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Category: Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure

“I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one.” – Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.)

See that thing in my chest? Those things can kill you...

As the comic pages turn to reveal the famed Marvel Logo, we hear the voice of Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) and gradually news snippets of him flubbing through his Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.) cover story before announcing to the world that he is indeed Iron Man.

It is breaking news that reaches millions of viewers worldwide.

Some respond in cheers, while others with questions.

But to disgraced and dying physicist Anton Vanko (Yevgeni Lazarev), it represents yet another reminder of what should have been his legacy, and not that of the Stark family.

Anton Vanko passes, but not before leaving his son—physicist Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke)—with the knowledge necessary to bring the Stark legacy to its knees.

The opening credits roll as Anton proceeds to create a miniature arc reactor based on the 1960’s designs of Anton Vanko and Tony’s father, Howard Stark (John Slattery).

Six months pass…

I'd like a double cheese burger and hold the lettuce...

Set six months after the events of Iron Man, a number of themes have been set into motion by Director Jon Favreau and screenwriter Justin Theroux.  Among them are Tony’s failing health (a fallout of the crippled arc reactor technology that stops shrapnel imbedded in his chest from reaching his heart), his increasing dependence on alcohol as a short-term solution to pain, flippant behavior that he deems philanthropical (e.g., donating his entire art collection) or stimulating (e.g., deciding to drive his Grand Prix race car minutes before the start of the Monte Carlo race), the ascension of Virginia “Pepper” Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) as CEO of Stark Industries, the pilfering of the Mark II armor by Lt. Col James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) and its evolution into the Variable Threat Response Battle Suit known as War Machine, the laughable and youthful antagonist in Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), S.H.I.E.L.D. undercover agent Natalia Romanova a.k.a. The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and the expanding roles of Colonel Nicholas Joseph “Nick” Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and surprisingly driver Happy Hogan (Director Jon Favreau) who got about five or six big scenes in this sequel.

Hey! It pays to be the king!

This is just for starters.

Enjoy the movie guys!

I’ll flesh this out in the coming days!

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Now playing: AC/DC – Back In Black
via FoxyTunes

Category: Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure

“The Avengers Initiative.” – Nicholas Joseph Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)

I work best in seclusion...

He’s the cool exec…With a heart of steel…

45 years ago, the quartet of Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby came up with the concept of Iron Man.

The Invincible Iron Man.

An ordinary man wielding the power of a suit with seemingly limitless power.

A second skin, which makes its user more than just an ordinary man.

An idea that was born out of necessity and the dream of freedom.

The vision of a one Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark.

The former harbinger of death is now the champion of the oppressed as he seeks to save the innocent from the weapons which he created.

Tony Stark said, “Not everyone is given second chances.”

And with those words—he has found his purpose.

L to R: James Rhodes (Terrence Howard), Virginia "Pepper" Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Anthony "Tony" Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges)

Behind the scenes

Advances in technology, a director’s artistic vision, and actors who have embraced their roles have brought old “shell head” and the world of Tony Stark to life.

At first, I had my doubts when Robert Downey, Jr.—a recovered substance user—was cast as Iron Man/Tony Stark (who is an alcoholic). But these fears were quickly put to rest in the first few minutes as he really made me believe that he was Tony Stark.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s portrayal of Virginia “Pepper” Potts was also excellent as she was able to portray Potts loyalty to Stark.

And Jeff Bridges as the film’s antagonist—Obadiah Stane. Man, I didn’t even recognize him at first with his shaved head and full beard. He brought out the best in his character: a true villain. A maniacal seed of evil.

Overall, this film didn’t need the $50 million dollars that Marvel and Paramount Pictures forked over to market the film.

They didn’t have too.

45 years of Marvel fans would attest to that.

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Now playing: AC/DC – Back In Black
via FoxyTunes

“I’ve been there. Me had crazy times in the 70’s and 80’s. Me like the Robert Downey, Jr. of Cookies.” – Cookie Monster

Is this the same Cookie Monster we all grew to love?

I never watch the Colbert Report.

Ever.

But today was different.

Especially when I caught the segment wherein comedian and host Stephen Colbert started talking about Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster.

“Fruit is Un-American!” clamors Colbert, in retaliation to Cookie Monster’s sudden change of heart towards his beloved snack.

Surprisingly, Cookie Monster himself stops by the show to set the record straight in his fuel efficient car that runs on—of all things—”imagination.”

Cookie Monster, 39, kicked off Sesame Street’s 36th season in this particular segment with a new message, “A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food.”

It’s part of a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) effort to fight obesity and promote healthy eating habits among children by favoring fruit over cookies.

Click here to see the Colbert segment:

Despite his renewed eating preferences, it was really great to see our little blue friend again.

I was as wide eyed watching him, just as I did when I was a kid.

And I couldn’t stop smiling for the whole segment.

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Now playing: Will Smith – Wild Wild West (Featuring Dru Hill & Kool Mo Dee)
via FoxyTunes