Prisoners (2013 film)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Aaron Guzikowski, Prisoners is the story of two girls who had been abducted as a father and a detective both go on the search to find the girls. The film is an exploration into abduction as a man of the law tries to do things right while a father becomes obsessed with his search. Starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Maria Bello, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, and Melissa Leo. Prisoners is a gripping yet eerie suspense-drama from Denis Villeneuve.

Set during the Thanksgiving holidays in a small town in Pennsylvania, the film is about two girls who have been abducted as one of their fathers goes into a frantic search to find them while a detective does the same as the latter delve into many clues about abductions in the town. It all plays into two men who are both trying to find two girls as they suspect a young man with a RV truck but when evidence proves to have little results. It would force Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) to take the law into his own hands which would cause a lot of problems and obsessions for Dover. Even as Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to notice Dover’s troubled behavior as he is taking on the case with great care as he goes even deeper into dark secrets as it relates to many abductions in the town.

The film’s screenplay by Aaron Guzikowski explores what men will go through to find two girls who had been abducted on Thanksgiving Day as it plays into this search where Keller Dover and friend Franklin Birch (Terrence Howard) do whatever to find their daughters who were just going to Dover’s house on that day and were supposed to return. Instead, something goes wrong where Keller’s son Ralph (Dylan Minnette) reveals that he saw a RV truck nearby where the girls were playing nearby as Detective Loki manages to arrest the owner in a mentally-challenged young man named Alex (Paul Dano). Though Loki believes that Alex is innocent yet wants to keep an eye on him, it only angers Dover whose obsession with finding his daughter has him kidnapping Alex and torture him in his father’s old home as Franklin and his wife Nancy (Viola Davis) both realize what Dover is doing. For Franklin and Nancy, it makes them uneasy while Dover’s wife Grace (Maria Bello) has fallen apart to the point that she thinks her daughter is dead and blames herself.

The diverging paths that Dover and Loki take showcases what these two men would do as Dover basically suspects Alex due to comments or the fact that he was singing a variation of Jingle Bells which only triggers Dover’s rage as he would descend into alcoholism. While Detective Loki is the more practical of the two men, he would lose himself in the case as several false leads and troubling clues only get him in trouble as a man he suspects in Bob Taylor (David Dastmalchian) would only lead him to different paths. Loki would also question a pastor in Father Dunn (Len Cariou) who would also have some very strange answers that doesn’t just relate to the case but also in the town’s dark history concerning abductions.

Denis Villeneuve’s direction is very entrancing for the way he explores life in this small town in Pennsylvania that looks like every other town in America. Especially as it’s set during the Thanksgiving/Xmas holiday period where there isn’t a lot of sunshine but a lot of gray skies with bits of rain and snow to set the mood of the film. It’s quite grimy in its look as it starts off very calm until the drama kicks in where Dover and Franklin embark into their own search with no result which leads to Detective Loki who is called in as he was eating all by himself in a Chinese restaurant on Thanksgiving. The interrogation scenes are very intimate yet some of the drama that plays into the search and Dover’s own troubled descent does drag the film a bit where it has a sense of what is going to happen.

Things do pick up in the second act once it becomes clear of how far Dover will go to find answers much to the disgust of Franklin and Nancy as the direction becomes much tighter in terms of its suspense. Especially in the room that Alex would be in as Dover’s own form of torture to get answers where Villeneuve’s use of close-ups and medium shots come into play. Even in scenes relating to Loki’s own investigation where the use of recorded video footage in the interrogation scenes showcase how Loki can be in control or sometimes lose control. Things do come to ahead in its third act where it plays to the lost sense of obsession that looms in Dover and Loki trying to be the one person to make things right. Overall, Villeneuve creates a very terrifying yet powerful film about two men and their obsession to find two little girls who have been abducted.

