Open Thread: Avengers Age of Ultron

We've probably all seen Age of Ultron at this point. You've probably all moved onto Mad Max (which looks and sounds amazing) and Tomorrowland (which looks amazing but sounds disappointing) by now, but I haven't, ergo this post! I saw it last weekend and I've been thinking about it a lot since. I'd like to read people's thoughts on the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's a pretty solid popcorn movie but I also think it will prove to be one of the better and often argued over entries in the current Marvel canon. Below are some starting points on the film and MCU in general.

Spoilers for all Marvel films up to now can be expected in the comments! Please, if you've seen any of the leaked set pics from the new Captain America, keep it under wraps for now. I've been trying to avoid them for the most part, although sometimes a rare small pic will slip under the radar.

• The trailer for Ant Man
• SPADER!ULTRON: Y/Y?
• The seemingly controversial Nat/Bruce relationship
• Bruce and Tony: are they wholly responsible for Ultron's behavior?
• Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch!
• Hawkeye's surprising back story, so surprising almost none of the Avengers knew about it.
• Could this be the most religiously loaded Marvel film to date?
• How do the events of this film shape the MCU and how SHIELD/the Avengers operate?
• Tony's special big shiny suit - yeah, that one
• Thor in the bath scene, also known as "why is this happening? am I on drugs right now?"
• Anyone else disappointed the GOTG didn't make a cameo?
• DAT MID-CREDITS SCENE

Movie Frame Of Mind: Perfect Blue

Content warning: Discussion of the rape scene, as well as stalking and major spoilers for Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue film.

Mima Kirigoe, a member of a pop-idol group called "CHAM!", decides to quit singing to pursue a career as an actress. Some of her fans are displeased with this decision though, particularly a stalker named Me-Mania. As Mima progresses into her new career, those close to her are violently murdered one by one, and Mima begins to lose the ability to distinguish reality from fantasy. (Source: MAL) 

Somehow, I have until this month avoided watching Satoshi Kon's possible magnus opus, Perfect Blue (and I only say 'possible' because the ultimate judgment on his legacy is still up in the air as more of his works are released postmortem, even if they're all manga titles). That has been a really dumb decision on my part, since Paprika is one of my favorite anime and one of my favorite films, ever, and Paranoia Agent has been one of my top Adult Swim hits since it started. Not to mention Millennium Actress and Tokyo Godfather, both terrific titles!

This Song Is Now Stuck In Your Head: Everything Is Awesome!!!

Always behind everyone else in terms of pop culture, I spent today waiting for a cable technician to fix my DVR box and, in the meantime, watching the Lego Movie. I remember when the trailer came out, no one I knew in real life wanted to watch it. Which meant I was out of luck to see it in theater until now! Thank God for Netflix.

But wow, it was so much fun. I found it charming and humorous and the ending - which I imagine split audience opinion over whether it fit or not - really drove home the message of the whole film, especially if you grew up with Legos and making your own models from the pre-set kits. Plus, a lot of really good voice acting, especially from Chris Pratt and Will Farrell.

But yeah, I think we all can agree one of the best bits was the music. Then again, the score was composed Mark Mothersburg and "Everything Is Awesome!!!" has Tegan and Sara and the Lonely Island (that's not a typo, the official track name has THREE EXCLAMATION POINTS). I'm too lazy to link to it, but Batman's mixtape for Wyldstyle cracked me up, too.

Seriously though, why did I wait so long to watch this? It was, well . . . awesome. (Awesome!!!)

PR: Viz Media Bringing New Naruto Film To Canadian Theaters This Fall

O Canada! Watch out, friends to the North, it looks like the Naruto movie spree is now heading in your direction.

VIZ MEDIA AND ELEVEN ARTS ADD SCREENINGS OF ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE FEATURE FILM TO MORE THAN 35 CITIES IN CANADA THIS SEPTEMBER

San Francisco, CA, August 14, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, in partnership with Los Angeles-based film distribution company ELEVEN ARTS, will hold special Canadian theatrical screenings of ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE (dubbed) on Sunday September 7^th and Thursday September 11^th. These are in addition to the U.S. theatrical screenings starting August 29, 2014.

The sixth feature film in the massively popular NARURTO SHIPPUDEN series will debut in over 35 cities across Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and more. Tickets are now available, and additional information and a complete list of U.S. and Canada theatre locations are available at: http://www.elevenarts.net/th_gallery/naruto-roadtoninja.

