Jessica Jones Is Awesome

Forget the movies, Marvel's Netflix series (No Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. does not count) are by far their greatest accomplishment. Daredevil and Jessica Jones are both excellent character pieces told over 13 episodes. Their stakes are considerably smaller than the movies, but the tension feels much greater because these stories are much more personal. Basically I'm just saying I'm halfway through JJ and I know that I prefer these series to those sugar coated fairytales that Marvel puts out twice a year. I'd rather see Daredevil beat the shit out of child traffickers or Jessica Jones and Luke Cage "super-fuck" than to watch (SPOILER FOR INFINITY WAR) Tony Stark braid Thor's hair.

Also Vincent D'Onofrio as the Kingpin and David Tennant as the Purple Man are two of the three best villains in the MCU. The other is Loki. There is no debate.

Are you liking Jessica Jones? Which do you prefer: Marvel TV or Marvel Movies? Sound off in the comments.

A full review of Jessica Jones will be up this week. For all my thoughts on comics, TV, movies, and various other bs follow me on twitter @cstrand73.

Ant-Man Review

Paul Rudd bursts onto the Marvel scene in Ant-Man. Check out my review of the pint sized hero's first solo outing. (Mild To No Spoilers!)

Description: Several months after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, ex-thief Scott Lang must aid his mentor and former hero Dr. Hank Pym in safeguarding the mystery of the Ant-Man technology—which allows its user to decrease in size but increase in strength—from various new threats, and plot a heist that will save the Earth.

High Points:

• Paul Rudd was classic charming Paul Rudd. You buy that his Scott Lang is a criminal who wishes to reform. He also provides his A+ comedic timing.
• Speaking of comedy, this movie is funny. And the funniest person isn't even Paul Rudd, it's Michael Pena as Luis. Almost every word out of his mouth made me laugh.
• Michael Douglas was a great Hank Pym. He and Rudd had solid chemistry. Their mentor/men-tee relationship was the core of the film.
• Loved Hank Pym's backstory.
• The Ant-Man shrinking sequences were pretty cool. The stunt team and special effects  were able to make Ant-Man fight in a much different way than most superheroes. He used his size and speed to his advantage.
• Scott actually controlled a shit ton of ants. 
• There is a sequence with an Avenger that was an unexpected surprise.
• Loved the heist film vibe. What Marvel has excelled at is making their movies feel like different types of films rather than just a generic superhero film. 
• Yellowjacket had a kickass suit. It looked damn cool.
• Judy Greer is America's Mom.
• The final fight sequence encompasses everything that made this movie a blast. 
• Cut Scenes set up two future Marvel movies!
• T.I. was in it and that makes me happy.

Ant-Man's Theme Song

Low Points:

• While Ant-Man's powers + action sequences felt new and exciting, other elements of the film felt rather predictable and generic. Particularly a romantic plot and the film's entire opening.
• Corey Stoll is a great actor. I fucking loved him as Peter Russo in House of Cards. He is wasted here. He is generic Bad guy #1. The actions he takes to make the audience hate him are ridiculous/hilarious. Marvel continues to show that they don't give a shit about villains.
• Non-chalant Hydra reference.
• Ants are gross.

Verdict: Ant-Man is a fun film. Another product of the proven Marvel formula. The movie has a generic bad guy, but that has worked for these films that fit into the MCU. Despite that major flaw, Paul Rudd's charm and the great use of Ant-Man's powers put this flick a step above many of Marvel's other solo efforts. Overall I'm giving Ant-Man a 7.5 out of 10. A cool new superhero romp that doesn't disappoint, but fails to get from good to great.

Thanks for reading! What did you think of Ant-Man? What part will he have to play in Civil War? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And be sure to check out all our other TV + movie reviews.

P.S. Someone start a Kickstarter for the Michael Pena (Luis) spinoff!

P.P.S. I'm still fucking bitter that I didn't direct this.

Watch Justice League: Gods and Monsters!

There are a lot of religions in the world. Some people worship Jesus. Some worship Muhammad. Others prefer Buddah, but I (like many others) follow the one true god, Bruce Timm! The man, the myth, the animation legend! Bruce has returned to WB animation with some more incredible DC Animated Universe  goodies. This time though he has tinkered with DC's classic Trinity (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman) to bring us a newer and darker take on our favorite heroes. Superman is Zod's son, not Jor-El's. Dr. Kirk Langstrom is under Batman's cowl. And Wonder Woman is from now New Genisis not Themyscrira. It's an "What If" story for the ages. So check out 4 mini prequel episodes from Machinima. Then be sure to buy Justice League: Gods and Monsters when it comes out in July.

