• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation

Tee Morris

Writer, podcaster and video game streamer

  • Bio
  • Works
    • The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences
    • Short Fiction/Anthologies
    • Non fiction
    • Podcasts
  • Appearances
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Create with Tee
  • Contact Tee
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Twitch
  • Discord
  • Untappd

movies

The Hero’s Journey: A Spoiler-Free Review of AVENGERS ENDGAME

May 2, 2019 by Tee Morris Leave a Comment

When the Iron Man trailer first appeared in theatres, there was a sense of optimism shared between moviegoers. We all thought the same thing: This looks pretty good. Iron Man was also the truest definition of “high risk, high reward” that studios rarely if ever do today. Instead of reboots and sequels and low-hanging fruit box office talent, Iron Man dared to launch Marvel Studios — a studio independent of the bigger institutions like 20th Century Fox and Sony — with a superhero not as familiar as X-Men or Spider-Man (still property of the earlier mentioned studios) and with a leading man saddled with a lot of bad baggage. Robert Downey, Jr. was well known for being an actor’s actor with talent to spare, but he also had a darkness that overshadowed his talent. His infamous quote to the presiding judge about his addiction “It’s like I have a loaded gun in my mouth, and I like the taste of metal.” made him, regardless of his talent, a potential powder keg of negative publicity. Still, in 2008, Marvel Studios kicked off their ambitious “Phase One” with a lesser-known superhero and a risky leading man.

But we had seen the trailer, and we all thought “This looks pretty good.”

What we didn’t know was how good Marvel Studio’s Iron Man would be.

Here we are, eleven years and twenty-two films later, and we have reached Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame. This is not so much of a sequel as it is the conclusion to what Marvel started in 2008. Endgame is exactly what the title says. Doctor Strange tells Tony Stark at the end of Avengers: Infinity War “We’re in the endgame now.” just before vanishing with half of Earth’s population. We now see in Endgame the remaining Avengers attempting to cope with the loss, and it is not going well. That is until a glimmer of hope from the last place anyone would expect it offers a way to make things right. If I say any more or get more specific, spoilers will be revealed so I will just leave it at that. This is all you need to know about Endgame, other than this film is the destination for storytelling that began over a decade ago.

If Iron Man is a definition of “high risk, high reward” then Avengers: Endgame is the definition of a “slow burn” in storytelling. There are call backs to many of the films that have come before, and this is what makes Marvel’s storytelling so exceptional. Everything connects, and does so without feeling shoehorned or contrived. Crossovers become essential moments in a story arc that began with Tony Stark meeting the unassuming Agent Phil Coulson of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (“Just call us S.H.I.E.L.D.”), all leading to the events of Avengers: Endgame.The success of Marvel Studios other studios have attempted to capture, most notably DC Studios; but what Marvel took five films to build up to, DC attempted to do across two. And it showed.

Another way Marvel managed to succeed in this incredible storytelling odyssey was in focusing on the story at hand. Details? Backstory? That would come. Bucky’s fate we discover in The Winter Soldier, the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger. What about Peter Quill’s ability to hold on to an infinity stone with his bare hand? We didn’t find out until Volume 2 of Guardians of the Galaxy. How does Carol Danvers become Captain Marvel? We find this out near the end of her film. Marvel was never in a rush to get to Endgame, and we as an audience are given opportunities to know these superheroes as people. Not as Iron Man, Captain America, Black Window, or Captain Marvel, but as Tony, Steve, Natasha, and Carol. As for things we didn’t quite understand straight away? In Marvel we trust. They would get to it. This journey across the extended Marvel universe has always been something unique, something special. In 2012, The Avengers was regarded as the most ambitious undertaking a studio ever took on — a build-up across five films to this.

Turns out The Avengers was merely Act One.

