“Avengers: Infinity War” (Action: 2 hours, 30 minutes)

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Zoe Saldana and Josh Brolin

Directors: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

Rated: PG-13 (Intense sequences violence and action throughout, strong language and crude references)

Movie Review: “Avengers: Infinity War” juggles multiple stories. It boasts a large cast of talented actors playing major superheroes. 

With an array of multiple facets, the movie remains a nicely rendered, focused story. It is the ultimate popcorn blockbuster.

When a renegade Titan Thanos (Brolin) and his Dark Order seek six infinity stones to rule the universe, the mighty Avengers unite to stop him. As Thanos becomes more powerful, the Avengers ability to stop him becomes grimmer. However, Ironman (Downey), Thor (Hemsworth), Captain America (Evans) and other superheroes face their biggest battle to save the universe.

The Russo Brothers return to direct this mega-superhero movie. They previously directed “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014) and “Captain America: Civil War” (2016). They return to provide audiences another solid superhero action flick, “Infinity War.”

Some of the story elements are iffy or are rushed for convenience. For example, in one scene, the Avengers have a chance to kill their enemy to stop him, yet they do not. This is puzzling. Perhaps, it will have an explanation in upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.

Additionally, the antagonists gain knowledge of what are supposedly hidden objects and places quickly. They always appear quicker than the protagonists. Apparently, this is to facilitate the story in a timely manner, yet it appears suspicious occasionally.

Despite a few unexplained narrative bits, “Infinity War’s” quips make it humorous. The action is plentiful. The visual effects are engaging. It also has a bit of emotional content that gives the plot substance. The movie works as good entertainment.

Grade: B (Avengers assemble for a grand showdown.)

“A Final Portrait” (Biography/Drama: 1 hour, 30 minutes)

Starring: Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Sylvie Testud and Tony Shalhoub.

Director: Stanley Tucci

Rated: R (Profanity, sexual references and nudity)

Movie Review: An adaptation of James Lord’s “A Giacometti Portrait,” director-writer Stanley Tucci creates an easily fascinating biographical drama about part of an artist’s life and his model. The movie rests upon the nice performances of Geoffrey Rush and Armie Hammer.

In 1964 Paris, Swiss painter and sculptor Alberto Giacometti (Rush) asks James Lord (Hammer) to sit for a portrait. The painting session was only supposed to be a few hours. Instead, the session turns into several days. 

During this time, Giacometti insults Lord continuously in an amusing manner. Lord also witnesses Giacometti curse his canvas, burn valuable pieces of art and philander with prostitutes while ignoring his wife 

A performance-based movie is the presentation. Two well-acted characters carry the movie, which relies on a talented Rush and his interactions with Hammer. The men complement each other despite their contrasting lifestyles. 

Giacometti was a complicated man. He was an artist. His creativity was an extension of his life as portrayed by Rush and based on the writings of the actual James Lord. Rush plays Giacometti as complicated yet a simple man who lives life for pleasure. Simultaneously, Giacometti’s perfectionism as an artist is torment.

Hammer plays Lord as intrigued by Giacometti’s processes for painting and sculpting. Lord is patient and observant; he practices that as an art of his own. 

Repetitiveness is the major problem with the movie. Scenes are similar enough they become tedious at times. This may not be the movie to see on a lazy afternoon, but it is engaging enough to warrant the moments of monotony. 

Tucci (“Joe Gould’s Secret,” 2000) creates a canvas of pivotal acting to convey a story about an artist and his craft. “A Final Portrait” is a film which shines a light on the artistic process. The inspiration of creativity for an artist is fascinating. Tucci keenly allows audiences to dip into the mind of one artist, Giacometti.

Grade: B- (Finality is no match for the eternalness of creativity.)

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