That bonus scene had me! I kept trying to figure out who this damn smiling being was, so I immediately looked up some info, only to find out that it was Thanos. Truly a pain-in-the-ass, and according to his "history", his first appearance was in the Iron Man comics. So obviously he'll be the main villain in an Avengers sequel, but I'm wondering if he'll factor in the second "Thor" film. After all, this race that Loki was allied with will be seeking revenge on him for everything going awry on Earth. And if they're pals with Thanos, will he go aid them in attacking Asgard? Loki has already been confirmed for "Thor 2", so I can only imagine that the plot will revolve around Thor having to protect him.
Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

I thought it was great too.  And I always stay until the very end.  I think Ferris Bueler taught us to stay in our seats or you might just miss something.

joey fuckup said:

By the way, I saw "The Avengers" this past weekend, and was totally blown away! Every character was utilized in their own way (yes, even Black Widow and Hawkeye), and they all played off each other very well. Definately sit through the first set of credits at the end for a bonus scene that will be setting the stage for either an Avengers sequel and/or a second Thor film. There is a scene at the very end of the movie (after the second set of credits), but honestly it really is just a goofy kind of thing that doesn't have any real purpose as far as the actual film goes. However, if you haven't seen "Captain America" or "Thor", I highly recommend you watching them first since they are the lead-ins to "The Avengers".

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Never been a huge Ghost Rider fan but that is messed up.  I remember back in the 70s that a foundation or something was set up to protect creators and to get some back pay (not much but some).  This was done before the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie and DC wasn't about to include Seigle and Shuster in on the celebration.  I think Neal Adams (best known for doing Batman and Green Lantern in the early 70s) was behind this.  Since then, Superman and Batman each have their creators name on the front page (if that is still going on).

I really don't have too much of a problem with the CGI look for the Hulk and Spiderman.  If it helps them move around quickly like they are supposed to, then I don't mind.  Hulk does look a little flat though so you are right that he needs demension and the lighting helps.

As for Black Widow and Hawkeye in the Avengers, I feel they were just thrown in as well.  Black Widow was a Russian agent in the 60s Iron Man comics and had tricked Hawkeye into joining her against him (he thought he was in love with her).  He was in the Avengers as a probation type of thing when Captain America needed to put together a new team after the original went their own ways (the Hulk was only an Avenger for the first 2 issues).  But these movies have changed a lot of their histories and even now they have changed the whole Spider-man story again for his upcoming movie.  Mary Jane has been dropped and they've decided to have Gwen Stacy be his girl friend once again.  Maybe when they redo him again, they'll remember Liz Allan or even Betty Brant.

I saw it in 2-D because I had heard that you didn't need to see it in 3-D. I did go see "Thor" in 3-D, and it really didn't add much, neither.
Nero said:

Got to say I have to agree with Mr Fuckup, I thought the Avengers was pretty damn good, and I'm no great fan of superhero movies in general (I just tend to think that comic books make better comic books than they do films). As further evidence of its superiority, I offer that the missus enjoyed it too, and considering the film's extreme running time and that she has no real interest in superheroics, that's a compliment of the highest order, so hats off to Joss Whedon. Guess I had some slight emotional investment in at as the Avengers was the first superhero comic I ever read, way back when, in the seventies in the UK, Marvel was reprinting the American comics in weekly b & w format. Previously, I'd only been aware of Superman and Batman as some shadowy figures appearing occasionally on tv or in a tattered hardback annual in a dentist's waiting room, so to come across this strange new world (with Steve Ditko's Dr Strange as a backup strip, no less) was somewhat mind-blowing, to say the least. And whilst the film doesn't bear much relationship to those sixties Stan Lee/Don Heck Avengers that I first read, I guess it did satisfy some small part of my soul that hankers after those innocent days. Incidently, I did have those feelings rekindled a few years ago when I stumbled across Mike Allred's sixties-inspired superhero-oddness comic 'The Atomics'. Worth a look if you like sixties-inspired superhero oddness. 

On a sidenote, we saw the film in 3D (first time for Honey, my wife, and only second time for me, Alice In Wonderland being the first) and we were both a bit underwhelmed by it. It looked good in fairly static long shots, but any close up shots with frenetic action (of which there are many) had a tendency to tear my head apart and feel confused. Still enjoyed the film, but would just as happily watched it in 2D. 

