PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING... time to take control of your life

What could be deeper and insightful about big robots kicking their asses and fighting to each other in a big scale, meaning that cities will be destroyed and lots of people might die in the process but hey!, it's a blockbuster spectacle where we get to see amazing FX and make our childhood biggest dreams where our robot toys where fighting monsters until one of them will ended breaking apart. But definitely still can't find anything deep, life changing, up to a philosophical conversation to bring up to the table about all that boy's fantasy, but just that nostalgia of actually seeing those fights come alive in the big screen. So, following the events of the the original film, that was conceived by director Guillermo del Toro and his affection for monsters as a way to explain and explore more of the human condition, but not even that first entry was a beloved gem for the critics, and neither the box office was a success, but did enough in it's run internationally that the studio decided to green light a sequel in hopes of repeat a global success and make more money about it, but again, seems like there is nothing artistic or meaningful behind the idea of continuing this saga where the world was under attacked of an alien invasion that was coming from a rupture in the Pacific Ocean that was connecting to different worlds, making us the target for a alien species to become extinct and maybe use our natural resources or just erase us from the map as an entire species. But while the first movie explores topics such as courage, and overcome your fears and ghosts from the past in order to fight and win your personal battles, it didn't go very deep into this as was using the big scale fights as a metaphor to this process for the humans trying to win a war.

The fact that the movie industry is dying because of the rising of TV as a prime option for everybody, while ticket prices keep increasing making it far from an affordable entertainment for families anymore, desperate measures had been taken, pushing the studios to hold into any option that can bring some cash to the table, and they will milk that cow until there is nothing left, proving that movies had moved from being an art to a mere business where any idea able to been sold to the audience and make a profit is welcome, no matter how bad it will turn or the lack of an actual story of good writing is but wrapped it up in a shiny presentation for those just willing to put their brain on the side and kill some time because at this point not even well done FX are game changers, as we've seen great stories along the most innovated visuals. With the excuse of using the big screen as a must see for this kind of epic battles, an immersing experience for anyone at the theaters rather than your living room, makes this kind of blockbusters the only survivors to this Hollywood crisis, so every studio is fighting hard to find a franchise to develop and patent as their signature to keep going on business. There are no more Hollywood celebrities able to attract audiences to the movies, things have changed where is the story and the franchise the one capable to stand up and make some business or be cursed to become a bomb. If you want to see a deep, emotional drama or a funny rom-com, people prefer to wait until available on demand and watch it comfortable at home. There motion picture events are dying but the few one still alive are taking all the gold.

So what can be said about a mere excuse become motion picture like "Pacific Rim: Uprising" (2018), a sequel that has more of Transformers and less of Pacific Rim, following the events of the original, where after ten years from the end of the war against the monsters, now the world seems to start getting back together, re building cities, but economies are crashing after spending all resources in trying to build big robots and survive an invasion, so way of life has change dramatically and also has people. After losing beloved ones or relatives, some people had to move on and figure out a new life without them, taking care of themselves, no matter how they lose them, but facing the fact that they are gone. And that is something we all can relate, specially these days when war has moved to our neighborhoods, and we might not feel safe anymore as we used to. So we have to evolve and learn how to survive. Being able to enjoy a life that is given by those who sacrificed themselves to get this opportunity but still living with ghosts from the past hunting us. With a cast that can't do much to show these emotions and trapped in cliched performances we move through the story of a young man whose dad died as a hero to safe humanity but left him behind, turning him into a rebel boy that will try to leave breaking the rules of a system that has left nothing for him. Until his sister pushes him to join the army, where their father belong, just for a brief mission and then he can go back to be a runaway but obviously this will turn into him realizing how he belongs to this world and how capable he i to follow  his dad steps.

Indeed, very predictable and lack of originality, specially if we look at all the characters around them, a group of teenagers that are in training to be the pilots of these huge robots, and even they suck at it, by the time the monsters are back and will threat with destroy the world, again, they will leave up to the expectations in a blink of an eye. But if you not distracted by this, you might follow the journey of the main hero, while runs into another outcast, a young girl that has develop a talent to build her own robot by stealing all the pieces from war zones. She has been trying to survive but after losing all at war now her main concern is to be prepared for any future outcomes and protect herself as she couldn't before. The pain and grief of losing your family is hardly translated in the movie, even when it becomes the line to follow the story telling of this fantasy and the motivation of it's characters. Most of them are picking up the pieces from a fallen kingdom and a life that took everything from them shaping them into someone different from what they were supposed to be or maybe it has always been supposed to be this way, but we all know someone that has bee trough this struggle and fight of becoming independent and strong after losing all, and fighting others and some monsters that represent our worst nightmares is a fight that happens every day at home, school, work, and we just need to be prepared for it and knowing that sometimes we'll lose some battles in order to learn and grow and keep fighting and becoming stronger and stronger.

Sometimes we are born into this place that we didn't choose and when we are able to  realize it we just feel like we don't belong. So do we embrace our heritage and where we belong to or should we go out and find our own place in the world?Some people might choose the first option while others  might go for the second, meaning that there is no right answer to that but what fits you better. In here, we are able to witness how the main character has been running away from his destiny as by avoiding falling into everything that has to be with his gone father, but once he decides to give it a try, again, he realizes how much he belongs to this place and how deep this place grows on you. But it's not that easy, let's not forget this is a movie and not a very deep one so in real life it translates to a real journey where understanding and accepting where you come from will show you the path of who you are so anyone can understand itself and continue their quest in life but only by getting to that point of knowing we'd be able to see the reality hiding in us and be prepared for the real fight, the one against ourselves, those voices in our heads pulling us in different directions miss leaded by the voices of others turning it into a big messy fight. So if you looking to spend a fun time feeling like a kid again or bringing back your inner childhood while watching big robots destroying cities and fighting epic battles against other robots and colossal monsters that is worth watching in the big screen, here is an option for you but leave your expectations at home regarding a profound storytelling or complex characters or moving performances and you'll have a fun time at the movies in the new era of  unjustified franchises and sequels.

Everybody deserves a great love story... LOVE, SIMON

We all look the same at first sight. Most of us come from a family that raised us. Have a group of friends that love us. We go to work or school. We struggle with the same issues about love, dreams, career, but we don't know much about the battles we all go through everyday. Personal challenges that shape any person into a fighter or a quitter. Coming to age stories always help us to remind us all this anxiety and fun while we were figuring out ourselves. Who can forget those days hanging with friends for hours doing nothing but trying to figure out the world, or those long hours of waiting to see or talk to the person we had a crush on, or how drunk we got at every Friday's party. We all share those kind of moments but there a few that go through different experiences. Because they share a secret that at some point needs to come out. And that is exactly the coming out process they need to go through but since even these days, where society is more open minded about it and we've been going through a lot of progress regarding acceptance and tolerance, it is still a defining moment in a gay person to accept himself as it is and come out to his/her family and friends. Why? Because they don't know what it would be once their truth is out. They don't want things to change in terms of the people they love but they do need things to change regarding their social and romantic life. How  can anyone could be willing to be fully loved and accepted if they don't know him/her completely. Only by being transparent and honest to ourselves, anyone can say others will get to know you and love you for who you are rather of for who you pretend to be and because life is about loving ourselves instead of fulfilling others expectations it's time of acceptance and face things the way we are.

