Generally, sports films aren’t for me but UNSTOPPABLE is an exception, because this remarkable true story is more that an inspiring sport film but also a true story of human character, strength and determination, and even love and family. It is more than it seems at first. The true story of champion wrestler Anthony Robles, born with only one leg but with an unstoppable drive to succeed in the sport he loves, is inspiring but so is the personal story that goes with it. Robles faced a lot of challenges from the start but had one stroke of really good luck of having a supportive, loving parent in his teenaged mother. Actually, UNSTOPPABLE is not really about sports (although it does have impressive wrestling scenes), but about human courage and drive, and well, heart.
Anthony Robles faces challenges beyond just having been born with one leg, and dealing with the obstacles that creates for his athletic dreams. Anthony and his mother, and all his younger siblings form a loving Latino family but they barely scrapping by financially and things are made more precarious and complex by his mother’s unreliable, bossy husband.
The film tells two emotionally powerful true stories, the sports one and the family one, in parallel, creating a uniquely uplifting and universal human story, both inspiring in its refusal to quit and its capacity for love. UNSTOPPABLE sports an impressive cast, with Jharrel Jerome as Robles, supported by Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Pena, and even the real Anthony Robles in wrestling scenes that blend him and the young actor playing him, in an startlingly effective FX.
The film shows Anthony Robles as more than a remarkable athlete but a person of remarkable inner strength, character, and kindness, while still being a fearsome fighter on the wrestling mat. It is inspiring but all done without a false note or sentimentality.
Jharrel Jerome plays Anthony Robles who we meet as a high schooler, a star wrestler with dreams of college, and the oldest child in a large Hispanic family that is barely scraping by financially. Jennifer Lopez plays his mother Judy, the rock holding the family together. Judy had Anthony when she was only 16 and mother and son are exceptionally close, and in many ways, Anthony is her rock as well as the source of her hopes. Bobby Cannavale plays Judy’s husband Rick, Antony’s stepdad and the father of his younger siblings. While Rick can be fun and entertaining, he can also be demanding and critical, particularly towards Anthony. The younger kids all look up to Anthony, and depend on him and their mother, while their loud-mouthed dad bosses everyone around. Worse, Rick likes to drink, is unreliable and has trouble holding a job, putting even more on Judy. Things don’t get better as the story unfolds.
Anthony dreams of becoming a NCAA champ but he is turned down by his first choice college, University of Iowa, which is widely considered to have the best wrestling program in the country. The coach quickly dismisses Anthony from consideration, feeling he is too big a gamble for a program already on top. His other top-pick colleges also pass him over. Although Drexel offers him a scholarship, he decides to go to Arizona State University, so he can stay home and help his mom. When he later goes to the mat against a top-seeded wrestler from University of Iowa, it’s time for some pay back.
The two threads of Anthony’s life are told in tandem, sometimes seems to mirror each other, but it is like two stories, with Anthony often the only connection. While UNSTOPPABLE has the usual basic outlines of any fact-based sports story, the personal one that is told long side it gives it an extra depth, and human connection.
The excellent wrestling scenes deserve special mention, as the FX are impressive, even if you are not a wrestling fan (which I am not). The real Anthony Robles appears in the wrestling scenes, where the film uses camera work, special effects and editing to merge him with the young actor Jharrel Jerome. The effect is seamless and fascinating. Watching Robles turn the tables on opponents by wrestling on his own terms is quite something, and you get a real sense of why some opponents complained that having one less leg to grab was actually to Robles advantage, as wily, flexible Robles slips away from their grasp. The scenes are quite thrilling, and satisfying, to watch, after Robles faces such dismissive treatment by some coaches or opponents.
The cast is superb in both these story lines, as is the storytelling from Oscar-winning film editor-turned-director William Goldenberg. As Anthony, Jharrel Jerome is in nearly every scene, and worked hard to build up his upper body muscle mass, master Anthony’s Arizona accent, his smooth movements on the crutches Anthony used all his life and, importantly, his wrestling moves, so fans of the sport would feel they were watching the real thing. Jennifer Lopez is excellent as his mother Judy, a complex character who is more than just a support for her son, but someone with her own issues. While Bobby Cannavale could easily made Rick a one-note villain, he makes him a more complicated character, haunted in his own way but with misplaced anger taken out on the family.
Fortunately for Anthony, his high school coach Bobby Williams is more of a father figure. Michael Pena is a steady rock as the high school coach, who stays involved even after his young friend goes on to college. Don Cheadle, as always, is excellent as Arizona State wrestling coach Shawn Charles, coming across at first as a hard-nosed, even unfeeling, but gradually softening as he learns the depths of this young wrestler’s inner (and outer) strengths. Michael Pena is steady rock as Anthony’s high school coach who still has his young friend’s back as he goes on to college.
Unable to get a wrestling scholarship, Anthony also takes a job on top of everything else, as a cleaner at the airport, where he wins over everyone on the crew with is positive nature and work ethic.
What Anthony is doing as he pursues his wrestling dreams and what he copes with at home are both enormous challenges – and to have to juggle them at the same time, and successfully, is more than you would think anyone could do. Yet that show of strength and character is exactly why this is such a great true story. If you feel in need for a little break and uplift from depressing news, this well-made, true-story drama can be just the tonic.
UNSTOPPABLE debuts streaming on Prime Video on Thursday, Jan 16.
Feeling more like an MCU film, watch the trailer for Marvel Studios’ espionage thriller “Secret Invasion”. The live-action, original series premieres June 21, exclusively on Disney+.
In Marvel Studios’ new series “Secret Invasion,” set in the present day MCU, Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.
Marvel Studios’ “Secret Invasion” stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Charlayne Woodard, Killian Scott, Samuel Adewunmi, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Katie Finneran, with Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman, and Don Cheadle.
Ali Selim directs the series and executive-produces, along with fellow executive producers Kevin Feige, Jonathan Schwartz, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Samuel L. Jackson, Ali Selim, Kyle Bradstreet and Brian Tucker. Kyle Bradstreet is also the head writer, and Jennifer L. Booth, Allana Williams and Brant Englestein serve as co-executive producers.
