‘Before I Fall’ Review: A Young Adult Novel That Should Have Never Been Turned Into A Movie

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‘Before I Fall’ is a trope ridden slog that reminds us that not every young adult novel needs to be turned into a film.

Summary

The story centers around Samantha Kingston (Zoey Deutch) and the circumstances surrounding her last day of high school, which also happens to be her last day on Earth. From what we know about Samantha, she appears to be living the typical life of any other teenager. She’s got a clique of friends that could easily be confused with the cast of Mean Girls. Her parents (Jennifer Beals and Nick Lea) try to understand her, but she’s bitchy towards them on a semi-consistent basis. So, of course, being that it’s the last day of school, someone decides to throw a hell of a kegger (I mean, what could go wrong).

Kingston decided to go to the party so she can get some liquid courage as later that evening she’s supposed to meet up with her boyfriend and go “all the way” with him. So in the midst of this party, the artsy girl who this clique has picked on since the beginning of time decided to show up, and she has an agenda. The group and the girl come to blows, she runs off, and they drive off. During the drive home, a horrific accident happens, and Samantha wakes back up in her bed as if that day never occurred. Or did it?

What Worked

I do appreciate the efforts that Director Ry Russo-Young and screenwriter Maria Maggenti went to attempting to connect the teen experience and the ripple effect your actions can have on others.

At times the cinematography in the film was above average. For example, when Samantha had finally figured out what she need to do to make things right. They shot those moments from her point of view focusing on the true beauty that surrounded her and was present the entire time.

What Didn’t Work

The Director and Screenwriter appeared more than willing to tackle some weighty subject matter in this film but only glossed over those topics (ex. relationships, death, sisterhood).

This movie has every stereotypical character that you’ve seen in any number of teenage dramas. You’ve got the beautiful but misunderstood girl, her friend that’s terrible towards her, the friend who wants more (aka The ducky character), the awful boyfriend or girlfriend, and a friend who want them all to stop fighting. Nothing compelling just regurgitated stereotypes that detract from what could have been a decent film.

I realize that this is adapted from a Young Adult Novel, but the screenwriter has to understand that what works in book form, doesn’t necessarily work on screen. In the book, Before I Fall, the use of flashbacks, in the beginning, works because of the schema set up in the first chapter. In the film, we are left wondering what just happened and that derails any enjoyment the audience might have in the movie.

The performances were at best mediocre and something that I would have thought been appropriate for the ABC Family channel.

Final Thoughts

Seeing ‘Before I Fall’ this weekend would be a complete waste of your time and money. While the premise seems like a good one, the writing and directing of this film is what ultimately cause its downfall. Why waste your time with a movie that is only going to leave a bad taste in your mouth? Especially, when we have other films this weekend that certainly deserve your time.

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‘Trainspotting 2’ Has a Brand New Trailer

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Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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March 2, 2017

Trainspotting 2 has a brand new trailer, and from the looks of things this Danny Boyle long-gap sequel certainly has potential to be as good as the original. This one has a subtitle “Legacy,” which has to do with the flashback opening no doubt.

Check it out:

First there was an opportunity……then there was a betrayal. Twenty years have gone by. Much has changed but just as much remains the same. Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns to the only place he can ever call home. They are waiting for him: Spud (Ewen Bremner), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), and Begbie (Robert Carlyle). Other old friends are waiting too: sorrow, loss, joy, vengeance, hatred, friendship, love, longing, fear, regret, diamorphine, self-destruction and mortal danger, they are all lined up to welcome him, ready to join the dance.

It’s great that everyone is a) alive, and b) back to make Trainspotting 2. And what’s most comforting is the fact that Danny Boyle is directing again. Always a plus. It sure feels like T2 will capture some of the magic of the original but in a different, more mature way, given the advanced age of our central characters.

Trainspotting 2 will hit theaters in the U.S. March 31.

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Get Your First Look At The ‘DuckTales’ Reboot

By

Matthew Sardo

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March 2, 2017

Disney XD released a first look at the ‘DuckTales’ reboot coming to the small screen this summer.

The series stars David Tennant as Scrooge McDuck; Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, and Bobby Moynihan as the voices of Huey, Dewey and Louie, respectively; Kate Micucci as Webby Vanderquack; Beck Bennett as Launchpad McQuack and Toks Olagundoye as Mrs. Beakley, and will follow the epic family of ducks on their high-flying adventures around the world.

Matt Youngberg is the creator of this new series, with many of the stories being derived from Carl Barks’ work in the 1980s.

The new show has a talented team behind it, including such names as Matt Youngberg (Ben 10: Omniverse, Teen Titans), and Sean Jimenez (Gravity Falls, The Iron Giant).

Are you excited for the return of ‘DuckTales?’ Comment below.

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About Last Night – Episode 2: Logan Review

By

EJ Moreno

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March 2, 2017

Monkeys Fighting Robots Exclusive: “About Last Night”: Logan Review

Movie critic EJ from Monkeys Fighting Robots talks about the movie he saw last night. This week’s episode is the Logan review! Join in on the debate and see why EJ says this should be the last X-Men film ever.

