It's Okay to Have Cinematic Universe Fatigue

‘AVENGERS: ENDGAME’ [2019], the twenty-second film in THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE [2008-] / MARVEL studios AND WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

Ever since the first Iron Man movie kicked off a universe that finally gave the world the Avengers on the big screen, fans have been on the ball for every continuing story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where characters like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and others can tag along with each other to help save the world. Years after this, many other studios begin to form their own versions, with Warner Bros. making cinematic universes such as the Conjuring Universe, the MonsterVerse and their most popular, the DC Extended Universe. With all of these cinematic universes going on and on, at any point, you’d think there will be no end; one must think to themselves, “Is it okay to have fatigue with cinematic universes?”.

What is a “Cinematic Universe”?

THE FIRST CINEMATIC UNIVERSE, THE UNIVERSAL classic monsters [1925-1956] / UNIVERSAL PICTURES

A cinematic universe (also known as a shared universe) is much different than a franchise. Where a franchise is based on one property extending itself to being more than just three movies or so, a cinematic universe is a type of multimedia franchise consisting of many properties joining together. It all dates back from 1925 all the way to 1956 when Universal Pictures first made up a franchise based on monsters such as The Phantom of the Opera (not the musical version), the Wolfman, the Invisible Man, Frankenstein, and Count Dracula called Universal Classic Monsters.

As the term “shared universe” died out that time, it would emerge back in 2008 when the world was first introduced to Iron Man and the post-credit scene that made many Marvel fans be very prepared for what’s to come. And behold, a cinematic universe—based on Marvel’s property of superheroes—was born. So after a few solos outings, each starring Thor and Captain America, Disney made a deal with Paramount and Marvel Studios to start making extra cash, and just like that, the cinematic universe has so far made 23 films (with more coming soon).

‘WONDER WOMAN 1984’ [2020], THE NINTH film IN THE DC EXTENDED UNIVERSE [2013-] / WARNER BROS. AND DC ENTERTAINMENT

And with other movie companies listening, they took pursuit. We now also have cinematic universes featuring the monsters from Godzilla’s world, a universe consisting of demonic evils that Lorraine and Ed Warren faced from The Conjuring series, and a universe all around the superheroes of DC Comics. With a few being cancelled (Universal’s Dark Universe and Sony’s Amazing Spider-Man Universe) and new ones coming in (Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters and a soon-to-be universe centered around 2019’s Brightburn), it comes to my sense that Hollywood has offered the world too many cinematic universes that it feels like [to me] a buzzkill.

My former enjoyment with the Marvel Cinematic Universe

While I wasn’t big on almost every cinematic universe, one that use to stand out to me was the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While I had a blast with every MCU movie [especially the intense adrenaline of last year’s Endgame], as time went by during COVID and Black Widow and Eternals being pushed to next year, I began to wonder to myself if I want to keep going with these movies. Almost everyone has made a struck change during quarantine with some thinking on changing themselves for the better once this COVID thing is done and over with while some are slowly shifting to insanity as they freak out at any Costco worker that advises them to wear a mask while shopping. In that moment of still being in quarantine, it occurred to me to realize at this time that I feel completely done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe as I felt bored thinking about them.

I began to do some overthinking during the fall, and it helped me to understand that it’s okay to slip-slide away from this universe and every other cinematic universe in general. Most of the movies in the MCU, in my opinion, have been the exact same: fight some baddies, meet new recruits, be comedic, get their ass handed to them by the film’s villain, motivate themselves, come back into battle, fight more baddies and kick the villain’s ass; then later at the end of the movie, mid and post-credit scenes! It’s déjà vu! I also felt the same with every other cinematic universe handling the same things they do with their movies over and over and I’ve just had enough of it.

I feel much more relieved of not watching cinematic universes than ever before. Although I won’t be seeing anymore of Marvel’s upcoming projects in their cinematic universe from next year to beyond, I wish the people in charge of them the best of luck and to always keep entertaining their fans.

Should it be okay to have fatigue with cinematic universes?

It should not be my way on how I should control people. I’m 100% okay if you enjoy a cinematic universe; I ain’t stopping you. But to those who needed the advice, if they feel—in their heart—they aren’t fond of them anymore, it’s okay to move forward. Live the way you want to live life, and enjoy whatever movie series or franchise you want, even a cinematic universe.

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Richard Renaud

Richard Renaud is a student currently on his second and last year of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. His activities are walking, watching TV and movies, as well as hanging out with family and friends. If you do see him, don’t be afraid to say “Hi”. Unlike the picture, he has [sadly] never been to space.