Noah Baumbach, the director whose previous films include dramas like THE SQUID AND THE WHALE, offers audiences an absurdist comic fantasy with WHITE NOISE. In WHITE NOISE, a couple played by Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig live in a pleasant bubble of late 20th century clueless consumerism in a small idyllic-looking college town, until trouble comes to town.
Jack Gladney (Driver) is a college professor and his present and fourth wife Babette (Gerwig) is a stay-at-home mother raising their three children from previous marriages and a toddler of their own. It is the era of station wagons (the family vehicle fav before the minivan that had its peak in the ’70s), and the town is celebrating the parade of family station wagons bearing students like the return of swallows to Capistrano.
Jack’s best buddy Murray (a wonderfully funny Don Cheadle) is a fellow college professor at College on the Hill, where Murray lectures about the profound meaning of car crashes in movies, his area of academic study. Driver’s character’s equally weird field of study is “Hitler studies,” which seems to be Hitler trivia, although he is deeply embarrassed that he does not actually speak German. The family’s idyllic suburban life circles around what’s for dinner, little family kerfuffles, and modest ambitions for career advancement. At night, the couple share their deepest wishes in life, which for each, is to die before the other, because they can’t go on without the other.
The Gladney family goes about its quiet life, stressing over career advancement and a host of petty concerns, until a massive cloud of toxic gas threatens their leafy little town. Still they do nothing until the thing is right on top of them, which finally sends them scrambling.
Absurdism is at the forefront from the beginning in this ambitious film, which the director adapted from Don DeLillo’s 1985 novel. Baumbach’s script keeps the novel’s 3-part structure, although there are changes. WHITE NOISE provides some hilarious moments as well as a few insightful, even profound, ones on its journey, but ultimately, it does not completely come together as effectively as it might have.
This disaster movie chapter is followed by one that is more crime thriller. Along the way, the story deals with life, death, love and religion, sometimes in surprising, creative ways. Still, everything ends up at the supermarket, with a delightfully nutty sequence as the credits roll.
Adam Driver is the central character in this mad tale, but Greta Gerwig gets her moments too, as a parody of the classic ’80s movie wife. However, Don Cheadle, at his charismatic best, tends steal the scenes he is in. All the cast provide nice performances but this profoundly weird stuff.
Part of that weirdness is that the couple seems to live a fantasy time period, one of suburban serenity that is mostly the station-wagon loving, consumerism-heavy mid-1970s, although other story elements suggest it is the ’80s and other elements draw on the ’90s, in a kind of late 20th century stew.
The indeterminate time period actually works pretty well for the film. Greta Gerwig’s character sports the frizzy ’70s hair but wears loose rolled cuff pants of the ’90s. The family shops at the A&P grocery store, a vanished chain that was the original “supermarket” store featuring an array of goods and produce, where they are surrounded by old corporate brand names like Tide detergent and Frosted Flakes cereal in bright, candy-colored, neon-lit stores.
This absurdist satiric tour of late 20th century suburbia, and the mass market movies it spawned, touches on a number of real human concerns. While it does have its entertaining moments and even deeper moving ones, as a whole it does not really gel. In the end, maybe the title says it all – a noise that blocks out distractions from reality.
WHITE NOISE in now playing in select theaters and starts streaming on Netflix beginning Friday, December 30.
Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War has conquered both audiences and critics, debuting to $179.1 million—the fifth-biggest domestic opening of all time. When it arrives early on Digital HD, Digital 3D and Disney Movies Anywhere on Sept. 2 and on Blu-ray™ 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on Sept. 13, viewers can join the nonstop action and pick their side—Team Cap, commanded by Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), or Team Iron Man, led by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). And don’t miss the 60+ minutes of in-depth bonus features that take viewers behind the battle lines with their favorite Super Heroes!
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” has earned a 90% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. “Captain America: Civil War” is the highest-grossing film of 2016 domestically, internationally and globally, earning more than $1.14 billion at the worldwide box office. It also continues Marvel Studios’ winning streak as the 13th consecutive film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to debut at #1 at the domestic box office.
When Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” arrives early on Digital HD, Digital 3D and Disney Movies Anywhere on Sept. 2 and on Blu-ray™ 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on Sept. 13, viewers can join the nonstop action and pick their side—Team Cap, commanded by Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), or Team Iron Man, led by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).
Rogers and Stark are joined by a star-studded lineup of beloved Marvel Super Heroes, including Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Bucky Barnes aka Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Sam Wilson aka Falcon (Anthony Mackie) Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes aka War Machine (Don Cheadle), Clint Barton aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Vision (Paul Bettany) and Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), along with new recruit Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and joined by two new additions to the MCU: T’Challa aka Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Peter Parker aka Spider-Man (Tom Holland).
More than 60-minutes of thrilling, exclusive bonus material includes: an inside look at the evolution of lead characters Steve Rogers and Tony Stark, a behind-the-scenes exclusive on the making of Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War,” never-before-seen deleted scenes and hilarious outtakes. Plus, home audiences can learn more about the latest additions to the MCU and get an exclusive, first look at Marvel’s “Doctor Strange,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, coming to theaters Nov. 4, 2016.
Bonus features include*:
DIGITAL HD/3D & BLU-RAY:
United We Stand, Divided We Fall – The Making of Captain America: Civil War Part 1 & Part 2 – As the tension mounts, sides are chosen and lines drawn. Learn more about the characters on each side—from Captain America and Iron Man to the latest recruits. In this complete behind-the-scenes look at a landmark in the Marvel saga, we’ll examine their stories through exclusive footage and interviews and discover just what went into selecting the Super Hero teams, filming the epic action sequences and introducing Black Panther and Spider-Man to the MCU.
Captain America: The Road to Civil War – Explore the First Avenger’s fascinating evolution from loyal soldier to seasoned, conflicted hero who questions authority.
Iron Man: The Road to Civil War – From Gulmira to Sokovia, delve into the development and evolution of one of the most iconic characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Gag Reel – Break the tension of this high-stakes conflict with some hilarious outtakes featuring the lighter side of your favorite Super Heroes.
Deleted & Extended Scenes – Check out never-before-seen footage that didn’t make the final cut of “Captain America: Civil War.”
