Things I've noticed: June will be tricky in terms of movies

As we are leaving May I've seen the two big theatre movies I was hoping to (Iron Man 3 and Star Trek Into Darkness), but my plan to stick to two movies a month gets tricky in June.  

First up in June is This Is The End, which puts together a bunch of my favourite comedy actors, my love of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic films and the distinct benefit that my wife might be up for checking it out with me.

Chances of me seeing this is theatres - 85% assuming we find a good time and location to check it out.

Next up is Man of Steel - on the plus side, my youngest daughter may be willing to see this with me, and I've enjoyed most of the versions of Superman I've come across (definitely loved the animated series - Superman IV: The Quest for Peace - not so much)
In the end I'm likely to give this one a shot.

Chances of me seeing this in theatres - 75% (but up to 80% if my daughter wants to come along)

Finally we come to World War Z.


On the plus side you have zombies, an apocalyptic setting and Brad Pitt wearing dad pants (at least in the poster - as a dad, I know of what I speak and tan cargo pants are nothing if not dad pants)

On the negative side, I haven't read the book, and I'm a little concerned with a PG-13 rating for a zombie film - not that I need a lot of blood and guts, after all I loved Warm Bodies, but I'm just not sure.

Chances of me seeing this in theatres (85% - actually 95% as the ladies in my house are fond of Mr. Pitt)

So there you go - I have a pretty good chance of seeing all three films, but not if I want to stick to my two films a month policy - after all I've got work, school, family and friends who all want a bit of my time and I can't devote it all to movies.

hmmm....

Nope - I'll have to pick two.

Movie Review: Iron Man 3

On Saturday friends and family got together to go see the latest Marvel Studios release, Iron Man 3.  The film, set after the events of last year's The Avengers, was pretty great.  I'm going upfront and honest here - so let me state that other than the recent films, I have little experience with the original comic books featuring Iron Man, and I'll try to keep my post as spoiler-free as possible, as I know some readers prefer to experience a film with as little pre-knowledge as possible.

The film was a whole lot of fun.  I felt that following up something as amazing as The Avengers was last year would be a challenge, but the direction from Shane Black and the screenplay by Black and Drew Pearce was sharp, acknowledging the previous film, but creating a world all on its own.  Also, as this was the first Iron Man film not directed by Jon Favreau (who did still appear in the film), it felt like a good move after the game-changing events in The Avengers.

 

At 120 minutes the film is the longest-running Iron Man movie to date (and by the wasy, I can’t believe people still leave these movies as soon as the credits roll – the fact that end scenes exist for these films is not a secret, but I’m always in the last 10% of the audience who sit through the credits and wait as compared to those who leave immediately after the “directed by” credit runs.

Although I can’t tell you how many minor characters and businesses from the Marvel Universe are mentioned in the film (honestly, I have no idea), I can say the story has a lot of heart, kept me intrigued the whole way through, and will definitely be making it’s way onto my DVD shelf when it becomes available.