And that is basically the story behind "Love, Simon" (2018), a romantic comedy about the process of coming out for those misfits hiding afraid of embracing themselves. Simon is a seventeen year old guy that navigates through high school just as any other kid. He has a lovely family that supports him and he loves them back. He feels lucky to have a group of friends that he knows since they were kids, so he definitely doesn't want things to change. He feels so fortunate to ruin things the way they are. But he's secret is killing him from inside, holding him back from being what he truly is. Until one day another guy secretly comes out at school motivating him to start taking baby steps on himself. The fact of having someone able to talk to, that is going through the same process, is comforting and exciting. So when both start talking to each other anonymously, they inspire each other to start accepting themselves. But as their journey get them closer, challenges may approach and they will have to face the moment of start coming out in front of others. That nerve breaking moment of telling someone you love that you are not what they thought but at the same time you are still the same and expecting them to love you as usual is a life changing moments that just a few have to go through and at some point the movie makes fun of that, turning the table to the fact that why straight people doesn't need to come out? Why if we all are equals and sexual preference is no longer a taboo or myth, why only the LGBT community has to face this moment in their lives, and they manage to do it in a very funny way, thanks to the vision and touch of tv guru Greg Berlanti, in his directorial debut, openly gay himself, trying to tell a story that can relate to everybody and trying to avoid all possible cliches about what a majority will think being gay represents.

And feels like this is the main reason for this movie to be made. Based on the popular novel Simon vs The Homo sapiens agenda, it's  adaptation comes a little bit late for a time where we are pass through the fight for acceptance and proving that being gay is ok and it's as normal as being straight. But even the timing doesn't help to make it feel fresh, its story and beloved characters will prove that a coming to age story can relate to anyone because there is always a different niche struggling to let their voice been heard. And now is the time for the LGBT community to expose their struggle when coming out as a gay person and for all the rest to get to see and understand what they go through in order to being accepted. So Simon, is just as a regular guy as it can be. He spends time with his family, friends, go partying, school, watch games, has dreams. Just as any other guy would do far from the cliches about what being gay represents and not because he is not aware of them but just because it is not a rule and he feels comfortable enough to be who he is just the way he is. No need of pretend to be someone else. No musicals, fit clothes, diva references. He is just an average Joe that happens to like other regular guys. And while we join him through his search of this anonymous guy, we'll learn that love comes in many shapes, and bases itself in that connection rather than just mere attraction. The need to find someone that can hold you hand while you going through a life changing situation makes a whole of a difference. And friends will make anyone's journey easier to handle and more fun than it seems. But finding that right person that deserves to hold your heart is a quest that no motion picture has encounter yet.

So what is so special about this movie compared with other similar teenager movies? Like those classics from the 80's? Well, let's say that special the fact that is a movie to define a whole new generation and the ones that had no chance or opportunity to come out like this and had to live their lives hiding and ashamed of their situation. Because let's remember that not long time ago, being gay was still an issue. Someone that was define as an homosexual was cursed, evil, marked as someone bad, and not even close to the idea of them getting marries or been seen holding hands or kissing in public. They were stereotyped as men trying to be girls and women pretending to be boys. But not anymore. Now that the dust has cleared out and we get to see them coming out and proud, we can realize that they are as normal as anyone else. But still, there is still this moment happening when they have to come out about their preferences to their beloved ones. But for those that don't have to go through that sounds like a minor thing, so movies like this that show it not as a big deal but a life changing event in their lives, is refreshing when we get to see how some people need to have that talk and express their preferences to the people around them not because things will change but because they will be looking after someone of their same sex. And the fact that they have to do it, means that they are looking that validation, and acceptance from others. Knowing that they'll be still loved is all what matters from this experience. There is a crucial scene in the movie where Simon finally sits and talks with his mom looking for some comfort after things seem like falling apart in school, and she admits that she didn't know or expect this but she noticed that at some point he was holding himself back, like hiding something or carrying a big secret within, and now that the secret is out, she still loves him as always and nothing will change because he is still her same son. And that moments represents this whole coming out situation.

So maybe you don't need to come out from your own sexual preferences, but maybe you also have some secrets that are holding you back from being the real you or reach your full potential, or maybe you know and love someone that has or is at this moment or you just an avid fan of romantic comedies where love as a whole comes along any obstacle and proves that is one of the major forces that unite And just as Simon journey to explore his feelings, and find the right one, while navigating the waters of puberty, friendship, family, responsibilities and all that stuff that anyone of us go through every day, we all can do better if we are able to be honest to ourselves and fight for our believes and convictions even they might not be well  taken for some and we'll have to face some rejections and criticism, but that is life in general, no matter your believes, preferences, gender, race, we all label other and point fingers so realizing that there is a lot of work to do in ourselves rather than being looking after others. But if you are in the need of coming out and are feeling trapped inside a big lie or secret, afraid of what might come after the truth, hoping for a better life for yourself where the people that supposedly loves you will also accept you, this movie is a must see for you, to get the courage and be inspired by the love and the possibility of a better option for yourself, where everyone around you that really cares and loves you won't care but for your happiness and will support you because love is unconditional, but for that, you need to love yourself and be real so others can see you for who you are rather than what are you pretend to be. Your bravery will inspire others even those ones so close minded to see how unique and special you are, unless you prefer to be another idiot but accepted rather than a misunderstood but loved one? So what it would be?...because you deserve a great story for the movie of your life.

ALICIA VIKANDER... una maquina danesa

Para algunos es un arduo camino al estrellato o al menos para forjar una carrera en la industria fílmica. Con tanta competencia y ahora que las puertas se han abierto para oportunidades tanto internacionales como locales, que la lucha por encontrar una oportunidad se vuelve en una verdadera batalla que la mayoría solo sueña u otros desisten en el intento. Pero aun hay alguno casos, los menos, donde alguna talento logra despuntar para llamar la atención y emprender una carrera que lo lanza directo a los reflectores de una industria hambrienta por encontrar su nueva figura que represente un iman para la taquilla y a su vez presente un talento fresco para la audiencia. Tal pareciera el caso de Alicia Amanda Vikander, una joven sueca, que tras nacer y crecer en un poblado de Suecia, hija de una actriz de teatro y un psiquiatra, fue practicamente criada por su madre tras el divorcio de sus padres cuando ella es muy chica. Esto la orilla a crecer a la par de la carrera de su madre, empezando a forjar su carrera a la temprana edad de siete, en obras de teatro de reconocidos productores como la cantante Bjorn, así como recreaciones de musicales clásicos. A la vez, inicia a practicar ballet, para que a sus quince primaveras decida mudarse a estudiar ballet clásico, viviendo sola para lograr ser la bailarina principal, pero tras algunos percances físicos ocasionados por el ballet, se enfoca en la actuación, la cual descubre como su pasión por lo cual se compromete a su trabajo en television, e inclusive rechaza asistir a la escuela de leyes a pesar de ser admitida, por persuadir su sueño de actuación e ingresar ala escuela de drama de la cual es rechazada un par de ocasiones.

