10 Movies to Look Forward to this Summer

              With May quickly drawing to a close this week, I'll use this opportunity to look forward at what we can expect for the rest of the summer, including the big blockbusters and the small films that might sneak up on us.  I'll give you the top 10 movies worth looking forward to this summer as well as brief descriptions of why they're exciting.

TOP 10 MOVIES TO BE EXCITED FOR

10:  The Conjuring 2

            Horror sequels are not usually a safe investment for quality, but The Conjuring 2 might be one of the few exceptions.  Conjuring 2 opens another real world case file and brings the Warren Siblings to London to investigate a family taunted by spirits.  The original Conjuring is an inventive and unique horror movie, often breaking free from the cliches that dominate modern horror movies.  The spinoff, Annabelle, however, fell right back into the cliches of jump scares and stupid protagonists.  The proper sequel brings back director James Wan as well as Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) and Patrick Wilson (Fargo) as the real-life Warren Siblings, famous 20th century paranormal investigators. 

            The trailers so far have been intense and intriguing, teasing another tense and haunting horror from mastermind James Wan.  I am really excited to see how this movie turns out, but the uncertainty of horror sequels and the failure of Annabelle holds this movie back at the bottom of the list.

9: Warcraft

            Based off the smash hit videogame franchise, Warcraft is an action fantasy epic that tells the story of a magic portal suddenly connecting the world of Humanity with the world of the orcs.  As war wages and both species face impending doom, leaders must come together in a confrontation that will decide the fate of both worlds.

            This movie may not seem enticing for some, but it marks a significant turning point in the industry.  If Warcraft can work, videogame movies will inevitably take off, possibly spiking living into a form of adaptation that has failed so regularly.     However if this movie fails, it will be one of the biggest nails in the coffin for videogames movies.  With a big budget and popular source material, studios and fans alike are watching Warcraft to set the course for what could be the next breakout blockbusters.  

8: Sausage Party 
NSFW

            "Dude, what if, like, food could, like, talk?"  This thought probably flowed through the substance-fueled mind of Seth Rogan.  Rogan didn't let the idea fade away though, because he turned it into the upcoming R-rated animated comedy, Sausage Party.  In this comedy, a group of talking, anamorphic foods are bought from a grocery store and realize that coming home with humans isn't the Valhalla experience they expected when they watch their friends get chopped up, cooked, and eaten.  After this realization, the food must work together to escape humanity before they become their next meal.

            The trailer promoted a lot of reaction when it first dropped, mostly for the insanity of the premise and the profanity of the imagery.  It ushered in plenty of laughs but also plenty of questions about just how the premise can hold up and if Rogan's fondness for crazy adult content can carry over into an animated format.  We'll have to wait all the way until August 12th to find out if this movie will taste fresh or end up overcooked.

7: Secret Life of Pets

            Animated movies come in many forms.  This time it's in the form of talking pets with various conflicting personalities who are forced to get along in order to defend their blissfully ignorant owners from vengeful animals left abandoned.  While it is not the most original premise, the trailers have caused genuine laughs from adults and children alike.  The simple premise could be a doorway into relatable and cute comedy and visuals as well as a potentially significant message about the necessity of caring for and about the animals we live with.  

            With stars like Louis C.K.. Kevin Hart, and Ellie Kember, this comedy has the potential to capture the well-rounded family fun that animation strives for.  Gather up the kids and grandparents and head to the theater on July 8th to see this movie for yourself.

6: Independence Day: Resurgence

            One of the defining action films of the 90's is Independence Day where an alien race with far superior technology invades the United States on - you guessed it - The Fourth of July.  20 years later, humanity is ready to strike back as they have taken the technology left behind to create their own super-powered weapons, preparing for an all-out war.  With most of the cast returning (minus leading man Will Smith, whose character supposedly killed off between the films) and promising action scenes in the trailers, this movie could end up being a popcorn hit of the summer for those desperate to overdose on adrenaline and nostalgia all at once.  This year, we celebrate our Independence Day a little early on June 24th.
     

  5: Free State of Jones

            Matthew McConaughey's acting resurgence has dominated movies and TV alike for the last few years, and his American Civil War period drama could continue this praise.  In Free State, McConaughey plays a Confederate soldier gone awol who leads a slave rebellion to establish an independent state free of slavery.  The trailers show some intense imagery of a dark time in American history and tease a powerful cinematic experience.  

            While many social speakers are hoping for an end to slave movies, this could be a critical hit from a genre with mixed relevancy.  McConaughey could help carry this small drama surrounded by blockbusters into a big hit for those looking for a break from massive action.   The movie opens against Independence Day on June 24th.

4: Lights Out

            James Wan horror hits twice on this list with Lights Out.  The reason this fairly obscure horror movie has made it so high on the list is because of the short film it is based on.  The original Lights Out is an independent short film which won several awards in 2013 and 2014.  Running less than 3 minutes in length, this movie featured terrifying but simplistic imagery showing a woman facing off with a creature who is only visible when the lights are off.  Horror director James Wan picked this short film up and turned it into a full length feature  on the same basic premise.  

            Lights Out is a small horror project opening against two fairly large studio pushes, so it may not be a financial hit, but it has high potential to be one of the best horror films of the year from a director who understands the genre fluently.  Lights Out will be keeping us up at night starting July 22nd.  

3: Finding Dory

            Everyone remembers Ellen's Dory from Finding Nemo, even if she does not remember much herself.  In this long-awaited sequel over ten years in the making, Dory goes off on her own adventure of self discovery as she attempts to find her long-forgotten family on the other side of the ocean.  Along for the swim are returning characters Marvin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Roylance) as  well as new characters played by Idris Alba and Bill Hader.  Pixar's sequels range from the incredible Toy Story 2 to the intolerable Cars 2, and hopefully Finding Dory can find it's place in the middle.

            Finding Nemo was a huge hit when it was released, and Ellen has been pushing for a sequel since practically before the movie even came out. Ellen and fans have had their wish granted with Finding Dory, but can it live up to the dreams of the children-turned-adults who loved the original?  And can it capture the imaginations of modern kids in a much different entertainment age?  We'll have to just keep swimming until June 17th to find out.  