Audio Commentary – Directors Anthony and Joe Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely deliver scene-by-scene insight and explain the storytelling challenges they faced creating the third installment of the Captain America franchise.
Open Your Mind: Marvel’s Doctor Strange – Exclusive Sneak Peek – Go behind and beyond the scenes as Doctor Strange makes his journey to the big screen.
*Bonus features may vary by retailer. The DVD does not include any bonus materials.
The most explosive clash to ever rock the Marvel Cinematic Universe ignites a firestorm of conflict in the game-changing epic, Captain America: Civil War. In the wake of collateral damage, government pressure to rein in the Avengers drives a deep wedge between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), causing a catastrophic rift that escalates into an all-out feud. Against a backdrop of divided loyalties, their fellow Avengers must deal with the fallout. Pick a side in this spectacular adventure, packed with mind-blowing action, suspense and exclusive bonus content!
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” is directed by Emmy® Award-winning directors Anthony and Joe Russo from a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. Kevin Feige, p.g.a. is the producer of the film, with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.
It’s finally time to pack away the bulky Winter coats and jackets, or at least regulate them to the far corners of the closet, because Summer has truly arrived. A new tradition heralding the seasonal start began eight years ago with the first major Marvel Studios release IRON MAN, and almost every first weekend of May since has seen another “box office buster” storm the nation’s, now the world’s, theatre screens. Like the “star-spangled man”, these exec do have a plan, mapping out groups of films as a “phase”. That 2008 classic marked the beginning of “phase one” that concluded with the first titanic team-up of heroes, MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS. “Phase two” finished up last Summer with ANT-MAN and the second Avengers epic. Who better to usher in the beginning of “phase three” than the first Avenger himself, Steve Rogers? But the good Captain now faces a challenge perhaps greater than the Hydra hordes that infested SHIELD in his second solo film. The sentinel of liberty is pitted against his friends and fellow Avengers in the globe spanning adventure CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR.
The story actually begins 25 years ago in Siberia, as James “Bucky” Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is awakened from his cryogenic slumber to complete another murder mission as the Winter Soldier. Jump forward to modern-day Lagos in Africa, as Captain America (Chris Evans) and Natasha Romanoff AKA the Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) team with Avengers “newbies” Wanda Maximoff AKA the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Sam Wilson AKA the Falcon (Anthony Mackie) to stop a gang led by an old enemy. Suddenly the battle takes an unplanned turn, leading to a unforeseeable tragedy. Meanwhile Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) has finished the presentation of a new simulator at MIT, when he is confronted by the relative of an innocent lost during an Avengers operation. Later the Avengers are summoned to a meeting with new Secretary of State, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (William Hurt), the former General who tried to take down the Hulk. He reminds them of the destruction left in the wake of the Avengers, then presents a thick book, the “Sokovian Accords”. He wants each Avenger to review the tome then sign an agreement to only assemble after approval by members of the United Nations. Steve has reservations about such restrictions, while Tony believes that they should be “put in check”. But as the debate rages, Steve and Sam continue their search for Bucky. Days later an attack occurs in Vienna during a special address to the UN by the king of the secretive African nation of Wakanda. The country’s Prince T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) swears revenge. Police security footage reveals the Winter Soldier at the scene. Can Steve find his old friend before the authorities and T’Challa, who is also the fierce warrior the Black Panther, do? And what will happen if Steve and his supporters refuse to sign those Accords? Will the Avengers “dis-assemble”?
With such a large cast it comes as a great surprise, joyous really, that each actor really gets a chance to shine (this is something that the Star Trek and X-Men films struggle with). The story anchor is, of course, the title hero. Evans slips into Steve Rogers just as you may slip into a warm, comfy sweater. After five features, Evans has made Cap a truly human hero, a man who always rises to the occasion, despite the odds or his own doubts. Yes, he’s an iconic symbol, but he’s still a guy from Brooklyn. You might say that the film has an equal co-anchor in the always entertaining Mr. Downey. He’s still a master of the devastating quip or insult (and there’s plenty here), but we see Tony’s darker self, a man dealing with past regrets while having great trepidation about the road he’s taken. Mackie’s a superb soldier who still has time for a wisecrack or three. Of all the heroes, Johansson as the Widow is perhaps the most conflicted. She has great loyalty to both Tony and Steve, but she wants no more innocent blood on her hands. Stan as Bucky still seems to be a fog, struggling to find his own humanity, but unable to quell the beast that has been placed inside him. Olsen’s Wanda also struggles as she tries to control her powers and not be consumed by guilt when those powers are not enough to avert catastrophe. She shares great screen chemistry with Paul Bettany as the aloof, otherworldly android, the Vision. He begins a hesitant friendship with Wanda, one that seems in conflict with his programming (wow, he’s got a cooking app). Emily VanCamp finally opens up to Cap, sharing the truth about her connection to him. Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Don Cheadle as James “War Machine” Rhodes are solid as the world-weary soldiers on opposite sides (the archer is most worried about leaving his family). Hurt, reprising his role from 2008’s THE INCREDIBLE HULK, adds an air of stern gravitas as he tries to reign in the group. And Paul Rudd’s starstruck Scott Lang brings some much-needed levity to the high stakes showdown while his Ant-Man more than proves his value.
Hey, they even added a few new folks into the mix. Martin Freeman is quite engaging in his brief role as VanCamp’s arrogant new boss, Everett Ross. Daniel Bruhl adds an air of menace as the mysterious Zemo, a shadowy figure with an unexplained (until the final act) agenda. Boseman has a dignified regal bearing as T’Challa until loss unlocks the Black Panther’s rage, making us look forward to his upcoming solo feature film. But the breakout new addition to the Marvel movie universe may be Tom Holland as Peter Parker, the amazing Spider-Man. “But, we’ve seen the wall-crawler on screen before!”, you say. Well, not in the hands of Marvel Studios. After five features, Sony Pictures has finally joined forces with them to relaunch the franchise. Spidey will be able to guest in the other films and vice versa. Holland (so great in the 2012 disaster drama THE IMPOSSIBLE), brings a vulnerable charm to Pete while exuding boyish enthusiasm (and lots of “smack talk” chatter) to ole'”webhead”, stealing every scene, and leaving us anxiously awaiting his screen return in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. Now this is our Spidey!
