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Avengers: Age of Ultron, a review by Danae Cassandra

Avengers: Age of Ultron
Year of Release: 2015
Directed By: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, James Spader
Genre: Action, Science-Fiction

Overview:
When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) jump-starts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go terribly awry, forcing him, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and the rest of the Avengers to reassemble. As the fate of Earth hangs in the balance, the team is put to the ultimate test as they battle Ultron, a technological terror hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they encounter two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff.

My Thoughts:
Age of Ultron is very much a comic book superhero movie.  Yes, you say, that's what it's supposed to be.  Well, unfortunately, it's the filler issue, and for all James Spader's great performance, Ultron comes off more villain-of-the-week than world-changing threat.  That doesn't mean you don't enjoy the movie.  I did.  It's fun, filled with action and witty banter.  But like any filler comic, nothing of much consequence happens.  My main complaint is the same one I had for BOFA:  too much action, not enough character development.  Things that should get explained (what was Tony's plan for Ultron, anyway?), don't.  Most of the characters don't have a story arc, or if they do the film fails to follow through on it (Tony, again).  Some sequences look like they were included simply because the filmmakers thought it would be cool, so they designed the script around it (Iron Man vs. Hulk) rather than actually considering what the characters they set up would actually do (I really don't see Scarlet Witch siccing the Hulk on the populace of that city, given the background they give her in the film.  Just don't buy it.)

Now, did I have fun?  Did I enjoy the film?  Sure.  But it isn't as good as the first Avengers, and nowhere near as good as Winter Soldier (IMO, one of the best Marvel films).  Should you see it?  Yes - IF you've seen the other Marvel films and plan to keep watching them.  There's quite a bit of setup here for future films (and that's part of the problem, the film seems more concerned with setting up the future than owning the present).  But know what you're getting:  It's a popcorn movie, a summer blockbuster.  It's a light, fluffy little cupcake - delicious but unsatisfying.  It's got a lot of action, there's a lot going on up there on the screen, and the effects are very impressive, but there's no meat.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on May 9th, 2015)

Batman Begins, a review by addicted2dvd

Batman Begins: Two-Disc Deluxe Edition (2005/United States) Warner Home Video Director: Christopher Nolan Writing: Christopher Nolan (Screenwriter), David S. Goyer (Screenwriter), David S. Goyer (Story By), Bob Kane (Original Characters By) Length: 140 min. Rating: Rated PG-13 : Intense Action Violence, Disturbing Images and Some Thematic Elements Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Stars:
Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Michael Caine as Alfred
Liam Neeson as Ducard
Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes
Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon
Cillian Murphy as Dr. Jonathan Crane

Plot:
In BATMAN BEGINS, acclaimed director Christopher Nolan explores the origins of the legendary DARK KNIGHT. In the wake of his parents' murders, disillusioned heir BRUCE WAYNE (CHRISTIAN BALE) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. With the help of his trusted butler ALFRED (MICHAEL CAINE), detective JIM GORDON (GARY OLDMAN) and his ally LUCIUS FOX (MORGAN FREEMAN), Wayne returns to GOTHAM CITY and unleashes his alter ego: BATMAN, a masked crusader who uses strength, intellect and an array of high-tech weaponry to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Production Notes
• DVD-ROM Content
• Closed Captioned
• 'Tankman Begins' Spoof

I think they did a wonderful job on this movie I enjoyed every second of it. I especially enjoyed Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. I also enjoyed the Scarecrow storyline. Actually I can't think of much of anything I didn't like. It is a long movie.. clocks in at 2hrs and 19min... but you wouldn't know it while watching as time just flies by as you are watching. A great start at rebooting the series.




(From June Marathon: Cast Chain on June 2nd, 2012)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

5.09 Listening To Fear
Writer: Rebecca Rand Kirshner (Writer)
Director: David Solomon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Charlie Weber (Ben), Nick Chinlund (Major Ellis), Kevin Weisman (Dreg), Randy Thompson (Doctor Kriegel), Amber Benson (Tara), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Paul Hayes (Older Nightwatchman), Keith Allan (Skinny Mental Patient), Erin Leigh Price (Vampire Chick), April Adams (Nurse Lampkin), Barbara C. Adside (Creature), Debbie Lee Carrington (Creature)

I never liked this episode all that much. I think it is a stupid idea to have an extra-terrastrial life form in Buffy. It doesn't fit the series. Added to that it looked really stupid.
The only saving point is the storyline of Joyce's illness.

Rating:



5.10 Into the Woods
Writer: Marti Noxon (Writer)
Director: Marti Noxon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Bailey Chase (Graham Miller), Nick Chinlund (Major Ellis), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Randy Thompson (Doctor Kriegel), Rainy Jo Stout (Junkie Vampire Girl), Emmanuel Xuereb (Whip), Adam G. (Tough Vamp)

The good thing about this episode: Riley is gone!
Otherwise really forgettable.

Rating:



5.11 Triangle
Writer: Jane Espenson (Writer)
Director: Christopher Hibler
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Abraham Benrubi (Olaf the Troll), Amber Benson (Tara), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Ranjani Brow (Young Nun)

Nice to see Willow and Anya interact and finally coming to a truce.

Rating:



5.12 Checkpoint
Writer: Douglas Petrie (Writer), Jane Espenson (Writer)
Director: Nick Marck
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Clare Kramer (Glory), Charlie Weber (Ben), Cynthia Lamontagne (Lydia, Watchers Council Member #1), Oliver Muirhead (Phili), Kris Iyer (Nigel), Kevin Weisman (Dreg), Troy T. Blendell (Jinx), Amber Benson (Tara), Harris Yulin (Quentin Travers), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Wesley Mask (Professor Roberts), Justin Gorence (Orlando), Peter Hussman (Mailman), Jack Thomas (Council Member #4), John O'Leary (Council Member #5)

I always loved how Buffy puts the council guys into their place and gets Giles his job back. And Buffy's face when she finds out what Glory is. Also the interviews are really fun.

Rating:



5.13 Blood Ties
Writer: Steven S. DeKnight (Writer)
Director: Michael Gershman
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Clare Kramer (Glory), Charlie Weber (Ben), Troy T. Blendell (Jinx), Amber Benson (Tara), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Justin Gorence (Orlando), Michael Emanuel (Burly Guard), Joe Ochman (Janitor), Paul Bates (Crazie #1), Carl J. Johnson (Crazie #2), Candice Nicole (Young Buffy), Elyssa D. Vito (Young Dawn)

In this episode Michelle Trachtenberg gets to shine. Here she proves she can handle this season's most important role.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on June 12th, 2010)