MARVEL-OUS

Namaste and welcome once again, my friends, family, and fellow knowledge seekers to another posting on my blog the Quiet Mouse Strikes Back. Today I want to talk briefly about the film Captain Marvel and the viewer reactions to it, centered around the Internet reactions and ratings. There may be spoilers, so be warned if you desire to keep reading...

Whether you're a fan of the current MCU or not, I think most of my readers would agree that this movie has been overshadowed in many ways. The sad death of the legendary Stan Lee created a void of the unknown for fans of both comic books and their film counterparts. For some, it has been seen as a rush by Marvel and Disney to push out the final 2 films of the MCU Infinity arc, currently 21 films in, awaiting number 22 in Avengers: Endgame.

There has been so much speculation and controversy over the development and release of Captain Marvel. Social media has fueled rants of hatred, sexism, and ignorance against the film and it's lead actress Brie Larson, a supporter of feminism and equal rights for women (in the film industry and out).

There is also a lot of controversy within the comic world for the fans as both Disney/Marvel and Warner/DC have a character named "Captain Marvel". We have now just seen the MCU version in Carol Danvers and soon we will see the DC version in the film called "Shazam" starring Zachary Levi (formerly as Fandrall in Thor: Dark World). As you can imagine, some fans are confused; especially fans that favor DC over Marvel.
Yet another controversy for the MCU film is that there are a lot of film viewers that have never read a comic book and/or have no idea that there is a difference between the Warner/DC universe of characters versus the Disney/ Marvel MCU of characters. There are some fans that have been confused or misunderstood the character of Captain Marvel. She is a completely DIFFERENT CHARACTER than Captain America. I have heard, several times on online social media, a conspiracy theory that the MCU was recasting Captain America as a female in Captain Marvel. This is FALSE. Captain America and Captain Marvel are again different characters and will be seen TOGETHER fighting for the fate of the universe in Avengers Endgame.

Overall, I LOVED the film of Captain Marvel. I too had been a little bit anxious about the reviews for the film going in, but trying to keep an open mind. I was discouraged from hearing the troll bombs on Rotten Tomatoes (and other social media) trying to discredit this movie before it even officially hit the cinema screen, forcing the site to change its policy on individual critical reviews.
I think the delivery of the film was fun and refreshing. The return of Nick Fury, Coulson, Ronan, and Korrath helped infuse the film into the larger overall Infinity Stone arc. The soundtrack felt familiar to the 90's era in which thur film occurred, in a similar manner to the way the first Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 captured the attention of the viewers. The Flerken cat Goose nearly stole the show.

The MOST IMPORTANT part of Captain Marvel is the messages of the strength of the human body, mind, and spirit and the power of friendship. This movie is about so much more than just girl-power or feminism... it's about friendship, heart, love, and perseverance in the face of danger and disbelief. The movie is powerful, heartfelt, and above all FUN. I think it is a film that is safe and entertaining for the whole family and I would recommend it to anyone that loves the MCU. Overall I would personally give his film a 94 out of 100. Legit. And STAY for BOTH end- credits scenes.
Ironic, as well, that Captain Marvel has already had the second best opening weekend of any current MCU film, grossing around an estimated 450 million over the weekend, and over 600 million dollars worldwide, thus far.

That's about all I have for today. I hope you like the film. Let me know in the comments how you feel about this film and how you like it. As always I will see you at the movies. 

The Road to Wrestlemania

Namaste and welcome once again to the Quiet Mouse Strikes Back. As you know I am a huge fan of the WWE and this is my favorite time of the year for pro wrestling as we are officially on the Road to Wrestlemania.  Let's jump right in and get started.

We just recently watched the Elimination Chamber ppv where we witnessed the crowning of the new women's tag team championship in Sasha Banks and Bailey. The field of competitors was fierce. I, for one, thought it was going to be the team of Tamina and Nia Jax that walked away with the gold. So far, though, Bailey and Banks have sought to bring honor and prestige to the women's tag team titles, flaunting to defend on RAW, SD Live, and NXT.


For the Intercontinental championship we saw the man who can do extraordinary things, Finn Balor win the I.C. title over the "Almighty" Bobby Lashley and his hype man Lio Rush in a 2 on 1 handicapped match.

Of course we still did NOT see Brock Lesnar defend the (basically worthless) Universal Championship. Nor will we see it defend at Fastlane either...
Buddy Murphy retained his 205 Live Cruiserweight against the formidable Akira Tozawa... who then requested his release of contact from the WWE concluding his loss to the current champion in Murphy.
Rhonda Rousey made short work of Ruby Riot in the defense of the RAW Women's championship. She now has made a heel turn against "the Man" Becky Lynch.

The match of the night was indeed the Smackdown live men's heavyweight championship, defended in the elimination chamber by Daniel Bryan against Samoa Joe, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, and Kofi Kingston, who replaced an injured Mustafa Ali. Bryan would retain the title, but faces off one again against a talented and often overlooked Kingston at WWE Fastlane ppv.
Correction. Vince McMahon has announced that a returning Kevin Owens will be facing off against Bryan at Fastlane.