Cinematographer Roger Deakins does phenomenal work with the film‘s cinematography as it has a very naturalistic look for many of its daytime interior/exterior scenes while the usage of lights and candles for scenes at night are truly exquisite to play into the dark mood of the film. Editors Joel Cox and Gary D. Roach do excellent work with the editing to create some unique rhythms to play into the suspense and drama as it often has this slow burn to play into the mystery over what happened to the girls. Production designer Patricia Vermette, with set decorator Frank Galline and art director Paul D. Kelly, does amazing work with the look of the homes the characters live in as well as the home that Dover‘s father lived in that he would use to torture Alex. Costume designer Renee April does nice work with the costumes as it‘s mostly casual to play into the look and seasonal setting of the film.

The makeup work of Donald Mowat and Pamela Westmore is brilliant for the beat-up look that Alex would sport after the abusive torture that Dover would give him as well as the look of his aunt Holly (Melissa Leo). Visual effects supervisor Phillip Feiner does terrific work with the film‘s minimal visual effects for the look of snowfall in a few scenes to play up as set-dressing. Sound editor Robert Alan Murray and sound designer Tom Ozanich do superb work with the sound to play into the sense of terror such as Alex‘s screams inside Dover‘s torture chamber as well as some eerie scenes set at home. The film’s music by Johan Johannsson is fantastic for its haunting score that is a mixture of low-key orchestral music and piano pieces with some ambient textures to set the dark mood while music supervisor Deva Anderson brings in a soundtrack filled with music by Radiohead, Ocean, and other traditional pieces.

The casting by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee is great as it features notable small roles from Wayne Duvall as Detective Loki’s superior Captain O’Malley, Len Cariou as Father Dunn, Zoe Soul as Franklin and Nancy’s teenage daughter, Kyla Drew Simmons as Franklin and Nancy’s adolescent daughter who is abducted, Erin Gerasimovich as Drover’s daughter Anna who is also abducted, David Dastmalchian as a person Loki suspects in the film’s second act, and Dylan Minnette as Dover’s teenage son Ralph who watches over his mother while seeing his father begin to fall apart. Melissa Leo is terrific as Alex’s aunt Holly who claims that her nephew is innocent as she becomes a key player in the film’s third act. Paul Dano is excellent as Alex as a young man who is suspected of abducting the girls as he is captured and tortured by Dover.

Maria Bello is wonderful as Dover’s wife Grace as a woman ravaged by her daughter’s disappearance as she becomes lost in grief while Viola Davis is superb as Nancy Birch who discovers what Dover is doing as she tries to find reason as well as find her daughter. Terrence Howard is fantastic as Franklin Birch as a father who is coping with his own loss as he discovers what Dover is doing as he becomes anguished with wanting justice but also wanting to do things in the right way. Jake Gyllenhaal is incredible as Detective Loki as this detective who is trying to find the two girls any way he can while dealing with Dover’s insistence to find them as Gyllenhaal brings a sense of determination and care into his character as someone who is trying to do what is right. Finally, there’s Hugh Jackman in a remarkable performance as Keller Dover as this man who is obsessed with finding his daughter as he begins to suspect Alex as he descends into madness and nearly loses himself into what is important as it’s a very dark role from Jackman.

Prisoners is a fantastic film from Denis Villeneuve that features phenomenal performances from Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal. While it’s a film with some flaws, it is still compelling in exploring how far men will go to retrieve someone that they care for as well as someone whose job is to find that person and deal with the consequences. In the end, Prisoners is a marvelous film from Denis Villeneuve.

Denis Villeneuve Films: August 32nd on Earth - Maelstrom - Polytechnique - Incendies - Enemy (2013 film) - Sicario - Arrival - Blade Runner 2049 - Dune-Part One (2021 film) - Dune-Part Two - (Dune: Messiah) - The Auteurs #68: Denis Villeneuve

© thevoid99 2014

Hustle & Flow

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 2/10/07 w/ Additional Edits.

Written and directed by Craig Brewer, Hustle & Flow tells the story of a pimp from Memphis decides to become a rapper hoping to find a better life for himself. A film about starting over and redemption, Brewer explores the world of Memphis hip-hop as well as the culture that surrounds it. Starring Terrence Howard, Taryn Manning, Anthony Anderson, Taraji P. Henson, D.J. Qualls, Paula Jai Parker, Elise Neal, Isaac Hayes, and rapper Chris "Ludacris" Bridges. Hustle & Flow is a superb film of music and redemption from Craig Brewer.

