BabbleOn 5′s Noob Guide to the Avengers

Marvel’s The Avengers is only days away and while die-hard fans are more than ready for the latest addition to the ever expanding Marvel cinematic universe, it’s safe to assume that majority of moviegoers this weekend will be casual fans or even complete noobs (gasp!) to the overlapping story arcs and intricacies of the Avengers’ world. Marvel’s The Avengers is the culmination of five previous tie-in films (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger), so whether you’re one of the uninitiated, or just need a quick refresher, here’s a guide that will help you keep up with the action when you see the movie this weekend:

**SPOILER ALERT** This guide contains spoilers for the aforementioned tie-in movies. It is highly recommended that you watch those films before seeing Marvel’s The Avengers to fully appreciate the film and well because they’re all awesome.

***It should also be noted that this is a guide for the Marvel cinematic universe, not the comic book universe, so back off comic book experts.***

Iron Man
aka: Tony Stark
Portrayed by: Robert Downey Jr.
Previous appearances: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk (post credits)
Abilities: genius level intellect, flight (in-suit), superhuman strength (in-suit), energy repulsors (in-suit)

What you need to know: A self described “ genius, billionaire playboy, philanthropist, that doesn’t play well with others.” Tony Stark is the CEO of Stark Industries, a weapons development company. The Iron Man suit (also known as the Mark VI armor) allows him to fly, have superhuman strength, shoot energy repulsor beams, and is equipped with a variety of weapons gadgets he designed himself. The suit is powered by a mini arc reactor, which provides virtually endless energy and keeps him alive by keeping shrapnel embedded in his body from entering his heart. He’s also known for his narcissism, penchant for cracking witty one-liners, and disregard for the rules.

Captain America
aka: Steve Rogers
Portrayed by: Chris Evans
Previous appearances: Captain America: The First Avenger
Abilities: Superhuman strength, rapid healing, hand-to-hand combat, field/war tactician, vibranium shield

What you need to know:

As the only successful result of a World War II super soldier experiment, Captain America was the first Avenger and hero of World War II. His iconic shield is made from the rare element, vibranium, and is capable of withstanding any impact. He is driven by strict sense of morals, justice, and duty as a soldier. To save New York from certain destruction, he crashed an enemy aircraft loaded with missiles into the Arctic and his body was lost for over half a century until it was recovered by SHIELD. However, because of his superhuman abilities, rather than dying, he remained frozen in a coma until awakening in the modern world.

The Hulk
aka: Dr. Bruce Banner
Portrayed by: Mark Ruffalo
Previous appearances: The Incredible Hulk
Abilities: genius level intellect, superhuman strength, speed, stamina, regeneration, durability . . .overall indestructibleness.

What you need to know:

Bruce Banner’s alter-ego, The Hulk, is the result of gamma-radiation poisoning due to an experiment gone awry. An expert scientist, Banner is normally mild-mannered and polite, but his transformation into The Hulk is triggered by physical excitement and anger. As of the end of The Incredible Hulk, he is in hiding and learning to control his transformation rather than repress it.

Thor

aka: The God of Thunder
Portrayed by: Chris Hemsworth
Previous appearances: Thor
Abilities: Superhuman strength, speed, endurance, healing, flight, lightning manipulation

What you need to know:

A demi-god from the realm of Asgard, Thor is the son of Odin and Loki’s (see below) adoptive brother. His Asgardian heritage gives him god like powers and he is the only being capable of wielding the hammer, Mjolnir, a weapon of legend from his home world. He was rendered powerless and banished to Earth by his father for his arrogance. After redeeming himself, he returned to Asgard to stop the machinations of his jealous brother, Loki, but remained trapped in Asgard, unable to return to Earth.

Black Widow
aka: Agent Natasha Romanoff
Portrayed by: Scarlet Johansson
Previous Appearances: Iron Man 2
Abilities: elite assassin, espionage, martial arts and hand-to-combat

What you need to know:

An agent for SHIELD, Black Widow is a world class spy and assassin. Little is known about her background (in the Marvel cinematic universe). She is an expert martial artist and also uses a variety of weaponry including mace, knockout gas, knives, and most notably distinctive wristlets that allow her to deliver an electric shock in close range combat. In Iron Man 2, she was tasked by SHIELD to go undercover to keep an eye on Tony Stark.

