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Apr
27

Here is TV Series Lounge’s exclusive Marvel The Avengers movie review.

And there it is! Oh yes, the punch line to a series of five blockbuster hits. It’s not just a superhero movie, The Avengers is the superhero movie of the year. Not that this is surprising considering all the hype that came with it, but with Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Hulk all packed in that movie ticket, Marvel did you just that favor to make your day.

 

Praise the Superheroes who saved New York City (yes, that’s the place) but Director Joss Whedon can sleep with a smile for a long time knowing that he has put up an ensemble line of actors, famous superheroes and millions of dollars into something the audience will remember for the same time that he can smile about it. Although the theme (that’s right: saving the world) and the superheroes are not unfamiliar to most of the people (and you know I’m not exaggerating), The Avengers is a hit for fans (dream come true) and strangers alike – and that is saying something.

 

The cliche of every superhero movie is that there is always a villain, and in this case, Loki of Asgard (Tom Hiddleston) is the unfortunate bad boy. Loki has set his eyes on the Tesseract, an unlimited source of power and energy, to be able to open a portal where his evil and creepy army can invade the Earth. And because he was successful in stealing it from S.H.I.E.L.D (otherwise we won’t have a story), Captain Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) was forced to call in the ragtag band of superheroes and assassins who played with the “hard to get” and “hard to work with” attitudes, including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Oh and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) joined in later. With the hopes of maintaining peace, S.H.I.E.L.D now relies on these colorful suit-wearing heroes to do what every other superhero would and should do – save the world.

 

Right, so one thing that can be noticed in this action-packed movie is the balancing of character elements. Director Joss Whedon had all hands on deck for this one, and it’s obvious because of the universal pressure placed upon his shoulders to balance two things, the actors and the characters. The actors had big blockbusters up their sleeves going into The Avengers, although not all of them are great, (talking about The Incredible Hulk and Thor), and necessarily, sharing the load of acting isn’t as easy as anyone thinks it is. Egos had to be equalized. The characters’ screen presence and roles on the other hand had to be balanced in order to show that the film does not favor any of the superheroes, that’s why it’s The Avengers in the first place, not Iron Man and the rest of the Avengers or what have you. Fortunately, Whedon pulled it off, everything was balanced. Each actor had the moment to shine and each character had the opportunity to show off and take the stand for the entire world to see (seriously, who’s the greatest superhero in this movie?).

 

Another interesting point is that not normally does a superhero movie slap spectacular action, fresh humor and heart-warming drama in the audience’s faces all at the same time. But because The Avengers offered all of these in one basket, one can wonder how good this movie could get, and hands down, it was great – it was superb thanks to a carefully written script, a heavy dose of screen-blasting cinematography, and fighting scenes with “two thumbs up!” written all over them (It would be very unfortunate to miss Iron Man, Thor and Captain America fight each other!).

 

Then there is the actor’s performance evaluation segment. Robert Downey Jr.’s comedy antics really suited his happy-go-lucky Tony Stark character. With Chris Evans, Captain America never looked that cool and dazzling ever before. Chris Hemsworth finally nailed it with his Thor character. Tom Hiddleston never really wavered being Loki the first time and in this movie. And Mark Ruffalo? Well, Eric Bana or Lou Ferrigno would’ve been better suited for that green of a monster, Hulk. Mark Ruffalo being Dr. Bruce Banner felt forced in some way that it became uncomfortable watching him do so, but at least he tried. (Finally, something negative!) Samuel Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson (hot!) and Cobie Smulders (hot!) all did a great job performing their roles as members of S.H.I.E.L.D. What more can you ask for?

 

Who wouldn’t want to see a group of superheroes save the day? Better yet, who wouldn’t want to see them do just that in a movie full of action and energy? And best of all, who wouldn’t want to see The Avengers? Go ahead, indulge, and be ready for a ride in the cinema you will never forget.

 

Did you like The Avengers movie as well?

Dec
13

Here is the latest Spider-Man reboot or Spider-Man 4 (for some) news for you. A high school bully, although not a villain, was introduced and TheWrap has more information about this development.

Chris Zylka will take on the role of Flash Thompson in Marc Webb’s Spider-Man reboot.

In the comic book series, Thompson is a high-school jock who bullies Peter Parker (“Puny Parker”), but is a huge fan of Spider-Man. In later stories, the pair become friends.

Zylka’s previous form comprises mostly TV work, including roles in Hannah Montana, Everybody Hates Chris, Cougar Town and 10 Things I Hate About You.
This year he made an appearance at Cannes with sci-fi comedy Kaboom, in which he plays Thor, and he has fun-sounding Untitled 3D Shark Thriller due out next year.

