Short Attention Span Review: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Short Attention Span Review: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

So much fun!  A fresh take on a character who has enjoyed a lot of screentime in the last 15 years, Spider-Man: Homecoming is equal parts superhero film and high school coming-of-age dramady a la John Hughes.  That's precisely what Director John Watts billed it as, and the end result really sticks the landing.  In hindsight, this was clearly the path to take in bringing one of Marvel's enduring characters into the fold (previously, the relationship with Sony and Marvel--or lack thereof--didn't allow for him to exist in the same space as Iron Man or the rest of the gang), and this film packs as much fun and excitement into 2 hours and 13 minutes as one could hope for.  Tom Holland is Spider-Man, thoroughly owning the part and bringing both Peter Parker and Spidey to life in stunning fashion.  However, for yours truly, it was Michael Keaton who really put the picture over the top, turning one of the more mediocre villains from the comics into a real jewel who exudes menace and charisma in equal measures.  The supporting cast is also quite an assett, with Jacob Batalan ratcheting up the humor throughout and Marisa Tomei giving us the hottest and most intriguing take on Aunt May we've seen to date.  The whole thing feels new and brimming with life, and though it is missing some of the staples of the franchise (there are no Osborns in the mix, and J. Jonah Jameson is also missing in action), it does such an amazing job of ripping Spidey from the pages of the comics and plastering him on screen that viewers will hardly notice their absence.  Is it the best Spider-Man movie we've seen yet?  Honestly, I don't know--I think Sam Raimi's Spider-man 2 still sits atop the throne, but Spider-Man: Homecoming is in the discussion, and it has certainly laid the groundwork for bigger and better things to come.

Final Grade: A

A winner from start to finish, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a terrific way to cement our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man's place in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).

Short Attention Span Review: Drag Me to Hell (2009)

Short Attention Span Review: Drag Me to Hell (2009)

Only Sam Raimi could make a picture like Drag Me to Hell.  This bold and fast-paced horror movie boasts several great scares, some truly terrifying content, and the sort of gore that Lucio Fulci was famous for--and yet it is also brimming with big laughs and excitement.  Despite the utterly horrifying concept and several totally disgusting sequences, this isn't the type of horror flick that viewers should earn a merit badge for enduring.  Rather, it's incredibly fun, with a cartoonish tone and several winning performances that somehow complement all the disturbing elements.  It represents Raimi at his very best, and all of his staples are in play, most notably the fluid camera work that makes his films so invigorating and the physical and emotional turmoil that his main characters are subjected to.  Alison Lohman is terrific in the lead role, and proves just as capable of taking a beating, screaming, and getting her hands dirty as Raimi's leading man of choice, Bruce Campbell.  Justin Long does a nice job with a decent part that isn't as integral to the proceedings as one might wish until the haunting last frame, which solidifies Drag Me to Hell as one of the most daring big budget horror films to come down the pipeline.  I guarantee you that there were studio execs who desperately wanted to see a different conclusion, but this is Raimi's vision through and through.  While it may not be quite as fun as his Evil Dead trilogy and the gut-wrenching conclusion is telegraphed, it is hard to find fault with this outrageous shocker that packs a serious punch.

Final Grade: A-

Drag Me to Hell is a true smorgasbord--it offers thrills, chills, chuckles, and a wealth of excitement.