Be Kind Rewind: An underrated Jack Black film worth everyone's radar

‘BE KIND REWIND’ [2008] / NEW LINE CINEMA

Throughout the 2000s, actor Jack Black was dominating the world of cinema. Whether he was playing the role of a musician substituting a classroom of students and teaching them the basics of rock n’ roll or becoming a Mexican wrestler, heck, even a panda wanting to learn Kung Fu, there was no way you’d find a year without a Jack Black film. But back in 2008, Jack Black would go on to star in a movie that, if you told someone today, they would hardly know what it even is. That movie is the underappreciated flick, Be Kind Rewind.

What is Be Kind Rewind?

The film centers on the roles of Jack Black and rapper Mos Def as two clerks who run a VHS rental store called Be Kind Rewind. Mike (Def) is relied on to take care of the business while his foster dad (Danny Glover) goes on a trip where Mike is informed to keep his friend Jerry (Black) out of the store. Jerry is a bizarre oddball who believes in conspiracy theories and even lives in a trailer.

One night while trying to sabotage a power facility because Jerry believes “the power is frying people’s minds”, he electrocutes himself. The following day, he mistakenly erases all the tapes with magnetism from the electrocution he suffered. In distress, Mike pitches the perfect idea to Jerry: recreate the films themselves as possible; their first plan is to recreate the beloved 80s classic Ghostbusters. And as the two find themselves doing more movies, they quickly find themselves becoming town celebrities and even getting the chance to expand their business.

MIKE AND JERRY HILARIOUSLY RECREATE GHOSTBUSTERS. ‘BE KIND REWIND’ [2008] / NEW LINE CINEMA

The works and the return of the term “Sweded”

What makes the film work is its cast. Black and Def play their roles as the two leads, and their bickering and admirable chemistry help make the film work. Glover plays Mike’s foster dad, and we begin to see his rise from an old hermit who mostly prefers VHSs over DVDs to a man who must adjust to the fact things are changing. Mia Farrow plays the role of the sweet Miss Falewicz, while Melonie Diaz is later brought to the film as the duo’s new member, Alma (after Mike and Jerry realize that they need girls to help fill in for scenes that involve females). She helps bring in chemistry with both lead characters as she admires her new work.

Another thing that works is its comedy. When Mike and Jerry first work on their first movie, it becomes totally funny seeing them recreate as much as they can with such a tiny budget. And it even comes more forward as they take on recreating other movies such as Rush Hour 2 and even Driving Miss Daisy.

What makes the film genius is how the movie may have brought back the term “Sweded”. According to research, the term was used by people for tapes that were erased and then recreated, then being sold in Sweden as an excuse for higher rental fees and longer wait times. The term is brought up as an excuse by Mike and the crew to express on why they are charging more time and money per movie. As the term has been brought back to life, Director Michel Gondry took to life his own “sweded” version of the film’s trailer to promote the movie. The term has helped make an impact for YouTubers too, with some making low-budget versions of trailers for blockbuster films. It even helped celebrities in quarantine back in the summer to make the Quibi remake of The Princess Bride.

Why it deserves the recognition

It’s come to my attention that many people aren’t very familiar with the film. People are so used to Black’s work in films such as the recent Jumanji movies, Nacho Libre, School of Rock and the Kung Fu Panda franchise or his involvement as both a bandmate of the band Tenacious D and a YouTube gamer (Jablinski Games). But it’s surprising to know that not a lot of people aren’t aware of this movie’s existence. Why I believe it deserves the recognition (and not just because it’s a Jack Black movie) is because the film leaves an impact on viewers, including me. The film brings to light the thing that all of us enjoy in our life: movies. The two leads don’t just do it for the money they need to save their store from being closed; deep down, they enjoy doing it because it helps bring everyone together. Even when things go from bad to worse at the film’s third act, a solution is brought to life involving the film’s townspeople of Passaic, New Jersey. It teaches me, a lot of people, and my fellow crew of On the Reel that movies will forever be the thing that fascinates us because they have changed us.

If you want to know as much of the film now as possible, here’s the trailer:

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Richard Renaud

Richard Renaud is a student currently on his second and last year of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. His activities are walking, watching TV and movies, as well as hanging out with family and friends. If you do see him, don’t be afraid to say “Hi”. Unlike the picture, he has [sadly] never been to space.

