Moviefone Editorial

Tag: benedict cumberbatch

  • ‘The Book of Clarence’ – LaKeith Stanfield and Jeymes Samuel

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    Opening in theaters on January 12th is the new epic biblical comedy-drama ‘The Book of Clarence,’ which stars LaKeith Stanfield (‘Knives Out’) and was directed by Jeymes Samuel (‘The Harder They Fall’).

    LaKeith Stanfield and director Jeymes Samuel discuss 'The Book of Clarence.'
    (L to R) LaKeith Stanfield and director Jeymes Samuel discuss ‘The Book of Clarence.’

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking in-person with LaKeith Stanfield and director Jeymes Samuel to talk about their work on ‘The Book of Clarence,’ what audiences can expect from the film, writing the screenplay and the themes Samuel wanted to explore, and Stanfield’s approach to playing his dual roles.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Stanfield and Samuel, as well as RJ Cyler and Anna Diop.

    Jeymes Samuel attends a Special Screening of 'The Book of Clarence' at Pacific Design Center on December 11, 2023 in West Hollywood, California.
    Jeymes Samuel attends a Special Screening of ‘The Book of Clarence’ at Pacific Design Center on December 11, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Sony Pictures.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what would you say to audiences to prepare them for the theatrical experience they are about to have watching this movie?

    Jeymes Samuel: Get ready for a singular piece. There’s never been a movie made like this in 135 years of the moving image. You’ve never seen a ‘Book of Clarence’ before. If anything, the movie is singular. If everything, the movie is awesome. Welcome.

    LaKeith Stanfield attends a Special Screening of 'The Book of Clarence' at Pacific Design Center on December 11, 2023 in West Hollywood, California.
    LaKeith Stanfield attends a Special Screening of ‘The Book of Clarence’ at Pacific Design Center on December 11, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Sony Pictures.

    MF: LaKeith, what would you say to audiences to prepare them for ‘The Book of Clarence’ experience?

    LaKeith Stanfield: This film is for the open-minded, the person that is interested in gaining some new perspective or seeing something fresh, and that isn’t interested in going into movies with preconceived notions. It’s not woke. It’s not those Hollywood buzzwords that people want to use to have things fit into their ideas of what things are. This, you will not be able to expect or even be able to hold it in your mind what this really is, unless you see it on a big screen, loud, with people you love. That’s the way to enjoy it. It really is something that you don’t want to miss, because I feel like it’s going to exist in the time as something classic. You’re going to hear people talking about it, and you might be like, “Why did I miss that?” Just do yourself a favor and check this movie out, because it’s entertaining, but it also holds some universal truths that are very good to be reminded of. Also, you get to see the beautiful black gods at play, and that’s a beautiful thing to be a part of. We had so much fun making it. But there’s love, there’s action, there’s fighting, there’s family, there’s coming together, there’s self-discovery, there’s miracles, and it’s just a bunch of fun. So yeah, it’ll be dope.

    Related Article: Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield Team up for ‘The Photograph’

    Mary Magdalene (Teyana Taylor) in 'The Book of Clarence.'
    Mary Magdalene (Teyana Taylor) in ‘The Book of Clarence.’ Photo: Moris Puccio. © 2023 Legendary Entertainment. All rights reserved.

    MF: Jeymes, I heard that you grew up loving epic biblical films like ‘Ben-Hur’ and ‘The Ten Commandments.’ Can you talk about writing this screenplay and specifically the themes that you were interested in exploring with this movie?

    JS: Writing the screenplay was awesome. ‘The Book of Clarence,’ for whatever reason, it bled out of me, like it wanted to be born. When I sat down to write the screenplay, it was like two weeks. I’d taken notes on it for years, like over a decade. I knew what was where. But when I sat down to write the screen, I couldn’t sleep. It was just literally gushing out of me. The things I wanted to include in this movie was everything. Absolutely everything. Everything, everything, everything, everything, everything, everything. I wanted to include everything. Gladiator fights, chariot races, crucifixions, dance sequences, action pieces. I wanted to put everything into this film, this story, and what better way than to have a protagonist like Clarence. You needed to cast the right person. You needed the right person to hang and clothe all these themes upon. I knew I could not make this movie until I had the right actor, which was the day I met LaKeith Stanfield.

    Elijah (R.J. Cyler) and Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) in 'The Book of Clarence.'
    (L to R) Elijah (R.J. Cyler) and Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) in ‘The Book of Clarence.’ Photo: Moris Puccio. © 2023 Legendary Entertainment. All rights reserved.

    MF: Finally, LaKeith, in addition to playing Clarence, you also play his twin brother, Thomas. Can you talk about the difference between the two characters and your approach to playing each of them?

    LS: I just thought it was important to set Clarence up as someone that could learn something. So therefore, someone that thought they had to figure it out. I knew that I wanted him to exude a confidence that gets you to the positions that you want to be in life. You manifest things here that might not have been everything that Clarence knew, but he knew that he had something special, and he carried that with him, and I wanted to show that. I also wanted to show his moments of levity and grace so that when he fell out of grace, we could clearly see the difference. When it came to Thomas, I just wanted to make sure I was able to draw lines in the sand and distinctions between these two brothers who, they came from the same place, they experienced similar things, but they chose different paths and how that can build up resentment in a pair that close. How ultimately there were parts of them that really loved each other deeply but weren’t able to come to the surface and missed a lot of the issues they were dealing with. But eventually they were able to reconcile. There was at least a nod to that idea that they were able to come together, they’re able to see the truth because it transcends all their little issues. So, I want to make sure that that was in there, that love was in there at the end of the day.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Book of Clarence’?

    A struggling down-on-his-luck man named Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) living in 29 A.D. Jerusalem looks to capitalize on the rise of Jesus Christ (Babs Olusanmokun) by claiming to be a new Messiah sent by God, in an attempt to free himself of debt and start a life of glory for himself.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Book of Clarence’?

    Pontius Pilate (James McAvoy) and Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) in 'The Book of Clarence.'
    (L to R) Pontius Pilate (James McAvoy) and Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) in ‘The Book of Clarence.’ Photo: Moris Puccio. © 2023 Legendary Entertainment. All rights reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Book of Clarence:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Book of Clarence’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy LaKeith Stanfield Movies On Amazon

     

  • Thomas Haden Church Talks Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man 4’ Rumors

    Thomas Haden Church in 'Spider-Man 3.'
    Thomas Haden Church in ‘Spider-Man 3.’ Photo Courtesy of Sony Pictures.

