X-Men: First Class trailer looks kinda classy

The Wolverine movie was a lackluster affair, a ball dropped, a missed opportunity. While we wait for the eventual, an apparently much better, follow up care of Darren Aronofsky, 20th. Century Fox moved ahead with a prequel to the whole damn X-Men universe.

X-Men: First Class hits theatres June 3. The trailer was released today and, in less than two minute of footage, actually looks better than the entire Wolverine movie. Matthew Vaughn -- Kick Ass, Layer Cake -- directs the early days of the X-Men, back when Professor X could walk and he and Magneto were buddies.

That means its a period piece. Having it set against the Cuban Missile Crisis is interesting, and Vaughn has done a fine job of selecting a cast that looks like their older counterparts. If the movie is half as good as X-Men and X2 then we've got a decent movie on our hands.

Enjoy the trailer!

Micro Review: Kick Ass

There are some who will be appalled by the amount of violence perpetrated by and against children in this movie. I say that as warning to those who haven't seen it. Everyone else, especially those who grew up on the dark era of 1980s comics, should love it. This adaptation of Mark Millar's comic book series has enough wit and action to justify the title. It's tough to call it a comedy but it's not a straight ahead superhero movie either. One could say it's a biting commentary on our times, where everyone wants to be famous and violent antics (I'm talking to you, Jackass) are socially acceptable. The film is at odds with itself. At first it's a comic indictment of fanboy fanaticism taken to its logical end before giving in to the very formula it wants to subvert. Fortunately, the whole works better than its parts. A Good review from The Basement on this one.

Guest Review: Kick Ass

Regular contributor Mike S is back with a review of Kick Ass, therefore making me the last person on the planet to see this movie.

I intended to rent it tonight, actually. But my fave movie store had no copies.  Literally. None were sent to the store and I had to walk away with a lone tear falling down my face.

True story.

Anywho, S's review makes me want to see this flick even more,despite him actually using the phrase "delightful romp." Check it out.

A wonderful look at the world of superheros, this movie has humour, and action balanced in a ride that takes you from laughing to cheering.

It's a beautifully shot film, that manages to bounce from the slow, drab and plainly shot expositional parts to the over the top, well choreographed and violent action sequences.

The acting is pretty good, if not the greatest, but you don't mind as the characters are still engaging and fun to watch. The story is very much like what you'd find in a comic book, and is quite self-aware as it looks at the subject of superheros.

All in all, a delightful romp, and a very enjoyable movie.A Good review from this guest in The Basement.