Comic Books & Spider Man, Superman Hulk

The X-Men are and have always been a diverse group of characters from various backgrounds with a wide variety of unique powers and abilities. The very first core group, for example, consisted of a rich kid, an orphan, an intelligent athlete, a girl and a young boy. Later incarnations of the team would include a range of races and creeds further applying the ongoing theme of tolerance, acceptance and the fight against racism and prejudice.

There are some members of the X-Men ranks that are more notable than others, but all played their roles in the rich history of the team's history. The original team of Scott Summers (Cyclops), Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), Henry “Hank” McCoy (Beast), Warren Worthington III (Angel) and Bobby Drake (Iceman) are naturally some of the most memorable and beloved of the X-family. Likewise, some members of the replacement team years later when the original team disappeared are also notable, like Logan (Wolverine), Ororo Munroe (Storm), Kurt Wagner (Nightcrawler) and Piotr Rasputin (Colossus).

Cyclops was and is the leader of the team as the choice pupil of Professor Charles Xavier (Professor X), though he is not that popular with fans. Now co-leading with his current girlfriend Emma Frost, who is a former villain and enemy of the team, interest in the character has risen a little.

Jean Grey, who is more known by that name than her former codename, had a rocky existence on the team, and in her relationship with Cyclops. She's also died and risen from the dead a few times thanks to the Phoenix Force, which resided in her. Currently she is deceased.

Beast is the brain and power of the team. He is a gentle soul with an incredible mind, and many times plays the heart of the team.

Angel, AKA Archangel, always felt like he had to prove something and never felt quite like he completely fit in because of his heritage. But his loyalty to the team is unmatched.

Iceman is that youthful exuberance the X-Men so desperately need. He is growing and maturing, but he still knows how to have fun and let loose. Sometimes it gets him in trouble though.

Wolverine is the backbone of the team. He's the workhorse, the big brother, and the ruthless machine of unpredictable destruction when he needs to be.

Storm is the soul of the team. She's strong, independent, smart and sexy, and her loyalty is unwavering. The team gave her life purpose and she never forgot that.

Nightcrawler is the spirit and true heart of the team. He is a man of faith who loves despite the hate he's been given his entire life.

Colossus is the muscle, but also the love of the team. He’s a warrior with an artist's and romantic's heart.

There are other noteworthy members of the X-Men as well, including Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, Bishop, Shadowcat, Havok and Cannonball. Each of these have played important roles in the team over the years. Other members of the legendary team include Warpath, Banshee, Forge, Dazzler, Longshot, Polaris, Beak, Juggernaut, Sunfire, Psylocke, Rachel Summers, Cable, Mimic, Changeling, Vulcan, Petra, Darwin, Sway, Thunderbird, Magneto, Marrow, Maggot, X-Man, Moonstar, Sage, Chamber, Xorn, Stacy X, Lifeguard, Northstar, Husk, Slipstream, Armor, Hepzibah, Caliban, Dust, Rockslide, Blindfold, Wolf Cub, Ink, Pixie, Sabretooth and Blink.

Watch Movie X-Men: First Class Download Online

X-Men: First Class charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga, and reveals a secret history of famous global events. Before mutants had revealed themselves to the world, and before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Not archenemies, they were instead at first the closest of friends, working together with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop Armageddon. In the process, a grave rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men.

“X-Men: First Class” charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga, and reveals a secret history of famous global events. Before mutants had revealed themselves to the world, and before Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Not archenemies, they were instead at first the closest of friends, working together with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to prevent nuclear Armageddon. In the process, a grave rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.

The X-Men film series is a series of superhero films based on the fictional Marvel Comics team of the same name. The films star an ensemble cast, focusing on Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, as he is drawn into the conflict between Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Ian McKellen), who have opposing views on humanity's relationship with mutants: Xavier believes humanity and mutants can coexist, but Magneto believes a war is coming, and intends to fight. The films also developed subplots based on the comics' Weapon X and Dark Phoenix storylines.

20th Century Fox earned the film rights to the characters in 1994, and after numerous drafts, Bryan Singer was hired to direct X-Men and returned for X2. He left a potential third and fourth film to direct Superman Returns, leaving Brett Ratner to direct X-Men: The Last Stand. Critics praised Singer's films for their dark, realistic tone, and subtexts dealing with discrimination and intolerance, but Ratner's film was met with mixed reviews. Nonetheless, each film outgrossed the last, and Fox is developing spin-off prequels

X-men First Class is set to be the biggest, baddest and most successful X-men movie of all time. X-man have been around for so many years. Men who are now in their 20?s and 30?s will be filling up the movie theaters to watch this 3D thriller.

Although not much has been released about the story line we know it takes the ‘x-men’ back to before they Professor X and Magneto were enemies. It will be interesting to see how they unfold the story as they discover thee powers and choose what direction they will take their lives.

With a nice combination of a few starts along with some actors making their big screen debut it will be an exciting and very popular movie when it’s released early this spring.James McCavoy, Michael Fassbender and a cast of many star in this prequel to the 'X-Men' series. Matthew Vaughan’s film chronicles the relationship between Charles Xavier and Magento and how their respective groups – the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants – were formed. Jane Goldman, who also wrote Vaughn's recent 'Kick-Ass', has penned the screenplay. Watch_X-Men:_First_Class_movie_Online

X-Men fans last memory of a movie have been pretty bitter. Let's face it, Brett Ratner shit all over the franchise with 'The Last Stand' and 2009's origin tale of Wolverine did nothing to put fans at ease. Instead it only further aggravated the situation. Now here we are less than 6 months away from another prequel titled “X-Men: First Class” and a plethora of new images are propelling our way. Take a look at the 'First Class' below. Watch_X-Men:_First_Class_movie_Online

I recently ran across the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, affectionately known by the acronym TMNT, on high definition dvd. I had not followed the series since I was a child, but I remember the movies they made. I got even more excited when I was told that the whole thing was done with computer generation and included some very awesome action sequences. So I bought the DVD because the movie had to be worth the home theater viewing experience. I was absolutely right. What else could the heroes in a half shell have to say?

