tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70433445689363069872024-03-13T23:17:31.980-07:00MediAvengersKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-75859729832056229392014-09-26T21:24:00.000-07:002014-09-27T15:34:46.142-07:00Greenwich, almost one year onI'm in London at the moment, and I figured I'd take a little trip down to Greenwich and see what the what is after last year's Thor-tastic alien battle outside the Royal Naval College. In case you've forgotten what went down, here's a little reminder from The Guardian:<br />
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Honestly, I wouldn't have thought it was possible for anyone to forget a giant alien ship appearing in the Thames, smashing its way into the centre square of the Academy, and then Thor doing his thing. I mean, it was ALL OVER social media thanks to all the civilians around. But at the College, that seems to be exactly what they've done.<br />
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The repairs to the grounds and building seem to have been completed at lightning speed - it was less than a year ago, but there are only minor signs of damage remaining. One wonders whether some kind of magical Asgardian force was involved, because based on the speed with which the builders at my brother's flat are working, the repairs were NOT conducted by British builders...<br />
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See? You'd never know anything had happened.<br />
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Where there are ongoing discussions in New York about the best way to memorialise the Battle of New York and those who died, in London it seems like it's going to be a case of out of sight, out of mind. Maybe it's because Greenwich is a World Heritage Listed site and they're trying to maintain its historical integrity, but it DOES seem a little weird to have nothing there referencing last year's events.<br />
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But who knows. Maybe it's all still in the planning stages behind closed doors, and there'll be a statue of Thor, hammer raised, joining the statue of George II sometime soon. Which, personally? Would be all kinds of amazing...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Transcript below the cut</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>ALIENS
DESTROY GREENWICH</b></u></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">BRITAIN IS counting the costs, after an alien
force’s attempted invasion of London caused massive damage to
historic buildings in Greenwich, as well as various other buildings
around the city.</span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Emergency responders could not effectively subdue
to the unfamiliar troops, and were instructed to stay clear of the
battle.</span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While soldiers and police stood by, Thor engaged
with the extraterrestrial leader, eventually defeating him with the
help of American scientists, whose device caused the enemy to
disappear.</span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bystanders report witnessing Doctor Eric Selvig -
whose recent bizarre antics at Stonehenge saw him admitted to a
mental health facility - assisting the Americans, with one witness
claiming the astrophysicist seemed in sound mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Social media has been awash with footage from the
battle. Video networking site Youtube has reported a three hundred
percent increase on visits to its main page since yesterday
afternoon. CEO Salar Kamangar insists that the site is prepared for
such increases in traffic, saying “After New York, we have made
redundancies for such high traffic events.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Little
is known about the extraterrestrials, although photos and footage
show them dressed in armour and masks. Some experts have suggested
they may be Asgardian in origin, although no confirmation </span><strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><i>continued
on page 2</i></span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">...</span></div>
<div class="western">
<strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><b>THOR
RETURNS, BUT WHERE ARE HIS AVENGERS?</b></u></span></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">HOLLIE
ABERNATHY</span></strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> QUESTIONS
HAVE been raised about the conspicuous absence of S.H.I.E.L.D. during
yesterday’s events, in particular, the lack of involvement from The
Avengers.</span></span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Commentators are debating the potential for
reduced damages, had the superhero team been in attendance.</span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Although
some experts have suggested that The Hulk may have increased the
clean-up costs, most are in agreement </span><strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><i>continued
on page 3</i></span></strong></span></div>
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Melbourne on my Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125351116980965317noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-45559734380575378572014-09-13T20:58:00.000-07:002014-09-13T21:10:35.965-07:00Pepper Potts for NY MagI'm trying to find a decent copy of the article that goes with this New York cover, because of reasons. Most of which involve the fact that the entire article mentions Tony Stark a grand total of once. Vaguely and in passing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71riIMqiyY0QkN32qsq5zEfGN8oocTfmP6a7TK-PnSMMXdn_ce04WBS06LGmx1bfZYCqpA2khgCsuSFNMAYNOEUzswY1M6ugCPBqHhse0k2jtn0qBRRswLlZVpdms2vlttBIEvhJHIu8/s1600/PEPPERNYMAG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71riIMqiyY0QkN32qsq5zEfGN8oocTfmP6a7TK-PnSMMXdn_ce04WBS06LGmx1bfZYCqpA2khgCsuSFNMAYNOEUzswY1M6ugCPBqHhse0k2jtn0qBRRswLlZVpdms2vlttBIEvhJHIu8/s1600/PEPPERNYMAG.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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A majority of the piece talks about Potts' life before Stark Industries, her philanthropic ventures, and the usual interview fodder of what she does when she's not running a Fortune 500. It's a great piece, and it's so refreshing to see the media finally portraying her as her own person.<br />
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I had to read it online thanks to being in a country where you can't get New York mag, but if anyone has a copy handy I would LOVE it if you could link me.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-67278592408256475742014-09-11T21:58:00.000-07:002014-09-11T22:03:45.811-07:00Babies! Weddings! Cap's with a GIRL! What is the world coming to?Remember that In Touch cover Kirsti was <a href="http://www.mediavengers.com/2014/09/tony-stark-is-probably-not-but-fistbump.html">talking about a few days ago</a>? I dug up one of the covers she was taking about when she mentioned that there was supposedly an Avengerbaby on the way.<br />
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Also, there's a photo of Captain America with *gasp* a woman! THEY MUST BE BANGING IT IS THE ONLY ANSWER.<br />
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There were also three avengers photographed in the same place at once, which somehow turned into a quickie wedding. Because of course. These people clearly believe in the antiquated ideal that children must be born born in wedlock.<br />
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Can we also talk about the most hated stars headline? Because ew. I know these celebs probably take things like this with a grain of salt, but poor Anne Hathaway being compared to Chris Brown. What the actual.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-23142704698348753322014-09-10T00:39:00.001-07:002014-09-10T01:04:20.402-07:00The jury's finally out on US Weekly's Black Widow 'Fingergate' scandalA couple of years ago US Weekly printed this article featuring Black Widow and her 'obscene' gesture (hey, let's be honest, most of us see or do worse on a daily basis). This week, a decision was finally handed down in the case brought to the courts by various complainants to the print media's regulatory body.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQQdeQhFXCedFUiQDmKyiin-rO0sA9fRRcKLNkHPbM_pEeuw8D1qcmrL81BqYNJSJ7d2ZvO6ihlkRxSMbligE0nAKpmJE_393ojE4mChgpWKprKsaHEX_oB7-Vd6csyC4EhvJrod3uRo/s1600/us+17+december+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQQdeQhFXCedFUiQDmKyiin-rO0sA9fRRcKLNkHPbM_pEeuw8D1qcmrL81BqYNJSJ7d2ZvO6ihlkRxSMbligE0nAKpmJE_393ojE4mChgpWKprKsaHEX_oB7-Vd6csyC4EhvJrod3uRo/s1600/us+17+december+2012.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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After more than two years of bureaucracy and hand waving, the magazine walked away without a scratch. Who knows how much it cost to make this decision, but it appears to have been mostly made on the basis that the finger should no longer be considered obscene due to the lack of repercussions for civilians, should they use it in public.<br />
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What does this mean for celebrities who use it as a way to ensure paparazzo images cannot be sold for profit? This article is a prime example of conjecture and hyperbole being used to sell magazines, particularly considering almost all of the information on the page has (unsurprisingly) proven to be almost entirely untrue.<br />
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How do you feel about the use of perceived obscenity in the media? Should we aim to keep our magazines largely innocent, or is the acceptance of over the top attention grabbing headlines more of an issue?<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-50183013371776801482014-09-09T22:37:00.000-07:002014-09-09T22:37:43.823-07:00The Economist: Too far with the Photoshopping?A 2014 media poll recently named this image from The Economist as the most shocking cover from a print publication so far this year<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKj2f5_bC-iM9EER6caoA8MgtXsjRx8q4QhFsy2g1berpGymVsi1uiKI2MBBgDlBWGktx9Qto1mYVj03_KnX2dOqMaGUaPpCDXwNacoRnsRj1A8_OU43d_b4-_N8eM9m1Bq9ZHgF8jig/s1600/economist3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKj2f5_bC-iM9EER6caoA8MgtXsjRx8q4QhFsy2g1berpGymVsi1uiKI2MBBgDlBWGktx9Qto1mYVj03_KnX2dOqMaGUaPpCDXwNacoRnsRj1A8_OU43d_b4-_N8eM9m1Bq9ZHgF8jig/s1600/economist3.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The suggestion that Captain America could possibly be aligned with the sleeper agency that took down a global intelligence network is clearly a hard pill to swallow, particularly for the US. When you read the article and understand the angle that the magazine is taking in analyzing the global environment, it's easy to reach the conclusion that this particular Photoshop job was aimed primarily at selling issues.</div>
