The Amazing Spider-Man

Adaptations from a comic series to a feature film can be tough, especially for a series as beloved as The Amazing Spider-Man, but Marc Webb seems to be flying high in the directing world after the first installment of the Amazing series was released this weekend.  The aptly-named director has received some harsh criticisms from avid fans of the 1960s Marvel comic, but changes have to be expected 50 years after the original comic's release.  This adaptation of Stan Lee's iconic teenage superhero was exactly that, an adaptation.  For those of you who aren't comic buffs: this film is a fast paced thriller that has captured audiences around the world and left them wanting more of the smart-mouthed Peter Parker, especially when played by Andrew Garfield.  His lanky build and awkward charm make him an easy cast as the leading man and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy was not a leap to believe either.  Both young stars proved themselves worthy of their respective characters through their awesome chemistry and lovable affability, possibly more so than that of Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, but of course only time will tell as the Amazing series continues.  The sole weakness of the film  fell on the shoulders of Spidey's foe, The Lizard / Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), but the blame is mostly the writers'.  Ifans's performance was menacing and violent, however, the film lacked motivation for the good doctor to become so despicable in the first place.  Redemption could be found in the promising sequel through a villain like Norman Osbourne, Elektro, or Mysterio as long as the writers remember Stan Lee's philosophy that made him a superhero in the comic universe: make the characters relatable.  Even the super-villain has to be a little likable at the beginning, so give him a backstory and don't rush it. If the next production team remembers that, then all of our Spidey senses will be tingling with anticipation for the next truly amazing Spider-Man.

Magic Mike

Unless you live under a rock you have heard of the awe inspiring cinematic summer masterpiece, Magic Mike, that has left women nationwide slack jawed and wanting more. Okay, well maybe that is not all completely accurate, but the latter holds true to viewers everywhere.  Although the male performances were spot on, the characters' personal stories left much to be desired and frankly the choppy cut of the film was annoying and disruptive to the flat plot-line.  This film's saving grace came in the form of man candy, and lots of it. Meaty men in skimpy thongs turned the silver screen into a private viewing of what women will do behind closed doors, and without their average male counterparts watching.  It might not have been pretty, but it sure as hell was entertaining, and what woman doesn't love a man in uniform (especially if it was made to rip apart at the seams?) Channing Tatum was in his element as the title dancer and the all-around good guy as usual, but it was Matthew McConaughey that found true bliss in the role of Dallas that was written for his overly arrogant yet stunningly sexy southern personality.  Somewhere in the shuffle of dancing, drugs, and alcohol Alex Pettyfer's Adam got lost due to his lack of on stage presence and a disappointing cutoff to his storyline, but the blame can't all be in his performance or lack thereof. Magic Mike also should have been the breakout role for Cody Horn, Tatum's cinematic other half, but her acting skills are limited and proved sub par.  It might not come as a surprise that she is the daughter of Warner Bros. exec Alan F. Horn.  In the end the film is an experience in and of itself because it went places unknown to the average moviegoer, but ladies be warned: this will not fulfill your need for a romance, only the need for some raw, unadulterated, truly magical fantasy.