Laurence Fishburne narrates this one and gives us a simple bit of back story about war and defeat. Great evils are lurking as usual and battles must be fought. Then it gets right to the high definition action in a four thousand year old battle that may destroy the turtle brotherhood. It weaves a tale of a king and four warriors leading a band of soldiers into world conquest. The battles depict an indestructible army and tell of how the planets aline every so many years to open a portal. The king opens the portal, but unknowingly kills his four brothers. The brothers turn to stone and thirteen monsters are set loose from the other side of this portal. The monsters create all kinds of terror in killing the armies the king commands. He is left to walk alone. This pretty much sets up our story and confirms that the computer generated high definition action on our home theaters is not wasted by buying the DVD.

Fast forward three thousand years and Leonardo is in Central America saving villagers from local hoodlums and hiding out to avoid going back to New York. April O'Neil catches up to him and updates him on the situation of his family back home. She begs him to come home. His brothers have gotten day jobs, all except one who is a vigilante and resentful that the brotherhood no longer fights crime.

Enter Mr. Winters (Patrick Stewart), who employs April. He sends her to find four mysterious statues. At the same time he hires a band of ninjas to wrangle the monsters that will be following those statues into town. It takes you about 5 minutes to figure out that Mr. Winters is the immortal king referenced in the beginning of our film.

Battles ensue and Leonardo returns. They are held on a tight leash by their Zen Master Rat Guru Splinter. It does not take long before the turtles break the leash and go back to fighting crime. They only do this after remembering why they are brothers. The action scenes are all well written and come through in fine style in high definition. I was worried about them not coming through even in high def because of the speed and high level of computer generation. There are a lot of shadows, back alleys, and dark hallways. The film is dark and scary and the turtles are more adult friendly now. The high definition remained quite sharp and never degradated New York City is displayed in all the shiny and gritty glory it deserves.

A perfect combination of martial arts, actiNinja adventure and cute turtles, these characters are the perfect basis for a boy's birthday party. Most little boys I know love at least one, if not all of the characteristics of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Incorporating all of those traits into a birthday party is sure to turn into some sure fire fun.

The Teenage Mutant Ninj Turtles are best known for their martial arts, their love of pizza, sewers and for screaming Cowabunga!!!!!. This translates into a supereasy birthday party to put together.

Party Decorations

With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles party supplies readily available, you may opt to take the simpler or less expensive route. Using basic colors and supplies can achieve that goal. I suggest using a combination or green and blue or green and brown.

To make this party scream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we need some signature decor. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Manhole Covers Wall Decor – Cut out large circles out of posterboard or cardboard. Try to make them at least 24 inches in diameter. Use either silver or grey colored posterboard super easypewter grey. Now cut circles 1 inch smaller than the original circles. Use black posterboard or paint these circles black. Paste the black circle on top of the grey circle. Cut out strips the length of the diameter of the circles by about 1 inch in width. Over lap the strips one by one making a plaid design. Paste the completed plaid design over the circles. Trim where necessary. Your manhole cover is now complete and can be hung on your wall or on the floor.

2. Ninja Stars – What's a ninja without ninja stars? Using a six point star cut out the shape on silver/grey posterboard.

3. Graffiti Brick Wall – Using faux brick wall paper and spray paint this is easy to replicate and perfectly legal. For authenticity, use sevcral colors of spray paint. Add the birthday boy's name and party guests to the faux brick wall paper. hposter boardraffiticreator.net/ has several styles of font that you may try to replicate if you are shooting for a very authentic look. Once dry hang on a wall.

4. Hang up posters or enlarge clipart and hang poster board

The turtles LOVE pizza so add empty pizza boxes all over.

Party Games

Since this is a ninja based birthday party, chances are there will be some martial arts replicating going on. The best poster board someone with an accidental black eye is to keep the ninja's in training occupied. These party games should help.

Pin the Mask on the Turtle – the same concept as pin the tail on the donkey.
Free Printable Available Soon

Find the Manhole Cover – the TMNT are always looking for a route back to the sewer. Make several small manhole covers and hide around the party area. The one who finds the most escape routes (manhole covers) is the winner.

Ninja Star Practice – Don't panic these are not real ninja stars. Using paper ninja stars (see decorations above) designate a specific area as the target. Whoever comes closest to the target area is the winner.

Find The Pizza – using the same emptposter boardes, hide a fake pizza (clipart cutout) to one of the boxes. Have the party gamers search for the pizza. Whoever finds it first is the winner.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Training Camp – (recommended for older children). If you have the roseveralors or the weather permits, have the party goers compete or participate in a traing course. Events can include jumping, running, kicking and flipping. To make it a competition just rate who did each category the fastest or highest. This should be a supervised party game. To make it extra special, have the children wear green and place eyes masks (in the TMNT colors) on them. You will have your own swarm of ninja turtles.

Party Menu

Pizza – duh!

Lime Green Jello – (Ooze)

Lime Green colored Kool-Aid or juice.