Captain America: Civil War: A Movie Review (Spoilers Ahead!)

First of all: Wow! This is the kind of writing that I enjoy- full character exploration with very real emotions involved. A conflict that relates to a flaw in humanity and some interesting consequences. 

So, you're probably wondering, which team am I on? Team Cap or Team Iron Man? 

Well I'm Cap all the way, but it is obvious that Steve Rodgers made some rash decisions. Now Tony Stark made rash decisions too. Both are at fault here, and Vision explains that, but they both have their reasons that we all think: what would I do in that situation. 

First: let's talk about the title: Ciivl War. A war fought from within and allies turning to enemies. This is what happens to the Avengers. The Vision explains that they are headed for catastrophe, but neither Steve or Tony head his warning. Both believe they are doing the right thing- and that kind of perspective leads to arrogance, vengence and ultimately loss. 

What's interesting is that both Steve and Tony make their decision with the same emotion. Grief. 

Tony grieves his parents, and Steve grieves for Peggy and Bucky. Their argument begins as a decision over right and wrong about the number of casualities they cause, but it turns into a deeper conflict about processing loss, and allowing that grief to determine their decision. 

Why do they do this? Their human. They aren't perfect, but because they are super hero's, everyone expects them to be. 

Now, let's look at both sides of the argument. 

Tony believes that the government should control the Avengers to some degree, because they have made mistakes before, and they have caused innocents to suffer because of it. 

Steve believes that the Avengers should have the freedom to decide what to do and how to solve external conflicts. 

Both of them choose this out of grief. Tony thinks of the boy whose mother reminds him was killed in one of the Avengers' missions. Steve thinks of Bucky who had no choice in his thoughts and actions when he became an experiment with Hydra. These storylines make the line even more grey as to whose right, whose wrong and if there is a right or wrong way to determine how battles should be fought. 

Vision observes this, and he tells Wanda that because they think they are right- they are dangerous. 

Watching the battle unfold, as the heroes choose their sides is a deeply emotional conflict that makes the film even more powerful to the audience. 

Thestory of the movie was well done, and I believe it brought up a few questions we can ask ourselves in our daily lives. Questions about loss, grief, friendship and war. 

Even with a serious storyline, the film did a wonderful job balancing humor with the chaos. 

Spider Man took the cake! And Antman was charming. Some of the inside jokes between the characters were wonderful as well. 

I also loved the relationship development between Scarlett Witch and Vision. 

Panther was amazing! I loved his confrontation with the real Villian in the film, and his wise choice relating to vengence. 

I give this film five out of five orange slices ^_^ 

Captain America: A Good Man

Today is July 4th. Independence Day, and the birthday of Steve Rodgers or Captain America. 

Cap'n is my favorite Avenger. And it's not just the man in the suit, or Chris Evans. 

It's his character. 

Captain America begins as Steve Rodgers, a man who wants to serve his country, but lots of obstacles stand in the way. He is physically weak, he has asthma, and he loses a lot of fights with bullies. But he doesn't give up. He goes to many army enlisting booths and changes his name, age, health and tries until he gets caught by Dr. Eskvine. 

Doctor Erskine asks him why he wants to enlist in the army, and this is Steve's response. 

"I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from." 

It is this repsonse that convinces Erskine to choose Steve Rodgers to be first super soldier. 

Despite Erskine's choice, Steve doesn't pass challenging physical tests, but the moment he takes a "grenade" for the team, his true strength is revealed: the test of character. 

Before Steve takes the serum, and becomes a super soldier, Doctor Erskine tells him: 

"The serum amplifies everything that is inside, so good becomes great; bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because the strong man who has known power all his life, may lose respect for that power, but a weak man knows the value of strength, and knows... compassion." 

As Chris Evans says, "He's good for the sake of good." This is why Captain America is such an amazing character. He does the right thing, and he never gives up. 

Once he finds out that his best friend Bucky has been captured, he goes after him, proving that he can lead troops into battle and stop Schimdt from conquering the world. 

Once he suceeds in saving Bucky, Steve becomes the soldier he always wanted to be, and more than that, a captain.

He also teams up with the incredible Peggy Carter, and he defies more and more of Schmidt's plans for HYDRA. But when Steve loses Bucky, he becomes even more determined to foil Schimdt's plans. 

But the ultimate act of good for good's sake is when Steve manually crashes Schimdt's plane to save millions of lives from the bombs that Schimdt set up in the plane. 

Captain America saved the world, but he paid a price: seventy years of his life. 

He wakes up in modern day America, with a new goal- to maintain the dream he had and to adapt to the changes that the world has gone through while he was gone. 

The first challenge he faces after waking up is to work with others on the Avengers project. 