I admit, I can't keep track of which elements came from which "Spiderman" comic series, ha! As far as the "Ultimate Spiderman" goes, I think a vast majority of it is the blueprint of this newer franchise. Did you happen to see an in-depth trailer on "The Amazing Spiderman"? One, I want to know who the shadowy guy is that says to Dr. Connors "Did you tell the boy about his father"? Was that Dr. Octavius? I'm almost sure I saw a quick glimpse of several arms crashing down on a floor...And if Oscorp is the backdrop for a lot of the plot, where is Norman? I was thinking in the comics he had sort of gone "missing", and had in fact went mad after injecting himself with performance enhancers.

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Hmm, I've read that the movie from 2002 had a bit of the retooled comic.  Like the Spider being geneticly altered as opposed to being radioactive.  And the scene from where the thief gets away after robbing the promoters of the wrestling match, also comes from Ultimate Spider-Man as well. 

joey fuckup said:

The more I've seen on this Spiderman re-boot, the more I'm starting to like it. I think this saga will be darker and more in-depth, and from what I've read about it, it's based on Marvel's re-tooling of the character with an all new comic book series that came out back in 2001 or so. I still think it was just too early to bring this all about, but since Sony/Columbia still had the film rights, they were going ahead with another Spiderman film while they still could. Apparently Marvel is impressed with what they've seen, and already a sequel and a Venom film is being planned.

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Maybe because you really can't show 3-D on TV, but the promos for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN are far from Amazing.

My local theater is an old fashioned one screener and does not have 3-D capabilities so it was shown in 2-D which is fine by me.  I think it was much more enjoyable that way.

Nero said:

Got to say I have to agree with Mr Fuckup, I thought the Avengers was pretty damn good, and I'm no great fan of superhero movies in general (I just tend to think that comic books make better comic books than they do films). As further evidence of its superiority, I offer that the missus enjoyed it too, and considering the film's extreme running time and that she has no real interest in superheroics, that's a compliment of the highest order, so hats off to Joss Whedon. Guess I had some slight emotional investment in at as the Avengers was the first superhero comic I ever read, way back when, in the seventies in the UK, Marvel was reprinting the American comics in weekly b & w format. Previously, I'd only been aware of Superman and Batman as some shadowy figures appearing occasionally on tv or in a tattered hardback annual in a dentist's waiting room, so to come across this strange new world (with Steve Ditko's Dr Strange as a backup strip, no less) was somewhat mind-blowing, to say the least. And whilst the film doesn't bear much relationship to those sixties Stan Lee/Don Heck Avengers that I first read, I guess it did satisfy some small part of my soul that hankers after those innocent days. Incidently, I did have those feelings rekindled a few years ago when I stumbled across Mike Allred's sixties-inspired superhero-oddness comic 'The Atomics'. Worth a look if you like sixties-inspired superhero oddness. 

On a sidenote, we saw the film in 3D (first time for Honey, my wife, and only second time for me, Alice In Wonderland being the first) and we were both a bit underwhelmed by it. It looked good in fairly static long shots, but any close up shots with frenetic action (of which there are many) had a tendency to tear my head apart and feel confused. Still enjoyed the film, but would just as happily watched it in 2D. 

Got to say I have to agree with Mr Fuckup, I thought the Avengers was pretty damn good, and I'm no great fan of superhero movies in general (I just tend to think that comic books make better comic books than they do films). As further evidence of its superiority, I offer that the missus enjoyed it too, and considering the film's extreme running time and that she has no real interest in superheroics, that's a compliment of the highest order, so hats off to Joss Whedon. Guess I had some slight emotional investment in at as the Avengers was the first superhero comic I ever read, way back when, in the seventies in the UK, Marvel was reprinting the American comics in weekly b & w format. Previously, I'd only been aware of Superman and Batman as some shadowy figures appearing occasionally on tv or in a tattered hardback annual in a dentist's waiting room, so to come across this strange new world (with Steve Ditko's Dr Strange as a backup strip, no less) was somewhat mind-blowing, to say the least. And whilst the film doesn't bear much relationship to those sixties Stan Lee/Don Heck Avengers that I first read, I guess it did satisfy some small part of my soul that hankers after those innocent days. Incidently, I did have those feelings rekindled a few years ago when I stumbled across Mike Allred's sixties-inspired superhero-oddness comic 'The Atomics'. Worth a look if you like sixties-inspired superhero oddness. 

