The idea behind Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was a spectacular one. A television series directly tied into the established Marvel movie universe is ripe with potential. It opens up this amazing superhero world for all sorts of storylines and characters that may not have the strength to carry an entire feature length film. Yet they could add a fun and entertaining depth and dynamic if the show utilized that potential.

The first episode was a good one for the most part. It gave us a basic introduction to the characters and planted itself nicely into Marvel’s movie world. It also established its tone which felt strikingly similar to the successful movies. But while I did think the first show was a nice setup that left me interested in where things will go, it wasn’t an episode that blew me away. Still, it ended in a manner that left me anxious for the next show.

Last night brought us the second episode. It attempted to draw a better picture of what type of series this will be as well as open up the main characters more. In what looks like an X-Files styled format, the team headed out on their first full mission together. I gotta say I was pretty interested to see the show take off. Unfortunately I don’t think it ever did. In fact I would call this episode a big disappointment and it gave me real reason to be concerned about the series as a whole.

First off the story just wasn’t that interesting or satisfying. The buildup from the previous show never bore fruit and the story had little energy or life. It did try to incorporate a few connections to the movie universe, but for me they weren’t enough to keep me engaged. There were also moments that were just silly and impossible to believe. For example, an inflatable raft stopping up the huge hole in the side of a midair jet. I guess you could say that S.H.I.E.L.D. rafts are stronger, but come on. I can’t help but be optimistic and believe that there is better material on the way. But as a whole, this show was a step back and if the rest of the episodes follow this lead, I don’t see myself sticking with it very long.

Another problem I had is with the production value. Now don’t get me wrong, I never expected this to have the same look and polish of a big-budget Hollywood motion picture. But this thing looked pretty cheap. There were a few money shots and there were instances where you can tell money was spent. But there were other moments that simply looked fake and very low budget. That was pretty disappointing.

But perhaps my biggest gripe is with the cast and characters. It saddens me to say but so far none of them have kept my interest. Every one of them are lifeless, cardboard cutouts that either fit a familiar stereotype or just spark no interest at all. And the characters aren’t helped by the combination of shoddy acting and weak dialogue. Even Agent Coulson, who I really do love, was way off in this second show. For me this could be the death blow to the series. If you can’t create an interesting and entertaining cast of characters, especially in a show like this, you’re in deep trouble. After the second episode I can’t say I really care about any of them yet.

In a nutshell I can say I’m pretty worried about where the series is heading. I was that disenchanted with episode #2. But I haven’t lost hope. A fun appearance at the end and a cool reference to Thor’s hammer where the highlights for me. They are enough to give me hope that the show can get back on track. Yet suddenly I’m not so sure anymore and as I reflect on this week’s show I can see cracks that may turn out to be irreparable.

So have you watched it? What were your thoughts on episode #2? Please take time to tell everyone what you think.

It can’t only be reviews, Phenomenal 5 lists, and commentaries, right? Know Your Movies is all about having fun. Here’s how it works: I’ll share a single shot from a movie. It can be extremely serious or completely absurd. After that I’ll provide you with three hints. The rest is up to you. Hop on the comments section and share your guess as well as any thoughts you have on the movie, actor/actress, or the scene. It should be a blast.

Today’s image is from a film that has grown more appreciated over time. So here’s the shot. Three hints will follow.

Does he really look old enough to buy alcohol?

Hint 1: Released in 1993

Hint 2: Features a spectacular 70s rock soundtrack

Hint 3: Has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94% !

Now head to the comments and share your guess. I would also love to hear your thoughts on the film, the scene, or anything else related to it. The correct answer will be announced first on my Twitter feed (@KeithandMovies for those who want to follow).

It can’t only be reviews, Phenomenal 5 lists, and commentaries, right? Know Your Movies is all about having fun. Here’s how it works: I’ll share a still shot from a movie. It can be extremely serious or completely absurd. After that I’ll provide you with three hints. The rest is up to you. Hop on the comments section and share your guess as well as any thoughts you have on the movie, actor/actress, or the scene. It should be a blast.

I thought it would fun to start this feature off with something totally absurd. Here’s the shot. Three hints will follow.

Yes, that’s Gary Busey in drag!

Hint 1: Released in 1992

Hint 2: It was the first film of a series

Hint 3: Has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 75%

Now head to the comments and share your guess. Would also love to hear your thoughts on the film, the scene, or anything else. The correct answer will be announced first on my Twitter feed (@KeithandMovies for those who want to follow).