2: Jason Bourne

            Matt Damon is back in the lead role that redefined his career.  This time, Bourne is back in action with his memories returned, but, as Alica Vikander's character tells him in the trailer, "Just because you remember everything, doesn't mean you know everything."  Bourne's action-packed ride for answers seems to promise an exhilarating return to form for the franchise that slightly lost its way with Bourne Legacy back in 2012.  

            The trailers were intense and have earned some excitement from fans of the original Bourne trilogy.  I'm hopeful that Paul Greengrass behind the camera and Matt Damon in front of it will be enough to return the action thriller to its roots when it races into theaters on July 22nd.  

1: Suicide Squad

            Many superhero movie fans feel upset after Batman v Superman let them down back in March.  Others, however, maintain their positivity and excitement.  All of these fans will be in theaters to see Suicide Squad, the off-the-wall team up movie that brings DC's biggest villains together to take on covert assignments from the government.  This is a win-win situation, giving the government a group they can blame their mistakes on and the villains shorter prison sentences in exchange for successful missions.  

            The trailers have made headlines and heavily impressed audiences.  Margot Robbie continues her climb into blockbusters with her take on Harley Quinn, but she has hard-hitting talent at her back with Will Smith as Deadshot and Jared Leto unleashing his infamously maniacal take on The Joker.  The biggest draw for this movie relies on just how important it is for the future of the DC Universe.  With Batman v Superman underperforming critical and financially and a big shakeup behind the scenes, Suicide Squad is the big chance Warner Brothers needs to push their franchise in the right direction.  If done well, this could save public interest in the DCMU, but if done badly, this could bury DC and force them to pull backwards and shift their franchises tremendously.  

            This may not turn out to be the best or biggest movie of the summer, but it will inevitably be one of the most talked-about and important.  The squad assembles on August 5th.

            There's my list, now where is yours?  Are you excited for these movies?  What did I leave out that you can't wait for?  Check back next week for a list of the movies you should be avoiding this summer.

            If you like what you've read, you can read even more including movie and TV reviews on my Blogspot, The Film Fan Awakens.  I recently reviewed Captain America Civil War and am reviewing Game of Thrones weekly.  

            You can also follow for instant updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheFilmFanAwakens and @FanFilmAwakens on Twitter.  I'm Tristan Mayer from The Fan Film Awakens and thanks for reading!

Note: All images and video used in this article are the property of their respective studios and creators.  They are reproduced here under Fair Use for criticism and commentary.  

A Stark Reunion: Revewing 'The Book of The Stranger', Episode 604 of Game of Thrones

                   Game of Thrones Season 6 continues to impress and improve with this episode.  Filled with reunions and connections, main plots merge together, heading towards an clash of storylines built up from the start as Game of Thrones takes strides to the endgame.    Pink Letters and active characters make this episode yet another great entry into the season.

                   Below, I will break down the episode by location, talking spoiler-heavy about the action and development of each storyline.  After, I will quickly run through bullet points of the pros and cons of the episode, and finally I will predict where the show will go from here.

THE WALL

                   Like many episodes this season, it opens first on The Wall.  Jon Snow is preparing to march South, with no plan of where to go or what to do when he gets there.  Edd argues that he should stay and serve his vows, but Jon says his death released him from his vows and he can not serve as a leader of the Nights Watch knowing his own brothers had murdered him for his actions.  

                   Their argument is interrupted when the gates are opened.  Sansa Stark enters Castle Black, along with Brienne and Podrick behind her.  In a much-needed moment of hope and light, Jon embraces his sister, reunited at least.  The half-siblings reminisce of the day they left Winterfell and reflect on how much things have changed since then.  Together again, Sansa declares there is only one place they can go now: Home.  To Winterfell.  Even if it takes a war to get them there.  Later in the episode, Jon receives a letter from Ramsey, threatening the vicious rape and murder of the Stark family and the rescued Wildlings if Sansa is not returned to him.  This ultimatum from Ramsey convinces Jon that a Battle of the North must be fought, for the protection of the Starks, and the Realms of Men. 

                   Meanwhile, Melisandre reveals to Davos that she believes Jon is Azor Ahai, The Prince that was Promised.  She is not open, however, about the fate of Shireen, the daughter of Stannis who she burned to death last season.  Before Davos can push for an answer, Brienne approaches, telling them that she served under Renly and executed Stannis after he admitted to using blood magic to kill his own brother.  This scene is tense and teases future problems and confrontation between Brienne and the Red Woman, who she rightfully blames for the death of her king.

                    The North continues to provide the most driving stories of the season, with the stakes feeling constantly high between the deadly Boltons and the increasingly-threatening White Walkers beyond The Wall.  This episode provided emotional impact built from the first episode as we finally see Sansa and Jon reunited.  This convergence of Stark plot provides a glimmer of hope for the future of the family and is truly exciting for the future.  

                   Interestingly, when reflecting back to the day they left, Sansa says that she wishes she could go back and "scream at myself, "don't go.'" Could this be a reference to Bran's potential time travel moment last episode where he called out to his father in the past?  Perhaps we will see one of the Starks get the chance to live out Sansa's wish with the ability to talk to themselves on that day and stop the terrible tragedies from befalling the Starks.  I certainly hope not.  I love a good time travel story, but Game of Thrones is not where I want it.  A final twist that undoes the events that impacted and inspired us for the last 6 years would feel very dissatisfying  and manipulative.   

                   The scene between Brienne and Melisandre is perhaps just as fascinating as Jon and Sansa's reunion.  It connects back to the stories of both characters, with Brienne being constantly motivated by her devotion to Renly and Mel's devotion to the Red God and magic.  These powerful woman are almost opposite images of each other, with Brienne's manly appearance and incredible brute strength and Melisandre's gorgeous feminine appearance and use of dark magic.  In a show that is often criticized for its portrayal of woman, seeing these two strong characters interact - and tease more intensity to come - is very exciting and a big sign of the quality this season is presenting to us.  

