Guardians of The Galaxy Review

So a few weeks ago, Tribble and Diane went to see the newest Marvel movie, Guardians of The Galaxy. I am going to try a new method of review for this movie. Let me know if you enjoy it.

We saw it the day after it had come out, so it was busy there, but not too bad. If you go now, you should encounter few crowds. Now, as you know, we are not avid comic readers and, to be honest, we had never really heard of Guardians. We had no idea what to expect. The previews had us apprehensive at best. I was more excited about it than Diane, because it looked like it was going to have more of the humor aspect that I like in Marvel movies. We did not see it in 3D.

 The basic plot, is that Peter Quill (also known as Star-Lord) is abducted from earth while a young boy (maybe 8, 9, or 10) and raised by Pirate-like guys. After a robbery where he steals a mysterious orb that everyone wants, he is arrested along with Rocket Raccoon and his tree friend Groot, and Gamora, the adoptive daughter of Bad guy Thanos. Gamora is currently working for Ronan the Accuser. While in jail, they sort of befriend Drax, who is the token brawn of the movie. Of course they escape and after meeting with The Collector, and having several epic, action packed battles, they are abbot to get the orb where it needs to go.

 The first thing I noticed about this movie is the amazing look of it all. The scenes in space are amazing. It makes it look real, but also sci-fi at the same time. It sort of looks like an updated 60s sci-fi show, but in a good way. I liked that the ships had that sort of BSG quality rather than a Trek quality. Almost like yeah, it could really be like that sort of way. The animation was really good as well. Rocket and Groot were well done. You can see all the hairs on rocket move individually.

The casting was good, and Chris Pratt did a great job at being the snarky bad ass hero that Marvel fans love. I had totally forgotten that Karen Gillan was going to be in it, and she was really bad ass. I was under impressed by Lee Pace as Ronan. Not so much at his performance, but more at the character. I thought he felt weak, and not that much of a threat after seeing such great Marvel movie villains like Loki, Magneto, and Red Skull. I don’t know if it was the writing, or the acting or what, but I was not as invested, and you know I love villains.

The comedy in the movie was great. Just this side of being too much. One or two more jokes and you would think it was too much. We laughed for pretty much the whole movie. Not to say that it wasn’t full of action and heart as well like other Marvel movies.

 On a scale of 1-5, I would give this movie probably a 4.25. I just wish the villain was better. And the story wasn’t as deep as it could have been. Which is fine. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I would recommend it to anyone.

Loot Crate Review

So, this week I got my very first Loot Crate. If you don't know what Loot Crate is, I will tell you. So basically, you spend about $50 for 3 months of awesomeness. It is a subscription based company where every month you get a box in the mail filled with geeky things. Sometimes its comics, sometimes shirts, sometimes toys. You can buy one month for about $20, Three months for about $55, or six months for about $105. I got the 3 month plan. so for the next 3 months, I will be posting reviews for Loot Crate.

Here is the link for the site: https://www.lootcrate.com/

So here is my story:

I was on Facebook when I glanced to the ads. I never really look at the ads, but one caught my eye. it was a picture of the metal arm of the winter soldier, with the caption (haha CAPtion) "This month's theme: Villains!". You all know how much I love my villains! so I clicked it. I looked on the site, and found a few reviews online, and decided I would try it for a few months. So I signed up, and waited patiently... ok not so patiently... for my box. Then, finally, I got an email saying it was coming. Monday when I pulled up to the house, there was the mailman with my box, but he was across the street. It was the longest 10 minutes of my life lol. finally my box was here. Like I said, the theme was Villains. Here is the box pre-opening:

 

You don't even know how excited I was to get this. Even as a kid, I loved grab bags. Even if the stuff in it was junk. it is the mystery for me.
So I opened the box. I have to say, the packing is awesome. everything fits awesomely. I only mention this, because I LOVE packing. The only way t get me to clean my room as a kid was to pretend I was moving, so that I could "pack" all of my stuff.

 

It looks like Joker took over my box! So the first thing I wanted to look at was the shirt. This was the whole reason I got the box really. That and the toys I saw in other boxes. The shirt is awesome! it is the Joker dressed as Loki. You know how I love Loki.