He gets a lot of slack from the other heros for being old fashioned, but as Agent Coulson put it, "The world could use a little old fashioned." 

SHEILD wants him to work for them, but Steve doesn't trust their secrets. 

He goes to Peggy and tells her, "For as long as I can remember I just wanted to do what was right. I guess I'm not quite sure what that is anymore." 

A new challenge is presented to Steve when SHEILD is comprimised, and he faces his most challenging enemy, his best friend Bucky, brainwashed and weaponized. 

Steve must determine what he believes is the right thing to do, and he decides to stay true to himself and do what he believes is right. 

While saving SHEILD from HYDRA, Steve says, "The price of freedom is high, but it is a price that I am willing to pay." 

In that moment, Steve Rodgers is himself again, and he knows what he wants to do. 

Before Doctor Erskine gave Steve the serum he said, "I want you to promise me one thing. No matter what happens after tomorrow, you will stay who you are, not a perfect soldier, but a good man." 

Captain America is a great hero because he strives to be the best he can be. This is an admirable trait, and the mark of a great hero. 

Avengers: Age of Ultron

As most of you know, I'm a huge Marvel fan, and Captain America is my favorite avenger. 

Because this movie came out in Korea before the USA, I will keep the review spoiler free, but there are a few spoilers I will talk about, that will make no sense until you've seen the movie. 

In the first Avengers, these characters were just getting to know each other, and although they were already individual leaders, they had to find a way to work as a team. 

This movie sets up that dynamic really well, and we see each hero playing their part in the action. 

With six major characters, the movie had a decent plot, and we see each character face an inner conflict, and learn a little more about who they are. 

Captain America's inner conflict was heart breaking, while everyone else's focused on fear. 

In terms of the characters and conflict, I thought it was well balanced at the begining, but some conflicts were never addressed later in the film, though it may have been a setup for story in the sequel. 

This movie was more serious than the first Avengers. I didn't mind that too much, because the plot was philosophical and intriguing. We also see a lot of places around the world, and team work is a big theme in the film's story. 

The big bad of this film is someone unexpected, and the way Iron Man handles that bad guy seemed a little too convenient. A lot of the conflict in this film involves Iron Man's ideals for the world, and Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawk Eye and The Hulk have to deal with much of his actions. 

This is natural for his character, but at times, I felt it shifted the balance of the plot. 

Iron Man carried most of the comedy in the film, but his dark moments were so dark that it didn't quite make sense. I felt he had almost lost the character development we saw in the first one, as he makes so many selfish decisions that the others don't agree with. 

Hawk Eye had a wonderful part to play in this film, and some of the best lines of dialogue. He even has a mentor role in one scene that showed how mentally strong and heroic he is. I enjoyed his storyline in the film, and I felt like it was a heart of the story. 

Black Widow was amazing as usual, but we see a softer side of her character in this movie. Her story revolves around moving forward instead of looking back. She has a very confident prescence in the film, and she seems to be more comfortable in her own skin. 

The Hulk was very hestitant in this film. His inner conflict was a constant theme in the story, and it seems he has much more to learn. 

Thor was Thor, and his plot didn't really make a lot of sense, but I believe his story was really a set up for the next film. 

Captain America had the most heroic role, until close to the end, but much of his leadership, wisdom and morality was overshadowed by Iron Man's plot. In terms of the inner conflict, I think he handled his very well, and he ends the movie as a stronger and more confident character. 

Now for the spoilers. 

Many people have said that the romance subplot of the film was unecessary. I didn't mind it, but I will say that it was a little bit of a shock in terms of the back story for three major characters. I do disagree with the fact that people beleived there was no build up. I think there was a little potential for that in the first film, and there are a few moments between the characters that were endearing. 

For one character in particular, people say that this subplot weakens their character.  I disagree. In fact, I think this character is more balanced in terms of heart and mind. They are able to hold their own, and still admit what matters to them. 

Another spoiler, I loved the introduction of the newest Avenger, and how the character weighed in to the main plot. They may even be up there with Captain America as my favorite hero. 

Overall this movie was intense, entertaining and the story telling was very deep. Having so many characters can be difficult in terms of a solid plot, but I thought the themes, conflict and the philosophical elements of the story were well done. 

In my personal opinion, I would have liked to see more of Captain America, but that's just because he's amazing. 

I would give this movie four out of five space gems. 

Marvel's Agent Carter and why you should be watching it

Captain America is my favorite Marvel movie. Not only because the hero was a good person inside and out, but also because the leading lady was a confident, independent and strong woman able to take care of herself. 

So when I saw Peggy Carter in the most recent season of Agents of SHEILD and the trailer for Agent Carter, I was estatic that she would get her chance to shine. 

Peggy Carter is a hero, and a good rolemodel for young girls and women. 

