder was also a very well done and visually engaging scene. The use of colors was magnificent, initially using a monochromatic black-and-white color grade then adding in color from power lighting sources that emits from Mjolnir, Stormbreaker, and Zeus’ lightning bolt. In addition to the coloring, this scene showed the protagonists and antagonist fighting on a very small global planet where you can see the characters run on top of the surface of a globe. Whether you enjoyed the movie or hated it, this scene is definitely one of the best parts of this movie.
#5 – Queen Ramonda Relieves Okoye As General
Although I’m still sorting through how I personally feel about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, I will say that Angela Bassett and Danai Gurira gave such an impassioned performance, especially in this scene, that they deserve some sort of award for it. We as an audience brought in so much emotion and grief with the passing of Chadwick Boseman that the last year we’ve been wondering how they were going to handle his character and how we were going to be able to move forward.
Although this scene and conversation was not directly about the passing of T’Challa, those emotions of grief and loss was at its peak in this scene. Ramonda being angered with her own loss of her entire family, relieved Okoye of her role as the general of the Dora Milaje, which we the audience felt that sting with Okoye. Okoye has been such a strong, unwavering character in the MCU, but in this moment we see her vulnerable, begging to not be dismissed and asking for a chance of redemption. This entire scene was nothing but raw emotion and we felt it through the screen and it will leave an imprint on us for the rest of the MCU’s time.
Those are my top 5 moments from MCU Phase 4 movies. Tell me what were your favorite moments.
The story of A Christmas Carol is widely known by many, and there is an abundance of adaptations of this classic tale. A dark and foreboding message echoes each time we see a version of Ebenezer Scrooge as he is approached by the Ghosts of Christmas, pushing him to change for the better. Apple TV+’s new film, Spirited, changes the formula entirely.
Spirited stars Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell alongside Sunita Mani, Tracy Morgan, and Octavia Spencer, and follows the Ghost of Christmas Present (Ferrell) as he attempts to change the ways of Clint Briggs (Reynolds), a vile media consultant. I won’t give anymore of the movie away as it’s something that one needs to just watch for themselves to fully comprehend what has been altered from the original story.
Getting the cons out the way, I think the movie could have been slimmed down by a half hour, give or take. There are some aspects of the film that serve little to no purpose, and causes it to feel dragged out at times. And while the movie manages to follow two story arcs at the same time, it can feel a bit cluttered and overstuffed at times which can be overwhelming. And frankly, the overabundance of songs also seems to be common with this season’s new movie releases and applies especially to Spirited.
Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in “Spirited,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
However, while there are so many interpretations and versions of A Christmas Carol, I think Spirited manages to pull off a unique take on the story. It pushes you in one direction and right as you think you understand the story, the movie pulls you back and pushes you in a new direction. And it does live up to its musical nature. A lot of the music is fantastic and comedic, with insanely choreographed dancing that just feels right for this movie. Who knew Reynolds and Ferrell could be so in sync with each other?
One thing I will say is that sometimes having too many funny people in one movie can lead to everyone competing and trying to outdo the other comedian. Thankfully, that does not happen here. Reynolds and Ferrell work well together as their humor bounces off one another and plays into a couple of the long-running gags that we see throughout the movie. Meanwhile, the supporting cast is utilized appropriately to give balance to the characters’ individual story arcs.
Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in “Spirited,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
A Spirited Conclusion
Whatever your predictions or expectations may be about this movie, you’re probably right about them but not exactly in the way you think. It’s just as fun as its trailer lets on, if not more so, and deserves a chance this season. Spirited isn’t perfect and could do with a song or two less but it’s a worthwhile watch in the end, especially as we begin to head deep into the holiday season. It’s not your average Christmas Carol but it is festive and joyous, and perfect for the whole family.