The brothers Russo (Anthony and Joe) prove that their tag-team triumph on CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER was truly no fluke. They masterfully juggle the myriad of “super folk”, while never making the film feel bloated. There’s a lean vitality to their action set pieces, from the flawed opener, to the traffic chase, and the apartment assault. But the most remarkable action sequence, setting a high water mark for future super hero flicks, is the big airport showdown, the “tumult on the tarmac” you might say (hey, I just did). It’s a visual stunner with over a dozen heroes giving a new meaning to the old Astaire standard as they suddenly “change partners and dance”, making for many astounding match-ups. There’s an infectious sense of fun (so lacking in another recent comics-inspired face off). While this would be the big finale for most flicks, the Russos opt for a more intimate last confrontation that packs an emotional wallop thanks to the great script by Marvel movie vets Christopher Markus and Stephan McFeely. Besides the physical battles, this is a story that deals with important issues, very relevant to our times with the enhanced heroes echoing real-life concerns over security and international boundaries. elaborating on the excellent recent comics mini-series written by Mark Millar. Neither Tony or Steve is 100% right or wrong. Plus the city-wide mass destruction is kept to a minimum, never becoming another tiresome bit of “disaster porn”. Many fans felt that the Marvel films may have lost their way with the last Avengers film. Now the Russos has gotten the train back on the track, making the Marvel Universe a welcome vacation spot at the multiplex (in the words of Liz Lemmon on TV’s “30 Rock”, “I want to go to there”). When we look back on these “phase” sets of films, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR will shine as one of the best. At ease, Cap!
Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War L to R: Falcon/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Hawkeye/Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), and Winter S
Are you all ready to head to the multiplex this weekend for the latest action epics from the ever-expanding Marvel Studios movie universe? Well, you will be after running through this top ten, nay fifteen, list of all those involved! So, face front true believers! Here goes… 15. Crossbones AKA Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo)
THE COMICS: Brock was introduced as a childhood fan of the Red Skull who became an assassin working for his hero in Captain America #360 (1989)
THE FILMS: We first saw him as a SHIELD agent (and undercover HYDRA operative) in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (2014). During the battle over Washington DC, Rumlow appeared to perish in the collapsing SHIELD HQ building after taking on the Falcon. But a team of surgeons saved the scarred killer. Is he seeking revenge against Cap and his allies Now? 14. Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (William Hurt)
THE COMICS: Army General “Thunderbolt” Ross was chasing down the “green goliath’ in his premiere appearance in The Incredible Hulk #1 (1962). Locating and destroying the Hulk became his “Ahab-like” obsession, even when he learned that the creature was really the learned Dr. Bruce Banner, the boyfriend of the general’s daughter Betty. Much later Ross became the brutal Red Hulk.
THE FILMS: Sam Elliott first played Ross on screen in Ang Lee’s HULK (2003). When Marvel Studios produced THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008), Hurt took over. When last we saw him, Ross was enjoying a cocktail when Tony Stark waltzed into the bar to inquire about the Hulk’s whereabouts. In the trailers for the new film, Ross is out of uniform. Perhaps he has embarked on a new career. From the looks of things, Ross seems none too pleased with our heroes. 13. Zemo (Daniel Bruhl)
THE COMICS: Baron Zemo was one of Hitler’s top scientists when Captain America destroyed his ultimate invention “Adhesive X”. The glue splashed over his protective mask, welding it to his face permanently. Later Zemo’s crew captured Cap and Bucky and strapped them to a drone plane. Young Bucky was supposedly killed in an explosion that sent Cap plunging into the icy waters of the Atlantic. All this was shown in The Avengers #4 (1964). When the Captain was rescued and thawed, Zemo came out of hiding in South America and later formed the Masters of Evil.
THE FILMS: CIVIL WAR marks the first screen appearance of Zemo (no word whether he has been stripped of the royal title). Reports indicate that he may be the catalyst for the clash of heroes. 12. Agent 13 AKA Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp)
THE COMICS: Carter was first seen as a SHIELD courier targeted by Batroc the Leaper in Tales of Suspense #75 (1966). Captain America came to her aid and they were later paired up on many SHIELD missions. Cap soon learned that Sharon was the niece of his great World War II love Peggy Carter. Over the years he became romantically involved with Sharon.
THE FILMS: In CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, Sharon was deep undercover posing as Steve’s neighbor until an attack by the Winter Soldier forced her to reveal her mission. Later Sharon proved to be a skilled ally when HYDRA took over SHIELD’s control center. Will she reveal her family origins to Steve in the new film? Now a CIA agent, who will she side with, him or Tony? 11. Prince T’Challa AKA Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman)
THE COMICS: T’Challa, the prince of the hidden, scientifically advanced African kingdom of Wakanda, left his homeland to challenge and later aid the FF in Fantastic Four #52 (1966). He possesses many of the traits of a deadly jungle cat and is a formidable warrior, devoted to the protection of his country. Later he would prove to be a valued member of the Avengers.
THE FILMS: This is the hero’s first screen appearance, although Wakanda was mentioned by vibranium smuggler Ulysses Klaue in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015). In the trailer it seems that the Panther is on Team Tony, especially in his pursuit of the Winter Soldier.
10. Peter Parker AKA Spider-Man (Tom Holland)
THE COMICS: The wall-crawling wonder exploded on the comics scene in Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962). High school student Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, which gave him enhanced arachnid abilities (super strength, adherence to all surfaces, etc.). After an attempt to profit from his powers led to tragedy, Peter donned his costume to fight crime, even though he is wanted by the authorities (and despised by a newspaper publisher). Though a loner, Spidey has at times been a charter Avenger.
