The Latest Movies (Non-Anime) You Are Watching Right Now

[usamimi]

I recently thought it might be fun to try watching more of the Criterion movies they have available on Hulu. I rewatched House (old Japanese "horror" movie) for the first time in ages (still so much fun to watch), but I also watched a few I hadn't seen before, like Cronos and The Vanishing. Both were pretty good!

[ParaParaJMo]

I saw The Amazing Spider-Man 2 last week since it came out in Japan. I personally liked it and enjoyed it as much as the first Amazing movie. I did like the Raimi trilogy except for 3, but the Raimi trilogy to me feel more like "cartoon movies" while the Amazing series feels more like "comic book movies" and this new movie does a good job of defining that. I really loved Electro's arc and I love how they further explore and develop Peter and Gwen. My only issue is that Peter looks like he should be in one direction or something.

[greg]

I really liked the first movie, I think it had a great tone and did a really good job of introducing the character. I'm not sure how you'll feel about Cap2. A promo on TV here after the "Agents of SHIELD" TV show flat out said that the Cap movie starts the build up for Avengers 2, so that may or may not be an issue for you. My main issue with it is it doesn't feel like a Captain America movie (to me). It's really more of a SHIELD movie.

The problem with the first Cap movie was that it kind of drug a bit until he really became Captain America and started being the badass he was meant to be. That said, I understand that it was necessary to take the time to build it up to get him "out the door." One gripe is that it would've been better to make those laser guns and such look like they were weren't futuristic and instead made to look like they were laser weapons designed by 1940s Nazi scientists. That would've been a bit cooler. I didn't mind the movie so much and I'll likely get the DVD eventually.

I recently thought it might be fun to try watching more of the Criterion movies they have available on Hulu. I rewatched House (old Japanese "horror" movie) for the first time in ages (still so much fun to watch),

Is that the totally bizarre, surreal horror movie with inexplicable deaths and such? Cinemassacre did a video review of that movie. Totally weird!

[ParaParaJMo]

The first Captain America movie was alright, I guess, but it seemed like they must've been thinking, "Well, Avengers is coming out, so we need to get this movie out of the way in order to introduce the character before Avengers comes along." The movie felt like just a setup for Avengers. So did Thor, but that movie stood better on its own, I think.

I really liked the first movie, I think it had a great tone and did a really good job of introducing the character. I'm not sure how you'll feel about Cap2. A promo on TV here after the "Agents of SHIELD" TV show flat out said that the Cap movie starts the build up for Avengers 2, so that may or may not be an issue for you. My main issue with it is it doesn't feel like a Captain America movie (to me). It's really more of a SHIELD movie.

I think it's a SHIELD movie for the right reasons. Thor can go back to Asgard. Tony can go back to his company and Pepper. Banner can pretty much hang out with Tony and be science bros without fear of persecution from the government anymore. But Steve is in a position where he can't exactly go back to where's really from and where he belongs, so naturally SHIELD is the best thing for him to continue his services. I like how SHIELD was represented as a contrast to Steve's personal beliefs. I say the only thing that "builds up" Avengers 2 is the mid-credits scene.

I am a big fan of the Winter Soldier/Bucky story from the comics and I love how the character was adapted for the movie. So I can't complain. I also enjoyed Anthony Mackie as the Falcon. His charisma reminds me of a much younger Will Smith when he was between Fresh Prince and doing his alien movies like MIB and ID4.

[Heero]

I am a big fan of the Winter Soldier/Bucky story from the comics and I love how the character was adapted for the movie. So I can't complain. I also enjoyed Anthony Mackie as the Falcon. His charisma reminds me of a much younger Will Smith when he was between Fresh Prince and doing his alien movies like MIB and ID4.

