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Ross (3282 KP) rated Avengers vs Thanos in Books
Apr 22, 2019
Dated but good
This collection of comics from the 60s is quite an epic read, in terms of volume. We see a different side to Thanos at times, as he seems to be less powerful than in more recent stories and more vulnerable or in need of help. The collection covers interaction with Iron Man, then Captain Marvel, then Adam Warlock, then the Avengers and finally Spider-man gets in on the action.
This is mostly one continuous story as Thanos' plans are foiled and he comes back time and time again.
The story has some real metaphysical mumbo-jumbo that I could have done without (including my favourite, most cringey line ever "Death by ... Time-mind Sync-warp!"), and the dialogue really has dated pretty badly, most notably in the Captain Marvel section.
A real epic read to get something of a feel for Thanos' origins, and a good lead in to the Infinity War/Gauntlet saga.
Read for free on Kindle Unlimited trial.
This is mostly one continuous story as Thanos' plans are foiled and he comes back time and time again.
The story has some real metaphysical mumbo-jumbo that I could have done without (including my favourite, most cringey line ever "Death by ... Time-mind Sync-warp!"), and the dialogue really has dated pretty badly, most notably in the Captain Marvel section.
A real epic read to get something of a feel for Thanos' origins, and a good lead in to the Infinity War/Gauntlet saga.
Read for free on Kindle Unlimited trial.
David McK (3251 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
May 26, 2019
"We're in the Endgame now ..."
The culmination of over a decade of Marvel movies and a direct continuation of Infinity War, this is the film that wraps up what will more than likely become known as The Infinity Stones saga.
It's also quite hard ton discuss without giving anything away: while we all knew that time travel would be a part of the movie (especially given the introduction of the Time Stone in Dr Strange), that did not play out exactly as I thought it would.
Personally, I also thought it spent too long dealing with the effects of Thanos' snap: yes, wiping out half of life would have a profound impact on those left behind, but did we need to go through them all one-by-one? All that served to do, really (IMO) is make an already long film even longer!
A good film, yes, but - for me, at least - it never quite hits the height of the preceding Infinity War.
The culmination of over a decade of Marvel movies and a direct continuation of Infinity War, this is the film that wraps up what will more than likely become known as The Infinity Stones saga.
It's also quite hard ton discuss without giving anything away: while we all knew that time travel would be a part of the movie (especially given the introduction of the Time Stone in Dr Strange), that did not play out exactly as I thought it would.
Personally, I also thought it spent too long dealing with the effects of Thanos' snap: yes, wiping out half of life would have a profound impact on those left behind, but did we need to go through them all one-by-one? All that served to do, really (IMO) is make an already long film even longer!
A good film, yes, but - for me, at least - it never quite hits the height of the preceding Infinity War.
David McK (3251 KP) rated Death Troopers (Star Wars) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Take a classic Space Opera saga (Star Wars), add a soupcon of horror (Aliens), and a large dose of Zombies (Resident Evil), and what do you have?
This book.
The plot? An Imperial prison barge breaks down, and then comes across a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer out in the wastes of space. It transpires that the Destroyer is not abandoned after all, and that it had been carrying out bio-weapon experiments ...
Definitely felt like the author was (heavily) inspired by the Resident Evil games/films: the Zombies are such not as the living dead back-to-life of Romero, but as a result of a engineered virus. The Aliens link I mentioned comes in on the 'set-on-prison-<s>planet</s>barge' setting, and I'm also not entirely sure why he felt the need to drop Han Solo and Chewbacca into the mix, unless that was just so you would know it is a Star Wars novel?
Not the best Extended Universe book.
This book.
The plot? An Imperial prison barge breaks down, and then comes across a seemingly abandoned Star Destroyer out in the wastes of space. It transpires that the Destroyer is not abandoned after all, and that it had been carrying out bio-weapon experiments ...
Definitely felt like the author was (heavily) inspired by the Resident Evil games/films: the Zombies are such not as the living dead back-to-life of Romero, but as a result of a engineered virus. The Aliens link I mentioned comes in on the 'set-on-prison-<s>planet</s>barge' setting, and I'm also not entirely sure why he felt the need to drop Han Solo and Chewbacca into the mix, unless that was just so you would know it is a Star Wars novel?
