Batman Vs. Superman: Special Simplistic Reviews Op-ed Edition (3-5)

Batman Vs. Superman:
Special Simplistic 
Reviews Op-ed Edition

Part Three: 
Wonder Woman

The follow contains neither official information nor photos. Only fan made photos, onset snaps and my thought on the rumors.

Batman might be the only thing I personally care about in life, but not for this film.

When we found Wonder Woman was going to be included I was extremely happy. I don’t like a film with too many characters, but this character is different. She can be utilized and give us a strong female presence in the film. In Man of Steel, Lois Lane to me felt flat. I like Amy Adams, but her performance in that film is just flat. Her emotions are dull and every time she spoke I cringed. You may not agree, I’ve brought this up many times before including in the podcast with disagreement opposing me. For me Wonder Woman could change this, but that’s not the main reason for my liking of her in this ever so sounding bloated film.

My reason is because Wonder Woman hasn’t ever been on the big screen and the last and only appearance was Lynda Carter in the late 70’s. Yes we had the 2011 never aired TV Pilot with Adrianne Palicki, which we hear was embarrassing. If I were a Wonder Woman fan like I would be with Batman, I’d be jumping like a kid on Christmas. This is big for the character and hopefully leads to a Wonder Woman film. DC could win this by making it to the finish line by bringing a female driven film, sadly Marvel has missed this. If this film is done right and this character comes through it will be paradise for comic book fans.

That costume is going to be very important. We already talked about the Bat suit, which I think they got right. Thou those ears would be nicer a bit longer and the logo is taking time. I get they're going for the Miller look but it seems too much. With Wonder Woman I'm sure they will go down more with the New 52 road and that would be the smart option. There is no way I can see the shorts making its way into the design.

Now let's take about her, the new Wonder Woman.

Gal Gadot has drawn big criticism, possibly more then Ben. But if she can do a fine job, it will magnify as BIG. Why because we haven’t seen this before. If she blows it, it will echo loud. She has a lot riding on her back, and I don’t think she should have a problem. She hasn’t acted much, but from what I have seen she could do a okay job. Her ability to do her own fight scenes is a win and her voice can add a nice twist on her amazon roots Her beauty is key as well. Watching a clip from Fast and Furious 6 during my research I can see the Wonder Woman, I can see Diana Prince.

She might not be the first choice for everyone; my first was Jaimie Alexander from Thor. She would be perfect but we don’t live in a perfect world, Gal Gadot should do fine and if she does a great job the treat we as comic fans will fall head over heels seeing Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman on he big screen.

Regarding her being too skinny. She is very skinny and this could be a issue. But luckily from what we hear she's been hitting the gym and adding some muscle just like Ben. So there is a sigh of relief.

Right now I'd rate Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman a B

But that can change fast once I see the costume.

But the scariest thing for me, where muscle does play a big part in is our next post.

Coming up

Part 4 - Lex Luther

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Edge Of Tomorrow

THROWBACK

Say what you will about Tom Cruise, but he knows how to make entertaining films.  Yeah, yeah.  There are some Knight & Day and Rock Of Ages anomalies in there.  However, you would be hard pressed to go through his filmography and find a film of his that you didn't at least think was fun.  From the grossly underrated Oblivion, to the pulpy Jack Reacher, to the exhilarating Ghost Protocol.  Tom Cruise STILL can make films that are exciting and fun.  Edge Of Tomorrow is no different.  It is a THROWBACK to some of the balls to the wall sci-fi action films I grew up watching as a kid.  Aliens, Total Recall, Terminator, etc.  It takes a sci-fi concept and blends it with great action set pieces and smart dialogue, hello Christopher McQuarrie, to create a film that gets you munching popcorn in the theater like a rabid woodchuck.

