It's Wonder Woman and her Amazons vs Team Captain America in the championship match..

Here we go with the championship match...Wonder Woman and the Amazons (10-2) vs Team Captain America (8-4). Poll closes Wednesday evening at 6pm

Finally..my review of Wonder Woman

Sorry for the delay in not getting my review of Wonder Woman out sooner. But upon seeing it for the third time last week, I can honestly now say it is my favorite film of the year so far, edging out Logan and Guardians of the Galaxy 2, which I both love. We got introduced to Wonder Woman, as played by Gal Gadot, last year in the abysmal Batma v Superman, in which she was the only good thing going for that movie. Gadot brought some much needed relief from the doom and gloom with her frank honesty, no fear and taking charge. Those characteristics and more are on display in her solo movie. Expertly directed by Patty Jenkins, who guided Charlize Theron to a Best Actress Oscar for Monster many years ago.

Wonder Woman traces her origin from the very beginning as she was told by her mother Hippolyta (as played by Connie Nielsen) that she was sculpted from clay and given life to by Zeus. As a little girl Diana wants to be an Amazon so badly that she defies her mother and asks her aunt Antiope (a bad ass Robin Wright) for training. All this takes place on the beautiful island Themiscyra, which is hidden from the eyes of the world. Things are peaceful until Steve Trevor (a terrific Chris Pine) crash lands his plane into the water, in which Diana pulls him to safety. He was been chased by Germans who also crash the party which leads to an awesome battle between Amazons and Germans. This is where Antiope takes charge and shows why she is the Amazon's best warrior up to that point.

Things turn deadly and Diana leaves with Steve to head back to London to stop World War One, which Diana believes is being influenced by Ares, the God of War. Before the brutalities of war begins, there is ample humor as Diana is literally a fish out of water, trying to adapt to the customs of this new world. She also gets to tell sexist men of the time how it is and doesn't hold back. I was like..you tell them Diana. 

Once Diana and Steve and a few others reach the front lines Wonder Woman becomes the hero we all know she can be. Taking on German soldiers with an impressive display of fighting skills that are unmatched. But her ultimate test will come when she faces Ares during the finale, in which the gloves are off. Diana unleashed and not only is she amazing but makes you think damn Diana..you're just wrecking things all over the place. Her rage fuels her strength to Superman levels and takes it all to Ares in a show stopping climax.

When the dust settles, the war is over and while Diana is weary she is also a hero now. I love this movie, which is evident since I have seen it three times. As a comic book fan, I think it's one of the best one ever made. In fact I think it's one of the best films period.
My rating: A

My Top 5 Reasons Why Wonder Woman will be a massive hit!

Ok there have been some ramblings about the opening weekend prospects for Wonder Woman, the latest film in the DC Cinematic Universe. Some have pegged it's opening at $65 million which is way too low and others have placed it in the $80-85 million range. And topping out at just over $200 million domestic. I think it's gonna do way more than that.  And here are my top 5 reasons why:

1). RECOGNITION - Even if you have never read a Wonder Woman comic book, chances are you know Wonder Woman. You don't be around for over 70 plus years and not be a recognizable icon. Also thanks to the much loved 70's tv series with Lynda Carter, the character of Wonder Woman does not need an introduction. Everyone knows her, simple as that.

2.) GOODWILL- When she appeared in the maligned Batman V Superman last spring, she was the best thing about that movie. I mean that movie had lots of problems but Wonder Woman wasn't one of them. When she appeared with her gung ho and take charge attitude with her boss theme blaring in the background, you was like awwww yeah!

3).  TAKING CHARGE - Finally get to see a female super-hero take charge and have her own movie. No offense Helen Slater to your 1984 Supergirl, but Wonder Woman is about to take things to a new level. Not too mention that this is very female eccentric film which I think is beyond awesome.

4).  BOX-OFFICE POTENTIAL - If lesser known characters like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange can do solid box-office, then Wonder Woman should do bang up business. Doctor Strange opened to $85 million last fall and I guarantee his recognition is no where near the level of Wonder Woman. I predict WW can open to around $100 million easy, if not more.

5.) PURE COMIC BOOK BLISS - Judging by the trailers, we can forget the doom and gloom of Batman V Superman and rejoice in the lightness and fun that Wonder Woman looks to bring. And Gal Gadot looks great and every bit the Amazon Princess.

So my final predictions are:
opening weekend: $100 million
Domestic final gross: $300-$330 million
Worldwide final gross: $700 million

Adrianne Palicki just can't catch a break...

