Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange [PG-13]

(Marvel Cinematic Universe, phase 3, part 2 of 10)

Action, Adventure, Fantasy

November 4, 2016 - Marvel Studios

Directed by Scott Derrickson

Grade B-

Up-graded from C.

+1: Cast including Benedict Cumberbatch (as Dr. Stephen Strange).

par: “Bad guy” Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), motivations.

+1: Visual effects.

par: Story.

par: Installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

[synopsis on IMDB]

+1: 3D effects.

par: Mid-credits & post-credits bonus scenes.

Art by Bryan Mon

The Magnificent Seven

The Magnificent Seven (2016, remake) [PG-13]

Action, Adventure, Western

September 23, 2016 - MGM

Directed by Anton Fuqua

Grade B-

Up-graded from C.

+1: Cast including Denzel Washington (as Chisholm), and Chris Pratt (Jon Faraday).

+1: Big gun battles of cowboy armies.

par: Mythic Hollywood storytelling including bullet-proof heroes and all-powerful Gatlin guns.

par: Character development.

par: Story - entertainment vs. commentary.

8/10 against the original source film “Seven Samurai” (1954, Dir. Akira Kurosawa)

[synopsis on IMDB]

Art by Bryan Mon