Not the best Extended Universe book.
Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
Jun 21, 2019
Marvels Magnum Opus
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is absolutely Marvels masterpiece, brilliantly writen,brilliantly acted all around a great finisher to what has been an epic journey.
From the start when they come up with the plan to reverse the effects of the snap.
To the middle where the execution comes in.
To the end with the epic and I mean epic battle.
We see a new side to a few characters,
Tony Stark is the most human he has ever been.
Captain America commits his first ever selfish act but we can forgive that as everything he's given up in the pursuit of justice, it seems fair recompense.
The way Black Widow sacrifices her life for Hawkeye is so absolutely selfless.
And of course Fat Thor is hilarious.
This will always be in my top ten films of all time and is absolutely the best finisher I have ever seen to a saga.
Marvel wins the world in films.
From the start when they come up with the plan to reverse the effects of the snap.
To the middle where the execution comes in.
To the end with the epic and I mean epic battle.
We see a new side to a few characters,
Tony Stark is the most human he has ever been.
Captain America commits his first ever selfish act but we can forgive that as everything he's given up in the pursuit of justice, it seems fair recompense.
The way Black Widow sacrifices her life for Hawkeye is so absolutely selfless.
And of course Fat Thor is hilarious.
This will always be in my top ten films of all time and is absolutely the best finisher I have ever seen to a saga.
Marvel wins the world in films.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in Movies
Dec 25, 2019
The Christmas Holiday Speical
The Rise of Skywalker- is better than the last jedi but worse than force awakens. I mean it has good parts, intresting parts and alot of bad parts, no spoilers. All of go to this place to get this thing, than go to that place, than that place and continues on until the end. Still alot of unanswered questions from the pervious movies, still alot of questions from this movie, that will be unanswered. Alot of what the fuck moments from this movie.
The Plot: The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron's journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.
A fitting conclusion to this saga. I felt that this whole new sega was way overhyped, just so much hype for them, that their were all okay.
May The Force Be With You All, and a merry christmas. Happy holidays and a happy new year.
The Plot: The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron's journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.
A fitting conclusion to this saga. I felt that this whole new sega was way overhyped, just so much hype for them, that their were all okay.
May The Force Be With You All, and a merry christmas. Happy holidays and a happy new year.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Star Wars Rebels in TV
Sep 7, 2019 (Updated Sep 7, 2019)
Review for Rebels in general:
Although this is an animated show, that aired on Disney XD, it's entertaining for adults as well. Normally, they don't really show people dying on kids shows, but the Stormtrooper body count is pretty high.
This show introduced some of my new favorite characters, and brought in Clone Wars characters, which I loved. The story lines were interesting, and the show did a good job of featuring some of the Skywalker Saga characters, but didn't repeat things we'd already seen. The show ends about 1 year before the Battle of Yavin (BBY). I would actually watch a live action show featuring some of the members of the Phoenix Squad. Mostly Hera, she was probably my favorite.
This also gave us the gift of introducing Grand Admiral Thrawn into the new canon, and they did so well with the characterization. I'm not going to lie, I would love an appearance by Thrawn in Episode IX.
Although this is an animated show, that aired on Disney XD, it's entertaining for adults as well. Normally, they don't really show people dying on kids shows, but the Stormtrooper body count is pretty high.
This show introduced some of my new favorite characters, and brought in Clone Wars characters, which I loved. The story lines were interesting, and the show did a good job of featuring some of the Skywalker Saga characters, but didn't repeat things we'd already seen. The show ends about 1 year before the Battle of Yavin (BBY). I would actually watch a live action show featuring some of the members of the Phoenix Squad. Mostly Hera, she was probably my favorite.
This also gave us the gift of introducing Grand Admiral Thrawn into the new canon, and they did so well with the characterization. I'm not going to lie, I would love an appearance by Thrawn in Episode IX.
David McK (3251 KP) rated Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023) in Movies
Mar 11, 2023
Maybe I'm just starting to get a bit burned out on the relentless release pace of the MCU, but - for me- I feel like it's been on a bit of a downward trend since the end of the Infinity Stones Saga (with Avengers: Endgame)
I also miss the somewhat-heightened reality of the earlier Marvel movies: like the original Iron Man, say, or even The Winter Soldier.
