“Iron Man”

Robert Downey Jr. as “Iron Man” (Marvel Studios/Paramount, 2008)

“Iron Man” (Marvel Studios/Paramount, 2008) is the perfect superhero movie. When brilliant billionaire/playboy/philanthropist/weapons manufacturer Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) gets critically injured and captured during a terrorist attack, he has a major change of heart–literally. Near death, his co-prisoner, a brilliant scientist named Yinsen (played by Shaun Toub), implants an electromagnet device in his chest to keep the shrapnel in his body from entering his heart. Tony then builds an “arc reactor” to power the magnet along with a metal suit, creating the perfect shield and weapon for him to escape his captors. The event changes Tony’s mind about staying in the weapons business and pushes him to perfect the metal suit and to become an advocate and protector of the peace, much to the chagrin of Obadiah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges), his number two in command and a dude with some jealousy issues. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Tony’s long-suffering assistant Pepper Potts, Terrence Howard as Lt. Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Paul Bettany as the voice of Tony’s computer JARVIS, and director Jon Favreau as Tony’s limo driver Happy Hogan. The film now has two sequels–2010’s “Iron Man 2” (which is a lot of fun but not quite as perfect in tone, pace or sheer exhuberance as its predecessor) and “Iron Man 3” (which opens May 3, 2013). “Iron Man” was also the first film created by Marvel Studios as phase one of their “Marvel Cinematic Universe” (2008’s “The Incredible Hulk”; 2010’s “Iron Man 2”; and 2011’s “Thor” and “Captain America: The First Avenger”) which led up to 2012’s superhero extravaganza, “Marvel’s The Avengers.” Written by Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway. Based on comic book characters created by Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby. Directed by Jon Favreau. “I am Iron Man.”

“The Black Hole”

The USS Cygnus in “The Black Hole” (Disney, 1979)

Disney’s answer to the “Star Wars” phenomenon in the late 1970s was “The Black Hole,” released in 1979. It’s “a journey that begins where everything ends!” A team of astronauts finds a long lost space ship sitting at the edge of a massive black hole with a crazy captain at its helm who is up to some crazy stuff. This really isn’t a very good movie, but I sure loved it as a kid. I’m particularly fond of the brilliant production design by Disney great Peter Ellenshaw. The USS Cygnus remains one of the coolest movie space ships ever created. It’s also quite dark for a Disney flick, but at least it tried hard to be something different. Stars Maximilian Schell, Yvette Mimieux, Anthony Perkins, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Forester, Joseph Bottoms, and the uncredited voice of Roddy McDowall as R2-D2/C3PO ripoff V.I.N.CENT. Written by Jeb Rosebrook and Gerry Day. Directed by Gary Nelson. “Maximilian, the time has come to liquidate our guests.”

“Joe Versus the Volcano”

This week’s entry is the quirky romantic fable “Joe Versus the Volcano” (Warner Bros, 1990). Tom Hanks stars as Joe, a regular, well, joe who is stuck in a very depressing job and a lonely life (if you think your job is bad, check out the world the filmmakers created for poor Joe). Joe believes he is sick and he finds out from his doctor that he has a “brain cloud,” a fatal disease which is going to kill him in a few months time. Step in wealthy businessman Samuel Graynamore (played by Lloyd Bridges) who is looking for someone who might be willing to take a big jump–literally. I won’t give it away in case you haven’t seen it, but the film’s title is significant. The film also stars Meg Ryan playing three different roles. While it’s not perfect, it’s a fun movie with a great theme about the importance of fighting your fears. Written and directed by John Patrick Shanley. “I have no response to that.”

“Fast Five”

Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in “Fast Five” (Universal, 2011)

This week’s film is “Fast Five” (Universal, 2011), which just happens to be the fifth film (no way!) in “The Fast and the Furious” film franchise. Overall, the films in this series are hit and miss; however, “Fast Five” is truly a blast from start to finish. At its core, “Fast Five” is a heist pic. All of the characters from the previous four films reunite in Rio with thief-on-the-run-with-a-muscle-car-in-every-country Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and former-cop-now-thief-on-the-run-with-a-tuner-car-in-every-country Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) to take down an evil crime lord in a way that has to be seen to be believed. Director Justin Lin (this is his third film that he’s directed in the series) really knows how to direct and edit car chase/racing scenes using practical sets, crazy driving, and major digital effects (which all look fantastic together, by the way). The film is pure mayhem and adrenaline from start to finish. Also along for the ride are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (his first “Fast & Furious” pic), Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, and, unfortunately, Tyrese Gibson. And get excited–“Fast & Furious 6” is coming to a theater near you on May 24, 2013. Written by Chris Morgan with characters created by Gary Scott Thompson. Directed by Justin Lin. “We find ’em, we take ’em as a team, and we bring ’em back. And above all else, we don’t ever, ever let them get into cars.”