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Tony Stark

GIVEAWAY! – Avengers: Endgame

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After 10 years, the Infinity Saga comes to a close with the #1 grossing film of all time!

Adrift in space with no food or water, Tony Stark sends a message to Pepper Potts as his oxygen supply starts to dwindle. Meanwhile, the remaining Avengers — Thor, Black Widow, Captain America and Bruce Banner — must figure out a way to bring back their vanquished allies for an epic showdown with Thanos — the evil demigod who decimated the planet and the universe.

The winner will receive a copy of the Avengers: Endgame 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo Steelbook Edition.

To enter, simply like or share our post on Facebook and answer the following question in the comment section: Who is the greatest Avenger and why?

For a bonus entry, like or share the post on Twitter and Instagram.

All entries must be completed by 11:59pm on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019.

Avengers: Endgame will be unleashed on Blu-Ray on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019

Spider-Man: Far From Home – Starting Over

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The post Endgame era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is here.

After the universe changing events of Avengers: Endgame, Marvel ushers its new era with their next solo star, Spider-Man, on his own is a multi-million dollar marketing machine. Ever since Tom Holland’s first appearance as Spidey/Peter in Captain America: Civil War, he has exemplified what had been missing on screen with the character. He’s all Peter Parker and all Spider-Man at once. This film is no different.

Spider-Man: Far From Home brings together both the witty humor of Marvel and Spidey. The film’s action and visuals are stunning and provide ‘edge of your seat’ fun. The adventure and, for the most part, the story is good. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a superb performance as Mysterio and gives us a great example of being aware of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. (I mean, it is Mysterio after all.) As Matthew 7:15 reads, we need to beware because things aren’t always what they appear. In the Marvel world, with all that has gone on, it is easy to let one’s guard down, especially when you have a burden that is too hard to carry. Still, if you do fall for someone’s lies, we must have the strength to get up and trust that He who put you there believes in you and knows it is not more than you can handle.

Spider-Man in Columbia Pictures’ SPIDER-MAN: ™ FAR FROM HOME

Overall, the film offers exactly what you’d expect from Marvel–and therein lies the problem. As the first film beyond Endgame, one would expect some emotional carry over, especially considering the relationship they’d established between Tony and Peter. However, the film was a bit too much about Tony and not enough of just Peter. And as good as Gyllenhaal was, what motivates his character is the same trope as the first Spidey film and all three Iron Man films basically. By giving the same cookie cutter villain after they nailed it with Killmonger and Thanos leaves one feeling unfulfilled in a film that could (and should) be great and memorable. In a sense, this was the film to be free of the “Stark Crutch” and it partly felt it was more about Stark than Peter.

Spider-Man: Far from Home is a fun and action packed adventure and, if you love Marvel films, you’ll love it. 

Spider-Man -Homecoming: Webswinging Fun

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With great homework comes great responsibility.

Spider-Man: Homecoming brings us back to Peter ‘s high school years (he’s fifteen) as he tries to balance his family, friends, homework, and an ongoing application to join the Avengers.  Publicly claiming to be a member of the ‘Stark Internship’, young Peter is secretly being mentored by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in the ways of being a ‘friendly neighborhood’ superhero.  However, when Peter stumbles across a plot to sell pieces of alien technology to local criminals, he is drawn into a battle that forces him to ask hard questions about his identity and calling.

Although he made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in last year’s Civil War, Homecoming is Spidey’s true introduction to the world of the Avengers.  In a move that many felt would never happen due to Sony’s ownership of the film rights, allowing Spidey to join the MCU was easily the smartest decision that the company could have made.  By joining forces with Marvel, Sony frees itself of rebooting their franchise for the second time while also allowing access to iconic characters such as Iron Man and Captain America to make appearances.

