tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13645905122741379312024-03-12T16:10:10.618-07:00Consider Our Fight Begun!Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-27426212108081782082016-03-23T08:29:00.001-07:002016-03-23T08:29:17.370-07:00We'll Be Right BackDue to the demands of working a 43 hour week at my day job (note: more like 60 hours) COFB will be taking a short break. We will be back after the Easter break. Simply put, all hell breaks loose when the store shuts for a single day. People buy copious amounts of food that they will almost definitely be binning at home. It's apocalypse style, tipping shelves full of food into their shopping trollies. I'm working a lot more than normal and in a weeks time I find out if I've got a job still or not (note: I've got a mortgage and an upcoming wedding to pay for regardless). You can imagine that doing a management restructure at the second busiest time of the year would be stupid and needlessly stressful. That's because it is.<br />
<br />
Anyone know of any comic or creative jobs going in Hull, UK or any work from home style stuff- give me a call!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdDU4s3bIzM/VvK19eU4ENI/AAAAAAAAB30/YIIred5GVkI-A-JWryExu1SSgq2MhK4cQ/s1600/technical-difficulties_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdDU4s3bIzM/VvK19eU4ENI/AAAAAAAAB30/YIIred5GVkI-A-JWryExu1SSgq2MhK4cQ/s1600/technical-difficulties_medium.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So we will be straight back into the swing of things with Batman V Superman review, the last instalments of the Civil War countdown and Info about the Infinity Stones. Plus lots more opinion and review goodness. There's also a very good chance of some more guest writers appearing here soon. So watch this space.<br />
<br />
See you in a fortnight.<br />
<br />
-MattMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-52104303633384865762016-03-15T04:15:00.001-07:002016-03-15T04:21:33.928-07:00Guardians of the Galaxy: Big Marvel Movie Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm attempting a <a href="http://considerourfightbegun.blogspot.com/search/label/Big%20Marvel%20Movie%20Re-Watch?&max-results=7">great big Marvel movie re-watch </a>ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBMUvFRQGtE/VuftTIGA28I/AAAAAAAAB28/iiQQQkwoZQAUft5YgY33aHsfF5wI6bayQ/s1600/20160201184420%2521GOTG-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBMUvFRQGtE/VuftTIGA28I/AAAAAAAAB28/iiQQQkwoZQAUft5YgY33aHsfF5wI6bayQ/s400/20160201184420%2521GOTG-poster.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 10th Marvel Movie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Plot Summary</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">On Earth in the year 1988 Peter Quill loses his mother to illness in hospital and is subsequently abducted by aliens. Years later and he is working as a Ravager, a scavenger who finds objects for money. He steals an orb for a job but as soon as Ronan the Accuser chases after him the buyer no longer wants the object. Thanos' daughters Gamora and Nebula are also dispatched to take the orb back. Groot a tree that can only say "I am Groot" and a talking racoon named Rocket, take a bounty to capture Quill. All four of them are arrested on planet Xandar, capital of the Nova empire, by Corpsman Dey and his men after making one hell of a scene. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUsAqJ0Ue5U/VuftbipqOpI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/_H1x6dNYLe0Y2fH_JfB1KteRWR-LLBw4g/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUsAqJ0Ue5U/VuftbipqOpI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/_H1x6dNYLe0Y2fH_JfB1KteRWR-LLBw4g/s400/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such likeable characters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The four along with Drax the Destroyer, who also has a beef with Thanos and Ronan, for killing his family, escape from a maximum security prison just before Ronan shows up looking for the Orb. They team up and try to sell the Orb to a collector. Each wanting revenge on Thanos or Ronan for various reasons. They take the Orb to a buyer named the collector. Last seen at the end of Thor the Dark World. He tells them that the Orb holds an object of immeasurable power. One of six infinity stones. That is why Thanos and Ronan want the item so badly. The team self proclaim themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy and decide the best thing to do would be to turn the stone over to the authorities on Xandar. Trouble is Ronan has disobeyed Thanos and is now leading an attack on Xandar.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1w4U9hhT5E/VuftWSSCEtI/AAAAAAAAB3A/m5KrpBcSnJUzD5_WXfZdr25jVorvntAfQ/s1600/guardians-galaxy-nebula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1w4U9hhT5E/VuftWSSCEtI/AAAAAAAAB3A/m5KrpBcSnJUzD5_WXfZdr25jVorvntAfQ/s400/guardians-galaxy-nebula.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strong female characters on both sides of the good and evil. Also Nebula escaped and<br />
may be one of very few villains to feature in more than one film!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The team and the Nova Corps fight back in spectacular fashion, and wind up using the stone against Ronan. It turns out that Peter Quill is half alien himself as that was the only way he could withstand so much power. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">End Credits Scene</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">In typical fashion we've got two again. The first one is Twig Baby Groot dancing to Jackson 5 every time Drax looks away. After sacrificing himself in the films climax, it looks like Groot will be regrowing for the sequel.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvPFAF-p9Us/VuftZn4FnPI/AAAAAAAAB3I/fpxlsTuY_NkN3brH8CfnKQY0jU_0CF4Kg/s1600/maxresdefault-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvPFAF-p9Us/VuftZn4FnPI/AAAAAAAAB3I/fpxlsTuY_NkN3brH8CfnKQY0jU_0CF4Kg/s400/maxresdefault-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I immediately bought the baby Groot Funko Pop upon returning from the cinema.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">In the second the Collector sits in the reck of his collection drinking a cocktail with Howard the Duck. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This is a weird film. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Review</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This film is nothing short of amazing. After doing so well in the same year with a deadly serious Winter Soldier with ramifications for years to come, this film flips the genre again almost to pure comedy, and yet comes up just as enjoyable. I have a saying about comics: comics should be fun. This is the most fun I've had watching a film for a long time. There's two things that movie can never be for me, too long or boring. Sure there's overlap between the two rules there, but this film ticks all my boxes in the most entertaining way.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Despite being solid comedy gold the film has just dazzling special effects, and action set </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">pieces. Things that you wouldn't see in other marvel movies due to the cosmic setting. Despite the humour however there is a deep emotional core to each character and I dare you not to shed a single many tear when Groot says "WE are Groot" before sacrificing himself, or when Rocket is sat holding the splintered twigs in the aftermath, sobbing into his hands, or even when Peter sees his mother when he needs strength to pull through and use the power of the stone against Ronan. There's a connection to the characters that you just don't get in most dramas these days.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VUrNO3XTuQ/VuftbM-9-lI/AAAAAAAAB3M/199o-NlsbWo30co5W3UPM3NA7s2LvkfEQ/s1600/guardians-of-the-galaxy-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VUrNO3XTuQ/VuftbM-9-lI/AAAAAAAAB3M/199o-NlsbWo30co5W3UPM3NA7s2LvkfEQ/s400/guardians-of-the-galaxy-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing goes over my head, my reflexes are too fast. I would catch it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I was serious worried about this film before seeing it, I'd heard everything from it being a throwaway movie that doesn't matter with the rest of them and also that it was the next Star Wars. While I can see how you might think both of these, those are two very extreme statements. This film clarifies the existence of the Infinity stones and gives a brief history of each. It's safe to say that the Guardians will be taking part in the epic Avengers Infinity War two-parter film. So while Captain America or Iron Man won't be walking by in the background, it really does matter in the scheme of the overarching plot of the whole franchise. I can see where the star wars comparisons come from too. Peter Quill is basically a scoundrel in the mould of Han Solo and Groot is a towering creature with no language skills. The worlds are vast and fleshed out, it's very absorbing and there are very easy comparisons to make. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I praised the Deadpool marketing team but I think the team behind this film also need a hell of an applause. Trailers and posters were designed to introduce characters that are complete unknowns, even to avid comic readers like myself. I'd read very little of this team before seeing the film. They made it look so fun and enjoyable that its opening weekend smashed all records for the studios short history, and with no RDJ in sight! This was clearly the start of Marvel's, wait, if we could make a successful film about a tree and a raccoon then we could basically do anything and make people love it.. way of thinking, which probably led to Ant-Man getting made. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The trailers started out this epic 70's music megamix that followed through the entire movie too. As a plot device Peter's mother made him a mix tape of music for him, and shortly before dying she gives him a gift that is wrapped up. Throughout the film he routinely wears his walkman and blasts music that really doesn't belong in a scene or even dances about to it, with his mix tape volume 1. At the end of the film he finally opens the gift to fin a volume 2 waiting for him. The music is so important to this film and it's success that the sequel is literally called Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. I can't put into words how excited I am for it either.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The humour throughout adds so much charm and likability to each character that I dare you to go see this film and not to want a little potted Groot upon finishing it. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dlLi7tkJzU/VuftYuLjwpI/AAAAAAAAB3E/nk3JmNp9tCUqayxDX-8GLGoZ6VYR72zKQ/s1600/check-out-how-guardians-of-the-galaxy-made-thanos-look-so-terrifyingly-real-428230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dlLi7tkJzU/VuftYuLjwpI/AAAAAAAAB3E/nk3JmNp9tCUqayxDX-8GLGoZ6VYR72zKQ/s400/check-out-how-guardians-of-the-galaxy-made-thanos-look-so-terrifyingly-real-428230.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many Infinity Stones accounted for you can almost taste the Infinity War movie now. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Guardians of the Galaxy Rating: 9/10</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Despite being the polar opposite of the Winter Soldier's tone, this has all the charm, heart and likability that you would ever need in a film. So enjoyable. The sky is the limit for this ones sequel.</span></span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-42359463933227424152016-03-10T03:06:00.004-08:002016-03-10T03:07:11.324-08:00Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Big Marvel Movie Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JMMkmjG4gPs/VuFUM3UFFrI/AAAAAAAAB2g/K0UwjwDrKnE/s1600/new-captain-america-the-winter-soldier-poster-lands-155226-a-1391176963-470-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JMMkmjG4gPs/VuFUM3UFFrI/AAAAAAAAB2g/K0UwjwDrKnE/s320/new-captain-america-the-winter-soldier-poster-lands-155226-a-1391176963-470-75.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 9th part of the saga so far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Plot Summary </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Captain America is finally getting acclimated to the modern world, he meets Sam Wilson a war veteran while out jogging laps near the smithsonian. Widow picks him up to go on a SHIELD mission. They are taking out a terrorist named Batroc who is holding a SHIELD ship hostage. It becomes apparent later that the mission was compromised because Fury gave Widow a side mission while on the boat.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Cap confronts Fury, and makes it very clear that he was unimpressed with being kept out of the loop. Fury shows Cap the new style Hellicarriers and gives him a little more insight as to whats at stake with the new defence initiative. Cap disagrees as he believes the punishment comes after the crime. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Cap goes to visit a now elderly Peggy Carter in hospital and gets some words of wisdom as well as closure. She lived a happy life. Cap then goes and visits Sam's ex military support group, and finds out that Sam was in the air force. Meanwhile Fury has discovered he is locked out of the files that Widow recovered from the boat apparently on his own authority. He goes to Director Pierce, head of the war council you saw at the end of The Avengers movie. He talks them out of the new Helicarriers at least momentarily while he investigates the security issue with his files. Fury gets in contact with Maria Hill and organises her meeting him, only to be attacked by people dressed in police uniform. A car chase ensues and he winds up escaping after a run in with the Winter Soldier.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Fury shows that he trusts Cap by waiting for him at his apartment, he entrusts the pen drive to him, telling him to trust no one, and is then taken out by the Winter Soldier. It turns out that Cap's neighbour is also a SHIELD agent, keeping an eye on him for Fury. Cap follows the assassin and has a run in with the Winter Soldier himself. Fury later appears to die in hospital in front of Hill, Widow and Cap. Cap is brought back in to SHIELD HQ. The Triskelion by the head of his own unit Brock Rumlow. After lying to Pierce about what happened with Fury, SHIELD turns on Cap and he narrowly escapes. Project Insight, the Hellicarriers is put back on schedule.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kT-9F53wlc/VuFUE2F4cHI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/E_KkSuaacEA/s1600/cap2_gallery_primary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kT-9F53wlc/VuFUE2F4cHI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/E_KkSuaacEA/s400/cap2_gallery_primary.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Widow and Cap team up and go to investigate the pen drive, tracing it's origin to an old army barracks that Cap is familiar with, the go and find a secret SHIELD base that looks like the original one, that Peggy and Howard Stark set up after Cap went into the ice during the war. Deeper still they find a HYDRA bunker inside the SHIELD one. It turns out that Arnim Zola, from the previous film, went into SHIELD as a double agent and HYDRA has been present within the organisation from the start. Zola has stayed alive by putting his brain onto thousands of floppy disc hard drives and lives on as a computer. It turns out that Project Insight is an algorithm written by Zola to ensure humanity loses it's freedom. SHIELD bombs the complex and the pair barely escape. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">They flee to Sam's house and upon looking back it appears that Sitwell, a high level agent who was on the kidnapped boat as well as Pierce himself must be HYDRA agents. Sam Wilson's past finally comes to light and he comes clean about what kind of air force he was in, and shows the pari the plans to the Falcon wing suit. The three of them capture Sitwell and he let's loose the fact that the algorithm </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">determines who will grow up to be super heroes or significant people that will protect</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"> humanities freedom, while name dropping Stephen Strange among others. They try to use Sitwell to break into a SHIELD facility and stop it, but while en route they are attacked by HYDRA and the Winter Soldier. During the explosive fight Cap knocks off Winter Soliders' mask only to reveal that it was Bucky Barnes inside. His friend from the War, having barely aged and seemingly he survived his fall from the train mission. They loose the battle and are taken prisoner. It appears that whatever Zola did to Bucky is wearing off and he goes into a further round of </span></span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">conditioning. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulZ-lRWM01c/VuFUHcZRlWI/AAAAAAAAB2c/D4nuOS0fmHo/s1600/Marvels-Captain-America-The-Winter-Soldier-TV-Spot-2c.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulZ-lRWM01c/VuFUHcZRlWI/AAAAAAAAB2c/D4nuOS0fmHo/s640/Marvels-Captain-America-The-Winter-Soldier-TV-Spot-2c.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Hill saves them all and takes them to a SHIELD safe house, revealing that Fury faked his death using a sedative that Bruce Banner designed for the Hulk. They master a plan where they need to break into a hellicarrier each and put a new chip into each command centre to change the codes from destroying every notable hero on the planet and instead destroying each </span></span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">other. The Hellicarriers launch into the sky as Cap, and Falcon fight their way on board. Widow sneaks in disguised as a head of the War council to get Pierce. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Cap gives a speech over the intercoms at SHIELD HQ. and rallies a lot of support, truly dividing SHIELD and HYDRA in half for a confusing yet all out finale. Winter Soldier vs. Cap, Pierce vs. Fury and Widow, and Brock now resembling more his comic book counterpart, Crossbones vs Falcon. It's all out spectacle as they barely make it in time, to take out the carriers and to out all of SHIELDs secrets, including the heroes own shady pasts. Cap goes down with a Hellicarrier only to be saved by Bucky who escapes into the world on his own for the first time since his capture and torture during the war. What kind of world does it leave you with when the heroes are questionable and against their own government, while there's no intelligence agency in place? There's lots of follow up to this film in the TV series Agents of SHIELD. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>End Credits Scenes</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">In our first of two teasers, we see Baron Zemo has acquired the Sceptre from the Avengers film, and has used the power to create super powered people, namely the twins. Or Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch from the later released Avengers sequel.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">We also get a tease at the catalyst for the next Cap film, upcoming Civil War, as Bucky goes to learn about his past by visiting the same museum Cap does and learns who he really is.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Review</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This is widely regarded as one of if not, the best marvel movie to date. Rightly so, it's got everything that made the Avengers great. The large ensemble cast, where everyone get's their badass moment. The spectacle and show stopping action. The quite moments where the characters really shine through. Despite the more serious espionage style to the movie there is still the usual amount of light hearted joke quipping too. Only this time around, all origin stories are done and the story has more room to breath and be itself. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">There is a real gravitas to the future movies and finale of this one. No other movie in the franchise manages to have so much at stake yet still have so much set up carry over to the next films. After such a small, hilarious and yet still, out of left field twist about the Mandarin in Iron Man 3, to find out that SHIELD itself is completely riddled from the very beginning with HYDRA, and the sheer knife twist of the "Hail HYDRA" whisper in the ear of the employees, was truly story shattering. Best twist to date.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ci5qd2gT2M/VuFUTGLxt9I/AAAAAAAAB2o/flN8y5WqG_k/s1600/WinterSoldierBlackWidow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ci5qd2gT2M/VuFUTGLxt9I/AAAAAAAAB2o/flN8y5WqG_k/s400/WinterSoldierBlackWidow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The spectacle of the fight above the Triskelion with the three Hellicarriers and Falcon flying about is on par with the Avengers movie finale. While the quiet moments like Sam's veteran talk group and Peggy losing her mind in hospital are really tear jerking. I was quite angry at Avengers for not including Peggy as I wanted to have Cap get that dance with his best girl, but this is so much better story wise.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The start of Bucky's redemption starts here and continues for movies to come. The fall of SHIELD and the outing of HYDRA and Widow's secret KGB past being outed is just so much story potential it's insane. Falcon is a welcome addition and not just because he's a minority hero, more because he doesn't require an origin, he's a soldier with tech and he knows how to use it. It's satisfying to have a ready made hero jump head first in simply because Cap asks.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">There's a lot here for comics fans too. Stark's engines, Banner's sedative, Widow's past, Name dropping Stephen Strange this is well and truly a living breathing world we are now seeing on screen. All the building blocks are now in place. This film completely breaks the mould on how many villains you can shove in. Batroc, Zola, Crossbones, Pierce, HYDRA and Zemo allot naturally and flow well throughout. Who would have though a Z list villain like Batroc the leaper could be so threatening, cool and real on screen. Maybe this was an early warning sign that a talking tree and gun toting raccoon would work so well on screen in Guardians of the Galaxy.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IejuBOXmTVs/VuFUOzp_Q1I/AAAAAAAAB2k/3yPcym8UQVQ/s1600/new-captain-america-trailer-shows-off-winter-soldier-villain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IejuBOXmTVs/VuFUOzp_Q1I/AAAAAAAAB2k/3yPcym8UQVQ/s400/new-captain-america-trailer-shows-off-winter-soldier-villain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The tone shift breathes a breath of fresh air into the usual super hero action and the more serious spy movie works well with all the characters involved. The close up action scenes are no longer cheesy as people throw each other through buildings. More of the same stereotypical super hero story and action is only good for so long, but you run the risk of it getting too same-y or no longer been able to top yourself each time. Pirates of the Caribbean is guilty of it. My main argument of the 3rd and 4th is that it was just more of the same. It got a bit too pirate-y. Here the action has gone from cheesy to almost modern Bond/ Bourne style instead. The close up knife fight with Bucky is hostly quite jaw dropping.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Marvel Studios needs Super Hero films to stay popular and changing tones occasionally is definitely a way to keep them fresh.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I don't think I can put into words just how great this film is. I'm glad the team behind this film are behind the upcoming Civil War as well as Infinity War Avengers two parter, despite the similar Cap vs government story, more of this can only be a good thing.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Captain America The Winter Soldier Rating:</b> 9/10</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">What's not to like? A change in genre from superhero to spy/ espionage, and a tone shift to be a tad more serious really helps sell this colourful fleshed out world for it's best instalment yet. See this movie now!</span></span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-56144423765993127862016-03-08T00:00:00.000-08:002016-03-08T00:00:07.770-08:00Thor: The Dark World: Big Marvel Movie Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21YpM6zrz_U/Vtb0asMaxaI/AAAAAAAAB18/RnenC9xZx5c/s1600/20160201184313%2521Thor_-_The_Dark_World_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21YpM6zrz_U/Vtb0asMaxaI/AAAAAAAAB18/RnenC9xZx5c/s400/20160201184313%2521Thor_-_The_Dark_World_poster.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sequel time continues in the 8th Marvel movie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Thor: The Dark World (2013)</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Summary</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">We start with a little exposition about the history of the Dark Elves owning the universe before the light came. Young Odin and his father took out the majority the Dark Elves, during an attempt to destroy the 9 realms using a powerful artefact, and their leader Malekith destroyed his entire army and went into hiding within one of his ships. Odin and his father hide the powerful Aether.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Flash forward to the post Avengers world. Loki is getting sympathy from his mother whilst his father puts him on trial and locks him up in the dungeons for what he did to Earth.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">With the Bifrost and Rainbow bridge now working again, Thor, Sif and the warriors three have been trying to put the nine realms back in order after the chaos of being cut off and left to run riot.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Jane and Thor long to </span></span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">reunite. Jane is still researching scientific fluctuations in space/ time and with the help of Darcy, her intern, and Ian, her interns intern, the follow the fluctuations right to an abandoned property in London. Jane wonders through a portal by accident and is possessed by the power of the Aether. Thor is notified that Jane is no longer on Earth and finally makes the jump back there to make contact with her again. He finds that she has been possessed by some strange force and takes her to Asgard to be studied.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The Dark Elves and Malekith have been awakened by the presence of the Aether in the Universe again. They start an attack on Asgard. Jane is taken with Thors mother for protection. This massive half fantasy half sci-fi Asgard proves for a spectacular action set piece as the Elf ships crash into the throne room and proceed to let prisoners out of the dungeon. All except Loki who even they don't trust. Thor's mother sacrifices herself to save Jane. In response Odin keeps Jane prisoner until they know what to do with her. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94uudfcL46g/Vtb0e-nR3NI/AAAAAAAAB2I/xglEZC4dMZk/s1600/thor-the-dark-world-trailer-loki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94uudfcL46g/Vtb0e-nR3NI/AAAAAAAAB2I/xglEZC4dMZk/s400/thor-the-dark-world-trailer-loki.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sad Loki has sex appeal. "I could totally fix him right?" *mimes stroking his hair*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three break Loki out and proceed to escape with Jane to get her back to trick the elves away from Asgard. Thor and Loki make a great team against Malekith and trick him into getting the Aether from Jane. After a failed attempt from Thor to destroy it, it reforms into a stone and Malekith sets off for Earth to start the alignment and destruction of the 9 realms, in another attempt to plug everything into darkness. Loki appears to die during a really kick ass redemption scene. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Darcy and Ian have reunited with Dr. Selvig and got him out of a mental institution. He is thrilled to realise he isn't insane after all and that the borders between the realms/ worlds are genuinely getting weaker because of the alignment. Selvig has made some electronic pillars to warp space time back how it should go, and plans to use them to stop Malekith. Jane and Thor reunite with them and discover the whole allignment will take place in Greenwich, London.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Malekith crashes his ship on the banks of the River and his Elves start to clear the area and the Aether starts to power through the portals to the 9 realms in the skies above Earth. Thor and the gang start using the pillars back to stabilise the area resulting in an epic battle as Thor and Malekith teleport violently through the 9 realms until he eventually sinks a pillar right through Malakith's chest, sucking him into oblivion. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Thor is congratulated by Odin who surprise surprise is actually Loki using his magic. It appears he faked his own death and disposed of Odin somehow. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>End Credits Scenes</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Two again this time around. The first Sif and Volstagg take the Aether to The Collector, stating it is too dangerous to keep two in the same place. The Collector says 1 down 5 to go to his assistant. This being a prelude to guardians of the Galaxy. The clues and foundation for the upcoming Infinity Stones plot that will tangle through the next several movies culminating in the Avengers Infinity War 2 parter still some ways off. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The second scene is Thor returning to Jane and them getting to kiss. Also there's still an ice giant beast roaming around in London that they seem to have forgotten about. This plot thread carries over into Agents of SHIELD TV series.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Review</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I can't understand how people generally think this is worse than the first Thor. In my opinion it's a helluva lot better in most ways.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The break out star of the first Thor film, Loki is used to great effect here. He appears almost apologetic and wounded by the events in the first film and proves to the audience he can have a good side, as he shares quite the bond with his mother and not just their joint use of magic. The relationship between Thor and Loki and their dialogue together during the escape is spot on too. It appears that Loki is here for good. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The setting of Asgard and the 9 Realms is greater explored and elaborated on. A set piece early on, set on another world starts things off. The action set in this greater expanded fantasy/ sci-fi Asgard version, as the Elves attack. And during the finale the battle that flies throughout the 9 realms as they teleport mid battle, almost reminiscent to the finale of </span><i style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Jumper</i><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">. I prefer this larger Asgard. This is a much better setting than a small American desert town, like the first movie. The setting of London is also a welcome change too. It was beginning to look like USA was getting all the fun.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Asgard looks more lived in and epic. There's a sense of grandeur that this is a huge technologically advanced world that our ancestors confused for Gods. I like Odin and Loki's explanation that they are not immortal that they just live a damn site longer than humans do, and that most of what the do is just confused for being Gods that were worshipped by humans. It's a cleverly scripted scene. I hope when Wakanda and the Black Panther are featured in Civil War that they get the advanced yet appropriately themed science right too. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Like I stated at the start of my Green Lantern review, I hate exposition that is literally just narrated and spelled out to me. When you do this with sci-fi or fantasy concepts it can come of sounding really dumb, confusing or at worst laughable. I'm still not sure of the Thor/ Jane relationship. They don't sell it very well. It still feels like they spent a day together then were just besotted for very little reason. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBcOZjB7El8/Vtb0eP7M91I/AAAAAAAAB2E/kzYo357dlBI/s1600/NEBpxtzldlT0EG_1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBcOZjB7El8/Vtb0eP7M91I/AAAAAAAAB2E/kzYo357dlBI/s400/NEBpxtzldlT0EG_1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd happily watch more of these guys. Why can't these guys get hired by SHIELD?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The humour was amped up in this film too. Darcy, Selvig and Ian providing much of the comic relief. This film has several of my most favourite cinematic universe moments in. 1. when Loki turns into Captain America and starts saying how he feels all patriotic. 2. when Thor goes into Janes apartment and hangs his hammer up on the coat rack. It was the latter scene that probably led to the who can lift the hammer moment in the Avengers sequel. 3. another interesting scene that I thought is so true to the real world that it was scary. In the finale when Jane and Selving are trying to evacuate the library people refused to leave because there was a superhero outside and they were filming it on their phones. 4. Thor catching the underground because he'd lost his hammer and needed to get back to the fight.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Odin comes off very unlikable again. He acts like a dick to his children and Jane. He shows literally no compassion towards his wife's death and also seems to want to entice war to Asgard by keeping Jane locked up there. On the other hand Loki completely redeems himself and the cliffhanger of Loki on the throne feels almost welcomed. How many times are we going to fall for Loki's magic let alone the characters in the story itself?!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwqe92U0Wbo/Vtb0cR1Hq4I/AAAAAAAAB2A/rKKW3r4H1FY/s1600/de90a3ff12d369e6ac39078b6e762dea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwqe92U0Wbo/Vtb0cR1Hq4I/AAAAAAAAB2A/rKKW3r4H1FY/s400/de90a3ff12d369e6ac39078b6e762dea.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ecclestone is wasted here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The actual enemy of the film Malekith is possibly the most one note and quick to disappear yet. He's so one dimensional and I'm longing for another character with the longevity and fun of Loki to get introduced. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I found it interesting how well the cast is juggled. All of the human characters as well as Asgardians make a great ensemble and are each given moments to shine. This was juggled almost as expertly as Avengers Assemble which is very high praise indeed. They completely outshine the villain and work so well as a team that you have literally nothing at stake here. It is worth taking not that Thor's brawn is nothing against the Dark Elves yet human brains are what stop him.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I can't believe they killed their mother for the sake of motivating Thor and Loki to drive the plot along. She was so badass and I'm honestly shocked they women in fridged her. Unforgivable.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Thor: The Dark World Rating </b>7/10</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I so very nearly gave this an 8/10 but I gave that score to Captain America, which I believe was a lot more simple and fun. The first Thor movie I gave a 6/10 and this film is leaps and bounds better than that. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">A great team dynamic, and the return of Loki completely overshadow the real villain of the film. The macguffin feels meaningless and overshadowed by a better villain and theres no real sense of peril. Easily the weakest villains of the franchise. Much better use of the source material but an awful plot, filled with a welcomingly large amount of humour. Possibly the most Marmite film by Marvel Studios so far.</span></span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-64185070834737427682016-03-03T00:00:00.000-08:002016-03-03T00:00:03.795-08:00Iron Man 3: The Big Marvel Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orrxhNn_RNk/VtGNUu_82TI/AAAAAAAABz0/rOnvdgoSG1I/s1600/Iron_Man_3_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orrxhNn_RNk/VtGNUu_82TI/AAAAAAAABz0/rOnvdgoSG1I/s320/Iron_Man_3_poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first film post Avengers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Iron Man 3 (2013)</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Plot Summary </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Tony has everything. His love life, his suits and his company is doing well, but all is not right with the man. After the events of the Avengers, Tony is crippled by anxiety attacks. Which would happen to you if you nearly got stuck in space trying to ride a Nuke into an Alien invasion. He's confined himself to his workshop making more and more Iron Man suits as failsafes against different problems that could arise. His suit numbers are well into the double digits.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emQG0PEEedY/VtGNt92x1AI/AAAAAAAAB0E/1PfVYPiGCqE/s1600/Iron-Man-3-ec0d3038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emQG0PEEedY/VtGNt92x1AI/AAAAAAAAB0E/1PfVYPiGCqE/s320/Iron-Man-3-ec0d3038.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that Tony Stark has a heart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A new villain, a terrorist called the Mandarin. Linked to the ten rings of his terrorist cell's from the first movie. He's attacking America. Tony's past comes back to haunt him as industrialist and scientist equal, Aldrich Killian has a bone to pick with him, thanks to the way Tony treated him when he was his awful old self. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Killian takes aim at his company, now been run by Pepper. Pepper gets Happy to follow him and sees the Extremis he's peddling in action. As the Chinese theatre explodes. Tony investigates and finds that it was a human that explodes, overloaded with Extremis. While </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Tony brazenly gives his address on live TV for the Mandarin to come get him and consequently gets his ass handed to him as his house is destroyed. He get's knocked out and flown by JARVIS to a site he was investigating.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTmz7K-YxX8/VtGNhL3wXSI/AAAAAAAAB0A/DbUUvsE1PnI/s1600/IRON_PATRIOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTmz7K-YxX8/VtGNhL3wXSI/AAAAAAAAB0A/DbUUvsE1PnI/s320/IRON_PATRIOT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Patriot is Americas way of making War Machine more friendly!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">By now we have seen what Tony can do in the suits. So here he's left to fend with just his wit and a child sidekick. He acts like a father figure while kitting up and hand making Iron Man gadgets. He takes the home of the Mandarin, suspiciously in Miami..? In what is possibly the most shocking and surprising twist in a Marvel film so far, the Mandarin turns out to be a failing British actor. Killian was trying to entice a war so he can sell his soldiers to both sides. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">An Extremis user kidnaps the President from Air Force 1 mid flight. Tony remotely pilots, </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">again another surprising moment at the reveal, a suit to catch the dozen crew member, barrel of monkeys style mid air before they die. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEy_6tEs_ig/VtGNZFAz5tI/AAAAAAAABz4/gnqgtAEt6T0/s1600/Iron_Man_3_Trailer_2_2013_h41m18s225.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEy_6tEs_ig/VtGNZFAz5tI/AAAAAAAABz4/gnqgtAEt6T0/s640/Iron_Man_3_Trailer_2_2013_h41m18s225.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Party Protocols.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">When Tony and Rhodey, find out about the president being killed on TV by the "mandarin's" men, Tony activates JARVIS' house party protocol. An amazing finale treats you to the spectacular fight between all 30 plus Iron Man Armours, war machine and Killian's Extremis users. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Review</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Normally by the 3rd instalment of any franchise, exhaustion sets in, there's more of the same. Pirates of the Caribbean got so big and over the top that they essentially couldn't outdo the last. Spider-Man 3 essentially over crowded itself with villains. Here Iron Man not only had to battle third act syndrome but somehow follow the spectacle of Avengers. They have to juggle action that out does the Avengers finale, yet not have just more suit users, after the first two films essentially followed the same plot of "hey look at my suit(s)". </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Switching directors and giving someone else the reigns seems to have helped. Tony spends a lot of time out of his suit, essentially being his usual charming self and still playing with tech. Taking time away from the regular cast and bouncing off the child character they pair him with. The humour is still there good and strong.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The action pieces are solid still. Playing with what they have yet doing new things. During the attack on the mansion Pepper gets in the suit. Something new. An aerial attack on a plane and a problem that needs solving without shooting guns is a refreshing use of the suit. Tony making Iron Man tools out of hard ware store materials, is charming and really enjoyable while still being entertainment. The final battle blows the Avengers ending out of the water in my opinion. Tony leaping from suit to suit as JARVIS gets a chance to shine piloting the other three dozen suits. It's all out enjoyment and spectacle. One of the main complaints I heard when this came out was that Tony wasn't in the suit enough, but with a finale like this how can you complain about that?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LtWAI1R6tYE/VtGNSm82SVI/AAAAAAAABzw/WEfY2ryoLfE/s1600/1016015-killian-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LtWAI1R6tYE/VtGNSm82SVI/AAAAAAAABzw/WEfY2ryoLfE/s320/1016015-killian-1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extremis in action.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">There are genuinely shocking moments for comic book fans here too, the Mandarin isn't the same as in the comics, Extremis is used but not in the same way. They've picked bits from the books to make a great story out of and it isn't predictable or disappointing. Whereas Marvel villains have been one note and done in one with each film, except Loki, here the Mandarin is done away with in a surprising fashion and the Extremis weapon comes back a lot in Agents of SHIELD, despite Killian vanishing. </span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Mandarin could have been a racially difficult character, originally being Chinese war time and communism, propaganda. Just the worst kind of character. Updating him as a terrorist is more current and feels more natural. Perhaps in 40 years time we will look back and cringe at a middle eastern portrayal. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-179c8t73jpg/VtGNck6tQqI/AAAAAAAABz8/kGyLLlpcKpc/s1600/mandarin-iron-man-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-179c8t73jpg/VtGNck6tQqI/AAAAAAAABz8/kGyLLlpcKpc/s400/mandarin-iron-man-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvel movie villains are notoriously one note, but none have gone out like this before. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The first sequel missed the mark story wise, yet had really enjoyable moments. This film moves everything along leaps and bounds, whilst going completely new places and being true to the characters. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">End Credits Scene</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">It turns out as a way to cope with his anxiety Tony, who has being narrating the film, has been telling the story to Bruce Banner, who has fallen asleep. He jolts awake and tells Tony he's not that kind of Doctor. A follow up to the humourous end credits scene at the end of Avengers.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Iron Man 3 Rating: 8/10</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This film feels like the end of one story and the start of another and I feel this film shows Marvel proved that sequels can go new places and still outdo the last film. It's a surprisingly fun down to earth blockbuster. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This film answers the question posited in previous films: Is Tony Iron Man or is the suit Iron Man?</span></span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-69943542112361054722016-03-02T00:00:00.002-08:002016-03-02T00:30:36.826-08:00Just-Us Society Episode 1: The Real Ghostbusters<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi and welcome to the first Just-Us Society. I'm Matty H, and along with Snapper of <a href="http://fatpollyscomix.tumblr.com/">Fat Polly's Comix</a> (a</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nother awesome comics website that you need to check out) </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we've teamed up to bring you commentary goodness to classic 'toons</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. This time around we are watching The Real Ghostbusters. Snapper is a huge GB fan and I love the movies but haven't ever seen a cartoon. He picked one of the weirder ones for me to start.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWuv1ZCq9HA/VtH-tP_IlLI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/qG96JFf7fSM/s1600/12782489_799469640157893_690264629_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWuv1ZCq9HA/VtH-tP_IlLI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/qG96JFf7fSM/s400/12782489_799469640157893_690264629_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who ya gonna call..?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's series 1 episode 8 if you'd like to follow along. "When Halloween Was Forever" by none other than J. Michael Staczynski from Spider-man writing fame. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1kAqD3_F28/VtH-UONWWAI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/oNVN4zx5eWs/s1600/12788049_799469626824561_710056087_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1kAqD3_F28/VtH-UONWWAI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/oNVN4zx5eWs/s400/12788049_799469626824561_710056087_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">J. Michael Stuaiwcivorwevqcv</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this episode wikipedia tells me that Samhain, the spirit of Halloween, is released from his centuries-old prison and seeks to make Halloween last forever by stopping time. Can the Ghostbusters prevent eternal Halloween? Let's find out...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598772187:92cd36574bbe907949" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">ok lets do this</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598780229:7976e5934cb8ef8214" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">on it</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
that disco music is such a welcome noise</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598813601:822b922de9176b4394" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">having only ever seen the movies this is going to be jarring haha</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
is that ghost all beard?<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MU1I2aPN9Uk/VtH6yVIe8JI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/kvSHNHLLawg/s1600/12782019_799469650157892_591292205_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MU1I2aPN9Uk/VtH6yVIe8JI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/kvSHNHLLawg/s400/12782019_799469650157892_591292205_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. This is Beard Ghost.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598846788:f2876f2a7ab5b62d78" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">aha that ghost looks like a digimon reject</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598871432:58d5010a14fa530e68" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">did you notice that news crew just screeched to a halt and had to just go straight off? imagine being that poor woman having to be just ready to go instantly</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598901603:2e997eac0e8396ad94" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's a good job the ghostbuster brought their own street signs too</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Egon's hair is epic</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
I know in cartoons they often change likenesses slightly but that hair Oh Em Gee</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598951217:fb43cfa18dd8396644" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">i have no idea how he can keep it up, doing that every morning</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598968534:02c481bad7584ed219" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reckon he sleeps in a giant curler</span><strong></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iALN1C8lOUg/VtH7NR_v4bI/AAAAAAAAB0c/nD1eOYLCSC4/s1600/12784550_799469653491225_1826650966_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iALN1C8lOUg/VtH7NR_v4bI/AAAAAAAAB0c/nD1eOYLCSC4/s400/12784550_799469653491225_1826650966_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've got hair envy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="_4tdt" style="margin: 10px 8px; position: relative;">
<div class="_4tdv">
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598970124:a8693c2c62d1621192" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">peter sounds so down to earth, he's the john lennon of the group</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
hell of a soundsystem in there</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456598986702:43d57181ce0d6aa986" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is that where halloween started or have they just made this up haha</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Slimer was just copping a feel</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
What a beautiful sunset</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599054091:72dd9e58dafb0d4922" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">These ghosts are getting increasingly elaborate</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Oh god I swear these ghosts get off to the boogy music</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599116158:4f02496bb9871e6582" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">slimer looking for treats in egons socks haha</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
slimer definitely copped a feel<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-gj3UQBOxs/VtH7iT7qIJI/AAAAAAAAB0k/S_nvis8vJBQ/s1600/12804185_799469643491226_733589577_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-gj3UQBOxs/VtH7iT7qIJI/AAAAAAAAB0k/S_nvis8vJBQ/s400/12804185_799469643491226_733589577_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's really handsy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="_5wd4 _1nc6 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; line-height: 1.28; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;">
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599129798:71cf28b40dd5e7fe73" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><span class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janine looks the spitting image of her movie counterpart</span></span><br />
<div class="_37">
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599216190:124e572a22751e4182" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">the eyes are going insane on this cartoon, nobody has any idea how much effort it is to try and capture them in screenshots</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
i guess i'm relating to the ghostbusters catching ghosts</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599252224:19f578cdf8d2fc6511" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">clearly they weren't planning on this kind of scrutiny</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Legit line "It's not christmas" in a halloween special.</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599322161:46296e7a1dbabc5439" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">you're right on the elaborate ghosts, these ones are wearing clothes! how are they doing that? like multicoloured clothes no less, these aren't your typical one-colour-ghouls</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599331682:fc01ba9806fea0da82" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I always wondered why Slimer was such a big deal. He's in the movie for like 5 minutes</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599371514:319276299c72d55054" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">better than the sidekick they had in the 'Evolution' cartoon. there's some weird cartoons for adult movies in the world.</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599377076:c546fe0fd1638ed306" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poor Slimer though. I feel for him not wanting to be a ghost.</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599397604:1bf74535d539e87385" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holy shit Sam Hain's the bad guy! he terrified me as a kid, think he was a big deal in Extreme Ghostbusters.</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599402616:0eda7d7383f6be8039" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you remember the mummy cartoon? That was messed up</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599421862:277bd7686d705daf63" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">wait was that Mummies Alive! or something?</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
mummies as superheroes, brilliant.</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599450151:2719c4c29cc02feb90" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">These ghosts look like they should be in mystery packets and sold in newsagents</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
The voice acting is spot on</div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Why is a clown reporting the news?!</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1leG3Ohlh8/VtH8CP_oc9I/AAAAAAAAB0s/NgoNaNHIIrg/s1600/12784389_799469636824560_101800569_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1leG3Ohlh8/VtH8CP_oc9I/AAAAAAAAB0s/NgoNaNHIIrg/s320/12784389_799469636824560_101800569_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Several children died in a fire today..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599501036:99a0365ba478063607" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">fuck sam hain's voice is legit terrifying</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="line-height: 1.38;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="line-height: 1.38;">slimer just got called out on being a traitor just for moving in the crowd. they're good.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.38;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 1.38;">canteen full of skeletons, that's the second scariest canteen sequence I've ever seen- after that terrifying issue of Sandman</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599612729:c93a5b9affc73cbe33" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_37">
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
fuck clown news reporter looks strangely normal</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599682649:faf6f27c78ebd9ef41" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm not sure if he's a ghost or just dressed like that!</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599718166:5f0d60b078ac447365" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">oh shit it makes sense cos of halloween obviously, but after seeing so many ghouls doing normal things it comes off as jarring</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
''stop that car!!'' by shooting nuclear weapons at it.</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599747373:513fc3b5799bfb9209" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">It would definitely stop it though</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
The Jack o lantern is scary as hell.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0vFljD3ePBs/VtH8xhvZoQI/AAAAAAAAB00/-yg-iOxnoU8/s1600/12788292_799469630157894_1741340358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0vFljD3ePBs/VtH8xhvZoQI/AAAAAAAAB00/-yg-iOxnoU8/s400/12788292_799469630157894_1741340358_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Hain bringing the pain!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599790832:580b0f6c1bc7112526" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">yeah definitely, Sam Hain threatening the busters from a high building comes off as way spookier than it should be.</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
his mouth is freaky as fuck</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599816885:a3322bb53bcdf4f984" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">If he was simply a cut out that would be one thing but the gums and teeth just make me nervous</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
The powers out. But our packs are still working...</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599852026:bc853efc45235d9587" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">definitely! and the dots in his eyes, somehow creepier than blank eyes</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599853027:0cf99d5b9f0c3dcb18" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Were they plugged into the wall? haha</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Its a long cord if they were</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
I think I just saw the 1000 volt ghost from scooby do in the background</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599940260:6c75bfe19b934fdb51" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">i love peter's voice so much, he just doesn't give a single fuck about anything. so nonchalant.</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599953183:a0628d87467104dc07" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">zone dweebies? what a put down</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599973747:4616cc30fb923d0996" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">slimer blowing a raspberry in Hain's face is a brave move. tough spud.</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456599995200:c8a70e48eb92aef824" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">some of these ghosts look like spuds</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
really messed up mr potato heads</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600022637:6b7c6fd92ac1e25b00" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love that the full-on ghostbusters tune is playing like egon calling them zone dweebies is an epic move</span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600052021:867ccf91864e48ce68" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did they animate the show and then get someone else to animate the eyes</span><strong></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hV4TRcFtqfU/VtH9Rx-9FiI/AAAAAAAAB08/TquyenaBsyQ/s1600/12782230_799469646824559_1398013532_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hV4TRcFtqfU/VtH9Rx-9FiI/AAAAAAAAB08/TquyenaBsyQ/s400/12782230_799469646824559_1398013532_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cower before your enemy... STAIRS!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600059198:d223cae20af9699561" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">oh no, the ghostbusters worst enemy, stairs! carrying on the continuity of the movie there</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600063061:157fbb3169a73d5638" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">its off the hook crazy</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600097321:106c235040ad68e326" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper </strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">egon's got spunk, he's got so much sass when dissing ghosts</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600099351:3706b935541a0ced51" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slime getting held hostage and he's just sat there looking so stoned</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Egon is the real hero of this show</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600123750:8cdf4aeff82a76bb02" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper </strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">''Traitor! Fill the green with green!''</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600150181:f6c9d365dfba0af917" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter got too many zingers in the movie so Egon gets them all here clearly</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600157848:49056ddd2e02d9ce29" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper </strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">''sometimes i think the universe just waits for me to get cocky'' is such an arrested development-level of humour for egon to say during his plan haha</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600185976:f19a66227fb9d16d86" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The clock yelling bong is just more subliminal weed culture</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcp3x3g_UDs/VtH9letVLaI/AAAAAAAAB1E/zxEulFH34oE/s1600/12769483_799469633491227_627691391_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zcp3x3g_UDs/VtH9letVLaI/AAAAAAAAB1E/zxEulFH34oE/s400/12769483_799469633491227_627691391_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"bong Bong BONG BBBOONNNGGG!!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600239093:2ea8f750ebb3fd0b95" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper </strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">ghost just grabbed ray's nose, fucking deadly</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
LOOK at that clock! terrifying</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600312813:d79dc5c76e1c667524" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">i love that they have a viewfinder for their ghost prison</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Sliders young girl voice scared the hell out of me</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
I'm so glad I never saw this as a child it would have messed me up!</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
You chose a good first episode for me</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600391595:43a91db1025b017c96" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Snapper </strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">the viewfinder is hilarious to me. the recent idw comics have a backup story that is just like a follow-up to this episode where it's set in the ghost prison</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
honestly we need to get on extreme ghostbusters soon, so much more adult somehow</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600434875:309cc851fa4e085b74" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">We'll have to try that next then!</span><strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1;">Snapper </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600512602:73dcd5328fde538457" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_37">
<strong></strong><br />
<div class="_53">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<div style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
i think it could have been a lot worse, especially on a special-holiday episode. Christmas, halloween, thanksgiving episodes usually grate me but it was just pure ''problem arises...ghostbusters sort it out thanks to egon's sass, despite some sets of stairs getting in the way''</div>
</div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1456600562026:9a1f17f379aba29c56" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="zoom: 1;">
<br />
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;">Matty H</strong><br />
<div class="_37">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">haha exactly. Specials seem to be cornier than ever but clearly Halloween was made for the GBusters</span><br />
<strong></strong></div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="_4tdt" style="margin: 10px 8px; position: relative;">
<div class="_4tdv">
<div class="_5wd4 _1nc6 direction_ltr" style="color: #141823; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.28; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 1px;">
<div class="_3ry4" style="float: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="_5wd4 _1nc6 direction_ltr" style="color: #141823; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.28; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 1px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that's all folks. This went relatively well as an experiment for shared content (Just need an easier way to edit it) so I'm sure we will be back for more in the future. Long live the Just-Us Society! This could be a podcast if I had more charisma than a retarded tree stump. Thanks for reading!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-11716599326071447962016-03-01T00:00:00.000-08:002016-03-02T03:19:18.488-08:00Avengers Assemble: The Big Marvel Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQHfFlFph-8/Vsw8r7aFI7I/AAAAAAAABu0/JQEXCa0CMoo/s1600/the-avengers-wallimages1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQHfFlFph-8/Vsw8r7aFI7I/AAAAAAAABu0/JQEXCa0CMoo/s640/the-avengers-wallimages1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first 5 years led to this epic 6th film in the franchise.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Avengers Assemeble (2012)</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Summary and Review</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><i>I'd normally do the review separately from the summary but this film is so packed with characters, moments and story that in order to not miss a moment or botch up and under sell it, I've essentially just live tweeted myself notes for when I sit down and write this. So here goes;</i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">We get a mysterious exposition opening hinting at an alien army ready to take earth and then we hit the ground running with a massive set piece. Fury, Hawkeye, fan favourite Coulson and Agent Hill are at action stations in a SHIELD facility where Selvig is studying the Cosmic Cube from Captain America's solo film. The cube has activated and opens a portal for Loki to come through. He has a mind controlling staff and takes Selvig, Hawkeye, the cube and a bunch of SHIELD agents with him while the whole place falls down around them. Just realising that they've lost an almighty source of power to a God, Fury is asked what they should do now and practically turns to camera and winks as the Avengers Assemble logo flies up on screen. It's such a good feeling that 5 years in the making of solo films has built up to this moment.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwbrhE0BCqA/Vsw8aTtdkSI/AAAAAAAABuY/IeuqUGMJqRk/s1600/HawkeyeAvengersRenner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwbrhE0BCqA/Vsw8aTtdkSI/AAAAAAAABuY/IeuqUGMJqRk/s400/HawkeyeAvengersRenner2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hawkeye gets shortchanged again. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">The thing this film gets so right is a balance between all of it's characters. All of the SHIELD personnel, as well as the heroes, each get just perfect moments on screen. Everyone gets to make one liners and jokes, in typical Joss Whedon fashion, as well as each getting great action set pieces. I don't think I mentioned Hawkeye in my Thor review and that's because he barely gets time to shine. He does feel a little shortchanged this time too. Spending half of the film brainwashed and working for the bad guys. Something that Whedon rectifies with the second Avengers team up. Whereas every other character has had a solo film, even Widow who didn't, got some considerable screen time to show off with, in Ironman 2.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUhxcr6Kh6M/Vsw8cNhOxqI/AAAAAAAABug/gMErt3doiHU/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUhxcr6Kh6M/Vsw8cNhOxqI/AAAAAAAABug/gMErt3doiHU/s400/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plenty of humour lightens the mood, and captures the battle banter, you read in comics.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">The Avengers are being gathered by Fury. Black Widow gets a great kick ass moment early on, taking a phone call from Coulson </span></span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">halfway though a mission and then beating the crap out of the people holding her hostage, while Coulson is on hold. It almost foreshadows a moment later on when she is a sitting duck and is using her own way of seeming helpless to get information. She's brought on board when she hears that Clint has been taken. Coulson goes to get Ironman and Widow goes of to fetch Hulk. We get some hints throughout the film about Hawkeye and Widow having a history together that doesn't ever really get explored. Fury recruits Captain America when he realises it's the cosmic cube that is in the villains possession. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29AhYR7Jzvs/Vsw8io41KvI/AAAAAAAABuk/9KFu77OE6KY/s1600/Robert-Downey-Jr-The-Avengers-Iron-Man-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-29AhYR7Jzvs/Vsw8io41KvI/AAAAAAAABuk/9KFu77OE6KY/s400/Robert-Downey-Jr-The-Avengers-Iron-Man-3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite being the strongest most successful solo character so far, thankfully, Stark doesn't steal the show.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px;">Ironman is taking well to his no more weaponry way of life and is midway through converting his STARK tower to be a clean energy building. Banner has turned his life around and is in control of his rage and acting as a doctor back on the run in third world countries again. Already in only 6 films they have changed so much. We get a little filling in of Loki's back story; last we saw he was falling off into space at the end of Thor and wound up on Earth. We find out that he ran into some shady characters in space. He was granted an army and rule of Earth after he conquered it, in exchange for.. conquering it, I guess. He was given the staff that lets him control minds and then got sent to earth to open a portal with the cube for the army to arrive through. That's his end goal here.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">The balance of humour in this film is really cleverly done. Whereas sometimes it can feel a little forced when every character is rattling off one liners at the same pace, here some are played at their own expense, or as sarcasm. Especially with Cap and Thor, who both have a fish out of water/ man out of time thing going on and don't always get references. Fury and Tony both have the wild sarcasm going for them. Each character stays true to what is built up so far in their solo films while becoming just that much more enjoyable as they bounce off each other. Perhaps with the exception of Thor who seems to take a step back but I'll cover him when we get there.