2014: Week 14: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Genre: Action, Adventure

Main Players: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L Jackson, Robert Redford

General Gist: The second movie in the Captain America Saga

Deb's Take: 
I started out this adventure a few years ago, and am surprised at the changes in my taste of movies.  I never was a big "super hero" fan, however, since the whole Marvel productions have been sweeping out theatres over the last few years I am becoming a bigger fan.

I really enjoyed this movie.  I liked the chemistry between Johansson and Evans.  The role of Falcon, played by Anthony Mackie was a great addition.  I liked seeing Robert Redford, 78 years old and still a badass.  This movie had a lot of action, a little humor, great stunts and graphics.  If you are a super hero fan this one should keep you extremely entertained and happy. 

Short and to the point!  If you like superhero movies, it's a go!

Deb's Rate: Friday Night


Tiff's Take:
I feel the same way as Deb.  I never have really wanted to see a super hero movie.  It's never been on the top of my list.  But these days?  You bet I'll go to one.  I've really enjoyed all the Marvel movies.  I'll admit that the first Captain America wasn't my favorite.  I've always been more of a Thor girl.  This one though was great.  It was better than the first and that's a hard thing to do.

I also like the chemistry between Johansson and Evans.  The actors were all good.  I just really enjoyed this one.  Not much else to say.

Tiff's Rate: Friday Night

Preview:  Have a couple more reviews coming..a bonus and Week 15

2012: Week 19: The Avengers

The Avengers

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Main Players: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston

General Gist:  A team of super heroes is pulled together in order to save the earth from an attack by an unearthly enemy.

Deb's Take: 

I am not a super fan of the Super Hero movies.  Yet, after seeing this film that brings a team of super heroes together I realized I had seen almost every movie about each individual character that preceded The Avengers.  I think it might have something to do with my husband really liking these kinds of films.

 As far as Super Heroes go, this movie was good.  Sometimes the Sci-Fi stuff ends up being so ridiculous that I just can't get into the movie.  This movie...not to shabby in the Sci-Fi area.  I will say, see "Thor" before you see this movie, there are some pivotal points that may be lost otherwise.  This movie gives you good action, decent acting, a lot more comedy than I would have expected, and some Sci-Fi thrills.   Although it wasn't my type of movie, it really was a good movie and I have to say if this type of movie is your thing, you will love it.

Deb's Rate: Opening night for all you Super Hero Fans, personally I could have taken it as a Matinee

Tiff's Take:
Last year when all these Marvel movies were coming out I thought it was weird.  Why all the super heroes?  It wasn't until this movie came out that I realized it was on purpose and leading up to this one final movie.  I know, I'm pretty quick.  Good idea.  It seems right up my alley even though I'm not a big super hero fanatic.

Going to this movie made me feel a little bit like I did when I went to see Moneyball.  I felt like I was doing the movie a disservice by not knowing all there is to know about these super hero characters.  I mean, there were some of the movies that I didn't even see like The Hulk and the first Iron Man.  I sorta wish I had now.  Even though I hadn't seen them all I felt like I still knew what was going on mainly from seeing Thor since the main bad guy is from that movie.  So, like Deb said, you might want to see Thor first if you haven't.

As far as liking the movie...I'll be honest.  The first part was a little slow.  I felt like they could have reintroduced all the characters a little better.  It seemed like a hodge podge of activity at first.  It didn't start getting really good until about halfway through.  I did love the characters/actors in this movie though.  I love almost anything Robert Downey Jr. plays and I love Chris Hemsworth's Thor character.  He's probably my favorite.  Ruffalo's Hulk character was surprisingly funny too.

So what I'm saying here is if you're into this stuff you'll probably love the movie.  If you're not, you'll probably like it okay but maybe not think it's worth the hype.

Tiff's Rate: Borderline Matinee/Friday Night

Preview: We will post the winner of our "Footloose" giveaway tonight.  Next review...What to Expect When You're Expecting.

Week 30: Captain America: The First Avenger

This week we saw Captain America: The First Avenger.  Yes, another super hero movie.  I think this year will be deemed the year of the super hero and Natalie Portman.  What do you think?  Seems about right.

I basically agree with Deb on this one.  The super hero aspect was okay but mixing super heros with a war setting just didn't work for me.  I guess it seems like a disservice to soldiers.  It diminishes what they stand for.  Who knew I was so patriotic.   

I will admit though that the transformation from skinny weak guy to big tough soldier was impressive.  Whatever digital programming they had to do on that seemed realistic.  There was maybe only one scene where it didn't look quite natural.  But really overall very well done. 

I did like all the actors in this movie but I will admit I had a hard time looking at, Chris Evans, the main character without seeing the pre-transformation guy.  Not that that is a reason not to like a movie.  Just an observation. I agree with Deb about the leading lady.  Hayley Atwell looks like she might be a new up and comer. 

To Sum it up: Good special effects, pretty good actors but not digging the super hero/soldier mix.

Week 30: Captain America

Well, this week we ventured out with my husband and son in tow for "Captain America". Seems like this last few months has been the months of super hero/comic book character movies. I will remind you all that comic book movies are not my favorite so this opinion is already somewhat biased.

If you don't know the Captain America story lines...like I didn't...it follows Steve,a young man (played by Chris Evans), who is trying to become enlisted during World War 2. He tries over and over again but is always rejected due to his medical history and super small, scrawny size. Eventually a scientist is captured by his tenacity and accepts him into a training program, where eventually he is a science experiment and becomes a huge, lean, war machine. I must put in here, that the digital reconstruction of this character was pretty cool. He really did go from scrawny to big believably.

So, after he changes to the master of all humans genetically, he eventually must take down the "Red Skull". This whole part is where my lack of liking came in. He became a war hero, but I was turned off by the whole thing. I had to keep reminding myself it was a super hero, not a real war hero. The war scenes were cheesy and I wasn't real impressed with the whole outfit, superhero, save the day presentation when coupled with world war 2. I know it was fictional, but still, I was turned off.

As far as the actors go, I love, love, love Stanly Tucci. Tommy Lee Johns fit his part to a tee. Everyone else was ok...Haley Atwell played the main female role (this movie did not pass the Bechdel Test by the way). I looked up some her previous roles, I haven't seen any of the movies she has played in before, but am very interested in seeing how she does, I see high potential. She played in "The Duchess" which is a movie I missed but think I may go rent.

Anway, for all you superhero fans, coming from a non super hero fan...I thought the movie was ok, a little slow and slightly cheesy. Coming from my husband and son, who are super hero fans, It was a good movie, better than "Green Lantern", according to my husband, but not to my son.

All in all, the theatre was packed at 3:00 in the afternoon, and most seemed pretty satisfied. Oh, and I found out later..if you stay past the credits there is a trailer for the second movie. I didn't see it, but don't feel to bad about it..my husband was bummed.

See you next week.