In Review: "Avengers: Age of Ultron"

To preface this review, I'm a nerd when it comes to superhero stuff. I haven't always been this way, but ever since the first Avengers movie, I have gobbled this stuff right up. And people like me, who have seen all of the Marvel and even X-Men movies made, will feel spasms of fandom bubbling to the surface when they watch this movie. Unlike the previous Avengers film, this movie is really made for true fans of the superhero world that has been created in the last 3 years. Which is quite a lot of people.

The Story

If you are keeping track of this timeline of the Marvel Universe, we left our heroes with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. SHIELD has been disbanded with the goal to rebuild and start over. Loki's staff has been stolen by HYDRA who is using it to experiment (enter Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver) (This is all a post credits scene).

So naturally, the Avengers are looking for Loki's staff and raiding various HYDRA bases to stamp it all out for good. Tony Stark seems to be free of his panic attacks (seen in Iron Man 3) but not his fear of not being able to protect the world and his friends. So once they find the staff, Tony convinces Banner to tap into the power of the mystical object to find out its secrets, namely how it was able to create the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. And they end up creating a monster- Ultron. A robot who thinks the only way to save the world is to destroy it (you'd think they would all learn by now!)

The Stars

Everybody's back- Iron Man (RDJ), The Cap'n (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Agent Hill (Cobie Smulders)(aka my Halloween costume next year ;) ), War Machine/Iron Patriot (Don Cheadle), and Falcon (Anthony Mackie). Unfortunately Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Jane (Natalie Portman) are missing.

The characters get a chance to develop a little bit, at least the ones who haven't had their own individual series - Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Hulk. We discover a whole new side of Hawkeye who is much more likable than we had previously thought, and the idea of HawkWidow fades away and we are not sad about it. Which is really quite shocking.

The Message

Tony has been the most fun character to play with in these movies so far. He is almost our antihero because he gets to be the hero with all of the flaws- making us love him even more.

But this interesting concept comes out of this movie that really stuck with me- the idea that we become the thing we fear the most and that in turn we can't tell the difference between saving and damning. The more we try to prevent bad things from happening we are actually making them happen even quicker than they would have. The idea that fear has so much power and control over us that it can destroy us.

I don't know if the film completely solved this dilemma (possibly to use it as material for the next film), but it did say one thing- you can't defeat this fear by yourself. It's not something you can hide away from and hope it goes away. You need to ask your friends and family for the support and be brave enough to open up about it. And I think this speaks to all people who suffer from debilitating fears such as depression and anxiety to name a few. We need to reach out to others for help because we can't defeat the fear on our own.

Overall

In my opinion, this was the lesser of the two Avenger films so far. It was not a funny (though there was a fun scene with an intoxicant party of superheroes). The action was not as exciting or inventive. There were no cool alien designs or costumes to look at, which may have been to redirect the focus of the film on the internal struggle of the characters.

It's not one I'd want to pop in for a feel-good superhero movie, but it is one I would want to watch in succession with all of the other Marvel films to connect all of the dots and marvel at the brilliance of this complex and epic example of storytelling.

2.5 out of 4 Mind Stones (watch the movie, you'll know what it is)

The Muppets: A Collection

If you haven't heard, ABC will produce a new Muppet show this fall. The show will air Tuesday nights every week and will be a mockumentary-sort-of show like "The Office".

I'm not 100% sold on the angle of this new show (Who is the audience? It's definitely not a kids' show. Will there be guest stars? Songs? Dances? Where is the vaudeville?), but they are still my favorite bunch of felt puppets so this week's post is for them.

Here is a collection of everything Muppets-- every movie, every straight-to-DVD movie, every TV show, every TV special-- to get you prepared for this new show or help you say goodbye to the "Old" Muppets. I have starred the ones that are definitely worth a watch. Either way... it's time to light the lights.

