Spider-Man: No Way Home SPOILERS Review

I've never been a big Spider-Man fan.  My fondest memories of the web slinger is the 1990's Saturday morning cartoon.  My brother and I would settle in for TV watching that included Spider-Man, Batman, and X-Men.  My brother Patrick however is a HUGE Spider-Man fan.  Everything I know about Spider-Man comes from me reading his comic book collection when he wasn't home.  Like most big brothers, he didn't like me getting into his things.  As a whole I like the Tobey Maguire trilogy, but never really warmed up to the Andrew Garfield films.  I have, however, enjoyed Tom Holland's portrayal of Peter Parker.  So heading into his third film I was curious what was going to happen in No Way Home, and who was going to show up.  The correct answer for both of those questions was EVERYTHING!

This film picks up right where Far From Home ended.  Peter's identity is exposed to the whole world, and those closest to him are being hurt because of it.  Peter turns to Doctor Stephen Strange to help him make the world forget he is Spider-Man.  But when the spell goes wrong it brings in everyone from the multiverse who knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man, which included villains (and heroes) from all the Spider-Man films Sony has released in the last 20 years. It all comes down to a climactic battle at the Statue of Liberty with three Spidermen versus the Sinister Five.  Yes, FIVE.  When they were all captured my first thought was, "there has to be one more to make it the Sinister Six."  But there wasn't.

First off, my problem with this film is the same reasons I, and many other, geeked out so hard while watching it.  It's filled with cameos from all the previous Spider-Man films; and then some.  It had great references and the money shot of all three Spidermen, in costume, ready to battle. But, earlier I hopped on YouTube to rewatch the Matt Murdock scene.  I remember freaking out when he appeared and I just kept thinking, "Charlie Cox's Daredevil is in the MCU." And in the 80 seconds or so he was in the film I didn't process any dialogue or anything else in that scene.  I was in a daze and missed everything else being said.  I just kept wondering when the next cameo was coming instead of focusing on this Peter's emotional journey.

But, despite two other Spidey's in the film, the heart of it was still Tom Holland's Spider-Man.  It was his hopefulness of not giving up on the villains.  Trying to not just send them back to their deaths, but to try and help them.  The end of the film ended with Peter making everyone forget not Spider-man, but Peter Parker; even his friends.  The last scene with Peter and MJ killed me Peter was about to tell MJ who he was till he noticed the bandage above her eye and believed the best way to keep her safe was for him not to be in her life. This reminds me of a comic book storyline called Brand New Day.  After Civil War everyone knew who Spider-Man was, and this led to Aunt May being shot.  So, Peter made a deal with Mephisto (yes, that Mephisto) that he would save May's life if Peter would give up is life with Mary Jane. Thus, causing everyone to forget he was Spider-Man, never meeting or marrying MJ, and him living the bachelor life with his buddy Harry Osborn in their New York apartment. That's what the end of the film felt like to me; that it's a brand-new day for Spider-Man.  Peter has his own New York apartment, struggling to get by, and most important; sewing his own costume.  This is the basics of who Spider-Man is to me, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

Speaking of what's next, the mid-credit scene saw Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock getting the 411 on the MCU.  The bartender explaining it all is Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernandez. Football is life!!  Anyway, Eddie then gets zapped back to his reality thanks to Peter and the events of the film but leaves behind a piece of the symbiote.  And every comic book fan's immediate thought was not only "Black Costume Saga" but also, "Is the MCU gonna do their own Venom?"  Now, I'm still confused how Eddie ended up in the MCU.  We assume it's from the Strange spell, so then why would he get zapped to the MCU if he had no idea who Peter Parker was?  This feeds into the fan theory that Venom's hive mind with other symbiotes includes the one from Spider-Man 3, and Venom, not Eddie, knew Peter was Spider-Man, and why Eddie came to the MCU, and then returned to the Sonyverse. 