Su esfuerzo empieza a tener frutos cuando se le es reconocida por varios roles pequeños en comerciales y series de television en su natal Suecia, pero su mayor logro viene de un popular drama para la television sueca que se transmitió por 2 años, para después brincar a la pantalla grande con la cinta "Pure" (2010), donde interpreta el rol principal, Katerina, una secretaria que trata desesperadamente por escapar de su vida. Este rol le logro el premio local de actriz del mañana, así como otros premios en festivales Europeos como mejor actriz y revelación. En 2011, estrena su segunda cinta, "The crown Jewels", sobre una mujer que es arrestada por intento de asesinato, en la cual interpreta el protagónico de la cinta. Buscando expandir sus opciones, logra reconocimiento internacional cuando participa en la nueva adaptación del clásico "Anna Karenina" (2012), narrando la trágica historia de una aristócrata rusa que vive atrapada entre su esposo y un joven que se convierte en el amor de su vida, y en su amante. Esta nueva version, una producción británica, cuenta con un elenco estelar que incluye a la actriz Keira Knightley y Jude Law. La actriz tiene un rol menor interpretando a la hermana de la cuñada de la protagonista. La cinta tuvo excelentes criticas y recibimiento, mas no fue un éxito a la hora de competir en la temporada de premios.

Esto no la detuvo en absoluto para abrirse camino a America, donde logra colarse en "The Fifth State" (2013), un thriller que tenia grandes aspiraciones, al tocar el tema sonado de los wikileaks, un sonado grupo de reporteros piratas en la red que filtran información confidencial del gobierno para hacerla publica. Sin embrago la cinta fallo en exponer a este grupo y su líder, así como tocar y profundizar los temas politicos, económicos y tecnológicos que asumia, y ni siquiera poder convertirse en un potente thriller. La actriz queda opacada por el resto del elenco, al interpretar a un miembro de dicho grupo, pero esto en vez de tornarse en un fracaso, solo sirve para abrirle puerta a otros proyectos, como el drama británico "Testament of youth" (2014), basado en la novela homónima, sobre una mujer en plena guerra mundial, con ideas liberales y feministas para su época que decide enlistarse como enfermera para ayudar a los jóvenes que están luchando por su país, y sobre todo cuando su hermano, su novio y su mejor amigo, se enlistan para enorgullecer a su familia, por lo cual ella buscara probar que el mandar a sus hijos a la guerra no significa mas para ninguna familia sino un perdida que difícilmente podrá recuperarse, por lo cual recorre el mundo con esta filosofía buscando hacer un cambio anti-guerra.

Internacionalizandose aun mas, se incorpora a "Son of a gun" (2014), un thriller Australiano, protagonizado por Ewan McGregor, quien interpreta a uno de los bandidos mas buscados que tras conocer a un joven en prision, lo reclutara una vez fuera para que lo ayude en su negocio de trafico de armas y drogas y donde conocerá a su joven asistente, protagonizada por la actriz. La cinta tuvo poca distribución internacional tras sus tibias criticas. Pero para 2015 las cosas cambiarían drásticamente cuando la actriz participara no en uno o dos filmes, sino 5!, todo un record para alguien que esta apenas forjando una carrera en Hollywood. Primero la vimos en "The Seventh Son" (2015), una cinta fantástica, donde dragones y brujas se mezclan para crear una mezcla de cuentos de hadas sobre un joven que es el elegido para derrocar a las brujas que aterrorizan su reinado. A pesar del elenco estelar conformado entre otros por la gran actriz Julianne Moore y el actor Jeff Bridges, la cinta fue aplastada por la critica por su estupido plot y por ende la audiencia la evito, siendo uno de los mas sonados fracasos del año. Pero meses después aparece en un thriller independiente llamado "Ex-machina", que toca temas sobre la inteligencia artificial y lo que define a la humanidad de la s maquinas. La actriz brinda una actuación que prácticamente se roba cada escena en la que aparece opacando incluso los asombrosos efectos especiales. La cinta fue todo un éxito que se fue abriendo de boca en boca, ademas de gozar de excelentes criticas.

Esta fue en definitiva la gran oportunidad que estaba buscando y que la catapulto a una fama inmediata y donde todo mundo estaba hablando sobre la nueva mujer robot y quien es la hermosa actriz que la interpreta?. Para el verano la vimos en "The Man from U.N.C.L.E" (2015), la nueva adaptación fílmica de una serie de television de los 60's, esta vez sobre dos agentes, uno de la KGB y otro de la CIA, en plena guerra fría, y uniendo fuerzas contra otras naciones que buscan controlar o destruir al mundo. La actriz interpreta a la damisela en peligro y que termina fungiendo como tercero en discordia con un giro que era de esperarse. Desgraciadamente no fue el éxito esperado, lo cual le augura un final sin secuela, mas gozo de compartir pantalla con dos de los galanes de moda: Henry Cavill y Armie Hammer. Meses después la vemos en el tragicomedia "Burnt" (2015), protagonizada por Bradley Cooper, en una historia sobre la redempcion de un chef, al tocar fondo y buscar iniciar de nuevo en el restaurant de un viejo amigo, que esta secretamente enamorado de el, solo para probar que la vida en la cocina es una imitación a la vida en el ejercito y que inclusive los patanes merecen una segunda oportunidad. Mas no en la pantalla ni en taquilla, pues esta vez ni el carisma del actor ni el elenco de primera, Uma Thurman, Senna Miller, Emma Thompson, logran rescatarla, y la actriz, quien interpreta a la antigua novia que arrastro al popular chef al hoyo, solo sirvió para mandar a la actriz al rincón, lo cual al final le beneficio para salir librada de tan absurdo lio.

Finalmente la vimos en "The Danish Girl" (2015), en plana temporada decembrina y lista para la temporada de premios, en una historia sobre el primer caso de cambio de sexo, y donde la actriz interpreta a la entonces esposa de un hombre que se descubre como mujer atrapada en cuerpo de hombre y que enfrenta a su ahora mejor amiga a reprimir sus sentimientos y buscar el amor en otro lado. La poderosa interpretación de una mujer enfrentando la transformación del amor de su vida le valió a la actriz el Oscar como mejor actriz de reparto, asir amo otros premios y nominaciones en los principales círculos de críticos y festivales de cine. Ahora recientemente la vimos en la nueva cinta del famoso agente americano con problemas de identidad, "Jason Bourne" (2016), continuando la popular serie de la década pasada y donde ahora el joven Bourne, tras haber recobrado la memoria, recibirá mas información de su pasado y su familia, siendo el papel de la actriz, una agente del gobierno que primero lucha por pararlo, quien terminara ayudándolo a cumplir su objetivo y calvez convencerlo de regresar al programa, mas eso esta en duda tras la tibia recepción que tuvo la cinta este verano.