WINTERFELL

               
   This may have been a very female-powered episode, but that does not mean every woman in Westeros got off on top.  Osha, the Wildling who had been with Rickon Stark, is presented to Ramsay.  She plays with him, saying that she was not loyal to the Starks and only stuck with Rickon because of the payout he could provide.  She attempts to seduce Ramsay, eyeing a knife on the table to attack him.  However the scene turns as Ramsay reveals that, while he was torturing Theon Greyjoy, he talked about Osha and how she had been instrumental in the escape of Bran and Rickon.  Her loyalty is revealed and her lead is crushed, as Ramsay reveals his own blade, stabbing Osha through the throat and killing her.  

                   This was a bit of a weak scene, although it was an inevitable one that was ultimately faithful to the characters as we know them, even if it is a bit disappointing.  In previous seasons, we have seen Osha use her sexuality to her advantage, particularly against Theon when he held Winterfell.  It makes sense with her character that she would attempt to do this again.  She knows nothing of Ramsay's brutality or his knowledge of Theon, so underestimating him makes sense.  We also know Ramsay as a cold killer with very little genuine interest in sex, so him playing along only to kill Osha fits within his character as well.

                   The disappointment grows from the same tree, however, because the scene ultimately felt mostly easy and predictable.  From the start of the scene it is fairly easy to guess where it will end up, especially considering the lack of significance Osha would pose to the plot from within Winterfell.  With so many characters in the north, she is no longer needed as an eye for the viewer.  I would have liked to have seen more of her, however, and learn about what her and Rickon had been up to for the last few years.  To have a somewhat significant character return to the screen after two full seasons of absence only to be killed in her second scene feels like a missed opportunity and perhaps was a victim of the shows quickening pacing or plot manipulation.  A Stark needed to be in Winterfell to motivate Jon to march, and Rickon's arrival fills that spot.  I also hope we get to see some different types of scenes with Ramsay in the future because he has already been deeply established as a violent psychopath who hate women and it could turn him into a joke if he keeps doing the same thing over and over again.

THE VALE

                    Last time we saw Littlefinger, he had left Sansa at Winterfell to be married and planted his seeds with Cersei in King's Landing, all while asserting himself as the new Uncle of Robin Arryn.  Littlefinger returns to the show when he rides into the Vale, presenting a gift to Robin.  When Lord Royce tries to question Littlefinger's role in Sansa's marriage to the Boltons, Littlefinger tells a false story of Sansa capture, implying that he was sold out by Royce.  When Robin casually suggests that Royce be thrown from the Moon Door, Littlefinger slyly suggests that he be granted a second chance, as he could prove to be a strong leader in the wars to come.  Littlefinger tells Robin that Sansa has been freed and that the Vale must use their armies to march on Winterfell to protect Sansa from falling back into Bolton hands.  

                   Littlefinger has always been one of my favorite characters, especially early on.  Seeing him play his political games and manipulate his way to the top has felt like an embodiment of the themes and storytelling this series does so well.  This scene is yet another smart move from him as he slyly asserts himself as the political leader of the Vale even if not in name.  When Royce sees Robbin so quickly side with Littlefinger, he realizes quickly just how he had been played and that he must submit to Littlefinger if he wishes to survive. Like many characters in Westeros, Royce sees the darkness of Littlefinger but knows there is nothing he can do about it.

                   The Vale fighting against The Boltons could provide a massive turning point in the coming battle.  If they can join forces with the Wildlings and Jon Snow, the Boltons will have a hard war ahead of them, suddenly outnumbered and underskilled.  Vale soldiers are known as being strong and devoted fighters and could, according to some book sources, raise up to 45,000 men to arms.  Against the 10,000 men holding Winterfell plus the Umbers and other houses loyal to the Boltons, the upcoming Battle of The North could turn out to be one of the biggest battles in recent Westerosi history and change The North forever.  This big Northern shift increases my suspicions that this series will not end with a unified kingdom. 

THE IRON ISLANDS

                   In a brief but powerful scene, Theon returns how to Pyke.  He speaks with his sister, Yara, who is angry at him for the loss their people experienced on his behalf.  She is justly suspicious of him, returning suddenly right after his father had been killed.  After his complete breaking, she is unsure if he is truly Theon or still a toy of Ramsay Bolton.  Theon cries, telling her he is sorry and that he does not want the throne, he just wants to be home.  Theon tells Yara that she belongs on the throne and that he will do what he can to get her there.  

                   This was a strong scene where both characters acted in a believable way.  Theon is shattered and does not know where to go from here.  His interactions with his sister brings back all the mistakes and pain he went through and sends him spiraling into sadness.  He is finally given the chance to slow down and look at what he was truly done and been through.  Yara has lost a lot trying to save her brother and her anger and distrust towards him is very warranted.  Last time she saw him, he was cowering silently in a cage, refusing to leave with her.  And his timely arrival post-assassination would raise eyebrows from anyone.  However they ultimately end on a common ground, heading into the Kingsmoot as a single force. 

MEREEN

                   Last week, Tyrion sent a message to the slave masters of Essos, and this week we see that message has lead to a meeting.  The Masters Danny had defeated in seasons past come to Mareen to meet with Tyrion.  He offers to make peace with the Masters, giving them 7 years to free their slaves in exchange for peace and unity in Essos.  Tyrion claims to talk on behalf of the Queen, but his views and actions strongly contradict with what he knows Danny would be doing. Messande and Greyworm are well aware of this and express their disagreement after the meeting,  Tyrion tells them that he is doing what is necessary to maintain the peace and that he cannot end slavery and war at the same time.  While Messande and Greyworm are not fully convinced of his tactics, having been slaves themselves, they ultimately defend him when the people question his actions.

