Phase II Begins: Iron Man 3

The latest, and possibly final, installment of the Iron Man films is a mixed success.  On one hand, it's high action with new themes, and Stark's loveable snark is turned all the way up to 11.  Sadly, the film is overcrowded with undeveloped elements and nonsensical plot developments.  For most, it may be an improvement on Iron Man 2 since it's a true hero's struggle  from start to finish and the lessons learned are much stronger, but that doesn't excuse an unfocused story, a mish-mashed villain, and frankly, a significant disservice to the source material.

NOTE: This is a review of IM3 as a film in itself and what it bodes for the future of Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Some Spoilers ahead.

A Completionist Guide to Battlestar Galactica

Most people I know who start watching this series view it in the order of release.  Well, that's not really necessary or even beneficial.  There are prequel series, TV movies, and web series that are scattered throughout the series run and only rarely appear in the proper order with the main series.  Now, after careful analysis, I've determined that a chronological viewing is equally, if not more, acceptable as the release.    

Caprica: (all episodes)
Movie: Blood & Chrome (available on DVD/Blu Ray or digital download)
Webisodes: Razor Minisodes (available on Razor DVD)
Season 1: (all episodes)
Season 2: Scattered - The Captain's Hand
Season 4 Movie: Razor
Season 2: Downloaded - Lay Down Your Burdens
Webisodes: The Resistance (available on DVDs and online)
Season 3: (all episodes)
Season 4: He That Believeth in Me - Sometimes a Great Notion
Webisodes: Face of the Enemy (only available online)
Season 4: A Disquiet Follows My Soul - No Exit
Movie: The Plan
Season 4: Deadlock - Daybreak

If you're planning to enter the Battlestar saga for the first time, I suggest you follow the order I've laid out and tell me what you think.  Caprica and the first two web series are optional, but recommended.  It's also all or nothing.  If you skip Caprica, then jump straight to Battlestar Galactica season 1.  Neither Blood & Chrome nor the Razor Minisodes function very well as introductory material.  

If you're familiar with BSG and are planning to introduce someone to it, read on and I'll outline my reasons for this order.  

The Most Epic Movies Never to be Made

So we all have a few film ideas rolling in our head.  Films we'd like to see made and, if done right, would be great.  Odds are, though, they will never enter production.  As a prospective filmmaker, I have more than a few, and while I'm usually paranoid about sharing my ideas in case I actually get around to making them, here's a few I don't mind letting loose in case someone in Hollywood picks up the baton.  

Announcements and Fact Check Fails

I'm coming up on my two year anniversary as a blogger.  As such, there are a few changes coming.  First of all, some of you may have notice a drop in the frequency of posts before the holidays.  Recent full time employment has eaten into my blogging time a bit and I don't expect the situation to alleviate anytime soon.  I'm hopeful that I can put out at least one to two posts per month.  To pick up the slack a bit, I'm creating a new catagory called Quotesque that will come out this Wednesday.  Each post will consist of a short, funny, film related quote that I've heard from various sources.  I hope you enjoy them.  Lastly, I'm taking a page from Nostalgia Critic, and owning up to all the errors I've made over the past two years.  I apologize for my negligent research and hope to avoid these in the future.  

Captain America vs. The First Avenger
I said Cap was frozen cryogenically, he was actually frozen in an operation, similar to that in the film.  

Prequel and Proud
I implied that the Stryker in X-Men: First Class was the same Stryker in Wolverine and X2.  The movie actually states that he is the father of the original Stryker.  

Primer for The Avengers
I said The Incredible Hulk is after Iron Man 2 "with no crossover."  In Iron Man 2, during the scene when Fury brings in Stark as a consultant, you can see footage from a wrecked college campus behind him.  I'm revising my placement to say Hulk runs parallel to both Iron Man 2 and Thor, so it can be watched 3rd, 4th, or 5th in the viewing order. 

Conspiracy Syndrome
I said the shadowy organization in Eureka was "unnamed".  It was actually called 'The Consortium'.

Lost TV of the 21st Century
I said Heroes had a dedicated flashback episode every season.  I should have said every volume as the third season was composed of two volumes, each with a flashback episode.  

Holiday Flicks

The holidays are a wonderful time.  Retailers unroll their best deals, the postal system works overtime, and Hollywood distributors release their strongest titles to clog up the theater seats.  Here's a little blurb on a few of those titles.