THE FILMS: After a lengthy exhaustive legal battle, Sony Pictures finally got the screen rights to Marvel’s biggest star and released his first feature, SPIDER-MAN, starring Tobey Maguire, in 2002. It’s huge success quickly lead to SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004) and SPIDER-MAN 3 (2007), all directed by Sam Raimi. The franchise was “rebooted” by director Marc Webb with THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2012) and THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2014), starring Andrew Garfield. Now after many negotiations, Sony has teamed with Marvel Studios on a relaunch that will integrate Spidey into the Marvel movie universe, hence his role here. And after seeing him snatch away cap’s shield with his webbing, it looks like Petey’s is on Tony’s team!
9. Scott Lang AKA Ant-Man (Paul Rudd)
THE COMICS: Scientist Hank Pym perfected the formula for shrinking via the “Pym Particles” in Tales to Astonish #27 (1962). Donning a helmet that enabled him to control and communicate with ants, Pym fought crime alongside fiancée Janet Van Dyne as Ant-Man and the Wasp. The two were founding members of the Avengers. After some adjustments to his formula, Pym became the towering Giant-Man. He retired from heroics to focus on his science work until desperate dad Scott Lang stole his Ant-Man suit and formula in The Avengers #181 (1979). After Lang was pardoned (he did it to save his daughter), he became the new Ant-Man and joined the Avengers.
THE FILMS: Lang’s story was told in last year’s ANT-MAN . He and the Falcon fought over a piece of Pym tech stored at Avengers HQ, but by the movie’s end, Sam Wilson was trying to track down the hero. From the trailer it seems that Sam has successfully recruited Scott for Team Cap. 8. Wanda Maximoff AKA Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)
THE COMICS: Wanda began her comic career as villain. Really a reluctant one alongside twin brother Pietro (Quicksilver) as part of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in X-Men #4 (1964). Later the twins fled the group to reform their ways and become Avengers. While Quicksilver left, the Scarlet Witch was a powerful member of the team, often paired with future hubby the Vision.
THE FILMS: Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver were seen briefly in a mid-credits scene at the conclusion of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER. The two were held captive in the lab of Baron Strucker’s castle fortress. In AVENGERS: THE AGE OF ULTRON, the duo escaped after using their powers against the heroes. Vowing revenge for the destruction of their Sokovian home, they later teamed with Ultron. However, they soon learned of the android’s true plot and defected to the Avengers. When Pietro perished during the battle, Wanda decides to stay on with the team. In the trailers she’s a strong ally to Cap. 7. The Vision (Paul Bettany)
THE COMICS: The first hero sporting the name was a Timely Comics creation from Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. He was a crime fighting alien from an alternate dimension. The best known version of that character first appeared in The Avengers #57 (1968). This Vision was the creation of Ultron, who programmed him to destroy Henry Pym. This android, or “synthezoid” used the brain patterns of deceased hero Wonder Man and shares a lineage with the original Human Torch. After some tinkering, the Vision became a powerful member of the Avengers, even marrying the Scarlet Witch.
THE FILMS: The Vision actually began as the voice of Tony’s Stark’s personal computer system J.A.R.V.I.S., a high-tech “butler” really. He was first heard in IRON MAN (2008), IRON MAN 2 (2010), MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS (2012), and IRON MAN 3 (2013). In order to thwart the plans of Ultron, Tony downloaded the program into the synthetic body created by Ultron. The Vision joins the Avengers for the final battle in AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON (2015), even destroying the last remnant of the villain. In the new film, the Vision is squarely with his creator.
6. James “Bucky” Barnes AKA the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan)
THE COMICS: In Captain America Comics #1 (1941), camp mascot “Bucky” Barnes discovers Private Steve Rogers donning his costume. To assure the lad’s silence, Steve takes him on as a partner. The two fought side by side until Bucky was killed trying to defuse Baron Zemo’s drone. Cap related this to the Avengers after he was thawed out from suspended animation in Avengers # 4 (1964). It wasn’t until Captain America #1 Volume 5 (2005), that Steve learned that Bucky was not killed at the end of WWII. A Russian sub picked up his near lifeless body (his left arm was lost). Moscow scientists grafted on a powerful bionic arm and used Bucky’s amnesia to program him as an unstoppable assassin. In between missions, he was placed in cryogenic sleep, so he has only aged a few years over the past decades. Eventually Steve was able to rescue his old partner, until Bucky finally took up the shield as the new Captain.
THE FILMS: In CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, Bucky Barnes is an old childhood friend of Steve Rogers who joins the military while his pal is rejected by the draft board. After Steve is given the super soldier formula, he entertains the soldiers overseas. There he learns that Bucky’s platoon as been captured by the Red Skull. After rescuing his old pal, Bucky, along with the Howling Commandos, becomes part of Cap’s elite squadron. But during a mission to capture Dr, Emile Zola, Bucky plunges from a speeding train, as it careens through a mountain range. In CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (2014), Cap learns that Bucky is the feared assassin, the Winter Soldier. Seems that Zola had experimented on him during his capture. Zola’s men later found Bucky’s body in an icy river. They replaced his arm and scrambled his brains with electricity, programming him to obey orders without question. During the battle over Washington DC, Cap finally gets through to Bucky. He pulls Cap from the water and disappears. With the help of Sam Wilson, Cap vows to find him. In the trailers it seems that they do re-unite, while other heroes try to capture or destroy him. 5. Sam Wilson AKA the Falcon (Anthony Mackie)
THE COMICS: Sam Wilson meets Cap on Exile Island in Captain America #117 (1969). While helping Cap stop the Red Skull and his war cronies, Sam receives enhanced abilities from the mysterious cosmic cube that enable him to bond with his pet falcon, Redwing. Later he constructs a uniform which enables him to fly. The three stop the Skull and return to the states as a crime-fighting team. Soon the book is re-titled Captain America and the Falcon. When not flying, Sam is a social worker in his old Harlem neighborhood. After a stint with the Avengers, Sam, like Bucky, takes up the shield to become the new Captain America.