I believe No Way Home is love letter to everyone who has been watching Spider-Man films for the last 20 yrs.  It remembers the past but set up so much for the future of the character, and also raises so many questions like; did they bring Tom Hardy's Venom over just to leave the symbiote piece behind?  Does Zendaya's MJ ever get back with Peter or is this the actresses' way out of the franchise?  And what's up with Morbius?  We know he's in the same universe as Venom, but that Spider-Man mural is in the background in the trailer and so is Michael Keaton.  Also, Keaton's Vulture no longer knows who Spider-Man is according to the rules.  If Jon Watts and crew got a non-loving Spider-Man guy like me to get excited about the possibilities, I can't wait to see what he does with Fantastic Four!

Spider-Man: No Way ALL The Rumors Are True

Well folks, it finally arrived.  After days of anticipation we finally got to see it; my mother-in-law's new fancy bed.  But while I was putting that together, people in L.A. were gathering into a theater to be the first ones to get a look at the newest trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home. Sony promised a special surprise for those in attendance.  And I guess the appearance of Tom Holland is the surprise they got.  But those of us at home were hoping to see appearances from different webslingers last night.

Not since Avengers: Endgame has so many rumors and theories been swirling around a single film.  From Daredevil to Professor Charles Xavier I've heard every Marvel character might make a cameo in Jon Watt's third installment in the MCU's Spider-Man "Home movies." Cue laugh track. 

But with this film bringing in all the villains from previous Spidey movies people expect to see the Spider-Men that go with them; Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Recently, film pundit, John Campea posted some pictures online he thought were fake, but was soon contacted by Sony to take them down because they "could be real" as the Sony rep told him.  But it was too late.  People saw, saved, and shared those pictures all around showing Holland with Garfield and Maguire on a set much like the one we see in the new trailer when Peter is about to face off again Electro, Sandman, and Lizard.  People are speculating Marvel pulled one of their trailer magic tricks and erased two Peter Parker's from that shot for the trailer(look online for the Lizard getting punched by air).

So what take-aways do I have from this newest Spider-Man trailer?  Well I'm about 99.9% sure Maguire and Garfield are in the film.  I think Spider-Man is about to jump over to his own Sony-controlled film universe.  And I think Peter will suffer a tragedy.

A few years back Marvel and Sony Pictures broke a new deal after their old one in sharing live-action rights to Spider-Man had expired.  After it looked like Tom Holland's Spider-Man was gone from the MCU the two companies said they had renewed for 2 more movies; 1 Spider-Man film and 1 MCU film that Spider-Man would appear in.  I, like some, believed this was the two studios way of writing Spider-Man out of the MCU and into his own Sony universe with Venom, Morbius, Kraven, all of his own supporting characters. With the Multiverse going awry it would make sense that Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is the other MCU film Tom Holland will be in, and then have "no way" to get back to the MCU after Strange cleans up the Multiverse.  I for one have enjoyed Spider-Man interacting with the other Marvel characters, and while I believe he can lead his own cinematic universe I'd much rather see him stay in MCU.  But I think Sony is done letting Marvel Studios play with their most valuable toy.  Even if Marvel did re-polish it after Sony mistreated and dragged it through the mud.......Moving on.

The first trailer gave us Doctor Octopus and a hint of Green Goblin.  We also knew Jamie Foxx would be reprising his role as Electro. In this newest trailer we got confirmation of Sandman and Lizard with Doctor Strange saying "They all die fighting Spider-Man; It's their fate."  Now, I plan on re-watching all the live-action Spider-Man films before seeing No Way Home, but Sandman didn't die.  From my memory, all the others died at the end of their subsequent films, but Thomas Hayden Church turned a corner at the end of Spider-Man 3 and became dust in the wind.  Plus, we are missing two live-action Spidey villains; Venom and Harry Osborn's Green Goblin.  The end credit scene of Venom: Let There Be Carnage hints that "a Venom" might make a cameo in this film, and Willem DaFoe wasn't the only Green Goblin in the trailer. One shot showed a Goblin looking different. My guess is it's Harry from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but some say it may be Ned's possible Hobgoblin turn like in the comic books.  But I'm more curious about Ned's letter jacket?  What sports or activities is he in to get one of those?  I also don't believe Molina's Doctor Ock will be a true foil in this film.  He also turned over a new leaf at the end of Spider-Man 2 and was about to die a semi-hero.