    Thomas Haden Church has “heard rumors” that director Sam Raimi may be directing another ‘Spider-man‘ movie with none other than original Spider-man actor Tobey Maguire.

    The actor, who played Flint Marko/The Sandman, has appeared in two Spider-man films – 2007’s ‘Spider-Man 3’ and 2021’s ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.” When asked which Spider-Man he’d go toe-to-toe with during an interview with Comicbook.com for the Peacock series ‘Twisted Metal,’ Church named Maguire as that was the Spider-man [movie] he started out with and expressed his interest in appearing in a possible ‘Spider-Man 4’ movie.

    “There’s always been some kind of…I’ve heard rumors…that Sam Raimi was going to do another [Spider-Man movie] with Tobey [Maguire] and if that happens, I would probably campaign to maybe at least do a cameo,” Church said.

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    Sam Raimi’s History With Spider-Man

    Director Sam Raimi at San Diego Comic-Con
    Director Sam Raimi at San Diego Comic-Con

    Sam Raimi directed the ‘Spider-man’ trilogy starring Tobey Maguire as the web-slinging superhero. The 2002 film also starred Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane and Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin. ‘Spider-man’ earned over $825 million worldwide and became the third highest grossing movie of 2002. Raimi continued to work with Maguire for the next two ‘Spider-man’ movies.

    After the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy, Raimi returned to his horror roots with ‘Drag Me To Hell,’ then in 2022, the director teamed up with Marvel for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen. Last year, while speaking with Comicbook.com, the director expressed interest in directing a fourth ‘Spider-Man’ film as well as working with Maguire again.

    “I’ve come to realize after making ‘Doctor Strange’ that anything is possible, really anything in the Marvel universe, any team-ups,” Raimi said. “I love Tobey. I love Kirsten Dunst. I think all things are possible. I don’t really have a story or a plan. I don’t know if Marvel would be interested in that right now. I don’t know what their thoughts are about that. I haven’t really pursued that. But it sounds beautiful. Even if it wasn’t a Spider-Man movie, I’d love to work with Tobey again, in a different role.”

    Related Article: Thomas Haden Church Talks ‘Acidman’ and Working with Dianna Agron

    The Next Spider-Man Movie

    (L to R) Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire from 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.' Photo Courtesy of Marvel Entertainment's Instagram.
    (L to R) Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire from ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’ Photo Courtesy of Marvel Entertainment’s Instagram.

    Currently, Sony Pictures owns the right to make and distribute the current Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland. Disney shares the right, allowing the character to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    In 2021’s ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ fans finally got to see all three iterations of Spider-Man on the same screen. The film opens up the possibility for the trio to meet once again, as well as appear in other Marvel films or a standalone film. Marvel is diving fast into the realm of the multiverse, and we saw a cameo of Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man in Sony’s latest hit ‘Spider-man: Across The Spider-Verse,’ which means the probability of seeing Maguire’s Spider-man on-screen again is quite likely.

    Electro (Jamie Foxx), Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), and The Lizard (Rhys Ifans) in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.'
    (L to R) Electro (Jamie Foxx), Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), and The Lizard (Rhys Ifans) in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’

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  • Benedict Cumberbatch Teases Doctor Strange Return

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios' 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.'
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

    When we last saw Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, he was being spirited away on a new adventure by Charlize Theron’s Clea, a character fans have long wanted to see adapted from Marvel Comics.

    Now, according to Cumberbatch himself, we might have more of an idea when we’ll see the good –– and not always so good –– Doctor, as talking during a long interview for the JW3 Speaker series, he said, “there are some Marvel capers in the making next year.”

    Intriguing!

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    Where we left Doctor Strange

    Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
    (L-R): Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    At the end of 2022’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, Strange, freshly returned from his trip to parallel worlds and a battle against Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff (who was looking to harness the power of the multiverse to be reunited with her children), is insisting to Wong (Benedict Wong) that he hasn’t been affected by the dark magic of the tome known as the Darkhold.

    But moments later, as he walks down the street he collapses to his knees in pain, screaming as a third eye (similar to one used by his “dark” alternate self in another universe) opens on his forehead.

    In the first post-credits scene for the movie, we learn what happens next, more or less. Jumping forward in time, the scene follows Strange out for another walk with a scarf on, only to find himself confronted by a purple-costumed woman who appears from another dimension.

    Her name is Clea, and she has a bone to pick with Strange. “You caused an incursion, and we’re gonna fix it,” she tells him. This calls back to a threat mentioned in the main body of the film, where multiversal travel is noted to risk “incursions” where two universes collide, and one is destroyed.

    Insisting he’s not afraid, Strange transforms his scarf into his usual cloak and he heads off with Clea.

    Related Article: Benedict Cumberbatch Talks ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    What does the future hold for Doctor Strange?

    Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.'
    (L to R) Charlize Theron and Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

    Naturally, since this involves Marvel, there is very little to go on besides Cumberbatch’s statement since the studio is notoriously tricky in what it reveals ahead of time.

    We don’t, therefore, know whether this will be a new stand-alone Strange adventure or point to him teaming up for the new ‘Avengers’ movies planned for the future.

    While Disney/Marvel’s release calendar is full for the next couple of years, there are some “untitled” slots that a new Strange movie could fill.

    And according to ‘Multiverse of Madness’ writer Michael Waldron, that could well include Clea.

    Here’s what he told Gizmodo:

    “We knew that we wanted to introduce Clea. She’s Strange’s great love in the comics and it was felt to me like Strange wasn’t at the point at the start of our movie where he was ready to meet the love of his life. It felt like we had to close the loop with he and Christine Palmer. And so, after she gives him her wisdom to not be afraid of loving someone, then it felt like we were right to tease what could be eventually with he and Clea.”

    But then there are also the Avengers movies –– ‘The Kang Dynasty’ and ‘Secret Wars’, which are scheduled for 2026 and 2027. There’s a fair chance that Cumberbatch will be back in action besides other Marvel characters, even if those movies have recently been pushed back by the ongoing writers’ strike and potential actors’ industrial action.

    If you’re eagerly anticipating a Strange return, now you have more reason to be excited.

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

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  • ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Spoilers Explained

    Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff i
    Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ is here and wow, do we have a lot to talk about.

