Captain America: Civil War
Directors: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Screenwriter: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Tom Holland, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, and Daniel Brühl
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
Rated PG-13 | 147 Minutes
Release Date: May 6, 2016

There are no successful superhero film franchises under one roof like the ones over at Marvel Studios. Time and time again the studio has repeated its success, risen to beat expectations, and even found ways to reinvent itself to keep their respective franchises fresh and engaging. These sequels are no longer sequels, they are political thrillers, fantasy adventures, buddy cops comedies, heist capers, space operas, and much more to come.

Now the studio will christen Phase 3 of the MCU with a bold new storytelling direction. Starting off with Captain America: Civil War, where our heroes and their beliefs come into conflict as Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) will engage in an ideological battle that will determine the fate of the Avengers.

The Jungle Book
Director: Jon Favreau
Screenwriter: Justin Marks
Cast: Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken, Neel Sethi
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
Rated PG | 106 Minutes
Release Date: April 15, 2016

There is a fine line that filmmakers walk when reimagining a classic like Disney’s The Jungle Book. The animated film, released in 1967, has a special place in the hearts of fans who enjoyed watching a boy who lived in the jungle and was raised by wolves become a man. Though there have been many iterations and adaptations, that film is probably the most recognized. Now we flash forward to 2016, nearly 50 years since the release of the film where Disney has already created a successful formula of turning those animated classics into live-action blockbusters.

The film is storytelling come to life in every sense of the word. Like a parental figure reading a story to their child. Jon Favreau (Iron Man), faithfully adapts the film for the newer generation, while still paying respect to those who loved the original. Some might consider that his vision for this surpasses the original. Others might think it succeeds in its own right. In the end, the film is nostalgically joyous and a romping good time.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Director: Zack Snyder
Screenwriter: Chris Terrio, David Goyer
Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Gal Gadot
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Rated PG-13 | 151 Minutes
Release Date: March 25, 2016

When there is a film as hyped as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, you expect a fight between the two heroes that resembles an epic title card match that you paid good money to watch. So you go in, feeling excited about a fight between two of “The World’s Finest.” It will be a match for the ages. Two heroes with different ideologies on what it means to be heroes. As impressive as a movie about a fight between two iconic comic book characters sounds, this one that doesn’t live up to the hype thanks in part to sloppy editing, a poor script, and a director with an absolute disrespect for the characters.

Sure, a movie like its predecessor Man of Steel isn’t perfect, and no film is. But it can be considered the prologue to a film that will set the foundation to the DC Expanded Universe. But what took Marvel years to set up, DC is attempting to do in just two films. It’s an admirable attempt at trying to create a shared universe like their competitors did, but the moment you step foot into this world, you start to get lost in a convoluted mess.

Zootopia
Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Writers: Jared Bush, Phil Johnston
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Shakira
Studio: Disney Animation Studios
Release Date: March 4, 2016

On the surface, Zootopia looks like just another talking animal with anthropomorphic features piddling around getting laughs by means of using childish humor. But that is just the surface, and it is a very thin one. In reality, for beyond that layer lies a deeper and more meaningful story, and if you peel that layer back, you’ll soon discover that Disney Animation Studios’ latest film has a message, a very poignant one that could not have come out at a more perfect time.

In a day and age where bullying, prejudices, stereotypes, and preconceived notions are hurting many, and social issues are becoming more prevalent in our neighboring communities and homes, Zootopia has a message. Yeah, expecting a film like this to get everyone to get along is merely impossible and expecting too much, but all it is asking of us is to “try.” Try to understand one another, because if you do, you’ll become more exceptional. Check out the full review of the movie here below.

Hail, Caesar!
Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen
Writers: Joel and Ethan Coen
Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum
Release Date: February 5, 2016

The Coen Brothers films are the reason why we go to the movies. And as such we are given an experience unlike any other. From the drama of a struggling musician in Inside Llewyn Davis to the issues of morality in No Country For Old Men to the dark comedy of Fargo, the Coens prove time and again that they are clearly ahead of the curve and are just the smartest men in the room.

Their latest project, Hail, Caesar! is like a love letter to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Which is great, if it actually took the time to be something other than just a love letter to the Golden Age of Hollywood. While the film touts an incredible all-star cast playing roles of all sizes, it is probably too smart for its own good.