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Posted by jbcardinale on 2008-05-05 14:22:53 +0000

TFC, Rideside's Action Hero Movie critic extraordinaire.

Posted by MF DU on 2008-05-05 15:13:05 +0000

I hated Daredevil - Maybe it was just an Affleck thing, not too sure. And TFC, you are dissing on Pepper Potts? As a supporting character she was much better than a helpless crying Katie Holmes in the last Batman film, but not as good as an animate Parker Posey as Lex Luthor's assistant. I understand I am mixing DC and Marvel here - I am that lame. I did really like Pepper Potts, I dont have a lot of specific reasons, she just din't annoy me, is that good enough? Ty Burr in the glob on Friday observed that he kept wishing he could crack open Bridges' egg shaped dome - I was also drawn towards / distracted by this alopecic villan asthetic while I was watching. Here are some of my reasons for liking 'Iron Man' more than 'Fantastic Four', 'Daredevil', 'Ghost Rider': The music: Besides the obligatory 'Iron Man', we got choice cuts from Suicidal Tendencies and Ghostface Killah (Iron Man double reference much appreciated, Jon Favreau - thank you) The sequel opportunity : I wont ruin it, but make sure you stay after the credits. It involves the Avengers. The 'Popcorn' Movie Items Were All Present: -loud explosions -cool tech stuff ala James Bond -CGI as TFC mentioned Many tiresome things, too: 1. Terrorists as bad guys (yawn) 2. Including Terence Howard and then not using him at all. (It would be like acquiring Jacoby ellsbury on your team and benching him all year - mebbe because its an action film?) All in all though, an enjoyable Friday night at the movies - definitely a good one to see on a big screen. I probably won't enjoy this half as much once it is on dvd.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2008-05-05 15:30:23 +0000

I'm going to see this tonight. Saw "Harold and Kumar Escape Guantanamo Bay" last night -- pretty good.

Posted by TheFullCleveland on 2008-05-05 16:46:30 +0000

I am totally dissing on Pepper Potts - at least how she is in this movie. I thought her character would have been better as a Ms. Moneypenny-type. I've loved Gwyneth in many roles over the years, but she really didn't bring it to this one - she sleepwalked through it. In agreement with you on their use of Terence Howard. Yes, the movie is called Iron Man, but it doesn't have to be the Robert Downey Jr. show. Also, and I don't know if it was just the theater I was in, but the sound was pretty bad...kind of echoey and occassionally you had to strain to tell what the folks were saying (and this was at the Common). I did think the music went very well with the movie, though. More substantial subplots and better character development would have been nice. (Yes, I know, we're talking about a comic book movie here...) All that being said, it's still a fun movie to see, and it should be seen on the big screen. It's just that seeing the 94% on the Tomatometer gave me unrealistic expectations! If you hated Daredevil in the theaters, and wanted to like it more, I really recommend that you see the directors cut. More subplots going on, and a star turn by Coolio. Just saw it last night, and had forgotten how fun Colin Farrell is as Bulls-eye.

Posted by MF DU on 2008-05-05 17:22:42 +0000

Loved H+K go To WC. 'The Citizen Kane of Buddy films' is probably hyperbole, but as a comedy, it was right up my alley. What Would Neil Patrick Harris Do?

Posted by MF DU on 2008-05-05 17:27:25 +0000

Anyone see Terence Howard in 'Hustle & Flow', as Quincy Jones in 'Ray' or even in the 50 cent movie? that guy is no joke. Cheadle level IMHO.

Posted by TheFullCleveland on 2008-05-05 17:32:30 +0000

After I saw him in 'Crash' I was like, Why isn't this guy in more movies? Glad to see that he's making a name for himself. I do want to see 'Hustle & Flow', maybe it's time to get back on Netflix.

Posted by tgl on 2008-05-06 01:58:12 +0000

Citizen Kane? How about the Ceech & Chong of the 21st Century? Which is by no means a bad thing.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2008-05-06 06:29:45 +0000

'Iron Man' was so completely solid that I can't not recommend it. How's that for an endorsement? Seriously, the script was done well -- the old (expansive) Tony Stark mythos was addressed in at least three ways that were all completely removed from each other but could, if necessary, tie in if there's a sequel (which there will be, as announced today. ) I knew how it would end, but not *exactly* how, so watching shit develop was a lot of fun, and tasteful -- I mean, it woulda been SO easy to inject another 15-25 minutes of gratuitous fighting, but they didn't. CGI and effects were great. So was Jeff Bridges. There's at least three superhero films that were better, but a solid B+/should see in the theater.

Posted by tgl on 2008-05-06 18:19:45 +0000

Well, if Jeff Bridges is in it, then I might go see it.

Posted by TheFullCleveland on 2008-05-06 18:33:23 +0000

He's brilliant.

Posted by Miriam on 2008-05-06 18:59:55 +0000

It's hard out here for a pimp...

Posted by mahatma chani on 2008-05-18 10:52:33 +0000

I'd give it a B-. Generally pretty funny when it needed to be. Decent pace. Seemed a little tunnel vision-y on the bad guy front. I guess it's too much to ask to go away from the video game shit and return to stuntmen in Evel Knievel suits. I have to say I know nothing about the original story/comic/TV show, so I feel I might be missing a sizable chunk. Put it this way: all I know about "Iron Man" is through the samples on "Supreme Clientelle." And as for the post-credits scene, it was an example of "knowing the name of what they're referencing" versus "knowing what they're referencing."