Don't Spoil "Avengers: EndGame"

Avengers: EndGame (2019)

Rated PG-13

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Rudd, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Josh Brolin, Brie Larson,

Directed by Joe & Anthony Russo

The Story:

After the conclusion of Avengers: Infinity War, what remains of Earth's Mightiest Heroes attempt to go after Thanos, retrieve the Infinity Stones and snap everyone back to life.

Buckle up for the 22nd installment of the greatest ride in cinema history.

No other franchise, no other studio has been able to do what Marvel Studios has done, 22 movies, 11 years of sustained excellence that have proven to be successful with audiences AND movie critics.

It all culminates here.

Go see it in theaters now, and prepare to have your list of favorite Marvel films be re-ordered.

Again.

:)

Our First DC Premiere..."Suicide Squad"

Suicide Squad (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney, Viola Davis, Jared Leto, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Joel Kinnaman, Karen Fukuhara, Adam Beach, David Harbour

Written and Directed by David Ayer

The Story:

Amanda Waller (Davis) has decided that in a world with more and more metahuman activity, she needs to assemble a team that is able and willing to do whatever it takes to protect National Security. After all, the next Superman might just be a hostile. So she rounds up the worst of the worst, implants them with a transmitter that doubles as a bomb, and under the leadership of Rick Flag (Kinnaman), the Suicide Squad is born.

Or...

The Story:

A group of scoundrels we've never met before team up to save the world while tossing off one-liners during action sequences set to a cool soundtrack.

Sound familiar?

Yes, Marvel Studios did that 2 years ago with Guardians of the Galaxy, and earlier this year with Deadpool from Fox.

Sorry folks, in the world of superhero movies, comparisons are inevitable.

But let's make this perfectly clear up front, don't compare Suicide Squad to the Avengers, at that point we move from comparing apples to oranges to apples and bananas. Save that comparison for when they finally roll Justice League into theaters.

So, is this movie as bad as Rotten Tomatoes claims, and rabid fanboys have decried that since this is the second DC movie in a row with low scores, that site should be shut down?

No.

It's totally watchable.

Is it rewatchable, either in theaters or at home?

That's debatable.

The Good:

I got to hang out with some of my kids at the movies. Can't ever go wrong with bonding over popcorn and a movie, am I right?!? :)

Viola Davis owns her role as Amanda Waller. She might actually be more frightening than Batman. :)

Will Smith returns to form in his first action flick since 2012's MiB3, and it's a welcome return. It's like an old suit that he slips right into, and watching this film makes me ready for his return as Mike Lowry in Bad Boys 3 (and apparently 4!)

Margot Robbie owns Harley Quinn. While I would have preferred her actual outfit, well, this is the revamped Harley costume they want to go with. Still, when these two are onscreen, the movie picks up tremendously.

The rest of the crew?

When they are given anything to do, it's quite enjoyable. Bonus points to Jai Courtney for actually putting some charisma into a role for a change, his Captain Boomerang is one of the high points as well.

The Bad:

Everyone else is woefully underused and underdeveloped. It seems like most are there simply to give Deadshot and Harley a breather in the action.

The villain? Also falls into the meh, who cares department. But, it was pretty much that way too when they used her in Ghostbusters. :)

The Joker. Totally could have done without him. Aside from the backstory with Harley, which is necessary, he actually becomes a distraction as the film wears on. As for him channeling both Nicholson and Ledger as his inspiration, I found it seemed to channel more of Jim Carrey's Riddler.

Setting scenes to music can be effective.

Setting nearly every scene to music can be overdone.

They decided to dial it up to 11 and introduce everyone to their own killer beat, when it might have been more effective to stagger all of the team introductions out through the film versus one after the other after the other.

Ah well, not my film, not my universe.

: )

That said, of the 2 (or is it 3?) films from the DC "Shared Universe", this is easily my favorite.

I've yet to see Batman vs. Superman (and the kids still don't want to see it!) but it's coming next week on Netflix.

And Man of Steel sucked.

Though I don't think it's considered part of the shared universe, or at least probably wasn't before it tanked.

Finally, you can tell the film was meddled with, even without reading all of the reports about the reshoots after Batman vs. Superman was given a resounding thumbs down upon reception.

We'll see where DC goes from here, but you have to hope, at least for their sake as well as the audience, that they are correcting the ship and if not trying to outright copy the Marvel movie formula, at least copy the part where we like seeing their movies.