THE FILMS: Sam meets Steve Rogers during his morning jog around DC at the start of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (2014). He’s a recent war vet who works with a support group at a local veteran’s facility. When Cap and the Black Widow are on the run from Hydra, Sam offers them shelter. He reveals that he was part of an elite special forces unit and pledges his help if they can grab his old equipment out of a storage facility. His old “kit” is a jet-fueled backpack that sprouts metallic wings that enable him to glide through the air, hence his old code name “Falcon”. Armed with a pair of submachine guns, Sam proves to be quite an asset. He becomes an Avenger at the conclusion of AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015) and battles Scott Lang outside the Avengers HQ in ANT-MAN (2015). Sam will always be on Team Cap. 4. Clint Barton AKA Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner)
THE COMICS: This expert archery marksman began his career on the wrong side of the law. Trying to impress his lady-love, soviet spy the Black Widow, Hawkeye battled Iron Man in Tales of Suspense #57 (1964). Clint soon realized he was being played for a fool and reformed. He begged to be an Avenger. Iron Man sponsored him and he joined the ranks in Avengers #16 (1965). For a time he put away his bow and used Pym’s growth formula to become the gigantic Goliath. Soon he went back to archery and eventually married former SHIELD agent Bobbi Morse AKA Mockingbird.
THE FILMS: We first saw SHIELD agent Barton in a cameo during THOR (2011). In MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS (2012) his mind was controlled by Loki when he grabbed the powerful Tesseract. Later his old SHIELD partner the Black Widow breaks Loki’s spell enabling him to join the Avengers for the battle of New York. In AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON he invites his fellow Avengers to the rural home he shares with his wife and children. After barely surviving the fight with Ultron in Sokovia, Clint declares that he is retiring. But when his pals are in trouble, you can bet he’ll be picking up his bow once more. In the ads, it looks as though he’ll be facing his old partner Natasha.
3. Natasha Romanoff AKA the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)
THE COMICS: Iron Man faced the “Mata-Hari” of Russia in Tales Of Suspense #52 (1964). Later she recruits the smitten Clint Barton as her partner in crime. Eventually she used her own fighting skills, and Natasha becomes the costumed Black Widow. When she learned the truth about her late husband (he became Russia’s own super soldier the Red Guardian), the reformed enemy spy joined SHIELD. After several solo stories in Amazing Adventures, she began a long love affair with Matt Murdoch, which led to the re-titling of his comic to Daredevil and the Black Widow. Later she would lead the Avengers after a stint with another super-team The Champions.
THE FILMS: Tony Stark hired Natasha as his new personal assistant in IRON MAN 2 (2010). He was stunned when Nick Fury told him that she was an undercover SHIELD agent assigned to monitor and protect him. In MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS (2012) she concluded a mission in order to recruit the elusive Dr. Bruce Banner. Later she used her spy skills to get some much-needed info from Loki, and helped stop the invasion of New York. She was part of another covert Nick Fury mission in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, but soon became a valuable partner to Cap during the fight against HYDRA. At the end of the film, she leaves SHIELD and releases many classified documents to the public. We learn more of her troubled past in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015) as she begins a romance with Banner (she helps calm the Hulk after battle). By the story’s end the two separate as Banner disappears. She’s conflicted, but stands with Stark.
2. Tony Stark AKA Iron man (Robert Downey Jr)
THE COMICS: Billionaire industrialist Tony Stark’s life forever changed in Tales of Suspense #39 (1963). While checking on battlefield mini-transistors Tony is injured in an explosion and is captured by a North Vietnamese warlord. Another prisoner helped him build an iron suit that would protect his heart from shrapnel. Escaping the warlord’s camp, Tony vows to use his tech to battle evil. Over the years his armor will evolve, from bulky gray to gleaming gold to sleek red and gold. Telling the world that Iron Man is his special bodyguard. Tony will be a founding member of the Avengers.
THE FILMS: IRON MAN (2008) was the first official Marvel Studios film. It told the origin , substituting the Middle East for Vietnam. The flippant playboy inventor gets the ultimate wake-up call thanks to a plot by trusted partner Obadiah Stane. He also realizes his love for assistant Pepper Potts. After besting the Iron Monger, Tony revealed to the world that he was Iron Man. This lead to a late night visit from Nick Fury who told him of the Avengers Initiative which prompted Tony to call on General Ross in THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008). Stark signed over his company to Potts in IRON MAN 2 (2010) after defeating Justin Hammer and Ivan Vanko AKA Whiplash. He pushed a nuclear missile into space in MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS (2012), ending the battle of New York. He accidentally helped create the title menace in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015), but helped set things right with the Vision. He was haunted by images of death and destruction which led to a clash with Cap.The seeds of that conflict bloom in the new film.
1. Steve Rogers AKA Captain America (Chris Evans)
THE COMICS: Steve was giving ole’ Adolph a sock in the jaw (several months before the US entered the war) on the cover of Captain America Comics #1 (1941). Inside was the story of how scrawny Steve Rogers was chosen as the “test subject” for Dr. Erskine’s “Super Soldier” formula. When Steve becomes a mass of muscles, a Nazi spy shoots the good doc. There will be no other “super soldiers”. After decking the spy, Steve is given the red, white, and blue uniform, along with a shield. To the world he’ll be lowly Private Rogers, but when needed he’ll change into the mighty Captain America (soon aided by teen sidekick Bucky). During the war Cap will be part of The All-Winners Squad and The Invaders. Cap is brought back into the Marvel Comics of the 1960’s when his frozen body is found in The Avengers #4 (1964). He’s been in suspended animation since 1945 (negating the post war Timely comics and the 1950’s Atlas comics failed revival). Cap soon becomes the leader of the Avengers and joins Nick Fury at the spy agency SHIELD. Later he will partner with Sam Wilson AKA the Falcon.
