Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ended its first season recently, and with that I’d like to take a moment to look back on the season from a fan's perspective. I’ve been into comic books for most of my life, and it was fantastic when comic book movies started to explode onto the big screen. It only got better, however, when Marvel began their Cinematic Universe and interconnected all their movies. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better than this, Marvel began releasing comic books that filled gaps between movies as well as One-Shots that appeared on the Blu-rays. As most of my friends know, I was very excited about this.

Last September Marvel took it to the next level and introduced Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a television series that connected with the movie universe that Marvel had been building for years. This was a gutsy move from Marvel, since nothing like this had ever really been done before and at the beginning it was unclear if it would work or not.

A lot of people felt like the show started off a bit slow, but after a few episodes it picked up the pace and even got to the point where even the naysayers were beginning to see how fantastic the show was. At the beginning I really enjoyed Agent May’s character, and by the end of season one I cared about all the Agents. They did a wonderful job at building up every character and their relationship with one another and by the finale you really felt for them and what they had been through.

The fact that Marvel was able to build up S.H.I.E.L.D. and then in the course of one week air an episode that sets up all sorts of plot points for The Winter Soldier, and then just days later have The Winter Soldier released in theaters, and follow up days after that with an episode of AoS that ran parallel with the movie was amazing. The planning and timing that had to go into that had to be crazy and they pulled it off flawlessly.

 

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episodes were always fun to watch, but I really started to geek out hardcore when all the twists started happening every week.  I enjoyed Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. more than any other show on TV and it’s because it’s different in that it’s not just a TV show, but  part of a huge interconnecting universe that is always changing and growing. If you gave up on AoS or never watched it, I HIGHLY recommend that you go back and give it a shot. 

With the success of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Marvel is once again upping the stakes. In a few months, the year of Marvel will begin. We’ll get another season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the beginning of Marvel’s new show Agent Carter, Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man, and Avengers 2 hitting the big screen, and Marvels Netflix programs begging their run. I’m a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it looks like it’s about to explode into territory that no other franchise has done before. I can’t wait.

It's Morphin Time!

Saturday, February 15, Nickelodeon will begin airing the 21st season of Power Rangers. This season is called Super Megaforce and centers around the team from last season tapping into the powers of every ranger from the past twenty years. Super Megaforce is adapted from the Japanese Super Sentai Series Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger.

The season picks up where last season left off. There is an alien armada invading Earth and the Rangers have to unlock new powers in order to save the day. When they activate their new Super Mega Mode the rangers transform into their new suits. Once Super Mega Mode is activated they can use their legendary powers to become any ranger from the past. This is very similar to Gokaiger except that the Gokaigers were pirates. This explains why Super Megaforce has a pirate Megazord. This is explained away in Super Megaforce by calling it a flying air ship. It works for this type of show but I feel like they could have come up with something better. 

The episode was enjoyable and was one of the strongest episodes Power Rangers has had in a long time. One thing that was a bit of a stretch, even with a show about multicolored heroes fighting giant space aliens, was that after the huge invasion was defeated, everything went right back to normal and school was in session the next day.

One of the funnier moments happened during the reveal of the Ranger Keys. Jake, the Black Megaforce Ranger, asked if there was a reason his power up key was green instead of black. In response to the question, Gosei said there was a simple explanation to that. An attack occurred right after this and the explanation has yet to be revealed. 

One problem I had with the episode was that it was a bit fast paced. They cover two episodes of Gokaiger in this one episode. It wasn’t a big problem but I don’t think they should have two monster fights each episode.

Super Megaforce finally beginning means that it is time for the legend war. Later this season, Rangers from the past will be returning and I can’t wait. Tommy will be back as the Green Ranger and I don’t care how the episode turns out, I know I’ll love it. 

On a side note, it seems Saban has revealed the title for next year's season before this season even begins. The odd thing is that it seams that Saban will skip adapting a season of Super Sentai, for the first time since the show began, and move forward with adapting the Dinosaur themed Sentai, Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger, that finished airing in Japan this weekend.

Final thoughts, I really enjoyed watching Gokaiger and I’m a huge Power Rangers fan. I’m looking forward to watching Super Megaforce and seeing the legend war, but I hope they step up the writing a little as well as getting a few scenes inside the pirate ship. Not a bad episode, if you enjoy watching Power Rangers this is more of the awesome. Check it out Saturday, February 15 on Nickelodeon.