The trailer ends with a classic love interest fall and Peter diving to save her.  Maguire saved his girl.  Garfield killed his.  How do you think Holland is gonna shake out?  "This is all my fault. I can't save everyone," is what Peter says in the trailer.  Also falling in the trailer is a giant shield.  Looks like New York is making some Captain America memorial?  And the last line of the trailer is Strange saying, "They're starting to come through, and I can't stop 'em." Which I believe is a tip of the hat of what the good Doctor will have to fix in his own sequel film. Let's also not forget Peter had another new suit, a black one, that looks magical, because, we gotta sell some toys!  

I'm at that point in my life as a geeky film fan where I walk in trying to check all the rumors and head Canon before going in.  I'm not the biggest Spider-Man fan, but I do enjoy the character, and I look forward to see what Marvel and Sony have in store for us.  But, I'm wearing my Daredevil shirt just in case Charlie Cox shows up and I scream, "Yes!"

My Top 5 Out Of Character Comic Book Movie Moments

The work "trainwreck" can be used to describe more than one movie currently playing in theaters.  Fox's Fantastic Four is now surrounded with drama as it's director lashes out at the studio on social media and it becomes a box office flop; barely making half of it's projected opening weekend numbers.  My thoughts on the film aside, I did find it odd that while the movie had Johnny Storm in it, a.k.a. The Human Torch, there was actually no sign of the character anywhere in Michael B. Jordan's performance.  

This isn't the first time film makers have taken liberties with comic book heroes to serve their movie.  But to change a character completely is almost as bad as calling your film an X-Men movie, but not having any trace of an actual X-Men root anywhere in the movie *cough*Brett Ratner*cough*.  I for one don't mind changing a character trait for another adaptation so long as it doesn't change what the original character stands for.  So after a little thinking I've got my top 5 moments in comic book movies that totally went against their character archetype.   

5) THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

Peter Parker Stops His Bully From Bullying Someone Else

I always thought Tobey Maguire was the perfect Spider-Man casting.  He was shorter than the average male, wasn't too handsome, and overall looked like a nerd.  However, Andrew Garfield was the same height and stature as his bully; Flash Thompson.  In one scene, Peter stops Flash from picking on another fellow nerd.  Now, post-spider powers, Parker may have had the confidence to stand up to Flash, but pre-spider powers Peter would have seen the incident, thank God it wasn't him, and kept walking.  Peter Parker had no self-esteem before he become Spider-Man.  But after getting bitten he became a cocky little punk whenever he was slinging webs.

4)  FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER

Mr. Fantatic Busts A Move On The Dance Floor

For Reed's bachelor party Johnny decides to throw him a massive shindig complete with a fully stocked bar, dance floor, and lots of girls.  This of course is not Reed's scene at all.  Mr. Fantastic can barely lift his head from his microscope to talk to his wife.  He'd be sitting in the corner by himself at his own party; let alone nowhere near the dance floor.  This moment makes no sense and makes me truly believe the people behind this film didn't know the FF at all.

3)  BATMAN AND ROBIN

Batman Attends A Public Event

There is no much wrong with this film that goes against Batman myth I could go on "forever" about it.  But the moment that makes the least amount of sense is when Batman tries to lay a trap for Mr. Freeze.  He offers the Wayne diamonds up as bait, and Batman and Robin as security.  Batman didn't even show up to Superman's funeral!  He is only seen by those he's saved and savaged.  His power is him being purely myth to the general public, not at a charity event like he's an NFL player from the Make A Wish foundation.  This moment was followed by the Bat-credit card.  Oh Joel Schumacher, what did you do!

2) MAN OF STEEL

Jonathan Kent Tells His Son To Let People Die

"Maybe."  It was the word I shuttered at as I heard Kevin Costner say it in the trailer for Man of Steel.  I was hoping it was an editing trick for the trailer to spark more interest that this would not be the boy scout version of Superman.  However, as I watched the film, it indeed was in the movie. "What was I supposed to do?  Just let them die?"  "Maybe."  Oh come on!  Clark gets his moral compass from Jonathan and Martha Kent, and Pa Kent would never have told his son to let a school bus full of children die just to protect his own secret.  That moment goes against everything Pa Kent and Superman stand for.  Damn you David Goyer and Zach Snyder!  Now I'm reminded why I'm trying not to get my hopes up for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.

