#all wrapped up in a superhero action-adventure flick
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
Text
It... is incredibly sad. :T
I would say that, given Taika's particular commentary on Thor through various interviews, Taika didn't love the genre that Thor previously fit into at all. (There's also something to be said about how Chris, for all of his clear passion for Thor in the beginning seems to have, fallen out of love with Thor as well... Not entirely, but enough to cause ... //gestures at every issue there has been, lately. Though I'd imagine that has more to do with the marvel/mcu fandom's insistence that he's 'boring' and shouldn't be the main character than anything about Thor, or the various early interviews with Hemsworth and Hiddleston that dared to try and pit the two actors against one another concerning character popularity, when they get along wonderfully together.)
— On the topic of Jack Burton and Wang Chi, gosh. You're so right about that too. It probably was supposed to be Valkyrie, even if she also doesn't have much of a character to her. So much so that I can say with confidence she doesn't have a clear sense of direction. (but then none of the cast of Ragnarok does and that's saying something.)
And perhaps the most insulting part about that, beyond the fact that poor Valkyrie genuinely did deserve to be a standout addition to the cast with her own strengths and faults alike, is that Loki is right there. You know, the guy who is Thor's closest companion and foil? Who is always his antagonist as well as occasionally his villain, who has every reason to oppose Thor out of all of his angst and love for and towards the man? It's definitely not as if there is no Loki without Thor, and no Thor without Loki, and the two brothers have a perfectly wonderful push/pull dynamic where, when one goes up, the other falls down, and there could have been room for them actually meeting at an equilibrium after Dark World.
But, nah. Thor can't have his 2 most meaningful relationships in his life (Loki and Jane) because he needs to be going nuts over losing his hammer, I suppose.
omg, really? Really?
And here I thought my opinion of Thor: Ragnarok could not get worse.
In Big Trouble in Little China, Jack Burton is the sidekick, but he's unaware he's the sidekick. He certainly was not brought upon this world to "get it".
youtube
Don't get me wrong; I can see it. Big Trouble is a send-up of the genre. It's a loving one, though, and I'm not certain Waititi loves the genre that the previous Thor films fit into. He is doing a send-up, though.
A character like Jack Burton is fun as a one-off. But what a sad thing to do to a hero like Thor. I guess instead of a truck, all he wants is his hammer back. And they carry it over into the next installment.
They don't really seem to have a Wang Chi character, though, and that probably contributes to the problems of the film. (Wang Chi is seated next to Burton in the above clip. Superficially, he appears to be Burton's side kick, but he's actually the hero.) I guess Valkyrie comes the closest in that she wants to drive her sword through the heart of the murderous hag that is Hela.
Ugh, how sad.
#gosh do i miss when thor and jane were the protagonist and deuteragonist respectively of thor's films#because thor is ultimately a love story that unites asgard and earth and everything that differentiates the two worlds#i sure do miss when loki was a well-established and well-rounded character who - despite being thor's side character -#was his antagonist and his foil and a beloved one at that#y'all remember when THOR as a franchise was a superhero love story#y'all remember when thor's whole /thing/ was about love for his home and love for earth#love for his people and love for the earthen mortals#love fueling his sense of duty vs. love in a personal sense#and themes of new love (jane) and corrupted love (loki) and the good in both and coming to terms w all of that#a love story and a coming of age story in a high-fantasty sci-fi setting#with a solid helping of shakespearean tragedy and family drama even — borderline hamlet level stuff#all wrapped up in a superhero action-adventure flick#boy do i sure miss that thor because he was so lovely#anti thor ragnarok#thor ragnarok#thor ragnarok critical#anti taika waititi#&&. | marvel. |#&&. thor.#fostertheory#(also can i just say that :pray: your contribution about the film taika was referencing is so unbelievably helpful my friend i'm so :eyes:)#(bless you ty for your addition it is well received)
23 notes
·
View notes
Text
Should have known better
Prompt: when ur reading fanfic and one character was cooking and the other comes up to them and they start making out and everyones like starting to take their shirts off and the author STILL hasnt mentioned anyone turning off the stove
My first attempt at Dickinette. I hope I did it justice!
Here’s my favourite ratatouille recipe! It’s amazing!
Ao3
—————————
Warnings: mild sexual content & mentions of gun violence, gangs, bullet wounds, fire hazards and unplanned pregnancy
The keys jangled as he took them out of his pocket, the lock clicked open and the old apartment door creaked. He took two steps into the hall, dropping his bag with a thud and closed the door behind him. Running a hand through his long, sweat slicked hair he sighed. Today had been a long day.
A deep inhale inflated his chest, but the black police vest he wore restricted it’s full extension. The smell of a wonderful home cooked meal made his stomach growl. Ratatouille, his favourite.
His heavy boot laden feet created echoing footsteps as he walked into the grey tiled kitchen. His wife stood at the stove humming, the google pad’s screen was lit with the ingredients list. She scooped and flipped the squared vegetable mix before putting the lid upon it for the meal to soften. She turned to her sketchpad, inspired by something unknown. Drawing captured her full attention, her brain’s need to replicate the idea on paper outweighed her focus on her surroundings.
He should have known better. He grew up with vigilantes and superheroes. He should have know never to sneak up on someone, especially if they knew how to fight; although this rule doesn’t count for villains (they know what they did).
For Marinette, it had been a long day of ripped seems and designer’s block.. It was nearing on eight when she finally started dinner. Looking at the clock she sighed, ‘Dick’s working late again.’ She hoped he wasn’t caught up in the shooting across town. Two gangs had a disagreement over territory and many civilians got caught up in it. She wanted to help but she had been banned from heroine duties for the time being. Her last ladybug adventure resulted in a bullet to her leg, which was still healing.
Dick took her to the hospital stating she had gotten caught in the crossfire (which now reminds her they need to restock the medical supplies), and they discovered that she was four weeks pregnant.
In present time she was still well within her first trimester, just starting her second month; and she was feeling it too. Vomiting each morning wasn’t fun, more so when it started happening more frequently throughout the day. Their midwife reassured the young couple that it was completely normal, but if it keeps up to come back as it may become hyperemesis gravidarum which will harm the baby.
Baby.
She was still trying to wrap her head around it. She had turned twenty-four last July and Dick was only older by a year. They weren’t planning on this and they had taken all of the precautions to prevent it. Yeah sure, they were married but it hadn’t even been two years! Her worry for the future faded as she reminisced on her husband’s reaction to the discovery. He was shocked for a few seconds before jumping up and down like a toddler who got a toy, beaming with joy. Tears of happiness pricked his eyes, threatening to spill on a moments notice.
Another symptom that weighted upon her was fatigue. She was no longer a teen who could challenge the world with a pen and a cup of coffee. She was a tired, pregnant adult who had to give away her coffee maker due to the temptation being too strong. No more late night or all-nighters designing clothes and completing commissions. She had to lessen her commissions due to the stressful nature of them but working from home, in her own studio helped. It had been a month since she found out and now she just wanted to hibernate due to lack of energy.
Putting down the spatula, she scooped up the pen, suddenly inspired by the mix of colours; an autumn playsuit came to mind. Biting her lip as she drew, neglecting her surroundings, the blare of the news channel becoming white noise.
She should have known better. She was a superhero, albeit she was benched at the moment, but still! The first rule of ‘herodom’ was to always do the right thing, but the second rule was to always be aware of your surroundings.
Arms wrapped around her waist, a small gasps left her mouth and her elbow drove straight back into her captor’s chest. A masculine groan came from behind her, but she paid it no mind as she tried to get out of the man’s strong grip.
“Mari, Mari! Calm down it’s me” Her husband said breathlessly. Her jab winded him, although it was softened by his police uniform, Marinette’s miraculous strength was powerful to say the least. He just wish he didn’t have to be on the receiving end of it.
“Ma moitié! Why would you do that!?” Her anguished cry caused him to hide his chuckle in her neck. Her heartbeat made its presence known within her chest and her breathing was still shallow. Turning within his embrace, she faced him with a pout on her face, “You jerk, you scared me!” She whimpered, her pregnancy hormones had blurred the line between her emotions causing her mood to flip like a switch.
Dick looked down at her with a guilt riddled face. “Shoot Mari, I’m sorr-“
Before he could finish apologising Marinette tugged him down and connected her lips to his. She leaned back into the countertop, cupping his cheek and jaw with both hands. Dick eagerly followed her lead.
He picked her up, his hands moulding the flesh of her thighs. He had done this before, but took extra precautions this time due to her still healing leg injury. He moved her away from the countertop and sat her upon the plush couch. He hovered above her, lips only splitting for a millisecond for air before closing the gap once more.
Marinette pushed on his shoulder and swiftly flipped him so that she was on top. The quick motion caused his head to slam back into the wall, the noise halted their make-out session. Her eyes widened, the cloud of lust had evaporated and rained down on her parade. She apologised multiple times to him, eyes watering in the process.
Dick just laughed before pulling her back in for another kiss. In contrast to the sloppy wet kisses before, the gentleness off Mari’s lips now made him feel like he was made of glass. She filled it with her remorse over hurting him. But as the kiss continued it shifted back to the momentum and passion they had before.
Her hands trailed up his chest, she shivered into the kiss; he had just taken off her shirt, leaving her in her bra. His thumb brushed under the mound of her breast, he felt her furious heartbeat through he skin.
Her focus lowered to his bare neck. Placing kiss upon kiss there and biting occasionally, leaving a trail of pink marks for his colleagues to see during his neck shift. A hand ran down her back as it arced, pushing her bosom into his chest.
They broke apart, foreheads pressed together, bodies flushed against each other’s. She peppered his face with kisses, “I love you”s were stated after each. He returned this action with the same fervour.
Something was wrong though. It was a sudden onset plaguing thought that something wasn't right. They had tried to ignore it but it had become like a tugging string tied around their hearts, signalling an oncoming danger. Wordlessly the two scanned the apartment, neither wanting to part from their entanglement.
Confused the two looked back at the other. Neither finding what set off the warning sensation. As their eyes connected, realisation washed over them like a bucket of ice water. They inhaled the burnt air and scrambled apart; both exclaiming “Fuck!”
Running into the kitchen, the tiles were cold against her bare feet. Dark unventilated smoke hung in the air. Upon entry to the room it was a wall of heat, it was a wonder the smoke alarms hadn’t gone off yet. Dick grabbed a nearby tea towel and swatted at the smoke, he shuffled towards the burners, mouth and nose hidden within his elbow.
Marinette opened all nearby windows, she hoped that the neighbours on the floors above didn’t question the smoke. The couple worked together to set up a system of fans to push out the smoke from the kitchen.
“If Alfred were here he would kill us.” Dick solemnly nodded in reply, ‘we should have known better’. He scraped the burnt black char into the bin, while Mari held the pan. Once the pan cooled down enough it went into the bin too, there was no saving it.
Dick tied up the yellow bin bag and placed the spatula into the sink. “Soooo... want chinese? If you’re up for it, it’ll be my treat.”
Her stomach growled as her eyes flicked to the clock, it was almost nine and she hadn’t eaten since breakfast at seven. She nodded, “sounds good let’s go!”
She walked towards the door, hand on the handle when she realised that he hadn’t followed her. Turning back around she saw him staring at her, cheeks flushed, unmoved from his position next to the bin.
“Um babe?”
“What’s wrong Ma moitié? I thought you wanted Chinese.” Her head tilted, confused at his actions.
He cleared his throat, eyes flicking away. “Babe you’ve forgotten your shirt.”
“Shit” left her lips as she bolted back to the couch, vaulting over a counter much to Dick’s disapproval. She heard him scolding her from the other room, but was too hungry to care.
Walking back to him, now appropriately dressed, she grabbed his hand, pulling him out the door. He just sighed, following his crazy wife, throwing the bag into the complex’s dumpster on the way to the car.
No one was getting in between her and her noodles.
#maribat#mlb x dc#dc x mlb#marinette x dick#dick x marinette#dickinette#Alfred shivered at the sensation of burning food#Alfred would be disappointed#never get in the way of Mari and her noodles
61 notes
·
View notes
Note
I just noticed, you’ve never written anything big on Final Crisis. For the 10th anniversary, why is it great?
Final Crisis is anything but perfect, by the author’s own admission. It doesn’t quite live up to its ambitions of showing a universe in disarray via narrative decoherence (though I question whether that was him pulling back, or the editors not trusting him and unwittingly making it worse), Batman using a gun makes sense in the larger context of Morrison’s work with the character - Batman turning evil’s tool against itself, as he always does, on the most profound scale against the very embodiment of it as the culmination of his mission - but without that surrounding understanding it feels like a cheap treatment of what should be an incredibly taboo moment for him, and there’re some moments that time has underlined as being in poor taste such as an offhanded comment regarding Supergirl. Not to mention the general failure of everyone around Morrison on just about every level in building up to his comic, complimenting it, and generally making sure everything else surrounding it was playing nicely with it, plus the art troubles (though my vague understanding is that J.G. Jones was going through personal issues that precluded this, which is of course entirely valid). That being said, Final Crisis is the best event comic ever, struck down by a readership understandably expecting a traditional summer crossover and an uncomprehending upper brass (DiDio was making jokes about it sucking the week after it wrapped at conventions; even years later DC itself seems barely comprehending of it, an advertisement for it as a ‘must-read’ grasping to find a descriptor beyond ‘weird’ and finally settling hilariously on “more action than a Jason Statham flick”), and I can’t imagine we’ll ever be so lucky as to see its like again, even as elements within DC seem to be finally wising up to what it has to offer.
What Final Crisis comes down to in what differentiates it from its brethren is this: it doesn’t just want to be a major DC Comics story, it wants to be THE DC Comics story…and just as importantly, it’s Grant Morrison’s idea of what the story of DC Comics is. Even beyond how it hotlinks to everything Morrison’s done for DC before and after, it’s all the stuff - the street level boogleg heroes and villains, cosmic forces, space adventure, detective work, spy-fi, the super-teams of many nations, secret headquarters and ancient forces unleashed and legacy heroes and alternate dimensions all crashing into each other, circling the drain as the god of all that’s wrong tries to drag the entire tapestry into the grave with him. It has to be Darkseid at the front, much as he’d been downgraded: the New Gods are the DCU’s own coherent mythology alongside the Monitors, and he’s the one villain who has reason and ability to fight everyone who still works as a character in his own right. Whether through his anti-life or Mandrakk’s death, they’re the endpoint of the possibility of the life and hope and wonder and potential that Morrison sees superheroes as standing for: Darkseid is the threat inside us all here, “that itch in the back of your skull that wants you to destroy everything, starting with yourself, while Mandraak is the threat without, the predator, the shameless scavenging parasite, the death-impulse, the black hole that blooms where hope dies. And at the tail end of the Bush years (an atmosphere Morrison noted played a tremendous role in his conception of the series) their time was ripe to have the world simply collapse into them.
But even at that end as the villains finally rise up and take the world, executing the closest there is to the embodiment of the shared universe in J’onn and seeing billions give in, there’s still something you can do. The heroes stick together through it all, and they win across all scales by doing the most iconically THEM things they can, their purest and truest acts: the small-time heroes squabble and band together to save the Earth on their own when the rest can’t, the Flash with his family runs so fast he beats even his own metafictionally inescapable death, Green Lantern does something brave and reckless and then alongside his corps believes so hard they banish the darkness, Wonder Woman breaks her chains and frees the world, Batman sneaks around and deduces what no one else can and turns evil’s tools back on itself to defeat the ultimate enemy where even gods can’t by weaponizing his trauma, and Superman flies higher than ever before and beats back the devil to save Lois Lane and, with a procession of capes at his back, believes a happy ending to life. In spite of the narrative breaking down, the ideas and hopes that fuel them are enough to see them through, and that a poor kid in a dead-end job with dreams he’s never understood can realize that deep down, he’s one of the supergods too.
I don’t have a high-minded analysis in me at the moment on its themes, especially given so many of them are a streamlining and hyper-focus of ideas he delved into further elsewhere, especially Flex Mentallo - I’d say check out Rikdad’s notes, whatever Mindlessones has, and any of the other many sets of annotations littering the internet - but underneath all the recapitulations of Morrison’s pet themes and continuity madness, the most primal message of this one really is about as simple and pure as he gets, as a statement on DC and superheroes as a whole. As he put it himself not long after, it’s that “somehow, inevitably, the best in us will triumph over the worst. That in the end, against all the odds...good is stronger than evil.”