Top 10 Best Films of 2020 (So Far)

image courtesy of USA TODAY

The year 2020 was meant to be the year we get much blockbusters and movies to see. We got through January and February, but around March, COVID-19 took affect on our world. Many movies were pushed for later dates or got pushed to next year, while some made their way to streaming services and even on video-on-demand. Today, we take a look at the best films released this year that we indeed think college students of Algonquin College declared the best of the year so far to them. Here are our picks:

#10: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Back in April 2019, Paramount released their teaser for Sonic’s first-ever theatrical movie, but the poor design on Sonic to make him “human-like” disappointed many fans and gamers that Paramount pushed its 2019 holiday release for February to fix his design. Believe it, it was worth it. Fans garnered this one of the best family comedy films of the year all thanks to the talents of Ben Schwartz as the voice of the titular character and James Marsden as a cop whose reliant to help this alien hedgehog find his rings to head back home. But the film’s ultimate scene-stealer is Jim Carrey’s hilarious role as the villain Dr. Robotnik, who the FBI is forced to have work alongside with them to locate this “thing”. We look forward to the sequel as it speeds its way to 2022.

#9: TENET

WARNER BROS.

Although filmmaker Christopher Nolan was given complaints about releasing the film during the pandemic, for those who went to see it in theatres, it was worth the experience (especially in IMAX). The new film tells the story of an unnamed agent (John David Washington) nicknamed—in the film—“the Protagonist” who finds himself in an espionage to prevent World War III. Our hero, along with a recruit (Robert Pattinson), are forced to convert through time to stop a global Russian terrorist (Kenneth Branagh) from unleashing his plans to dominate the world. Nolan fans were not disappointed as the filmmaker still makes his standing ovation for today’s audiences.

#8: BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM

AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

As the world was in need of much laughter during this pandemic, Sacha Baron Cohen decided to return to his iconic role as the world’s favorite Kazakhstan reporter. In Subsequent Moviefilm, Borat finds himself back in the US to help bribe his daughter Tutar to—whom he believes—Mike Pence. While there, he must interrogate incognito (due to his extreme fame) as he once again interviews the real people of America while Tutar goes on her own path on what it means to be a woman. Viewers who have seen this film exclusively on Amazon Prime Video admit this film was “Great Success”.

WARNING: This movie does contain jokes that viewers may find highly offensive, but is all done for the sake of satire.

#7: BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC

ORION PICTURES

After acing their history test with the help of old historical figures in Excellent Adventure and having to outrun the afterlife (alongside the help of the Grim Reaper) to fight off their evil robotic counterparts in Bogus Journey, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are back as the two titular characters in this long-awaited third instalment. Now middle-aged fathers, they are told by The Great Leader that they have 78 minutes to write the one song that will help save the universe. The two rock stars decide to go back into the time booth and head straight to the future to “take it from themselves”. Meanwhile, their daughters (Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine) go on their own mission to help their dads. Viewers were thrilled to see the two actors return to their old roots and it was worth an excellent ride.

#6: ONWARD

DISNEY/PIXAR

After delighting fans last year with the fourth instalment of the Toy Story franchise, Pixar continues to shine with this film built on magic and mystics. When he is given a wizard’s staff, a letter, and a phoenix gem by their late dad for his 16th birthday, Ian and his big brother, Barley, go on a road trip to see if they can find this second gem they need. By retrieving this gem, it could help the two boys see their father for one last time after a spell—at home—goes wrong when they only get the bottom half of their dad. Moviegoers and viewers who watched the film through Disney+ (a month after its theatrical release) were emotional at the film’s premise, which leads to its heartfelt finale. Someone pass the tissues, please!

#5: THE INVISIBLE MAN

UNIVERSAL PICTURES/BLUMHOUSE STUDIOS

After making his breakout work on the 2018 action thriller Upgrade, director Leigh Whannell decided to give the mysterious H.G. Wells classic about a mad scientist who can turn invisible a modern upgrade. In this film, Elizabeth Moss plays the role of a woman who believes her abusive presumed-dead boyfriend is using a way to turn himself invisible to drive her mad, but no one believes her. Moviegoers and on-demand viewers were astonished at this new format of the tale and praised Moss’s role as being a strong symbol for fellow women who have gone through abusive relationships in their life to remain strong and fight their way out of one. We look forward to seeing more strong female characters like her in the near future.

#4: BAD EDUCATION

HBO FILMS

Despite coming out for TIFF back in 2019, this movie had viewers at home hooked to this tale, based on a true story, about a school district superintendent Dr. Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman) and assistant superintendent Pam Gluckin (Allison Janney), who steal millions of dollars from the same public school district that they seek to make the best for their country of America. Meanwhile, a young student (Geraldine Viswanathan)—taking the role of being a school reporter—finds herself trapped in the scandal. Viewers and critics were pleased watching this during the pandemic and have praised the performances of both Jackman and Alisson Janney as well as the direction of director Cory Finley (Thoroughbreds).