1)  X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

Deadpool Has His Mouth Sewn Shut

His nick name is The Merc With A Mouth.  For about ten glorious minutes we got to see Ryan Reynolds bring to life the foul mouth, fast talking, Wade Wilson.  It was the only good ten minutes in the film.  The next time we see the character he has his mouth sewn shut and sporting all kinds of mutant powers.  Most of Deadpool's charm lyes in his wit and speech.  Luckily this atrocity seems to be rectified based on the latest Deadpool trailer.  The film is set to come out next year and looks to find Reynolds back as Wade Wilson doing what both of them were meant to do; never shutting up.

Spidey Joins the Avengers in the MCU

Last night I was doing my usual thing, watching some television and casually browsing the internet on my tablet.  After drinking a few beers I came across a piece of news claiming Spider-Man will be in a Marvel Studios movie.  I've heard these claims for years now, but then I saw that this came straight from marvel.com.  I couldn't believe my eyes, and I was way too tipsy to think about the possibilities and hurdles.  But today I'm as sober as Captain Amierca on a Sunday.

Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have reached a deal that will allow Spider-Man to appear in an MCU film before getting another film in 2017.  The web slinger will still be Sony property, but will be produced by Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige.  Plans are even in talks to bring Marvel Studio characters into a Spider-Man movie.  Shortly after this announcement Marvel Studios released a statement saying that their film slate for the next four years has been altered.  The next Marvel film we will see after Captain America: Civil War will be the new Spider-Man movie and not Thor: Ragnarok.

I was one of the non-believers who said we would never see this day.  Even though rumors have been swirling for months.  Sony Pictures had high hopes for The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and even though it made money, the film fell quite short of their expectations.  Since then Sony claimed it was still moving forward with its Spider-Man film universe.  A Sinister Six and Venom movie were rumored to be in the works.  But with Sony's financial trouble, along with some e-mail hacks, Marvel must have seen their opportunity to bring ol' web-head back home.  

The problem is going to be integration.  I never saw a mixture of Spider-Man into the MCU because the two studios would fight over every detail.  Spider-Man is a bigger franchise than Captain America,  so would Sony get a bigger cut of the movie profits?  If someone is in trouble, Sony will want Spider-Man to do the daring rescue and not Iron Man.  With Spidey staying under the Sony banner I think these questions will arise.  However, with Feige basically in charge of the production, I  also believe these issues will be taken care of.

The two Marvel Studio films coming out this year will be Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man.  Both of these movies are already done filming and are in post production.  The next film will be Captain America: Civil War, and then a Spider-Man movie is promised.  If Marvel wishes to bring Spidey into the fold before his own solo movie it's a safe bet he'll be joining Cap and Iron Man for Civil War. Which sounds exciting to me because Spider-Man was a big part of the original Civil War comic.  

However, with the third Captain America film almost a year away, plans have to be made in regards to Spider-Man.  Word has it that this will be another reboot for the web slinger.  It won't be Andrew Garfield playing Peter Parker, so casting for that role has to begin soon.  But with such a big story as Civil War I don't believe there will be time for another Spider-Man origin story.  Will Marvel just put Spidey into the mix and worry about the origin in his solo film?  But why do we even need another origin story?  It's been done twice within the last thirteen years.  In the Civil War comic Peter has been Spider-Man for a while.  I think they should just start off there.  I'd much rather see a seasoned Spider-Man than another tale of Peter discovering his powers.    

  As much excitement as this announcement has caused I feel like it has posed over a dozen question about Spider-Man's future, his part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and whether he'll be in it for the long hall.  Could we see Spider-Man in Avengers: Infinity War Pt. 1?  Or is Sony only trying to use this deal to springboard Spider-Man back to the top of film franchises?  Is Marvel Studios now setting their sites on bringing Fantastic Four or X-Men into the MCU?  I'm sure we'll all have these answers in time.  All I can leave you with is the same phrase I've been saying the last few years; In Feige We Trust.