Hawkeye

aka: Agent Clint Barton

Portrayed by: Jeremy Renner
Previous appeances: Thor (uncredited cameo)
Abilities: master archer, weaponry, espionage, assassination, field combat

What you need to know:

Of all the Avengers characters, Hawkeye has had the least screen time and only appeared briefly during Thor. All that is known is that he is a high level agent for SHIELD and a master archer equipped with a variety of specialized arrows.

Nick Fury

Portrayed by: Samuel L. Jackson
Previous appearances: Iron Man (post credits), Iron Man 2, Thor (post credits) Captain America

What you need to know:

Nicky Fury is the director of the SHIELD and has been working to unite assemble a “group of remarkable people” to work together to protect the world. On occasion, he has contacted Tony Stark, at first to recruit him to the Avengers, and later as a consultant to SHIELD.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Short for: Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics

Division
Previous appearances: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: The First Avenger

What you need to know:

SHIELD is a secret government agency tasked with the protection of Earth and mankind. SHIELD is lead by Director Nick Fury and has been monitoring the activities of the Avengers as well as their enemies. SHIELD has also been researching various artifacts, most notably, the Tesseract (see below), presumably to harness its powers for the defense of Earth.

Agent Phil Coulson
Portrayed by: Clark Gregg

Previous Appearances: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Consultant (Short film), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer (Short Film)

What you need to know:

An agent for SHIELD, Coulson is Director Fury’s go-to guy. He has interacted mostly with Tony Stark (and Stark’s right hand and girlfriend, Pepper Potts), as well as Thor. He is often the first person sent to deal with a SHIELD emergency. He is also an avid Captain America fan.

Loki
Portrayed by: Tom hiddleston
Previous appearances: Thor
Abilities: mystical powers, superhuman strength and speed

What you need to know:

Raised as a prince of Asgard, Loki is the adopted brother of Thor. Forever in Thor’s shadow and jealous of his brother, he schemed to prevent Thor from becoming King of Asgard. After discovering his true parentage he attempted to seize the throne of Asgard and destroy an enemy realm, but was stopped by Thor’s return. During their struggle, he falls through an abyss into an unknown realm. His fate and whereabouts remain a mystery.

The Tesseract
aka: The Cosmic Cube
Previous appearances: Captain America, Thor (post credits)

What you need to know:

The Tesseract is a relic of Asgard (Thor’s home world) with limitless cosmic power and energy. In Captain America, the Red Skull harnessed the Tesseract’s energy to power his army and weapons. During a struggle with Captain America, the Tesseract disappeared and was later recovered by SHIELD. It currently remains in SHIELDs possession and is being researched by Dr. Erik Selvig.

In Joss We Trust . . .

The less you know about The Cabin in the Woods, the better.  The movie has been promoted as a horror film about 5 young adults taking off for a weekend trip to the titular cabin and that’s really all you need to know walking in.  The familiar premise might make you roll your eyes, but despite the lack of Autobots, Cabin, is more than meets the eye.

The film begins by introducing a parallel story involving a pair of lab-

like employees Siitterson (Richard Jenkins) and Hadley (Bradley Whidford) swapping wife complaints while preparing for some sort of event. The scene goes on long enough to remind you that this isn’t what you’re here to see. Aren’t you supposed to to be watching kids get violently murdered? What is going on?

What is going on indeed. This brief, disorienting intro sets the tone for the rest of the film: Something is not quite right here. However, before you have time to dwell on the question, the film flashes its title credits and starts setting up the conventional horror film formula: 5 college students heading out to an isolated lake cabin for a weekend of partying, pot, and. . . . hooking up. Each member of the group also fills a standard role. There is the naive, virginal(ish), Dana (Kristen Conolly), her hot, promiscuous roommate, Jules (Anne Hutchison), Jules’s studly alpha male boyfriend Curt (Chris Hemsworth), their pothead friend, Marty (Fran Kanz), and the handsome friend-of-a-friend, Holden (Jesse Williams), who simultaneously fills the role of potential love interest for Dana and ethnic minority. The quintet sets out and right on time, cue an ominous encounter with a grimy, tobacco chewing hermit, whose warnings the group undoubtedly ignores as they continue to their middle-of-nowhere destination.

