Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

I wasn’t all that into the first movie, because there were a whole slew of origin movies at the time, and even though Steve Rogers was actually decent (and not cocky, brash and/or arrogant), it was still an introductory film to yet another comic book character.

So it was completely without much anticipation that I went to see Winter Soldier.

And I was taken aback at how not-boring it was.

Exploring how Steve settles into the modern world after his awakening and the subsequent battle of New York, shit immediately happens when the Winter Soldier (an assassin long thought to be Soviet myth) surfaces and turns out to be Steve’s best friend (thought to have died in Captain 1).

Throw in Hydra, which was thought (lots of thinking in this movie) to have gone done with the death of the Red Skull (also in the first movie), and with this, we have an (implicit) explanation why Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. have been so freaking humdrum: because Hydra tends to be synonymous with Captain America, and they didn’t want to spoil the storyline for Cap’n 2.

[It actually makes sense that Agents exist to combat Hydra.]

Then you have Nick Fury faking his own death, a few people from past Marvel outings getting outed as Hydra molls (Jasper! Senator Garry Shandling from Iron Man 2!), and though it’s a lot to cram in and digest in a two-hour movie, it didn’t get draggy nor did I find it overcrowded.

I was also glad that Scarlett Johansson wasn't also there to perpetuate the film stereotype of male and female leads falling in love with each other and no one else. Thankfully, there’s not a trace of a blossoming romance between the Black Widow and Captain America.

[Because she needs to have one with Hawkeye!]

After the frankly-mild Iron Man 3 and the slightly better Thor 2 (setting up to gonna-be-good Thor 3), Captain 2 is a vast improvement over its first movie and, compared to its fellow Phase 2 movies, a much better entry to the MCU. Though the first one had heart, this one had also twists and turns worthy of an espionage film (you can’t have Robert Redford in a movie like this without giving him a meaty role like the bad guy. Poor Powers Boothe).

[Fun fact: Redford and ScarJo were in the horse whisperer a long, long time ago.]

Do, do watch. This was the movie that made me sit up and acknowledge that Marvel can not do any wrong. 8/10.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

I’ve been excited about this movie ever since I saw the hilarious first trailer. Unlike Iron Man, Captain America and Co., (whom I knew of either vaguely or from newspapers or Marvel Zombies), I've never heard of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but because of said trailer and the usual Marvel-film hype, I went in with some level of expectation. First time ever.

And I wasn’t disappointed. Although, I can’t say expectations exceeded, either.

In brief, Guardians revolves around five escaped convicts who band together to claim a huge bounty on an item that one of them had stolen at the start of the film; an item, which the main villain of the film needed for trade with a larger big-bad in order for the latter to commit genocide. Through the course of the film, our convicts elude the main villain and other parties who also want the item, and become unlikely heroes as they try to prevent a planet from being massacred and defeat the bad guy.

Un-blanding the paragraph (which wasn't at all easy to write in the first place) would mean writing out almost the entire plot, and that’s my main quibble of the film: there’s not exactly a coherent storyline to speak of. It’s very all over the place (character gets item everyone wants amidst geo-political warfare and probable genocide and there’s a guy who collects things), but the movie is just so much fun that you don’t notice how messy it is.

[Unfortunately for me, I'm left with “something I can’t quite put my finger on”-itis.]

Rooting its emotional core with Peter Quill (“you may know me by… Star-Lord”), pivotal scenes come with classic songs from the 1970s and 80s (including the awesome “Hooked on a Feeling”, which is also in the trailer), heard through his Sony Walkman and “Awesome Mix Vol. 1”-tape with all his mother’s favourite songs. Peter left Earth as a young child at his mother’s death, and listening to the mix-tape is his way of remembering his mother and reminding him of his home planet.

After those poignant first scenes on Earth (its 8-10 minutes to me is almost at par with the opening of Up), the movie establishes its comedic tone by having Chris Pratt (who plays Star-Lord) strut and dance his way through alien ruins. Pratt fits the standard cocky, sarcastic hero mould that we’ve acquainted and re-acquainted ourselves with in each superhero movie, but he’s so freaking adorable (like a teddy bear! a giant ginger teddy bear!) that I didn’t even realise this (cocky sarcasm) until time of writing.

As fitting as Pratt is as the lead, he has his movie almost stolen from him by two characters who are completely CG’ed: Rocket (Raccoon) and Groot. The pair (voiced by Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel respectively) showed more humanity, emotion and compassion (this especially from alien wood) than all other characters put together. I’m surprised that Diesel got billing ahead of Cooper, who got in far more dialogue than expected, compared with “I am Groot”.