#Final Crisis#Crisis#Grant Morrison#J.G. Jones#Doug Mahnke#Carlos Pacheco#Jesus Merino#Marco Rudy#Alex Sinclair#Rob Leigh#Travis Lanham#Christian Alamy#Pete Pantazis#Rob Clark Jr.#Tony Avina#Darkseid#Mandraak#New Gods#Fourth World#Monitor#Green Lantern#Flash#Wonder Woman#Batman#Superman#Opinion
101 notes
·
View notes
Text
Young Justice:Battalion (Season 4 AU RP idea)
OK, so with the remainder of YJ: Outsiders just around the corner, it got me to thinking about the future of the Team. We have waited over 5 years for what happened after Invasion, so GOD only knows if we'll EVER see a season 4 within our lifetimes. This said, this AU Rp, that I'm thinking about making a one on one/Two on one, Intermediate effort as well as a long-running one for anyone dedicated enough, Is something I'd like to try out. Lemmie lay down the scenario for anyone interested. This is also for anyone who happens to be a fan of DC's Kingdom Come series. Teen versions of characters from that Elseworlds story as well as traditional adult ones, have starring roles. Heroes and villains alike. Now, without any further-a-do, here's the scenario in an 8 paragraph nutshell. (Some nutshell. Sorry. :S) ''The year is 2027. 10 years after the end of Outsiders. A great deal has changed in many ways. The South Korean Music Invasion of the late 10s and early 20s, along with the election of President Martin Suarez in 2020, brought a new sense of optimism to America, at least culturally. At the same time, however, a desire for the now ever growing distant past became ever more prevalent. The revivals of the Ska/Pop-Punk, Eurodance and Nu-Metal genres from the mid to late 90s and early 00s, sharing a place on the virtual charts with K-Pop groups, Folk-Pop Groups inspired by Ed Sheeran's Galway Girl, both British And American Grime artists and, oddly enough, Neo-Classical composers, has to lead to an extremely diversified music world as well as a higher sense of hope. Fertilising this ever-growing aesthetic sense of a better tomorrow, was the clearing and exoneration of many accused actors, singers, VAs and so on during the long-gone MeToo movement with names like Michael Jackson, George Takei, Jim Cummings (By now RIP), Nelly, Nick Carter, Stan Lee, etc, being exonerated, returning to Hollywood and the entertainment industry in General, a greater sense of trustworthiness. In classrooms across the western world, Virtual Reality is becoming more prevalent, Real Meat, milk and cheese are being cloned in barrels en mass, Tv Commercials are actually watchable again, especially for Video Games, even fasion is based on a kind of ''hereditary nostalgia'' from the Late 80s, Mid 90s and Early 00s. Of course, not everything is sunshine and rainbows in the late 20s and not everything is quality. Despite the new trend of Pulp Hero Cinematic Universes and realistic romcoms in the style of Clerks, DEEPLY Experimental Horror, Adventure and Animated flicks Also dominate the box office. Outside the world of entertainment, Racism and prejudice also continue to exist as do crime and disasters. Racketeering, smuggling, Terrorism, Arson, Murder, kidnappings, Assaults and general super villainy Have been steadily on the increase and Forrest-Fires, Typhoons and especially Mudflows are becoming more frequent in Central Asia, Scandinavia and the Southern Mediterranean, thanks to climate change which, while being mended, seems to have simply migrated to other regions. Naturally, therefore, there will always be a need for Superheroes. But the old guard of humanity, The Justice League, are starting to get on in years. Many have now been supplanted by former members of a group known as ''The Team.'' Former teen sidekicks who formed a kind of undercover, black-ops superhero group that handled covert operations the League couldn't. 15 years ago, they formed in order to step out of the League's shadow, now they have either replaced the League's former roster, while the Younger members have either gone solo, quit or gone off to join an alternative. The Outsiders, lead by veteran Hero, Black Lightning. Shortly before the Team officially disbanded, seemingly forever, Old and New members alike came together to rebuild one of the JL's old ''Haunts.'' The Hall of Justice in central Metropolis. Briefly the true HQ for the Justice League, it quickly became a front for the superior base. The Watchtower, until it's destruction by The Alien race named The Reach uncovered the League's deception. Now fully rebuilt, the Hall stands as a sign of hope that maybe, one day a new team of young heroes in need of guidance will come together to face the challenges of the present and learn from the past. Good things come to those who wait, so they say. The so-called ''Nu-Age'' has arrived. New heroes, New Powers, Young Faces. The Dark, The Bright, The Strange and experimental, The Traditionalists and Legacy holders, The powered and non-powered. The gun toters and gadget masters. Alien, human, mutant. Brash, Egotistical, Snarky, excitable, Pseudo-Nihilistic, Optimists, Tough, Kind, Strong, Quick, Big and Small, Fun and Serious, Young and Eager, Wild and Free. Maybe a combination of all or some. Names and faces such as Manotaur, 666, Nucleoid, Living Doll, Trix, Stars and Stripes among others, are the ones now trusted to defend mankind as it's defenders and champions. Of course, it's only fitting that the most ambitious one of all, the one holding these 7 loosely together is a native to Superman's home city of Metropolis, the popular teen superhero, Magog. Powerful, Shining, Charismatic, Arrogant, Intelligent, Sociable. All wrapped up in the body of one 16-year-old, Superhero Rock Star with one thing on his mind. To save the world, from itself. But dark forces are once again lurking in a seemingly ''comparatively better'' world. A new threat is beginning to emerge from the shadows, The League knows it needs back up, but with the Outsiders so busy with their own thing and the old members not getting any younger, it's time for Magog's 7, he and his ''Battalion,'' to step up, fight, learn, train, grow both as friends and as teammates and become the heroes they were always meant to be. for better...or for worse...'' So to wrap this up, The For anyone interested, the roleplaying will be done via Discord, It's for Intermediate and literate roleplayers and fans of Lore, continuity, Character AND Action-driven stories, DC Elseworlds (Kingdom Come specifically) as well as YJ. The Rating is PG-13, no smut, with Mild profanity, violence, gore, etc. Anyone who wants to discuss further lore and history and stuff like that can do so in via Tumblr IM or in the discord chat. Speaking of, Discord identity will be given via IM in order to maintain my own safety and privacy. Hope to hear from you soon.
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Silver Rings for a Web of Love - Chapter 2
Can also be read on AO3 here:
Chapter Summary: How to ask out your crush who doesn't trust you while keeping your superhero identity a secret.
Chapter: 2/?
Words: 8422 of 12023 total
A/N: Hi. Sorry for the delay. Just quickly, yes, I’ve seen Endgame. There will be no spoilers in this chapter, and I’m not sure how much I’ll use of it. Mainly, I’m still going to stick to my original idea. Onwards!
Chapter 2 - What to Say?
Song of the Chapter: Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls
“You are my paradise and I would happily get stranded on you for a lifetime."
~ Unknown
“Peter!” Aunt May cheerfully greets as she opens the apartment door up to her nephew, quickly enveloping the spiderling in a big hug.
“Sorry I'm so late,” Peter apologises as he wraps his arms around his aunt.
“Aw, nonsense,” May says as she waves him off, untangling her arms from his. “Tony let me know beforehand. Not that I think he should've taken away from our time together, but that's just how these things work out.”
May steps aside, her long auburn hair sweeping around behind her back as she lets Peter walk into the apartment. Over the years, more pictures of Peter seemed to take up the free space around the rooms. Whether it be along the walls or lining the drawers, more and more memories seemed to envelope the space the Parker's lived in. And, since the younger Parker has left to live in his own apartment with Ned, the number only seems to have grown exponentially, along with the pictures of her and Uncle Ben.
Apart from the great increase of family photos, everything appeared to be relatively the same as Peter stepped through the door. The layout still remained the same, no matter that the number of inhabitants had downgraded from two to one. From within the kitchen, the sizzling sounds of food frying over the stove-top hisses away with the slight flicks of smoke wafting over, while sitting on one side of the dining room table is Ned with his head face down in a laptop, only glancing up slightly to see his best friend walk through the door.
"So, you've already ordered Thai?" Peter jokes with a grin, only to receive a firm smack on the arm from his Aunt as she walks by. "Hey!"
"Don't 'Hey!' me, I'm still trying here," May defends as she moves into the kitchen.
“Hey, dude,” he greets, holding up his fist over the screen.
“Hey, Ned,” Peter replies, walking over and doing their special handshake. “What are you doing? I thought you finished your exams today.”
“Yeah, I did. I'm just helping Betty out with her assessment,” he answers with a giant beaming smile. “She was panicking about how she couldn't get what was wrong with it and that this was going to cost her everything, so I offered to have a look over it for her.”
“Isn't that a little counter-productive?” Peter questions as he slings the backpack he had been carrying all day off his shoulders and onto the floor.
“Not really,” Ned replies as his eyes drift back down to the screen. “A lot of people will get others to check their work for errors before it gets submitted, and that's mainly for jobs.”
“Doesn't that kinda depend on the work?” Peter inquires as he slides into the chair opposite his best friend.
“Not necessarily,” Ned responds. “Besides, I'm only really checking for spelling, grammar and punctuation. I'm not changing any facts or anything like that.”
“Wasn't Betty the one that was stronger in English?”
“Apparently it helps to have someone else read it,” Ned shrugs. “Something about it being a lot easier to spot someone else's mistakes than your own.”
“Still seems a little detrimental to me.”
“You do it for others at Stark Industries,” Ned retorts, not even looking up from his laptop.
“And wasn't that what you both did with Michelle for your college applications?” May adds from back within the kitchen.
“Okay, okay,” Peter surrenders, bringing his hands up as he slips his backpack off his shoulder and slides into the dining table chair opposite Ned. “I just think that it's a bit different. Exams and assessments are supposed to be about what you can do.”
“So, what did you and Stark do?” Ned questions, excited eyes flickering up from the laptop screen.
No matter how long Peter had been running around as Spider-Man, Ned always seemed just as excited about the prospect of his best friend having adventures with other superheroes. Perhaps getting even more excited over time.
“Not too much. Just helped with a new Iron Man suit design,” Peter explains. “Figuring out some of the adjustments and calibrations that would be needed to get it working the way Mr. Stark would like it to.”
The young Parker leans forward in his chair as a stupidly broad grin explodes across his face.
“Mr. Stark really wants to try and get one up on Shuri. He's trying to compress the nanites further so that he can fit more of them into his chest-piece. We're also going to make them move and react faster than ever. Mr. Stark's also planning to improve on the energy absorption system. He wants to not only absorb the kinetic energy of an impact, but also transfer it throughout the suit so that it can be released in different ways. Not just having it all explode around him, but also focusing it out into a directed blast.”
“But not just that!” Peter exclaims as the chair beneath him slides away across the apartment floor, pushed out as the spiderling leaps to his feet. “We're also looking at transforming the energy between states, so he can feed the harnessed energy into his power conduits, or use it for his repulsors, or thrusters, or any of his equipment! Obviously that part is the most complex. But if we can manage to make it work … I'm telling you, man. It's going to be so cool!”
“Awesome! When do we get to see it in action?” Ned asks as he leans forward, fully facing Peter as the laptop and Betty's assessment are completely forgotten.
“Uh … I dunno,” Peter admits, his face dropping slightly. “It depends. I mean, it's not necessarily going to work straight away. There will more than likely be some trial and error involved. Plus, it's not like it's going to be produced quickly. These things can take time.”
“I think it would be unlikely that Tony Stark would just wear it out right away anyway,” May adds in from the kitchen. “And hopefully we don't need him wearing it any time soon. I don't know about you both, but I've had enough alien attacks for quite a while.”
“Alien attacks are awesome!” Ned rebuts loudly, nearly jumping out of his chair. “You never know what new technology they'll bring in!”
“Yeah, and besides, it's not like it'd be the strangest thing Mr. Stark's ever done to just wear a suit for the sake of it,” Peter tags on, nodding his head.
“Still,” May seemingly grumbles as she shuffles from the sizzling wok to the bubbling saucepan, “I would be fine with another end of the world event not appearing for more than a few years. If not for my heart's sake.”
“Why's that?” both Peter and Ned question as they tilt their heads towards the older Parker with furrowed brows.
“Why do you think?!” May asserts strongly as she spins around, brandishing a wooden spoon at the pair. “My nephew goes gallivanting off in a skin-tight outfit at the first sign of danger! Maybe I'd like for him to be safe for more than a passing day or two!”
“Oh … uh, right,” Ned mumbles as he sheepishly turns his gaze back to the laptop screen he had momentarily forgotten about, while Peter slouches over and guiltily stares at the wooden tabletop, his face burning slightly at his Aunt's assertive tone.
It hadn't been a good start when May accidentally found out about Peter being Spider-Man. At first, after seeing him drag the mask off his head the day he turned down Mr. Stark's offer – and subsequentially passed the 'test' – she had been furious. Peter had never seen his aunt so enraged. He swears on his life that she could have even faced down Hulk in her state and the humongous muscular being would have backed down. He was forced to sit on the couch as she vehemently shrieked, yelled and teared up over how “stupidly reckless” he had been, by both sneaking around in his vigilante persona and hiding everything from her. He had thought it was bad enough, until Mr. Stark was then rung up and brought over, both teenage nephew and billionaire hero incurring her wrath. The eventual compromise, to which Peter could keep being Spider-Man while May could have some peace of mind, was an imposed curfew where there was no patrolling allowed while he should be at school, if he had homework, after 10 PM on a school night and after 11 PM if there wasn't any school the next day. He also had to answer every call and reply to every text message that she sent while he was zipping through the skyline, while also letting her know when he would be back, and she was to receive a full medical report if he ever got injured and needed to be treated at the compound upstate.
Over time that rage had diminished, far quicker than Peter had expected it to, until May seemed to have accepted that Peter could handle himself safely and responsibly – what wasn't reported on the news stations wouldn't hurt her – and the curfews all but disappeared. It had gotten so much better to the point that she was far more relaxed and happy with his heroics, despite her worries, and would even suggest for Spider-Man to come and offer his support to groups that she was helping with. This also included possibly joining in with a homeless shelter program that she had been planning on creating for a while. When Thanos and his alien friends attacked, Peter almost expected the curfews to return once he had finally been saved and flown back home, but instead May was so relieved that she hadn't truly lost another loved family member that she just wanted to make sure he was safe, sound, and enjoying life. And with her homeless shelter, now called F.E.A.S.T., taking off in the months of despair and confusion after The Decimation, both Peter and Spider-Man set to work helping draw publicity to the noble foundation, while Peter looked to aid May with taking care of the people who came.
Even so, despite her gradually growing optimism of Peter's superhero persona and actions, May would still grip onto an understandable fear that his selfless nature and desire to help, both she knew were very admirable traits, would someday result with her sweet nephew ending up like the loving uncle that had raised him to embrace those attributes. And occasionally it would bubble to the surface. Just like now.
The apartment falls quiet after May's short outburst, split only by the occasional click of keys pressed on Ned's keyboard and the sizzling of the stove top, before being broken as Ned glances up and meekly asks, “Are you going to get the same upgrades?”
“Maybe,” Peter answers, not entirely sure himself. “I might just get some of them. If any, probably the faster nanites.”
“And why did he ask you to go today? Don't you normally go tomorrow?”
“He's flying out tomorrow with Ms. Potts to spend some time away before the wedding.”
“Do you know where they're going?” May asks from the kitchen, having turned back to the wok.
“Well …” Peter drawls as he fishes through his backpack before pulling out the envelope. He opens it up and pulls out one of the boarding passes. “Looks like they're going to New Zealand.”
“Dude, did you steal Mr. Stark's pass?!” Ned exclaims, as the clattering sound of wood against metal comes from the kitchen, followed shortly afterwards by wood hitting the wooden floor.
“What?! N-No!” Peter abruptly leans back at Ned's exclamation. He watches May reach down and pick her wooden spoon off the floor before tossing it into the sink, her eyes looking at her nephew. “I was invited to the wedding. And to the celebrations beforehand.”
“Holy shit …” Ned gasps, his eyes going as wide as dinner plates.
“Honey, that's incredible!” May squeals as she moves round the kitchen bench and over to Peter, hugging him from behind and giving him a light kiss on the forehead.
“I still can't believe I was invited,” the spiderling admits as he shrinks into himself.
“The wedding's in a fortnight, right?” Ned asks, answered by a short nod from Peter. “So when are you flying out?”
“This Saturday.”
“Why that early?” May inquires, leaning back from her nephew.
“Well, Mr. Stark said that they wanted to spend some time just relaxing with the other Avengers before the wedding,” Peter explains as he fidgets with the envelope. “Take a break from superheroing.”
