The Less-Than-Amazing Spider-Man?

Reaction this weekend to the Amazing Spider-Man sequel has been extremely polarized, with much of the negative criticism focusing on the over-population of characters in the film (mainly the villains, which many speculate is just set-up for the Sinister Six film).

Normally, I'd be the first person in line for a Spider-Man sequel but admittedly, I've been a little on the fence about seeing the film too. I didn't see the first film in the theaters, opting to catch it later from the comfort of my home and was underwhelmed by the experience. While the characterizations of Peter, Gwen, and Aunt May were spot-on the focus of the story and the uneven tone caught me completely off-guard. Plus, that film also had a big villain problem. Even sitting here trying to reflect on the origins and motivations of Curt Collins/Lizard, I couldn't tell you a single detail, which speaks worlds for how memorable it might have been.

I think the biggest problem with the Spider-Man series is that it hasn't adapted in the same way that many of the big tentpole superhero films have (with the most recent Captain America: The Winter Soldier being the biggest example). Many superhero films have opted to first aim to be a great genre film with intriguing characters that just so happen to have some superhero elements scattered throughout. Whereas it feels like the Spider-Man films keep holding to the model of superhero first, origins of things second, oh and then we should put a story in there somewhere.

I will end up seeing ASM2 at some point, most likely in the same way that I saw the first film: from the comfort of my home watching the Blu-ray edition. But I'm hoping that some sort of immediacy is placed on the character and his film franchise in the future that makes me want to go see it opening weekend. A character of Spider-Man's stature deserves that.

Sarah Connor Calls in a Doctor

Eleventh Doctor (or Twelfth, I guess if you're really counting) Matt Smith has just joined the Terminator franchise reboot currently titled Terminator: Genesis. According to the Skydance Productions official Twitter as well as news outlet Deadline, the actor has boarded the film for an undisclosed role... and sadly, it won't be a Doctor Who/Terminator crossover for all those fan-fic writers out there who had both ears immediately perk up at the sound. 

I have to say, I'm apprehensively optimistic about the new film. The casting sure is spot-on with a whole lot of great leads stepping into roles. But then again, Terminator: Salvation had a pretty killer cast too and look out that turned out. Also worrisome is the "Robocop Effect" that might be in place with this new film, as the studio is apparently advocating for a PG-13 rating.

How are you feeling about the new film and the potential that it might have? Excited? Pessimistic?

SPT Remembers Bob Hoskins

I know what you're thinking… "Troy, of all the films that this man has graced his presence with - Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hook, Brazil, Pink Floyd's 'The Wall', Nixon, Michael, on and on and on… why choose Super Mario Bros., the film that he had always expressed disappointment for?"

It's no secret that I hold the Super Mario Bros. live-action film in a dear place of my heart, for so many reasons that people abhor the film, I have grown to adore it. It was weird, it looked super-cool, and these two guys that weren't even remotely Italian really were the epitome of cool. Sure, it probably is a terrible movie, but I still love Super Mario Bros. And Bob Hoskins' presence in that film was one of the biggest drawing factors to that.

That tangent about Mario aside, Hollywood lost another great today, at the age of 71. Hoskins had just recently retired from acting, a result of his deteriorating health from a Parkinsons diagnosis. The BBC is reporting that he passed after contracting pneumonia. 

This weekend why not pop in Roger Rabbit, Hook, or one of the many films that you grew up with that Hoskins was largely responsible for and enjoy in his honor?

Star Wars: This Will Be a Day Long Remembered

In a surprising move (many were expecting the announcement to come in with the hyper-punny May the 4th faux-celebration), Lucasfilm has announced the cast of the new Star Wars sequel, still as of yet untitled.

Original stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Kenny Baker (R2-D2) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) will be reprising their roles from the original trilogy. 

New to the series are actors are John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley (Mr. Selfridge), Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Issac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings), Domhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter)... oh yeah, and freaking Max von Sydow (you know, of many films but let's be honest you know and love him as the voice of Vigo the Carpathian, right?). The new cast's roles are as of yet announced.

The film opens on December 18, 2015 and begins filming in the next few weeks.

UPDATE: Slashfilm has a fantastic breakdown of all the new actors, descriptions of their personalities and how they might coincide with characters on-screen and more. Check it out, it's a great read.