Iron Man 3

     The past always comes back to haunt us. And for Tony Stark his past mistakes come with with painful consequences. On New Year's Eve 1999, Tony Stark is living it up at a party in Germany. Before the clock strikes midnight, Tony makes an enemy who spends over the next 10 years plotting his revenge for Tony. In his life, Tony Stark has made his own far share of enemies, especially with the creation of his powered armor suits. Yet, as Tony will eventually say to a young apprentice, it's not the suit that makes you a hero. 

     First he has to discover that for himself.

     After the events in New York with the newly assembled Avengers, Tony Stark is having a tough time readjusting to normal life. Refusing to acknowledge that he's suffering from PTSD, he buries himself into his designing and building suits, seeming to live in constant fear of another outer world attack. Meanwhile, his girlfriend and CEO of Stark Industries, Pepper Potts, is getting overshadowed by Tony's obsession.

    The only person Tony can talk to is his best friend, Rhodey, now the newly minted Iron Patriot (although he prefers the original name, War Machine). However, not even Rhodey can fully get Tony to come to terms with his condition. The only thing Tony can do is try and hold on to Pepper especially when she seems to be pursued by Aldrich Killian, the once loser turned successful scientist.

     When terrorist attacks begin to fill the news all brought on by religious zealot known only as the Mandarin, Tony begins to pay attention. Yet his PTSD and constant panic attacks hold him back and only send him back to his workshop. After his assistant Happy Hogan is badly injured in an explosion brought on by the Mandarin, Tony can no longer hide away. 

     He publicly challenges the Mandarin and Mandarin responds in kind. By blowing up Tony's Malibu mansion and kidnapping Pepper. Tony himself is blasted all the way to Tennessee with nothing but a broken down arc suit. Not even JARVIS is able to help him. Tony is now alone and unprotected. No suits, no Pepper, Rhodey or JARVIS. Only his wits and his instinct to figure out how to get himself of this mess. 

     But this isn't the first time Tony has been stranded and alone with no tech to help him. 

     Fortunately, Tony gets some unexpected help. Harley, a young inventor with an attitude and personality not to different from Tony. With Harley's help, Tony manages to get out of Tennessee and starts to put together the Mandarin's plan. He finds Rhodey and together (in a buddy com of epic proportions) they have a limited amount of time to uncover Mandarin's plan, rescue Pepper and be home in time for Christmas. 

     Possibly the funniest installment of the Iron Man trilogy! Rhodey plays a much larger role in this and he and Tony's friendship are really the backbone of the story. The dealing of Tony's PTSD due to New York, which fuels his constant need to save everyone really added a human element to Tony. Unlike Thor: Ragnarok, this last film just fit perfectly into the franchise. Balancing humor and drama, as well as Tony's continuing character development (which certainly doesn't stop after this film), all blended well in a movie that thankfully wasn't too dark or dramatic.

I Committed a Crime

No seriously, I actually did.

     On March 2, around 7:45 I was pulled over for speeding. I was going over 60 in a 35 mile zone. In Virginia that's a reckless driving count and a criminal offense. I've been driving for ten years and while my driving record isn't perfect, I had never received a speeding ticket.

     Until now. 

     However, I wasn't speeding because I was late for anything and of course I wasn't drinking. I've been driving down that stretch of road since I was 18 and I simply wasn't paying attention to the surrounding signs. On that account, my conscience is absolutely clear. 

     Today I had to appear in court. For the last three weeks I have been stressing as to what is going to be in store for me. An obvious fine of least $300, possibly more and having to take a driver's class. I have the money in the bank and a driver's course isn't that hard. Yet, in court today it was simply an arraignment. I had to come into court to have them give me another court date. May 23. 2 months away. Needless to say, I was very angry and disappointed. I was hoping that everything would be over and I could go on enjoying my job and looking forward to spring.

     Now I've been to court before for other minor offenses and manged to get them taken care of in one day. Reckless driving is a criminal charge and it can't be over and done with in a few hours. So, now I get to spend the next two months wondering what is still in store for me.

     There are some positives. I'm not going to jail, the judge wavered that. And there's a possibility of getting a lawyer who has a law office close by. My one fear is having my license suspended. I've had that done before and it's terrible. Without my license, I lose my job and almost feel like my livelihood is taken away from me.

     People have been helpful and encouraging and I appreciate that. I feel like I should write this because I cannot stress now how truly damaging speeding is. At least I was caught by a police officer and didn't risk actually harming somebody on the road. 

    Any prayers for the impending day in court (May 23) are much appreciated. I don't want to lose my license or my job. There have been many changes in my life since 2018 and I want to enjoy them. I've lost weight, finally have a good job, learning to swim and looking forward to a fun summer. I don't want my happiness to put on hold either.