Screw Jim Gordon "Robo" Batman. I wanna see Kirk Langstrom Batman fuck bad guys up. Murdering villains by sucking their blood is pretty damn effective. Make it happen Scott Snyder!

The Flash "Fast Enough" Review

As Season One comes to a close, Barry is given a Sophie's choice! (SPOILERS!!)

High Points:

• A whole season of twists and turns led to the most dramatic Flash episode yet. Barry was presented an impossible choice and it's ramifications led to many heart to hearts.
• Grant Gustin is a star. He is Barry Allen. He has captained the best superhero show on TV and deserves more praise than I can give him.
• Easter Eggs Galore! When Barry connected to the Speed Force several visions from the future appeared. The first was everyone's favorite superhero tourist attraction, the Flash Museum. Then the second and much more surprising one was our first look at Caitlin Snow as KILLER FROST! Then later on Jay Garrick's helmet that popped up. Hot damn we got teased a lot about what is gonna happen with the future of this show.
• Eobard Thawne revealed his master plan to Barry. 
• The final showdown was pretty sweet.
• I've making a joke for weeks that Eddie should Looper himself and make sure Eobard never existed. Well I can tell you that it still surprised me when it actually happened. Reminded me a lot of Tommy's sacrifice in the season 1 finale of Arrow. BUT Eddie was sucked into the wormhole. That could mean we aren't done with him yet.
• Cisco was affected by the particle accelerator! Could we see Vibe and Killer Frost in Season 2?
• The cliffhanger opens up a ton of possibilities for Season 2.

Eddie Thawne be like...

Low Points:

• For a finale, the action was segmented to only the final 15 minutes.
• Ronnie and Caitlin's wedding felt kinda shoehorned into the story. Could have done without it.
• Season 2 hasn't started yet.

At least it wasn't like a Game Of Thrones' wedding

Verdict: The Flash is the best superhero show on TV. It's inaugural season was a blast to watch and the finale capped off all the emotional story threads and gave us tons of hints of where the future of the show is headed. I'm keeping it short and sweet, "Fast Enough" gets a 9.5 out of 10. Can't wait for October.

Thanks for reading! Did you like "Fast Enough"? Did Eddie make the right design? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews.

Arrow "My Name Is Oliver Queen" Review

Barry Allen makes an appearance as Ollie finds love in a hopeless place on an all new Arrow.

High Points

• Who can save the day when Ollie is too busy? Barry Allen of course! His brief cameo was great. 
• Malcolm Merlyn takes charge. Interesting that both Barry and Ollie have teamed up with some of their greatest enemies during this week.
• Ra's hidden agenda makes sense. Kill two birds with one stone.
• Team Arrow is fucking beastly with the additions of Nyssa + Merlyn.
• I'm a big fan of the Lance family alcoholism. They should have a family reunion with an contract for a reality show.
• Speedy is suited up! But there is no middrift...
• Ra's once again beats down the Arrow. Then... Ollie beats him just cause.
• Felicity suits up as the ATOM.
• Malcolm Merlyn is the new Ra's Al Ghul!!!
• Ray wants shrinkage!
• Oliver and Felicity drive off into the sun!

Watch out Stan Lee, there is a new King of the cameo.

Low Points

• Oliver's reveal to Ra's Al Ghul would have been more intense if the writers had kept his allegiance to his original team a secret from the audience until that moment as well.
• The opening fight was weak. Though I love seeing Ra's in action.
• The flashbacks slow down the show to a crawl. Get Ollie back on the goddamn island and be done with it. I don't need to see Ollie torture Shireve. Rather just fucking gut him and be over with it.
• Damien Dark isn't dead which means that he and HIVE are gonna be the villains of season 4. Fuck...
• Oliver's love for Felicity is the key to beating Ra's. I'm at a loss for words.
• Felicity suits up as the ATOM! I'm not sure if it was good or bad.
• Oliver gives up being the Arrow for love. He is coming down with a case of Rachel Dawes syndrome.

