Captain America: Brave New World (2025) * *

Directed by: Julius Onah

Starring:  Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Harrison Ford, Shira Haas, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito

The Marvel universe has lost its mojo.  It's all "been there, done that" to the point that Captain America: Brave New World has a "Red Hulk" and the action scenes are a blur.  Brave New World feels defeated even before it starts.   If you recall the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, Captain America (Chris Evans) bequeathed his shield to "The Falcon" Sam Wilson.  It made logical sense for Wilson to accept the role.  Brave New World is Anthony Mackie's first movie holding the shield, but he didn't take the serum which made the previous Cap ageless and nearly impervious to pain.  He can chuck the shield with the best of them, but he bleeds and bruises.

Captain America is summoned to the White House by his (and the Avengers') on-again, off-again ally Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (Ford), who was recently elected President.  The president wants to reform the Avengers, citing the error of his ways from previous Marvel films where he broke them up for fear they will grow too powerful.  Captain America is skeptical, but he's the President after all.  Shortly after, Cap's longtime friend and the first "Super Soldier" (I missed where in the series that happened) Isaiah Bradley (Lumbly) is triggered by a song on his cell phone and attempts to assassinate Ross.  Bradley is soon captured, remembering nothing of the incident, and wastes away in jail awaiting trial while Sam tries to find out who set up Bradley and why.

You're likely wondering how Ross soon morphs into the Red Hulk in the final thirty minutes.  It turns out Dr. Sam Stearns (Nelson) gave Ross pills to cure his ailing heart without informing him that the medication contains gamma radiation which triggers the inner hulk of Ross when he's enraged, which occurs often in this film, although not enough to transform him into the big red monster whose pants miraculously stay on even when he changes from average-sized man to a twenty-foot tall Hulk.  Then again, I recall Watchmen (2009) where the antagonist is a giant blue guy with his schlong hanging out for all to see. 

The action is by rote.  Mackie tries his best, but his Captain America is bland and through most of the movie.  Ford is supposed to be Trump-like in his ability to spin out of control with anger.  Cap is joined by a new Falcon Joaquin Torres (Ramirez), who is sidekick material and as virtuous as Captain America with a little wisenheimer thrown in.   Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) makes a cameo appearance, but none of the other Avengers are present.  I think of the meme which shows an Avenger sleeping with a caption reading, "When the world is in danger, but it's not that Avenger's movie."  Where exactly is Ant Man or the original green hulk when Captain America is battling the Japanese fleet in order to save the world?  The meme makes a brilliant point.  

Last Breath (2025) * * *

 

Directed by:  Alex Parkinson

Starring:  Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, Cliff Curtis, MyAnna Burning, Mark Bonnar, Josef Altin

Last Breath is based on a true story of a saturation diver who, while attempting to repair a pipeline hundreds of feet deep in the ocean, is stranded for nearly thirty minutes without oxygen.  I won't give away the ending, but it's unlikely a documentary (made in 2018) and a feature film would be made about a diver who perishes.  

The movie tells the story in taut fashion, with the mission to repair a section of natural gas pipeline beneath the tempestuous North Sea coming to the forefront quickly.  We meet Chris (Cole), one of the mission divers who says goodbye to his trepidatious fiancee who fears the worst as Chris goes away for one month.  He assures her nothing bad will happen, but of course we know better.  Chris is inexperienced but skilled.   His crew consists of Duncan (Harrelson), the veteran who is working his last mission, and Dave (Liu), the laser-focused expert who doesn't have time to discuss his personal life.  

We see the pod from which the drivers will descend into the depths to the ocean floor lowered.  We learn what has to be done and why.  The ship which serves as headquarters is traveling through choppier than normal seas.  "It's the North Sea, after all," one of the crew members says, but a storm hits causing the ship to lose all power and Chris' oxygen hose to snap while he's working on a platform.  He has reserve oxygen in his scuba gear, but only ten minutes worth.  Once ten minutes comes and goes, we see displays on the screen ominously informing us of how long Chris has gone without air.  He passes out and after twenty minutes or so, Dave and Duncan, who are unable to rescue him until power is restored, fear the rescue will soon become a body recovery. 