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">The team is assembled on the Hellicarrier and the first "oh wow" moment happens when the ship takes off into the skies. Bruce is brought in to track the Gamma radiation that he specialises in, and what the cube and Loki's sceptre are radiating. They track Loki to Germany where he's making a scene to get arrested and onto the Hellicarrier. Cap stands up to Loki in Germany and in comes all his sentimental, imagery. Whereas it was more believable and acceptable in his period piece solo film, it does feel more than a little cheesy in the modern day setting. Thank goodness that Ironman rocks up to hijack the SHIELD speakers with some classic rock, and steal the show. Ironman eventually puts him down. While transferring Loki to the Hellicarrier, Thor arrives and the three main heroes have a little fight before teaming up of the greater good. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">This sounds like a bit of a cliche and that's because it is. This movie brings in so many moments from the comics. Not so much easter eggs, but just the little touches that truly let you know this is the Avengers that you've been reading about since the 60's but on the big screen. Tony referencing Life Model Decoys, Hulk not being able to lift Thors hammer, Cap using his shield to redirect Ironman's blasts, Thors hammer making contact with Cap's shield- the whole unstoppable force/ immovable object thing, and Widow uttering her bohze moi catch phrase. It's chockablock full of moments you'll recognise straight outta your comic pages.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZedhN-33Buc/VsxAhJA0AxI/AAAAAAAABvE/r0KeHZdDKJI/s1600/THOR_avengers_movie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZedhN-33Buc/VsxAhJA0AxI/AAAAAAAABvE/r0KeHZdDKJI/s400/THOR_avengers_movie.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"He's my brother."<br />He killed 80 people!<br />"He's adopted"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px;">Thor comes off a little unlikeable but Cap puts everyone in their place and very early on becomes the leader/ icon that can control and rally everyone into order. What Thor learned in his solo film, about being human, and not being so brash, seems to have been thrown out of the window and he's gone back to being a bit of a meathead/ jock again at first. Whereas Tony similarly comes off as a jerk, yet his constant wisecracking make him really likeable. Aboard the Hellicarrier Tony and Bruce get on like a house on fire, and make fan art fuel forever, with their Science-Bros style friendship.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjinO6fQi3A/Vsw8mpb8uTI/AAAAAAAABuw/U0SKJcsZFj8/s1600/The-Incredible-Hulk-image-the-incredible-hulk-36100710-1920-1080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjinO6fQi3A/Vsw8mpb8uTI/AAAAAAAABuw/U0SKJcsZFj8/s400/The-Incredible-Hulk-image-the-incredible-hulk-36100710-1920-1080.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A fun Hulk is a much more enjoyable watch than a mopey hitch hiker. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px;">I talked a little about this in my Hulk review but the friendship between the two goes a long way to making this version of Hulk a believable part of the team and also make him an enjoyable character. The whole idea that Tony's shrapnel and arc reactor is a blessing and a curse, reflected onto the whole Bruce should have died during the Gamma explosion, thing and should be thankful of Hulk for saving him. The Hulk is now a fun suit to play around in just like Ironman's. This is a brilliant retcon. A retcon being, for those of you that don't know, basically translates to retroactive continuity. Something is already in place and is changed or something was never mentioned and is now being relied upon, basically. It can be a huge no no in the comics, and there have been some questionable things written out of continuity. However here, all the changes make sense and serve a purpose. Another genius bit of retconning during the film is mentioning that Banner was trying to recreate the Serum that made Steve Rogers strong. Hulk was an accident, a side effect of that. It just makes sense, that everyone was trying to recreate super soldiers after the inventor died and the subject went missing. Kind of makes you wonder what else SHIELD was up to in the intervening years between being set up and trying to recruit Ironman? It's basically a mine field of history that they can plant things in depending on which legacy heroes they decide to adapt at a later date. We see this in Antman, and I'm hoping to see more quite frankly. More of that when we get to those flicks though!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">A couple of things I don't like about the film is that, while we do get Black Widow and Maria Hill kicking serious ass, and I'm all for strong female characters, and for the fictional world I'm reading/ watching to reflect the one I'm living in with diversity. Pepper Potts is shipped off out of harms way really early on and Jane Foster is sent away off screen to be kept safe. Peggy Carter and this dance with Cap she was waiting for is never addressed at all, which I was convinced was going to be a tear jerking moment when they finally reunite. It's just a shame that all of their love interests are shoved off to a side. I get why they did it, it was a huge enough cast as it was, and every second counted, but would 5-10 minutes more screen time to feature Jane Foster and Agent Carter really have pushed this too long?</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">It comes to no ones surprise that Loki was captured too easily. Widow manipulates him into finding out that he wants to turn Hulk against the rest of them, in one of my favourite scenes, in which the words "mewling quim" managed to slip by sensors. Google the meaning. Go on it's funny that it's in a disney movie! Hulk and Tony are already doubting SHIELD because the prison they are currently housing Loki in, was built for the Hulk. Tony and Banner hack SHIELD's computers while Cap goes and finds proof that they too are creating weapons from the staff/ cube's power sources. This being the "phase 2" to the Avengers initiative's "phase 1". Fury wants to go with the Avengers solution, rather than alien weaponry against Loki. This all comes to a head in an epic and frankly quite compelling argument, from all sides, about the security of Earth and themselves. This moment really got me thinking about just how well scripted every moment is in the film. Each character is there for a purpose and not just because it's the big crossover. Each character has a driving force and worries about the world around them. I can only hope the up-coming Civil War movie has as many clear character paths through it's narrative. The fighting comes to a head when brainwashed Hawkeye comes to break out Loki and blows up one of the Hellicarrier's engines.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPa2yD3KLyY/Vsw8kFz6tiI/AAAAAAAABus/oV3OaqTUv9M/s1600/Fury_Hill_HG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPa2yD3KLyY/Vsw8kFz6tiI/AAAAAAAABus/oV3OaqTUv9M/s400/Fury_Hill_HG.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hellicarrier bridge is an amazing set.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">This is the next big action piece. It's been a long time since the last, yet all the characterisation and talking heads feels just as fun as the fighting, thanks to Whedon's quippy word play. The action was something I was sure the film wouldn't be able to capture, yet it comes across seamlessly here. Team work. Ironman and Cap go to fix the broken engine, Widow has to calm a now Hulked out Banner, Thor takes on the Hulk in the start of a little team-up/ rivalry (which we've been told will follow through into Thor's up-coming third solo movie as more of a buddy cop style story), while Fury, Hill and Coulson hold the bridge from Hawkeye and his lackeys. The juggling of screen time, characters, and editing here is nothing short of a miracle. Hawkeye takes out a second engine and the carrier starts to drop out of the sky. Widow takes on Hawkeye and knocks him out so hard his brain washing wears off. Because that's how science works in comics too. Cap has to pull a lever to let Ironman out of the turbine, he's now manually pushing up to speed, but winds up getting sidetracked with other villains. Hulk ends up being tricked into jumping off the plane and falling to Earth. Loki tricks Thor into his prison, then shooting it out of the plane and seemingly kills- although it's never really shown on screen- Agent Coulson. He's back in his Agents of SHIELD spinoff series, and I've only seen the first series so I'm not sure how he comes back just yet. But hey, comics are a place where death means nothing. Fake outs, resurrections etc. If you can pull it off without it sounding stupid then fine by me. He's technically the first major death on screen, and it's a fan favourite who's appeared in most of the franchise so far. Coulson gets the last laugh before his dying breath by finally getting to try out his new God-gun. Knocking out Loki and then some.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3ETEwzqBrc/Vsw8K1dM6HI/AAAAAAAABuQ/YSZKcE1bnUc/s1600/AgentCoulsonIsDown-Avengers3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3ETEwzqBrc/Vsw8K1dM6HI/AAAAAAAABuQ/YSZKcE1bnUc/s400/AgentCoulsonIsDown-Avengers3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RIP Phil Coulson. Until your spinoff.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">With the team now broken and somewhat scattered, Fury uses Coulson as a martyr. Someone to be avenged, and practically turns to the camera and winks again. Cap takes the bait. Thor has this bizarre "am I worthy enough of my hammer" moment in a field in the middle of no where, which seems a tad pointless. Banners comes around, and finds out the Hulk aimed for an abandoned warehouse so as not to hurt anyone, when landing. Maybe Hulk isn't so bad? Widow forgives and fixes up Hawkeye, then Cap comes and recruits them both, because Tony just realised that Loki is as much of a diva as he is. Turns out that Loki is setting up his portal on top of STARK tower. This is the first time we hear the full Avengers musical score in all it's glory and it is really empowering for this little getting everyone together and rallying the troops moment.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">Tony gets to NYC first and has his now iconic "..we have a Hulk." speech (note: iconic means meme worthy) with Loki before unveiling his new armour, in a way that somehow tops his suitcase suit moment from his last movie outing. Each time they top the last thing in these franchises you worry how the next person is going to one up the new moment, you almost feel sorry for them. We get a little Thor vs Loki moment, after the portal opens and Loki realises there won't be much of Earth left for him to rule over. Banner rocks up and finally has fun Hulking out. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVefGdnoJxo/Vsw8jO8-XlI/AAAAAAAABuo/Ewpnn0hGrHQ/s1600/Snapz-Pro-XScreenSnapz0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVefGdnoJxo/Vsw8jO8-XlI/AAAAAAAABuo/Ewpnn0hGrHQ/s640/Snapz-Pro-XScreenSnapz0013.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such a satisfying moment!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">This last battle is a visual effects spectacle that at the time I thought would be so hard to top, and it still holds it's own now. This isn't some made up city, this is NYC and lots of landmarks are shown, it feels so very real. It gives every character great moments. Captain America finally feels fully in control of the team. He gives out a strategy for everyone. Thor can bottle neck the portal and stop more coming through with his lightning, Tony works the perimeter, Hawkeye is the eyes in the sky, Cap and Widow help civilians and keep the fight on the ground while Hulk smashes stuff. There's communication with emergency services, and a need to get civilians out of there. It's grounded in reality despite the spectacle of throwing people through buildings being right up there in the enjoyment factor.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1W1TiOgsu0w/Vsw8NyD36NI/AAAAAAAABuU/AFCMAf0wx1U/s1600/Captain-America-The-Avengers-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1W1TiOgsu0w/Vsw8NyD36NI/AAAAAAAABuU/AFCMAf0wx1U/s400/Captain-America-The-Avengers-31.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's the odd questionable costume change. His classic look still works best in my opinion.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is again so much juggling of character and so many straight outta the pages of the comics moments that its a wonder this film exists at all, let alone that its this good. There is one really amazing shot that is a constant scene right through the flow if battle moving from one character to another and it's just perfect. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">Fury's war council override his Avengers plan and send a nuke to destroy midtown and the portal. It culminates in Ironman having to ride a nuke through the portal while Widow uses Loki's staff to penetrate the shield around the cosmic cube powering the portal. Even during all this action you get little character moments like Tony trying to call Pepper in case he didn't make it. After it closes all of the ships and troops of the alien Chitauri army drop down dead,</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; line-height: 22.5px;"> a little too quickly, because of some mothership/ phantom menace excuse which feels a tad rushed. Again it's only a minor gripe. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DyVcPnmKb8/Vsw8bVxcl7I/AAAAAAAABuc/HmzDNVdMJTA/s1600/Avengers_tower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_DyVcPnmKb8/Vsw8bVxcl7I/AAAAAAAABuc/HmzDNVdMJTA/s400/Avengers_tower.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another comic moment as only the A from STARK towers logo is left standing.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">The Avengers as a team succeed as well as the Avengers movie as a whole, as Marvel further teases the cosmic scale of the Universe that they are heading </span></span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">towards.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">End Credits Scene</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">There's two this time. It is revealed through the Chitauri leaders </span></span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">monologue, which framed the early intro to the film too, that Earth isn't as easy to conquer as once thought. That to challenge Earth would be to court death. The big bad of Marvel, Thanos, spins around in his throne and smiles to camera. This is the first hint of the over arching plot of all of the Marvel movies. In the comics Thanos is a power house of a character who is in love with the physical embodiment of death. She promises him they can be together when he kills half the universe. He uses the infinity gauntlet and six gems/ stones that give it power. It will later turn out that the cosmic cube and the sceptre are both two of the six stones. Two more pop up in already released films that I will review shortly.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">The second scene is the team sat around eating Shawarma, leading from a throwaway line by Tony after the battle of NYC, where he says he doesn't know what it is but he wants to try it. It's a funny after credits scene. Some fans would be disappointed, expecting yet more teases of whats to come but personally the tease and the comedy pretty much sum up the film for me.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Avengers Assemble Rating:</b> 9/10</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">Pulling one superhero centric movie off is hard enough. The hit and miss lead up to this team up shows that all to well. Joss Whedon pulls off, arguably, the impossible by doing a team origin movie and giving each character enough time to be in the spotlight. Loki is taken in a different direction, proving to be, still to this day, the only fleshed out multi movie villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The visual effects are spectacular and pull off the characters on screen in a way comic fans could </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">only dream of. This could have been the Tony Stark and friends movie, or an action movie with nothing at stake, instead it somehow lives up to the hype. By no means was it a perfect movie, but for me comics should be fun, and this was an absolute riot.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Additional Thoughts</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">Marvel took a long meandering path to get to Avengers and some of it was hit and miss. It felt like a long time coming. Once upon a time these characters were not household names. Marvel during it's 90's bankruptcy scare notoriously sold the rights to Spider-man and X-men, it's biggest most recognisable characters and needed to build up and introduce the rest gradually. I was asked recently if I thought Marvel or DC's way was best, in which way they took to their Justice League movie. Now DC's is still a way off, so some of this is still speculation.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">I'm on record that Man of Steel wasn't for me. It was an amazing visual spectacle and was made for a certain kind of audience. It's tone is darker, everything is visually darker but it has a stylised action. It captures comics in a different way, and captures DC's dark 90's house style perfectly. Needless to say the film did well, and I'm somewhat glad. The difference between their approach is that Marvel needed to introduce their characters from scratch, and DC's heroes are iconic and all owned by the same studio still. People know Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, you can simply tell a story with them. So Marvel took 6 films to get to it's team up, DC is essentially doing it in 3 steps (minus the Suicide Squad side step). We are going Superman solo film, Superman vs. Batman with half (if not all of the Justice League involved too), the Justice League part 1. It's bold and it's risky but the thing is, DC can do this. I hope it works out well, and I'm definitely looking forward to Suicide Squad. They are villains so finally the house style I loath will actually make sense. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">My only worry about Batman vs. Superman is that it sounds overcrowded. It would definitely be funny if that was the case with the finished product. Marvel taking until it's eleventh film and Avengers sequel before feeling overcrowded and DC doing it in their second, essentially just rushing to play catch up. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">Whatever happens I'm just glad comic book films are mainstream ad this regular.</span></span></span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-83070336034565775442016-02-26T03:19:00.000-08:002016-02-26T03:19:29.000-08:00Continuity: The Dirty Word<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is continuity good or bad? Does it add or take away from the story? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last couple of years, notable mainstream comic book companies and characters have been celebrating their 60th, 70th and even 75th anniversaries. A quarter century of stories, can lead to some confusing back stories so how are comic book companies dealing with this? Before you say "badly" and start telling me they should focus on "telling good stories instead", can I say that what is considered good is in the eye of the beholder. Personally I think comics are currently having a new creative golden age, and the output of most publishers has never been better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtj0PNyeaQc/VtAy_1RlMNI/AAAAAAAABzM/Q_19j1c9S-Q/s1600/18s3l6p5ef14bjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtj0PNyeaQc/VtAy_1RlMNI/AAAAAAAABzM/Q_19j1c9S-Q/s1600/18s3l6p5ef14bjpg.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a big Multiverse out there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is an absolutely relentless onslaught of comic book movies, and TV shows that fans may wish to follow into their native medium. So how on Earth can publishers satisfy long term readers whilst still being accessible to new readers?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First a little history about what has already been tried.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Superhero book's golden age, were insanely popular on the newsstands in the 30's and 40's, yet a number of factors including the comic code and the belief that comics were for kids and couldn't feature anything unsuitable for kids led to comics as we know them, slowly vanishing for a couple of decades. What is considered the silver age of comics started with a new Flash in the late 50's. Rather than say what happened to the previous one who was last published in the late 40's, we simply started a fresh with a similar name and powers. It wasn't long before people questioned what happened to the original so DC introduced an Earth 2. All of the Golden age characters still happened but were in their own world. They later added an Earth 3 where DC bought up defunct smaller publishers characters and shoved them all together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On their 50th anniversary DC decided to streamline their continuity from all of their various Earths into just one. Crisis On Infinite Earths, destroyed all but 5 of their worlds and put them into one long coherent history. One Flash now influenced the next. Legacy characters became the norm and a Marvel style sliding timescale explained the rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgv1ByXgayw/VtAzCrpLFSI/AAAAAAAABzQ/_GYBylab37A/s1600/flash-123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgv1ByXgayw/VtAzCrpLFSI/AAAAAAAABzQ/_GYBylab37A/s400/flash-123.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DC's Multiverse is even a thing on the Flash TV show.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile at Marvel, they started using a sort of sliding timescale, retcon technique. Retcon meaning retractive continuity. Whereas characters that originally served in World War II could no longer feasibly be that age still they now served in more recent wars like Korea, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan. Sometimes this was simply a namedrop or a flashback to re-tell or subtly hint at the change and sometimes this was a new mini series or graphic novel that did the job instead. Most recently the Season One graphic novels have been made to do a modern retelling of each characters history. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This doesn't always work however as characters like Magneto that are heavily linked to the holocaust now have to be constantly de-aged in more and more nonsensical ways. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DC's attempt worked well incorporating new characters to the universe, and did poorly at attempting to accommodate characters like the Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and Legion of Superheroes. There where some characters that logically just couldn't fit into a continuity together so they did another Crisis story called Zero year to straighten out the kinks. When that didn't work they introduced Hyper Time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hyper time is possibly the best way to tell stories in my opinion but beyond hard to explain to most people. Essentially everything counts. Alternate worlds have simply splintered off the main timeline and can come back into the fold at any point a writer desires. There was now a simple "a wizard did it" style response to any mistake. Essentially a "shut up and just read" response to nit pickers of continuity. Stories could just be told and incoherences explained away as still being valid. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marvel on the other hand tried to have their cake and eat it. They kept trying new universes alongside their continuing one with the sliding timescale. Notably New Universe a complete origin story for their characters done over again, MC2 a realtime answer to continuity where the children of the original characters took over their legacies. Most notably their Ultimate universe hit big time success and influenced their current movie slate quite heavily. Sadly after 10 ongoing years of the same stories, even in a new universe, they got bogged down in their own universes. Ultimates wound up doing complete shock moments in an attempt to get sales boosts, and got even more bogged down. The Ultimates ended with Marvel's Secret Wars story early this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secret Wars is a very mild reboot, in the style of DC's Crisis books, that destroyed all of Marvels multiple worlds and smushed a lot of characters deserving of being kept into the main continuity. Everything else was kept as is, but notable additions like Old Man Logan, Miles Morales and Weird World made their way over. There were no major continuity issues from this so far. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr3AI7hUqLE/VtAzMDGbXpI/AAAAAAAABzc/NNE4XV6OUQk/s1600/BATTLEBOARD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr3AI7hUqLE/VtAzMDGbXpI/AAAAAAAABzc/NNE4XV6OUQk/s400/BATTLEBOARD.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your world is equal parts immersive/ inaccessible if you require a map. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DC had yet another Crisis after so long of playing around with the concept of Hyper Time, after deciding that most people simply didn't get it. Infinite Crisis brought back the idea of multiple Earths but limited it to 52 of them. Barely years later they then scrapped that again! The New 52 the fallout from Flashpoint, a Flash story at heart, with a nod to the character that started this whole problem in the first place. The New 52, I've discussed before. It was a lot of number 1 issues in one month and was a really pricey way to have people try to buy everything to try new things. It was essentially stealing the small audience comics have off other publishers and getting a few lapsed readers back in with a jumping on point. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trouble with the New 52 was it kept continuity for characters like Batman and Green Lantern that were doing well, but completely reset characters like Superman and Wonder Woman that were doing bad sales wise. They then forced all of this new and old history into just 5 years. Batman now had 5 robins in as many years. He also had a 12 year old son he'd conceived during his 5 year run as Batman. In the Batman book Tim Drake was a Robin and in the Teen Titans book he never was a Robin. There were continuity issues that distracted from the stories been told. No amount of sweeping it under the rug would hide that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DC then tried the ignoring continuity altogether and hoping it didn't detract from stories with the DCYou branding. Launching an extra Justice League book that wouldn't tie in with events and could just tell a story. Sales took no boost whatsoever and now we are quickly approaching DC's Rebirth event/ branding. DC has rebirth-ed characters like Flash individually. It's a reinvention of the character and from the sounds of their announcements so far they will be trying the reinvention to their whole line. Hopefully this New 52 style light reboot, will consider the universe as a whole from the get go and have less continuity issues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6k_2Z3rPBZI/VtAzHx0a1II/AAAAAAAABzY/eu4Chz3u9pk/s1600/Multiversity_Map_2400_53ee6b4c22d9a9.11031355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6k_2Z3rPBZI/VtAzHx0a1II/AAAAAAAABzY/eu4Chz3u9pk/s640/Multiversity_Map_2400_53ee6b4c22d9a9.11031355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same goes for your Universe! Grant Morrisons Multiversity despite needing a map, was surprisingly light and fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Movies try to reboot all the time. The amount of modern remakes, of horror films must show that theres minor short-lived success to it, but that it doesn't work log term. Star Trek's most recent films have bent over backwards in a hat tip to alternate universes featured in the original TV show. So it's simultaneously a new and old continuity. While fans of the show would get this kind of hard sic-fi would the regular cinema goer let it fly? Bond soft rebooted with Daniel Craig in Casino Royal. M was portrayed by the same actress but Bond was on his first assignment. Huh? Is James Bond a title that is taken with the 007 moniker? Should we just shut up and accept this stuff? Doctor Who's Ecclestone reboot, took away the complicated, convoluted history of the Time Lords, which led to the cancellation originally, and simply had him as the last of his kind. It took almost a decade before the in-between story was filled in. It was for the best. You eased viewers back into the sic-fi nonsense before edging the harder concepts back in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me the best solution is the sliding timescale. Bring things forward as and when needed. Don't selectively delete what you don't like, selectively fix what needs fixing. Don't reboot and fix everything when not all of it is broken. So long as what is done doesn't distract from the story that's fine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The occasional up to date mini-series or graphic novel retelling a now out dated origin story is a small price to pay to mature these comics. Splintering into new universes is a short term solution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time will never pass for these characters that we love. Batman will sometimes be in his 20's sometimes his 40's. Depends on the writer or the story being told. Long running characters like Ironman, Spiderman and Superman can't be replaced. If someone else takes up Captain America's shield or Thor's hammer or wears Batman's Cowl, the audience gets really upset and confuses "stories" with "gimmicks" and wants things returned to the normal status quo ASAP. Comics are cyclical, the writer will always put the toys back in the box when they are done for the next creator to play with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe if the needless hate stopped these worlds could progress? Some fans would seemingly, only be happy, if they got Amazing Fantasy #15, reprinted for 10 cents a pop, on original newsprint of course, on a monthly basis. People complain when Peter Parker gets married, people complain when that goes away, people hate that he runs a company. Sadly the character is a human and humans grow up and change. That's what stories do. Character progression. They go from A to B and change. Don't confuse stories and gimmicks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgf43fuUdEA/VtAzDewVxiI/AAAAAAAABzU/KUb3oaJDSWc/s1600/Image-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgf43fuUdEA/VtAzDewVxiI/AAAAAAAABzU/KUb3oaJDSWc/s1600/Image-55.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan Slott's Spider-verse equally had fun playing in a larger sandbox of characters and worlds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grant Morrison decided everything that ever happened to Batman, silver age and all, was in continuity, and his Batman run, from Batman and Son through till Batman Incorporated, was better for it. On the other hand Tony Stark and the Punisher are practically babies having fought in the Iraq war. The Fantastic Four had their cosmic waves mishap in this millennium. The X-men recently brought back their original teen selves back from 60's issues. They can't be more than 20 years older than their teen selves yet their teen selves had never seen cell phones etc. Those 60's X-men in their 60's fashions where now technically from the 90's.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Final Thoughts</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't worry about it, would be a general consensus.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Don't let continuity define your stories, let your stories define your continuity. Slide characters into modern day when you need to. Don't delete them and their past, reinvent them. Try new branding and the odd #1 when it's necessary, just don't over do it. Don't reset everything when the majority still works. It's the huge immersive worlds with rich history that I find so compelling and that keeps me coming back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Above all else, don't humour the fanboy in the comments section, that has quit comics for the 18th time this year, that hates <b>everything</b> about the thing he's a fan of. Hate isn't good for the community. Hate is toxic, and stumps creativity, and community growth. If you were a new reader that wanted help to pick up a new title, and someone said "ugh don't read that it's rubbish and hacky", you'd wonder how much of this world is deemed bad, and be more likely to avoid it. Best way to discover what your personal taste is, is to try it. Sample everything. I got into comics with issues in the 300-500 range. Yes it's daunting. Just pick it up though. The industry bends over backwards for new readers nowadays, with the constant barrage of issue 1's. That's not a bad thing. Long term readers should view them as new story arcs for characters they've known for 75 years. New readers get the start of a new story too. </span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-31730542148693234832016-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:002016-03-02T00:29:32.495-08:00Captain America: The First Avenger: The Big Marvel Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PfuHTzHI0n8/VsrnBxLso5I/AAAAAAAABtw/J6oooQmI_Uk/s1600/Captain-America-The-First-Avenger-Final-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PfuHTzHI0n8/VsrnBxLso5I/AAAAAAAABtw/J6oooQmI_Uk/s400/Captain-America-The-First-Avenger-Final-Poster.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 5th film in the franchise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Plot Summary</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The 1940's. A young and weak Steve Rogers fails to enlist in the army for a fourth time while his friend Bucky Barnes is to ship out in a few days time. He goes and tries to enlist once more and is caught with falsified info on his report. Instead of being punished he is given a chance in a special program to help his country, the Super Soldier project. The project which is headed by Dr Erskine a German scientist, who</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"> has escaped Johann Schmidt's HYDRA division of Nazi Germany, after being forced to give his Super Soldier serum to Schmidt, is hoping to find someone true and virtuous to enhance their traits and give them strength, after seeing how he accidentally turned Schmidt into the evil Red Skull. Despite his size and weaknesses, Rogers is everything they are looking for.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nXYB2uyXvG8/VsrmwnRdXhI/AAAAAAAABtg/xp4QWWL3DWw/s1600/captain-america-first-avenger-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nXYB2uyXvG8/VsrmwnRdXhI/AAAAAAAABtg/xp4QWWL3DWw/s640/captain-america-first-avenger-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like how the roles are reversed from the comics. Bucky is the bigger kid, and not a child sidekick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">During this time </span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Schmidt and his lacky Zola have found a cosmic cube, a weapon of much power that has links to Thor's mythology. They are using it to power new weapons for HYDRA. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Shortly after Steve is given the serum and successfully becomes super strong, HYDRA attacks the facility and kills Erskine, along with any hopes of replicating the procedure. Steve and Peggy Carter, a government employee involved in his creation and selection, stop the HYDRA agent only for him to commit suicide. Without the rest of a Super Soldier army, Steve Rogers isn't put into battle, instead he becomes a propaganda piece. He travels the country as part of a singing stage show, selling war bonds and stars in his own comics and movies as Captain America. He goes with some of the dancers to perform for troops out on the front lines, and his reception there is less warm.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Rogers learns that a large group of the battalion that Bucky was a part of has been captured and morale is lower than ever. With the help of a blossoming romance with Peggy and Howard Stark's pilot skills (Tony's father) he is dropped behind enemy lines and against all odds releases all of the prisoners, including Bucky, confronts Red Skull and Zola, and escapes with samples of the new HYDRA cosmic cube powered weaponry as well as maps to their hidden bases.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ve9F3Wlw3DA/Vsrm5IkIJUI/AAAAAAAABto/irDTpRC5r3U/s1600/captain-america-the-first-avenger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ve9F3Wlw3DA/Vsrm5IkIJUI/AAAAAAAABto/irDTpRC5r3U/s400/captain-america-the-first-avenger.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the Howling Commandoes. Which we totally needed more of!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This turns the tide of the war. Captain America and his Howling Commandoes take out base after base. The last base to be destroyed leads to Bucky apparently falling to his death, and Cap and Red Skull going down with the cosmic cube </span></span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">somewhere in the arctic. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Cut to modern day and SHIELD the intelligence organisation set up by Peggy, Howard and more US soldiers has found the ship and Cap's iconic shield in the ice. He's thawed out and has to come to turns with the fact that the war is now long gone.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEOjbifTWFE/VsrpHKsig8I/AAAAAAAABuA/hF8cP-8JyQQ/s1600/Shoot-Peggy-Shoot-the-first-avenger-captain-america-35059064-1280-528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEOjbifTWFE/VsrpHKsig8I/AAAAAAAABuA/hF8cP-8JyQQ/s640/Shoot-Peggy-Shoot-the-first-avenger-captain-america-35059064-1280-528.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agent Carter. A brilliant character that eventually get's her own early SHIELD TV show spin off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Review</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Despite my low expectations and minimal knowledge of Thor, the last release in the franchise, it failed to hook me, I didn't find the characters likeable and it felt really lack lustre- a small romp in the desert for a God. I had literally zero expectations for this film. Despite being a huge fan of everything American (and I'm a Brit by the way), I always thought Cap was a bit too much of a "'Murica! Yeah! Freedom!" stereotype. I was excited for more big screen Marvel but I was scared of what that might be. I've only ever seen big, manly, scary Cap barking orders for other Avengers. He seemed to iconic and bold to work as a character. The writers deserve so many awards for this. Not only do you relate to and like this noble weakling you are presented but he only manages to grow more and more as time goes on. It doesn't feel forced when he naturally gets people to follow him or rallies everybody's morale. This is possibly the best casting so far and the most enjoyable film so far.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The song from when Cap is in the propaganda dance troop and movie is possibly the most catchy thing I've ever heard. I was scared that this stuff would be in the Marvel war film, this undeserved patriotism, but somehow not only did it work for a none American it serves it's purpose so well. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjQGKwEUU7c/Vsrm_srQ4kI/AAAAAAAABts/iEdxuynfX2U/s1600/Captain-America-The-First-Avenger_519e83c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjQGKwEUU7c/Vsrm_srQ4kI/AAAAAAAABts/iEdxuynfX2U/s400/Captain-America-The-First-Avenger_519e83c9.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another one note- one film villain. I wonder if Marvel<br />