Y también la vimos en la adaptación de la popular novela "The Light Between Oceans" (2016), donde co protagoniza a lado del actor y ahora esposo fuera de la pantalla, Michael Fassbender, en una historia sobre una pareja que habita en una isla y que lucha por formar una familia, hasta que el destino les trae un bebe naufrago y huérfano solo para tiempo después descubrir a su posible familia y ponerlos en el dilema de quedárselo o regresarlo. Tiempo despues formo parte de  "Tulip Fever" (2017), un romance ubicado en el siglo pasado, sobre una mujer que seduce a un joven en una época llena de tabus y moralismos.Y aunque su futuro aun se ve incierto, es un hecho que esta consolidada como una revelación en la industria y pareciera tener trabajo para rato, mas en esta industria no hay nada seguro, pero al menos es un hecho que la veremos en 2018 con varios nuevos proyectos: Primero la veremos este mes en "Tomb Raider" (2018), la nueva adaptacion del popular video juego donde protagoniza como Lara Croft, una audaz mujer que motivada por decifrar el legado de su padre, un arquelogo reconocido que ha desaparecido la pondra en una serie de peligros y aventuras que al parecer gozan de increibles y trepidantes escenas de accion mas carece deprofundidad digna de una adaptacion filmica sobre un video juego.  Luego aparecerá en "Submergence" (2018), un thriller del aclamado director Wim Wenders, basado en la novela homónima y donde co protagoniza con el actor James McAvoy en un romance que sobre un espia y una investigadora que esta por sumergirce en una expedicion en mar profundo y como sus vidas estan por chocar nuevamente. Al paso que esta actriz va, no tardaremos mucho en averiguar si sera del gusto de la audiencia que la consolidara como una nueva estrella de esta generación., o al menos si sigue seleccionando sus proyectos como hasta ahora, también pronto sera una garantía para correr a verla en cada proyecto que decida involucrarse. Otro talento de importación para Norte America.

Time to RECTIFY...THE GOOD PLACE

Spring is almost here and with it, a new beginning.  The possibility of a fresh start. Like the seasons, this is a time when nature starts all over again, a new cycle, a new opportunity with infinite possibilities, at least for the next months, but also for those believers and religious one, spring break comes in hand with Easter, which also brings to those the option of re vindication, to forgive themselves for all the wrong that have done and start all over again, a clean slate. So a time for anyone to take a break and breath before starting a new path is right here. And because of that, we always have the entertainment industry handling some options to inspire us or just entertain us while in our journey, because we always need a good laugh to forget a bad day and to remind us the good out there, or some advice and re flexion to inspire us and guide us through difficult times to find answers and keep going on the right track. Reason why this time we'll look up at two TV shows that might belong to different genres, but share a very deep meaning approach in very different ways. One is an intense drama while the other is warm but hilarious comedy. Both trying to show the human condition of imperfection. Because no one is perfect. And as hard as it is to admit it, we all make mistakes, and most of us, we keep making the same mistakes over and over, taking wrong decisions, and just going on a rabbit hole where consequences must be paid but some reason seems like we are attracted to those wrong situations as if the option of taking the right one or make a good decision is not longer available so we have the need to keep falling in order to learn and....

"Rectify" (2013-2016). An intense drama by Sundance Channel, that carves deeply into the human soul of, as it's title, rectifying. Exploring the live of someone that made a terrible mistake, but his actions not only will affect him but all the ones around hi,: family, friends, neighbors, people related to the victim. It's all a cycle that runs like domino effect followed by just one action, one that could be the right one or can go wrong. And when times heals, a new start comes, but that will be a hard path to go in order to move on. That someone is Daniel Holden, a middle  age man that after spending 20 years in prison for raping and murder, now has been released after DNA evidence just found, nullified his conviction. But then why did he play guilty all this time. What was going on in his head to be able to take that responsibility on his own? Was he afraid of something or was he protecting someone else? Whatever his real motives were now doesn't matter as he is a free man now but has to face a life that he left on pause. A lot of things have changed during 20 years. People had moved on but the mark of what he supposedly did, stays with him at the eyes of everyone else.  Can you really forget someone when you can't forget what they did to you or forgiving means a fresh start? Why we are drawn by labels and once we see someone in one way we can't see them evolving or as someone different? As we follow Daniel's journey trying to adjust to his new life we can't but root for him so he can start over and find his place. But it is not only hard for him but for all his family that had been to a hard time living with his absence and suffering the judgement of the rest of the town that only can see them as guilty as him.As if they were the ones provoking him to become evil or as if they are evil people too. He can moved on if everyone else is pulling him back and as hard as it has been for him as his family everybody deserves a second chance to prove them right or wrong.

As we see and meet all these characters, family and friends in Daniel's life, we realize they all are fighting their own battles. We just don't know what they are until we get the chance to get to know them. For example his brother, who seems like having the perfect life, taking care of the family business and marries to a beautiful and devoted woman, it is not a happy person. He has built this frustration against his brother, not for what he did, but for what he put them on because of that: business is crashing, their parents were struggling having their son away from them, their sister is just going from one bad relationship to other and traveling to stay away from home, his wife is religious that he can't express his anger with her. And now that Daniel is out, he has to face and deal with everyone's stuff just as if would be his own. So maybe at the end we actually influence in people to push them to do good or bad things, specially if they are sensitive to be influenced. Why can't we just work on our own and try to do better for our best sake instead on dropping our baggage into others? Life is a tough journey and every decision that we make bring a sea of new possibilities but most of the time we can't see ahead of them so we become victims of the destiny, and we have to learn how to love ourselves so no one can break us apart, and be strong enough to face tough times so they don't bring us down. This is a a beautiful story of redemption and love, from the eyes of an ordinary family that can be placed in any town in the country, with lovely characters full of different colors just as anyone you can meet in the supermarket or a the office. Just a middle class family trying to survive and find the right way to full fill their lives after been shaken by a life changing event. And mostly, the journey of a man that has a second chance, that will come with a big package of revenge and hate from others but with hope and love for himself. Is he gonna be able to make it through or will he fall again victim of his circumstances?  If you want to know the answer you know where to find it and might give you a new perspective of your own questions.