After the wasted opportunity Green Lantern was, I was sceptical of another movie set in space, because how much time spent in space really depends on the production budget. I’m glad that in Guardians, we barely spend any time on Earth (only in the beginning), though we do spend almost a cumulative half-hour on the mostly-human-looking Xandar. Luckily, this doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the film.

[People behind Green Lantern sequel or reboot, please take note. Two hours of Oa would be comparably better than one hour of Earth.]

Guardians introduces an ensemble instead of just a solo act, so backstories for everyone but Peter are told via exposition. This I somehow noticed, which annoyed me for the rest of the film that I noticed. Thankfully, in all of that exposition is witty dialogue, and its very able actors and trip down nostalgia lane make the movie work.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe movies tend not to deviate into the unknown (even Thor doesn’t really talk about other Realms), so it's great to see this film delve deeper into more obscure material, and, to quote another sci-fi saga, “it boldly goes where no (MCU movie) has gone before.” Unfortunately, I didn't quite find this movie fresh or original (as I hoped it would be), but it is a solidly entertaining new entry. Considering how the past few were tried-and-tested box office material (Iron Man threequel, Thor and Captain America sequels), Marvel Studios still has that magic touch, and I'm looking forward to seeing whatAnt-Man and Doctor Strange movies bring.

This movie's end-credits doesn't tie in to The Avengers 2, but the find scene does tease a unexpected possible re-boot for a character long-dormant.

I was so, so psyched with that last scene.

8/10. Do, do watch this movie, and just laugh at everything.

The Amazing Spider-man (2012)

Reboots only happen when a movie franchise has run its course, both critically and financially (think George Clooney and Bat-nipples from the '90s). Admittedly, Spider-man 3 did suck ass, but it's only been five years. Really?

*No spoilers. Unless you've seen Sam Raimi's Spider-man.*

Considering that The Amazing Spider-man (TAS) goes back to the start of the story, the first half plays out like the first half of Sam Raimi's Spider-man. The only difference is that TAS is more faithful to the source material, with Peter making his own webbing devices (rather than being part of his mutated biology), Gwen Stacy being his first girlfriend (not Mary-Jane Watson) and the villain (the Lizard instead, and not arch-nemesis Green Goblin). Since we're still relatively fresh from Raimi's movies, the first part of TAS can be a bit draggy.

[The only thing missing from this movie is the iconic, “with great power comes great responsibility," line, but if you pay close attention, though, Uncle Ben kind of summarises the concept in one of the scenes.]

Surprisingly, TAS wasn't the chatty emotional dullfest I expected it to be (apparently it is based on the Ultimate Spider-man series, which had less emphasis on villains). It had sufficient action in the second act to thrill me (at least, enough to satiate my blockbuster cravings), and it also spent quite a bit of time on character development, which luckily didn't really slow the movie down at all.

Going in with no impression whatsoever of Andrew Garfield (haven't seen The Social Network), he completely bowled me over as Peter Parker. He's able to pull off being an awkward gangly teenager (despite being almost 30), and thankfully, isn't namby-pamby. Mainly, Garfield was adorable; think I may have a mini-crush now.

Special mention also goes to Rhys Ifans, who plays Dr Curt Connors/the Lizard, doing a fine job of balancing ethically-conflicted and what he actually wants (which is growing his arm back). It's a bit of a waste that Dylan Baker (who played Connors in Raimi's films) didn't get the chance to go full-on baddie, even after two instalments of foreshadowing. If you're curious to see what's been missed, he guest-stars on The Good Wife once in a while, and he's deliciously slimy in that.

Since this is the restart of the franchise, there is plenty of foreshadowing in this (there's a scene midway of the end credits), and several unresolved minor plotlines saved for the sequel. I'm hoping that they bring in Norman Osborne in the next one; he's plenty mentioned in TAS, but not seen.

I can't decide whether this trumps Raimi's first Spidey flick or vice versa, because both are equally enjoyable and both are good movies in their own right. The clearest comparison I can give is that Raimi's first is true to the definition of 'summer blockbuster', whereas TAS seems to be slated for a February/March release, rather than in July. The journey to becoming Spider-man is felt more in TAS, and in way, the timeline is slower as Peter is still in high school at the end of TAS (whereas in Raimi, everyone graduates high school quarter-way through the film).

[My only gripe with TAS is that I like Denis Leary too much.]

Although I still don't see the point in rebooting the series in such a short time, TAS is a worthy entry into the movie series. Do watch this. 8/10

Black Cat in Spidey 4?

In a move that seems oddly familiar, *cough*Iron Man 2*cough*, Rachel McAdams is rumored to be up for the role of Felicia Hardy / Black Cat, who in the comics, has an on-off relationship (depending on story-arc) with our Peter. Black Cat is like Catwoman, except that she's actually DATED the hero for a while, and she's not exactly a villain (although, Catwoman's a bit of an anti-heroine as well).