will ever revisit or bring any of these guys back?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The villains carry a bit more gravitas, and they make it so that HYDRA is the villain rather than Nazi Germany which is very noble of them. They also make it clear very early on that the first country the Nazi's invaded was their own. It's nice to see that an entire country isn't villainised needlessly. Red Skull looks ridiculous but serves his purpose, and the stakes are higher than Thor's desert street getting flattened. This time there is a huge cosmic cube powered bomb about to drop on the eastern seaboard of USA. The connection between Cap and Peggy feels more real, and you shed tears when he says they'll have to rain check that dance they were going to have, and Cap crashes the plain into the water. When you compare that to Thor breaking his way back to Earth and not seeing Jane again, for me, there's no comparison over who has the most real feeling relationship chemistry.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">For me this is the best Superhero film since 2008's one two punch of Iron Man and Dark Knight. The reason it works so well is that this is a likeable protagonist from the start, and this alternate history, world building gives a real sense of wonder and authenticity. It's drastically different from all that has come before it. A period piece for and introduction followed with the natural fish out of water story to follow. It's almost a shame that Cap can't have any more stories in the war time setting. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2h5MQczZ3OQ/Vsrm1FCrl5I/AAAAAAAABtk/a5roZAfHhjA/s1600/Captain-America-The-First-Avenger-movie-image-Chris-Evans-as-Steve-Rogers-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2h5MQczZ3OQ/Vsrm1FCrl5I/AAAAAAAABtk/a5roZAfHhjA/s400/Captain-America-The-First-Avenger-movie-image-Chris-Evans-as-Steve-Rogers-3.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wartime propaganda suit becomes half useful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The film does so well with it's first and second acts, developing the characters and all the feels, that it really has to rush the final act. This would be the films only down side for me. He get's the Howling Commandoes and then you only see them in action in a montage and one final mission. The ending had impact and ramifications for the next film in the franchise but it could have done with more time with it's new army characters. When the film finally comes up to speed with the modern day story again, you realise just how immersed you were in it's setting and modern day Times Square is just as visually jarring for the viewer as it is Steve Rogers.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'll admit that after the Thor opening with the "and now let's see how we got here" moment and the jumping around with the story is was worried it would be more of the same but it really worked as a framing device. Sorry for the large amount of Thor comparisons, but it feels only right to compare the first on screen outings of two of Marvels unknown characters that are rather major in the comics.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>End Credits Scene</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">No real end credits scene this time. A short clip of Nick Fury asking Rogers if he's ready for a mission but it's all part of a trailer for the Avengers film. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Captain America: The First Avenger Rating:</b> 8/10</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">One of my favourites so far. So upbeat and enjoyable with just the right amount of corniness. I've scored this higher than Iron Man, as I feel this film has more likeable and enjoyable characters and a bigger scale of a story. </span></span></span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-88404536115536234842016-02-23T09:11:00.001-08:002016-02-25T03:05:35.337-08:00Shelfies! A Look at My Collection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've done a brief article about what I'm reading <a href="http://considerourfightbegun.blogspot.com/2016/02/new-comic-book-day-reading-habits.html">HERE</a>. Where I wrote about my pull list and what my tastes are. So I figured, why not follow that up with a tour of my collection and Studio space. I've been meaning to do this for a while and someone requested it and reminded me!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PGD2KQAv_No/Vsx_mupH-AI/AAAAAAAABwA/oylBQluWQ-A/s1600/12166060_10153606572730000_1064682382_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PGD2KQAv_No/Vsx_mupH-AI/AAAAAAAABwA/oylBQluWQ-A/s400/12166060_10153606572730000_1064682382_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First my studio space, I do freelance art work and also self publish comics myself. This is where the magic happens. You can check out my work by clicking that big colourful banner at the top of the page or clicking <a href="http://mattrussillustration.blogspot.co.uk/">HERE</a>. If you want to buy any of my comics or prints I have a store <a href="http://mattyhcomics.bigcartel.com/">HERE</a>. Those Ikea shelves are a godsend and are so cheap it's unreal. 10/10 would recommend.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are prints on the wall of Marvel Comics #1, a Saga cover by Fiona Staples, the original art of a Chloe Noonan Monster Hunter cover by <a href="http://www.marcellerby.com/">Marc Ellerby</a> (an Indie artist that I love!), Declan Shalvey's Daredevil print, and another Marc Ellerby comics page. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUhDX-zfoWQ/Vsx_rXIRp7I/AAAAAAAABww/m18KsRheQVw/s1600/12767539_10153606572630000_1883170188_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUhDX-zfoWQ/Vsx_rXIRp7I/AAAAAAAABww/m18KsRheQVw/s400/12767539_10153606572630000_1883170188_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The desk that I work at, and my view into my tiny back garden. There are tonnes of postcards and mini prints around the window. Some are my own and lots are for inspiration.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3O7090170QU/Vsx_o007eVI/AAAAAAAABwU/VypBJ06e5EI/s1600/12746186_10153606572500000_1459532031_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3O7090170QU/Vsx_o007eVI/AAAAAAAABwU/VypBJ06e5EI/s400/12746186_10153606572500000_1459532031_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again lots of prints on the wall, and the cupboard there is chock full of more shelving for comics.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVhnlohtz3Y/Vsx_ofqX4TI/AAAAAAAABwQ/kQCj2-qg4Kc/s1600/12746051_10153606556330000_693660050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVhnlohtz3Y/Vsx_ofqX4TI/AAAAAAAABwQ/kQCj2-qg4Kc/s400/12746051_10153606556330000_693660050_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been a buyer of the Marvel Collector Corps boxes since the start. I've got an article about it <a href="http://considerourfightbegun.blogspot.com/2016/02/marvel-collector-corps.html">HERE</a>. There's a tonne of old Star Wars extended Universe books on those shelves. Which reminds me: I must write an article about the pros and cons of Extended Universes! There are two build a bears that belong to my girlfriend, dressed as Cap and Thor.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNKPGNDXre0/Vsx_uoJwuBI/AAAAAAAABxU/FF1wy_6JOQg/s1600/12782250_10153606572330000_77900669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNKPGNDXre0/Vsx_uoJwuBI/AAAAAAAABxU/FF1wy_6JOQg/s400/12782250_10153606572330000_77900669_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More prints on this wall, Not all of them very visible. There's the Chip Zdarsky Wic Div variant cover signed by Gillen and McKelvie. A Spider Gwen print, a Paul Duffiel print, Ray Gun Roads print by Tunney and an Adventure time print. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's also a hamster called Loki!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmGu-T_CDsk/Vsx_m0Gxe2I/AAAAAAAABwE/xWGRrKw17Uw/s1600/12666355_10153606572205000_184725433_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmGu-T_CDsk/Vsx_m0Gxe2I/AAAAAAAABwE/xWGRrKw17Uw/s400/12666355_10153606572205000_184725433_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On to the collectibles. Marty and Doc Vinyl Idols, Greg Capullo Commissioner Gordon. I totally need more of those. I've been eyeing up the Riddler and Zero Year Batman not to mention the upcoming Batgirl of Burnside figure.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xx7Qrmqaslg/Vsx_ql88-3I/AAAAAAAABwo/9CJr8FqFPQA/s1600/12767528_10153606572100000_345429333_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xx7Qrmqaslg/Vsx_ql88-3I/AAAAAAAABwo/9CJr8FqFPQA/s400/12767528_10153606572100000_345429333_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is my set of Inside Out Pixar figures, that I got in Disneyland Paris and the Umbrella Academy set.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cHqffSFYVnw/Vsx_sumEfnI/AAAAAAAABxA/Kf5JNq8-P1E/s1600/12769388_10153606571865000_1909647268_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cHqffSFYVnw/Vsx_sumEfnI/AAAAAAAABxA/Kf5JNq8-P1E/s400/12769388_10153606571865000_1909647268_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have an Arrow book end that I keep a lot of my favourite indie titles in.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wln70Y7sVs/Vsx_p0zdmSI/AAAAAAAABwg/z3N8Bdenuu8/s1600/12746403_10153606571405000_1692764866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wln70Y7sVs/Vsx_p0zdmSI/AAAAAAAABwg/z3N8Bdenuu8/s400/12746403_10153606571405000_1692764866_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most of my Funko Pops are in this room. There's also the Star Wars droid factory toy I built at Disneyland.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEdFO4Gk22U/Vsx_rT5melI/AAAAAAAABw0/wjK6hoW4S8c/s1600/12767628_10153606570030000_330688676_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEdFO4Gk22U/Vsx_rT5melI/AAAAAAAABw0/wjK6hoW4S8c/s400/12767628_10153606570030000_330688676_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More Pops. Most are from the Collector Corps box but a lot of them have been gifts or impulse buys. That rolled up print behind them is the gorgeous Back to the Future print by Mondo that I've yet to find room for!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bj6uX7yr1y0/Vsx_mS2BzHI/AAAAAAAABv8/YyaQeb0MUn0/s1600/11419262_190299187974859_737198670_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bj6uX7yr1y0/Vsx_mS2BzHI/AAAAAAAABv8/YyaQeb0MUn0/s400/11419262_190299187974859_737198670_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q0lBxF5-m4/Vsx_r8z_-0I/AAAAAAAABw4/8xzl1f3R_Zk/s1600/12767644_10153606567635000_1598689305_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q0lBxF5-m4/Vsx_r8z_-0I/AAAAAAAABw4/8xzl1f3R_Zk/s400/12767644_10153606567635000_1598689305_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few Marvel Legends. I've still got a huge box of loose Marvel Legends at my parents house that could do with coming to my own house now! There's a couple of Dorbz there too.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rnPwgFtkOlI/Vsx_tEmfpfI/AAAAAAAABxE/4H-rIKo48ME/s1600/12769552_10153606565135000_1650256146_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rnPwgFtkOlI/Vsx_tEmfpfI/AAAAAAAABxE/4H-rIKo48ME/s400/12769552_10153606565135000_1650256146_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Star Wars Die Cast Black Series toys are stunning sculpts and I really just wanted a tiny Rey and BB8 then went a bit crazy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a bunch of Marvel bear I got when my local comic shop was having a sale a while back.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--jYiObw13MU/Vsx_th-IYYI/AAAAAAAABxI/8WmN-MSiM54/s1600/12782126_10153606561600000_49499583_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--jYiObw13MU/Vsx_th-IYYI/AAAAAAAABxI/8WmN-MSiM54/s400/12782126_10153606561600000_49499583_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is my Image comics shelving. On my last sort out I was surprised by how many Image books I now own. Also A little Luigi and Finn ad Jake from Adventure Time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZn4CJIMDjI/Vsx_vmzyccI/AAAAAAAABxg/QboIJFZfelE/s1600/12784499_10153606559630000_1496184068_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZn4CJIMDjI/Vsx_vmzyccI/AAAAAAAABxg/QboIJFZfelE/s400/12784499_10153606559630000_1496184068_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The central shelf is the first half of my X-men collection. It was my first love and I will always love it no matter how over the top and crazy it gets.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHWVpBKiLRA/Vsx_n37smvI/AAAAAAAABwM/VnrAOf7A5HY/s1600/12736215_10153606556690000_1427647126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHWVpBKiLRA/Vsx_n37smvI/AAAAAAAABwM/VnrAOf7A5HY/s400/12736215_10153606556690000_1427647126_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last shelf is more X-men and mutant solo books.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vUZzJ_eQm8/Vsx_udA57BI/AAAAAAAABxQ/OsqokRq0JJU/s1600/12782223_10153606555715000_1456866012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vUZzJ_eQm8/Vsx_udA57BI/AAAAAAAABxQ/OsqokRq0JJU/s400/12782223_10153606555715000_1456866012_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now into the huge cupboard space behind those posters... This lot is all of the rest of my Marvel books.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukAmcMe9IhY/Vsx_njAWvfI/AAAAAAAABwI/yHrSrlDJ4IQ/s1600/12736183_10153606555990000_161244255_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukAmcMe9IhY/Vsx_njAWvfI/AAAAAAAABwI/yHrSrlDJ4IQ/s400/12736183_10153606555990000_161244255_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And on the left of those are all of my DC books. Also theres that HUGE Madman book which just doesn't fit anywhere.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAlcFRVUjz8/Vsx_sbYRMyI/AAAAAAAABw8/UxcoO2WG2eQ/s1600/12767755_10153606555565000_422297027_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAlcFRVUjz8/Vsx_sbYRMyI/AAAAAAAABw8/UxcoO2WG2eQ/s400/12767755_10153606555565000_422297027_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's far too many comics, and I'm well overdue for a clear out. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHm-eY48Zwk/Vsx_qbRndDI/AAAAAAAABwk/lIkkgjzFb0Q/s1600/12767291_10153606555305000_1880099543_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHm-eY48Zwk/Vsx_qbRndDI/AAAAAAAABwk/lIkkgjzFb0Q/s400/12767291_10153606555305000_1880099543_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Downstairs now, and a few DVD's first. Indies mostly.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUzAoPJonaY/Vsx_pFbfTSI/AAAAAAAABwY/vy-cIbxCS_8/s1600/12746324_10153606555205000_979019286_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kUzAoPJonaY/Vsx_pFbfTSI/AAAAAAAABwY/vy-cIbxCS_8/s400/12746324_10153606555205000_979019286_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DC mostly and....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uFQriXboWno/Vsx_pjFSLzI/AAAAAAAABwc/Gcj0vmp6gOE/s1600/12767204_10153606555145000_1394257513_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uFQriXboWno/Vsx_pjFSLzI/AAAAAAAABwc/Gcj0vmp6gOE/s400/12767204_10153606555145000_1394257513_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marvel and it's titles at other studios.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clDSNbgKPFM/Vsx_ve-KWsI/AAAAAAAABxc/udIrO4RWoHI/s1600/12784239_10153606555515000_1477194163_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clDSNbgKPFM/Vsx_ve-KWsI/AAAAAAAABxc/udIrO4RWoHI/s400/12784239_10153606555515000_1477194163_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">90's X-men (which got me into comics). Baymax, baby groot and Spider-man pop </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtdJ98X73P0/Vsx_mMj0cWI/AAAAAAAABv4/rSGD1IpID3Q/s1600/10151515_10153606555415000_1692760850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtdJ98X73P0/Vsx_mMj0cWI/AAAAAAAABv4/rSGD1IpID3Q/s400/10151515_10153606555415000_1692760850_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More 90's x-men and awesome cartoons. Rick and Morty is SO GOOD! Clone Wars is a really good cartoon and not at all for kids. Doctor Who Pop!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoEKiN22Gk0/Vsx_q58AlSI/AAAAAAAABws/EEjwYyDMKcY/s1600/12767507_10153606555085000_1828730090_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoEKiN22Gk0/Vsx_q58AlSI/AAAAAAAABws/EEjwYyDMKcY/s400/12767507_10153606555085000_1828730090_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All the Supernatural series. I'm a late convert, thanks to my GF. I got her the Pops for Christmas and Valentines Day.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dYczXa5FTw/Vsx_wPBcRZI/AAAAAAAABxo/PH_CLHaJkyk/s1600/12784676_10153606554865000_151979473_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dYczXa5FTw/Vsx_wPBcRZI/AAAAAAAABxo/PH_CLHaJkyk/s400/12784676_10153606554865000_151979473_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This obviously isn't all of my collection, It's just the bulk of it. I'm obsessed with USA and have a NYC themed living room, and a dozen complete sitcoms on DVD too.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-NMbxB1xo0/Vsx_t_W5PCI/AAAAAAAABxM/A_k6MKyYAww/s1600/12782201_10153606554975000_1438733679_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-NMbxB1xo0/Vsx_t_W5PCI/AAAAAAAABxM/A_k6MKyYAww/s400/12782201_10153606554975000_1438733679_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some more nerdy shelving. I totally forgot to put in the bulk of my art books from our second bedroom too but there's a few in here with Supergods, Untold History of Marvel and Image Studio space.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igUO9ugbOzU/Vsx_vwtdF0I/AAAAAAAABxk/74WjXBndqZM/s1600/12784583_10153606554760000_1783067956_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igUO9ugbOzU/Vsx_vwtdF0I/AAAAAAAABxk/74WjXBndqZM/s400/12784583_10153606554760000_1783067956_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some more Star Wars art books and Comics. I'm trying to gather al the Dark Horse Omnibuses that I can before they're gone for good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGb4OpABl5M/Vsx_u2IqX0I/AAAAAAAABxY/NBVnLH7_tWc/s1600/12782295_10153606555025000_19119277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGb4OpABl5M/Vsx_u2IqX0I/AAAAAAAABxY/NBVnLH7_tWc/s400/12782295_10153606555025000_19119277_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you've enjoyed this look around my collection and frankly awful hoarding habits. Everywhere I look there's more nerdyness and I'm so glad my GF accepts and embraces the bulk of it. Thanks for reading!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's in your collection?</span></div>
Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-51859084905713312402016-02-23T05:26:00.000-08:002016-02-25T03:04:31.464-08:00Deadpool (But Mostly Green Lantern) Movie Review<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just for fun. So I saw Deapool and had to eat my own words. I posted a <a href="http://considerourfightbegun.blogspot.com/2016/02/deadpool-is-for-everyone.html">BIG RANT</a> about why Deadpool should be humour first, and R rated sex and violence second. Turns out I have literally not got a bad word to say about it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sex and violence aren't the driving force of the film, Deadpool is. They don't distract from the character at all, they simply sell the depressing world he hails from, and really well might I add. The plot is almost none existent, but it doesn't need one, because all you want to see is Deadpool motor mouthing one liners, and making you laugh. The story telling is unfortunately an origin story, yet Wade Wilson has the same humour before and after becoming Deadpool so it's forgiven. The story jumps back and forth between origin and modern day so you get evenly distributed Deadpool shenanigans. Everything they've done, they've done for a reason. Plus just think of the sequel, no origin, just pure Deadpool insanity. Here's hoping for more X-men to come along, especially Cable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It just works. I'm not sure why they chose the R rated direction still, and I'm positive that <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/james-gunn-fears-deadpool-will-teach-hollywood-wrong-lessons/">James Gunn has guessed right</a> that Hollywood execs will misunderstand why Deadpool is a success. Instead of thinking it's down to a true and enjoyable representation, they will almost definitely just start churning out R rated films that don't need to be R rated because they think thats why people liked it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm off to see Deadpool again tonight. With my Girlfriend again (who also loved it the first time) and her Dad, who will be seeing it for the first time. The first time we saw it, I was sat next to two middle aged, prudish looking women and what I assume where their children. They were about 10-12 years old and where entirely too young for the films content. To my surprise though the two middle aged women were laughing harder and louder than me, with only the occasional tutting at the cruder moments. I guess this film really was comedy first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I firmly believe that foremost, comics should be fun. Sure there are really heady, serious books. They are objectively good. That's not my favourite thing about comics. It's the bonkers plots and the limitless budget and the huge concepts and worlds they are selling that do it for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deadpool is awesome: Go see it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWRxIKQK2PM/VsxVZlHIPBI/AAAAAAAABvY/ZiAgSWcfBFU/s1600/3Z0gSBX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWRxIKQK2PM/VsxVZlHIPBI/AAAAAAAABvY/ZiAgSWcfBFU/s400/3Z0gSBX.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deadpool is great and Lantern is awful, and rightfully poked fun at in Deadpool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So basically I got all amped up for a big hate filled rant and couldn't. So a few nights after seeing Deadpool, I hate-fucked my eyeballs and brain by watching DC's Green Lantern movie. So here's your hate filled review of a Ryan Reynolds film:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Green Lantern Review</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The film starts with the most over the top concepts of the Lantern corps told one after the other. A crash course in it's history that when uttered aloud and in one go, sounds absolutely laughable when put so bluntly. You are introduced to aliens you don't know and don't care for, and are expected to care when they die seconds after their introduction. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The CGI suits on every character are beyond a joke. If you want to make an alien world seem believable and real, you could at least make them look real. I know I aren't fond of Man of Steel or it's depiction of Krypton but at least they were wearing armour/ clothes and not some ping pong ball covered motion capture suits. It's a little thing that could have sold that otherworldliness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Daddy troubles flash back that makes Reynolds character supposedly relatable is almost laughable. You'd expect it in a parody film like Hot Shots not in a film that's trying to make me feel for and root for it's lead character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a character he is though! Not in a good way. We get introduced to him as he leaves a one night stand in his bed and rushes off late to work to fly with someone else he's slept with. He comes off as a sleazy James Bond. The only people who would want to be him are college frat boys. He's a sexist and unlikeable portrayal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are some bizarre continuity moments too. You can let small moments and continuity errors go but when he gets flown by a ball of green light to the aliens crash site it goes from day to night instantly. How long was he flying for? He was going pretty fast as it was. Is this purely for effect and mood lighting and we are expected not to notice like in X-men 3 The Last Stand? Also an objectively bad movie by the way. When he gets there his first thought when he meets a fucking alien is to wise crack. Not in a cool I do this to distract myself from danger and distance myself from people, like Tony Stark in Iron Man. He just comes off as a giant tosspot. He then gets his friend out there so they can make more jokes together before the government turns up just in time for a little car chase. Perfect timing right? He's been sat there for hours and even dug a sodding grave with his bare hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speaking of the government, Amanda Waller, notoriously s larger woman of colour in the comics is now a slim woman of colour. Was it too controversial for her to be both? She's meeting Hector Hammond, a relatable chess nerd, who has genuine everyday father issues, not over the top theatrical well timed flash back explosion ones like Reynolds. Despite most of it's target audience being more like Hammond he is villainised by the movie and the rest of it's characters simply because the script demanded it. An unlikeable lead and a likeable villain. Somethings off here?! Hector has a genuine human reaction to seeing an alien and becomes infected, evil and his ugliness is over emphasised and he becomes even more of a nerd parody. Hammond even comes off quite humble and gracious when declining his fathers offer even after becoming a freak show of a villain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Green Lantern oath sounds dumb onscreen and could have been altered to be made more accepting to an audience getting introduced to this relatively unknown character. Combine this with the info dump at the beginning and you've practical got your audience mentally shut down. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A good thing about the film is Hal and Carol have good chemistry on screen and you'd hope he would too seen as the pair dated in real life around this time too. The wise cracking winds down a notch and the too seem to connect believably. Even if their entire connection was started off again by Hal's friend literally spelling out, isn't the hero supposed to get the girl? This film is so on the nose at times, I was worried I would bruise there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sa-Uh6B3hQE/VsxVfNvJ7fI/AAAAAAAABvo/rm2IC0H_iGs/s1600/Hal_and_Carol_-_Green_Lantern_movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sa-Uh6B3hQE/VsxVfNvJ7fI/AAAAAAAABvo/rm2IC0H_iGs/s400/Hal_and_Carol_-_Green_Lantern_movie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An enjoyable, believable coupling, if for the wrong reasons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another great scene is when Carol recognises Hal with his mask on. Dialogue along the lines of, you think because I can't see your cheekbones, I wouldn't recognise you?! I've seen you naked! Which I genuinely laughed at. It's almost a foreshadowing of Deadpool's breaking of the fourth wall being hilarious. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Amxt-ynHiSw/VsxVeWwgXOI/AAAAAAAABvk/QNuYMLGmdcA/s1600/green-lantern-oa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Amxt-ynHiSw/VsxVeWwgXOI/AAAAAAAABvk/QNuYMLGmdcA/s640/green-lantern-oa3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would gladly watch an all Oa Lantern movie. No Earth necessary!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenes on Oa are surprisingly enjoyable. I would have rather have seen this story from their perspective and have had Hal as an afterthought. The CGI costumes work on the entirely CGI aliens yet the more humanoid ones could have done with being actual people rather than the bizarre comic book physiology to their abs and muscles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sinistro seems to be a dick simply because he has a British accent and has no believable plot driving thoughts other than I'm doing it because the script demanded it. He's a villain because he's well spoken. He's villainised the same way Hector is, because he's a neEeEeErd! There is some truly awful dialogue with Killowog as an awful drill sergeant parody. I'd still rather stay in this brightly coloured, vibrant, fun planet than go back to Earth, simply because Hal has to quit and then grow as a person by becoming human. There's an entire planet of different alien species that's got more human emotion than he does.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQgH49Z1xPM/VsxVZuAxQNI/AAAAAAAABvU/_bQ-2FFE1UE/s1600/18lrpo319llq1jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQgH49Z1xPM/VsxVZuAxQNI/AAAAAAAABvU/_bQ-2FFE1UE/s400/18lrpo319llq1jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun Fact: did you know all posh sounding people are evil?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are treated to Parralax, a giant space octopus chasing toward Earth and we are supposed to care about a villain that is set up for characters, that aren't even our main characters or a driving force of the plot. Simply because the script says we should.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hal chooses not to give up. Not because he's grown as a person, more because he wants to get with Carol again. He flies all the way to Oa to ask them if he can protect Earth. Instead of just protecting Earth because fuck logic, he needs to rub in how good he is to the other Lanterns and get praise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He beats the bad guy by simply throwing him into the sun. A surprisingly accurate and good ending in my opinion. Imagine if Superman in Man of Steel had simply picked Zod up and flown him into space rather than through building after building racking up property damage until he snapped his neck like a fucking murderer. Throwing the bad guy into the sun is a pretty class move for a comics character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We get an end credit scene where Sinestro simply puts on the evil yellow ring because, sequel. He's made a turn around and stopped being a dick throughout the film then outright just does the opposite in the credits. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5K_4mVXOlk/VsxVcbXRenI/AAAAAAAABvg/lrBuYII0oBI/s1600/gl_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5K_4mVXOlk/VsxVcbXRenI/AAAAAAAABvg/lrBuYII0oBI/s640/gl_main.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bizarre choice of CGI muscle/ ab suits plastered over whatever they were actually wearing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Final Thoughts</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What did I like? The odd joke that didn't sound jock-y or fall flat. The light hearted, enjoyable nature of it all. The bright amazing universe of creatures on Oa. The almost believable romance. The enjoyment factor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What didn't I like? The nice bad guy and the jerk good guy. The throw you in at the deep end, monologuing about the Lanterns origin the second the film starts rolling. This is the most average action movie I've ever witnessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Honestly, it's space police with power rings, how fucking hard is it to do that?! Most movies would kill for a premise like that! How did it wind up this unlikeable? </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Why did I just re-watch it? </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once upon a time this was going to be the start of a DC Justice League shared universe, and I'm kind of ashamed to say, I'd rather see this jerk of a character bounce of brightly coloured action hero versions of the League rather than the monochrome toned down, over the top action of Man of Steel and Batman Vs. Superman. Simply because I imagine they'd be fun, varied and witty. Rather than everyone competing for grunting, grey scale, baddass-ery and basically being the same character in different shells. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me DC has a history of great characters being given bad portrayals in amazing worlds, and settings. Superman Returns was slow, and dull but had the brilliant art deco stylised world to live in. As a result to it being to boring we get Man of Steel that's all action at the loss of the character again. Dark Knight while being a solid and enjoyable movie, where every second counted script wise, wasn't about a worlds greatest detective. Other than the bullet getting pieced back together he mostly just barked "where is she/he" at people to figure things out. That's strange detective work. The Dark Knight did so well that Hollywood misunderstood it's success as to being dark and gritty, not because it was tightly scripted in a coherent world. We wound up with just as dark Superman in Man of Steel and I'm still wondering how the good cop/ bad cop, noir/ boy scout dynamic will work when both characters are equal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Like Deadpool's irreverence, Batman's darkness is not a primer that can simply be slapped onto any character in a super suit. It seems to be that the studios think the characters need to either be like Batman or that they should simply just stay in the Batman reboot business for good. It won't be long until we get flooded with R rated Super heroes or, comedy superheroes the same way that Warner Bros and Snyder believe that everything has to be similarly dark. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While each DC attempt at a movie universe always falls flat to me I see why each time they come back completely different in feel and genre. They aren't afraid to try different things. It's a good thing. Marvel seems stuck in their ways. They've found what works for them and vary it mildly in genre between films, but at their heart I can see why, if it wasn't your thing, that you would easily tire of it. I don't understand why people feel like Marvel is dumbed down because of it's coherent world building, and will simply put that down to jealousness, of a 12 soon to be 14 strong movie universe to a 1 soon to be 3 movie universe. I am glad that Justice League Part 1 has finally been green lit to start shooting, as it's been a long way coming no matter how it finally turns out on screen, I'll just be glad to go buy a ticket.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-zXmfJURu8/VsxVazNyIFI/AAAAAAAABvc/-bzAEOcPRhM/s1600/889907-firstflight01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-zXmfJURu8/VsxVazNyIFI/AAAAAAAABvc/-bzAEOcPRhM/s400/889907-firstflight01.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better origin than this garbage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Recommendations</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you want a really good and quite compelling character and story about Green Lantern please go watch Green Lantern First Flight animated movie. There's a reason why Marvel is currently owning the cinema, while DC is knocking it out of the park with it's TV and Animated divisions. It's that good.</span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-70664340590792087762016-02-23T00:00:00.000-08:002016-03-02T00:29:12.271-08:00Thor: The Big Marvel Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZNChKJUXrQ/Vr25rFmYjFI/AAAAAAAABtM/y2bB4YcevPU/s1600/Thor_Official_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZNChKJUXrQ/Vr25rFmYjFI/AAAAAAAABtM/y2bB4YcevPU/s400/Thor_Official_Poster.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fourth Marvel cinema addition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Thor (2011)</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Plot Summary</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Loosely based on Greek Legends. The warrior Thor's rivalry with his half brother Loki, in a race towards the throne, culminates in a foolish attack on a rival planet/ realm. Thor is cast out by his father Odin, from the fantastic realm of Asgard, and sent to live on Earth or Midgard as they call it. In order to learn from Humans, some emotions other than anger and foolishness. He falls in love with physics-storm-chaser, scientist, Jane Foster. Jane and her small crew piece together who Thor is and protect him from the government, who is guarding and studying his mystical weapon Mjolnir, and headed by Agent Phil Coulson. The small New Mexico town is attacked by Loki, so Thor teams up with Lady Sif and the Warriors three to take out this weapon. He becomes worthy to wield his weapon again and the fight is taken to Asgard, culminating with Loki falling into space, while Thor's means of getting back to Midgard to see his new love is cut off from him.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OG3iTa9pBI/Vr25SmMtF6I/AAAAAAAABtA/bikycC9fEK8/s1600/Thor-Movie-Natalie-Portman-Kat-Dennings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OG3iTa9pBI/Vr25SmMtF6I/AAAAAAAABtA/bikycC9fEK8/s400/Thor-Movie-Natalie-Portman-Kat-Dennings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane and Darcy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Review</b><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm not a huge fan of this movie. It's not so much an origin as the "God's" have been around forever. It's more of an introduction to them. They try to shoehorn a lot of mystical things like the nine realms of Igdrasil the world tree, into </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">sci-fi elements. Rather than realms or dimensions they are now planets. To me it's a weird clash of Fantasy and Sci-fi that just doesn't meld completely. The rainbow bride is a giant teleport device that can shoot you to other planets. It's a good try though. The sequel to Thor, Thor The Dark World goes on to expand and make it much clearer what God's and realms and all of this actually means, in a much less convoluted, silly way. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This film must have some gorgeous and epic concept art, judging from the looks of Asgard on screen.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-R_jQs6sJ8/Vr25UmnHdpI/AAAAAAAABtE/8fcvC6bVfPw/s1600/tumblr_mid724KtWd1rlo8qwo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-R_jQs6sJ8/Vr25UmnHdpI/AAAAAAAABtE/8fcvC6bVfPw/s1600/tumblr_mid724KtWd1rlo8qwo1_500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A clever way of doing a believable sci-fi version of the Rainbow Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Whereas, Guardians of the Galaxy was the first to dive in at the deep end of the Marvel cosmos, space stories, this was a first gingerly toe to test the waters. Leaving me wanting more may or may not be a bad thing, but simply teasing me with what could have been isn't good at all. A Sci-fi God story is the only way this could have gone without introducing magic to an already thinly stretched, believability world. It was a good idea to wait for a dozen films to be out before setting up magic with a Doctor Strange film rather than introducing so many big concepts so early on.</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">It's a solo film that ultimately I'm ashamed to say, I do dismiss. This time not because I've over-watched it like Iron Man's first outing, but simply because it didn't sit right. There is this giant sprawling world of fantasy in Asgard, which looks just stunning on screen by the way, that is barely explored. Other than some flashbacks and a trip to beat up some frost giants we barely touch on this fantasy realm that is the most important part of Thor stories. Instead due to needing to introduce and ground Thor for his Avengers lead in we spend far too much time in this small, single street, of a town. It honestly looks like a propped up set built just for the film. For such a huge character to get such a small toy box to play in, for me, is unforgivable. The romance does feel real, if a little rushed, but that's to be expected in the fast paced Hollywood blockbusters of today.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7O087FGepA/Vr25XjfOoWI/AAAAAAAABtI/t9rT1aS9eZs/s1600/what-will-the-role-of-lady-sif-the-warriors-3-be-in-thor-ragnarok-606117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7O087FGepA/Vr25XjfOoWI/AAAAAAAABtI/t9rT1aS9eZs/s640/what-will-the-role-of-lady-sif-the-warriors-3-be-in-thor-ragnarok-606117.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not enough action with these guys, especially Sif, in my opinion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">In some ways I get how it's this nice charming little entry to the larger canon of this Avengers franchise, yet to me, someone who knows how epic and sprawling this could have been, it feels like a let down. The characters are all definitely likeable but the human characters of Darcy and Selvig steel the show with their humour and likability, which</span></span><span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"> simply shouldn't happen in a movie full of Gods.</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">At it's heart it's a fish out of water story that plays to some of it's strengths. It just feels like a strange setting for a God throw down. I can see why you wouldn't want the whole world aware of another superhero until the Avengers team up though! That and it's fall out are what the culmination of all of this is about.</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Times; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJC8-tpSBM0/Vr25PliIH8I/AAAAAAAABs8/iB4qZZHr2-M/s1600/landscape_xlarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJC8-tpSBM0/Vr25PliIH8I/AAAAAAAABs8/iB4qZZHr2-M/s320/landscape_xlarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Marvel's casting is always flawless as always.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">There is a rather strange start to this film. Jane and her team hit Thor in a thunder storm and then it goes back to tell you how you got there. I guess it was to stop the narrative from such a sudden change, as he gets banished to Earth mid film, but it makes the introduction feel really disjointed. I can't help but think that the movie would have benefited from just telling the story chronologically and having the added urgency of Thor wanting to get back home throughout his stay on Earth play off of and be more of a clash with his ultimate love of the place and it's people. It's a pet peeve of mine when any Comic, TV show or movie gives you the cliff hanger first then flashes back in time to show you how it got there. There's no building of suspense and it feels really forced. </span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>End Credits Scene</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Dr. Selvig, Jane's boss, is been shown around a facility by Nick Fury. He takes him to the tesseract, a glowing cosmic cube. This is a huge deal in the comics, it's very powerful! Fury asks him to study the Cube and Loki, appearing in a reflection appears to control Selvig into accepting the job. The Cosmic Cube is the main macguffin of the next movie: Captain America. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Thor Rating:</b> 6/10</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">A competent little stand alone, that seems afraid to let loose with what the character and worlds really can be. Enjoyable enough, and oddly fitting with the rest of the Marvel, fun-vibe, movies. </span></span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-66145883991994238722016-02-18T00:00:00.000-08:002016-03-02T00:29:00.633-08:00Iron Man 2: The Big Marvel Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgbLdIIR9_w/VrybsJXa7TI/AAAAAAAABsc/2lQY6NQZnfY/s1600/Iron_Man_2_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jgbLdIIR9_w/VrybsJXa7TI/AAAAAAAABsc/2lQY6NQZnfY/s400/Iron_Man_2_Poster.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The third instalment in Marvel cinema.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Iron Man 2 (2010)</b></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Plot Summary </b></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">After the "I am Iron Man" cliffhanger of the first film. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The world is pressuring Iron Man to share his tech suit with the military. He makes a show at a senate hearing, urging him to turn over his "weapon", but he points out that every country in the world including the US is years behind his tech. Hapless, Justin Hammer being in charge of the US output. Meanwhile a Russian with an axe to grind with Tony's long deceased father, over stealing his designs, has already matched his arc reactor tech and made a powered suit of his own. Whiplash attacks Tony at the Monaco Gran Prix then the US government takes him on board rather than Tony. Rhodey intervenes and takes an Ironman suit from a drunk Tony Stark. Whiplash inevitably turns on them with the new tech, and it's up to Iron Man and the newly suited War Machine, to stop Hammer and Whiplash. While SHIELD use Black Widow to spy on Tony. Tony's Arc reactor is slowly killing him and he finds a new element to replace it hidden in an old tape and map from his father.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Stark and Pepper's relationship grows.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"> Tony finds an upgrade to his arc reactor tech hidden in his fathers work. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg6iOH6qipg/Vrybt1dQJ-I/AAAAAAAABsg/0DW8noTs8io/s1600/ironman%2B2%2B-%2BWhiplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg6iOH6qipg/Vrybt1dQJ-I/AAAAAAAABsg/0DW8noTs8io/s320/ironman%2B2%2B-%2BWhiplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad accents galore!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Review</b><br />
<b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></b>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Although widely regarded as a misstep, I'll admit that this film is a guilty pleasure of mine. It was rushed out and has basically the same "everyone gets a suit" story that the first Iron Man had. An unnecessary sequel that was simply made to drive us an extra step closer before the Avengers team up. There are a few bad, mildly racist, accents and the government seems to be the same incompetent bad guy again. In other words, it's more of the same.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i9NTVnOfl8g/VrybyEkDYgI/AAAAAAAABss/0sd1ies-IBM/s1600/ironman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i9NTVnOfl8g/VrybyEkDYgI/AAAAAAAABss/0sd1ies-IBM/s320/ironman2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony goes global in Monoco.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This is your typical objectively "bad" superhero film. There are two many good guys and too many villains. Too much story to be forced in. It's packed and suffers because of it. Comparisons to Spider-man 3 are inevitable.</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Why do I almost prefer this to the first film then? It's possible that I've over watched the first one for a start and this one has a bigger global feel going for it. It introduces more tropes and concepts from the comics. Sure it's a bit same-y but it's bigger, brighter and bolder. It packs more oomph! There's genuine emotion between this films villains. The first films antagonist was simply greedy. This time around Hammer has a cocky, wannabe Stark feel. A professional rivalry. Whiplash has genuine founded hatred towards Tony's father and is out for revenge.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViMbj3flMcU/Vrybuas5_HI/AAAAAAAABsk/WzosNSsOQhc/s1600/ironman_2___new_movie_poster_by_wildman10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViMbj3flMcU/Vrybuas5_HI/AAAAAAAABsk/WzosNSsOQhc/s640/ironman_2___new_movie_poster_by_wildman10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pieces of the Avengers puzzle fall into place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">You get a huge smattering of more comic book things brought over. Tony Stark has the suitcase suit, Black Widow and more SHIELD action, War Machine steps up as Iron Man's partner, and Tony's alcoholism is touched on. The end battle goes on way too long but boy does this movie have pay off. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Sam Rockwell is one of my favourite actors and is totally wasted in this unnecessary sequel. I would have rather seen more of in the first instalment. Yet it's still entertaining as hell, while upping the ante on future Marvel films. Personally while I'd say Hulk was skip-able, this is a necessary evil in the run up to the Avengers team up.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvRxmwph2VQ/VrybwdYSkUI/AAAAAAAABso/9kxw--f67xk/s1600/ironman2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvRxmwph2VQ/VrybwdYSkUI/AAAAAAAABso/9kxw--f67xk/s400/ironman2-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Widow gets plenty of time to shine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">End Credits Scene</b><br />
<b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></b>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Leading directly into the next Marvel film rather than hinting straight at the Avengers end goal like the first two we've seen. After Nick Fury again tries to recruit Iron Man during the film, Phil Coulson is seen calling SHIELD telling them he's found it. "It" being Thor's hammer. Looks like they've found their next recruit!</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Iron Man 2 Rating:</b> 6/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">By no means perfect, and somewhat over crowded. Good Fun. More of the same, while upping the stakes. Wether that is good or bad is up to you.</span></div>
Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-42807181350184608412016-02-16T00:00:00.000-08:002016-03-02T00:28:47.406-08:00The Incredible Hulk: The Big Marvel Re-Watch<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COjq1f6BRr4/Vrx_8qQcQQI/AAAAAAAABsI/wu38GUUJueU/s1600/incredible-hulk-poster-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COjq1f6BRr4/Vrx_8qQcQQI/AAAAAAAABsI/wu38GUUJueU/s400/incredible-hulk-poster-big.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvel's second film and an odd choice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The Incredible Hulk (2008)</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>Plot Summary</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This Film seemingly takes place after the first Hulk movie chronologically, despite being made by a different studio, as the first solo Hulk film is depicted loosely in the title sequence of this instalment. They rightfully didn't do another reboot and origin story so soon after the last one. This film is set after the events of the Gamma bomb, and sees Bruce Banner seeking a cure for his unique, giant, green, rage monster, counterpart, that he let's loose when he gets angry. A classic Jekyll and Hyde for the modern age. He's successfully on the run from the military, that is seeking his capture. Banner get's close to a cure when, mercenary turned equally if not bigger, rage monster is let loose by the government to capture him. The Hulk vs. Abomination endgame switches the game on it's head when Abomination goes to far and the Hulk becomes the hero. Before running off and continuing his solitary, nomadic lifestyle. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj2fVwtMTXs/Vrx_oCLHR-I/AAAAAAAABsE/d2srWEQVlY8/s1600/the8e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj2fVwtMTXs/Vrx_oCLHR-I/AAAAAAAABsE/d2srWEQVlY8/s320/the8e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emil Blonsky all Hulked up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Review</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></b>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">I was surprised the Hulk was picked to be the second </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">instalment. A risky decision after the first paid off so well? The first Hulk movie was awful. It had werewolf Hulk-ed up poodles in. So it was a refreshing that this was;t another origin story. After all people know the basic premise of Hulk. He had a long running TV series and people know he goes big and green when he get's angry so they chose to just tell a story with that. He's more of a household name than Iron Man, it made sense.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">There are great set pieces, reminiscent of the Bourne movies, set in the gritty, third world countries Banner hides out in. Yet when we return to America, the army is shooting Hulk up on a University campus. The loose sense of believability goes out of the window. The army are the bad guys sure, but would the government risk attacking in that setting. The hate you get for them is real, I'll give them that. Maybe not for the right reasons though.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">This film felt like a side step for me. The first film Iron Man, came out and was this great mix of visuals, likeable characters and humour. This had the odd joke sure, but it was considerably darker. Norton plays a great tortured should, but I think the reason this wasn't my cup of tea is that Hulk doesn't want to be a hero, he isn't fun. It's obvious looking back now that Norton wouldn't be let loose with the rest of the Avengers, and why the studio recast Ruffalo in the role. Norton plays the tortured Hulk well, but do you really want a superhero who doesn't want to be a superhero? The revelation in the Avengers when Tony gets Bruce to realise the Hulk is his version of the suit, and that he should just roll with it, combined with the revelation at the end of this film, that it seems that Bruce can turn at will, thanks to his meditation, was absolutely the right move.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">As a conventional Hulk movie, this was bordering between solid and average for me. Sure it was good at what it did but ultimately I didn't want that. The key to a fun enjoyable Hulk story is to take him from mundane to the fantastic and have him let loose. He has a good dynamic with the other Avengers in the team up, and when he finally chooses to be a hero. A good Hulk comic book for me is along the lines of Planet Hulk. Fish out of water, and let him react, in this new environment, rather than just more lonely wandering around. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGkoceyBTww/Vrx_jPBPdeI/AAAAAAAABr4/I1u9ETH6hlo/s1600/hulk-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TGkoceyBTww/Vrx_jPBPdeI/AAAAAAAABr4/I1u9ETH6hlo/s640/hulk-3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betty is completely forgotten in future films. A love story with Widow shoehorned in its place.<br />
Ross is coming back for Civil War though. Red Hulk anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Marvel seemed to also note that this movie wasn't quite what they wanted. A lot of threads were left dangling. General Ross, is only just coming back in the upcoming Civil War movie. Another character getting Hulk juicy-goodness dripped onto his head and turning into The Leader, is another plot thread left dangling. Hulk appears to now be able to control when he turns with his meditation just before the credits roll.</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt" serif , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lM5Q-whGpFw/Vrx_lMORZAI/AAAAAAAABr8/Nt6GfV-qRXI/s1600/the-incredible-hulk-trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lM5Q-whGpFw/Vrx_lMORZAI/AAAAAAAABr8/Nt6GfV-qRXI/s400/the-incredible-hulk-trailer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The effects look slightly wrong now looking back. All those veins and muscles.<br />
I would be scared to have him on my team.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">The End Credit Scene</b><br />
<b style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'PT Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></b>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">General Ross is visited by Tony Stark in a bar to be told they are putting a team together. So it looks like either Ross is responsible for ultimately tracking the Hulk down for Black Widow to go and chat to at the Start of the Avengers or (quite a long shot here, but) a possibly missed tease that Ross was wanted for the Avengers as his comic book Red Hulk counterpart.</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><b>The Incredible Hulk Rating:</b> 5/10</span><br />
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: "pt serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Good at what it does. This just isn't the Hulk that people wanted and the studio later rectifies it.</span><br />
<br />Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-76617157462464346832016-02-11T03:55:00.000-08:002016-03-02T00:28:31.386-08:00Iron Man: The Big Marvel Re-WatchI'm attempting a great big Marvel movie re-watch ahead of the release of Captain America Civil War on 29th April. A summary and brief review of each of the 12 instalments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be posted each Thursday and Tuesday.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DDQFQzgJYsA/Vrx0bJTtgjI/AAAAAAAABrc/461-WXFc3yY/s1600/iron-man-1-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DDQFQzgJYsA/Vrx0bJTtgjI/AAAAAAAABrc/461-WXFc3yY/s400/iron-man-1-poster.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first outing for the hero and the studio.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Iron Man (2008)</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S1Z4XufNji8/Vrx0bzSQuwI/AAAAAAAABrg/Gq6rUdaeTkE/s1600/iron-man-1-robert-downey-jr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S1Z4XufNji8/Vrx0bzSQuwI/AAAAAAAABrg/Gq6rUdaeTkE/s400/iron-man-1-robert-downey-jr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oozing style. The perfect casting choice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Plot Summary</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tony Stark the self declared genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist and son of legendary inventor Howard Stark, the original creator of the Stark weapons contractors, is sent to Iraq behind enemy lines to give a weapons demonstration. His unit led by Lt. Col. James Rhodes, is attacked by enemy combatants, a terrorist cell linked to the Ten Rings of the Mandarin. He survives barely with a chest full of shrapnel edging closer and closer to his heart. He straps up a car battery to his heart, to hold the shrapnel at bay. Then goes on to miniaturise it only to discover this battery can power something else. He then builds his first Iron Man suit and escapes. He has a literal change of heart too after seeing his weapons effects first hand. He decides to stop making weapons and goes into tech. The man put in charge of his company has other ideas. The pair then work against each other perfecting their Iron-Man and Iron-Monger suits in an epic throw down. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XfVSL0HnSX8/Vrx0ckQpebI/AAAAAAAABrk/Wv26c_ubbgU/s1600/ironman_gallery_primary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XfVSL0HnSX8/Vrx0ckQpebI/AAAAAAAABrk/Wv26c_ubbgU/s400/ironman_gallery_primary.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Man Mark I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Review</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As an avid Marvel comics reader, I was super cautious that this could flop hard. An unknown hero and a questionable actor, fresh out of rehab. I loved RDJ in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but I didn't see him as the Tony Stark type. How wrong could I be. The guy now lives for the role and seems to be Tony Stark in real life. The cast as a whole is faultless. The villain possibly a little one note, and pointless in the greater scheme of things but it's safe to safe Marvel studios was saving a lot of it's bigger villains for after the Avengers get together.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is great humour, laced throughout the well-written script. Plenty of thought and time was put into making this a solid little stand alone film. The CGI effects are seamless and still hold up 8 years later. Breathtaking visuals paired with the finer points of this people piece. The relationships between Tony, Pepper, Rhodey and Happy aren't lost amongst the action here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While not a perfect film, it's a solid little stand alone that leaves you wanting more. It somehow lived up to the hype, and teased more of what was to come. If anything I've ruined this film for myself by over-watching it by now, two films a year is simply not enough for someone who goes to the comic shop for the next chapter of my favourite stories each week.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4NpclvjEpY/Vrx0eyZckFI/AAAAAAAABro/_4YRJtgheCg/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4NpclvjEpY/Vrx0eyZckFI/AAAAAAAABro/_4YRJtgheCg/s400/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>The End Credit Scene</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When Tony arrives home after the battle, Nick Fury is waiting for him and wants to recruit him for his Avengers initiative.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Iron Man rating</b>: 7/10</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A good start. A likeable cast. Brilliant visuals. A good first step for Marvel Studios. </div>
Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-61947484228730838992016-02-11T03:15:00.001-08:002016-02-23T06:17:28.358-08:00Marvel's Avengers Academy Out now on iOS and Android. Review. Hints. Tips.<br />
<br />
<b>Update 23 Feb:</b> There has been a large update in the game, including a short beach limited edition event and a bunch of new levels and characters. Including Task Master, Kamala Khan and Scott Lang! YAY!<br />
<br />
So I'm not much of a gamer myself. Despite some significant art skills I have literally no hand-eye coordination and I'm terrible at first person shooters etc. I don't have time for 40+ hour long epics. I have a really addictive personality so I daren't try to get into online PC gaming as I'd disappear into a pit and never return from my man cave. The last new release game I bought was probably Marvel's Ultimate alliance on the Wii. I'm a casual gamer at best. I like the sort of none game, games. Things like Professor Layton, Animal Crossing, Advance Wars and Pokemon. Boy, do I love pokemon. Things that take time and patience, slowly levelling up characters with no real skill involved. Games you can pick up for short bursts at a time, that won't take forever before another save point. Those are my jam.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkoAXePURfA/Vrxpe9S5RbI/AAAAAAAABq0/Xppc-3nr73M/s1600/MARVEL-Avengers-Academy-0.1.7-APK-For-Android.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkoAXePURfA/Vrxpe9S5RbI/AAAAAAAABq0/Xppc-3nr73M/s400/MARVEL-Avengers-Academy-0.1.7-APK-For-Android.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun teen redesigns and bright colours make this a very enjoyable play.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A little background on the name. Avengers Academy was originally a comic title. It was a spinoff and result of the Civil War event. New powered heroes were required to register their identities with the government and undergo basic training. So what you see here in the game is a similar idea of having a SHIELD run campus, only this time you are recruiting your typical Avengers made famous with the cinematic universe, rather than obscure new heroes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5Td1IdtqBU/VrxpdME7sBI/AAAAAAAABqw/_iekbTxi_4o/s1600/Avengers_Academy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5Td1IdtqBU/VrxpdME7sBI/AAAAAAAABqw/_iekbTxi_4o/s1600/Avengers_Academy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You won't see your obscure favourites here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is Marvel's answer to the app store "freemium" game, to rival things like Simpsons Tapped Out, Family Guy Quest for stuff, Jurassic Park, Flintstones Bedrock etc. You are essentially tasked with building a campus and filling it with buildings, slowly recruiting more characters. Your typical Marvel hero characters are depicted as teens and are appropriately dressed in the latest trends. There are coins to be earned and there is the rarer gem currency that you can purchase with real money. Typically you can play these games with or without spending any money. One way takes slightly longer.<br />
<br />
I've played through to level 12 so far and the game doesn't feel as polished as it's rivals. There are too many tasks featuring the same characters, while others can be left with nothing to do. Whereas in Tapped out you can leave everyone with a task to earn money, in Academy you only get rewards if you accomplish tasks from your menu screen. So you could need Ironman to finish 4 different tasks yet there's no point giving Falcon a job as it will take time but give you no reward unless the game has told you he needs to do it. It's the equivalent of playing the most recent Pokemon games and then going back to play the first: The maths behind it doesn't add up. You can be stuck in a rut simply going through the motions for days.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2fo9yWdh0s/Vrxpta-xufI/AAAAAAAABq8/Zb3psRoZUxE/s1600/AVENGERS_ACADEMY_YEARBOOK_FINAL_header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2fo9yWdh0s/Vrxpta-xufI/AAAAAAAABq8/Zb3psRoZUxE/s640/AVENGERS_ACADEMY_YEARBOOK_FINAL_header.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some great character redesigns, and plenty of un-lockables will keep you coming back for more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'll be honest I've never spent money on a freemium game before but I took advantage of the buy one get one free starter pack. £3.99 for coins and you got the equivalent in gems too. Perhaps their tactics and maths worked as I simply bought it out of frustration. I wouldn't spend more than that though. I figured it was what I'd spend on a comic that would take me 15 minutes to read and I'm going to get hours out of this game.<br />
<br />
After playing for a few days now I've come up with a list of hints for new players:<br />
<br />
1. It is a game where you only get rewards or money back for completing tasks and missions. After assigning all of your characters to missions you may be tempted to give an unassigned character a task. Don't. It doesn't give anything back and you will only need that character later and won't be able to until they've finished.<br />
<br />
2. Most nerds who read this or have more than a casual interest will understand collecting. When it comes to assigning tasks, always take the ones that give rewards for your inventory over those that simply give money. They are used to unlock new characters, and you will never have enough. So when one comes along, prioritise it!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rz42ESyRZB4/VrxpiHACPxI/AAAAAAAABq4/Tm5wMGKbizk/s1600/marvelavengersacademycheats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rz42ESyRZB4/VrxpiHACPxI/AAAAAAAABq4/Tm5wMGKbizk/s400/marvelavengersacademycheats.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aim for those textbooks and trophies over the currency. You'll need it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
3. Currency is somewhat scarce in the game. It almost tries to slow you down by overwhelming you. There where points where in order to progress at some points I required currency for multiple things but could only afford one. You need roughly a thousand in game currency to upgrade or unlock a character or likewise build or upgrade a building. My advice is prioritise. Complete one fully before moving onto the next. Use a little tunnel vision rather than juggling all at once.<br />
<br />
4. There isn't a moment to loose in this game. the added layer of not being able to get money by simply giving a task to a character and instead relying on the game telling you who needs to do what, in order to progress, leaves you waiting. A lot. The kind of "waiting in a hurry" that these games help twist your arm into spending real cash on. Don't get frustrated just activate the push notifications so that you make the most of every moment in the game.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71DVLGVvYbw/Vrxst01eHXI/AAAAAAAABrM/8-XMq68Hixs/s1600/marvel-avengers-academy-11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71DVLGVvYbw/Vrxst01eHXI/AAAAAAAABrM/8-XMq68Hixs/s1600/marvel-avengers-academy-11.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Un-lockable zones include, SHIELD HQ, The Raft, WWII ruins, The Hellicarrier, Asgard and more...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm impressed with the male and female character split too. There are plenty of both. There won't be any "boycott this as there's no women characters" blog posts. So far I've got Black Widow, Enchantress, Spider-Woman and Wasp. I can't wait to get Ms. Marvel, she's a favourite of mine. I've also got Ironman, Falcon and Loki (currently working on Cap). The game uses Nick Fury, Pepper Pots, Odin and more to assign you missions. There's a nice mixture of fan favourites and diversity very early on.<br />