:)

Final Grade: C+

Here's Your Spoiler-Free Review Of "Captain America: Civil War"

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Chadwick Boseman, Elizabeth Olsen, Emily VanCamp, Tom Holland

Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo

The Story:

Following some recent disasters where the Avengers have caused damage and death of civilians, the United Nations wants the Avengers to operate under their jurisdiction. Tony Stark (Downey) agrees. Steve Rogers (Evans) does not. Lines are drawn and friends are about to throw down.

You've seen the trailers, and odds are if you're reading this, you've either seen the movie, or plan to see it.

So here goes:

It is a Captain America movie. I've heard many say it's Avengers 2.5, but it's not. The best comparison I could give it would be for those that grew up reading comics, this is a crossover where the story starts in the pages of Captain America and when the issue is over, it's continued in the pages of Iron Man or the Avengers.

The tone, the direction, it's all deftly handled by Anthony and Joe Russo. The Avengers franchise is in great hands going forward. They have given us, in my opinion, the best of the superhero movies that Marvel Studios has produced.

Better scripts, better action than either of the Whedon directed Avengers, they show how to balance a cast of players, giving everyone their moment (or several) but never at the sacrifice of the overall story.

Spider-Man (Holland) and Peter Parker were fleshed out more in this short foray into the actual Marvel Cinematic Universe than nearly all of the previous iterations combined. And I actually liked the reboot. :)  We're hitting the ground running with no new origin, it's on, and I'm looking forward to next year's adventure.

The Black Panther gets introduced and is great from the start. You're told everything you need to know, and I don't know that an origin movie is in the cards. Maybe a rehash for those that may have skipped Civil War.

:: cough cough fools cough cough ::

Marvel continues to set the bar high, and just when you think they might stumble, they soar over that thing with all kinds of clearance, and you wonder why you even had doubts.

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll sit on the edge of your seat.

Bravo.

Oh, and sit through the credits people.

ALL the credits.

Final Grade: A+  I think you'll see this again at the end of the year honors as my favorite film of 2016.

Thanks For Everything Dad!.. R.I.P. Donald Ladd 1930-2014

Nothing ever prepares you for the news that your parent has passed away.
So began this week with my dad in a hospital, then the emotional roller coaster of he's getting better, no, he's getting worse.
He's having surgery...he pulled through...oh no...farewell.

Then the wave of emotions hit, and the tears flow.

Geez, I was already a crier!
:)
One of the many things I got from my dad, and one that I acknowledge quite often. I have to leave the room when those holiday commercials come on just to avoid Niagara Falls!!

My love for movies?
I picked that up from him.

Weekends watching westerns and war films and Abbott and Costello.  Good times all!

Still love movies to this day, and one of the reasons I even post these reviews.

The other thing that dad gave me growing up was my love of reading.

And if we're being specific, my love for comics!

I can't tell you the hours we spent in The Book Bin in Albany perusing the shelves of used books. We didn't buy them all, but I think mom thought we did.

:)

It was there that he bought me my very first comic book: Avengers 200.

Still the greatest comic book cover of all time.

While I didn't get his artistic ability, I channeled my lack of artistic skill into the printed word, and I think I've done okay with that over the years.

It led me to my English degree, and fulfilling a lifelong dream of being a teacher.

Not bad, dad.

Thanks for everything!

My sense of humor? Totally dad.

I try and go through life with the same sparkle in my eyes that I always saw in his.

So far, so good.

Finally, I'd like to think I learned a thing or two about being a great dad from him.

While I don't think I was a carbon copy, I used many of things he taught me (and threw a few I didn't care for away!) and modified in my own special way.

My biggest regret is that life in the military kept us always 3000 miles (or more) from home, so he never got a chance to see his grandchildren growing up.

Thankfully, he's got a great seat up above us now, and should be able to see them all the time.

Boy, are my kids in trouble!

:)

So yes, the tears come, and they come when I often least expect them.

I'm sad for myself and my family, that we'll get no more memories, no more chances to talk to dad.

I'm happy for him because he's in a better place, no pain, no more illness.

Plus he gets to see his dad again, my namesake!

:)

Take care dad, and I'll see you again someday!

Until then, I'll keep trying to make you proud of me.

Thanks for everything.

