adamgehrke.com

Caught in the midst of a galactic war between two alien races, Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), becomes an incredibly sought after asset on both sides of the equation. So, when her first mission lands her on earth, the rookie soldier learns more about her origins than she could ever anticipate. With newfound knowledge it’s her tenacity and inner sense of self that drives her to rise above and become Captain Marvel, one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. Directed and Written by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, this condensed origin story serves as a sharp and politically savvy step forward in the Marvel Cinematic Universe creating a female hero, unrelenting in her beliefs of right and wrong with a take no crap attitude; able to hang with the toughest, get knocked down, and, get back up, stronger than before. And, it’s Larson’s deft walk between snark and bite that earns her stripes in the Marvel academy, she’s got “it!” Accompanied by a stellar surrounding cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Annette Bening, and Jude Law there isn’t a sour apple in the bunch. And, despite the constrictive cinematography that accompanies the first act in its action coverage, the second and third acts sing with a poetic ease. Choice in score and music is also sure to bring a smile to the face of any child of the 90’s, reliving grunge, punk/ska hits with the requisite amount of vigor. A message of empowerment for the whole family and just plain fun all round, Captain Marvel is rated PG-13.

Straight outa Norwich U.K., the Bevis family including dad Ricky (Nick Frost), mom Julia (Lena Headey), brother Zak (Jack Lowden) and daughter Saraya (Florence Pugh) are a family that make their living putting on adrenaline filled semi-pro wrestling matches. Set on hitting the big time and making it to the WWE both Zak and Saraya bring it to the mat, but only Saraya will move on. With the WWE Saraya will transition to become the diva phenom known as Paige, but at what cost?

Written and Directed by Stephen Merchant and based the actual story of the Bevis family of Norwich, this endearing tale of thrills chills and spills brings hope and aims to lift up where Aronofsky’s The Wrestler (2008) casts a darker shadow. Told with spit, grit, and muscle, Merchant’s wit and direction keeps this merry cast of miscreants perfectly balanced on the brink between pile driver and scorpion death lock, that is to say the laughs come just as easily as the cringe and wince worthy moments. Well played from the top ropes, Fighting with My Family is rated PG-13.

With years of co-existence between humans and dragons in the land of Burk a new threat moves to the forefront, the arrival of the tyrannical Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham), a dragon slayer bent on killing all of the Night Furies in existence. Threatened, Chief Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) motions to move the dragons to the mythic and legendary Hidden World. On the move the Burkians will be at a disadvantage, will they ever find the hidden world, or will they lose their dragons once and for all?

Directed by Dean DeBlois and written by DeBlois and Cressida Cowell this animated smorgasbord feast brings the crispest and most challenging textures to life in stunning beauty matched by an entertaining narrative, which, while not challenging in any regard still provides for a positive and empowering family friendly rollicking good time. And, with talented cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Kristen Wiig, the laughs and chuckles come easy enough. A family friendly matinee seems in order here, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is rated PG.