The Man Without Fear

In 2015, it’s almost hard to imagine a time when comic book super heroes were taboo in film. Marvel having not be satisfied with just film has been recently setting their sights on the TV space. Starting first with Agents of Shield, a show about a government agency which often works closely with Marvel’s current heroes.  Agents of Shield received a lukewarm reception at best.  That reception changed after its tie in with the movie Captain America: The Winter Solider.  Marvel has fully realized the value of its shared universe and continues to cultivate it in many meaningful ways. Marvel’s latest cultivation manifested itself in a partnership with Netflix to launch a darker, grittier and more adult-themed series: DareDevil.

DareDevil follows the story of a Hell’s Kitchen native named Matt Murdock. Murdock was involved in a chemical accident at a young age that resulted in his blindness. However, as a result of losing this one sense, his remaining senses all became superhuman. These enhanced senses allow him to perceive the world much sharper than a normal person with all 5 senses. Murdock’s connection to his neighborhood is intense, choosing to initially defend it by day as a lawyer and by night as a crime fighting vigilante.

All Hail The “Empire”

What is Hip Hop culture? If you asked 10 people this question, there is a good chance you will get 10 different answers. What most people fail to realize is, that’s kind of the point. As a means of expression, its strength lies in its diversity. Fox takes the idea of Hip Hop and uses it as a vibrant backdrop for its latest drama “Empire”. What happens when a family builds something on their definition of hip hop, and more importantly what happens in an effort to keep what was earned?

Empire follows the story of an immensely popular Hip Hop record label of the same name. As a testament to its success, Empire is on the verge of becoming a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. At the top of the company is Founder/CEO Luscious Lyon, played by the enigmatic Terrance Howard.  A role that will no doubt draw some comparisons to real life Hip Hop Moguls like Sean “P.Diddy” Combs and Sean “Jay-Z” Carter. Luscious practically has come from nothing and envisions Empire becoming public as the culmination of his entire legacy. A legacy that is threatened when he is diagnosed with ASL, and will died in the near future. If that wasn’t his only issue, he also has to deal with the release of his ex-wife from prison “Cookie” Lyon played by Taraji P. Henson.

Step out into the “Wild”

Nothing compares to the smell of Oscar season like the biopic. Amazing tales of usually un-extraordinary  people doing extraordinary things. Sometimes these films serve as a humble reminder of world-changing events, like Selma. They could just be a platform meant to inspire. like The Theory Of Everything. In either case, Hollywood stars line up towards the end of the year to take a shot at portraying one of these people on the big screen. Reese Witherspoon takes her crack at the genre and universally delivers in what is sure to be accepted as the pinnacle of her career so far.

Wild follows the true story of Cheryl Strayed and chronicles her 1,100 mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. A journey that starts in the Mojave Desert and continues all the way to the Oregon/Washington Border. She takes up this 3 month-long adventure alone, having no backpack hiking experience. Unlike what you may imagine, the journey’s purpose is not supported by a desire for self accomplishment. It is instead a vehicle for which Cheryl chooses to deal with significant grief. It’s a journey of self discovery and most importantly of forgiveness. At age 26, Cheryl is almost a perfect example of the “quarter life” crisis and if self forgiveness is impossible for her, then hopefully acceptance is a good second.