    While the film follows Marvel’s trend of slowly moving away from crazy connections (save for a few references to both ‘WandaVision’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’), we still have a lot to cover. So here we’ll get into the end-credits scene, the introduction of the Illuminati, and what it all means!

    So, let’s start off with the big one, the mid-credits scene. At the end of the movie, we witness Stephen Strange’s third eye revealing itself and an instant fear that would strike in anyone as who saw one of his multiverse counterparts with the same third eye. But in the scene following that, Stephen looks pretty okay! Also looking fancy in a new jacket and scarf.

    A portal opens in front of him and Charlize Theron, making her first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, steps out. She tells Strange he created an incursion in another universe and that he must help stop it, then Stephen changes into his robes and suddenly, the third eye appears on his forehead, and he follows her into the portal.

    Charlize Theron in 'Atomic Blonde.'
    Charlize Theron in 2017’s ‘Atomic Blonde.’

    Now we have a lot to talk about. Let’s start with the new character reveal, Clea, or as she’s known in the comics currently, the Sorceress Supreme. Introduced in 1964, Clea is the niece of Doramamu—yes, the one Strange very cleanly bargained with in the first ‘Doctor Strange’. In the comics, she meets Stephen when he’s sent to the Dark Dimension. Even going on to marry him later.

    This storyline would match up perfectly for the next film, as it is shown in ‘Multiverse of Madness’ that Stephen has come to terms with the fact he and Christine can never be together. And while he may not know the answer to the question “are you happy?”, it’s a great moment for Clea to come into his life.

    Next, that weird extra eye. The Eye of Agamotto is considered the amulet of knowledge and grants the wearer the ability to see something before it happens, which we saw in ‘Avengers Endgame’. This could also be a reference to actual real-world myth, which says that the ‘opening of one’s third eye’ means many things, but mainly a representation of one’s power of clairvoyance. Exactly what the Eye does in the MCU, is yet to be determined. This doesn’t exactly mean Stephen’s evil now, but we should keep “an eye on” how much power he actually does have.

    But the after-credits scene wasn’t the only major reveal that the film gave us. Halfway through, Strange and America Chavez get blasted into a Universe which is pretty much run by a superhero secret society called the Illuminati (first appearing in Marvel Comics in 2005.)

    Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
    (L-R): Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    We find out that this universe’s Doctor Strange created it himself, which now consists of the Sorcerer Supreme Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Blackbolt (Anson Mount), Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell), Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch) and Reed Richards (John Krasinski).

    Let’s start with the ones we do know and have seen in the MCU. Captain Carter, Maria Rambeau & Blackbolt.

    Peggy Carter’s multiverse counterpoint was first seen in the ‘What If…?,’ which aired on Disney+. For those who don’t know, she is basically Steve Rogers if she took the super soldier serum instead of him. Maria was last seen in ‘Captain Marvel’ in 2019, as Carol’s best friend from the air force. We can deduce in this universe that she obviously got the cosmic powers instead of Danvers.

    Now Blackbolt is a bit different. He’s the leader of the Inhumans on Earth and has the power to kill anyone with just a whisper. He is played by the same actor from the very short lived ‘Inhumans’ show that aired on ABC, coinciding with ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ While its reception wasn’t fantastic, it’s commendable to see Marvel and Disney bring back the same actor.

    Now for two characters we had yet to see until now, Charles Xavier & Reed Richards. While they both have appeared in different studio films, this is the first time we have seen them in the MCU. But what versions are we seeing?

    Many have theorized that this version of Professor X is not the one we have seen in Fox’s ‘X-Men’ films. Most point to his chair in the film, and the little sound cue that plays when he wheels out, both connecting to the 90s ‘X-Men’ cartoon. The one that Marvel just so happens to be reviving for Disney+, called ‘X-Men ‘97.’ While he does die in this universe, who’s to say he’s not still alive in others with the same chair? And could the new ‘X-Men’ cartoon connect to ‘Multiverse of Madness’ by being its own universe?

    Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier in 2000's 'X-Men.'
    Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier in 2000’s ‘X-Men.’

    Finally, we have Reed Richards, played by actual fan-casted John Krasinski. While we got Fox’s ‘Fantastic Four’ in the past, this is the first time we’ve seen a hero from that team in an MCU property. It’s hinted that the Illuminati is funded by the Baxter foundation, but what could his inclusion mean? It’s highly speculated that this could be both a little nod and hint by Marvel. One to his casting (photoshops aplenty before this reveal) and could be also a sign of what’s to come.

    We know Marvel is making a ‘Fantastic Four’ film and that it will be attached to the overall MCU. But we have no info on the story or the production other than director shakeups. While seeing fan-favorite casting come to life is a great time, this could just be another universe version of Reed Richards. When he does return in his own film, there’s a chance we’ll see a different actor playing him.

    I know all of this may sound confusing like all the multiverses shown in the film, so I hope this little breakdown helps a bit! ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ has brought the MCU into the new era—and has given us some exciting clues on where it could be going next.

    Let’s see if ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ continues our journey through the Marvel Multiverse!

    John Krasinski as Dr. Jack Ryan
    John Krasinski as Dr. Jack Ryan in Prime Video’s ‘Jack Ryan.’
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  • Benedict Cumberbatch Talks ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

    Opening in theaters on May 6th is the latest MCU movie and sequel to 2016’s ‘Doctor Strange’ entitled, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

    Directed by Sam Raimi (‘Evil Dead II,’ ‘Spider-Man’) the new film once again stars Benedict Cumberbatch (‘The Power of the Dog’) as the title character and follows the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and the Disney+ series ‘WandaVision’ as Strange must stop Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) from destroying the multiverse.

    In addition to Cumberbatch and Olsen, the cast also includes Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, and Xochiti Gomez as new MCU character America Chavez.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Benedict Cumberbatch about his work on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

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    You can read our full interview with Benedict Cumberbatch below or watch the interview by clicking on the video player above.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what do you want to tell fans that are planning to see ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?’

    Benedict Cumberbatch: Welcome back. Thank you for coming in your droves to see ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and thank you for being here again. It’s just great to have you back. It’s great to have people in a seat about to see a film that I’m super proud of, and that’s got a lot of treats, thrills and surprises for you. It has some great nostalgia, and I think very interesting development of a character I love playing for you guys. I love being your Doctor Strange and I hope you love watching the film as much as we loved making it.