#3: BLACK IS KING

DISNEY+

While a divisive amount of people called last year’s live-action Lion King a terrible remake, the same couldn’t be said about this remake based on the tie-in album The Lion King: The Album by the star/singer of the 2019 version, Beyoncé. The R&B singer combines a cast of black people and historical African culture in a tale of a boy who makes his rise to a man to fight his evil uncle away from the throne after he killed the boy’s father. The film helped blew the minds of many Disney+ viewers [as well as fans of the singer] and were surprised at many faces who turned by: her husband Jay-Z, Lupita Nyong’o, Wizkid, and even her daughter Blue Ivy makes an appearance. Who runs the world? Beyoncé!

#2: HOST

SHUDDER

After making its debut on the horror/thriller streaming service Shudder, this film has managed status as the best horror film of 2020. The film tells the story of a young group of friends on Zoom, whom bored during the pandemic, decide to craft the idea of doing a séance through their screens. What could possibly go wrong? Despite being only 57 minutes long, it has become the second-best viral film of the year.

And speaking of viral, our number one pick is……

#1: HAMILTON

DISNEY+

Originally planned for an October 2021 release for theatres, Disney decided to pull the plug on that deal and instead send the film, based on the live recording of Broadway’s hit musical, to their streaming service during the summer of 2020 for fans and newcomers to enjoy. Set around the life of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and presented by a diverse cast of today, lead star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda did the one thing no one could ever do: he saved 2020. For those that haven’t seen it yet, be sure to watch it in the room where it happens, in your living room or bedroom that is.

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Richard Renaud

Richard Renaud is a student currently on his second and last year of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. His activities are walking, watching TV and movies, as well as hanging out with family and friends. If you do see him, don’t be afraid to say “Hi”. Unlike the picture, he has [sadly] never been to space.

'An American Pickle' review: HBO Max's Seth Rogen flick is a bitter dill

‘An american pickle’ [2020] / HBO MAX

As the world is still in quarantine, HBO Max, home to movies and shows of the HBO network, a while ago, made the choice to release a film [originally set for a theatrical release by Sony Pictures] to their new streaming service. That film is the new comedy starring actor/comedian Seth Rogen.

The movie An American Pickle is based off the 2013 short story Sell Out by Simon Rich (who also wrote this movie). For me, I’ve been able to see the film on Crave (yes people, I’m a proud supporter of cable television), I must say, it’s not to be a fresh batch of pickles for me.

The film begins in 1919 when a man named Hershel (played by Seth Rogen) meets his wife from their shtetl (small town). They shortly get married and are both forced to flee when the Russians invade their land; thereby, finding a new life in New York. Hershel is offered a job inside a pickle factory to help make money for his wife who’s expecting.

On one unfortunate day, he falls into a vat of pickles just as the factory closes and is brined for 100 years. He wakes up in 2019 and finds out he has only one living descendant: his great-grandson Ben (also Rogen), who works as a freelance app developer. Ben helps his questionable great-grandfather discover new worlds of dating, cabs, and seltzer water.

Ben dreams to develop his app Boop Bop, an app that checks ethnics for products by companies, to the public. One unexpected day, Hershel loses his mind over the location of the burial grounds of his deceased wife, which then leads to assault on some undeserved workers. After they get arrested and are released on bail, they begin to clash on each other; Hershel is mad that Ben has beliefs about religion, and Ben is upset that his criminal record has led to investors not interested in his app. What begins is too much to ask: war.

I found the movie was okay, but not great. The performances of Seth Rogen as both main characters is an outstanding performance in his career (Seth adopts an Orthodox Jew-like voice for Hershel). But its turning point is pretty off to what you thought you expected the movie to actually be: a Jewish version of Blast From the Past — but without the romance. Instead, the film heavily relies on Ben wanting ways to sabotage Hershel’s career as a newfound seller of freshly made pickles (one of his loyal customers is played by viral internet star Kalen Allen) but Hershel has many tricks to get back up again and foil his great-grandson’s plans.

The movie itself felt pretty abrupt with its turn, and Hershel becomes too much of an annoyance when he tries to get things his way, even condemning he’ll “do terrible violence”. Whether you enjoy much of Seth Rogen’s work since his Knocked Up times, this movie could be for you; it is—in my opinion—his weakest. But for some of you, it could turn out to be quite a sweet dill.

For those interested, here’s the trailer:

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Richard Renaud

Richard Renaud is a student currently on his second and last year of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. His activities are walking, watching TV and movies, as well as hanging out with family and friends. If you do see him, don’t be afraid to say “Hi”. Unlike the picture, he has [sadly] never been to space.