“Well, you look like you could do with the rest,” May says, her hand ruffling through her nephew's hair. “Do you mind if I see the invitation?”
“Yeah,” the young Parker shrugs as he searches through the envelope before pulling out an invite, also inadvertently dragging the other invite out with it. Peter separates the two beautifully decorated cards and hands one to his aunt, who glances at the other as she takes it before reading the information.
“Why do you have two?” she inquires, her eyes darting over the words.
“Uh, because I'm allowed to bring a guest,” Peter slowly answers. “I'd have asked either of you, but I know you're both busy.”
“Aw, man!” Ned moans, burying his face in his hands. “I almost wish I wasn't going to visit family. I'd have loved to go!”
“Ned! Don't you dare think about ditching your family, or poor Betty,” May scolds, fixing Ned with a glare.
“So, who're you asking, then?” Ned perks up again, his excitable state instantly replacing his short regrets.
“No one, probably,” Peter quietly answers.
“Why not?” May questions.
“Well, who else besides you two would make sense? No one else knows about me being Spider-Man. And besides, it's not like they'll keep it under wraps that well.”
“Just because you can't keep a secret doesn't mean other superheroes can't,” May reminds him as she hands him back the invitation.
“W-What?! I can keep a secret.”
“Please, Peter, you could barely keep your alter ego a secret,” she responds with a wave of her hand.
“Hey, barely anyone knows that I'm Spider-Man,” Peter retorts as he slides the invitation back into the envelope.
“And how many people have you told?” Ned asks with a raised eyebrow.
“N-No one,” Peter mumbles.
“Exactly,” his best friend nods, accepting the high five from a grinning May as she takes the scenic route round the table to get back into the kitchen.
“... Shut up,” Peter pouts, trying to fix them both with as intimidating a glare as he can – which is not very scary.
The apartment falls quiet once again save for the sizzling sounds in the kitchen and the occasional clicking of Ned's keyboard. Outside, Peter can hear the general hustle and bustle of Queens life in the early evening, along with the shouted voices from a flat downstairs that may require a visit from a man dressed in red and blue if it keeps up, and the muffled sounds of the TV a couple of doors over and across the hall that belongs to a particularly nice old lady named Mrs. Thompson who May has enjoyed tea with for the past ten years, before focusing in on a set of footsteps clunking heavily along the corridor until they come to a stop in front of May's door.
“Peter, can you get that please?” May calls out from the kitchen.
“Yeah, sure.”
Peter leaps up out of his chair and deftly springs across to the door. Opening up, his eyes widen as they fall upon a taller woman who's bushy brown hair is pulled back into a bun save for a couple of curly bangs that delicately fall down the side of her face, wearing a zipped up grey hoodie, a pair of torn and faded denim jeans, and bulky combat boots covering her feet.
“M-Michelle?!”
“Weren't expecting me, loser?”
“No, n-not really …” he admits. After a tentative gulp his lips part again, only to flounder as the vast number words he possesses in his vocabulary suddenly go on strike and refuse to work in any form – nary a gargle, whisper or squeak, and his brain enters a state of shock that lasts until she clears her throat.
“So … are you going to let me in?”
“Huh? O-Oh, uh, yeah, sure,” he manages to utter as he steps aside to let her in.
As soon as she manages to step past the threshold of the apartment an auburn blur rushes out of the kitchen in a speed that the younger Parker has barely witnessed before.
“Michelle!” May greets with a beaming smile, sweeping MJ up in a hug that stiffens her up. “How are you sweetie?!”
“I'm good,” Michelle replies softly with a smile Peter cannot see as she melts into the arms of Aunt May, hugging her back and resting her head on her shoulder. Peter knows that no one can resist the warmth of his aunt - not even the almighty Michelle Jones.
Peter gently closes the door shut and shoots a questioning look at May, who simply responds by maintaining her loving smile and raising her eyebrows back at him.
“Sorry I'm late,” MJ says as she breaks the hold.
“No, you're right on time,” May replies, dismissing her apology with a wave of her hand. “Dinner should be just about ready.”
“So we've already ordered Thai?” Michelle jokes, getting a laugh from May as she walks back into the kitchen.
“Wait, why do I get hit for saying that and she doesn't?” Peter questions.
“Simple: you're a loser, and I'm me,” MJ speaks up as she sits down at the table in the spare chair beside Ned before turning to her table neighbour. “Hey, loser number two.”
“Hey,” Ned absentmindedly greets as he continues looking over Betty's project. “Hang on, I'm number two?”
“Congratulations, you can hear clearly.”
“Why am I number two?” he asks in confusion.
“I wouldn't argue. You don't want to be number one,” she states, gesturing to Peter who shares Ned's muddled expression
“Uh, thanks?” Peter replies uncertainly.
“It's not a compliment.”
“Thanks,” he repeats far more bluntly than the first as his shoulders sag.
“Peter, can you give me a hand?” May asks from the kitchen.
“Sure thing.”
Peter heads into the kitchen and, seeing May gesture to the cupboards and drawers with the end of the wooden spoon, starts to pull out bowls and cutlery for everyone.
“Why didn't you say she was coming?” he whispers.
“I forgot,” she whispers back, her small smirk giving away her lie. Peter just stands there mid-reach for a bowl, glaring at her until she sighs and amends, “Okay, I didn't want to make you nervous.”
“Nervous doesn't cover it.”
“Don't tell me you've made it worse again?”
“No!” Peter hisses sharply before covering his mouth. At a quick glance over the counter and seeing that Ned and Michelle didn't hear his outburst, or at least aren't responding to it, he continues on. “At least, I don't think I have … I had only just started making some sense of her before Mysterio. Now I'm back to square one.”
“It'll be fine, sweetie. If she hated you, she wouldn't be here.”
“She would. She just wouldn't be talking to me.”
“There, you've still got something figured out.”
“ … Doesn't that applied to everyone?”
“Ok, you've still got a lot to learn,” May admits with a sigh.
“Too much,” he agrees with a nod.
“Hey, why don't you ask her to Stark's wedding?” she whispers, her eyes brightening while his widens at her question before narrowing to a squint.
“Mr. Stark put you up to this, didn't he? Is that why you invited Michelle?”
“What? No! I'd already invited MJ before he called me about you. Why? What did he say?”
“He thinks I should invite her,” he mumbles.
“You should,” May agrees, holding out a hand. “Bowl.”
“I can't,” Peter opposes as he hands her a bowl, which she starts scooping rice into out of the saucepan.
“Why not?”
“How would I explain everything?” Peter asks as May moves on to adding the fried vegetables in. “She doesn't know that I'm Spider-Man.”
“You haven't told her,” May points out as she hands him the meal and gestures for another bowl. “And that hasn't stopped anyone finding out yet.”
“Still-”
“I think it's a good idea,” May presses on, filling up the second bowl and handing it to Peter. “It'll help you both get closer again.”
As she glances back at Peter after he hands her the third bowl, she notices the calculating expression of his as he stares off at a randomly chosen point in the floorboards, lost deep in thought.
“I know that look, you're overthinking again.”
“Am not,” he replies, snapping his attention back to May.
“It's not like anything will happen there,” she promises filling up the third bowl and swapping it for the last one. “Who would be silly enough to attack a place crawling with Avengers.”
“Don't jinx it,” Peter groans, rubbing his face with his hands.
“It's only jinxed if it happens,” May points out with a raise of her spoon. “Which would mean you'd need to bring her.”
“So, that's another reason not to invite her.”
May pauses for a second before answering. “That worked against me, didn't it?"
“The point is, that you always overthink things when you're worrying for others,” May continues at her normal volume as she gathers her bowl and cutlery and takes it over to the dining table, leaving Peter to carry Michelle's and Ned's. “It's sweet, but you need to relax. She'll be fine. Ned, put your laptop away.”
“Yes, May,” Ned says as he starts to put it to sleep while Peter sets MJ's food in front of her, the girl perking up at May's words.
“Peter's worried about a girl?” she asks as Peter sets Ned's meal in front of him while he is sliding the laptop into his bag underneath the table.
“Yes,” May simply states as she pokes through the food with her fork and spoon, while Peter simultaneously pulls back with a sudden, “N-No!”
“Don't worry, it's just work related,” May explains, causing Peter to groan as he goes to grab his food from the kitchen.
“So, who's this mystery girl?” MJ questions with a face schooled for many long years to give nothing away, her elbows on the table resting either side of her bowl while her hands are clasped together above it.
“Why are you so interested?” Peter snaps as he sets his bowl and cutlery down.
“Peter!” May scolds.
“Sorry,” he mumbles.
“Fishing for new material,” Michelle answers. “Not that I really need it for you. There's just so much to tease you for. It's a bottomless pit.”
“Th-This looks really good, May,” Ned says, glancing nervously between his two friends. “Smells delicious too.”
“Thank you, Ned. Truthfully, I just fried up some of the leftover Thai in the fridge.”
“So it is takeaway!” Peter exclaims, getting another light smack on the arm from May.
“Hey, I did cook the rice at least,” she defends while Peter rubs the area she hit. “I'm sorry, MJ. I was trying to make something different, but it kinda went up in smoke.”
“It's fine, May. Just so long as there isn't any meat in mine.”
“I made sure there wasn't meat in any, just to be safe.”
“Thanks.”
“So, how are your exams going, MJ?” May asks as they start to dig into their dinner.
“They should be fine. Same with the assessments. Just one more tomorrow,” she answers with a swallow before looking at Ned. “I take it Betty asked you to read over her work?”
The rest of the meal passes by with few events, just some causal talk, May asking questions of how MJ's holding up, and a few choice barbs flung by the snarky warrior over to the young Avenger. When they are all finished, Peter insists on collecting up the bowls and cutlery and washing up, despite the protests of his Aunt, leaving him now washing up the dishes in the kitchen.
“I should be going,” Michelle states as she rises up from her chair, though stops as May reaches a hand over.
“You don't have to go. We've got chocolate ripple cake for dessert. And I think the boys are going to put a movie on.”
“No thanks, I should go get ready for tomorrow. Make sure I'm prepared and all.”
“Well, I'll give you a slice for the road.”
“You don't have to-”
“Oh, nonsense,” May waves her off before looking over her shoulder. “Peter!”
“On it!” Peter shouts, grabbing a tea towel and quickly drying his hands before diving into the fridge.
“It was good to see you again, sweetie,” she says, pulling her into another hug that MJ accepts much quicker than the first. Michelle breaks away with a smile before walking over to Ned, who has gotten his laptop out once more.
“Bye, Ned,” she says, holding out a hand for a fist bump.
“See ya, MJ,” Ned says as he returns it. “Keep in touch over break?”
“Yeah, sure. Sorry, I've just been busy with school.”
“Yeah, we all have.”
MJ moves back around the table just as Peter bumbles out of the kitchen, sliding across the floor in his socks and bumping into a set of drawers. She manages to choke her laugh into her hoodie while he's busy fixing it and schools herself back to the blank canvas by the time he turns back around. With a slight tinge of faint crimson across his cheeks, he holds out her sizeable share of ripple cake tightly wrapped in glad-wrap. Silently, she takes it from his hands and pockets it in her hoodie along with her hands.
“Bye, dork,” she says before she walks to the door.
Peter waves awkwardly to her back and manages to stutter out, “Y-Yeah, see ya,” as she opens it, before glancing at May.
“Ask her!” his aunt mouths.
His mouth opens up again to fire back some sort of excuse, but for the second time that night the working words have gone on strike. Union has managed unity amongst every sound and syllable, turning them all in opposition of him again. No matter what his brain suggests as a compromise, there's no pleasing them. Not even the promise of using simple basic English properly. And yet, what whips everything back into shape is the sudden slam of the door behind Michelle making him jump and shifting everything into high gear. Diving for his backpack, he scurries inside for the envelope Mr. Stark gave him which had, by some means, managed to fall underneath his work and textbooks.
'This is a bad idea! This is a bad idea!' his brain runs on a loop as he finally pulls it free. Rushing to the door and wrenching it open, Peter darts through and spots her just before she makes it to the elevator.
“Michelle! Wait!”
MJ sighs and stops just short of the elevator doors, turning around as he dashes up to her
'This is a bad idea! This is a bad idea! This is a bad idea! This is -'
“What is it, Parker?”
“U-Um ...” Peter stammers out before clearing his throat, hoping that his words will stay working just long enough to finish this. “W-Well, today – earlier – obviously earlier, I-I got something Stark – from Mr. Stark. Not just any something; a big something. Like, monumental-”
“Get to the point, Parker,” Michelle interrupted, pulling her hands out of her pockets and crossing her arms across her chest. “You're not making any sense.”
“U-Uh, r-right … So, um, you know about Mr. Stark's wedding? To Ms. Potts?”
“No, I haven't heard about the wedding every media platform's been spending too long covering instead of actual important social issues.”
“O-Oh, right …”
'This is a bad idea! This is a bad idea!'
“What about it?”
“U-Um …” her starts again, before deflating with a sigh. “Don't worry. It's nothing. S-Sorry.”
Peter turns around and goes to walk back, until he feels her hand on his shoulder.
“Clearly not if you came running after me. What is it?”
“W-Well … I got invited,” he states, rubbing his free hand against the back of his neck.
“Huh …” she manages to utter, the blank canvas adding some life as her brows rise slightly higher over her widened eyes, “You must do some really important work for him to be invited to something so important.”
“I-I guess?”
“Is that a question or an answer?”
“… both?”
A heavy silence falls between the two of them before Michelle speaks up again.
“… So, is there anything else? Or were you just looking for compliments?”
“No! I-I … It's just … I've been allocated a guest for the trip and I … uh …” he stammers out before taking a deep breath, “… Iwaswonderingifyouwantedtocomewithme?”
“… Can you repeat that? Not all of us have super hearing, you know.”
“W-What?” he squeaks, his face draining of colour.
“Not all of us have super hearing,” she repeats. “Like your pal Spider-Man?”
“O-Oh, right. Um …” Peter clears his voice as the colour returns too quickly to his face, rushing past his normal tone and turning into a beat red blush. “I-I was just wondering i-if you wanted to come with me? T-To the wedding.”
Michelle's eyes widen again and her lips part slightly. She makes a move as if to speak, but it seems as if whatever she was going to say got caught along the way.
“Um … Look, Peter,” she starts, her head dropping slightly and tilting to the side, “I dunno-”
“You don't have to!” he exclaims, jolting her back to looking at him. Quietening himself back down, he continues with, “I-I was just asking … I knew May and Ned couldn't come-”
“Oh, so I'm third choice?”
“No! I-I mean, I see why it looks that way, but May is family and Ned's always been interested in this stuff, so i-it just seemed more likely that they would come. N-Not that I asked, because I already knew they couldn't come.”
Peter had kept his head trailed on the floor as he tentatively stammered through his explanation, meaning that he had completely missed the small smile that had managed to creak through Michelle's filter and painted itself across her canvas while he bumbled through his excuse. A small smile that had already been painted back over, along with the rest of her expression, ready to start again once more.
“Why not ask that girl that you're so worried about?”
'That's what I'm doing!' his insides exclaim, building up and waiting to be released. Instead, what came out was, “We aren't that close, me and her.”
MJ slowly nods before she admits, “Look, I don't know-”
“You don't have to!” he repeats again. “I mean, I don't want you to feel pressured into it. Just that, you know, if you didn't have any plans for spring break, and you wanted a holiday-”
“Oh no, my usual routine of wrapping myself in blankets and reading every book in sight with no end of tea is ruined now,” she complains dryly.
“O-Oh, right. Well, enjoy your plans, I guess-”
“I was joking, loser,” she smirks with a shake of her head. “I've got nothing on.” The smirk falls from her head as she continues, “It's just, last time we planned something for us, it didn't go well.
Peter slowly nods, remembering the disaster with Mysterio and his goons that Michelle could never understand. He takes in a deep breath before asking, “… So that's a no?”
Michelle sighs and leans up against the wall, staring off at a point on the ground.
“… I don't think I'd get along well with Stark when I'm there, regardless of if he's paying for the trip or not,” she answers.
“Ms. Potts will also be there,” Peter countered, remembering Michelle's admiration for her. “Also the Avengers.”
“Seriously?!” she exclaims, raising her head in time to catch Peter nodding. “How'd you get on that invite list?”
“I dunno.”
'Tell her! Tell her!'
“I've, uh, done some things for them. Tech upgrades and modifications.”
'And, also, I'm Spider-Man!' his mind continues on to mock him. 'Sorry for not telling you sooner. Friends again?'
