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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) in Movies

Jun 19, 2019

Following the unexpected and shocking moments from “Avengers: Infinity War”, fans eagerly awaited the next Marvel Studios film for any type of clues as to what will happen next when the next Avengers film arrives next summer. “Ant-Man and the Wasp”, is set before the events of “Avengers: Infinity War”, and finds Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) under home confinement thanks to a plea deal he took for siding with Captain America in “Captain America: Civil War”.

The years of being at home have driven Scott to find creative ways to entertain himself when his friend Luis (Michael Pena) and his daughter Cassie are not around. Scott is nearing the end of his isolation but knows F.B.I. Agent Woo (Randall Park), is waiting for him to slip up and with a possible twenty year prison term in the balance, he is not eager to make any mistakes.

Scott is also on the outs with Hope (Evangeline Lilly) and her father Hank (Michael Douglas) as it is revealed he took the Ant-Man suit and took part in the Civil War without their permission.

Fate intervenes when a strange dream causes Scott to contact Hope who in turn takes a reluctant Scott along with her to get to the bottom of the dream. Scott is naturally reluctant as he is days away from freedom and being discovered out and about and consorting with his wanted former associates would not be good for his eventual freedom.

A shady tech dealer named Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) and a dangerous new adversary named “Ghost” (Hannah John-Kamen) also complicate matters and force Scott, Hope, and Hank to contend with issues all around them as the race against time on an urgent mission while trying to stay away from Woo and his team.

The film is a bit slow getting started but it does have some great character moments as well as humor around the build-up to the action sequences. The action when it comes mixes some great visual FX with some humor as Hope and Scott jump between everyday items at various sizes to face the threats presented to them. The cast works very well with one another and there are some great moments that will likely become favorites for fans of the characters and Marvel.

The Ghost is a rather interesting choice as an adversary as we do not have an individual bent on conquest, revenge, mass destruction, or accumulating power and wealth. While it may seem odd to have a more down to earth and relatable villain in a Marvel film, it does continue a recent trend of showing of adversaries who are complex, harder to define, and sympathetic much like The Winter Soldier.

There are two scenes in the credits which are very important to the continuity of the Marvel Universe and with “Captain Marvel” due in March 2019, it will likely get fans whipped into overdrive thinking about the possibilities they present.

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” is not as epic in scale as some of the past Marvel films, but thanks to a likeable cast and some timely humor, it should keep fans happy until the next chapter in the series.

http://sknr.net/2018/06/27/ant-man-and-the-wasp/

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James P. Sumner (65 KP) created a post

Aug 22, 2019

So everyone's talking about Spiderman. As a huge Marvel geek, I am obviously disappointed there's a chance all the work the MCU has put in could be undone to an extent now that Sony has ended its deal with Disney. The chatter online centres around how awful Disney, Marvel and Sony are because they only care about money and not the fans...

The thing is, those companies didn't get where they're at today by not thinking about money and making smart business decisions. It's a vicious circle. On the one hand, yes, it's the fans that make them the money by consuming the product, but those companies need to money to make that product. I know Disney isn't exactly short of a few quid, but I can kind of see their point here.

When Marvel/Disney first acquired the rights to Spiderman, they were desperate. They didn't actually fully acquire them, they basically rented them in an extortionate deal that saw Sony keep 95% of the profits. Fast-forward a few years and Spiderman: Far From Home grosses $1.1B worldwide. From Sony's point of view, it became their biggest movie ever. For Disney, it was their fourth billion-dollar movie of the year. Knowing they have an excellent product, the Disney/Marvel Finance department said, "Hey, 5% of a billion is WAY less than, say, 50% of a billion. Seeing as we do everything, we should totally ask for more money, right?"

A fair point. However, Sony's Finance Department saw the proposal and were all like, "Hey, did you know, if we give 50% of a billion away, we're left with WAY less than if we only give 5% of a billion away?" This was backed up by Sony's top execs saying, "We still own Spiderman. We're Kings of the world now because we had one huge hit that someone else gave us. They need us more than we need them now. Tell Disney they get the same 5% or they get nothing."