My 2014 Geek Nominees

A few days ago the 87th Academy Award nominees were announced.  I've been watching the Oscars as far back as I could remember. My family would always take a night off from our annual spring break trip to Daytona Beach and watch the golden statues get passed out.  As I've gotten older I seem to have watched more of the pictures nominated and less nominees of the MTV Movie Awards.

However, the comic geek inside of me is still conflicted with the lack of genre films nominated; aside from just Best Visual Effects.  If anything, 2014 proved comic book and fantasy films can be just as well produced and compelling as anything David Fincher directs.  So I decided to put together my own nominees I felt could have been nominated for Academy Awards.  Chances are the average theater viewer has seen more of these films than those nominated for Oscars.  Plus, I added a few of my own categories.  

In the following weeks I'll be posting these on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram page.  People should feel free to comment on their choices for each category, or feel free to add any "geek" movie you feel I left out.  

DISCLAIMER: I only based this on movies I've seen in 2014, which is why movies like Interstellar or The Interview are left out of certain categories.    

BEST MOVIE
(saw at least twice in theaters)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Guardians of the Galaxy

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Big Hero 6

  

 

BEST ACTOR
(person you wish you were as cool as)

Chris Evans (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

James McAvoy (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy)

Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Caesar (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes)

BEST ACTRESS
(person you wish your girlfriend was as cool as)

Scarlett Johansson (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy)

Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow)

Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt.1)

FUNNIEST MOVIE
(couldn't stop grinning the whole movie)

The LEGO Movie

22 Jump Street

Neighbors

Let's Be Cops

That Awkward Moment

  

 

BEST VILLAIN
(made you want to reach into the screen and kick some ass)

Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

The Sentinels (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Koba (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes)

Jackie Earle Haley (Robocop)

Eva Green (Sin City:A Dame To Kill For)

BEST ACTION SEQUENCE
(made you say, "sweeeeet")

Highway Fight (Captain America: The Winter Solider)

The Sentinels Kill Everyone (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

ED-209's vs Alex Murphy (Robocop)

John Wick "Kills It" at the Night Club (John Wick)

The 6 Save San Fransokyo (Big Hero 6)

WORST MOVIE
(wish you could have a lobotomy to forget)

I, Frankenstein

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For

  

 

Marvel's Cinematic Civil War A Good Idea?

This week has been a comic enthusiasts dream.  After coming off all the news from the New York Comic Con there were also two big movie stories that broke.  I'll share my thoughts on Warner Bros announcement in my next post, but for now I'm gonna focus my feeling about Marvel Studios.

Robert Downey Jr seems to be teasing Iron Man fans lately with saying he wants to do another Iron Man film and then retracting his statement just hours later.  Now, Variety has reported that Downey is in negotiations to guest star in the third Captain America film opposite Chris Evans.  This is happy news, but the 'exciting' part of the rumor is that Cap 3 is set to start the infamous Marvel storyline, Civil War.

In the 2006 miniseries, the government has implemented the Superhero Registration Act, a law that requires any vigilantes or masked heroes to reveal their identities and work for Uncle Sam.  Tony Stark sees just how serious the American government is about this and decides to support the Act.  Meanwhile, Captain America opposes the Act and leads an underground group against Iron Man and those who follow him.

This series was epic and one of my favorites.  I've always dreamed of seeing it on the big screen, but I'm hesitant about this decision.  A main focus in this story was Spider-Man.  He's the Marvel hero that protects his identity the most, which is why Stark convinces him to reveal who he is at a press conference.  Later on, Peter Parker switches sides to Cap's team.  Peter's journey in this plot is central, and without him I feel like the movie(s) will be missing it's heart.  However, there are talks about Sony loaning Spider-Man to Marvel Studios due to their financial situation.  Could Marvel take advantage of this and get Spider-Man mixed in to the cinematic Civil War? 

 Another major perspective in Civil War is the Fantastic Four, which Fox currently owns the movie rights too.  Having to choose sides tares this team in two and almost destroys Reed and Sue Richards marriage.  Without this subplot I feel like the film may also be missing another piece of it's center.  I don't believe for a second Marvel is canceling the FF comic book in an effort to try and hurt the upcoming film, thus allowing Marvel to possibly get the rights back.  By the time the Fantastic Four movie is released next year you can bet Marvel Comics will have another FF series out to take advantage of any buzz the film may get.