“Th-That's it,” he finishes with a swallow, waiting in silence as MJ's squinted eyes stare at him. Every time she's looked at him that way, he always felt like she was doing more than observing; she was looking straight into his soul to find some answer. If there was any way that she knew he was Spider-Man, it was through that look.
“I don't know, Peter-”
“I could also owe you a favour?” Peter interjects again. “Something- Anything that you want.”
“Anything?” she questions with a raised eyebrow.
“Y-You know, within reason,” he clarifies. “I'll even get you a dress for it.”
“You don't think I've got a suitable dress?”
“N-No! Th-That's not-”
“What if I want to wear a suit instead?” she inquires, the ghost of a smile returning to her lips as she watches him crumble.
“Then I'll get you a suit. Whatever you want.”
MJ just manages to clamp down on the laugh just after it starts, with a small smile that still manages to pluck a melody along his heartstrings.
“I'm just messing with you, Pete,” she states, still keeping the smile on her face. A smile that he can't remember being directed at him since their trip to Europe. “You make it way too easy.”
“R-Right,” he says, slowly laughing.
“Where is it?”
“Plane ticket says Auckland, New Zealand,” he replies, pulling out one of the invitations and handing it to her.
“And you're leaving …?” she asks, reading over the page.
“Saturday. Morning. Day after tomorrow.”
“Thanks for the large warning,” she mutters quietly.
“Sorry, I only found out today,” he responds, causing her to look up and eye him again with her soul piercing gaze. Suddenly, Peter wasn't too sure if he should have said anything, considering her quip before about super hearing. Or if it was just because she didn't mean to say it aloud.
“Thanks for the warning, Stark,” she mutters again before handing the invite back. “I'll think about it, okay?”
“Y-Yeah, that's fine,” he replies, taking the invitation and sliding it back into the envelope. “Just, you know, let me know tomorrow. Or May, and she can tell me.”
“I'll be sure to message late.”
“Uh, maybe at a more reasonable time? You know, for the clothes and all? In case you do decide to come?”
“What, you haven't been sizing me up now?” she asks, giving Peter a sly look that sends the crimson fire burning across his face once more, spreading quickly down his neck.
“N-No! No!”
“You sure?” she says, pushing away from the wall and moving towards him. “A lot of guys would be admiring a body like mine like a piece of art.”
“G-Good for them?” he gulps as he backs up.
MJ backs him against a wall and leans in, his eyes fluttering down to her lips just inches away from his own.
'Just lean in. Kiss her,' a tiny voice whispered in the back of his head. 'You know you want to see if she still tastes the same.'
There was a time, though brief, where he knew exactly what she tasted like. It was heaven, or as close to it as he was ever going to get. So vibrant and shocking, sweeter than the sweetest honey, an unforgettable taste that would linger on his lips long after the smallest peck. And they were few, now just a memory of sweet torture. The whole concoctions of senses and visions builds at the tension eating away at his will while he shrinks down in a crimson mess. That is, until the smile that spreads its way across her morphs into full blown laughter, pure and joyful, the beautiful sound he hasn't truly heard in years that ever since has both blessed and haunted his dreams at the same time.
“You really make it too easy, dork,” she laughs and backs away, allowing him to release the breath of hot air trapped in his throat that he hadn't realised he was holding back.
“W-When's your exam?” he manages to spit out, pushing himself uneasily off the wall.
“It goes from 8 to 11,” she answers, getting just a nod in response as she walks over to the elevator doors and presses the down button. “Apparently we get too much sleep as it is.”
“Well, mine starts at 1, s-so just m-message any time before then, I guess. Maybe 12:30 at the latest?”
“Fine.”
The elevator doors whine as they slowly slide open, sticky metal rubbing against one another. Michelle gives them a tentative glance before stepping in and hitting the ground button.
“W-Well, see you,” Peter says, giving her another awkward wave that she finally sees.
MJ just stares at him through squinted eyes as the doors start to close, before smirking as she raises her middle finger just at the last moment. Peter lets out a loud sigh and puts his head in his hands before he makes his way back to May's apartment. When he gets inside, he closes the door before falling back against it and sliding down to the ground. Ned glances up from his laptop before taking a double-take at his crumpled friend, May quickly joining him.
“What did she do to you?” Ned asks, slowly hovering away from his chair.
“I have absolutely no idea,” Peter admits, taking several deep breaths as he spreads out his enhanced hearing, listening for any trouble on her end.
All he can hear is her softly humming to herself as she rides down, while Mrs. Thompson's TV has been switched off and the shouting from downstairs seems to have gotten louder. Looks like they'll need a visit from Queen's red-and-blue domestic expert, though they'll have to settle for Spider-Man instead. At least the suit is in the backpack.
“You asked her?” May inquires. “Properly?” Peter just nods. “… And?”
“I'll find out tomorrow.”
Michelle stretches her arms up above her head as she leaves the exam hall with the swarm of students. She had finished early, as she expected, but not as early as she thought as stupid Parker's stupid proposal kept worming its way into her head as she was trying to think. Still, she finished early, but of course she wasn't allowed to leave until time was up anyway. Not without failing, as the examiners said, which wasn't something she wished to push today. At least she had a chance to think about it, more than she had already antagonised over the decision much more than she felt she should have last night when she was meant to study. Beside her, her friend and roommate, Cindy Moon, sighs happily, her utensils cluttered in her arms.
“Finally it's over!” Cindy Moon sighs happily beside her, her overly large collection of writing utensils and highlighters cradled in her arms, “I'm so happy I could just collapse here and now!”
“I'll call the ambulance,” Michelle drawls, pulling out her phone from her jean pocket to check for messages. Nothing. “Tell them to expect the usual.”
Cindy giggles and bumps into her, “It's not that normal.”
“It's way too common for it to be considered normal,” Michelle retorts, sliding her phone back into its designated pocket as another friend and their other roommate, Betty Brant, jogs up on her other side.
“Time to celebrate, girls!” the blonde cheers. “Clubs and drinks tonight!”
“Don't you need to pack for Ned's holiday?” Cindy questions.
“No, I'm already packed. Besides, we're leaving Sunday. There's plenty of time.”
“Yeah, in which you'll throw out half your clothes an hour before you need to leave because it just doesn't feel right, and then antagonise over what else to bring,” MJ points out.
“That never happens,” Betty dismisses. “You worry too much.”
MJ and Cindy share a glance, remembering last year's trip where she was crying with her clothes strewn on the floor around her empty suitcase with 10 minutes before they left. Then again, MJ knew that Cindy stressed about packing for an entire week beforehand and keep meticulously checking even the smallest detail to make sure it was right, so she had no room to talk either.
“Drinks do sound good, though,” Cindy admits with a thoughtful nod. “Michelle?”
“Maybe,” she shrugs.
“So you're not going with Peter?” inquires Betty, drawing a sigh from Michelle.
“I haven't decided.”
“Wait, what's this?” Cindy asks in confusion, glancing between the two.
“Peter asked MJ to go to Stark's wedding with him.”
“Seriously?!” Cindy squeals, her hands jerking up to cover her mouth only to stop as she realises she's still holding her equipment.
“Not so loud …” Michelle mumbles with a wince.
“How have you not decided yet?!”
“Because I'm not that big on Stark,” Michelle starts to list off on her fingers, “Because I'm not that big on a bunch of big muscly superheroes who'll argue over who's the most macho. Because I don't want to be around a bunch of corporate yes men who are way too old and creepy to contribute to society. And because it's Peter.”
“Is the last point for the positive or negative?” Cindy stage whispers to Betty, leaning in behind MJ's back.
“Probably positive,” Betty muses. “Outweighs those three negatives.”
“Seriously?” MJ says, folding her arms over her chest with an unimpressed eyebrow raised.
“Hey, regardless of what you say, I know you still haven't gotten over Peter,” Betty says as she keeps walking, the other two quickly catching up and keeping pace. “And the way you treat him doesn't exactly help your case.”
“How I treat him?”
“Well, it's not exactly normal for girls who claim someone's broken their heart to playfully tease them,” Cindy joins in, a hand somehow free from the clutter in her arms tapping her chin thoughtfully.
“I don't tease playfully. Wait, what do you mean, 'you know'?”
“Drunk Michelle tells me things that Sober Michelle is too afraid to say,” Betty answers candidly with a sing-song pitch.
'I'm going to have to sit down and talk with Drunk Michelle,' Michelle internally broods. 'If she keeps lying like this, I'll end up in a mess I'm not going to get out of.'
“And it's because of this that you keep turning down dates and don't do anything outside of one night stands,” Betty continues. “You should give one of those boys a chance.”
'Forget the talk. Drunk Michelle's meeting the firing squad tonight. With full prejudice.'
“Cindy-rella!” calls out a male voice from across the courtyard.
“Zekie!” Cindy perks up and runs over to the source of the pet name, running into the arms of a tall black man with short stubby dreadlocks, her utensils scattering on the cobble floor beneath them. Michelle notes him as her boyfriend, Ezekiel, as their bright grins morph together when their lips crash into each other's.
“How'd it go?”
“I dunno,” Cindy replies. “I'm worried I messed it all up.”
“Nah, you're amazing! There's no way you didn't get top marks.”
“No way, top marks will go to this girl,” a smooth male voice says coming from behind Betty and Michelle.
“Speaking of boys …” Betty says, turning around.
'Speaking of creepy …' MJ sours internally, also pivoting to the source of the sound with a scowl.
Striding over towards the group, dirty blonde hair slicked back, tight button-up shirt that hugs his muscular physique with the top buttons left undone, and tight jeans clinging to his legs, is the heir to Oscorp Industries, Harry Osborn; charmer, playboy, womaniser, millionaire in his own right, flashing a smile that would make any girl swoon.
Any girl not named Michelle Jones.
“What do you say, MJ? Top of the class yet again?”
“It's Michelle, Osborn.”
“Whoa, slow down,” Harry chuckles, “I haven't even gotten the ring yet.”
“Fuck off,” she growls, turning her back to him.
“Still as feisty as ever, huh? Calm down, MJ. I was just joking,” he says, placing a hand on her shoulder, which is quickly smacked away as she spins back round.
“I told you. It's Michelle,” she snaps, glaring at him and jabs a finger in the air in front of him. “Okay?”
“Whatever you say, princess.”
Michelle huffs and folds her arms over her chest, not failing to notice how his bright blue eyes travel down her body, taking in every little piece that they can see. A cold chill darts across her skin like a sickness as his gaze continues to linger while it travels back up her body, no doubt undressing her in a way that would be as uncomfortable as possible if she ever had the displeasure to live it out.
“Some friends of mine were talking about heading around to my mansion and getting a head start on the drinking before the clubs all open up,” he finally speaks after what feels like an eerie eternity for Michelle, his eyes peering into her own. “Interested?”
“Betty and I were thinking of going out later anyway,” Cindy jumps in, holding hands with her boyfriend as they walk over, their free hands holding her once again collected equipment.
“Excellent,” Harry says, barely letting his eyes leave Michelle. “You're welcome to join us.”
“We've still got some things to take care of too, though,” Betty points out.
“Alright, then we can swing round and pick you up on the way to the clubs.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“What about you, princess? We can grab a drink, get to know each other more personally,” Harry says, turning back to Michelle. “I can even invite you to join the getaway to California. Just think; hot sun, busy beaches, lots of parties. You can put all those fake girls to shame with that beautiful body of yours.”
“Nope. Not a chance, Osborn,” MJ replies, sidestepping the arm he went to throw around her shoulders and sliding her phone out of her pocket. She quickly unlocks it and opens up her messages to Peter. “Gotta pack. I've got plans. Far away from you.”
I'm in Dress and favour included
'Thanks for making that choice so much easier. Only thing you've ever been good for, Osborn,' she thinks as she gets a quick buzz back.
rly?!?!?!?!?!
Yep Shocker Details?
“Really?” Osborn questions in surprise, his brow rising up. “What kind of plans?”
I'll send them 2 U l8r After exam
“One's that don't involve you.”
Pick text speech or normal and stick with it
Ok
… Please tell me you picked normal
“That sounds lonely,” Harry croons in his sultry tone.
“It sounds peaceful,” MJ jabs back.
I picked normal
I don't believe you
Y not?
You took to long to write that Also, your last message
“So, where are you going?” Harry continues to inquire, leaning in to try and peer at her phone. Without looking up, Michelle tilts it away from his eyes, keeping it close to her body.
“Somewhere not Osborn related.”
Fair For your dress, go to 154 on 32nd I'll let them know u r coming
MJ's brow furrows as she reads the address. From what she remembers, that's meant to be a top end shop filled with custom makes and designer makes that only people with some decent cash can afford.
“That'll be hard to do,” Harry presses on. “Osborn is a household name, after all.”
“Right. Up on the same level as Stark himself,” MJ sarcastically retorts with a roll of her eyes.
Isn't that that really expensive new place?
Yep
“It is,” he stresses. “And soon will rise above. There's lots of money in Oscorp. Which means plenty of riches and fame for me. And anyone that's personally involved.”
“Aw, you say that to all the girls,” Michelle says, putting on a fake sweet voice that sounds deliberately off.
Stark's paying for this, isn't he?
He asked me to go there for sizing yesterday
So you're not getting me a dress?
“Just the special one.”
“Just one? You're getting old, Osborn.”
Hey It counts in my book
Fine But only because you didn't have to offer
“I think you'll find I'm young enough in all the right places,” he leans in to whisper with a smirk, “if you'd care to take a look sometime.”
“No, I'm not up for playing Doctor.”
“Right now?”
“Ever!” she growls, taking a step back.
“Hey, Cindy? Maybe we should get going?” Betty interjects nervously, stepping in between Harry's cool and calm persona and Michelle's fiery spirit fit to burst. “Let Michelle finish her packing.”
“Yeah, okay,” she nods, untangling her fingers from Ezekiel's and quickly pecking his lips. “I'll see you later.”
“See you soon,” he replies, handing her back the utensils he was carrying.
“And I'll see you later, princess,” Harry grins at Michelle. “Still time to change your mind.”
“Don't count on it,” she huffs as she storms away.
“MJ, wait up!” Betty calls after her as she and Cindy take off after their friend.
Forget sending me the details Mind if I stay tonight?
I'm staying at May's tonight She should be fine with it I'll check Why the sudden change?
Just thought it'll save travelling between two houses
Oh Right
Don't get excited, Parker
“Sorry, I should have defused that a lot sooner,” Betty apologises as they finally catch up to Michelle's long legged stride.
“That would have helped,” Michelle grates as she receives another couple of buzzes, this time from May.
Honey, you're more than welcome to stay. Whenever you need to.
Michelle has to smother the smile bubbling up with the special kind of grateful feeling that only May Parker's warmth can give before turning to her friends and roommates.
“I'm not staying tonight.”
“Where are you going?” Cindy asks.
“I'll stay at May's. Peter's there and it'll save travelling all over in the early morning,” MJ explains. “Plus I'm not wanting to see that slime ball again.”
“We'll make sure they don't come to get us before you're gone,” Betty assures her.
“Thanks.”
A/N: Please feel free to let me know what you think. Hopefully the next chapter shouldn’t be too far away. At least not as far as this one was. Until next time, adios!
#spider-man#spiderman#MCU Spider-Man#spider-man far from home#post endgame#post infinity war#peter parker#petermj#peter x michelle#peter parker x michelle jones#michelle jones#May Parker#ned leeds#ned x betty#ned leeds x betty brant#mcu#marvel#marvel fic#marvel cinimatic universe#mcu fic#ao3#AO3 fic#spideychelle#spideychelle fic#Spider-Man: Homecoming#Spider-Man fic
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Can’t Help But Wait: 2018 Movie Preview
2018 has been on to a rocky start to say the least, but don’t let what’s going on distract you from the sheer awesomeness that is about to unleash in the forthcoming months. This year features some of the old, but some of the new, such as aliens, super spies, and a little country that goes by the name of Wakanda. Let’s get into it, the 10 movies I’m most hype for the big 18.
10. Venom
Fact: Movies based around super-villains don’t usually have the best track record, but consider me optimistic because this one has the great Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock The plot is still under wraps, but I’m definitely looking forward to see what Sony has up their sleeves, because anything beats Topher Grace. (Sorry, Topher.) Co-starring Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed, Venom drops October 15.
9. Aquaman
Justice League was a gorgeous mess, but the one thing that kept me captivated was Jason Momoa’s charismatic and swaggering portrayal of the half man/half Atlantean Arthur Curry. Centered around the prince’s rise from shunned outsider to would-be king of Atlantis, Curry must match wits with Mera (Amber Heard) in order to face off against Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson) all while realizing his true destiny. Directed by James Wan, Aquaman drops December 21.
