Russ Matthews's blog

Kevin Feige and the team at the Marvel Cinematic Universe have managed to pull off something unprecedented to maintain the attention of a passionate fanbase through 22 films over 11 years. There have been longer lasting franchises, like James Bond, but nothing on the scale or with the concerted effort of this series of films. From Ironman (2008) until Captain Marvel (2019), each has played its part in adding to the storyline that has led to Avengers: Endgame.

Over the past decade of superhero films in all their varied success, many critics have attempted to predict the eventual demise of this genre. So does Shazam! prove the naysayers wrong?

It is not hard for me to understand why people do not think of me as an immigrant. This label is usually reserved for the political refugee and those coming to Australia for a better life. I grew up as an American and represent one of the lowest immigrant populations in Australia. Why? The simplest explanation is that Americans generally do not immigrate.

'What is the best and worst the church has to offer?'

'You know, lots of people with big ears are famous!' Timothy Q. Mouse

Get ready for the new wave of Disney classics being made into live-action films. The extensive nature of Disney’s animated classics vault offers the studio a multitude of options when considering these remakes. With the success of Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book, it is no wonder the mouse house would consider all of their back catalogue as options for a new vein of revenue.

'During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity.'

- John le Carre

Reel Dialogue: 2 stars

'I've waited my whole life for this. The world's going to start over. I'm gonna burn it all!' - Erik Killmonger

Walking into the cinema...

How will this African icon go on his own without the Avengers?

Reel Dialogue: 3.5 stars

'Whatever you do, do it carefully.'

Walking into the cinema...

The last collaboration between Daniel Day-Lewis and director Paul Thomas Anderson was a cinematic triumph, can Phantom Thread rise to the heights of There Will Be Blood?

Reel Dialogue: 4.5 stars

'Well, the first thing is that I love monsters, I identify with monsters.'

Guillermo del Toro

Walking into the cinema...

A romance fantasy about a woman who falls in love with The Creature from the Black Lagoon... Only in Guillermo del Toro's world.

Reel Dialogue: 3.5 stars

(Due to the mature content in this film it is for adult audiences only.)

'What words cannot be put on a billboard?'

Walking into the cinema...

Big winner at the Golden Globes: Best Drama, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress and Supporting Actor

Reel Dialogue rating: 4 stars