From here, the parallel stories start to weave into each other and not much more can be said without major spoilers.The film surprises bit by bit, then snowballs with plot twists and reveals, until it culminates in an outrageous half hour finale of frenzied chaos, gleeful gore, and winks to classic villains and baddies that horror geeks love. Cabin is a treasure trove of horror fanatic goodies. The fiendishly clever script by was penned cult hero, Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and director of the the much-anticiated Avengers film), and Whedonverse  followers will recognize the auteur’s self aware style. There are lots of witty one-liners, nerd references, and visual gags that are just the right amount of absurd, including a passing bit involving a collapsible bong.  There’s also a very well-timed cameo that’s sure to delight sci-fi fans.

Whedon and his often creative partner, director Drew Goddard, have always had a flare for old school horror bloodshed and there’s plenty of gore to spare in Cabin in the Woods. Be warned, this is a very violent film, but it’s never truly scary. Instead, Cabin is both a satire and celebration of the horror genre, inventively twisting horror cliches and bending conventional tradition to ask the questions: Why do we love horror films so much? Why do we root for these violent deaths? Are the victims’ demises a result of their own free will or the machinations of forces they can not control? 

The Avengers is not the only Whedon-vehicle that is a must see this year. Even for those not keen on horror films, it’s a fun genre-pushing film that will delight, surprise, and thrill you. By the end, you won’t be quite sure what just happened, but you won’t be sorry it did.

Cabin in the Woods get 4.5 Babbles out of 5.

Marvel Announces Captain America Sequel Release Date

The Avengers isn’t even in theatres yet and Marvel has given its fans another Avenger film to look forward to. Walt
Disney Studios announced today that the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger is set to be released in theatres on April 4, 2014. The sequel will pick up where The Avengers leaves off.

For those planning to see The Avengers next month (everyone), this is definitely a less than subtle hint to stick around for the traditional post credits scene.

Here’s the full press release:
The Walt Disney Studios has announced a release date for Marvel Studios’ sequel to the blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger on April 4, 2014. The second installment will pick-up where the highly anticipated Marvel’s The Avengers (May 4, 2012) leaves off, as Steve Rogers continues his affiliation with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D and struggles to embrace his role in the modern world.

Look Out Katniss . . . Make Way for Princess Merida!

Bows and arrows are all the rage now and a new heroine will soon be stepping up to challenge The Hunger Games’ Katniss Everdeen as the reigning archery queen. Pixar’s newest film, Brave, will be hitting theaters June 22. Brave is Pixar’s first fairy tale and tells the story of the strong-willed and sharp-shooting Princess Merida. Check out the new promotional posters for the movie below!

New Avengers One Sheet

Avengers Super Bowl Spot Filled with New Glimpses

If you didn’t catch it during the game, here’s the Avengers Super Bowl spot (extended version). It’s ripe with new details and glimpses to analyze and gush over until May. One of my favorite shots has to be at 42s, the emphasized sound of each hero’s weapon as the camera pans around is a very nice and epic touch. May 4th can’t come soon enough.

Avengers assemble!

Marvel’s Such a Tease

During the Twitter live chat yesterday, Marvel released a 10 second teaser of the new Avengers trailer that will be aired during the  Super Bowl this Sunday. Check it out:

Avengers Assemble On Twitter Tomorrow!

Marvel heroes don’t just assemble to fight their archenemies, they also tweet-up to give you your social media fix. Tomorrow at 11 am PST/ 2 pm EST, Avengers writer/director Joss Whedon will hold a 30 minute live-chat on Twitter. Cast members Samuel L Jackson (@SamuelLJackson), Clark Gregg (@clarkgregg, and Tom Hiddleston (@twhiddleston) will also participate.

Fans who wish to participate and ask questions should tweet to the handle @Avengers and use the hashtag #Avengers. The interview will be moderated by Marvel Editorial Director Ryan Penagos, @Agent_M.

Participants will get to see a 10-second sneak peak of the 30-second spot that will air during the Super Bowl next week as well as win Avengers prizes for answering trivia questions.

 

 

A1L33N’s 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2012 (assuming the world doesn’t end)

Happy New Year Babblers!! 2011 has come and gone, and 2012 is bringing a whole new batch of movies for us to geek out and gush over. With so many great titles coming out this year, it’s hard to pick just 10 to be excited for.