The reason I say that?
Because this takes place, almost exclusively, in the quantum realm first mentioned in the original Ant-Man, really only being book-ended by the 'real' world.
This is also - or so I've read - the first in what is termed as Marvel Phase 5, introducing (for any who didn't make it to the end of the Loki TV show!) the next big bad, in the form of Jonathan Major's Kang the Conqueror (who steals pretty much every scene he is in here)
I also miss the somewhat-heightened reality of the earlier Marvel movies: like the original Iron Man, say, or even The Winter Soldier.
The reason I say that?
Because this takes place, almost exclusively, in the quantum realm first mentioned in the original Ant-Man, really only being book-ended by the 'real' world.
This is also - or so I've read - the first in what is termed as Marvel Phase 5, introducing (for any who didn't make it to the end of the Loki TV show!) the next big bad, in the form of Jonathan Major's Kang the Conqueror (who steals pretty much every scene he is in here)
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Nov 6, 2022
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
Finally, a Twilight film that doesn’t have men in the audience going green with envy as they stare at Taylor Lautner’s washboard abs and finally, a Twilight film that doesn’t actually stink.
Of course, those of you familiar with my reviews know that I’m not fond of the Twilight Saga in the slightest, but here I’m prepared to eat my words as newcomer Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) directs a surprisingly enjoyable outing. Unfortunately, it all comes a bit late as this is the penultimate film in Stephanie Meyer’s book series.
Sadly, the Twilight films have never had the critical success of their Harry Potter cousins, probably due to their wooden acting, dire scripting and disappointing special effects, but here, Breaking Dawn Part 1 manages to be at least as good as the first two films of its wizarding counterpart.
The similarities between the two series’ don’t stop there. The decision to split the final book in the Twilight series was probably done because of the success Harry Potter had by splitting the final book into two films.
Here, Bill Condon manages to inject some life into the franchise with good acting, good special effects and finally, a good storyline. Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) have finally decided to tie the knot. Naturally, Jacob (Taylor Lautner) is less than pleased with this announcement and decides to run away in a fit of rage. Will he be back for the wedding? GASP!
Alas, he makes it and just before Edward whisks Bella on their honeymoon, some pleasantries are exchanged between the bride and the wolf. So, the honeymoon comes and Bella realises she’s pregnant; oh dear. The film then follows her journey to becoming a mother and the growing beast inside her. Thankfully, the point where the film is split doesn’t jar like it did in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and seems to follow a natural ending.
The special effects have also upped their game for the latest instalment as the (still blatantly obvious) CGI werewolves look much more realistic. Also, the acting has improved leaps and bounds with Kristen Stewart being a real highlight. The realisation that motherhood could kill her is fantastically portrayed by Stewart, though the special effects making her look frail probably helped here.
Taylor Lautner is the best out of the male leads and does the role some justice, whilst Robert Pattinson is mediocre as Edward.
There’s still a problem with the films pacing however. It seems that events that would take 10 minutes worth of screen time in other films have to take 30 in the Twilight saga; it’s a major annoyance as it interrupts the flow of the film and the constant close ups of the characters’ faces grate after a while.
Also, Condon has clearly not directed many films that require action scenes. A major fight with the werewolves and the Cullen’s should have been a real highlight, but it’s a sloppily directed sequence with bodies mashing together. You’re unsure as to who is who, a problem which blights the Transformers film series.
Thankfully there are numerous highlights, the shots of Rio are breath-taking and Bella giving birth is truly horrific, you can’t take your eyes of the screen for a second. Also worth a mention is a part where the werewolves are running through the forest and end up in a logging plant. It’s a fabulous sequence that really makes you grip your seat.
The Twlight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 is a good film. It finally makes use of the promising source material it has been blessed with and it’s pleasing to see that a good sense of direction is all it takes to turn around the fortunes of a film series. It’s far from perfect, with sloppy action scenes and terrible pacing, but finally, I left the cinema with a sense of happiness – I’m actually looking forward to part two. (I can’t believe I just said that.)
https://moviemetropolis.net/2011/11/27/the-twilight-saga-breaking-dawn-part-1-2011/
Of course, those of you familiar with my reviews know that I’m not fond of the Twilight Saga in the slightest, but here I’m prepared to eat my words as newcomer Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) directs a surprisingly enjoyable outing. Unfortunately, it all comes a bit late as this is the penultimate film in Stephanie Meyer’s book series.
