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When I was growing up, and even to this day, Ghostbusters is one of my all-time favourite movies. It’s science fiction, it’s comedy and, most of all, it’s a stunningly timeless piece of media so when the idea was being knocked about that it would be rebooted; suffice to say there were nay-sayers. When it was revealed it’d be an all-female cast, even more-so. But this could be star just about anyone and I’d still be excited. Why?

Cos it’s fucking GHOSTBUSTERS. So now we’ve got first footage of the Paul Feig produced requel (reboot/sequel, eh?) starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth — what’s the verdict?

History doesn’t repeat; it rhymes

My biggest fear was that the cast would be carbon copies of their predecessors and while the archetypes are there, each lady appears to be an amalgamation of different characters. McCarthy is the Ray analog but she’s also the Venkman, spurring the team to assemble. Wiig is a mix of Egon and Ray in her curiosity and scientific background. McKinnon is Egon with Venkman’s playfulness and Jones has Winston’s everyman status but with Ray’s excitable nature.

Yes, there are similarities present but once the film rolls around, I’m sure each character will have more depth to them.

The Big Twinkie
Speaking of character fusions, Chris Hemsworth appears to be pulling double duty as both the Ghostbusters’ receptionist and as the designated possessed person, so a mix of Janine and Luis. Here’s hoping he’s going full Annie Potts and will just be a hot glasses-wearing snark machine for the movie.

We got the tools; we got the talent

One thing I’ve always loved about Ghostbusters was the tech and I’ve always said that as long as the science is cool in this movie then I’ll be happy and from what I’ve seen, I’m real happy. Yes, the packs are different but all the variations on display here have appeared in other Ghostbusters media in one form or another. The current packs and trap look similar to those used in Extreme Ghostbusters (sans the terrible beam effects) and the proton pistols, shotgun and gauntlet have made appearances in the 2009 video game (which I highly recommend) and the IDW comic book series, which is super fun if you don’t mind the art style.

Spook Central

The driving plot point is that someone or something is riling up the ghost population and it’s enough to warrant a new team to answer the call. It’s got shades of Ghostbusters II and Extreme Ghostbusters and I’m interested to see where it goes. While the spooks aren’t all practical or stop-motion, they are visually striking, which is great. Plus we do get a quick peek at one of the many returning cast members in the form of the green spud, Slimer.

So what’s the verdict? I’m optimistic! Sure there’s some hints at the kind of humour modern audiences eat up and I hate but hopefully that’s just trailer-bait and the movie itself will have more of a sardonic, gallows sense of humour like the original. Apart from that; I’m loving what I’m seeing — and hearing with the tinkling piano and funky remix of the Who You Gonna Call? Theme song. Seriously, it gave me goosebumps!

You can make the call for yourself when Ghostbusters appears in theaters this summer!

I’m going to skip the usual foreplay because if you’re reading this, then you already know who The Avengers are and what this movie means, not only in terms of comics and the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe but also what this movie means in terms of box office. This movie will make bank and that’s because you will go watch it.

Of course you will, it’s the god damn AVENGERS. So where do I even begin with my review of this 141 minute goliath? How best to express my experience of this cinematic colossus? Simple.

This was probably the most fun I’ve had at a movie in my 27 years of living on this Earth. That isn’t hyperbole, that’s how I feel right now. I’m still not done comprehending what I just watched but it is the culmination of 7 years and 11 movies worth of build-up and it lives up to every bit of hype you might imagine for that.

I’m going to avoid MAJOR spoilers for my American friends, since we in the UK had the good fortune to receive this movie a full week before them so here goes:

You know all those cool snow battle scenes in the trailers? The ones you’d assume are from the climax or, at the very least, the second act. Nope, that’s your first ten minutes. Yeah, let that sink in. It came as a real surprise to me and my friend when right off the bat, we get to see what the Avengers do best and it’s amazing to see. This is a team that hasn’t spent the last three years sitting on their hands, they’ve been busy going on raids against HYDRA and the team’s banter and cohesion as a unit is just glorious to behold.

On the acting front, all the actors are on their toppest of top forms. I could not think of a single line or performance that let me down or held up to (and sometimes surpassed) my expectations. Some stuff bears mentioning specifically though:

James Spader takes on the momentous task of taking Ultron and making him… Real. And I was very surprised by his portrayal. I’ve never had a definitive voice or speech mannerism for Ultron but Spader makes the character glow with charm, wit, intelligence and, most of all, menace. He does a fantastic job of portraying what is, essentially, a gestalt entity but also give it a unique voice all its own.

The Maximoff twins are pretty likeable, even as the antagonists for the early part of the movie. The elephant in the room is obviously whether or not this Quicksilver is better than X-Men: Days of Future Past’s version. Short answer; no. Long answer; Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays a far more mature and damaged Pietro and is not predisposed towards shenanigans but he can be a joker, balancing both attitudes pretty well but he’s not the impish trickster that Evan Peters portrayed and actually comes off better for it in some scenes. Scarlet Witch is perfectly fine, Elizabeth Olsen puts in a pitch-perfect portrayal of the hex-wielding Avenger. She really earns her stripes.

