Marvel

120 movies, 1 book, 1 interview in this series

The Marvel movie universe is vast... and Now Playing Podcast has reviewed them all! From the earliest TV experiments and low-budget oddities to the glossy blockbusters that built a cinematic universe. We’re talking the made-for-TV Captain America and Hulk films, the ’80s and ’90s misfires, Dolph Lundgren’s Punisher, Howard the Duck, Elektra, and every major theatrical release through the rise and dominance of the MCU.

Hits, misses, cult favorites, and outright disasters. Decades of shifting tones, studio deals, and creative swings that paved the way for today’s superhero landscape.

Our hosts examine the entire Marvel movie legacy to see how we got from rubber ears and shaky fight scenes to billion-dollar team-ups.

Movie Reviews

The Amazing Spider-Man

No matter what, can we all agree we're glad the first-per...

Reviewed Jul 6, 2012
Peter Parker is an outcast high schooler abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero. Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

Thor: The Dark World

Thor comes in like a wrecking ball...oh, wait, that song'...

Reviewed Nov 12, 2013
Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all. Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Now Playing Approved Staff Pick

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Anyone notice the end mission is straight out of Real Gen...

Reviewed Apr 8, 2014
After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier. Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Now Playing Approved

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Secrets have a cost - this podcast doesn't! It's totally ...

Reviewed May 6, 2014
For Peter Parker, life is busy. Between taking out the bad guys as Spider-Man and spending time with the person he loves, Gwen Stacy, high school graduation cannot come quickly enough. Peter has not forgotten about the promise he made to Gwen’s father to protect her by staying away, but that is a promise he cannot keep. Things will change for Peter when a new villain, Electro, emerges, an old friend, Harry Osborn, returns, and Peter uncovers new clues about his past. Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Now Playing Approved

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Join us for revels and reviews!

Reviewed May 5, 2015
When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure. Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

Book Reviews

Interviews