8. Mission Impossible 6
This one is a bit of a wild card, considering all of the dope sequels that clearly overshadow this somewhat standard Tom Cruise adventure, but for anyone who hasn’t watched Ghost Protocol and Rouge Nation, please treat yourself to some of the finest action films released this decade, and with new additions like Angela Bassett and Henry Cavill climbing on board for action, consider this a no-brainer. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie. In theatres July 27.
7. Annihilation
When a biologist’s husband goes missing, she (Natalie Portman) must team up with two eager scientists (Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson) and venture into a strange new land where the rules of nature do not apply, and danger awaits them at every turn. Considering this is directed by Alex Garland, the genius behind Ex Machina, I have a right to be hype. Also starring Jennifer Jason Leigh. In theatres February 23.
6. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
While America is busy falling in love with Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker, my attention belongs to another web-slinger: Miles Morales. Created in 2011, the African-American/Puerto Rican preteen swung into the public consciousness and has become an international icon, and now it’s his time to hit the big screen. This animated feature already wowed audiences with it’s amazing trailer, and with a cast featuring Shamiek Moore, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Mahershala Ali, it’s time for nonbelievers to get familiar when Spider-Verse drops December 14.
5. The Incredibles 2
In 2004, the best superhero movie ever made took the world by storm with its message about hope, never giving up on your dreams, and staying close to those who matter most to you. No, not Spider-Man 2. It’s been 14 years and Bob, Helen, Dash, Violet, and Jack-Jack are back once again to save the world from evildoers, and try to keep their household in one piece. Incredibles 2 drops June 15.
4. Ready Player One
Anybody that knows me knows that I love mashups of any kind. Music, movies, you name it, that’s all it takes to get Marco a ticket, so, when news broke that the god Steven Spielberg was adapting the cult novel about a virtual reality that features every cinematic icon you could mention, my nostalgia senses went into overdrive. Where else are you gonna see the DeLorean in a race against Kaneda's bike from Akira? Ready Player One hits theatres March 30.
3. Deadpool 2
Ryan Reynolds’ passion project about the foulmouthed assassin with a heart of gold smashed records with its 2016 release, and was a breath of fresh air for longtime X-Men fans like myself. The sequel is jam-packed with old faves (Colossus, Negasonic Teenage Warhead) and new friends/or annoyances, just like Zazie Beetz as Domino, and Josh Brolin as time-traveling fan favorite Cable. Deadpool drops May 18.
And speaking of Josh Brolin...
2. Avengers: Infinity War
2018 marks 10 years since the inception of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the battle lines being drawn like no other movie before it. after years of after-credit teases and namedrops, intergalactic warlord Thanos has finally landed on earth,and it will take all of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, from all corners of of the cosmos to defeat him, but it won’t be without loss. The final battle begins May 4.
1. Black Panther
Chadwick Boseman’s smooth-as-silk portrayal of the Wakandan politician/vigilante was one of the ubiquitous highlights of Captain America: Civil War. Everyone walked out of that theatre saying the same thing: “Yeah that was cool but...When is HIS movie coming out?” Happy to say that the wait is almost over. Boseman finally takes center stage as he attempts to juggle diplomatic drama with international threats that may try to destroy his only home. With Ryan Coogler (Creed) behind the lens and the best ensemble cast in Marvel history (yeah I said it), prepare for pure unfiltered Black Excellence when Black Panther hits February 16.
There you have it boys and girls. The flicks that I cannot wait to see this year. If I missed anything or you have your own list you wanna add, do that in the comments. SHARE, comment, follow, tell your friends. Tell your friends’ friends.
Thanks for reading, and peace!
#TOBEB#ThatOneBlackEntertainmentBlog#Jamarco Shaw#2018 Movie Preview#Venom#Tom Hardy#Aquaman#Jason Momoa#Amber Heard#yahya abdul-mateen ii#patrick wilson#mission impossible#Angela Bassett#Henry Cavill#Annihilation#Natalie Portman#Oscar Isaac#Gina Rodriguez#Tessa Thompson#Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse#Shamiek Moore#Bryan Tyree Henry#mahershala ali#The Incredibles 2#Disney#Ready Player One#steven spielberg#Tye sheridan#Deadpool 2#Josh Brolin
193 notes
·
View notes
Link
Trilogies are always a popular topic of discussion when it comes to movies. Some of the most iconic film series in history are set at three entries, from Peter Jackson's epic The Lord of the Rings to the superhero flicks set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe based on the likes of Captain America and Thor.
RELATED: The Dark Knight Rises & 9 Other Trilogy Closers That Faced Impossibly High Expectations
In a lot of cases, the trilogies get better with each passing entry. However, there are certainly cases where it peaks with the first installment. These films started their franchises and managed to score the highest rating of the three movies, and most are all-time classics.
10 Shaun Of The Dead (7.9)
One of the most interesting things about this zombie comedy is that it can stand alone as its own yet it is indeed part of a trilogy. 2004's Shaun of the Dead is the first installment of Edgar Wright's Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, also known as the Blood and Ice Cream trilogy.
Although each film has the same director and mostly shares cast members, the characters and concepts are all unique. 2007's Hot Fuzz was nearly as good (7.8), while 2013's The World's End (7.0) disappointed a bit. The first entry is legendary and ranks as one of the best zombie flicks and comedies of the century.
9 Star Trek (7.9)
It's hard to fully pin this series down because there are so many Star Trek movies out there. This one covers the three films started by J.J. Abrams, collectively called The Kelvin Timeline. It all began in 2009 with the appropriately titled Star Trek, which won an Academy Award for makeup.
The cast, action sequences, and visual effects were all met with widespread acclaim. After its success, two more entries were greenlit. There was 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness (7.7) and then Star Trek Beyond (7.1) in 2016. The scores are eerily similar to the Blood and Ice Cream series.
8 Iron Man (7.9)
While it was the start of its own trilogy, 2008's Iron Man actually sparked an entire franchise in the MCU which is now the highest-grossing in cinema history. This film introduced Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark as he turned his life around for the better and became Iron Man.
Although the character has appeared in better films down the line, they were team-up pictures and not part of his solo trilogy. This was followed by 2010's Iron Man 2 (7.0) and Iron Man 3 (7.1) in 2013, which were good but couldn't top Downey Jr.'s rockstar performance of the original.
7 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (7.9)
The Skywalker Saga of Star Wars is made up of three different trilogies. There's the original, the prequels, and the sequels. Here is the start of the sequel series made by Disney. Released in 2015, Star Wars: The Force Awakens expertly blended nostalgia with new characters and great adventures.
RELATED: Star Wars: 5 Things The Force Awakens Got Right (& 5 It Got Wrong)
However, the sequel was a mixed bag as 2017's The Last Jedi (7.0) was liked by critics but loathed by some fans. For 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, J.J. Abrams was brought back as director but it still had a mixed (6.6) response. There's almost no question that The Force Awakens is the best.
6 Amores perros (8.1)
Of everything on this list, this is easily the least well-known. It's not some huge franchise, something with a popular fanbase, or even a blockbuster of any kind. However, the work put together by director Alejandro González Iñárritu is kind of the stuff of legend.
His series is known as the "Trilogy of Death" and began with 2000's Amores perros, which connects three stories surrounding a terrible car accident. The follow-ups came with 2003's 21 Grams (7.6) and 2006's Babel (7.4). Though not as well-received, those featured more famous stars like Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.
5 Before Sunrise (8.1)
This was a case where nobody expected it to turn into a stellar trilogy but it did. After all, 1995's Before Sunrise tells a relatively simple story. It's just a case of two people who meet on a train in Europe, fall in love, and then realize that they won't be spending their future together.
Shockingly, Richard Linklater brought the characters back in 2004's Before Sunset (8.1) to have them discuss what could've been. It was just as good but has fewer reviews on IMDb, so it ranks behind the first. Nine more years later, 2013 saw Before Midnight (7.9) finish the story.
4 How To Train Your Dragon (8.1)
When it comes to animated films, most audiences will point to Disney and Pixar Studios as the cream of the crop. Though that's mostly true, Dreamworks put together a truly magnificent series that started with the release of 2010's How to Train Your Dragon.
RELATED: 10 Incredible Pieces Of How To Train Your Dragon Concept Art
Following a Viking who befriends the dragon he's meant to hunt, it was lauded for nearly every aspect from visuals to storytelling to its score. 2014's How to Train Your Dragon 2 (7.8) and 2019's How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World (7.5) wrapped up an impressive trilogy in fitting fashion.
3 Back To The Future (8.5)
There aren't many trilogies out there more legendary and revered than Back to the Future. When the original arrived back in 1985, it felt like nothing else found in Hollywood. The beloved flick deals with the time-traveling adventures of a teen and his wacky scientist friend.
As iconic as the first installment is, the 1989 sequel managed to be nearly as good but wasn't quite as unique (7.8), even though it was cool that it sent the characters into 2015. 1990's Back to the Future Part III (7.4) was more mixed, changing the format to the Old West era.
2 The Matrix (8.7)
Words like groundbreaking and genre-defining are thrown out a bit too often these days and it's only sometimes actually true. It certainly is when it comes to 1999's The Matrix. Directed by The Wachowski Brothers, this sci-fi flick changed the game with its action style and unbelievable special effects.
Even if some of the CGI doesn't hold up, the film still stands as an all-time great. Unfortunately, the sequels ended up being a big step down. 2003's The Matrix Reloaded (7.2) and The Matrix Revolutions (6.8) proved to be disappointing to even the most loyal of fans.
1 The Godfather (9.2)
There's a reason that so many people consider 1972's The Godfather to be one of the greatest films ever made. This landmark piece of cinema history from Francis Ford Coppola focuses on the Corleone family during a pivotal time period of patriarch Vito's stint as a mafia boss.
In the eyes of most moviegoers, 1974's The Godfather: Part II (9.0) added another tremendous entry into the series. Unfortunately, the decision to return to the story over a decade later in 1990 was met with far less acclaim as The Godfather: Part III (7.6) was easily the worst reviewed.
NEXT: The Godfather: 10 Most Rewatched Scenes From The Trilogy
10 Trilogies Where The First Movie Is Best, According To IMDb from https://ift.tt/3diJmYd
0 notes
Text
Captain Marvel: ***1/2 out of 5
Apparently, like virtually everything today, there’s some controversy surrounding Captain Marvel. You see, in the comic books, the original Captain Marvel was a man whereas Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) was first known as Ms. Marvel. In recent years, Carol took up the mantle of Captain Marvel while Kamala Khan became Ms. Marvel. And along the way, there have been even more characters who’ve gone by those names. Confusing? Naturally.
One could argue that Iron Man or Spider-Man should retain their Y chromosomes in the films, but after 11 years of men dominating the Marvel Cinematic Universe and more than a half-century of male writers tinkering with this character, title and identity, maybe a girl can have this one for a change.
But, certain nerds, aka ‘modern-day bullies’ or ‘literary fundamentalists’, will nitpick even the tiniest of inconsistencies before discussing what really determines a film’s quality, namely themes, characterization, acting, dialogue and pacing, aspects that transcend whether the shade of blue in a costume matches the shade in the source material.
The irony is that, if these naysayers just calmed down and watched the thing before passing judgement, they’d see that the film, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, doesn’t have any aggressive ‘feminist agenda’ or even much of a sociopolitical angle at all. Yet, with little effort, this breezy adventure that happens to star a woman serves as a very positive example of female empowerment. It doesn’t demand that we treat the movie and its characters as equal to male-driven ones; yet, we do just that.
Cheers to Marvel for recruiting Oscar winner Brie Larson for the role. No, it’s not her best work, but her boundless charm helps to remedy that. She holds our attention without trying to prove herself—literally not trying to prove herself in one scene—and really loosens up and shines in the Earth sequences. If her performance is a little wooden at times, it could be due to Carol’s life on another planet. More likely, though, is the fact that five writers worked on this script about a woman with a mysterious identity, not to mention the hoard of comic book writers who’ve tackled this character for decades. If these screenwriters can’t decide who she is and the audience and character herself don’t know who she is, how can you expect Larson to know?
Near the start, she goes by Vers before her more common name, Carol Danvers, and before her codename, Captain Marvel. See what I mean? She’s a member of the alien race from the comics known as the Kree, living on planet Hala and part of Starforce, presumably a different outfit than Trump’s Space Force. She’s plagued by nightmares involving a mysterious woman played by Annette Bening, an important character yet an entirely muddled one; I’m still trying to figure her out. Carol’s mentor/commander is Yon-Rogg, earnestly played by stand-out Jude Law, who teaches Carol to control her abilities and emotions. During a mission in the Kree war with the green shapeshifter Skrulls, Vers is captured by Skrull commander Talos (the go-to sleazy villain Ben Mendelsohn) who performs a memory probe on her, a creative way to tell her origin story, if a little disorienting.
Finally, she escapes captivity and falls to Earth where a more interesting narrative evolves, like in the first Thor film. And because this is 1995 Los Angeles, obviously she crashes into a Blockbuster Video. Only this kind of popcorn flick could get away with such blatant use of these cultural relics used so transparently throughout, referencing an array of ‘90s staples like grunge fashion, pagers and Smashing Pumpkins posters. We’re also treated to another product of the ‘90s: a young Samuel L. Jackson, playing low-level agent of S.H.I.E.L.D Nicky Fury, accompanied by fellow newbie Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), the actors digitally de-aged. They enter the story by getting wrapped up in the business with Carol and the Kree-Skrull War.
At the heart of the film, though, is a woman learning about who she is, where she came from and what makes her one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe. It’s a mostly engaging tale, by turns enhanced and hindered by the supporting cast; this is the most charming and humorous Fury has ever been, but it diverts the spotlight from Larson. He provides the humour, Bening provides the intrigue, Law provides the gravitas, an invaluable Lashana Lynch, Carol’s best friend and pilot Maria Rambeau, provides the warmth and Larson is left trying to break free of the shackles that this screenplay places on her.
But the movie works because of the chemistry among its players. The story may be a bit tangled, but it’s a pleasure following these characters, familiar faces and fine new additions, on this well-paced adventure whose tone is breezy enough to be a respite from the self-serious superhero pics yet thankfully strays from the Marvel model of overbearing one-liners. Instead, the jokes come naturally without undermining key moments. Some of the funniest scenes involve a cute, little orange feline named Goose (named after Anthony Edwards’ character in Top Gun) but also some of the most shocking ones; let’s just say she’s more than meets the eye.
The same can’t be said about the action. Also like in Thor, the first act includes a strange, dark environment where the already forgettable battle sequence is made almost invisible as well. These sequences remain mostly unspectacular, to be honest, though once our hero gains full access to her powers and takes to the skies, there is an epic quality to it all if only short-lived.
The buzz around this film is destined to be short-lived as well, as Avengers: Endgame is right around the corner, premiering at the end of April, and in many ways Captain Marvel is simply a prelude to the heroin’s entrance into that fray. It also acts as a prelude to the MCU in general with some neat moments near the end that aren’t likely to astonish but are certain to put smiles on the faces of many dedicated fans. That’s pretty much this movie in a nutshell.
0 notes
Text
The Lego Movie Franchise Retrospective ( Or how to build Masterpieces)
The following is a opinionated review on the “ Lego Movie” franchise as a whole, spoilers and bad jokes ahead.
Its kinda crazy if we’re being honest here, in the five years since it’s creation the “ Lego Movie “ franchise has made close to a billion dollars domestically and probably more than that total internationally. All for what is essentially a series of really long commercials, albeit very entertaining and ( mostly) heartfelt commercials. No matter how you look at it however, these films on a whole have been a grand success worthy of artistic recognition ( WB has left chat).
This trend of profitably praised pictures seems sure to continue, with the soon to be released fourth installment in the “ Lego Movie” franchise “ The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.”
( A sentence as redundant as me writing reviews on Tumblr.)
As a lover of the original “ Lego Movie” this sequel comes like the missing brick in my Lego heart set that i didn’t know existed. In that same breath however, i can’t help but feel anxious over how the movie will turn out. Early reviews have skewed favorably for the film and yet there is a disturbing trend in the Lego franchise that one cannot ignore. Each Lego Movie has had diminishing returns in terms of quality ever since the first.
Don’t get me wrong, the animation, production, and voice work for has been ( mostly) top notch for every installment. No when i mean quality, i’m talking about the strength of each films script and the way they are constructed. This problem is far more reaching than the common “ It wasn’t as funny as the first” comment one might make concerning the latter two Lego movies. Although i would be remiss to suggest that the humor isn’t itself a issue.