So it’s fair to say this is his big break.

Zylka joins a cast that already includes Andrew Garfield as the web-slinging superhero, and Emma Stone as his love interest Gwen Stacy.

Other News:

Dec
10

Hey Spidey fans! I know you are all excited to see the reboot movie, but before anything else, you should first check the first set photos brought to us by IGN. See the image below.

Why so serious, Gwen Stacy?

The first images from the set of the now-filming Spider-Man reboot have appeared online, courtesy of Just Jared and Comic Book Movie.

The spy photos show a now blond Emma Stone as Gwen. She’s dressed all in black and looking quite grim. In other words — SPOILERS AHEAD — she is at a funeral. But whose?

In the comics, Gwen’s dad, police captain George Stacy (played by Denis Leary in the reboot), is killed and Gwen blames Spidey for his demise.

Update: Comic Book Movie has more pics from the set, this time of one Chris Zylka — the guy who claimed on Twitter that he had been cast as Spidey’s eternal frenemy Flash Thompson. See? Twitter is right sometimes!

Now, I became more excited to see official Spidey reboot photos!

You can check other Spider-Man Reboot News and Spoilers HERE.

    Nov
    29

    Before reacting violently, let me first clarify things. Kirsten Dunst confirms her appearance on Spider-Man reboot as a part of the audience and not as Mary Jane anymore. Yes, you got it right, she’ll watch the new installment of Spider-Man.

    “I felt like what we had during those films was so special, like me and Tobey and Sam,” explained Dunst when asked how she feels about the decision to reboot the series. “It was such a unique experience, and also because it was these independent minds and actors and we were making this huge film, and it’s great. All these kids are such huge fans, and to be part of a movie like that is very special, especially a good franchise. So to end on 3 I think is the perfect way to leave it.”

    But Sam Raimi’s version of Spider-Man 4 almost happened before things fell apart. “Yeah, yeah, but also I feel like it was time. And sometimes they always want to push things for money reasons or whatever, and I think that it just didn’t come together the way they probably had wanted or envisioned,” offered Dunst. “I like Andrew Garfield so much as an actor, and Emma Stone, so I think they’ll be great in the new version.”
    As for whether she’ll check out the new Spider-Man cast in the upcoming 2012 release, Dunst answered without hesitation, “Of course I’m going to see the movie! Yeah, of course.”

    But do you still want her on the next installment of Spider-Man?
    You can check other Spider-Man Reboot News and Spoilers HERE.

      Nov
      10

      Below is the latest War Machine movie rumor brought to us by IGN:

      Rumor has it that one of the most popular characters introduced in Iron Man 2 may be spun off into their own solo film.

      Pajiba claims that a pitch is now out to screenwriters to go out for the job of scripting a War Machine spin-off film. The site adds that the rumor could end up being denied — most comic book movies rumors are at some point — but that scribes are being sought for it.

      Frankly, a War Machine solo film kind of makes sense given that the character and the actor who played him in the sequel, Don Cheadle, won’t be appearing in The Avengers. Jim Rhodes could still return for Iron Man 3, which is now at Disney. It seems like War Machine would be set-up there as well if the project really does happen.

      So are you in favor of this solo movie?

      Other Marvel news:

      Nov
      06

      Thanks to IGN because now we have the most updated and reliable list of things to expect on the Spider-Man reboot! You can enjoy reading them below.

      The basics of this reboot film have been revealed now. Marc Webb ([500] Days of Summer) will direct the film, with Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) playing Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Emma Stone (Easy A) playing Gwen Stacy, and Rhys Ifans (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) playing Dr. Curt Connors/The Lizard. The movie is slated for release on July 3, 2012.

      However, beyond these details and a handful of other casting announcements, fans don’t know much about this reboot. Many significant questions remain. Exactly when in Peter Parker’s career will the film take place? Is this going to be another origin story? Can we expect other villains or allies to enter the fray?

      As we did with X-Men: First Class a few months ago, we’re exploring these mysteries in a new installment of Burning Questions. We’ve broken the Spider-Man reboot down into a series of questions that need answering. In each case, we examine what we know, what the comics have to say on the subject, and what burning questions still need answering.

      And be sure to let us know your own questions, thoughts, and theories on this hotly anticipated movie by posting the comments section below.

      Another Origin Story?

