xoliana
Member Since: July 31, 2016Reviews
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
The Amazing Spider-Man is a 2012 action film. It is a "reboot" of the franchise, directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Dennis Leary, and Rhys Ifans. This is another retelling of Peter Parker's origin story, of how he got... +
The Amazing Spider-Man is a 2012 action film. It is a "reboot" of the franchise, directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Dennis Leary, and Rhys Ifans.
This is another retelling of Peter Parker's origin story, of how he got bitten by a radioactive spider and got turned into Spider-Man. One of the scientists working at Oscorp has been working on an experiment but it goes awry, turning him into The Lizard, an amphibious creature that goes after Spider-Man.
I had already seen the 2002 film with Tobey Maguire, so I felt like most of this film was something I had already seen or heard of. The origin story is one that most people know by now, so I almost feel ghat they could have eliminated that portion of the film and instead focused on Peter's life after already having become Spider-Man. This would have made the film much more interesting to watch, because I honestly did find it a bit slow in the beginning.
The villain here is different than the 2002 film. Additionally, instead of featuring Mary-Jane Watson as a love interest, they were more true to the comics by featuring Gwen Stacey, who was Peter's original girlfriend in the series. She is a very iconic character and one who has such pivotal storylines later on, so I'm glad they chose her instead.
The chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone is very good, which isn't surprising considering they were dating in real life at the time. I wasn't a fan of the special effects for The Lizard -- he looked really strange and not at all scary. Overall, this is an okay film, but you may or may not find it a bit boring depending on how much you already know about the character.
The film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 136 minutes.
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Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Spider-Man 3 is a 2007 action film. It's the third film in a trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher Grace, and Bryce Dallas Howard. The story follows Peter Parker, who finds that his Spider-Man... +
Spider-Man 3 is a 2007 action film. It's the third film in a trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher Grace, and Bryce Dallas Howard.
The story follows Peter Parker, who finds that his Spider-Man suit has become infected by a symbiote and has turned black. This infection has spread to Peter himself, whose attitude completely changes towards those around him. As Peter fights to overcome the affliction, it takes over another individual, transforming him into the iconic villain Venom.
This is a case of too many things trying to happen at once. There are too many villains, too many newly-introduced characters and side stories, and none of them really work. They actually end up rewriting a pivotal scene of the first film just so they can justify having Sandman in here. It's sheer silliness, because they'd already set up a perfectly good story only to suddenly go ahead and alter it two films later. I don't think Sam Raimi really knew what he was doing here.
This is truly a shame because the second film is a great achievement in cinema, and then you have this. This is almost a parody of a Spider-Man film, with Peter Parker dancing around with an emo haircut, acting like an idiot. Venom is one of the coolest villains of the comics and they ruined him completely by having ridiculous dialogue that wouldn't suit any villain, much less him. It's honestly an embarrassment.
I apologize for sounding so negative, but I really don't recommend this, unless it's to watch it and make fun of it. You can do so much better with 2 1/2 hours of your life.
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Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Spider-Man 2 is a 2004 action film. It's the second in a trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, and Alfred Molina. The story follows Peter Parker, as he settles into his role of friendly neighbourhood... +
Spider-Man 2 is a 2004 action film. It's the second in a trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, and Alfred Molina.
The story follows Peter Parker, as he settles into his role of friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. He has become acquainted with a scientist named Otto Octavius, who has been working on a set of mechanical tentacles. During a failed experiment, Dr. Octavius' wife is killed, and the tentacles become fused with his body. He blames Spider-Man and the two battle it out.
If you are going to watch any Spider-Man film, let it be this one. This is a truly excellent action film that blends humour with drama, romance and action, all seamlessly. It's one of the very best comic book films of all time, fue greatly in part to the villainous Doc Ock, played to perfection by veteran actor Alfred Molina. He steals every scene he's in and makes you sympathize with him first, before he does anything terrible. That's what makes him such a great bad guy (oxymoron).
I also enjoyed watching Peter's struggle to balance his normal life with that of his alter ego. He's so busy saving the city that he's letting down those closest to him. Comic book films so rarely focus on the hero's personal life, or lack thereof. It helps to put the audience in their shoes.
This is well worth the watch, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something fun to watch. It's rated PG-13 and has a running time of 139 minutes.
