So, how 'bout a movie review? First, 'The Avengers'. Language warning is in effect for both of these clips.
Like a lot of people, I draw a fairly distinct line between Science Fiction and Science Fantasy when it comes to books and movies. As long as it's somewhat scientifically possible, it's good in my book. Or movie, as the case may be. Throw in a magical cube that can harness the power of the universe (this movie, the two 'Transformer' movies, etc, etc) and you've pretty much lost me. Put another way, some guys are Batman guys, other guys are Superman or Green Lantern guys.
That's just how it is.
As a Batman guy, I've been fairly luke-cool to the rash of superhero movies that have hit the big screen in recent years (read: Hollywood is so out of fresh ideas that it's now making movies of comic books), with the one big exception being 'Thor', which earned its own review.
Each of the superheroes in 'The Avengers' has already had a movie or two, and this is the gang getting together to fight the deadliest foe of all. You know, the guy with the magical universe-harnessing cube.
MTV Movie Awards: "The Avengers" Wins Movie of the Year
Meh. See above. It was okay, but when you've got vicious armed aliens pouring through an interdimensional hole in the sky, I think it loses a bit of its charm.
Discount all that, however, and it's a pretty good flick. I wouldn't put it on my Recommended List (see above), but it certainly gets a nod for some excellent special effects and some very witty banter at times, especially when the irrepressible Robert Downey Jr. is around.
The reason I'm doing a review on it is because of two scenes that I thought were really well done and I thought I'd share them with you. Both involve the very pressable Scarlett Johansson.
In the first one, they're speaking a bunch of Russian that's accompanied by on-screen subtitles in the movie. They're talking about a couple of key players and their status in the Russian mob. The head bad guy is so sure of himself that's he blabbing away.
Then the phone rings, spoiling everything.
In the second scene, the Avengers know Loki is going to use one of them as part of his evil plan, but the trick is to find out which one.
Obviously, the answer is to send in the master interrogator.
Very pressable.
Again, while being a bit too fantasy-y for my tastes, it has some great bits and the special effects are outstanding. Certainly worth the rental.
We'll continue with 'The Big Bang' below the fold.
I especially like narrated movies, simply because that way I know the good guy is going to live. Or, in the case of Denzel Washington's 'Fallen', at least until the last 30 seconds.
'The Big Bang', starring the ever-so-cool Antonio Banderas, takes place in a police interrogation room, with flashbacks as he tells the story. What makes the movie somewhat unique is that the narration is the story he's telling the police, but the pitch and tone alter somewhat during the flashback parts and you get the feeling he's now talking to you, rather than the police. It's a little hard to explain, but this first clip, from the beginning of the movie, is a good example.
I honestly think he's got one of the greatest voices in Hollywood these days. He's got that raspiness down just perfectly. There's absolutely no hint of braggadocio, yet you get the feeling he's tough enough to back up his words. This generation's Clint Eastwood, if you will.
There are also hot babes, Russian bad guys, mad scientists, particle colliders and all the rest, making for a fairly rollicksome adventure. Doc gives both movies 6 up-twinkles, or "3 stars" by the old rating system.
My collection of movie & TV show reviews is here.
