In case you haven’t heard, there’s a new superhero movie kicking off the summer movie season. Joss Whedon’s The Avengers assembles Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain American (along with Hawkeye and Black Widow, neither of whom got their own movie). Many superhero fans are preparing for this release by watching the first five films from Marvel Studios, which lead up to this blockbuster: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America. Or, they’re planning on seeing them in a long-form marathon leading up to the midnight release of The Avengers. Both are good ideas. Whether you watch these films on video at home or are doing so at a theater that serves alcohol, assemble some adult beverages for yourself and play along.

Welcome back to Junkfood Cinema; who knew reading could be hazardous to your health? Take that elementary school librarians! In a ceaseless assault on I.Q.’s across the nation, every week I bring you samplings from the bad film elite and break down exactly where they failed to meet traditional standards of cinema quality.

On November 21st, select cities will have the opportunity to experience Special, a very unique movie about a man who develops some superpowers. In order to celebrate, we’ve got a sweet poster giveaway for you.

We got some plot details for the forthcoming origin story for one of the most famous Marvel villains.

Based on our cultural history, box office numbers, and the self-evident explosion of superhero films that’s taken place since 2003, it seems clear that The Iraq War is a major factor in one of the largest business trends in recent Hollywood history.

Did you notice how I carefully resisted the easy pun in Zak Penn’s name?