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Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-Man is a 2002 action film. It's the first in a trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire, KirstenDunst, James Franco, and Willem Dafoe. The story is about Peter Parker, who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and soon discovers... +
Spider-Man is a 2002 action film. It's the first in a trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire, KirstenDunst, James Franco, and Willem Dafoe.
The story is about Peter Parker, who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and soon discovers he has strange powers. When his uncle is murdered in cold blood, Peter dons a suit and begins fighting crime. He'll have a villain to contend with, though, as the Green Goblin begins wreaking havoc around town.
This is a solid comic book film. This was one of the first big-budget superhero films to make waves in the 2000s, after having some forgettable superhero films in earlier decades. I think they did a good job of building an origin story for Peter, and giving him a love interest in Mary-Jane Watson. The dynamic between Peter's normal life and superhero life is interesting to watch. I've never really been a fan of Tobey Maguire, but he does a good enough job as the mild-mannered Peter.
This is still one of the better Spider-Man films to date. I would recommend it if you're a fan of comic films. It's rated PG-13 and has a running time of 121 minutes.
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Archie Comics
I first started reading Archie comics when I was in the hospital for a few months at age 14. My parents would bring me some reading material to keep me occupied, or they would take me to the gift shop to buy something. I bought a Betty & Veronica... +
I first started reading Archie comics when I was in the hospital for a few months at age 14. My parents would bring me some reading material to keep me occupied, or they would take me to the gift shop to buy something. I bought a Betty & Veronica double digest and became an instant fan.
There's a reason why these comics have endured for as long as they have. The stories are charming and innocent, suitable for all ages. The characters are bright and colourfully drawn. They offer so many different comics, from Archie to Jughead, Betty & Veronica and more. They also have different timelines where Archie marries Betty and another where he marries Veronica. There's even a more mature horror series where the gang battles zombies! There really is something for everyone, regardless of age or gender.
I do feel that these are a bit pricey for the size. You can read these pretty quickly, so paying between $3-5 is a bit much for something so small. The good news is, I have found that most used bookstores will accept them, so if you're the type to only read your Archie comics once and then you're done, you should try selling them thete!
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Deadpool
Deadpool is a 2016 action film. It's directed by Tim Miller and stars Ryan Reynolds, T.J. Miller, and Morena Baccarin. Deadpool is an X-Men character, but this has no relation to the X-Men films. The story follows Wade Wilson, a dying man who... +
Deadpool is a 2016 action film. It's directed by Tim Miller and stars Ryan Reynolds, T.J. Miller, and Morena Baccarin. Deadpool is an X-Men character, but this has no relation to the X-Men films.
The story follows Wade Wilson, a dying man who undergoes an experimental procedure to cure his cancer. The procedure leaves him with the ability to rapidly heal, however he is also hideously disfigured. Scared of what his girlfriend might think, Wade hides away, creating a red suit and becoming a mercenary as he hunts down the people who did this to him.
Those unfamiliar with the Deadpool character may be in for a bit of a shock, because he is rude, crude, and super violent. He also constantly breaks the fourth wall, meaning he talks to the audience and makes self-referential humour. For those who know Deadpool well, this will be an absolute treat because it's everything you would want a Deadpool film to be.
Ryan Reynolds had initially appeared as Deadpool in the 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but they did him a complete disservice. It wasn't a faithful representation of the character at all, and Ryan had been trying to get a real Deadpool movie made for years. It really doesn't disappoint and I'm really so happy it finally got made. For a long time, it looked like it was just going to sit on the shelf and never see the light of day.
I wouldn't recommend this if you're sensitive to a lot of rude humour, nudity, or violence. However, if you're fine with all of those things and you're looking to watch a comic book film that does things differently, I think you will enjoy this. There's a reason why so many people love it.
The film is rated R and has a running time of 108 minutes.
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Ant-Man
Ant-Man is a 2015 action film, which is part of phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña, and Corey Stoll. The story is about Scott Lang, a thief... +
Ant-Man is a 2015 action film, which is part of phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña, and Corey Stoll.
The story is about Scott Lang, a thief who is recruited by Hank Pym, an inventor. Hank has created technology that will allow the user to become the size of an ant, while maintaining super strength. He gifts the suit to Scott who becomes Ant-Man, tasked with taking down the villainous Darren Cross ("Yellowjacket").
