Top 5 Spider-Man Villains that Should Appear On-Screen

The Top 5 Spider-Man Villains That Should Appear On-Screen

With the Spider-Man movie that I have seen, I am very surprised that Sony & Marvel have not been using their potential to give Spider-Man fans (like myself) genuine villains that we deserve to see. So, here is my Top 5 Villains that I think would do well on-screen.

#5- The Chameleon

When the Chameleon first appeared, he was just a simple man with masks and disguises. I think this angle could really work well. The mask angle worked for Tom Cruise in the first "Mission: Impossible" movies. And I think it would work well for the Chameleon too. For suspense, we should never see him beneath his mask. Kind of like Hugo Weaving as V in "V For Vendetta". It would work well also, to have the camera angle INSIDE the mask, looking out the eye slits.

#4- Kraven the Hunter

I thought this choice should be logical. Kraven and Chameleon are half brothers. In the regular Spider-Man universe, the Chameleon asks for Kraven's help to get rid of Spider-Man. I think, with a great script, that this would be a terrific one-shot movie. Kraven is a hunter/trapper, so "catching his prey" could carry the whole movie.

#3- Man-Wolf

Ok,  I know what you are thinking. Not the most well-known villain. However, Man-Wolf is John Jameson... J. Jonah Jameson's son. It would be a brilliant way to bring JK Simmons back as JJJ. The emotional connection works well in knowing that Spider-Man has to be careful with how he handles any situation Man-Wolf creates.

#2- Hobgoblin

One of my personal favorites. When the Hobgoblin first appeared, they wrote the issues like a mystery. If they set up the "Who is the Hobgoblin?" like the mystery in the comic books, then the movie would be outstanding. Considering who the Hobgoblin actually turned out to be, it would actually be a better idea to change who it is for the movie. Someone the viewers actually have heard of and know. I love a good mystery.

#1- Mysterio

Believe it or not, this is what I dream of seeing on-screen most. This character, in this costume. Mysterio, ultimately, is an illusionist. It would be great to have Spider-Man battle someone in the meeting of the minds. Considering that Mysterio is an illusionist, I think it would be a phenomenal idea if the filmmakers would also mess with the audience watching the movie also. Like, maybe show Spider-man thinking he is going crazy throughout half the movie, then have this guy show up. There is so much potential with this character, I can't possibly type everything I'm thinking in my head right now.

Thank you for taking time to read this. Please feel free to leave me a comment below. Thank you.

Communication Lost?

Why did communication change so much over the years? Many things change: friendships, loyalties, etc. But, communication seems to have taken a turn for the worse.

A few years ago, someone who I never really knew that well in high school, added me to her Facebook page. I thought it seemed weird as (if anything) she would only just say hello as we passed each other in the hall during school. But, I was thinking she could be a spot of positivity in my life.

Since I noticed she lived close to me, I suggested that we should just meet for lunch or something. I think she misinterpreted my intentions. She said that she was not ready to date. Who said anything about a date? I just wanted to meet up. She was the one who added me.

Did she just add me to get her friends list numbers up? Why add someone if you have no intention of meeting them? Or even talking on the phone? And I mean actual talking, not texting back and forth. I love getting to know people, finding out about who they are as a person, what their interests are, where they are in life, etc.

I guess I just felt hurt when she interpreted my invitation to lunch as something more. Because even though she said no to me, she did go to lunch with a male friend of hers. But, she backed it up saying that he was gay. Is that the new social standard now? It's only a date if the guy is straight? Suppose I just wanted a friend's actual physical company for an hour. Suppose I wanted someone sitting across from me as I ate so I could have someone to chat with.

I understand that sometimes life will get in the way of meeting: job, kids, spouse, jail, whatever. But, sometimes I feel I just need the company of one. Sometimes, I just want to talk on the phone with someone. Actually, talk. Not text, not e-mail, not IM through Facebook. Sometimes, I just want to hear a voice.

Being my friend, I don't think asking to take an hour out of your life is asking too much. If something were troubling you, I would give you more than an hour. I would give as much time as I could. I would listen (I mean, really listen) to whatever you wanted to tell me.

