This Week in Comics 4/22/15

Convergence #3

This is issue is going back to the fans. If you don't know much about comics stay clear. Still solid though. Grade: B

Divinity #3

One of my favorite runs out right now. This issue builds upon the story and it is great and very interesting. Grab these issues!! Grade: A

Star Wars #4

This issue is very mellow in comparison to the past issues but it still delivers on Star Wars nostalgia and great story Grade: B+

This Week in Comics 4/15/15

Archie vs. Predator #1

If you're not into this just by the title, you probably won't like it. It's mostly Archie in this issue, with Predator lurking close behind. Looking forward to the next few issues. Also there's a great Predator movie reference by Jughead. Grade: B+

Convergence #2

That's what I'm talking about! Worlds battling it out for survival and different versions of characters meeting. Thomas Wayne meets Bruce Wayne and it's great. Pick these issues up!! Grade A-

Convergence: Aquaman #1

Taking the Pre-Zero Hour Aquaman trapped in Metropolis makes for some crazy things. Mostly Aquaman is an embarrassment to superheroes in the eyes of the public. But he is about to get a chance to prove himself next month. Grade:B

Convergence: Green Lantern/Parallax #1

This might be my favorite issue I've read ever. Seriously, I really enjoyed this. It shows how the Convergence "tournament" is really done. It also helps that Hal Jordan in this is amazing. The concluding half to the series looks to be great. Grade A+

Thor #7

If you don't know by now, Thor has lost the ability to pick up his hammer but an unnamed woman has. The woman now goes by Thor, while the original Thor now goes by Odinson. Odin sends a destroyer  to bring Thor back to Asgard for taking the hammer. This is action-packed and very entertaining. Grade: A

Marvel Cinematic Universe Review

Iron Man (2008)

First of all, Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark. He's not acting, he's just being RDJ. This movie is awesome. Highlights include a great escape scene, the first Mark 2 scene, and the end fight. The end fight is RDJ vs. Jeff Bridges. Both of them are in robot suits. The scene where the Iron Monger is first shown might be my top moment in the MCU. 4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

I absolutely love the first half hour of this movie. It has little dialogue and really sets up how Bruce has been on his own and really doesn't like being the Hulk. It does down when he goes to find Betty after he's being hunted by General Ross. The end fight scene between Hulk and Abomination is exactly what you want out of a Hulk fight scene. The best part is when Hulk rips a police car in half and uses the halves as boxing gloves. Super fun. It also does a good job of using the 2003 Hulk movie as a predecessor even though that's not it's a sequel to that movie. Because everyone hates origin stories over and over again. The CGI Hulk really wasn't perfected until the Avengers yet also.  3/5 🌟🌟🌟

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Most people dislike this movie but I happen to like it much more than Iron Man 3. It has it's flaws but I enjoy Tony being Tony. The fight scenes are cool but not as cool as the Iron Monger fight. I have always enjoyed this so I give it 4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thor (2011)

The first time I watched this, I did not like it much at all. But the more I watch it the more I like it. Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston are perfectly cast. And the movie works very well without having a clear villain for most of the film 3/5🌟🌟🌟 probably closer to 4/5 now for me though

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Unlike Thor, I dislike this movie the more I watch it. It feels very rushed into production and more like a prequel to the Avengers. I also don't think Chris Evans was comfortable in this role yet. Also the relationships with Peggy Carter and Bucky Barnes don't seem too believable until the sequel. 3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟 probably closer to 3/5. 

The Avengers (2012)

This is probably the second  best superhero movie, next to The Dark Knight. Very funny and the action is great. However it's not very watchable. So hopefully Age of Ultron is. I love the character interactions so hopefully it is built upon in the sequel. Also this is one of the few movies I've seen multiple times in theaters 4.5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Iron Man 3 (2013)

I don't like this as much as the other two, but it is good. It's very funny but doesn't showcase much Iron Man. I don't like the villain and the twist is very bad. But I liked this movie overall and hope there is a 4th.  3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

The Marvel cinematic universe cranks it up a notch with the second installment after The Avengers. Thor and Loki return for some great dialogue and plot twists. Great ending fight scene as well. 3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) A new of breed of superhero movie where action is almost second to underlying plots of espionage, mystery, and politics. Highlighted by it's opening fight scene, a phenomenal car chase sequence, and some great new adversaries, Marvel has stepped up it's game by thinking outside of the box and opening up new doors for it's future installments. (4.5/5)  🌟🌟🌟🌟

