Tonight's marathon centers around the theme of reality sinking in for many characters in these films. The marathon partially continues what was set up with Black Friday's When A You're Given The Opportunity Of A Lifetime with the story arcs of the Men In Black, Star Trek, and Star Wars series continuing with their respective second installments. Perhaps the films in which the theme of reality sinking in really hits home towards is Star Trek Into Darkness and The Empire Strikes Back with some chilling plot twists happening about 2/3rds in and the characters experiencing real peril. Now that young men such as J from Men In Black, Captain Kirk from Star Trek, and Luke Skywalker from A New Hope have all been given the opportunity to become who they were born to be, they now face an enemy that is more powerful than they ever could imagine as well as carrying secrets that could threaten the whole galaxy as well as changing the course of the heroes story. Tonight's marathon is exciting and gradually builds with each film until it hits it's peak with an unforgettable revelation in the climax of Empire Strikes Back, still considered one of the greatest movies ever made. For this evenings glorious menu, we have the following films on the menu:
Men In Black 2 2002, Enders Game 2013, Guardians Of The Galaxy 2014, Star Trek Into Darkness 2013, and The Empire Strikes Back 1980
Now this is a great setup of movies for an evening of pure excitement and spectacle. Beginning with Men In Black ll perfectly continuing the marathon from where it ended with When You're Given The Opportunity Of A Lifetime with the conclusion of the first Men In Black implying that K's memory is wiped out by J at his request. Star Trek 2009 ended with Kirk and Spock becoming good friends and forming a bond that will lead them into many great adventures in space. Star Wars ended with Princess Leia being rescued, Han Solo turning good and helping Luke destroy the death star and become a pilot like his father with Obi Wan watching over him in spirit. With the way those films ended, this marathon continues the journeys of these characters with all new adventures and darker times but also introduces new people such as the characters from Guardians Of The Galaxy led by newcomer Chris Pratt. Themes that run rampant throughout this marathon are family, friendship, betrayal, death of a loved one, revelations of dark secrets, remembering what's important and finally realizing what is most important in the end which is standing by your friends and family when it counts.
The first movie of the evening is the 2002 blockbuster sequel to the 1997 Scfi comedy classic titled Men in Black. Starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, Men In Black ll focuses on the character of J taking the shoes of a retired and denuralized K and continuing to battle and traffic extraterrestrial life on Earth. As he does so, he falls for a beautiful young witness played by Rosario Dawson to an alien murder committed by another alien played by Lara Flynn Boyle. It is up to J to solve the mystery of the murder and battle the new alien whose taken his MIB headquarters under siege but not without getting the help of his old partner K, and helping him to regain his memory of being a former Men In Black agent. Men In Black ll fits the theme of reality sinking in because this time it's K whose in Will Smith shoes like in the first movie and has to remember who he was as he never really moved on from being an agent of Men In Black. K has to let it sink in that he was once apart of something of great significance, and now realizes why he always looked at the stars at night as J pointed out during the film. Men In Black ll never received the same kind of box office or critical praise as the first film but it's an essential movie to the theme in this lineup as it continues the story arc set up by the first movie and has a plot that deals with revelations and secrets.
The first movie of the evening is the 2002 blockbuster sequel to the 1997 Scfi comedy classic titled Men in Black. Starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, Men In Black ll focuses on the character of J taking the shoes of a retired and denuralized K and continuing to battle and traffic extraterrestrial life on Earth. As he does so, he falls for a beautiful young witness played by Rosario Dawson to an alien murder committed by another alien played by Lara Flynn Boyle. It is up to J to solve the mystery of the murder and battle the new alien whose taken his MIB headquarters under siege but not without getting the help of his old partner K, and helping him to regain his memory of being a former Men In Black agent. Men In Black ll fits the theme of reality sinking in because this time it's K whose in Will Smith shoes like in the first movie and has to remember who he was as he never really moved on from being an agent of Men In Black. K has to let it sink in that he was once apart of something of great significance, and now realizes why he always looked at the stars at night as J pointed out during the film. Men In Black ll never received the same kind of box office or critical praise as the first film but it's an essential movie to the theme in this lineup as it continues the story arc set up by the first movie and has a plot that deals with revelations and secrets.
