Captain America: The Winter Soldier Review

My vlog review of Captain America plus a few announcements

Final Verdict: 9/10 

The All-New Line of Fire!

Changes to come to The Line of Fire

Hey everybody! I'm Ryan Howitzer and you're in The Line of Fire! If like to start this post with an apology. I haven't been faithfully updating this blog. I've had a very hectic life recently and it's gonna be that way until April. However, I'm gonna update you guys a much as possible and I'm gonna switch things up a bit. This will be my last text post on here. I'm converting to video starting this weekend! I'll be posting an introductory video this week so that everybody fully understands who I am and what I like/dislike. I'll be shooting these early videos on my webcam, but in April I'll be shooting on my video camera and the videos will be better quality. I'll be reviewing comic book movies (new and old) as well as other nerd films. I plan to give my two cents on rumors regarding comic book films. I'll try to branch out more, but that's where I'm starting. Until next time, this is Ryan Howitzer reminding you to keep your head down because you're in The Line of Fire!

Thor: The Dark World Review

Greetings and huzzah mine audience! It is I, Ryan of Howitzer and thou art inside The Line of Fire! Why was that first line in old English? Well, because this is a Thor review! Now, since this is my first MCU (Marvel Cenematic Universe) review, I should break down my opinions of the Phase 1 movies. The first Iron Man is a great movie, but the second one was just ok. Captain America is a really cool movie and I really enjoyed it despite some of its flaws. Incredible Hulk is awesome and is the most underrated Phase 1 movie. The Avengers was amazing and is one of my favorite movies of all time. However, Thor was a big stand-out of Phase 1. Much like Incredible Hulk, it was not an origin story. Thor was established going into the movie. The story was a lot of fun and so were the characters. The stand-out performances were Chris Hemsworth's Thor, Tom Hiddleston's Loki and Kat Dennings' Darcy. The movie was directed by Kenneth Branagh and was largely enjoyed by audiences, myself included. However, we are now in Phase 2. This is Thor's second solo outing with a new villain (Malekith), a new director (Alan Taylor) and a new event that it's paving the way for (Guardians of the Galaxy/Avengers: Age of Ultron). I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and felt that it was on par with the first movie. However, some critics have maligned this movie for not having enough Loki and Darcy. They are wrong and I can prove it. So here's my review (I'm trying out a new format for my reviews. Let me know what you think).

Plot: 7/10

Christopher Eccleston as Malekith

The movie has a fairly straightforward plot. Long ago, Odin's father defeated the Dark Elves (led by Malekith) and prevented them from using a mega-evil weapon known as the Ether and bringing darkness to all nine realms (which can only happen when the nine realms align). The Asgardians took the Ether and hid it away where nobody would ever find it (not even Heimdal can see that place). The actual plot picks up right after Avengers with Loki being put in an Asgardian prison by Odin's orders while Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three (Fandral, Volstaag, and Hogun)

(left to right) Volstaag, Sif, Fandral, and Hogun

are fighting to bring balance back to the nine realms. Meanwhile on Earth, Dr. Selvig is going crazy due to the fallout from Loki's mind control and Darcy and Jane are investigating anomalies that are similar to the ones that occurred when thor first showed up on Earth. Jane goes looking around and finds herself in the place where the Ether is hidden and she absorbs it, which wakes Malekith from a state of dormancy. While she's in the super secret place, Heimdal informs Thor that he can no longer see her. Thor travels to Earth to investigate and Jane finds her way back to Earth. They meet up and the plot is set in motion. the story expands as Malekith attacks Asgard and thor is forced to go to Loki for help. The story is good for the most part, but it hits a snag when it comes to the villain and his motivations. Specifically, the fact that his sole motivation is that he's evil. That's it. He's just evil. This is partly due to the fact that Malekith has very little screen time, which is a shame because Christopher Eccleston gives a very intimidating performance as Malekith and could have really brought some depth to his character. I'll get into that more in the next section, though. the plot for this movie was good, but suffered from a lack of development and motivation from the villain.