What should be done to the person who wrote this episode

Verdict: Urban Dictionary defines the term "shit" as "another word for feces, poop, dookie, scheisse, poo poo, and brownies." Well I would like to add another phrase to that list, Arrow's Season 3 Finale. All season I have stood by my favorite show. I have waited for it to get back to those season 2 highs, but now all those battles with Deathstroke feel like a distant memory. I have ranted on Olicity many times before. If you are part of the group of people that think their love affair makes Arrow a better show, I don't want to be friends with you. 

          In all seriousness I don't even want to talk about them being together anymore. I accept it's gonna take over 50% of the show, but when the writers commit the crime they committed tonight something needs to be said. Oliver beats Ra's Al Ghul because he loves Felicity. That is the biggest load of shit that I have ever seen. Yes having something to fight for helps, but no way does it give Oliver an advantage over a guy who kicked his dick in not 5 months ago. Oliver beat Ra's because... he had to or the season wouldn't end. 

          Take this example on how to stop a villain that has an advantage on the hero properly.  Last night on The Flash, Barry admitted that Wells has the advantage over him. Wells has been faster and five steps ahead Barry this whole season. So was Barry just magically able to defeat Wells? No! He asked for help from the Arrow and Firestorm. He knew when he was outclassed and his writers knew that Barry had to regain the advantage over Wells in order for their class to end in Barry's favor. Tonight's Arrow did none of that. Instead Ollie can kill Ra's because he needs to in order to ride off into the sunset with Felicity. 

          You don't just have to add more firepower to beat a baddie. You can use your brain to defeat a foe. Batman always has to use his mind to get the advantage over some of his more physical opponents like Bane + Killer Croc. If he can't beat them physically, he will figure out some other way. Fuckin' A. Ollie had used his brain the night before when he had Ray give him the nanites to stop Wells' superspeed. And if you go back to last year's finale Olicity was used in a positive manner when Oliver tricked Slade and Felicity was able to administer a cure for the Miraku, thus making it an even battle in which Ollie could win. Ra's vs. Oliver isn't an even battle. So having Oliver win because he has love in his heart is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever seen.

          Now it's was not all bad. Barry Allen showed up for a brief, but entertaining cameo. And I also enjoyed seeing where Malcolm, Thea, and Ray's story lines are leading. My suggestion for Season 4 is to just let Ollie + Felicity be gone. I mean gone. For like the first half of next year. Expand everyone else's story lines and when the huge conflict arises call back the Arrow. As for scoring this turd, I'm going to be generous and give it a 5.5 out of 10. I pray Season 4 can be a return to form, but with rumors that Damien Dark is the big bad, I'm not hopeful. In the meantime I'm just gonna act like Season 3 never happened.

I didn't want to write a review this harsh, but it had to be done

Thanks for reading! Did you like Arrow Season 3? Was I too big of an asshole? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews.

First Trailer For CBS's Supergirl!

Superman's cuz just booked her new time slot at 8 PM on Mondays this Fall and because of this CBS has been kind enough to give us our first look at the show. Check it out.

5 Takeaways From the Trailer

1. Kara is rocking that Clark Kent-esque disguise. That classic glasses look, that can somehow hide a superhero's identity. I hope the writers come up with an explanation on that works today in a society where everyone has a camera phone ready to snap a pic of your face.

2. Supergirl isn't gay. 

3. That shot of Kara blasting the truck is boss. She is the first of the DC TV heroes to have super strength and I wanna see that shit showcased.

4. I get that Superman is her cousin (And if you didn't know that the trailer will tell you 50+ times), but this show needs to distance Kara from Clark. Make her the lovable hero. Don't just tease the cousin that will never come. That's how you end up being like Gotham. A show that is all about giving winks winks to it's audience, but has zero substance.

5. Supergirl's sister masturbates to She's All That (Don't we all?) and dated Captain America.

Thanks for reading! Are you excited for Supergirl? Are you okay with Jimmy Olsen being hot? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews.

Flash "Grodd Lives" Review

Grodd is God on an all new The Flash. (SPOILERS!)

Episode Description: Barry and his team at S.T.A.R. Labs must deal with the fallout from their failed plan. But in order to distract them, Wells releases the telepathic Gorilla Grodd, who kidnaps Joe. Meanwhile, Iris West (Candice Patton) confronts Barry about his alter-ego as The Flash.