I understand Sony not wanting a 50/50 split when it's their IP, but they need to understand they only made the money they did because Marvel but its name on it. I also think Disney could've negotiated a little. Maybe 75/25, for the sake of not ruining a multi-billion-dollar franchise they've spent 11 years building?

As things stand, the next Spiderman film will be made by Sony and will not be a part of the MCU, although talks between the two companies are apparently ongoing. For me, this is easily remedied by one of three options:

1. Sony stops being greedy and making childish excuses, Disney stops being unrealistic, and they negotiate like grown-ups.
2. Disney pays whatever Sony wants to obtain the full rights to the Spiderman franchise - pretty sure it'll be worth it.
3. Disney just buys Sony to spite them. Because they can. Probably.

People who say these companies don't care about the fans are thinking with their comic book hearts and I get that. But this is all a business at the end of the day. Sony are acting like stubborn bullies here. Disney need to be the bigger person. Whatever amount they have to part with will still be made back twice over, because it's Marvel. What's right for business is also right for the fans - put the MCU franchise first.

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Krystal Sena (0 KP) rated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) in Movies

Dec 9, 2017

Funny (0 more)

Cheesy (0 more)

This movie definitely cracked me up. There were scenes I literally LOL'd to. I love the cast and characters, and the story line was innovative and new. The only thing that I noticed as a downfall was that it followed most Marvel patterns and had a tendency to drag on with all its corny glory. No spoiler, but the end drags on in attmpts to invoke emotion and only caused annoyance. But all in all, its a good movie.

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Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Star Wars: Lando in Books

Jan 11, 2018

Star Wars: Lando

Charles Soule, Alex Maleev | 2016 | Comics & Graphic Novels

7.3

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

A rollicking "Ocean's 11" style caper with the likable Lando at it's lead. What's not to like? Great characterization and matching art. This has been the most solid of the Star Wars mini series Marvel has launched since the Disney acquisition. (At least that I've read so far.) I understand it was trimmed down from a planned 8 or 10 issue arc to 5, and that's a same, because the finale does feel a bit truncated, but still well worth your time!

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Rickstrong23 (216 KP) rated Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) in Movies

Mar 6, 2018

Perfect cast great sci fi adventure (0 more)

Stunning

This movie was done awesomely from visualy to humor and. Colorful cast of. Characters.not ever knowing anything about it going in even though im a HUGE marvel fanboy growing. Up .i loved it from beginging to end witch is not the case nowadays most movies james gunne hits this outta the park.so beautifu ly colorful and great sound track and for vin deisel to play GROOT.actually all the. Actors were great and perfectly picked.

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Jackie (3 KP) rated Deadpool 2 (2018) in Movies

Sep 21, 2018

Deadpool 2 (2018)

2018 | Action, Comedy

8.5

(282 Ratings)

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Not much (0 more)

So very much (0 more)

Total let down

I was so looking forward to this film and I was crushed by the total trash that was put before me... it was disjointed didn't flow properly, I thought the child actor was awful, too much chopping and changing the comedy was lacking it's backbone totally juvenile I can see some guys will love it but can't see it being one for the ladies... as a marvel film I was very disappointed...

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Jeannie (40 KP) rated Aquaman (2018) in Movies

Jan 10, 2019

Aquaman (2018)

2018 | Action, Sci-Fi

7.7

(117 Ratings)

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Visual effects are stunning, great Score.. Good acting (0 more)

Wasnt long enough (0 more)

Contains spoilers, click to show

Now im not a DC movie lover have been slightly swayed with recents like WW and JL but Aquaman is in a league of its own in my opinion Marvel beware... Ok the plot is lacking a little and if you not into action from the get go prob avoid this movie but if you like a good film score and beautiful visuals (including Mamoa) then definitely give it a watch