 

 

 

Under the shirt was a pair of Deadpool socks. He's a lot of fun, and the socks are cute. they are long socks which I don't usually wear, but in the cooler weather I think they will be good.

 

 

Next were a few small things: a Darth Vader key chain, a Bowser magnet, and a Loot Crate pin. Darth is a little big for a key chain, but I like him anyway. The magnet is fun. and of course the monthly button is tradition.

 

 

Also in the box, two posters; one of Joker, and one of Harley Quinn. The Joker one is really cool. they are about the size of a notebook, so I guess if you are in school you could cover one with the poster. I don't know what I will do with them. I cant see myself hanging them, but maybe I will put them in my kitchen, as there is no art in there now.

 

 

There was also a DVD documentary on Supervillains of DC. I am excited to watch it, as I am more of a Marvel kinda gal than a DC one, so maybe it will give me a push in that direction.

 

 

There was also the monthly Newsletter, a picture of which I add just for kicks. it had an interview with a comic artist in it which was interesting.

 

 

Finally, there was a special Loot crate cover edition of Rocket Racoon #1. I have never really been a comic reader (other than Archie and Kill Shakespeare), but I reallt cant wait to read this. especially as Diane and I are going to go see Gardians of the Galaxy soon. Note Rocket holding a Loot Crate box!

 

 

 

When the box was empty, you can really see the damage Joker did to it! it is hilarious!

 

 

So there you go.

 

 

Final thoughts:

 

Was it worth it?

 

YES.

 

 

Do I think y'all should get one?

 

YES.

 

 

What is next month's theme?

 

Heroes.

 

 

Any coupon codes?

 

Use coupon code "heroes" this month to get 10% off.

 

 

Will I accept free crates in exchange for reviews?

 

YES YES YES.

 

 

Links?

 

Loot Crate:

https://www.lootcrate.com



 

Our Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Tribblesntargs

 

Our Facebook:

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Our Email:

Tribblesntargspodcast@gmail.com

 

 



 







 

 

** WARNING ** **THIS IS NOT, I REPEAT NOT, SPOILER FREE!!***

So, Diane and I went to see X-Men: Days of Future Past last weekend. Now, a few things you should know.

1. I love the original trilogy.
2. I thought First Class was good, but over hyped.
3. My Favorite character in the Trilogy is Magneto. (Followed by Mystique)
4. My favorite character in the reboot is Hank. (Followed now by Quicksilver)
5. Plot will be in Orange, and Commentary will be in Black.

So, the basic plot: The future is a Matrix-like state, where these crazy robots have taken over the world. They can sense mutant DNA, and even if you aren't a mutant there is the possibility that you could have a mutant KID, so they are killing or enslaving all people with this mutant DNA. Professor X and Magneto have come up with a plan to change the past by sending the consciousness of someone into their past body, in the hopes of getting Mystique to not kill the man who invented these robots. Apparently after Mystique killed this guy, she was captured and her DNA was extracted and was what they used to program these robots. Of course, Wolverine is the only one whose mind can regenerate, so he is the one sent back with the help of Kitty Pryde's power. Once Wolverine is back in his old body, he goes to the Mansion where he convinces the Professor and Hank to help him. With the help of Quicksilver, they free Magneto and stop Mystique from killing the inventor. However, Magneto takes it upon himself to expose the "Mutant Threat" and all sorts of craziness ensues resulting in the past being changed, and therefore some interesting things in the present being affected.

Now for the spoiler parts.

They open the movie with this Matrix-like world. When I say this, I mean it REALLY looks like the world that Neo wakes up in. We see this gang of littles, that is what Im'a call them, fighting the robots. Iceman, Kitty Pryde, Bishop, Blink, Sunspot, and Warpath. everyone but Kitty and Bishop die because the robots are like the Borg, in that they can adapt. they basically take the powers and use them against the mutants. Kitty sends Bishop's consciousness back and the whole scene is negated.

Now. You know we hate temporal paradoxes. This scene is exciting, and action packed. When they started dying we were shocked. It was a great way to showcase mutant powers, which I always like. I also liked that they show us how the littles powers have advanced since we last left them. I especially liked the look of Blink's powers. She was like Portal, portal, portal. it was great. But the temporal paradox made me think "WTF I might as well not watched that!". I know it sets up the whole movie by showing us that Kitty can do that. basically that is the point of that whole scene. "Look what Kitty can do!".
 