High Points:

• Gorilla Grodd was on TV! Never thought I would see one of my favorite Flash villains come alive on this show. He has been hinted at for weeks, but tonight was his night. Big props to Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Bertlanti, and Geoff Johns for having the balls to believe a telepathic gorilla could be done right on TV.
• Hello there General Eiling! Did not expect to see you alive again. Grodd made you his puppet for three months and I would think that would maybe teach you a lesson about not being such a massive asshole, but the second you get out of your trance you still have that douchey charm. Same old Eiling.
• The Thawne Family reunion continues to be entertaining. Eobard is really giving Eddie a kick to the dick every time he talks to him. Calling him the least memorable Thawne, then showing him that he isn't gonna get Iris. Sucks to be Eddie Thawne right now.
• The old Ice Cream Truck that is secretly carrying gold routine. Classic.
• Grodd's telepathic powers were showcased very well. Whether it was mind controlling Eiling or just straight up mindfucking people, the gorilla was a formable foe.
• Cisco is a bigger cinephile than Michael Bolton.

• The special effects for Grodd were damn impressive. I don't blame Joe West for almost shitting his pants around the beast.
• Grodd stopped Barry's Falcon punch like a boss.
• Dr. Wells' is a modern day James Franco. The man understands the bond between man and beast. Smart move sending his gorilla buddy after his enemies to further his endgame.
• Barry Frank Underwood's Grodd with a train.
• Eobard/Wells' endgame is upon us.
• Grodd will be back!

Should have known the consequences of Tebowing, Grodd.

Low Points:

• Still wish Iris learned about Flash's powers through researching him for an article or something. She just seems to be handed everything on this show. She got handed a nice boyfriend. She got handed a job at a newspaper. Now she just gets spoon fed Barry's secret. Make Iris work for something!
• I'm done with secrets creating this much tension on CW shows. Arrow has overused it and now Flash needs to let it go as well. No one ever looks from the other person's perspective who kept the secret. Every person who gets lied to is instead extremely pissy. Get over it. 

You know what, Iris...

Verdict: What could have been a filler episode before Eobard's endgame gets put into fruition was anything but that. Grodd had been teased all season and when he finally got his chance in the spotlight  he serenaded the crowd to tears of joy with his own rendition of "A Moment Like This". Expect this telepathic Gorilla to factor into Season 2 heavily. Grodd is only getting smarter and by next year who knows what else he will be capable of. As for Eobard, him taunting Eddie was equally entertaining. The guy is in full villain mode now. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
         Overall I'm gonna give "Grodd Lives" a 9.0 out of 10. For great use of a Gorilla.

Thanks for reading the review! Are you on Team Grodd? Can ape be man's best friend? Let us know in the comments or on twitter @Caped_Informers. Be sure to check back regularly for more reviews, articles, and news about your favorite comic book characters. The Flash returns same time next week with "Rogue Air".

Was Grodd there that night too?????

Arrow "This Is Your Sword" Review

Wedding Bells are in the air as Al Sah Him is about the wed the woman of his dreams, his ex-girlfriend's ex-girlfriend! (SPOILERS!)

Episode Description: Oliver/Al Sah-him (Stephen Amell) finishes his training and is left with two final tasks to become the next Ra’s al Ghul. Ra’s (guest star Matt Nable) threatens Nyssa (guest star Katrina Law) and delivers some shocking news. Meanwhile, Malcolm (John Barrowman) makes a surprising offer to Team Arrow and Thea (Willa Holland) goes to see Roy (Colton Haynes).

High Points:

• Diggle and Canary should team up more often.
• Dinner with the Al Ghuls is not as fun as dinner with the Diggles.
• Oliver isn't as brainwashed as we thought. Having him have to team up with one of his worst enemies, Merlyn, to take down Ra's really shows how desperate Ollie is in this situation.
• Roy is a damn sexy mechanic!
• Shit always heats up when Roy and Thea are alone together. To quote Nick Fury these two bang "like Catholic Rabbits".
• Who is the better Dad: Ra's Al Ghul or Joe Jackson?
• Did you see the sign for Ferris Air Baggage? With so many references to Coast City and Ferris Air popping up on The Flash and Arrow, Hal Jordan is all, but confirmed to show up on the CW next fall.
• Enter Katana!
• Ray Palmer is the greatest human being to ever live. The massive spinoff Legends of Tomorrow is gonna be a kick ass show with him as the lead.
• Katana and Maseo's showdown would have been even cooler if the flashbacks actually made us give a shit about them.
• Always good to see some Roy and Thea pillow talk.
• Malcolm Merlyn is always playing his cards close to his chest. Whatever moves puts himself in the best position is the move he is going to make a 100% of the time. Allegiances and loyalty don't mean shit to this guy. Makes him such a slimly yet lovable character.
• Felicity's face when hearing of Oliver's impending nuptials was priceless.
• Attempted murder always makes a wedding ceremony more exciting.
• Solid cliffhanger.

