Avengers Infinity War

Forgot to make a post about seeing this film, so here goes.

WARNING! - I may write something spoiler-y. I'll try not to go into details or specifics, but just in case you don't want to hear anything related to the film, just in case, turn away now.



When Infinity War came out, I put myself on a social media hiatus to avoid any sort of spoilers that may be posted. But the hype was fierce. I was panicking, reading stories of sold out cinema tickets, and was worried that going to see it on the Saturday morning would be impossible. That we would be queuing out the cinema in a line that went on for miles, only to be told that there wasn't any seats available until the afternoon. Wednesday afternoon...

But all that worry was for nothing, as there were ample seats in our local cinema. I guess it's not as crazy as American cinemas, or maybe everyone were just not early risers.

And so, on to the movie...

It was EPIC!

That word gets thrown around a lot, but this film really does justify that moniker. It was great seeing all these characters coming together and interacting. Thanos was well developed, and looked great! The performance capture was really good, and you forgot he is this mammoth purple CG Titan, and just believe he is another actor in this film.

With a film as big as this, there was a worry it would feel rushed, or too much crammed in. True, the time flew by, but just because of how good it was! All the characters 'felt' like the characters from their respective films. There were good action scenes, although, the fight scenes weren't as good as Civil War, or as spectacular as Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

It was however, nice to be very surprised by this movie. With how often things are spoilt with set photos leaking, or critics posting anything spoilerific, I was amazed at how much I didn't really expect from the story. The way the film ends, wow!

And the after credits scene, actually feeling significant rather than just a throwaway...goosebumps.

via GIPHY

Right now, I can't imagine where this story will go. I can throw up theories, but how do they top this? How do they make another two and a half hour epic like this to conclude this story? I haven't read any of the comics that inspired the movie, which, judging by some comments is a good thing as they do give away a lot of the shocking elements in this film, but the 2019 release is looking so so far away.

5/5

Review: Zbox Harry Potter Special Edition Unboxing

So in June Zavvi announced that they were creating a Zbox special edition mystery box theme on Harry Potter, with each item being Harry Potter related merchandise. The price for this box was £29.99, £10 more than Zavvi's usual mystery boxes, and limited to 500 pieces, with my wife's birthday coming up, I thought it was worth ordering since she is a big Harry Potter fan.

The way these mystery boxes usually work is enticing you with the contents of the box being of higher value than the selling price, but because what is included is random, that's the risk you sort of take. In the US, Subscription crates like Loot Crate and Marvel Corps offer exclusive items to make the purchase worth while. While nothing was advertised as 'exclusive', with this being a 'special edition, I was at least hoping some good contents, or good value for money. I have my opinion of that, but I'll let you judge for yourselves.

Upon opening this box,which is a large box for these mystery boxes, my first impressions are that it looks rather empty. It looks like the a lot of the box is padded out by padded air pocket packing. The artwork in the box is nice, but that's not what you're paying for really. Zbox hasn't got the reputation as a brand to be seen as a Collectible item itself.

Removing the padding from the box, the contents become clear. 4 items. Just 4 items. £30 for 4 items. Nothing unique, nothing particularly exciting. For a special edition box, I thought on appearances,this was pretty poor. Maybe the retail value of these items exceeds £30, but judging from first impressions, I was not impressed.

So the first item was a Hugglepuff woolly hat. It's well made as official merchandise should be, and it's colourful, but it's a seasonal item of clothing. Not everyone wants to wear bright yellow hats in winter. Not everyone wants to wear a Hugglepuff badge. I think this is a niche item and won't appeal to everyone. The hat is retailing right now for £13.99 on TruffleShuffle. I wouldn't pay half for this and imagine it will appear in sales a lot cheaper.

Next up was an A5 Premium Notebook with the Hogwarts crest etched into a leather looking cover. This is a nice looking product, and something my wife will definitely use. I would think something like this would be around £10, and digging around, that's how much you can pay on eBay. It's an expensive notebook with the price probably putting me off from buying it in a shop.

This is a little unfair, as my wife already has this quidditch Funko Pop. And that's the problem with Funko Pops. Everyone has one. No matter what Harry Potter Funko they included in this box, someone would have it being a Harry Potter fan. The only way to prevent this is it's an exclusive item, but with a limited run of 500 boxes, that is not sustainable. Funko so can be picked up for £9.99. It's a good figure sure, but predictable to include a Funko, while Zavvi should really expect many fans would have these easy to find collectibles.