Honorable Mentions:

Titanic 3D: (April 6) Ok, so this is technically a re-release but I can’t help but be excited for this one. 14 years later, Titanic continues to fill me with awe and angst. I know there are many who don’t like the current trend of converting films to 3D, but let’s remember that Titanic was directed by the same man who pioneered the  technology used in Avatar, and I can think of a few sequences from Titanic that will look pretty awesome in 3D.

Life of Pi : (December 21) There’s not a lot of hype around this movie, but I really loved the book and I’m curious to see what director Ang Lee will do with a protagonist that is stuck alone at sea with a lifeboat full of animals.

World War Z: (December 12) Brad Pitt stars in the film adaptation of the Max Brooks’ novel. Zombie lovers everywhere can’t wait and neither can I.

The Five Year Engagement: (April 27) This is probably the only romantic comedy I’m looking forward to and that’s mostly because it’s produced by Judd Apatow and stars Jason Segel.

Cloud Atlas: (October) I’m mostly interested in this because the Wachowski brothers are attached to this as 2 of the 3 directors for this seemingly ambitious film that involves 6 loosely connected story lines and a stellar cast including Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, and Halle Berry.

The Cabin in the Woods: (April 13) Joss Whedon has more than one movie starring Chris Hemsworth coming to theaters this year, but this one is a 3D horror thriller.

And now for the top 10:

10. Les Miserables – Dec 7

Director: Tom Hooper

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Eddie Redmayne

I bumped this to my top 10 after hearing that in lieu of pre-recorded vocals, director Tom Hooper is making the cast sing live on set. I love both the book and the musical, and I know Broadway lovers are eager to see a film adaptation of the long-standing musical.

9. Snow White and the Huntsman – June 1

Director: Rupert Sanders

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron

I didn’t think much of this movie until I saw the trailer, which is pretty  badass thanks to Charlize Theron’s ominous voiceover. Theron plays the Evil Queen and I’m sort of hoping more of the movie focuses on her (and the gorgeous Chris Hemsworth) than on Kristin Stewart. I mean honestly, in what world is Stewart “fairer ” than Charlize Theron? That aside, the movie seems like a unique, epic, and dark twist on the classic fairy tale and I’m interested to see if it delivers.

8. Skyfall – October 26

Director: Sam Mendes

Cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes

Quantum of Solace was a bit of let down, but I  loved Casino Royale and Daniel Craig enough to still be excited for this next installment. With Sam Mendes at the helm and Javier Bardem as the main villain, looks like the next chapter of the 007 series is  going to be far from disappointing.

7. Django Unchained – December 25

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Waltz, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

The movie is being directed by Quentin Tarantino. That should be enough. No? Ok, the movie is directed by Quentin Tarantino and is about a slave-turned-bounty hunter hellbent on rescuing his wife and getting revenge on his former master. Still not enough? How about this? The movie is directed by Quentin Tarantino, is about a slave-turned-bounty hunter hellbent on rescuing his wife and getting revenge on his former master, AND the cast includes Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Waltz, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, AND SAMUEL L. JACKSON. Get excited. NOW.

6. Prometheus - June 8

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron

Ridley Scott makes a return to sci-fi in this sort-of-but-not-really-but-probably-is prequel to the Alien series. This upcoming installment seems like a true classic, big budget sci-fi movie, with some horror elements as well and with such a great cast, this looks like it will be one of the best blockbusters of summer 2012.

5. Brave – June 22

Director: Mark Andrews

Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Julie Walters, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, John Ratzenberber

Let’s pretend Cars 2 didn’t happen. Pixar is a power factory for movies with great stories, gorgeous visuals, and characters to fall in love with. Cars 2 aside (again), I think every Pixar film since Monsters Inc. has either had me bawling like a little baby, or at the very least, misty eyed.  Surprisingly, this is Pixar’s first film with a Disney-style princess lead and I can’t what to see what they do with it.

4. The Hobbit - Dec 14

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee

 Who’s NOT excited about another epic adventure through Middle Earth? Any other year, this movie would be number one on my list. Martin Freeman stars as the young Bilbo Baggins and there will be plenty of returning appearances from the LOTR cast. Peter Jackson is back to direct this prequel to the much beloved  trilogy and from the looks of the trailer, this movie is everything we’re hoping for.