Hustling through the streets of Memphis as a pimp, Djay (Terrence Howard) is still trying to make ends meet. Though being a pimp has brought him a bit of power and money, it only covers barely of what he is doing where he still lives in the ghettos of Memphis with a couple of prostitutes, Nola (Taryn Manning) and Shug (Taraji P. Henson) who is pregnant. Helping to make money as well is Lexus (Paula Jai Parker), but is often ungrateful towards him. While Djay is still a down-home boy to the locals, including bartender Arnel (Isaac Hayes), he ponders life without having to be a pimp. Even when he learns that a rapper he knew years ago named Skinny Black (Ludacris) has now made it big. After getting a little keyboard from a customer for cheap, Djay starts to become obsessed with music.

Running into an old school friend named Key (Anthony Anderson), he learns that Key is a recording producer who often produces church music to make a decent living. Djay realizes that Key is the chance he needs where he goes to his house and plays him a demo he made from the little keyboard as Key decides to be involved. Though Key's wife Yvette isn't sure about this, she understands it's a break from the monotonous job he’s doing. With help from a white musician named Shelby (D.J. Qualls), Key and Shelby create beats while Djay begins to flow whatever comes out of his mouth. Though Lexus didn't thing Djay's new thing would happen, Shug and Nola are intrigued. Eventually, Djay begins to evolve more despite some creative tension that’s settled by Shug. Shug's presence helped things where she created a hook for a song they've been working on and it becomes great although Key realizes they need better equipment to make it sound better.

Djay does some hustling with Nola to get a new microphone but Nola feels useless and frustrated with her role. Djay tells her that if they make it, Nola will become someone more important. With a new microphone, things start flowing as Djay's demo is nearly completed. Learning that Arlen is going to throw a private party that Skinny Black will be attending, Djay feels it's his chance to get that demo sent to Black. Arriving at the party with a new look and a gold chain, Djay hopes to make a chance thinking there's some history between him and black. Yet with the reality and Black's crass behavior, Djay wonders how far will it take for his dreams to come true.

The theme of redemption is a big engine that drives the plot of this film where it revels in its realism but also offers hope to audience. Writer/director Craig Brewer understands what it takes to make it into the music business in all of its harshness. Yet, it's really more about a man who makes a living dealing drugs and pimping hookers trying to see if there’s something more. Sure, Djay isn't a nice guys at times, making women vulnerable or being abusive towards them. Still, he tries to make something of himself and find some support from the people that surrounds him. Even if they’re dysfunctional, which is common in the South. Plus, Brewer's vision of a pimp reveals that not all of them wear suits or look intimidating and aren't always abusive towards their women. There's a complexity to the character of Djay while the support he has are characters that audiences can relate to. It's in Brewer's script and gritty, observant direction that really holds true.

Even in the environment of somewhere like Memphis, it really presents of what it's really like in the ghettos. There’s moments where it's crazy and it can be peaceful at times. Brewer shows both sides while he explores the world of music where in Memphis, it's very diverse. There's hip-hop, country, blues, and soul in this melting pot called Memphis and in parts of the film, there's a conversation of Southern hip-hop in relations to the blues and it makes perfect sense. Even in what D.J. Qualls character says that there's really a lot of similarities to a song like Backdoor Man to Back That Ass Up. While it may be a debate about the purity of Southern hip-hop among its fans and purists, it can't be denied of where it roots come from. Brewer understands that immediately and hip-hop is true definition of where that culture comes from. Even to the film’s plot where the music carries it to bring some excitement and entertainment to its audience.