Movies

**The Muppet Movie (1979)
You can't mess with the original. With Muppets riding bikes, singing about rainbows and trying to make it big.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

**The Muppets Christmas Carol (1991)
Still one of my favorite Christmas movies, and a very accurate telling of the original Dickens. Sadly, when the movies was transferred to DVD, it lost one of the best songs ("When Love is Gone"- below video). Make sure you check it out or watch the movie online.

**The Muppets Treasure Island (1996)
This is when the Muppets are at their best- retelling classics in the fun way that only the Muppets can do.

The Muppets (2011)

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

It's a Very Merry Muppets Christmas (2002)- TV

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2006)- TV

TV Shows

**Sam and Friends (1955-61)
The very first time we see Kermit the Frog.

**The Muppet Show (1976-81)
Funny, no one realizes that the "Muppet Show" didn't last as long as the cartoon "Muppet Babies". People kept watching this show because of its musical numbers and to catch what guest stars were on. (Just a tip for the upcoming show)

Muppet Babies (1984-90)

Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters (Sept. 14 1985- Sept. 16 1985)

**The Jim Henson Hour (April 14 1989- July 30 1989)
Like "Walt Disney presents...", Jim Henson talks to his audience about how he created his world. Sadly, it didn't last that long.

Muppets Tonight (1996-98)

**Muppet Moments (April 2015-present) Disney Channel
The Muppets and kids! You can't help but smile at the Muppets improvising with some kids.

Specials

**Muppet Classic Theater (1994)
"The Elves and the Shoemaker" is probably my favorite- little Elvises!

Kermit's Swamp Years (2002)

The Muppets on Puppets (1970)

Hey, Cinderella! (1970)

The Great Santa Claus Switch (1970)

The Frog Prince (1971)

The Muppet Musicians of Bremen (1972)

The Muppets Valentine Show (1974)

The Muppets Show: Sex and Violence (1975)

The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979)

**John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979)
A great Christmas soundtrack!

**The Muppets Go to the Movies (1981)
Lily Tomlin and the Muppets parody some classic films like Casablanca.

Of Muppets and Men (1981)

The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show (1982)

Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets (1983)

**The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986)
Muppets from Seaseme Street, Sam and Friends, Fraggle Rock and, of course, the original Muppets celebrate 30 years.

The Tale of the Bunny Picnic (1986)

The Christmas Toy (1986)

**A Muppet Family Christmas (1987)
The Fraggles and Seaseme Street join the Muppets for some classic Christmas tunes and heartwarming moments.

The Song of the Cloud Forest (1989)

**The Muppets at Walt Disney World (1990)
The Muppets run around Disney World, riding rides, and just being adorable.

Disneyland's 35th Anniversary (1990)

**The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)
The most melancholy of the shows says goodbye to the creator. It was also Steve Whitmire's first onscreen appearance as Kermit.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (1995)

Studio DC hosted by Dylan and Cole Sprouse (2008)

Studio DC hosted BY Selena Gomez (2008)

Muppets Christmas Letters to Santa (2008)

Laldy Gaga and the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular (2013)

Best YouTube Appearances

Muppisodes (2013-2014)

Bohemian Rhapsady

Ode to Joy

What's your favorite Muppets moment? Please share in the comments!

Graduation Movies

This is Graduation Month! For everyone who has endured 4 years of college, you are about ready to enter the "Real World". You have been told that college was "the best four years of your life" so why the heck would you ever want to leave? You might not. I know I didn't. I was terrified of the big, mysterious world with paychecks, 9 to 5 jobs, business attire, and actually having to pay all of my bills. I tossed and turned weeks before my graduation in fear that I would never find a job, let alone in my field that paid enough to survive on peanuts, I would never make any new friends, and I would end up by myself for the rest of my life.

After a year out of college, I have learned these things:

1. Jobs are all about who you know. (I know it sucks, but it's true)
2. Living at home with your parents is not so bad. (It allows you to eat waaaay better than peanuts)
3. It's more important to have good friends than more friends. (Reconnecting with old friends is also not a bad idea)
4. Love will come. (I'll keep you posted on that one. Still no real revelations)
5. I know absolutely nothing. (Jon Snow has nothing on me.)