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The implication is that the recently revealed<i> HYDRA</i> was ultimately using a national hero as a sockpuppet is an interesting one. Yes, this image is disturbing, but really can we be sure Captain America is one of the good guys? Well I'm pretty sure he is, and the senate hearings and inquiries into the information dump orchestrated by Black Widow <i>Natalia Romanova</i> seem to confirm this theory, but before the chain of events set in motion by the metal armed Russian agent began, were <i>The Avengers</i> really doing the bidding of <i>HYDRA</i>?</div>
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<i>SHIELD's</i> collapse seems to have created an opportunity for Tony Stark and co. to privatize global security via their newly trademarked <i>Avengers</i> brand, and I'm not sure many commentators are keen to see how this kind of superhero security will pan out in the long run. Is private protection less susceptible to corruption, or are we better with government agencies protecting us against this new generation of galactic and pan-dimensional threats?</div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-44459020398273993822014-09-05T22:29:00.003-07:002014-09-05T22:29:44.262-07:00Tony Stark is (probably not but fistbump of solidarity if he is) gayThe media is weird, you guys. A month before this delightful cover story, our good old friends at Star were saying that Pepper Potts and Tony Stark were expecting a baby. Presumably this accounts for In Touch's use of the word "clucky", but certainly not for the rest of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFL5IZ8druRRc06fY_i_-w-ZQJFu9hNRxt79GnN_2HVtYrpvR-Jiw0lNS-crHO2zhFEr32PJb3wWrEjsw0XC5Sd4fBToavfJoCF6ZtWAvMkvEpymQXkfeq0KqFGCFlnOhze45W8V23YQ/s1600/in_touch_may_27__2013_by_nottonyharrison-d76t5by.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFL5IZ8druRRc06fY_i_-w-ZQJFu9hNRxt79GnN_2HVtYrpvR-Jiw0lNS-crHO2zhFEr32PJb3wWrEjsw0XC5Sd4fBToavfJoCF6ZtWAvMkvEpymQXkfeq0KqFGCFlnOhze45W8V23YQ/s1600/in_touch_may_27__2013_by_nottonyharrison-d76t5by.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Reading between the lines, Tony Stark and James Rhodes (aka the Air Force's Iron Patriot) have been hanging out a bit more than usual recently. I imagine it happens from time to time when you're busy saving the planet. And somehow, they jumped from that to "EVERYONE'S GAY OMG". Excuse me while I headdesk repeatedly. Because really? If any of these people <i>are</i> gay?<br />
1. It's entirely their business, and<br />
2. It's entirely up to them if and when they come out.<br />
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I'm about 90% sure that everything in this article is bullshit. But I'd hate to think that the media is outing ANYONE before they're ready to come out. Because that's so far from being okay that I have lost all ability to can, as Tumblr would say...<br />
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<br />Melbourne on my Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125351116980965317noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-51407026069461010752014-08-05T20:50:00.001-07:002014-08-05T20:50:41.743-07:00Superhuman Technology in Scientific AmericanThis is... actually kind of terrifying. To be fair, the article was a lot of pseudoscience babble about gene therapy and cloning - it really sounded like something out of a Philip K. Dick novel - but the idea that anyone could up and make their own superhero (villain?!) is kind of creepy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3_zwanKjUeJ_JD1ywlY26U1bM0v71fGSPQ-NwZOrj-X6dwI5jZv2NaA2FU0YJw4o0Lqjsm6XKLXyJBK_CTTRut5nAtHv3I_DhEyVRFJqqzQclbVNGuRqz3qpGRNLH4XAlgezjKd67pI/s1600/scientificamericanfeb12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3_zwanKjUeJ_JD1ywlY26U1bM0v71fGSPQ-NwZOrj-X6dwI5jZv2NaA2FU0YJw4o0Lqjsm6XKLXyJBK_CTTRut5nAtHv3I_DhEyVRFJqqzQclbVNGuRqz3qpGRNLH4XAlgezjKd67pI/s1600/scientificamericanfeb12.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com214tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-72525277349849923042014-07-27T17:10:00.000-07:002014-07-27T17:10:42.452-07:00Hammer for National Review: Deliberate dick jokes?We found this old issue of National Review featuring Justin Hammer, and can't help but wonder if all the unnecessary masculine imagery is deliberate, or completely accidental.<br />
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Hammering it out? Really?</div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-2850882729460427792014-07-20T19:59:00.000-07:002014-07-20T19:59:01.010-07:00Iron Man 'Packs on the Paunch' in a clear display of lazy PhotoshoppingI don't really have any words for this article, I'm just laughing hysterically. I mean really. Sure, this guy courts the media and goads them into awful headlines, but this is a new low, even for the gossip rags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHy1ltpyBGCf_xhJJQzYdDWaMip6N33upFk6sCuLbUME_0bmnxnZcbwFUEfEkapRztoDrXAUCfonQBu-SsUc7xw8CNNbA7WyGf3zmtZ74X39Q9wXX2FtMYuUVYC3-RpIOms2JhuLvnQ8/s1600/ok+tony+iron+blimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHy1ltpyBGCf_xhJJQzYdDWaMip6N33upFk6sCuLbUME_0bmnxnZcbwFUEfEkapRztoDrXAUCfonQBu-SsUc7xw8CNNbA7WyGf3zmtZ74X39Q9wXX2FtMYuUVYC3-RpIOms2JhuLvnQ8/s1600/ok+tony+iron+blimp.jpg" height="640" width="498" /></a></div>
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You can even see a slight bow in the vent on the side of the (presumed) trailer. If you're going to manipulate your images, at least do it in a way that's not completely obvious!<br />
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Considering it's nearly a year later, and the Potts/Stark partnership is still going strong, these sources were clearly just more gossip mongers looking for a quick buck.<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-29171380815020235502014-07-15T00:41:00.000-07:002014-07-15T00:41:16.573-07:00Iron TrollWe all know that Tony Stark loves nothing better than making snide comments to the media, right? Well. All of us except, it would seem, The Enquirer. They took a troll-tastic one liner and managed to turn it into an entire article:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna_w83ZLylnM0O1rmwP4AWQB7eBEXXYlu6VyofsWBHA-qKMblDJlv2VbkglaOfGmWvNTxa7EmdxieLhlqINcYnBUafXo82CyhtCnosq9eHNLWpybFi7NmQLhgRJD0blcz-OWhJaMgdg/s1600/national_enquirer__april_14__2014_by_nottonyharrison-d6ii4ve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna_w83ZLylnM0O1rmwP4AWQB7eBEXXYlu6VyofsWBHA-qKMblDJlv2VbkglaOfGmWvNTxa7EmdxieLhlqINcYnBUafXo82CyhtCnosq9eHNLWpybFi7NmQLhgRJD0blcz-OWhJaMgdg/s1600/national_enquirer__april_14__2014_by_nottonyharrison-d6ii4ve.jpg" height="640" width="552" /></a></div>
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Even the picture they picked screams sarcasm. But honestly, I think my favourite part is that bubble saying "Sexy WWII Love Triangle!". Because it sounds like the blurb for a really terrible self-published book that's riddled with typos and features less convincing sex scenes than a fifteen year old's AO3 account.<br />
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You can practically hear Stark's cackling "I can't believe they fell for that!!" from here, accompanied by the dulcet tones of the Stark Industries' PR department quietly banging their heads against their desks.Melbourne on my Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125351116980965317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-79412454541668159932014-07-10T21:10:00.000-07:002014-07-10T21:10:28.547-07:00The History Channel conspiracy theories have startedDid anyone else catch this on the History Channel when it aired? We would love to hear your thoughts.<br />
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Overall, I thought it was typical far-fetched history channel fare. The whole bit about Captain America being a clone built in a secret satellite laboratory in a 'pocket dimension' was probably the bit that pushed me over the edge.<br />
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Tell us about the moments that got you thinking/laughing/eyerolling in the comments!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-91855750887070363112014-07-05T13:44:00.000-07:002014-07-05T23:26:59.151-07:00War Machine James Rhodes steps into the limelightMy dad loves planes. I mean he <i>loves</i> planes. Some people look at porn on the internet, my dad spends hours looking at aircrafts. He spends hundreds of dollars every year importing magazines like this one, so that he can look at his aircraft porn anywhere he goes. I dug up this copy of <i>Combat Aircraft Monthly</i> in one of the teetering stacks in his office.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzf-EeBWpJRtAyyK8gMPq_KcNotSSoCeM0eD_7hHY4ivUtDQZZ6QnXSBOasY0RrD2yuRR3lmNd2hOJnIoUeVWDzfpD_GXXwfVvRgDigIi-EpICKMi-icyyuXjqPwJ2kRa5PYifkgzNdHk/s1600/COMBATAIRCRAFT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzf-EeBWpJRtAyyK8gMPq_KcNotSSoCeM0eD_7hHY4ivUtDQZZ6QnXSBOasY0RrD2yuRR3lmNd2hOJnIoUeVWDzfpD_GXXwfVvRgDigIi-EpICKMi-icyyuXjqPwJ2kRa5PYifkgzNdHk/s1600/COMBATAIRCRAFT.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Sadly, the article doesn't talk much about James Rhodes himself, but the US Military seemed pretty open about what they're doing with the technology. From what I can gather, they're not managing to get much out of the original creator, but there are a few mentions in there about their own team of engineers, and also the input Rhodes has into the design (he's a rocket scientist too, did you know?). Apparently the suit is very specific to the body shape and size it will fit, and not just anyone can jump in the suit and go!</div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-81297088807548746122014-07-05T13:27:00.001-07:002014-09-13T20:57:07.676-07:00The Atlantic: Prophetic Publication?I'll be honest, I don't tend to take much notice of <i>The Atlantic</i>. I don't live in the US, and it's not a publication that's distributed in my part of the world, so when I saw this image floating around on the land of the internet yesterday, I thought maybe it was a fake:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVbVvYwAe5X28ElCGjXUP0po8AITjvCJVd8i4m0Itk1UUX0H62pmHp-2oMPUS2HEkZv0ZGXObHXGF2Pd9cW7zHNwumeQ3W2-u3DUQ950FMHJmxQa9NNZ-e16xs1VJlgI7LDxtmnvwR9Y/s1600/ATLANTICshield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVbVvYwAe5X28ElCGjXUP0po8AITjvCJVd8i4m0Itk1UUX0H62pmHp-2oMPUS2HEkZv0ZGXObHXGF2Pd9cW7zHNwumeQ3W2-u3DUQ950FMHJmxQa9NNZ-e16xs1VJlgI7LDxtmnvwR9Y/s1600/ATLANTICshield.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I haven't managed to find the article (it's available on the site behind a paywall), but there's a real sense of finality about it, don't you think? From what I can gather, the piece itself is about how S.H.I.E.L.D. was apparently supposed to be a clandestine organisation, but was far more overt than could be sustainable. Things like the identity reveal of Captain America (not to mention his loud and proud uniform), public confrontations in crowded locations, and the fact that according to some people in the know, the agency was supposed to be under wraps completely, means I'm not particularly surprised about the latest happenings.</div>