Cinematographer Amy Vincent does excellent work in capturing the look of Memphis with it gritty, colorful camera work where it's not all bright or flashy. It's very real as is the art direction from production designer Keith Brian Burns and art director Alexa Marino. The look of the film from the dark bars, the streets, and the home of Djay where cup holder trays are used as sound proof walls are a fantastic touch to the film's authenticity. Costume designer Paul Simmons adds to that grittiness with these leather, short skirts that Nola wears or the kind of dirty, torn clothes that everyone else with the clean-like look that Key and Yvette wears. Editor Billy Fox does excellent work in the film's editing including a sequence with a lot of jump-cuts that involved Djay's supposed association with Skinny Black. Sound editors Greg Hedgepath and Frank Smathers with sound designer Brian W. Jennings do excellent work in capturing that atmosphere of recording and the world known as the South with train horns blaring and cars which speaks true to its environment.

Then there's the music that is a big part of the movie. Score composer Scott Bomar adds a moody, rhythmic texture to the score that adds the sense of tension and melancholia of where the film is. The rest of the film's soundtrack is dominated by touches of country music, blues, and soul music courtesy of the likes of Al Green and Buddy Guy. Then there's the hip-hop which features tracks written by Al Kapone, Lil' Jon, and Three-6 Mafia. The stuff that is performed by Terrence Howard like Whoop That Trick and the Oscar-winning It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp are catchy and memorable. The music is definitely inspiring and will make any audience go “Aww yeah!!!”

Then we have the film's cast that includes notable small performances from Josey Scott of Saliva as a store clerk, members of Three-6 Mafia as locals, and the legendary Isaac Hayes as the sympathetic bartender Arlen. Elise Neal is good as Key's supportive wife who doesn’t understand the ghetto world and believes to be neglected only to realize what's going on. Paula Jai Parker is pretty good as the combative, ungrateful Lexus who serves as an antagonist for Howard. Anthony Anderson and D.J. Qualls, both of whom are known for their comedic talents, give excellent performances that show more of their range in drama. Anderson as the more moralistic, cautious Key and Qualls as the more experimental, pot-smoking Shelby are two excellent, memorable characters that show the good and the bad of creativity.

Established rapper Ludacris gives a fine performance as the crass, egomaniac Skinny Black who seems friendly though he seems to be distracted by his own fame. Ludacris, who also appeared in Paul Haggis' Crash with Terrence Howard, proves that he can be a solid actor. Even in this performance of a rapper who seems to have betrayed his roots. Taryn Manning is wonderful as Nola, Djay's top earning hooker who is trying to find her footing as her character develops from a naive hooker to a woman who finds her own footing. Taraji P. Henson is great as the pregnant, supportive Shug whose vulnerability in her usefulness proves to have power when she sings. Henson shows a lot of development as someone insecure to someone who feels empowered when she sings.

Finally, there's Terrence Howard in what is truly an amazing role of not just 2005 but one of the best of the decade. Howard's complex, realistic, and engaging performance is truly inspiring to watch as a man who goes into this mid-life crisis and then, finds hope. Howard brings in all of the struggles, swagger, frustration, and warmth to a character that could've been sleazy since he is a pimp/drug dealer. Howard manages to find the humanity in the character to the point that he is relatable. When he's rapping and doing music, there is such joy in the performance that it looks like he's having a lot of fun. It's a fantastic performance from the talented Terrence Howard.

Hustle & Flow is a fantastic film from Craig Brewer that features a riveting performance from Terrence Howard. The film is definitely not just an inspirational story of redemption but also one that explores the world of Southern hip-hop and the world that is the American South. In the end, Hustle & Flow is a phenomenal film from Craig Brewer.

Craig Brewer Films: (The Poor and the Hungry) - Black Snake Moan - (Footloose (2011 film)

© thevoid99 2014

Iron Man

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 5/4/08 w/ Additional Edits & Revisions.

Based on the Marvels comic by Stan Lee, Larry Leiber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby, Iron Man is the story of a wealthy weapons designer who decides to become a superhero after being captured by terrorists who use his weapons against the world. Directed by Jon Favreau and screenplay by Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Arthur Marcum, and Matthew Hollaway, with additional contributions by John August, the film is an origins story of how Tony Stark became Iron Man as he is played by Robert Downey Jr. Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Shaun Toub, Faran Tahir, Jon Favreau, Leslie Bibb, and Jeff Bridges. Iron Man is an entertaining and ass-kicking blockbuster from Jon Favreau.

