Something Resembling a A Review of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2'

If you’re looking for a repeat of everything you enjoyed about Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) only more, then you’re probably going to love Vol. 2. If you’re like me and you’ve reached your exit point on the Marvel fatigue scale, then you’re probably going to be underwhelmed with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Basically see this film if you want more of the same (it’s a funny, colourful space adventure), but save your money if you’re not super keen. I mean if you’re on a movie ration and you can only buy one ticket a month or something, don’t waste it on this movie.

SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT!

Something Resembling a Review of Captain America: Civil War

Before we get into the nitty gritty here’s a spoiler free and heavily biased short review of Captain America: Civil War for those of you that just want to know if it’s worth seeing. To start with this is an Avengers film despite the title - they do a decent job of tying up the Captain America trilogy but that is not the focus of the film. Good news is it’s a MUCH better Avengers film than Age of Ultron. Action sequences still a little clunky but tied reasonably well to the emotion and plot so it doesn’t really matter. There are so many characters but somehow you come out at the end without feeling shortchanged. Character motivations are mostly clear and some are even interesting. There are too many white dudes but we already knew that. Overall a good fun exciting ensemble superhero movie. Totally worth the price of admission. 

THIS IS YOUR SPOILER WARNING! SO MANY SPOILERS! FOR ALL THE MARVEL MOVIES! AND SOME COMICS! SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS! 

Something Resembling a Review of Marvel’s Ant-Man

Full confession - I wanted to hate this movie. I went in hoping that Ant-Man would be Marvel’s first complete failure, because I am terrible person obviously. Unfortunately despite my best efforts, Ant-Man turned out to be a perfectly adequate movie. Sure it wasn’t amazing, and certainly not groundbreaking in any way, but it was entertaining enough to warrant a trip to the cinema. Here’s the thing though, while Ant-Man is a decent film in it’s own right, it also highlights everything that’s wrong with the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the moment. 

Something Resembling a Review of Avengers: Age of Ultron

This review is going to be chocked with spoilers, so if you haven’t seen it then maybe don’t read. Although the Marvel Marketing Machine has basically spoiled the whole movie already so it probably doesn’t matter. Anyway if you want to know whether you should shell out $20 to see this film the answer is depends. If you like the Marvel movies then yeah, go see it. All your faves are there and Joss Whedon’s trademark wit is on form. BUT if you aren’t already invested in the Marvel Cinematic Universe then this movie is not likely to change that. 

Recap-turing Marvel’s Agent Carter: "Now is Not the End"

Previously on Captain America: The First Avenger, Peggy Carter - professional badass - made the mistake of falling in love with a man with a death wish, aka a hero. So Steve Rogers got fridged, literally, and almost a year later Peggy’s still pretty cut up about it as shown via flashbacks as Peggy stairs wistfully out of the window. There’s no time for mourning though, because the war may be over but Peggy Carter’s battle has just begun. 

Peggy Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier

In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, fans of Peggy Carter got something quite unique. They got to see how the story ends. We know that Peggy survives, we know that she has a family and we know that she helps found S.H.I.E.L.D. we just don’t know how she got there. In the contemporary Marvel Cinematic Universe Peggy has lived her life and although it’s heartbreaking to see her struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s comforting to know that she made it that far. Even though the one thing she worked towards for her whole life turned out to be a secret hive for the people she was hunting, but hey Peggy’s always willing to admit her mistakes and luckily Steve’s always willing to listen to her advice. 

Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America: The First Avenger isn’t discussed as often as the other Marvel films but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad film. In fact, it’s kind of the opposite. Captain America: The First Avenger doesn’t get enough attention because it’s a really well made film. The script is incredibly solid. The casting is perfect - from Chris Evans right down to the background one liners. The decision to make it a period film was brilliant, the set design and costuming is fantastic and the score is everything a superhero movies score should be. So while the plot is your basic cookie cutter origin story, the execution makes Captain America: The First Avenger a super entertaining, infinitely re-watchable, movie. 

14 Things That Made Me Happy in 2014

It was a big year in which a lot of bad things happened - including my terrible neglect of this blog but also the rampant racism and sexism and people getting shot and stuff. It wasn’t all bad though, so I figured instead of focusing on the negative, I’d give you 14 things that made me smile in 2014.