Synopsis: In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.
[FoxMovies.com]

Genre: Superhero (Western/Drama)
Country: USA
Directed By: James Mangold
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dafne Keen, Patrick Stewart, and Donald Pierce

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Young Johnny Depp Pops Up in New ‘Pirates of The Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge’ Trailer

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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March 2, 2017

Pirates of The Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge, is the fifth installment in a franchise that should have quit after the first one. And now, we get to see a young Johnny Depp in the latest trailer, thanks to the popular new CGI technology that will probably pop up in way too many films going forward.

Check it out. I guess:

Johnny Depp returns to the big screen as the iconic, swashbuckling anti-hero Jack Sparrow in the all-new Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The rip-roaring adventure finds down-on-his-luck Captain Jack feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing strongly his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the terrifying Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea—notably Jack. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy. At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune, but to save his very life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has ever faced.

The only hope here is that Javier Bardem will save this movie. He looks creepy and all that, but seriously who asked for Pirates of The Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge? If you can separate the plots and storylines of the last three Pirates movies, you deserve some sort of medal.

Anyway, Pirates of The Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge will be here May 26. Brace yourselves.

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Review: Dolph Lundgren is A Mississippi Demon Hunter in B-Movie Gore-Fest ‘Don’t Kill It’

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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Don’t Kill It thrives on its B-movie bloodlust, a midnight drive-in flick that hits almost all the right schlocky notes. It’s brutal, it’s nihilistic, it’s having a blast firing off bloody squibs on its victims and its star, Dolph Lundgren, feels right at home here. Yet it never really forges any new path in the Joe-Bob Briggs genre of micro-budgeted horror cinema. This one is for the true fans.

Mike Mendez’s film wastes no time getting to the gore. We kick things off with a father, possessed by some sort of mystical orb he finds in the woods, murdering his family before sprinting across the street and laying waste to his unsuspecting neighbors. He is killed by that family’s father, who immediately takes on the possession and begins a murder spree of his own. That’s the gimmick to this demonic possession: the possessed has black eyes and a need to kill anyone and everyone in their sight, but when they are killed the evil spirit transfers to the one who killed its current host. There’s a whole lot of killing here, and we’re only five minutes in!

The murders draw the attention of the FBI, represented here by Evelyn Pierce, who used to live in this small Mississippi town (when she left to be an FBI agent she had to have cut the town’s population by at least 40 percent). There’s some thought that these murders may be terror-related, and the last killer is still on the loose. Pierce and the dopey sheriff try and put the pieces together, but they don’t quite know what they’re dealing with. Enter Lundgren, playing the epically-named Jedediah Woodley.

Jebediah has seen some shit. He knows what’s happening in this town and what needs to be done. Evelyn and the sheriff, clearly suspicious of this giant blonde mystic wearing all the necklaces and talking up demons and possession, decide to lock him up and go about solving this very not-weird-at-all killing spree. It doesn’t take them long to figure out Jebediah may be on to something here, so they spring him from the hoosegow and get tot he business of demon slaying.

Don’t Kill It then becomes your standard demon-hunting schlock fest. Lundgren fits into this world of low-rent, blood-spattered violence as well as anyone who’s traveled this cinematic landscape. The acting is fine, what you would expect, and Mendez’s direction often overcomes its budgetary limitations with some intense music and, eventually, frenetic pacing. Things do take a while to get going, but when they do it’s balls to the wall.

Yet still, there is nothing new here. Don’t Kill It has a gimmick with its demons, which gets the story going, but once it settles into the machinations of the plot it hits all the familiar beats. For fans of the midnight monster flicks, they will find plenty to enjoy here. For anyone else, it may not be worth their time.

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LEGION Chapter 4 Turns Up The Weird And Transcends

By

Brandon J. Griffin

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March 2, 2017

Three weeks ago, audiences were exposed to the mad world of David Haller. He’s the most powerful mutant in existence that may or may not be a paranoid schizophrenic. The show immediately challenged us to open our minds wider than ever before. This week, Legion “Chapter 4” turns up the weird and transcends into a new plane of existence.

Dear ol’ David is in coma-like sleep, his mind has wandered deep into the astral plane. While he discovers the where and why of his current state, Syd and the others investigate. They attempt to solve the mysteries of David’s memories. Along the way they uncover a number twists and surprises before falling into a trap set by “The Eye.”

Jemaine Clement joins this already impressive cast, dazzling viewers with an impressive performance. With David and Syd separated for most of the episode, Dan Stevens and Rachel Keller are forced to carry their own narratives. They both step up to plate big-time, having settled completely into their characters enough to stand apart.

Imagery and visual exploration has been a major theme of the series, “Chapter 4” pushes the boundaries even farther. Each scene acts as a fuzzy memory or nightmare the viewer must analyze along with the characters. Legion functions as a highly entertaining puzzle, challenging the audience to dive as deep into their strange void as they can.