“ The Lego Movie” is filled to the brim with weird wacky comedy that still holds up five years later, but is coupled with satisfying storytelling that complements the silliness. Out of everything that could have been taken away from that original film the sequential Lego flicks focus is firmly placed on the hijinks and shenanigans. Much like a child who stacks his Legos as high as he can without any regard to building a solid foundation, Lego Batman ( to a lesser extent) and Ninjago lives or dies on the strength of it’s humor, often times tumbling because of that fact. So to help illustrate my point i would like to go back to the beginning and exam why each film worked or failed.
THE LEGO MOVIE
Out of all the things this film is praised for, the animation, the comedy, the amazing cast, i hardly ever hear anyone talking the story structure. While nothing shakespearean, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller masterfully employ the monomyth ( or hero’s journey) to lay the emotional foundation for the film, using it quite literally to a T’.
After setting the movies conflict into motion with the “ Piece of Resistance” and the “Krangle” we flash forward 8 1/2, enter Emmet Brickowski, your average abnormally normal citizen of Lego City Bricksburg where everything is honky dory. Following him throughout his day we come to find that Emmet is so average that he has fallen into the background of the collective consciousness of those around him. Only by chance does he comes across the Piece of Resistance literally calling him to adventure.
Now melded with the piece of legend, Emmet now bears the name “ The Special” which he is hesitant to hear at first, as he faces persecution from Lord Business forces, who is H’ E’ double hockey sticks’ bent on gluing the entire universe into place.
Through shenanigans he teams up with local DJ Wyldstyle, warms up to the idea of being, and i quote “ the most important, most talented, most interesting, most extraordinary, mostest most person in the universe.” The two escape from his capturers and crosses the threshold, by also literally crossing into another realm.
Duding it up in the Old West, Emmet’s lie is exposed like me on Omegle, earning him the disdain of his would be love interest. Trying to decipher next with the piece, the duo finds the wizard Virtuvius ( MVP of the film) who after finding out Emmet’s quandary determines to mentor him to be a Masterbuilder.
More shenanigans, Batman shows up, Emmet experiences cuckolding with Bat’s and Sty’s blockholding, ( seriously this is supposed to be a family film for krangle’s sake!) they all take a road trip to cloud coo coo land, group meets “ OC do not steal” and the other Masterbuilders to come up with a plan to take down Lord Business and stop his TAKOS! Surprise surprise Bad Cop rolls up to the club and the Masterbuilders aren’t ready to jam so they get sent to the slam. Emmet and crew manage to escape only by hiding in this absolute masterpiece.
Now beaten and bruised Emmet rallies the troops, and together as a team they set to enter the dragon’s lair that is Lord Business office building. ( Nightmare of college dropouts and unpaid interns everywhere) The story comes to a head as Virtuvius loses his, the piece of resistance is thrown into the abyss that is my grandma’s purse, all the masterbuilders are captured and Lord Business has set up an overly elaborate death trap to get these dang kids off his lawn. In this moment of despair the ghost of Virtuvius appears before Emmet assuring him that cat posters hold the secrets of the universe. Motivated Emmet bids a tearful farewell as he sacrifices himself to save the other Masterbuilders.
On the other side of the abyss, Emmet haves an out of body experience and has a face to face with the pink sausaged-eagle-squid creatures that serve as the lands God’s. It is here that he finally becomes equipped with the Ultimate Treasure: believing in yourself! Now ready to face the odds Emmet is sent Homeward Bound back to the Lego world.
He returns, Reborn as a Masterbuilder. Emmet confronts Lord Business and stops him by extending him his hand ( claw-grip thing?) in friendship, helping Lordy realize that he doesn’t have to be bad and that in reality we are all the Special. The two reconcile and the story wraps up with the world at peace until the immediate sequel bait.
There’s a reason many a tale uses this storytelling device, when done properly it works to enact growth and change in the protagonist, resulting in a compelling and satisfying character arc. The Lego Movie not content to rely on this alone also explores “ The Chosen One” trope, as well as themes about creativity vs conformity. There is quite a surprising amount of depth once you start deconstructing this film brick by brick, something that would be sorely missed in it’s spiritual sequels.
THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE
Without a doubt there is a lot to like about “ The Lego Batman Movie,” they managed to kick the already amazing animation up to 11, on a whole it is a very funny movie ( giving birth to probably one of my favorite scenes ever. Kazow!), and it joyfully revels in the Batman mythos and world. In addition to that, it’s story tackles a very interesting premise not often explored with the Caped Crusader. Yet in my mind, there is a distinct issue which holds the film back from being as solid as Batman’s ninepack, this being pacing in the third act.
Batman is one of the rare characters in pop culture that require almost no real introduction, as it can be assumed that most will in one way or another have some basic idea of his mythos. Using this to their advantage, the people filming choose to focus on a intrinsic part of the Dark Knight, that of lose and fear of losing. Building on “ The Lego Movie” interpretation of the character, we have here a extremely egotistical, selfish Batman who exhibits these qualities in order to close himself from anymore emotional pain.
This is plainly stated in the first act by Alfred, “ Master Bruce, you live on an island figuratively, and literally.” It’s the same reason why he can’t admit to Joker being his greatest enemy, because even if the relationship is hateful in nature, it is still a connection to another person. So Batman’s gotta learn to open himself to others, great! A good premise and character arc that the film executes fairly well, up until the beginning of the third act.
See throughout the story we see Batman nudged and guided into becoming a better person by those around him, particularly Alfred and Barbara in the first act. Come the second act, Batman has stubbornly enacted his own plan to stop the seemingly harmless Joker, after succeeding he is berated by Barbara “ You can't be a hero if you only care about yourself.” Batman’s plan backfires giving Joker the means to unleash every villain from your local bar’s trivia night. As such Fatman rectify his mistakes by teaming up with his loves ones to make wrongs right.
Though hesitant to the idea at first, Bats warms up to his new superhero buddies only for him to push them away as soon as he realizes their importance to him. This is where the problem of pacing really begins to show itself. After sending away the Bat-lites, Batman immediately confronts Joker, only for the Joker to recapitulate something that was just clearly shown to the audience “ I'm not your greatest enemy. Your greatest enemy is you.”
Joker then banishes Batman to the doom dimension where he is greeted by a literal judge of right and wrong, who then plays a highlight reel showing just how big a betty batty’s been. The thing to note is this all occurs within a span of five minutes, stopping the story completely just to point at something that’s already solidly established in the story.
The real shame is that all this guilt dog-piling undercuts a great moment. In the doom dimension Bat’s gets a peek of the situation to find his friends returning to help him, there he sees Robin emulating Batman’s reckless attitude, and it is there where he is finally able to recognize the harm he’s bringing to others with his selfish actions. A moment i feel could’ve been the emotional pillar of the movie if it had been better builded towards and executed.
To be fair the movie from then on picks back up rather quickly, Batman learns his lesson, forms the “ savi-cide squad,” and in the end is able to save Lego Gotham by literally making connections with others and bringing everyone closer to each other. Capping what is undeniably, despite it’s flaws, a very fun movie. If only i could say the same about the last film here…
THE LEGO NINJAGO
The Lego Ninjago movie was always going to be in a peculiar situation, it’s branding and world aren’t well enough established in the minds of the average movie goer to solely create a story based on in-world lore. Nor is it enough of a clean slate that one could be free to do whatever it wanted if the story ala “ The Lego Movie.” And as such it creates this disjointed hodgepodge of elements borrowed from the two previous entries. This particularly can be seen through the journey of the protagonist Lloyd.
By the time the movie chooses to introduced Lloyd we are already informed that he as the Green Ninja along with the others have already time and again defeated and repelled the big bad Garmadon. In a way Lloyd as already undergone his own hero’s journey, meaning they’ve already skipped any satisfaction that could be gained from seeing a powerless boy becoming a hero and vanquishing that which threatens his home.
Bah whatever, origin stories are overdone and boring. Who’s with me?! Let’s get right into the good stuff. And to the films credit it does just that, right off the bat we are introduced to what will be the main conflict of the story, Lloyd and his relationship with his father. However here too “ The Lego Ninjago” movie stumbles. Lloyd as a character is defined solely by this conflict. During nearly the entire first act you will rarely find a scene, or piece of dialogue featuring Lloyd that will not involve Garmadon or the fact that he is Lloyd’s father in one way or another.
But hey he’s also the leader of the Ninjas and does a great job of, uh, telling people what to do? Now let’s quickly compare how the “ Lego Batman Movie” handle this. In the opening moments of that film we spend time with Batman before the grand conflict is set into motion, we see he’s egotistical, a showboat, selfish and willfully ignorant to any flaws he might have. Having established his personality, ( what a notion) the story is able to show how that feeds into his fear letting people back in and colors his character arc for the film.
With the “ Lego Ninjago” movie failing to this, it leaves Lloyd as just sort of a blank slate with daddy issues. It’s probably why they have him from the start with a fully assembled team of fun personalities to bounce off of and carry the load of protaganizing, oh wait. Oh boy, we got Flame Fella the spiky hair one, Dirt Dude who is essentially Flame Fella, Wa Wa Womah ( she’s the water element cause she’s so good at retaining water), and the only two with any semblance of personality Jay and Zane.
Without trying to disrespect fans of the original series, you know where they actually mattered, the other Ninjas here are little more than filler. Functionally they have no real role in the story except to bolster Lloyd’s in-world importance by making him leader, as well as holding him responsible after he unwittingly unleashes destruction upon Ninjago. Towards the start of the third act, our blockhead Ninjas haphazardly realize that all they to do was believe and only now is there any hint of development for the group. Way too little, way too late to have any significant impact on the story.
Leaving us with the “ Father/Son” plot to essentially carry the whole film. To the movie’s credit it does a serviceable job in accomplishing this. While far from masterful, there is some satisfaction in two opposing fractions learn to work together and eventually reconcile. However even here the film fails to execute on this idea. After spending the entirety of the second act building up this relationship between the two, Garmadon literally asks Lloyd to join him and rule the galaxy together. Green bean rejects the offer because what else would you expect him to do, and Gar once again pushes his son away from him. Less than five minutes later, the climax of the movie ends with Lloyd talking to his dad through a cat and the two finally reconcile as family.
In this way “ The Lego Ninjago Movie” fizzles out, leaving a lackluster ending and Jackie Chan to close out an already underwhelming story.
Finally some more miscellaneous criticisms.
They reuse a lot of shots in the first act, Lloyd’s dragon cannon being of the more obvious examples.
There isn’t as much effort to establish “ Ninjago” as a Lego world, often times you see Lego structures mixed with what is supposed to be natural foliage. This is a huge issue in the second act as the majority of the scenery is composed of non-Lego elements. And the stuff that isn’t Lego’s don’t look to hot, the water effects being the biggest offender in this case.
Jackie Chan as Master Wu is probably the weakest performance in the movie, i don’t know if it’s because of the voice director or because Jackie just wasn’t feeling the powah.
The movie’s live action intro and outro is just bad.
But hey Garmadon has a “ Shark-Shooter” gun! 8/10 movie
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In conclusion, the thing that worries me most from the last two movies is the lack of thought and care into execution that the original “Lego Movie” had in spades. Pacing, strong character work for the whole cast, attention to story structure, all of these things have been mostly stepped on in favor of cramming as much hijinks as possible. And as a result leads to painful lackluster conclusions that try to be heartwarming but fail due to poor build up.
As much as i sound like a negative nancy right now, with “ The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” being helmed by the dynamic duo which created the first, i am confidant that this will be a return to form for the Lego franchise.
Thanks for reading this monstrous mess.
1 note
·
View note
Text
crowd vs. critic // 2016
Here’s the thing: When you’re trying to squeeze in as many reviews as possible before the Oscars, you tend to get a little overwhelmed watching almost 10 movies in a week sometimes and reviewing over half of the 40 new movies you watched in a year in just about 3 months. That means when the Oscars finally arrive, you actually need a break to reflect on the movies you watched and, you know, just to take a break.
So now 2 weeks later, here are my favorites of the year in alphabetical order. Though as fate would have it, my two most favorites landed at the top of each list...
CROWD //
10 Cloverfield Lane // Not be as flashy or expensive as some other box office offerings, but that doesn’t mean it can’t provide an adrenaline rush. It will keep you guessing after the credits roll, and, strangely enough, leave you even more satisfied because of that. The most basic needs of a film are storytelling and character development, and this movie knocks both out of the park. At the risk of overstating it, Winstead and Goodman are giving performances of a lifetime. Alas, I’m still the only one who has used the hashtag #JohnGoodmanForBestSupportingActor on Twitter.
Central Intelligence // I would watch Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson reenact the phone book. Not every joke is a winner, but Hart and Johnson are a comedic force to be reckoned with even when they’re given uneven material.
Ghostbusters // I recommend watching the extended cut to clarify some of the plot points that felt rushed in the theatrical version (Trust me—those extra 15 minutes make a difference), but this film did exceptionally well in what it set out to do. It was funny—not just haha funny, but legit LOL funny. (Sorry, is my Millennial showing?) Bona fide stars Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig are as reliable as ever, but Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth are the real show-stoppers here. Their comedy chops deserve infinite screen time, and the whole cast has a chemistry most movies covet. Though the conclusion Hollywood execs will draw from this movie is still TBD, the conversation about sexism in the cinema and online that this movie explored (both on screen and in the news) makes it one of the most important of the year.
Magnificent 7 // Basically a Western Ocean’s Eleven with less polish and a higher body count. The story even culminates in a Danny Ocean-level complicated scheme, though the quasi-cowboys bring a more cavalier flare. This cast is stacked with charm, too. Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke carry the star power, but there’s not a weak link in the crew. All are funny, and all are formidable when the movie needs them to be.
Moana // As consistent and reliable as Dwayne Johnson’s career right now. Newcomer Auli’i Cravalho brings spunk and spirit to our titular heroine, and she and Johnson have a chemistry that suits their characters’ playful rivalry. The slapstick and jokes know when to pause for a soaring power anthem. Moana will definitely make you laugh, but there’s a chance it will make you cry, too.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 // Even bigger, fatter, and Greeker than the original. I laughed the whole way through, and seeing almost the entire original cast back together was a delight. If you’re like me and count My Big Fat Greek Wedding as one of your most favorite comedies of all time, you’ll be pleased with the follow-up.
Passengers // A near-perfect popcorn flick. I mean, it’s Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence—what more could you want? Pratt and Lawrence glow with chemistry, both comedic and dramatic. And though some of Passengers feels familiar, I haven’t seen a movie like this in awhile. A romance at its heart, it also plays with elements of the adventure, disaster, and comedy genres, and it’s capable with all of them. And at under 2 hours, it makes superhero movies seem a little silly for needing 2½ hours each to tell stories that make you feel, laugh, and tense up.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story // Opens with a BAM! in its score, and the action doesn’t stop till the credits. Once director Gareth Edwards’s name popped up on the scene in that blue sans serif on the star-flecked black background, I released a taut breath. That had been a ride, one pushing light speed. Adventures this whiplash-ready are a rare breed, and the ending is unusually satisfying with no loose ends and no post-credits sequence.
X-Men: Apocalypse // Following up the best chapter in a franchise is an unenviable position, but X-Men 7 doesn’t drop the ball. Apocalypse might also be chapter with the most visual flair. It totally embraces the ‘80s setting, with a bright wardrobe (Hello, Ray-Bans!), special effects that echo neon lights (Hello, fuchsia!), and a clever cameo or two (Hello, Ally Sheedy!). And the soundtrack? Totally rad. As far as I’m concerned, if the movies stay this fun, Fox can keep them coming as long as they like.
Zootopia // The magic makers at Disney dreamt up a world as wide and high as Judy's dreams in Zootopia. Judy Hopps is just one part of this amazing world—and I do mean amazing. This universe is visionary and sharp. My reactions to this story were visceral and vocal. My laughs were loud, the surprises were genuine. Mix in spoofs of our world and familiar films, and you have a setting that keeps pulling the emotions out of you.
CRITIC //
Arrival // I left this movie thinking, “I wish I felt this way after every movie.” Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner are predictably excellent, but it’s the script that really wows here. With a creative story structure that pays off 10 times over, its exploration of loss, relationships, and communication is coherent and original. Films like Arrival, with a fresh story and something to say, are the best Hollywood has to offer.