On a sidenote, we saw the film in 3D (first time for Honey, my wife, and only second time for me, Alice In Wonderland being the first) and we were both a bit underwhelmed by it. It looked good in fairly static long shots, but any close up shots with frenetic action (of which there are many) had a tendency to tear my head apart and feel confused. Still enjoyed the film, but would just as happily watched it in 2D. 

I thought it was great too.  And I always stay until the very end.  I think Ferris Bueler taught us to stay in our seats or you might just miss something.

joey fuckup said:

By the way, I saw "The Avengers" this past weekend, and was totally blown away! Every character was utilized in their own way (yes, even Black Widow and Hawkeye), and they all played off each other very well. Definately sit through the first set of credits at the end for a bonus scene that will be setting the stage for either an Avengers sequel and/or a second Thor film. There is a scene at the very end of the movie (after the second set of credits), but honestly it really is just a goofy kind of thing that doesn't have any real purpose as far as the actual film goes. However, if you haven't seen "Captain America" or "Thor", I highly recommend you watching them first since they are the lead-ins to "The Avengers".

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Never been a huge Ghost Rider fan but that is messed up.  I remember back in the 70s that a foundation or something was set up to protect creators and to get some back pay (not much but some).  This was done before the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie and DC wasn't about to include Seigle and Shuster in on the celebration.  I think Neal Adams (best known for doing Batman and Green Lantern in the early 70s) was behind this.  Since then, Superman and Batman each have their creators name on the front page (if that is still going on).

I really don't have too much of a problem with the CGI look for the Hulk and Spiderman.  If it helps them move around quickly like they are supposed to, then I don't mind.  Hulk does look a little flat though so you are right that he needs demension and the lighting helps.

As for Black Widow and Hawkeye in the Avengers, I feel they were just thrown in as well.  Black Widow was a Russian agent in the 60s Iron Man comics and had tricked Hawkeye into joining her against him (he thought he was in love with her).  He was in the Avengers as a probation type of thing when Captain America needed to put together a new team after the original went their own ways (the Hulk was only an Avenger for the first 2 issues).  But these movies have changed a lot of their histories and even now they have changed the whole Spider-man story again for his upcoming movie.  Mary Jane has been dropped and they've decided to have Gwen Stacy be his girl friend once again.  Maybe when they redo him again, they'll remember Liz Allan or even Betty Brant.

Hmm, I've read that the movie from 2002 had a bit of the retooled comic.  Like the Spider being geneticly altered as opposed to being radioactive.  And the scene from where the thief gets away after robbing the promoters of the wrestling match, also comes from Ultimate Spider-Man as well. 

joey fuckup said:

The more I've seen on this Spiderman re-boot, the more I'm starting to like it. I think this saga will be darker and more in-depth, and from what I've read about it, it's based on Marvel's re-tooling of the character with an all new comic book series that came out back in 2001 or so. I still think it was just too early to bring this all about, but since Sony/Columbia still had the film rights, they were going ahead with another Spiderman film while they still could. Apparently Marvel is impressed with what they've seen, and already a sequel and a Venom film is being planned.

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Maybe because you really can't show 3-D on TV, but the promos for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN are far from Amazing.

By the way, I saw "The Avengers" this past weekend, and was totally blown away! Every character was utilized in their own way (yes, even Black Widow and Hawkeye), and they all played off each other very well. Definately sit through the first set of credits at the end for a bonus scene that will be setting the stage for either an Avengers sequel and/or a second Thor film. There is a scene at the very end of the movie (after the second set of credits), but honestly it really is just a goofy kind of thing that doesn't have any real purpose as far as the actual film goes. However, if you haven't seen "Captain America" or "Thor", I highly recommend you watching them first since they are the lead-ins to "The Avengers".

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Never been a huge Ghost Rider fan but that is messed up.  I remember back in the 70s that a foundation or something was set up to protect creators and to get some back pay (not much but some).  This was done before the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie and DC wasn't about to include Seigle and Shuster in on the celebration.  I think Neal Adams (best known for doing Batman and Green Lantern in the early 70s) was behind this.  Since then, Superman and Batman each have their creators name on the front page (if that is still going on).

I really don't have too much of a problem with the CGI look for the Hulk and Spiderman.  If it helps them move around quickly like they are supposed to, then I don't mind.  Hulk does look a little flat though so you are right that he needs demension and the lighting helps.

