#andrew lanham

[stuff-diary]

The Glass Castle

Movies watched in 2023

The Glass Castle (2017, USA)

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Writers: Destin Daniel Cretton & Andrew Lanham

Mini-review:

I don't really know how to feel about this movie, to be honest. On the one hand, the whole cast does a phenomenal job, both adults and children. The film is also very handsomely made. However, I felt like it struggled when it came to choosing a tone. It wants to be a somewhat schmaltzy tale about overcoming obstacles and finding your place in the world, but it also wants to be a gritty story about a woman who went through a really harsh childhood. I'm sure these two elements can be properly mixed, but I just don't think The Glass Castle succeeds as often as it should. By the time the movie was over, I wasn't entirely sure about what the movie wanted me to think about its characters. One thing it did achieve is making me interested in the original memoir, cause it's clear this a fascinating story that got kind of lost in translation during the adaptation process. Also, if anyone wants to watch this movie, you should probably check the content warnings first. There are several triggering scenes and situations.

[moviesframes]

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

Cinematography by William Pope

[directorsnarrative]

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings • Director Destin Daniel Cretton

[straightfromamovie]

If you aim at nothing, you hit nothing.

Ta Lo Villager,  Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

[neodemon591]

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Review

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton who co-wrote the screenplay with Dave Callaham and Andrew Lanham. The film stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Michelle Yeoh, and Tony Leung. The latest MCU film introduces the character of Shang-Chi (Liu) a master of martial arts whose heroic journey begins by confronting and learning more about his past. In his journey of becoming a hero he learns more about the mystical Ten Rings and how that is also connected to his family history. I’ll say this off the bat, this was damn refreshing and a great new take in the comic book genre. This is another hit for the MCU that boasts wonderful performances, great action, and a story with characters that many of us fans will adore and love for years to come. 

There’s no better way to get your career launched than being a lead in a comic book film and Simu Liu delivers. This is his film and he carries it from beginning to end and backs it up with both the stunts and acting, Shang-Chi is a character that we’re all going to want to see more of in this film. I hope that this is only the beginning for Simu Liu and that his career goes well beyond the MCU as he gets more prominent roles in feature films. Among the many great supporting roles in this film, Tony Leung gives this nuanced and complex performance as the leader of the Ten Rings and Shang-Chi’s father. There’s so much going on with his character that makes him one of the most compelling villains in the MCU to date. Plus as someone who’s had a strained relationship with my father, I can relate well to that relationship the two of them have in this film. 

I don’t know how many will think this after watching the film, but this has some of the best action in an MCU film that rivals the two Captain America sequels. This is a martial arts film and it’s done beautifully and takes elements from past martial arts cinema and incorporates it into this MCU comic book world. The action and choreography of the fight scenes that go on in this film are great and the stunt team behind this film should be applauded tremendously. There’s also this wonderful exploration of Asian culture and mysticism that is integral to the story of this film. The mysticism and how that plays into the visual storytelling is I’ll just say amazing, don’t want to spoil much about that. I also want to give a shout out to Joel P West who composed this film and created a score that felt like a classic Asian centered film. 

After the credits rolled I sat in the theater and just smiled at what this film was and what it added to the MCU. I didn’t really have any flaws with the film and I think most who watch this would concur with that. Sure there may be some small nitpicks here and there, but I believe this will be one of the top tier MCU films. Shang-Chi is something that I believe the MCU needed to kick off their new phase of films going forward into the future. It’s an origin story yes, but it is so much more than that and what meets the eye. Anyone who watches this film can relate to the characters and story, that’s what makes these films appealing to the general movie going audience. Shang-Chi is not just a comic book film, but a celebration of Asian culture that takes pride in the story that it’s telling. 

[genevieveetguy]

Throughout my life, the Ten Rings gave our family power. If you want them to be yours one day, you have to show me you are strong enough to carry them.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Destin Daniel Cretton (2021)

[geekcavepodcast]

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Teaser

Shang-Chi just wants to leave his past behind and live his life. The Ten Rings looks to have other plans.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Tony Leung (Wenwu - aka the Mandarin in comics), Awkwafina (Shang-Chi’s friend Katy), Michelle Yeoh (Jiang Nan), Fala Chen, Meng’er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, and Ronny Chieng. The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton from a screenplay by Cretton, David Callaham, and Andrew Lanham.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hits theaters on September 3, 2021.

(Image via Marvel Comics)

[filmreviewonline]

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Teaser Trailer & lowdown -

New Post has been published on https://filmreviewonline.com/2021/04/20/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-rings-teaser-trailer-lowdown/

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Teaser Trailer & lowdown -

The Teaser Trailer debuted for Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings and it is full on action!

This week the poster for Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings also debuted on star actor Simu Liu’s social sites. It was only after this the poster debut did the action-packed teaser trailer release. You can check out both below.

Disney has a theatrical release planned for September 3, 2021.

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Teaser

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings lowdown

Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi. In the film he must confront the past he thought he left behind. Doing so he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.

The film also stars:-

Tony Leung (also known as Tony Leung Chiu Wai) as Wenwu

Awkwafina as Shang-Chi’s friend Katy. Her actual name is Nora Lum. She is an actress and also a rapper!

and Michelle Yeoh, now well know to Star Trek fans, as Jiang Nan

We also have:-

Fala Chen

Meng’er Zhang

Florian Munteanu

and Ronny Chieng

Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings – Poster: Simu Liu as Shang-Chi ©2021 Marvel Studios

Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings – Tony Leung as Wenwu ©2021 Marvel Studios

The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. David Callaham & Destin Daniel Cretton & Andrew Lanham wrote the screenplay.

It is produced by Kevin Feige and Jonathan Schwartz, with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso and Charles Newirth serving as executive producers.