    MF: Director Sam Raimi introduces horror elements to the MCU with this movie. Just how scary will this film be?

    BC: It’s not ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose.’ But there are some jump scares. There’s some great cinematographer John Mathieson/Sam Raimi camera work, but it’s got to be palatable for a family. So, it’s kind of scary and it’s quite dark at times, but I wouldn’t say it’s a horror film, that’s for sure.

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: When you saw the final film for the first time, did it scare you?

    BC: First time, probably. I am very involved. I think I have a very different lens on when I’m watching my own work and it’s to give feedback for editorial notes, ADR and all the kind of post-production stuff, reshoots and everything that we kept doing to try and perfect it. I’m really looking forward to having the audience experience it in Los Angeles at the premiere, and I’ll be in that audience watching the movie. I had such a fun time doing that with ‘Spider-Man,’ and I know it’s going to be a similar ride with this, hopefully.

    That film filled so many extraordinary kinds of desires. I mean, to be in an audience and experience the humor of it and hear the laughter, hear the cheer moments, but also to hear the pin drop silence of the emotional moments landing, it was such a thrill to be viscerally amongst a community of people experiencing that. It really amplified the joy I had individually watching it. So, I’m hoping that moment will come. if there are jump scares that work with a big audience, I’ll know it when I watch it at the premiere.

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Director Sam Raimi has also said publicly that this movie will “drastically change who Doctor Strange is.” Can you talk about that?

    BC: I like to think so. I mean, there’s an awful lot going on in this film. I hope that isn’t lost on people. There is some character development, which I think is pretty crucial to him. I think we’ve seen him in his first introduction to the Marvel cinematic universe, as he was an arrogant neurosurgeon and a man trapped in a gilded cage of his own making. His ego was driving what he was doing, it was not out of a duty of caring. Then to have a duty of caring, the idea of doing things for others, being selfless and sacrificing, that came with his transition into a superhero.

    I think since the last few films he’s been pretty omnipotent and unquestionable, and then a human relationship with Peter Parker has destabilized all that and creates the need for him to help someone he both admired as a fellow soldier on the battlefield, so to speak, but also as a human being who’d lost his mentor and someone he cared about by the end of the film.

    It opened up the problem that he still faces in his own character, which is this level of arrogance believing that his way is the only way and only he can actually solve the problem. I think what he learns in this is it’s better to act together than to act alone. That’s the big shift I’d say, without pointing too much in the direction of how that happens.

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' from Marvel Studios.
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

    MF: Finally, would you say that in real life you are a “people person” or more of a “lone wolf?”

    BC: I think like most people, I have to be a bit of both. Certainly, with my craft, I lean massively on every department of talent, whether it’s costume and makeup or writer, director, and producer. I stand on the shoulder of many people when I’m in front of a camera doing a role, but I also then need some separation from all of that to try and own it, to believe in what I’m doing, contain it and immerse myself in it a little bit.

    That’s kind of isolating, I suppose, that’s work you have to do on your own. So, it’s a combination. I think in life, one moment I’ll be fine being in a crowd in a party, the next moment, I just want to be on my own in a room, staring at a wall with nobody but myself. I like to mix it up.

    'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Poster. Photo Courtesy of Disney+.
    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Poster. Photo Courtesy of Disney+.
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  • Movie Review: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
    (L-R): Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    Opening in theaters on May 6th is the latest MCU movie and sequel to 2016’s ‘Doctor Strange’ entitled, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Directed by Sam Raimi (‘Evil Dead II,’ ‘Spider-Man’) the new film once again stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the title character and follows the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and the Disney+ series ‘WandaVision’ as Strange must stop Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) from destroying the multiverse.

    In addition to Cumberbatch and Olsen, the cast also includes Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, and Xochiti Gomez as new MCU character America Chavez. The result is a strong sequel that surpasses its predecessor and transcends the genre by introducing horror elements into the MCU. Sam Raimi delivers one of his best films, which is anchored by excellent performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen.

    The movie begins with Dr. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) having a dream of helping a mysterious young girl escape from a demon. He awakes only to see the same girl running from a monster in the streets of New York. Strange saves the girl and soon learns that she is from another universe and that her name is America Chavez (Gomez). She has the power to move through the multiverse, and the demon chasing her is trying to steal her powers.

    Strange goes to Wanda Maximoff (Olsen) for help, only to find that she is the “demon” chasing Chavez and wants her power to find her children who “disappeared” after the events of ‘WandaVision.’ In order to stop the Scarlet Witch, Strange and Chavez travel through the multiverse and meet alternate versions of Strange, Christine Palmer (McAdams), Karl Mordo (Ejiofor), and the Illuminati, which is an Avengers-level team within the multiverse comprised of new and different versions of Marvel characters.

    Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff i
    Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    Without giving anything away, the Illuminati scenes are some of the best in the film and feature real surprises for fans. The actors that play different versions of characters they’ve played before are fun to watch in these new roles, while the actors playing characters we haven’t seen in the MCU previously, are all perfectly cast and have moments to shine. In fact, the Illuminati is a team I would love to see back in the MCU again, even if it is just on an episode of Disney+’s ‘What If …?’

    As always with Marvel movies, there are two end credit scenes, and I won’t give either away. But I will say that the mid-credit scene features an A-list actress joining the MCU as a new Marvel character, and the end credit scene is just for laughs.

    What elevates this film from the original is definitely the vision of master filmmaker Sam Raimi. The creator of ‘The Evil Dead’ series, as well as the man behind the first ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy, Raimi clearly has a love for the source material, he actually name-dropped Doctor Strange in ‘Spider-Man 2.’ Obviously, he also has a gift for making scary movies, and was able to push the horror in this film in a way he could not with the ‘Spider-Man’ films. Raimi is also a master at mixing horror and comedy, as seen in ‘Army of Darkness,’ and gets to do that a bit in this movie with a run-on gag featuring his ‘Evil Dead’ star Bruce Campbell.

    Raimi fans are really going to enjoy this movie and will see his signature shots and camera movements all over the film. But the director also nicely blends his directing style with the material, the already established tone of the MCU, and the advanced visual effects that were not available when he began his career. Composer Danny Elfman’s score also adds to the horror-vibes of Rami’s film and its dark tone.

