With a record-breaking $200 million opening weekend, I think we can all agree that there will be a sequel to The Avengers. Even better: most people I know want a sequel to the super hero team-up. It feels germane to the film for there to be a second one, instead of another chapter that is simply tacked on. We have a long road to travel before we get to a second Avengers film, but we can pontificate... 

Ever since the success of Iron Man in 2008, the Marvel Universe movies have been building to a point: The Avengers. With each individual character movie finding massive success, the idea of combining the characters into a team became even more of an enigma: how do you take four characters who have triumphed in their own pictures (as well as two supporting players) and combine them into an ensemble... 

Summer’s 8 months away, but already the Mighty Marvel Movie Machine is churning, releasing a full two-minute trailer for The Ultimates…I mean, The Avengers…sorry, m’comic bookiness reared its head there for sec. What we’re treated to is a snippet of the team’s (practically non-existent) chemistry, and I don’t mean on screen, I mean as far the in-story team dynamic goes. And that makes... 

Like most of the Marvel Studio films, Thor is chock-full of references to the Marvel Universe. The average movie goer who doesn’t know much about the Thunder God but just wants to see a good movie won’t lose anything by missing them, but for fans of Thor and the Marvel Universe in general, they add some depth to the world. They also become a little bit of fun, trying to see how many of those references... 

It’s San Diego Comic-Con week, and as usual we aren’t there. We still have reactions to news highlights coming from the Con, however, including the ridiculous Hall H stabbing. We move into the Mia Farrow era of Woody Allen’s movies with looks at Hannah and her Sisters and Brothers and Sisters. Finally, a review of Angelina Jolie’s Salt, and a discussion of what will need to... 

Margaret and Rafe have some interesting disagreements this week, as the group review Iron Man 2 and compare Walter Matthau’s The Taking of Pelham One Two Three with the Tony Scott remake. We also discuss Matthau’s Charlie Varrick, discuss the Bond franchise being on hold, and belittle Jeff as frequently as possible. Weekly Blend #226 – 25 Hours Later…(60 min, 27.51MB) Direct... 

Two years ago, Iron Man brought another of Marvel Comic’s heroes to the screen with great success. While the metallic hero may not be one passive comic book fans are as familiar with, the movie, powered by Robert Downey Jr., made the flamboyant millionaire turned super hero into a household name. The movie had laughter, excitement, and an “A-list” of cast names, generating enough positive response...