As for Black Widow and Hawkeye in the Avengers, I feel they were just thrown in as well.  Black Widow was a Russian agent in the 60s Iron Man comics and had tricked Hawkeye into joining her against him (he thought he was in love with her).  He was in the Avengers as a probation type of thing when Captain America needed to put together a new team after the original went their own ways (the Hulk was only an Avenger for the first 2 issues).  But these movies have changed a lot of their histories and even now they have changed the whole Spider-man story again for his upcoming movie.  Mary Jane has been dropped and they've decided to have Gwen Stacy be his girl friend once again.  Maybe when they redo him again, they'll remember Liz Allan or even Betty Brant.

The more I've seen on this Spiderman re-boot, the more I'm starting to like it. I think this saga will be darker and more in-depth, and from what I've read about it, it's based on Marvel's re-tooling of the character with an all new comic book series that came out back in 2001 or so. I still think it was just too early to bring this all about, but since Sony/Columbia still had the film rights, they were going ahead with another Spiderman film while they still could. Apparently Marvel is impressed with what they've seen, and already a sequel and a Venom film is being planned.

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Maybe because you really can't show 3-D on TV, but the promos for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN are far from Amazing.

Maybe because you really can't show 3-D on TV, but the promos for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN are far from Amazing.

I still like "Star Wars," mainly the first trilogy (The second trilogy left something to be desired).  However, I'm with you on Erin Grey on "Buck Rogers":)  She was HOT as Wilma Deering in those skin tight uniforms.

Thane Cesar said:

I think Lucas got lucky with technology, and was smart enough to steal from some a fairly obscure movie (The Fortress). Sci-Fi has always been popular in the States, but you can't deny after Star Wars it increased budgets.

I love Flash Gordon, because it takes the piss, same with Buck Rogers (tho' Erin Grey and Pam Hensley also played a part).

And Star Wars sucks, mostly because Lucas revised it. Han shot first kids, remember that.

When I watch it now, I still keep thinking Vultan is saying "DIIIIIIIEEEEEE!", as if he's loudly admitting to his men that their attack is a suicide mission.

Thane Cesar said:

More cashing in on the success of Buck Rogers. Saw this in the cinema when I was a kid. Max Von Sydow played Jesus in TGSET. I'd rather some kid got nerdy about this film, than Star Wars, which is a terible set of films.

 

"Ah well, who wants to live forever? DDDEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE"

I think Lucas got lucky with technology, and was smart enough to steal from some a fairly obscure movie (The Fortress). Sci-Fi has always been popular in the States, but you can't deny after Star Wars it increased budgets.

I love Flash Gordon, because it takes the piss, same with Buck Rogers (tho' Erin Grey and Pam Hensley also played a part).

And Star Wars sucks, mostly because Lucas revised it. Han shot first kids, remember that.

Funny how it all feeds a loop.  Lucas was influenced by Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, and his franchise led to a revival of those franchises, not to mention the "Star Trek" franchise, along with a new franchise, "Battlestar Galactica."

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Flash Gordon had been around for ages and the original serials are what partly inspired Lucas to come up with Star Wars.

Flash Gordon had been around for ages and the original serials are what partly inspired Lucas to come up with Star Wars.

And here's another bit of sword and sorcery.  BTW, the episode of Mystery Science Theater that featured this movie is on youtube.  I just thought I'd share a preview.

Does anyone here remember this one?  Just thought I'd throw in some sword and sorcery.

Thank you , Screamin' Soul Preacher. The mid to late 70's really were the last great B-Movie era. There were others , since then , but , not with such consistency. Everything's made , today , to be a fucking blockbuster. The culture surrounding these movies has'nt died , just their profitability , and they were once VERY profitable...
 
The screamin' Soul Preacher said:

@ John Battles : Excuse me if it took me so long to forward your message and you had to re-type it here...

Anyway here's your original (great and loaded with cool knowledges as usual) comment :

Yes , Inframan was alternately known as "The Super Infra Man"....but "Inframan" makes more sense , anyway. I saw it when it originally came out , here , too , and still watch it on occasion. I found the poster , only to find out , after the fact that I'd met him , that Basil Gogos did the artwork (It looks nothing like his usual work , but ,it still looks great.). Talk about boots , I preferred Princess Dragon - Mom's boots. The army of monsters is a riot , too....Obviously , this was intended as a cash-in on Ultraman(INFRARED/ULTRAMARINE  or Ultrasonic), WHICH WAS STILL A LITTLE KNOWN ENTITY IN MUCH OF AMERICA. I HAD A FRIEND WHO'D LIVED IN OKINAWA , HE TOLD ME ABOUT ALL THOSE SHOWS. I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE EVER SEEN ULTRAMAN ON TV , EXCEPT ON VIDEO. BUT , THIS IS A FUN FILM. ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS. THERE'S NO CGI , SON....SSSSSUFFER !!