Loaded with misdirection and strategic dialogue, every revelation unravels what you thought you knew. None of the action or shocking visuals come across as anything short of brilliant. Firing on all cylinders, Legion is an experience like no other. All four episodes have taken significant steps in visual storytelling. This program’s success should prove that networks like FX should continue to be bold and ambitious.

The experience so far has been an emotional one, fulfilling every desired category on the spectrum. Heart-wrenching drama, explosive action, enthralling romance, and even sheer terror. There’s nothing else on television quite like this, and it’s based on X-Men comic books; that’s a major achievement.

Those feeling the fatigue of super hero over-saturation, need not worry. This show has more in common with The Matrix, Inception, and The Big Lebowski than it does any X-Men film. While Marvel’s Netflix series have been revelations in super hero television, Legion is a revelation for television in general.

If you’ve been enjoying the show, be sure to check out Simon Spurrier’s X-Men Legacy run. It focuses completely on David and is as impressive as the series is. What do you think of Legion so far? Let us know in the comments!

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Watch The First Trailer For ‘Pokemon – I Choose You!’

By

Aric Sweeny

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March 1, 2017

The first trailer for 2017’s Pokemon – I Choose You! has been released on Youtube via PokeUniverse. Watch it down below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWTq8btBa7Y

As a lifelong fan of the franchise, I can’t wait for this film. Serving as a modern re-telling of the original story that united Ash and Pikachu, Pokemon – I Choose You! will almost certainly attract fans of the original 151, along with kids who only recently got into the series.

The movie will be released in theaters on July 15 in Japan. Currently there are no details on when Pokemon – I Choose You! will be released in North America.

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Patty Jenkins Is Excited To See Matt Reeves’ ‘Batman’ Film

By

Aric Sweeny

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March 1, 2017

Recently, a Twitter user and DC Extended Universe fan alike asked Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins her thoughts on Matt Reeves officially joining the DCEU and directing the Ben Affleck led Batman film. Here’s what she had to say.

He really is. I'm so excited to see his Batman, and have him in the DC universe. Great choice!

— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) March 1, 2017

“I’m so excited to see his Batman, and have him in the DC universe. Great choice!”

It’s great to see directors’ positivity towards each other, especially in the midst of the controversial cinematic universe that Warner Bros. is trying to set up.

What are your thoughts on Reeves directing The Batman? Is he the perfect choice? Be sure to comment below!

“Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.”

The Jenkins directed Wonder Woman hits theaters on June 2.

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Superman Mysteries Coming To The Surface

By

Brandon J. Griffin

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March 1, 2017

Reading Superman comics is fun again, the biggest turn around success story for DC Rebirth. One of the most compelling elements so far has been the number of mysteries afoot. With Superman: Reborn kicking off this week, some of those mysteries are coming to the surface.

The creepy “other” Clark has had fans chomping at the bit since he was introduced in Action Comics. This arc will finally address the powerless Kent-elephant in the room.

Writer Peter J. Tomasi plays the slow burn game, not showing all his cards just yet. We still don’t know what Clark’s deal is, but he’s got it out for the Smith (Kent) family. By issue’s end, Jon has been taken from his parents. A mysterious white flame has also engulfed their house and everything in it.

The white fire started after Jon came face-to-face with “creep-o Clark.” Tomasi has transformed him into a character that makes readers anxious every time he appears. The closer he’s gotten to the family, the more tension has slowly risen.

Other Clark isn’t the only mystery having light shed on it. Mr. Oz appears to be having some issues with whatever he is planning. We see Tim Drake reveling in the fact that one of his specimen has escaped. Oz visits a wall covered in messages to Superman, begging him to come rescue the escapee.

Mr. Oz has been operating in the shadows of many DC titles. Whether he is indeed Watchmen’s Ozymandius remains to be seen. Whoever he is, Mr. Oz certainly plays a big part in the New 52-DC Rebirth transition.

Tomasi has done incredible things building the readers’ relationship with Jon. At this point, he matters almost as much to diehard Superman fans as he does to Superman himself. This series has also developed Clark Smith (Kent) as a father so well that it’s hard not to feel all the parenting fears he does.

To take Jon away, and everything that belongs to them, is a gut punch to any reader with kids. Lois and Clark are about to be put through their toughest challenge yet. All that matters is getting their boy back.

Patrick Gleason proves his worth as a key contributor fully in this issue. Every emotional beat hits readers right in the heart. The looks in their eyes as Jon slowly disappears in Superman’s arms is devastatingly effective.

The art also helps deepen the transition of creepy Clark. His shadowy figure makes readers uncomfortably intrigued. When he looks back at Jon, before the fire starts, the panel oozes desperation and anger. John Kalisz’s coloring only deepens the emotional weight of each panel.

With Superman: Reborn Part I in the books, we’re one step closer to getting our answers. Peter J. Tomasi’s narrative strategy has been fully paying off. This issue had me on the edge of my seat, then broke my Jon Kent-loving heart. DC Rebirth has so far lived up to their promise, Superman comics are the biggest example.

What do you think of the series so far? Did this issue satisfy or tease you? Who do you think these mysterious characters really are? Let us know in the comments!

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