I haven't read the original "Winter Soldier" comics, so can't speak to the good or bad of that, but I agree that I loved the portrayal of Falcon, if anything, I think that makes my issues with Captain A. all the more glaring. My main issue with too many comics of the last decade (heck, most ENTERTAINMENT) is that too many are trying too hard to "make a statement" or "be relevant" (in the broader scope of society, not "be modern and not set in the 40s"). For me, I appreciate that you have Falcon as a veteran that is nominally retired and finds himself in the middle of a villianous plot and just goes out and "does the right thing" because someone asks him for help and that's what a hero does. Contrast that with Captain America who has to pontificate about what "America" is and being conflicted about the nation's "leaders". IMO, if the good Captain thinks the leadership is that corrupt, then he should either lead a revolution or he should quit being an action hero and be leading registration and vote drives in the community. He doesn't do either because NEITHER makes for compelling, action narrative for a super hero, so instead we get thinly veiled scare monger commentary on a complex issue to turn Cap. A into a "political thriller".

I was really impressed with how they re-branded Iron Man's origin into a Middle East situation instead of the original Vietnam "accident", while still having Tony Stark become a better man because of the noble sacrifice of a good samaritan. Likewise, I loved that the first Cap. movie was set in WW2, so you can see the scrawny kid who doesn't angst over the merits and flaws of our country's actions, but instead immediately jumps on a grenade without question to protect others. To me, that is the difference between Captain America (and Superman for that matter) and say, Batman. I'm sure Batman is more popular in part because he should be questioning whether it is right to let a psychotic like Joker continue to escape and torment Gotham rather than just kill him. But Cap is more like shounen manga/anime heroes, they have a villian in front of them and they hit him. They win through sheer, grit, determination and force of will. I think Cap2 actually does a really good job with the Cap&Bucky subplot, the problem is that the main plot is just too overbearing, and I agree with an article regarding a future issue for the Marvel movies. With how Cap2 goes, you really need to wonder after "The Avengers" why only one of the other Avengers appears in this movie. (I mean, if you want to be pedantic, Hawkeye is SUPPOSED to be a SHIELD agent too, but considering how big things get you'd expect at LEAST Tony to put in an appearance)

[_D_]

You need to watch Agents of SHIELD. There are updates of what has taken place AFTER the events of Winter Soldier. You do get Fox in Japan, no? Can't wait for the final episode of the series...

[Ben]

I recently thought it might be fun to try watching more of the Criterion movies they have available on Hulu. I rewatched House (old Japanese "horror" movie) for the first time in ages (still so much fun to watch), but I also watched a few I hadn't seen before, like Cronos and The Vanishing. Both were pretty good!

The Criterion Collection really is fantastic; any of their Werner Herzorg, Wim Wender or Ingmar Bergman titles are a must watch if you are into classic movies. I don't think I could recommend Paris, Texas or Wings of Desire more highly, personally.

[_D_]

Just saw Amazing Spider-Man 2. Fun, but not as good as the 1st reboot film. Going to lose its top spot to a comedy this week and lose out completely when Godzilla bows in 10 days. X-Men Days of Futurepast is looking better and better.

[greg]

You need to watch Agents of SHIELD. There are updates of what has taken place AFTER the events of Winter Soldier. You do get Fox in Japan, no? Can't wait for the final episode of the series...

We do have a FOX channel, but I don't think SHIELD has arrived yet. I've come across Walking Dead and some other shows, but nothing I've really paid much attention to. I'd be all over a SHIELD show when it comes here, though.

[Heero]

You need to watch Agents of SHIELD. There are updates of what has taken place AFTER the events of Winter Soldier. You do get Fox in Japan, no? Can't wait for the final episode of the series...

We do have a FOX channel, but I don't think SHIELD has arrived yet. I've come across Walking Dead and some other shows, but nothing I've really paid much attention to. I'd be all over a SHIELD show when it comes here, though.

Agents of SHIELD is actually an ABC show (Marvel owned by Disney, yadda yadda yadda). It's decent in spurts but has definite flaws. What I would say is that it is definitely a Joss Whedon show (altho I think he's mainly just a producer). If you are a fan of his work, you'll probably enjoy the ride. If you HATE his work, you probably won't like it. If you don't know him or are otherwise ambivalent, then it'll likely be hit or miss.

My main issue is that I am currently ACTIVELY rooting for the demise of several characters, even though I'm 99% certain that it will not happen. (I truly LIKE part of the team and really despise the other part)