Re-Porter Blog: 2018 Year End Post

Hi there followers. Well, another year has come and gone. We are officially on day 365 of 2018. This year was full of highs and lows but overall the year was fun and memorable. The films released this year blew us away, broke our hearts, and shattered barriers and expectations. As we close the book on 2018 and look toward the New Year, let's reflect on some of the standout moments of the year and highlight my top 5 films of the year.

Top Takeaways of 2018

2018 marked a historic year for people of color and other demographics. A number of films were incredibly well received and acclaimed like Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians while other movies delivered on drama and heart like The Hate U Give and Love, Simon. Almost every demographic was well represented in fan-pleasing films that showed that the people involved in good storytelling can be any shade and any gender.

10 years of storytelling resulted in one of the most incredible years for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the groundbreaking phenomenon of Black Panther, the monumental event of Infinity War, and the light-hearted antics of Ant-Man and the Wasp, Marvel had a year to remember as they prepare to usher in a new erase for the franchise here's to many more years.

It's weird to say that an entire fanbase has been spoiled with incredible content but that is the case with fans of the Spider-Man brand. From the incredible performance of Tom Holland in Infinity War, the surprising performance of Venom, and the animated masterpiece that is Into the Spider-Verse (not to mention the awesome Spider-Man game from PlayStation), the Web-slinger had a year to remember and gave longtime fans hope for the future.

Two of the biggest films of 2018 showcased stories of musicians and their journey to legendary status. From the crowd-pleasing biopic Bohemian Rhapsody to Oscar darling A Star Is Born, these cinematic experiences showcased amazing dramatic and musical performances that were felt the world over

Before I Announce My Top 5 Films, Here are My Top Five Honorable Mentions/Runner-Ups

Based on the popular novel by Ernest Cline, Steven Spielberg brought the world of the oasis to life in a wild ride filled with action, adventure, and mountains of nostalgia. In the end, Ready Player One delivered a fun dose escapism from one of cinema's most treasured storytellers

After the demoralizing events of Infinity War, Scott Lang swooped in to bring some sunshine to a world turned to ash. Building on the elements that made its predecessor memorable, Ant-Man and the Wasp was a worthy sequel that built on the first and became a fun-filled ride all its own. Now to figure out how a certain someone escapes the quantum realm?

Ralph came back and wreaked havoc in a new arena. Leaving behind the arcade, Venellope and Ralph took to the Internet and encountered new and familiar faces while testing their friendship. A hilarious and heartfelt movie that was every bit as funny as it was moving

The son of Adonis Creed stepped back into the ring for a second bout and rock audiences once again. Creed 2 pushed the story forward but emotionally challenging its characters while also delivering the goods in the form of intense and visceral boxing fights. The Rocky franchise is as strong as ever as it continues to thrill and deliver cheer-worthy moments that are always a knockout.

Full disclosure: in a movie about a superhero who swims underwater and talks to fish the signs don't really point to this being a standout movie. Despite all that, James Wan delivers is arguably one of the most entertaining superhero spectacles of the year in the form of Aquaman. Visually breathtaking and full of life in addition to Fast Pace visceral action and the Infectious Charisma of Jason Momoa, Aquaman is a crowd pleaser that is Wet n wild in all the right ways.

And Now Without Further Ado, Here are My....

Wakanda Forever

What more needs to be said for the cultural phenomenon that shattered barriers and defied expectations. Marvel Studios' groundbreaking installment in the MCU delivered a stellar predominately black cast, one of the franchise's best villains, and a socially relevant story and a message about the things we can accomplish if we all act as one Tribe. A cinematic event in every sense of the word and a real high point for the ever-growing Marvel hero verse.

Simply Incredible

14 years we waited for one of the most beloved superhero films of the year. When we finally got it, it was a worthy follow up that had fast-paced action, great heart and expanded the world within it in such an effective way. It's rare that something you wait so long for is every bit as memorable as the classic. But simply put, Incredibles 2 is simply the definition of its title.

Destiny Arrives

The culmination of the 10-year history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was arguably the most anticipated movie of the year. Little did we know what we were in for. Epic scale action, high impact tension, and soul-crushing emotional carnage unheard of for a superhero movie. When the dust settled (too soon?), we were broken, shocked and rocked to the core. In the end, Avengers Infinity War is one of the most enthralling cinematic experiences ever put to screen. God only knows what the next chapter holds.

