Avengers: Age of Ultron Review

There is no sophomore slump in Avengers: Age of Ultron. It delivers on the epic superhero moments we’ve been led to believe are the linchpins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the most thrilling collection of comic-connected films we’ve ever had. Watching the film I realized the value of having the Avengers movies serve as the hub in Marvel’s movie plans because otherwise you would be hard pressed to squeeze in the characterizations of the lead characters. Instead, coming in to Avengers we know the backstory to Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man, and the film doesn’t need to waste time in telling us how they react to the attacks made against them. Instead that time is spent on giving us more nuggets about Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hulk, and the new additions Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. This movie never drags, but has quieter moments that don’t seem as if the director is being forced to take a time out like in a Michael Bay movie. James Spader is great as Ultron, and his take on being an evil super robot as a sarcastic ghoul rather than a soulless world conqueror is refreshing, and makes more sense than the alien invasion in the original Avengers – well, as much sense as comic book superhero villainy can make while … Read more

Two Recent Movies: Juno, I Am Legend

Juno: Great comic writing and not too “look at me, I’m quirky” acting (Wes Anderson, I’m looking at you and your suck movies). Not many have noted it but Allison Janey gets to bring the humor you didn’t get to see too often from the West Wing to her character. I hope Ellen Page, the … Read more

Brush with Fame

Two years here and I have yet to see anyone really famous (except Paul Rodriguez in an elevator, and he’s about C-list) then today I’m in Petco buying some stuff for C.K., and who’s in front of me but Mr. Academy Award winner – Cuba Gooding, Jr.. He was waiting on his credit card to clear and turned around, I … Read more