Once they send Bishop back to warn their past selves, we see the Jet come in with Storm, Magneto, Wolverine, Colossus, and Professor X. The Professor and Magneto explain what happens in the past, and what they want Kitty to do. The Professor wants to be the one to go back, but Kitty explains that even his mind is not strong enough to handle the pressure. Wolverine volunteers. Basically when he does her mojo, wolverine will be unconscious in the present and will wake up in his past body. when she wakes him up in the present, the past will have been changed. the Professor tells Wolverine that his past self is a little indisposed and that Magneto's situation is complicated, but that he has to get them to work together. Then Kitty puts Wolverine to sleep.


If you have watched all the other movies, this scene is basically useless. All it does is set up that Mystique needs to be stopped. Which is fine, but I felt like they were talking too much. It seemed to me, that they were repeating things and it was like "Ok audience you get it? We have to stop Mystique. ok? Mystique needs to be stopped. Who do we have to stop? Mystique". The audience is not dumb. just say it once.

The next scenes are Wolverine waking up in the past, and traveling to a now deserted Mansion. Hank answers the door looking normal, and Wolverine pushes his way in and a little fight ensues where Hank "Beasts-out". Their fight is broken up by Xavier who WALKS downstairs. Wolverine tells him to read his mind, but Xavier cant. Hank believes he is from the future and explains that he invented a serum that makes Xavier able to walk, but it suppresses his power. Hank also uses this serum to look normal. He explains that Xavier started taking too much of the serum and his powers no longer work. Xavier comes back and tells them that he will help. Wolverine says they need Magneto. The guys tell him he is in a maximum security cell under the Pentagon for killing Kennedy. Wolverine suggests someone he knows from the future to help them break Magneto out.


These scenes were better with the exposition than the last. A little bit of humor, a little action. I like that they brought up that Wolverine didn't always have the adamantium-laced skeleton. I am sure with these movies, people have forgotten that his original powers were invulnerability and BONE claws. I love Hank, he is so awkward, and adorable. James McAvoy does a great job in this movie as a troubled man. I little over worked, but great.


Meanwhile, we see Trask (the inventor), played by Peter Dinklage, showing off his robot program to military bigwigs to ask for funding, for which he is denied. We also see a soldier in Vietnam examining "special" soldiers, some of whom you might recognize; Toad, Havok, Ink, and some random mutant guy. Another soldier, special ops, who is revealed to be William Stryker, says he needs to take them back to the states "to receive medical attention". The Major is revealed to be Mystique (no surprise there), who rescues the guys and sends them back to the states. We then see Trask going into his office late at night. Obviously this is Mystique. She learns that Trask is experimenting on mutants, and she gets angry and is out for revenge.

The only point to this section in my opinion is to show us what is going on with Havok (whom we met in the last movie), and to establish that Stryker was in play at this time. There was no doubt in my mind that the Major and Trask were Mystique. It was obvious and kind of a dumb section.

The gang heads to the house of a young (Teen-aged? possibly early 20s) Quicksilver, played to perfection by Evan Peters, whom you might know from American Horror Story. Quicksilver is a kleptomaniac speedster. He is wary to join up, but when the guys tell him it is the Pentagon he will be breaking into, he jumps at the chance. The four of them then proceed to break Magneto out of his prison, with a great slow motion scene featuring Quicksilver.

Quicksilver is really one of my new favorites. Evan Peters is great in this role. it is a great change for him from the intense parts he plays on AHS. It is a fun section with action, and a lot of humor.