                   I was very pleased with this scene for a few reasons.  It was nice to see the actions of Danny feel important and that the show addressed the unrealistic optimism of her campaign.  As Tyrion said, she destroyed an economic system without bothering to put another one in its place.  Her actions were certainly noble, but leaving the cities in the way she did was leaving them destined for chaos and a return to slavery.  It is also satisfying to see Tyrion being entirely out of place is not unintentional and that problems between Danny's top tier is growing.  The Eastern plot has been falling in quality for many seasons now, but this episode was a very interesting shift for both of the big Eastern plots and foreshadow them finally heading West to connect to the main story.  Where Messande and Greyworm will ultimately fall in Tyrion's argument will be fascinating in the future of Mereen's plot, especially with Dany on her way home, potentially with some guests of her own. 

    

 VAES DOTHRAK

                   Darrio and Jorah have made their way to Vaes Dothrak, knowing that Danny would be taken into the temples and a Khaleesi widow.  Outside the city, Darrio and Jorah are growing impatient with each other. Darrio is joking about his sex life with Danny and teasing Jorah for his old age.  When Jorah insists of Darrio leaving his weapons outside the city, Jorah accidentally reveals his Greyscaled arm.  Darrio notices and simply asks "do you know what's going to happen?"  Jorah says he does, and they move past it, focusing on their rescuing of Dany.  Later that night, they enter the city covertly.  When they run into two Dothraki, Jorah's knowledge of Dothraki buys them time and Darrio's combat prowess ultimately saves them. 

                   This was a fun scene.  Not only with their banter early on, but by seeing them working strongly together in synch.  Jorah's book knowledge helps outmatch his aging and sick body while Darrio's skill in battle takes the Dothraki down.  The tension between the pair will be cool to see in the future when we see things calm down for them with Danny.  Will they come to a common ground or will their mocho bashing continue?  I also wonder if Darrio will reveal Jorah's Greyscale to Danny or keep the secret.  If he keeps it and Danny inevitably finds out, this could draw a rift between Danny and both Jorah and Darrio, leaving her to end up with neither one of them.  

                   Meanwhile, Danny is with the Khaleesi Widows, preparing to be judged on her fate.  She shows a friendship with one of the widows, who hopes that she can join them in the temple.  They connect momentarily over their love for Dragons before Darrio and Jorah enter the scene and capture the Dothraki.  They are ready to break her out, but she tells them that there is no way they will make it out and that she has a plan of her own.

                   We later see Danny facing her trial.  She is belittled by the Dothraki as they joke about having sex with her and selling her to slavery.  However this is not the Danny we knew in season one.  She stands up for herself, asserting that she is the Mother of Dragons and that they will die.  In a massive theory-blasting moment, she knocks down torches into the temple, burning it to the ground and killing the Dothraki.  However Danny is unphased, walking out from the flames, naked and unburnt.  Standing in front of the flames, she looks over the dothraki army as they bow to her.  

                   I have been open about my dislike for Danny's storyline this season and how it felt like it was going too slow and felt predictable.  I was convinced she would have Darrio save her or her dragon swoop in and that we were only waiting for the inevitable.  However I was really happy to see that, ultimately, she saved herself.  Her own power and assertiveness as a person saved her without the help of anyone else.  A character that was once nothing but a victim is now the creator of her own story and the savior of herself.  No man needed. 

                   Of course, this scene called directly back to the season one finale where Dany's dragons were born and she was also unburnt in a large fire surrounded by Dothraki.  At the time, she seemed like the ultimate queen and leader of the Dothraki, however we saw her quickly lose these followers next season as the patriarchal Dothraki refused to follow a woman, especially one who relied on blood magic.  Could the loyalty seen in this scene be yet another rug set to be pulled out from under us?  I hope not.  Danny with a Dothraki army on top of her Unsullied is a massive force to be reckoned with both in Essos and in Westeros.  As the series moves towards its endgame, Danny will soon make her move West, and with Dothraki at her back she will not be going quietly.

KING'S LANDING

                   Queen Margaery Tyrell is locked with the High Sparrow, who is continuing his manipulation of King's Landing.  He bring her to her brother, Loras, who is also imprisoned.  She finds him shattered and broken, begging for her to make them stop.  She tries to talk him up and inspire him to not let them win, but he is uninterested in winning and just wants it all to end.

                   Cersei is also feeling more and more desperate as her grip on her son Tommen is weakening.  Tommen's loyalty to her is beginning to fall as he wonders if fighting against the High Sparrow is the right move.   He tells Cersei that, according to the High Sparrow, Mrgaery is soon to face her atonement.  Cersei takes this news to Lady Olena, Margaery's grandmother, and Kevan Lannister, the Hand of the King.  She proposes that fighting head on against the Sparrow must happen sooner than later.  Kevan and Olena agree, and they begin to plan their attack against The Faith, well aware of the chaos that will engulf Kings Landing if they fail.   
                   King's Landing felt like a weaker entry this week.  Many of these scenes feel more or less like the same conversations we have heard all season where Cersei insists on taking action and everyone around her doubts.  We have been given this story in short bursts, so perhaps much of this is falling victim to the time limitations of these almost-an-hour episodes.  It was not all repetitive as we finally see Olena and Kevan agree to take action, but it feels mostly like many of these scenes could have been put into a single King's Landing heavy episode rather than spread out among the first half of the season.  Seeing Jaime and Cersei working together is satisfying to someone who has always been a fan of their complex and shifting relationship, but Jaime needs to begin taken a leading role in his scenes as he is starting to fall into the background.  

                   Tommen's quivering loyalty feels significant and fuels some of my personal theories over where the Lannister story will end up and it will be great to see where his loyalty falls in the coming weeks as the assault against The Faith finally begins.  

WHAT I LOVED

• Jon and Sansa reunited.  As the showrunners pointed out in the post-episode special, this was actually Jon and Sansa's first scene on screen together.  Despite this, we are given huge emotional punch and the feeling of seeing long lost family members reunited again.  This moment of optimism was needed in a dark series and the collision of major plotlines is huge, teasing that the Showrunners have a solid and strong endgame planned and that every moment we see is taking a step closer to that.  The setup for the Northern War is exciting and I can't wait for more.
• Danny's plot rising from the flames.  After being a weaker storyline recently, Danny's plot pulled a big fun surprise this week with a scene that is going to shift the view of the character as a whole and fuel many fan theories to come.  Many theories about Targaryian's relationships to fire and burning will need to be overhauled as readers and viewers question what they have been told by outside sources.  I can't to see what happens when Danny leads these Dothraki back home.

