The pieces are now in place. With this weeks release of Captain America: The First Avenger Marvel has officially assembled its Avengers on screen. Yet how do does its final hero stand amongst the ranks of its fellow blockbusters? Captain America is easily the best Marvel Studios film released in recent years, but it may not be enough to dethrone the Studio's spectacular start with Jon Favreau's Iron Man.

A weakling his entire life, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants nothing more to serve his country alongside his best friend Bucky Rogers (Sebastian Stan). With a war waging in Europe, Rogers wants not only to do his part, but ,as a man who has been picked on constantly since birth, to stand up to the world's ultimate bully the Nazi Party. Opportunity presents itself in the form a super serum created by former German scientist Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), who finds Rogers to be the perfect test subject, much to the chagrin of Col. Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones). Rogers, joined by technological genius Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) and the beautiful British agent Peggy Carter (Haley Atwell) finds himself soon part of a sect of the war that he never knew existed.

Captain America as directed by Joe Johnston plays out like a classic adventure film, very much in vein of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The plot contains creative set pieces, snarling Nazi villains, a bombastic heroic score, an often clever style of humor, mystical weapons from god like powers, and moments of godlike heroism. It would not seem strange at all to find Captain America and Indiana Jones fighting side by side against HYDRA agents.

This in many ways is one of the films only faults. Although this sense of adventure often pays off through exciting  action sequences and clever moments throughout, Captain America at times does not execute this design choice as effectively as it should. The opening sequences of the film often feel awkward, as Johnston attempts to ease into the world he has created. While Rogers's spirit is endearing, he at times feels one and almost saint like in his weakling heroism. This disappears as the film progresses, but those awkward moments at the films start are enough to drag the film down ever slightly. The classic sense of adventure also sometimes strays away from fun and into fleeting points of corniness, which isn't helped by the film's heroic and sometimes bombastic score.

Despite this flaw, Captain America excels as blockbuster entertainment and as a film. The plot is fun and for the most part cleverly paced. The action scenes are exciting and surprisingly brutal for a Marvel film. The film even portrays one of the best romances to grace a comic book adaptation since Spider-man 2. You will never find yourself bored. The characters are engaging, the action is exciting, and the humor is surprisingly funny. Michael Bay could learn a lesson or two from Johnston on how to tell a joke in a summer action flick.

However, the real stars of Captain  America are, oddly enough, its actors. Chris Evans is a empathetic and powerful lead. Despite early scene script pratfalls, Evans sells Rogers as an earnest hero at heart. He creates a hero, that while lacking the depth and energy or Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark, proudly stands amongst Marvel's heroes.

Even then, it is the supporting cast that truly steals the show. Haley Atwell is largely who sells the compelling romance of the film, and also plays a pretty fun WWII era spy. Dominic Cooper creates a Howard Stark that is every bit the father of the Tony we have come to love. Hugo Weaving plays the villainous Red Skull with brilliant Nazi evil, making a villain that could have easily done battle with a certain archaeologist. Sebastian Stan is also notable as Roger's childhood sidekick. Yet, the real scene stealer is Tommy Lee Jones's Col. Phillips. Jones has an undeniable screen presence and delivers the majority of the films humor with unbreakable deadpan.

If the script had been a bit tighter in its portrayal of the environment and the growth of Rogers as the title character, The First Avenger could have easily become the best. However as it stands now, Captain America stands as a great entry into the Marvel mythos.

Score: B+

This year marks the end to one of the msot lucrative franchises of all time. A seven book stories and eight movies comes to an end in a conclusion thats guranteed to make a boat load of money. However, there are a fair amount of great finales out there in multiple forms of media across several different series. (Of course, finales never really stay finales for long.)

Disclaimer: As always, this is limited to my own experience. If a reader out there wishes to recommend a series with a great finale, go ahead and place it in the comments below.


10. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle (novel)
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Although its tone is decidedly more bleak than previous installments in C.S. Lewis's beloved franchise, the final novel in the series presents another Chrsitian parallel in its portrayel of the apocalypse. Characters are killed brutally, but in typical Lewis fashion returns in the final chapters. The Last Battle is a truly smart capper to a great series.


9. Ultimate Spider-man
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Although the series has yet to officially conclude, Brian Bendis has done tthe unthinkable, Peter Parker has died. Although death in comics is hardly permanent and main characters have been known to die, Marvel's Ultimate line is decidedly different. Only rarely do characters return from the grave and unlike the Marvel's main coninuity, writer Brian Bendis has complete control over how the series will play out from this point forward. Peter's death is handled with class and incredible emotion. It never feels like a gimmick.