I think friendships should be reciprocal. If you can't give me an hour of your time, but I give you the attention you desire, then something is wrong with the friendship. Sometimes, all I need is someone to listen with an open heart and without judgment. I have very few friends like that. If you are one of my friends that fit the bill, then please understand how much your friendship means to me.

Movie Review- "Silver Linings Playbook"

Ok, I went into this not knowing a thing about it, except that Bradley Cooper was in it. And he does not disappoint. I've seen him be Hungover, twice. I've seen him as a struggling writer, twice. I've seen him Not That Into Jennifer Connelly. And he does not disappoint in this movie, playing a "just released" mental patient. This is a great movie that shows how well this man can act.

The only previous movies I had seen Jennifer Lawrence in was "X-Men: First Class", playing Mystique (her acting was good in that), and in "The Hunger Games", playing Katniss (in which I personally thought her acting jumped through the roof, the minute she actually started the game in the movie). And in this movie, she raises the "acting bar" even higher. I had my doubts about her, but I will say that she is a wonderful actress, and this movie shows and proves it.

And it was nice to see Chris Tucker not play futuristic radio host. He actually played an interesting side character. All these great actors, with Robert DeNiro in there too, really made this story great. The dialogue seemed very real. Emotions and situations behind them were real also. I would personally love to meet a character like Tiffany in real life. There was just something that was very real about her. And to me, that is what makes a really great actress.

One of the drawbacks to this movie, at least for me, was all of the football talk. I am not a football person. So, some of that dialogue went over my head. Or I was waiting for the conversation to finish. But, they did find an interesting way to make football part of the plot (the bet in the 3rd act). And for that alone, I will even give the football aspect a thumbs up. I'll be surprised if this doesn't win at least one Oscar (Best Actress, I'm guessing).

Final Rating: A+

Movie Review- "The Life of Pi"

Ok, I went into this without knowing anything about the plot whatsoever. I only heard that the 3D was amazing. So, I went to see this to be visually entertained, which I was. For those that are constantly on the internet, I'm sure you have heard that this movie makes the 3D in "Avatar" look "Avatarded". Lame joke, I know. But, it is very true in this instance. The 3D was beyond spectacular. Beautiful use of colors, and a great story to boot.

Although this is a "religious movie", it doesn't necessarily force you to think a certain way. It is not so much "preachy", but it does educate you into a way of thinking. It touches on 3 religions: Catholicism, Islam, and Hindu. But, it doesn't say "Hey! Be this religion". With that in mind, I loved this movie. The last movie I saw that would be considered "religious" would be "The Book of Eli", and even that was not preachy. While this movie does focus more on spirituality than religion, it doesn't go overboard. The spirituality is an important part of the plot.

The movie was so well-written that the story hooks you, and you are swept into this story. And it is fun and exciting. There are quite a few "edge-of-your-seat" moments, which is something I personally have not experienced much in the theaters (I think the last movie to have me on the edge of my seat was "The Avengers").

So: Great plot, stunning visual effects, characters that we could relate to (animal or human), a movie that keeps you thinking even after the end credits roll. This movie seemed to have it all. Definitely recommended that you see it... in 3D!

My Rating: A+

Movie Review- "Skyfall"

Ok, before we get into my review of this movie, keep in mind that I have only seen a few Bond flicks. I tried watching "Dr. No" back when I was a teenager, but found the beginning so boring I turned it off. Then, someone (i don't remember who) suggested I start with "The Living Daylights" (and Timothy Dalton was the worst Bond ever). I don't remember that much about it, except for the scene where a blond chick rides down a snow bank in a cello case. Then, I saw "Die Another Day", which to my understanding, was the last of the "formulaic" Bond movies. I kind of liked the hokeyness of it, from what I remember. Finishing up with the Daniel Craig incarnations of "Casino Royale" (which was ok), and "Quantum of Solace" (which I did not really like very much).

At first, I thought that "Skyfall" was a 3rd part, continuing from "Quantum of Solace", but was informed that this was a new adventure. So, with that in mind, I decided to give it a shot. The starts out with a very good chase scene, with Bond working with a partner named "Eve", played by Naomie Harris, who I haven't seen since Johnny Depp became a pirate. She was nice and loyal and charming in this, as well as beautiful. But then again, most Bond girls are. She was the one with a good, moral compass.

