The Amazing Spider-Man Movie Review

Is the web-heads latest offering Amazing? Or does it swing aimlessly through (the CGI) New York? Read on!



10 years ago when Tobey Maguire donned the Spider-Man suit, critics raved over how the arachnid hero and as his love interest, Mary Jane (Kristen Dunst) were brought to life.

From L-R: Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Kristen Dunst, Emma Stone

I actually watched the original film the other week, and although I loved it when it came out - it hasn't aged well. I didn't find Maguire convincing as Peter Parker, and don't even get me started on how that trilogy ended (we must never speak of the abomination that is Spider-Man 3).

So fast forward to the present, and we have a new Spider-Man/Peter Parker in the from of Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), and love interest Gwen Stacy played by Emma Stone (Easy A). After Sam Raimi's trilogy shattered box office reviews, earning a staggering $114 million in its first weekend alone, the reboot was always going to need to fill big shoes.

Directer Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) brings us The Amazing Spider-Man, a reboot that revisits Peter Parker's origin story, but this time we get to see Peter as a child, and for the first time (in a Spider-Man movie) his parents (played by Campbell Scott and Embeth Davidtz); who, after a break-in at their house, rush Peter over to his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May's (Sally Field) house for safekeeping.

This is where we see many will feel shortchanged. Sure, the story is there, and it's hard hitting having to see Uncle Ben shot by a thug that Peter could've easily stopped, but we've seen it all before. The only thing being new is the setting/location of how he gets shot.

I personally didn't want the reboot to totally start all over, and I know it may have seemed odd to start the new trilogy with Peter already as Spider-Man, but the whole "becoming Spider-Man" was very samey.

However.

If by some chance you'd never seen Maguires flick, then it's a solid story, with Garfield who's acting has an instinctive wisdom, bringing a great deal of emotion to the science whizz Peter Parker. I much prefer this carnation of Peter Parker/Spider-Man to that of Maguires - he's a lot more loveable when he's being anaganised at school, he's nervous and twitchy in a way a social outcast would be believed to behave, but most importantly, he's both playful and bad ass as Spider-Man, something Maguire never brought to the table. One scene in particular shows this, where Spider-Man makes a web all through the sewers to act as a noise/movement alarm for the Lizard. This scene not only shows us that Parker is indeed very clever, but also that Spider-Man is a fun character (something that was never shown by Maguire), as he sits and plays a game on his phone whilst he waits.

Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) does a great job as Dr Curt Connors/The Lizard, although, again, the semi-schizophrenia moments feel terribly familiar to Willem Dafoe's Norman Osborn/Green Goblin. But on a whole, The Lizard was a very good choice of villain, and Connors involvement with Peters father brings certain puzzle elements to whether or not the good/bad Dr. was involved in their death.

Where some of the film falls flat, the action sequences are very well done, with Spider-Man performing all of the acrobatic skills you'd expect, and the POV segments, although lacking, are a great addition to the film, allowing you to see first hand what Spider-Man is doing, its just a shame there wasn't more of these moments.












Whilst it's by no mean a contender to The Avengers crown, The Amazing Spider-Man is an enjoyable film, that, although lacking in parts, it did still deliver a much more believable Peter Parker with Andrew Garfield. I just hope the next instalment is more resourceful in where it heads.

Release Date:

US (wide): July 3, 2012

Genre: Super-Hero

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Language: English

New Australian Amazing Spiderman Trailer

The new Australian trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man; complete with new footage! You know what to do, check out the video after the jump!

Release Date:

US (wide): July 3, 2012

Genre: Super-Hero

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Language: English

Comic Book Review: Age of Apocalypse #3

When I looked at AoA #1, it sunk in I hadn't read a good X-Men series since Schism. Luckily then, that David Laphram and Roberto De La Torre have done a brilliant job with this alternate universe. However, now 3-issues in, how is AoA holding up?



