Before April 30, I had never even heard of shawarma. Now, all I can think about is trying some shawarma.

And I’m not alone. People in the US (Los Angeles, to be precise) are apparently driving up the sale of shawarma by 80%. We have Tony Stark and the Avengers to thank for this. Like it’s any surprise. As I’ve admitted, I’d totally jump on that bandwagon too. It seems fitting, like how you can only eat doughnuts while watching The Simpsons.

While I’m still upset about the international release not being given that extra post-credits scene (I think I’d gladly trade an early release over that scene any day), I’m kinda hoping the shawarma joke doesn’t end here. I see it as a running gag now; one that needs to feature in the remaining Marvel films. Imagine Iron Man 3 opening with Tony and Pepper having some shawarma for takeout. Or seeing Cap running the streets of New York chasing down some villain and we see a shawarma sign on a bus. Honestly, it’s too good a joke to just leave it at that. For one, at my fourth viewing (yes, fourth!) it became extra funny when I finally noticed that “Shawarma” sign in the background as Iron Man fights off the Chitauri, moments before Stark suggested having it at the end. I think such attention to detail makes the post-credits shawarma scene all the more hilarious now, especially since that scene also featured shawarma store employees cleaning up the debris.

Speaking of attention to detail, I saw this post that finally explained to me (No kidding, I wondered about them each time I watched the movie!) the appearance of the two ravens during that Thor/Loki scene. Seriously, Whedon? CLAP. CLAP.

So yes, shawarma. I’m so taken with this word now that I’ve decided to incorporate it into my vernacular, wherein it shall mean “food that is eaten after a long, exhausting day at work”.

I think it’ll catch on. Don’t you? ;)

. . . . .

Song of the Day

Back In Black, by AC/DC

It finally happened. :D

Without spoiling anything, I’m gonna attempt to share with you my thoughts on Marvel’s the Avengers, because ever since I first heard of attempts to create said movie, and after watching Iron Man 2 two years ago, my fascination with this band of superheroes has culminated to the point where I get overly giddy with excitement whenever I hear/see/read about anything Avengers-related. So you can imagine the wreck that was me yesterday up until when I finally got to watch the movie.

In five words, the Avengers was “an awesome and thrilling odyssey”.

I am really happy with the amount of screen time that each character was given, and how they became part of the Assembly. Some appeared slightly more pivotal, understandably, but there were enough memorable scenes (and lines) for each of them for every fangirl/boy to be satisfied. The other characters were also given great scenes, although I wouldn’t mind seeing Nick Fury being a little more bad-ass, simply because he is Samuel L. Jackson.

Needless to say, my love for each of the Avengers grew by leaps and bounds throughout the movie. I still walked away a Thor girl who remains completely charmed by Tony Stark (or is it actually RDJ? Hmm…), but I’m now also a Hulk convert, all thanks to the brilliant Mark Ruffalo, who truly played him to perfection. The others were equally amazing, but I’ve just never been big on Cap, and while I loved Hawkeye in the comics, I think I needed to see the Clint Barton backstory.

I’d refused to get any snacks to munch on during the movie because I didn’t want to be distracted. I wanted to listen to every line, catch every easter egg, notice every purposeful twitch. Alas, I’ve not been immersed in the Marvel Universe long enough to know everything so I still had to depend on the chatter on various websites to get me up to speed (especially that mid-credits easter egg).

I’m watching it again today with the buddy, and while you may think twice in less than 24 hours is a bit much, I’m sure you’ll completely understand why it is justified. No? ;)

… is beautifully written and directed, and will stir up plenty of emotions.

Half the time as I was watching Sex And The City 2 with the girls, I was taking down mental notes. Notes for my future apartment. From chandeliers and couches, to wallpapers and walk-in-closets, I must have coveted about a million things (clothes and shoes not included) by the time the movie ended. It was like watching Elle Decor come to life, and developing plenty of furniture lust as a result.

Take this blue couch and coffee table for instance:

The marriage of contemporary (couch) and vintage (table) is at its best here, and the coffee table just grows on you. Then, there’s this headboard and those curtains:

I have a soft spot for grand, upholstered headboards and dark, heavy curtains. They just evoke a certain sense of luxury and is perfect backdrop for a rainy evening. Then of course, there’s The Closet:

Seriously? There are NO WORDS.

It was also nice to see Carrie’s old apartment, which as we all remember from the previous film, was gorgeous:

When I grow up, I also want a space like that. Yes, down to those floral chairs. But maybe not the blue walls, especially if the space isn’t as open. Then again, they do add to the mood…

Alas, the sad realisation that I was still living with my parents at 27 (as much as it’s highly normal/common in Asian culture) brought me back down to earth and while I love my room in all its refurbished glory, I really can’t wait to style my own apartment. And I know a couple of girls who will agree with me.

(All pictures taken from Elle Decor)

Over the weekend, I went to catch Iron Man 2 with the girls and with it, a new obsession with the Avengers was developed. Before I go into that though, allow me to admit now that I don’t know if I enjoyed Iron Man 2 more than the first. I definitely liked it and am eager to watch it again in the cinemas. But I was bothered by a few factors:

1. Don Cheadle as Rhodey
While I personally think Don Cheadle is a very good actor, I missed Terrence Howard. I thought he came into his own and he did a pretty good job in the last movie. He also brought more fun to the character and was a good complement to Tony Stark. Cheadle was way too serious. Also, no thanks to 30 Rock, I’m no longer able to see Don Cheadle without thinking about “Don Cheadle on a bed of rice”. (reference) LOL.

2. The romance between Tony & Pepper
I could probably count the number of lines Gwyneth Paltrow had in this movie. Okay, so their budding romance was already established in the first, but because it was sooo lacking in the second, it almost seems forced for them to kiss at the end.

3. Scarlett Johansson in the first half vs Scarlett Johansson in the second half
I really didn’t care much for Natalie when she was first introduced. She seemed like an unnecessary character who was simply thrown in to increase the babe quotient. Then the second half kicked in, we find out her true identity and I was in awe throughout that kick-ass scene. Now, I’m very pleased and excited by her casting.

4. Tony Stark vs James Rhodes
I think this entire scene that played out during Tony’s birthday party was merely for fanboy/fangirl pleasure and ended up slightly more silly than impressive.

There were still plenty of fun and enjoyable moments throughout the movie: Mickey Rourke was a great villain. Sam Rockwell was at his annoying finest and Robert Downey Jr… What can I say other than OH WHAT SEXY ARROGANCE. Ahem. But after the movie, instead of being excited about Iron Man 3, I was more eager over the release of the Avengers film slated for a 2012 release. If Marvel Studios had every intention of using Iron Man 2 to help pave the way for the Avengers, it certainly did a great job cos it has gotten me very, very excited about the whole series. :D My enthusiasm in “preparing” myself for the Avengers prompted me to buy Volume 1 of the Essential Avengers so I could get reacquainted with the characters and catch up on the many, many stories that I’d missed. And guess what I’ve been doing in my spare time since? :) Naturally, all this has gotten me very excited about Thor and Captain America as well, to a point that I’m now quite enamoured by Thor, no thanks to the Wasp who keeps talking about how good-looking he is, and the fact that he is a Norse god, so he’s more powerful than all the other superheroes, so yes I’m becoming a fangirl DON’T JUDGE ME

Um so yeah. The next couple of years are going to be comic book awesome.