This is surprisingly one of my favourite Marvel films. I have always liked Paul Rudd and Corey Stoll, but the idea of the film didn't really appeal to me. When I actually saw it, I found it to be really funny and filled with heart. This is a great buddy film and a great heist film. The acting is great, and Michael Peña's character is absolutelh HILARIOUS! I have never seen Corey Stoll as a bad guy, but he did a really good job here, though I do feel they should have given him a bit more screen time.
If you're a bit sceptical, I would recommend you check this out. It's got something for everyone, and seeing as how Ant-Man is now a key part of the MCU and The Avengers, you may as well see his origin story.
The film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 118 minutes.
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Guardians Of The Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy is a 2014 action film, which is part of phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's directed by James Gunn and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel. The story is about human Peter Quill, aka... +
Guardians of the Galaxy is a 2014 action film, which is part of phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's directed by James Gunn and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel.
The story is about human Peter Quill, aka Star Lord, who is being hunted by Ronan the Accuser. After being captured and thrown in an intergalactic prison, Star Lord meets Gamora, Rocket and Groot, and together they become the Guardians of the Galaxy as they fight off Ronan and his goons.
This is so much different from all of the other MCU films because it takes place entirely in outer space, with lots of different species of aliens (and a talking racoon and tree!). It's the type of film that, on paper, you look at it and think it's probably not going to work, but it does! It's very slick, with lots of great humour and action. The characters are very unique and entirely likeable, due largely in part to such great casting.
This film really sets up the search for the Infinity stones, which kind of becomes a part of each film leading up to the Avengers: Infinity War film in 2018. Look for the little hints in each film and you'll start to see the bigger picture! It's sure to be a good one.
I'd definitely recommend this film not only to fans of Marvel, but for sci-fi fans as well. The film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 122 minutes.
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Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron is a 2015 action film, which is part of phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's directed by Joss Whedon and stars Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner... +
Avengers: Age of Ultron is a 2015 action film, which is part of phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's directed by Joss Whedon and stars Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and others.
The story gathers all of the previous members of the Avengers along with a few new ones. Tony Stark has beenworking on a peacekeeping AI program for some time, under the codename Ultron. During a party that he throws at his house, it comes to life and inhabits one of his old suits. Ultron builds an army and teams up with a pair of twins, each with their own super powers, and mass mayhem ensues.
I do feel like the idea of AI going rogue is a very familiar idea by now, but you have to remember that this is based on a comic that came out a long time ago, when the idea was a lot more fresh. It's not 100% faithful to said comic, but I think they did a good job of translating it to screen.
Ultron is voiced to perfection by James Spader. He gives the AI a sense of intelligence and menace that really works in favour of creating a good villain. I also think that Elizabeth Olsen did a good job as Scarlet Witch, and giving her the dimension that she needed to be more than just a one-note character.
Some of the writing is a little silly at times, giving way to moments that have you going, "wait...that doesn't make sense," (looking at you, Quicksilver), but overall it's still an entertaining film to watch.
The film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 141 minutes.
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Thor: The Dark World
Thor: The Dark World is a 2013 action film, which is part of phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's directed by Alan Young and stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Christopher Eccleston, and Anthony Hopkins. The story... +
Thor: The Dark World is a 2013 action film, which is part of phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's directed by Alan Young and stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Christopher Eccleston, and Anthony Hopkins.
The story follows Thor, a God who has returned to his home of Asgard after spending time on Earth. While he's away, Jane Foster, a scientist and Thor's love interest, is cursed by a strange entity while investigating a phenomenon in a factory. This marks the arrival of the Dark Elves, an ancient race once defeated by the Asgardians. Thor and his family must fight them once more.
If I felt that the first film was mediocre, then I feel that this one is downright bad. The plot is slow and silly. The actors often phone it in. Even the appearance of the film is filled with dull, muted colours. It lacks any sort of excitement or enthusiasm. It's just not what I would consider to be a good film in any way, shape, or form. Even if you're a fan of Marvel films, I'd say pass on this one. You wouldn't be missing any important details because it literally adds nothing to the overall Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 112 minutes.
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