WHAT I LIKED

• Merreen and Tyrion. In the start of this season, Tyrion's scenes in Mareen were short and mostly meant to give Peter Dinkledge some comedic screen time.  However this episode we got back to the Tyrion I loved earlier in the series.  The political leader and big talker, able to stand up and turn a conversation in the direction he wants it to go.  He also pointed out some of the realistic questions I have been asking about Danny's actions throughout the series, showing that the writers are not unaware of these issues.  He knows the Masters do not take him seriously, and standing his ground despite that shows the strength that the character is known for.
• Theon back home.  This scene was powerful and showed just how much has happened to the character throughout the series.  He went from a hated character causing nothing but problems to a tragic character trying to make up for his mistakes in any way he can.  The only think I did not like was that they seem to be speeding quickly through Greyjoy plot and sidelining major players.  If the teaser is any indication, we may be getting a Kingsmoot soon which means they have a lot of character building to do if they intend for it to have any of the impact that the book had.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• King's Landing walking in circles.  Jaime and Cersei are great together as a power couple of Westeros, but King's Landing is starting to struggle to maintain relevance as the focus of the series moves north.  I liked what happened here, but most of it felt like it was not anything we had not seen in previous episodes and that they are almost forcing these scenes in to remind us that the characters are there before the big plot movement in the second half of the season.
   
• The increasing lack of Dorne.  I did not like Dorne in the series and was not overly interested in it in the books.  But the complete abandoning of it feels like a cheap excuse to get rid of a plot that people did not like.  The writers should feel the confidence that they could turn Dorne around in the same way they have turned many other plotlines around.  Their inevitable clash with the Lannister will feel less impactful without the buildup. 

                   WHAT I HATED

• Ramsay's Repetition.  With an episode this strong, it is hard to hate anything.  But the weakest moment of the episode was easily Ramsay's killing of Osha.  This came off as a rushed and mostly unsurprising moment that could have been done better.  Osha was given maybe 10 lines this whole season and could have provided some insight on life in the North and how the Umber's really feel towards the Boltons and the Starks.  Ramsay's actions are mostly the same thing he has been doing for seasons now.  This repetition could get old fairly quick and I hope we can see him take more dynamic action as the Northern Battle grows closer.  

WHAT GOES AROUND...

                   Another great episode of Game of Thrones.  Characters are reunited and plotlines converge as many of the scattered stories begin to take aim for a specific goal.  It continues this season trend of high-speed progress, sometimes at the sake of more thoughtful moments.  Next episode is called "The Door."  It's description reads Tyrion seeks a strange ally.  Bran learns a great deal.  Brienne goes on a mission.  Arya is given a chance to prove herself.  In the teaser, we see Sansa confront Littlefinger over sending her to Ramsay, Arya being sent out by the Faceless Men, The Greyjoys holding their Kingsmoot, a Red Priestess confronting Tyrion and Varys, and Bran stuck in a vision, surrounded by the White Walkers.

                    I predict that next episode will have Tyrion attempting to use the Red Priestess to hold over the people as Danny is away.  Maybe he expects her to endorse Danny.  Dragons breath fire and The Red God does tend to love that sort of thing.  From the teaser, it may not go well for Tyrion.  I predict that Brienne's mission will be given to her by Jon, having rally Northern Houses to Jon's side in the war.  This will separate her from the tension time bomb with Melisandre and possibly bringing her to the Riverlands to reunite some characters from her past, but that would be getting into potential book spoilers.  

                   Arya's mission will probably have her going undercover as a new person and having to assassinate somebody.  I think it will be Walder Frey as a test to see how she will react to killing someone Arya has such a passionate hatred for.  Will she be able to maintain her No One persona?  I think this time it's a safe bet.  Bran will learn a lot about the white walkers and their power, but he will also learn the dangers of staying "underwater" too long.  In the trailer for the season, we see the Night's King reach out and grab Bran.  Could this mean that Bran's interactions with past are not just windows?  This is a concept that can go very badly, so they need to walk carefully.

I hope you liked my finger-numbingly detailed review of the fourth episode of Game of Thrones Season 6.  This blog is going over very well and I hope I can keep giving you what you like.  If there are any format changes or suggestions you would like to give as we enter the second half of this season, you can let me know here or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheFilmFanAwakens .  If you want to read more of my writing, including a spoiler-free review of, The Witch, a shocking horror drama featuring a Game of Thrones actor, you can check out the rest of my blog, The Film Fan Awakens, here on blogspot.

Thanks for reading and I'll see you next week!

All images and clips used in this article are owned by HBO and the respective creators.  They are used here under Fair Use for criticism and commentary.  

Who Am I? : A Retrospective Review of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002) and its Impact on Movies

           This month, Captain America Civil War introduced movie fans to a brand new incarnation of Spider-Man as he joined the clash between Marvel's greatest heroes, who have proven time and time again that they are beyond a doubt the biggest characters in movies today.  14 years ago, however, in May 2002, superhero movies were not the unstoppable proven force they are today.  Two years earlier, X-Men was a large success financially and critically, but after recent failures like Batman and Robin, many fans and studios alike were wondering if comic book heroes could ever be successful on the big screen.  Before release, the World Trade Center was edited out of the film, as a stark reminder through abscess of how much the world had changed.  In a post-9/11 world, could people really look up to flickering capes or see themselves in glimmering saviors?  

           Below, you will find my review and analysis of the comic book classic, Spider-Man.  This movie was a big hit and is now 14 years old, so I won't hesitate to talk about some spoilers.  If you have somehow not seen Spider-Man, you may want to watch it before reading this.