     My site statement is beauty, truth, joy, love. These are the attributes, the traits, the qualities that my site promotes. Beauty in all things, truth in all things, joy in all things and love in all things. The truth is very important to me. And the truth that I have learned since the 2nd of March is that reckless behavior (whether intended or not) can be an immediate downfall. This isn't a bump in the road for me. It's a headfirst crash on the pavement. And I'm doing everything I can to keep standing. 

Iron Man 2

     Tony is back! With more snark, more trouble and infinitely more tech infused storylines. Iron Man 2 is probably the most emotional of the Iron Man trilogy. It delves into Tony's psyche and his personal pain of living in the shadow of his great father who Tony felt never really loved him. However, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Yet, with anything thats related to Tony Stark, the hard way is oftentimes the only way.

     "The truth is...I am Iron Man." And with that, Tony Stark launched himself into a new found fame. No longer Tony Stark the son of Howard Stark, the genius playboy. Now, Tony Stark, the Iron Man, the new, cool superhero. And of course, Tony is just soaking it all in. Not everybody is happy with it though. 

     First off, the government wants to take control of Tony's arc reactor armor and use it for military combat. Tony--ever the capitalist--refuses, mocking the government and his rival Justin Hammer who is desperate to outdo Tony in any way possible. 

     Secondly, Stark Industries takes a back seat with Iron Man (and not Stark) becoming the face of the company. So what does Tony do? Make his faithful secretary, Pepper Potts CEO of the company, believing that she is perfectly capable, which she is, but it's hard to run a company and babysit Tony at the same time. Things begin to look infinitely better for Tony when Pepper's new assistant Natalie Rushman catches his eye. But Natalie soon proves that she's more than a pretty face. Much more.

     Finally, Tony may meet his match when his rival hires an equally brilliant scientist, Ivan Vanko who holds a personal grudge against Tony and Howard Stark. Ivan's father worked with Howard Stark on the creation of the Arc Reactor, but Howard got all the glory while Anton Vanko was sent to the gulag (Communist prison), never receiving the full credit. Ivan has manged to build his own enhanced Iron Man suit and together with Justin Hammer, plans on taking down Tony and Stark Industries.     

     Life slowly begins to spin out of control for Tony. The constant use of the Iron Man suits begins to drain his health. Frightened of what this might mean, in typical Tony fashion, he tells no one and continues to have a good time. Yet, Tony can hide his problems for so long until they become catastrophic. After an attempt on his life by Ivan Vanko (Whiplash), throwing his best friend to the wayside, angering Pepper to her breaking point and completely going off the rails, Tony gets a visit from an old friend of his father, Nick Fury.

     Tony knew nothing about Nick or his relationship to Howard. Nor does he care. In Tony's mind, Howard Stark was a cold, emotionally distant, unloving father who cared more about building a better future than building a relationship with his son. Yet, Nick gives Tony an unexpected look into Howard's life, making Tony see that his father was still a man who only wanted was best for others. 

     Frustrated with his recklessness and what it has cost him as well as his failing health, Tony gets a long awaited message from his father. Although simple and to the point, it's enough to revive Tony to build upon what his father started and save himself. And by doing so, Tony can save his friends and his city from the impending danger brought on by his enemies and their personal vendettas.     

    If there was ever a character you can hate and love with equal measure, then it's Tony Stark. While the embodiment of good, Tony's lack of common sense and inability to properly communicate to others causes multitudes of problems. Yet, the world still loves him. It's hard not to love Tony. His obvious brokenness that was brought about by his distant father is irreparable. Just wanting to know that Howard loved him or was proud of him would have been more than enough.  

    Iron Man 2 was probably the most emotionally driven storyline from the franchise. Tony has to take a hard look at the past he's been running away from to try and survive his present state. His relationships with his best friend, James "Rhodey" Rhodes (who was recast by the wonderful Don Cheadle) and his secretary/love interest become his primary motivations to get himself under control and finally fight for himself. Not for Stark Industries, not for Iron Man or this crazy Avengers Initiative Nick Fury keeps going on about. Because face it, what would the world be without the irreplaceable Tony Stark to keep it interesting?

Goodreads Reviews: Cormoran Strike #1 - The Cuckoo's Calling

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

J.K. Rowling now writes mystery?

How interesting!

And yet, how intriguing these mysteries are!