And they introduced a new "Q", a young 20-something. His scenes are brief, but he does have this camera presence that makes him a very likable character. Hope to see more of him in future Bpond movies.

Javier Bardem plays the main villain Silva, who we don't even see until 1/2 way through the movie (something that kind of bothered me). They could have at least shown him in shadow or something, prior to his somewhat comical entrance into the film. He seems to have a slight "Joker-ish" quality about him. Other people on IMDB pointed out how much this film borrows from "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises". Some of those borrowed features are very easy to spot. I was just waiting for Silva to ask Bond (while strapped to a chair), "Wanna know how I got these scars?"... LOL. Maybe I'm a bit of a "Bond n00b", but does EVERY Bond villain have some sort of physical deformity or impairment? At least with this movie, they did not make it glaringly obvious until halfway through what his deformity was.

********************SPOILERS BELOW***********************

But, this movie never has a dull moment. Although, I was say that the ending was a bit of a letdown and very anticlimactic for me. I guess I was expecting more for an ending in a Bond flick. And I'm talking about how the villain died. But, one thing I really liked about this was how they broke tradition. Judi Dench made a great "M", from the few movies I saw her in. But, I really liked that they killed her off. Not that she wasn't a good character. Far from it. But, I don't think she has ever died in the series before. And that was a refreshing change.

So, keeping all that in mind...

Final Rating: B-

Movie Review- "Wreck-It Ralph"

Ok, disregarding the fact that this is a Disney film, I got drawn in by all the cameo appearances from all the throwback games from yesteryear. During the first 30 minutes, I was looking at the screen going "Oh, there's the old Star Wars game! Hey, there's Road Blasters!". Just for that alone, I got my money's worth.

However, once the story actually get's going, it really pulls you in. The main character of the story is the villain of the game this time around (if that makes any sense), but he wants to feel accepted and belong. I could relate to the character.  I really liked the concept that these characters could interact with one another after the arcade had closed (kind of like the Toy Story movies how the toys could move when no humans were around).

The character of Vanellope started off annoying for me. But, as the story went on, we understand her as a "glitch" in the game. So, maybe she was supposed to be. I don't know. When Ralph and her started to actually bond as friends, she became less annoying. And towards the end, she was even a bit adorable, like the "It's so Fluffy!!!!" girl from Despicable Me.

Jane Lynch was hilarious as the tough-as-nails op from hybrid spoof game "Hero's Duty". And of course, she had to have an emotional backstory... Spoofed to perfection, I'd say.

Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable ride. Never really a dull moment. Nothing really offensive that I can think of. So, feel free to take the children, they will enjoy this movie.

My Rating: A-

Movie Review- "Cloud Atlas"

What can I say? Almost a year of remakes, rehashes, re-imaginings, and regurgitated messes, then a truly unique movie like this comes out. The movie doesn't necessarily have a "main character" as it does, a few "transmigrating souls". The characters in this are unique unto themselves. Some you love to hate, some you hate to love. It was interesting to see a movie tackles a touchy subject as Reincarnation. But this movie handled it artistically well.

Halle Berry and Tom Hanks prove that they both still have the acting knack. And Hugo Weaving stole the show no matter what scene he was in. He was especially impressive as the nurse. This was the first movie in which I saw Doona Bae. I was the most impressed with her acting. She was a shining star. I look forward to see her in future movies. And, to me, her storyline was by far the most interesting.

I will say that one of the "flaws" in the movie was the part where Tom Hanks played the tribesman named Zachry. It's not so much his character or storyline that bothered me, it was the dialect they chose for post-apocalyptic Earth. Some of the language was somewhat easy to pick up ("true-true = the truth", for example). But, I felt like I was missing out on important information when we were first introduced to it, because I was not expecting it. And according to various people on the IMDB message boards, they are in agreement with me. I personally didn't find it that big of an issue, but it was annoying in some scenes.

Each storyline parallels another in the fact that all the central characters in each storyline are struggling in their own personal way. And they way that it all ties together was handled brilliantly. I give a giant thumbs up to the Wachowski siblings. I may have to see this again as there was so much detail.

Final Rating: A-