But if all this is too deep and soulful for you, you might want to take a look to a place that will make you smile and laugh while bringing also some interesting reflections about what you doing with your life. "The Good place" (2016-current) is a sitcom from NBC network, that even has been struggling with it's rating, has all the critics raving about it because it's originality and humor. Maybe the problem with this show might be fact that not everybody believes in that place, an afterlife place where if you had a good life, you are able to get a spot. But believes and religion aside, this is more about morality and how your actions matter. Because we all, at some point wonder what happens next?, we enjoy this life with the thought of something coming after this, and even we have no clue about it, it's what we do in this life what counts for whatever might come. And for so we've been buying the list of things that makes you a good person rather than a not so good one.Reason why we'll follow Eleanor, a young troubled woman that has died in an accident and  for some reason has ended in this good place made for all of those that earned a spot in paradise as a reward for all their great actions while alive. Only thing is that she hasn't done anything right. Actually her life was totally a mess. She went from one bad decision to another,  full of bad comments,  insulting jokes, and hurtful actions to others. She can basically be considered a bad person, a troubled one, just a bitch. So what is she doing in such paradisaical place? Well seems like there has been a mistake, or maybe not. it all depends the perspective. She might have her own reasons to behave like that, we just don't know her story but now we will as she has to learn to co exist with other people that seem to have their shit together and be more thoughtful and intellectual comparing to her. This clash of personalities is what brings magic to the show, bringing a diverse palette of personalities and characters that stock in this place have to learn to accept, communicate and respect each other while trying to figure out their place in this new environment.

Learning that all comes around regarding your actions is key. All of them will explore the cons and pros of making bad decisions and how each one of them speaks loud about their personalities and who they are. Have you ever wonder why things happen to you, and maybe everything is a re action of what you've done previously? If any one is totally good or bad, why should be a good or bad place to wait for? If we are aware that we can't be perfect and we'll make mistakes why keep pushing people towards perfection? You have to look great, perfect body, picture perfect face, perfect job/career, partner, family, and it just keeps going. Why can't we settle with normal or average? We are rebels by nature. We embrace chaos and the only way to avoid self destruction is by motivation towards a better good, something bigger than us, but again, we end being labeled by perfection or imperfection. Why can't we just be us and try our best to improve ourselves in our own persona? Why not accept that life is not always fair and neither we are so we will do our best from what we get and just try to find not the perfect place but the right one for us, the one that fit us better and will let us live and experience a life full of joy and sadness, excitement and frustration. Because only that way we can be humble enough to accept that there are things beyond our knowledge. And just like this funny show, we can just sit and enjoy the fact of being death or more alive than never while going back to what have we done and learn from it to understand where are we know and why are this way because the only way to move forward is being able to forgive yourself and others from anything that is pulling you back realizing that there is always a hidden motive behind those actions and until we figure them out we are as vulnerable as we can. But if what you need is a good laugh and have a good time thinking about how horrible person you've been or how great you think you are, don't miss this underrated sit com that will shock you with life changing twist and unique simple humor while touching core fibers of our won existence, deep enough to laugh loud as if being tickled by god.

GAME NIGHT...only for competitive souls

Have you ever wonder why do get along with your friends? Why is so much fun to gather around them? And why we connect and fall in love with some people while we just can't stand others? And specially why we act the way we do? Like if we were programmed as a video game to act in some way and make the same kind of decisions over and over, and then present that kind of behavior that everyone around us knows us better for? Is it the game of life that set us up for what is coming or is it really us who start building up the sum of experiences to be able to face the final set and win the game, able to have it all and achieve the american dream? Well one thing is for sure. We all are different and unique in some way, that we can be a specific character to play a very challenging game even if we all are playing under the same rules and setting. Things will look different for each one of us according to our own expectations and personalities that no matter how similar we think we are to others, we can't be more different as a whole and more similar in our core and basics. So is this an advantage or disadvantage at the end, or will help us to win at the end and achieve our goals and dreams? Maybe. It's all subjective. So why are we talking about this you might wonder? Well, because there is a new comedy that happen to be a funny one, not very original, but entertainingly enough and well done to care about their characters to a point that after having a blast watching it you might end wondering what's about this game of life we are all playing beyond those games we like to play with friends for fun or the ones we are trapped in real life. Is life a game or we are playing the game of life?

"Game Night" (2018) is a new comedy that actually tries to expand itself to different levels, telling a compelling modern story filled with funny gags and some action. Telling the story of a young modern couple that happen to be also a very competitive one. Reason why they were attracted to each other at the first place. These young folks met at a game a night and their skills and level of competitiveness got them together and since then they have become a team. Which is basically a metaphor for what a couple should represent in real life. A team where both can contribute with their own skills to become a stronger team and make it through in the game of life. But even we all have some level of competitiveness inside, some just seem to have it exponentially higher than others, and while it might seem fun, there is always more behind that. Usually that need to prove yourself as the best, to challenge yourself to achieve higher levels and push yourself to achieve always the number one spot rather than just enjoy the game no matter what position will you end at, comes from that need to fulfill something inside you that needs to be proven. That's why the more we get to hang with these guys the more we realize what hides behind their own game. They are trying to move their relationship to the next level, but something is holding him back. He seems very anxious and over stressed and it's affecting their plans. And all points to the visit of his brother that will be in town for the next game night.

Once we get to meet the brother, another piece in the puzzle starts to fill in. He represents the success of the family, the charming, with social skills, popular, charismatic, confident. All things he lacks of. No matter how successful he might seem, with a nice job, pretty house and beautiful and cool wife, he doesn't feel that way, so that's why he pushes himself to win every time in any kind of game. He can't afford himself to feel like losing in game night. But this game night will be different. A new game has been set up for this peculiar group of friends. The brother is trying to impress everybody and for so has planned a murder mystery game with real people and real locations that they will have to figure out through the clues that he left. What they haven't anticipated is that he is also running illegal business so now the mafia is looking after him and will crash their game night to take him with them. So now we get both scenarios mixed up, confusing the players that will try to win by rescuing their friend. So soon they will realize that they don't know him at all. Specially his own brother. Who has always seem him as a threat and now realizes that it has always been the opposite. He is actually the successful one while the other has been falling into all kind of trouble and living at the edge by trying to get what he has.And that is what competition brings. Usually blinds you from realizing the truth behind the each player as you can only focus on yourself and find the ways to overcome your own obstacles looking at every body else as your competition rather than finding them as allies.

We all play by the same rules but at the end is hard to win by being yourself. So just like poker, we need to pretend to be a different version of us to feel like we fit in, or to connect with others that normally we wouldn't, or just because we can't accept our own truth so we buy the one that we always wanted to be. So with that many masks, we build layers on us that will cover our own beauty and intentions, misleading everybody else, turning the table and the game in so many directions that at some point we won't know what are we playing for. But wait, because this movie is not all about one couple but we have two more couples competing to try to win this game. The second couple is an African american one, high school sweethearts, that feel like thy know each other in every level, giving them this advantage over other couples trying to adjust to each other while they seem to have everything figure out. until they don't, and that might get in between them. When you think you have everything in control just to realize you don't can shake you and make you tumble putting your whole game at risk because trust is hard to get back once is broken and that wound goes deeper than any bullet. But why would you expect to know everything about someone? Isn't that the excitement of the game of being part of a relationship, to keep growing and exploring and discovering new phases of yourself and your partner along the way? Or is it makes a better team to posses all the knowledge and be on a comfortable spot able to avoid the unexpected?

