Best and Worst Sci Fi Flicks of 2010

Let the debating begin!  (You may recall the Best and Worst of 2009.)  My vote for the best sci fi flick (if not the best flick period) of the year is "Inception."

Movie Review: "Iron Man 2"

Shoot to thrill.

It's not for nothing that Tony Stark's first line in "Iron Man 2" is "It's good to be back!" It's also not for nothing that he literally swoops into his scene in the Iron Man suit, steps out to reveal himself in flawless evening dress, and is surrounded by cheering, adoring crowds and alluring showgirls in mostly-not-there Iron Man-inspired outfits. This summer blockbuster is not about to waste time talking; it's going to leap right into the action. "Iron Man 2," though it has its imperfections, is a colorful splash of humor and action, and as I said in my first impression, it is the most sheer fun I've had at the movie theater so far in 2010.


The Good:

First things first: this is a sequel, so it's going to have the one big issue that all sequels have: being compared with the first film, especially one as captivating as 2008's glorious "Iron Man." The 2010 lacks some of the sparkle (for one thing, it can't ever recapture that first thrill of discovery), but it mostly makes up for it with the sheer on-screen personality of Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr., as energetic and quippy as ever).

This time around, the world knows that Stark is Iron Man, and this branches off into several subplots:
~his grappling with what kind of legacy he might leave behind
~the fact that the arc reactor in his chest is also slowly killing him with palladium poisoning
~his clash with a Senate committee (led by a fabulously slimy Garry Shandling as Senator Stern, the embodiment of everything that we hate about politicians!) wanting to confiscate Iron Man technology
~and the machinations of Stark's personal foes Justin Hammer (the always-watchable Sam Rockwell) and Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke)
~the Avengers thread with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)

There's plenty of action, though, and it's all rip-roaring fun from an insane car race in Monte Carlo to the final showdown, and it's all done with color and dash and good music (oh, AC/DC) and plenty of humor. (You'll never hear the term "Ex-Wife" again without a giggle.) Also, two words: War Machine!


The Bad (or, really, the Not Quite As Good):

The movie, as you probably guessed from the plot recap earlier, is full of plot threads and characters. It feels crowded, and it is. There's a sense of trying to do too much with too many characters (especially too many new characters), and the flick would have been better if it had been more streamlined.

I really miss Terrence Howard as James Rhodes. His replacement, Don Cheadle, is fine, but I hate unnecessary recasting of the role (it just bothers my sense of continuity), and in this case Cheadle's Rhodey doesn't have the same snappy sparkle as Howard's. With Howard in "Iron Man," you really got the sense that he was Tony's friend -- often exasperated, but always humorous and reliable. Cheadle's Rhodey mostly seemed annoyed without the affection. In the same vein, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) seems to be harsh without the charm of the first movie.


The Verdict:

Go see this movie, and be sure to stay all the way through the credits.

MM gives this movie a grade of A-. (OK, I admit a little grade inflation because of the sheer pleasure of seeing the irrepressible Stark back on the big screen. Still, when La Parisienne asked me, "Did he steal you from the Doctor?" (though I love Tony, and I could watch him all day) I had to say no. But that's not a fair comparison, really. Apples and oranges!)

The Cinema-Mad Sibling also gives his hearty approval, and so does La Parisienne.  See too this nifty little review by Kyle Smith.

"Iron Man 2" runs 124 minutes and is rated PG-13 for action-movie violence and some strong language.

RottenTomatoes gives the movie a "Fresh" rating of 74%.





Oh, all right. The male demographic in my readership has patiently (or, in the Cine-Sib's case, not so much) indulged me in my faux-salacious purring over Tony Stark. So here's a little treat for you, guys.

Film Culture Commentary: "Sex and the City 2," Maybe Misogyny, and Horrible Characters

Here's something interesting as the rancid reviews for the "Sex and the City" sequel roll in. There's a current of commentary stating that some of the harsh critiques are actually sexist, misogynistic. Read this. OK, maybe? Then read this. It's pretty darn insightful as it takes aim at the content of the movie. The latter ends with this glorious quote:

... let’s not pretend that the Sex and the City women are out for anyone but themselves. And don’t tell me that that female self-involvement to the exclusion of all else is a fantasy that I need to embrace. Because I won’t.