<br />
Over all, I found this game a tad lacking and slow compared to it's competition. However the bright colours, fun teen redesigns and casual pick up whenever you feel like aspect of the game, has kept me coming back. If Marvel is your thing, it's worth it for a fun little free to play game, but I'd also recommend Puzzle Quest and other Marvel games over this, at least while it finds its feet.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-81911351779364674662016-02-08T03:01:00.001-08:002016-02-08T03:01:11.675-08:00Award Winning Comic Book Epic Saga ft. on TV<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<div style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately it's for a boob joke on Big Bang Theory.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-un0QmoNW3Os/Vrhwv--vG_I/AAAAAAAABqM/T_SakNUOi9w/s1600/saga-promo-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-un0QmoNW3Os/Vrhwv--vG_I/AAAAAAAABqM/T_SakNUOi9w/s400/saga-promo-art.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Vol. 1 Trade Paperback collection, cover, that get's a mention.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saga<i>,</i> the winner of all three <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisner_Award" style="background-image: none;" title="Eisner Award">Eisner Awards</a> it was nominated for in 2013: Best Continuing Series, Best New Series and Best Writer. The book whose Vol. 1 trade paperback won the 2013 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award_for_Best_Graphic_Story" style="background-image: none;" title="Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story">Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story</a>. The series that was nominated for seven 2013 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Award" style="background-image: none;" title="Harvey Award">Harvey Awards</a>, and won six of them: Best Writer, Best Artist, Best Color, Best New Series, Best Continuing or Limited Series, and Best Single Issue or Story. The series that in 2014 won three Eisners: Best Painter/Multimedia Artist, Best Writer, and Best Continuing Series. That then continued to dominate in 2015 when the series was again nominated for the same three Eisner awards it won the previous year and won two of them: Best Continuing Series and Best Penciller/Inker. The all around amazing, beast of a book, was recently featured on a prime time TV show: </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">So that sex-pest character, Howard, can poke fun of Raj, for looking for covers with boobs/ breast feeding on them. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 22px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JxDdUWJ4mv0" width="560"></iframe><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/02/05/saga-appears-on-the-big-bang-theory-over-that-cover/">Bleeding Cool</a> captured the scene for all to see. Raj (Kunal Nayyar) comments on Claire's (guest star Alessandra Torresani) reading material. Specifically, Raj references "Saga" #1's "controversial", which featured series lead Alana breastfeeding her child. Controversial to perhaps the hundred people who actually make up "one million mom's" and generally bad people who hate natural things that humans do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYkW5dgfGtE/VrhwpmzrQ3I/AAAAAAAABp8/JigYHUk7qmY/s1600/2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYkW5dgfGtE/VrhwpmzrQ3I/AAAAAAAABp8/JigYHUk7qmY/s400/2448.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fiona Staples, Artist of Saga, at a signing.<br />More equally awesome women need to get into comics.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the general outpouring on twitter by fans of the book, being generally overjoyed that it was getting featured on such a huge show, I feel differently. I seem to be in the minority here. While Big Bang Theory typically only features capes and tights, superhero comics, even then mostly just DC at that, it is Warner Bros after all. I welcome the change, that we get to see the other side of the coin, and see some really good uses of the medium and not having it be stereotyped as a genre. Which if you are interested in reading more about: The Guardian Newspaper in the UK <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/feb/07/kapow-creators-shaking-up-comics-saga-bitch-planet-wicked-and-the-divine">did a great write up</a> about the current resurgence of creator owned and generally none superhero books recently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWzSSTu0ak8/Vrhwr9NNdWI/AAAAAAAABqE/b0nqkSehewk/s1600/3198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWzSSTu0ak8/Vrhwr9NNdWI/AAAAAAAABqE/b0nqkSehewk/s400/3198.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kelly Sue, a brilliant writer, featured in the Guardian article.<br />Not to mention a great female role model for Comics in general.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://considerourfightbegun.blogspot.com/2016/02/fake-geeks-gatekeepers-and-big-bang.html">I've said it before</a> but i'll say it again, the way this show badly portrays stereotypes about its characters, and essentially, main fan base, is just insane. Lonely Raj looks for the boobs on the covers of books, very mature joke. Well done writer-guys! Need any more help picking those low-hanging-fruit jokes about stereotypes? Perhaps the Jewish guy <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">doesn't like paying $4 for a comic? </span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;">I'll wait for my cheque in the post for that writing I just did. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now before you scream "Why are you watching it if you don't like it" etc. etc. My girlfriend is a big fan, so I tolerate it as much as I possibly can. It can get the occasional laugh out of me too. Lord knows she puts up with me watching Doctor Who, among other things. It's called compromise.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This show has forced the "comics aren't for girls" stereotype for so long, that I was a little shocked to see a clip of a female in a comic shop full stop. </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">I once caught an episode where the main female cast went into the comic shop and Stuart suggested reading Fa</span><span style="line-height: 16px;">bles because it's fairy tales or Thor because he's hot. The show's just sexist. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Now it's not all compromises, my girlfriend loves the Nolan Batman movies and all the Marvel movies so you'd think the odd comic here and there wouldn't be a big step..? Yet she won't join me in reading them. </span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;">She's a fan of procedural cop shows too, so I've recommended Gotham Central and Criminal for her. Both are amazing, and I'm pretty sure both are Eisner winners in their own right. But shows like this have it ingrained into the zeitgeist that women don't have a role in nerd fandoms. Which is wrong, and sexist.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">It's nowhere near as bad as it used to be. At least we've got female scientists and it's not just "hey Penny's an idiot, because she went to community college" still. </span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Anyone else notice that Howard and Raj used to constantly try to get laid in the early series and so did Penny but more successfully. So it's depressing which of the three has the "Slutty one" jokes though isn't it? Double standard much.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrlbptONluw/VrhzdqBlB8I/AAAAAAAABqc/GD1gZx8bz-U/s1600/subigdragtheoryjpg.jpeg.size.xxlarge.letterbox.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrlbptONluw/VrhzdqBlB8I/AAAAAAAABqc/GD1gZx8bz-U/s400/subigdragtheoryjpg.jpeg.size.xxlarge.letterbox.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of Double standards, you never see the guys in skimpy... Oh.<br />Oh, gawd. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember an episode where they needed Penny to dress as Wonder Woman so they could win a costume competition basically because she would be the only woman in the shop. Have you seen the typical cosplayer? It's much more female centric than male if UK conventions are anything to go by. Plenty of women read comics. More would without this show telling them it's not ok to. Any chance we could get a female comics every-woman to compliment the Leonard everyman character? </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Upon re-watching the earlier series, Penny was the most relatable character for me and I'm at my </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">comic shop spending £30+ each week, self publishing small press comics, exhibiting at and visiting conventions a lot each year. So why do the nerds seem so unlikeable? The reason (for me) seems to be that you share the same interests as them not the same character traits, and a lot of the characters are plain unlikable. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">A lot of the characters have grown and changed, Penny is now more financially stable than Leonard etc. Then I catch a relatively recent episode, season 8 I believe, where the gang are fixing a broken drone with a hi-def camera and despite now being married Howard's first line is along the lines of "where was this when I was single I could have flown it over the playboy mansion".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">I'm just worried about how it makes me, and others who share my hobbies and interests, look to outsiders and the mainstream audience it pulls in each week. The entire premise of the show is "look, geeks". </span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;">It's laughing at you not along with you. That's why they phrase jokes like "it's as cold as the ice planet Hoth from Star Wars the Empire Strikes Back" rather than just "It's as cold as Hoth". So the mainstream see how different/ weird you are.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKJ7rIi5j0U/Vrhwqh449yI/AAAAAAAABqA/kB_hvXqVlfg/s1600/2996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKJ7rIi5j0U/Vrhwqh449yI/AAAAAAAABqA/kB_hvXqVlfg/s640/2996.jpg" width="412" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The epic oversized hardcover collection of the first 3 volumes of Saga.<br />A great place to start reading this amazing book.<br />Clearly Howard didn't look far enough when trying to hunt down <br />breastfeeding, winged ladies on covers.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">The ratings this show gets could make all of these things like comics, gaming, tv and movies the coolest must have things out there but it doesn't it does the opposite. Back to the point: boobs on a comic book cover, jokes, not the fact that saga is an amazing space epic that rivals Star Wars.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sure it is a lot better for having the new female characters and it's no where near as bad as it once was though. </span></span></span></span>The show is better for having a more well rounded cast. Someone recently pointed out to me that this is a Chuck Lorre series, the same guy who created Two and a Half Men, so why would I expect something different? Am I worrying over nothing? Is the show a good thing? Getting comics exposure and hoping there's some minimal feed over from the TV viewership into your Local Comic Shop is always a good thing, right? Unless you're literally pointing out the horrible human being you become if that stuff winds up floating your boat.</span><br />
</div>
Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-79014523745474635262016-02-04T02:26:00.001-08:002016-02-04T02:26:05.535-08:00New Comic Book Day: Reading HabitsSo you've heard my opinions of large sprawling topics (note: ranting) but do I put my money where my mouth is, and what do I actually read? I've name dropped the odd book here and there in other articles but I figured for you to really get to understand my reading habits I should just come all out and share my pull list.<br />
<br />
I have been house bound for a couple of months now, due to a really large Hernia I got at my day job. I barely left the house since mid December, yesterday I finally went to pick up a months worth of comics and even surprised myself with just how many comics I consume each week. I've got a moderate income and can spend £30-40 a week on books, depending on what's out. It's my main hobby so the amount I'm spending is fine with me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQXtTOzLzZE/VrMYQa02wdI/AAAAAAAABno/Fk0fbes3Uyo/s1600/12446232_1673923796211229_1217811406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQXtTOzLzZE/VrMYQa02wdI/AAAAAAAABno/Fk0fbes3Uyo/s640/12446232_1673923796211229_1217811406_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A months worth of reading to catch up on! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />So here's what I read:<br />
<br /><u>Image books</u><br />Ringside<br />Phonogram<br />Tokyo Ghost<br />Black Science<br />Saga (in trades)<br />Paper Girls<br />Wicked and Divine<br />Kaptara<br />Pretty Deadly<br />Sex Criminals<br />Rocket Girl<br />
<br />
Image comics is just knocking it out of the park with everything it's putting out. So many good titles and as I drop more and more DC books I can afford more and more Image books. Every Image book I've read is just solid gold.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUNDalOKOek/VrMhq_gnCCI/AAAAAAAABoM/CCjgo-D7WxQ/s1600/Archie1-FionaStaplesRegCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUNDalOKOek/VrMhq_gnCCI/AAAAAAAABoM/CCjgo-D7WxQ/s200/Archie1-FionaStaplesRegCover.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A book I never thought we'd have. <br />Let alone one I'd buy or enjoy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u>Vertigo and other Indie books</u>Art Ops<br />Archie<br />Jughead<br />Back to the Future<br />FBP (tpb)<br />James Bond 007<br />Klaus<br />
Power Rangers<br />
<br />
There's a lot of good books out there that aren't "mainstream" too. Loads of good licensed movie properties that I would have loved to have read. I guess the more books DC cancels or ruins for me, the more money I can spend elsewhere.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fTWrw6307Q/VrMhm6pHA7I/AAAAAAAABn8/0ZqBgX4FnMc/s1600/all-new-all-different-marvel-142264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fTWrw6307Q/VrMhm6pHA7I/AAAAAAAABn8/0ZqBgX4FnMc/s640/all-new-all-different-marvel-142264.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much volume</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuJOrQldiBw/VrMhozpW_RI/AAAAAAAABoE/GaLaC_fykzA/s1600/anad-mu-630x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuJOrQldiBw/VrMhozpW_RI/AAAAAAAABoE/GaLaC_fykzA/s400/anad-mu-630x420.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many comics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>A crazy amount of Marvel</u>All New All Different Avengers<br />New Avengers<br />Uncanny Avengers<br />
Ultimates<br />A-Force<br />Daredevil<br />Doctor Strange<br />All New Inhumans<br />Uncanny Inhumans<br />Invincible Ironman<br />Old Man Logan<br />Squirrel Girl<br />Extraordinary X-men<br />All New X-men<br />Uncanny X-men<br />
Astonishing Antman<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuPgb5JFch0/VrMhp_DVD1I/AAAAAAAABoI/Fhk0lNKA-qs/s1600/anad-spiders-630x419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuPgb5JFch0/VrMhp_DVD1I/AAAAAAAABoI/Fhk0lNKA-qs/s400/anad-spiders-630x419.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such variety</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Captain Marvel<br />Ms. Marvel<br />Hellcat<br />Silver Surfer<br />All New Hawkeye<br />Mighty Thor<br />Guardians of the Galaxy<br />Scarlet Witch<br />Howard the Duck<br />Vision<br />Amazing Spider-man<br />
Spider-man<br />
Spidey<br />Spider Gwen<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TR7JiOf4ht8/VrMhn8WuD_I/AAAAAAAABoA/bm_NzrvYdmk/s1600/anad-avengersolo-630x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TR7JiOf4ht8/VrMhn8WuD_I/AAAAAAAABoA/bm_NzrvYdmk/s640/anad-avengersolo-630x420.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
There are a lot of upcoming Marvel books that I am so, so excited for. I don't know why I gravitate more towards Marvel books. I started on the X-men 90's cartoon rather than the Batman animated series so I don't know wether it's just ingrained into me now.<br />
<br />
The rolling/ sliding continuity seems to feel better than the hard reboot every so often like DC does. A lot of it still counts rather than scrapping everything or picking and choosing like New52 massacred. I like the diversity of styles and characters, it's just a more vibrant world, more linked to the real world because there's no made up cities. It feels a lot more tied together and fluid than DC too, like different editors know what's going on in each others books and the world moves along together, rather than over at DC when you have things like the cartoon jokey Harley Quinn in her solo book and this scantily clad murderous version in the Suicide Squad team book. Each to their own I suppose. Or the Batman book saying Tim Drake was a Robin then Teen Titans the opposite. It's just dumb.<br />
<br />
<u>DC books</u>Batgirl<br />Batman<br />Batman and Robin Eternal<br />Grayson<br />Gotham Academy<br />Justice League of America<br />Justice League<br />Dark Knight 3<br />
<br />
There are a lot of DC books that I'm pondering on dropping, it seems like a lot of the more obscure titles I read from them will be cancelled anyway, with their upcoming "Rebirth" branding. There's mostly just rumours so far but it seems like they will be going back to self described "meat and potatoes" comics. Back to basics, and not very experimental or breaking their gritty, scratch, dark house style, so it's all uniform again. Which is the opposite of what I like.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMlbC7EZstI/VrMhwPkyvuI/AAAAAAAABoQ/qIYTwNxEphI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CMlbC7EZstI/VrMhwPkyvuI/AAAAAAAABoQ/qIYTwNxEphI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of their more brightly coloured, enjoyable books where right down my alley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I could comfortably just read Batman and Justice League until after this relaunch/ renumbering. I'm only reading JL for the comedy gold in it. It's so over the top. Remember Ultraman snorting Kryptonite. That's hilarious to me. Also the League just doesn't want to fight bad guys, so far they've fought themselves, other leagues, evil versions of themselves, then the villains were the good guys. They keep alluding to all of these great battles between panels/ issues but we never see them. It's only recently that around 50 issues in they've actually about to fight a bad guy. Batman however is incredible, Snyder on Batman has been on my pull list since Black Mirror prior to the New52.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn2uhyi40t4/VrMhkikrV3I/AAAAAAAABn4/-BRD3a2ei_4/s1600/2013-09-04-07-08-00-Forever-Evil-2013-001-016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn2uhyi40t4/VrMhkikrV3I/AAAAAAAABn4/-BRD3a2ei_4/s640/2013-09-04-07-08-00-Forever-Evil-2013-001-016.jpg" width="617" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Kids, Comics!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I remember when the New52 started I was reading 26 of the 52 in the first month (there are plenty of articles in the Consider Our Fight Begun archives about the start of the New52, easy to find too thanks to the 4 year gap!). Each time they cancelled books short or changed creative teams mid story I just thought NAH! and stopped reading. There where some great runs like Action, Swamp Thing and Animal Man, wen a team is left to tell a story but they change things up too often. I cover a lot of this in my <a href="http://considerourfightbegun.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-save-comic-series.html">How to Save a Comic Series article</a> so I won't go in depth again. This is weird because Marvel also does that but you get these really short volumes rather than having series like Green Arrow that floundered around with several creative teams in as many issues before Lemire got a good long run. I am more forgiving of the shorter series, and renumbering with second volumes after a story arc is finished rather than constantly toying with things. I think there's logic there and not just being a blind Marvel Zombie of a follower.<br />
<br />
I have probably missed a few books from my list somewhere. What's everyone else reading? Got any recommendations?Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-69073975012596217932016-02-03T07:50:00.001-08:002016-02-03T07:50:26.614-08:00Marvel Collector CorpsI've done quite a lot of massive wordy opinion pieces of late and I thought I should just have a couple of lighter easier to pallet posts. I'm a subscriber to the <a href="http://www.collectorcorps.com/">Marvel Collector Corps</a> program from Funko, the makers of those sweet sweet Funko Pops and many other vinyl oddities. I've never had a problem until there was an error with my last order. Long story short, they have a great customer service team and I've just received my December box today!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7JL-sI0dfM/VrIgRFIF2VI/AAAAAAAABnI/y_ucIDLcCMs/s1600/12479106_545869092242865_2037576705_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7JL-sI0dfM/VrIgRFIF2VI/AAAAAAAABnI/y_ucIDLcCMs/s320/12479106_545869092242865_2037576705_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this Guardians of the Galaxy box was the usual Patch and Pin,<br />along with Rocket and Groot Christmas Baubles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kqr4CGiTWY/VrIgTEyHl1I/AAAAAAAABnQ/50CQ7t8jMd8/s1600/12424714_562673150568539_389752089_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kqr4CGiTWY/VrIgTEyHl1I/AAAAAAAABnQ/50CQ7t8jMd8/s320/12424714_562673150568539_389752089_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also included an exclusive cover of a Guardians comics, Star Lord head mug<br />and an epic Groot baby scarf with the funko characters on the back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've always wanted to sign up for a mystery box in the Loot Crate style. However the items can be hit or miss so I was so glad that they now do not just the Marvel box but also <a href="https://www.smugglersbounty.com/">Smugglers Bounty</a> a Star Wars box and just announced the not yet launched <a href="https://legionofcollectors.com/">DC Legion of Collectors</a> box. Which is due around the release of the Batman V Superman movie. There's still time to sign up for up coming boxes if you'd like.<br />
<br />
Which boxes do my readers subscribe to? Or what boxes and themes would you like buy?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtTFZnINRCw/VrIgWMh9IAI/AAAAAAAABnY/B1ayhU27T8E/s1600/Deadpool-Announcement-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtTFZnINRCw/VrIgWMh9IAI/AAAAAAAABnY/B1ayhU27T8E/s640/Deadpool-Announcement-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VBooR_0TDc/VrIgUSFtSzI/AAAAAAAABnU/ADyXs20gQf4/s1600/bvssm-reveal-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VBooR_0TDc/VrIgUSFtSzI/AAAAAAAABnU/ADyXs20gQf4/s1600/bvssm-reveal-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-26042118894502845562016-02-03T04:05:00.000-08:002016-02-03T04:05:33.980-08:00Fake Geeks, Gatekeepers and Big Bang TheoriesYou know what really grinds my gears? When people judge or presume things about people, without any real background or knowledge of the person. You should never presume because then you "press" "u" to "me" (and physical contact with strangers upsets my social anxiety).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhIZz8WNzJY/VrHp4eq3UrI/AAAAAAAABm4/7vuHZyihx88/s1600/BIBA08_THEBIGBANGTHEORY_GALLERY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhIZz8WNzJY/VrHp4eq3UrI/AAAAAAAABm4/7vuHZyihx88/s640/BIBA08_THEBIGBANGTHEORY_GALLERY.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stereotypes galore! Do you realise how affected you are by media, even subconsciously?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Why do certain people have this bizarre urge to protect what they are fans of? To stop others from joining their fandoms. Why should you have to prove yourself to other people to feel accepted into liking something. There are different depths of fandom, for example: some people only see the Star Wars films, others go as far as watching the cartoons, then there's always the books and comics, even listening to podcasts or frequenting message boards to discuss theories. If you go so deep into your fandom that you live, eat and breath it, you aren't a better person for it, you aren't better than someone who just likes the basic product. At the end of the day if you buy a game without having played every game in the franchise that's a good thing isn't it? There's a bigger likelihood that more sequels will be made, thanks to it's wider audience. There's more money to the people making the product your buying, so the next release will have more money thrown at it, it will be bigger and better.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLp6M07IP2c/VrHnvzkmC6I/AAAAAAAABmo/Zt5UF8DPzXI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLp6M07IP2c/VrHnvzkmC6I/AAAAAAAABmo/Zt5UF8DPzXI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If everyone is different doesn't that make us all the same?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You see this kind of thing all the time. Are people only enjoying these fandoms because they are niche? I knew plenty of people who would worship a certain band or artist until they featured in Kerrang and then all bets were off. What they liked was now mainstream and they couldn't like it anymore. Now I've described myself as a hipster before. I have some pretty niche likes myself, both musically, in podcasts and reading material-wise. Do I get annoyed when others discover what I'm into? Hell no! I love it when I get to introduce others. I'm constantly amazed by the world I live in today. We are getting 5+ comic book movies a year and freaking Gorilla Grodd was on TV. We used to have to wait years between them when I was growing up. The more the better I say. The bigger the audience the better. Don't scare others away, get the bigger audience in. Have more people to talk to about your interests. It can be lonely being into a niche hobby.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EpyhEXDblEE/VrHnsey1vjI/AAAAAAAABmk/DSji4SH4vjM/s1600/Nerd_Dork_Geek_Venn_Diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="373" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EpyhEXDblEE/VrHnsey1vjI/AAAAAAAABmk/DSji4SH4vjM/s400/Nerd_Dork_Geek_Venn_Diagram.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funny venn diagram I found by Matthew Mason. How accurate do you think it is?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The word geek has changed a lot. It used to mean a sideshow freak or act in a circus. Then when I was growing up in the 90's it was interchangeable with the word "nerd". Nowadays the word seems to have simultaneously lost all meaning and mean everything. You can be a "band geek" simply by practicing an instrument. A crafting geek simply by knitting or crocheting. Anyone who gets a (very easy to get) reference on the Big Bang Theory thinks they get the badge of honour.<br />
<br />
When a joke on Big Bang Theory is phrased "It's as cold as the ice planet Hoth from Star Wars Empire Strikes Back" instead of just "It's as cold as Hoth in here" then your writing is bad and you should feel bad. Star Wars is referenced in pretty much every aspect of media, possibly the most influential film of all time. Spelling it out is bad writing. I'm not a fan of the show myself. It has a lot of low hanging fruit jokes. The Jew, the Indian, the special needs guy, the awkward everyman, are all very obvious and offensive stereotypes. The worst stereotype it perpetrates is that girls CANNOT be into nerdy things. I've seen more than my fair share as my girlfriend watches the show regularly. There's this drilling into everyones heads that women shouldn't be in the comic book store. For a large part of it's early seasons we didn't even have any "proven intelligent" female characters on the show, sure Penny has street smarts and day to day knowledge of things that elude the main cast, but because she's happy to have different regular sexual partners then she's lesser than the guys. If a guy has sex he's amazing and it should be celebrated, but not her, she's "slutty". I don't agree with the double standard. At least it almost got some points back when the other women with science professions came in. Some role models that show that it's not just a man's world in science.<br />
<br />
I don't hate Big Bang Theory because it is popular. I'm not having a hipster moment myself. I just find it poorly written, offensive with it's stereotypes and damaging to geek culture as a whole. It has improved greatly to what it once was. There are female extras in the background in the comic book stores and female scientists. I can almost tolerate the more recent episodes but it still doesn't fix what it's already pumped out into the zeitgeist. Too little too late.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXVFIsc7_5g/VrHnjp_tEUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/c82AFejQ9Ic/s1600/_87083004_ibm2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXVFIsc7_5g/VrHnjp_tEUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/c82AFejQ9Ic/s400/_87083004_ibm2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8F8jhOa-LYc/VrHnk0qHbiI/AAAAAAAABmU/beOlr__iz7k/s1600/_87083388_ibm3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8F8jhOa-LYc/VrHnk0qHbiI/AAAAAAAABmU/beOlr__iz7k/s400/_87083388_ibm3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of the many thousand of hilarious responses to a failed marketing ploy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
This view is rammed down our throughs everywhere. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-35027902">IBM failed recently with it's #hackahairdryer</a> campaign. Clearly women are all idiots and play with their beauty products all day instead of doing manly science right? Surprisingly trying to get women into science by playing with their beauty products backfired spectacularly. Women everywhere in Science and Tech jobs started bombarding the company with their job titles and saying they where too busy to be playing with hairdryers.<br />
<br />
Is being a fan a fashion statement? Plenty of band shirts are worn by people who have never heard the bands music. How many times have you seen people too young to drink wearing a Jack Daniels tee shirt? I'm sick of it myself. It can grate away at you. On the other side of that coin though, a few years ago back at University, I was wearing a Flash logo tee shirt, as in the superhero speedster, and someone came over to challenge my knowledge of Flash freaking Gordon! Firstly I've not actually got that much Flash superhero knowledge myself, I simply liked the design, I'm an artist myself and I can appreciate things aesthetically. I haven't started watching the show myself. I've heard good things and intend to start at some point. I have read a fair share of the comics but nothing in comparison to other comics I'm a fan of. I've seen the Flash Gordon movie, it's a classic. I was roughly aware of the recent TV series of Flash Gordon, but there I am getting challenged about someone else's like of a franchise and he's the one with the lack of knowledge about something else. I politely corrected him, said I loved the classic movie and even how the film Ted had a lot of fun with it and he wondered off with his tail between his legs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcfg2Nb2lyA/VrHnoLSZLnI/AAAAAAAABmc/EeLBeACeeHk/s1600/funny-kunal-nayyar-raj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcfg2Nb2lyA/VrHnoLSZLnI/AAAAAAAABmc/EeLBeACeeHk/s400/funny-kunal-nayyar-raj.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bang Theory star goes over to great a fan who is wearing <br />show merchandise and isn't recognised at all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Why is it now fashionable to try to be into the more geeky aspects of life? Well we should take it as a compliment. No really. Look at the highest grossing films of the year, there's a lot of comic book adaptations and sci-fi in there. How many mainstream comic book TV shows do we now have? Loads! It's everywhere. If someone poses for a sexy selfie with a X-box controller dangling out of their mouth and says they are about to play some PS4 because they aren't like other girls, than they are greatly mistaken as much as their target audience. There are almost as many Female gamers as there are Male now. Simply put it's the same as my argument about comics, gaming is a medium not a genre, even down to app's and mobile games. There's something for everyone out there. Different levels of fandom don't make you better than other people. As I said above, it's simply a product you are both buying into. That girl in the photo was a model, she was possibly even at a professional shoot or maybe just at home and wanted to widen her audience on whatever feed she was using.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZ61j87gDMs/VrHnqZ5dnDI/AAAAAAAABmg/ryfRcFUShFo/s1600/infographic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZ61j87gDMs/VrHnqZ5dnDI/AAAAAAAABmg/ryfRcFUShFo/s400/infographic.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprisingly as over half the population Women also have likes and dislikes...<br />almost like real people?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sadly there are companies that still use "booth babes" in other words, they use attractive models to lure the typical lonely male's into buying things. They are eye candy. They aren't needed. In a reverse stereotype: didn't need a sexy female chef to start me off cooking. I simply went out and did basic research to inform my choices. Do I have a michelin star? No. I'm enjoying myself though and creating tasty food. The "booth babes" are hired and possibly have very little or basic knowledge of what they are selling, it's because one week they could be selling a car, the next, comics or games. It's a living. They do however have a presence at conventions and do perpetrate other women at the conventions being targets for the whole geek shaming/ testing. Everyone has an entry point somewhere, and everyone has different levels of enjoyment. Perhaps someone made a really obscure character they simply liked the look of into a costume without knowing their backstory. So what, they are clearly creative geniuses in their own right and perhaps need as much praise as creators of characters themselves for bringing it to life.<br />
<br />
