"Captain America: The First Avenger"

     It's the year 1942, and World War II is raging on like wildfire. Many people, during that time, volunteered to go fight in the war and one of those people is Steve Rogers. Steve, who was deemed unfit for active duty because of his multiple physical and health problems, doesn't give up. He applies for a second time, but this time a Dr. Abraham Erskine allows him to enlist. He is recruited by a secret division in the military called the Scientific Strategic Reverse who are trying to create the perfect soldier, or a super soldier as they call it. Rogers showing bravery and selflessness in training becomes the first candidate for the super soldier serum which was created by Dr. Erskine. Steve Rogers turns from a small, frail guy from Brooklyn to the beloved hero Captain America. The battle for freedom has just begun and there are dark forces led by the Red Skull who threaten to pull the world into chaos. Only Captain America has the strength and fortitude to make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and justice and end this battle.

   Directed by Joe Johnston this film stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Haley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Sebastian Stan as James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine, Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips, Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt/Red Skull and Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark. What an amazing movie with an amazing cast. This has to be one of the best Phase One Marvel movies.

     You have to love Steve Rogers character, because there is just no possible way to hate this guy. Chris Evans did a marvelous job bringing this all-American hero to life and personally I think he is a much better Captain America than he was the Human Torch. One of my favorite quotes is one Dr. Erskine tells Steve the day before they try out the super serum, "Whatever happens tomorrow you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man."I feel that Captain America resonates well with everyone, because I believe that he has characteristics that we all want to have such as loyalty, bravery, righteousness, and the ability to be compassionate.

Thankfully after 3 years Captain America is coming back to the big screen in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" coming out this Friday, April 5th in the U.S. I will hopefully be going to see the movie over the weekend and then have a review of it up here for you. This film has the job of setting up the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron which is due for release next year! I seriously cannot wait!

I would give this film a 9.5 out 10! If you haven't seen it yet you definitely should! Follow me on Twitter for news, updates and randomness and check back here next Sunday for a new blog post hopefully. Thanks for reading! Oh! and remember to vote in the poll at the top right hand side!

Peace,
Jake



















 

"Here, There Be Dragons" - James A. Owen

     Three Oxford scholars, John, Jack, and Charles, are thrown together when John's mentor, Stellan Sigurdsson, is mysteriously killed. In his death he left the Imagnarium Geographica, a book which records all fictional and mythological places, to John. But there is someone sinister after the book, and the three new companions are thrust into a magical and dangerous world they know little about. With the help of Bert, a friend of Stellan Sigurdsson, they escape on his ship from a pack of Wendigo, dark cannibalistic creatures, that were chasing them through the streets. Little do they know they are all headed for lands they all thought imaginary, and that all of the lands are in great danger. The Winter King has come to conquer and enslave the world in darkness and he literally brought Pandora's Box to do it for him.

     Written by the always amazing James A. Owen this book tells an amazing fantastical story about life, love, loyalty, and friendship. He brings together a truly magnificent tale about triumph and defeat. His characters have so much depth I immediately connected with them. And his illustrations completely blow my mind. I really wish I could draw like that, but it seems like all I can do is draw some stick figures!

    All right so I learned some exciting thing about this book a few weeks back, and oh my gosh I am so excited! James A. Owen is in talks with the producers of The Lord of the Rings movies to turn the first book into either a movie or a television show. In 2006, upon it's release, Here, There Be Dragons was almost immediately optioned by Warner Brothers and producer David Heyman. However, Mr. Heyman, being the producer of the Harry Potter series, found he was unable to produce the film due to the fact that the seventh Harry Potter movie was split into to two parts. I believe the the new producers are much better equipped to take on the challenge of putting Mr. Owens words to screen, especially given the subject matter!

      This entire series is mind-blowing and each book had me hanging on the edge of my seat wanting more. Though the books have a fantastical feel it still feels very grounded and very human, and I loved his use of mythology in the story line. All I got to say is just wait till the big end reveal! I had chills. I would give this book a 9.5 out of 10. Seriously one of my favorite series ever. Make sure you follow me on Twitter for updates on the blog and for what I'm watching and reading! Check back next Sunday for next blog post!

Peace,
Jake

"RoboCop" (2014)

     In the year 2028, most of the world is policed by robot forces that are controlled by the national conglomerate company, OmniCorp. However, the United States remains resolute on it's stance against robotic police forces taking over in the States. The OmniCorp CEO Raymond Sellars has found a loophole in the ban on robotic police forces, and this loophole is to put a man in the machine. Their options are slim, or that is until Alex Murphy, a detective on the Detroit police force and a loving husband and father, is the victim of heinous crime resulting in serious injuries. Dr. Dennet Norton, a scientist who works for OmniCorp, helps to save his life, but at what cost? He is no longer just human, he has the strengths and enhancements of the robotics but also the conscience and the ability to know what is right and wrong of a human. He can only be described as what he is, he is RoboCop.

     Directed by Jos é Padilha this film stars Joel Kinnaman as Alex Murphy, Gary Oldman as Dr. Dennet Norton, Michael Keaton as Raymond Sellars, Samuel L. Jackson as Pat Novak, Abbie Cornish as Clara Murphy, and Jackie Earle Haley as Rick Mattox. Though this movie will most likely not make it to my top 10 favorites of the year, it was still a really good film with some great actors.

     I loved the casting job they did in this movie. Joel Kinnaman was a perfect fit for this role. He has got some serious acting chops and I'm hoping his work in this movie will get him more screen time in the future. I really liked him in the crime/drama/thriller show The Killing. And like The Killing this movie had some strong political overtones that heavily influenced the the entire movie. From the fact that they mostly focused on the Middle East, where they showed the "effectiveness" of the robots. They also included a biased news program in which Samuel L. Jackson's character, Pat Novak, is seemingly pro-robot. And all during this the Senator who leads the fight against the robot regime coming to the States is openly ridiculed for his beliefs. Now what these specific examples mean is up to debate, and I'll leave someone who is much more learned in political ways to decipher it!

     Now let's not forget the awesome fight sequences, and the cool CGI effects in the movie! Gotta love a good action/ Sci-Fi movie! I would give this film a 6.5 out 10! This movie is now playing in theaters everywhere just so y'all know! Make sure you follow me on Twitter and check back here next Sunday for my next blog! Also let me know in the poll up at the top if you want me to do newer movies like this one more often!

Peace,
Jake