The actors try their best to instill their characters with personality.  Harrelson relies on his effortless charm while Liu combines expertise with intensity.   We of course feel for Chris while knowing that, by some miracle, he will turn out okay.  That doesn't diminish the impact when Chris awakes from death's door and...   Yes, I said I wouldn't give away the ending, but I'm sure you figured it out by now.  

97th Oscars-A Recap

 

Anora was the big winner of the night with five Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay).   Those unfamiliar with the movie's writer-director Sean Baker became instantly familiar by the end of the show, which nearly four hours after it started.  Baker made four trips to the stage, becoming just the second person to win four Oscars in one night and the first to win four for the same film.  Walt Disney won four in one night, but not all for the same film. 

The show itself was a dull affair, not that this differentiates it from past telecasts.  The producers were hoping for a ratings boost last year by starting the show at 7pm Eastern instead of 8pm.  However, the producers also think this allows them extra time to cram the telecast with unfunny bits, banter between presenters which goes nowhere, and bloated musical performances.   We were treated to a James Bond montage and three Bond theme songs performed by singers like Lisa and Raye, neither of which I'd heard of before last night.   The five nominated original songs were not performed, but were inexplicably replaced by Queen Latifah performing "Ease on Down the Road," from The Wiz in honor of Quincy Jones, the aforementioned Bond themes, and Cynthia Erivo and Arianna Grande performing songs from Wicked.   Then, came Conan O'Brien's laugh-free monologue.  Conan tried mightily to make it work, but the jokes fell flat.  

Those wondering where Billy Crystal has been received a treat when he and Meg Ryan announced Best Picture, reuniting the When Harry Met Sally stars.  The presenters included Daryl Hannah and Goldie Hawn, both of which haven't been seen much in recent years, but it was good to see them.  I also enjoyed seeing Quentin Tarantino deliver the Best Director award with his usual offbeat flair.   There are critics of Adrien Brody's record-length speech, but while it's an easy mark for critics, I can't fault Brody for it.  However, throwing his chewed gum to his girlfriend Georgina Chapman before ascending the steps to receive his award is gross.   Just swallow the gum next time.  

I gave Anora a three-star review, mostly because the second half was more compelling than the first.  Of the movies I've seen, I would've given the Best Picture nod to A Complete Unknown, which was shut out at this year's awards.  Mikey Madison was a surprise Best Actress winner.  I picked Demi Moore, who was the favorite after her Golden Globe and SAG Award wins, but Madison went along for the ride with Anora's momentum.  Of the 23 categories, I got 13 predictions right.   This is my lowest number of correct predictions in many a long day.   And Anora is the first Oscar-winning film in which any of the Oscar recipients thanked "the sex worker community."  I never thought I'd hear that in one speech, let alone two.  

97th Oscars Predictions

Tonight is the night!  The 97th edition of the Academy Awards.  Here are my predictions in all categories.  Remember, these are based solely on how I believe the Academy and its branches will vote, not on personal preference.  

Best Picture:  Anora

Best Director:  Sean Baker (Anora)

Best Actor:  Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)

Best Actress:  Demi Moore (The Substance)

Best Supporting Actor:  Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

Best Supporting Actress:  Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez)

Best Original Screenplay:  Anora

Best Adapted Screenplay:  Conclave

Animated Feature Film:  Flow

Animated Short Film:  Yuck!

Cinematography:  Nosferatu

Costume Design:  Wicked

Documentary Feature:  No Other Land

Documentary Short Subject:  I Am Ready, Warden

Editing:  Conclave

International Feature Film:  Emilia Perez

Makeup and Hairstyling:  Wicked

Original Score:  Wicked

Original Song:  El Mal

Production Design:  Wicked

Sound:  A Complete Unknown

Visual Effects:  Dune, Part Two

Live Action Short Film:  The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent