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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 26, 2011)
entertainment S p o t l I g h t Capt. America: 1st Avenger dVd r eView by Kam Williams T his superhero adventure continues the recent trend in comic book screen adapta- tions in which the protagonist comes to play a critical role in the outcome of a significant historical event. Here, we have Marvel’s Captain America (Chris Evans) called upon to save the day during World War II when a cosmic cube called the Tesseract, said to be a source of limitless power, falls into the hands of Hitler henchman Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving). That nefarious Nazi also hap- pens to have been left horribly- disfigured but with superhuman strength as a result of testing a top secret serum designed to create a master race of super soldiers on behalf of the Fuhrer. However, Schmidt goes rogue after gaining possession of the Tesseract, mor- phing into an even eviler alter ego, the Red Skull. The monomaniacal madman proceeds to hatch a diabolical plan for world domination with the help of a horde of renegade German soldiers armed with futur- istic death ray guns. We know they have shifted their allegiance from Adolf to the Red Skull because they now chant “Hail Hydra!” instead of “Heil Hitler!” Meanwhile, clear across the Atlantic Ocean, we find frail Steve Rogers (also Chris Evans), a proverbial 98-pound weakling, desperate to enlist in the military c o despite suffering from asthma and a host of other assorted ailments. When he’s rejected at a New York City recruitment center for the umpteenth time, the frustrated patriot’s self-pity party is over- heard by Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), a Nazi defector who had created the concoction that had mutated Schmidt. Now putting his talents to work for the forces of good, Dr. Erskine offers Steve a chance to train in the Strategic Scientific Reserve, an experimental outfit being run by hard-boiled Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and a two-fisted British Officer Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Of course, the kid jumps at the opportunity to become the first to test the new and improved super soldier solu- tion. The injection transforms Steve into quite a physical specimen with a physique more muscular than his best friend, Sergeant Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). This development isn’t lost on pretty Peggy who can barely keep her hands off his rock-hard abs. More importantly, Steve dons a form-fitting red, white and blue costume and an impenetrable shield made of vibranium, the rarest metal on Earth. And accom- panied by a crack team of com- mandos comprised of his pal Bucky, plus Dum Dum Dugan (Neal McDonough), Gabe Jones (Derek Luke), Jacques Dernier (Bruno Ricci), Jim Morita (Kenneth Choi) and James Montgomery Falsworth (J.J. Field), he sets out on a search and destroy mission in quest of the Red Skull and his minions. Directed by Joe Johnston (Jumanji), Captain America proves to be a riveting roller coast- er ride from beginning to end, m m u n basically because it relies on a winning recipe featuring all the fixins needed to hold your undi- vided attention, from a compelling plot which ratchets up the tension all the way to the final showdown, to eye-popping action and special effects, to a sweet romance between likable leads exhibiting screen chemistry, to lots of unex- pected moments of levity (with much of the hilarious comic relief arriving courtesy of Tommy Lee Jones). Just don’t forget to watch the closing credits for a sneak peek at the sequel, The Avengers, set to be released in the spring. I t y c Excellent IIII Rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence. Running time: 123 minutes Distributor: Paramount Home Entertainment 2-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Extras: Blu-ray, DVD and digital copies of the film, feature film with commentary by the direc- tor, the cinematographer and editor, delet- ed scenes, trailers, 7 featurettes, and “Marvel One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer.” a l e n d a r S eattle O ctOber 2011 B ulletIn B oard FREE SCARY FACE PANCAKES FOR KIDS: No tricks – just treats as kids 12 and under celebrate Halloween early. IHOP restaurants nationwide will cel- ebrate Halloween a little early offering kids a free scary face pancake. 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. All IHOP restau- rants nationwide. If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com thursday october 27 HAUNTED TEEN FLASHLIGHT PRIZE AND CANDY HUNT! Magnuson Park’s annual Haunted Flashlight Prize and Candy Hunt for teens ages 11-14 will take place at 7:30 – 9 p.m. in Hanger 30, 6344 NE 74th St. The hunt is free. Please call 206-684-7026 for more information. Saturday october 29 FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY: The Seattle Public Library invites preschoolers, parents and caregivers to a special event. Seattle Firefighters will read books about fire safety and display some of their firefighting equip- ment. 10:30– 11 a.m. Central Library. PUMPKIN PUSH 5K TO CARE FOR SEATTLE’S HOMELESS! Help our community gather to carve out a place for Seattle’s most vulnerable, all while having a great time celebrating healthy, fun Halloween. Seward Park. For more information call 206-548-3266. friday october 28 Sunday october 30 page 2 The Seattle Skanner october 26, 2011 TRICK – OR – TREATING AT THE LANDING IN REN- TON: The Halloween event will feature Trick-or- Treating at various tenants throughout The Landing. Free and open to the public. 3 – 6 p.m. The Landing in Renton, 900 N. 10th Place, Renton. monday october 31 CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN AT COLUMBIA CITY’S ANNUAL TRICK-OR-TREAT! The businesses throughout Columbia City will be welcoming Goblins and Ghouls with their annual family friendly Trick-or- Treat throughout the business district along and around Rainier Ave. South. 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday november 5 SHOREWOOD HOLIDAY BAZAAR! 50 vendors sell- ing just arts and crafts! Raffles, bake sale and food. Free to enter, free to park. Unique gift items for the whole family. 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Shorewood Elementary School, 2725 SW 116th St.