8. Toy Story 3
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Last year, I doubt many of us would have expected to include this amoung the best series cappers of all time. However, Pixar's incredible third installment in the Toy Story series is just that. It not only stands on its own as a clever and inventive animated film, but delivers a poignant statement on mortality. It also delivers closure to characters we have come to love for over a decade.

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (novel)
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Are there lots of deaths? Yes. Powerful character revelations? Check. Controversial final scene? Yep. J.K. Rowling's modern fantasy epic concludes in typical fashion, but with a sense of grandeur and style the series is known for. And yes, while some hated the final scene, I have to admit I rather liked it.

6. Buffy The Vampire Slayer-"Chosen"
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Although it is not the best episode of the series, "Chosen" ends Buffy in grand fashion with the battle for evil taking even greater stakes than ever before. Friends are lost in heart breaking sacrifice and at the same time preparing its series for a new step in its mythology and a eventually a new medium.


5. Serenity
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Whoa, another Joss Whedon show? Insanity! This movie conclusion to the short lived series easily earns its place on this list. In addition to wrapping up the majority of the mythology questions posed by the series. However, Serenity thrives in bringing about sometimes heart breaking character conclusions through action filled spectacle.

4. Lost: The End
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Controversial and beloved at the time, the final episode of the epic television series Lost does not answer all the questions viewers posed about the show's intricate mythology. However, what it suceeds beautifully at is at creating some of the most satisfying and beautiful character resolutions ever seen. Plus there's that scene with the dog.

3. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
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Although it is still the worst of the original trilogy, Return of the Jedi is one hell of a series capper. The epic of Anakin Skywalker comes to an emotional and empactful close amongst epic spacebattles and slug like crime lords. The wordless finale also delivers a sense of galactic euphoria.


2. Watchmen
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I may be cheating with this one. I mean Watchmen is a book right? Well before it was a book, Watchmen was a critically acclaimed miniseries. The bleak and atypical finale to the series not only subvert nearly every superhero cliche at the time, but creates a resolution that caps off a timeless series. It would also earn the series the label of being completely unfilmable for years.

1. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Film/Novel)
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Perhaps the greatest fantasy series ever created, The Lord of the Rings suceeds in both forms of media. It brings its quest to a climactic close with spectacular battles, blood thirsty creatures, and twists left and right. However, what makes the finale to this trilogy such a winner are its quiet moments. Especially in Peter Jackson's film adaptation this finale suceeds with its characters. Whether its the realization of Gimley and Legolas's friendship, Pippin singing to the steward of Gondor, or its great conclusion that remembers that there are more to endings than climactic battles, Return of the King is storytelling gold and the best series finale of all time.

Wow...It's been a long time hasn't it my friends? Well, welome to the brand new Artificial Continuum. A world of endless possibilites, and weekly nerd features.

So its been a crazy week at the web. Lots of great viral videos are breaking out. Unfortunatley, you peeps will only get to see one of these late breaking videos today. You'll have to wait for subsequent weeks to see the others. Or...you could just go on youtube. Take your pic.


1. eHarmony Cat video
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Here's a video that's been making waves on the web for the last few weeks. For those who haven't seen it, you'll be in for a treat. But please, male readers, I am aware that she does seem to move her breasts about alot, but this is a video about well...cats.


2. Classic Viral: PINGAS
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Yes, I pulled the PINGAS card. This travesty of voice acting created a viral and eventual meme that would shape the internet forever.


3. Fan Trailer: Deadpool
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So, yes. I am aware you all expected me to show you something funny. Well, this last spot has traditionally been reserved for simply cool videos that have captured my attention over the week.

This week that video is this great fan trailer for the hypothetical Ryan Reynolds movie that will probably never actaully be made. Its brilliantly edited, and actually looks pretty cool.

Despite a mixed fan reaction and massive budget cuts, it appears that the sequel to the 2007 action hit Ghost Rider has begun shooting, and according to producers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor it "kicked epic ass."

The two excited producers also blogged about the shooting for the process on Twitter and mentioned that the same Hellcycle from the previous movie would not appear. Also, they left this little tidbit: "Idris Elba, helicopters, motorcycles, Russian arm[y] and the Transfagarasanul... HOLY S#!T"

The Transfagarasnul is a massive Russian roadway, which will apparently involve a massive chase scene involving the film's protagonist.

