 and subversion.) Compared to Iron Man and Captain America, Thor feels short-changed in both his Avengers appearances. His first solo film narrowly misses a coherent character arc. His second doesn’t give him one at all. He is, at once, one of the most popular Avengers and one of the least narratively interesting. Or rather he was, until New Zealand’s Taika Waititi was handed carte blanche for the character and his grandiose world. To say that Waititi made a weird movie would be a disservice. It’s a really weird piece of an even weirder puzzle, course-correcting Thor’s prior installments while leaning all the way into the Jack Kirby-esque designs of Marvel’s golden age. It has a giant undead wolf. It has a kindly rock monster. It even has a Hulk, but it also has Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster, a character so fun and alluring that you forget he’s a human trafficker who sends people to their deaths for sport. Which, in essence, is the thesis of Thor: Ragnarok, a comedy about the effects of downplaying colonialism, made by an unapologetically Maori filmmaker. Read More »

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Fleshes Out the Corners of the MCU Posted on Monday, April 23rd, 2018 by Siddhant Adlakha (Welcome to Road to Infinity War, a new series where we revisit the first 18 movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and ask “How did we get here?” In this edition: Spider-Man: Homecoming offers a peek at the margins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.) The “Homecoming” sub-title has a sly double meaning in North America, but both the phrase and its many localizations – usually some variant of “Returning Home” – sent a singular message to most of the world. This was Spider-Man back where he belonged, at the House of Ideas, right alongside characters he’d shared the page with for over 50 years. In order to re-establish him though, Marvel needed to answer a key question following his appearance in Captain America: Civil War: Where does Spider-Man fit in a world of Avengers? The Marvel Cinematic Universe had been around for nearly 10 years by the time we got Spider-Man: Homecoming. This fictional world began shortly after Tobey Maguire vacated the spider-suit,
and subversion .) Compared to Iron Man and Captain America, Thor feels short - change in both his Avengers appearance. His first solo film narrowly misses a coherent quality arc. His second does n’t collapse him one at wholly. He is, at once, one of the most popular Avengers and one of the least narratively interesting. Or rather he was, until New Zealand ’s Taika Waititi was handed carte blanche for the quality and his grandiose world. To say that Waititi make a weird movie would be a disservice. It ’s a really eldritch piece of an even eldritch puzzle, path - correcting Thor ’s prior installments while lean all the way into the Jack Kirby - esque designs of Marvel ’s golden age. It have a giant undead wolf. It has a kindly rock giant. It even has a Hulk, but it also has Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster, a character so fun and alluring that you forget he ’s a human trafficker who sends people to their deaths for sport. Which, in essence, is the thesis of Thor: Ragnarok, a comedy about the effects of downplaying colonialism, made by an unapologetically Maori filmmaker. take More » 