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On another note, I get the impression they're not very happy with Cap's (lack of) media presence?</div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-41064283959485693792014-07-03T03:37:00.000-07:002014-07-03T03:39:10.246-07:00Asking for troubleSomeone I know posted a link to this on Facebook recently, and it was all I could do not to smash my keyboard in response.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCPLHxhKR5eqKi-2TKqA2EcDf8898a7N8RLgp5Ats2eTGl4itYyFSIb6myKdGJrrVDYLYbr5_c0Y9RRpV8BwpCnRU2gmBkiNyDwJgOuIBTqBGFJTGSzWZ8j9HHgw9rb-KhmlgXBgbGg/s1600/some_random_and_deplorable_online_news_site__july_by_nottonyharrison-d6g3ek3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCPLHxhKR5eqKi-2TKqA2EcDf8898a7N8RLgp5Ats2eTGl4itYyFSIb6myKdGJrrVDYLYbr5_c0Y9RRpV8BwpCnRU2gmBkiNyDwJgOuIBTqBGFJTGSzWZ8j9HHgw9rb-KhmlgXBgbGg/s1600/some_random_and_deplorable_online_news_site__july_by_nottonyharrison-d6g3ek3.jpg" height="640" width="396" /></a></div>
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I refuse to tell you what the actual website was on principle, because SERIOUSLY????<br />
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Let me list the things that are wrong with this:<br />
1. She's been to the gym.<br />
2. No one has time to tan when they're saving the world.<br />
3. SHE'S BEEN TO THE GYM.<br />
4. NO ONE HAS TIME TO TAN WHEN THEY'RE SAVING THE WORLD.<br />
5. <i>WHO. GIVES. A. FUCK. </i><br />
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Seriously. She's still gorgeous. And she's still lethal as hell. If I were the indescribably moronic individual who wrote this, I'd be watching my back. Because if it's not Black Widow coming after you? It'll be Hawkeye. One can only hope they'll decide to sell ringside seats, because I would pay money to see that. So. Much. Money.Melbourne on my Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125351116980965317noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-6186989776722342692014-07-01T23:18:00.000-07:002014-07-01T23:30:11.515-07:00BoNY movies? Too soon, guys. Too soon.When it was officially announced that there were two - yes that's right, TWO - post Battle of New York films on their way, I was a bit dubious. Considering it's not really <i>that</i> long since the whole shebang went down, I think it's probably a bit too soon to be offering up a dramatisation of what was essentially an alien terrorist attack, but hey. It's Hollywood. There's no such thing as too soon, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki2cLx-c0XgZP7_5VnlyL0hTmYbQdUbFVY2jtWoiKdmAcdECJW1oQDPzOLHEI7DgCqk2p4cgU4PHhQl-WszmFNqIOA3KaS6z1A-1IZFoFvr_bxQOgPVRqqQQQNfAwH5LCa7IM6dBuDus/s1600/thetower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki2cLx-c0XgZP7_5VnlyL0hTmYbQdUbFVY2jtWoiKdmAcdECJW1oQDPzOLHEI7DgCqk2p4cgU4PHhQl-WszmFNqIOA3KaS6z1A-1IZFoFvr_bxQOgPVRqqQQQNfAwH5LCa7IM6dBuDus/s1600/thetower.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vyxWFJmX-2Qa6nmVk7llB9gXAXOhUyoqWZ_7dWI-5reTALA8JrCJFrUO4cyvuvuo8gG7tWW6KQAIXA82-EgI2Oy6_9S0PzPWFHRN7dmDAZQGFIJPY-NK5vh7J3PILdOBr3watutFHwo/s1600/zerosumgame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vyxWFJmX-2Qa6nmVk7llB9gXAXOhUyoqWZ_7dWI-5reTALA8JrCJFrUO4cyvuvuo8gG7tWW6KQAIXA82-EgI2Oy6_9S0PzPWFHRN7dmDAZQGFIJPY-NK5vh7J3PILdOBr3watutFHwo/s1600/zerosumgame.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
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If you've forgotten the details, I managed to dig up this spread Empire mag did last year, that breaks down the whole thing. I still have no idea whether to laugh hysterically (particularly at Michael Bay's sure to be atrocious Big Dumb Action Movie), or weep at the exploitation and misinformation. As far as stunt casting goes, I think Bay's film has the edge, with every single main cast member being either horrifying, or clear exploitation of the intended audience. Fincher's is a little more subdued, although he's not left wanting for award winners and nominees. Transcripts at the bottom of the post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7tCEmQtL-pAQGQBVsunP-cOJedLIdUlNqJzKZ1CD397g1wcP810X6EkueBBPb_Qa62J29IXDOpcpNAbFZYcmVTY7ukVx7Lem9DmW4OxN_0_zAqFWuppBVsNnPygjv3MKTy7auh-i6JU/s1600/empireFULL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7tCEmQtL-pAQGQBVsunP-cOJedLIdUlNqJzKZ1CD397g1wcP810X6EkueBBPb_Qa62J29IXDOpcpNAbFZYcmVTY7ukVx7Lem9DmW4OxN_0_zAqFWuppBVsNnPygjv3MKTy7auh-i6JU/s1600/empireFULL.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Considering all the recent details that came to light about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s real agenda, I'm pretty sure both of these films are going to be hideously inaccurate - not that anyone is expecting accuracy from the guy that bought you Pearl Harbour. While Fincher is usually pretty good with the details, his film is all about the lead up to the insanity, which we have almost <i>no</i> official information on. Having said that, if Aaron Sorkin is writing the script, I can only hope for some gloriously sensationalised Tony Stark quips a la Andrew Garfield's glorious 'pretentious douchebag' quote.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPOw-9MJy-QRU3sQlF0S4tecL5auTvF0H3Mj7PW7zihDKGtGEUOoP-QXYlp7q71RQs2Xtww4cA8i22Cw2mCLjFxuSXwb2Mixo3ob57En55kM6BrT2r8i17Cf-S-cg0QaaYWt9s-IiTjY/s1600/f-you-flip-flops-lawl.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPOw-9MJy-QRU3sQlF0S4tecL5auTvF0H3Mj7PW7zihDKGtGEUOoP-QXYlp7q71RQs2Xtww4cA8i22Cw2mCLjFxuSXwb2Mixo3ob57En55kM6BrT2r8i17Cf-S-cg0QaaYWt9s-IiTjY/s1600/f-you-flip-flops-lawl.gif" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now that the release dates are getting closer, billboards have begun popping up. Stark posted this on his instagram a few days ago, looks like he's pretty excited for <i>The Tower</i>. Good to see he has a sense of humour about the whole thing. Cap, on the other hand, was looking a bit embarrassed as he was snapped walking past a bus shelter in New York, after a near miss with what looked like a modified and pilotless Iron Man suit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScquAyLiZ70vD8TdhraJHNVoDsjtOisYmIkzDQxX0A4tziOx1XfeRpfPJGwjFI3aJipJktKLGdYhYW-UDrCBdRQL8SNu1_x8Fd9TQw-BZkRQN9GNxHm9wVCpj5WOBltxv5LurROGiY84/s1600/billboard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScquAyLiZ70vD8TdhraJHNVoDsjtOisYmIkzDQxX0A4tziOx1XfeRpfPJGwjFI3aJipJktKLGdYhYW-UDrCBdRQL8SNu1_x8Fd9TQw-BZkRQN9GNxHm9wVCpj5WOBltxv5LurROGiY84/s1600/billboard1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvvu9ANFRHtYlSKtxEgR9FQOP_vPYU2DuzIUE5xy1Rg4K8EruVMVegtdFcUGuECsFNlorzcdT49c7AIyMt1hpdPXLZjBTbzsoRY8OxTfxkbgIkSFJbekmznFVRV158c_pPS05Mq7KVSc/s1600/billboard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvvu9ANFRHtYlSKtxEgR9FQOP_vPYU2DuzIUE5xy1Rg4K8EruVMVegtdFcUGuECsFNlorzcdT49c7AIyMt1hpdPXLZjBTbzsoRY8OxTfxkbgIkSFJbekmznFVRV158c_pPS05Mq7KVSc/s1600/billboard3.jpg" height="200" width="168" /></a></div>
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I guess the best thing to do now is wait for the trailers. And don't forget about that new Howling Commandos miniseries coming from HBO. OH MY GOD CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW FILLED WITH NEEDLESS AND GRATUITOUS SEX THAT IS GOING TO BE?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEijmpT_8v12ra3rOWyxXcvCaLIhtqMnO9HT6MUscARncRhM9IFtrElyCjvfrCayM0vwUfY7RjI-uLF5YrZ7wgA4jiaa0p0sE2Xhyphenhyphenei95oSR_fzyzvG8NExxGOwnF079fkErJrAMK2UzQ/s1600/billboard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEijmpT_8v12ra3rOWyxXcvCaLIhtqMnO9HT6MUscARncRhM9IFtrElyCjvfrCayM0vwUfY7RjI-uLF5YrZ7wgA4jiaa0p0sE2Xhyphenhyphenei95oSR_fzyzvG8NExxGOwnF079fkErJrAMK2UzQ/s1600/billboard1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Empire Magazine article transcript below the cut</span></div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There's a battle on the
horizon, but this time the aliens are fake. Just one week after David
Fincher announced his low-budget (yes, really!), political-thriller
based on the events leading up to the Battle of New York, Michael Bay
has come along and revealed his own intent to make just the opposite
– his typical, over-the-top blockbuster, focusing on the attempted
invasion itself.</div>
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So what do these two
films have in common?</div>
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Well, apart from the
characters and basic, publicly known events... not much. Fincher has
promised to include very little of the actual battle, instead
choosing to focus on the behind-the-scenes action. Using material
from various government, media, and witness sources, It's a film that
he says “will give us pause, and hopefully make cinema-goers
reconsider their thoughts on those we deem to be powerful enough to
lead us into the future.”</div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It's
not a big dumb, action movie. It's a hard look at those we trust to
protect us in our time of need. I make movies that make you squirm,
and this will be no different.”</div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">The