Lastly we have a large 500ml Hogwarts glass. It's a nice product that anyone can use, and will be the second item my wife will keep. It's another £8-£10 retail product. Again, expensive for a single glass. It's a mixed bag, because had she didn't already own the Funko, it would have been 3 of 4 items kept. However, had it been any other Funko, there's no guaranteeing she would have been happy with it. And while the suggested retail of these items is around £40, I don't think there's good value for money for those items. I don't think we would pay £10 for a glass or notebook. I think we will struggle to resell the Hugglepuff hat on eBay, or find anyone to regift it to. I think I could do some digging and buy all these for £30, but the thing is, I don't think they would have been items that we would have searched out for. They aren't essential collectibles, and there is nothing special about them. For a special edition Zbox, everything is so dull. I feel very disappointed and a little robbed for paying £30 as they are nearly retail value items that are still overpriced. It certainly isn't value for money. To make matters worse, this box was delayed for a month! So what was supposed to be a birthday gift came very late. The original date was 31st July, and it wasn't delivers until 3rd September! No compensation, no apologetic gesture. The excuse was there being a delay in one of these products, but because they are all just off the shelf items, I don't see what the hold up could have been. This was a disappointing expensive box with overpriced items to try justifying it's value, but there's no value for money here, and for a special edition box to just be 4 items that can be bought easily off the shelf, no exclusives, and only going to keep 2 items just for convenience rather than wanting them to begin with, well it's a pretty poor outcome. I've been tempted by Zbox for some time, but this is the last time they will get my money. I would have preferred to have kept the £30 to have spent on Harry Potter merchandise she would have wanted, and that's the problem with these boxes, you can't trust what's in them. It just looks like excess stock that someone is trying to clear out. Don't waste your money on these special editions again folks. And if you have money to burn, look up some subscription boxes that offer something exclusive to get value for your money, or just search for someone you actually want to spend your money on rather than gambling on a mystery Zbox.

The Tourist Review - Plot Twist

Firstly, can I say this 'review' will contain spoilers, only to highlight my disappointment in the film and the absurd nature of the storyline. Yes, I did indeed watch 'The Tourist', and I expected a bad, horrible movie, but what I got was something I did no quite expect...

Ok, surprise number 1 while watching the movie, was that sure, its abit silly, but I didnt think it was truly awful. It just had silly moments in, wasnt a great story, but it was fun. The the climatic end of the movie came...and it destroyed the whole film. The walls of the story began collapsing down on itself, sucking any logic from the narrative like a super massive plot hole.

I couldn't believe it. I was confused. Angry. I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about this ending, and then going through the film and how none of it made any sense. In essence, this horrible ending made me watch the film again in my head, where on second viewing the film is just stupid beyond belief. It's like it came to the end of the film and they just snorted some drugs and filmed whatever incomprehensible drivel that poured out of their high induced, empty minds.


***********

So here is the low down.
Angelina Jolie is the wife of this wanted man. Since Paul Bettany and his police don't know his whereabouts yet have extensive detail on him, they monitor her in hope they make contact. Jolie gets a note from her man and the adventure starts. As Jolie walks off, a man watching her and the police following her smiles as he walks away. Hmmm....her lover perhaps?

Anyway, Jolie boards a train. The note told her to mislead the police by finding a random guy around his height and build into thinking she is with her lover. Insert Johnny Depp, sitting in 2nd class all alone. He is flabbergasted that Jolie sits with him and he seems a nervous wreck. The converse, we find out Depp is a math teacher who's wife left him. Paul Bettany's spies are on the train and get a picture of Depp. They think he is their man! We fear for Depp!

Wait, false alarm. Police records show Depp is just a maths teacher whose wife died in a car accident. Kinda sad. He probably didnt tell Jolie because its sort of awkward.

Fastforward to Venice. Depp is just a tourist out of his depths, looking at his map confused. Jolie pulls up with a boat and offers him a ride, taking him to her hotel. Seems like theres a connection there from their train talk. His vulnerability has softened her heart and seems like she is fallen for him despite her love for her other man. However, when they check into the hotel, we see that mysterious man, watching her again, smiling as the two walk past him. Has her lover really set all this up?

Insert gangsters. Seems like this man stole alot of money from his boss who wants it back. The boss was like a father to him, so feels even more betrayed. They see Depp in Jolies hotel room and have their target.

Meanwhile Depp and Jolie and flirting. Jolie is stripping in the bedroom while Depp is on the other side of the door, longing to enter. The room I mean, but I guess metaphorically. Anyway, after Jolie telling him he should be more forceful in trying to get what he wants, he gives in and sleeps on the couch. She seems disappointed. Then suddenly he bursts in the room and kisses her passionately. But its a dream this time. Nuts. And that mysterious man left flowers for Jolie too, constantly reminded us and Depp she has another man. Poor Johnny.

Anyway, Jolie has left and gangsters are after him in the hotel room. A chase ensues only for Depp to get arrested, but at least he is safe from gangsters. As he explains the crazy story to the police, they lock him up, but at night, the police realize he isnt safe and tries to get him out. but poor Johnny, its a trap as he has a reward on his head. Luckily Jolie saves him, and boat chase later, everything is fine.

Jolie gives him money to get out of venice and leaves him. She then goes to Paul Bettany's police HQ revealing she is an undercover cop who has been caught up in this affair because she fell in love with that mysterious man who stole money from the gangsters and owes loads of tax. She says she will finally give Bettany her man because she is afraid Johnny Depp is in danger caught in the middle of all this.