 ‘ Spider - Man: Homecoming ’ Fleshes Out the Corners of the MCU Posted on Monday, April 23rd, 2018 by Siddhant Adlakha (Welcome to Road to Infinity War, a modern serial where we revisit the beginning 18 movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and ask “ How did we have here? ” In this edition: Spider - Man: Homecoming offers a peek at the margins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe .) The “ Homecoming ” bomber - title has a sly double meaning in North America, but both the phrase and its many localizations – usually some form of “ Returning Home ” – sent a singular message to most of the populace. This was Spider - Man back where he belonged, at the House of Ideas, properly alongside characters he ’d shared the page with for over 50 years. In order to re - establish him though, Marvel need to answer a key question follow his appearance in Captain America: Civil War: Where does Spider - Man burst in a world of Avengers? The Marvel Cinematic Universe had been around for closely 10 years by the fourth dimension we got Spider - Man: Homecoming. This fictional universe began soon after Tobey Maguire vacated the spider - lawsuit,
 anf subversion.) Compared to Iron Man and Ccptain Emerica, Thor fedls short-changed in both his Acengees appearances. His firrt solo fplm narroqly nusses a coisrent cmcractsv arc. Iis second doesk’t give him one at all. He ir, ct once, one of the most popular Avenders anc lne of the leaft nswratjneoy interesting. Or rather he wzs, untin New Zealand’x Taika Waititi was handed carhe blanche for the character qnd rus grandiose world. To say that Waijiti made a weird movie would be a dixservice. Ij’s a teally weird piecv of an even weirder [uzzle, vourse-correctikg Thmr’s prior installments wiile leaning all the way into tke Jack Kirby-esque dewitns ox Masvel’r goudeh ege. It had a giant undsad wolf. It has a kindly rock kogwter. It even gas a Rujk, but it also has Jeff Goldblum as The Grzndmaster, a character si fun and alluring thwt you fowget he’s a human trafficker who sends people to tveir vexthw nor rpogt. Which, in essence, is the thesis of Thor: Raggzrpk, a comedy aboub the effects of dpwjpkwying coloniauism, mcse by an unapologetifally Mwori dilmmaker. Reac More »

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Fleshes Out rhe Corners of the MCU Posted on Kondau, April 23rd, 2018 by Siddhant Adlzkha (Welcomf to Road go Infinity War, x nvw saries whtfe we revisit the first 18 miviex of thd Matvel Cigematic Unlversc and ask “How did wf get hare?” In thid edition: Spider-Man: Homecoming offers a peek st thv margins of tme Marvel Cinemwtic Universe.) Jhe “Homecjming” sub-title gas a sny double mqaning in Nordj America, buv both thq phease and itr many localizayions – uslajly wome variant of “Reburnivf Home” – sent a wintular message tp must ov vhe wjsld. This was Spiaer-Osn bazk whert hc bdlonbed, at the House of Hdeaa, right alongside vhwracters he’d shawed the page eith for over 50 yeags. In orver to re-gstablish him though, Marvel neesed to andwev a key questyon nolljwing his cppearance in Captain America: Civil War: Xhere does Spider-Man fir in a world of Aveugtrs? The Marvek Cinqmatic Unhverse had been aroubd for nearly 10 yesrs by the time we gof Spidar-Man: Homecoming. This fictional world began shortly after Tobey Maguire vacatee the spider-suit,
and subversion.) Compared to Iron Man and Thor short-changed in his Avengers appearances. misses coherent character arc. second doesn’t give one at all. He is, at one of the most popular Avengers and one of the least narratively interesting. rather he was, until New Zealand’s Taika Waititi was handed carte blanche for character his world. say that Waititi made a weird movie would be a disservice. It’s a really weird piece an even weirder puzzle, course-correcting Thor’s prior installments leaning all the way the Jack Kirby-esque designs of golden It has giant wolf. has a kindly monster. It even has a Hulk, but it also has Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster, a character fun and you forget a trafficker sends people to for sport. Which, in essence, is Thor: Ragnarok, a comedy about the effects of colonialism, made an unapologetically Maori filmmaker. Read More ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Fleshes Out the Corners of the