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    The script by Michael Waldron is good and covers a lot of ground quickly. One complaint I do have, is that the basic plot is just too simple. “Strange has to stop Wanda while traveling through the Multiverse to save America Chavez,” a character he just met, by the way. But it does work and delivers fun characters and set pieces along the way.

    Another downside to the movie is that it’s not really a follow up to ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ as previously believed. In fact, I think it’s only referenced once. The movie is really a follow up to the Disney+ series ‘WandaVision’ and I fear that if you didn’t see that show, some of Wanda’s motivations in the movie may be lost on you. However, the film does work hard to make you understand what happened to her and why she’d behaving this way, as misguided as it may be.

    Elizabeth Olsen first played Wanda Maximoff in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and at the time it seemed like Marvel didn’t really know what to do with the character. But thanks to her relationship with Vision, she really grew through the latter Avengers films and has come into her own after the series and now with ‘Multiverse of Madness.’

    Scarlet Witch is a full-on villain now and Olsen plays her well, with true conviction yet an emotionally vulnerable but also somewhat relatable side. It’s unclear where Marvel will take the character from here, and whether a redemption ark is in her future, but Olsen deserves credit for creating a truly memorable MCU character.

    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
    Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in Marvel Studios’ ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Multiverse of Madness’ marks Benedict Cumberbatch’s sixth time playing Doctor Strange on screen and with Iron Man gone, is now one of the premiere heroes in the Marvel Universe. While the first ‘Doctor Strange’ only gave a taste of the character, he’s grown through his experiences in the Avengers and Spider-Man movies and is at his best when sparring with fellow heroes, which this film includes quite a bit. Cumberbatch is charming, funny, and believable in the role, giving one of his best performances yet as the character. The actor also had the task of playing different versions of his character and gives each one a unique spin.

    In the end, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ is a really fun and unique Marvel movie, which expands the genre by mixing horror with heroes. The film succeeds in large part thanks to Sam Raimi’s unique style, the horror elements, the multiverse concept, Benedict and Olsen’s strong performances and the surprise cameos.

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ gets 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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  • New Trailer for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Poster. Photo Courtesy of Disney+.
    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Poster Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

    Movie studios like to go big with their Super Bowl trailers these days, and few have the capability like Marvel. The new trailer for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ certainly showed that off, as Benedict Cumberbatch’s sorcerer faced creatures and consequences.

    The latter come courtesy of his actions in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ in which (for the benefit of the three people who haven’t seen it), Doctor Strange tampered with the multiverse to protect Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) true identity.

    Those chickens have well and truly come home to roost – and some of them look like weird tentacled beasts. Yes, turns out tampering with the multiverse is sort of a bad idea, and now Strange has the bad dreams to prove it. Yet unlike a certain more recent Marvel character, he can tell the difference between waking life and dreams.

    Trouble is, his waking life is a real nightmare, since the dimensions are beginning to merge and he’s in big trouble for that little spell. As Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mordo points out, Strange will be held responsible.

    Our favourite Sorcerer (not Supreme – that’s Benedict Wong’s Wong, who looks to be in trouble himself) seeks out Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), who makes her own good point that there’s a real double standard at play: his rule-breaking saw him hailed a hero, she’s been called a villain for what went down during ‘WandaVision’.

    Yet Strange will also face some judgement, hauled in front of a tribunal to answer for what he did – and that sounds like Patrick Stewart, AKA the Professor X of Fox/Marvel’s ‘X-Men’ movies.

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    The multi-dimensional nature of the story naturally lends itself to plenty of cameos from across the MCU and beyond, and one of the big advantages of Disney owning… well, everything… is that so many characters could potentially appear. Fans have already spotted Captain Carter’s (Hayley Atwell) shield on the poster for the movie, which points to her variant from ‘What If…?’ showing up.

    And talking of the animated Marvel series, that scruffier looking Strange who makes an appearance comes from the story that saw him shatter his own existence trying to save Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams, who is also on screen here, looking very much alive as she did at the end of the first movie). Will he be a problem or an ally for “our” Strange? Only time will tell.

    Making her debut in this movie is a more recent character from Marvel comics, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), an interdimensional butt-kicker who is sure to have a big impact going forward.

    What this truly represents, though is a big homecoming for director Sam Raimi, who can unleash amazing imagery when he wants (with the music coming from old friend Danny Elfman). And, paired with a script from ‘Loki’s Michael Waldron, anything can happen… And probably will.

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ will open in theaters on May 6th.

    'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Poster Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Poster Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
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  • 2022 Oscar Nominations

    Oscars 2022 Nominees'
    Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

    The 2022 Oscar nominations were announced this morning by Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross.

    The 94th Academy Awards will take place on March 27, back after a couple of pandemic-affected years at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. For the first time in three years, the in-person event will have a host – or, according to broadcaster ABC, multiple hosts – though no names have yet been announced.

    Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog’ led the pack with 12 nominations, though ‘Dune’ is nipping at its heels with 10 (albeit left out of the major acting and directing categories).

    Let’s break down the big categories and you can find the full list of nominees below…

    BEST PICTURE

    This will be a tough category to call in terms of winners, especially with 10 nominees. ‘The Power of the Dog’ is surely the front-runner, but don’t count out ‘Belfast’ or ‘King Richard’.

    Neither ‘Being The Ricardos’ or Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘Tick, Tick…Boom!’ managed to make it to the final list which is something of a surprise given the love for both, with ‘Drive My Car’ more of a surprise. And sorry Spidey – while it is dominating the box office, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ couldn’t manage a berth here.

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    BEST DIRECTOR

    Jane Campion is the clear favorite here for ‘The Power of the Dog’ and has made Oscar history by becoming the first woman to score two Oscar nominations, following her nod in 1994 for ‘The Piano’. Yet she faces competition from the likes of Kenneth Branagh, whose sentimental ‘Belfast’ has drawn plenty of attention. Paul Thomas Anderson also seems to be in with a shout for ‘Licorice Pizza’

    Missing? We’d surely have predicted Guillermo del Toro for his work on ‘Nightmare Alley’ (which got a Best Picture nod but seems unlikely to win that given del Toro’s absence here) and Denis Villeneuve was surely in with a shot for ‘Dune’, but it was not to be.

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    BEST LEAD ACTOR

    No real shock to find Benedict Cumberbatch once again on an acting award nominees list, while Will Smith and Andrew Garfield were also talked up as locks.