The second movie of the marathon is Enders Game starring Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield. Based on a popular bestselling book, the story centers around a young boy named Ender Wiggin, whose been recruited by the International Military to lead a fight against the Formics. The Formics is a genocidal alien race that nearly annihilated the human race in the invasion prior. The film is perfect for this theme because of the twist at the end regarding the destruction of a planet that's of a lifeform population by Ender. Ender Games deals with a young man chosen to be the last hope for humankind much like Luke Skywalker in A New Hope. Harrison Ford plays like an Obi Wan Kenobi type of character who looks after the boy yet see's potential in him although he might not be as kind and loving as Kenobi. Enders Game is a well acted and solidly written Scfi action movie that may not be as thought provoking as it's book is known for but it's a reasonably satisfying movie that has a devastating yet unique plot twist at the end. The film was predicted to become the launchpad for a new trilogy but it's poor domestic box office making only 61 million on a budget of 110 million ensures that will most definitely not happen.
The third movie of the lineup is the 2014 blockbuster titled Guardians Of The Galaxy starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, and Djimon Hounsou. Based on a Marvel comics storyline except this one is centered in a space journey that parallels Star Wars, the story centers around a group of intergalactic criminals who are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking over the universe. The revelation in this film is the heroic group of misfit characters discovering that the magic orb they stole is dangerous and must save the universe. Other parallels with this film and Star Wars is the group of unlikely but loyal misfit friends who come together to save the universe from a common enemy. Friendships and love interests are established much like A New Hope. Guardians Of The Galaxy is funny, thrilling, exciting, action-packed with a great deal of special effects, and has charismatic actors playing the lead parts such as Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper, and Zoe Saldana like A New Hope's Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. It is a visual splendor and a fitting parallel to Star Wars and Star Trek.
The fourth movie of the marathon is the much anticipated and darker sequel to JJ Abrams 2009 Star Trek movie titled Star Trek Into Darkness. The story takes place after the events of the first Star Trek movie with Spock and Kirk becoming full blown friends but are faced with a greater enemy than their previous adventure together. While battling this new enemy, Kirk tries to teach Spock about the true meaning of friendship and what it means for one person to save the life of another. Star Trek Into Darkness is essentially The Empire Strikes Back of JJ Abrams set of Star Trek movies because it walks a very similar pattern to the greatest Star Trek film of all time titled Wrath Of Khan. The film pays many homages to that film and creates a villain that's very similar in style and characterization played brilliantly by Benedict Cumberbatch. Into Darkiness is a terrific sequel to the 2009 film because it takes all the great ingredients of that movie and includes them in this one such as faster pacing than the older Trek films, impressive special effects, darker villains and themes, characters that you truly care about such as Kirk and Spock, and an emotional core that parallels Empire Strikes Back brilliantly.
The fifth and final movie of the marathon is the 1980 blockbuster and second installment in the original Star Wars trilogy titled The Empire Strikes Back. Generally considered by most fans to be the defining moment of Star Wars as well as ending up on countless lists of the greatest movie sequels as well as motion pictures of all time, Empire Strikes Back continues the story arcs of Luke, Han, and Leia as we follow their journey after the events of A New Hope. Whereas in that film the good guys won, this time the bad guys come back stronger and more menacing than ever before after witnessing their ultimate weapon The Death Star get destroyed by a young pilot whose strong with the force. In this second outing, Darth Vader has become obsessive with tracking down Luke Skywalker for his own personal reasons as well as crumbling the rebel forces. Luke begins his training with Jedi master Yoda with the help of Obi Wan Kenobi by his side. Meanwhile Han Solo plays bodyguard to Princess Leia and hides with her, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 in the outer part of the galaxy. While doing so, Han and Leia begin a passionate romance that reaches its full potential when they are captured by Vader and Solo is frozen in carbonite. Sensing that his friends are in a great deal of trouble, Luke chooses to save his friends but discovers a devastating secret about Darth Vader. Empire Strikes Back is the defining moment of the Star Wars saga because it is here that the truth about Darth Vaders identity is revealed to Luke and why he was sheltered from knowing the truth about his father his whole life. Empire is unquestionably one of the greatest movie blockbusters of all time, and a landmark movie that many sequels since it's release have taken direct influence from. It brings the entire marathon to a fitting close because there is no true conclusion to the film but an emotional climax for the characters as well as an audience. One almost doesn't need to watch Return Of The Jedi to see his this story ends because it's ending implies Han Solo will be rescued and Luke will become a Jedi like his father and defeat Vader much like Dark Knight implying Batman will always fight on.
So what are these movies trying to say as a whole when you put them all together? The message behind all of these films is that when reality sinks in, it hits hard. Just because one endures a dark moment in their journey doesn't mean that all hope is lost. Guardians Of The Galaxy, Star Trek, and Empire Strikes Back all say that family and friendship are what's most important and what should always come first. Star Trek Into Darkness says that sometimes you have to break the rules in order to help a friend or loved one. Sometimes it's not until you lose a friend that you realize what you had and what was lost. Guardians Of The Galaxy says that family and friendship together can ultimately defeat any kind of evil. Enders Game says that winning isn't all that matters and sometimes you could be called upon to do something greater than win a battle, but maybe help to create new life. Empire Strikes Back says that no matter how dark times get and what friends may endure, there is always hope that things will get better and that the future will prevail.
