James' Movie Blog

Elton John may be one of the greatest rock and roll stars of all time. But we do not know the actual person behind many classic songs. That's where the film “Rocketman” comes into play. This film is a musical fantasy about Elton's life right up to his time in rehabilitation. However, while the film is good, there is a lot of problems concerning its production. Mostly due to the fact that there is a lot historical issues within the film that are left out. “Rocketman” is certainly an interesting look at a a great musician, but sort of squanders around the facts. The story follows rock star Elton John (Taron Egerton) from his early days to becoming a huge figure in the music industry. Along the way, he encounters highs and lows from sexual adventures from his manager, and taking part in a wide assortment of drugs. Now, Elton must come to terms with not only the songs that he performs but also with himself. “Rocketman” is sort of a mixed big of a movie. On the on...

With superheroes, everyone imagines them to be, well, heroes. But what if the intention of the hero was to be evil? That is where the film “Brightburn” comes into focus. While it may not be a true superhero film, it combines the suspenseful nature of a thriller with that of a comic book. There is more mystery in this film rather than action, and I think that what makes this movie stand out the most. “Brightburn” is an exploration of what a being from another world could accomplish, had they gone the darker path. The story follows a couple named Toni and Kyle Breyer (Elizabeth Banks and David Denman respectively), who are trying to conceive a child. Then, a spaceship falls out of the sky, and carries a baby boy, whom the couple names Brandon. As the years progress, Brandon (Jackson A. Dunn) becomes a sweet and innocent boy. But on his twelfth birthday, things take a turn for the worst, and Brandon starts to those he finds wronged him, leaving his parents wondering if picking him...

In the 1990s, the Walt Disney Company was at the peak of success. They had just previously released several animated features that turned a huge profit (save for 1990's “The Rescuers Down Under”), and they were on the top of the world. And in 1992, they released “Aladdin”, which not only became a huge hit both critically and financially, but has gained respect in popular culture. So, what does Disney do to the beloved classic? Why, remake it, of course! And the result is... bad. This version of “Aladdin” just doesn't hold a candle to the original back from '92. Yes, the movie looks pretty, but everything else, is just bad, including its cast. This remake of “Aladdin” just doesn't have the magic to stay afloat. The story follows a young street urchin named Aladdin (Mena Massoud), living in the kingdom of Agrabah. He meets a young woman who turns out to be the princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott). Wanting to fall in love with her, Aladdin must do everything in his powe...

Walt Disney strived to create some of the best content when concerning animation. He stunned audience's ears with 1928's “Steamboat Willie” becoming the first ever cartoon with synchronized sound. He defied the movie industry with the first ever feature length animated movie: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937. And in 1940, Disney did it again with two features: “Pinocchio” and “Fantasia”. And while “Pinocchio” may have been given appeal to families, “Fantasia” appeals to everyone. While it may not have been a huge success during Walt's time, in more recent years, the movie has gained quite a bit of attention, mostly in part due to the artistry that went into making the film a reality. Since its inception, “Fantasia” has been regarded as Walt Disney's masterpiece; a very notable fact. In fact, out of all of the animated films that the Disney company has released, “Fantasia” is my personal favorite for reasons I will explain below. “Fantasia” is a masterpi...

In the 1990s, there was a craze that eventually became a phenomenon, and that was Pokémon. With Pokémon, kids around the world were hooked with the unique characters, distinct battle systems, and of course, all of the merchandising that came with this franchise. Most notably, video games. It was here, that Pokémon really flourished in popularity. Eventually, movies based around Pokémon emerged, and while they were not hits with critics, the fans did enjoy them. Now, Pokémon is bigger than ever with even more characters, and more merchandising. This is has become such an incredible realization, that Warner Bros., Legendary Pictures, and The Pokémon Company have teamed up together to create a movie based on the franchise. Sure, there have been other Pokémon movies in the past, but this one is involves blending live action with animation. And it's called “Pokémon Detective Pikachu”. And while the actual result may not please the general movie going public, the fans will get a kick...

Whenever someone thinks of a giant movie monster, they usually go for characters like Godzilla, The Blob, or others of that nature. But we have to recognize the original giant movie monster: King Kong. Debuting in 1933's self-titled “King Kong”, this great ape may not have been a big hit at first, but became popular enough to spawn its own franchise. The question still remains: how does the original hold up after 85 years since its release? Still damn well. There have been imitators, remakes, and even a crossover with Godzilla, but nothing can still match the original Kong. “King Kong” is a marvelous spectacle that anyone who loves monsters, needs to see. The story involves filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong), going on a mysterious voyage to a southeastern island that nobody knows but him. He recruits a young woman named Ann Darrow (Fay Wray), whom Carl casts as the leading lady. When they arrive at the mysterious island, Carl and the crew encounter a group of natives...