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

 An over-the-top nearly unbelievable plot actually works this time around thanks to hilarious dialogue and a  brilliant soundtrack. It's ties to the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be subtle but definitely play a part in the story. It comes off as a different film then Captain America 2 as it plays for humor more than the serious political tone. I would like to praise the acting of Dave Bautista, who made me laugh the whole movie, and the voice work of Bradley Cooper. Not to mention Chris Pratt who kills as Star-Lord and is quickly developing into an action star. 4.5/5 for me. Dakotah gave it 7.6/10. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Deadpool 250

This issue is so big, I though it deserved it's own post! There are a few different sections in the issue so I'll break up the review.

The Death of Deadpool (#45)

Very fun issue with loads of violence and humor. I didn't like this issue as much as I have the past 4 or so, mostly because of the focus on action over Deadpool's antics. His death doesn't come when you think it will and that makes the issue exciting till the end.

Shiklah's Catching Up

The wife of Deadpool learns about American pop culture for a trivia contest in this amusing little short. Shiklah is a fun counterpart to Deadpool and this showcases her perfectly. 

The Family S.H.I.E.L.D.

Drawn as if it were a 90's sitcom, Preston is taking care of Taco Dog, a gift from Deadpool. Pretty funny issue considering Taco Dog is basically a Deadpool Pup. It also has a scene identical to one from Deadpool 45.

What Do We Want? Apocalypse! When Do We Want It? Now!

Deadpool is letting Evan, a young clone of Apocalypse, crash with him for while. Evan proceeds to tell a funny story about "robbing a bank". Watching Deadpool try to parent is golden. 

The Thwipster and the Quipster Battle the Hipsters!

Spider-Man and Agent Adsit battle werewolves. Moving on.

All About the Benjamins

The naked ghost of Ben Franklin teams up The Thing to take a villain using dance music to try to take over Philadelphia. You can't make this up. Haha

Parents: The Meeting

What happens when a magic person goes on a date and has to meet his girlfriends parents. Some pretty funny stuff, especially considering how blunt the father is. 

Deadpool Roasts the Marvel Universe

Howard the Duck hosts the Roast of Deadpool in front of the entire Marvel Universe. Why is everyone there? Deadpool has the Inifinity Gauntlet. Hilarity ensues. 

Overall Grade: A-

This Week in Comics 4/8/15

Convergence #1 

After the exposition was given to Superman in #0, it's further explained in this issue to the Earth-2 Justice League. Promising a Mortal Kombat/ Highlander/ Battle Royale fight between alternate universes and characters. I'm very excited for things to come in the next 2 months. Grade B+

Darts Vader #4 

Vader returns to Geonosis to form his droid army. Pretty uneventful issue but it is highlighted by a surprisingly intimate conversation between Aphro and Vader. One of Marvel's best series running. Grade: A-

Descender #2

This dark sci-fi series continues with this issue. It gives a deeper look into Tim-21's live and really creates a sense of danger and showcases his abilities. This series will get very cool very soon Grade: A

Howard the Duck #2

The Colllector has collected Howard and in his "prison" Howard has gained a new friend, Rocket Raccoon. The Guardians of the Galaxy break the two out, and the interactions are awesome. Also, why does Rocket Raccoon always have to escape from a prison? He's escaped from prison in two comic book runs in the past year and in the movie! Anyway, solid issue but not nearly as good as the first Grade: B-

Hawkeyes #2

Starting to look a little bit like Akira. Honestly, I don't like these issues that much. The art for the flashbacks look great but the present day looks terrible. The story is alright so I'll try more more issue. D+

Also be sure to check out my review on Deadpool 250! 

Dakotah's Furious 7 Review

Fast and the Furious 7 ....The Last Ride. Last installment of the franchise? Spoiler alert, possible spoilers. This ride is a very action packed one!!  No matter if it's car races, explosions, or street fights, it comes with a star-studded cast and some amazing additions to the already existing cast. The plot is very simple. In Fast 6 Dom, Brian, and the gang beat Owen Shaw...the younger Shaw brother. Now the older brother, Deckard Shaw is out for revenge and Dom with the help of Brian and the gang must protect his family. Though the plot is kind of ironic because all Deckard is doing is trying to get revenge for what Dom did to his brother, while all Dom does is talk about protecting and avenging his family. Some of the fight scenes are hard to believe, but still some of the coolest fight scenes in the series. Doms strength is very over measured and Deckard Shaws fight skills are underrated. In the end, family prevails and there is a very sad ending, ladies if you have been attached to this movie series then prepare to cry. Side note, they used Paul Walkers brother and CGI to finish the movie and it was perfectly done. Of course this is Paul Walkers last movie and the kind of memorial they give him at the end of the movie to him is very well deserved. RIP Paul. 