Cormoran Strike, an army veteran who lost his leg in an explosion, is now a private investigator, however, his own life is just as dark and twisted. The son of a famous rocker, Johnny Rokeby, and a super-groupie/model, Leda Strike; Cormoran spent most of his life in poverty, pulled around by an inept mother who subjugated both of her children to some of the worst living conditions imaginable. The army is what saved Strike and he rose quickly through the ranks to become an investigator for the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch. Strike was exceptional at his job, but when he lost his leg and was discharged, he decides to continue his career as a civilian. Yet, he might need a little help..

Enter Robin Ellacott. Bubbly, beautiful and happily engaged to her college sweetheart, Robin is ready for a challenging job. So when she is sent to Strike's office by Temporary Solutions to apply as a secretary, she has no idea what is really in store for or even he temporary boss.

After the suicide of a famous supermodel, Lula Landry, Strike is called upon by Lula's brother who believes that Lula was actually murdered. Strike sets off to investigate the possible murder and unexpectedly finds a trusty aid in his new secretary. Robin's sharp perceptions, quick thinking and natural investigation skills become essential in finding Lula's killer.

And not only does Robin help find the killer, she also saves Cormoran's life. Elevating her to becoming a possible partner in his agency.

What makes this story great isn't necessarily the mystery itself, but the characters. Both Strike and Robin are well written characters that are complex and broken, but not without hope either. I loved learning more about Strike's background (especially his mother) and meeting his wide variety of friends--Shanker being my favorite. Robin is undeniably sweet, but also possesses a toughness that not everyone sees. People tend to see her pretty face and not realize that she's stronger and more intelligent than they give her credit for. No one gets this more than Strike.

Strike and Robin, despite their polar opposite differences, get each other. Both have been through personal pain and injury in their lives. And due to that pain, they make an unlikely investigative team than seem determine to take on whatever crime comes to their door.

Iron Man

     In 2008, the MCU began with the origin story of Tony Stark, or otherwise known as, Iron Man. I know I probably should have reviewed the Iron Man trilogy years ago, but something always got in the way. After I saw Avengers for the first time, I was confused as to who the characters were as I had not seen the prior movies leading up to the film. So the first thing I did was grab my brother's copy of Iron Man and get properly introduced to Tony Stark. 

     Tony Stark, the son of famed scientist and weapons designer, Howard Stark, is more than just a brilliant mind and the head of Stark Industries. He's a charming party boy, with no sense of responsibility, humility or understanding. His secretary Pepper Potts and chauffeur, Happy Hogan try to keep him in line, while Tony's best friend, Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes tends to wonder if Tony will ever grow up. 

     While in Afghanistan, doing a military illustration for his newest weapon, Tony is attacked and kidnapped by a terrorist group, the Ten Rings. Tony barely survives the attack and has shrapnel lodged in his chest due to an immense blast. He is saved by Yinsen, a kindly doctor who is also being held captive by the Ten Rings. The terrorist group have been using illegally sold weapons from Stark Industries for their own volatile activity, but now that they have Tony Stark in their possession, they want him to build a missile for them.

    However, Tony and Yinsen have other plans. Yinsen saved Tony's life by hooking him up to a battery generator to keep the shrapnel clear from his heart. Tony takes that same concept and with the mechanics of his own weapons, he creates the arc reactor which will not only keep his heart safe, but will also aid them in their escape. Tony and Yinsen then proceed to make a power armored suit which will be controlled by the arc reactor. 

    Shortly before they escape, Tony and Yinsen have a personal discussion of family and what it means to have everything. Tony for all his wealth is alone with no direction or purpose, while Yinsen, although poor and humble, is a family man whose sole purpose is to return home. Unfortunately, he will never make it back. While Yinsen and Tony try to escape with the suit, Yinsen is shot down trying to save Tony's life. His dying words are for Tony to value his life and not waste it.

And with those words, Iron Man is born.

     Tony manages to escape with the arc reactor suit, but when he returns home, he is not the same. He immediately starts to work on a new highly functional suit with the help of JARVIS, his virtual household butler (and eventually Vision). When they're finished, an armored, arc reactor powered suit that is both weapon and tool is ready to be used. And Tony wastes no time in putting his suit to good use; first by going after the Ten Rings and then by stopping a closer, more dangerous enemy before all that Tony has is lost forever.

     This was a brilliant starting block for the MCU! Iron Man is fast pace, exciting and humorous in all the right places. Robert Downey Jr. has often been compared to Tony Stark for his similar sarcastic and fun loving nature. He was perfect for Tony Stark. While Tony tends to have an arrogant and self absorbed nature, there is also generosity and no small amount of courage inside him. Yet, it takes sacrifice for Tony to finally allow those qualities to come through. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This gorgeous song tells the story of St. Patrick!

Bucky Barnes: The Prince from Brooklyn

     I'm watching Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Civil War and I just remembered how much I absolutely love Bucky Barnes!!! Actually it was Bucky that got me into the franchise in the first place. Prior to May 2012, I had really no interest in the MCU at all. My brothers and sisters loved it, but I was more concerned about the drama at Downton Abbey. Shortly before The Avengers came out in theaters, my brother got Captain America and was watching it in the living room. Finding out that the movie took place in WWII, I was interested and decided to sit in. 

     At the beginning I thought it was pretty cool. Yet, I wasn't fully into it. Steve Rogers shows up all amped to join the war effort and I began to really feel for him, but unfortunately not everyone else felt that way. However, by the time Steve was getting his ass kicked behind the theater, I was actually beginning to fall asleep. And then he showed up...

And this is where I fell in love

     Tall, handsome, blue-eyed Bucky Barnes showed up in that uniform, protecting the little guy and proving himself to be the most loyal of friends. I was completely awake after that! I continued to watch the movie, was heartbroken when Bucky 'died' and relieved when Steve got his retribution in the end. Then of course all of this led to The Avengers and afterwards I became fully immersed in the MCU! None of it would have happened had it not been for Sebastian Stan and his wonderful portrayal of one of the most complex, but now beloved characters in the Marvel films. 

     While Bucky Barnes is most definitely very easy and enjoyable to look at, his character as the best friend to Steve Rogers/Captain America is just as enjoyable to admire. For years, it was Bucky that was the top man, the guy that all the girls were swooning for, the athlete, the favorite. And through all that, Bucky could have had his choice of any popular friends, but instead, he chose scrawny and sickly Steve Rogers to run around Brooklyn with. Bucky was handsome, intelligent and popular, all qualities that could have made him a bully, yet he befriended the outsider instead of pushing him around. 

I  am absolutely in love with this GIF!!!***

     One of the best lines in Captain America is when Bucky is completely ignored by Agent Peggy Carter and says to Steve, "I have become you. This is a nightmare." Hey, only a real friend is really that honest! Despite his teasing, Bucky is genuinely happy at how far his friend has come. He shows no jealousy or animosity toward Steve and courageously follows Captain America into the jaws of death throughout the rest of the war. 

     Bucky's death is something that Steve never got over. The only person in his life who never let him down, who was always there to pick him up, who showed him that he had value when the rest of the world saw uselessness. Bucky's death wasn't the death of a friend, it was the death of a true brother. So, when Steve finds out that Bucky is alive, even as the infamous Winter Soldier, it's understandable why he fights so hard for him. In Bucky, Steve sees his former life, all his memories  buried so deep inside. He wants that history back. He wants the person who knew him as he was, before Captain America. The person who fought for him and believed in him and set his heart on the path to becoming the famous super soldier.  

Till the end of the line

     And Steve's impact on Bucky is clearly just as strong. After 70 years of brainwashings, it takes one word, one name, to make the Winter Soldier do one thing he could never done before. Think for himself. To ask questions. 

"That man on the bridge...who was he?...but I knew him..." 

     Then it comes down to a choice. Bucky has the smallest glimmer of free will, to choose for himself, either the man or the mission. He chooses to act upon his free will, to allow this man's words to seep into his heart and rescue him from drowning. While also rescuing himself.

     You must be a pretty extraordinary person indeed if you have a friend who is literally willing to go to war for you. To sacrifice his own friendships and good name. And the truth is, Bucky is worth fighting for. Just as he saw that dorky Steve Rogers was worth fighting for. Just as Bucky saw the true worth in his small friend, Steve Rogers sees the same worth in the notorious Winter Soldier. 

Finally at peace

    In stories the prince is meant to be the paragon of true goodness and nobility. The prince usually does more than save the princess. He will slay the dragon, battle the enemy, protect the poor and fight for his kingdom. The prince is meant to inspire all that is right and just. Yet, the prince can also be broken. Sometimes by a spell that can turn him into a beast, sometimes blinded by cruelty and selfishness, or is completely alone. Does that take away from who he is or what he represents? No. Surely not. The prince is human, can be broken and damaged, but not irredeemable. 

     I find Bucky Barnes to be the absolute definition of a true prince because of his values and morals of protecting the weak, never compromising and seeing the worth in others. In many ways, not to different from Thor, but vastly different stories and backgrounds. And while Bucky may not have had a princess to rescue, he did have a brother by his side. A brother to walk along side of, to fight to the ends of the earth and till the end of the line. 

***Supposedly the director had asked Sebastian Stan and Chris Evans to laugh about something and told them 'to act like friends' for a vintage film shot. Both of them literally busted up and Sebastian said, "We are friends!"