Adrianne Palicki...poised for greatness

Actress Adrianne Palicki has had some bad luck recently regarding her films and TV series. If they're not getting canceled, they are getting delayed. I have been following her career since the pilot episode of Supernatural back in 2005, where she played Sam Winchester's ill-fated girlfriend Jessica. She played that role on a recurring basis over the course of a handful of episodes. Her biggest role was that of hot to trot high school vixen Tyra on the NBC series, Friday Night Lights. So far a steady, decent career, nothing earth shattering but she wasn't making commercials either.

As the new Wonder Woman

Her bad luck would first appear when she was cast in the new proposed Wonder Woman series. But once images of her in that shiny WW costume appeared, there was an immediate backlash. NBC pulled the plug on the series before one episode ever aired. That could have been her break-out moment, but alas it did not happen. That was last year. This year she had a plum role in the expected blockbuster GI Joe 2 as Lady Jaye, co-starring The Rock and Bruce Willis. Originally poised to come out in June, the studio pushed the film back till March 2013 to tweak the 3D process..so they say. Most people gather it was to shoot more scenes with Channing Tatum, who was having an unbelievable year with hits The Vow, 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike. Word is, he initially was only seen briefly in Joe 2 before his super year took off. A bad break for Adrianne. And now this week her long delayed film Red Dawn finally hits theaters after sitting on the shelf for two years. It came in 7th this week at the box-office. Ouch!

As the delightful Holly Rocket in Elektra Luxx

But I happened to see Adrianne over the weekend in this underrated, little scene gem called Elektra Luxx, playing Holly Rocket, a not too bright porn star wannabe. She gives a funny, off the wall performance that was perfect. But like I said, no one has heard of this 2010 women ensemble pic. It co-stars Carla Gugino, Connie Britton, Marley Shelton, and Garcelle Beauvais. Bad luck that not too many people have heard of it.

Hopefully Adrianne will soon get the attention and credit she deserves because she is an actress right on the cusp of stardom.

Happy Birthday to my blog's cover girl, LYNDA CARTER

A big happy birthday to Lynda Carter aka the most well known Wonder Woman. Believe it or not Lynda turns 60 today and looks gorgeous.

SUPERMAN/BATMAN:APOCALYPSE (2010) rocks with a little help from WONDER WOMAN

Kara and Kal-El talking about their recent fight

While rival company Marvel has been churning out live-action movies of their biggest guns, DC has been getting by on only Batman and Superman. Until this year, when Green Lantern hits the screen this summer. But on the animation front, DC dominates like no other. Going back to the TV series of Batman, Superman, and the wildly popular Justice League, DC can do no wrong. Recently they have begun adapting the comic book series Superman/Batman for animated full length movies. The first was Public Enemies, which had our heroes hunted down by villains and other heroes at the order of President Lex Luthor. That was a very good start to this series, and Apocalypse continues that winning way, even surpassing Public Enemies.

Omigosh..I definitely took a wrong turn

The story has Kara, Superman's cousin arriving on Earth. Her initial encounter is with Batman, because the ship she crashes in is loaded with fragments of kryponite, so Supes has to stay in the background while Bats does his thing. Being an alien, Kara doesn't speak any English, so she mistakes Batman as a bad guy and flees. While she is frightened, her powers kicks in and wreaks havoc on the city by mistake. Supes finally shows and speaks Krypton and tells her they're cousins. A brief history lesson later and things calm down. But Batman doesn't trust Kara fully and that's where the tension comes in.

I'd appreciate it you boys quit checking me out..I'm married

Later on while out in the city of Metropolis, Clark (Superman's alter ego) and Kara are ambushed by Amazons led by Wonder Woman,who says Kara needs to be trained in the Amazonian way. Superman disagrees, Batman does not. The scene shifts to Paradise Island and Kara's training is going great until baddie Darkseid sends his Doomsday troops to take Kara back to Apokolis to be his queen. They succeed in taking Kara away only after Superman gets to cut loose and wipe out the Doomsday troops.

Yessir..I'm the Big Bad

So to get to Apokolis, our three heroes need help and that comes in the form of Big Barda, who used to be one of Darksied's fiercest warriors. She has a device that will transport our heroes to Apokolis to engage in a rescue mission. Once there, it's on. Superman goes head to head with Darkseid then has to fight a possessed Kara. Batman, a little out of his league has to deal with giant hell hounds. And Wonder Woman and Barda team up to take on Barda's former cronies...The Furies. Their battle is actually my favorite scene in this entire film as you get to see Wonder Woman kick some major ass.