A Leap of Faith

Sometimes a movie comes along that changes the landscape of the genre. I never thought it would come from the Spider-Man portfolio. Sporting game-changing animation, grounded storytelling, and a sense of joy and awe all while sporting a style all its own, Into The Spider-Verse, is a masterclass of animation storytelling that reinvigorates the series and shows that what makes you different truly makes you Spider-Man.

Back To Life

The history of the live-action Transformers films has been marred with scrutiny and resentment. Constant disregard for what makes the brand fun and memorable are replaced with controversial and sometimes divisive decisions in addition to lack of heart and soul. Thankfully, Bumblebee comes in as the God-sent antithesis to the previous installments. Still maintaining the explosive action the series is known for but with the addition of a heartfelt story and a structured plot, this prequel spinoff is The Cinematic Transformers experience fans have been waiting for. Needless to say that this movie indeed has all the touch and the power.  

What an awesome year it was. What was your favorite movie of 2018? Be sure to come back tomorrow where I will share my top ten must-see movies for the year. Have a safe NYE everyone

2018 Summer Movie Season: Season Awards

The 6th Annual Summer Movie Season Awards

By: Brandon Porter

Hey there followers!!! Well, here we are. The end of the summer movie season. I have to say, this has been one of the best summer seasons in recent memory with so many memorable films spread out over the past several months. But with the fall movies coming in and awards season in full swing, it is time to properly close things out with our annual post SMS awards



Best Summer Movie Actor 
(Josh Brolin)

The hands-down king among actors this summer was the guy who occupied 2 Marvel films. His gut-wrenching performance as Thanos and his stone cold demeanor as Cable made Josh Brolin the biggest and brightest star of the SMS.

Best Summer Movie Actress 
(Zazie Beetz)

Coming in with an irresistible charm that rivaled her foul mouther co-star, Zazie Beetz captured the hearts of many as the luck powered hero Domino in one of the summer's delightfully scene-stealing starlets. 


Best Action Movie
 (Mission Impossible Fallout)

It is rare for a franchise to get better with each installment. But Mission Impossible manages to do just that. Building off the momentum of its previous predecessor's Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation, Mission Impossible Fallout continues to push the envelope and turn this series into one of the best action franchises in Hollywood.


Best Animated Movie/Best Superhero Movie 
(Incredibles 2)

14 years is a long time to wait for a movie. That said, Incredibles 2 made great use of that gap delivering arguably one of the best animated films this calendar year. Gorgeous animation, high stakes action, and terrific voice acting make this action-adventure truly incredible.

Best Sci-fi Movie
(Ant-Man and the Wasp)

A sequel that hits all the right notes by building on what made the first one special, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a fun summer romp that improves on its predecessor and closes Marvel's 2018 slate with its fans begging for what comes next.




And Finally, The Top Honor of The SMS Goes Too...

Movie Of The Summer

Despite all the standout movies this year, no other movie rocked the movie world quite like the culmination of the MCU. An incredible villain, devastating revelations, and brutal emotional carnage, Avengers Infinity War is without a doubt one of the most emotionally enveloping cinematic experiences of this generation.

Thank you to everyone who supported the blog this summer. Had a fun time bringing you all this content. Have an incredible fall and winter and hope to see you next year!!!! 

2018 Summer Movie Season - Month By Month Recaps

Summer Movie Season 2018 (Month 4  Recap)

Hello followers. Month 4 of the summer movie season has concluded and with it the summer movie season as a whole. August closed things out with some surprise hits that put a capper on a terrific summer at the movies. Let's break everything down in our month 4 recap

Christopher Robin

The live-action take on the crew from the hundred acre wood was a sweet and heartfelt film about reconnecting with your inner child. Through cynicism and reality can make ones heart cold, all you need is to be reminded that the joys of reconnecting with your past can greatly impact your future. A bright light in these dark times indeed.

The Darkest Minds

In an age where YA adaptations were considered box office gold, The Darkest Minds feels like it came out 6 years too late. Filled with familiar tropes and uninspired narrative choices, the latest attempt to reinvigorate the YA genre falls flat. A step backward for a genre past its prime.

Crazy Rich Minds

What more can be said for what has to be the cultural phenomenon of the summer. The highly entertaining and heartfelt adaptation of the acclaimed novel brought laughs, tears, and unmatched representation to an underrepresented demographic. Put it bluntly, Crazy Rich Asians is definitely rich in every fabric of its being.

