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.

The Greatest of All-Time

Are we currently living in the greatest period of all-time? Here's guest writer Tony Garcia with more:

In this day and age we tend to overrate things. I think as a society there is a want or need for the feeling that this era that we're living in holds some kind of importance in the history of time. It doesn't have to be anything major either. I'm mostly referring to social things like music, movies, athletes, etc. If you scour Al Gore's internet long enough, you'll come across digital arguments debating 'The Greatest of All-Time', or GOAT as the kids are calling it these days.

Who can forget Kanye West's tirade aimed at Taylor Swift over a music video being one the greatest of all-time? Kanye has probably never seen a Spike Jonze or Michel Gondry music video. Beastie Boys- Sabotage, Foo Fighters- Everlong, Kylie Minogue- Come Into My World, White Stripes- Fell In Love With A Girl... Hey Kanye, go watch those four music videos and tell me how good Beyonce's video was again. 

Turn on ESPN, especially this time of year, and watch several prognosticators argue the LeBron James and Michael Jordan debate. That one is personal for me. I grew up in Chicago and watched the Bulls dominate the 90's. There isn't another Michael Jordan. We need to close the case on that debate. The closest thing we've seen to Jordan is Kobe, but even he has a long way to go and he's not going to get there because of his age and diminishing play. 

There are areas where we may actually be currently residing in the greatest of all-time. For example, I think television is just insane with talented people right now. Whether it's producing, writing, acting or contributing source material, I think we are currently in the golden age of television. TV has never been as good as it is now. Three of my personal favorite shows ever have been produced in the last handful of years. Those shows are Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones and True Detective. I've said it already on Twitter and Facebook but Game of Thrones has to automatically be considered a top 5 show because of its seamless integration of boobs, midgets, zombies and beheadings. I've never seen anything like it.  

When I was first getting into the film industry (which was about 10 years ago), life in general was nothing close to where we're at as a society now. Technology is kicking ass right now and there's no end in sight. Hell, 15 years ago cell phones weren't even an every day item. 15 years seems like eons on the technological calendar. About 3 weeks ago my phone was broken for a 24 hour period and I felt completely lost without it. I didn't know what to do with myself, which is quite sad. 

I woke up with the idea the write this article because I wanted to throw another log on the flame of the GOAT fire. I wanted to be "that guy" that made another set-in-stone premature proclamation and contribute yet another silly argument that the current state of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is the greatest we've seen…of all time. But unlike many people with a forum to write on, I'm going to pump the brakes and let it play out like it is meant to be. I've talked myself out of writing the article I was intending to write. It's just too soon. 

If I can say one thing about the Stanley Cup Playoffs right now, it is this… If you aren't watching it yet, turn it on. We may be witnessing history. SO FAR we are in the middle of the greatest of all time zone. Like your friend that told you to turn on Game of Thrones and "watch just one or two episodes", fully knowing that you were going to be hooked 15 minutes into episode 1, I'm being that guy right now with hockey. Like Nike, Just Do It.

Ghostbusters Ecto-1 LEGO Comparison

Collider.com has a great comparison of the original fan-submitted CUUSOO model that garnered enough attention for LEGO to take notice and agree to produce an official Ectomobile. While the original fan submission looks to be a little larger and includes one or two details that the official mass-produced model does not, it still looks like killer set for Ghostbusters fans and LEGO fans alike. Check out more comparison shots over at Collider!

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?