film, titled </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Zero-Sum
Game</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
is due for release in November 2014, and will feature an eclectic
cast from both film and television. Fincher says the casting process
was the easiest he's ever experienced. “Every actor picked had an
immediate affinity for their role,” he said.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
was absolutely astounded by each and every one of them. We did a read
through of the script last week, and the atmosphere and vibe in the
room was very exciting.”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Existing
on a different plane all together is Bay's $300m CGI behemoth. Also
with a release date in November '14, Bay says </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Tower</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> will
be filled with astonishing visual effects, set pieces, and plenty of
familiar faces. “I wanted to make a movie that America wants to
see, and if this isn't it, then I don't know what is.”</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Zero-Sum
Game</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> and </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Tower</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> will
be competing against two more huge releases. The as-yet untitled
twenty-fourth installment of the </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">James
Bond </span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">franchise
will be released in the first half of the month, and part one of </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Hunger Games: Mockingjay</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> will
drop with great fanfare on November 21.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
These two directors
have played their cards close to their chests for a long time, with
many going as far as to speculate that neither was planning anything
in the foreseeable future. Now that filming is about to get underway,
we're expecting to see plenty of set photos from Bay's side of the
fence, but we wouldn't be surprised if Fincher keeps things a little
more low-key.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Zero-Sum
Game</span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ensemble
political-thriller , with a focus on the five years leading up
to the Battle of New York. More </span></span></span></strong><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Zodiac</span></span></span></em><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> than </span></span></span></strong><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fight
Club</span></span></span></em><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
Fincher says not to expect a big action sequence at the end of the
running time.</span></span></span></strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> “It's
more about the individuals, and how their stories interconnected long
before space-whales started coming out of the sky.”</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Iron Man: Christian
Bale – He's already played Batman, so the actor has experience
playing a billionaire hero. Will the completely different personas
be a struggle, or will this veteran character actor pass with flying
colors?</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Captain America:
Jensen Ackles – With most of his roles being mostly in Television
series, the </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Supernatural</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> star
has a rabid fanbase. With wholesome all-American good looks, we
can't think of anyone more suited to play Captain America.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Black Widow:
Olivia Wilde – She has plenty of action cred thanks to films
like </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tron:
Legacy</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
and </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cowboys
and Aliens</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
but will that help in this world of politics and espionage? Having
said that, we can't wait to see her as a redhead.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Hawkeye:
Benjamin Mackenzie – You may remember Ben from </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
OC, </span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">andthe
brilliant but underrated </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Southland</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Thor:
Alexander Skarsgaard – Refusing to let his role as Eric on </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">True
Blood</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> typecast
him, Skarsgaard will have to bulk up a lot to play the
extradimensional being with the big hammer.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bruce Banner: Edward
Norton - Norton has proven to be an exceptional and low key
character actor, but it will be interesting to see how he portrays
the most reclusive of this famous group of heroess. Rumor has it,
Norton has signed a multi-film deal with Universal, are we going to
get more of Hulk on the big screen?</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Loki:
Benedict Cumberbatch – After playing the bad guy in </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Star
Trek: Into Darkness</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
and the title role in the BBC's </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sherlock</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> you'd
be hard pressed to find anyone on the planet who disagrees with this
casting decision.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Pepper Potts:
Naomi Watts – Watts is reportedly very excited to be playing the
woman who has bee referred to by </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Forbes </span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">as
the most powerful woman in the world.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Agent
Z: Vera Farmiga - At forty, the actress' career is going from
strength to strength. After roles as operatives in both </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Source
Code </span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">and </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Safe
House</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
she looks to be a sure bet.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Director:
Forest Whitaker – When asked about his role by a reporter,
Whitaker replied “Apparently I get to wear an eye patch – I'm
not sure whether that's a character thing, or something else.”</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Agent
X: Alison Brie – An alum of both </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mad
Men </span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">and
the recently renewed </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Community</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
Brie is reportedly playing one of the most important roles in the
film.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Tower</span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A
classic Bay action movie, </span></span></span></strong><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Tower</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> </span></span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">is
likely to have very little set-up, and a lot of CGI action. Bay is
staying tight-lipped about the storyline, but you can bet that it
will involve a lot of stunts, a lot of one-liners, and a lot of
artistic license.</span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Iron Man:
Nicolas Cage – Cage is also serving as executive producer on </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Tower</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
and was reportedly dissatisfied with all others who auditioned for
the role of Iron Man. He certainly has the ability to pull of larger
than life characters, and we're interested to see how far he will
take this in his portrayal of Stark.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Captain America:
Channing Tatum – Tatum has a busy year coming up, and after the
lukewarm reception to </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">White
House Down</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
he's going to need a big hit to keep him on the top of the Hollywood
'it' men.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Black Widow:
Mila Jovovich – We loved her as Alice in the silly but
watchable </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Resident
Evil</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> films,
but is another action role really what Jovovich should be choosing?</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Hawkeye:
Kellan Lutz – He's famous for playing one of the bad vampires
in </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Twilight</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">,
and since then hasn't done anything particularly memorable. Still,
his role as Poseidon in </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Immortals</span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"> does
make us wonder if he wouldn't have been more suited to the role of
Thor...</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Thor: Dolf
Lundgren – The entire office burst into laughter when Bay
announced Lundgren's inclusion on the team, but as far as stunt
casting goes, it's pretty inspired!</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bruce Banner: James Van
Der Beek – Dawson playing The Hulk. Huh.</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Loki: Russell
Brand – It's probably Brand's casting that tipped us off to the
exact nature of this film. There can't be any subtlety intended with
a comedian like this playing the bad-guy.</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Pepper Potts:
Karen Gillan – If you watch the BBC's </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Doctor
Who </span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">you'll
know Gillan as the fiery redhead companion of the Eleventh Doctor.