I'm with MaryAnn "Flick Filosopher" Johanson on this one. She hates "Sex and the City" as much as I do, and she hates even more the crazy idea that some people have that ALL women like it. Why would I want to spend $10 to see 4 spoiled, privileged, self-centered rich chicks flounce about in all their glittering shallowness and overweening sense of self-indulgent entitlement? I think they're all horrible. And I'm talking horrible in terms of being horrible human beings. I'm taking the specific gender issue out. As far as I'm concerned, spoiled, privileged, self-centered rich guys who flounce about in all their glittering shallowness and overweening sense of self-indulgent entitlement are likewise horrible human beings.

I've seen a couple episodes of the "Sex and the City" show, and there is no way I'm going to see the "Sex and the City" flick. I'd much rather go see "Iron Man 2" again -- and speaking of which, I owe you a review of that lovely flick, don't I? Oh, and let me tell you, Pepper Potts and the Black Widow run RINGS around Carrie Bradshaw and her dreadful friends.

Cool Video of the Day: Movie Superheroes -- the Musical

Here is the latest from It'sJustSomeRandomGuy, and it's brilliant as usual ... and even more so, because this one's a musical!

Movie Review Preview: "Iron Man 2"

I promise I'll post my delayed review of "Iron Man 2" soon! Suffice it to say for now that it is the most fun movie I've seen so far in 2010, and Tony Stark's first line in the film is -- oh so appropriately -- "It's good to be back!"

Oh, Tony. How I've missed you!

As a hint of the review to come, I give you this delightful image from the movie. It captures rather well Stark's sassy yet charismatic insouciance! The shades, the hair, the suit, the doughnuts ... You're a man after my own heart, Tony.

Mmmmm . . . DOUGHNUTS.

Movie Review: the Cine-Sib Reviews "Iron Man 2"

The Cinema-Mad Sibling recently went to see "Iron Man 2" and then dashed off a review, complete with haiku:

Iron Man 2 pales in comparison to 2008's pitch-perfect origin story, egregiously eschewing brevity and pace for bloated exposition, opting for plot/character developments that seemingly stifle narrative flow, but does fully expand on the universe created before it, incorporating more Avengers storyline, amping up the sensory overload and culminating in a bravura-directed action showdown finale worth the admission.


Bigger not better
Longer not better
Favreau, edit it!

Talked too much at first
Should have opened with action
Blame it on the script

Rhodie, what happened?
Did you get plastic surgery?
Re-casting is dumb

Captain America!
Stay for Thor's Hammer!
War Machine spinoff!

It's basically what I was afraid of: that would not rise to the heights of its glorious original. In a way I suppose it's inevitable, since a sequel just can't possibly contain the same thrill of discovery. I'm still going to see it anyway, though -- that and "Robin Hood."

Movie Madness Public Service Announcement: "Iron Man 2" Opens Today!

OH, YES! (Alas, I'm drowning in exams and can't go today! BOOOOO! Maybe early next week. *sob*)

Here's the trailer, though, and there's something delightfully fun and meta about how Tony says, "It's good to be back!" I took it as a playful shout-out to the fans as much as anything else, and we have indeed been waiting on pins and needles for Tony's return.

Movie Madness: Can't Wait To See "Iron Man 2"!

The FlickFilosopher says what I'm thinking! Here's a nice recap about why we all loved the first "Iron Man" -- it's Robert Downey, Jr.:

Downey was so much the reason that Iron Man worked as well as it did that the film felt like it was just waiting for him to return whenever he wasn’t onscreen ... and that includes the scenes in which Downey disappears into the Iron Man armor. They should have called the movie Tony Stark.

Movie Madness: Obsessing About "Iron Man 2"

May 7 CANNOT GET HERE SOON ENOUGH. Everyone here at Nerdworld, from faculty to grad peons to undergrads, is burnt out and exhausted. It's raining horrible cold rain today too. Will the end of term never come? Maybe not, but at least we all have the imminent return of Tony Stark to look forward to.