My last gripe about bringing up Civil War on screen is the lack of characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Sure we have more characters coming like Ant-Man and Dr. Strange, but all of these superheroes have already outed their identities.  The only issue would be those who are forced to work for the government or hang-up their tights, or leather now-a-days.  Of course, if they need more heroes Netflix's Defenders team will be coming up soon.
And what about Thanos?  We all figured Avengers 3 would be the Infinity Gauntlet.  Are they really going to continue that slow burn until perhaps Avengers 4 or 5?  I could however see all the Marvel heroes splitting up, but then having to put aside their differences to face the galaxy's ultimate baddie.

With all the concerns I've listed don't think for a second I'm not ecstatic about this!  Sure they'll probably have to pay RDJ a crap-load of more money, but seeing this all unfold will be sweet.  You can see in Captain America: The Winter Solider how the small seeds were planted for the idea of Civil War.  Speaking of which, the second Captain America film strayed pretty far from the original source material, but was still the best film Marvel Studios has released in my opinion.  So if this "Civil War" doesn't follow the miniseries exactly I won't be upset as long as it's good.

A year ago there was a phrase that I, and perhaps others, have started reciting; In Feige We Trust.  Guardians of the Galaxy was a risk for Marvel Studios that paid off big time because their president knows what he's doing.  I'm sure he's had Civil War planned for years now and is just now letting us all in on a fraction of his plan.  The story may not be exactly like the original comic, but as long as it's a good film I'll be ok with it. 

 Marvel Comics seem to be bringing back old story lines like Secret Wars, Planet Hulk, and Civil War, but the cinematic world is still a toddler that has a lifetime of stories to tell that will be fresh to us all.  Now if you'll excuse me I'll need a break before I start my DC/Warner Bros post.  Or I may just watch Captain America: The Winter Soldier because I could literally watch that film every day. Until next time true believers, In Feige We Trust. 

Comic-Con from Afar: 2014 Edition

This time of year I get as excited as a kid on Christmas. The San Diego Comic-Con(SDCC) used to be a place where you mainly see sweaty nerds that are hardcore into comics books and all things fantasy.  But now the tables have turned.  Ever since comic book films have hit it big San Diego has turned into thee event of Hollywood.  If you're involved in a comic book, sci-fi, or fantasy anything the place to show it off is at SDCC.  

This season fan boys like myself where eager to hear about upcoming films, from Avengers: Age of Ultron to The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.  Everyone stipulated about if we would see anything from Star Wars: Episode VII and BatmanvSuperman: Dawn of Justice since production had recently started on both and also they are over a year from release.  Boy, did we get a surprise.

Now I've never actually been to SDCC.  Every year I say the same thing, "next year I'm going," but I never do.  I would really like to go next year since we'll be knew deep in Star Wars and BatmanvSuperman spoilers.  This week I've been spent hour(s) every night just catching up on what happened that day at SDCC.  I was surprised by a few news bits, and psyched for a lot of news bits.

On Monday, before SDCC even started, J.J. Abrams came out with another video for his "Force for Change" charity campaign.  And this time he did standing in front of an X-Wing fighter!  He offered people who pledged money in the last week of the charity not only a chance to be in Episode VII, but a private, advanced, screening of the film.  This was enough to get any fan boy excited, but also, to see a new X-Wing, that will be seen in Episode VII was amazing!  I'm so happy that Abrams and his team are trying to do something good while the Star Wars spotlight is shining on them, and OMG, an X-Wing fighter!!!

The next news bit, pre-SDCC, that got me talking, was Sony's announcement of The Sinister Six and The Amazing Spider-Man 3 release dates.  After the bad reviews the second Amazing Spider-Man film got some speculated if Sony had decided not to move forward with their expanded cinematic universe using the only characters they have the rights too; Spider-Man and his villains.  