When Andre Garfield was announced as the next Spider-man in July, the British actor was a relative unknown. While he is slowly gaining public awareness due to his role in this years drama The Social Network, Garfield may not jump onto the scene until he takes on America's favorite superhero in the summer of 2012.

In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter Garfield dropped some of the first known details about the highly anticipated reboot:

"I have been waiting for this phone call for 24 years, for someone to call me up and say, "Hey, we want you to pretend to be a character that you’ve always wanted to be all your life, and we’re going to do it with cool cameras and cool effects and you’re going to feel like you’re swinging through New York City. Do you want to do that?" [laughs] “Let me just consult with my seven-year old self and see what he thinks...” So my seven-year-old self started screaming in my soul and saying, This is what we’ve been waiting for. Like every young boy who feels stronger on the inside than they look on the outside, any skinny boy basically who wishes their muscles matched their sense of injustice, God, it’s just the stuff that dreams are made of, for sure. It’s a true f*cking honor to be part of this symbol that I actually think is a very important symbol and it’s meant a great deal to me, and it continues to mean something to people. So yeah, I feel like I’ve been preparing for it for a while. Ever since Halloween when I was four years old and I wore my first Spider-Man costume."

Garfield also revieled that shooting will begin this December.

Wolverine 2 may in fact be shooting sooner rather then later. Despite the long list of possible directors given earlier this summer, it appears that 20th Century Fox and Hugh Jackman have lowered the number of candidates considerably.

According to a report by Deadline, 30 Days of Night director David Slade has met numerous times with lead star Jackman numerous times over the past week to discuss the film. The other possible candidate is Darren Aronofsky, director of the art film Requiem for a Dream. Aronofsky has worked with Jackman before on The Fountain. However, Deadline personally seems convinced that Slade will lead the production for the next X-men prequel.

When it comes to Marvel comics, Iron Fist is a rather obscure character. A martial arts expert that has only recently become respected by the comic book community, the former Hero for Hire has yet to break out into the general publics sphere of awareness.

This may soon change. With Marvel slowly turning its attention to bringing its less known creations to the big screen, it appears that the kung fu star may in fact get the starring role he deserves. Deadline reported today that Marvel has approached Ryan Wilkes (xXx) to pen the script for a planned adaptation that will accompany Doctor Strange following the Avengers film in 2012.

Despite hitches along the way, it appears that X-men First Class has begun shooting and with that we have learned a great deal about the upcoming superhero adaptation. Through a phone interview with executive producer Bryan Singer, Aint It Cool News has revealed details regarding the latest film in the X-men franchise.

One of the major aspects of the superhero prequel will be the time period it is set in. First Class is scheduled to take place in an alternative 1960's with John F. Kennedy as president, and with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X having a background role in the film. First Class will also emulate the retro-future technology of the era, similar to the 1960's James Bond films. Because of this change in time period, we will not see fan favorites Cyclops and Marvel Girl in this film.

As for plot details, the major villain has been revealed to be Sebastian Shaw, played by Kevin Bacon. Shaw will be backed up the Hellfire Club's White Queen Emma Frost, played by January Jones. However, the majority of the story will explore the relationship between Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and how their relationship deteriorates. It will also be revealed how Xavier became crippled.

X-men: First Class will be released on June 3, 2011.

Deadpool has become quiet the star as of late. Taking the spotlight of numerous Marvel comic series and video games, the Merc with a Mouth has jumped into become one of the companies most profitable characters.

However, it appears that the long awaited movie adaptation of Deadpool may have stalled in produciton permanently. According to WorstPreviews, the highly anticipated action comedy may have hit a major road block in production. Its star Ryan Reynolds has been signed on to the project since playing the title character in last summers X-men Origins: Wolverine. However, Reynolds is also playing the title role in next summers upcoming adaptation of the DC comics series Green Lantern released through Warner Bros. Today, Robert Liefeld, creator of Deadpool, announced that WB has grown hesitant on allowing Reynolds to play both characters, a decision that has never proven an issue until now. This sudden change of reaction may have stirred from the early planning for the already brewing Green Lantern sequel due out in 2012.

