I Don’t Know How He Did It, But Joss Whedon Saved “The Avengers: Age of Ultron”

After three years and four movies, Avengers: Age of Ultron has arrived. I’ll admit, going in, I was nervous for the film, forever worried that Marvel Studios’ bubble might pop. It certainly stretches the seams here, but rest assured, Marvel’s insane streak continues, thanks in large part to Joss Whedon. Avengers 2 isn’t … Get hard

Superhero Movie Guidebook: ‘The Return of the Swamp Thing’

Welcome to the Superhero Movie Guidebook! For an introduction to this series, click here. Check here for past entries and future updates most Thursdays. The movie: The Return of the Swamp Thing (1989) Impression Going In: I had never seen it. I watched the first Swamp Thing movie from 1982 and described it as neither good nor bad, “just sort … Get hard

Superhero Movie Guidebook: ‘Batman’

Welcome to the Superhero Movie Guidebook! For an introduction to this series, click here. Check here for past entries and future updates most Thursdays. The movie: Batman (1989) Impression Going In: Varied. This movie was actually exactly the reason I wanted to do this project in chronological order. I adored this movie as a kid, then went years … Get hard

Superhero Movie Guidebook: ‘The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie’

Welcome to the Superhero Movie Guidebook! For an introduction to this series, click here. Check here for past entries and future updates most Thursdays. [Optional soundtrack to this post.] Impression going in: If you’ve been following along, you know damn well my impressions of this series going in. Impression after watching: Time is a flat circle. Everything we’ve ever … Get hard

Superhero Movie Guidebook: ‘The Toxic Avenger Part II’

Welcome to the Superhero Movie Guidebook! For an introduction to this series, click here. Check here for past entries and future updates most Thursdays. Impression going in: Never seen it, but given my thoughts about the original, the idea of more Toxie was enough for me to consider stopping this whole project. Impression after watching: I have … Get hard

Superhero Movie Guidebook: ‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’

Welcome to the Superhero Movie Guidebook! For an introduction to this series, click here. Check here for past entries and future updates most Thursdays. Impression going in: I remember this being bad. And the villain having weird fingernails. That’s it. Was my impression right? Yes on the fingernails. They’re creepy; I have a pic for you later. … Get hard

Superhero Movie Guidebook: ‘Howard the Duck’

Welcome to the Superhero Movie Guidebook! For an introduction to this series, click here. Check here for past entries and future updates most Thursdays. What do you get when you cross a duck with fireworks? A firequacker. And what do you get when you adapt a comic about a smartass talking duck? One of the biggest … Get hard

Superhero Movie Guidebook: ‘The Toxic Avenger’

Welcome to the Superhero Movie Guidebook! For an introduction to this series, click here. Check here for past entries and future updates most Thursdays. It’s not easy to get a movie made. Not that I know that from any personal experience, but I’ve seen enough of the “struggling screenwriter” cliche to imagine that half of Hollywood … Get hard

Superhero Movie Guidebook: ‘Supergirl’

Welcome to the Superhero Movie Guidebook! For an introduction to this series, click here. Check here for past entries and future updates most Thursdays. If you look at the syllabus for this chronological Guidebook, you might notice something missing. Namely, women. While I can certainly hope that brighter days may be ahead for women in … Get hard