James' World 2

Downton Abbey: A New Era is a historical drama and the sequel to the 2019 film Downton Abbey. Both films were written by Julian Fellowes, the creator, and writer of the television series of the same name, with the sequel being directed by Simon Curtis, replacing Michael Engler who directed the first film.  Like the first film, Downton Abbey: A New Era received generally positive reviews from critics. As one of my favorite movies, A New Era didn’t disappoint.  I loved this movie!

Downton Abbey begins in 1928 with Earl of Grantham’s widowed son-in-law, Tom Branson (Allen Leech), marrying Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton), Lady Bagshaw’s secret illegitimate daughter, and sole heir to the Bagshaw estate. Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), the Dowager Countess of Grantham, reveals that long ago, the recently deceased Marquis de Montmirail gave her a villa that she intends to bequeath to her…

Firestarter is a science fiction thriller directed by Keith Thomas, from a screenplay by Scott Teems, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King and serving as a remake of the 1984 film adaptation. It is produced by Jason Blum and Akiva Goldsman under their Blumhouse Productions and Weed Road Pictures banners, respectively, alongside BoulderLight Pictures and Angry Adam Pictures.  I was amazed to find Firestarter in theaters as well as on Peacock.  Of course, I had to see it since it’s about a superhero.

The film begins with a flashback of an emotional baby in her crib, who spontaneously sets the room on fire with her superpowers, which sends her father (Zac Efron) Andrew “Andy” McGee into a panic.

Firestarter profiles the life of 11-year-old Charline “Charlie” McGee(Ryan Kiera Armstrong), who was born with special abilities.  She had no idea how to control…

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comic character, Doctor Strange. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the sequel to Doctor Strange (2016) and the 28th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Sam Raimi and written by Michael Waldron. In this version, Dr. Strange protects a teenager capable of traveling the multiverse. Being a fan of all DC and Marvel films, I was anxious to see this new version of Dr. Strange. I thought the film was very well done.

While attending the wedding of his longtime ex-girlfriend Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) a giant octopus demon is attacking people just outside the reception. Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) investigates only to find a young teenager, who goes by the name America Chavezbeing (Xochitl Gomez), being targeted by the…

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is a fantasy film directed by David Yates from a screenplay by J. K. Rowling and Steve Kloves. It is the sequel to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), the third installment in the Fantastic Beasts film series, and the eleventh overall in the Wizarding World franchise. Set several years after the events of its predecessor, the film sees Albus Dumbledore tasking Newt Scamander and his allies with a mission that takes them into the heart of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald’s army. While I find Dumbledore films sometimes a little hard to follow, I think Secrets of Dumbledore was well done and a little less complex.

It was 1932 in Kweilin, China, when Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) helped a Qilin, which is a magical creature that can see into one’s soul as well as the future, give birth. Gellert Grindelwald’s acolytes, led by Credence Barebone…

The Northman is an epic historical fiction action film directed by Robert Eggers, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sjón. The film is based on the legend of Amleth. The plot follows Amleth, a Viking prince who sets out on a quest to avenge the murder of his father.

Skarsgård had wanted to make a Viking film for several years, and Eggers decided to make the film his third project after the pair met to discuss possible collaborations.  While I don’t get to see many Viking movies, I am a fan of the star from when he starred in the Netflix series, “True Blood”, so I decided to give The Northman a try.  It was extremely violent and very dark.  Not really my cup of tea but The Northman was well acted and the story was a true Viking real-life plot.

In AD 895, King Aurvandill War-Raven (Ethan Hawke) returns to…

“Ambulance” is an action thriller directed and produced by Michael Bay. A co-production between New Republic Pictures, Bay Films, Endeavor Content, and Project X Entertainment. The film is based on the 2005 Danish film of the same name by Laurits Munch-Petersen and Lars Andreas Pedersen. The story follows two adoptive siblings turned bank robbers who hijack an ambulance and take two first responders hostage. The movie has Lots of action but is totally unbelievable.

War veteran Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who desperately needs $231,000 for his wife Amy’s (Moses Ingram) surgery, reaches out to Danny Sharp (Jake Gyllenhaal), his adoptive brother and a life-long criminal, who talks him into taking part in a $32 million bank heist. Will initially refuses but agrees after Danny reminds Will of his wife’s expensive surgery, which is not covered by insurance. The heist nearly succeeds until Officer Zach (Jackson White)…