Edge of Tomorrow, based on the way better titled book All You Need Is Kill, tells the story of a cowardly soldier forced onto the front lines of a war against an alien invasion.  Through a miraculous set of circumstances, he gains the power to reset the day every time he gets killed.  With every reset, the soldier learns the skill and the courage he will need to defeat the aliens and save humanity.  And yes, I'll be the one millionth person to use the analogy...IT'S GROUNDHOG'S DAY WITH ALIENS AND MACHINE GUNS!  Although, I see Edge Of Tomorrow as a little less complex than that.  In Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character becomes a better person on the inside through use of the recycling days.  Edge Of Tomorrow uses it's time traveling concept mainly for the goal of defeating the enemy.  Some personal growth is there, but most of it takes a back seat to the mission at hand.  You might think that I'm saying that this is a bad thing, but I honestly think it works here.  The movie never slows down and the repeated timeline gimmick never becomes tedious or, ironically, predictable. 

Tom Cruise's performance in this is...well...very Tom Cruise.  He doesn't break ground on any particularly new territory here.  But this is a film where he doesn't really have to be anything other than Tom Cruise.  The biggest range of acting we get from Cruise is seeing him actually portray a coward.  Despite his long history as a leading man, this is something we rarely get to see him play and he does it quite well. 

The biggest weak spot for me in Tom Cruise's other recent sci-fi film Oblivion was that the connection he has with actress Olga Kurylenko didn't feel that strong to me.  Their chemistry just wasn't right.  On the other hand, Emily Blunt is literally chemistry personified.  By that I mean she seems to just have amazing chemistry with every leading man they put her up against.  Whether it's the chemistry she has with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Looper, or the insane amount of chemistry she has with Matt Damon in The Adjustment Bureau.  Seriously, watch that film again.  The bathroom scene between her and Damon is a textbook example of what onscreen chemistry looks like.  Blunts powers once again come into play because every scene with her and Cruise is great.  Surprisingly, some of the scenes where they are just talking are as entertaining as the scenes where they are blowing things away.  Maybe it would have been better if Blunt was in Oblivion and Olga was in Edge, seeing as Oblivion is more dependent on the chemistry between the two leads than Edge Of Tomorrow is.  But I digress.

The rest of the supporting cast fill in their roles well.  Bill Paxton is just as humerus as he needs to be, and the members of Cruise's J Squad are memorable and entertaining enough in their limited screen time to stick with you.  I was so hoping for Paxton to appear later in the film during an airdrop into alien territory so as to assuage my Aliens similarities fetish, but alas.

For as competent of an action director Doug Liman is, he really flies under the radar. This is likely due to him focusing more on producing than directing as of late.  However, this is still the man who brought Jason Bourne to the silver screen.  Hell, his romantic action comedy Mr. and Mrs. Smith is the reason that there is such a thing as Brangelina.  Liman can do action, and he does it well here.  There is nothing as eye jarringly exhausting as Neill Blomkamp's other exosuit extravaganza Elysium.  Just solid set pieces with thrilling, coherent action beats.  This saddens me because Edge Of Tomorrow will probably be the last action film I'll see before Michael Bay's new Transformers movie maces my eyeballs.

Edge Of Tomorrow fully embraces the summer popcorn flick philosophy while still delivering enough smart dialogue and concepts to keep you guessing.  It isn't interested with hitting you over the head with social commentary or a heavy handed message.  It just wants to entertain you over and over again.  Grab an extra mag...an extra battery...don't get injured anywhere near Emily Blunt...watch it...then tell me I'm wrong.

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Godzilla (2014)

MYTHIC

Godzilla - Mythic

Sometimes the Devil is in the details and films need a high brow plot that grows right in front of an audience. Characters need to be fleshed out and there is a need to feel an attachment. Sometimes you need that in a film. Sometimes in a film, however, all you need are giant monsters punching, biting, and clawing each other until only one is left standing. Sometimes you need......."Godzilla." 2014 marks the return of everyone's favorite "kaiju" who loves to climb out of the sea, destroy buildings, or a few monsters, and after he's done, walk back into the sea. You don't need Matthew Broderick, you don't need baby Godzillas, because there's a twist we didn't see coming, and you don't need a twist where there is always one more egg left. What you do need is a mythic monster that destroys things. You get all of that, and more, in "Godzilla."