The third movie of the lineup is the 2014 blockbuster titled Guardians Of The Galaxy starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, and Djimon Hounsou. Based on a Marvel comics storyline except this one is centered in a space journey that parallels Star Wars, the story centers around a group of intergalactic criminals who are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking over the universe. The revelation in this film is the heroic group of misfit characters discovering that the magic orb they stole is dangerous and must save the universe. Other parallels with this film and Star Wars is the group of unlikely but loyal misfit friends who come together to save the universe from a common enemy. Friendships and love interests are established much like A New Hope. Guardians Of The Galaxy is funny, thrilling, exciting, action-packed with a great deal of special effects, and has charismatic actors playing the lead parts such as Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper, and Zoe Saldana like A New Hope's Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. It is a visual splendor and a fitting parallel to Star Wars and Star Trek.
The fourth movie of the marathon is the much anticipated and darker sequel to JJ Abrams 2009 Star Trek movie titled Star Trek Into Darkness. The story takes place after the events of the first Star Trek movie with Spock and Kirk becoming full blown friends but are faced with a greater enemy than their previous adventure together. While battling this new enemy, Kirk tries to teach Spock about the true meaning of friendship and what it means for one person to save the life of another. Star Trek Into Darkness is essentially The Empire Strikes Back of JJ Abrams set of Star Trek movies because it walks a very similar pattern to the greatest Star Trek film of all time titled Wrath Of Khan. The film pays many homages to that film and creates a villain that's very similar in style and characterization played brilliantly by Benedict Cumberbatch. Into Darkiness is a terrific sequel to the 2009 film because it takes all the great ingredients of that movie and includes them in this one such as faster pacing than the older Trek films, impressive special effects, darker villains and themes, characters that you truly care about such as Kirk and Spock, and an emotional core that parallels Empire Strikes Back brilliantly.
The fifth and final movie of the marathon is the 1980 blockbuster and second installment in the original Star Wars trilogy titled The Empire Strikes Back. Generally considered by most fans to be the defining moment of Star Wars as well as ending up on countless lists of the greatest movie sequels as well as motion pictures of all time, Empire Strikes Back continues the story arcs of Luke, Han, and Leia as we follow their journey after the events of A New Hope. Whereas in that film the good guys won, this time the bad guys come back stronger and more menacing than ever before after witnessing their ultimate weapon The Death Star get destroyed by a young pilot whose strong with the force. In this second outing, Darth Vader has become obsessive with tracking down Luke Skywalker for his own personal reasons as well as crumbling the rebel forces. Luke begins his training with Jedi master Yoda with the help of Obi Wan Kenobi by his side. Meanwhile Han Solo plays bodyguard to Princess Leia and hides with her, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 in the outer part of the galaxy. While doing so, Han and Leia begin a passionate romance that reaches its full potential when they are captured by Vader and Solo is frozen in carbonite. Sensing that his friends are in a great deal of trouble, Luke chooses to save his friends but discovers a devastating secret about Darth Vader. Empire Strikes Back is the defining moment of the Star Wars saga because it is here that the truth about Darth Vaders identity is revealed to Luke and why he was sheltered from knowing the truth about his father his whole life. Empire is unquestionably one of the greatest movie blockbusters of all time, and a landmark movie that many sequels since it's release have taken direct influence from. It brings the entire marathon to a fitting close because there is no true conclusion to the film but an emotional climax for the characters as well as an audience. One almost doesn't need to watch Return Of The Jedi to see his this story ends because it's ending implies Han Solo will be rescued and Luke will become a Jedi like his father and defeat Vader much like Dark Knight implying Batman will always fight on.
So what are these movies trying to say as a whole when you put them all together? The message behind all of these films is that when reality sinks in, it hits hard. Just because one endures a dark moment in their journey doesn't mean that all hope is lost. Guardians Of The Galaxy, Star Trek, and Empire Strikes Back all say that family and friendship are what's most important and what should always come first. Star Trek Into Darkness says that sometimes you have to break the rules in order to help a friend or loved one. Sometimes it's not until you lose a friend that you realize what you had and what was lost. Guardians Of The Galaxy says that family and friendship together can ultimately defeat any kind of evil. Enders Game says that winning isn't all that matters and sometimes you could be called upon to do something greater than win a battle, but maybe help to create new life. Empire Strikes Back says that no matter how dark times get and what friends may endure, there is always hope that things will get better and that the future will prevail.
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