The son of a weapons manufacturer who would later take over for his late father at age 21, Tony Starks is a man that has it all as he is extremely wealthy but also a gifted inventor who is adored by the arms industry. With help from his father's partner Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), Starks Industries is at the top of its game when Tony unveils his new Jericho missile project in Afghanistan to soldiers until they're attacked by terrorists where Stark barely survives with missile shrapnel near his heart. Taken by the Ten Rings terrorist group led by Raza (Faran Tahir), Stark is asked to create the Jericho missile for Raza with help from captured scientist Dr. Yinsen (Shaun Toub). Stark reluctantly does Raza's duty although he and Yinsen create an arc reactor around his art to keep the shrapnel away from his heart. After the completion of the arc, Stark has an idea of his own to break out by creating a power armor suit in secrecy. With Yensen's help, Stark is able to create his new creation as he is able to fight back and escape.

After being saved by his longtime friend Lt. Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Terrence Howard), Stark announced to end the production of weapons to the shock of Stane as Stark goes into seclusion. With the aid of his computerized butler Jarvis (the voice of Paul Bettany) and his longtime assistant/friend Virginia "Pepper" Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Stark decides to make a new version of his power suit as well as a new arc reactor to activate the suit for a series of tests. When Potts is approached by Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.) about Stark's escape from Afghanistan at a party. Stark's appearance at the party has him encountering journalist Christine Everhart (Leslie Bibb) about some weapons in Afghanistan as he and Potts become suspicious about Stane's dealings at the company. After perfecting his power suit, he decides to confront Raza's group to save refugees as he gets the attention of the U.S. Air Force prompting Rhodes to cover things up after learning about Stark's new project. When Potts is asked by Tony about Stane's deals, the two learn about what Stane has been doing. Instead, Stane decides to take matters into his own hands by taking the old power suit Tony created in Afghanistan into a more powerful weapon forcing Starks to fight back with help from Potts and Rhodes.

While the film's plot may seem familiar in comparison to recent superhero origin films, the difference between Iron Man and other Marvel comic films like Spider-Man and Fantastic Four is that its screenwriters and director Jon Favreau took more time into the development of Stark and his Iron Man alter-ego. Unlike other comics book heroes with the exception of Batman, Iron Man was created not through scientific errors, a phenomenon, or being from another planet. Here, the superhero was made from scratch as Stark used his knowledge of math and science to create his power suit and the arc reactor to keep his heart going. In the first 10-15 minutes of the film, the writers and Favreau let the audience know who Tony Stark is and then once he's captured, he becomes a different person as his development from a man creating weapons to becoming a man wanting to help people is well written though he is still a bit of a man with swagger.

While the script works in that formula of origin story though audiences do know where it's going, it's Favreau and his direction that at least keeps it interesting. While a lot of the filmmaking isn't exactly new in comparison to other comic book superhero films, Favreau at least uses that formula to at least make things entertaining while adding bits of humor. What is unique is that while the film does have action that will appetite mainstream audiences, he brings balance for the development of the Iron Man character as Stark experiments with thrusters and other gadgets. In many ways, those scenes that have some humor and drama are more interesting than the scenes with intense special effects and action sequences.

Favreau also keeps the audience interested right to the end where he opens the idea of not just a sequel that involves Iron Man's fellow crime fighter War Machine but also the involvement of another franchise. The result is Favreau creating a film that just doesn't entertain but also brings some intelligence to the superhero genre that's accessible to mainstream audiences, comic book purists, and audiences with serious taste.

Cinematographer Matthew Libatique does some good work that conveys the look and style of other comic book films with some colorful lighting and intense camera work to capture the action and such. Editor Dan Lebental does an excellent job with the film's editing that doesn't go too fast while maintaining a nice sense of rhythm for the film's action sequences and effects shots. Production designer J. Michael Riva and art director David F. Klassen does a good job in creating the house of Stark as well as the places in Los Angeles and Afghanistan all shot in the Californian desert. Costume designers Rebecca Bentjen and Laura Jean Shannon do great work in the look of the clothes including a blue dress that Gwyneth Paltrow wears at a party.