All in all I'll give it a 8.0 out of 10. Given the extreme circumstances they did a very good job in finishing the movie. Definitely movie theater worthy!!

Furious 7 and Return of the Living Deadpool

This is a catch-up review day! I reviewed Furious 7 on Instagram (@mattymoandthebros if you're interested) and recently caught up on Return of the Living Deadpool. 

Furious 7

My Instagram review: The gang is back to do what they do best, drive fast cars, say one liners, and blow things up. If you liked the Fast & Furious movies you'll like this one. I enjoyed it and place it somewhere between 2 Fast 2 Furious and Fast and Furious 6. I wish the Rock and Jason Statham had more screen time though. Also the ending is a great tribute to the late Paul Walker. Great popcorn flick. 3/5 🌟🌟🌟 #Furious7 #ForPaul #VinDiesel #TheRock #JasonStatham #PaulWalker #FastAndFurious

Additional thoughts:

I have trouble with the "humor" of Tyrese and Ludacris in these movies. Tyrese was better than normal, but that "birthday" skit was terrible in my opinion. The entirety of the airplane sequence was great though. 

I also don't buy Ludacris being a computer hacker/tech guy, but I've learned to deal with that. But I really don't buy him being a tech guy that is also an expert fighter.

This franchise has a history of bringing in actors to fight the main characters who would destroy them in an actual fight. Examples: The Rock vs. Vin Diesel and  Gina Carano vs. Michelle Rodriguez. This movie had a lot of those. Tony Jaa vs. Paul Walker, Jason Statham vs, Vin Diesel, Ronda Rousey vs. Michelle Rodriguez, and Ludacris vs. anyone. The fight scene between The Rock and Jason Statham is the best in my opinion. 

I think a lot of the one-liners fall flat in this, such as "don't miss" and "the street always wins". 

The CGI Paul Walker looks pretty great. Especially at the end. But some of the scenes are obvious, such as the scene at the beach in Dubai. But the ending scene was great, bringing Paul Walker's story full circle. 

Kurt Russell was pretty great! Good to see him in films again, and I look forward to seeing him in sequels and the Hateful Eight later this year. 

The best line is "Woman, I am the Calvary" which is said by the Rock who then shoots at a helicopter with a gatlin gun. Beautiful. 

I think this should be the end of the series, but I know it won't be considering most of the actors are irrelevant outside of this franchise. I mean, name another Jordana Brewster movie. I sure can't. 

Return of the Living Deadpool (#1-#3) 

Deadpool is in a world with zombies and some modified zombies which have eaten Deadpool and turned into Deadpool clones without the healing factor. He teams up with Liz to rescue her family in this crazy post-apocalyptic wasteland, which is dominated by these clones. 

This run is basically Deadpool slicing and dicing his way through battles. Lots of blood and guts so it's great to read. And there's a Yadier Molina reference in the first issue #LetsGoCards. Not as good as the current Deadpool run, but still pretty great. Overall Grade: B+ 

This week in comics 4/1/15

What's up mother lovers? Happy April Fool's Day to everyone! Today had some sweet comics to offer us, so let's get into it!

Convergence #0

Starting off, we have the beginning of the DC crossover series Convergence. Superman is trapped in a world without time or place and finds himself dealing with multiple version of Brainiac from different universes. I highly recommend jumping into this weekly series, which will run for 8 more issues and showcase years of DC comics story lines and art styles. Grade: B+

Wonder Woman #40

My favorite female superhero is being a glorious badass once again. After an opening fight scene, this short issue follows Wonder Woman unaware of evil deeds going on in the background. Grade: B+

The Amazing Spider-Man 17

Peter Parker is being hunted by Ghost, who is attempting to take down Parker Industries. Dealing with Peter's emotional ties but also having a great deal of action, this issue delivers as only Spider-Man can. 

Grade: B

Rocket Raccoon #10

Marvel continues to have funny issues in this and Deadpool. Rocket and Groot get into a scene at bar in Knowhere nearly identical to Star Wars. Solid Issue Grade: B+