There's definitely some similarities between Ms Potts and Gillan's
character Amy Pond</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Agent Z: Michael
Keaton – None of us can remember what Keaton's last role was. Will
this be the shot in the arm his ailing career needs?</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Director: 50
Cent – More stunt-casting, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
This is likely the first role Fiddy has had which involves playing
someone other than himself. This is bound to be either amazing, or
hilarious</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">Agent
X: Jessica Simpson – New mum Simpson has signed on for a small
role as the Director's right-hand woman. She has reportedly already
started working out two hours a day to get back to the size she was
during her </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Dukes
of Hazzard </span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;">days.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-75628834326576478872014-07-01T14:29:00.002-07:002014-07-01T14:29:49.855-07:00The best Forbes cover ever?Pepper Potts has been on the cover of Forbes a couple of times, but I still think this one's the best.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXWsm0VmzoefsiCHw1852Yd-WIR26eWdMbBC9RDrhStMqwL5IOvlQ7n1pAY55OXKCPGsog3YW9mrTj4cSkaw_tByjjI-WbhhBcEIwZ1g-tr7nyWSXxDtgaVktgtwaN5x9XPgnt_rWH_U/s1600/PEPPERFORBES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXWsm0VmzoefsiCHw1852Yd-WIR26eWdMbBC9RDrhStMqwL5IOvlQ7n1pAY55OXKCPGsog3YW9mrTj4cSkaw_tByjjI-WbhhBcEIwZ1g-tr7nyWSXxDtgaVktgtwaN5x9XPgnt_rWH_U/s1600/PEPPERFORBES.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've seen some criticism of the cover, mostly in regards to the way Forbes points out that Potts was once a personal assistant, but I think rather than being belittling, it's demonstrating how anyone can go far given the right business acumen.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stark Industries has become the biggest tech firm in the world since Potts took over. The news of her appointment was greeted with derision and gossip, and I can only imagine the vindication she now feels over her detractors. If you really have a good read over news reports about Stark Industries over the past decade, I think it's pretty clear that this amazing woman did most of the work anyway. Can you really imagine Tony Stark showing up to board meetings on time? I mean, the guys a genius, but come on.</div>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-67777784169529276532014-06-30T19:45:00.000-07:002014-06-30T20:16:19.257-07:00Star demonstrates the very definition of ironyI came across this the other day, and was immediately torn between laughing hysterically and headdesking repeatedly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiY1dMGP3M6KdgyLhBWgkHpOoaK8EMbGx78mxDyC4RYi3u6fUDpk3HUbyjp8Gak3_Oq-tKL6SDZ2eKChBrrLt0OtbeRCGFz1XcQ6FjhDXB2AXsB8-Tl9FgxlMDv3simVH0FiYUfro2w/s1600/star_magazine__april_1__2013_by_nottonyharrison-d6igsyp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiY1dMGP3M6KdgyLhBWgkHpOoaK8EMbGx78mxDyC4RYi3u6fUDpk3HUbyjp8Gak3_Oq-tKL6SDZ2eKChBrrLt0OtbeRCGFz1XcQ6FjhDXB2AXsB8-Tl9FgxlMDv3simVH0FiYUfro2w/s1600/star_magazine__april_1__2013_by_nottonyharrison-d6igsyp.jpg" height="640" width="446" /></a></div>
<br />
Do you think Star Magazine has even the faintest understanding of the irony involved here? I'm guessing not, given that last sentence: "We just hope he'll still be around to help save the day next time someone wants to take over the planet!". Um, probably not if magazines like Star keep printing stories like this...<br />
<br />
And an Avengers insider? Oh please. It's either a fictional source, or it's Tony Stark trolling the media again. My money's on the latter. Surely no one but Tony Stark could illicit that hilarious facial expression in the picture on the right??<br />
<br />
Also, LOOK!! <a href="http://www.mediavengers.com/2014/06/omg-superheroes-have-friends-too.html">Just as I predicted</a>, it seems that Black Widow has ditched Hawkeye in favour of Captain America. Two down, three to go...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Transcript under the cut</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>HAWKEYE'S FRUSTRATION: I Can't Do My Job!
</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The Avenger loses his cool at fans in NYC
<br />
<br />
He may be the Avenger with the least merchadise to his name, but Clint ‘Hawkeye’ Barton looks to be struggling with the fame his role in the Battle of New York has thrust upon him.
<br />
When approached by fans in a Manhattan eatery, Hawkeye reportedly ignored them, before loudly commenting to his companion ‘F***ing parasites should just leave me alone so I can do my job.”
<br />
<br />
One witness claims the huffy hero even removed the battery from a fellow patron’s phone, claiming he was “completely within [his] rights to do it.”
<br />
<br />
Immediately following the incident, Barton left the restaurant with his friend, and imediately ducked into a cab.
<br />
<br />
An Avengers insider told us “Hawkeye’s been having real trouble with his newfound fame. He’s so used to flying under the radar that he really doesn’t know how to handle a section of the public watching his every move.”
<br />
<br />
Despite arguably being the least visible of the Avengers, Hawkeye has proven to be immensely popular on the internet, with fan sites popping up dedicated to his prowess with a bow and arrow, as well as lauding the muscle definition of his arms. Sites like Hawkass.com and the Is That an Arrow in your Pocket? blog have been following the courageous cutie, posting candid images of him everywhere from New York to Nadi in Fiji!
<br />
<br />
This outburst is the latest in a string of erratic behavior from the archer, following a break-up with reported work partner and girlfriend Natalie Rushman, AKA the Black Widow. Our Avengers insider goes on to say “Widow’s continued appearances at the side of Captain America look to be causing cracks to form in The Avengers team, and it appears Hawkeye has been the first piece to fall.”
<br />
<br />
We just hope he’ll still be around to help save the day next time someone wants to take over the planet!
<br />
<br />
<i>--Alice Auger</i>Melbourne on my Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125351116980965317noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-88545119184131829872014-06-29T16:11:00.001-07:002014-06-29T16:13:21.119-07:00Mooncup hits a home run, but is the Black Widow ad legit?A well known feminine hygeine product recently hit it out of the park with genius piece of advertising<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_k_DhapLXr6dKnUZxEh5eyuu-f7O0OuA9jvD_szYDL3qeyy46FMlbOyFxlU5hIlRK1LBLb692McAHaCzeAbx5ppGdlHk9lGXVBg5Ogkgf5HtE3-0wutkFXw9CKZE9ksN4Wpw18ciCc4/s1600/mooncup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_k_DhapLXr6dKnUZxEh5eyuu-f7O0OuA9jvD_szYDL3qeyy46FMlbOyFxlU5hIlRK1LBLb692McAHaCzeAbx5ppGdlHk9lGXVBg5Ogkgf5HtE3-0wutkFXw9CKZE9ksN4Wpw18ciCc4/s1600/mooncup.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The question remains though: Is this a legit piece of endorsement from Black Widow, or just ballsy use of an image that is available for purchase through the Avengers fan society? I can't exactly see BW getting litigious about this, but I would love to hear the official story!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Who knows, maybe she's sitting in her apartment cackling to herself about all the speculation? Either way, I know I wouldn't want to be bothering with tampons when I'm saving the world, or (in light of recent events) on the run from the government.</div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-6846048761340150392014-06-27T00:29:00.000-07:002014-06-27T00:30:04.360-07:00Why should I care about Cap's love life?Okay seriously, I saw <i>yet another</i> tabloid talking about "who's Captain America dating??!?!" when I was at the grocery store. I thought we'd start to get away from those after all the noise about the attack on New York had died down a bit. Of course, who am I kidding, there will always be gossip like that, just.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEn5MF__iHiBzhmPse4zrLMK6Nnfm38myAFgi5_67lE4ZTB10vp_af-MPyW99Of-9E1iIoioyLnXlej76sgagdqhNx52QfVAP3VpSaq4GdkPq0IThOTIXOExoPXdImpL-N9eur9L3vAU/s1600/usweeklycapmariasharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEn5MF__iHiBzhmPse4zrLMK6Nnfm38myAFgi5_67lE4ZTB10vp_af-MPyW99Of-9E1iIoioyLnXlej76sgagdqhNx52QfVAP3VpSaq4GdkPq0IThOTIXOExoPXdImpL-N9eur9L3vAU/s1600/usweeklycapmariasharon.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I am SOOOOO sick of the "who's dating who" scene. Everywhere, really, in music and movies and these superheroes (yes, I'm calling them superheroes, fight me!) and I'm just so SICK of it.<br />
<br />
<i>WHO CARES????????</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Is it somehow relevant to ANYBODY'S life but the people involved if Cap is dating Tony Stark? Or Natalie Rushman? Or Thor, or Hawkeye, or whoever the hell they're saying he's dating now? Maybe I'm just weird for not caring, but it irritates me that this is considered okay to write NEWS ARTICLES about.<br />
<br />
Bluh, whatever. I don't have any <i>~deep insights~ </i>or anything, I just got pissy and had to vent about it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Transcript below the cut</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
HE’S BEEN VOTED ONE OF THE SEXIEST men in America, and it looks like Captain America Steve Rogers is finally making the most of his exceptional good looks, by leaping in to the dating pool!
<br />
<br />
These candid snaps show our sexiest soldier out first with a gorgeous brunette, catching up for a drink in a Brooklyn bar, then on the streets of Queens with a mystery blonde the following day.
<br />
<br />
Eyewitnesses in the bar claim Captain Rogers acted very familiar with the dark-haired beauty, going as far to say there was clearly a history between the two. After two bourbons for the lady, and soda for sober driver Cap, they left the bar, but weren’t spotted again that evening. We don’t blame her if she let him take her home!
