By Trina Boice WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Captain Marvel is meant as a prequel to The Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is the 21st film in the franchise. It’s not exactly an origin story, as Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) begins the movie already possessing powers. It does, however, show us how the idea for the Avengers began. If you’ve never seen a superhero film before, this probably won’ ...[Read More]
Family Review: CAPTAIN MARVEL is Thrilling But Lacks Depth
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP Family Movie Review
By Lindsi Neilson WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Scott Lang finds himself teaming back up with Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym after the events of Captain America: Civil War in order to find Janet van Dyne and fight a new enemy. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A) Cleverly written and out-right hilarious, Ant-Man and The Wasp provides a much-needed shot of lightheartedness after the darkness of Infinity War. It should be ...[Read More]
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Clinical Director, LMFT) WHAT'S AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR ABOUT? The Avengers team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to battle Thanos and his quest to balance the universe through genocide. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A-) Manage your expectations. Not about the film's quality, mind you; it's very good. In fact, given the sheer number of characters to juggle, it's beyond impressive. ...[Read More]
BLACK PANTHER Family Movie Review
By Lindsi Neilson WHAT’S BLACK PANTHER ABOUT? After his father’s death, T’Challa returns home to Wakanda to be crowned king. When a previously unknown enemy appears and threatens T’Challa’s nation and the world, he must figure out what kind of king he is before the destruction of everything he and his family stand for. Rent or buy it here. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A) Let’s start things off by talki ...[Read More]
THOR: RAGNAROK Family Movie Review
By Justin Lozada WHAT’S THOR: RAGNAROK ABOUT? The God of Thunder is back on the big screen in his third solo outing, but he’s definitely not alone. Joining him on his latest adventure are his mischievous brother, Loki, the beautiful but formidable Valkyrie, and the big green guy himself, the Incredible Hulk. Thor faces his greatest challenge yet as he squares off against a new foe with superior p ...[Read More]
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT’S SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING ABOUT? With the blessing of Tony Stark (Iron Man), Peter Parker tries to prove himself a hero while juggling a social and academic life. (Buy it here and get the previous five Spidey films here). IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A) One would think rebooting Spider-Man for the third time in 15 years would lead to a stale, unins ...[Read More]
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT'S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 ABOUT? Marvel's intergalactic antiheroes battle new enemies (and old) when a being (Kurt Russell) introduces himself as Peter's father. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A-) Everything a sequel should be, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 builds on narrative threads and themes from the first film in satisfying ways, takin ...[Read More]
DOCTOR STRANGE Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT'S DOCTOR STRANGE ABOUT? A brilliant-but-arrogant surgeon takes a journey that will transform him into a time-and-space-bending superhero. Rent or buy it here. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: B+) Utterly unique in the Marvel movie universe, Doctor Strange presents a metaphysical adventure with dazzling kaleidoscope imagery. Benedict Cumberbatc ...[Read More]
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT'S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR ABOUT? When the United Nations wants to assume authority over the Avengers, the heroes are divided over whether to comply. The ideological divide, coupled with a villain's machinations, eventually pit the super-friends against one another. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A+) Getting right everything Batman v. Superman got ...[Read More]
THE AVENGERS Family Movie Review
Review (Grade: A) The most impressive superhero film since The Dark Knight, Marvel Studios’ The Avengers is a funny, thrilling, and character-driven crowd pleaser. Seeing the five films that preceded this one (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor,and Captain America) may enrich the experience, but it’s hardly necessary; the film stands well on its own for those who want to just jump in ...[Read More]