Through its heavy emphasis on Spidey’s high school adventures and Holland’s contagious enthusiasm, Homecoming manages to pull off the one thing that seemed impossible for this franchise: it feels fresh.  Similar to his experience on the original Iron Man, Downey Jr. has compared the environment behind the scenes as one of freedom and creativity and the results appear onscreen.  This film has all the pop and flash of other Marvel entries yet also carries with it the teen angst of a John Hughes ‘coming-of-age’ film.  (In fact, there is even a brief reference to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.)  In other words, despite the Avengers, alien technology and a villainous Vulture (an energized Michael Keaton), it’s the realities of Spidey’s youth and inexperience that are front and center here.

As the film opens, Peter is filled with excitement and the mammoth aspirations of becoming an Avenger.  With superhero glory in full view, Peter has begun to lose sight of his everyday life and responsibilities. (“I am so far beyond high school right now,” Peter argues.)  Desperate to prove that he’s more than ‘just a kid’, Peter feels boxed in by Stark’s ‘training wheels protocols’ and tries to force his way up the superhero ladder.  (“I hate that Mr. Stark keep treating me like a kid!” he exclaims.)

But Peter’s immaturity prevents him from recognizing the value of the ‘small’.

In a world of Galaxy Guardians and Incredible Hulks, Homecoming is a reminder of the importance of those things and people that so many believe to be unremarkable.  Though Peter may be able to hold a ship together, he also must do his homework.  Though he wants desperately to be fight alongside Iron Man, he also needs to stop a local bicycle thief.  Though Vulture is stealing alien technology, so much of his motivation lies in simply getting by financially.  Gone are traditional MCU tropes like world domination and government conspiracies in favor of dinners with Aunt May and struggling to pay the bills.

In a story that echoes Jesus’ call to let the little children come to Him, Homecoming reminds us that everyone’s story matters, regardless how small.  The responsibility to care for the most seemingly insignificant people of the world carries the same importance as saving the entire planet.  (In fact, one of the film’s most subtle but significant moments comes through Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), Stark’s driver, as he confesses to Peter that, “I really don’t know what I would do without this job [working for Tony].”  Despite the fact that we’ve known him to do amazing things with his superhero billionaire, he too is simply a man who needs help.)  Moreover, as Peter realizes the value of the ‘small’, he is solidified as a true hero, not just to the world but to everyone.

Because there is power in being the ‘friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man.’

Dr. Strange(r Things)

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“You’ve spent your whole life looking through a key hole.” – The Ancient One

When Robert Downey Jr. first brought Tony Stark to life in 2008’s Iron Man, none of us had any idea that we would be this far down the proverbial Marvel ‘rabbit hole’ at this point. A mere eight years later, we have seen everything from shrinking ex-cons to hammer-wielding demi-gods to talking raccoons do battle on the big screen and, over that time, I had become fairly convinced that Marvel Studios simply had no surprises left.

Dr. Strange has proven me wrong.

Dr. Strange enters another hero (are there any left?) into the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant—but arrogant—surgeon. When a tragic car accident leaves him unable to practice medicine, he becomes emotionally lost and searches for answers amongst the mystics of the East. Learning from his otherworldly mentor, The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), Strange’s eyes are opened to the spiritual realities around him. Then, when a former student of the Ancient One threatens Earth’s balance of power, Strange is forced into a battle that he never sought out but of which he finds himself in the middle.

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Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister, Deliver Us From Evil), Dr. Strange gives the veteran director the daunting task of creating a visual atmosphere that is both terrifying and beautiful at the same time. Largely known for his horror films, Derrickson was clearly given the keys to the Kingdom regarding his special effects budget yet he manages to create this CGI wonderland in (sorcerer) supreme fashion. While the film’s visuals will undoubtedly be compared to other sci-fi entries such as Inception, The Matrix and even 2001: A Space Odyssey, Derrickson’s spin on the film is nonetheless both dazzling and unique.

The film has drawn several comparisons to Iron Man for its tale of the redemption of the powerful—and that’s not inaccurate. (In fact, given the quality of some of the other Marvel entries, it’s actually a high compliment.) As Stephen Strange, Cumberbatch delivers a solid and charaismatic performance (though they don’t give him much to work with in terms of the character’s depth).