THE FILMS: Cap was the very first Marvel star to hit the silver screen way, way back in 1944 in Republic pictures’ fifteen chapter serial CAPTAIN AMERICA. But he wasn’t Steve Rogers, rather crusading District Attorney Grant Gardner. And there was no shield or Bucky either. They got it closer in 1990 with CAPTAIN AMERICA starring Matt Salinger (author JD’s son). The Red Skull was there, but he was Italian (?!). And the film never got a theatrical release in the US, going straight to video. There were also two made for TV flicks in the late 1970’s starring Reb Brown. Finally Marvel Studios released CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER in 2011. They tweaked the origin just a bit from the comics. After the assassination of Dr.Erskine, Steve dons the star-spangled suit to go on a tour of local theatres, inspiring folks to buy war bonds. He’s a marketing tool! In this story he fights the Red Skull, romances Peggy Carter, and gets his round vibranium shield from Tony Stark’s dad Howard. And he ends up in the ice, waking up in modern-day NYC with Nick Fury. In MARVEL’s THE AVENGERS (2012), Steve fights Asgardian Loki while dealing with super fan Phil Coulson. Later Cap helps to protect the civilians on the streets of NYC. Loki assumes Cap’s form in order to taunt his stepbrother in THOR: THE DARK WORLD (2013). In CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, Steve explores a museum exhibit dedicated to him, meets Sam Wilson, visits with Peggy one last time, and joins the Black Widow to take down the HYDRA agents in SHIELD. Cap’s on the battle lines in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON after the Scarlet Witch gives him a glimpse at a homecoming that never happened.
Wait a minute! What the hey, let’s make it sixteen!
16. Lt. James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes AKA War Machine (Don Cheadle)
THE COMICS: Another element of Tony Stark’s escape from a North Vietnamese warlord was revealed in Iron Man#118 (1979). While fleeing through the jungle in his newly constructed set of armor, Tony encountered James Rhodes, a combat pilot who had been shot down. Thanks to his help, they make it back to an American defense perimeter via a stolen enemy chopper. Back in the states Tony hires ‘Rhodey’ as his personal pilot. When Tony was battling alcoholism, Rhodey wore the Iron Man suit. Eventually he designed his own heavy weaponized version of the armor and dubbed himself the War Machine. He later joined the Avengers and become one of the founders of their affiliate, the West Coast Avengers.
THE FILMS: In the first IRON MAN (2008) feature, Terrence Howard played Tony Stark’s pal and military liaison, Lt. James Rhodes. He is one of the first people to be aware of Tony’s armored activities and strongly advises him to quit while covering for him. Don Cheadle took over the role in IRON MAN 2 (2010), wearing the modified armored suit as War Machine. When Tony took a break in IRON MAN 3 (2013), Rhodey filled the hero void, slapping on a coat of red, white and blue paint and renaming himself the Iron Patriot. He was back as WM in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015), aiding in the fight against the metal menace and becomes a full-fledged Avenger by the story’s end. Rhodey will always be Tony’s armored ally. And that brings us to…
…that big superhero epic that’s at your multiplex. So get in line now, heroes! Movie-goers assemble!
INVITE YOU TO ATTEND
THE ST. LOUIS 3D ADVANCE SCREENING OF
For your chance to win 2 admit-one passes, email marvelpromosstlouis@gmail.comwith your full name, mailing address, and phone number.
Screening is on Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:o0 PM.
Please include “WAMG” in the subject line for your entry to be valid. Entry deadline is Wednesday, April 27th at 10:00AM.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. LIMIT TWO (2) ADMIT-ONE PASSES PER PERSON. THIS FILM IS RATED PG-13. MUST BE 13 YEARS OF AGE TO RECEIVE PASSES. EMPLOYEES OF ALL PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS AND THEIR AGENCIES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 AT 10:00AM TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE PASSES. WINNERS WILL BE CONTACTED VIA E-MAIL TO RECEIVE THEIR PASSES. SPONSORS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INCOMPLETE, LOST, LATE OR MISDIRECTED ENTRIES OR FOR FAILURE TO RECEIVE ENTRIES DUE TO TRANSMISSION OR TECHNICAL FAILURES OF ANY KIND. SEATING IS LIMITED, SO ARRIVE EARLY. PASS DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SEAT AT THE SCREENING.
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Marisa Tomei, Tom Holland, Frank Grillo and Martin Freeman, with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl. Anthony & Joe Russo are directing with Kevin Feige, p.g.a. producing. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The screenplay is by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. The score is by composer Henry Jackman.
Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” opens in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2016.
Late Fall and Winter are generally the months for prestige movie biographies that often reap Oscar gold, but now the start of Spring appears to be a most fruitful time for such projects. After two sports “bio-pics, RACE and EDDIE THE EAGLE, burst out of their respective gates at the year’s start, the cinema scene has shifted from athletes to musicians. Country music icon Hank Williams lead the charge just a few weeks ago with I SAW THE LIGHT, then the jazz world was explored via trumpet man Chet Baker in BORN TO BE BLUE. Now we get a look at the life of one of Baker’s contemporaries (who is actually portrayed in BLUE), who’s also a legendary “horn man”, the one and only Miles Davis. And while actors Tom Hiddleston and Ethan Hawke truly immersed themselves in their roles as Hank and Chet, Don Cheadle’s quest to play Miles was truly a passion project. Cheadle directed and co-wrote this film and took to social media in an effort to finance it. After years of false starts and frustrations, the end result of his efforts is finally on display in MILES AHEAD.
As the film begins, Davis (Cheadle) is in a plush “gas-guzzler” careening through the dark rainy streets on NYC in the late 1970’s, dodging lead spewing from another car hot on its tail. The story then backtracks several hours to Davis staggering through his opulent apartment. He hasn’t released a record in several years and has almost become a hermit, calling in to jazz radio stations while partaking of a variety of “mood enhancers”. Someone pounding on the door jolts him back to reality. On his doorstep is rock journalist/hustler Dave Brill (Ewan McGregor) who insists on interviewing Davis for Rolling Stone magazine via a deal set up by Davis’s label Columbia Records. After a tense initial meeting, Davis convinces Brill to drive him to Columbia’s offices. While an exec pleads for the new album owed them in a still-binding contract, a music agent named Harper Hamilton (Michael Stuhlberg) invites Davis to a club that will be showcasing his newest jazz discovery, Junior (Keith Stanfield). Leaving the offices, Miles and Dave stop by a “supplier” then head back to the Davis townhouse where his girlfriend is throwing a massive party. Davis shows Brill the huge master tape (looking like an old film canister) that will be his long-delayed new record. As they retire to his basement recording studio, Hamilton sweeps in and steals the tape which leads to the film’s opening chase. As he tries, with Brill’s help, to retrieve his music, Davis reflects on his days as a jazz superstar in the late fifties and recalls his tumultuous relationship with his first wife, the gorgeous dancer Frances Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi).