Age of Apocalypse is a dark series. Like, brutal. You'd think after all the violence from #1 and #2, that there would be some form of silver lining. Alas, things are actually looking worse for the heroes. The future looks bleak, Sugar Man successfully revives Alex Summers and others to do Omegas’ bidding and Prophet finds the where-abouts of the secret lab where they are making these resurrections *SPOILER ALERT* where it's revealed that Harper Simmons, our narrator, just so happens to be Dr. Bruce Banner.

At times, it seems like Lapham is writing himself into a corner. How can the heroes really hope to overcome the odds? It just doesn't seem like there is a way for them to win. But that's the beauty of the AoA; this thing doesn't have to have a happy ending.

Roberto De La Torre shows he's a true pro with his ink, allowing the brutality of the world infect every panel. Plus, for a book that is rated 12+, things sure do get bloody. Throat slitting, bullets through brains, Del La Torre draws all it in a glorious, bloody fashion.

If you're not caught up with the Age of Apocalypse, I suggest you grab yourself the first three issues:

#1

#2

#3

Series: Age of Apocalypse

Company: Marvel

Genre: Superhero Comic

Available: Now

The Amazing Spider-Man Super Preview

4-minutes of the Amazing Web-Head and The Lizard in action!



Check out Sony's new four-minute "Super Preview" from The Amazing Spider-Man that first aired during the season premiere of America's Got Talent:



The Amazing Spider-Man hits theaters this July.

The Amazing Spider-Man Official Trailer #3

The brand new trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man debuted online today at Apple. (You can check it out below after the jump.)

Greatest Iron Man Cosplay Ever

Cosplay fan and utter LEGEND Anthony Le has made, quite possibly, one of the best (if not the actual best) Cosplay suits ever. Based on the new Avengers 2012 movie suit, Le has made a fully working Iron Man suit, with:

-increased mobility  v3.5

-Motorized shoulder Missile pod v2.0

-Motorized shoulder Gun pod v2.0

-upgraded Flight stabilizers v2.0

-Quad jet stream FX co2 powered v2.0

-Motorized faceplate v2.5

-elbow/forearm covers v.2.5

-knee/back leg covers v2.5

-flight stabilizers light system v1.5

-gun pod lights v1.5

If only it flew and had working weaponry...

Check out the suit in action after the jump, and hit the source at the bottom of the page for more.




Source: anthonyle247 (Youtube)


Source: anthonyle247 (Youtube)


Want more? Head over to Anthony Le's website to see more.

Avengers Assemble See Biggest Ever Openings

The Hulk and the rest of the Avengers 'smashed' box office records in 39 markets, raking up a staggering $185.1 million overseas in its first five days opening at No1 in all 39 territories.

Here in the U.K., the film raked in $24.7 million, the largest opening ever for a superhero pic, whilst the 3D movie also grossed $19.7 million down in Australia, the second highest opening movie over there. Mexico saw $15.9 million and Brazil $11.3 million, and even Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Philippines saw its biggest opening.

The Avengers hits theaters in the U.S. this Friday, May 4, but if you want more, check out our Avengers Assemble Review.



Source: The Hollywood Reporter

The Avengers Assemble Movie Review

It's took a long time, but we can all sleep soundly -- The Avengers is awesome, possibly the best Super Hero/Comic movie ever. It's big words, but I'll be damned if it's not true.


You should all know the plot by now, Thor's brother the evil Asgardian Loki, (Tom Hiddleston) has arrived on Earth, intent on conquering humanity, with an alien army to back him up. Facing an unprecedented threat, S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) puts the Avengers Initiative into action, gathering together Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) to defend the planet, as well as including S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).


It's right there that The Avengers could be a poor film or an utterly marvellous one. With so much content to throw around; four characters who have previously been the leads in their own films, a team of superheroes, a major supervillain and a some super spies, it's no wonder that we were all on baited breath when it was announced.

Writer/director Joss Whedon has done a tremendous job of not letting The Avengers fall apart, and the glue that holds it all together is the character interaction. From Steve Rogers' no-nonsense approach, to Tony Stark's humorous narcissism, to Thor's straight-laced, otherworldly focus, all sparring off against each other, whilst The Hulk, well, smashes things. All the characters have their comic-book counterparts down to a tee, and they all play off each other so well.