THAT'S WHERE I COME IN

           Sam Raimi's Spider-Man is not about Spider-Man.  Sure, it features the web slinging classic we all knew as kids, but the movie is entirely and importantly about Peter Parker.  The spider bite origin and the superpowers propel the action, but this is the story of a young man going through sudden and significant changes and his ultimate journey into self-discovery.  

           This was the best decision this movie made, but it is also it's most risky.  Everybody has some experience and knowledge with Spider-Man.  Maybe it's the long-running comic series or the animated series.  Or maybe it was just the social presence he had for decades before this movie.  Everyone knows Spider-Man, but do they know Peter Parker?  Will they want to watch a superhero movie where there is more time spent with the man under the mask than the well-known persona it embodies?  

           Luckily for this movie, the answer was yes.  From the very beginning, the relatability of Peter Parker is established.  "Who am I?" he asks in the opening scene.  A question so many people have asked themselves, especially in their late teens.  And, just like Peter, we are usually not the person we wish we were.  Peter is literally on the outside looking in, chasing after the bus and imagining how much easier his life would be if he was not Peter Parker and could simply be somebody else.  Somebody who fits in and acts normal.  Somebody without all the problems and questions he faces.  

           Even before receiving his powers, Peter questions his place in the world as a simple dreamer without the power or confidence to make the changes he wishes for.  This is a feeling that occupied the minds of countless people around the world at the time, especially in New York City, where the film takes place. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, people were suddenly forced to reexamine their identity and their place in the world.  People, like Peter Parker, felt out of place and alone in a world surrounded by people who seemed to be living much happier and easier lives.  

           Peter feeling lost and his constant self-examination made him relatable for every viewer and turned him into someone worth rooting for, superhero or not.  

THE COLD SHIVER RUNNING DOWN YOUR SPINE

           One of the biggest standout performances in this movie is Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn AKA The Green Goblin.  This character feels torn right from the panels of a comic book with some great cheesy one-liners complete with a maniacal laugh.  His presence and gravitas turns the action scenes up to a whole new level of fun.  Willem Dafoe carries the character and portrays the increasingly eccentric split personality with devotion.  A villain so  campy could easily feel out of place in many modern superhero movies, but the comic panel fun of Spider-Man provides a perfect fit for Dafoe and Green Goblin to fully shine.

           However The Green Goblin is not all bad.  We see Norman Osborn truly struggle with his sanity throughout the movie and in many scenes, such as the unforgettable mirror conversation, we get the sense that Norman truly does not want to be sucked into the evil and temptation that the Green Goblin represents to him.  This conflict makes the villain much more relatable and complex.  He is scary because we know that there is a Green Goblin within us all.  An anger at those who wronged us and a desire to make the world into the one we want it to be through force and power.

           As we sit looking back in an era with Heath Ledger's Joker and Tom Hiddleston's Loki, it is important to realize that these complexly motivated and nuanced antagonists owe a great debt to Willem Dafoe's Goblin for proving that a super hero villain can manage to be fun, scary and complex at the same time, all while pulling a career-defining performance out of a big name actor. 

           I'LL MAKE HIM INFAMOUS!

           Talking about any of the films in the Spider-Man trilogy is impossible without bringing up J.K. Simmons as  J. Jonah Jameson.  One of the most memorable and quotable characters in recent years, J.J. is a phenomenal and defining character for the series. He does not have much screen time compared to other characters, but nearly every line and action he delivers gets a laugh as he quickly hangs up on his wife or bluntly tells the timid and self-conscious Peter Parker that his perfect pictures of Spider-Man are crap. 

           Like most of the characters in the movie, even J.J. has his moment of complexity and heart.  When Green Goblin breaks through his window and  violently demands to know who is taking his pictures of Spider-Man, the seemingly-heartless and practical J.J. lies to protect Peter Parker, a kid he barely knows.  "I don't know who he is," J.J. lies, "His stuff comes in the mail!"  This small moment in a larger scene could easily be missed, but it further supports the running theme in the movie that there is more to who people are than what they show and that complexity is a part of everyone.  

          Initially, J.J. is uninterested in publishing news about a menace like Spider-Man, however when he hears about the sales numbers he instantly changes his mind.  "He doesn't want to be famous? I'll make him infamous!"  He vows to cover every front page for weeks with pictures and headlines about Spider-Man, true or not.  When Peter Parker tries to argue J.J. on his uneducated, negative portrayal of Spider-Man, he is shut down.  "You take the pictures, I'll make the headlines!"

           This type of widespread manipulation and exaggeration of mainstream media was prominent in the time this movie was made.  Every paper battled for the flashier headlines and wilder pictures.  The New York Times, an undeniable influence on the Daily Bugle in the movie and the comics, published a famous and controversial photo of a man jumping from the World Trade Center to his death.  Every day for months and months we were surrounded by controversial images and sensationalised headlines, creating a confused and jumbled narrative over the attacks and who was to blame.  

           Any arrest of a Middle Eastern or Muslim was immediately covered, and any violent act or threat was quickly tied to Al Qaeda and "Muslim Extremism."  This resulted in mass distrust of Muslim Americans and even violence towards completely innocent people who happened to look like those whose faces we had come to know so well from our TV screens and front pages.  

           In Spider-Man, the Bugle portrays Spider-Man as their enemy despite knowing nothing about him.  They cover their front page with his image, connecting him unjustly with Green Goblin simple because they both dress in masks and costumes.  People begin to turn against and fear Spider-Man because they do not know him and their only exposure to him is through the subjective media.  It is not until the end of the film when the people begin to see Spider-Man for who he truly is.

YOU MESS WITH SPIDEY, YOU MESS WITH NEW YORK

           In the finale of the film, Peter Parker is met with an impossible choice: save a tram full of innocent children, or save Mary Jane, the woman he loves.  This is a complex philosophical moment borrowed from a similar situation in one of Spider-Man's most famous comics (seen later in Amazing Spider-Man 2).  This crisis is the emotional climax of Peter's struggles with his own belief throughout the movie.  It seems that there is no way for Peter to save them both, but he still stands up against the odds and tries to be the hero.   