<br />
<br />
But wait! Barely twelve hours later, a lucky local saw Cap leaving a bodega in Queens with a different woman, this time a girl-next-door type blonde. The woman, who the photographer heard referred to as ‘Carter’, appeared nonplussed by her attractive escort, remaining impassive even as he placed his hand on her back.
<br />
<br />
Hearts around US Weekly’s office are both breaking and fluttering, as our lovely ladies realise that while Cap may be taken, does this mean a regular girl might have a chance with a national icon? We sure hope so!
<br />
We hope one of these ladies spills the beans on Cap in the bedroom, we’re dying to know if he wears patriotic underwear beneath that skin-tight stars and stripes spandex!Kate M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11942594313625206180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-16704915994781289962014-06-26T21:29:00.000-07:002014-06-26T23:23:39.133-07:00Who the eff is Loki?Do you guys remember this piece in The Guardian a few years ago?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgidMLi0ZPM534cKPRRxBVFIwr6Lf0NnZNqy5oD1HujBB4zQQJO5rKP_eK4L1XE0M5uDVdmzSsuabwMWVMLAJLK5H-1YKviiKkopVgw6POiitpyferB9Oi9y81AeaFw5s9aCbKbo9UA/s1600/the_guardian___loki_stuttgart_attack_article_by_nottonyharrison-d6az3c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgidMLi0ZPM534cKPRRxBVFIwr6Lf0NnZNqy5oD1HujBB4zQQJO5rKP_eK4L1XE0M5uDVdmzSsuabwMWVMLAJLK5H-1YKviiKkopVgw6POiitpyferB9Oi9y81AeaFw5s9aCbKbo9UA/s1600/the_guardian___loki_stuttgart_attack_article_by_nottonyharrison-d6az3c9.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been doing some thinking about it - and more specifically this mysterious horny (LOL) dude with the angry Christmas tree hair - for a while now, especially after what happened in Greenwich with Thor.<br />
<br />
I was always a little dubious about the stories floating around about Thor. There were a few of the trashier magazines that were all "OMG, he's a Norse god!", but that always seemed to be more to do with his biceps than anything. I mean, sure, there was lightning flying around during that whole aliens coming out of the sky deal in New York. But there were also ALIENS COMING OUT OF THE SKY. Who's to say that lightning's not an accompanying part of that?<br />
<br />
But after Greenwich? Well. Thor fell down the side of the Gherkin and came out of it unscathed. And then there was a huge-ass hammer flying around the place. So...I figured <i>maybe </i>it was worth doing some reading about Norse mythology to see what I could uncover. And in the process, I discovered some interesting stuff about Loki, who may or may not be The Angry Christmas Tree featured in The Guardian's article.<br />
<br />
Basically, according to Norse mythology, Loki was a trickster who liked to fuck shit up. Sometimes he was on the side of the gods, and sometimes he wasn't. He wasn't one of the gods of Asgard, but a Jötunn, which seems to be some kind of frost giant or ugly ass creature associated with dark magics. He could shapeshift, which is pretty freaking cool, and was considered a brother or a son by Odin, Thor's father.<br />
<br />
Loki and Thor seem to have had a pretty rocky relationship. One story implies that Loki tried to boink Thor's wife (does Jane Foster know about this?!), while another has them having all kinds of hijinks trying to get Thor's hammer back while dressed as women. Plus, you know, Loki's son, A FREAKING SERPENT THAT ENCIRCLED THE WORLD, is traditionally responsible for Thor's death at Ragnarök.<br />
<br />
Oh, and one time he disguised himself as a mare to seduce a stallion and then gave birth to a horse with eight legs...<br />
<br />
Basically? I'm starting to think that there's more links to those old legends than I thought. And hell, if the Angry Christmas Tree really is the Loki from Norse mythology? We should be pretty damned grateful that Iron Man and Captain America - because there's no doubt in my mind that it WAS Captain America in Stuttgart - were there to save our butts before shit got real bad, real fast... And let's just pray that, wherever The Angry Christmas Tree is now? Thor's keeping an eye on him.<br />
<br />
What do you guys reckon? Norse trickster? Or just some dude with a bad haircut and a shit-ton of top secret tech?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Transcript under the cut</span></div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><b>Bizarre
Attack on German Museum</b></span></div>
<div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><i>By
Reece Pugh</i></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;">EVENTS
took a brutal and disturbing turn in Stuttgart last night, as a man
dressed in a strange costume consisting of an elaborate robe and
helmet, first attacked the head of security for the Stuttgart Natural
History Museum, and then displayed extraordinary talent as a
magician, as he delivered a monologue to terrified benefactors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;">The
museum was celebrating its third centenary, when the man referred to
as ‘Loki’ attacked. Bystanders reported witnessing a staff-like
weapon, which fired a blue light, and claimed the man was able to
move from location to location in the blink of an eye, as well as
change the appearance of his clothing as if by magic.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Defaul;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Defaul;">In
an even more odd twist, the scene was attended by someone dressed as
the fanous WWII American hero </span></span><strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Defaul;">Captain
America</span></span></strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Defaul;">,
soon joined by billionaire</span></span><strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Defaul;">Tony
Stark’s Iron Man</span></span></strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Defaul;">,
and an apparently unmarked aircraft, before emergency services could
make it on the scene.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;">The
attack was reportedly part of a robbery. German Police declined to
comment on the item or items stolen, but confirmed that ‘Loki’
was working with a team, believed to be mercenaries.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;">The
attacker was taken by the US team, onboard the aircraft, and is
reportedly in the custody of a classified international
anti-terrirism taskforce.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;">Seven
were killed in the attack, all members of the Museum's private
security staff. The SMNH Director also declined comment, instead
issuing a statement via a representative, offering condolences to the
families of those injured or killed in the assault.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;">Focus
has turned to the Americans’ involvement in suduing the attacker,
with questions raised about the jurisdiction of Iron Man, who is
still considered a vigilante by most governments. Also under scrutiny
is the identity of the stars-and-stripes clad man, whose movement and
actions seem to suggest military training of the highest order.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;">The
US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, was unavailable for comment on
the matter. The aircraft is believed to be an experimental transport
jet, currently undergoing development by the US Air Force and Stark
Industries. Tony Stark...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Defaul;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Defaul;">Continued
on page 2</span></div>
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Melbourne on my Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125351116980965317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-20681600690766589642014-06-24T21:30:00.000-07:002014-09-13T20:56:54.633-07:00The mere idea of capturing this image terrifies the crap out of meSo remember that weird alien thing that went down in New York? Remember how it was total chaos, and if you were above the tenth floor of anything in midtown, you were probably fucked?<br />
<br />
Well, today I was reminded by NatGeo, that there were some crazy fearless people who got amazing shots of the whole shebang. They picked the image of Hulk catching Iron Man as their photo of the decade. I have to admit, I'm inclined to agree, but the person who snapped it is either completely fearless, totally or has some kind of crazy 'I stick to walls' insect powers or something.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkaWVyWnfnfROZeXijT7gDPKiawwt585bVMw7sW8jYO5kVLK7jSf_SvaBRGR6kWl1McdOcaDbsulMjBhxRny3qucxqC8KEzqxo3pA8Ji54eBaEaTTFGdmmUU_3TJZ1sXbdccUYonzQDo/s1600/ngeo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkaWVyWnfnfROZeXijT7gDPKiawwt585bVMw7sW8jYO5kVLK7jSf_SvaBRGR6kWl1McdOcaDbsulMjBhxRny3qucxqC8KEzqxo3pA8Ji54eBaEaTTFGdmmUU_3TJZ1sXbdccUYonzQDo/s1600/ngeo1.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Considering it looks as if it was taken on a camera phone, the only place it could possibly have been shot from is somewhere in the middle of the street. Crazy insect powers, yo. Crazy insect powers.</div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-75570519735327955332014-06-24T13:35:00.002-07:002014-06-24T13:35:40.459-07:00OMG. Superheroes have friends too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was at the hairdresser the other day and had the misfortune of perusing their selection of terrible magazines to pass the time. One particular copy of Us Weekly featured this delightful piece [<span style="color: purple;">Kim: It's the same issue as that <a href="http://www.mediavengers.com/2014/06/us-weekly-tries-its-best-to-understand.html">godawful booty pol</a></span><a href="http://www.mediavengers.com/2014/06/us-weekly-tries-its-best-to-understand.html">l</a>]. Did you know that men and women can't be friends? I mean, it's just so obvious. The minute you touch one another, even casually, a bed suddenly appears out of nowhere and you can't help but give into your animal instincts...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxSfrprMARZFibvndLm6FCWzMs6dFWCaij_pqV6E-3rV8i5Ad5-6sELaYIZ0DI9psBa54-ojzXgiy0L70kKDJXFuMYGROtrD5GIjnR5J7zLauyP0-Z0iIa_Dzjy20jPm8fnd6KxBKRg/s1600/usweeklypage27_by_nottonyharrison-d634jvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxSfrprMARZFibvndLm6FCWzMs6dFWCaij_pqV6E-3rV8i5Ad5-6sELaYIZ0DI9psBa54-ojzXgiy0L70kKDJXFuMYGROtrD5GIjnR5J7zLauyP0-Z0iIa_Dzjy20jPm8fnd6KxBKRg/s1600/usweeklypage27_by_nottonyharrison-d634jvr.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Black Widow better keep her distance from the rest of the Avengers in public, or we can expect to see a lot more of this type of tripe in the future. After all, there are four other guys on the team that she hasn't been seen casually touching yet!<br />
<br />
But hey - at least homegirl is keeping up the Vitamin C intake. It can't be easy, being that "touchy-feely" after saving the planet...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Transcript under the cut</span></div>
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</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Black
Widow and Hawkeye: Just Friends, or Hot and Heavy?</span></strong></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Spotted
together twice in a week! Coincidence, or something more?</span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">By
Sandy Jones</span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;">First