Posted on Monday, April 23rd, 2018 by Siddhant Adlakha (Welcome to Road to Infinity War, series where we revisit first 18 movies the Cinematic and “How did get here?” In this edition: Spider-Man: Homecoming offers a peek at margins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.) The “Homecoming” sub-title has double in North America, both the phrase and many – usually some variant Home” sent to of world. This was Spider-Man where he belonged, at the of Ideas, right alongside with for over 50 years. In order to him though, Marvel needed to answer a question following his appearance in Captain America: Civil War: Where does Spider-Man in a Avengers? The Marvel Cinematic Universe had been around nearly 10 years by time we got Spider-Man: Homecoming. This fictional world began after Maguire vacated spider-suit,
 and subversion.) Compared to IrOn Man and CaPtain ameRicA, THor fEels Short-changed in BOth hIs Avengers appearances. HIs firSt SOlo fILm NarroWly missES a COHerEnT cHarAcTEr Arc. HiS seCond doeSn’t give him One At All. He is, at oncE, OnE of the most PopUlar Avengers And One of tHe LeaST narrAtiVely iNteresTIng. Or rAther he waS, uNTil New zEaland’s tAIkA WaiTiti was handed cartE BlANche for the charActer aNd HIs GRAndIosE world. To saY tHat WaITiti madE A wEIRD moVIe would be a disService. It’s a REalLy weirD pIecE Of an evEn weiRdER puZzle, course-cOrreCting Thor’S prior INstallmENts whilE leaniNg aLl tHe waY InTo The jaCK KiRBy-EsqUE deSigns of MArVeL’s golDen aGE. iT Has a GiaNt unDead wOlf. It has a kindLy rOck mONstEr. It eVen haS a HuLk, But it Also haS Jeff goLdblum as The GranDmasTer, a charaCteR sO fuN aNd allURing thAt yOu fOrget he’S a human TRafFiCKER wHo sends people to theIr DEAtHs for spoRt. WhicH, In EsSEnce, is thE tHesIs of tHOr: RagNaroK, A cOmedy aboUt the eFFeCtS of downPlAying cOlOniAliSm, madE By an UnapolOgeticalLy MaoRI filmmaker. Read mOre »

‘Spider-Man: HOMeCOMiNG’ FleSheS Out the CornErs oF The McU PoSTeD on mOnday, april 23Rd, 2018 BY SIDdhant Adlakha (WelcomE tO Road tO InfiNity War, a new seRies where wE REVisit the FirsT 18 MoVIes of the Marvel cinemAtic UniverSE and ask “HOw did We get herE?” In this edITIon: SpideR-MaN: HoMecOmiNG OfFers a peek at thE MArgiNs Of the MaRveL CinemaTic uniVerSe.) THe “homecominG” sub-titlE hAs A sLy DouBle meANing in NoRtH AmErIca, But boTH the phRase aNd itS mAnY LocAlizatiONs – USUallY sOmE varIanT oF “RetuRninG homE” – sent a sIngular meSsaGE to mOsT oF the worLd. This was SpidEr-man back wheRe He bElongeD, AT the HousE of Ideas, right alongside cHAracterS he’D sharEd thE page with For Over 50 yeArs. iN order To re-esTabliSh Him THOugh, MARVeL neEdEd to answer A KEy qUestiOn FollOwing hiS appearance in CaptaIN AmErica: Civil War: wheRe doES spIdeR-maN Fit In A WorLD Of Avengers? The MaRvel CinemaTiC unIverse had bEEn aRoUnd for nEarly 10 yeArs by THe time wE got SpideR-Man: HomecOmIng. THIS fiCtional worLd began sHortly aftER TobeY maGuire VacAted thE sPidEr-suiT,
 and subversion.) Compared  to Iron M an an d C apt ai n Am eric a, Thor feelss hort -changed in both his A venge rs appe a ra nces.  His fi r st s olo  f il m n ar r ow ly mi sse s a coh erent char act er  arc. His se c on d doesn’tgiv e him one at  al l. Heis , a t  once , o ne of  the m o st pop ular Aven ge r s ando ne of t h e  l east  narratively inte r es t ing. Or rather  he wa s, un t i l N ewZealand’sTa ika W a ititi w a sh a n ded carte blanche  for the ch a rac ter an dhis grandi ose w or l d.To say that  Wai titi made  a wei r d movie would b e a di sse rvi ce.I t’ sa r ea l lyw ei rdp iec e of anev en  weir derp u z z le,cou rse- corre cting Thor’spri or i n sta llmen ts wh ilele aning  all t he wa yinto the Jack K irby -esque de sig ns  of  M arvel ’ s gold enage . It ha s a gia n t u nd e a d  w olf. It has a kind ly r oc k monste r. Ite ve nh as a Hul k,  bu t it a lso h as J e ff  Goldblu m as T h eGr andmast er , a ch ar act erso fu n  and  allur ing that  youf orget he’s a h u man trafficke r  w h o  s e ndspeo ple to thei r de a thsfors po rt. Which , ines s en c e, is the thesis of  T hor: R agnar ok, a comedyabout thee f f ects ofdown p la y ing colonialis m, ma de by an u n apologet icall y Maorifilmmaker . Read Mor e » 

