Yep, the excitement heightens and I’m all over it. Check out the extended trailer and then just try and wait, MUAHAHAHA!

This is actually the worst comic book movie ever made and I’ll tell you why. First, there’s not a single like-able character in the film. Not one of the principles is engaging, interesting or even once, funny. Second, there’s absolutely no attempt to make the film fun-not a single Yehaa! moment. I’m sorry, at some point there’s got to be some break in a dismal tragedy. And make no mistake, Fantastic Four is a dismal tragedy. Even the most depressing Shakespeare play has a comic break. Third, there are no surprises. The film and the characters are predictable if maybe a little more boring than you’d expect.

The dialogue is stilted, the chemistry between characters uninspired and the casting indefensible. I cannot imagine worse choices. These are some of my favorite comic book characters played with no understanding or empathy . Miles Teller is dull as Reed Richards, Kate Mara, bland as Susan Storm, Michael B. Jordan, sullen and resentful as Johnny Storm and Jamie Bell, an actor I like, is as unlike Ben Grimm, the always-loyal best friend of Reed Richards, as I can imagine. Whether this is acting or direction is debatable, but regardless it makes Fantastic Four painful to watch.

What’s even worse is the villain, Toby Kebbell. He is one of my favorite characters in both The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

In both films he’s not only a great villain but commands the screen. In Fantastic Four he’s hobbled by a really bad script and a terrible story. Of course, the original Dr. Doom, from the comic book, is lost to us after one reference to his home country, Latveria. I couldn’t even detect an accent. I’m sorry, but Dr. Doom, evil super villain and ruler of a tiny European country, is far more interesting than a slob of a computer geek with no personality. Not to be too harsh of course.

If I had set out to make the worst super hero movie ever, hired the most reviled director and a two year old to write the script I would have ended up with a better film. Pardon me, but, with little exception, main stream comic book characters we like, want to emulate and might like to get to know.

There’s not a single instant, till the last few seconds, that I enjoyed anything. There is one scene right at the end that shadows hope for the future. The special effects are cheesy, the dialogue lame and predictable and the plot unlike anything I can remember from the Fantastic Four franchise.

I would not recommend this film unless you were the last person on earth, had just enough power left for one movie, every other DVD had been destroyed and you had two hours to live. It would probably cheer you up about your impending doom. I felt more depressed after this movie than after a Chekhov play, and that’s horrible.

You don’t need to see this movie, but if you do, see it in the theater. You don’t want to be that despondent at home. Stop and grab a comedy on the way home to cheer up. That should help.

Rating: 0 out of 5 (and that’s generous)

1) Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

This is it, number 1! Head and shoulders the best musical comedy ever made and easily the best musical too, Singing in the Rain is Hollywood at its very best. There’s not a boring or wasted moment in the film and every scene advances the plot, adds wonderful story elements and even develops the characters.

Gene Kelly, Donald O’ Connor and Debbie Reynolds, screen icons all, star in the film and the chemistry between them is movie brilliance. The plot, based on the beginning of talking pictures, is inspired and lets Kelly, O’ Connor and Reynolds do what they do best-show off: Kelly singing and dancing in the rain, Donald O’ Connor flipping through the air and Reynolds singing her heart out. Singing in the Rain is pure entertainment from start to finish!

2) Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

A wonderful look at a traditional Jewish community during the pogroms in Russia. Topol stars as Tevye, a father of girls in terrible times, just trying to keep them alive and healthy. He’s also trying to maintain tradition and find husbands for them the old way. Unfortunately the husbands he finds, may not just match their desires.

Fiddler on the Roof is equal parts fun, heartwarming and dramatic and easily one of the best musicals ever written. It’s also one of the most delightful no matter what level it’s seen: high school, little theater and even in dinner theater it is wonderful.

Take an actor like Topol and put it on screen and it’s brilliant! You may walk away crying, laughing or shaking your head, but you absolutely won’t walk away disappointed.

This looks pretty darn good! Is it possible that Ryan Reynolds has finally found his franchise? I hope so. I think we all love him and want it, and think it’s time. Check out the trailer and see whatcha think. It’s coming February 12th, 2016.

This is by far the best in the series and this is why:

• Mission Impossible: make a movie with great action, terrific characters and an awesome plot and story…MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
• Mission Improbable: add some great practical effects mixed in with CGI and come up with believable action sequences…MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
• Mission Implausible: manage to keep the audience engaged and in their seats for the entire film without the usual “Aw C’mon,” gasp…MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is easily “best of breed” and also my favorite of the franchise. Not once was I thrown out of the film by some cheesy special effect or lame piece of dialogue.

The IMF gang is in disarray. Alen Hunley (Alec Baldwin), head of the CIA, is coming after the team with the intention of taking it apart under the auspices of Langley. Unfortunately there’s a terrorist organization (think Specter or Chaos) intent on taking over the world and destroying IMF first. Enter Ethan, Benji and Luther and expect tons of action! With great direction and cinematography and a terrific sense of humor, Rogue Nation is a hit.

Unfortunately not all is perfect. The bad guy, Solomon Lane (Sean Harris), suffers in comparison to any of the Movie Madness Top Male Villains. Alan Rickman or Jack Nicholson, either one, could kick his butt and, the movie is a bit predictable. Particularly having seen even one of the trailers, it’s easy to see where it’s going. Agree or not I think you’ll like this one.

4.5 out of 5 stars and you just have to see this one in the theater!

As always let us know what you think at: moviemadnesspodcast@gmail.com or call the voice mail # 260-573-0015 or post them to Twitter, Facebook or the Ultimate Movie Geeks community on Google+

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I’m so counting on this one to totally make up for Mockingjay Part 1. One was a feeble attempt to follow up on what was a truly great film: Catching Fire. Join me at the theater November 20th to see the latest, and hopefully, the greatest Hunger Games. (Say hi, I’ll be in the third row center)

I think I’m finally sold on this one. I love Matt Damon and he’s finally showing some attitude in this latest trailer!  I’m definitely gonna be in line the first day for The Martian. I’ll be there October the 2nd!

3) My Fair Lady (1964)

It doesn’t get much better than Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn and few films better than My Fair Lady. It’s probably the greatest stage play turned musical…ever. Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw, is a brilliant play and My Fair Lady is, possibly even better.

My Fair Lady is the story of a poor street urchin (Hepburn) turned flower girl who learns to speak like an Duchess. Rex Harrison is Henry Higgins the Professor that, through not so gentle ministrations, manages to accomplish the impossible. And Colonel Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White) is the long suffering buffer between the two.

The Hepburn role, Eliza Doolittle, seems made for her. Had Julie Andrews, offered the role she played on Broadway, it may never have been the masterpiece it became. Mary Poppins too, the role Andrew chose may have been given to someone else changing everything. Only our favorite Hot Tub Time Machine or maybe Doc Brown’s Delorean could help us find out.

Hepburn as the dirty street urchin turned achingly beautiful, but delicate wonder, was amazing.

I still can’t get over the dubious casting or problematic changes in concept to the film, but I am a comic movie junkie so count me in. But if you expect to come with me, you buy the popcorn. At least you better block Jeremy when he throws it at me. See ya there August 7th.