Love forever,

Serge

S.H.I.E.L.D. - The Early Years? "The Nanny Diaries"

The Nanny Diaries (2007)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring; Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Chris Evans, Nicholas Art

Directed by Shari Springer Berman

The Story:

Annie (Johansson) has graduated college, but is unsure what to do with her life.  When she saves a little boy (Art), she is mistaken for a nanny and employed for the summer by Mrs. X (Linney).  A demanding, east-side New Yorker, she demands much from Annie as they prepare the boy for a privileged life that Mr. X (Giamatti) demands.  But Annie isn't sure that the X's have the best interest of their son at heart, and with the eye of the Harvard Hottie (Evans) in the building as well, Annie's life is spiraling out of control.  However, before the summer is over, a lot of people are going to learn a lot about life, all thanks to Annie's being a part of it.

I hadn't seen this film since it was released.

I remembered it was pretty cute, but not much else.

Watched it recently again, and yep, it was a pretty enjoyable experience.

Based on a book by the same name, the storyline seems a bit extreme in a few instances, and yet...

This is New York.  So perhaps, it's not nearly as out-there as we might like to imagine.

:)

From what I gather, the book spanned a year, the movie-makers wisely condensed it to a summer.

Johansson and Evans make a wonderful pair.  If they aren't friends in real life, then their onscreen chemistry is really good acting, as the duo have worked together in several different films, long before they donned the spandex and saved the world, in the Avengers.

All of the cast does a great job.  It's hard to feel any sympathy for the New York socialites who use nanny's to raise their kids for them while they shop. 

Must be nice, if you don't want to interact with your children.

Nanny's meltdown at the end is pretty powerful stuff, and changes the lives of all the characters for the better.

The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime if you are a member.

Final Grade: Solid B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I would have no problems adding this to the library, or watching it again in the future.  Like I said, pretty cute film.

Spoiler Free Review Of The # 1 Movie In The World... "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Rated PG-13 for action, violence and pure awesomeness

Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Robert Redford, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed by Joe & Anthony Russo

The Story:

A year after the events from The Avengers, Steve Rogers (Evans) is working for SHIELD, but he's not exactly happy about it.  He doesn't want to compromise his principles, yet it seems like all of the missions from Nick Fury (Jackson) are making Cap uneasy.  However, a far greater threat is lurking to undo everything that SHIELD stands for, and Captain America and the Black Widow (Johannson) may not be able to stop it.

Marvel Studios has done it again.
Not content to sit back and let the "summer movie season" begin early in May, they decided to just give April a shot at kicking off the season.

Of course, as Marvel has proven since pretty much the beginning, these aren't just mindless popcorn films.

The story of Captain America provides continuation of the story of Steve Rogers, man out of time, but also serves as a vehicle to showcase SHIELD and the Widow as well.

When Thor: The Dark World came out last year, and ended the year as the Best of 2013 on my list, I was impressed on how it improved on the original film and surpassed it.  I also noted that it was also a competent Science Fiction film feeling to it, with superheroes.

Now, The Winter Soldier is an updated look at Bond/Bourne... but with superheroes, not just spies.

This is the everyman action film filled with car chases and fights to fill the action quota easily.

I haven't decided yet if The Winter Soldier surpasses The First Avenger or not.  If nothing else, they are close equals, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I would say with 2 films, Captain America is now my favorite of the 3 solo hero franchises.

Anthony Mackie makes a fine addition to the universe as Sam Wilson.  Still with the social worker heart, Wilson's origin works perfectly for the movie, and I don't have any problem if the Falcon never soars in a more traditional costume.  This scenario worked like a charm.

So welcome to the franchise, I have a feeling the 3rd Cap film will be called Captain America & The Falcon.  The comic had a healthy run in the 70s using that very moniker.

Also, as Marvel has been doing lately, they switched directors to allow the Russo brothers to tackle Cap, and they knocked it out of the park.  It was interesting to note that they had been selected to finish the trilogy, and I look forward to what they have to offer..

So much to see.

So much to enjoy.

Quit reading the review and go get tickets.

:)

This is the movie to beat for Best of the Year honors.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I will be owning this one, no doubt.  This is up there with The Avengers as one of Marvel's best films.

Happy Thorsday..."Thor: The Dark World"

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Rated PG-13 for language, violence, and pure awesomeness!