Even though the action scenes are terrific, it's the way the characters don't quite gel to begin with that outshines. Seeing Captain America square off to Tony Stark (minus his Iron Man armor; "Big man, in a suit of armour... take that away, what are you? " to which we get the kind of reply we've come to know of Stark "Uh... genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist... "

The characters seem to just be completely natural in their roles, especially Hiddleston as the evil Loki, a villain who you love to hate.



The main problem with The Avengers, is the inevitable one. If the film isn't over 4-hours long, then someone is going to get undercut with screen time. In this case, it's Hawkeye. Sure, he gets enough time that you don't forget about him, but it's fan favourites Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and The Hulk that get the stage, but it doesn't really suffer from it.

Then there's the story; Loki is going to destroy earth, Avengers Assemble, stop him and, well, that's it. But the no-nonsense, bare bones approach works really well. Whedon had enough to do just getting the characters right, had he made a more complicated story and it could have got too messy.

Scarlett Johansson, makes a much stronger and better impression as Black Widow here than how the character was handled in Iron Man 2, doing a fine job in bringing the character to life.

And, as you'll all know, the Hulk is in this, but not the Hulk from the past films. Mark Ruffalo is the Bruce Banner we all craved for, and, most importantly, the best movie Hulk we've ever seen. His scenes are spectacular, especially when he saves a falling Iron Man, and, my particular favourite scene with Loki, where he screams at the Hulk "I am a God! I am not going to be bullied by a -" to which Hulk interrupts by grabbing Loki by the legs and throwing him around. It's genuinely funny stuff.

Overall

Whilst it may not last with The Dark Night Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man around the corner, The Avengers is the best superhero film, ever, and whilst it took nearly a half-century to make it happen onscreen, it was worth the wait, with the perfect cast and perfect writer/director.

Awesome stuff.

• Release Date:
• UK: April 26, 2012
• US (wide): May 4, 2012
• Genre: Super-Hero
• Other Genres: Adventure, Action
• Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
• Production Company: Marvel Studios

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown Trailer

Now available on iOS, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown see's the inmates have (shockingly) escaped and Batman has his hands full defeating an army of henchmen and some of his most iconic villains. Scour the rooftops and the seedy underbelly of Gotham City through a series of one-on-one battles with the Joker, Two-Face and more, as well as the Batman: Arkham City Lockdown exclusive -- Deathstroke. Choose from several Batman skins and power-ups as you punch, kick and combo your way to cleaning up Gotham City.





Source: Video Youtube, buy at iTunes

"MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS" TRAILER DOWNLOADED OVER 10 MILLION TIMES IN FIRST 24 HOURS ON ITUNES MOVIE TRAILERS

Breaks Site's Previous Most-Viewed Trailer Record

Burbank, Calif., October 14, 2011 - Marvel Studios announced today
that the trailer for next summer's most highly anticipated movie,
"Marvel's The Avengers," has been downloaded over 10 million times in
its first 24 hours on iTunes Movie Trailers, shattering the most-viewed trailer
record in the site's history.

The trailer, which debuted Tuesday, October 11, exclusively on iTunes
Movie Trailers, gives fans a sneak peak at "Marvel's The Avengers"-the
Super Hero team up of a lifetime-based on the ever-popular Marvel
comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963 and a comics
institution ever since.

The film unites the world's greatest Super Heroes when Iron Man
(Robert Downey, Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris
Evans), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner)
and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) join S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Nick Fury
(Samuel Jackson) to protect the world from the dangerously powerful
villain, Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

An exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special
effects, "Marvel's The Avengers" is from Marvel Studios in
association with Paramount Pictures, produced by Kevin Feige and
directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon.



"Marvel's The Avengers" will be released on May 4, 2012.

About "Marvel's The Avengers":

Marvel Studios presents "Marvel's The Avengers"-the Super Hero team up
of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The
Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When
an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security,
Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as
S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back
from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment
effort begins.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris
Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson,
and directed by Joss Whedon, "Marvel's The Avengers" is based on the
ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published
in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an
exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special
effects, when "Marvel's The Avengers" assemble in summer 2012.