      What we know: The Spider-Man reboot is set to feature a slightly younger Peter Parker than the one seen in the previous two Spider-Man sequels. The hero will likely be either in high school or college, putting him in line with the Peter see in the first Spider-Man. The film’s new continuity will restart from the early days of Spidey’s career and will not have any connection to Sam Raimi’s trilogy.

      What’s in the comics: When Spider-Man debuted in Amazing Fantasy #15, he was a 15-year-old high school student who was bitten by a radioactive spider. After the death of his Uncle Ben, Peter learned that with great power must come great responsibility. The basics of that origin haven’t changed over the years as Spidey has expanded to other comic book continuities and other forms of media.

      What we want to know: Spider-Man has quickly risen to become one of the most popular and recognizable superheroes in the world over the past decade. With the previous movie trilogy still fresh in the minds of most moviegoers, is it necessary for Sony to retread the origin story? Will the movie focus as much on Peter Parker’s beginnings as the first Spider-Man did, or will it jump into his story after Spider-Man has become established? Will the movie follow the example of Incredible Hulk and provide a brief recounting of the origin during the credit sequence before quickly moving forward? And if the origin story does factor heavily into the script, can viewers expect any significant changes to be made to the familiar formula?

      What’s my age again?

      What we know: Sony has indicated it wants a slightly younger cast of characters for this reboot. Initially the studio indicated the new film would be set during Peter Parker’s high school days. However, more recent rumors suggest the setting may have shifted towards college instead. These rumors are supported by the fact that lead actor Andrew Garfield is 27-years-old and may face difficulty in convincingly portraying a much younger Peter Parker. On the other hand, Emma Stone’s recent role in Easy A proves a high school setting isn’t entirely out of the question.

      What’s in the comics: Both the traditional Spider-Man and the version seen in Ultimate Spider-Man debuted as high schoolers. But whereas Ultimate Peter Parker has aged only about a year in comic book time and remains a high schooler, the Peter of Amazing Spider-Man has long since graduated and is roughly in his mid twenties in the current comics.

      What we want to know: Will this new continuity take place during Peter’s high school or college years? Furthermore, will subsequent sequels remain fixed in this timeline, or will the characters regularly age as they did in the previous films? If this reboot opens in Peter’s college years, will it alter his origin so that he doesn’t gain his powers in high school, but instead starts his career as Spidey concurrently with the events of the film?

      What kind of Lizard?

       What we know: Rhys Ifans has been cast as Dr. Curt Connors, the scientist and professor who morphs int The Lizard. Unlike Dylan Baker’s version of Connors seen in the previous films, the character will transform into his villainous alter ego this time.

      What’s in the comics: Curt Connors frequently serves as both a mentor to Peter Parker and an ally to Spider-Man in the comics. Like several of Spidey’s main villains, Connors is something of a father figure to the fatherless hero, at least when he isn’t stalking innocent humans from the sewers as The Lizard. His Jekyll & Hyde-esque transformation was the result of an attempt to use reptilian genes to regenerate his amputated arm. The Lizard is rarely portrayed as a malevolent villain, but merely the unfortunate byproduct of a misguided experiment.

      What we want to know: The primary question here is how heavy a role Lizard will play in the film. Is he the central villain, or will he be joined by another character? Because of his mindless nature, Lizard can’t easily be molded to fit the “evil mastermind” role that past villains like Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus did. Will Sony take a page from Batman Begins and have Lizard act as a subservient villain to another character, as Scarecrow did to Ra’s al Ghul?

      Any More Villains?

      What we know: Lizard is the only villain confirmed for the movie so far. However, it’s become more and more common for comic book movies to use two or three major villains in tandem. Vague rumors suggest that Sony wants to have another go with Venom, and even that Venom’s successor Carnage is being considered. Meanwhile, Vulture was strongly rumored to be the primary villain in the now-canceled Spider-Man 4. Just as Scarecrow was once planned to headline a fifth Batman movie before WB rebooted that franchise, plans for Vulture could very well have been shifted to this new Spider-Man project. Green Goblin is conspicuously absent for now, perhaps because Sony doesn’t wish to retread all the villains of the original trilogy.

      What’s in the comics: Spider-Man certainly has a history of tangling with multiple villains at once. He frequently battles a gathering of his foes known as the Sinister Six. As for Norman Osborn, he and his costumed alter ego debuted separately, and it was several years before readers learned they were one and the same. It’s possible Sony could introduce Osborn here but save his transformation until a future sequel.

      Ultimate Spider-Man, meanwhile, has worked to tie together the origins of several major villains. In that continuity, Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus were both created in the same laboratory accident. Meanwhile, Curt Connors inadvertently created the Ultimate version of Carnage from Peter’s own blood. The rumors of Carnage’s appearance in this reboot may not be so unrealistic if the screenwriters are useing that storyline as inspiration.