           When the moment seems lost and the Green Goblin may win after all, everything changes.  A barge below hurries with a crane to help Spider-Man and citizens from the bridge throw things at Goblin, shouting "You mess with Spidey, you mess with New York!" and "You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us." 

           This is easily the most on-the-nose reference to 9/11 in the film and feels like a deliberate call of unity to the people of New York, and the people on the world.  The day is saved, but only when the people of New York City, despite what they have been told to believe and despite their fear, come together as one to protect someone different from them.  Because when it truly matters the most, there is no Spider-Man or Peter Parker.  There is no Mary Jane Watson or innocent child.  There is a single human race, finding peace through unity.  

YOU'RE NOT SUPERMAN, YOU KNOW

           Spider-Man is a movie ahead of it's time in content and character.  It took one of the most famous superheros ever and stripped him down into the basic everyman of the day.  He became relatable through his groundedness; a human just like the rest of us, with questions and flaws and concerns for the world. It created two incredibly memorable characters in Norman Osborn and J. Jonah Jameson, pulling the performances of a lifetime out of both actors.   The movie reflects a dark and troubled time for the country beautifully and optimistically by examining the complexities of characters and asking the people of the country to unify in acceptance and understanding.  

           In one of the final scenes, we see Spider-Man dropping off the body of Norman Osborn at his home to stage a peaceful death.  Despite everything Goblin has put him through, Peter still feels a sense of compassion for the man whose hatred had consumed him.  And when his friend walks in, Peter is more willing to let Harry, the friend he had been constantly jealous of, believe Spider-Man killed his father than allow him to know the dark truth.  

           The movie begins with Peter Parker questioning who he is.  And in the end, after hardship and struggle, a year before Nolan's Batman and six years before Tony Stark, Peter Parker proudly declares his newfound identity: "I am Spider-Man."

If you like what you read, you can check out my Blogspot, The Film Fan Awakens, where I post detailed reviews and breakdowns of movies and TV, including Captain America: Civil War. Follow me on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheFilmFanAwakens.  

Let me know your thoughts on Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man.  What are your hopes for Tom Holland's portrayal as the characters enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe?  Which of the Spider-Man movies is your favorite?  Thanks for reading!

All images and clips used in this article are owned by Sony Pictures and the respective creators.  They have been used under Fair Use for commentary and criticism.  

Naked With the Devil: A Review of 'The Witch' (2016)

          When I watch movies, especially horror movies, I turn off the lights and try to get really engrossed into the film, absorbing every detail and feeling that comes with it.  For a little while, I was making it fine through The Witch, appreciating the imagery and characterization, but not feeling truly terrified.  "This is a lot of buildup," I thought, "I wonder how they'll pay this off."

          By the halfway point, as lightning and thunder raged outside my window, the lights were back on and I felt the overwhelming need to take a cold shower...

          The Witch is a horror drama written and directed by Robert Eggers and follows a family of Puritan pilgrims and their increasing fear of a Witch potentially lurking in the woods surrounding their farm.  After receiving a lot of buzz out of Sundance back in January 2015, the movie had a lot of excitement.  However it's release was held off for over a year, ultimately released quietly in February 2016 up against superhero hit Deadpool.  Delayed into a month that is usually the dumping ground for garbage horror movies like The Forest and Ouija, The Witch seemed destined to fail despite its buzz.  

         However The Witch is far from a failure, managing to be engrossing and intelligent as a drama all while providing the building tension and disturbing imagery great horror films are known for.  While it has some flaws, The Witch truly is a great movie examining complex and classical themes behind the veil of a terrifying horror film feeling like The Thing meets The Crucible.

         The Witch will be released on BluRay and Digital this Tuesday, May 17th.  Below, I will break down the movie while remaining spoiler-free outside of the first few minutes.  At the end, I will talk about what my pros and cons of the movie overall.

THE OLD NEW WORLD

         Akin to the classic witch stories like The Crucible, this movie takes place in the early 1600's, as Puritans flee religious persecution in England by taking desperate pilgrimages to the growing New World.  Among them is a family of seven who have recently been excommunicated from their Puritan plantation, forcing them to live on a small, secluded farm on the outskirts of a massive forest.  William is a bible-quoting roughman desperate to feed his family.  His wife, Katherine, is an protective and grieving mother.  Their oldest child is Thomasin, a blooming teen girl beginning her transition into womanhood.  Her brother, Caleb, is a conflicted young boy stuck between his youthful innocence and his need to grow quickly into his father.  The youngest are two inseparable young twins, Mercy and Jonas, more interested in playing games with the family's black goat than listening to their family.  

         Most notable, however, is a young newborn infant whose mysterious and sudden disappearance kicks off the film.  When he vanishes while Thomasin is playing with him, the religious family begins to turn towards the supernatural as an explanation for their despair.

A CORRUPT NATURE

        As dedicated Puritans, the family believes that all humans are cursed with an internal darkness.  A corrupt nature that only faith in God and Christ can fight against.  This conflict between darkness and light inspires deep devotion in the characters, believing that God and Satan are both eternally battling over their souls and that their prayer and actions help turn the fight - one way or the other.  

         When the infant vanishes along with a plague coming up in their crops, the family believes they are being cursed by a Witch of the Wood, who they fear lurks out in the forest that surrounds their home.  The family turns towards their faith and devotion, falling deeper into prayer.  As their crops continue to fail and questions continue to go unanswered, the family's paranoia and tension rises, causing them to turn slowly against each other, unsure of who should hold the blame for their problems.

LIVE DELICIOUSLY

         One of the most interesting themes of this film is the constant conflict between the natural temptations of life and the repression of those temptations that a Puritan outlook provides.  The temptations towards hedonistic pleasures like sex and self-indulgence haunt all of these characters throughout the movie as they struggle between the battle of good and evil within them.  

         The young brother, Caleb, is at the age where he is first entering puberty, however his family's religious life has caused him to repress his natural urges, resulting in even more sexual confusion than a normal young boy experiences.  There are multiple scenes where he is shown peeking at his older sister's chest, clearly unsure of how he is supposed to feel towards woman and sex as well as his own family.  He is a very young boy needing to become a man, going off on hunting trips with is father trying to take up the mantle to help his family.