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A Galaxy Far Far Away

When Disney purchased Star Wars from Lucas I was very excited. The day they made the announcement was the same day as the Episode VII announcement. I remember being in my living room with some friends and just cheering at the fact that we would be getting a new Star Wars film. I've been a Star Wars fan for years, and not just the movies but the entire expanded universe.

For those of you that are unaware, the Star Wars universe is much larger than the six movies that most people are familiar with. There are hundreds of novels, comics, video games, cartoons, and short stories that tie into the universe. My wife and I love all of it and have a major majority of the material.

I was looking to see when another new Star Wars novel would be released and now I find myself a little worried at the upcoming events centered on the Star Wars franchise. I found out that a book trilogy based on Jana Solo, which would take place after the last main story (Crucible set 45 years after episode 4), has been put on hold and would possibly be cancelled once Disney decides on what stories would be canon and what would be thrown out. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

If Disney does anything to screw up the awesome story and collection that is Star Wars then I will be very disappointed, and I know that this will happen but I’m still holding out hope that it won’t. I’m a fan of all six movies (yes I love episodes I-III) and the expanded universe adds so much more meat to the characters that it would be a shame to toss out all the hard work that’s been put into making the universe have a very connecting time line. Everything tied into this universe. I love when events in a comic are mentioned in a novel, or something that happens in a game has repercussions later in a comic.

Nothing has been confirmed yet but I know the day is coming when Disney will say that only the six movies count and they will be starting over with everything else. If this turns out to be the case then I wish Disney never had purchased Star Wars. How hard would it be to start up 45 years after the last movie and count everything that’s happened? Yes, Chewbacca is dead and the Solo’s have had a few misfortunes as far as kids go, but all you would need is a nod toward that and the common viewer would be fine. If they want to know how Chewbacca died I’m sure they could ask someone sitting next to them or look it up on the internet. There is no need to throw away 30 years of work and start over just because you are Disney.

Here is hoping that JJ knows what he is doing with this franchise and keeps it all connected. Until next time, this is Matt signing out. Later!

Never give up

Have you ever wanted something so bad that it no longer feels like a want but becomes a need? People are driven by their want and desires, it’s what pushes them to achieve their goals and dreams. What happens when you try and try to achieve your goal but you can never accomplish it? Does it consume you? Do you let it become any and everything that you think about? I have been trying to do something for two years now and it just isn't happening. I've kept it a secret from a lot of people and I have my reasons. Two years of trying to accomplish this goal, and two years of mind numbing disappointments. I have to stand tall though, and be strong. Every time I fail I have to put on a strong face and be there for the person I care about the most, because I know it hurts her just as much as it hurts me and I must be there to pick her back up.

If you have goals, dreams, or ideas that you want to accomplish, never give up, I won’t. I don’t care what some doctor says, or what a book says, or what you might even say, I will accomplish my goal and when that day comes it will be one of the greatest days of my life. Until then, I will never give up, I won’t let the failure keep me from enjoying the other great things in my life, and I will always be who I’m supposed to be.  I will always be a great husband to my wife, an amazing friend to my friends, and an all around geek to everybody. That’s who I am today, but I know that one day I will achieve my goal of becoming something more. One day, maybe not today but one day, I will be a dad.

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It's not easy being green

Hello again everyone, thanks for joining me today as I rant about something that has always been near and dear to me. When I was a kid I was one of those students that certain kids liked to pick on. On the bus, the playground, in front of other kids, the whole nine yards. Lucky for me I had an escape in that I lost my self in things like Power Rangers and other superhero adventures.

Power Rangers started for me when I was in the first grade and I've been a fan ever since. I still remember dodging out of my family’s backyard BBQ and running upstairs so I could watch the Pudgy Pig episode.

As far as Rangers go I've always been a huge fan of the Green Ranger. He had the awesome shield, the best zord that has ever been on the show, the flute, and the really cool looking dragon coin. Ever since I was a little boy I've always wanted the green ranger’s coin and today, my wish has come true.   

I receive the Legacy Green/White Power Morpher in the mail, and I was like a kid on Christmas. The set comes with Tommy’s Green Ranger coin, his White Ranger coin, and the gold morpher. I cannot express enough how awesome I felt finally holding the dragon coin in my hand. Now, some of you might think this is a bit odd but I do take great joy in the little things in life.

The packaging is really cool also. I enjoyed both the Green Ranger on one side and the White on the other.