I can see how Fox can make X-Men into a great cinematic universe because it's pretty much it's own corner of the Marvel U anyway that doesn't correspond with what the Avengers and Fantastic Four are doing.  But Spider-Man is usually in the middle of everything.  I hate to tell Sony this, but the Spider-Man villains can't hold down their own movie.  "Villain" movies are about good people who turn bad but still do good.  That's not The Sinister Six.  They are just plain evil, and people won't care enough to see it multiple times.  I feel that Sony should just focus on The Amazing Spider-Man 3 and get their franchise back on track because as of right now I know of no one who is excited to see another Spider-Man film.  

When Comic-Con actually started the first thing that got me geeking out was a trailer for the next season of Arrow.  I've enjoyed reading Green Arrow (before the New 52 turned it to crap) and I've enjoyed the first two season of the CW hit.  It feels like a good mixture of Smallville and The Dark Knight trilogy.  And I'm even more excited for the coming spin-off, The Flash.  SDCC attendees were privilaged to see footage from season 3, which featured Roy Harper in full Red Arrow gear, and the hint that Ra's Al Ghul will be showing up after being talked about for two years. 

Roy finally becoming Red Arrow was something I've been waiting to see.  The trailer also showed the blossoming Oliver/Felicity relationship, which I do not support.  Green Arrow and Black Canary.  That's what it is, and should be.  The Ra's Al Ghul tease surprised me. Ra's is a Batman villain.  To put in him in a Green Arrow TV show just makes it seem like we won't see him in any upcoming Batman movies.  Or, perhaps, Christopher Nolan has made the character so known that the show creators are hoping viewers can just jump right in with Ra's.  I see it now.  With The Flash, and other DC heroes, set to show up on both shows I'm psyched to see what comes next for DC TV!

Just as a side-note.  The trailer for the documentary The Death of Superman Lives; What Happend? also premiered at SDCC.  I heard about this documentary years ago.  Then I saw the director, John Schnepp, on AMC Movie Talk and started to care more about this film.  The documentary will see Schnepp interview anyone connected to the Superman film of the 1990's that almost happend.  Schnepp has spent the last few years taking donations to finish this film where we'll hear from Tim Burton to Kevin Smith about a movie where Nicolas Cage was supposed to play Superman.  I'm excited to see this thing because I have come to love hearing what Schnepp has to say every week on AMC Movie Talk.  And I remember when this whole thing was going on, which means I'm old.

The big event of SDCC was supposed to be the Avengers: Age of Ultron panel.  The whole cast was there, minus director Joss Whedon and a prego Scarlet Johansson.  I haven't seen any of the panel, but I've read all about it.  To be honest I feel Entertainment Weekly's recent article got the jump on Comic-Con.  I didn't hear anything new that I hadn't already read about in the EW article.  But don't get me wrong, I'm still SUPER PSYCHED for this film.

The night before the Avengers panel I had this feeling like DC/Warner Bros were up to something.  Warner Bros knew everyone was there for Avengers, but they have the big movie in their back pocket.  I even tweeted the night before:

"I have this feelin, after the Avengers panel DC/Warner Bros will be like, 'Oh yeah, well here's Wonder Woman!'"

And what happend the day of the Avengers panel?  Not only was a picture of Wonder Woman released, but they showed a teaser from BatmanvSuperman: Dawn of Justice where Bats and Sups look like they are about to throw down in the rain.  Then, to add the cherry on this sweet sundae, they have Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, and Gal Gadot all come out and say hi.  I don't even think they even said that, but either way Warner Bros just ran up, kicked Marvel Studios in the balls, and ran away laughing!

Now I have to admit, Gal Gadot does look cool in the Wonder Woman outfit, but the worry of this fan boy has never been how she looked, but how she can act, or lack there of.  Also, this looks like she belongs in a 300 sequel.  I didn't like Man of Steel and I blame Zach Snyder for it.  I think Warner Bros has backed the wrong horse with him running this DC cinematic universe and while I've been very hesitant of BatmanvSuperman because of Snyder, even I will admit, that teaser was f%cking cool.  People will see this film because it will give them what they've wanted for decades; Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in a live-action film together with a promise of a Justice League to follow.  But I am still hesitant of this film and more excited for Avengers: Age of Ultron.....for now.