Never Mind Pop Film

You’re bound to be excited by the prospect of some of the great sequels that are due to hit the big screen over the remainder of 2013 if you love film, and probably even if you don’t.

First up is Monsters University the eagerly awaited sequel to Monsters Inc. Billy Crystal and John Goodman return to voices of Mike and Sulley but, despite the sequel hitting the screens 12 years after the original, Hollywood’s two favourite animated monsters appear younger than before. That’s because audiences are getting the chance to see how Mike and Sulley first met at university whilst taking Scaring Degrees – what’s not to like!

X-Men fans we also be delighted to see Hugh Jackman return as Wolverine for the sixth time in The Wolverine; a film which is likely to see the part-man, part-adamantium comic-book hero slaying some bad guys.

The hugely popular trio of ageing spies Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and John Malcovich return in Red 2, this time with the added bonus of Anthony Hopkins playing the film’s…

USA Today debuted a one-sheet for the upcoming Thor sequel in preparation for the trailer being launched next week. It doesn't reveal much, but it looks great.

Thor: The Dark World hits theatres November 8th.

Superhero Hype released a veritable grab bag of goodness today. The video includes unseen footage from Iron Man 3, a peek at Thor: The Dark World, concept art from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, discussions with the directors of their new films, Joss Whedon teasing the Avengers sequel and the test footage from Edgar Wright's Ant-man. Awesome, right?

IRON MAN 3– now available in 3D – 5/3/13

THOR: THE DARK WORLD– now available in 3D – 11/8/13

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER due on 4/4/14

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY date is unchanged 8/1/14

ANT-MAN is scheduled for 11/6/15

With The Avengers 2 release date listed in summer of 2015 it shall be seen whether or not Ant-man makes an appearance in the film prior to his solo-shot. Given that audiences are unfamiliar with the character, he may join the team in their adventures (battling Thanos?) similarly to how Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Johansson were introduced in Thor and Iron Man 2. Still no standalone Hulk feature though. Either way, I'll be there with bells on for Whedon's second effort.

Short of the Week brings this kernel of conversation our way via First Showing
It is acknowledged that the mainstream films that are released on a regular basis are becoming less and less original, but I don't think that we can blame this on Hollywood. This is the result of moviegoers. Audiences flock to go see characters they recognize and feel comfortable with, now, this is nothing new as even in 1981 Superman and James Bond vehicles were two of the top-ten-highest-grossing films.
There is no reason to suggest why a film like Take Shelter or Win Win could not have been included in the top ten for that year, but marketability kept those films from being seen in thousands of theatres. What makes high-grossing films is their ability to be marketed, Gran Torino is surely an example of this. If Gran Torino were to be made without a star like Clint Eastwood, then that film would not have had the success it found with Eastwood at center stage. Without a major marketable star, director …

It is a little too early to think about Christmas shopping, but if there is a geek in your family, than this is the Holy Grail of gifts. Marvel recently announced the release of a six film box-set including all of Marvel's outings from Iron Man to The Avengers. The set not only includes ten disc with a great deal of special features but each film is housed in its own must-see sleeve created by Matthew Ferguson.

The box-set is available for pre-order on Amazon now, but for a look at the artwork head below.



(Courtesy: Marvel.com)

The concept of teaming up Captain America, Thor, Iron Man and Thor was a dream years in the making for most film fans. Then, finally, in 2010 proto-geek Joss Whedon (Buffy, Firefly, Cabin in the Woods) was named director of The Avengers.

For comic book enthusiasts The Avengers proves to be everything wanted from a team-up. For those who are less familiar with these heroes and their storylines, the film is a proverbial menu to choose from. Enjoy history and the limits that one man will go for his country? Captain America, at your service. How about Norse mythology? Thor, at the waiting. Eccentric billionaires with an addiction to thrill-seeking? Iron Man is around here somewhere. Rage problems? Hulk, please don't make him angry.

Really the only major roadblock for The Avengers is one Whedon similarly handled for Serenity: these are characters who already know everyone in their own universe, but now find themselves introduced into new ones. A fine line has to be drawn between makin…

With Marvel's The Avengers coming out in less than two days, I thought it would be nice to bring everyone up to date with the timeline of all of the character's films: Thor, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and Iron Man. Thankfully, Patrick Casey Bennett of Comic Book Movies went to all the trouble for us. For the entire infographic check out the link below.

(Courtesy: Comic Book Movies)

The Disney/Marvel team seems pretty insistent on not revealing the Hulk at all. Granted, one should not complain that much considering that it isn't another poster where they are all pointing their weapons at each other inadvertently.

(Courtesy: IMP Awards)

The Avengers are going big with their latest concept art release. It is a little odd that The Hulk is the only character without any supporting characters in his background. Will the upcoming film feature a third reboot of the character? Click on the image for a better look.
(Courtesy: Marvel.com)

I'm curious why Hawkeye is going to put an arrow through Captain America's head, but hey who can judge? I'm sure his boyish optimism is irritating.

(Courtesy: TheOnlyESQ/ComicBookMovie.com)

Looking at Thor from pre-production there were several questions surrounding the film. Would Aussie Chris Hemsworth manage to be a convincing Norse God? Can Kenneth Branagh take comic-book material and turn it into something worth watching? Will the costume look as awkward as it did in the comics? Fortunately, the answer to those questions is yes, yes, and no.
It should have been obvious that Thor would naturally lend itself to Branagh's Shakespearean leanings. A royal heir cast from the kingdom, a murderous rivalry between two siblings, a man fighting a battle in a foreign land. All of the elements of a great drama. 
Thor is a brash and arrogant young man. During the course of a information expedition he re-ignites a war that has lasted for the ages. Odin (Anthony Hopkins) fed up with such childish antics does not approve and casts Thor from Asgard. It is here on Earth that the humor of Thor shines through. The value of Chris Hemsworth's charm is truly on display when he is …