"MIGHTY PEKING MAN"(AKA "GOLIATHON")  IS , LITERALLY , A LAUGH A MINUTE.  YOU'VE GOT THE GIANT APE/CAVEMAN HYBRID AND THE BEAUTIFUL BLONDE JUNGLE GIRL (WHO RESEMBLES DEB O'NAIR.) AND THE CONTRIVED "KING KONG" PLOT....

IT'S FUNNY THAT SO MANY PEOPLE BEAT DINO DELAURENTIS TO THE PUNCH.

MIGHTY PEKING MAN AND A*P*E*  ( SPOTH KOREA, SURELY ONE OF THEE WORST MOVIES EVER MADE , WHICH IS WHY YOU MUST SEE IT !!!!).......

THE SHAW BROS., WHEN NOT MAKING MARTIAL ARTS FILMS OR THE OCCASIONAL HORROR / SCI FI "EPIC" , COLLABORATED WITH  HAMMER TO MAKE THE FIRST MARTIAL ARTS - VAMPIRE PICTURE , "LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES" ,  WHICH IS ACTUALLY QUITE GOOD. NATURALLY  , PETER CUSHING STARS. I THINK IT'S EARLY WORKING TITLE WAS "DRACULA AND THE SEVEN GOLDEN BROTHERS" . Maybe not.

 I thought Jet Jaguar was Ultraman when I saw the ads for "Godzilla Vs. Megalon" , so you're in good company , Rod.

Actually, I meant "forgive us" for thinking this was Giant Robot and not Inframan when it came on Television.  We weren't paying attention.

I guess what I really didn't like was the villains' voices, and how they tried so hard to sound evil.  When you go back and find some of the Jonny Sokko villains,  they sound almost comparible to Bond villains.  They sound smooth.

MikeL said:

Nothing to forgive, Rod;)  I watched "Ultraman" too, and I caught a few episodes of "Johnny Sokko."  Yeah, "Inframan" was not all that original, but it was still cool:)

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

I really didn't like Inframan having watched almost all the Jonny Sokko and Ultraman shows.  In fact where I lived, everybody thought this was a new Giant Robot movie (we were all in third grade so forgive us all).

Nothing to forgive, Rod;)  I watched "Ultraman" too, and I caught a few episodes of "Johnny Sokko."  Yeah, "Inframan" was not all that original, but it was still cool:)

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

I really didn't like Inframan having watched almost all the Jonny Sokko and Ultraman shows.  In fact where I lived, everybody thought this was a new Giant Robot movie (we were all in third grade so forgive us all).

I really didn't like Inframan having watched almost all the Jonny Sokko and Ultraman shows.  In fact where I lived, everybody thought this was a new Giant Robot movie (we were all in third grade so forgive us all).

Glad I jogged your memory:)  I especially liked Robert Vaughn, George Peppard, and John Saxon in their respective roles.  And it had a great theme song.

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

I forgot all about that one.  So derivative, even in the title.  AND it even features John Boy Walton!

I forgot all about that one.  So derivative, even in the title.  AND it even features John Boy Walton!

Hello America sounds interesting. A review said it was for Ballard die-hards. High-Rise was first published in 1975 and is largely about class warfare in a tower block. Millennium People (2003) was Ballard's second to last novel and revolves around terrorism, middle-class angst and identity politics. And the dissolution of society of course. I just plunked down the $$ for The Complete Stories of J.G. Ballard so I guess I am on a Ballard jag. I am wondering what music Ballard wrote to, if any. I read Stephen King liked to write to the Ramones. I like to write to repetitive stuff like the Stooges, Funkadelic, or R.L. Burnside, but I ain't nobody. It might be interesting to find out what music certain authors listened to when they wrote. Surf music is good too so I am going to go check out the latest Surfcast now.  

 
Howie Pyro said:

they were my 2 favorite authors (along with wm burroughs & charles g finney, harlan ellison & the late ray bradbury) since high school...glad to see you guys recognizing these geniuses...as far as ballard goes i lean towards the early stuff but i love HELLO AMERICA, which takes place in the future & has weird references like an insane apollo expedition survivor who calls himself President Charles Manson, etc, etc...