These things are bigger than us. If I died today, or in 60 years time, I imagine Marvel comics will still be churning out their product in some capacity. I aren't the be all and end all of their products. They are there to make money. Some creators, the cogs in the machine, were fans before joining the machine itself, there's a lot of care and attention involved. The machine itself is there to make money however. Marvel will be on tee shirts, in Asda and Walmart when it comes to fathers day, I don't expect 90% of the recipients to have more than a casual idea about the characters on it. They'll have seen the films not the thousands of comics they feature in. I'm okay with that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qV3Qq55uUQw/VrHn0VZJBNI/AAAAAAAABms/qxtnnj_x2ts/s1600/War-Cosplay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qV3Qq55uUQw/VrHn0VZJBNI/AAAAAAAABms/qxtnnj_x2ts/s400/War-Cosplay.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Escusem me can I squeeze by, I'm busting for the loo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are lots of different ways people express their fandoms. A fast growing one of those is Cosplaying. Making costumes and dressing up at events or conventions. Sure there are some legitimate complaints about the practicality of some of these costumes: I'm thinking more along the lines of carrying around a busy hall a humongous anime/ manga character sword, or a giant Harley Quinn hammer, when it's oh so busy, not the revealing nature. That's not my point though. When someone expresses their fandom differently to you, it's not a cause for alarm, you both like the same thing. Some people have a simple tee shirt and go to throw money away on purchases at cons, perhaps meet stars or creators and thank them. Others will blow large sums of money on costume making, and wow do they look impressive. I've attended a fair few conventions in the North of England, so I'm sure they don't compare to what you have in London let alone any of the giant cons in the US of A. I've been behind tables selling my own comics, art and zines as well as a visitor. I love when there is a true wide age group and both genders present. It's not an elite club. It's for all and I've genuinely teared up a little, with happiness when I've seen the crowds for Thoughtbubble Leeds Sequential Arts Festival before. It's a wonderful thing to behold.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq4tLmZrDBY/VrHnm40l4AI/AAAAAAAABmY/eM0pgEvn-X0/s1600/duela-dent-meme-pwned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq4tLmZrDBY/VrHnm40l4AI/AAAAAAAABmY/eM0pgEvn-X0/s640/duela-dent-meme-pwned.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of my favourite things online ever. I'll be honest I had only the briefest knowledge of Duela Dent,<br />the difference being that I didn't try to shame someone publicly because they liked what I like.<br />Show some tolerance and respect people, please.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've never encountered extreme cases of what I'm about to touch on but, the objectification of women who choose to dress up is disgusting. You don't touch or photograph anyone inappropriately irregardless their clothing choice. It's disgusting of people to do or think that. Professional models may have been hired to draw you in to a booth, and they are not the same as visitors or guests that dress up and express their fandom that way. I don't agree with the objectification of women full stop. There is a line that you don't cross with the general public that the is the allusion of the model being there as part of the sale, keeps fuelling. Do not confuse the two. There are many articles about Cosplay is Not Consent around the internet, go educate yourself if you feel otherwise.<br />
<br />
In summary I can't understand why you wouldn't want your fictional worlds or fandom to reflect the real world around you. Diversity is good. More fans in general is good. Being a fan of a niche thing is great but so is sharing it with the world. Don't hide your fandoms, celebrate them, and be kind to everyone. We all started out somewhere. Imagine if you'd had a helping hand exploring when you'd first started out. Don't be a gatekeeper to your fandom. Sure fake geeks exist, but don't buy into it, don't rise to that bait in any capacity. Don't believe the media, everyone has the right to enjoy whatever they want.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-54464594224003798722016-02-02T06:17:00.002-08:002016-02-02T06:17:49.096-08:00How to Save a Comic Series<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">You can spend hours snooping around on Amazon listings to get up to date release information about comics. Often much more up to date information than what Diamond, the sole comics distributor, or any publisher will be willing to constantly update with solicitation corrections. You may find "Volume 1" now missing from listings, volume 2's disappearing altogether or the </span></span></span><span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">odd couple of issues added to the volume. A six issue reprint volume book would then be stretched to an 8 issue book because a second volume may no longer be possible. These are all signs that your favourite book may not be selling as well as the publisher wants and that it's about to get cancelled. But why hide it? Just to trick readers into continuing to buy it? Pretty much!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69Sa33rFR9o/VrC0j_JXGzI/AAAAAAAABlM/Y6WwsFSgBNo/s1600/BLKKNGHT2015001_Cov-230x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69Sa33rFR9o/VrC0j_JXGzI/AAAAAAAABlM/Y6WwsFSgBNo/s400/BLKKNGHT2015001_Cov-230x350.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bogged down in a Weird World setting,<br />lapsed readers and older fans wouldn't understand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">What prompted me to write this post is the recent announcement that the Marvel series Black Knight, originally intended as an ongoing series, with an undefined end point, was to stop at #5. You know he's not going to be a big seller why not have it as a mini series from the start? They simply don't sell as well. To some a definite beginning middle and end point is a good thing, but sales figures don't lie. I'm wondering if more could have been done to have kept it in print. The character Black Knight hasn't regularly featured in a book since he was an Avenger or as a regular in the She Hulk, Dan Slott written title (which I loved). So giving him an ongoing without phasing him back into the zeitgeist was poor planning on Marvel's part. Maybe have him feature heavily as a regular or team character in other books first? Before you slap him on the shelves. He clearly has a fan base out there else he wouldn't have the longevity to have lasted this long. Why put it out at all? Do they have to do it every now and then to keep copyright ownership or something?</span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Late last year DC went on a culling of it's series, Justice League United, Gotham by Midnight, Batman 66 and Sensational Comics featuring Wonder Woman among others all got the chop. Omega Men was advertised as a 12 issue maxi series, yet was going to be cancelled at #8. Fan uproar and complaints were the only reason it kept on going for the amount of issues advertised. So that goes to show that the publishers do listen to fans. The only reason we got the most recent Poison Ivy series is because of fans constantly requesting more of the character. So it goes to show, simply being vocal to the right outlets will get your voice heard.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwFTmRMZNSA/VrC0twsJ8eI/AAAAAAAABls/YRSJBd9HGzs/s1600/Untitled-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwFTmRMZNSA/VrC0twsJ8eI/AAAAAAAABls/YRSJBd9HGzs/s640/Untitled-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New52 had A LOT of casualties. So many DC series were cancelled and needlessly (if accidentally) sabotaged.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Where as series such as Harley Quinn/ Power Girl, Bizarro, and All Star Section Eight were all advertised as short mini series and had a beginning middle and end. Some series like Black Knight must have known their time was short from the get go. How deep, and immersive can you get with a story if you know every 5-6 issues you have to leave yourself with an open end point in case you get cancelled and so as not to upset your readership. Sales of mini series are simply less than ongoings. People want comics to go on indefinitely. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hwCTckvSP0/VrC0iPBb4kI/AAAAAAAABlE/zPfAQeUTZnw/s1600/547353f28830e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hwCTckvSP0/VrC0iPBb4kI/AAAAAAAABlE/zPfAQeUTZnw/s640/547353f28830e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two #1's in a year? Howard's creative team used it for plenty of joke fodder in the book itself.<br />It's a really funny read that I heartily endorse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Sometimes the choice of character for a series must make them obvious cannon fodder for cuts. Series such as Vision, Scarlet Witch, Starbrand, Hellcat, Howard the Duck, Squirrel Girl and others must know that they won't be running into the 50+ issue regions. Not many series do these days. DC announced recently that the New52 rebranding is to end soon and a soft reboot and renumbering will start under a "rebirth" banner. #52 is quite a high number to reach for the few series that made it from the start. It's no secret that #1's sell well. There's an element of ooh this could be the next big hit, and could be worth something, as well as a jumping on point, regardless of how many issues a character has featured in before that, hey this is the start of a new story. There's always a sales boost for the first 2-3 issues of each series. There is just this sheer volume of good books out there and people only have a set budget to spend or so much time to read. So people move between books. Books that "matter more" like Avengers, Justice League or Batman will have higher reader and sales figures than say, Howard the Duck. Personally I read the smaller character books for fun, they are often more enjoyable, but to truly know what is going on in these fictional worlds as a whole you simply have to read the bigger books and the event books, to get the next big driving force. The whole way they tell stories collapses their words in on themselves. Kinda shooting themselves in the foot.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI1rwPLH2UI/VrC3yafOB1I/AAAAAAAABmA/act-y997OUo/s1600/Black-Vortex-Reflective-Mirror-Bookmark-Back-8d09f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI1rwPLH2UI/VrC3yafOB1I/AAAAAAAABmA/act-y997OUo/s640/Black-Vortex-Reflective-Mirror-Bookmark-Back-8d09f.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical crossover list.<br />across 8 series!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">What are publishers doing to boost sales? Crossovers. If a DC book like Gotham Academy isn't selling very well. It's a great book by the way, fun characters and just gorgeous art. People aren't buying it though, not the same amount as say Batman. So what happens? Batman pays them a visit, he's on the cover, readers of the actual book get annoyed as the story they are trying to tell gets interrupted and some may stop reading it altogether. Some people see Batman on the cover and think okay i'll try it. The Robin War event is going on currently and crosses over into it too. People reading a book like Grayson or Titans will have to buy it and increase sales of the lesser book momentarily. It's extra sales. Personally if I'm reading a book that crosses over into a book I'm not reading, then I'm more likely to stop reading the one I already am doing, than to start reading a second book. If I'm on the other end of that and see my story getting disrupted again, ditto, that book is gone. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Why not advertise more? Sure comics don't exactly advertise to mainstream audiences. I do still have sleepless nights about that DC New52 TV advert with the awful guitar music over it. They advertise their own books IN their own books, or on comics news websites. A none comic reader isn't going to stumble across that. We have giant blockbusters 5-6 times a year about our favourite comics characters. I told a work colleague that if he enjoyed the movie he could borrow some of my books to read. He was shocked when he found out that it wasn't just something that happened in the 60's and died out and couldn't comprehend that comics are still going monthly. He's now reading Batman all by himself after I lent him the Court of Owls story and blew his mind. The products speak for themselves, but why not put a brief advert saying that comics are still going before the movies? Not just a "based on material by <i>whoever</i> publisher" in the end credits. Why not have graphic novels sold in movie theatres? We have Arrow and Flash TV show each week, with no adds for their comic counterpart. Plus Supergirl doesn't have an ongoing to even attempt to get some new readership over from her own TV series, which is a huge failing as far as I'm concerned. Is that ad space that expensive and valuable that you can't give it to another arm of your own company? It would pay back with more sales though so surely..?</span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">There was recent talk of Diamond Distribution putting comics in Walmart stores. This already </span><span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">happened with Archie Comics and they want to put a bit of everything in there now. Not much was disclosed about what? A few graphic novels would just be a start muddled in with books, but could you seriously accept such an incompetent man handling company not to damage books? To put them out on the right day each week? This isn't like Midtown Comics getting a little booth in a department store where you know it will run smoothly but just have less than the usual choice. This would be an absolute let down. Not to mention the amount of financial damage it did when Borders book stores went under while using a similar deal. When you deal with a giant conglomerate like that it's on there terms and a lot of life long retailers and local comic shop owners will not be happy about a store with a track record like that getting better discounts than those who work hard and care about the product.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmTG7NNyWjE/VrC0qOBopAI/AAAAAAAABlk/mDdC1KOyZTU/s1600/p11779472_b_v8_aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmTG7NNyWjE/VrC0qOBopAI/AAAAAAAABlk/mDdC1KOyZTU/s400/p11779472_b_v8_aa.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A female role model- yet no book on the stands even if you wanted into,<br />this comic elite fandom... sigh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gDY86OwIshs/VrC06QdgyPI/AAAAAAAABl0/Zrz3u_ULVuc/s1600/amethyst0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gDY86OwIshs/VrC06QdgyPI/AAAAAAAABl0/Zrz3u_ULVuc/s400/amethyst0.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor thing didn't stand a chance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Now I don't understand why series are expected to debut to equal sales to that of a character that recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. It's the equivalent of Fox cancelling every animated show it debuts because it's not as big a hit as the Simpsons which has been on for 3 decades. I vividly remember when DC cancelled Amethyst Sword of Sorcery as it's first issue hit the stands. That series didn't stand a chance. It was needed yes, more genre exploration and more female leads is all great. They sort of didn't give away any premise, added a back up story to up the price, it came out during a gimmick month where issue #0's where a thing for established series, so it's issue 1 was actually it's issue 2, it had no clear story and a larger price tag, paired with a lesser known creative team. It got cancelled as issue 1 started. Who in their right mind would rush out to buy it, you won't even get the curious #1 buyers trying it, what's the point when it won't last, and it's already had the chop.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Can they give more wiggle room? Yes certainly a book like Black Knight selling less than x amount of copies is seen as bad at Marvel whereas at Boom studios publishing x amount of Back to the Future sales is a huge hit and recently pushed what was a 4 issue mini series into an ongoing series. Marvel could simply have kept it going. It has it's deep, deep Disney pockets to dip into now. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Times; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQNqgvdhjeA/VrC0meAhclI/AAAAAAAABlU/ylhKUPOuIow/s1600/flash-vs-arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQNqgvdhjeA/VrC0meAhclI/AAAAAAAABlU/ylhKUPOuIow/s400/flash-vs-arrow.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Oh by the way if you want more before next week, we've got years worth<br />of back issues, k thanks bye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Simply put comics are more fleeting these days. Sure there's the cyclical nature: when one creator is done having killed off Steve Rogers and made Bucky Cap instead, for a while, before he finishes and leaves the title, the status quo is returned (This is why continuity can get a bit screwed up and should be only loosely followed). After all your reading for a story or two and shouldn't pick holes when unnecessary. Don't be that guy! </span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Marvel has tried double shipping it's better sellers, there was a time when Spider-man was three issues per month with rotating artists and writers for each arc. A model I quite enjoyed myself. I feel like treating these things as TV shows is just better, you have a writing TEAM instead of one individual. One of my 1st series was 52 the DC weekly and that was solid story telling, and also featured none of DC's big hitters, so it goes to show really. Marvel's current better sellers, like Avengers and X-men have been shipping 18 issues a year rather than the usual 12. Hickman Avengers runs were barely three years long yet got into the 40's of its numbering. It does get more sales but wouldn't work for every title. Sometimes the first two or three issues are rushed out in quick succession so as to not have readers forget about a book that's just started out. You'll notice that with the Star Wars anthology title, Chewbacca, Leia and Lando all had the first two issues come out if not the week after but the fortnight after rather than monthly. I guess it's to force the emotional attachment instead? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Why not fully embrace this way of selling books then? Instead of mini series, continue as you are doing and give them TV like series. Distinct start and end points for particular stories. Don't do an event and renumber, be candid and up front, it's going to renumber again at some point so why adrvetise it as an ongoing. Push the whole </span><i style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Volume</i><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"> nature of comics rather than just writing for the trade paperback collection, which again can put people off. Dragging out a story over 6 issues because you want a book to sell in stores after when the story could be a two parter is unnecessary. Embrace the style that has worked for Buffy and Smallville's continuation from TV to comic series. Just have set 12-24 issue series then rotate your writers. Don't have a couple of issues think it's not selling well, and switch creative people mid story arc. Sell it as a larger series with an end point. It's the best of both worlds. Jumping on and off points, with whole complete stories. Nothing suffers.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bme3jP0127M/VrC0n1BQRGI/AAAAAAAABlc/GATam2mVhP0/s1600/GalleryComics_1920x1080_20160120_PIVY_CYCLE_Cv1_5693efc92b0c83.04562770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bme3jP0127M/VrC0n1BQRGI/AAAAAAAABlc/GATam2mVhP0/s640/GalleryComics_1920x1080_20160120_PIVY_CYCLE_Cv1_5693efc92b0c83.04562770.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only reason the Poison Ivy mini is happening is because of constant fan OUTRAGE!<br />What series do you want making? Well it's time to start pestering too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #333435; font-family: ars-maquette-web, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">Comics do need to change but your voice is heard. Either buy the little books that may get cancelled and essentially vote with you money, or if you already are already, why not send a letter or email or tweet those that can change things. They have listened in the past. While the companies aren't into advertising to the masses why not share comics with others. Try your best to get all your friends and family reading comics. It's a medium not a genre, there's something for everyone there. Don't be ashamed of your hobbies and hide your nerdy-ness, fully embrace it!</span>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-82653219553706488832016-02-02T02:53:00.000-08:002016-02-02T07:13:36.230-08:00Horrible Bosses: Ike Perlmutter EditionThe CEO of Marvel Comics Entertainment, Isaac "Ike" Perlmutter, and his wife Laura Perlmutter donated over $1 Million to Donald Trump's presidential campaign. People are claiming you should boycott the whole Marvel company. If every angry fanboy who yelled "and that's why I stopped reading the big two ages ago" actually had stopped reading comics then sales wouldn't be up year on year <a href="http://www.comichron.com/yearlycomicssales.html">for the last 7 consecutive years</a>. So is it your moral duty to drop everything and walk away?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bV1exU2gyQ/VrCHGo5tIAI/AAAAAAAABkQ/e19-Ewhj81s/s1600/isaac-perlmutter_3279449b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bV1exU2gyQ/VrCHGo5tIAI/AAAAAAAABkQ/e19-Ewhj81s/s400/isaac-perlmutter_3279449b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You've got to Ike, for your right, to paaaaar-tay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ike Perlmutter saved Marvel from bankruptcy a long while back. There were other potential buyers including <a href="http://comicsalliance.com/stan-lee-michael-jackson-spider-man/">Michael Jackson</a>, whose sole purpose of buying Marvel was seemingly because he wanted to play Spider-man on the big screen. Without him there simply wouldn't be a Marvel comics today. Yes we may have chosen the lessor of several evils back then but despite being quite the reclusive billionaire Ike has still being making headlines of late.<br />
<br />
During the <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/11-revelations-from-wikileaks-sony-hack-emails-amy-pascals-travel-expenses-david-fincher-complains-of-leak/">Sony email hacking</a> last year that lead to a startling amount of bad press for Sony. This email from Ike to a Sony exec was released. Seemingly discussing Female superhero solo films. Now at the time Sony only had the Spider-man rights so we could have possibly missed out on a Black Cat, Spider-Woman, Spider-Girl or even a Spider-Gwen live action movie. He uses a film from 1984, as well as two awful rushed and ill thought out movies, to justify never making a female lead solo film again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BlUS7sL4Ag8/VrCHUspLLoI/AAAAAAAABk0/HoXSCWMcUZE/s1600/the-greatest-female-action-heroes-in-movies_v67x.640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BlUS7sL4Ag8/VrCHUspLLoI/AAAAAAAABk0/HoXSCWMcUZE/s320/the-greatest-female-action-heroes-in-movies_v67x.640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female heroes do quite well at the box office these days...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Clearly he didn't see the Hunger Games, Divergent series or many other female led action films before or since then. It's not like women are over half the population is it? It is! Oh well.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
From: "IP" <iperl marvel.com="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />To: "Lynton, Michael"<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Subject: Female Movies<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 05:32:50 -0400</iperl></div>
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
Michael,</div>
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
As we discussed on the phone, below are just a few examples. There are more.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
Thanks,</div>
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
Ike</div>
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
1. Electra (Marvel) – Very bad idea and the end result was very, very bad. <span class="skimlinks-unlinked" style="box-sizing: inherit;">http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=elektra.htm</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
2. Catwoman (WB/DC) - Catwoman was one of the most important female character within the Batmanfranchise. This film was a disaster. <a data-beacon="{"p":{"mnid":"entry_text","lnid":"citation","mpid":4}}" href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=catwoman.htm" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #2e7061;" target="_hplink">http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=catwoman.htm</a></div>
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
3. Supergirl – (DC) Supergirl was one of the most important female super hero in Superman franchise. This Movie came out in 1984 and did $14 million total domestic with opening weekend of $5.5 million. Again, another disaster.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px;">
Best,<br />
Ike</div>
This is probably the main reason why you would not see a Black Widow solo film, and also why Marvel studios eventually had to split away from it's comic division. A recent reshuffle at the end of last year now has <a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/08/31/marvel-shake-up-kevin-feige-sidesteps-marvel-ceo/">Marvel studios head Kevin Feige sidestepping Ike Perlmutter </a>and reporting directly to Disney studio head Alan Horn. Too many times did he stand in the way of films and even Netflix series being made that they now no longer report to him. This is probably the only way Feige could get the Marvel female solo led Captain Marvel and minority hero Black Panther to still make their release dates without interference. At least we got the Marvel/ Sony agreement to share Spider-man on the big screen after all of the leak business, and the under performing of the Amazing Spider-man sequel, right? Silver Linings I guess.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-P2f4CysA0/VrCHNk4zLdI/AAAAAAAABkk/l7GmbVPiF3E/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-P2f4CysA0/VrCHNk4zLdI/AAAAAAAABkk/l7GmbVPiF3E/s640/maxresdefault.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of Female Spider heroes out there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Whereas Marvel Studios got a break away from all of his nonsense, the comics division still has to put up with things like his banning of all Fantastic Four books and media appearances in toys among other things, due to him having an epic hissy fit about Fox still owning the rights and wanting to distance the books from the flop of a film that came out.<br />
<br />
So we have a picture painted of a racist, misogynistic, man child, painted quite clearly, of the man that is sadly leading one of my favourite companies. It will come as no surprise then that he funded a man running for President who is so similar to himself.<br />
<br />
Now Donald Trump, a man whose ex-wife claims raped her, uses unconventional tactics to get potential votes. He targets lower intelligence people who don't vote. He whips up ill informed masses of lower intelligence citizens with even more made up figures, and essentially fuels their racism with scaremongering. He picks on minorities to make the majority feel like a scared minority themselves and throws out ludicrous solutions to problems he's made up.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nKf5sCDKgw/VrCHLrPuh9I/AAAAAAAABkc/5FS374HAVVk/s1600/media_af23a0d0-19de-11e5-b2b9-0193dca05497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nKf5sCDKgw/VrCHLrPuh9I/AAAAAAAABkc/5FS374HAVVk/s320/media_af23a0d0-19de-11e5-b2b9-0193dca05497.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey I've filed for bankruptcy 8 times, I'll run your country<br />
for you, sure!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Whereas one might think that if a foreign worker that can't speak the language can get a job over you, who can speak the language, and are just lazy, then you're clearly not good enough for the job. I'd say maybe crack down on immigration laws, making them tighter, and force American citizens to apply for jobs. He would say let's build a giant wall to keep the Mexicans out and make them pay for it. Then the crowd cheers. That's a ridiculous proposal and it's incredibly racist, not to mention impossible. Note also, his plans to throw all Muslims out of America until they can better understand how they are trying to kill all Christians. Rather than noticing that, hey, all religions have extremist factions, you only have to read a history book to see that. But no he wants to throw hard working multicultural people out. It's scary how similar his views are to the Nazi party when they started out and yet no one sees it. The entire USA is a country built on people immigrating there around 300 years ago. To say immigrants are a problem in a country created by it is insane.<br />
<br />
The man is full of contradictions, even his Make America Great Again caps were made in china, along with a large amount of his personal fortune who's products come from overseas, and cheap foreign labour. He's claimed bankruptcy multiple times himself. He uses so much investor money that when an idea or branch of his business tanks hard, it's up to others to front the cost and rebuild. He's so big he can't fail. He started with a $1 million loan from his father to make the fortune he has today. He has a reckless business attitude at best, yet people think he can save a country that is literally trillions of dollars in dept. I don't see the logic myself.<br />
<br />
I've barely scratched the surface on the <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-mad-world-of-donald-trump">Mad World of Donald Trump</a> but there is a documentary by the same name that goes way deeper if your into the kind of thing like informed decisions and proof. He does genuinely scare me because the last time people were that enthusiastic about a candidate, it was Obama, and he walked straight in. I'm glad for it, but I'm not here to debate politics, I'm here for comics news, so back on point...<br />
<br />
The reason why Trump wasn't in the main debate is because the female Fox news presenter that was hosting the debate questioned some of his ludicrous ideas and pointed out logical flaws. No one else gets a say when he's there he just yells and screams his way, so it left him quite annoyed to be challenged. So in an interview afterwards he claimed the woman didn't like him because she was bleeding out of her vagina. Some kind of crude attempt to justify a woman disagreeing with his racist misogynistic views, as to being purely because she was on her period. Let that sink in a moment. Just wow. So Trump sets up a rally on an opposing network to fight for viewers. He does it for a veterans charity and starts up a website to take donations. However the veterans charity REFUSED to take his money on moral grounds, knowing who it came from and why, so the money all went straight back into fuelling his hate campaign. This is the campaign Perlmutter donated money to. So at the time he was believing it was going to charity.<br />
<br />
Now Marvel comics itself is a company. At the end of the day they have to make a profit to show shareholders they are doing good with their money. The amount of money the comics arm of Marvel makes is absolute peanuts in the scheme of what the movies make and that still is peanuts against what the Disney conglomerate makes as a whole. You could very easily loose the profits and costs of the comics arm in a rounding error in the scheme of the money that Disney has. It is a business none the less. They will be making decisions to get good press and make share costs rise.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ooB2ngno_d0/VrCHGL8PDXI/AAAAAAAABkM/q0EBZVVw8So/s1600/635689708958153536-marvel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ooB2ngno_d0/VrCHGL8PDXI/AAAAAAAABkM/q0EBZVVw8So/s640/635689708958153536-marvel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last big All New All Different soft relaunch. A lot of new issue 1 jumping on points, featuring, a lot<br />
more diversity than ever before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Like the Marvel comics hit and miss diversity push, some have worked well, others not so much. Wether it's hispanic/black Miles Morales, Muslim Ms. Marvel, Romany Scarlet Witch, black character in his own right Falcon becoming the New Cap, Female Thor or so on. Don't start back with the whole diversity for the sake of diversity, it makes sense that the fictional world you are selling reflects the real one you are selling it too. Sure Falcon won't be Captain America forever nor will Jane Foster be Thor forever, that's the cyclical nature of comics. When one writer finishes you put the toys back in the toy box for the next writer to start with the blanc slate. That's just the way things are.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D3zHJGlQB24/VrCHTLxE5VI/AAAAAAAABks/s2cwiLIgB3E/s1600/milesmorales.0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D3zHJGlQB24/VrCHTLxE5VI/AAAAAAAABks/s2cwiLIgB3E/s400/milesmorales.0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles Morales was one of very few characters that made it over from<br />
the now finished Ultimate "modern" Marvel imprint, due to his popularity<br />
and high sales.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All of these choices got good press and more readers in. It helps the business. But surely someone okayed these choices or at the very least had a chance to say NO before a single one hit the stands. So why the discrepancies? Why push for female and minority characters and creators and then fund a candidate that is preaching the opposite? Well the money came privately from Perlmutter for one. It's not from the company itself. So it could be seen that Ike is preaching one ting to shareholders and press and doing another in private. He's a business man right?<br />
<br />
Should you boycott the company? After all Ike's personal fortune is funded by his job surely? It stands to logic that if everyone stopped buying the product they are selling that he wouldn't have a job. Or would he just interpret it that no one wants the diversity push he's selling and twist the figures to show his xenophobic misogynistic ways were well founded? We go back to all white male heroes and just reprint Amazing Fantasy #15 on a monthly basis, which would seem to be the only way to keep the angry vocal fanboy happy (on classic newsprint of course).<br />
<br />
If you boycott every corporation that had ties to questionable press, you'd have a very moral high ground, sure, but you wouldn't be able to buy anything or enjoy any entertainment media at all. You'd live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and have to farm your own food. Now I'm all for taking the consumerism and gullibility back a notch or two. I grow my own veg and barely eat fast food, I prefer a local comic shop to ordering on Amazon. I'm purchasing solely from handmade Etsy sellers for my Valentines gifts. It's nice to support the little guy. I'd like others to do the same (read more small press comics and books too!).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZaOSauA5c8/VrCHCO6XRZI/AAAAAAAABkE/cd-d_IhoJPY/s1600/548730f9a1162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nZaOSauA5c8/VrCHCO6XRZI/AAAAAAAABkE/cd-d_IhoJPY/s400/548730f9a1162.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms Marvel is a legacy character, now more famous than her predecessor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Who's the little guy in this situation? The staff at Marvel. From Creators to editors to printers. Anyone between management to the owner of your comic shop. If say the writer of Ms Marvel, G Willow Wilson, a Muslim (note: it's a religion not a terrorist group just in case your not aware) didn't like it, should she just walk away? She made this minority character that she's really competent at writing her. Books, even comics have a way of teaching and informing young readers of tolerance and respect. So maybe young Muslims need this character? So they have a voice in the made up land. Can Wilson walk away from a job? I imagine the small pay that comics gives you isn't going to leave her with much savings, but all of these creatives need food on the table and a roof over their heads. Not to mention the medical insurance (America I just don't understand you, I love you but, just, I can't even). Could she walk away and get work at say Image or another independent publisher, sure but would she keep her readership? There's some crossover but it's not direct.<br />