Still, the real surprise of the film for me was its unabashed conversation about spirituality.

While it seems obvious that a film that includes magic and Eastern philosophy would contain some discussion of faith and believe, what really struck me was how enthusiastic about it. As the film opens, Strange himself has a very strict scientific mindset, believing only in his own abilities as a surgeon. When that worldview is threatened by the mysticism of the Ancient One, he exclaims, “There is no such thing as spirit. There is only matter!” His is a heart hardened by knowledge and self-amazement.

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However, after The Ancient One opens up his eyes—ever so briefly—to the world beyond his own understanding, Strange is completely transformed. For the first time, he recognizes that he is not the most powerful force in the universe.

And he is completely awestruck by it.

In the story he tells, director Scott Derrickson doesn’t just dip his toe into the idea of a larger spiritual reality, he dives in headfirst. In Dr. Strange, he demonstrates the supernatural to be something that actually has a vested interest in protecting the lives of the people, even if they continue about their lives blissfully unaware. (After all, like Strange himself, they too have ‘spent [their] whole lives looking through a key hole.’]

As a pastor, this depiction of belief strikes as a cinematic representation of ‘he who has an ear, let him hear’, as all are called but few are interested in seeing beyond their own world. Like Strange, we too can often become so wrapped up in ourselves that we miss the calling to experience the Kingdom beyond us.

Like Strange, we too need to be humbled and shaken from ourselves.

If we are, maybe we’ll be able to see beyond the key hole for the first time.

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Avengers: Age of Ultron – Things Man Shouldn’t Meddle In

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It’s hard to believe that when our site started, Avengers: Age of Ultron was the kickoff. It seems so long ago but here we are with the digital and Blu-Ray releases of Marvel Studios’ flagship franchise. Although it did not garner the same excitement or box office success as the first film, it was still the monster of a blockbuster that people expected. Though it received mixed reviews, I think Marvel and director Joss Whedon did an excellent job again, bringing a big ensemble together and yet keeping it grounded. There is a lot going on and one can get lost at times, but the overall scope of things brings you a cinematic and visual adventure.

I don’t have the Blu-Ray yet but the digital does come with some bonus content. I will assume it is mostly the same as the Blu-Ray. There is a gag reel, some deleted scenes, and also a “world traveled” part that shows the different filming locations. The interesting parts are two bonus features that show how Marvel’s films are connected as well as a deeper explanation on the infinity gems. With Marvel heading toward Infinity War, those who don’t know about them get some information and backstory on them as as Thanos. It isn’t long and definitely worth the watch.

Seeing this film again, I was able to latch on to one aspect of it this time. In the very beginning when Tony Stark recovers Loki’s staff, he begins to examine it with Banner. Stark is set on reaching a scientific achievement, asking, What if they can make an artificial intelligence? Banner warns him of all the proper channels one would have to go through, but Stark tells him, “they will just tell me that I shouldn’t meddle in things like this”. The reality is, that this is correct. His heart was in the right place but his brain seems to fail him more than help him. It’s why Scarlett Witch allowed him to go off, because she knew that he couldn’t help himself. As soon as he meddles with things that he should leave alone, evil enters in the form of Ultron with his goal to destroy everything.

It’s interesting that Ultron would set himself up in a church and reference God, because the similarities there take me back to the Garden of Eden. Man and Woman were tricked into meddling with things they should have left alone and the result was that sin entered the world to destroy us. And, just like Ultron, no matter the power we can possess, we can’t do it alone. The Avengers could not beat Ultron alone, because they needed a savior. It’s interesting how Vision even saw mankind. He tells Ultron that although we have all these faults, there is grace in us. He saw beyond the mess, into a deeper part of mankind’s soul. Isn’t that how Jesus sees us? He looks beyond our mess and seeks to redeem us.

Avengers: Age of Ultron is available now both in stores and for digital download.