Assassin's Creed (2016) --- "Is Unlocking The Genetic Memories In Our DNA Possible? Or Straight Out Of A Video Game."

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Plot Summary

Cal Lynch travels back in time to 15th-century Spain through a revolutionary technology that unlocks the genetic memories contained in his DNA. There, he lives out the experiences of Aguilar de Nerha, a distant relative who's also a member of the Assassins, a secret society that fights to protect free will from the power-hungry Templar Order. Transformed by the past, Cal begins to gain the knowledge and physical skills necessary to battle the oppressive organization in the present. (1)

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     Assassin's Creed (2017) is based on the computer game of the same name by Ubisoft. Basically, Assassin's Creed1 is about two factions: the Knights Templar – who want to do away with free will as they believe that free will is the root of corruption – and the Assassins – who believe that violence is the sacrifice that one must pay for freedom. Both factions have been in an eternal conflict for control of humanity’s destiny. There are a number of artifacts that the factions are looking for, one, in particular, is the Apple of Eden which promises an end to violence and destruction by containing the genetic code for human free will. The Templars want to control humanity while the Assassins are trying to prevent the former from getting the artifacts. Now I have never played the computer game nor have I seen the old movie adaptations, so aside from the impressive and intriguing trailers I was unsure of what to expect from the movie. The film is entertaining with its captivating production designs (Raphael Lacoste and Andy Nicholson), the cinematography (Adam Arkapaw) captures the splendor of Andalusia, Spain and the island of Malta, and the action sequences through the use of the Animus, involving the Assassins is spectacular. The action sequence outside of the Animus are still cool but have a sense of lacking to it or perhaps it’s just me who loves period fighting scenes. Although I have been told that the Animus in the game – a chair with screens – is different from the one seen in this film – a robotic scorpion’s tail that attaches to the base of the skull/brain – the change is a welcome one. Or so some friends have said.

The Shack (2017) --- "Forgiveness And Love Is Stronger Than We Thought."

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Plot Summary

After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips spirals into a deep depression that causes him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever.(1)

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     I have never read the book, so I cannot judge on whether this film is an accurate adaptation of the book. The Shack is the story is about Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Phillips (Sam Worthington - Avatar) who experiences a great tragedy in his family. Overcome with a great sadness and having anger towards the perpetrator for the crime and God for “letting it happen,” Mack searches for answers from God when one day he receives a letter asking him to go the shack were the tragedy happened. Upon arriving at the shack and overcome with grief, he experience a vision where he meets God as a family: Papa/God (Octavia Spencer – Hidden Figures), Jesus (Avraham Aviv Alush – Beauty and the Baker), and Sarayu/Holy Spirit (Sumire Marsubara). Now whether the vision was an open vision – his eyes are open and he is awake – or a dream vision – while he is asleep – is unclear at first and does not take much precedent in this review. However, there were a few areas of concern that audiences had after watching the film.

Silence (2016) --- "Sometimes Silence Does Not Always Mean Abandonment and Solitude."

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Plot Summary

Two 17th-century Portuguese missionaries, Father Sebastian Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Father Francisco Garupe (Adam Driver), embark on a perilous journey to Japan to find their missing mentor (Liam Neeson). While there, the two men minister to the Christian villagers who worship in secret. If caught by feudal lords or ruling samurai, they must renounce their faith or face a prolonged and agonizing death. (1)

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     Based on Shûsaku Endô's (The Sea of Poison) 1966 historical novel of the same name, Silence is a passionate faith-based film that took director Martin Scorsese (Wolf on Wall Street) 20 years to create. The final product that was released is not only artistic and mysterious but also brutal and thought to be filled with hopelessness, at least until you come to an interesting and beautiful end. Silence is very much its own beast and without a doubt 2017’s most powerful story yet. Rather than condone the suppression of religious groups, Silence examines the caution one must have in the attempt to convert a country without first a deep understanding of their beliefs and traditions. As we explore the beauty of an individual’s faithfulness to their faith, we are also exposed to the horrors and the lengths that people are willing to go to destroy that faith. The movie is filled with a balance of light and dark scenes. The lights scenes are calm and give you the opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery. While the darker scenes will bring you to the edge of your seat with emotional and horrific punishments that some characters must endure.

Wonder Woman (2017) --- "Apparently Crossing No-Man's Land Is Not Impossible For A Woman."

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Plot Summary

Before she was Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), she was Diana, Princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot (Chris Pine) who tells her about the massive conflict that's raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny. 

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       The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) was off to a rough start, trailing far behind the Marvel universe and failing to deliver much of fans expectation in the previous three films. DCEU needed a saving grace…or, in this case, a Wonder Woman. Director Patty Jenkins (Monster) accomplishes the impossible as this film exceeds expectations and provides a comprehensive cinematic experience. The film takes great advantage of its 140-minute running time by explaining where Diana is from, who she is, and her road of self-discovery. Although it begins at a somewhat flawed and uneven start, this allows for the story to build into a compelling and exhilarating cinematic performance from a princess to a warrior and delivers affectionate sentimentality that carries a sense of strength. The theme of the film touches many different topics: love and peace, sacrifice and courage. And while at times it feels a bit overdone and preachy the story delivers exactly what it set out to do with grace and accuracy. One aspect that I admire is that Jenkins does not abandon the idea of terror and mass destruction, especially since Diana Prince is still very innocent in those areas, but escapes the confines of a cliché superhero film where all the bad guys are evil and the good guys are purely good. In everyone, there is both dark and light, the difference is which side you chose and why.

Risen (2016) --- "A Stubborn Tribune Meets Christianity In His Quest For Recovering A Body."

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Plot Summary

Roman military tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) remains set in his ways after serving 25 years in the army. He arrives at a crossroad when he's tasked to investigate the mystery of what happened to Jesus (Cliff Curtis) following the Crucifixion. Accompanied by trusted aide Lucius (Tom Felton), his quest to disprove rumors of a risen Messiah makes him question his own beliefs and spirituality. As his journey takes him to places never dreamed of, Clavius discovers the truth that he's been seeking. (1)

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     Director Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Count of Monte Cristo) has put together an entertaining and unique film. The acting was on point, the music score was fitting, and the sets and scenery were beautiful. Risen is told through the eyes of Pontius Pilate's (Peter Firth – Pearl Harbor, Mighty Joe Young) right-hand man Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a Roman tribune who is forced to investigate the evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus/Yeshua (Cliff Curtis – Push, Columbiana). Telling the story through the eyes of a non-believer (a pagan considering his belief in the Roman gods) offered depth and so much more to the film because we got to see his transformation and his quest for truth. People, no matter who you are, are always looking for truth. Truth about anything and everything.