"Marvel's The Avengers," is presented by Marvel Studios in association
with Paramount Pictures, directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by
Joss Whedon, is being produced by Marvel Studios' President, Kevin
Feige, and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Jon Favreau,
Patricia Whitcher and Louis D'Esposito. Marvel Studios' Jeremy Latcham
and Victoria Alonso will co-produce. The film will be released May 4,
2012.


About Marvel Entertainment:

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt
Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based
entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000
characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel
utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and
publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com.

Source:www.marvel.com

Green Lantern: Animated Series: Exclusive Sneak Peek

Warner Bros. Animation unveiled the one-hour debut episode of GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES in a world premiere screening during the show’s panel session at New York Comic Con today, Saturday, October 15. The one-hour special premiere airs Friday, November 11, at 7/6c on Cartoon Network, but we've got a sneak peek of the first scene, just for you:

UPDATE: It seems the video has been pulled, bummer





Green Lantern comes to television in an all-new CG animated action series from world-renowned producer, artist and animator Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League). Based upon the DC Comics super hero, GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES follows Earth’s Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, who is used to being in dangerous situations — but he’s never faced anything like this! Set in the farthest reaches of deep space, the series finds Hal on the Guardian Frontier, where he must face down an invasion from the Red Lantern Corps. Powered by pure rage, the evil Red Lanterns have sworn to destroy the Green Lantern Corps and everything they stand for. Dispatched on the experimental spacecraft The Interceptor, Hal is soon joined by an all-new group of heroes on a mission to protect Guardian Space — and the Green Lantern Corps itself!

Watch the one-hour special premiere event of GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES on 11/11/11 at 7/6c on Cartoon Network.

Source: Warner Bros. Media

Wolverine's Possible R-Rating?

According to an MTV News interview with Jackman, an R-rating for the comic book film isn't entirely out of question just yet. Regarding the depiction of the character, a darker, grittier take on the franchise might be just what it needs to reclaim its respect from the fans.



Said Jackman, "There's such great temptation to make an R-rated Wolverine. I've always felt that, and I know a lot of fans would like that," Jackman said. "If there's ever going to be a superhero that is going to be R-rated, it's going to be Wolverine."

However an R-rating could alienate certain audience members and make the film less marketable. Jackman himself remains concerned about the younger fans in particular. "You see it in their eyes. [Wolverine]'s everything to them... You need to have a really good reason to exclude those fans."

Jackman even mentioned a possibility of shooting two different versions of the film, one R-rated and one PG-13.

Jackman also added that The Wolverine will be exploring a more locations outside of the previously confirmed Japan setting. "Not all of it takes place in Japan," he said. "That's my other little tip for you."

Source: MTV News

The Avengers Trailer

The first official trailer for The Avengers is finally here, and the 2:04 video gives you a chance to see what happens when Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury team up.

The trailer first debuted at Apple yesterday, but we've got it right here:





Source: Apple, Youtube

Still Hope For The 'Merc With A Mouth' On The Big Screen

After the ridiculous way he was handled in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, there could yet be help for Deadpool.

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner has been talking up plans for a Deadpool movie

"He was treated totally wrong in the Wolverine film" she told Total Film. "And yes we will redeem him."

Donner said there is still a fair way to go before the film goes into production, explaining "We have a few more things to do, and then it's up to the studio whether we're going to move forward or not."

But Ryan Reynolds is still attached to play Wade Wilson should they get the green-light, and Donner sounds optimistic on that front, stating "I'm pretty excited. We have a good script and a good director."

As previously reported, that director is Tim Miller, the special effect wiz whose previous credits include X-Men and X2.

Batman Arkham City: Robin Suits

We all knew that Robin would be a playable character via Challenge maps in Batman: Arkham City, but now we have the Boy Wonders clothing options.
Come October, you'll be able to play as Red Robin, hooded Robin or Robin from Batman: The Animated Series.





Source: Batman: Arkham City Official Site

Anne Hathaway as 'Dark Knight Rises' Catwoman - FIRST LOOK!