Open Thread: Guardians of the Galaxy

It seems like recently the only movies I bother to see in theaters are Marvel films. Case in point! I got to see Guardians of the Galaxy this weekend, specifically Sunday morning in a packed theater room, which should prove that Marvel films still have the power to fill seats no matter what time it is.

It's the oddest film so far in MCU's Phase Two: it doesn't have any clear connection to any of the other films outside of the Collector, who was in the after-credits scene for an earlier Marvel film. Plus, there are a lot of comic continuity heavy references - not too many to confuse newbies, but it definitely keeps comic books readers in a good mood.

It wasn't the greatest Marvel film to date - I thought Karen Gillan's turn as a super-villain was wasted, I wanted more Gamora, and my mom wants to know who Star Lord's dad is (I know but ssssshhh comics) - but it was loud, colorful, fast-paced, and fun to watch. I described it to my sister as Marvel meets Space Dandy with a better soundtrack, and I stand by that comparison.

And yes, you must stay until the end of the credits. You don't want to miss the Easter egg Marvel stuck on this one! And, of course, keep an eye out for an in-film cameo from Stan Lee, but that's to be expected at this point.

So if you're not yet totally talked out about GOTG, drop your feelings in the comment section! And I hope you're not, because didn't it just come out this week? Personally, if GOTG follows the most recent comics, I can't wait to see them hanging out in space with Tony Stark.

Open Thread: The Winter Soldier Has Arrived

Spoilers! Spoilers! Spoilers everywhere! If you haven't seen the latest Marvel film, turn away now!

I can't even write a coherent post. The Winter Soldier was over two hours of everything that makes a great Marvel Cinematic Universe film! If you love Captain America, you will love this film. I already know people who have seen it multiple times - and it only opened in the States this Friday!

Let's talk about Captain America and the Winter Soldier, the Falcon and Black Widow, Nick Fury and Maria Hill, and everyone else. Let's talk SHIELD and other factions, let's talk secret bases and talking computers, let's talk best friends and new friends and girls that Steve should totally ask out on a date one of these days. Let's talk about that Stan Lee cameo - and if you love Community, let's talk about that Danny Pudi cameo! And if you watch Agents of SHIELD, let's talk about how this changes everything on that show.

And don't forget about the mid-credits and post-credits extra scenes! Never leave a Marvel movie until after the end of the credits! It's not a throwaway gag scene like at the end of Iron Man 3, I promise!

Open Thread: Thor 2

Spoilers for the Marvel Cinematic Universe series in the comment section, probably!

I saw Thor 2: The Dark World this morning and if this is how Phase 2 is going to be rolling out, with this and Iron Man 3 to start, than Phase 2 might end up being stronger in storytelling and character development than MCU's Phase 1. I also love the look of Asgard in this latest film, especially the Rainbow Bridge which seems less shiny and more plausible, if that makes sense.

So let's talk about all the great things that made Thor: The Dark World a blockbuster film!

• Heimdall, who was awesome!
• Sif and her Warriors Three, who were also awesome!
• Thor, who stood up for his girlfriend and has clearly developed since The Avengers!
• How amazingly funny this movie is, given some of the plot twists and that the war between Asgard and the Elves isn't exactly bloodless.
• JANE FOSTER AND THE POWER OF SCIENCE. Also, lovable Darcy and Dr Selvig, who is lovable in an entirely different way. Can we have Jane/Darcy/Selvig spin-off?
• The Dark Elves, which were actually interesting villains - and the main Elves were played by the Ninth Doctor from Doctor Who and Mr Eko from LOST, making them that much cooler. Although I can only imagine what a pain it is to sit for all that make-up every day.
• L O K I
• Stan Lee cameo!
• And yes, stick around for after the credits - both times!

Signal Boost: Princess Mononoke Fan Film Kickstarter

I have a particular soft spot for the Hayao Miyazaki film known as Princess Mononoke. It was my first exposure to Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli; I believe I still own the VHS from whence I saw it, purchased for dirt cheap at a church yard sale. So, anyone paying homage to that anime will always get love from me.

This is why I'm representing the latest anime inspired Kickstarter campaign to hit my radar: Wolf Girl, a live action. Princess Mononoke fan film by truly dedicated Miyazaki otaku with a passion for Mononoke-hime and film. You gotta check this out: the visuals look amazing, the technology behind it is ace, and it sounds like they are planning a great love letter to one of Miyazaki's best films. Plus, the rewards are super cute!

Right now, Wolf Girl has six days to reach its initial funding goal. And boy, does it need all six days. So, um, get to funding! If Kick-Heart and Academia can make it, why not Wolf Girl?