Characters: 9/10-

These two play off each other magnificently

The characters make this movie. There isn't a single character that doesn't have an absolutely awesome moment in this movie. The two who really stand out are Thor and Loki. It's been established that Tom Hiddleston's Loki is a scene-stealer, but seeing as how this is his third movie, I was getting a little tired of seeing him before I walked into the theater. However, once the movie started, I found myself laughing along with everybody else at Loki's dry whit. We got to see a more emotional side of Hemsworth's Thor. The other Asgardians get some great moments too. we see that Sif has a thing for Thor (just like in the comics), and we get some fun and awesome moments from Volstaag and Fandral. Hogun spends most of the movie with his people, but we get to see him in action at the beginning. Heimdal gets a really awesome scene where he takes down a Dark Elf ship with two knives and he gets ore of a character this time around. Anthony Hopkins' Odin and Rene Russo's Frigga get some cool fight scenes and Frigga gets several good character moments. On Earth, Selvig's craziness is very enjoyable while Darcy and her intern Ian get several laughs. The only weak character in the movie is really Jane. Natalie Portman really doesn't have much charisma, but thankfully Hemsworth has enough to make their relationship enjoyable. However, Jane does get some funny moments (like the Loki slapping).  The other problem is that too much time is devoted to the comic relief and not enough is devoted to developing the villain. There's really too much Darcy and Loki and there isn't enough Malekith. Loki's been around for 3 movies now. He's hand plenty of screen time. Give some to the character that needs development. Anyways, the characters are great and they make the movie fun.

Action: 9/10-

My favorite fight in the movie

The action is much improved this time around. Alan Taylor really knows how to direct battles. the Game of Thrones director really shines during these segments. There's tasteful slow-motion, awesome fighting with amazing weapons (both ancient and futuristic) and everybody gets the chance to be awesome. The first fight scene with Thor, Sif and the Warrior's Three is the best. It even has a brief stand-off between Thor and a giant rock monster that will remind everyone of Raider's of the Lost Ark. All in all, the fights are greatly improved and a really cool part of the movie.

Total: 8.3/10-

This is a fun, awesome movie. the characters and action make up for the weaknesses of the plot and it just works. The scene after the credits teases the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy film and leaves us on a beautiful cliffhanger. Until next time, this is Ryan Howitzer reminding you to keep your head down because you're in the Line of Fire!  

How should Robin be handled in the DCCU?

Robin should sport the red and black look if he's included in the new universe

Hey everybody! I'm Ryan Howitzer and you're in The Line of Fire! DC has really stepped up their game by announcing projects for both Flash and Batman/Superman. With the new Batman coming soon, questions are beginning to arise about Robin and his possible appearance in the DCCU. I'm a personal fan of Robin so of course i'm of the opinion that he should indeed show up. But why? Also, how could we get audiences to take him seriously? Well, that's what I'm here for.

1. Batman will be older and established:

Affleck, age 41, will be an older Batman

Tomasi's Batman and Robin

Ben Affleck is said to be playing an older, more grizzled, established Batman. Those of you who read the Batman comics already know the angle I'm going for here, but for those of you who aren't as familiar with the source material, around the time Batman starts getting jaded and grizzled, Robin steps in to bring him back to humanity. In Peter J. Tomasi's current run on Batman and Robin, Batman has recently suffered the loss of another Robin, his son Damian. That even lead into the recently completed Stages of Grief story line.
Where am I going with this? Batman needs Robin. Plain and simple. Once Batman is established, he becomes jaded and slowly loses his humanity. Without a Robin, Batman would probably turn into somebody like the Punisher, who often doesn't sleep or take a break or focus on anything but "the war."

2. Robin hasn't been done justice in mainstream media

This was as close as we got to a mainstream cool Robin

Chris O'Donnell's awful Robin

Robin gets a bad rap from the general public. People still seem to subscribe to the Frederick Wortham theory that Robin is a homosexual. Other people see the goofy Burt Ward or the whiny Chris O'Donnell. Clearly the public at large has not had a proper representation of Robin. I had hope that people would see the real, cool Robin with Young Justice, but it was canceled so soon that it couldn't really be considered mainstream. So we're left with campy and crappy representations of the Boy Wonder. This is a serious injustice that needs to be corrected by the DCCU. We need a smart, tough, well-written Robin who needs to be on the older side (16 or so, not 23 like freaking Chris O'Donnell). The new DCCU has a chance to create a cool character who changes the popular conception of Robin. 

3. Nightwing and Teen Titans franchises

How has this movie not happened yet?