Avengers: Endgame serves as the coda to a cinematic opus centered around the original vanguard of Marvel icons. Obviously, Marvel Studios is far from done in making movies that both casual and hardcore comic book fans line up for at the box office. Endgame, though, is a curtain call, beautifully captured in the end credits. Torches are passed. The team grows. New stories await to be told. This has been one amazing ride, and looking back on where it all began with Iron Man (which is exactly what we did the night after), it is astounding to see how far we have come since that first step in 2008. We still have other adventures to undertake, but until then, it’s time to take a breath and enjoy the view. There is only one thing left to say at this point…

Thank you, Marvel, for everything.

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: 2008, 2012, 2019, Avengers: Endgame, epic, Iron Man, Marvel Studios, MCEU, movies, review, risk, Robert Downey Jr., slow burn, spoiler-free, storytelling, superheroes, thank you

4 Things that Star Wars Fans Should Be More Upset About than Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath

September 14, 2015 by Tee Morris 9 Comments

 

chuck-wendig-aftermathSo, if you might have heard, author Chuck Wendig released a book.

Chuck is the author behind Star Wars: Aftermath, the first (of three) books bridging the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Since its release, both Jedi and Sith alike are losing their midichlorian-laced shit over this book.

The common threads amongst haters are:

  • Chuck wrote the story in 3rd person present tense. Very different from previous Extended Universe books.

    • In Aftermath, we meet a character that is gay.

    • This is Star Wars done in the style of Wendig. If you have not read some of his other works like Blackbirds or Zeroes, this is a very different approach.

    • There is an unexpected crossover between new Star Wars character Norra Wexley and Marvel favorites, Rocket Raccoon & Groot.

Okay, I might have totally made up that last one, but those other gripes are what a lot of panties twisted in special knots only learnt at Jedi Summer Camps. After reading thinly-veiled attempts at hiding homophobia or anti-Disney sentiments behind various “This is bad writing…” comments, I’m a bit stunned. Star Wars fans are pissed over a gay character and Chuck’s style? Seriously? After everything we’ve dealt with across six movies?

Over the decades, we fans have weathered some serious missteps. And no, I’m not talking about:

  • Midichlorians
  • Jar-Jar Binks
  • The feeble attempts to have Han Solo appear to shoot in self-defense

We’ve talked about those (and continue to talk about them) at length. What I’m talking about is the kind of writing or direction that should have made fans call them out to the center of the octagon, but I’ve rarely seen happen. If you really want to be pissed off about something in the Star Wars universe, have you considered… [Read more…] about 4 Things that Star Wars Fans Should Be More Upset About than Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath

Filed Under: Geek Chic, Rants, Opinions, and Overall Observations, Writing Tagged With: Aftermath, Anakin, Casablanca, characters, Chuck Wendig, comedy, fans, fingernail clippers, issues, Leia, Luke, movies, Obi-Wan Kenobi, plot holes, rant, Star Wars, Tatooine, TerribleMinds.com, the force, The Mary Sue, Writing

Wide-Eyed Wonder: A Review of Tomorrowland

June 1, 2015 by Tee Morris 5 Comments

spa224653LARGEWhen Walt Disney Studios revealed that coming to theatres this summer was a movie called Tomorrowland, a feeling of dread (equaled only by my level of anticipation) welled inside of me. Tomorrowland—the park, not the movie—was a place that, even in my teenaged visits to Walt Disney World, I would hold my breath, make a wish, and lose myself in science fiction come to life. Tomorrowland was not just a special place, it was sacred. I remember visiting Walt Disney World when Space Mountain was under construction. (I’m old. Shut up.) I remember when their first spaceflight simulation “A Voyage to the Moon” convinced me had launched from Orlando and were en route to Tranquility Sea. Yes, I know—Walt Disney World is an amusement park. An expensive amusement park. Walt Disney World, I’ve always believed, has been less about the rides and more about the experience; and for me, nowhere else in the park embodied that more than Tomorrowland.

Now, it was a movie with George Clooney at the helm. And all I could think about was The Haunted Mansion.