Roy and Thea's theme song

Low Points:

• Felicity is so self righteous it's fucking sickening. She "always" has to be right. She always has to be the voice of reason. Season 3 has ruined her forever.
• Was not invested enough in Maseo and Katana's kid to give a shit that he died. (Sometimes I can be a real cruel prick.)
• The flashbacks just need to stop. I understand that Maseo + Ollie came across the virus a few years back. We got the information we needed. No need for more useless backstory.
• Shrieve sucks. Just another faceless Army drone for Ollie to beat down.
• Leaving Thea naked in your bed? I thought you were a gentleman, Roy Harper?

Season 3 Felicity's state of mind

Verdict: Oliver is in a tight spot. Ra's has pushed him to the edge. With his back against the wall there is only one man that Oliver can turn to. Everyone's favorite terrorist, Malcolm Merlyn! This was a nice twist by the Arrow writers. Oliver being forced to turn to his enemy for help shows how desperate he really is right now. What is that old saying: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." 

          Well, this revelation that Ollie was working with Merlyn the whole time leads the team back to Nana Parbat. In order to stop the Alpha Omega from being released upon Starling they must infiltrate Ra's crib. Serious question, how many raids on Nana Parbat have we seen this season? 4 maybe 5? I'm just tired of seeing of beating down LoA goons. These guys go down pretty damn easily. I guess what I am saying is that I want Ra's Al Ghul to pick up his sword and fight some fools. 22 episodes in this year and we have only seen Ra's battle 2 times. Don't want more of the Demon, I need it. Though seeing Katana suit up and murder her husband was a pretty sight amongst the other meaningless fighting. The emotional fallout from her killing Maseo didn't land that much, but the brawl sure was cool. So points to the stunt team on that sword battle.

            To keep appearances Ollie was then forced to capture his compadres. Ra's Al Ghul then poisoned those poor bastards with the Alpha Omega virus. Then Ollie gets married while his friends die in the next room over. This was such a massive dickhead move by Ra's. "This Is Your Sword" did a good job of showing us that the Demon's Head is not a good guy. He is a villain that needs to be taken down. (Unlike Shrieve, who is using the Nazi's excuse). All of this lead to a solid cliffhanger of not knowing if Team Arrow would survive the Alpha Omega.

          That was until I saw the preview for next week that aired immediately following the episode. It showed all of Team Arrow safe + sound and in Starling next week. I hope there is some sort of fallout from the Alpha Omega being released and that it is not concluded by some twist in which Oliver or Maseo replaced it with sleeping gas or some shit. Please have some consequences occur in that storyline, okay?

         Overall " This Is Your Sword" did not really light my fire and I'm giving it a  7.0 out of 10. Now onto next week, Ollie is technically married and I can't wait to see him fight it out with his new father in-law next week. Arrow has had two great finales and I hope "My Name is Oliver Queen" will be another triumph. 

Thanks for reading! Are you excited for Oliver's showdown with the Demon? Do you cry when a child dies on TV? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews. 

Jane Fonda would have made a great Ra's Al Ghul

Avengers: Age Of Ultron Review

Earth's Mightiest Heroes are back on the big screen! Here is my review of the team's second outing with very mild spoilers. 