Once Magneto is free, they bid Quicksilver goodbye, and head off to try to stop Mystique. Magneto and Xavier have a pit of an argument in the plane, were you side with Magneto, because he is totally right about Xavier's attitude and the change in him. We then see Mystique seduce a Vietnamese general, and then take his place at a treaty meeting. Trask and Stryker show up and she is revealed to be a mutant. Stryker incapacitates her and Xavier, Wolverine, and Magneto show up and rescue her from Stryker. Magneto decides that the only way to remain safe is to kill Mystique himself, and shoots her in the leg. she escapes out the window, revealing mutants to the world. a fight between Beast, Magneto, and Mystique ensues. Mystique escapes, but her DNA is scraped off of the sidewalk. Wolverine recognizes Stryker and starts to panic, stabbing Kitty in the future. The people in the future restrain Wolverine so as to not have him attack Kitty again. She struggles to keep him under, but eventually succeeds.

Interesting section. I always enjoy Magneto. I prefer Sir Ian as Magneto, but Fassbender does a good job as well. As usual with a temporal paradox, no matter what you do, the past can't be changed so easy. Did anyone really think that just stopping Mystique from killing Trask would stop the robots from being built?

So now the President says "Yeah lets build these robots.". Magneto, now separated from Xavier, uses his power to alter the robots so that they are in his control. Xavier stops using the serum and tries to use Cerebro to find Mystique, but his fear of his powers prevents him from doing so. Wolverine tells him to look into his mind so that he can see what he is fighting for. In a weird dream-like scene, young and old Xavier meet. Old Xavier tells him not to be scared and basically to suck it up and do what he has to. Young Xavier returns to his own mind and finds Mystique. He jumps into other minds to try to convince her to stop seeking revenge. She, of course, says nope.

So my only qualm with this is the lack of comment about old Xavier being bald. In First Class, the running joke was that he had great hair. I would have been satisfied with even a passing comment at the end. Nope. Nothing.

We are back in the future where the robots have found our friends. They basically kill everyone. Magneto is fatally wounded and Blink transports him into the room so he can survive, but he is dying so he says goodbye to Xavier, who is devastated. Kitty hold on til the last possible moment and wakes up Wolverine.
 
Interspersed with this, is Xavier, Wolverine, and Hank journey to the robot unveiling at the Whitehouse to stop Mystique. They are able to freeze her, but Magneto messes everything up and causes a panic. He wraps Wolverine in metal and throws him into the river. Trask, The President, and Mystique (disguised as an aide) escape to the Whitehouse panic room, where she is discovered. Before she can do damage, Magneto transports the whole room into the yard. Mystique takes Magneto out, and is about to kill Trask when Xavier (who is stuck under a beam) telepathically talks her out of it. She leaves and he also lets Magneto escape as well.

This section was good, but for some reason, I was not as invested in the past characters. maybe because we knew they would survive to become the future characters. Sir Ian and Sir Patrick did a great job with the goodbye scene.

So Wolverine wakes up, and the future is totally changed. Scott and Jean are alive again, as is Rogue, who is obviously with Iceman again. Turns out Wolverine is a teacher now at the school. Xavier realizes that this is the Wolverine who remembers everything and says they have a lot to catch up on. In the past we see Stryker pull Wolverine out of the river. a close up reveals Mystique's eyes. Fin.

I was a little upset to see Jean again. I really didn't like her. I don't know if it was just the actress, or if it was the character. I also didn't like that this movie effectively negated the whole Trilogy. At least the end of X2 and the whole of The Last Stand.

Overall thoughts:

Good things:

In general, I liked this movie. X2 is still my favorite, but I think this one is my second favorite. I thought it was leaps and bounds better than First Class. I thought that the acting was much better. Fassbender especially. He really seemed to understand the character of Magneto better in this movie. Evan Peters was great as well. I always like the sort of "comedic relief" characters. I can't wait to see what they do with him in the next movie. The slow motion scene with him was definitely one of the best scenes in the whole X-Men franchise.

Disappointments:

The biggest disappointment to me is the character played by Peter Dinklage. Now I know, it is probably that he is doing the best he can with a stagnant character. I wanted him to be more of a vilian, and less of a blah person. Marvel does such a good job with vilians, and I feel they fell short here. Stryker as his lacky was a better villain.

Will i buy it when it comes out?

Definitely yes.


Will i see it again in the theatre?

Maybe.


Would i recoment seeing it?

 Yes. If you see at LEAST First Class. But i recommend seeing all of the movies before you see it. It will make more sense.


Post Credit Scene?