Open Thread: Star Trek Into Darkness

Spoiler warning: Post and comment section will have spoilers for the new Star Trek film.

Yesterday morning (I do love me a morning movie!), me and my best friends had the honor of seeing the latest in the JJ Abrams/Bad Robot reboot of the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek Into Darkness (a movie made a hundred times better when sitting next to a Trekkie more seasoned than myself). If Star Trek was an introduction to the newly rebooted Enterprise crew, STID is their official entry into Trekdom, five year mission and all. It was shiny - oh, the lens flare! - and full of action and explosions and old school Trek references but it also had heart and was thoroughly entertaining. Perfect? No, but it is a worthy follow-up to the 2009 film.

Here are a couple things about Star Trek Into Darkness worth talking about, to get the ball rolling:

- The evolution of James T. Kirk as he turns into the starship captain TOS fans know and love. Although I wished we saw more of the nerdy genius side of Kirk.
- Benedict Cumberbatch as - well - you know. 
- The Spock/Uhura relationship, which has become canon and, IMHO, is great but could do without so much forced squabbling for drama's sake.
- All the TOS references! Anyone else catch the minuscule reference to "Mudd's Women"? That's not the only reference Abrams threw in there...
- KLINGONS. And Uhura speaking Klingon! Be still, my fangirl heart!

Feel free to expand on anything else in the comment section! I'm personally still starry-eyed over my Enterprise faves, Bones (who is really tapping into his Georgia boy accent this time round) and Chekov (who should probably stay on the bridge from now on!).

Open Thread: Iron Man 3

Spoiler warning: Post and comment section will have spoilers for the new Iron Man film.

Yesterday morning, I saw the latest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Iron Man 3, the first true blockbuster film of 2013. And I have so many thoughts! Most of them are about Tony Stark, genius billionaire playboy philanthropist, but also include Pepper and Rhodes and a surprise throwback to the first film in the first three minutes of the film. Problem is, I can't possibly collect them all into a coherent post right now.

So let's have an open thread on the latest Iron Man film! Let's talk about what you enjoyed and did not enjoy. Feel free to come at it as a fan of the films or a fan of the comics or both! Below are some aspects of Iron Man 3 worth discussing:

- The multiple Iron Man suits
- Tony Stark's anxiety issues from the events of The Avengers
- Pepper Potts!
- The Mandarin as villain/terrorism in the MCU
- The after credits tag!

Also, point out the Stan Lee cameo!

Library Wars Goes Live Action This Spring

I don't know how this has avoided my attention until now, but the light novel series Library Wars/Toshokan Senso has been adapted into a live action film, set to be released April 27th during Golden Week. Library Wars is best known by English-language readers as its shojo manga adaptation, currently being published by Viz's Shojo Beat imprint. I really hope Viz's live action film arm picks up the license for this - I love Library Wars!

You can watch the official trailer for the live action Library Wars film below.

Rebuild of Evangelion 3.0 Teaser Now Online

Below is the latest teaser for the third Rebuild of Evangelion film. The subtitle for this one is You Can (Not) Redo, falling in the same titling scheme as previous films - You Can (Not) Advance and You Are (Not) Alone.

The film is scheduled for Japanese theatrical release on November 17.

Hat tip to the AnimeNation Anime News Blog for sharing the video.

Awesome Piece Of 'The Avengers' News Of The Day

I can't believe that Marvel isn't intentionally leaking these clips, I just can't. Anyway, in anticipation of the upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release of not only the Avengers but also the impressive looking Avengers Assembled 10-disc box set (with sweet Tesseract action), we have the original opening scene for the film, featuring SHIELD agent Maria Hill being debriefed.

Note: This scene will only be accessible on the Blu-Ray, not the DVD-only release.

So, um, good job Marvel. I kinda wish they had stuck with this as the opening instead of the awkwardly placed opening that hits theatres. Also, JUST TAKE MY MONEY ALREADY.

Film Discussion: The Dark Knight Rises

Spoiler notice: Any discussion of TDKR beyond this point will contain spoilers for the film. Do not read without seeing the film first!
  
Eight years on, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham's finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy. (Source: IMDB)
 
"When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die."
  
I would argue that The Dark Knight Rises was the most hotly anticipated film of the summer, even more than Marvel's The Avengers. After all, it's the bookend to a wildly popular trio of films by super-director Christopher Nolan, featuring one of the most iconic heroes in comic book history. Given all the hype around it, TDKR had to pull off a lot in order to live up to it all and still successfully bring an end to Nolan-verse Batman. So did it?