    Perhaps an actual shock is the lack of acting nominations for ‘Licorice Pizza’. While Cooper Hoffman was not predicted to be in the running, we did think Alana Haim could end up in the Best Actress category.

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    BEST LEAD ACTRESS

    The likes of Colman, Chastain and Kidman were pretty much locks, though Kristen Stewart’s prospects for ‘Spencer’ had wavered of late, given the lack of love from either the Screen Actors Guild or the BAFTAs, yet she made it in here. Most shockingly, no sign of Lady Gaga for ‘House of Gucci’ and the film itself is a no-show beyond make-up and hairstyling. (Just picture Jared Leto’s Paolo wailing at the news).

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    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

    The biggest surprise here is the absence of Bradley Cooper, who missed out both on a nod for Nightmare Alley and didn’t make the Supporting Actor list for his comedic role as Jon Peters in ‘Licorice Pizza’.

    No sign of ‘Ben Affleck’ either, who had been drawing praise for his turn in ‘The Tender Bar’. Ciarán Hinds managed to make it through for ‘Belfast’, while co-star Jamie Dornan did not. Mostly, we want a video of ‘CODA’s Troy Kotsur reacting to his nomination, given the viral clip of him on the day of the BAFTA announcement.

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    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

    DeBose is surely in the lead here, though Buckley does good work in ‘The Lost Daughter’ and Dunst has been picking up plenty of attention for ‘The Power of the Dog’.

    No sign, sadly, of Marlee Matlin or Ruth Negga, who both deserved nods for ‘CODA’ and ‘Passing’ respectively. While it’s unlikely she’s winning again, there’s no denying the power of Dame Judi Dench.

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    BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

    Campion may well win this one, though we’d love to see ‘CODA’ snag this one.

    • ‘CODA’– Siân Heder
    • ‘Drive My Car’ – Ryûsuke Hamaguchi Takamasa Oe
    • ‘Dune’ Jon Spaihts – Denis Villeneuve Eric Roth
    • ‘The Lost Daughter’ – Maggie Gyllenhaal
    • ‘The Power of the Dog’ – Jane Campion
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    BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

    ‘Don’t Look Up’ continues to do well and could take this one, though ‘Licorice Pizza’ and ‘King Richard’ are big favorites. Aaron Sorkin didn’t make the list this year, with voters snubbing ‘Being the Ricardos’.

    • ‘Belfast’ – Kenneth Branagh
    • ‘Don’t Look Up’ – Adam McKay, David Sirota
    • ‘King Richard’ – Zach Baylin
    • ‘Licorice Pizza’ – Paul Thomas Anderson
    • ‘The Worst Person in the World’ – Eskil Vogt, Joachim Troer
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    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

    Despite the lack of love in the bigger categories besides Picture, ‘Nightmare Alley; is in with a chance here, though ‘Dune’ and ‘West Side Story’ are also big possibilities.

    • ‘Dune’ – Greig Fraser
    • ‘Nightmare Alley’ – Dan Laustsen
    • ‘The Power of the Dog’ – Ari Wegner
    • ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ – Bruno Delbonnel
    • ‘West Side Story’ – Janusz Kamiński
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    BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

    ‘Encanto’ is surely the big favourite, though don’t count out ‘Flee’, which made history by showing up in this category plus Best Documentary and Best International Feature Film. ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ would also be a fun win.

    • ‘Encanto’
    • ‘Flee’
    • ‘Luca’
    • ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’
    • ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’
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    BEST COSTUME DESIGN

    Locked out of the main categories, ‘Cyrano’ might find some love here, though with ‘Cruella’, ‘Dune’ and ‘Nightmare Alley’ also on the list, we don’t love its chances.

    • ‘Cruella’
    • ‘Cyrano’
    • ‘Dune’
    • ‘Nightmare Alley’
    • ‘West Side Story’
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    BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

    Some predicted a double Jonny Greenwood year (he also scored ‘Licorice Pizza’), but it may well be Zimmer’s time again, or even, given its surging success, ‘Encanto’s Germain Franco.

    • ‘Don’t Look Up’ – Nicholas Britell
    • ‘Dune’ – Hans Zimmer
    • ‘Encanto’ – Germaine Franco
    • ‘Parallel Mothers’ – Alberto Iglesias
    • ‘The Power of the Dog’ – Jonny Greenwood
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    BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

    ‘Flee’, as previously mentioned, pulled off the trick of multiple categories and is a strong contender here, though ‘Drive My Car’ might be the one to beat, also having shown up in Best Picture. No sign of ‘Lamb’, as some had predicted.

    • ‘Drive My Car’ – Japan
    • ‘Flee’ – Denmark
    • ‘The Hand of God’ – Italy
    • ‘Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom’ – Bhutan
    • ‘The Worst Person in the World’ – Norway
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    BEST SOUND

    • ‘Belfast’
    • ‘Dune’
    • ‘No Time to Die’
    • ‘The Power of the Dog’
    • ‘West Side Story’
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    BEST ORIGINAL SONG

    • ‘Be Alive,’ ‘King Richard’ – Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Dixson
    • ‘Dos Oruguitas,’ – ‘Encanto’ – Lin-Manuel Miranda
    • ‘Down to Joy,’ ‘Belfast’ – Van Morrison
    • ‘No Time to Die’, ‘No Time to Die’ – Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell
    • ‘Somehow You Do,’ ‘Four Good Days’ – Diane Warren
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    BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

    • ‘Ascension’
    • ‘Attica’
    • ‘Flee’
    • ‘Summer of Soul (…Or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)’
    • ‘Writing With Fire’
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    BEST FILM EDITING

    • ‘Don’t Look Up’
    • ‘Dune’
    • ‘King Richard’
    • ‘The Power of the Dog’
    • ‘Tick, Tick … Boom!’

    BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

    • ‘Coming 2 America’
    • ‘Cruella’
    • ‘Dune’
    • ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’
    • ‘House of Gucci’

    BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

    • ‘Dune’
    • ‘Nightmare Alley’
    • ‘The Power of the Dog’
    • ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’
    • ‘West Side Story’

    BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

    • ‘Dune’
    • ‘Free Guy’
    • ‘No Time to Die’
    • ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’
    • ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

    • ‘Audible’
    • ‘Lead Me Home’
    • ‘The Queen of Basketball’
    • ‘Three Songs for Benazir’
    • ‘When We Were Bullies’

    BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

    • ‘Ala Kachuu – Take and Run’
    • ‘The Dress’
    • ‘The Long Goodbye’
    • ‘On My Mind’
    • ‘Please Hold’

    BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

    • ‘Affairs of the Art’
    • ‘Bestia’
    • ‘Boxballet’
    • ‘Robin Robin’
    • ‘The Windshield Wiper’

    Trailers of the Oscars 2022 Movies

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  • ‘Doctor Strange’ Sequel Brings Horror to MCU

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' from Marvel Studios.
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ is shaping up to be a major first for the MCU. But, not in ways that people expect. The upcoming sequel, which is directed by Sam Raimi, will be the first horror movie set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    While this may not seem like a major upheaval of the formula Disney and Marvel have going, it could mean a change for the better for the future of the MCU and how Disney approaches its very heavily family friendly franchise.

    Before we get into the MCU present, it’s important to note that Marvel has attempted to make horror movies in the past, outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brand. Marvel was dipping into the genre all the way back in 1998 with ‘Blade,’ and one can even argue 2007’s ‘Ghost Rider.’ Both films being massive successes, and ‘Blade’ being a stepping-off point for Marvel creating more comic book films in the future.

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    When most people hear of a film so successful that it allowed Marvel to continue making movies, one wouldn’t think it was a ‘Blade,’ which was dark, violent and a horror film about a B-tier superhero. Not something as big as ‘Iron Man,’ or ‘Captain America.’ While you can easily explain this away as Marvel dipping its foot into the supernatural horror craze of the era, you can’t ignore the impact the film had on the superhero genre going forward.

    Now, what does this mean for the current MCU? While we have a ‘Blade’ film currently in development, it will not be the franchise’s first horror film. But that doesn’t mean ‘Multiverse of Madness’ can’t help influence the tone the film might end up having. But to get to the bottom of that, we have to talk about the movie’s two different directors.

    The first ‘Doctor Strange,’ released in 2016, was directed by Scott Derrickson, one of the prolific horror directors of the 2010s. The mind behind ‘Sinister‘ and ‘Deliver Us from Evil,’ both of which are incredibly terrifying and disturbing. While ‘Doctor Strange’ was a different project for him, it shared similarities with what he had done before. Surreal-sometimes scary-imagery, and otherworldly evil. You can’t argue that ‘Doctor Strange’ just felt different then everything in the MCU that came before it.

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    Even with something incredibly different, ‘Doctor Strange’ still was a hit, making $677.7 million at the box office. The numbers don’t lie; audiences enjoyed, well, the strange (no pun intended) and weird. As we’ve seen before, Marvel listens to the box office and the viewers. So, what does that mean for ‘Multiverse of Madness?’

    Enter Sam Raimi, and finally, why a horror movie could lead the MCU in the perfect direction. A lot of MCU fans know Raimi was the director of Marvel’s original ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy. But many more know him as the director of the iconic comedy-horror franchise, ‘The Evil Dead,‘ which was violent, funny and most importantly, scary. Everything that Marvel can use.

    Raimi is quite possibly the best director that can integrate horror into the superhero genre. Many consider the original ‘Evil Dead’ a great first-time horror film, and a great lead into the spooky and the scary. And while ‘Spider-Man’ was a long way from being scary or terrifying, Raimi has shown his props in both genres.

    Director Sam Raimi at San Diego Comic-Con
    Director Sam Raimi at San Diego Comic-Con.

    Horror is very moldable. We’ve seen everything from psychological horror, to comedy, to even humor driven towards the young adult genre. Horror can be done without being terrifyingly scary, which is what I believe to be a major misconception the filmgoing audience has, and is prominent in how people are handling the ideas of ‘Multiverse of Madness’ being a horror film.

    When one looks at horror, all they see is jump scares or brutal, gory violence. But horror can be used in so many ways, some of which has already been shown in the trailer. Everything from dimensional beings such as Gargantos (which in the film bears a striking resemblance to Lovecraft-inspired monsters) and even from everything we’ve seen, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) herself, which one can argue is a take on the monstrous feminine trope.

    What I’m trying to get at here is that Marvel would be really giving up something special if they don’t go full-in with the horror route. Horror is a genre that is very rarely touched in big name franchises like this, but the MCU has shown it’s not afraid to dip its toes into experimental works, with ‘Eternals‘ being a huge example of this.

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    But as we know, horror can scare away an all-ages audience. You alienate an audience by deviating too far from the mold, and this does seem too far to the normal viewer. This is all leading up to the reason why Marvel adding horror into such a huge franchise is fantastic.

    While early, they’ve shown that horror isn’t something they’re afraid to dive into to fit the source material. If ‘Blade’ had been released with no vampires save for Blade himself, how would that have worked? Or if the Spirit of Vengeance’s skull in ‘Ghost Rider’ was incredibly dumbed down and not realistic? For both films, the horror would have been pretty much non-existent and it would lose the point of the adaptation in the first place.

    Doctor Strange’s comics have always been weird and otherworldly. And while the first movie tackled that fantastically, the second film has a chance to continue. The first movie can be considered a toe-dip, inching people into the idea of an even freakier and out-there sequel. They’ve seen what the world looks like, now what if we go deeper?

    Benedict Cumberbatch in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' from Marvel Studios.
    Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ from Marvel Studios.

    While going deeper keeps it close to the comics, it also helps audiences open to the idea of this sequel breaking genre expectations. While you’d have trouble calling the first movie “scary”, that leaves ‘Multiverse of Madness’ open to pick up that mantle. And as we discussed, Marvel has a crazy number of angles they can take this from.

    But let’s also look at how crazy appealing this can make the horror genre. While we have had superhero horror films in the past, they have been considered cult. ‘Multiverse of Madness’ has a huge chance to change that, welcoming so many viewers into a genre that would have once scared them off, now having them in with open arms.

    It can also show that horror doesn’t just need to be for adults, and can create something that nearly every audience can lose themselves in, without returning home with nightmares (at least I hope not!) With ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ Marvel seems to be setting up their chance at branching out into other genres and experimental plans in the process.

    Whether this works out or not is still to be seen, but I think if any company can pull off getting a massive audience into a new genre of film; it’s Marvel. And I can’t wait to see how spooky they take it!

