Added: 15.07.2015 20:05 | 21 views | 0 comments

12. Thor: The Dark World (Metacritic Score: 54)

Poor Thor. His recent film sits at the bottom of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in terms of critical reception. Despite the fact that most of the characters seem to be merely going through the motions of saving the cosmos, when it comes to entertaining special effects extravaganzas you could do far worse.

11. Iron Man 2 (Metacritic Score: 57)

After Iron Man became an international break out hit, the sequel frustrated many by being surprisingly soulless. Let's face it: competing with the charismatic Jeff Bridges as a villain may have been too tall an order for Mickey Rourke and an army of drones.

10. Thor (Metacritic Score: 57)

For a film adaptation of the legendary son of Odin's adventures, Thor is a rousing and exciting action fest, notable for its imaginative take on the world of Asgard. Ranked among its fellow Marvel films, however, Thor comes up slightly lacking with a plot bogged down in backstory and explanations. It's still worth a watch for fans of the Norse hammer-wielding god.

9 The Incredible Hulk (Metacritic Score: 61)

The Incredible Hulk may have arrived too soon on the heels of Ang Lee's awkward arthouse rendition in 2003 to receive a fair hearing. This update does a considerably better job at capturing the spirit of the character, and at the time, its special effects were unparalleled.

8. Iron Man 3 (Metacritic Score: 62)

After the disappointing Iron Man 2, Marvel swung back again with the third film in Stark's storied saga. While the plot of Iron Man's showdown with the Extremis virus never quite reaches the heights of the original film, it definitely manages to inject back some of the heart missing from Iron Man 2.

7. Ant-Man (Metacritic Score: 64)

Ant-Man might be the smallest of the Marvel superheroes, but he makes up for it with his big heart and super strength. Paul Rudd (The 40-Year Old Virgin) plays ex-con man Scott Lang who is out to save his mentor Dr. Hank Pym in this action-packed, yet hilarious summer blockbuster.

6. Captain America: The First Avenger (Metacritic Score: 66)

Captain America definitely scratches that retro itch for everyone looking for a classic WWII comic book fable. With a fun pulpy style reminiscent of Indiana Jones, Captain America finds the perfect balance between action thrills and corny nostalgia.

5. Avengers: Age of Ultron (Metacritic Score: 66)

Technically, Age of Ultron scores a direct tie with Captain America: The First Avenger in terms of critical reception, but its stellar box office opening gives it a slight edge. The second Avengers adventure doesn't quite top their first film; however, its sincere sense of fun easily secures it a top slot as one of the best Marvel movies.

4. The Avengers (Metacritic Score: 69)

You knew only good things would result when they combined the maverick talents of Joss Whedon with an all-star lineup of fan favorite Marvel characters. The Avengers runs neck and neck with Guardians of the Galaxy as the most fun of the Marvel films, with its witty script and playful banter.

3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Metacritic Score: 70)

The most recent Captain America film barely edges out The Avengers in a surprising critical upset. Steve Rogers may have a classically simple superhero name, but it's the movie's moral complexity and breakneck action that appealed to audiences, making it one of Marvel's highest grossing films worldwide.

2. Guardians of the Galaxy (Metacritic Score: 76)

Guardians of the Galaxy delivered a breath of fresh air to the often overly-serious world of comic book movies. A collection of scruffy underdogs with an unending barrage of witty jokes make it an easy film to fall in love with. An upbeat catchy soundtrack that captures the movie's energetic spirit catapults Guardians to its status as a new classic.

1. Iron Man (Metacritic Score: 79)

The film that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains king of the pack. The first Iron Man simultaneously revitalized Robert Downey Jr.'s career and, along with Batman Begins, made comic book movies very cool again. Ten movies later, Iron Man is still the Marvel movie to beat when it comes to worldwide critical acclaim.

Added: 15.07.2015 17:00 | 9 views | 0 comments

Excelling in sport means knowing when a moment is outside of your control and recognizing when an opportunity is there to seize. In Rocket League, both events occur countless times in any given match--not surprising for a game heavily inspired by soccer. It caters to the competitive realist who thrills in having sole control of the ball for a few seconds despite knowing it can be snatched at any time. The best part is that you get to kill opponents' dreams and agonize in your own losses from the comfort of a very, very fast car.

