A Perspective on ‘Black Panther’ and James Brown Star Chadwick Boseman (RIP)

“Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history.” — Chadwick Boseman (Nov. 29, 1976 – Aug. 28, 2020)

I know it’s been asked countless times already, but hasn’t the year 2020 been something else? I’m putting it very modestly. The passing of Los Angeles Lakers great, Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the other seven passengers who died in the helicopter crash. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Tony McDade. I definitely can’t fail to mention the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that continues to wreak havoc on the world. Now it’s Chadwick Boseman, who starred as King T’Challa in Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther,” died at the age of 43 following a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Movie Review: Joaquin Phoenix’s ‘Joker’ is a Brutal Portrayal of Mental Illness

Hey everyone, Ralph “The Perennial Aesthete” is here and thank you for joining me today. I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween as well. Now, let’s get down to business. I have to admit that I wasn’t initially crazy about a standalone ‘Joker’ movie. My immediate reaction to the first trailer to the film was, “come on Warner Bros. Just do a damn Batman movie!” I thought it was a desperate attempt to do something different; however, I had a change of heart after the next trailer and the early, positive buzz that was surrounding the movie before it’s official release.

‘Aquaman’ Raises the DCEU From the Depths; Conquers Christmas Box Office

First and foremost, I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and a happy holiday. I hope that as you read through my latest post, that you are found in the best of health, peace, prosperity and family fellowship. As many of you know, I’m a voracious movie devotee and avid comic book reader. Some folks are so quick to compare the success of Marvel/ Disney’s Cinematic Universe (MCU) to the DC Comics/ Warner Bros. Extended Universe (DCEU). I think it’s a bit unfair because Marvel was able to get a successful jump on their cinematic universe, and as I explained in an earlier post on the Justice League film, the movies of the DCEU have been overly scrutinized and dissected. Before I dive deeper into this review, I want to warn you of some minor spoilers ahead. As long as the waters are calm for you to navigate, please read on. Just a little Aquaman humor there.

Watch the Trailer to New Animated movie, ‘Bilal: A New Breed of Hero’ Inspired By True Events.

For now, I won’t get into the politics on why this animated film wasn’t more heavily promoted, but the trailer to this movie looks fantastic! The first fully Middle Eastern-funded and produced CGI-animation film, Bilal is inspired by the life of Hazrat Bilal bin Rabah, the Ethiopian slave and companion of the Prophet Muhammad “Peace Be Upon Him” (PBUH), whose valor was considered nothing short of legendary.

Here’s 13 Hints and Details In ‘Avengers: Infinity War’s’ Stellar New Trailer

In case you missed it, the first trailer to Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War has arrived and it looks spectacular.  The trailer to the upcoming Marvel blockbuster has set a new record for the most trailer views in a single day, racking up more than 200 million views in 24 hours.  If you ask me, that’s absolutely incredible.

Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film will host the biggest ensemble of superheroes to ever been cast in film history.  The buildup to Infinity War has been over a decade in the making, with the first Iron Man film setting the stage for things to come.  From the looks of things in the Infinity War trailer, I have a feeling that all the fun and cheerfulness that was present in Thor: Ragnarok, will be nonexistent in this film.  Things appear to be grim and futile for our heroes as Thanos shows up in style with a grin on his face and some prophetically, ill-boding words:  “In time, you will know what it’s like to lose.”

Review: ‘Justice League’ Heroes Rises To the Challenge, But Not Without It’s Flaws

Hey good people!  Your boy Ralph (The Perennial Aesthete) is here!  First and foremost, I hope that everyone who is reading this had a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving holiday.  A movie for Justice League has seemingly been on the horizon forever and finally we get to witness it.  I can’t express enough how lucky I am to be living in these times where comic book characters we loved as a kid, are being brought from the comic books to the big screen.  I had the opportunity to watch the Justice League film twice and I appreciated it even more the second time around.  I found it to be delightful and entertaining, but not without it’s missteps, sort of speak.  By far, the film is not flawless, but I felt that it’s flaws were outweighed by it’s terrific direction, decent dialogue and excellent casting, acting, score, visual effects and editing.  As you read further into the review, I just want to give you a heads up that there are some spoilers.  As long as it’s not an inconvenience to you, continue to read on!

In Case You Missed It, Marvel Has Blessed Us With A New ‘Black Panther’ Trailer

I can’t say this enough.  It’s a wonderful time to be either a comic book creative, a fan or a little of both.  Technology has caught up and continues to advance at a rapid pace.  The things you can do with cinematography and filmmaking nowadays is incredible.  You can literally create stunning, virtual worlds on the movie screen, where it’s only limits is the extent of the creator’s imagination.  That concept alone, brings us to the world of Wakanda, which is an Afrofuturist fantasy land.  By the looks of the trailer, Black Panther is shaping up to be Marvel’s most ambitious, breathtaking film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Watching it for the 100th time now, I’m still blown away by the action sequences, the costume designs and the music choices.  Have you noticed the cast?!  This could be the most talented (and beautiful) group of people pulled together for a Marvel film!  Besides acting standouts Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong’o, there’s The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira (fellow fighter Okoye), Angela Bassett (T’Challa’s mother, Ramonda), Michael B. Jordan (T’Challa’s Wakandan rival Erik Killmonger), Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya (T’Challa’s second-in-command, W’Kabi), recent Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown (the mysterious N’Jobu), Forest Whitaker (warrior Zuri), and Marvel returnees Martin Freeman (Everett K. Ross) and Andy Serkis (Ulysses Klaue/Klaw).

Superman Honored In New ‘Justice League’ “Heroes” Trailer Unveiled At New York Comic Con 2017

Are you ready for more Justice League awesomeness?  Maybe that’s not the main question that most fans have been chattering about.  When are we going to get a glimpse of Superman, along with his black suit in Warner Bros. movie, based on the DC Comics?  Personally, I think Warner Bros. is doing a masterful job with how Superman is being handled.  I thought the dream sequence in the latest trailer that debuted at NYCC (New York Comic Con) yesterday was simple, but brilliant.

Film Review: Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ Was Pure Sci-Fi Bliss

What’s up guys?  Ralph a.k.a. the “Perennial Aesthete” is here.  It’s been awhile, but I hope you’re all in the best of health and happiness.  Speaking of being happy, to describe Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the sequel to Marvel’s 2014 swash-buckling science-fiction adventure, I’d have to say it was pure euphoric bliss.  It brought back memories from my childhood when I used to sit in my room drawing comic book characters and reading my favorite comics such as Iron Man, the Avengers, Spider-Man and the Mighty Thor.

‘Kong: Skull Island’ Review: The Ape King Makes A Gargantuan Return – But Kong Is Not The Only King

If you’ve already watched Kong: Skull Island and you stayed past the end credits, you should be clear on one thing—that Kong is not the only king.  You should also know that the ‘Toho Initiative’ is a go.  That’s just a mere reference to Nick Fury’s (Samuel Jackson) visit to Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in Marvel Studio’s 2008 film, Iron Man, in which Fury informs Stark that he’s putting together a team of superheroes.  In this case, Kong: Skull Island, is the next chapter of Legendary Picture’s “MonsterVerse,” a new cinematic universe that’s highly anticipated to reach a pinnacle in a Godzilla vs. Kong movie in 2020.