Fences // Though the rich drama of Fences has made the play beloved for over three decades now, not all credit for this film can go to the writing. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are the living definitions of powerhouses, and here they show their ranges of joy, heartbreak, aching, and vulnerability. The two command their too-many-to-count monologues, transforming theatrics into human drama. Their characters sort through issues of race, class, gender, parenting, marriage, and responsibility that feel just as relevant today as they were in the 1950s.
Hidden Figures // Knows its purpose and knows how to achieve it. It helps that its characters are so well-developed and brought to vigorous life by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. These three ladies are knockouts, making a script with little subtlety feel natural. This film knows it’s more relevant to today than many of us would care to admit and reminds us the blatant racism of the ‘60s didn’t happen that long ago.
Jackie // Not just better than it needed it be—it represents the highest excellence in filmmaking. Drama is scorched into any story starting the assassination of a president. The strength of this film is it doesn’t coast on the momentum of its inciting incident. Jackie doesn’t just concentrate on the instant that changed a woman’s life but meditates on truth, grief, and—most of all—the woman in the middle of it. Death and publicity have tragically met, and only she is the exact point of intersection.
La La Land // Already one of the Great Musicals. I’m not sure the movie had anything new to contribute to the musings on fame and following your dreams, but this classic-meets-modern musical speaks on those subjects so creatively and with such polish, it can’t be ignored. As the opening number was wrapping, I thought, “Even if the rest of this is terrible, this scene will make the whole movie worth it.” That’s how impressive the musical and technical achievements were in just the first few minutes. Better yet, the rest of the movie kept up the momentum to make something truly special.
The Light Between Oceans // Separately, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander live up to their reputations as strong performers, but the two are even lovelier together. Both are experts in the nuanced glance—a simple flit of the eye or turn of the head can say more than their dialogue. The duo is rivaled by another romantic pairing in this film, though: the score and the cinematography. The film is as every bit emotionally affecting as it means to be.
Lion // Luke Davies earned an Oscar nomination for his adapted screenplay, but so much of this story is told in the directing. Facial expressions, body language, and smart editing help you fill in the gaps. We can go for what feels like minutes without dialogue because director Garth Davis is smart enough to know we’re smart enough to put the pieces together. I want to watch this film again so I can better discuss it are repeated motifs like trains and falling asleep, or the foreshadowing in early scenes that explains later character development.
Love & Friendship // A treat for lovers of Austen and film alike. I’m used to the flawed but noble heroines in Austen novels, but Lady Susan’s qualities more resemble the worst traits of Austen characters: She’s conniving and cruel, and as played by Kate Beckinsale, fabulous. All of the performances are top-notch, and she’s the peak. Every bit sharp, manipulative, and charming as she needs to be, we’re wrapped around her finger. I’d like to give an additional shout-out to Tom Bennett, whose rambling idiocy is a hysterical delight.
Sing Street // Cements John Carney as one of my favorite modern filmmakers. 2014’s Begin Again used music to explore the flux state of the modern music industry, and this film is an opportunity to look at how music gives life in tough circumstances, especially economic ones. We’ve seen plot elements in Sing Street elsewhere, but the final amalgamation here is entirely original.
#Crowd#Critic#2016#Sing Street#Love & Friendship#Lion#The Light Between Oceans#La La Land#Jackie#Hidden Figures#Fences#Arrival#Zootopia#X-Men: Apocalypse#Rogue One: A Star Wars Story#Passengers#My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2#Moana#Magnificent 7#Ghostbusters#Central Intelligence#10 Cloverfield Lane
1 note
·
View note
Text
My Little Pony Colon Movie Film For Theaters
Hey there, mid-season finales. More ponies? And let's have some fun with their whole thing, yes~?
Here's the cover:
Of course you did, Twilight. So, you remember that movie they made about ponies last October? You probably should've seen it, it was very good and it looked amazing. It was very cool to see 2D animation in theaters again. And also we did several issues of a prequel based on it! Anyways, the plot is that, well, the mane 6 are famous enough. So why wouldn't they get a movie in-universe~?
In fact, we open with that very premise. Rarity bursts into Twilight's castle, brandishing the trade papers. Fortunately, Rarity knows Variety speak, so "Princess Book to be Boffo Pic" makes perfect sense to her. Interestingly, Applejack mentions that it's actually a magic lantern show, which is generally consistent with the level of tech usually seen in the MLP universe. It's just odd to call that a "movie". But they do, and so we're justified in doing so too, just for convenience's sake! Anyway, this is specifically coming off the back of the characters having previously published their friendship journal, which given how well that went, this movie is sure to go swimmingly. Anyway, they're off to Applewood!
And that journey is made extremely quickly, as the page turn leads to a two-page spread of Applewood, showing a bunch of sights and references. It's also mentioned in passing dialogue that Twilight's only contribution will be the comment back on the cover, as she's been written out to take care of school stuff. Rarity leads them along, and she does seem very knowledgable about movie production, which is unexpected but very much works with her character. She leads them to Stage 12, where the movie shoot is taking place. And indeed, they're doing magic lantern slides, since they're filming single frames, then taking a break.
After taking a shot clearly from their adventures in Appleoosa, the director Wormer Horsehooves (which might be a reference to actual director Werner Herzog?) greets the five and almost immediately begins ranting about his vision for the picture. See, costumes, sets, lighting? All that isn't the most important thing. What must be conveyed through film is truth. And thus his new idea: why not have the actual ponies who lived these events direct them? Yes, he's quitting and leaving the Ponyville 5 in charge. Surely nothing can go badly wrong with this plan~
And so, a big montage ensues. There's first a page where Rarity's shooting a scene that took place in "Look Before You Sleep", and already you can see where the main problem with Mr. Director's idea is. Rarity is insisting on filming this scene (which somehow isn't even in the friendship diary, let alone the script), because it's an early bonding moment with her and Applejack, where Applejack learned to respect proper manners. Applejack points out that Rarity also learned that manners aren't always so important in that moment, which Rarity brushes off as "details". Oh dear~
Anyways, that montage. A variety of scenes are shot, including ones from "Sonic Rainboom" and the very first episode. Arguments burst out, and everypony begins complaining to one another how this isn't how things went. The response from each is "that's how I remember it". And so the production splits off into five separate productions. You all can see where this is going, right? So let's just skip ahead to premiere night, which furthers the "magic lantern" thing by having a live narrator describing the scenes, which are all still frames. See, not only is it technologically appropriate, it also suits the comic book medium, too~
First is Rainbow Dash's film, which opens with the Inception noise. It's as much of an action film as you can make with magic lanterns, and features Rainbow Dash as the hero whose speed solves every problem. Pinkie's scene is next, which surprisingly turns out to be some kind of arthouse indie film. It includes a bunch of nonsensically poetic-sounding phrases ("Friendship is as a turtle shell") and a long shot of Pinkie's friends from "Party of One". Rarity's film turns out to be a "Maltese Falcon" film noir kind of deal, which actually turns out to be an interpretation of "A Bird in the Hoof", which Fluttershy finds a little uncomfortable. And speaking of Fluttershy, her picture is a nature documentary. She focuses solely on the animal parts of "Winter Wrap-Up" and not the friendship problems. And Applejack... did not make a western. Even her friends are shocked, and she protests she has other interests. Hers is a superhero blockbuster flick, featuring Applejack as a Batman-esque protector who keeps Ponyville safe from things like parasprites.
With the conclusion, the directors go up on the stage and explain their reasoning. They wanted to show the events as they remembered them, so... that's what they did. And of course, as always happens in fiction, the film is beloved by the audience--because they think it's a comedy. Man, I should start making films, if this is all successful comedy takes is failing at other genres. Anyways, the Ponyville 5 leave, relieved that everypony liked their film after all, and learning sort of a lesson about how nopony has a perfect memory. I... guess that's a lesson, anyway~
This issue is pretty funny, mostly because it’s so self-referential. Not in a meta way, but there’s just so many callbacks to previous events, and the way that the protagonists have interpreted them in their memories. It’s a great issue for long-time fans, and since it’s pretty much all season one references, even fans who haven’t caught up on more recent issues can enjoy it. Other than that, though, this sort of plot has been done to death. I’m not saying it’s bad, and in fact, the callbacks make it pretty enjoyable. But, like, even the show itself has done the thing where the characters did what they wanted and put on what they felt was a serious production, only for the audience to take it as a comedy thing before. Sorry, but it wasn’t possible for me to get through this review without me making a callback of my own, you know~?
Next issue, while we likely won’t see Tempest Shadow in the series ever, there’s no voice acting budget to prevent us from doing so in the comics~
0 notes
Link
In 2004, being a standout superhero movie was a lot easier. There was no Marvel Cinematic Universe raking in billions at the box office. It wasn’t all about making the next big epic, world-altering popcorn flick. It was a lot easier to be… incredible.
For 14 years we’ve waited and wondered if writer/director Brad Bird would ever follow up his superhero family hit with an equally impressive and semi-prolific sequel.
Wonder no more, The Incredibles 2 has arrived. And while it may not quite live up to its predecessor, it’s still got a lot going for it.
Pretty much all the original cast are back for this family adventure that picks up immediately where the first film left off. The family is leaving a school event only to be confronted by The Underminer (don’t worry, he’s not that important going forward). From there, superheroes are back in the news and the question of their legality becomes, once again, the basis of the plot. Only this time, the superheroes have an actual advocate in their corner with real leverage.
Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) and his sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) own and operate a telecommunications business that’s essentially this world’s version of AT&T or Verizon. Powerful, plugged into everything and highly influential in political circles. Their parents were murdered shortly after superheroes were outlawed and Winston is convinced that one was directly responsible for the other. A bit thin as motivations go for such a big undertaking, but it is a superhero movie, after all.
Winston, a marketing guru, has worked up a plan to bring superheroes back into the limelight and get the law from the first film repealed. And he wants Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) to be the face of this new campaign. She tends to cause less collateral damage than her over-eager husband, Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson).
With genius, if a bit cynical, Evelyn in her ear and a new suit (much to Edna Mode’s (Bird) hilarious chagrin), Elastigirl runs up against new villain Screenslaver, who winds up this film’s most underserved and thinly-plotted character. Also, the identity reveal is so easily spotted, they might as well have told you from the start.
All the while, Mr. Incredible takes on the task of being a full-time dad to mixed, if often touching and hysterical results. The film really shines during these moments as it reminds us that this is a familial dramatic comedy first and superhero/spy thriller second. Mr. Incredible gives way to Bob Parr, family man, and shows us that underneath all that bravado and macho heroism posturing, there’s a real person there who is trying desperately to raise and relate to his kids while being supportive, if frustratingly so, of his now successful wife.
The performances from the cast are easily as strong as they were the first time around and it’s easy to get drawn back into this world, even if it does feel a bit low-key by comparison to its brethren in the MCU.
The villain this time around is the weak link of the story, though still manages to be better than some of the low points Marvel has turned out such as Ronan The Accuser or Yellow Jacket. Though it’s a decided step down from Syndrome, the excellent commentary on toxic fandom from the first film.
This time around, things take a decidedly feminist tone and it’s a strong statement from a movie that’s trying to make maybe one too many strong statements. There’s also a parable about technology dumbing us down, people living vicariously through others instead of living life, frustrated parents not being able to get something as traditionally simple as math homework… but at its heart, Incredibles 2 is all about putting family first. And while not every character gets a ton of screen time, Bird makes sure to give everyone at least one good defining hero moment. And more than a few strong laughs.
That said, Elastigirl is a great character to put the action focus on as her superheroics are some of the best animated sequences Pixar has ever produced. In the 14 years since the original, lots of advancements in animation have been made and Bird takes full advantage of them. The pacing is never slow and the action never feels too repetitive. It’s even highly inventive at times. A train rescue scene has what might be the most fun motorcycle sequence anyone ever dreamed up.
With all the superhero movies we get every year, something as quaint as The Incredibles 2 might not hit with nearly the same strength as something like Wonder Woman or Black Panther, but it does still carry a strong message wrapped in a fun romp at the movies. And if you’re planning to see it, make it an IMAX screen, if possible. You won’t regret it.
0 notes
Text
May 2018 Movies Reviewed from Just Their Trailers
If you haven't signed up for MoviePass yet, you may have missed your golden opportunity. Last summer, they dropped their price to $9.95 a month for one movie a day, with only premium formats like IMAX and 3-D excluded. But starting at some point in mid-April, the same $9.95/month gets new subscribers only four movies a month. While existing subscribers have not yet been moved over to such a limited plan, something like that might happen in the future, in which case I'll have to be more selective about which movies are worth of a MoviePass swipe, as the card's usefulness as "bad movie insurance" will be significantly reduced. Here, then, is a look at this month’s new releases, and which ones I’m most likely to MoivePass, based on their trailers, using the following rating scale:
@@@@ = I definitely plan to see this @@@ = I might be interested in seeing this @@ = I probably won’t see this @ = No intention of seeing this, ever.
youtube
BAD SAMARITAN @@@@ (definitely plan to see this)
Killers and robbers get caught up in a cat-and-mouse game when two would-be burglars break into a house that happens to belong to Killgrave. Okay, he's not really the Purple Man from Jessica Jones, but he's played by the same actor, David Tennant, and he has a woman tied up in his house, and that's a pretty cool complication. (Postponed from an April 27th release date, probably in hopes of debuting with a piece of the drop-off from Avengers: Infinity War.)
youtube
REVENGE @@@@ (definitely plan to see this)
Rape/revenge thriller in the vein of I Spit on Your Grave (2010), but this time they seem to be selling it as a #MeToo flick with review blurbs that call the heroine a “badass” and say the movie “gouges the male gaze out of your eye balls” (is there a reason the reviewer spelled eyeballs as two words?)
OVERBOARD (2018) @@@ (I might be interested in seeing this)
Eugenio Derbez is a wealthy Mexican snob who humiliates poor white working-class single mom (Anna Faris), then gets amnesia, so she convinces him he's her blue-collar husband and he bonds with her kids while struggling to do manual labor for the first time in his life, and wouldn't you know it, they fall in love! There, the trailer tells the whole story of this gender-swapped, culture-clash-infused remake of a 1987 Goldie Hawn comedy I never even saw. Now I don't have to see either, but I've enjoyed Derbez's last few outings, and this does look like it will be funny despite its formulaicness (formularity?).
youtube
ON CHESIL BEACH @@@ (I might be interested in seeing this)
Young love blossoms on the 1962 English countryside for upper crust Saiorse Ronan and commoner Billy Howle, but then the music gets more dramatic and the only hint we get is that it has something to do with the sexual revolution of the time. My first thought was I doubt I'll be able to stay awake long enough to learn the film's dark secrets, but a second viewing of the trailer made me a bit more curious. From a novel by the author of Atonement, the film that gave Ronan her first Oscar nod but which, for me, built up to a big nothing burger.
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY @@@ (I might be interested in seeing this)
In the original Star Wars, Han Solo was a gunslinger straight out of a Western. Here, his earlier adventures are more in the mold of the sci-fi action-based fantasy that the rest of the franchise is built around. Since these Star Wars Stories are allowed to exist as one-offs outside the main continuity, I would have rather seen a Solo movie that was more true to the spirit of the original character the same way Logan was allowed to be a different kind of X-Men movie from the rest of its franchise. But I'll still see this one at some point before it leaves theaters.
youtube
SUMMER 1993 @@@ (I might be interested in seeing this)
A newly orphaned six-year-old girl is sent to the country to live with relatives. While this looks "touching" and is based on the filmmaker's own childhood, the trailer gives no hint that anything story-worthy actually happens. It's listed as a drama, but how can that be without conflict? From Spain.
youtube
HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES @@@ (I might be interested in seeing this)
I love Elle Fanning, but I generally don't care for John Cameron Mitchell or Neil Gaiman. I can't tell what's going on from the trailer, which leads me to suspect the film will be narratively just as uninspiring to me as Shortbus and Hedwig. But Elle's moments in the trailer make this hard to pass up. This is where MoviePass earns its "bad movie insurance" reputation.
And the rest...
TULLY @@ (I probably won’t see this)
The first trailer tells us, in text and a wordless montage of vignettes, that Tully is about the drudgery of motherhood, then teases that someone named Tully enters the life of the put-upon mom. I literally have no clue what this movie is really about. I had to look up the plot description on IMDb, where I learned it's about a mother who is "gifted a night nanny" and they form "a unique bond." Great. I still have no idea even what kind of a movie it is. Is the nanny a psychopath, like the one in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle? Is she magical and practically perfect in every way, like Mary Poppins? Is she Tully's ex-husband in drag, like Mrs. Doubtfire? All I can tell, even from the longer trailers, is that it will show me how tough it is to be a mom. I don't need a uterus or a movie to tell me that. I already believe it. I need to know that something goes on in this movie other than diaper changing. The only other thing I have to go on here is that it's from the writer/director team that made Juno, which is promising, and Young Adult, which cancels out the Juno points (along with Ricki and the Flash and Labor Day).