Something Resembling a Review of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy

Surprise, I'm going to rave about another Marvel movie. I know it's getting old but I can't help it that they keep making movies that are so damn entertaining. If you want to know if this movie is worth the price of admission, the answer is yes. It's a super fun Star Wars-esque sic-fi, the action sequences/special effects are fabulous and it will make you cry about a walking tree and a walking raccoon. Chris Pratt as utterly loveable as Peter Quill (aka Star-Lord) and the soundtrack is an instant classic. If you're looking for a fun night out Guardians of the Galaxy is the film for you. Now that we know what was good about it, let's talk about the other stuff. 

Something Resembling a Review of The Amazing Spider-Man 2

I'm running behind the times, I know. Travelling has taken up so much of my time I have fallen behind on the Pop Culture front. But I finally saw The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and now I need to vent my feels at you guys. Because maybe it's not just travelling that was preventing me from watching this film maybe I just didn't want to see that thing we all knew was going to happen happen.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

Something Resembling a Review of Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Every time I walk into the cinema to see the latest instalment from the Marvel Cinematic Universe I think there is no way that this film is going to live up to the standard created by the last one. So far I have been wrong every single time (with the exception of Iron Man 2, which wasn’t even that bad). But of all of phase two Captain America: The Winter Soldier was the film I was looking forward to the most because the Cinematic Universe has turned me into a total Captain America convert in a way I never was before.

This review is mostly spoiler free but something might slip through so watch out.

Something Resembling a Review of Thor: The Dark World

Thor was actually my favourite of the first wave of Marvel movies – and not just because of it’s blatant objectification of Chris Hemsworth’s beautiful body (although that helped). So I was super excited to see The Dark World and I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed. While the sequel is not quite as good as the original, it was still incredibly enjoyable. In fact I would go so far as to say that I enjoyed it more than Iron Man 3.

Something Resembling a Review of Iron Man 3

Here’s the thing about The Avengers – it was a perfect. Okay yes I’m biased but it was pretty much everything I wanted out of a comic adaptation. The problem is that it has set the bar pretty blood high and I was starting to worry that the next round of Marvel films just wouldn’t live up to it… I was wrong. Iron Man 3 has renewed my excitement for Phase Two and here’s why.

Warning Spoilers!

Top 5 Movies of 2012

My lovely friend Rach, who recently asked me to compile a list of the best Skins moments, has set me another challenge – what are my favourite movies of 2012. As 2012 is not yet over, I know it’s almost the end but The Hobbit is coming out and that will hopefully make it’s way into any 2012 lists, it’s not a definitive list… but it’s the best I can do at the moment.

My Top Ten Slash Ships

You might remember that in the last Shipping News, I talked about the fact that AfterElton is currently holding the Ultimate Slash Madness Tournament - in which 32 of our favourite slash couples are battling it out for the title of Ultimate Slash Champion. Now it’s pretty easy to guess that I am a tad excited about this poll, I mean I love me some slash and I can never say no to good poll but I have discovered recently that I might be in minority in this (at least outside fandom circles). So in order to drum up some excitement from my family and friends I have compiled a list of my top 10 slash ships (not all of them are in the poll but I still love them so they are here).

Fangirl Confessions: The night Gwen Stacy came to life.

I recently wrote a review of the new Spider-Man film, it turned out reasonably well but as I was writing it I did come across a slight hiccup… I couldn’t stop talking about Gwen Stacy. Those of you that have seen the film this might not be all that shocking, Emma Stone is amazing in the part but I was reluctant to fall in love with this character, as any one who is familiar with the comics might understand.

WARNING there are possibly spoilers in this post… but then again maybe not. Enter at your own risk!

Something resembling a review of The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

You may or may not know that there is a new Spider-Man movie out (that’s sarcasm, if you don’t know then just go back to the rock you have been living under it’s better for everyone). Anyway I went to see The Amazing Spider-Man and I thought, why not review it... 

5 Blockbusters I am literally squeeing in anticipation of in 2012.

I don’t know whether it’s just that whoever is doing the trailers at the moment is brilliant or what but I am excited for movies this year. 2012 is shaping up to be a big year for blockbusters with some of the most anticipated films ever hitting our screens.

These films need little introduction; you’ve probably already been saturated with propaganda but goodness they’re captivating. These are the films that cause people to line the streets for hours and I am not even ashamed to say that I will be one of those people. So without further ado these are the five films my fangirl heart is beating for in 2012.

Marvellous Marvel: What's so good about Thor and why am I so excited about The Avengers?

A rather long review, that turned into my life story/love letter to Joss Whedon.