The Avengers

Growing up I collected X-men comics. It wasn’t exclusively X-men, but it was pretty damn close. I had a very narrow view of the Marvel Universe at that time, and anything that wasn’t X-men was crap. Unfortunately this meant that while I was aware of who Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, and Nick Fury were, I remained ignorant on their importance and history within the Marvel Universe. So when May 2008 rolled around and a little indie art flick called Iron Man was released, well, I was pleasantly surprised at its quality. Not really being an Iron Man fan I had no idea what to expect. My friends educated me, though: Robert Downy, Jr. was Tony Stark. I had no reason to disagree. In fact, Iron Man, along with The Dark Knight, were my two favorite movies that year.

Unsurprisingly Iron Man made everyone else’s Top 10 lists for that year, ensuring a sequel. Edward Norton’s The Incredible Hulk was also released that year. While it didn’t do Iron Man numbers, it made money for Marvel. And then the whispers started. Iron Man’s success greenlit Thor and Captain America. Then there were more whispers. In the faintest of voices, the comic lovers of geekdom dared to dream: Would Marvel make an Avenger’s movie? All the pieces seemed to be falling into place. Iron Man. Thor. Captain America. Hulk. They were all there. If only someone could pick up the pieces and put them together. Who would have the massive cojones required to pull all these characters together and  tell a good story? Or, a better question to ask, who would be just crazy enough to try?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

This review is in regards to the Blu-ray release, as I missed this one in the theater.

David Fincher is a malicious, sadistic director.  He's also bloody brilliant.The movie begins with an almost gruesome montage of oil and technology.  Lisbeth's nightmares, perhaps?  It's a completely off-the-wall, punch you in the gut visual assault as an industrial version of Immigrant Song booms in the background.  I knew I was in for something special when the beginning credits finished. 

There is a scene in the movie, and if you've seen the movie or read the book you know the scene, that I hoped would just fade to black. A door slams shut and the camera starts to pull back and I think that I'll be spared. Then it flashes inside the room and we see a little more of what goes on, then back to the outside of the door and I, again, think that I'll be spared. Then we go back inside the room. At this point I'm tempted to close my eyes, because I know what's coming, but I can't. There will be no merciful fade-to-black. You witness the whole thing, and then you are treated to its aftermath. It's a horrible, horrible scene, and it's shown with enough detail to make even the most stoic of people squirm. I felt dirty for watching, but I had to watch. Like a train wreck, you just can't tear your eyes away.

Screw you, David Fincher.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross, tells the tale of a post-Civil War II United States, now called Panem, broken up into 12 Districts, and ruled over with an iron fist by a very beardy Donald Sutherland.  As punishment for getting all uppity the 12 Districts (the unfortunate losers of Civil War II) are forced to send 24 children (two from each district) between the ages of 12 and 18 to the Hunger Games, where they will battle each other to the death.  


The story begins as a very weary Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) treads through her downtrodden District 12, a broken down mining community where the spirits are as black as the coal.  The audience bares witness to The Reaping, a lottery of sorts where the unfortunate children are chosen.  And that's where the tale begins.  The success or failure of The Hunger Games rests squarely on Katniss' shoulders.  More specifically, it rests on Jennifer Lawrence's ability to pull off a great performance.  So does she?

John Carter

I loved John Carter.

I am a sucker for a good adventure movie, and John Carter is a good adventure movie.  It's adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, telling the tale of a gentleman from Virginia and veteran of the Civil War who finds himself stranded on the red planet.  That, dear reader, is the premise.  What follows is a thrilling adventure and a touching love story.  

Taylor Kitsch has the difficult job of portraying John Carter, a weary veteran, hopeful prospector, and unlikely hero.  There is quite a range required there, and I think Kitsch pulls it off.  While his John Carter isn't exactly what I had pictured in my head while reading the novels, it is pretty damn close.  Kitsch is the anchor that the audience uses to experience the wonders and majesty of Mars.  Or Barsoom, should you ever find yourself exiled to the red planet.  

Dejah Thoris, the titular Princess of Mars, is played wonderfully by Lynn Collins.  She brings an elegance and strength to the role.  Never do you feel like she is the cliched Damsel in Distress.  Rather, she is a strong woman who just happens to be a princess.  A princess who happens to catch the eye of a particular gentleman from Virginia.  The movie hinges on whether or not Kitsch and Collins can pull off a convincing romance.  Do they?