Description: Avengers: Age of Ultron, the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

High Points:

• Excellent opening sequence. Very cool to see the team fully formed and going on raids together.
• Hail Hydra! Everyone's favorite evil organization shows up just in time to get it's ass kicked.
• Captain America is my favorite Avenger. Joss Whedon finds about 150 new ways to use Cap's shield in battle this time around. #TeamCap #FuckStark
• Hawkeye gets some much deserved screentime in this flick. He was brainwashed for the majority of the first outing, so it was great to spend some time with Clint and see what makes him click.
• Humorous throughout. One liners were being thrown all over this joint.
• Well done action sequences throughout. 
• Aaron Taylor Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen's accents are the funniest things ever.
• Cool insight into Black Widow's past. Since last year's CA: TWS, Agent Romanoff has really opened up and become a captivating character in the MCU.
• A little Andy Serkis never hurts! Neither does a little Wakanda.
• Joss Whedon took those Man Of Steel criticisms about not protecting civilians to heart because the Avengers are going out of their way to protect every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Seeing heroes be heroic is never a bad thing.
• Great performances throughout the cast. Each actor has really bonded with their character now that they have all had multiple outings.
• The Vision's entrance was a bit awkward, but his payoff was pretty great.
• Age Of Ultron feels like a global film. Action takes place all over the globe.
• Fun to see the Avengers kick back and dick around. The whole party scene is a lot of fun. 
• I dug the Black Widow/Hulk romance. Two different types of monsters that have come together.
• The science bros reunited for some more (you guessed it!) science!
• DAT CUT SCENE!

Be careful Natasha that shit is dangerous.

Low Points:

• Ultron was an okay villain. James Spader was good acting as an almost pseudo-Tony Stark, but he never got the full focus he deserved. For starters we never saw how he came across his first full form. He just instantly had it and was off to the races. With so many characters I understand it is hard to balance all of them. The main villain should really stand out though and once again Ultron falls into the MCU's pantheon of under developed villains.
• Thor's side quest was to further inform us more about the Infinity stones. Sometimes the connective universe has it's movies looking ahead instead of dealing with what in the present.
• I understand that because Scarlet Witch had come into the fold that mind control was back in play, so I'm okay with seeing it as a big plot device again, but this has to be the last time we see it in an Avengers movie. I don't want every movie to have the team be at each others throat because they are psychically being inclined to. Especially with Civil War coming up, mind control should play no role whatsoever. Have it be a fight of ideologies.
• The final fight scene was pretty anticlimactic. Yes a sacrifice was made, but defeating Ultron and his goons was pretty simplistic. Also because I asked for the end of mind control in the last bulletpoint, I'm also gonna ask for this to be the last the Avengers face a giant faceless army. For Infinity War, let's see them fight a different threat. Like the Masters of Evil or maybe a space brawl.
• Enough with the Disney parallels. Ultron keeping signing Pinocchio. Banner and Ramanoff are supposed to be Beauty and the Beast. I get that Disney owns Marvel and that allows for this kinda stuff to happen, but there was enough of it that I have expected Steve Rogers to start singing "Be A Man" from Mulan in the final scene.

Didn't Scarlet Witch's powers look a lot like Poison Ivy's magic dust?

Verdict: Age of Ultron delivers on action and humor. Sometimes it can feel like mindless popcorn entertainment, yet it never reaches Transformers levels of mindless violence. Something is always at stake and you care about the people who are fighting.
         Ultron could have used a bit more focus and sometimes the building of the future of the MCU occasionally hurt it as a standalone film, but there is such more positive stuff going on that you really don't care. This movie did it's number one job: Kept me entertained for 2+ hours. The characters you have grown to know and love are all there taking names and kicking ass. What's not to like about that? Overall I'm giving Avengers: Age of Ultron a 8.0 out of 10. Fun movie and the first must see of the summer.

Thanks for reading! What did you think of Age Of Ultron? What future MCU movie are you most excited for?  Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews. Also make sure to look for my remodeled list of the best Marvel movies. Coming soon.

Arrow "Al Sah-Him" Review

Olive is gone and all that is left is Al Sah-Him in an all new Arrow.

Episode Description: Oliver (Stephen Amell) goes through a rigorous transformation. The League of Assassins sets their sights on Nyssa (guest star Katrina Law), who is back in Starling City training Laurel (Katie Cassidy). When Nyssa realizes they are coming, she arms up to face them alone but Laurel asks Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) and Diggle (David Ramsey) to help protect her new friend.

High Points:

• Montage! Brain Washing Montage!