We have this idea that we will magically gain all of this knowledge and worldly wisdom after we graduate college. We will feel like adults who can do everything our parents can do with ease and poise. Not is absolutely not the case. We are simply children pretending to be adults and that will never change.

While the majority of your friends, parents, teachers, relatives and complete strangers will be throwing advice at you during our commencement, I will be throwing movies. Movies that help you get through this transition.

Please enjoy and Congratulations!

1. Post Grad (2009)

College grad Ryden screws up her dream interview, is forced to live at home with her annoying family and best friend, and her life is not what she thought it would be. But in the end, she figures out what matters and how unpredictable life can be.

Lesson: Don't expect your life to be perfect after graduation. I know you dream of living in a nice apartment in the big city, with the perfect job, and a perfect partner to share it all with, but that isn't real life. Moving back home is a great option. The job you think you want may not be the right one for you after all. And really, boys can wait until you have your life under control.

2. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)

The gang graduates high school and has to decide what school they are going to, if their friendships and romantic relationships will last after graduation, and who they will be after they graduate-- all through song and dance. (The best way to solve life's problems)

Lesson: For some people, like me, high school was awesome. And you can't imagine it to get any better. But it was, wasn't it? And you got through one graduation. I promise you can get through another one successfully.

3. Grease (1978)

Seriously, if you don't know what this movie is, I have nothing to say to you.

Lesson: Be yourself. I know it sounds like a cat poster, but it's really true. Life and other people will try to pull you in different directions-- telling you to do this job and live here or take this position instead of that one. The best thing to do is shut them all out and do exactly what you want to do.

4. Legally Blonde (2001)

Elle is in love with Warner, and when Warner is ready to go off to college, he breaks up with Elle. Idiotically, Elle follows Warner to Harvard, gets in and tries to win him back. But, thankfully, she finds strength and brains in herself that she never knew she had.

Lesson: If you want something, work hard to get it. If Elle can graduate from Harvard, you can get that job.

5. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Andy is looking for a job in the big city with the dream of being a journalist. On a whim, she goes and applies for the assistant to Miranda Priestly, the terrifying editor of "Runway". Wrong move.

Lesson: There is a line. You've heard of those horror story internships like the job Andy had that some people will tell you to hold on to in order to get you something better along the way. But Andy is proof that this kind of job will not only work out for you in the end, it will destroy you in the process.

6. Reality Bites (1994)

Some college graduates make a documentary about what their lives are like after graduation.

Lesson: You don't have to know exactly what you are going to do after you graduate. Your whole life people have asked you what you wanted to be, and you gave whatever answer you were feeling that week. Now, you get to live it. Try 100 different things and find what works for you.

7. The Graduate (1967)

A college graduate is seduced by an older woman... and then falls in love with her daughter.

Lesson: Now is the time to make mistakes. Because we're young and have time to fix them. I'm not saying to go sleep with your girlfriend's mom. Just it's okay if you do on accident.

8. St. Elmo's Fire (1985)

What happens when the Brat Pack graduates.

Lesson: Some friends come and go. Others stay for life. Don't worry about finding new friends when you graduate. And don't be afraid to reconnect with old ones.

9. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

A dysfunctional family goes on a trip so their youngest daughter can compete in a beauty competition.

Lesson: There will be times when life sucks. I mean really sucks. And no amount of chocolate or well-wishing will make it better. But truly, the clouds will pass and you will find a little bit of sunshine.

10. Into the Wild (2007)

A recent graduate decides to abandon all of his possessions and go live in the woods.

Lesson: I know I said you should try 100 different things, but please, don't live in the woods by yourself. Just don't do it.

Do you have any favorite graduation movie that I didn't include on this list? Please comment and share!