Every moment in Rocket League demands split-second judgment. Are you the assertive type who takes control of the immediate situation at the risk of being in the middle of a chaotic, unpredictable scrum? Are you more of a long-term planner, one who watches your cohorts fight over a ball in a corner with the confidence that the ball will inevitably escape. When this happens, are you ready at the top of the penalty arc with the hope that the loose ball will roll between you and the goal? This echoes Wayne Gretzky's words of wisdom: "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be." Rocket League offers countless opportunities to be Gretzky--or Nostradamus.

Rocket League thrives on speed and momentum. This is best exemplified by the gravity-defying excitement of driving up the side of any of the game's arenas. This ability is useful as well as thrilling. Without the curves along the edges of the pitch, cars would simply bang into the wall. Constantly having to reverse and make three-point turns over a five-minute match would be a disappointing series of momentum-ending buzzkills. Rocket League has none of these obstacles. The curved corners means you do not lose momentum. Your tires will smoothly caress these bends as you ride the walls horizontally, chasing the ball in parallel with rest of the cars on the pitch. Given that the ceiling is also fair game, every player will feel compelled to attempt a gravity-defying loop across the width of the roof. The game's physics and your limited boost will prevent you from completing such a stunt, but you'll attempt it anyway.

The ball in play is comparable to that perpetually bouncing beach ball you find at every music festival, only slightly less buoyant. It bounces and flies in unpredictable directions when touched by two parties at the same time. This is where fortune favors the Rocket League sportsperson who embraces chaos. Transcendence comes when you realize you don't have to be in control of the ball at all times; you should chase it only when you think you can make a difference.

A goal scored ends the fleeting, yet fulfilled, existence of a ball. In its death, the ball's life is celebrated with a literal bang. It's a colorful, smoke-filled explosion that sends all the cars flying away at heights and velocities that would kill any human in real life. It is so spectacular that you can't help but savor the blast, even if you weren't on the team that scored. Rocket League is that rare kind of video-game sport where you're compelled to play your best, even when you're being blown out 5-1 and there's only a minute left on the clock.

There's no shortage of advanced ball handling in online multiplayer. In Rocket League, experience leads to tactical thinking. Tactical thinking leads to performing with finesse. You cannot open car doors to use them like arms; that would be the equivalent of a handball in soccer. Instead, you can spin your car forwards, backwards, and sideways, which is analogous to bicycle kicks and headers. Once you learn to use these moves to advance the ball, you are soon ricocheting shots on goal. Over time, you also discover that your chances of scoring are boosted by hitting the car closest to the ball rather than the ball itself. It's all obvious highlight reel material, which is why the replay save option is so welcome. Learning and mastering these advanced moves makes playing Rocket League endlessly absorbing, even after you've logged over 50 matches.

The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match.

This thoughtfulness extends to the studio's crafting of a convincing world where Rocket League is the number one sport. You see it in the multi-tier, sold-out arenas and you hear it from the indistinct chants of allegiance from the fans. The crowd goes 'Oooohhhh!' or 'Aaaaahh!', whether it's a goal or a key ball hit at midfield. These sprinkles of realism aren't strictly necessary but are greatly appreciated; for instance, the pitch itself features blades of grass that all move independently. These manicured fields are best admired during the pre-match camera shots, but you can't be faulted for staring at them in the middle of a game. They are complemented by the myriad customization parts, from wildly swinging antenna flags to neon-blue engine exhaust trails.

The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match. Trying to predict where and how the ball will bounce next is a game within the game. Despite the use of cars, Rocket League emulates the emotional surges typical of The Beautiful Game, such as the rush of an unexpected fast break or a well-timed header into a goal. With Rocket League, the promising concept of combining two wonderful things--cars and soccer--is equally magnificent in execution. You can't say the same thing about, say, combining cake and fruit to make fruitcake, as the comedian Jim Gaffigan observed.