And finally, Paul Bettany as The Vision. Our JARVIS turned Synthezoid Avenger makes for a nice counterpoint to Spader’s Ultron, which is obviously the intention but it’s so much better than I thought. I also adore the way Vision proves his intentions to the team. It’s a fantastic little moment.

There’s also a TON of other performances that are great but SPOILERS so I’ll just leave them for you to see for yourself…

The Hulk vs. Hulkbuster scene is just as awe-inspiring as you’d expect and even finds time to throw in some witty one-liners (from Stark, natch). It’s a knockout brawl through a city and I had a smile through the entire thing.

There’s plenty of surprises to be seen, and some fantastic foreshadowing to future movies. I caught references to at least three, not counting the mid-credits scene. I’ve had it confirmed that there’s no post-credits so there’s nothing to stop you leaving after the mid-credits scene.

If there’s anything negative thing to say, there’s one thing that NEEDED to happen in this movie and Whedon knew that, only to purposely leave you blue-balled; but it’s masterfully done so I can’t stay mad because it made me laugh.

Overall, my opinion doesn’t matter because you’re going to go see the movie. Of course you are, it’s The Avengers but more-so and I can guarantee that you will leave the theatre thoroughly satisfied.

The second trailer for Thor 2: Asgardian Boogaloo was released today. The movie comes out on October 30th this year and will be the second post-Avengers film.

There has been a change of director since the first Thor. Kenneth Branagh has been replaced by Alan Taylor, a director who has worked primarily on television. He’s worked on Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Sopranos, and tons more shows but he has only made 3 movies previously and none with the kind of budget that this film has so it will be considered a step up for him.

All the principal cast return, along with a few additions, and with a late release date like it has there shouldn’t be much competition in the box office. Can’t fail, right?

Right?

– Take Me Down To The Paradise City

The colour and style of the last film was a little on the cartoon side. Things tended to look a little clunky. Similar to toys. This film however looks a little bit more sophisticated. Even Asgard looks more detailed.

– Cancel The Ragnorak

Idris Elba plays Heimdall, who in the comics almost never takes off his helmet. It’s not a destruction of his character to have him here with the helmet off or anything like that but it took me by surprise nonetheless. And I’m sure the ladies aren’t complaining.

– Smile Like You Mean It

Tom Hiddleston returns once again as Loki. If ever there was a man just having the time of his life in a role, it’s him. I really get the impression that he’d play this character as long as they ask him to. I hope they keep asking him. And I’m sure the ladies aren’t complaining.

– Swedish Murder Machine

Chris Hemsworth is turning into a man before our very eyes, folks. If the first movie was Thor learning to grow up, then this movie will show that effect. More-so Hemsworth is starting to look like an older man too. More commanding. And I’m sure the ladies aren’t complaining.

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Overall: in the end, Thor 1 did better in the box office than some of his Avenger counterparts, so hopefully this sequel can continue that success. It certainly looks a better film, hopefully it will back that claim up come release time. Bring a female friend.

We’re being treated to two Snow White movies this year. Both are trying different takes to the Walt Disney style story made oh so famous. I think both are fully sans-dwarves as well. Size-ist Hollywood strikes again.

This seems to have a great cast; Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, that chick from Twilight that nobody likes, all good box-office fodder right there. And the story could be fun, ramping up the fairy-tale for a slightly older audience. Everything you need for a hit, right?

Well, we’ve seen this sort of thing fail on it’s ass in the past. The Brothers Grimm, anyone? And I know I keep harping on about this but with such a big budget movie line-up this year it’s going to be difficult to get bums on seats unless you get some good reviews from the critics.

Now I’m obviously not one of those influencial critics. I’m more one of those “haha, he said number 2″ sort of online writers. So lets just take a look at the trailer and see what we think.

– Fight! Fight! Fight!

Already, glass-exploding-faceless bad guys are cooler than a dwarf named Sleepy.

Right out of the box, this trailer wants us to know that this will be an action movie. Disney be damned!

– Her Milkshake Brings All The Boys To The Yard

Damn right, it’s better than yours.

She could teach you, but she’d have to eat your soul.

– Mirror, Mirror…

…standing there, what creepy news do you have to share?

I’m not saying that this isn’t cool, I’m just saying it would be useless to shave in front of. Can’t see a thing!

– It’s Nice To See Chris Stretch Himself As An Actor

Successfully leaving those Thor days behind him.

Yup.

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I’d be telling you a lie if I said the trailer didn’t look pretty. The director definitely has a cool sense of style. However, plot wise, it’s a whole dose of “meh” so far. But Stardust was a highly enjoyable jaunt and not a million miles off in essence. This will be down to execution. Hopefully, when it’s released, the movie doesn’t shatter like our bad-guys above.

JJ and his amazing friend Jason brodcast from the 1940’s to bring you this episode. It’s just the bee’s knees, mister. So hook your iPod up to your favorite jalopy and take your best girl for a ride up to lookout point. The chums also look at what’s coming to the picture show as they talk of that new Thor trailer. JJ admits a fascination with actors who can transform their bodies to fit a role, ponder the unspoken applications of Aquaman’s powers, and how he could make a fortune in Japan. Plus, the two wonder what ever became of hair…you know, THAT hair?

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