If this turns out to be true, then great. More conflict and love triangles for the bunch. Can't they just marry Peter off to MJ and get it over with? I mean, the only reason why anybody watches comic book movies is to see the villains. Character and emotional development is always secondary.


[I'm still stumped on why I liked Iron Man.]

Off-topic, is it just me, or does Rachel McAdams look a lot like Elizabeth Banks?

UPDATE: Julia Stiles is also in talks for a role in Spidey 4; I'm guessing it's this one.

UPDATED UPDATE: Now it's Anne Hathaway. Oh dear... the rumor mill is out of control...

Spider-man 4 writer to helm Venom spin-off!

RopeOfSilicon.com states that the Venom movie will be directed by Spider-man 4 cowriter Gary Ross, with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Zombieland) working on the screenplay.

Initially intended to be a prequelspin-off from Spider-man 3, the Venom movie will ignore that crapfest and most likely recast Venom, effectively making it a stand-alone Marvel movie. ROS also reports that Venom "will be transformed into an anti-hero who becomes a defender of the innocent," which would kind of work so long as Spider-man doesn't come into the picture.

[For a little extra reading, try Venom: Sinners Take All. It actually doesn't suck.]

As much as I like Topher Grace, Venom is supposed to be HUGE, and even though he bulked up considerably for the part, physically, that's still a 'no'. I hope they don't cast a wrestler as Brock for this. That'd be so lame.

It'd be pretty cool if Ross could tie Spidey 4 with Venom. Then...

 ...it will lead to CARNAGE!!

Spider-man 4: May 5th, 2011.

Also, this:

If only this poster was real... would've made my year :)

Spider-man 4 starts shooting in January 2010!

...so says Bruce Campbell, frequent cameo-maker and long-time best friend of director Sam Raimi.

Pah-DON.

Having been in each Spider-man movie (I've been keeping an eye out for him ever since I saw him in the second and found out he was in the first), it seems that he may be playing a bigger role this time around. Campbell told AccessHollywood that he's been told he has a major part – but has no news on who the character is yet.

Early fan rumors go that Campbell may be playing Mysterio, master of illusion, but up till now there has been no confirmation or news about the villains OR the storyline in the upcoming movie. Past rumors on villains include the Lizard (foreshadowing on Dylan Baker's part in the past two movies, so finally!), as well as Kraven the Hunter, Morbius the Living Vampire and even the Sinister Six.


[If Campbell DOES turn out to be a villain, it'd be totally cool if Peter went, "Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" when they meet for the first time in the movie.]

Will someone release a statement or something already. Despite the fail that is the third movie, I'm still interested in Spider-man series, and can't help the speculating and the getting excited.

Spider-man 4 is slated for release in May 2011.

Fantastic Four reboot is good to go!

Despite Disney's upcoming acquisition of Marvel, their third-party studio contracts will remain, as 20th Century Fox has just announced that the Fantastic Four reboot is greenlit. None of the actors will be brought back, and Fox is looking to go slightly dark, what with the success of movies like The Dark Knight and Iron Man.

No other details have been disclosed, except that Michael Green, who's working on Green Lantern as well, will be writing the script.

Personally, I'm very okay with the Fantastic Four movies; my only quibble is that Jessica Alba doesn't look good blonde, but better her than Simpson, right?

Disney to buy Marvel.

"NO FUCKING WAY!!", right?

That was my first thought when my friend had alerted me to this, but it's true. As of now, no word on whether the deal has been completed yet, but BBC News reports that Walt Disney is to buy Marvel Entertainment in a shares and cash deal valued at $4bn (£2.5bn).

The BBC News. They don't just make up random shit like that.

Just when the future of Marvel movies had seemed promising, what with origin movies for Marvel Heroes coming out over the next two years to build momentum for the Avengers movie in 2012, new developments like this come to light.

So how now brown cows?

Will subsequent Marvel movies not yet in production get kiddie-dized because of this?

Will we have Will Smith as Captain America, now that Disney has taken over and may be looking for a confirmed and multiple-times-proven crowd-puller?

will smith bringing loud-mouth to the cap'n? please no

Will the upcoming yet-to-be-casted X-Men: First Class be filled by High School Musical alumni?

*shudder*

God help us all.


EDIT: Click here for some Disney/Marvel mash-ups, brought to you by the Punch Drunk Critics.

you gotta admit, they are kind fun to look at

Hawkeye now?!!!

No, not another Marvel movie in development. I'm referring to his upcoming appearance in Iron Man 2.

That's right; apparently, Hawkeye will also be making a cameo in next year's Iron Man sequel. No word on who has been cast yet, but expect Ultimate Hawkeye, since they've pretty much confirmed that they're basing it all on the Ultimate Universe with Sam L. Jackson (who plays Nick Fury).