• This Ra's uses special herbs much like Liam Neeson's Ra's Al Ghul did in Batman Begins. 
• HIVE and Damien Dark are being set up as baddies of Season 4. 
• The old kill my daughter to assume her heirship trick. You are so wise, Mr. Al Ghul.
• I would watch the Black Canary solo show! Yea I said it. Laurel's journey this season has been kickass.
• Laurel and Nyssa bonded over milkshakes. This friendship is great for both characters arcs. Allows Laurel more training and allows Nyssa more screen time.
• It's dinner with the Diggles!
• Thea wants to step and be a vigilante. She should call Artemis about how to make a suit that is highly functional, but also rocks a serious mid drift.
• Ollie be "Theatricality and deception. Powerful agents to the uninitiated, but we are initiated, aren't we Nyssa?"

• Canary Cry!!!!!!!! Cisco my friend, you are a god!
• It was interesting Dynamic to see Oliver be the bad guy. When he kidnapped Lyla, I half expected Dig + Felicity to stumble on a Dexter Season 4 finale situation. Maybe I'm just kinda fucked up like that. That sure would have been extreme for the CW.
• Ollie took that arrow through the wrist like a champ. Shrugged it off like it was a bug bite.
• IT'S THE GREEN WEDDING!! Ra's Al Ghul is putting on his best matchmaker outfit and marrying up Nyssa and Ollie. Reminds me of those awesome marriages that Tywin Lannister set up for his kids. And those have turned out so well! Sir Lauris is so in love with Cersi.
• Ra's Al Ghul is finally doing Ra's Al Ghul things! Like releasing viruses upon cities.

May I suggest a song for the lovely couple's first dance

Low Points:

• Don't tell Nyssa the bad news while there is still food on the table, Laurel! No need to waste burgers and fries.
• If the League of Assassins' brainwashing techniques are so effective, why not just kidnap Oliver and force him to be "Al Sah-Him".
• I want someone to make a super cut of the times in Season 3 that Felicity starts crying. It seems to be the only thing the writers make her do anymore.
• Where do they set up these LoA meet up spots in Starling? Those torches are mighty bright for some random alley to conceal.
• I get that Oliver "turning" bad is suppose to raise the stakes of the season, but kidnapping Lyla did not really bring any tension whatsoever. You knew Lyla wasn't gonna to die so what was the point?
• The flashbacks finally came together with the main story by introducing the Alpha Omega virus in the present. Let me just say the juice was not worth the squeeze. Ra's could have pulled out any old virus and it wouldn't have mattered to me and still would have still gotten the job done. It was like Peter Parker attempting to discovery stuff about his parents in Amazing Spiderman 2. Nobody gave a shit.
• Katana and Maseo's kid is dying! Didn't see that coming!

My face when Ra's ordered Nyssa to marry Ollie.

Verdict: Don't wanna sound like a shithead, but watching Arrow the day after The Flash is always a letdown. Greatness followed by mediocrity. Almost like watching Spiderman 2 every Tuesday then dying your hair black and letting the goth out to watch Spiderman 3 on Wednesdays. Now before anyone jumps on me and says that I just don't like the darker tone of this series, I would like to lunge to my own defense and say that's bullshit. I love dark and gritty. I eat dark content for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If Batman asked me out, I would say yes. I rock out to Evanescence. Daredevil is the number one show on my Netflix queue. I'm into that dark shit. So to say that I think The Flash is better because of it's lighter tone is simply not the case. The problems with this Arrow season all stem from one vile source: OLICITY!

          Yes the torrid love affair that has swept the CW by storm is at least partly responsible for the Emerald Archer's recent decline. Once again the weakest elements of this episode incorporated the romantic attachments of Felicity and Oliver. What makes Olcitity such a malevolent force is that it took a character that was once an independent + quick witted computer hacker down to being a weepy middle school girl. Wanna know the last time Felicity wasn't crying for an entire episode? It was on The Flash. There the old Felicity was allowed to flourish. Not here on Arrow though, she has been reduced to the annoying girlfriend role. 

          Anyway as the rest of "Al Sah-Him" is concerned, it was an intriguing notion to see Ollie as the bad guy of an episode. We have seen the Arrow save the day on countless occasions so to flip the script and have Ollie commit evil deeds was cool to see. What hurt this notion though was you knew that Ollie was not going to kill anyone, especially his best friend's wife. I buy the brainwashing, but the CW doesn't have the balls to pull the trigger on anyone on Arrow right now (Ex. from Season 3: Ollie, Roy, and Thea all died and came back), so the tension in the hour was almost non existent. That doesn't mean some cool new story lines weren't presented though. Ra's has tasked Ollie with unleashing the virus from his past, the Alpha Omega thing, upon Starling City. Now that is what the League of Assassins is best at. Taking down cities that need to be put down. Starling has had two massive terrorist attacks in the last two years, so one could imagine that besides it's connection to erasing Oliver Queen's past, that Starling would be a perfect target for the League anyway. 