So here you go, my darlings, a new photo from the flick. Oh, and I want Pepper's dress. Wouldn't it look just fabulous at my next Nerdmoot?

Movie Madness: The New "Iron Man 2" Trailer!

Here it is, kids! I can't wait for May 7. Oh, Tony. As quippy and adorable as ever. I've embedded the YouTube version from Marvel.

Movie Madness and Public Service Announcement: New "Iron Man 2" Trailer Premieres Tonight

Here's the announcement:

ABC has announced that Robert Downey Jr. will premiere the new Iron Man 2 trailer on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" after the Oscars on Sunday! Look for the trailer at ComingSoon.net around the same time as well.

Host Jimmy Kimmel welcomes two-time Academy Award-nominated Robert Downey Jr. and a musical performance by Grammy Award winner Keith Urban to the fifth consecutive "Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards", SUNDAY, MARCH 7, immediately following the late local news (12:05-1:05 a.m., ET, approx). Downey will introduce the world premiere of the new "Iron Man 2" trailer.

YES!

Movie Madness: 30 Most Anticipated Flicks of 2010

Here's a list. Guess, just guess, what #1 is. It's the movie that I'm most eagerly awaiting. Some of the other movies I couldn't care less about. ("Piranha 3D"???)

Movie Madness: "Iron Man 2" in IMAX

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

Now I want credit for mashing up Jane Austen with Tony Stark.

The Cinema-Mad Sibling Recommends: Movie Madness -- The New "Iron Man 2" Official Trailer!

WATCH IT NOW! Do not pass "Go." Do not collect $200. Tony Stark is back!

Link xie-xie to the Cine-Sib, who emailed to me with great excitement this morning. La Parisienne, this is especially for you.

Oh, check out the Pepper Potts kiss (it's not what you might think!), and here's a great quote from the trailer, from Tony to a slimy Congressman wanting to confiscate the Iron Man suit: "You want my property? You can't have it!"

I think I'm in love. Very libertarian love. *hugs the Fourth Amendment since can't hug Tony*

UPDATE: Analyzing the trailer!

Movie Madness: International Teaser Poster for "Iron Man 2"

More preview poster action (previous post here)! This post is for La Parisienne, who prefers something with a few miles on it.

Movie Madness: Teaser for "Iron Man 2."

Here's a hint of next summer's movie madness to give us all something to look forward to during the long winter -- the teaser poster for "Iron Man 2"!

"You see, my old man had a philosophy.
Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy."

The Voice of Jarvis in "Iron Man 2"

Please, please, let it be Paul Bettany again, reprising his vocal role from the first flick. Jarvis was one of my favorite details of that entire glorious enterprise.

Movie Madness: More "Iron Man 2" Preview Eye Candy

This is for La Parisienne who, while enjoying the fun of "Pony Stark," opined that the toy equine cuteness just isn't the same thing as the real thing.

So I went scrounging online and found this courtoom scene. Just mentally airbrush Gwyneth out and replace it with your own self, mademoiselle!

(Oh, and "eye candy" is now an official blog tag.)

"Mr. Stark, you are charged with grand theft cardiac."

Movie Madness: Notes on Lunar Industries and Stark Industries

The cat's out of the bag: in an interview with Cinematical, Sam Rockwell says that his character from "Moon" will be back for a cameo in director Duncan Jones' next film. Yay!

Bonus: The interview was primarily about "Iron Man 2." More yay!

In recent movie-going, Sam Bell and Tony Stark have been two of the most fascinating characters (albeit for very different reasons). Anyway, "Iron Man 2" should be completely awesome with the combined talents of Rockwell and Downey (not to mention Don Cheadle), all of whom will be busy stealing scenes from each other. Scarlett who?

Movie Madness: Looking Forward to 2010

From blogfriend Pursuit of Serenity comes this preview of 20 upcoming flicks! I do love movie previews, beginning with the return of Tony Stark. Ridley Scott's Robin might be nice too -- Russell Crowe! -- and of course ever-reliable Pixar is making "Toy Story 3."