This one says that Will Smith should be Hawkeye. Ugh.

Iron Man 2 Comic-Con footage!

In which there are many awesome scenes to behold! Plus, Garry Shandling gets work!



The sound is lousy, but Whiplash looks awesome.

With Ryan Reynolds cast as the Green Lantern, whatever will happen to Deadpool?



Another gem from ItsJustSomeRandomGuy :)

If Reynolds DOES have to give up one role (totally uncool that may be), he should really stick to Deadpool. Or do Wally West instead.

Sam Jackson no action in Iron 2?

[Sorry for the lack of updates, work's been killer.]

According to MTV.com, Nick Fury won't be pulling any punches with the villains in Iron Man 2; instead, he'll just be talking. And stuff. Yeah.

But no worries, Jackson says that he's looking forward to expanding more on Fury (in terms of action) in The Avengers.

Now, THAT's one movie that I cannot wait for.

2012!!!

It's still early...

...but this picture made my week.

Comic book cross-overs translated onto screen.
With their ORIGINAL actors portraying the heroes, to establish continuity in the series, who (probably) won't be bitches and hold up production.
We already know ONE who's not likely to be.
Robert Downey, Jr.
Because he's already signed onto the Avengers movie in 2012, and hasn't acted like a self-righteous money-grubbing bitch so far.

*cough*EdNorton*cough*

Eric Bana might be game for it this time around.

Superhero movies leading up to one, MAJOR, major event: A big-budgeted Ensemble Movie.
Movie. History.


[I hope the end of the world doesn't happen before May 4th.]

Does Marvel have its Thor already?

Yes, according to Deadline Hollywood Daily.

Chris Hemsworth, last seen as the ill-fated George Kirk (James T. Kirk's father) in Star Trek XI, has been selected to play the Viking God of Thunder in the upcoming Kenneth Branagh-directed film.

Now, while he definitely looks good, as far as I can remember, he doesn't look as broad as he should, although that can be rectified. Hmm.


[PRODUCTION PICS!! Can't wait!]

Deadpool, Wolverine sequels confirmed!

Barely days after Wolverine's release, Marvel has confirmed another sequel about Wolverine and a spin-off for Deadpool, both of which will be based on each of the two endings in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Not too sure about the Wolverine one, but apparently the Deadpool movie will be set BEFORE the events in Origin, which will explore more of the Merc with the Mouth's origins.


[They'll probably call it X-Men Origins: Deadpool. So much for originality.]

Wolverine kicks ass!

Despite early awful, awful, awful reviews, Wolverine took in $87 million during its opening weekend in the States and Canada, with a total of $160 mil worldwide!!

[Sorry, Watchmen. $55 mil for opening weekend.]

Wolverine gets awful reviews!

Based on the Tomatometer, Wolverine is doing way, way, way worse than Watchmen ever did, with only 38% freshness on its second day, while Watchmen, currently in its 7th week, is at 64%.

[I used Watchmen as a basis for comparison because everyone but the fans (and I) said that the movie was crap. In your faces, professional reviewers.]

GQ UK says that it's worse than Australia. Major burn. I haven't seen it (because I really don't want to), but the general consensus was that it was awful.

Don't know how it's doing at the box-office, because it's too early for the figures. Let's hope future reviews aren't so bad.

[Maybe I should sway Pammy into seeing Star Trek instead. Even though she knows jack about it.]

First photo from Iron Man 2!

Courtesy of USA Today

It's cool to see that Tony Stark still keeps his previous work-in-progress suits, from the klunky one on the far left, the bulky one that looks like War Machine, the slightly-dusty red one second from the right, to the more refined suit that we all know and love.

Iron Man 2 comes out May 7th, 2010, and includes Don Cheadle (replacing Terrence Howard as James Rhodes), Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell as the main newbies.

CANNOT WAIT!!


[When will we be seeing the Mandarin?]

EDIT: I just found out that Genndy Tartakovsky storyboarded the movie. How awesome is THAT?!!
For those who don't know, Genndy Tartakovsky is the creator of animated greats like Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, and was director of many other cartoons, including the awesome Star Wars: Clone Wars (the 2003 one, and not the 3D series that just came out).

8 new clips from Wolverine!

Courtesy of MovieWeb.com! So's not to spoil too much (from face value of said clips), I've embedded three videos on here, with links to the other six.

Each individual video shows us a bit of the new line-up, with one for Fred Dukes, Remy LeBeau and John Wraith.

[HUMAN names, not mutant :)]

Enjoy! :D







The other five:

Wolverine

I'm Coming For You

What's Your Plan?

Show's Over

Not From Around Here