There is one! Don't give up!! Usually it is 1/2 way through the credits, but this one is at the VERY END. wait it out! Diane and I were basically the last ones in the theater. people gave up waiting for it. We almost thought there wasn't going to be one.



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email: tribblesntargspodcast@gmail.com

twitter @tribblesntargs

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Supernatural Top Trumps

Finally we are back for a little while. I have some previously recorded episodes, so some of the episodes were recorded before current seasons.


This episode we play Supernatural Top Trumps! Who shall beat Lucifer? Will we ever know?


Danny joins Tribble and Diane in this fun episode.

http://tribblesntargs.podbean.com/e/supernatural-top-trumps/

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twitter @tribblesntargs

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Web Content Week #3

This week is a Web Content Week!

It would be an article week, but I don't have one. If you wish to submit an article, please send it to us via email Tribblesntargspodcast@gmail.com we are always accepting submissions!

Web Site!

While looking around for ideas for a geek-themed Halloween party we are having this year, I found this website! This site has taken almost every food item on tv, movies, games, and books, and made them into real food. including: FISH FINGERS AND CUSTARD!!! Check it out! If you try one of the recipies, let us know how it turns out. I cant wait to try this stuff! Geeky Chef

 

 

 

 

Video!

Because Targ, Danny, Scott, and I are going to Disney World in October, I decided to put this on as our video. I love when people do the "play-all-the-parts" videos, and this is one of my favorites. kkep your eyes on the people not singing at the time. it is hilarious!

I usually do 3 things, but this week I am strapped for ideas, so I have only 2. Next week we will have another Audio podcast Supernatural Angels v Demons featuring Tribble, Diane, and Danny.

Dead? Somebody’s dead? Who’s dead?

Sorry it has been a while, but this week we will have an audio podcast and a blog post in the same week.
 
So this week we have an episode on epic deaths. We all have those fictional character's who die and we cant get over it. We all watch or read something and say "Wow! What a way to go!", or "Really? THAT is how they die? Laaaame". This is a list of some of these times. Join Tribble, Targ, and Diane as we examine our favorite and not so favorite deaths.

Here are links!

Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/Tribblesntargs

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Email! Tribblesntargspodcast@gmail.com

The 12th Doctor

I know it is not a Web content week, but this article was great and, as I didn't write an article last week, I thought I would share this with you.
 
As an American Fangirl (or Debbie, as we on TNT call us), I am disappointed to see how many of my fellow Debbies are refusing to watch Who now that the actor is not young.
 
I am not surprised, but just sad. How are you going to call yourselves Whovians, but only watch young, hot guys? You, madam, are not a whovian. It is the nature of the show to showcase people of different ages and talents. that is why he regenerates.
 
All of you girls better not come back when they cast another young guy for 13. It makes me mad, because all these "Whovians" who are dropping the show are American. Lets tack yet another stereotype on us shall we?
 
My only issue with the casting, is that he is already a canonical character. However, as the article points out, it is not unheard of. Colin Baker (the 6th doctor) played a character called Commander Maxil in the story Arc of Infinity (1983) where his character shot the then doctor (Peter Davison) to stun him (one of the few characters to do so) and bring him and Nyssa to the time lord high council.
 
So, my message to all you American Debbies who are freaking out because he isn't young and hot is: Stop giving the rest of us a bad name. No one who is a true Whovian really cares what he looks like. Hopefully he will be good for the story. We know already that he is a good actor, a fact we didn't know when Matt Smith joined the show.
 
Yes, we will miss Matt, as we miss David, but this show is a prime example that we can't hold on to the past, even if we might want to. They are gone and, with the exception of the 50th anniversary, they are not coming back. GET OVER IT.
 
Here is the article I was talking about: http://whatculture.com/tv/doctor-who-why-the-casting-of-the-12th-doctor-shouldnt-be-a-deal-breaker.php

On a side note, Next week will be an audio podcast. Hopefully I can nail down Targ to do a commentary on Sherlock: A Study in Pink. if not, it will be a random topic episode with Tribble, Targ and Diane.

Here are links!

Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/Tribblesntargs

Read the Blog! http://tribblesandtargsgeek.blogspot.com/

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Email! Tribblesntargspodcast@gmail.com