 The Meg


Nothing says summer like water, beaches, bikinis, and a giant man-eating shark. The over the top shark flick brought a sense of terror and thrills that soaked its views to the core. The box office is a solid indication that the shark movie genre is still swimming and hungry for more.

Here is a Breakdown on How the Following Films Did Financially and Among Critics

Best Box Office Numbers (As of September 6th, 2018)

1. The Meg: $486.4 million

2. Crazy Rich Asians: $139.5 million

3. Christopher Robin: $135.2 million

4. The Darkest Minds: $38.2 million

Best Critical Success (via. Rotten Tomatoes)

1. Crazy Rich Asians (93% Certified Fresh)

2. Christopher Robin (70%)

3. The Meg  (46%)

4. The Darkest Minds (17 %)

 What movie did you love in July? Stay tuned for our Summer Movie Awards. Have a great day followers

Re-Porter Blog 2018 Summer Movie Season - Month 4 Preview (August 2018)

Curtain Call!!! Asians, Sharks, and Super Powered Teens Conclude SMS 2018

By Brandon Porter

Hello followers. The summer movie season is nearing its conclusion and oscar season is nearly here. Though August is the last month, it is no slouch when it comes to potential blockbusters. Let's break down the notable releases in our month 4 preview

Christopher Robin (Walt Disney Pictures; August 3rd)

Into The Woods

Childhood is a special time in life. A period of innocence and growth that lay the foundation of who you are meant to be. In the case of Christopher Robin, he has grown up to be a family man with a well-established career. But when life starts becoming a burden for him, old friends come back into his life looking to guide him back to happiness. Starring Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, and the legendary voice of Jim Cummings, Disney delivers a heartfelt live-action adaptation of the silly honey-loving bear. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood when Christopher Robin comes to theaters this Friday.

Here is The Latest Released Trailer 

The Darkest Minds (20th Century Fox; August 3rd)

Mind Games

Years after a deadly outbreak, humanity is brought to the brink of extinction. The biggest casualty is the youth. For the ones that survive, they adopt powerful abilities making them unique and also a threat. With the future of the world in the balance, a group of teens band together to find a place to call home and shake the foundation of the world they know. 20th Century Fox brings a brand new YA adaptation staring Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore, and Gwendoline Christie. The ones  who changed will change everything when The Darkest Minds comes to theaters on Friday

Here is The Latest Released Trailer 

The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures; August 10th)

Shark Tale

Nothing says summer like beaches, water, the sun, and a giant man-eating shark. When an ancient prehistoric shark threatens the population, a team of biologist comes together to take down the hungry beast before it's next meal. Jason Statham stars in what is sure to be the popcorn flick of the month. Chomp on some underwater thrills when The Meg swims into theaters on August 10th 

Here is The Latest Released Trailer 

Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros. Pictures' August 15th)

Asian Persuasion

Meeting the parents of your future spouse is always stressful. But imagine if your spouse is the heir to a multi-billion dollar fortune. When a young college professor accompanies her fiance to Singapore, she discovers he is a member of one of the wealthiest families in Asia. Now tasked with surviving her high-class in-laws, she must endure the reign of his overbearing mother and prepare to make the life-changing transition from city girl to rich wife. Based on the acclaimed novel, Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Jeong, and Awkwafina star in the romantic comedy about class, wealth, and the importance of love despite it all. Witness the colliding of two worlds when Crazy Rich Asians hit theaters on August 15th

Here is The Latest Released Trailer 

What a great way to close out the summer movie season. Enjoy these movies and others throughout the month. Have a great day followers!!!

2018 Summer Movie Season - Month By Month Recaps

Summer Movie Season 2018 (Month 3  Recap)

Hey followers. Month 3 is officially over and it was eventful to say the least. With the summer movie season nearing the end, let's recap July in our latest month recap

The First Purge

The fourth installment of the politically charged horror action franchise takes its viewers to the origins of the event that forever changed the nation. With brutal action, standout performances, and on the nose shots at hot-button topics, The First Purge builds on the established brand to create a compelling and overall solid origin story.  

 Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and the Wasp

With the world still emotionally recovering from Infinity War, Scott and Hope offered a warm and fuzzy blanket of fun to sooth the pain. Building and improving on almost every aspect of its predecessor, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a near perfect sequel that adds another incredible film to the MCU library. 

Skyscraper

What do you get when you mix, action, summer, and Dwayne Johnson? 9 times out of 10, a sure-fire hit. Unfortunately, Skyscraper took a big leap and came up short becoming an underwhelming summer blunder. But knowing Dwayne, this misstep won't hurt him as he continues to show he's one of the biggest stars on the planet. 