there was the sighting of all the Avengers in Central Park, followed
by a strange blue light and a blinding flash, where witnesses claim
the archer and the ninja seemed very touchy feely. Then, just two
days ago, I had the pleasure to spot them myself just outside a local
Brooklyn coffee shop!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;">She
was carrying what appeared to be orange juice, and he was sipping at
a frappuccino. Decaf, we’re assuming, considering his exceptionally
steady hands.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;">While
apparently attempting to go incognito in a baseball cap and
sunglasses, it was hard not to miss that flaming red hair. Bundled up
in jackets to fight the cold, I think it’s safe to assume these two
heroes aren’t as ‘super’ as some of their team members.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;">In
fact, reports from those inside the small coffee shop claim that
customers and staff alike didn’t even realize who they were in the
company of! The owner of the store - and the barista who made
Hawkeye’s frappe - informed me that she thought they were just like
any other customer until another patron commented on the freakish
lookalike.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;">The
same barista also mentioned a very obvious familiarity between the
two, with Hawkeye placing his hand on her back as they left the
store. Just friends? Romance? Long standing colleagues? We don’t
know yet, but from what we’ve seen, there’s certainly something
between the two that’s more than just being one off, world saving
teammates! </span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />Melbourne on my Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125351116980965317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-60292312793659464092014-06-22T18:29:00.000-07:002014-06-22T18:29:29.295-07:00Don't save the world without proper safety proceduresApparently good old fashioned values aren't enough for the mothers of America these days. That's right, Captain America - you know, one of the dudes who saved our butts from the giant monsters coming out of a hole in the sky - is under fire from a group of mommy bloggers. It seems that he shouldn't be seen escaping from buildings that are EXPLODING because it will encourage the children of America to...do likewise? I don't even know.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUtj168a5z7tT1Kk3kOIiN-I7ovv5fParWz8GS6b21PTt05s69MyryygVVBFXeRvM5p-LmssT7dK_vsI44YPpbpjRN0TucbLYyGLlwx1IZu-5X7y2alhsbhPzMrzG2uwu4XHej1lQJOs/s1600/caplifestyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUtj168a5z7tT1Kk3kOIiN-I7ovv5fParWz8GS6b21PTt05s69MyryygVVBFXeRvM5p-LmssT7dK_vsI44YPpbpjRN0TucbLYyGLlwx1IZu-5X7y2alhsbhPzMrzG2uwu4XHej1lQJOs/s1600/caplifestyle.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>Life and Style</i> should be ashamed of themselves for drawing further attention to this clickbait-y insanity. And don't even get me started on that discussion of his uniform. What do they want him to do? Save the world in jeans and a hoodie? Yeah, I'm sure Cap will get right on that...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Transcript under the cut</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-size: small;">American
Moms: Cap's a Bad Influence!</span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></strong><span style="color: black;"><i>A
group of online moms has branded Captain America a dangerous
influence on our youth</i></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;"><i>He’s
saved the world on more than one occasion, but it’s not his
superheroics that have caught the attention of one group of mothers!</i></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stateside
Moms</span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;">,
an online community of US mothers, has publicly renounced its support
of Captain America as a role model for the children of America,
citing repeated examples of recklessness as the influence on their
decision.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;">“</span><span style="color: black;">Our
kids need a role model who demonstrates a safe and sensible approach
to life, not a man who regularly jumps from exploding
buildings,” </span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stateside
Moms</span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"> spokeswoman
Greta MacHubert stated recently in a blog post.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;">And
it’s not just a few outspoken individuals who are supporting the
backlash against our most patriotic hero! The original blog post by
Mrs MacHubert has gone viral, and has now been shared on social media
sites like Facebook and Twitter by more than one hundred thousand
people, most of whom are voicing their vocal support.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;">One
conversation on the </span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Default;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stateside
Moms</span></span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"> message
board takes particular issue with Captain Rogers’ skintight
uniform, with one mother saying “it is an affront to common
decency”. His repeated use of a motorcycle without a helmet is also
mentioned often, and has prompted an online petition, requesting
helmets be made compulsory in all fifty US states.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Default;">Will
our stars and stripes clad hero bow to public pressure, or will the
extreme heroics continue as usual?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Melbourne on my Mindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125351116980965317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-18635040269615770332014-06-22T15:02:00.000-07:002014-06-22T18:38:48.496-07:00Tony Stark is on WIRED, and what's up with that breathalyzer headline placement?I was at the doctor's office last weekend, and in the magazine pile was this issue of WIRED magazine. I had to have a bit of a laugh at one of the secondary headlines...<br />
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I'm not sure if it was an hilarious coincidence, or an intentionally provocative and well thought out piece of design. Regardless, the article was interesting. It had some pretty good analysis of Stark's influence on the tech industry, but then we all remember the clusterfuck that was Stark Expo. Even if we did find out that Justin Hammer actually caused the whole furore, the PR storm afterwards would be enough to drive me to drink. Probably enough to need one of those breathalyzers they tested (it was actually a very informative test, I would recommend <a href="http://www.wired.com/2010/04/pr_roundup_breathalyzers/" target="_blank">reading it on the website</a>!).</div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043344568936306987.post-35640672315757263722014-06-21T19:48:00.000-07:002014-06-22T18:38:56.812-07:00Aliens attempt New York Invasion, US Weekly only cares about buttsAlien invasion? Kind of unprecedented, really. Unless you believe all the global conspiracies about well... just about every event in ancient history. But this time around we had the cameraphone footage to prove it really happened. Along with superheroes.<br />
<br />
Superheroes happened.<br />
<br />
Superheroes saved our collective asses, and all our tabloids seem to care about literally, their asses.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Thanks, US Weekly, for that insightful coverage of possibly the most implausible event to happen in recent memory.<br />
<br />
Check out the gallery and transcript below, to see what they really think about our mysterious (well, apart from Tony Stark) saviors. Apparently the woman should - get this - come with a parental advisory. As usual, <i>word on the street</i> is used in place of corroborated sources, and they've even appeared to out (in more ways than one) the big green dude. Lord help me.<br />
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Transcript below the cut</b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Everyone's calling them
The Avengers, but who exactly are they?</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Pg. 11 - Captain
America:</b> Word is it America's new golden boy looks an awful lot
like the actor from those old newsreels!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Pg. 13 – Iron Man:</b> A
self proclaimed playboy, is Stark really a team player, or is being
Iron Man more of a solo job?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Pg. 15 – Black
Widow:</b> Her identity is still a secret, but for how long?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Pg. 16 – Hawkeye:</b> The
man with the awesome arms is reportedly a former circus performer
named Clint Barton</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Pg. 17 – Thor:</b> Nobody
knows much about the Avenger with the godly call sign. Are his
abilities truly divine?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Pg. 18 – The Hulk:</b> We
have three people on record who confirm the green giant is normally
mild mannered Doctor Banner. Apparently he's sorry about Harlem</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Captain America –
Identity Unknown</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He bears an uncanny
resemblance to the Cap from those old film reels. Was he really an
actor like we all thought, or is there a conspiracy behind this
handsome hero's identity?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What we know:</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Looks almost
identical to the original Captain America</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Great butt</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Fights with a
shield</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Commanding
presence suggests military training</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Pulls off the flag
suit</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Apparent super
human strength and agility</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Who exactly is this man
they're calling Captain America? That's the question still on
everyone's lips one week after the battle that almost destroyed New
York.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The uncanny resemblance
between the man in the WWII newsreels, and the costumed crusader
we've seen in the gigabytes of cellphone footage that's been popping
up (and just as quickly mysteriously disappearing) on youtube, is
most certainly telling.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Many are speculating
that this Cap is the original's grandson, or even great grandson.
We've heard of strong genes, but this is ridiculous!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Others are claiming
government conspiracies ranging from cloning, through to cryogenic
storage, and even time travel. When you suggest these far out ideas,
an exceptionally strong family resemblance doesn't seem so unlikely
after all.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But exactly how much
can we glean from a man in a suit that covers 98% of his skin? Well
it is a very tight suit.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We've consulted
experts, and after studying both Caps' build, height, and bone
structure, all of them have come to the same conclusion. The only way
these 'two men' could look so similar, is with shared genetics, or
extreme surgical enhancement. According to plastic surgeon Dr.