Spider-man has conquered numerous mediums in his forty plus years of existence. Comics, novels, television series, video games, and a blockbuster movie series, Marvel's favorite web slinger will soon travel to Broadway. The musical, Spider-man: Turn off the Dark, has drifted in and out of production for years. Originally schedule for release this year, the musical was put off after several of its actors walked out due to the numerous delays. However, it appears we will in fact be sining a singing Peter Parker this Holiday season.

The Los Angeles Times reported today that the musical is currently set for a December 21. Tickets become availible in September.

Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark is diected by Julie Taymor (Across the Universe, Frida) stars Reeve Carney as Peter Parker, Patrick Page as the Green Goblin, and Jennifer Damiano as Mary Jane Watson, and features music created by Bono and the Edge/

It appears that we will not be seeing Christoph Waltz fight it out with Peter Parker in the upcoming Spider-man reboot. Although this rumor was well recieved across the Internet, Superhero Hype is reporting that the Oscar winning Inglorious Basterd star will not star in the highly anticipated comic book adaptation. Looks like this truly was too good to be true.

Although not the most revealing or interesting trailer ever released, Marvel has now released the teaser for the upcoming Joss Whedon directed Avengers adpatation.

When it comes to comics and animation, there are few minds as respected as that of Paul Dini. The writer behind perhaps one of the best television series of all time Batman: The Animated Series and the award winning Arkham Asylum game, has received nearly universal acclaim from nerds and nonnerds alike. Today, Dini made thousands of more fanboys dreams come true with an announcement given to MTV. Dini will join the likes of Brian Bendis, Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly and Steven T. Seagle on the upcoming animated series Ultimate Spider-man.


The series, which is based off the highly popular comic book reboot under the same name, was announced earlier this year following the cancellation of Spectacular Spider-man. Although this decision was originally met with controversy, Dini made numerous claims to the quality and integrity of the upcoming take on Peter Parker. Reportedly the new series will be a 50% faithful adaptation of Bendis's award winning comic series, with a blend of stories original and familiar material. Dini also confirmed that changes will be made to Peter Parker's world and backstory to help fit the feel of the series and for a modern day audience: "As much as I love elements of Spider-Man's past, I don't really want to go back in and retell the Gwen Stacy and Green Goblin story in animation just so I can do my take on it. I don't want to redo the first Spider Slayer story. I don't want to redo some of those classic Lee/Romita and Lee/Ditka stories just for the sake of seeing them rendered in animation. For now, I just want to approach Spider-Man with fresh eyes, taking a few things we know about him and just doing a new spin on the concept". He also confirmed that there will in fact be guest appearances by other characters in the Marvel Universe, something that was absent in Spectacular.


Ultimate Spider-man is scheduled to air next fall with a first season of 26 episodes.

Although he has already become a big name in Hollywood, X-men: First Class will be Matthew Vaughn's first studio funded production. Accustomed to such self funded productions such as Kick Ass, Vaughn has been feeling the pressure when it comes to adapting a well loved franchise for a big named studio. The upcoming X-men prequel has already undergone several rewrites and drafts since it began production last year.


However, with most of the film casted and shooting to begin later this year. Vaughn never expected another rewrite to come so late in the game. According to Hero Complex, this latest roadblock came to Vaughn's attention last weekend after viewing Christopher Nolan's Inception. While the Kick Ass director openly expressed his love for the supernatural dreamscape thriller, he was also forced to remove almost twelve pages of script and storyboard from First Class. This lost sequence was in fact going to be a dreamspace combat sequence between Charles Xavier's mutants and a rival faction. These scenes, which were to feature spinning rooms and physics bending combat, were labeled as being to similar to the already popular Inception, and thus scrapped.


Despite this Vuaghn remains optimistic about his upcoming edition to the X-men franchise. In fact, in an enthusiastic discussion with IGN.com, he compared his latest attempt at adapting Stan Lee's beloved franchise to the highly successful JJ Abrams 2009 Star Trek reboot. "Obviously [Abrams] couldn't make everyone happy with that one, but he did a pretty good job," Vaughn said. "He made a fantastically exciting reinvention of that world, with those great characters. And I think there will be comparisons a little bit with X-Men: First Class. It's very similar, in a way. But we're doing some cool stuff in this movie, some really cool stuff that you haven't seen before."


Vaughn also hinted that the setting for the story, written by Bryan Singer, is also something he is excited for, seeing as it deals with recent world events.

Quick! View the comic con trailer for Thor, before Marvel takes it down!