Cheadle dominates every scene and exchange with a confident, charismatic and enigmatic performance as the legendary artist. Much as with the archive videos of Davis on stage, he captures that intensity and air of mystery. Cheadle’s Davis has an otherworldly quality, always unpredictable. Luckily we get to see Davis during two touchstones in his career. The fifties club entertainer is full of dangerous ambition, a man who sees his goal and strives to attain it. A real contrast to the be-bop survivor who wanders about in a stupor until the loss of his work re-ignites a spark. McGregor makes an excellent verbal sparring partner, in awe of his musical hero, but frustrated by his lack of focus. Brill wants that interview, not only for himself, but to remind the world of Davis. Stuhlbarg is a marvelous sleazy villain, smiling and complimenting Davis to his face while looking for the chance to stab him in the back, anything to profit himself and his client. Corinealdi is captivating as the etherial beauty that dances in and out of Davis’s dreams. Her sultry charms are not enough to destroy the demons that possess her betrothed.
The film captures the two eras expertly from the hazy golden nightclubs of the fifties to the glittering disco kitsch of the seventies. Cheadle is a promising director, getting great performances while establishing the perfect mood for every sequence, though the film feels a bit constricted by the script he and his writers have constructed. Much as with Spielberg’s LINCOLN, this film focuses in on one part of Davis’s remarkable life, rather than seeing him grow up, discover the trumpet, and so forth. This keeps the subject at a distance, often making Miles a surly, growling, scowling riddle. It doesn’t help that the story spends far too much time on the missing music, becoming a zany period “caper” pastiche. This is film time that may have been better since watching Miles create. Still, Cheadle’s devotion and enthusiasm shows in every frame. Despite its flaws and disjointed structure MILES AHEAD is a fervent fan letter of a film celebrating a music legend.
Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War..L to R: Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)..Photo Credit: Zade Rosenthal..? Marvel 2016
All righty Marvel movie maniacs, we’ve got to be fair. Yesterday we revealed the Team Cap member posters for the upcoming CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, so now let’s see who’s supporting Tony Stark with these new Team Iron Man posters. By the looks of the above photo, it appears that the Winter Soldier, played by Sebastian Stan is none too thrilled about this. Despite his efforts, let’s begin with…
…Tony Stark AKA Iron Man, played by Robert Downey Jr, followed by his fighting pal and Avenger…
…James Rhodes AKA War Machine and occasionally the Iron Patriot, played by Don Cheadle. And now here’s his Avengers sister…
…Natasha Romanoff AKA former agent of SHIELD the Black Widow played by Scarlett Johansson, followed by another Avenger…
…fresh from the fight with Ultron, it’s the Vision, played by Paul Bettany. Finally here’s the first appearance of a new hero, prior to his own solo feature film, it’s…
…Prince T’Challa from the African country of Wakanda AKA the Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman.
Here’s the official synopsis and specs:
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in twocamps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Frank Grillo and Martin Freeman, with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl.
Anthony & Joe Russo are directing with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The screenplay is by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.
Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” opens in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2016.
Look, it’s that action-packed tantalizing trailer!
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Frank Grillo, Martin Freeman with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl
Directors: Anthony & Joe Russo
Producer: Kevin Feige
Executive Producers: Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore, Stan Lee
Screenplay by: Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely
Who says this isn’t the era of Marvel-ous May movies? See you there!
MILES AHEAD is a wildly entertaining and moving exploration of one of 20th century music’s creative geniuses, Miles Davis, featuring a career defining performance by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle in the title role. Working from a script he co-wrote with Steven Baigelman, Cheadle’s bravura directorial debut is not a conventional bio-pic but rather a unique, no-holds barred portrait of a singular artist in crisis.
Check out the trailer for the film opening in New York and Los Angeles April 1st.
In the midst of a dazzling and prolific career at the forefront of modern jazz innovation, Miles Davis (Cheadle) virtually disappears from public view for a period of five years in the late 1970s. Alone and holed up in his home, he is beset by chronic pain from a deteriorating hip, his musical voice stifled and numbed by drugs and pain medications, his mind haunted by unsettling ghosts from the past.
A wily music reporter, Dave Braden (Ewan McGregor) forces his way into Davis’ house and, over the next couple of days, the two men unwittingly embark on a wild and sometimes harrowing adventure to recover a stolen tape of the musician’s latest compositions. Davis’ mercurial behavior is fueled by memories of his failed marriage to the talented and beautiful dancer Frances Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi). During their romance and subsequent marriage, Frances served as Davis’ muse. It was during this period that he released several of his signature recordings including the groundbreaking “Sketches of Spain” and “Someday My Prince Will Come.”
The idyll however, was short lived. The eight-year marriage was marked by infidelity and abuse, and Frances was forced to flee for her own safety as Miles’ mental and physical health deteriorated.
By the late ’70s, plagued by years of regret and loss, Davis flirts with annihilation until he once again finds salvation in his art.
What compelled Cheadle to make the film:
“I’ve been steeped in Miles Davis’ music since the age of ten. He is so many things, not the least of which is an indefatigable symbol of creative energy and power; someone who was never afraid to step out of his comfort zone; someone who was totally uncomfortable with stasis.
“Over the years I was approached by various people, some of whom were close to Miles and others who just wanted to see a movie about him; and they said that if anyone should play him it was me. I’d already been in a number of standard bio-pics and I had no interest in making another since I found them full of contrivances and fabrications. You know, “based on a true story.”
“Shortly after Miles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame I was approached by his family. They pitched me several different takes but I didn’t spark to any of them. To me, they didn’t go far enough in trying to capture his enormous creativity and dynamism. So we shook hands and promised to keep in touch. As I pondered it further, I began to imagine a film that would capture Miles as who he was, a man full of drive and forward momentum but also mercurial and dangerous, the real O.G. original gangsta. And I realized that it would never happen unless I wrote it. So I asked the family if they were okay with that and they said “Cool. Do it.” ”
Photos by Brian Douglas, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