After we brought you some sneak peaks of Bane and some behind the Scenes footage, today, we have some photos of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman for the upcoming Dark Knight Rises flick.

We're not sure if this is the full get up, or Selina Kyle mid transition. Make up your own minds with the pics below:









Source: Just Jared

First Look at Henry Cavill as Superman!

Warner Bros. has released the first official image of actor Henry Cavill as Superman in the Man of Steel reboot:




Source: IGN

The New Ultimate Spider-Man Unmasked

It's pretty obvious, but this article CONTAINS SPOILERS.

Not very long ago, Ultimate Peter Parker was killed in spectacular fashion. The Ultimate Spider-Man we've loved and followed for the past ten years sacrificed himself to protect those he loved in a fight with the Green Goblin.



We've known for some time that someone would be taking up the mantle, and now -- that moment is here:

Enter Miles Morales, a half-black, half-hispanic teenager that will be replacing Peter Parker as the Ultimate Universe's Spider-Man.




Writer Brian Michael Bendis told USA Today, "The theme is the same: With great power comes great responsibility. He's going to learn that. Then he has to figure out what that means."

He continued, "It's certainly long overdue. Even though there's some amazing African-American and minority characters bouncing around in all the superhero universes, it's still crazy lopsided."

Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso added, "What you have is a Spider-Man for the 21st century who's reflective of our culture and diversity. We think that readers will fall in love with Miles Morales the same way they fell in love with Peter Parker."

And finally Ultimate Comics Spider-Man artist Sara Pichelli said, "Maybe sooner or later a black or gay — or both — hero will be considered something absolutely normal."



The connection Miles has to Peter will be revealed when the new Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 launches in September.

Source: Marvel

Dark Knight Rises: Bane's Full Costume Revealed

The photos, snapped today from the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute location, show Tom Hardy in full costume as Bane.

Multiple Tumblers were photographed on the set, painted in the Batmobile's original camouflage color from its introduction in Batman Begins, with extras dressed as prison guards.



Other new set photos show Gary Oldman as Commissioner Jim Gordon and give us our first look at Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate.

Then there's these two videos, but they are kinda spoilish...





Source: IGN

Comic Book Review: Detective Comics #880

First and foremost, the cover is amazing. Jock has done a fantastic job, of creating possibly the best cover of the year.  Detective Comics #880 is another brilliant effort from writer Scott Snyder and artist Jock, bringing home one of the finest story Arc's I've read in a long time.

Company: DC

Genre: Superhero Comic

Release: July 2011

Starting with a narration from Gordon, proselytizing about Gotham City's true architect being everyone's favourite, Joker.


With the Joker escaped from Arkham, he makes his move for the Gordons while the Bat-team re-evaluate the threat and learn about their own relationship to Gotham City. Now, before you moan, yes, the Joker has escaped from Arkham countless times, but Snyder does a tremendous job of bringing us a different side to the Joker. Sure, he's still insane, but it's a new breed, style; whatever you want to call it, he's different. More tragically insane as opposed to psychotic. It's a neat take on a much loved character, and it shows how much though has gone into it. Like how he's given a lowercase font that separates him from the rest of the characters, almost placing him on the shelf of 'childlike'.


As you can see from the cover, artist Jock has phenomenal talent when he places his pencil to paper, and I think that's one of the reasons this has been such a tremendous run -- it looks so good. Sure, it's impressively written, and an excellent story,  but the looks draw you in, make you want to read it. 


Snyder's Joker is so disturbingly beautiful in his portrayal, but no matter how deranged, he is still shown to be incredibly clever, and in his demented way; borderline genius. There are parts where Snyder uses the Joker to  play up the mind of not only the Dark Knight himself, but even the reader, sending each spiralling down a confused and chaotic path.


There's not much left on the run, and I can honestly say, that this has been one hell of a ride, and when it is over, it will go down with the likes of 'Year One' as one of the greatest of all time, and I hope that Snyder and Jock will be on hand to return.

4.5 - (Outstanding)
How Do We Score?