If you've seen any of the Japanese import "Godzilla" films, you might have a good idea of what you're in for this time around. Basic premise; there are rumblings in the Pan Pacific area......and for sake of spoilers and other important plot points, I'll leave it there. Yes, Godzilla is in this film, and there are a lot of moments of nostalgia that I got excited about, and overall I got to see the mythic rebirth of an icon.

Gareth Edwards honed his craft with the underrated, and little seen indie, "Monsters," and just like "Monsters" there is a lot of build-up to the eventual return or sighting of a giant monster. This might be a turn-off to some members of the audience who might be expecting most of the film to be starring "The King of the Monsters." Instead, we get a plot that involves a soldier (Aaron Johnson) and his father (Bryan Cranston) seeking the reason for the disturbances in the Pacific and the possible conspiracy between the Japanese government and the Monarch Corporation. You also have Elizabeth Olsen floating around as a nurse who is maybe trying to save people, and trust me, I like Olsen, I think she is an actress on the rise, but its plot and exposition for the sake of plot and exposition, and while the film might lag a little bit, it's well worth the lead-up to the return of Godzilla.

The one comparison that you won't be able to get away from will be the inevitable comparison to "Pacific Rim." First of all, "Godzilla" is not "Pacific Rim." The only comparison is that there are giant monsters that fight. It stops there. From a storytelling and world building perspective I would still give "Rim" a leg up. However, with "Godzilla" there is a sense of nostalgia and a lot of little odes to films of old. Being that this is the last collaboration between Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. it could be a while before we see another "Godzilla" flick grace the screen for a while.

At the end of the day, it's great to see "Godzilla" back and in the capable hands of people who understand what "Godzilla" is at heart. Sure, some of the plot points are a little corny and ham handed, but when you finally get passed the mandatory exposition, the action is well worth it, and to be honest, quite convincing, for a giant monster film that is.

Fun Fact: Ironically enough, Guillermo del Toro, director of "Pacific Rim" was the first choice to direct the "Godzilla" reboot.

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The Simplistic Reviews Podcast (Ep. 24): May 2014

It's May, and wouldn't you know it, we're on time this time! The Simplistic Reviews Podcast is once again....ON TIME!

This month we recap all that was the month of May, with a special guest appearance from America's OTHER favorite black guy, the DC Fanboy himself, Neal DaSouza. The quartet discuss the hidden beauty behind Grace Jones in "View to a Kill", where Marvel is finally showing the chinks in their armor, and all take part in a rather "arousing" rendition of "Kill, F*ck, or Marry." We also get a little literary, literally, when the guys talk about which graphic novel, book, or comic book arc should be adapted for the big or small screen in this month's "Simply the Best."

All that and so much more in their May Edition of The Simplistic Reviews Podcast.

Note: I realize that I switched between speaking in the first and third person, but that's just one of the benefits of being a little, how you say.......insane.

 Show Notes:
Christopher Walken Freaking Out
May Day
The End of Marvel?
Zohan Catches Bullet
May Day Sleeps With Bond

Music Notes:
Birds & Brass By Sort Of Soul
Word Up By Cameo

Fame By David Bowie
Lawyers, Guns, And Money By Warren Zevon
The Best By Tina Turner

FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Letterboxd, and Pinterest

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75 years of Batman

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The Simplistic Reviews Podcast Batman 75th Anniversary Special

In honor of The Dark Knight's 75th Anniversary, the Simplistic Reviews Podcast got the whole gang together to talk about the legacy of Batman.  Now you're probably wondering...what makes that different from any other show?  Ummmm...not much.  Although, the boys do hold an NFL style Draft of Batman villains who they think could kill the Caped Crusader.  Afterwards the draft grades are given out by a very special guest arbiter brought in to class up and beautify the proceedings...Matthew's very own lovely wife Nicole Stewart.  No, she does not show any favoritism.  Yes, their marriage nearly comes apart at the seams.  No, Justin, DJ, and Neal don't try to help matters.    The boys discuss Batfleck's new Batsuit and also pick out their own favorite versions of Batman and Joker on a very special Simply The Best segment.

Grab your cape, your cowl, your shark repellant, and your Bat credit card and enjoy the show!

