Marvel tagged posts

January 18, 2019, Posted in  Reviews Comments: No comments

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Writer: M. Night Shyamalan

Cast: Bruce Willis, James McAvoy, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Spencer Treat Clark

Cert: 15

Running time: 129mins

Year: 2019

What’s the story: In a mental institution, a doctor tries to convince the seemingly superhuman David Dunn (Willis) and Kevin (McAvoy) and the brittle-boned Elijah Price (Jackson) they are not real-life superheroes and villains.

What’s the verdict: We blame Christopher Nolan. His Dark Knight trilogy received the plaudits for bringing superheroes and villains into a world recognisably our own. And made a few billion bucks into the bargain.

No-one really mentioned M...

July 17, 2018, Posted in  Podcast Comments: 2 comments

To celebrate the 10^th anniversary of The Dark Knight’s theatrical release, episode 47 of The Electric Shadows Podcast has gone big. Across four hours, Robs Daniel and Wallis and Bat-expert Ian Bird discuss Nolan’s landmark trilogy. Plus, a wider discussion of the Caped Crusader in comic books and on the small screen, both animated and live action.

Our trio delve deep into the Bat cave, covering a range of Bat chat. From Nolan’s career, to the making of the trilogy, Nolan’s influences, the impact of Christian Bale’s Batman, Heath Ledger’s Joker and Tom Hardy’s Bane, and the difficult-to-repeat legacy the films left behind.

Not that the discussion is just a rhapsody. Ian and the Robs discuss some of the brickbats thrown at the trilogy, particularly the divisive The Dark Knight...

July 7, 2018, Posted in  Podcast Comments: No comments

Episode 46 of The Electric Shadows Podcast may focus on Incredibles 2, but Robs Daniel & Wallis squeeze in much more movie talk besides.

Other films discussed are Hereditary (one Rob is warmer to it than the other), Sicario 2: Soldado (the other Rob is warmer to it than the other), Oceans 8 (only one Rob has seen it) and Leave No Trace (only the other other Rob has seen it).

There is also time for a quick rundown of Mission: Impossible movies and superhero films when delivering their verdict on Incredibles 2.  And Rob Wallis impresses with his knowledge of Shakespeare. Everything crammed into just over an hour. Who says they can’t be disciplined with run times? They do actually…

To check out Rob Wallis’ movie writings, head over to www.ofallthefilmsites.com

Twitter: rob_a_daniel

iTu...

July 1, 2018, Posted in  Reviews Comments: One comment

Director: Brad Bird

Writer: Brad Bird

Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Bob Odenkirk, Catherine Keener, Samuel L. Jackson

Cert: PG

Running time: 118mins

Year: 2018

What’s the story: Helen Parr, aka Elastigirl (Hunter), is recruited by brother and sister tech tycoons (Odenkirk and Keener) to rehabilitate public perception of superheroes. Leaving Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible (Nelson), to deal with kids Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. But, supervillainous trouble looms in the shape of the mysterious Screenslaver.

What’s the verdict: The Incredibles was such a delight that despite climaxing with a cliffhanger (or, more accurately, a threat from below) a follow-up never felt necessary.

Writer/director Brad Bird clearly shared this opinion for years...

May 28, 2018, Posted in  Podcast Comments: No comments

Recorded in the small hours of the morning, Robs Daniel and Wallis deliver their verdict on the troubled Solo: A Star Wars Story. Little spoiler for what they think: don’t believe the negative reviews and disappointing box office, this is rip-roaring adventure. Listen on to find out why.

They also discuss the film’s production woes that saw original directors Lord and Miller replaced with Ron Howard, and why Star Wars films are better served by efficient, journeymen directors.

Rob W also explains why a second viewing of Avengers: Infinity War has left him feeling he was premature in writing off the Marvel franchise in episode 43. Rob D tries to resist accusing him of betraying the podcast (and fails)...

May 17, 2018, Posted in  Reviews Comments: No comments

Director: David Leitch

Writers: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Ryan Reynolds

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Zazie Beetz, Julian Dennison, Brianna Hildebrand, T.J. Miller, Terry Crews, Rob Delaney, Eddie Marsan

Cert: 15

Running time: 119mins

Year: 2018

What’s the story: Unhinged, fourth wall smashing superhero Deadpool aka Wade Wilson aka Ryan Reynolds is contentedly separating regular criminals from their limbs. But, he must form a band of super crimefighters, including X-Men old and new, to protect young mutant Russell (Dennison) from the murderous grasp of time-traveling warrior Cable (Brolin).

What’s the verdict: Deadpool 2 opens with the indestructible motormouth informing the audience the first movie’s $363m domestic gross was almost the highest ever for an R...

May 5, 2018, Posted in  Podcast Comments: No comments

April 30, 2018, Posted in  Reviews Comments: 3 comments

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Brolin, Zoe Saldana, Tom Holland, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pratt, Don Cheadle, Karen Gillan, Chadwick Boseman, Tom Hiddleston, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Peter Dinklage, Benedict Wong, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Danai Gurira

Cert: 12

Running time: 150mins

Year: 2018

What’s the story: Galactic warlord Thanos seeks the remaining infinity stones that will make him ruler of the universe. The Avengers, led by Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, must battle him on Earth and beyond the stars to stop this.

What’s the verdict: 10 years since Iron Man hit box office pay d...

March 1, 2018, Posted in  Podcast Comments: One comment

Episode 39 of The Electric Shadows Podcast is the agony and the ecstasy.

The agony comes from Rob Daniel, who talks (at length) about his ongoing recuperation following surgery after a particularly non-heroic “sports injury”.

The ecstasy comes Rob Wallis, who, being sound of body was able to see Black Panther – aka Contender for the Biggest Film of 2018, aka Contender for the Most Culturally Significant Film of 2018, aka The Film You Really Should Have Seen By Now. So Rob W lets Rob D know about all the good stuff he has been missing. Rob D bravely listens without sounding too despondent.

Our intrepid casters in pod then tackle a brace of disappointing Netflix sigh-fi efforts: Mute and The Cloverfield Paradox...

December 31, 2017, Posted in  Podcast Comments: No comments

For this special Reservoir Dogs 25th Anniversary episode, Robs Daniel & Wallis are joined once more by Ian Bird. You’ll remember Ian from his wise words on the JFK podcast. Together they dissect Quentin Tarantino’s sensational debut, discussing its strengths, characters, themes and controversial use of language. And that whole Who Shot Nice Guy Eddie thing.

The three intrepid podcasters place the movie in the overall picture of Tarantino’s career and discuss Tarantino’s cinematic legacy. Could there be a case for the Marvel Cinematic Universe being an extension of what Quentin was doing with his movies in the 90s and noughties? Or Joss Whedon taking the QT baton and running with it into fantasy realms rather than crime? These thoughts are more are given their day in court…

While making ro...