      What we want to know: Once again, how central is The Lizard to the conflict of the film? Is there room for more than one villain in the plot? Will we see other villains introduced now in preparation for larger roles in future installments?

      Supporting Cast? 

       What we know: Emma Stone has been cast as Gwen Stacy (not Mary Jane, as previously believed). Gwen will serve as a friend and potential love interest for Peter. A new rumor indicates that Mary Jane will not appear in the reboot at all, and that Gwen will serve as the sole love interest for Peter. No word has surfaced on the potential inclusion of other friends and allies from Peter’s early years, such as fellow high school students Liz Allen and Flash Thompson or best friend Harry Osborn.

      What’s in the comics: Gwen Stacy appearing before Mary Jane in Peter’s life has precedent. MJ didn’t become a strong force in Peter’s life until after Gwen’s death at the hands of the Green Goblin. Amazing Spider-Man had a somewhat smaller cast of supporting characters until Peter entered college, at which point Gwen an Harry became recurring stars.

      In Ultimate Spider-Man, however, MJ, Gwen, and Harry are a part of Peter’s life early on. Peter and MJ are close friends as of the first issue, and the hero also had a warm, if somewhat awkward, relationship with Harry. Gwen entered the series after a few months in comic book time, and she and MJ have been rivals for Peter’s affections ever since. As in the original comics, Liz Allen and Flash Thompson appear as minor characters, initially antagonistic to Peter but gradually more friendly over time.

      What we want to know: How much of Peter’s supporting cast and circle of friends can fans expect to appear in this reboot? Does the absence of Mary Jane and the lack of word on Harry indicate again that the story will be set in high school? Or will the filmmakers mix and math characters to suit the story as comics like Ultimate Spider-Man and TV shows like Spectacular Spider-Man have done?

      Uncle Ben and Aunt May?

       What we know: The reboot has its Aunt May and Uncle Ben. May will be played by Sally Field, while Martin Sheen has been cast as Ben. Both casting choices are notable in that they suggest May and Ben will be portrayed as slightly younger than they were in the previous films.

      What’s in the comics: Peter was adopted by his aunt and uncle as a young child following the deaths of his parents. May and Ben were far older than their relatives and were more like grandparents to Peter. In every incarnation of Spider-Man, Uncle Ben’s murder is the impetus for Spider-Man’s heroic career. Many of Peter’s struggles in the early years of Amazing Spider-Man involved supporting the frail, elderly May and providing her with much-needed heart medication. That portrayal of May has changed somewhat over the years. Though still shown as an elderly woman, she is now stronger and more independent than she one was.

      Ultimate Spider-Man directly adjusted the ages of these two characters, casting them instead as middle-aged ex-hippies. In this series May is far more capable and competent than the original incarnation of the character, and also more centrally involved in Peter’s costumed career.

      What we want to know: How will May and Ben be handled in the new film? Does Ben’s presence suggest that Spider-Man’s origin will be retold? Given Sheen’s status in Hollywood, it would seem unlikely that he was cast merely to appear in a handful of flashback sequences. Is it possible even that the filmmakers will break one of the fundamental laws of Spider-Man and not kill off Ben?

      As for May, should fans expect a portrayal more in line with the original comics or the Ultimate version? At 64, Field seems slated for a slightly younger and more active May than Rosemary Harris’ interpretation in the previous movies.

      An Ultimate Inspiration?

       What we know: Ultimate Spider-Man appeared on the scene too late to have an impact on the development of the first Spider-Man film. However, it has had a clear influence on recent Spidey spinoffs, particularly the cartoon Spectacular Spider-Man and the recent video game Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. With this reboot featuring younger versions of the main cast, Ultimate Spider-Man is in a position to once again influence a new adaptation of the Spider-Man mythology.

      Writer Brian Michael Bendis has even admitted to participating in talks with Sony representatives, though the same is true for many of Marvel’s recent movie projects. Ultimate Spider-Man is also closely influencing the new animated series of the same name. With Marvel now placing an emphasis on synergy between its movie and TV projects, this is one more piece of evidence that suggests this particular series is informing the development of Spidey’s Hollywood adventures.

      What’s in the comics: Ultimate Spider-Man was the first result of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe imprint in 2000. The series aims to provide a cleaner, modernized, and more accessible take on the hero without the strain of decades of continuity. The series introduced a younger version of Peter still in high school, and the character has only gradually aged in the ten years since that first issue.