         His father, William, is attempting to hold his family together all while trying to hold on to his own faith in times of struggle.  His fundamentalist interpretation is what earns his family banishment in the first place, and he clearly holds some self-hatred over his guilt for this.  In order to assert himself as the leader of the the family, he regularly heads out into the forest to hunt for food, against his family's wishes.  As the most faithful member of the family, he is very conflicted when his efforts continue to fail and he desperately prays for guidance.  Late in the movie as he begins to become more and more desperate, his actions all make sense as a father under enormous pressure and a Puritan facing evil.

         The mother, Katherine, has lost her young child and is obviously in mourning.  However her grief is repressed and challenged as her family refuses to accept a straight answer for the disappearance.  The suppression of her grief and lack of conclusive answers causes her to fade away into absence, being reclusive into her room to sob alone.  Often, when under any amount of pressure, she unleashes fury onto her family.  The one most often on the receiving end of these outbursts is her oldest daughter, Thomasin.

        Thomasin also faces her own temptations as she begins her full transition into womanhood.  She is still youthful, but her increasingly absent mother forces her to step up into a motherly role in the family.  She has to watch over the young twins and do household chores, all while fearing that she could be sent off to another family to be married.  Her conflict between the maturity of adulthood and youthful curiosity is a major motivation for her actions all the way through her story arch.  

WHAT I LOVED

• The characters.  Horror movies so often rely on fodder characters who are set up only with the most basic template of personality so that they can be killed off quickly.  This movie fearlessly broke that convention by making every single member of the family feel real and complex, all while leaving enough mystery around them all so that we do not know entirely who to trust.  The characters are broken and desperate and their actions all make sense because of it.
• The religion.  Religion is always a fascinating topic for me in media.  It can also be a really sticky subject for some people who are devoted to their religion and do not want to see belief belittled.  This movie was a fascinating portrayal of Religion with its pros and cons.  It managed to portray a mostly outdated interpretation of Christianity without making it seem dumbed down or idiotic in the way that many movies can.
• The ending.  This is spoiler free so I won't talk about the ending here, but it was truly satisfying and terrifying and filled with imagery that will fuel my nightmares.  

WHAT I LIKED

• The setting.  The old New England setting makes for some really stark images and provides a genuine way to separate the characters from the rest of the world.  The limited scope can make the early scenes of the movie feel a little boring, but all ultimately feels like the story worked perfectly with the setting.
• The mystery.  The constant building of tension and questions is fascinating as I begin to question just what is happening and what is real along with the characters.  By the end, it is impossible to fully trust anyone and unpredictable where the story could go.  While a certain reveal near the beginning of the movie weakens this mystery a bit, the finale is fully satisfying with the answers it gives and doesn't give.
• The soundtrack.  The music of the movie is composed by Robert Eggers and his work here is brilliant.  The way it sets a constant tone of foreboding danger and tension without relying on the cheap quick booms found in so many horror movies today is phenomenal.  It constantly left me feeling uneasy even in simple scenes.  The only reason it is on the LIKE list instead of the LOVE list is that there are a few moments where it felt a little invasive and made it hard to focus on what was really going on in the scene.
• The directing.  Robert Eggers wrote and directed this movie and his visual eye shines brightly here.  He is not afraid to hold a shot for a long time, even a shot that other directors might not have included at all.  There were a couple times where the shot was framed and held in such a way that it looked like it could have been a detailed painting of New England  farmland.  Many directors like Alfonso Cuaron are known for this style, however Eggers manages to execute it in such a way that it is often seamless.  However this is not always the case.  There are times where the shots can make early parts of the movie feel long.  There was even a moment where I got up and checked my player because I thought it had frozen.  This popular style usually works best when it isn't noticeable, and this movie sometimes crossed that line.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• The very beginning.  While it ultimately feels worth it, the first 15 minutes or so can feel fairly unclear and inconsistent and made me begin to wonder what the movie was trying to do or what it was really even about.  The family is excommunicated from their plantation in the first minute with very little explanation and I would have liked to have spent a little more time there if only to juxtapose with the emptiness of their farm where the movie is spent.
• The early reveal.  This might be considered a spoiler, but it happens within the first 10 minutes so it is a very early spoiler. Right after the baby vanishes, we are shown a scene from a distance of a woman with the baby and some disturbing images of what she has done to it.  While it creates some of the most memorable images of the early half, it feels out of place and ultimately belittles the tension in the family.  We know there is a Witch so when the family looks for other explanations it is hard to get invested when we know the truth.  It is possible that this scene was a dream or imagined scenario by Thomasin or one of the other characters, but I think the movie could have benefited from not showing this.

WHAT I HATED

• The Marketing.  It is more than likely not the choices of the director, but much of the marketing gives away many of the key surprises and moments of the movie.  This may be hindsight bias because I watched the trailers after the movie, but it feels like if you watched the trailers and followed their online marketing you were robbed of the surprises and some of the tension.  Normally I would attach a trailer at the start, but I could not find one that did not give away more than one specific reveal.  So if you are reading this and have not seen any of the trailers, I would say to avoid them.

IF SHE WEIGHS THE SAME AS A DUCK...

        The Witch was a truly incredible movie worthy if the critical praise it received.  It's flaws are noticeable but minor and it ultimately adds up to a smart and thoughtful character drama all within a disturbing horror film.  It examines complex themes of religion and paranoia and provides a satisfying and very memorable finale to a first act of somewhat slow buildup.  It is a movie that I will not soon forget and can recommend to horror and drama fans alike looking for something unique and refreshing from a genre that is so often repetitive and dull.  

        The Witch is out on Tuesday so if you pick it up, let me know!  For those of you who have seen it, what did you think?  Try to keep comments spoiler free.  What are some other indie horror films you would recommend I check out?  

        I'm Tristan Mayer from The Film Fan Awakens.  You can follow my work here on Blogspot or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheFanFilmAwakens .  Thanks for reading!