LIFE OF THE PARTY @@ (I probably won’t see this)
While brushing her teeth one night, Melissa McCarthy decides to trash a bunch of her personal belongings, set them on fire, and go back to college where she joins her daughter's sorority and tries to be young again. It's hard to believe they actually put such a nonsensical setup in the trailer. Makes it look like no thought was put into the movie. From the writer-director team that failed to wow anyone with Tammy. On the other hand, I’ve twice seen a trailer for McCarthy’s next movie, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, due out in October, and it’s probably one of the movies I’m most looking forward to this year.
BREAKING IN @@ (I probably won’t see this)
Panic Room. The House at the End of the Street. The Strangers. The Strangers: Prey at Night. Straw Dogs (2011). The Purge. And so on. Somehow this one just doesn't seem to have that extra something that made me want to see, say, last month's Traffik.
BOOK CLUB @@ (I probably won’t see this)
Four of the most famous women in AARP navigate easy and obvious laughs trying to prove senior citizens can do raunchy Viagra comedy when their libidos are reignited by turning off The View and reading Fifty Shades of Grey. Not a match for the genuinely funny elderly raunch found in Dirty Grandpa.
DEADPOOL 2 @@ (I probably won’t see this)
Round two for the self-parodying superhero. I found the first one just as tiring as all the other Marvel movies, but with the occasional quip to break up the monotony. Never got wrapped up in the character's journey. (But I do love the Flashdance-inspired poster.)
FIRST REFORMED @@ (I probably won’t see this)
Ethan Hawke is a troubled preacher wallowing in the grief of losing his son until a parishioner (Amanda Seyfried) comes to him with a bigger problem. Apparently her husband might be some sort of terrorist, and at one point two people levitate. Writer/director Paul Schrader hasn't exactly been fulfilling the promise, in this century, of his early career, and here he's decided to shoot in 1.33:1 and cast Cedric the Entertainer in a supporting role. Normally I'd just wait to see this on TV, but I don't own a 4:3 television set anymore.
BEAST @@ (I probably won’t see this)
A slow cooker about a young woman who falls for a dangerous outsider. Looks impressive, but seems to be missing some key plot ingredient to hold it all together.
ANYTHING @ (no intention of seeing this, ever)
A widower falls in love with a transgender person, and if you dare not find this intensely heartwarming, you’re so not woke.
THE SEAGULL @ (no intention of seeing this, ever)
Based on the Chekhov play, looks like something that was pulled off a dusty shelf due to the recent rise in popularity of Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird) and Elizabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale). Also features Billy Howle, who hooks up with Ronan again this month in On Chesil Beach (scroll up), which looks more promising.
SHOW DOGS @ (no intention of seeing this, ever)
I feel like time was stolen from me just from watching the trailer.
#trailer reviews#MoviePass#Bad Samaritan#David Tennant#Revenge#Overboard#Eugenio Derbez#On Chesil Beach#Saoirse Ronan#Billy Howle#Solo#Star Wars#Summer 1993#How to Talk to Girls at Parties#Elle Fanning#Neil Gaman#John Cameron Mitchell#Tully#Diablo Cody#Jason Reitman#Life of the Party#Melissa McCarthy#Breaking In#Book Club#Deadpool 2#First Reformed#Paul Schrader#Beast#Anything#The Seagull
0 notes
Text
Aside from going to the movies as much as possible I do love a chill night in with good ol’ Netflix. With the ENDLESS amount of content on the streaming service, Netflix also loves putting out their own original movies and T.V. In between my trips to the theatre I just so happened to be able to catch a movie here and there throughout the year and like last year, here are the list of movies l watched with a brief review of how they turned out in no particular order.
Okja
picture via pinterest
picture via slashfilm.com
Starring Tilda Swinton and Paul Dano
An exceptional adventure of a little girl named Mija risking everything to rescue her best friend, a remarkable animal named Okja from a multi-national company. I found this movie to be exciting, fantastical, and touching friendship story with a satirizing message regarding the food industry. With comic and over the top performances from everyone involved including Jake Gyllenhaal, you will fall in love with the lovable Okja.
3 ½ out of 5
I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore
picture via imdb.com
picture via mistfts.com
Starring Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood
This dark comedy involving a woman whose home was burglarized and gets inspired to find the people who did it with the help of an eccentric and obnoxious neighbor. As they dig deeper they get entangled in a much bigger situation they are clearly not prepared to handle. This movie is not bad. I liked the wit of the script. Since it is a comedy, there are a lot of bumbling criminals running around the movie but I think the self help the depressed lead is going through is interesting enough to keep it realistic and a little relatable to anyone who feels like they get shit on every day and just can’t get a break. Check this out if you feel like something indie to watch. A comedy with a bit of substance.
3 out of 5
Naked
andcompany.com
picture via consequenceofsound.net
Starring Marlon Wayans and Regina Hall
With no explanation given at all, Marlon Wayans plays a man who happens to be caught in a time loop repeating the day of his wedding to his fiancé. Not only that, he wakes up completely naked. Only he remembers his previous day and must find a way to make it to his wedding and marry the woman he loves. The concept is nothing new you haven’t seen before and unfortunately, the hijinks were a bit too silly to be taken seriously. Yes, it is a comedy but it has to be funny and somewhat real even for comedy sake. No real interesting characters. Marlon is charming but he was given a horrible script to work with. Its an okay watch but once it is over you will forget you watched it.
2 out of 5
Little Evil
picture via imdb.com
picture via hypable.com
Starring Adam Scott and Evangeline Lilly
A horror comedy spoof of The Omen a man marries a woman with a 6-year-old son of her own. Typical modern family except that he believes the is might be the antichrist. I love the concept and Owen Atlas who plays the devil’s child is great in it as the brooding evil incarnate. Evangeline is funny as the naïve mother unaware of her son’s true destiny. Packed full of other known standup comedians and T.V. actors this has a bit of humor that keeps you engage but as the movie progresses it gets way too silly and a little boring. This is one I think can be scrolled pass but if you like the actors associated, give it a shot. What do you have to lose? Your soul?
1 ½ out of 5
Take the 10
picture via imdb.com
picture via imdb.com
Starring Josh Peck and Tony Revolori
A comedy involving two friends who plan to make a big change in their life has to tie up loose ends when a drug deal goes bad. All taking place in one day, this movie is told in interwoven shorts from the perspective of a different character each time covering the same 24 hours. This movie would actually be worth recommending but the characters are not likable at all. In fact, one of them is just a straight up asshole who is too narcissistic for his own good. The Y generation may find this enjoyable and relatable as well as anyone who lives or knows southern California well to understand the joke within the title. It wasn’t boring just not a great movie.
3 out of 5
iBoy
picture via imdb.com
picture via inuth.com
Starring Bill Milner and Maisie Williams
Trying to capture on the superhero fad, a young boy is given the ability to control anything technological. Of course, no superhero with powers are created without a tragedy. He gets these abilities because pieces of his cellphone were implemented into his brain after being shot in the head while on the phone. Discovering his new gifts, he uses them to save his crush and take back the neighborhood that is being controlled by a mobster and his goons. This idea is about as bonkers as it sounds. It actually attempts to try and be a serious authentic crime drama. The acting is par and the movie isn’t slow. The way he uses his abilities is creative but this story is a stretch to be taken seriously. For you Game of Throne fans out there that want to see Arya Stark out of her war garment then check this out, otherwise, this is a movie you don’t need to see.
2 out of 5
#realityhigh
picture via imdb.com
picture via dailydot.com
Starring Nesta Cooper and Keith Powers
Combine the color and upbeat acting of Disney and the updated and modern teen experience of Freeform and you got yourself a high school comedy. This one involves a high-achieving high school girl who is supposedly someone who isn’t beautiful to get the man of her dreams because she wears glasses witnesses her crush dating someone who is the center of a reality tv show that follows her around. Through certain circumstances she is drawn into the world of being popular and getting everything, she wants but also risking losing the very thing she didn’t believe she had the whole time. I actually enjoyed watching this teen flick. All the characters were very likable, they all had brains and had a voice and it seemed that everyone got their fair share of screen time. I actually see this show being a great series. At the end of the day it is a cheesy teen flick that makes millenials look like technologic narcissistic zombies. If they decide to do more of these following up what happens next, I wouldn’t object. Honestly, if you watch the trailer and have interest in watching it, check it out.
4 out of 5
You Get Me
picture via imdb.com
picture via netflix.com
Starring Bella Thorne and Halston Sage
A thriller in the same vain as A Fatal Attraction, Swimfan, and anything involving a love affair turned deadly. Bella Throne is the new Glenn Close in this teen suspense movie when she has a one-night stand with a man who recently broke up with his long-time girlfriend. After a weekend of sex and cuddles, he tries to get back with his girlfriend realizing what he lost and she decides that he is the new love of her life and will destroy anyone that gets in her way. This movie was a little cheesy as some of the actions carried out seemed to unreal to be carried out. I don’t really feel sorry for the victim or protagonist of the movie. These movies tend to bug me sometimes with the idea that a woman can’t go without a man. Just think if this movie was Twilight and Stewart’s Bella went all postal in addition to her obsession with Edward. If you are a fan of Bella Thorne, check this out. If not, this is the same ol’ same ol’ tale.
2 out of 5
1922
picture via wikipedia.com
picture via basementrejects.com
Starring Thomas Jane and Molly Parker
The Stephen King adaptation of his novel 1922 sees a prideful father and farmer who is having financial troubles keeping his farm afloat. His wife wants to sell but he is to proud to give it up. Convincing his son to participate, they plot to kill his wife to make sure they can keep the farm. The outcome is far more than they would imagine. Paranoia, deceiving, and ghostly visions and dreams plague the father and son who try and keep up the charade that their mother just disappeared. Haunted by their crime the movie gives off a thrilling ride to possible insanity. This movie is more drama than horror and more depressing then suspenseful. Doesn’t mean this movie wasn’t good but just know that this movie may not be what you think it is. If you want to see a gut-wrenching story and the desperation of what one man would do to keep his livelihood, you may enjoy this film.
3 out of 5.
The Babysitter
picture via wikipedia.com
picture via bloodydisgusting.com
Starring Samara Weaving and Judah Lewis
This horror comedy is one of the best horror films in 2017. It is silly in a McG sort of way but has a lot of heart in it. This movie has everything: cults, bullies, spiders, shirtless hot guy, blood sacrifices, deflating implants all wrapped up in a big bow with McG’s signature stamp on it. That can only mean you are in for a bizarre, twisted, and funny flick mixed with some jump scares, some cool kills and the laws of gravity are thrown away because it’s McG. I love the cast and they played likable characters. This will make you laugh and there is a lot of blood. I think the script is clever and the friendship between the babysitter and her charge is the best part. A slow start in the beginning but once it happens it doesn’t stop.
4 ½ out of 5
Gerald’s Game
picture via wikipedia.com
picture via fhm.com
Starring Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood
An adapted Stephen King novel adapted for screen was one of the best ideas in 2017. I have never heard of this novel before and it is terrifying to watch. What a well done film with suburb acting from Carla Gugino who is at a cabin with her husband trying to spice up their relationship but due to unfortunate events she is put through the most brutal mental test to find out if she has what it takes to survive. This was a gut-wrenching edge of your seat one woman show. It will have you spooked, bewildered, and any other intense feeling you can think of. I highly recommend this film and towards the end you will witness one of the most painful look away scenes of 2017.
5 out of 5
If you would like to read a full review of What Happened to Monday and Death Note, click here and here.
There are more to be seen and eventually I will get to more. Which Netflix movies did you watch in 2017? Comment below with your favorites and ones that were just the worse. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you at the movies.
title photo provided by vancouvereconomic.com
Netflix Original Movies 2017 Aside from going to the movies as much as possible I do love a chill night in with good ol’ Netflix.
0 notes
Text
There's also something to be said about how Chris, for all of his clear passion for Thor in the beginning seems to have, fallen out of love with Thor as well... Not entirely, but enough to cause ... //gestures at every issue there has been, lately. Though I'd imagine that has more to do with the marvel/mcu fandom's insistence that he's 'boring' and shouldn't be the main character than anything about Thor, or the various early interviews with Hemsworth and Hiddleston that dared to try and pit the two actors against one another concerning character popularity, when they get along wonderfully together.
Hemsworth's a bit of a cypher for me. He makes jokes about how he hopes someone will help him understand his wife. (I hate that kind of "ball-and-chain, amirite?" type humor.) It makes it seem like he embraces gender essentialism, which tends to lead to a certain level of masked insecurity in men. But he also was perfectly happy with his daughter painting his toenails, which I thought was awesome. The type of insecure man I'm referring to would never.
The role was a vehicle for him to re-break into Hollywood, although none of the other roles that came after brought him much success. He did make it quite clear that he thought the role had become stagnant and wanted it shaken up. He downplayed the fact that he knew Waititi before the latter signed up for Thor3 which, hmmm. In the promotional work leading up to the third and fourth films, he has touted how he now can play Thor as himself (which, when put that way, sounds lazy.) I've made plain in my posts that I think this take does not serve the character well.
In Phase 1 and 2, there were pieces about how he and Hiddleston were great pals; Hemsworth had Hiddleston out to the family home on some occasions. Now it seems like they don't do anything together anymore, and I wonder if Hemsworth just dropped Hiddleston.
Of course, what the general public sees of a celebrity is often very different from how they actually are. So who knows? But I think he is wrong about Thor.
On the topic of Jack Burton and Wang Chi, gosh. You're so right about that too. It probably was supposed to be Valkyrie, even if she also doesn't have much of a character to her. So much so that I can say with confidence she doesn't have a clear sense of direction. (but then none of the cast of Ragnarok does and that's saying something.)
You're right about none of the cast having a clear sense of direction. That's the risk when you just make it up as you go along.
It may be that Waititi did not think deeply enough to consider who might the Wang Chi character might be. He may have not gotten farther than the idea that Thor would be Jack Burton, only instead of looking for his truck, he's looking for Mjolnir.
#gosh do i miss when thor and jane were the protagonist and deuteragonist respectively of thor's films#because thor is ultimately a love story that unites asgard and earth and everything that differentiates the two worlds#i sure do miss when loki was a well-established and well-rounded character who - despite being thor's side character -#was his antagonist and his foil and a beloved one at that#y'all remember when THOR as a franchise was a superhero love story#y'all remember when thor's whole /thing/ was about love for his home and love for earth#love for his people and love for the earthen mortals#love fueling his sense of duty vs. love in a personal sense#and themes of new love (jane) and corrupted love (loki) and the good in both and coming to terms w all of that#a love story and a coming of age story in a high-fantasty sci-fi setting#with a solid helping of shakespearean tragedy and family drama even — borderline hamlet level stuff#all wrapped up in a superhero action-adventure flick#boy do i sure miss that thor because he was so lovely
I had forgotten, but remembering makes me sad all over again. I do like the summary that Thor is all about love. Loki's angst over where he fits in is quality stuff too.
Don't get me wrong--the first two movies had their shortcomings. But overall it was better then.
#(also can i just say that :pray: your contribution about the film taika was referencing is so unbelievably helpful my friend i'm so :eyes:)#(bless you ty for your addition it is well received)
Thank you very much!
omg, really? Really?
And here I thought my opinion of Thor: Ragnarok could not get worse.
In Big Trouble in Little China, Jack Burton is the sidekick, but he's unaware he's the sidekick. He certainly was not brought upon this world to "get it".
youtube
Don't get me wrong; I can see it. Big Trouble is a send-up of the genre. It's a loving one, though, and I'm not certain Waititi loves the genre that the previous Thor films fit into. He is doing a send-up, though.
A character like Jack Burton is fun as a one-off. But what a sad thing to do to a hero like Thor. I guess instead of a truck, all he wants is his hammer back. And they carry it over into the next installment.
They don't really seem to have a Wang Chi character, though, and that probably contributes to the problems of the film. (Wang Chi is seated next to Burton in the above clip. Superficially, he appears to be Burton's side kick, but he's actually the hero.) I guess Valkyrie comes the closest in that she wants to drive her sword through the heart of the murderous hag that is Hela.
Ugh, how sad.
23 notes
·
View notes