So cut to a Ball where Jolie is to meet her fella and Bettany is waiting to swoop. The man gives Jolie a note where to meet him then wriggles away through the crowd. As Jolie pursuits, she is stopped by Depp. He didnt leave her and wants to dance with her, proving he can be the man she wants him to be. Eventually Jolie goes after her man saying she still loves him, and Paul Bettany apprehends Depp.

Jolie goes to meet her man at the safe, but he isnt there. However, the gangsters are! They figure if they threaten her, then they will get their man eventually. Meanwhile Bettany and Depp are forced to watch, waiting for this man to arrive. But he aint coming, and things are getting nasty, looks like the gangsters are going to kill Jolie. But Bettany is obsessed about getting his man. However, Depp cannot wait no longer for the Police to intervene and does so himself.

The gangster boss, who was like a father to him, obviously doesnt recognize him. Depp says he had surgery, but the boss still isnt convinced, everything is wrong. Jolie is adamant Depp is crazy and should leave not to get involved. Depp offers to open the safe if the boss lets Jolie go. Suicide! He doesnt know the code! And everyone knows it, as he calls his bluff and says open the safe or you both die.

Cue an agonizing long and slow walk towards the safe. Cue looks of worry from Jolie. Cue Bettany still waiting for his man to eventually walk through that door.

...

Then his supervisor enters, tells the snipers to fire, and kills the baddies!

HURRAY!

Phew, close call!

Paul Bettany is gutted the guy never came. Jolie and Depp embrace and are left alone. Johnny Depp then opens the safe.

WTF?!

Cut to outside, and Paul Bettany has caught his man! The mysterious guy giving messages to Jolie has finally been caught. But he says he was paid to fly around the world following Jolie to give her messages.

WTF!?

The police return to the safe to find a cheque for all the tax they are owned. Supervisor is pleased, case closed. Paul Bettany is stumped as he tries putting the pieces of the puzzle together. His expression reads...


WTF!?

Final scene Depp and Jolie riding off in a boat. Jolie mocking Depp's surgery.

WTF!?

The End.

WTF?!

Seriously.

Now none of that made sense. Reread that whole entire movie knowing what you know now. It makes no sense. Unless these people are incredible actors that act when no one is watching them, then seriously...WTF?!

Lets go back.

Why did Depp make up a story about his wife, and why do the police have a record of him with information about his wife dying? Why do we see him lost and confused in Venice? Why didnt he burst through the door and embrace Jolie at the hotel? Why did he have a dream about her wishing he wasnt so pathetic? Why is he just a bumbling nervous wreck throughout the film?

Now you could say maybe its all an act, afterall, she is an undercover cop, and they would be worried of constant surveillance. But then Jolie telling Depp to leave and giving up the man to Bettany made no sense. Especially for Depp just to surprise her at the Ball.

Alternatively, Jolie didnt know any of this, and Depp was testing her love for him (her mysterious lover the police wanted). So Depp is just a liar and manipulative, which Jolie admitting thats what she hated about lover. Still, it doesnt explain the odd couple of scenes from franks point of view by himself out of his depth, uneasy, unprepared, daunted etc.

Another idea is that Johnny Depp lied. He is still the tourist, and the mysterious man gave him the safe code. He tested Jolie's love and let her go off with Depp, rewarding her for sticking by him...seemingly, even though they didnt see each other for ages and she ran off with all his money.

See? You try finding solutions to the twist and you cant get an answer that makes sense.

WTF?!

Anyone who has any opinions and solutions, enlighten me.

Thor Movie Review

Finally got around to seeing Thor on the bank holiday in glorious, revolutionary 2D! Well, with it being made 3D in post-production, I thought it would be a waste of money, and usually dulls the colour and detail making it a bit blurry anyway.

So Thor may not be the most well known superhero to Joe Public. Thor isn't really a comic favourite of mine and I personally enjoy seeing him as part of a team, and with the Avengers movie lined up in 2012, you would be mistaken in thinking this is a cheap rushed movie to get audiences aware of the character before the huge marvel movie event next year.

Thor deserves to stand alone in it's own right as a good marvel film. It sets up it's own unique universe and feels like it's own movie. There are nods to the marvel universe, but it doesn't feel as heavily drilled down the throats of an Avengers prequel as Iron Man 2 was.

Asgard looks great and so are the effects. Well I wasn't first convinced with Thor's costume in the promo pictures, it works in the film. Chris Hemsworth makes a good Thor, and Tom Hiddleston is a good Loki. It does seem odd why he auditioned for the part of Thor though, but in general the cast are good. I thought Natalie Portman would be distracting and out of place in a movie like this, but she had a character with substance and fitted in well.

Thor has everything to make it a blockbuster success. A good looking cast, big hollywood names, big special effects, action galore, very funny moments, and finally a heart. It feels like a Marvel movie, and while I am unsure whether Thor will personally get a sequel, I can't wait to see him in the Avengers.

Rating 4 / 5