Equalizer 2

Denzel Washington shines brightly in a career first sequel that is just as brutal and badass as its predecessor. Little can match the charisma and gravitas of arguably one of the greatest actors of all time in this high stakes action thriller

Mission Impossible: Fallout

After slowly being taken seriously as a franchise, Mission Impossible Fallout shattered expectations to become arguably one of the year's most adored films. Behind the crazy antics of Tom Cruise along with stellar action and solid writing, Fallout establishes itself as a master class in action blockbusters and a franchise standard for the future.  of the series

Here is a Breakdown on How the Following Films Did Financially and Among Critics

Best Box Office Numbers (As of August 2nd, 2018)

1. Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and the Wasp: $397 million

2. Skyscraper: $256.7 million

3. Mission Impossible: Fallout: $184.2 million

4. The First Purge: $111.4 million

5. Equalizer 2: $72 Million

Best Critical Success (via. Rotten Tomatoes)

1. Mission Impossible: Fallout (97% Certified Fresh)

2. Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and the Wasp (87% Certified Fresh)

3. The First Purge (52%)

4. Equalizer 2 (50%)

5. Skyscraper (48%)

 What movie did you love in July? Stay tuned for the preview for August tomorrow. Have a great day followers

2018 Summer Movie Season - Mission Impossible Fallout : Review & Analysis

Graceful Falling!!!! Sixth Mission Impossible Movie is Cheer Worthy Summer Spectacle!!!!

Review By: Brandon Porter

Nothing Can Prepare Him For The Fallout

Story Description

The world is crashing down for the IMF. After a mission goes horribly wrong, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his crew find themselves in their biggest hole yet as all of their escapades finally come to a head that threatens to plunge the world into a chaos. Tasked with his biggest mission yet, Ethan must use all his wit to stop a deadly threat while the CIA's top operative (Henry Cavill) is determined to bring him down in a mission that will test every fiber of his being. 

Ethan and His Team Face Down The Threat

Critical and Financial Analysis

The Mission Impossible franchise has been revitalized in a huge way and has turned into one of the most entertaining film franchises out there. After the game-changing  Ghost Protocol and the equally impressive Rogue Nation, Fallout looks to build on that momentum and be the action adventure of the summer. Critically, the film was incredibly well received. Fallout earned an outstanding 98% certified fresh rating via Rotten Tomatoes and equally incredible 95% rating from general audience. Critics praised nearly everything about the film from the acting, directing, plot, and the action sequences. Some critics have boldly proclaimed that the film is possibly one of the greatest action films ever made. The film is off to a solid start financially. The film earned $23 million on Friday in addition to $6 million for Thursday. Both totals are records for a Tom Cruise led film. The film is on track for a great run and looks to be a great Summer closer for many moviegoers.

Try Not To Leave A Mess

Film Review

The Mission Impossible franchise has managed to turn itself into one of the most entertaining action franchises in the past decade after the monumental success of Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation. Mission Impossible Fallout looks to build on the momentum and be the action spectacle of the summer. After witnessing the film, Fallout is another incredible entry in the franchise. Since Mission Impossible 3, the series reinvented itself as an action franchise worth the hype and praise. Fallout is no different. The film builds off it two acclaimed predecessors to deliver a summer action fest that takes the series to new heights. To start, Tom Cruise continues to carry the series phenomenally as Ethan Hunt. You can tell he takes the role seriously and both performance wise (and stunt-wise) shoulders the load. The supporting cast is great all around too with Henry Cavill being a terrific addition to the film. His persona and brute mentality clash with Hunt's optimism making for some great scenes. Rebecca Furguson returns as Ilsa Faust along with Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris as Benji, Luther, Lane respectively with Angela Basset coming through strong as CIA director Erica Slone. In terms of the action in the film, what more needs to be said. Fallout has some of the most insane set pieces I've seen in the series yet with each one creating edge-of-your-seat thrills and incredible tension. Pair that with some fun narrative misdirects and you have the makings of a hell of a cinematic thrill ride. Overall, Mission Impossible Fallout continues to build on the incredible momentum of it's most recent entries and shows that the though the missions may seem impossible, the results promise to be worth the hype. 

Rating and Final Thoughts

Arguably one of the series best entries, the latest adventure with the IMF proves to be an
impossibly thrilling cinematic summer treat.

Stuntman? Who Needs A Stuntman When You Have Tom Cruise?