3. The Hunger Games - March 23

Director: Gary Ross

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth

If you’ve read the books, you know that they’re practically perfect for a film adaptation: A dystopian society, teenagers fighting to the death Battle Royale style, and a kickass female lead. Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to stay alive in The Hunger Games while rebelling against the government that put her there in the first place and dealing with growing feelings for fellow ally and competitor, Peeta Mellark.

2. The Dark Knight Rises - July 2012

Director: Chris Nolan

Cast: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Marion Cotillard

DUH. The only reason this movie is #2 on the list is because of The Avengers. I have no doubt The Dark Knight Rises will be the better film, but we already know what to expect from Christopher Nolan in this final chapter of the Batman saga.

 1. The Avengers – May 4

Director: Joss Whedon

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Samual L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg  . . did I get them all?

Iron Man. Captain America. Thor. Hulk. Black Widow. Hawkeye. Nick Fury. ONE MOVIE. I’m still in awe that this movie is being made. We’ve been waiting for it since Nick Fury stepped out of the shadows of Iron Man in 2008. Four years and four cameo-laden, reference-filled, and stinger-capped movies later, the wait is almost over. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!!

Happy Holidays

Disney sent out an adorable Holiday e-card this morning:

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, drop everything and go NOW.

The Whedon-verse Goes Digital!

Dark Horse Comics announced today that Buffy, Angel and Faith, and Dollhouse are now available for download in the Dark Horse Digital store. You can now read your favorite Whedon-verse comics on your laptop, iPad, and iPhone!

I haven’t gone digital with comics yet, but I like the direction it’s going. Once I get an iPad 2 of my very own (Christmas is coming up .. . hint hint), I intend on going digital with a few of my favorite Dark Horse titles and subscriptions to Marvel and DC.

How do you feel about comics going digital? Let us know here at Babbleon5!

Official press release from Dark Horse:

November 16^th, MILWAUKIE, OR—The wait is finally over, as Dark Horse and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products announce the arrival ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse and Angel in the Dark Horse digital store! As rave reviews and support for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9and the all-new series Angel and Faith continue, casual and hardcore fans will now be able to experience previous Buffy, Angel, and Dollhousecomics on all-new platforms! Buffy, Angel and Dollhouse are licensed through an agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.

Now, fans are encouraged to head over to Digital.DarkHorse.com to download issues of all three of these titles today, with multiple issues available for purchase! Fans can now download the first twenty issues of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #1-20, as well as Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 9 #1,2 &3.

“This marks another important turning point in Dark Horse’s digital initiative,” said Dark Horse president and founder, Mike Richardson. “Joss Whedon’s incredible characters have become some of our most popular, and now fans from all over the world can see them like they never have been seen before!”

“Our history with Dark Horse has been incredibly successful, giving fans of these characters all new ways to enjoy their stories,” said Jeffrey Godsick, president of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products. “This transition opens a whole new chapter in our relationship and will give readers an exciting opportunity to experience the comics on some of the hottest digital platforms.”

Going forward, Dark Horse will release a mix of new and backlist titles weekly. Stay in the know on all of your favorite titles, and sign up for the Dark Horse Digital newsletter at https://Digital.DarkHorse.com today!

11/9/11

Buffy Season 8 #1-20

Buffy Season 9 #1 & 2

11/16/11

Buffy Season 8 #21-25

Buffy Season 9 #3

Angel #1-9

Angel & Faith #1 – 3

11/23/11

Dollhouse one shot and #1-5

Buffy Season 8 #26 – 30

11/30/11

Buffy Season 8 #31- 35

12/7/11

Buffy Season 8 #36-40

Marvel First Look at Avengers #20

Here’s your first look at Marvel Avengers #20, which will be out in December!

Press release:

The latest and greatest roster of Avengers head down the rabbit hole to find out who is behind the all-new H.A.M.M.E.R. in your first look at Avengers #20! Just when the world thought it was safe, Norman Osborn has recruited a powerhouse team of new Dark Avengers and he’s out for revenge. Combined with the might of the former leaders of H.Y.D.R.A. and A.I.M., the Avengers will need serious firepower to tackle this threat. Luckily, that’s where their new recruits come in. Get in on the action, courtesy of the red-hot creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Daniel Acuña this December, in Avengers #20!

AVENGERS #20 (OCT110597)

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art & Cover by DANIEL ACUÑA

FOC – 11/28/11, ON SALE – 12/21/11