Establishing Robin in the cinematic universe opens up a few doors for Warner Bros. Dick Grayson forms and leads the Teen Titans. That could be a whole new franchise of team films that could tie in to Justice League. It would also introduce characters like Starfire, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy who have become popular because of the Teen Titans tv show. Heck, long-time Titan Roy Harper is being established on the CW's excellent super hero series Arrow. Titans should be a no-brainer for DC Comics, especially when you consider how popular both Teen Titans and the previously mentioned Young Justice were with fans.     

Robin would not only be a smart edition to the list of DCCU characters, but I feel that he's essential. Robin, Nightwing and the Titans have been out of the spotlight for far too long. Warner Bros, get some people on these movies! Until next time, this is Ryan Howitzer telling you to keep your head down, because you're in The Line of Fire! 

Ben Affleck is the new Batman!

Ben Affleck

Hello all! I'm Ryan Howitzer and you're in The Line of Fire! Well, as you all know by now, Oscar winner Ben Affleck is now Batman! Even though he's been in some less than stellar movies and his last outing in a super hero movie was in one of the worst super hero movies ever, Affleck is a great actor and a great director. At 41, he's the right age for the Batman that Warner Bros. was shooting for. He's also an impressive 6' 4", handsome and well-built. It seems like we have the best we could possibly hope for with Affleck as Batman. What do I expect from him though? Well, as usual, I have a list. 

1. A Batman more on par with the comics. 

Affleck as Daredevil

Affleck has played comic-related roles before. He of course played the role of Daredevil in the ill-fated and awful Daredevil film, but he also played a comic book artist and writer in the Kevin Smith film Chasing Amy. Affleck is also a really good friend of Kevin Smith. He seems to be a fan of comics, so I expect him to give us a more traditional Batman. Hopefully we'll get a better Batman with less gravel in his voice. That's all I'm asking for. His Daredevil was honestly the best part of the movie. I know he can give us a great performance.

2. Have Affleck helm the Batman franchise

Poster from The Town

I want to see Ben Affleck direct a super hero movie. Once they decide to start making Batman solo movies, he should be given the directors chair. He's a very competent director and I'd love to see his take on Batman from both sides of the camera. I bet he'd make a great Batman film. Look at his resume as a director. He's got Argo (3 Oscar wins), The Town (1 Oscar nomination), Gone Baby Gone (1 Oscar nomination). This guy can flat out direct! Give him the Batman franchise as an actor and director.

All in all, I expect great things from Affleck. His casting really came out of nowhere. I was expecting Scott Adkins or Josh Brolin to be cast. However, I'm really happy that Affleck is our new Batman. Until next time, this is Ryan Howitzer reminding you to keep your head down because you're in The Line of Fire!         

 

Beware the Batman: "Safe" Review

Silver Monkey of the League of Assassins.

Hey everybody! I'm Ryan Howitzer and you're in The Line of Fire! today we're looking at another really good episode of Beware the Batman. This one features a very familiar group of villains in The League of Assassins.This was yet another really good episode. This show has really surprised me. Anyway, let's dive in:

The characters are once again really good. The one who really shines in this episode is Tatsu. We learn a little bit more about her past in this episode. In this one, we learn that a scientist has developed a new form of saving energy,and the League of Assassins want it. They send a team of assassins, but Batman and Tatsu save the doctor. Bruce Wayne (funding the doctor's research) invites him to stay at Wayne Manor. The League then sends Silver Monkey after the doctor. The mysterious and unseen villain Lady Shiva is really good.

Lady Shiva (Black coat, red shirt) as she appears in the comics

Finola Hughes gives Shiva a very calm but very creepy voice. I hope we see her and the league's founder Ra's al Ghul soon. This one lacked Gordon again which really disappointed me. Oh well, he''s prominently featured in the next one. The main threat of this episode is a assassin named Silver Monkey. From the research I've done on him, it looks like the show got him right. He's a world-class martial artist and an assassin. He works for the League sometimes too. The other characters are pretty good too. Alfred really gets to kick some butt in this episode.

Please give us Ra's al Ghul!

The animation is still great. This one features a lot of martial arts battles which look awesome in the 3D style. My only complaint is about the design of the guns. They look pretty bad. I know that after the Colorado shooting, they decided to go with guns that didn't look as real, but Alfred had a red and silver shotgun that fires lasers! Really? All in all, though, the animation is still solid.

This was another really good episode. The intro to the League was really solid. I hope we see more of Tatsu's back story. I also hope we see more of that awesome green sword she has. I give this one an 8/10. Until next time, this is Ryan Howitzer saying keep your head down, because you're in The Line of Fire!