Richard Ellenbogen, the similarity in the entire lower half of the
face, as well as the set of the eyes, can only be explained by near
identical underlying bone structure. When we showed Dr. Ellenbogen
the grainy images of Cap without his mask, he became convinced that
the two Caps are the same man.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cap doesn't seem to
wield any weapons, instead choosing to use his body, and a large and
very sturdy shield. His pinpoint accuracy seems to suggest
technological enhancement of some form.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
His strength and
agility are also clearly superior to that of a normal human. Rumors
of government experiments in the forties are just that – rumors –
but they lend credence to some of the more science fiction based
explanations for the visual similarities.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cap's physique isn't
just raising eyebrows because of the strength and speed. Blurry
images are popping up all over the internet. There is already a
twitter account @captainamericasbooty, and several blogs dedicated to
the appreciation of his form.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Looks like he's going
to be giving Tony Stark a run for his money in next year's sexiest
polls then? Or will he have to take off the mask first?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Speaking of Stark, we
wouldn't be surprised if there's some serious butting of heads in
regards to the leadership of The Avengers. While not an officially
confirmed villain fighting team, with Cap at the helm, this crew
of superheroes seem like the kind of people (beings?) we
can pin our hopes on.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Iron Man – Tony Stark</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It's all in a days work
for one of the world's smartest people</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What we know:</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Reportedly the
third smartest person on the planet</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Multi fbillionaire</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Undisclosed heart
condition</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
First
industrialist to ever be voted sexiest man alive</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Notorious party
animal</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
First superhero to
reveal his identity publicly</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Reportedly dating
CEO of Stark Industries, Pepper Potts.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If you'd told us two
years ago that Tony Stark, billionaire industrialist, and all around
life of the party, was about to become a fearless superhero, we would
have laughed in your face and told you to lay off the sauce.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now, the former CEO of
Stark Industries claims to have calmed down and accepted that middle
age is upon him. And if settling down means donning a metal suit and
flying around defeating villains, then yes, we absolutely agree.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Since outing himself as
Iron Man, Star has radically (and successfully) changed the direction
of his company, launched a line of premium action figures, saved
various towns, cities, and countries from disasters and
villains, and been voted Sexiest Man Alive. And he doesn't
look to be slowing down any time soon!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Living life in the
public eye is something he is clearly used to, but he spends more
time suited up on the cover of TIME nowadays, than half naked on the
front page of TMZ. The gossip site has featured a significant drop in
Stark related antics over the past year. Outside of the suit, anyway.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After the averted
disaster at Stark Expo last year, Iron Man has been seen out and
about with Stark Industries CEO (and his former personal assistant)
Pepper Potts, fueling speculation of a romantic liaison. While
there's no official word on the relationship, a number of sources
close to the rumored couple have confirmed the existence of a
committed relationship between the two, no doubt breaking hearts of
ladies (and more than a few men) across the globe.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Potts, a savvy
businesswoman, has worked for Stark Industries for a number of years,
reportedly hired as a college graduate, eventually rising to the
position of PA and unofficial minder of the hunky billionaire. We
don't know much about you, but we think it looks like a match made in
heaven!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As for his relationship
with fellow superheroes, sources report the presence of a woman
resembling the Black Widow at Stark Industries headquarters in LA for
an extended period last year. It appears to be his first time working
with the rest of the team, however. We can't help but wonder if the
self proclaimed egotist will butt heads with Captain America, who
appeared to be the leader during the Battle of New York.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Whatever happens, were
glad to have Iron Man on our side. With Stark's history of unstable
and erratic behavior, he would certainly make for a dangerous
villain!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Black Widow –
Identity Unknown</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She's a complete
mystery. Which just makes her all the more intriguing!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What we know:</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Highly skilled
acrobat, markswoman, and hand to hand combatant</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
not much else</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We now next to nothing
abut the gorgeous woman with the call sign 'Black Widow', but one
thing's for sure – she's bound to be the number one role model for
a whole generation of young girls!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This kick butt beauty
appears to, like the man known as Hawkeye, be an agent for an
existing paramilitary group, if the emblem on her uniform is anything
to go by. We've scoured the streets and the internet for information
on her, but have yet to catch even a glimpse of the woman the
twitterverse has taken to calling simply 'Red'.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There have been reports
of a doppelganger working for Stark Industries in 2009, serving for a
short period as Tony Stark's personal assistant following the
promotion of Pepper Potts to CEO. While this appears to be an
enticing lead, Stark Industries is staying mum on the subject.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We've studied footage
from various sources, and are continually amazed by this woman's
fearless and extremely athletic assault on the aliens we now know as
the 'Chitauri'. One video in particular shows her using Captain
America's shield to fling her on to the back of one of the small
alien craft!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We almost feel like
Black Widow should come with a label stating kids, do not try
this at home!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Hawkeye – Clint
Barton</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Despite being one of
three team members with an identifiable face, the archer with the
call sign 'Hawkeye' is surprisingly tough to pin down.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What we know:</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Exceptional with
projectiles</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Very acrobatic</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Appears almost
completely fearless, as indicated by jumping off a thirty story
building!</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Incredible arms</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Weapon of choice
isn't exactly a new technological development</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Almost immediately
following the appearance of amateur footage from last week's battle,
social media sites were awash with the revelation that the man
bystanders heard referred to as 'Hawkeye' is, in fact, a former Iowan
circus performer named Clint Barton.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
While the original
tweets and posts were swiftly removed (we can only assume by some
shady government agency, perhaps the one whose logo can be seen on
both Hawkeye and Black Widow's uniforms), the news spread quickly,
and has been corroborated by numerous sources since.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Despite this revelation
in identity however, any actual information on the man appears to be
securely locked down. We have approached a few people who claim to
have knowledge of Mr Barton, but so far everyone has been extremely
tight lipped.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
While Hawkeye appears
to be human, we can't help but wonder about his extraordinary skills
with a bow and arrow. While the paleolithic weapon may seem a strange
choice, the large array of arrows seem to make it a very versatile
tool. There also appears to be an obvious rapport between Barton and
the Black Widow, the two working together with the ease that you
would think only comes from many years together in the field.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
One thing's for sure,
we can't wait to see more of those amazing arms!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Thor – Identity
Unknown</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Is he a god, an alien,
or just a man with some serious technology under that cape?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What we know:</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Crazy powerful
hammer</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Another looker.
What is up with all the hotties?</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Somehow the cape
doesn't get in the way</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Can fly</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
His name is Thor. He
looks like Thor. He has a bizarrely powerful hammer like Thor, and we
have a sneaking suspicion that he may be a god like Thor, if not
actually Thor himself.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Thor appears to have
the ability to channel electrical current through his hammer, which
also seems to give him the ability to fly, and returns to him on
command, no matter the obstacle.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All this sounds
completely ludicrous, but with an alien race invading from a wormhole
above Stark Tower, does anything really seem impossible any more?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We've done some
research on the deity from Norse mythology, and unless this man with
the godly name is wielding some serious tech under the armor and the
cape, we think our theory may be pretty spot on!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Mythologically, Thor is
associated with thunder, lightning, storms, and the protection of
mankind. Even more interestingly, the human looking villain helping
the Chitauri was heard to be referred to as Loki by
many bystanders. In the myths, Loki is a trickster and shape shifter
who brings about the end of the world as we know it.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Is it possible that
Earth was just the battle ground for a godly grudge match?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Who knows whether this
being's appearance on earth is a good or a bad thing, but it can't
hurt to have him on our side.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
...</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Hulk – Dr. Bruce
Banner</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He's unpredictable, and
more than a little terrifying. How long with the green giant stay on
the righteous path?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What we know:</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Turns green when
he gets angry</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
incredibly
attractive when he's not angry</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
near impermeable
skin and unmatchable strength</div>
</li>
<li><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
PhD in nuclear
physics</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Although not as public
as Tony Stark's Iron Man persona, the identity of the monster known
as The Hulk has been a badly kept secret for much of the
past two years. After a destructive rampage through Harlem (which
we're in formed his alter ego is regretfully sorry about), reports
flooded in to media outlets identifying the green giant as the
normally mild mannered physicist, Doctor Bruce Banner.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A former faculty member
at Culver University in Virginia, Dr. Banner, 41, was reportedly
quiet and unassuming, right up until the moment when an accident in
his government funded laboratory caused him to suffer severe
radiation exposure. Since then he has made a few appearance as Hulk,
but has only been spotted twice in his more human form.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bruce Banner hails from
Dayton, Ohio. The son of Brian, an atomic physicist, and Rebecca
Banner, a homemaker, a young Bruce reportedly was often seen
conducting experiments in the areas surrounding the family home. The
tragic murder of his mother by her own husband when he was just ten
years old, was a very high profile and well documented case in the
city's history.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He many not be strictly
'human', but Hulk saved Iron Man, and helped save New York, and for
that, we're incredibly grateful.</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08159945390613805293noreply@blogger.com6