Where on earth did the summer go. It seemed like just a few days ago we were highly anticipating the big summer releases ahead of us. Now they’re gone and fall is upon us. The fall season has been notoriously sketchy yet over the past few years it’s featured some pretty good movies. And it looks like more studios are targeting the fall for some of their bigger release dates. That bodes well for us moviegoers. So all of this means it’s Flaunt It or Flush It time. This is where I list five fall movies from the months of September, October, and November that I’m particularly excited about. These I will flaunt. Then I’ll mention five fall movies that I want no part of. These I will flush. So let’s get to it!

FLAUNT ‘EM

#1 – “GRAVITY” (October 4, 2013) – I have to admit something – I know little about the plot of the upcoming film “Gravity”. But I also have to admit that I am extremely intrigued but what I’ve seen so far. The cast of George Clooney and Sandra Bullock is attractive. The idea of them stranded in space after a spacewalk catastrophe is even better. The teasers have been masterfully crafted telling us little in terms of plot but showing off both the beauty and daunting threat of space. Most importantly, the teasers did their job of catching my attention and exciting me for what I hope is a real treat.

#2 – “THOR: THE DARK WORLD” (November 8, 2013) – I love that Marvel Studios has spread their superhero movies out this year. At first I was surprised to see “Thor: The Dark World” get a November release. That’s sometimes a cause for concern. But with November becoming more and more attractive for bigger releases (see the new Hunger Games film as an example), I think it’s a good fit. I love Chris Hemsworth in this role and the early trailers show promise. But the real selling point is Tom Hiddleston as the conniving Loki. Just seeing him in a prominent role has me giddy with excitement!

#3 – “CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” (October 11, 2013) – From the first moment I saw the trailer for “Captain Phillips” I was hooked. Tom Hanks stars in this action biopic of Captain Richard Phillips who was taken hostage by Somali Pirates in 2009. The look and scope of this film is impressive and this looks like a perfect role for Hanks. Adding to the excitement is the direction of Paul Greengrass of Jason Bourne fame. Greengrass didn’t impress me at all with his last film “Green Zone” but this one looks back on par with his previous efforts. The action looks thrilling and Hanks looks in form. I’m excited.

#4 – “THE WOLF OF WALL STREET” (November 15, 2013) – How can you not take notice when Martin Scorsese releases a movie? This fall he’s back with “The Wolf of Wall Street”. He joins forces with Leonardo DiCaprio, a long time favorite of his, in this one part biopic, another part dark comedy. It also features Matthew McConaughey and favorites of mine Jean Dujardin and Kyle Chandler. This was one of my most anticipated movies from the start of the year but I have to admit I’m a little more cautious after seeing the first trailer. Something just felt a little off. But the wealth of talent in the load of potential is enough to keep me excited.

#5 – “THE COUNSELOR” (October 25, 2013) – Long time readers of this blog know I’m a huge Ridley Scott fan so naturally his new film “The Counselor” would have to make this list. The great author Cormac McCarthy writes the screenplay and the cast looks fabulous. Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, and Brad Pitt all make the film even more enticing. There’s still a lot I would like to know about the film but what little has been revealed looks very promising. And with Ridley Scott running the show I feel even more confident that this could be a really good picture. We will certainly find out on October 25th.

FLUSH ‘EM

#1 – “DELIVERY MAN” (November 22, 2013) – Look, I’m no Vince Vaughn fan so I probably wouldn’t go to see this anyway. But the movie’s synopsis is enough to ensure that will never happen. “An affable underachiever finds out he’s fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic. Now he must decide whether or not to come forward when 142 of them file a lawsuit to reveal his identity.” (IMDb). Really? I mean I know the comedy genre is in shambles and this shouldn’t surprise me but what about that sounds good? I know this thing will draw its fair share of viewers but I won’t be one of them.

#2 – “BATTLE OF THE YEAR” (September 13, 2013) – I really liked Josh Holloway in the television series “Lost”. And while he was perfectly cast in that series, he’s never struck me as an actor with much range. Perhaps that’s why his casting as the lead in the B-boy dance film “Battle of the Year” is so jarring. We’ve all seen those sports movies featuring the inspirational coach who leads a team to realizing their dream. Well that’s what we have here except Holloway coaches a team of dances. Honestly the trailer looks as terrible as the concept. Like some goofy mix of “The Karate Kid” and “Step Up, this thing is flush-worthy through and through.

