Grab Your Popcorn: Fall Movie Recs & Previews

Reviews / Recommendations:

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

The latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” has broken movie barriers and box office records. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film includes remarkable performances, impressive cinematography, and a profound depiction of family. 

Simu Liu stars as the movie’s lead protagonist, Shang-Chi, who uses Shaun as his American name. Tony Leung, on the other hand, plays Wenwu, the lead antagonist and Shang-Chi’s grieving father. Meng’er Zhang plays sister Xialing, Fala Chen plays the late mother Ying Li, and Awkwafina takes on the role of Katy, Shang-Chi’s best friend and possible love interest. 

The movie begins with the backstory of power-hungry Wenwu and the ten arm rings that generate tremendous power. Looking for something to do, he creates a society named the Ten Rings, an army that has altered major historical events around the world. However, he leaves it all behind after falling in love with Ying Li. Together, they start a family, their children being Shang-Chi and Xialing. However, after Ying Li’s abrupt death, a grief-ridden and anger-driven Wenwu returns to and resumes his deadly society and trains his son to become a killer, leading Shang-Chi to run away, abandoning little sister Xialing. 

The film then fast forwards to the present, with Shaun working a valet job at a lavish hotel with Katy in San Francisco. His new life seems about as normal as you could imagine, but a wild bus-chase incident leaves Shaun reeling. Soon after, Shaun receives a cryptic message that reunites him with estranged family and sends him on a perilous mission. 

Many would agree that casting Tony Leung as Wenwu was one of the best choices in the film. Having experience from acting in countless Hong Kong dramas, Leung was able to bring the same passion and suspense, while not overdoing it. His presence and performance throughout the movie is dynamic and powerful; it was like he was made for the role. 

The humorous, delightful, and awkward sidekick Katy was played by Awkwafina. She absolutely satisfied every single comic relief moment; however, as for the romance bits, she lacked chemistry with Liu. Their relationship throughout the movie seemed more platonic rather than romantic.

Overall, I urge you to find time to watch “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”

The Suicide Squad

I have to admit, I’m not super into traditional superhero movies; however, “The Suicide Squad” may have changed my opinion. The film’s director is James Gunn, who also directed “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

The Suicide Squad, known officially as Task Force X, is an exclusive unit of villains sent on treacherous missions by Amanda Waller under the threat of inevitable death. If anyone rebels against Waller’s orders, a small bomb implanted at the base of their skull will go off.

“The Suicide Squad’s” heroes are sent on a dangerous mission that takes them to Latin America, where a dictatorship has just fallen after a bloody military coup. Their goal is to stop the new leaders who have accessed a confidential project and dismantle it before something happens.

It’s not necessary to watch the first “Suicide Squad,” as many of the original characters don’t make it to the sequel.

Previews:

Spider-Man: No Way Home

One of the most awaited Marvel films, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and its action-packed trailer seek to impress. The beginning of the preview sees Peter Parker struggling to deal with his no longer secret identity. The cliffhanger at the end of the previous movie, “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” leaves Parker in a perilous situation; he’s been framed for murdering Mysterio. Surrounded by chaos and fallout, Parker pursues the infamous Dr. Strange, who he hopes can reverse his identity reveal. But when the spell goes terribly wrong, everything turns to mayhem. The riveting scenes included in the three minute trailer don’t disappoint, pointing to another win for Marvel and all its loyal fans. Releasing December 17, be sure to check out this Spider-Man sequel!

The King’s Man

The long-anticipated “The King’s Man,” prequel to “Kingsman,” is set to release winter of 2021. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the film is set in the early 1900s and follows some of the most catastrophic criminals and tyrants who are plotting a war that will kill millions of innocent people. Little do they know, one man is racing to stop them before they can go through with it. Director Vaughn seeks to delve deeper into the “Kingsman” universe in the third movie of the series. The movie was originally set to release on November 15, 2019. However, it’s since been delayed seven times because of Covid-19. Assuming all goes as planned, set your calendar for December 22 to go watch “The King’s Man!”