Show Notes:
Bat Shark Repellant
Batman Scares Deadshot
Batfleck Suit
Mr. Freeze Saying Nora
Trailer For Batman TAS Episode Over The Edge
Batman Rogues Gallery Pre-Draft Rankings

Music Notes:
The Best By Tina Turner
Batman '89 Theme By Danny Elfman
Batman Begins Theme By Hans Zimmer
Batman '66 Intro Theme By Neal Hefti
American Idol Theme By Cathy Dennis
Monday Night Football Theme By Johnny Pearson

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Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Last Week Tonight: Convalescing

When I first watched Last Week Tonight  it was the night of the premiere episode. I liked it a lot mostly because its a carbon copy of The Daily Show, which I love. After the episode I wanted to write a review but something seemed off about the show. It seemed fast like the rock from Raiders of the Lost Ark was coming and they figured lets get this over with as quick as possible and get the hell out. John Oliver was good, seemed a bit frighten but hey who can blame the guy. But I feel the amount covered in the episode was too much for the time given.

So I figure I'd wait till episode 2, maybe something will change. Okay so I clicked on my HBO GO (greatest thing since sliced bread) noticed the thumbnail of a interview and clicked play. I'm watching it on my TV eating breakfast, its Monday, the morning after and I enjoyed it. But again something seemed off. The show was about to be over and Oliver says to go online and watch the interview, then the show ends.

Wait, what?

Yes the interview wasn't in the show, the interview thumbnail used for that very episode. I'm sure this is a simple mix up, okay shit happens I'll wait till episode 3. But damn I wanted to watch that interview, the one I was expecting in the very show I clicked on. I don't want to go online and watch it on my laptop.

Episode 3 is the best yet. It's getter better with each episode because it finally took its time and focused on less stories.

LWT is here to stay.

Here is the thing that is good about this show, its the format. The format works fantastic. Comedy Central knows this and HBO saw a opportunity and took it. Good for them, having the format and no rules to follow like CC has too is fantastic. Anything goes, cursing is allowed to show the stupidity of the world and this makes it even better.  Like Oliver Said in episode 3,

"This isn't network television, this is HBO. This is the wild wild west of sex and violence" 

By the way, Veep and Game Of Thrones is killing it this season.

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The Simplistic Reviews Podcast: April 2014 Late Edition

On this late edition of The Simplistic Reviews Podcast, Matt, DJ, and Justin try to catch up on the month that was April.  They take their turn ridiculing soon to be former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling then debut a new game called Simply Lying.  The losers of this game will have to watch and review the 2004 film Torque.  Yeah, they'd have been better off fighting to the death.  We do get a pretty decent Terrence Howard impersonation from Matthew out of it and learn some of the lesser known criminal activities of Samuel L. Jackson.  That, reactions to Star Wars casting, Julie's descent into HYDRA and much much more on this episode of the Simplistic Reviews Podcast.

 Show Notes:
DJ's Hidden Princess Bride Reference
X-Men Days Of Future Past
Donald Sterling
Hail Hydra
Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
Torque

Music Notes:
Birds & Brass By Sort Of Soul
Liar Liar By The Castaways
Lawyers, Guns, And Money By Warren Zevon
The Best By Tina Turner

FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.

Click HERE to listen to podcast

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Letterboxd, and Pinterest

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Simplistic Sneak Peek Ep. 4

On this installment of Simplistic Sneak Peek, Matthew, Justin and DJ take a look at trailers for upcoming television shows including Jack Bauer's 24 return, Damon Lindeloff's HBO show Leftovers, and Michael Bay's...(sigh)...new TNT show The Last Ship.  And just for kicks, the boys keep it on a Michael Bay tip and look at the 2nd trailer for the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.  I got a "tip" for Michael Bay...stay away from Thundercats, Gargoyles, and Centurions if you know what's good for you, nostalgia killer.  Anyway, you can check out the links to these trailers below if you haven't seen them, then click the video above to see Matthew, Justin, and DJ's thoughts about them.

 24: Live Another Day Trailer

The Leftovers Trailer

The Last Ship Trailer

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trailer #2

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