And last, we have the third couple or wanna be couple, of the night. The bachelor of the group, forever single and dating multiple girls that all look the same, like gorgeous models, but no caring about their personality because they are mostly here to fulfill a space and be the plus one of he night. He is also not a very smart guy, reason why he compensates his lack of personality with his good looks and muscles but maybe tonight he might discover that what really matters in order to build a connection is personality and that will make someone more attractive to your eye. Once you get to know someone and happens to actually enjoy their company, plus feeling challenged by them, will turn the heat on, rather that just follow the check list and make someone your type in paper but at the end, will be game over. So now you have more than one reason to go and see this under rated movie that unfortunately has been overshadow in the box office thanks to the attention we have given to bigger blockbusters or award winning dramas, forgetting that we all are still playing the game of life and game night will come soon and will remind us how important is to stay focus and keep our game going, but only by understanding who we are and where the other players are standing at, to avoid get confused and tricked by appearances, but reminding that life is meant to be to enjoy, if there is a game inside that we need to figure out, has to be to make us better and achieve our own goals, not others, and have fun along the ride, just as all this characters will try to prove us, with a smart, funny, deep but ambitious game night. Because we all love games and comedies, we are just afraid of accept it.

OSCAR ISAAC....inside star wars ex machina

No hay mayor recompensa en la vida que disfrutar de esta y ver como los caminos se abren de manera inesperada para aquellos que persisten y cuentan con un talento nato para algo, el cual saben explotar y experimentar para ver a que destinos los llevara. Tal es el caso de uno de los talentos Latinos con mayor reconocimiento hoy en día, Y por Latino me refiero a esta nueva generación de Estado Unidenses que son criados o nacidos en el país pero cuentan con ascendencia Latina y que esta transformando las minorías en los E.U.A., Oscar Isaac Hernandez Estrada mejor conocido como Oscar Isaac, nacido en Guatemala pero re ubicado en Miami, Florida a tan solo 5 meses de edad, y criado estrictamente cristiano por sus padres, una madre Guatemalteca y un padre Cubano, que le ofrecieron una educación privilegiada en una escuela cristiana privada, a lo cual, el ahora actor, hace burla pues siempre gusto de hacer reír a sus compañeros lo cual lo llevo a ser expulsado de la misma. Como parte de su rebeldía se une a varias compañías de teatro donde logro varios rolos tanto en ensamble durante festivales o roles principales, hasta que termina formando un banda de rock que a pesar de no lograr despuntar en grande lograron varias presentaciones importantes abriendo conciertos para otras bandas mas comerciales.

Aunque su banda no logra el éxito esperado, le abre las puertas para ingresar en la prestigiada escuela de artes Julliard en NY, por lo cual pone su carrera musical en pausa, logrando algunos roles mientras aun en la Academia, mas a la fecha es un reconocido guitarrista e interprete, orgulloso de haber pertenecido a diferentes bandas de diferentes géneros musicales y aunque nunca se imagino casado, en una relación monógama y ahora todo un padre, varios medios y publicaciones lo catalogan como un símbolo sexual. Su debut en la pantalla grande viene con "All about the Benjamins" (2002), donde con una pequeña participación en una cinta sobre un cazador de recompensas y su aliado tratando de atrapar a un ladrón de diamantes, realmente no logra una gran impresión a pesar del éxito de la cinta. Después solo le caerían roles menores o pequeñas apariciones en cintas para video, hasta que co protagoniza la nueva adaptación bíblica de la natividad en " The Nativity Story" (2006), con una producción digna de Hollywood donde el actor interpreta nada menos que el rol de Jose, el esposo de Maria, madre de Jesus. Y aunque no fue un fracaso la critica la rechazo y la taquilla respondio muy tibiamente.

Sin embargo, esto le sirvió de parteaguas para abrirle las puertas a nuevos proyectos, tales como la cinta independiente "The Life before her eyes" (2008), un thriller protagonizado por Uma Thurman, basado en la novela homónima que cuenta la historia de una mujer que de joven presenció una tragedia y como esta le sigue afectando su idílica vida ahora como adulta. La cinta fue aplastada por la critica y su limitada exhibicon no ayudo en nada a la taquilla. Por fortuna el actor, nuevamente solo aparece en un rol secundario. Posteriormente participa en el ambicioso proyecto del director Steven Soderbergh "Che" (2008), el cual esta dividido en dos partes contando la biografia de este revolucionario icono de LatinAmerica. La primer parte se centra en su vida antes de la guerilla y su jornada que lo lleva e inspira a convertirse en rebelde y la segunda totalmente enfocada en su lucha revolucionaria. La cinta genero polémica y en su mayoría criticas positivas mas en taquilla no logro el éxito obtenido, a pesar de su recorrido por varios festivales de renombre. El actor tiene una breve participacion en pantalla pero funge como narrador durante la dos partes. Dando el brinco a producciones de mayor presupuesto lo vemos en "Body of Lies" (2008), protagonizada por Russell Crowe y Leonardo DiCaprio, bajo la batuta de Ridley Scott, en una historia de espías sobre una misión de la CIA en Jordania, y donde Isaac interpreta a un agente de la CIA ubicado en dicha region y que sirve de contacto para el rol del agente interpretado por DiCaprio. Esta vez, con mayor presencia en pantalla, logra su primer gran exito en taquilla aunque no de igual manera con la critica.

Volviendo a proyectos mas artísticos, forma parte de "Angora" (2009), el nuevo filme del aclamado director español Alejandro Amenabar y que cuenta la historia de Hypatia, interpretada por Rachel Weisz, una mujer astrónoma y matemática del siglo IV de la antigua Roma, interpretando el actor a un estudiante que se enamora de ella exponiendo temas que contrastan la religion con la ciencia. Desafortunadamente la cinta recibio una tibia taquilla y criticas que dado su presupuesto la hicieron un fracaso. Probando nuevas tierras, co protagoniza el filme Australiano "Balibo" (2009), la historia de cinco reporteros que son capturados y asesinados en la invasion de Indonesia en 1975. El actor fue galardonado como mejor actor de reparto por la Academia Cinematográfica Australiana por este rol. Regresando a America se pone en manos del aclamado director Ridley Scott por segunda ocasión, esta vez en la nueva adaptación del clásico "Robin Hood" (2010), ahora interpretado por Russell Crowe, y donde Isaac interpretaría al villano, el principe Juan, quien pondrá un precio por la cabeza del justiciero ladrón. La cinta obviamente fue un exito en taquilla de ese verano mas no favorecio a la critica.

