A Concert , A Movie and Awesomeness

Saturday I had the pleasure of joining my two sons and my brother and his wife , to see the contemporary christian rock group Mercy Me in Moncton . The band was in stellar form , delivering a tight and energetic set. The band used a huge back drop featuring the cover of their new album , The Hurt and the Healer . On each side were huge led set up that allowed for graphic effects unique to each song they played. It also allowed for the lyrics to be displayed and the band encouraged the audience to sing along.

The lead singer , Bart Millard , was a excellent front man.Telling stories , interjecting both some humor and at the same time calling for us all to trust and rely  on only Jesus through no matter what trials one may face. His voice was strong and clear . The band worked like a well oiled unit , benefiting from years of touring and playing together. The highlight for me was the new song The Hurt and the Healer . A song that was written after a close cousin of Millards was killed in the line of duty as a fire fighter.It dealt with the hurt and pain one feels when a hurt of this magnitude occurs . But on the other side , we encounter the healer , the one who understands the pain and hurt . The one who will make all things new . It was a moment of real worship.

It was a night that had much fun , like the song Move , some sing along moments and many moments where the audience  and the band were one , in singing the praise of our Lord . Awesome night .

The Avengers -  Anyone who has read this blog knows from past post I loved comics as a kid. Just to set the record straight , I still do . The old ones that is . From the 60's and 70's mostly . So over the last 10 years , it has been amazing to see so many  solid outings come to the big screens . But in this one movie you have the mother lode of comic super heroes . Building from  Iron Man , Captain America , Thor and the Hulk films , which all hinted at the coming of the Avengers , it ties all them together .

The movie begins with Loki  , Thors brother , talking to a mysterious figure about taking over the earth . Loki of course wants revenge on his brother concerning what happened to him at the hands of Thor ( as told in Thor's movie) . He is bringing a army with him from another portal and bottom line . if the world is to survive , one hero will not do. So Nick Fury the head of S.H.I.E.L.D , begins to try and recruit a group of heroes under the Avengers banner.

At first it all doesn't go well . Ego's , different world views and each hero bringing baggage to the game cause for some real friction and even fights . This allows for some really excellent dialog . The sarcasm , the wit and humor of some of the script is well above what many would probably expect. But the reason it works is that its written with a seriousness that this is a real world , with real conflict . Yes it has many zingers , delivered mostly by Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man to perfection but it also has heart and real depth . As the movie moves along and all our heroes come to realize they must work together and put aside petty differences if they are to overcome the threat , it gives the movie a emotional connection to the audience that is needed if a movie like this is to work. Boy does it.

Joss Whedon , as the director , paced this movie very well .  Each hero is given time and space to shine . Even the two new comers , Black Widow and Hawkeye have their own moments . The battle scene between Thor , Iron Man and Captain America is amazing . Yes they had real issues when they first met , and it allowed for a truly fun and exhilarating scene . But the Hulk scenes and his fight with Thor before they are allies and then his scenes after they are the Avengers , is the Hulk I loved form the comics . Plus Mark Ruffalo plays him perfectly . Always on the edge , containing the monster within . Plus when the Hulk takes over , he still has the resemblance of Ruffalo. This is the Hulk.

The final battle scene rivals anything I have ever scene . The special effects are amazing but they never over shadow the human element . In a movie like this the effects could have over taken the movie , but Whedon keeps the story and our heroes at the center . He draws us in and we cheer them on. Each actor playing our heroes were awesome as well . Chris Evans as Captain America , Chris Hemsworth as Thor , Downey Jr. as Iron Man , Mark Ruffalo as Hulk , Scarlet Johansson as the Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye , make up what truly is a perfect cast . Throw in Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury and what more do you want.

As a comic book geek , who loved this comic , this has it all . It is fun , intense , highlights sacrifice , loyalty , friendship and bravery . The Avengers have indeed assembled.

This movie gets 2 Cap shields , 2 Thor hammers , 2 Iron Man blast , 1 arrow form Hawkeye , 1 Balck Widow kick and a huge Hulk smash fist . Totally it up and it is a 10 in my books . Nuff said.

Fav Line in movie : Black Widow concerning the plan to attack Loki " But he's a god"
                             Capatain America "Ma'am there's is only one God , and I'm pretty sure He doesn't look like   
                                                           that".