Sadly, the Twilight films have never had the critical success of their Harry Potter cousins, probably due to their wooden acting, dire scripting and disappointing special effects, but here, Breaking Dawn Part 1 manages to be at least as good as the first two films of its wizarding counterpart.
The similarities between the two series’ don’t stop there. The decision to split the final book in the Twilight series was probably done because of the success Harry Potter had by splitting the final book into two films.
Here, Bill Condon manages to inject some life into the franchise with good acting, good special effects and finally, a good storyline. Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) have finally decided to tie the knot. Naturally, Jacob (Taylor Lautner) is less than pleased with this announcement and decides to run away in a fit of rage. Will he be back for the wedding? GASP!
Alas, he makes it and just before Edward whisks Bella on their honeymoon, some pleasantries are exchanged between the bride and the wolf. So, the honeymoon comes and Bella realises she’s pregnant; oh dear. The film then follows her journey to becoming a mother and the growing beast inside her. Thankfully, the point where the film is split doesn’t jar like it did in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and seems to follow a natural ending.
The special effects have also upped their game for the latest instalment as the (still blatantly obvious) CGI werewolves look much more realistic. Also, the acting has improved leaps and bounds with Kristen Stewart being a real highlight. The realisation that motherhood could kill her is fantastically portrayed by Stewart, though the special effects making her look frail probably helped here.
Taylor Lautner is the best out of the male leads and does the role some justice, whilst Robert Pattinson is mediocre as Edward.
There’s still a problem with the films pacing however. It seems that events that would take 10 minutes worth of screen time in other films have to take 30 in the Twilight saga; it’s a major annoyance as it interrupts the flow of the film and the constant close ups of the characters’ faces grate after a while.
Also, Condon has clearly not directed many films that require action scenes. A major fight with the werewolves and the Cullen’s should have been a real highlight, but it’s a sloppily directed sequence with bodies mashing together. You’re unsure as to who is who, a problem which blights the Transformers film series.
Thankfully there are numerous highlights, the shots of Rio are breath-taking and Bella giving birth is truly horrific, you can’t take your eyes of the screen for a second. Also worth a mention is a part where the werewolves are running through the forest and end up in a logging plant. It’s a fabulous sequence that really makes you grip your seat.
The Twlight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 is a good film. It finally makes use of the promising source material it has been blessed with and it’s pleasing to see that a good sense of direction is all it takes to turn around the fortunes of a film series. It’s far from perfect, with sloppy action scenes and terrible pacing, but finally, I left the cinema with a sense of happiness – I’m actually looking forward to part two. (I can’t believe I just said that.)
https://moviemetropolis.net/2011/11/27/the-twilight-saga-breaking-dawn-part-1-2011/
David McK (3251 KP) rated Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019 (Updated May 8, 2021)
It's a Star Wars movie (3 more)
Donald Glover
Woody Harrelson
Alden Ehrenreich gives it his all in playing a younger Han Solo
Alden Ehrenreich is no Harrison Ford (2 more)
Predictable plot
The leader of Crimson Dawn didn't need to be who it is
The second of Disney's 'A Star Wars story' spin-off from the main (numbered) films followimg Rogue One, this one is largely held responsible for Disney's decision to slow down on releasing this spins offs (originally intended to be one every other year, in between the main ones) when it underperformed at the box office.
Personally, I feel a large reason for that underperformance is that, of all the characters in the original saga, Han is probably one of those least in the need to get an origin/prologue movie and that this was released during the summer months instead of the more traditional festive release period for a Star Wars movie.
Whereas Rogue One was, largely, a war movie, this one takes a different approach: more of a heist (complete with double and triple crossing) Western movie, if anything.
Personally, I feel a large reason for that underperformance is that, of all the characters in the original saga, Han is probably one of those least in the need to get an origin/prologue movie and that this was released during the summer months instead of the more traditional festive release period for a Star Wars movie.
Whereas Rogue One was, largely, a war movie, this one takes a different approach: more of a heist (complete with double and triple crossing) Western movie, if anything.
ClareR (5603 KP) Apr 22, 2019
Ross (3282 KP) Apr 22, 2019