Sound designer Christopher Boyes and editor Frank E. Euhler do amazing work in the sound work from the way missiles are blasted, the sound of thrusters, and everything. Yet, the film's real technical highlight in its special and visual effects that are truly superb that include wonderful CGI for the shots of Iron Man flying, the computer 3-D blue prints and screens that Stark works with, and the objects in his lab that help him including the objects needed during his tests that add a wonderful sense of humor. The film's score by Ramin Djawadi is excellent in its mix of orchestral and rock music with guitar work from Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine that adds a sense of intensity and power. The soundtrack includes a mix of music from the likes of AC/DC, Ghostface Killah, and the Black Sabbath classic Iron Man.

The casting by Sarah Finn and Randi Hiller is excellent with cameo appearances from Ghostface Killah and Tom Morello in scenes at the desert, Favreau cohort Peter Billingsley (yes, the kid from A Christmas Story), Favreau himself as Stark's bodyguard and driver Hogan, and a great cameo from Marvel comic writer Stan Lee with a bunch of girls. Another noted cameo that comes in, after the final credits, comes from Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Other performances from Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson is excellent as is Tim Guinee as Air Force commander Major Allen, Bill Smitrovich as General Gabriel in the missile presentation scene, and Sayed Badreya as Raza's second-in-command. Leslie Bibb is good and sexy as reporter Christine Everhart who tries to get something out of Stark only to become one his conquests as she appears in the film to reveal troubling secrets about his company. Faran Tahir is excellent as the terrorist leader who wants to have the kind of power that other warlords have as he also has some intelligence.

Shaun Toub is wonderful in his small role as Dr. Yinsen, the scientist who helps Stark build his power suit while guiding him to change his ways as Toub's understated performance is worth noting. The voice of Paul Bettany is very funny in the way the he communicates with Downey as his computerized assistant. Terrence Howard is excellent in his role as James "Rhodey" Rhodes who is often indifferent to Stark's actions and such though is supportive in cleaning up his mess. Jeff Bridges is great in his roe as Obadiah Stane in how he chews the scene with such delight while looking like he's having fun playing the villain. Bridges' performance is fun to watch as he adds a lot of slime to his character who just wants to have full control of Stark Industries.

Gwyneth Paltrow is brilliant in her role as Pepper Potts in being the one woman who can put up with Stark's ego. Paltrow brings depth to the character in a woman who doesn't want to be a damsel-in-distress but rather an assistant who is willing to help Stark as the banter Paltrow and Downey have is filled with wonderful humor and rhythm. Paltrow's performance is truly superb as she's the kind of woman who can put up with anything, and probably could even take out Mary Jane Watson in a fight. Finally, there's Robert Downey Jr. in a role that he is truly born to play as Tony Stark and Iron Man. Downey's performance filled with a lot of swagger, catchy one-liners, and attitude is truly fun to watch from start to finish. Even when he's in an intense situation, Downey maintains his cool while proving that he can play badass as well. It's the kind of performance that is truly huge and Downey is big enough and most certainly, talented enough to play a character as fun and as cool as Iron Man.

Fans of comic book films can rejoice as Iron Man delivers in all of its promises thanks to director Jon Favreau and it star Robert Downey Jr. With additional thanks to a special and visual effects team plus the talents of Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, and Jeff Bridges, this is a film that delivers both in substance and style. Fans of the comic can enjoy in its faithfulness to the story while getting some excitement in what's to come in its sequel. In the end, Iron Man is a film that is entertaining and enjoyable while adding some substance to an overcrowded sea of mindless, uninspiring films that's coming in this summer blockbuster season. So until then, in the words of Lt. Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes aka War Machine, "next time baby".

Jon Favreau Films: (Made) - (Elf) - (Zathura) - (Cowboys & Aliens) - Chef - (The Jungle Book (2016 film) - (The Lion King (2019 film)

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One Films: The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers (2012 film)

Marvel Phase Two Films: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant Man

Marvel Phase Three Films: Captain America: Civil War Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home

Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World

© thevoid99 2012