Marvel-Less???

This past week I was able to catch a couple of Marvel films on Netflix that I have been wanting to watch for some time. 

Thor: Love and Thunder is one of the worst Marvel films in recent memory.  Outside of  Christian Bale's performance, nothing about this film was that good.  Poor acting, poor attempts at humor, poor script, poor just about everything.  The problem is, I can't unsee it now.

Not much better was Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.  The Atlanteans were cool.  The back story of Namor was an interesting reinterpretation of his conception.  The rest of the story was mediocre at best.  I actually fell asleep at one point. Yawn!

I think I got spoiled by the fabulous films that made up the first round of Marvel/Avenger movies.  The newer films have a lot to live up to.  I'm hoping the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie will uplift my spirits and reconnect me to the franchise.  Marvel is 0 for 2 with me right now in round two.  I hope they don't strike out with this newest release.

Nectar of the Gods

I made a discovery recently...Mead.  I'd heard about mead.  I read Thor in Marvel comics and there was mention of it on occasion.  However, I never knew what it was.

Recently, several meaderies have opened up in the area.  Being the curious type, I decided to try some.  I got a bottle of  Blueberry Honey Mead from Laurel Highlands Meadery in Greensburg, PA for my birthday.  I'm really glad that I did.

Mead is a fermented beverage made of honey, water, and yeast, it’s often called “honey wine.”

This mead was made with blueberry honey. The bees were pollinating blueberry bushes. There are not blueberries in the mead.  It has a light delicate taste.  I find it quite good and refreshing.  Unlike the God of Thunder,  I enjoy sipping it over ice.

Mead may not be everyone cup of tea, but I'm glad I tried and will continue to drink it into the future.  It never hurts to expand one's palate.

About a half dozen years ago or so, I tried moonshine and have added it to my array of beverages.  Now I have mead as well.  

I do want to point out that I'm an adult (for far too many years than I want to admit to).  I enjoy beer, wine, and other spirits in moderation.  I like the taste and savor the experience.  I also want to remember the good times with family and friends.  You can have a glass or two and be responsible at the same time.  Cheers!

Family Matters

I saw Avengers: End Game on Sunday.  While I didn't like it as much as Infinity War, I still thought that it was good.  I thought that the story got off to a slow start and then seemed rushed at the end.  I also feel that sometimes too much was done which may or may not lead to other movies down the road.  Well, that's my gripe.

What I enjoyed was that most of the entire film was about family.  In the end, what mattered most was loved ones.  They were what was most important to nearly all of the characters.

Tony Stark finally realizing that he had to sacrifice himself to save all the loved ones for the others ahead of his own family's needs has one of the most amazing things that I have ever seen on film.

To see Steve Rogers finally able to be with his one true love, Peggy Carter, warmed the heart.

And the list goes on:  Clint reunited with his.  Natasha referring to the Avengers as her family and then making the ultimate sacrifice for her friend and teammate.  Bruce trying to bring Natasha back, knowing that she had loved him.  Scott risking everything to see his daughter.  Thor's reunion with his mother and Tony's encounter with his father.   Peter's excitement at seeing his father figure, Stark, still alive.  The sadness Clint and Wanda felt knowing that loved ones would never return.  Other Avengers are also reunited with family.  It is tremendous and it drives the film.

Rocket acknowledges that the Guardians are family.  We even see the family dynamic between Nebula, Gamorra, and Thanos (as dysfunctional as it is!).

The theme of family and love permeates the film.  It also involves friendships: Bucky and Sam with Cap, Happy and Tony, Clint and Natasha.  But even those are based on the characters love and caring about one another.

With all of that love, family, and friendship, how could I not like this film.  In the end, that is what won the day.  Kudos to the directors, Anthony and Joe Russo for a film that can be enjoyed by all (especially, we long time fans of Marvel Comics and characters).  As Stan the Man would have put it, "Excelsior!"

March Magic and Such

I have decided to try something different this year as far as my miniature hobby goes. Starting in March, I am going to alternate monthly between whether I am painting fantasy or scifi figures. Thus far, I have completed a set of Reaper Bones Pirates and am now working on a set of their goblins.  (I love their stuff!!!)  Pics to follow later.

I ordered some figs from Megacon Games.  I purchased a set of their Mercs figures (KemVar) and a set of their Banner Saga figures.  Not crazy about the Mercs, the Banner Saga stuff is great.  My only gripe about the BS figs is that some of their weapons are horribly bent.  I'm hoping that the old boiling water/ice water trick will work to straighten them out.

Tried some Sam Adams '76 last weekend.  As much as I normally enjoy their products, I gotta say this one missed the mark with me.  It tastes too much like an IPA and seemed to have a grapefruitish aftertaste.  Not my cup of tea.  Speaking of beer, I'm headed down to the Hoffbrauhaus this week, I'm looking forward to it!

Also missing the mark was Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok.  The Thor and Avengers Movies have been great so far.  This one however, came up short.  The Thor character seemed a bit out of character.  Too many attempts at humor like in the Guardians of the Galaxy.  While it works there, it didn't in Ragnarok.  The Warriors Three were out of the film in a heartbeat.  No Lady Sif and no Natalie Portman....boooooo!!!!  The Executioner and Korg characters were weak at best.  The portrayals of Loki, Hela, Heimdall, and Valkyrie were amazing!!!! LOVED the Hulk in this!!!!  The talents of Jeff Goldblum and Anthony Hopkins were completely wasted.  (Is Odin the new Yoda?!) I'm hoping that the new Avengers movie will be better.  We will have to wait and see.

Superhero Movies

I must be getting old.  Every time a new superhero movie comes out, the little boy in me who read and loved comic books gets excited and can't wait to see it.  Each time I leave the theater after watching one of these flicks, it is with a sad heart.  The Hulk and X-men films have not been good.  Spider-man only slightly better. The Iron Man movies were pretty decent. Some Batman films I have enjoyed while others not so much. Most of the Superman flicks have been cheesy.  I could go on.  For the most part I'd give the majority of these movies a C+.

I haven't seen Thor yet, but the trailers looked good.  I saw the Green Lantern and was greatly disappointed.  Overall, I enjoyed Captain America.  It just ticks me off that Marvel always plays around with the history of the characters a bit too much for my liking.

Perhaps my tastes have changed over the years.  About 5 years ago I stopped collecting comic books.  While the art had much improved, it just seemed like the stories stayed the same.  Even as Marvel and DC tried to recreate themselves for a new generation of readers, something was lost.  Maybe its not them, maybe it is me.  Maybe life just taught me that the good guys don't always win and that Supes won't always be there to save the day.  Maybe that is where my real disappointment lies.

Today I look for heroes in the real world.  They are there.  They are making a difference everyday.  They are saving lives and making the world a better place.  They are in our schools, armed forces, hospitals, fire and police departments, and in our neighborhoods.  Here may be the real root of my disappointment with superhero movies and comic books.  Maybe I just don't need superheroes anymore!