Oh. Crap. [Read more…] about Wide-Eyed Wonder: A Review of Tomorrowland

Filed Under: Geek Chic, Rants, Opinions, and Overall Observations, Steampunk, Technology Tagged With: atompunk, Avengers, Britt Robertson, dieselpunk, dreamers, environment, future, Futurism, George Clooney, heartfelt, jetpacks, Mad Max, movie review, movies, NASA, optimism, review, Steampunk, The Rocketeer, Tomorrowland, Walt Disney, Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney World

Snowpiercer: The Best Science Fiction Film of the Year (that Hollywood wanted to fail)

July 12, 2014 by Tee Morris 2 Comments

snowpiercer_ver20_xlgIf you’re a fan of film, especially science fiction and film, you may have heard of this low budget “art” film, Snowpiercer. Describing it as an art film may insinuate this dystopian action-suspense film carries with it an air of pretension, but give me a moment here. Based on a French graphic novel, a South Korean director assuming the big chair, and featuring an international cast including Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Kang-ho Song, and Ah-sung Ko, Snowpiercer could be one of the most outstanding films of the year. Terrifying, daring, and compelling, this stunning work of science fiction, hailed by critics and science fiction fans, was initially released in eight theatres.

Yes. Eight. As in, not ten.

What. The Hell?!

At the end of this review, this dark tale—in its own way—offers you, the moviegoer, a happy ending. So read on. [Read more…] about Snowpiercer: The Best Science Fiction Film of the Year (that Hollywood wanted to fail)

Filed Under: Geek Chic, Rants, Opinions, and Overall Observations, Stranger on a Train Tagged With: Brazil, Chris Evans, dystopia, ego battle, film, future, global warming, graphic novel, Harvey Weinstein, ice age, limited release, movies, reviews, sabotage, Science Fiction, Snowpiercer, Sunshine, Transformers 4, VOD

Thank you, Peter O’Toole…

December 16, 2013 by Tee Morris 2 Comments

Yesterday, a star fell. He’s always been one of my favorite actors, and with a biography entitled Loitering with Intent, you know he got up to some shenanigans.

When I think of Peter O’ Toole, I think of this film. I saw it at the Ridge Cinemas with my dad. We had heard it was supposed to be funny, so we went one afternoon, my dad and me. There was maybe twelve people in the theatre with us, but my dad and I laughed for a full house worth. It was a terrific afternoon, and a movie that really made an impact on me.

my-favorite-year-original

Thank you, Peter O’Toole. for giving my father and me such a wonderful memory. From Lawrence of Arabia to The Lion in Winter to The Stunt Man, you gave everything you had in every role. Good movie or bad, it was a gig, and you showed up and did the best you could. For your incredible work on stage and screen, thank you.

“May flights of angels sing thee to they rest.” — William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Filed Under: Rants, Opinions, and Overall Observations Tagged With: actor, film, Lawrence of Arabia, legend, Lion in Winter, memories, movies, My Favorite Year, Peter O'Toole, The Stunt Man, theatre

On the Arguments of “Cosplay Is Consent” and “Fake Geek Girls”

May 7, 2013 by Tee Morris 3 Comments

So I’m about to leave Facebook to get back to editing when this image from Being a Geek (via Lauren Harris) popped into my feed…

935696_10151601663024617_1809713877_n

I now post this for creative ladies like Lauren, Raven, Riddle, Jenn, Jean, Alexia, Freddie and cosplayers everywhere.  Some of these incredible creators I know. Some are total strangers to me. All of them are fans through and through, dedicating their time and talent to bring their favorite characters of comics, film, and television to life.

And no, they’re not doing it to get attention, score dates, or lure you into a bed strewn with roses. These ladies—and the guys who also cosplay—do what they do for the love of the genre and for the love of those characters.

They are also writers, gamers, and artists.

If you believe this, stop this sort of sexism when you see it. Whether it is Dragon*Con, Comic Con, or an entirely new convention, this kind of idiocy needs to be called out. After all, that is what the Science Fiction-Fantasy-Horror community is all about — acceptance.

Time we start practicing it.

Filed Under: Geek Chic, Rants, Opinions, and Overall Observations Tagged With: Comic Con, comics, cosplay, cosplay is consent, do the right thing, DragonCon, events, Facebook, fake geek girls, fandom, movies, television

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Copyright © 2021 · Author Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in