This is how we do it on Paradise Island

Superman eventually convinces Kara that she is being controlled and she breaks free while Batman scares Darkseid with a ruse that he will blow up half the planet if he doesn't release his hold on Kara. Our heroes go home and when things are peaceful in Smallville, Darkseid returns to take out some revenge on Superman. Actually it's Kara who steps in and battles Darkseid pretty good. And Supes comes in to finish him off.

Apocalypse is a terrific movie, loaded with epic battles and a great storyline. All the characters are presented in all their comic book glory and you feel for them as much as you would human characters in a flesh and blood movie. Like I said Wonder Woman stands out in this one, as she shows why she is the best super-heroine ever. Talking back to Superman, taking on the Furies, and running things on Paradise Island, she is awesome.
B+

Comic Book Cover of the Day - Superman vs Wonder Woman

Superman vs Wonder Woman...EPIC!

Not really a cover but still very nice from Jim Lee

Who will be Wonder Woman?

It appears that a live-action Wonder Woman movie is in the works again. There is no story or actress attached yet, but Warner Bros announced it on it's production slate for next year. And Wizard magazine made a list of the top 5 actresses who should be considered for the part of our favorite Amazon. Usually Wizard is pretty accurate when it come to casting comic book movies.  Most likely this would be a series of movies so that's why their ages are listed. Because whoever gets the part, may end up playing our Amazon for several films. And whoever gets the coveted role, they certainly will have big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of Lynda Carter. So here's my take on their choices.

GEMMA ARTERTON (26) - British actress who is currently riding a crest of successful films including Clash of the Titans, Quantum Solace, and the recent award worthy film, Tamara Drewe. Seems like a good choice and I do like her as an actress.

JESSICA BIEL (28) - No question that Ms. Biel could not handle all the action that would be required to play Wonder Woman. Having starred in Blade: Trinity and this summer's A-Team. Plus she is a capable enough actress...check her out in The Illusionist.

LAURA VANDERVOORT (26) - I thought Laura made a terrific Supergirl on the TV series, Smallville. But evidently I'm in the minority on that, judging by how many fans didn't like her. She was the only reason I watched Smallville for that year. And despite her trademark blonde hair, I can see her as a potential Wonder Woman. But that's just me.

AMANDA RIGHETTI (27) - Got to be considered the dark horse of the group. Amanda is mainly known for the TV series, The Mentalist. And while she has the looks and stature to be WW, I don't know about her as much as the others.

MISSY PEREGRYM (28) - And finally Missy, who is my pick to play Diana. She has played on series such as Smallville, Heroes, and the short lived, now cult classic series Reaper. She just seems right to me. She's got my vote.

I would be interested in what everyone else thought of the choices listed and maybe someone else who might make a great Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman mix

Wonder Woman TV show theme song....

One of the best TV themes ever!

Star Of The Month - Lynda Carter

August will be a very special month here on Hero Worship. Two Words: Lynda Carter. That's right, our favorite Wonder Woman will be my star of the month. Expect to get bombarded with all kinds of facts and photos of Lynda all month long. And I will also post reviews of her film and TV work. Here's a pic to get you primed for the goodness that is Lynda.

Happy Belated Birthday Lynda Carter (1951 - present)

A belated birthday to TV icon Lynda Carter, who is forever endeared to viewers as Wonder Woman during the 1970's TV series. Lynda turned 59 on Sunday, July 24th.
Youngest of 3 siblings.
Does motivational/professional speaking engagements.
Performed in a band during high school called 'Just Us', which consisted of a marimba, a congo drum, an acoustic guitar, and a stand-up bass played by another girl. When she was 17 she joined another band for more exposure called 'The Relatives' (because two members were cousins) which opened at the Sahara Hotel casino lounge in Las Vegas for three months. Because Lynda was under 21 she had to enter the casino through the kitchen. Gary Burghoff (who played Radar O'Reilly in "M*A*S*H" (1972) ) was the drummer. In 1970 she joined the last band she sang with, called 'The Garfin Gathering with Lynda Carter', and their first performance was in a brand new San Francisco hotel that had no sidewalk entrance built yet, so they played to mostly the janitors and whatever hotel guests parked their cars in the underground garage. But she performed so well under such intimidating circumstances that Howard "Speedy" Garfin nicknamed Lynda "Wonder Woman"!
Released a solo album entitled 'Portrait' in May 1978.
Won the title of Miss World USA representing her home state of Arizona in 1972.
Performed many of her own stunts on "The New Adventures of Wonder Woman" (1975) including hanging from a helicopter, to the nervousness of CBS, during the second season episode "Anschluss '77".
Half Irish, half Mexican.