The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – Spotlight Podcast 5:18

Andrew Garfield (left) and Dane DeHaan are but two flies trapped in the tangled web that is THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2.
Andrew Garfield (left) and Dane DeHaan are but two flies trapped in the tangled web that is THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2.

To be perfectly blunt about it, big studio blockbuster releases typically don’t fail as spectacularly as THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2. Oh they can be bad, but a comforting buffer of test screenings, focus groups, top-level executive intervention, and directorial and editorial wisdom tend to at least modulate them into some form of narrative coherence. Watching them isn’t akin to witnessing a trained chimpanzee trying to explain quantum physics.
Between the two super-villains, the romantic troubles between conflicted super-hero Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) and his ambitious girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), the ongoing corporate espionage/missing parents story-arc, a new will-Spidey-share-his-blood-for-a-dangerous-but-possibly-lifesaving-procedure subplot, the ever-present exploration of the with-great-power-comes-great-responsibility theme (featuring a guest appearance by Denis Leary as Dolefully Glowering Ghost), Paul Giamatti in a tragically wasted role, and somewhere on the order of 23 discreet endings, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 is one astoundingly awful mess. This is BATMAN AND ROBIN-grade disaster, so stunningly bad that the Cinefantastique Online team of Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons get a little giddy trying to suss out what went wrong. Click on the player to hear the show.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN; SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE; & ADVENTURE TIME

Respinning the Web: Andrew Garfiled dons the spandex for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.
Respinning the Web: Andrew Garfiled dons the spandex for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.

Nothing like using the patriotic holiday of the Fourth of July to re-introduce the U.S. to a beloved New York Commie liberal. Or THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, if you will: Big Apple native and irradiated-arachnid-bit crime fighter. Sony has decided to punch the reboot button for what is actually the fourth installment of the franchise (but should we start counting from one again?). Gone is the post-college, working-joe Peter Parker; the revenge-obsessed Harry Osborne; and romantic shuttlecock Mary Jane. Here instead is Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield), humble high-school student; big bad villain, the Lizard (Rhys Ifans), and alt love-interest Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Plus the wrinkle of a whole new conspiracy theory added to the tragic death of Parker’s parents and his eventual transformation into the cocky web-slinger.
Come join Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they determine whether going back to square one was worth the effort, how director Marc Webb’s approach to the legend varies from Sam Raimi’s, and whether there are limits to Chekov’s observations on introducing a gun in the first act. Then, Dan will give his takes on the indie horror comedy SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE, and the cult animated kids show, ADVENTURE TIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON. Plus: What’s coming to theaters next week.

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'Amazing Spider-Man'—Advance Teaser

Here’s an early look at Columbia Pictures’ THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.
Looks like they’re really intent on using parts of Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Spider-Man alternate storyline in this new film, seen as a re-boot of the Sony/Columbia Pictures Studio film franchise.   
Directed by Marc Webb, starring Andrew Garfield. Due in Theaters July, 2012.

'Amazing Spider-Man' — Stunt Clip

Via Ajho23’s YouTube page comes this ‘bystander video’ of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN location stunt work, with the Spidey-suited stunt man subbing for Andrew Grafield swinging on a cable from a overpass bridge out and over NYC traffic.
Even on a cable and harness this takes guts, and after digitally removing the support wire, and adding in webline, it should make for a nice, non-CGI actor element to the scene.

Villain for 'Amazing Spider-Man' Confirmed?

Amazing Spider-Man #6
Amazing Spider-Man #6

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN actor C. Thomas Howell has apparently spilled the beans on the main villain for the Marvel Comics superhero movie.
 Appearing on The Retroradio podcast, Howell seems to have confirmed that The Lizard (Curt Connors) will be that character, the unamed role for which Rhys Ifans (HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS ) was cast.
C. Thomas Howell is quoted as saying:

“There is not a whole lot to talk about. Sony wants us to be hush-hush right now.
I play a relatively small role. I play a construction worker who’s son is caught in the middle of a battle between the Lizard and Spider-Man on the Manhattan bridge. Spider-Man helps me get my son back from this perilous situation. There is some payback there at the end of the movie. Spider-man is kind of hurting. I help him when all of the other people won’t.
Part of the story is, the nation thinks he might be a bad guy. They don’t know what to think. Because of my experience on the bridge with my kid, I know he is a good guy. I pitch in and help out at the end. That is the best way.”