Continuando en linea con blockbusters lo vemos en "Sucker Punch" (2011), una cinta de acción, con un estilo visual muy del estilo de su director Zack Snyder, cuyas protagonistas son un grupo de jóvenes bailarinas en un mundo ficticio creado por la protagonista que esta recluida en un asilo para locos por su padrastro y donde el carcelero, interpretado por el joven actor, fungirá como el propietario del burdel donde estas jóvenes están atrapadas como esclavas sexuales por lo cual pelearan por su libertad. La cinta genero mucho buzz en su etapa de produccion pero el resultado fue aplastado por la critica y la taquilla apenas recupero su alto presupuesto. Por ello regresa al proyectos mas independientes, como la cinta "W.E." (2011), cinta dirigida por la cantante Madonna, un melodrama sobre dos mujeres de dos tiempos diferentes, separadas por mas de seis décadas, una mas actual obsesionada con el romance de la otra en su época. El actor cuenta con un rol secondario, lo cual no parecio afectar en su carrera una vez que la cinta fue aplastada por la critica y logro una pobre taquilla. En "10 years" (2012), un filme independiente sobre un grupo de jóvenes en su reunion de graduados una década después de la graduación, logra interpretar finalmente a un músico. Desgraciadamente la cinta contó con una muy limitada exhibición a pesar de contar con un elenco multi estelar que incluye ademas de Isaac a Channing Tatum, Kate Mara, Chris Pratt y Rosario Dawson.

Continuando su linaje en el cine independiente forma parte de "Drive" (2011), un aclamado drama sobre un mecánico que a su vez es conductor de acrobacias, que trabaja para la mafia, pero su vida da un giro una vez que empieza una relación con su vecina y su hijo, pero el esposo de esta, interpretado por Isaac, sale de prision y pondrá al protagonista, Ryan Gosling, en una encrucijada con su vida personal y laboral. La cinta fue excelentemente recibida y a la fecha ya goza de un estatus de clásico del genero. Posteriormente forma parte de un elenco muy latino que incluye a Andy Garcia y Eva Longoria en la cinta "For Greater Glory" (2012), una historia que busca retratar los eventos de la batalla de los Cristeros. Sobra decir que la cinta fue aplastada por la critica e ignorada por la taquilla. Tras tanto fracaso, su carrera de varios pasas hacia atrás relegando al actor a obtener pequeños roles, tal como en el blockbuster "The Bourne Legacy" (2012), protagonizada por Jeremy Renner y donde Isaac solo aparece como otro agente sin mayor impacto en la cinta. Lo mismo sucede en "Won't back down" (2012), donde comparte creditos con Maggie Gyllenhaal y Viola Davis en la historia de dos madres que enfrentan la corrupcion del sindicato de maestros. Apesar de una buena campana y una historia relevante, la cinta tuvo criticas negativas y una pesima sino casi nula taquilla.

Por fortuna la cosas cambiarían justo cuando pareciera que el actor quedaría relegado a roles secundarios, cuando los hermanos Cohen le dan el protagónico de su siguiente filme, "Inside Llewyn Davis" (2013), una tragicomedia muy al estilo de los directores, sobre un joven cantante de música folk luchando por sobrevivir como músico y poder llevar una vida normal a la vez. Con el historial del actor, el rol pareciera estar escrito para el, por lo cual su interpretación se convierte en un parte aguas en su carrera, que no solo lo pondría en la mira de la industria sino lo llevaría a multiples nominaciones como mejor actor en los círculos mas importantes críticos incluyendo el Globo de Oro.La cinta a su vez fue un éxito en critica y taquilla para su genero. Esto solo le permitiría seguir buscando proyectos interesantes, tal como "The two faces of January" (2014), una cinta independiente basada en la popular novela homónima y que co protagonizan Kirsten Dunst y Viggo Mortinsen, mas a pesar de la aceptación de la critica, la taquilla no la encontró tan atractiva y fue ignorada por la audiencia. Por fortuna esto no seria problema cuando aparece en "A most Violent year" (2014), un drama sobre una familia y su pequeno negocio en los 80's, el cual enfrentara la competencia de la mafia y grandes corporaciones poneindo sus vidas y estabilidad economica en riesgo. La cinta es una oda al sueno americano y la luchade todo empresario por sobrevivir en la economia del pais. La cinta genero excelentes criticas aunque una pobre taquilla mas una vez mas el actor se colgo varias nominaciones a su curriculum.

En 2015 regresa con "Ex-Machina", un drama de ciencia ficción que sorprendió a todos por su profunda vision sobre la tecnología versus la humanidad en una época donde la inteligencia artificial emerge como la promesa de un nuevo futuro. Interpretando a un científico que esta llevando su proyecto un poco al extremo, lo cual nuevamente le brindaría varias nominaciones por parte de prestigiados círculos de críticos, ademas que la cinta emerge como un éxito de taquilla y un clásico contemporáneo del genero. Después lo vemos en "Mojave" (2015), otro proyecto indie que se fue directo a video tras una muy limitada corrida y a pesar de haber sido parte del Festival de Tribeca. Mas esto solo seria un pequeño tropiezo para lo que vendría meses después, co protagonizando la nueva entrega de la serie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (2015), que ubicaría la franquicia décadas después de la trilogía original y que rompería todos los records en taquilla al momento, ademas de que de paso cautivo a la critica y gano audiencia con las nuevas generaciones ansiosas por formar parte de este fenómeno, donde interpretaría a un piloto, el mejor de su época, de la resistencia, en búsqueda de un mapa perdido que lo guíe al paradero del ultimo Jedi. Lo cual da titulo a su secuela "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (2017), la cual acabamos de ver hace un par de meses y aunque no gozo de la misma respuesta esta lejos de considerarse un fracaso.

Buscando mantener un equilibrio entre sus nuevos proyectos de alto calibre y su estilo mas independiente, es que lo vemos en "The promise" (2016), a lado de Christian Bale, en un drama sobre un triangulo amoroso ubicado en la decadencia del imperio Otomano. A pesar de tibias criticas, la taquilla fue un rotundo fracaso, considerando su alto presupuesto y mucho debido a la fallida historia que no pudo conquistar corazones de la audiencia. Mas esto pasaría desapercibido por otro gran tropiezo, al interpretar al villano principal de la nueva entrega de la franquicia "X-MEN: Apocalypse" (2016), donde interpretaría al villano que da el titulo a la cinta, supuestamente el mayor villano que este grupo de super heroes ha enfrentado pero con un maquillaje que lo hace irreconocible y una historia que falla en profundidad para caer en pirotecnia y acción, este nuevo trilogía cerro con mal sabor en la boca y la aparición de Isaac en ella fue de lo mas criticado. Pero aveces lo importante es estar en boca de todos que ser ignorado, y así pareciera ya que al actor le siguen lloviendo nuevos proyectos, tal como "Suburbicon" (2017), una comedia negra escrita por los hermanos Cohen y dirigida por George Clooney, que cuenta la historia de una familia blanca de un refinado suburbio y que ha sufrido un ataque en su propia casa y una familia afro americana que se ha mudado y es víctima del rechazo de todos culpándolos de dicho atroso mientras pareciera que las verdaderas víctimas son ellos mismos. Exponiendo los valores sociales americanos con un toque de critica al racismo la cinta fallo con la critica que la rechazo y esto se reflejo en una pobre taquilla, apesar del gran talento involucrado, ademas de Isaac que interpreta al representante de seguros encargado del caso, esta Julianne Moore y Matt Damon.