      What we want to know: The previous trilogy of movies looked mainly to classic Spider-Man comics for inspiration. With Ultimate Spider-Man having left a significant impact on the character over the past decade, will it now extend its influence to Hollywood? Previous sections have examined various major and minor ways in which the Ultimate stories could be drawn upon. Is Sony doing this, or will Amazing Spider-Man once again serve as the framework. Or do the filmmakers have something entirely different in mind this time?

      Any comment guys?

      You can check other Spider-Man Reboot News and Spoilers HERE.

        Nov
        06

        Spider-man fanatics, here is a fresh casting news for you! IGN confirmed that there will be no Mary Jane on the Spider-man reboot.

        Hot on the sticky heels of yesterday’s Uncle Ben and Aunt May casting news comes word that Mary Jane Watson — longtime love interest of Peter Parker – will not be in the Spider-Man reboot at all.

        According to The Wrap “an individual familiar with the project has told The Wrap that Mary Jane Watson will not appear in the film after all, as the character is not currently featured in James Vanderbilt’s screenplay, and apparently never was.”

        We’d previously heard that both MJ (played, of course, by Kirsten Dunst in the Sam Raimi trilogy of Spidey films) and Peter’s other famous girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, would be in the new movie. Emma Stone has since been cast as Stacy.

        “Evidently, there had been some discussions about Emma Stone playing red-haired MJ, but once she was cast as Gwen Stacy, the filmmakers decided to trust their instincts and stick with one love interest,” adds the site.

        So they’re going with their original script and not rewriting on the fly? What a novel idea.

        Production begins on the film in December.

        So what do you think about this development?

        You can check other Spider-Man Reboot News and Spoilers HERE.

          Oct
          29

          Below you will see two of the most latest photos of Captain America in costume!

          Entertainment Weekly gaves us our first look at Green Lantern a few months ago. Now, they’ve scored another comic book hero’s costume reveal: Captain America.

          SlashFilm.com releases another one:
          IGN gave this comment: The battle-damaged shield is a great touch, and the more WWII Commando belt attire seems to take a lot of cues from the character’s Marvel Ultimates appearance. But where’s the helmet? Looks like Marvel is saving a full costume reveal for a later date. 

          If you have other photos please feel free to share!

          Other Captain America News:

          Oct
          18

          Talk about new TV series, Marvel and ABC have something to say!

          You better make sure your TV is insured because ABC and Marvel are getting ready to unleash the Hulk. What does the Hulk do best? Well, Hulk smash, obviously.

          According to the Hollywood Reporter, ABC is prepping an ‘Incredible Hulk’ TV series after two film versions never really scored well at the box office.

          This isn’t the first time Marvel has brought ‘The Incredible Hulk’ to TV. Bill Bixby starred in the 1970s CBS show and TV movies long before CGI. Mark Ruffalo has been tapped to play the Hulk in Marvel’s ‘Avengers’ film.

          News of a new ‘Hulk’ show not doing it for you, True Believers? What about ‘Cloak & Dagger’? That’s right, another project at the newly formed Marvel Television features those runaway misfits.

          Jeph Loeb, head of Marvel Television, is reportedly meeting with writers for ‘Cloak & Dagger’ ideas. ABC Family is being eyed as the network. Meanwhile, ‘Hulk’ is a little further ahead in development. The Hollywood Reporter says a search is on for a showrunner.

          ‘Cloak & Dagger’ centers around two teenage runaways who get special powers from drugs. The duo later make it their mission to take down drug dealers.

          After Disney acquired Marvel it was only a matter of time before the TV projects started rolling out. Executives pitched ABC several projects including ‘Heroes For Hire,’ ‘Ka-Zar’ and ‘The Punisher.’

          So with this development, what are your thoughts and expectations?

          Sep
          11

          The first set of photos of Captain America: The First Avenger has already surfaced online. Below you will see Captain America and a first glimpse at Hydra!

          The Daily Mail have published photos from the Marvel movie’s location shooting in the London countryside. Four photos show Chris Evans’ stunt double in full Cap garb, as well as riding a WWII-era U.S. Army Indian motorcycle.

          The most surprising photo, though, wasn’t one showing Cap’s costume but rather the look of the HYDRA agents. They wear charcoal-colored armor and ride futuristic motorcycles, creating an overall anachronistic look. Patches bearing the countenance of the Red Skull can be seen on the HYDRA agents’ sleeves, while the HYDRA logo is visible on the sides of their bikes.

          If you want to know more then you may want to read the interview on Chris Evans.