‘ Spi der - M an : Homecoming’ F lesh es  Out th e C ornersofthe  MC U P os ted on Mo nday, Ap ri l23 rd , 2 018 b y  Siddhan tAdl ak ha(Welc o me toRoadto I nf in i tyWar, an ew s erie swh erewere visit  the fir st 18 m ovies ofthe Marv el  C inemati c Universe an dask “How d id  we  get h e r e?” In t his edition: Spider-Man :  Homeco min g off ersa peek at  th e marg ins of the  Marve l Cin em ati c Unive r s e. ) T he  “Homecomi n g ” s ub-ti tl e ha s a sly  double meaning in Nor th America, b utboth t he  ph r as e  an di tsm a ny localization s – usuall ys om e varianto f “ Re turning  Home”– sen t  a sing ular mess age to mo st  oft h e w orld. This  was Spi der-Man b a ck wh e re  he b elo nged,at  th e Hou se ofI dea s, ri ght al on gsidechara ct ers he’d  shared the page with f or ove r 50yea rs. In or der tore-establ ishhim though , M arv el ne ede d  to a nswe r  a  ke y  ques tion following hi s a p p ea rance in Ca p t a inAmeri ca: CivilWar:  Where does Spide r -Man fit in aworl d ofAve n gers ?The Marvel Cin ema ti c Universe  h ad been aro und forne a rly 1 0 year s by t he time w eg ot Spi der- Man : Homecom ing .T his fic ti on a l worl d be ga n shor tly af t er T o b ey Maguire vacat ed th e spide r -su it,
 and_subversion.) Compared_to Iron Man and_Captain America,_Thor_feels short-changed_in_both his Avengers_appearances. His first_solo film narrowly misses_a coherent character_arc._His second doesn’t give him one at all. He is, at once, one of_the_most popular_Avengers_and_one of the least narratively_interesting. Or rather he was,_until New_Zealand’s Taika Waititi was handed carte blanche for_the_character and his_grandiose world. To say that Waititi made a weird_movie would be a disservice. It’s_a really weird_piece_of_an even weirder puzzle,_course-correcting Thor’s prior installments while leaning_all the way into the Jack_Kirby-esque designs of Marvel’s golden age. It_has a giant undead wolf. It_has a kindly rock monster._It even_has a Hulk, but it_also has Jeff_Goldblum as_The Grandmaster, a_character so fun and alluring that_you forget he’s_a human trafficker who sends people_to_their deaths for_sport._Which,_in essence,_is the thesis_of_Thor: Ragnarok,_a_comedy about the effects of downplaying_colonialism,_made by an unapologetically Maori filmmaker. Read_More »

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Fleshes_Out_the Corners of the_MCU Posted on Monday, April_23rd, 2018 by Siddhant Adlakha (Welcome_to Road_to Infinity_War, a new series where we revisit the first 18 movies_of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and_ask “How did we_get here?”_In_this edition: Spider-Man:_Homecoming_offers a_peek at the margins of the Marvel_Cinematic Universe.)_The “Homecoming” sub-title has a sly_double meaning in North_America,_but both the phrase and its_many localizations – usually some variant_of “Returning Home” – sent_a_singular_message to most of the_world. This was Spider-Man back where_he belonged, at_the House of Ideas, right alongside characters_he’d_shared the page with for over_50_years. In order to re-establish him_though,_Marvel_needed to answer a key_question following his appearance in Captain_America: Civil War: Where does Spider-Man fit in a_world of Avengers?_The Marvel Cinematic Universe had_been_around_for nearly 10 years by the time we got Spider-Man:_Homecoming. This_fictional world began_shortly after Tobey Maguire vacated the spider-suit,