Este 2018 inicia con un ambicioso proyecto, "Annihilation" , en el cual lo vemos este mes, un drama de ciencia ficción, sobre un meteorito que ha caído en la Tierra y pareciera estar cambiando todo aquello a la redonda, creando y mutando todo, por lo cual un grupo de científicas encabezadas por Natalie Portman, se adentraran en el territorio para buscar respuestas. El actor interpreta al desaparecido esposo de esta cientifica en uan moderna adaptacion de la popular novela homonima y que traera a discusion varios puntos a la mesa. Desgraciadamente su propuesta apesar de haber fascinado a la critica, la taquilla no la ha recibo como se esperaba para una cinta de su talla. Y por ultimo, mas adelante lo veremos en la cinta "Life Itself", de los nuevos estudios Amazon, y de la cual no se sabe mucho mas que el actor es uno de los protagonistas interpretando a un hombre casado con una mujer mucho mas joven que el. En fin, ya veremos que le depara el destino en Hollywood a este talentoso y multi facetico actor que finalmente logro despegar a las grandes ligas mas aunque esta en su momento dentro de la industria, hemos ya visto muchos casos de estrellas que terminan por apagarse o talvez decida de continuar con su carrera en la música, solo el tiempo y la taquilla lo dirán.

BLACK PANTHER...foolish build walls, smarts build bridges

It is very surprising that these days the only things that bring people to  the movies are franchises, extended universe, novel adaptations. Feels like no long ago were still movie events, new stories able to captivate the heart of an audience or bring new material to their imagination in order to tell a story that will become a classic. But not anymore. With so many offerings from different studios trying to take a bigger size of the cake in the box office and looking for the next option that will make more cash to the industry, deep buried are those progressive and innovated projects that transformed cinema into a cult that brought so many to the theaters around the world. But not all is lost. Even that we have to deal with the same kind of offerings week after week to get one in between that will break a new record, when this happen, we are about to witness a movie event in it's entire form. So what is going on with this new movie that just after days of release has broken all kind of records and it's attracting masses to the theaters? What is all the buzz around "Black Panther" (2018)? A new super hero movie, one more in the well known Marvel Cinematic Universe, that actually follows the events of this character after his introduction in a previous movie, and with all that said, sounds like shouldn't be anything new or great about it, so what is the big deal this time?

Ok, so for starters, this is the first black super hero. Introduced not as a African-American, but a real African native hero that has the potential to save the world and compete and kick any other super hero's ass. So that is definitely a novelty for the genre. But again, is it that enough to make it the movie event of the year so far? Of course is not! For what we've learned from any super hero story, there is no hero that is able to save the world by itself. Their journey to embrace their powers and become super comes from his or her allies. Those ones around them that will bring some technology, words of wisdom, perspective, knowledge, etc, to help our beloved hero. That's why sometimes when reading or watching their stories, these characters grow close to us, because they are the ordinary ones that in some way helped to save the day, and we could be one of them, they end inspiring us while the hero save us. And Wakanda, a fictional country in Africa, where after a meteor crashes, leaving an out of this world metal that will transform their society with technology that no other place in Earth has, so it's king, is surrounded by this and great people that will fight with and for him now that he is about to inherit the throne. All these characters are represented by different tribes from Africa, exposing the diversity that exists in what we call a third world, a land that we heard about but we have forgotten as don't represent any potential for the modern world.

But in a way to represent all the vast richness that the continent offers to the rest of the world without having modern civilizations, this country looks like the most advance country in the world with high tech that let them travel, treat health, and build the most advance weapons that any army in the world would die for, and all thanks to this unique metal they possesses, and that exactly what triggers the whole story once a misfit, one of their own that has left behind is looking for revenge and in order to reach that hidden city will fish them out by trying to sell their precious metal just in time to challenge to death the new king and being able to take the throne as a result of being a royal himself. Playing more like a soap opera than a super hero origin movie, the film is packed with great visuals and action scenes that will please all kind of taste. But again, this is not what is bringing audiences to the theaters. The answer is that finally is exposing a different story, a different culture, based on real African history, finally the continent and its population, now all spread out around the world get some credit and recognition for their contribution in culture and as part of this new globalization, presented as one that actually is capable to change the world as we know it and because of that will be the one, the minority at any others eyes, to teach the rest how things should be done. It's the perfect timing to show the world that those that we used to discriminate and judge as a third world, lack of culture, and aged civilization to take the lead and prove ho rich and advance they could be being the ones taking the lead to prove that acceptance and unity is key to win and dominate.

So once that this fictional African country faces the fact of having two possible kings, the vision of each one will divide the entire country accordingly to their own agenda. One is looking to use their power to dominate and control the rest of the world, finally coming out and exposing their civilization and technology to position themselves as the more powerful country in the world thanks to an advantage that they obviously have, because hiding has no purpose anymore, while the other wants to keep their civilization and technology hidden, because that's the way always has been and have let them evolve and maintain peace with the rest of the world so no need to change things now, in order to preserve harmony in it's own country. With these two oposite visions of how to rule the country and use their resources, the different cultures that live in peace with other under the same roof, will start to separate towards the option they feel right for their country dividing what once was a peaceful city and pushing them to fight between each other. If this doesn't sound familiar you might have been living under a rock at least for the last decade, so watching in a big screen, what we are living now days in your own country whatever that is, and seeing this civilization fighting to keep united and trying to find a middle ground where both sides can work together as they used is as motivating and inspiring as any good news of the day you can read.

But if these story can feel so real even all what we are witnessing is mere fiction, would that give us some answers and that is the real reason why we need to go and watch it? Let's say that besides it's powerful family drama, where a king becomes stronger to rule his country and unite it in difficult times, thanks to a deep journey to understand where he is coming from and make peace with his predecessors decisions that he might not understand, specially when facing the consequences of it by himself, but all will line up to show him the answers he need to feel more confident to sit at the throne and become a true but different king that the modern times need, and in the same way, all the sum of these events will enlighten the audience with some inspiring moments and characters that will serve as role models to bring some ideas rather than answers, and the way is going back to the basics, unity makes us stronger, and building bridges is a smarter move than bringing walls that will isolate us from the rest, that we all are the same just we come from differences circumstances and our journey has us fighting different battles to make it through and sometimes our idea of peace is the one with ourselves instead of with others, so we will need to put that on the side for a moment to find a bigger picture that will help us all. Maybe we just need a super hero to remind us how to behave and react to the circumstances we live day by day rather than be saved so if for all the ones that are fighting to be listened, trying to find peace to themselves and their home towns, to be recognized as great as anyone else or just to unite all us, this is a film that might show you one way or two while kicking some ass and entertain you big time.