Expanding the Universe: August 2021 (Part Two)

Read the first part of the article here.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

Even though it shows just how overcomplicated the Pirates franchise can be, Dead Man’s Chest still manages to be an enchanting adventure that properly utilizes the talents of its stars, most predominantly Bill Nighy as the fearsome CGI creation that is Davy Jones. It shows that the adventures of Jack Sparrow can thrive off of new ideas and the infusion of new lore, even if it wears itself thin more than a few times. [Grade: B+]

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Heroes converge from throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe to stop a purple giant from wiping out half the universe. Infinity War never needed any big selling points -- its position as the culmination of the MCU was enough -- and yet it delivers on any expectations we might have had, giving us incredible action, flawless visual effects and great character moments that continue the storylines and arcs of the heroes we love. It may be a little overcrowded, but the fan service moments are rife and the emotional momenta hit hard, just as they should. [Grade: A]

Review: Courage and Honor Drive “The Green Knight”

The best word I could think of as I sat in the theater, watching the credits fly by on screen for David Lowery’s new film The Green Knight, was “wow.” My thought process was soon able to transcend that single word and I could form coherent thoughts. Here they are.

Adapted from the 14th century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, this hybrid fantasy/drama features Dev Patel as the titular Sir Gawain, faced with a choice one day in King Arthur’s court. A knight (played by the unrecognizable, yet incomparable Ralph Ineson) offers a challenge, for any member of the court to lay a blow against him with his own axe. However, one year hence, the knight will be able to do the same to the brave one who dares face him. The brash Gawain, seeking glory and recognition, decapitates the knight, but of course that isn’t the end. For Gawain, the story has only just begun.

As a critic, this film is hard to review. As a viewer, time lost all control as I was pulled into a fully-realized, dirty, grimy, brutal fantasy world, in which the rules of magic are never explained and you aren’t sure what’s real and what isn’t until the film’s conclusion…and even then, not every question is answered. I would be lying if I said this film didn’t spark conversation with the people I saw it with — in fact, The Green Knight led to some of the best film discussions I’ve had in a while.