She doesn't take the sexism and belittling comments about her gender, and she uses it as a weapon against her oppressors. Sometimes she does this without her oppressors even realising what she's doing. 

Not only that, she uses her wit, charm and beauty as a shield against it. (Yes I used shield on purpose.)

We already know this from her debut on the silver screen in Captain America, but this series chronicles what happens after Steve Rodger's brave sacrifice to save the world. 

Peggy Carter, once a powerful soldier in the war has been reduced to a secretary dealing with the aftermath. She is also mourning the loss of Steve, and she is trying to find a new purpose as the world continues to change. She finds purpose again working with Howard Stark and his butler Jarvis to prevent dangerous weapons falling into the wrong hands. 

As Carter tries to balance these two professions, one a disappointment and one a danger, she discovers secrets left behind from the war possibly leading to something far more sinister and threatening in the future. 

There are several reasons to watch this show: 

The Writing! 

       The dialgoue, the subtle symbolism and the dynamic are spot on. 

The Heroine

       Seriously. Agent Carter is amazing! 

The atmosphere

       This series has a classic feel, from the setting to the costuming, it's like watching a really well performed movie from early Hollywood. 

The supporting characters. 

        There's a reason that Tony Stark named his robot after Edwin Jarvis. He is a complex character who takes on the roles of caretaker, teacher, butler, comedian and loyal friend. 

        Another charming character is Carter's new friend Angie, an aspiring actress who works at the dinner that Carter frequents. 

The Captain America radio program. 

          It's ridiculous, and I don't blame Carter for despising it. 

The action!

          Hayley Atwell's twitter account says it all :) 

The bittersweet admiration and reminders of Captain America. 

So all I can say about Agent Carter is "It's about time!" 

I can't wait for the next episode, and I hope we will see more Marvel leading ladies in the future :)

I give it five out of five "Ladies' Things". 

Also for those who are curious, Agent Carter's armor is Besame in Red Velvet found here: 

http://besamecosmetics.com/products/red-velvet-lipstick

Writing Prompt 35: Top 10 Movies

Prompt: My Ten Favorite movies

I loved this movie when I was a kid. (Already a fan of epic adventures.) My aunt would put this on the TV whenever I came over and my eyes would be glued to the screen.

This story holds a special place in my heart. The film came on T.V. very often, and whenever it did, I couldn't change the channel. (Of course this is another epic quest film- starting to see a pattern here? he he)

Does this one even need explaining at this point? Favorite fairytale and a Disney Princess that loved books and adventures just as much as I do!

The book series I grew up with on the big screen. Priceless.

How I got through High School. These movies will always bring back memories of screenings with my Dad and my friends. A very epic saga. I also love the books ( of course).

 

I watched this movie so many times when it first came out, and read the book before I saw the movie. I love everything about this film and book (even though they are very different). Tristan's journey to move on from the past and build his own future will always be meaningful to me.

My favorite Hayao Miazaki movie. I love Howl. And, Sophie's journey to self confidence captures the magic of this film. Howl's return to humanity and Sophie's  newly found confidence help both characters find a home and give them courage to fight for what they believe in.

This movie really explores the inner and outer conflict of good vs evil. The story also revolves around the meaning of real strength. Steve Rodgers discovers the power of having a good character is stronger than brute strength.

Not only is this film beautiful, it is about living life instead of worrying about what will happen. Marlin's journey from a paranoid father to an understanding parent showed him that he could change his circumstances once he changed his perspective.

A modern reverse Beauty and the Beast story about changing your fate and breaking free.

        I love so many movies, and in general I love action packed, fun films. This was actually a very hard choice. But these films spoke to me the most. Each story taught me a different lesson. The Dark Crystal inspired many worlds in my imagination. The Last Unicorn taught me that sometimes stories have a bittersweet ending. Beauty and the Beast defines my idea of a relationship (getting to know each other and going at your own pace). Harry Potter brought magic into the real dramas of school life and adolescence. The Lord of the Rings inspired my first fantasy story with its memorable characters and epic plot. Star Dust taught me the lesson of how to heal a broken and deceived heart. Howl's Moving Castle gave me the courage to believe in myself and what I can do. Captain America showed the inner conflict of doing what is right without allowing others' judgement to control your life. Finding Nemo showed me that life will happen, so it's better to live it instead of worry all the time. And finally, Penelope taught me that sometimes the actual obstacle holding you back from your dreams is really just yourself.
        So there you have it. Ten movies that I don't get sick of, and remind me what life is about. This list may change over time. Different stories and characters are always influencing my life and my journey as a writer. But that's the beauty of stories and tales. They grow and change over time. The same message and meaning through a new lens and dream.

What movies make your top ten list? What have you learned from them?