#3 – JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA” (October 25, 2013) – Haven’t these things ran their course yet? Thinly veiled as a cross country road trip picture, “Bad Grandpa” is really just another Jackass movie. Now I won’t deny that at first I found some of their hidden camera antics pretty funny. But over time they’ve just become more crude and more over-the-top. This looks like more of the same. Hopefully the more focused direction of the film will prove me wrong. But so far on the surface this looks like another Knoxville and company production that I would just assume skip. Many will go see it. I probably won’t be among them.

#4 – “LAST VEGAS” (November 1, 2013) – Granted, “Last Vegas” doesn’t look as blatantly awful as the previous three flushers listed so far. But talk about treading the same old tired ground. A very appealing cast heads this overdone story. Michael Douglas, Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline head to where else – Las Vegas for one big wild bachelor party. Heard that before? The catch – the are all in their late sixties. Again, heard that before? The trailer and plot summary doesn’t look a but original an the entire production seems like one big crowd-pleasing cash grab. I may be wrong but it looks like a lot of good talent wasted.

#5 – “CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2” (September 27, 2013) – Now don’t misunderstand me, there’s no way I’m comparing the upcoming animated sequel “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” to full-blown crap like “Delivery Man” and “Battle of the Year”. But this movie is a clear example of “Why?”. The first film was a success and plenty of people appreciated it. But this seems like such a cash grab and for some reason I think it may be a real stinker. The food gimmick was cool in the first film, at least for a little while. But I don’t see it or the characters as enough to make this worth seeing. Again, many will. I just don’t think I’ll be among them. But this is one I fully admit I could be wrong on.

There you go. I’ve flaunted five films that I’m anxious to see and flushed five that look like…well…crap. Agree or disagree? What are some summer movies you would like to flaunt or flush. Let me hear from ya.

Warner Brothers has picked their man. For the few who may not know, it was announced at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con that the upcoming sequel to “Man of Steel” would feature the one and only Batman. Yet Christian Bale was adamant that “The Dark Knight Rises” was his last time donning the cape and the cowl. So speculation has run wild over who would be the next incarnation of Batman. That question has been answered. It will be none other than Ben Affleck.

The debate over whether it’s a good idea putting Superman and Batman together in the film has been beat to death. Now the discussion shifts to Affleck’s casting. You can put your money on this – there will be plenty who automatically condemn this to failure and who immediately begin a campaign of negativity. Let me be clear, I certainly don’t want to be dismissive of any concerns or opinions on it. But this reaction is nothing new. In fact it’s expected. But it can also be way off the mark and let me give you two of the very best examples.

Remember several years ago when Marvel Studios was searching for their Tony Stark? Names popped up everywhere but nobody expected the choice that was made. I was as guilty as any at criticizing the casting of Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man. It was a decision that I felt was terribly off and I was pretty vocal about it. At the time Downey, Jr. hadn’t reached the superstardom that he has now and I was unable to reconcile his past movies from what would be required for Iron Man. Yet look at what happened. The casting if Downey, Jr. was pure genius and I honestly can’t envision anyone else taking on that role. But I wasn’t alone. The Internet lit up with negativity and backlash over what was perceived to be a really bad decision.

There was another bit of casting that seemed really peculiar at its time. The late Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker, arguably the very best comic book villain. I was a huge fan of Ledger and I wasn’t shy about declaring him the best young actor in Hollywood at the time. But that doesn’t mean I thought he would make a great Joker. Yet while skeptical, I remained confident in Ledger’s acting to give him the benefit of the doubt. But not everyone was that forgiving. Many slammed the decision and were ridiculously vocal in there dismay. But do I need to spend much time on how wrong and misguided all the negativity was? Ledger would go on to deliver an unmatched Oscar winning performance that no one saw coming.

So what have we learned? First, we tend to get emotional and write off things on a whim. We often have our vision of what would be good and completely discount what a writer and director are visualizing. Second, we seem to write off what a talented actor or actress can bring to a character especially when there is good writing behind it. This current Batman treatment has been a huge improvement over the Joel Schumacher debacle and I have no reason to assume the casting of Affleck would even slightly resemble that garbage. So lets all take a breath, lean back, and see where this thing goes. Personally, I think there’s some great potential here!