          And if you thought tasking Ollie with taking out his hometown was a hard enough obstacle for our hero to overcome, our buddy Ra's wasn't finished yet. In a very Game of Thrines-esqe move, Ra's then ordered Ollie to marry his daughter Nyssa to bond their respective houses. Not only does Nyssa not want to marry Ollie, she doesn't even wanna marry a dude in general. So it's tough break for her. But say Ollie + Nyssa do get married and fall in love (that isn't gonna happen, but roll with me on this) thus subsequently destroying Felicity's heart. Maybe that would wake that bitch up. Then Felicity could move over to the new crossover series with her old beau, Ray Palmer, who she works much better with as a couple. Finally ending the plague that is Olicity.

          Now while I did my fair share of bitching, "Al Sah-Him" wasn't that bad of an episode. It had moments that really stood out (Like the Canary Cry!) so overall I'm giving it an 7.0 out of 10. 

Thanks for reading! Will Ollie ever really come back? Do you want Olicity to die a slow and painful death? Am I just a pessimistic asshole? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews. 

         

 P.S. Katie Cassidy, if you are reading, I'd get a milkshake with you anytime, anyplace, anywhere. :). Laurel is the best part of Arrow. #CanaryCry

Batman at Green Arrow's bachelor party

Daredevil Season 2 Is Coming In 2016!

Netflix/Marvel's Daredevil is getting a second season! The status of DD was unsure because of other impending Marvel shows (AKA Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage) were supposed to lead all to a team up Defenders miniseries, so initially it seemed that we may have not been able to see old horn head until 2016. Thankfully Marvel has told us today that is not the case.

Marvel's home site stated: With the first season of "Marvel's Daredevil" proving a smash success with both audiences and critics, Netflix and Marvel will continue to create further adventures of the Man Without Fear! 

Source: Marvel

The only down side to the renewal is that Season 1 showrunner Steven DeKnight (Spartacus) will not be returning to guide Season 2. Instead Season 1 writers Doug Petrie (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Marco Ramirez (Sons of Anarchy) will be at the helm. DeKnight is off to work on other commitments, but maybe when the time comes Marvel will give him a chance to run The Defenders? The man has his fingers in the right assholes so let's hope he wiggles them and he will be in charge of the TV superhero team-up.

Anyway get ready for some more arm breaking. Get ready for some more legal battles. And mostly important get ready for some more tasteful side boob! Cause the devil of Hell's Kitchen is coming back, y'all!

Thanks for reading! Are you pumped for Season 2? Who should the villain be? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews.

P.S. Please invite this dude for a few episodes.

Dr. Doom Is Revealed In An All New Fantastic Four Trailer!

Trailers, trailers, and even more trailers. Man, this has been a hell of a week to be a movie fan! First Antman wowed us with a badass brawl on a toy train. Then Star Wars VII stole our hearts. Shortly after Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice made us get tingly in our naughty bits and now it's the Fantastic Four's chance to show us what they are made out of. Check the second trailer now.

Threes Things that Struck Me:

1. The younger cast kicks ass. Teller, Bell, Mara, and Jordan seem to have so seriously chemistry brewing. Especially liked the missed fist pump.

2. The Thing design is amazing. So much better than when Michael Chikilis painted himself in orange pigeon shit.

3. Dr. Doom's new look has to grow on me. Director Josh Trank has said he sees the Fantastic Four as a body horror film. So once I see how he came to look like that in context, perhaps I will be more into it. Also Toby Kebbell was the best villain in a movie last year (Koba in DOTPOTA) so I expect nothing less from him as F4's greatest foe.

These trailers have me excited. What are your thoughts so far? Who is your favorite member of the F4? Let us know in the comments or tweet at us @Caped_Informers or me @cstrand73. And make sure to tune in for our weekly Arrow, Flash, and Daredevil reviews. Fantastic Four comes out August 2nd.