Sunday, July 24, 2011

Captain America!

This is more like it!

After suffering through the atrocity that was Transformers, I needed something to rekindle my faith in movie makers.

This movie was that and more.

The plot, the pacing, the characterization, the effects, the acting! Every touchstone of a great film was hit! Usually, even in a film I like there are some small quibbles I have. (I like to complain!) But not this film, I enjoyed everything they did with this property.

I usually don't like 'origin' stories in movies of well known characters. Either we already know the origin or it doesn't matter to the story at hand how the main character came to be. We never needed a new origin story for James Bond or The Doctor every time they changed actors! But this one, much like the first Iron Man movie, tells the origin in a strong compelling way that doesn't leave the audience groaning through it thinking 'get on with it'!

But Captain America doesn't stop there. A compelling villain that actually seems threatening and an exciting series of missions that lead to an fantastic climactic confrontation! This movie delivers it all.

Even though just about anyone interested in the lore of Cap knows many of the touch-points of this story, the fate of Dr Erskine, the tragedy of Bucky, Cap's last mission, it all seemed fresh and exciting as when it was truly new.

The core of the movie, as with all good movies I think, is the characters. The writing and actors conspire to make us feel that these are real people and that the things they are struggling through matter.

If you couldn't tell; I really liked this movie and highly recommend it. It's not just a good superhero film, it's a good film in it's own right.

Here is a bit of Cap nostalgia!

Friday, July 22, 2011

100°

Damn, but it's hot!



----------------
Now playing: Peggy Lee - Fever
via FoxyTunes

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Transformers: The Dark of My Butt!

I was recently dragged, kicking and screaming out to see this... thing. I agreed to go because I wouldn't have to pay for my own ticket, ensuring that Michael Bay wouldn't get any of my money.

Not a scene went by that I didn't throw up my hands and say "What the Hell was that?"

Why was a very badly CGI President used in an unnecessarily long pre-credit opening scene instead of just a quick quote from his speech?

Why did the Decepticons on the moon need a teleporter when they could just fly down?

Why when the girl (what was her name?) is given an expensive car in a world threatened by Decepticons and having Decepticon sensors everywhere did no one say "Hey, look, a Decepticon!?"

Why was the Asian guy from the Hangover movies in this film?

Why was he playing the same character he did in the Hangover movies?

Why was there a huge chase scene where the heroes had to get a key character back to a base that he had never left?

Why when Cybertron gets teleported right next to Earth didn't it's mere presence tear both planets apart?

Why was John Malkovich in this film?

Why was John Turturo in this film?

There are no answers...


----------------
Now playing: The Tubes - Mr. Hate
via FoxyTunes