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  • Movie Review: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    Tom Holland and Zendaya in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'
    Tom Holland and Zendaya in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    The wait is finally over as the most anticipated film of 2021, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ is now in theaters. Much has been said about this film, who will be in it and who will not, but now audiences will be able to see for themselves, and they will not be disappointed. The film marks the third solo outing for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, as the hero finds his secret identity exposed in public and asks Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for help. But when Strange’s spell goes wrong, and Spider-Man villains from other universes begin to invade our Earth, Peter Parker and his friends must find a way to stop them before they destroy our world.

    In addition to Holland and Cumberbatch, the movie also stars several other MCU actors including Zendaya as MJ, Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds, Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan, and Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei as May Parker. The film also features actors from other Spider-Man movies reprising their roles like Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin from ‘Spider-Man,’ Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus from ‘Spider-Man 2,’ Thomas Haden Church as Sandman from ‘Spider-Man 3,’ Rhys Ifans as Lizard from ‘The Amazing Spider-Man,’ and Jamie Foxx as Electro from ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2.’ The result is a well-crafted and extremely entertaining love letter to Spider-Man fans that completely lives up to all of its outrageous expectations and is one of the best Spider-Man movies of all-time.

    The film begins almost exactly where “Spider-Man: Far from Home’ left off, with Peter Parker (Holland) being outed publicly by Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) as both Spider-Man and a murderer. The news completely changes Peter, his family and his friends’ lives, and in order to “fix it,” he asks Doctor Strange (Cumberbatch) to cast a spell so the world forgets he is Spider-Man. But while casting the spell, Peter tries to change it so his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), his Aunt May (Tomei), and best friend Ned (Batalon) don’t forget, and creates a chain of events that sees Spider-Man villains from the multiverse ascending on our Earth. To right their wrongs, and stop the multiverse from being destroyed, Strange tasks Peter, MJ, and Ned with collecting the villains and sending them back to their own world, where they will ultimately die. Peter can’t stand the idea of essentially sending these villains to their death, and after encouragement from Aunt May, he defies Strange’s wishes and vows to find a way to save the multiverse without killing his enemies.

    If you have been following the production of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ for the last year or so, then you know there have been dozens of rumors about which former Spider-Man movie actors and actresses might appear in the film, and I will neither confirm nor deny any of them. But since Sony wisely revealed the five former Spider-Man movie villains that appear in the movie before its release, I feel it’s safe to talk about them. Obviously, Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina get the most screen time as they are clearly the most beloved of the five villains included, and both actors returned to their roles exceedingly well. They both have the opportunity to play with elements of their characters that were not developed as much in their previous incarnations, especially Dafoe, whose “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” complex is better explained this time around. While Molina has a chance to play with the “Am I a villain or not?” aspect of his character that was only touched upon in the final moments of “Spider-Man 2.”

    The remaining three villains, Electro, Lizard and Sandman, are all somewhat polarizing characters from former Spider-Man movies that didn’t quite work in their previous incarnations. But in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ they are redeemed and allowed to be closer representations of their comic book counterparts. Jamie Foxx’s Electro is probably the best example, as fans hated his unusual blue form in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2.’ While it is referenced in this film, the character quickly becomes something new, which is closer to the Electro from the source material, and you can tell Foxx is enjoying his second chance at getting the role right.

    Oscar-nominee Thomas Hayden Church as Flint Marko/Sandman was not the problem with ‘Spider-Man 3,’ an over-bloated script with too many characters was, so it was nice to see him return as well. The filmmakers chose to keep Marko in his Sandman form through most of the film, which really works, and the CGI is fairly flawless. Unfortunately, Rhys Ifans’ Lizard gets the least amount of screen time, and while it is difficult to relate to a character that is basically a monster, the actor is given a few moments to shine. That being said, the returning villains all get better treatment this time around, and while technically they are the “Sinister Five” and not the comic book team known as the “Sinister Six,” this is certainly the closest we’ve ever gotten to seeing the infamous group of Spider-Man villains all on screen together in live-action fighting Spidey at the same time.

    At the risk of giving away spoilers, I will just say that there are some very cool “unexpected” appearances in the film, and with the exception of only one, they are much more than just cameos. The actors or actresses in question are allowed to really develop their characters and are integral to the plot and are not just in the movie as fan-service. I’m not denying that the film utilizes a lot of fan-service, but it is always in line with the story they are telling, and never feels forced or cheap. Yes, there is a mid-credit scene, while I won’t tell you what it is, I will say that it ties up loose ends from another popular mid-credit scene. There is also an end-credit tag, which is more than just a scene, and sets up a future MCU movie. Think the ‘Avengers’ trailer that ran at the end of ‘Captain America: The First Avenger.’

    But for all the multiverse shenanigans and other franchise actor appearances, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ works best as a coming-of-age love story between Peter Parker and MJ. Building on their previous MCU outings, the relationship between Peter and MJ, and to a lesser degree Peter and Ned, is really at the heart of the movie. Even though the plot is somewhat outlandish, it is always grounded by those simple relationships in Peter’s life, including his bond with Aunt May. As MJ, Zendaya embodies the modern-day superhero girlfriend, not a woman who stands on the sidelines waiting to be saved, but a heroine in her own right, in the thick of the battle with her hero boyfriend. She also happens to have some of the best lines in the film. But it’s Tom Holland who has really brought Peter Parker and Spider-Man back to his roots, playing the character as a young man trying to find his way through the world, even with amazing powers. Holland is charming, loveable, and sympathetic all at the same time and will be the one true Spider-Man for generations to come.

    Fans who have been waiting for the MCU to adapt certain elements of the Spider-Man mythos that have yet to be utilized will be very happy with this film, as the “With great power comes great responsibility” speech and other iconic moments from the source material are captured in the movie. For obvious reasons, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ feels like a live-action ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ but is so much more than just that one gimmick and in many ways feels like the most authentic Spider-Man movie yet. The film really sticks to the ideals that comic book legends Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created in the comic books all those decades ago. In the end, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is an entertaining and exhilarating movie that delivers on all its outrageous promises and expectations while building on the MCU’s Spider-Man by paying homage to all that has come before it. Not only is ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ the best of the solo Tom Holland movies, it is one of the best MCU films, and possibly even the best live-action Spider-Man movie ever made.

    ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home” receives 5 out of 5 stars.

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