Movie Review

Marvel dominates once again with Captain America: Civil War

Now that they are 13 movies into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel president Kevin Feige and the rest of his brain trust can do almost whatever they want and have it be successful. The latest, Captain America: Civil War, is an Avengers movie without being called one by name, a subtle difference that allows it to advance the larger MCU narrative while still telling a stand-alone story.

Following the last Captain America movie, The Winter Soldier, and Avengers 2, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) finds himself at a crossroads personally and professionally. Fallout from Avengers missions around the globe have led to a call for greater oversight on the superhero group, an idea Rogers objects to but one which Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) thinks might be necessary.

When Rogers’ old friend/new nemesis Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is accused of a bombing he may or may not have committed, the disagreement reaches a boil, pitting not only Captain America against Iron Man but also forcing other Avengers like Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), War Machine (Don Cheadle), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) to choose sides.

Coming so soon after another superhero face-off in Batman v Superman, it’d be easy to dismiss this movie as a tired, unimaginative way to insert conflict where none is needed. But directors Anthony and Joe Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely make the movie about way more than just the spectacle of the superheroes fighting each other.

For one, they keep the story relatively focused, allowing the details of the escalating argument to be laid out in precise and understandable terms. Side stories such as the introduction of T’Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) are integrated so well into the flow of the plot that they never become a distraction.

And they also introduce real, human emotions into the proceedings, a concept that is often foreign to superhero movies. The concern over the unintentional but tangible damage the Avengers’ exploits cause sets the stage for final act revelations that are relatable to anybody, superhero or not.

If you’re a fan of the patented lighthearted tone of the MCU, you won’t be disappointed despite the heaviness of much of the film. The big clash between the two sides is notable as much for its great action as it is for the quips that fly back and forth. The presence of new recruits Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) help this aspect immensely; they're there as much for comic relief as for their fighting prowess.

Most of the actors have perfected their takes on their respective roles, leaving any critiques of their performances null and void. Newcomers like Boseman and Holland fit in seamlessly, while Daniel Bruhl offers a nice respite as the low-key villain Zemo.

Captain America: Civil War shows that the overseers of the MCU have yet to rest on their laurels. If anything, given the coming onslaught of Star Wars movies and renewed interest in the DC Comics universe, this film indicates that they are redoubling their efforts to prove their dominance is well founded.

Chris Evans in Captain America: Civil War.

Chris Evans in Captain America: Civil War

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Chris Evans in Captain America: Civil War.

RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

Mark Ridlen

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Mark Ridlen RIP

A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, able to carry off shirts with colorful pop-art flowers and flashy sequinned jackets with panache.

In August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

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