On RAW, there's tension still breathing with Balor and Lashley and Rush over the disputed IC belt.
Even greater tension and all out pandemonium erupted on the last 2 Monday night's over the women's championship. First Vince stripped the Royal Rumble victory away from "The Man" Becky Lynch, giving that opportunity away to Charlotte Flair, combined with a 60 day medical suspension that would put her well earned title shot off until AFTER Wrestlemania. Lynch lost her cool and attacked both Flair and Rousey. This last week she returned to RAW to wreak havoc on the current champ Rousey. Security separated the two women moments before Becky did a Stone Cold Steve Austin imitation and got handcuffed, arrested, and forced to leave the arena. Rousey got on the microphone and DEMANDED that Becky Lynch be reinstated for their match at Wrestlemania. When Stephanie refused to comply with the champ, Rousey then laid the belt in the ring and walked away with a stern warning to Vince McMahon to "do the right thing...". Riveting stuff that felt less scripted and more off the cuff. On the Raw before Fastlane, Lynch's suspension was lifted by Stephanie, just before Rousey's heel turn and attack on "the man".


Overall, the last 3 weeks have felt amazing and bittersweet at the same time. The was a departure from the WWE by Tozawa, Tye Dillinger, Hideo Itami, long time employee and hall of  famer Arn Anderson (who was fired for allowing Alicia Fox to perform on live television, drunk), and TJ Perkins. Other releases announced and highly likely to NOT renew contracts with the WWE Are "The Lunatic" Dean Ambrose, the Colons, the Singh brothers; as well as the expected incipient retirement of Kane, Undertaker, Golddust, and the Big Show.
I also wonder about the future of highly-touted NXT star Lars Sullivan, who apparently has anxiety attacks that withhold him from wrestling....


Still no Brock Lesnar in sight for Fastlane and beyond. We do know, from his win at the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins will indeed be facing the Beast and I, for one, hope he kicks Lesnar's mercenary ass  out of the WWE with his tail between his legs back to the UFC. WWE is no place for a part-time champ that NEVER defends the title belt. Worthless champ.


The saving grace for Monday Night RAW has been the influx of NXT stars like NXT champion Tomasso Chiampa (who suffered a neck injury that required anterior cervical fusion surgery this week, thus vacating the NXT championship), "Johnny Wrestling" Gargano (who lost the NXT North American championship to the VelveteenDream last week on NXT), the "Dutch Destroyer" Aleister Black, and the "One and Only" Riccochet. The former DIY members beat the RAW tag team champions, The Revival in their first match on the main show. Riccochet teamed up with Balor and Black bested Elias in singles competition. The next week they teamed up again and earned a future tag team title opportunity against the Revival.


The road to Wrestlemania is indeed a wonderful time of the year. We've heard of the returns of K.O. Kevin Owens, and this week we heard from Joe, a.k.a. Roman Reigns who confirmed he is in remission for his leukemia that he fought against for nearly 12 years. Congrats Big Dog on your return to Monday night's AND the reunion 3.0 of the Shield (perhaps Dean Ambrose will reconsider leaving the company and will re-sign after Mania.
Looks like Baron Corbin may be Reigns first target since he talked a lot of shit about the former Universal champ after the leukemia diagnosis revealed to the fans on RAW back in October. With the Reunion of the Shield, we will likely see the 3 members face Drew Macintyre, Lashley, and Corbin, possibly adding in Elias and Strowman, as well for a multi man tag team match at Fastlane, Sunday...

We also know for Fastlane, Mandy Rose with face Asuka for the SD live women's championship. Hopefully the US title will be defended as well. It feels like another irrelevant title, recently, as it only ever seems to get defended on the ppv pre-show... R-Truth was a joke as champ, so hopefully Samoa Joe will bring some credibility back to the title and have regular open challenges.

Personally, I would recommend that Vince brings back Becky Lynch for Wrestlemania, and add in more NXT stars to the roster. The additions of EC3, Heavy Machinery, and Lacy Evans have certainly drawn the attention of the WWE Universe, to say the least... but still no Lars Sullivan...

Wrestlemania is Sunday April 7th, available to viewers on the WWE Network, preceded by NXT Takeover and the Hall of Fame ceremony. The first official entrant into the HoF had been announced to be the entire faction of Degeneration-X, including the late Chyna, Joanie Laurer. Torrie Wilson is next up... Curious to see who else is added to the list this year's hall of fame inductees.


Last but not least, does BATISTA have HHH and the WWE Universe's attention?!? We can conclude from the end of Ric Flair's 70th birthday bash that a legends match at Wrestlemania is eminent. Will that mean a full time return to the WWE away from his successful acting career? I, for one, am eager to see how this scenario plays out on the Road to Wrestlemania, the grandest stage of all sports entertainment. No word yet if we will see any other legends like the Undertaker, Sean Michaels, Booker T., or others at Mania, weather for promotion or matches on the card...

Well, that's about all the time I have for today. This has been the one and only Quiet Mouse.