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins

Directed by Alan Taylor

The Story:

Since the events of Thor and The Avengers, Thor (Hemsworth) has been busy bringing peace to the Nine Worlds.  Meanwhile on Earth, Jane Foster (Portman) has discovered a wormhole to dimensions where she is infected by an ancient, powerful, evil force called the Aether.  It brings back the ancient race of Dark Elves who are bent on using this power to destroy all worlds...forever.  Time for Thor to save the day, his lady love, and all of reality in the process.

However, he's going to need a little help from his brother Loki (Hiddleston) first...

This was my favorite movie of 2013, and now it is available for purchase.

Has my opinion changed since seeing it on the glorious big screen last fall?

Nope.

This was my favorite film of last year, and it has held up as a great comic book movie... a great science fiction movie...

A great movie.

 

Period.

If I was asked to pick a movie to show non fans of either genre why Marvel Comics movies are so popular and entertaining...

I might very well skip the Iron Man, Cap and even Avengers franchise and simply hand them a copy of this film.

It picks up on events that have happened, but if you didn't see them, you'll be brought up to speed within the film.

The storyline is epic...yet also grounded and personal at the same time.

It's good vs evil.

Boy meets girl.

And it's marvelously well written, well acted, and Alan Taylor picked up the reigns from Kenneth Branaugh, and didn't miss a beat, and I say, improved on everything that was great about the first Thor film.

Hemsworth continues to shine as Thor, but the revelation of course has been the ascension of Hiddleston as a bonafide movie star.  His charisma and charm have made the role of Loki possibly the most popular character of any Marvel movie, including Downey Jr.

The supporting characters were given more screen time this go around and continue to develop into a stellar supporting cast.

The ending definitely lends itself to at least one more film.

Sign me up!

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Yes to both.  Woot!!

Not All Heroes Have Powers..."Agents of SHIELD"

Welcome Back, Agent Coulson...

The Story:

SHIELD operative Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) returns.  Nuff Said!  But no, he brings with him a team of operatives: Ward (Brett Dalton) the muscle; Melinda May (Ming Na-Wen) the reluctant one; Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) engineering; Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) bio.  With Coulson calling the shots, they go after the group The Rising Tide and recruit one of them, Skye (Chloe Bennett) to help them track down the latest unregistered  hero.

Throwing in a nice cameo from Agent Hill (Cobie Smulders) and a cryptic tease about Agent Coulson...

It's a nice extension of the Marvel Universe on the small screen, and a worthy pick up from the events from The Avengers movie as they expand the mythos.

Considering we haven't had a quality live-action Marvel show since The Incredible Hulk, it's a nice change of pace.

I'll have to let the kids watch the old Nicholas Hammond Spider-Man show to see how good they've really got it.

It's an entertaining show that attempts to tell a story that enhances what we've enjoyed in the movie theaters. 

Plus, do not underestimate the appeal that Agent Coulson has resonated with the fans of the Marvel Universe.  His presence alone will carry a lot of good will throughout the season.  He got the best lines, but there was growth amongst the team as the show went along.

Happy that  Joss Whedon has brought the Agents to tv, and hope these all enjoy a nice long Buffy the Vampire Slayer type tenure.

I'm in for the season, and the DVR is set to go!

Final Grade: B+...A-... it's all good. ;)

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  I'm sure we'll hit a few episodes more than once in the near future, or while waiting for Season 2.  Will I be buying it?  Seems like the Marvel Universe would be missing them if the don't join the movie lot. :)

The Top 10 Movies of 2012

So last month, the Turkeys of 2012 were announced, and quickly forgotten about.  Now it's time to celebrate the movies that made a lasting impression in our house.  The criteria is always subject to confusion and bribery, but for the most part, the movies on my "Best of" lists are movies I own, hope to own in the future, wouldn't mind owning, or would be willing to watch again.

So without further adieu, let's get this party started!


10) Puss in Boots ~ The first of 2 animated features on this countdown, here comes a prequel to the Shrek franchise that concentrates on the exploits of Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) before he comes to know everyone's favorite ogre.  It's a fun action tale that is enjoyable for the whole family. 

9) Courageous ~ Oh no... not a Christian film!  Yep, suck it. : )  You have to give these guys credit, each film seems to be better than the previous one.  You can skip it because you're afraid of religion or whatever, but the budget, production values, acting, writing, etc. are now rivaling that which you see from the big studios.  I applaud their efforts, and really enjoyed this take on the life of some small town cops with big world problems.

8) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows ~ The role that Robert Downey Jr. was born to play...when Iron Man or the Avengers aren't being filmed.  Sure, it takes liberties with the books, but so what?  It's entertaining!  That's what we go to the movies for, and that's what they are doing with the franchise.  This one felt more intriguing than the first go-round, so I'm hoping there will be a third installment.

7) The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ~ This is a rare exception that the movie was so good, but I don't know that I would want to own it or watch it again.  If it was on, I certainly wouldn't actively attempt to change the channel.  The story was wonderful, the acting was spot-on.  Plus, it was, I believe, the 2nd most read review on this page.  Pretty impressive, but nothing topped Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  You guys are awesome in what you want to read! : )

6) The Help ~ Here's another film that while I wouldn't go out of my way to buy the movie, I have watched parts of it several times on cable on a slow day at home.  It's funny, poignant, and honest in the emotions of a society that is still more prevalent today than anyone is probably comfortable admitting.  Plus, they serve up the 2nd grossest meal ever served in a mainstream drama, behind the bbq from Fried Green Tomatoes.

5) Lockout ~ Nice to see Guy Pearce as a good guy in an action flick.  It's a crisply executed, well-paced, funny action yarn where Pearce is a government agent sent to a space prison to rescue the President's daughter from rioting lunatics.  Much fun is had by all involved as Pearce attempts to clear his name while saving the girl's life.

4) Tucker & Dale vs Evil ~ I saw this one in January of last year, and it has weathered the storm of nearly all-comers to remain on the Top 10.  If you want to see a horror-comedy that gives an endearing wink, smile and hug to the horror genre, then look no further.  It's scary without being gruesome.  It's funny without being stupid.  And it has the greatest chainsaw scene in the history of cinema as well.    Streaming on Netflix!

3) Arthur Christmas ~ The 2nd animated flick is a delightful British tale of Santa's family and how they take care of Christmas.  Arthur is Santa's youngest son, and a bit of a screw-up.  When he discovers that one child was left behind, he defies his older brother and attempts to get that gift under the tree before daybreak.  Sweet and charming.  And a new holiday staple in our household.

2) The Amazing Spider-Man ~ Going into this film, I didn't think the movie had to reboot.  I was happy enough that Spidey had been recast, but so be it.  It blew me away and made me realize that THIS is the way the Spider-franchise should be.  Sadly, that means that Spidey won't be reverting to Marvel Studios anytime soon, but at least it appears to be in good hands.  This would have been the # 1 movie of the year for me if not for...

1) The Avengers ~ 'Nuff Said!

: )

My childhood dream of seeing them on the big screen was fulfilled. 
It was the first time I'd gone to a theater on opening weekend in a decade.

Yes, it was the best movie of the year... by a mile!


Looking forward to what treasures await me in 2013!!!


Happy New Year everyone!!!!

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 3 ~ The Avengers

Welcome to the Greatest Comic Book Movie...Ever Made.

Yep, I'm still on a euphoric high from seeing it in theaters with my kids earlier this summer.

In fact, while it sits in my house since Avengers Day courtesy of Netflix... I have yet to watch it!

I know... terrible!

But I plan to.  Just been a little busy.  However, the kids have all watched it, at least once, and said it's still as good as they remember.

So that leaves me to wonder will this movie remain in the Top 5 of all time?

Or will time allow some of the other classics to slide back in front and push the Avengers back down somewhere else in the Top 25?

We'll see. : )

So for the few that haven't seen the film, here goes:

All of the heroes from the Marvel movies finally get together under Nick Fury's Avengers Inititiative to stop Loki from taking over the world.

Perhaps my most concise summary, ever!

Really, it's a chance for all of the Avengers we've seen in each of their own films to step up and branch out just a little bit more.  There is still character growth for some of them, and a chance to further hone their place in the Marvel Universe.  And then, it's a slobberknocker of a fight at the end of the film to save the day.

Robert Downey Jr. once again owns his role as Tony Stark.  Hemsworth and Evans both continue to grow their pieces as Thor and Captain America.  Hawkeye and the Black Widow each get more screen time this go round.  And then there is Mark Ruffalo playing the final, and best, version of Bruce Banner yet to grace the screen.

As for Agent Coulson...

In a world of Life Model Decoys, where the Vision still would need brainwaves, where unless you bury a body then they probably aren't dead...

I'm holding out hope.

: )

And then there were 2...

As everyone probably already knows my # 1... it will be tomorrow's reveal that will bring closure to this epic adventure.