Nerd News | Ant-Man and the Wasp trailer

If you were curious what's coming next from Marvel post-Infinity War:

Definitely a departure from the tone of IW, but it seems spot-on for an Ant-Man movie. (Which is a good thing.) I have a theory that—highlight to reveal; I don't want to spoil IW for those who haven't seen it—Ant-Man and the Wasp takes place at the same time as IW, and that's where Scott was. (Still unsure about Hawkeye, though.)

Have you seen IW? Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments, just please add a spoiler tag (<spoiler>text</spoiler>) tag around anything that's, well, a spoiler. I'll have a Haiku Revieu up soon!

---

Also of note:

• While we're talking Marvel: Clark Gregg, Lee Pace, and Djimon Hounsou have all joined Captain Marvel. (The movie takes place in the 90s, so the Avengers still don't know Coulson's alive. *grumble*)
• And here are 57 YA book recommendations based on the MCU movies. Some of my favorite books/book series are on this list! (Also, some duds. Happy to tell which is which, if you are interested.)
• The next Abramsverse Star Trek movie will be the first to be directed by a woman.
• The Fast and Furious spin-off starring The Rock and Jason Staham is a go. Also, there's a Fast and Furious cartoon—yep, you read that right—coming soon. 
• "The Five Types of Nicolas Cage Movies."

Nerd News | Ant-Man and the Wasp trailer

Lookie what dropped today!

I am a little apprehensive that this sequel won't have the humor and the heart of the first one, but I trust that Marvel knows what it's doing. (And it's been certainly leaning in to the humor as of late.) Also, I am super excited that a lady superhero actually has her name in the title of one of the MCU's films and is getting equal billing with her male counterpart. 'Bout dang time.

Not that it needs to be said, but ... Marvel stan FOR LIFE, y'all. #noregrets

---

Also of note:

• I am HERE for this Ocean's 8 trailer. And the whole movie, natch.

I'm feeling really behind on my Nerd News lately, thanks in large part to being sick practically the entire month of January. What've I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Haiku Revieu | Ant-Man

Ant-Man
★★★★3/4

Criminal turned good
R.I.P. dear [REDACTED]*
Let's fight with toy trains

---

Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

---

WARNING: Possible spoilers ahead.

I honestly didn't have high hopes for this movie. Yes, it's a Marvel film, and I have really liked or flat-out loved their recent movies. But ... Ant-Man? I knew very little about the character(s) or the comics, and the trailers really did this movie no favors. I also hate ants. Like with a fiery passion. (I once woke up with a mass of them crawling around on my ceiling and falling onto my face. I am scarred for life.)

Thankfully, I should have known better. If anyone can make a movie with a relatively unknown comic hero *cough*Guardians of the Galaxy*cough* and have it be really great, it's Marvel. Dare I say it—the movie even made me like ants? But only if they're obedient, helpful creatures like the ones in the movie. I still have a great dislike for the IRL creatures.

Ant-Man is the origin story of a unlikely hero that will certainly have a part to play in upcoming events in the Marvel 'verse. Paul Rudd does a fantastic job at bringing the snarky, reluctant hero to life. It's obvious that Scott Lang is a good guy at heart, and I can see him fitting right in with the rest of the Marvel heroes.

The actual plot of the movie was a little familiar, but I chalk that up to the fact that there are only so many ways someone can become a superhero that doesn't involve some sort of ooze or genetic mutations.

My favorite part, by far, was the way they filmed Luis' (Michael Peña) "stories." It took me a bit to realize that the characters in the "flashbacks" were saying exactly what Luis was saying—even though they would never say it like that—but when I did, I couldn't stop laughing. It's the little things like that make Marvel's movies stand above the rest for me.

On the whole, Ant-Man ranks in my second tier of Marvel movies. (The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy are in the top tier. Rankings get a little more muddied after that.) If you're a Marvel fan, you should definitely see this one in theaters. Unfortunately, it needs the help!

Check it out:

*Antony. Is still fits! (Highlight for spoilers.)

Nerd News | Ant Man viral marketing + Han Solo, Spider-Man, Fast & Furious 8 and Independence Day updates

I love a good bit of viral marketing. And this video and "news article" that popped up on Mashable yesterday—with nary an Ant-Man mention—is an example of great viral marketing.

Everyday hero or thief? Cyber criminal to address 2012 arrest

In 10 days, the doors of San Quentin prison will release one of its most memorable inmates.

Scott Lang, former systems engineer at VistaCorp, was arrested three years ago for stealing nearly $4 million from his employer and for a subsequent property damage rampage, which, among other things, claimed the prized Bentley of VistaCorp’s CEO.

Lang was given five years in San Quentin, but is being released two years early next week.

Since his arrest, Lang has remained adamant about his innocence. According to an official statement, he was only out to expose and correct corrupt activity within the upper echelons of VistaCorp; Lang believed the San Francisco cyber security conglomerate was knowingly overcharging its customers. Lang believed the San Francisco cyber security conglomerate was knowingly overcharging its customers.

The details of the heist at least superficially support Lang's claims. After allegedly reporting the scandal to the police and VistaCorp Human Resources, Lang took matters into his own hands, breaking into the CEO's house and using an encrypted hardline to siphon funds from VistaCorp servers. Surprisingly, though, instead of pocketing the whole $4 million, Lang used the money to "refund" numerous VistaCorp customers, only leaving himself a small severance package.

Shortly after Lang was taken into custody, the SEC launched an investigation of the Bay Area mega-corporation that yielded nothing of legal consequence, leaving the court to believe that Lang's story was purely a misguided and egocentric brand of vigilantism. Lang's outspoken legal camp criticized the investigation, stating it was "cursory at best" and failed to uncover "missing evidence," but ultimately failed to secure an appeal.

Also working against Lang's thin credibility was an extensive criminal rap sheet predating his brief VistaCorp tenure.

Now, three years later, the self-proclaimed whistle-blower has agreed to an exclusive interview with WHiH's Christine Everhart to air next week.

Is Lang a hero or a thief? Tune in next week for exclusive WHiH coverage!

Disclaimer: WHiH World News is a property of VistaCorp.

I love that they've brought Christine Everheart back, too. Good on you, Marvel.

---

Also of note:

• The duo behind The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street will direct a stand-alone young Han Solo movie (set for 2018 release).¹
• Your new Spider-Man is ... Tom Holland.
• The long-awaited Independence Day sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence, will open next year.¹
• Jason Statham will reprise his role as Deckard Shaw in Fast and Furious 8. (Like we didn't all see that coming.)

¹ Thanks, Colt!

Nerd News | Ant-Man Trailer

I'm still working on getting the full Nerd News back up and running, but I'd be remiss not to mention this.

Thoughts? I'm a little underwhelmed at the way the seriousness and the humor of the trailer don't really mesh, but I really have no expectations for this movie (other than the high regard I have for Marvel movies in general).