If you hadn't guessed by now, the Green Ranger was always my favorite. He started off as an enemy to the team and then became the greatest ranger in history. Tommy was one of my role models growing up, because (as the green ranger) he was always the underdog. Most of his run as the Green Ranger was spent with his powers slowly draining away. It was always more dangerous for Tommy to go out and save the day because his powers could go at any moment, yet he did not care. He stood tall and did what had to be done. Tommy’s example of courage is what got me through the bullying while I was in elementary school.

People always say never to meet your heroes because they will always let you down, but for me that was not the case. I’ve met Jason Frank (Tommy the Green Ranger) twice and each time he was nothing short of amazing. He’s so full of life, energetic, and his love for his fans just radiates off him. Jason David Frank is one of the coolest people I’ve met in my life and his character in Power Rangers is one of the reasons I became the person I am today.

Now that I've got my Green Ranger morpher, I think it’s time for a Power Rangers marathon. Until next time, may the power protect you.

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The MCU

Last time on 2TheMattCave… (Just kidding)

Today I’m going to rant about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, because what a week it’s had. Marvel stepped it up this week by bringing us a lot of news on the growth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as delivering a fantastic episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

First, Marvel announced that Michael Douglas would be playing Hank Pym in the 2015 “Ant-Man” movie. I was very surprised by this, seeing how Douglas is a tad on the old side and Hank is still in his prime in the comics, not to mention the first Ant-Man. Douglas has some big shoes to fill here, for Pym not only holds the mantle of Ant-Man in the Marvel universe but also goes by Giant-man, Goliath, Yellow Jacket, and even Wasp for a time. Will we see Douglas take on any of these rolls in the movie, I hope so.

With the announcement of Michael Douglas playing Hank Pym, that led to the reveal that Paul Rudd, who had already been cast in the movie as Ant-Man, would in fact be playing Scott Lang (The second character to become Ant-Man). Will we see Rudd and Douglas shrink together, will it be one of those movies where it flips from that past to the present to unfold the plot, will Douglas and Rudd go well together, and will the movie be any good? Probably, More than likely, I couldn't tell you, and OH YES!!!! This will be an awesome movie. Ant-Man is set to release on July 31, 2015.

Up next, Marvel announced that Bill Paxton will be playing S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jonathan Garrett in four upcoming episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Paxton’s episodes will air later this season.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 12: Seeds was one of the season’s strongest episodes. There was a large plot twist with one of the main characters as well as telling a great origin story for one of Iron Man’s super villains. If you haven’t watched the episode yet, STOP READING, this is where it gets a little spoilery. First off, A few questions came to mind when Sky mentioned Bucky Barnes being on the agent’s wall of death. Bucky died in Captain America: The First Avenger, which takes place a year before S.H.I.E.L.D. was formed. If that’s the case then why is he on the wall? Marvel doesn't do these things by mistake, and if you know anything about Bucky and you've heard about Cap 2 then you really need to get excited any time now. I’ll give you a moment…..

STILL SPOILERY

Blizzard’s origin into the MCU was reveled in this episode as well. Donnie Gill, who in the MCU is a S.H.I.E.L.D agent in training, creates a device that will later change his life as well as the entire show!! I KNOW!!! Someone finally has a superpower without having some kind of implant or device to aid them. Seems a bit inhuman….

And finally!!!

After the show, Marvel showed a clip for the next episode and we see a cameo of someone famous. I won’t say who it is but my hints are:
He’s had cameos in all the Marvel movies

His name rhymes with Fan the man Wee

Well played Marvel. You've expanded the Marvel Cinematic Universe greatly this week and it’s only Wednesday. Keep up the good work.

PS: Marvels 2014 plans for the MCU

Present-May 2014: The remaining episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

April 4th-Captain America: The Winter Solder

August 1^st- Guardians of the Galaxy

That is all for me everybody, have a wonderful day.

It’s morphin time!!!

Welcome to 2TheMattCave, a blog about whatever I feel like ranting about. As most of my friends know, when I start going on about something i'm passionate about the conversations can sometimes get to be pretty educational as well as darn right entertaining. (What's that....? Really?) Well...it seems the voices in my head tell me my friends hate it when I go on rants about things i'm passionate about, and usually they don't even listen. Oh well, this will give me a place to put down all my thoughts so they don't have to suffer. Look for more blogs to come in the future and check me out on twitter @ twitter.com/2TheMattCave

Until next time,
Who ya gonna call?