<br />
Could your Local Comic Shop survive with already dwindling DC sales as well as no Marvel fancies? I doubt it. Image is storming the sales charts and rightly so but I don't think comic shops could survive without the big two companies. That's too big of a chunk of income gone. Not everyone will stop buying A and start buying B instead. A lot of people would just stop all together.<br />
<br />
If you want to give up Marvel comics, something that you are a fan of for the moral high ground. Good on you. I admire your morals. I like the stories I consume from all publishers, but I'm a Marvel fan first and foremost. It's like half of my pull list and I read it for the stories, art and creatives involved. I wouldn't risk putting them out of a job or my Local Comic Shop out of business. That's just me though. Each to their own. At least for the time being I'm still happy to support Marvel's diversity push, good stories, and amazing local comic shop, with my hard earned cash.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-66611721579715310062016-02-01T07:10:00.000-08:002016-02-01T07:10:37.432-08:00In Defence of the Star Wars SEQUELI never thought I'd have to type that title... Which makes me both happy and sad. I never thought I'd get more ACTUAL Star Wars and not whatever those prequels were supposed to be. Yet there are some people out there that didn't feel the same way. They didn't like it. Shock horror. Yes the Fanboys were out in force (pun intended) to belittle and pick apart something that they are supposedly "fans" of. It's almost like it's cool to ride that band wagon still after the prequels, which are objectively bad films, both script wise and cinematography wise. So I'm going to do my best to defend what they've come up with about my favourite film of 2015!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAB1ac1k6oQ/Vq90Wyp8ogI/AAAAAAAABj0/MU-KCddptc8/s1600/BB-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAB1ac1k6oQ/Vq90Wyp8ogI/AAAAAAAABj0/MU-KCddptc8/s400/BB-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BB-8 A much more fun mascot for a movie than sodding Jar Jar Binks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have been a fan since the 25th anniversary original trilogy cinema rereleases. I was young enough to enjoy the prequels albeit for the wrong reasons at the time.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVuMTj9QjPU/Vq9w5mXdNuI/AAAAAAAABi4/uHa-mPMyAZQ/s1600/22831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVuMTj9QjPU/Vq9w5mXdNuI/AAAAAAAABi4/uHa-mPMyAZQ/s320/22831.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We dodged a bullet here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJumqkGtZzs/Vq9xCVN6QaI/AAAAAAAABjY/wG4RPcdvX28/s1600/Splinter_of_the_Minds_Eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJumqkGtZzs/Vq9xCVN6QaI/AAAAAAAABjY/wG4RPcdvX28/s320/Splinter_of_the_Minds_Eye.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke and Leia were originally going<br />to be an item. Rather obviously...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First though a little background about the Star Wars we've had so far. The original was a surprise hit. With Lucas famously keeping the merchandise rights which made him a billionaire. Originally intended to be released as part of a longer larger story, mimicking the serials of the time. It was decided that putting part 4 or 6 at the start of the first film would confuse viewers so it was retroactively added when sequels happened. Now, no one knew it was going to be the success it turned out to be. There were stories written shortly after intended to be released as cheap sequels- no space battles, cheap sets etc. They came out as novels to bridge the gaps. Back in the 70/80's when they were made, George Lucas had people that said NO to him, others directed and wrote up better versions of his scripts and the movies were better as a whole, because of it. If you want to see how boring, political, incoherent, wordy and just needlessly complex they were from his original draft I urge you to go and read <i>The Star Wars</i> a recent <b>Dark Horse</b> comic series that shows the Star Wars we could have had.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uyf953v9XDI/Vq9xAEhN0SI/AAAAAAAABjM/o61kKG57hsA/s1600/6219873614_9773a1d058_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uyf953v9XDI/Vq9xAEhN0SI/AAAAAAAABjM/o61kKG57hsA/s320/6219873614_9773a1d058_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>For a long time we had nothing but an expanded universe living and growing in novels and comic book form. Then came the Prequels. Entirely made by George Lucas. I don't have time to go into how ridiculous and unadventurous and how it missed the point and its target audience completely. If you want that and have a large amount of time spare I urge you to go and watch the <i>Mr Plinket</i> reviews on Youtube. I couldn't have put it better myself. There's no main characters, no driving plot, things just happen for no reason, the story was unnecessary to be told.<br />
Was it exciting seeing the republic in all it's glory days, yes. Was it visually stunning, yes. As an artist myself I'd go so far as to say the prequels were worth it just for the amount of concept art books out there, and a lot of those story and character ideas wound up being used in the Clone Wars TV series I'm just recently seeing for the first time, and I would wholly recommend them.<br />
There were these brilliant actors that have so much talent handed these scripts with this babble that sounds awful when you say it out loud. Given poor direction and made to act in front of blue and green screens. There's legitimately extras on the DVD's were George Lucas is writing the scripts for scenes about to be shot in moments time. There was no planning or forethought it was a cash in for the wrong reasons...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kYmFikm-rg/Vq9xAKHc1EI/AAAAAAAABjI/WfwVlOaz9Dk/s1600/lightsabergreenscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kYmFikm-rg/Vq9xAKHc1EI/AAAAAAAABjI/WfwVlOaz9Dk/s1600/lightsabergreenscreen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Director: "Just swing your sticks around the computer guys will add the rest"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Which brings me to the first point about the Force Awakens, people say it's a Disney cash in. They aren't wrong mind you. Disney bought the franchise from Lucas for $4 Billion. If you bought something for that much you aren't going to rush out a half baked film and think that'll work forever. Fans will only buy that a couple of times before they learn their lesson. Disney has a track record of looking after it's purchases. After buying Pixar the quality has remained high, sure we seem to get the odd unnecessary sequel like Cars 2 and 3. Which I'd imagine is only happening because of the toy sales. Disney bought Marvel and now we have this epic sprawling live action Universe, that just keeps on going. We will have an epic 14 movies by the end of this year. I can only assume they want the same success from Lucasfilm too. So no they wouldn't actively put out a bad film they want it to make as much money as possible.<br />
<br />
We've had a petition to get George Lucas back. Personally I believe it was he that solely ruined the prequels and I'd much rather have a huge fan of the originals like JJ Abrams in control of the Force Awakens. I understand a lot of the choices he made in the film. Why did they stay so close to the original story, almost like it was a cut and paste job? Because Lucas strayed from that in the prequels and it was universally hated. There was no need for the sheer amount of political drama that can be summed up with one sentence: "Palpatine tricked people and rose to power". There, done! However now that we need a little bit of info about the state of the politics 30 years after the end of the war, we don't get any as it was proven to go down badly in a kids film. I'll admit Force Awakens needed a touch more exposition than we got. Even if it was just in the infamous title intro crawl.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZxoVVogqcQ/Vq9xEp0fsjI/AAAAAAAABjg/bsVtO-CeS34/s1600/star-wars-force-preview-xxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZxoVVogqcQ/Vq9xEp0fsjI/AAAAAAAABjg/bsVtO-CeS34/s640/star-wars-force-preview-xxx.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't start with the diversity for the sake of it crap. We need more diversity full stop.<br />Finn and Rey have an audience out there and lots of young fans need to see themselves in these big screen characters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
People complained about the new characters being too good at everything. I'd say yes there's probably reasons for all of that. Poe the X-Wing pilot, most definitely has some kind of natural skill. A lead in comic call Journey to the Force Awakens Shattered Empire would tell you that both his parents fought in the battle of Endor and that it is eluded to that he may be force sensitive. So basically the complaint here is that he didn't get more screen time to show more about himself. Almost like it was guaranteed that this Star Wars is already going to be a trilogy and that there will be more time for him on screen at some point..<br />
Finn is far too competent and likeable? He's had Stormtrooper training and is heroic at heart. He's turned his back on the bad guys and is actively going all out to prove it was the right decision, he's overcompensating because he's showing off to Rey, he likes her. It's almost as if he's shown character depth and growth. Don't remember that in the prequels..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoEOTIUNAWo/Vq9xGYEMCYI/AAAAAAAABjo/wIeAm5v8fAw/s1600/Star-Wars-Rey-1200x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoEOTIUNAWo/Vq9xGYEMCYI/AAAAAAAABjo/wIeAm5v8fAw/s640/Star-Wars-Rey-1200x600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Must be nice to work with a puppet rather than a green screen right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rey is too competent and knows too much about the Force and is basically just driving the plot forward by being good at things. She's fended for herself on a planet and stayed alive since being young. It's almost like she learned a thing or two. As for picking up the force so quick. Watch A New Hope again, how many times does Luke say "No." "I can't.""It's impossible." or words to that effect. Maybe by being a bit more can-do and optimistic she's got a bit more going on in her head than Luke did. Who's her parents? Again it's almost like the studio knew they already were making more than one film, and would leave a few mysteries planned for later reveals. Instead of writing on the fly like Lucas did. Remember when Leia smooched her twin brother? That's because they were going to be romantically linked instead.<br />
Kylo Ren, why'd he turn bad? It's almost like a lot can happen in 30 years and who's to say he isn't infiltrating the bad guys? Why isn't he a Sith? Again it's a nice addition to the movies that it's not just Jedi and Sith with Force powers. Isn't he a bit emo? Well we don't yet know his full motivations.<br />
Sure there were a few character missteps like Phasma who was promised to be this badass but barely had screen time, fans comparing her to Boba Fett an equally barely featured character who is only badass in extended universe fiction.<br />
Why no Luke? Really? You think anyone would have cared about new characters the second he showed up? No. He was held back for a reason.<br />
The lighstaber fights where boring. One character was injured by a weapon than they've established earlier in the film is super destructive, the other it's her first time using a lightsaber. Maybe the prequels bouncing and backflipping around fighting style felt cold and emotionless?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRaBQe--tAU/Vq9w3wtkn9I/AAAAAAAABiw/ff0nmeW3K-w/s1600/4d62b29eed94fd34f9a0901bf9200cfb2b0fade7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRaBQe--tAU/Vq9w3wtkn9I/AAAAAAAABiw/ff0nmeW3K-w/s1600/4d62b29eed94fd34f9a0901bf9200cfb2b0fade7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">It must be nice to shoot in a set with an already lit up lightsaber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The reason this film leaves a lot to be a mystery still is that we have another 2 movies coming for definite. The original Star Wars didn't have that luxury. This was a reintroduction, a chapter one. You don't complain at the end of Fellowship of the Ring at the cliffhanger of well Frodo and Sam casually strolling down a cliff do you? You know there's more to come. Why did it repeat A New Hope? Because Lucas showed that by not playing it safe, you don't get Star Wars. In my opinion it upped the ante, it took everything one step further. the technology had advanced. It was about the nostalgia, not just rewinding and retelling but adding all of these new different characters to that mix. It learned from mistakes, sure it used CGI but minimally. Actors had environments to work in. The pace of the story telling is more commentary about the state of Movies in general. It's snappy and to the point, things happen fast, no moment on screen is wasted.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1VSSBRSnxOU/Vq9w9-8B0vI/AAAAAAAABjA/mZVVX26FH68/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1VSSBRSnxOU/Vq9w9-8B0vI/AAAAAAAABjA/mZVVX26FH68/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I welcome the mysteries we are left to mull over until the next part of the saga.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I liked it, the people that had problems with the movie either didn't learn from mistakes, or have problems with the state of the modern blockbuster in general. What problems if any did I have with the film? I'll miss the expanded universe that was wiped out so this could come instead. I don't like that Rey and Finn can't really have prequels or sequels in the new expanded stories. Although I'm happy Marvel just announced a Poe Dameron series. My main issue is clearly that I wanted more! which from the first part of a new franchise clearly isn't a bad thing!Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-47162255606133561692016-02-01T05:00:00.000-08:002016-02-01T05:00:05.353-08:00Deadpool is for EveryoneSo the upcoming Deadpool film has caused a stir with it's ratings. In the USA it's rated R and in the UK it's rated 15. Petitions were started to have a child friendlier cut of the film. After all if a film like Anchorman 2 had enough re-shoots and multiple jokes for the same scenes to warrant a cinematic re-release of the same film with completely different joke edits, hell, you can even dub over a superhero with his mouth covered, can't you? We've already had both green and redound trailers with different jokes for the same scenes already.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uM2RCSxld2s/Vq9UILAsM8I/AAAAAAAABiA/NSVQsvx6AjI/s1600/Deadpool_thumbs_up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uM2RCSxld2s/Vq9UILAsM8I/AAAAAAAABiA/NSVQsvx6AjI/s400/Deadpool_thumbs_up.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Kids, Comics!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The internet responded immediately by being total assholes to what I thought was a fairly sensible request. The makers of the movie responded quickly too with the fact that if you wanted all the boobs and violence removed, there would be about 5 minutes of family friendly footage left over. My question is, why? Why is Deadpool the character that movie execs finally decide to go all out in creating a darker, adult version of?<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's face it some characters lend themselves to more grown up or explicit films. Characters like the Punisher, Elektra, Daredevil (who's recent Netflix series also got a 15 certificate upon DVD release) and for certain stories to work Batman would suit a more grown up audience also. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now points were made that Deadpool comics are all rated 12 so that's a considerably younger audience than the movie. The only examples of more mature comics featuring Deadpool are his MAX series. MAX being the Marvel imprint designed for mature readers. The problem with those comics is they have awful reviews and there's a reason for that. You force all the nudity and über violence on him and you distract from the core of the character. Boobs, uncensored swearing and one f-bomb (none of which you'll find in the majority of Deadpools comics, is still PG-13 or 12A, not to forget films can get away with a lot of violence simply by cutting away at the right moment or by avoiding using excessive blood. The comics simply aren't as adult as the film they've made.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W50RipTwcnM/Vq9UMp3DAXI/AAAAAAAABig/SCAGiFlAr1w/s1600/enhanced-buzz-27491-1374867853-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W50RipTwcnM/Vq9UMp3DAXI/AAAAAAAABig/SCAGiFlAr1w/s1600/enhanced-buzz-27491-1374867853-59.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sums up Deadpool for me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
So what is the core of Deadpool as a character? When he started out he was closely linked to Cable and the X-men, the epitome of the 90's. Pouches everywhere and that scratchy, awful Leifeld art! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For me the thing that makes Deadpool is the humour. It's the constant breaking of the 4th wall, a sitcom term referring to the three walled sets, basically, in this instance he's acknowledging he's in a comic and talking to the reader, and writer. There was a long run where he had his speech bubbles talking to his inner narration boxes and the writers narrative boxes. He would literally argue between the three. He is never serious, he never takes himself or any other character, or situation seriously. Nothing is safe from his constant motormouth joke cracking. One of the few things that Wolverine Origins tried and failed to get about the character. It's like if a human was bitten by a radioactive Chandler Bing. It's the kind of jokes too, the references to pop culture. He's on panel shot someone in the head point blanc for defending the Star Wars prequels. He's the everyman nerd. He's what most of his target audience imagines they would be if they had superpowers. (Hence the annoyingly large amount of cosplayers that pop the costume on and use it as a self empowering tool to act like a dick to everyone at conventions.) Don't pretend that you've not seen the GIF's of him slapping female cosplayers on the behind, so we all know we hate those douches, they missed the point as much as Wolverine Origins did!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Deadpool is intelligent to a point, too. He's whatever the story requires to tell itself. He's literally the easiest writers tool. This week he's comic relief, next week he's the best, the winner, then he pulls through and does something really heroic. He has been a work for hire mercenary, but now he's teaming up with X-men, Spider-man and most recently he's now an Avenger! If he had a murderous, gratuitous, violence streak, it was what he used to be, not what he is now. Now it's just the standard comic book cartoon violence.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vc0HzeIqOXg/Vq9UKtXXeiI/AAAAAAAABiQ/ZX1BAxnUWJQ/s1600/enhanced-buzz-6849-1374867916-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vc0HzeIqOXg/Vq9UKtXXeiI/AAAAAAAABiQ/ZX1BAxnUWJQ/s1600/enhanced-buzz-6849-1374867916-28.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About as crude a joke as I'd find funny.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I'm not a massive fan of the character myself but I do understand him and the explicit tag isn't necessary to make him entertaining. It's just sad that he's become a bit watered down recently. Spread too thin. We've had Lady Deadpool, Headpool, Dogpool, Deadpool Corps, Gwenpool, Deapool 2099 and he's had far too many mini series to count, some whacky, some serious. There just aren't that many jokes to tell. Don't get me wrong there's plenty of great material out there though, it's just a lot of stuff to dig through to find it!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He's even been featured in the Spider-man and Avengers cartoons and felt spot on as a character. He didn't need to be watered down and still felt on point in a story designed to introduce him to tiny young children. There are toys out of him, like actual toys for children not just stupidly expensive high end action figures or statues. So why would a movie studio not let them see their favourite comedy relief on the big screen? Sure there are all ages books and digests out there, and I'm not saying that everything released should be for every target audience but to me Deadpool is comedy at heart not violence. And when I say comedy I mean your typical sitcom style not Frankie Boyle.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I remember when I was younger and I really wanted to go and see Wild Wild West (not a great film looking back) because I got all these toys of it in my Burger King kids meal, yet the film was rated 12 so I was too young. The marketing for Deadpool is unavoidable, and I imagine a lot of younger fans will echo my experience when I was younger.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c35G3g-uzc/Vq9UL4owuGI/AAAAAAAABiY/8BPkKFzRPTE/s1600/enhanced-buzz-19775-1374867996-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c35G3g-uzc/Vq9UL4owuGI/AAAAAAAABiY/8BPkKFzRPTE/s1600/enhanced-buzz-19775-1374867996-18.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I get that reference.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As for violence in films in general, when it works well it can be amazing. I loved how it was treated as a comedy moment in Kingsman, as all the heads explode to the British national anthem. It can be done stylishly like in Kill Bill when we with to black and white for what must have been the bloodiest scene outside of a horror movie. So you know I'm not some prude who is against it for religious reasons.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In direct regards to the Deapool movie, from what we've seen so far, we have had both safe and not safe for work trailers, and an entirely hilarious advertising campaign that didn't require boobs or violence to tell a single one of it's jokes. The advertising department for this film alone should get medals. My worries are that the movie either won't live up to it's hype, or that all of these amazing advertising jokes will be so jarring from the kind of crude, swear filled jokes in the film itself that it just won't feel right. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uUoZd48ZdOk/Vq9UJPXbrrI/AAAAAAAABiI/eAW70kKR8PY/s1600/Deadpool-Meme-Common-Sense-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uUoZd48ZdOk/Vq9UJPXbrrI/AAAAAAAABiI/eAW70kKR8PY/s1600/Deadpool-Meme-Common-Sense-6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Either way you should just go see it for yourself .<br />I'm sure it'll be a better grasp of the character than we've<br />already seen in Wolverine Origins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The comics are simply not as adult as the movie they've made, which baffles me, I'm not saying that everything released should be for every target audience but to me Deadpool is comedy first and foremost, not violence. Will I be seeing the movie, yes, but I am very cautious of it. The more comic movies out there the better. Just make sure to recommend the good books to anyone who wants more of what they've seen on screen!</div>
Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1364590512274137931.post-64944522953806310112012-08-01T03:25:00.002-07:002012-08-01T03:25:15.652-07:00Top 10 Comic Book Movies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">(Warning this contains spoilers for The Dark Knight Rises and probably other films- but you should have seen them by now!)</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wsAEJ-hz4pw/UBkAkbnI4QI/AAAAAAAABS8/BgwZt87sj0U/s1600/x-men_first_class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wsAEJ-hz4pw/UBkAkbnI4QI/AAAAAAAABS8/BgwZt87sj0U/s320/x-men_first_class.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A colourful cast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
10. X-men: First Class<br />
<br />
It has a great script set in an important moment in history, a stylish new direction with the time setting and a better more rounded cast of characters and powers than the other trilogy. This is one of my favorite X-men films for that reason.<br />
<br />
9. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army<br />
<br />
Guillermo Del Toro recreates the perfect fantastical horror imagery as found in the comics. Making it both a world you want to immerse yourself in but also one that can turn around and eat the bones out of your body. Although the first film probably captures it better than this, I preferred the family/ team aesthetics in this second film. Not to mention Toro really gets to flex his creative muscles creating endless creatures for that market scene. It just feels more over the top with the action- more comic book like. Also <3 Johan Kraus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_qQV__t17_Q/UBkAR-QDBDI/AAAAAAAABSQ/LeCwp7ZtlVA/s1600/CNSPhoto-MOVIES-HELLBOY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_qQV__t17_Q/UBkAR-QDBDI/AAAAAAAABSQ/LeCwp7ZtlVA/s320/CNSPhoto-MOVIES-HELLBOY.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's just something so kooky about these particular<br />characters on screen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOC7m3y8vmo/UBkA5gf_66I/AAAAAAAABTc/TRsoK6bxoVo/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOC7m3y8vmo/UBkA5gf_66I/AAAAAAAABTc/TRsoK6bxoVo/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proving he unmasks to much by<br />doing it on a poster too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
8. Spider-man 2<br />
<br />
The reason why the first film didn't make the list, I'll get to that later. This one is another that packs more of an emotional punch. Peter Parker burning the candle at both ends so much that his powers go on the fritz. He realises people need him and he comes back with a purpose. Even when he unmasks to the entire train load of people and they promise to keep the secret it strikes a chord with your emotions. The themes of heroism and redemption with Doc Ock are never attempted in the source material so it's always nice to be surprised when watching a film (as with the first when it's MJ getting chucked off the bridge by Goblin).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANkec-6IXtg/UBkAlGUylvI/AAAAAAAABTA/NppCoUJDAns/s1600/xmen2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANkec-6IXtg/UBkAlGUylvI/AAAAAAAABTA/NppCoUJDAns/s320/xmen2c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cumming all over the place. INNUENDO!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
7. X2: The Last Stand<br />
<br />
After one mutant commits a crime they are all targeted. The themes of hatred and fear to what you don't understand echo throughout the trilogy but this is an improvement on the first, and I hate what they did to the Phoenix so much that it tarnishes the rest of the action in the third film. This film has two really great action sequences the first being Nightcrawler's attack on the president the second being Stryker's raid on the Institute, and the youngsters fighting back. This film sees the good and bad having to work together.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4r_19CcWUI/UBkAFpzNlUI/AAAAAAAABSI/NrBs3bMTmuY/s1600/amazing_spiderman_ver11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4r_19CcWUI/UBkAFpzNlUI/AAAAAAAABSI/NrBs3bMTmuY/s400/amazing_spiderman_ver11.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most believable romance in a comic book adaptation. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
6. The Amazing Spider-man<br />
<br />
This is the reason I now feel nothing for the original Spider-man first installment. The way they subtly hinted at things that didn't need repeating from the first film but the amount of genuine love that Peter and Gwen show for each other. The moment when Cpt. Stacy finds Peter unmasked and allows him to save his daughter. The amount of character pieces in it almost dwarf the villain in the film. Although suffering from some dodgy "lizard" CGI moments it ultimately redeems itself by being so stylishly shot.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8b3Dx1N4TA/UBkAhNKMcTI/AAAAAAAABSc/j_8NhV0XMcs/s1600/robert-downey-jr-iron-man-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8b3Dx1N4TA/UBkAhNKMcTI/AAAAAAAABSc/j_8NhV0XMcs/s320/robert-downey-jr-iron-man-image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RDJ fits the role almost too well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
5. Iron Man<br />
<br />
The first of the Marvel Studios films that led to the Avengers and in my opinion the best. Robert Downey Junior is a favorite actor of mine. I was blown away by how well he fits the role. It was almost like Stan Lee had made it for him personally since the 60's. The Action was perfect, and his feelings for Pepper seem genuine and stunted at the same time. You get the sense that his kidnap ordeal genuinely changed him. It was a real shame the studio was rushed into making the sequel and I hope the third "Extrimis" based one will set that right.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gNYxr6bQ5w/UBkAgGTB6iI/AAAAAAAABSY/rBr7DiVl6E0/s1600/dark-knight-rises-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gNYxr6bQ5w/UBkAgGTB6iI/AAAAAAAABSY/rBr7DiVl6E0/s320/dark-knight-rises-pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love it when Bane has his mask knocked off and just<br />goes psycho punching through brick walls etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. The Dark Knight Rises<br />
<br />
The end(?) of the trilogy. Wether they carry on the narrative or start a fresh. They went where no Batman story ever has before. They gave Bruce closure. They gave him a happy ending. He is no longer moping about his parents deaths. This is what closure feels like. And wow what a way to do Robin. A combination of several comic ones. Blake sounds like Drake, he's lost his parents, kills someone on screen during the film and also figures out Bruce is Batman. Not to mention Talia gets some kinky time with Bruce so assuming she faked her death and escaped there could be another time jump for 8 years and lo and behold we can have a big screen Damian Wayne. Ohh I got shivers. Personally I'd carry it on with Robin Blake assuming a vigilante position and joining the Justice league but he is swamped in some over the top doomsday scenario and Bruce has to come back at that point. Gotham may not need Batman but the World does now- it would be a great fix to that ending. But enough speculating, this film seems less cinematic gold than the first sequel, but the over the top action at the end with the war between the criminals and police is so climactic that it's a fitting and explosive finale to all three films. Also Alfred makes me do manly tears.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_kArOB1ojA/UBkAh_IZPSI/AAAAAAAABSk/aGAPkrQzG-k/s1600/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_kArOB1ojA/UBkAh_IZPSI/AAAAAAAABSk/aGAPkrQzG-k/s400/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A surprising number 3? Was it your cup of tea?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World<br />
<br />
Comics, video games, romance. What's not to like? It takes it's theme and almost creates it wholly on screen. Changing the latter half from the comics originals to fit the movie audience better. It is so stylised that it feels like no adaptation or film has ever done before. It makes it's own rules and the action is spot on. Above all else it is insanely fun and enjoyable to watch. To some people who don't get it, it is the film equivalent of marmite but to me it's just the best.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtPLck3l6YY/UBkAiqjvtLI/AAAAAAAABSs/wG7Ifc6Eryo/s1600/the-dark-knight-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtPLck3l6YY/UBkAiqjvtLI/AAAAAAAABSs/wG7Ifc6Eryo/s320/the-dark-knight-1.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ledger's Joker is one of the best<br />acting performances of all time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. The Dark Knight<br />
<br />
An excellent film where not a single second of screen time is wasted. It's intricately plotted and the Joker steels the show. It's not just the perfect comic book movie, it's arguably the perfect movie full stop. But why oh why haven't you given it the top spot then?! Well that's just me personally. I've said it before and here it is again. I prefer my heroes bright and fantastical, I prefer them out of this world and flying around sky scrapers etc. not running around the shadows fighting murderers and madmen, I want them defending the planet. I don't want reminding sickos like this ACTUALLY exist, I want escapism. It's a great film but it's not a happy/ feel good one. That's why...<br />
<br />
1. The Avengers (Assemble)<br />
<br />
The Avengers gets my top spot. While juggling the already large cast we get introduced to even more characters and Hawkeye, Black Widow, Fury and Coulson get fully fleshed out characters. The film has an out of this world bad guy teaming with an existing one. The action steadily plods along and climaxes with the team coming together to fix the hellicarrier and then has this great big thunderous encore with the Avengers assembling to fight the Chituari in a full scale battle for NYC! They give every character perfect lines and perfect amounts of screen time. My only niggle is that Cap doesn't get enough time to shine at what he's best at, leading. He should be leading them, but there still hasn't been a chance for him to adjust to the modern world, and I'm hoping he will assume this role more in the eventual sequels to his own and the team franchises. It often takes a movie to do what the comics could never figure out, they went ahead and made the Hulk enjoyable. They showed him enjoying being the Hulk and controlling or rather channeling his anger. He stole most of the major laughs in the film. There are so many fanboy moments here too. Things like Cap throwing Widow off his shield, Iron Man bouncing his lasers off it and Hulk trying to lift Mjolnir. TDK might have being a perfect film but The Avengers got everything right for a big screen comic book feel.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vqxSI2ixvs/UBkAzMA5cSI/AAAAAAAABTU/I9Nd4C7drQU/s1600/avengers-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vqxSI2ixvs/UBkAzMA5cSI/AAAAAAAABTU/I9Nd4C7drQU/s400/avengers-movie-poster.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went out of my way to find one with Johansson facing front, to avoid<br />sexism jibes. Even RDJ's head covers the Hulks but. No sexiness allowed, gang!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6m1qxP0gr5w/UBkAjaRJ8tI/AAAAAAAABS0/5jbKB5BmDTM/s1600/tumblr_m1l8r5L9Lb1r2rxxlo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6m1qxP0gr5w/UBkAjaRJ8tI/AAAAAAAABS0/5jbKB5BmDTM/s320/tumblr_m1l8r5L9Lb1r2rxxlo1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhat overused and miss used by rioters and the like <br />nowadays. But hey, it's mainstream now so who cares. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Honourable Mentions:<br />
<br />
Superman for making emotion a big part of superhero movies from the get go, as well as the first realistic effects. X-men for daring not to go leather not spandex. Batman Begins for making superheroes believable and serious. Captain America by Marvel Studios for having the hero with the biggest heart, and being my second favorite Avengers prequel. Spiderman for the first time seeing him web swing through New York. Daredevil for not being THAT bad in my opinion. Losers, Wanted and Kick Ass for making really fun action films. Plus V for Vendetta for making that mask go mainstream. I'm probably forgetting some but I'm just so happy that people are really embracing the characters and helping the superhero genre and comics medium go a bit more mainstream.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03868936640255286617noreply@blogger.com0