Page 6 May 10, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
By Ashley DeFrancesco
for www.cinemacy.com
The Marvel Cinematic Universe began in
2008 with the introduction of Iron Man, where
the focus of the film was building their universe
with the cornerstone quote, “I am Iron
Man.” Today, for the 10-year anniversary of
the MCU, Avengers: Infinity War tackles a far
more complex theme as it pits the universe’s
greatest heroes against their most feared
villain. The latest installment packs more superheroes
in its 24 frames per second than any
other superhero movie to date, and promises
to tie together 10 years of storytelling. The
heartbreak begins with Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston)
foreboding sentiment, “I assure you, brother,
the sun will shine on us again.”
With such a star-studded cast of largerthan
life heroes with egos to match -- Robert
Downey, Jr.’s Iron Man, Benedict Cumberbatch’s
Dr. Strange, Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill,
Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Chris Evans’ Captain
America and many more -- the question is
posed, can the movie really give its hungry
fans the rich storyline that can be guaranteed
when each hero has his own franchise? The
answer is an absolute and resounding yes!
Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely craft
a screenplay that expertly delivers a compelling
journey for every superhero, while directors
Anthony and Joe Russo marry the anticipated
Marvel humor with the darkness and tragedy
to which the trailers allude.
Tragedy is the backbone of each hero’s storyline
as their journey to defeat the villainous
Thanos has each of them answer one essential
question: What does it cost to be a hero in a
world where there are no easy answers? The
dreadful foreboding from Thanos at the film’s
open sets the tone and foreshadows the loss
that each hero will have to endure as they fail
to balance their personal persona with their
heroic one.
We are finally introduced to Thanos (Josh
Brolin), who until this movie has been a mysterious
figure. We knew he meant trouble, but
were not aware the extent his power would have
on the entire MCU. Thanos believes that his
actions are intended to be merciful and that
in order to sustain life, there must be balance
that can only be achieved through sacrifice.
That sacrifice is viewed as randomly having
half of the population in the galaxy cease to
exist so that the limited natural resources may
renew and the population can better themselves
-- an ideology reminiscent of Sir Francis
Galton’s theory of eugenics where people
with “fit” traits were encouraged to reproduce,
while those with “undesirable” traits faced
forced sterilization. So begins Thanos’ journey
with the Infinity Gauntlet to collect all six
Infinity Stones and thus bring balance to the
universe on a grand and cosmic scale. As he
continues to collect one after the other, our
superheroes are hit with a grim realization that
evil not only may, but could win.
The climax will catch any Marvel fan off guard
and leave them with far more questions than
answers in this beautifully devastating precursor
to the final Avengers movie, set to come out
in April 2019. You can bet that every viewer
will watch this film over and over to find
clues and hidden Easter eggs in order to see
what could be in store for our champions. Be
sure to stay through the credits, as there is a
scene that doesn’t give too many answers but
offers some insight into possibilities for the
MCU that will have fans debating what it all
means…until the next installment.
Avengers: Infinity War is rated PG-13 for
intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action
throughout, language and some crude references.
149 minutes. Now playing in theaters
everywhere. •
Entertainment
Check It Out Film Review
Avengers: Infinity War Sets the
Stage for an Epic Series Finale
Avengers: Infinity War Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
Ashley DeFrancesco.
The House Next Door
byAnne Rivers Siddons
By Roz Templin, Library Assistant,
El Segundo Public Library
This particular book review is a perfect example
of one of the many services our library
offers the community: Interlibrary loans! If
you are looking for a certain book that we
do not have, we can try to locate it in another
library. I have taken advantage of this service
and received The House Next Door, courtesy
of the Torrance Public Library.
This book has been on my “to-read” list for
a long time. In his analysis of horror, Danse
Macabre, Stephen King considered The House
Next Door to be the best example of the New
American Gothic. The author Anne Rivers
Siddons was raised in Georgia and is mostly
known for writing sweeping tales of plantation
life as well as more modern Southern
high society. The House Next Door, published
in 1978, early in her novel-writing career, is
certainly much different from her other works.
Colquitt Kennedy is happily married to Walter
and enjoys their lifestyle of understated wealth
and privilege. Walter is a partner in an ad agency
and Col does public relations work. They are
contented until the wooded lot next door is
sold and it becomes clear that a house will be
built. The trees will be eradicated and the peace
and quiet that they have known is threatened.
What a twist the author puts in the oftentold
tale of the haunted house! This brand-new
structure is completed and sounds like a Frank
Lloyd Wright-inspired wood and glass artwork
mingling naturally with the wildlife and picturesque
creek running through both backyards.
Not your average dilapidated mansion.
There is a somewhat parallel story being
told --- not only of a malevolent building,
but also of the morals and customs in the
old and new moneyed classes in the Atlanta
suburbs -- lives that are caught up in the whirl
of country clubs, dinner parties and drinks on
the patio, island vacation homes and intrigue
among the neighbors.
Enter the Harrelsons. Young marrieds
Buddy and Pie hired architect Kim Dougherty
to design something that would basically
“freak out” her traditional-minded father. The
result is beyond anyone’s expectations. Soon
everyone is struck by its beauty and curious
to see inside. After the couple move in, they
decide to have a housewarming party and
invite neighbors and work colleagues. I don’t
think you will be surprised when I reveal that
something bad happens.
Before you know it, new owners Buck and
Anita Sheehan are ensconced and after escalating
harrowing incidents involving relatives
and neighbor Virginia, the house is on the
market again.
By the time the Greenes and their young
daughter take possession of the “possessed”
property, hardly a year has passed. Death,
betrayals and scandals have been previously
attached to the house, but the worst is yet
to come.
The next door neighbors, the Kennedys, are
truly horrified by what is happening and struggle
to comprehend who or what is at work here.
Perhaps it’s just a string of terrible bad luck
that is affecting the house’s inhabitants, like
others suggest. But what if it’s something else?
The library staff can assist you with information
about interlibrary loans and other services
we provide. Please visit the Reference Desk
for further information. •
Roz Templin.
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons
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