This week on Take Five, NCFCA Member Nicolás Delgadillo explores enlightenment, rewatch-ability, a reboot worthy franchise and an underrated acting talent.

Take One: What is the first film that comes to mind when you hear (or see the word) enlightening? Why?

I take so much enlightenment and inspiration from films, there are way too many to try and list so I'll use a recent one: Everything Everywhere All at Once. That film had me crying at least four separate times in its two hours. It made me want to be a better person in pretty much every aspect of my life and better towards everyone in it; my wife, my kid, my dog, my parents, my siblings, my neighbors, everyone. Its take on kindness and optimism in the face of overwhelming, multiverse-ending calamity and nihilism is timeless and yet very much in tune with the feelings of today. As someone who has always struggled with depression and pessimistic thoughts, I found it to be almost like medicine. I hope to keep that film and its lessons with me for a long time.

Take Two: Which film have you watched more than any other? Why?

This probably has to go to Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Like tons of other kids, Star Wars was a huge part of my interests ever since my dad first introduced me to the original trilogy. The prequels were some of the first big movies I saw in theaters, and I remember watching the trailer for Revenge of the Sith literally every single day (often more than once) leading up to its release. The hype was very real. I saw it opening night where I had to be shushed because I was humming along to the music too loudly, then saw it about four more times while it was still in theaters. Once it was out on DVD it just became my go-to movie, it was certainly my favorite of the prequels and there came a point where I literally had every single line and beat memorized from watching it so much. It still rocks even though Star Wars and I have a much more complicated relationship nowadays, but I guess who doesn't? Second place would probably be Jurassic Park III or Space Jam or Small Soldiers.

Take Three: Name one film franchise you feel would be worthy of a reboot and why.   

Now that's a hard question because I think literally everything, movie or television or whatever, has been or is in the process of being rebooted in one way or another. I'll go with Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim franchise. The sequel didn't work much at all, and I know that there's an anime spin-off series on Netflix, but I think we can all agree that del Toro is the one who should be behind the wheel and making more of those movies. That really should've been his big tentpole action franchise, that first film is just as gorgeous and fascinating as it is badass. Let's give him another chance, movie studios! Right now! Also I enjoyed Saban's recent attempt at rebooting Power Rangers for the big screen, I would've loved to see that continue but sadly I am not the one in charge of those decisions. I blame the Krispy Kreme marketing tie-in.

Take Four: Name an underrated acting talent that you love. Why?

Let’s go with Jessica Rothe from the Happy Death Day movies. Great horror movie acting, great comedy chops, great sci-fi jargon delivery, and fantastic dramatic work. She’s the whole package, and it’s outrageous that she hasn’t been in more projects since. I think she deserves several more big breaks.

Take Five: Favorite performance of a comic-book adapted character on screen and why?

That’s a very difficult one to narrow down. There are so many great and brilliant performances from comic book adaptations. I think I’ll go with Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker. That’s true classic superhero stuff right there. Maguire’s Peter is convincingly grounded and has the correct focus on his not-so-lucky life, juggling bills and jobs and relationships with his superhero work. He’s a genuine dork and a hopeless romantic trying to do better every day. Those movies really understood why Peter is someone you have to root for and how he represents the hero in all of us. Also Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2 is amazing, bring him back.

Nicolás Delgadillo’s work can be found on Discussing Film, Cultured Vultures and Geeks of Color. He’s also an occasional guest on the Film Buds Podcast.