It ain’t easy being green, and freakishly huge.

Solider: ”Hey man, you think we can work this out?”
Hulk:”I’ve tried multiple UN resolutions, and it was time for me to preemptively get angry. You don’t like me when I’m preemptively angry!”


Everyone turns to each other at work and says “It’s Friday movie day, lets do this.” Sure enough 15 minutes later we are buying our tickets for Incredible Hulk. I wasn’t amped on seeing this movie, but it’s Friday afternoon movie time so I am in. Friends who are fans of comic books seemed amped about this film. I was indifferent. I missed the version from 5 years ago and only vague recollections from the TV show of 30 years ago. Apparently the original Hulk film of the decade was so bad that they’re releasing this version under the pretense that the other film never happened. (While this isn’t a shining endorsement, it kind of makes me want to watch it.)

I like Ed Norton and enjoyed the film overall. Initially it felt very Bourne Identity, with the way it was shot. Then eventually it felt generic. It wasn’t good, but it was average good. I heard some complaints that the Hulk looked too CGI, and if those people want the green skinned man like the TV show, then I think their expectations are off. It was nice to have a solid villan, unlike Iron Man. It was nice to see some good fight scenes. The flow of the movie felt comic book-ish and I liked this factor! Finally it was interesting to see the references to some sequels. Having avoided comic books takes the power out of these scenes for me, but the clapping nerds in front of me were giddy.

So, my encouragement is to check this film out if it looks good to you or if friends are pushing it. While it wasn’t as fun as Iron Man for me, it was still fun. Decide what you will and enjoy the nice cool air-conditioning of the theater. Mmmmmm…A/C!

Iron Man; A pleasant surprise!

I was very indifferent about Robert Downey Jr. but after seeing this film
I think I am now a fan, well done sir.


It didn’t even make my list of movies that I am excited about seeing this summer. I was actually a little frustrated at the movie. I didn’t quite see why Summer needed to start before I was ready and this movie was ushering it in on May 2nd, even though I love Summer. I didn’t see how the director of Elf and writer of Swingers would have a good take on a comic book movie, even though I am a fan of Favreau. I have zero knowledge of Iron Man and think this is just another B-list comic book character, even though I love superhero movies.

Friday morning is when the tide started to turn. I am seeing friends raving about the movie via their status on Facebook. That night I ended up seeing “Made of Honor” with a bunch of friends that are girls. (I know, I shared my opinion in a post last week.) As we left the theater I spotted people coming out of the theater showing Iron Man with a spring in their step. Their body language was similar to that of people getting of Space Mountain. Smiles and excitement are evident and they want to get back in line for another ride. Then the next afternoon my friend Andrew says the movie was so good he wants to see it again that night after improv. Sure enough, we get tickets for a screening at the Arclight that was added due to high demand, just after midnight.

The theater was packed and the movie started. I LOVED IT! As we exited the theater after staying for the “surprise at the end” (note: no need to stay if you don’t read comic books) Andrew said “I don’t even need to ask if you liked it, you were leaning forward the whole time.” Apparently I lean forward when I am enjoying a movie or a play. I really enjoyed this movie. The special effects were hardly noticed which is a sign of greatness. The performances were spot on, even though I did laugh at Jeff Bridges as a villain because he had some funny ”dude” moments it was still great casting.

This is a Rock ‘n Roll Superhero movie. I don’t know how else to describe it. It is fun and makes you think, I wish I could do that. That’s what a good superhero movie does; it makes you wish you had that power or that suit. I find most comic movies frustrating in that I am just waiting for the thing to happen so they can move on and become the title character. In this movie, the set up was just as much fun as the pay off. It had lots of laughs, great action sequences oh man, it was great.

So, this Summer Season is already surprising me with Iron Man. In fact it is surprising the studios too with such a huge opening and a great second weekend that beat out the odds on favorite, Speed Racer, but more on that later. I give Iron Man the “Push your friends to see this instead of anything else that is out between now and May 22nd (Indy Release!) because you will be entertained.”