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4) The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Xbox One, Playstation 4, PC)

No, I’m not recommending the crappy sequel to the unnecessary reboot. This isn’t even the best video game version of the character. It is, however, the one you’ll have the easiest access to playing. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is currently available on Xbox One and PS4 for ONLY $20! I just bought myself a copy in preparation for Homecoming and have been having fun ever since. It’s not a great game, but it is a Spider-Man game, and with modern systems taking full advantage of the “open world” gameplay it’s never been a better time to swing through the streets as your favorite superhero. I’m sure you’ve wasted $20 on worse and had less fun doing it. For beach bums like me, you spend more than that every time you play games on the boardwalk and rarely walk away having won a prize. In the end, $20 is a small price to pay to get to wear Spider-Man’s suit for a few hours on the next rainy summer day while getting pumped to see Homecoming.

5) Music Video: “Replay” by Zendaya (2013)

Peter Parker’s most famous comic book love is Mary Jane, featured in the original Spider-Man trilogy. His second most famous love interest is Gwen Stacy, botched in Spider-Man 3 and attempted as the main love connection in The Amazing Spider-Man movies. Since those two women have already had their time to shine and Marvel wants to focus the story on Peter Parker, neither famous crush is making their way into Homecoming. Instead, there are two new potential leading ladies that audiences are aware of that could steal Peter’s heart. Based on the commercials and trailers, we know there is Liz (the pretty and cool biracial girl) and Michelle (the frumpy and awkward Latina, I think). Based on my obsession with movies and comic books, I’m going to assume Peter has a crush on Liz because she’s popular but ends up with Michelle because she’s the friend. Maybe not in this movie, but definitely in the end.

With that being said, we should get to know Zendaya, the starlet who plays Michelle. In the trailers, she looks like a teenage drug addict with her strung out hair and makeup-less glare burning a hole of disdain into Peter’s face. It wasn’t until I Googled the actress that I learned she was once a Disney TV star who, naturally, then released a music CD in 2013. The only single to be released from that album was “Replay,” and while I may not know Zendaya I do know that song. I remember gyrating to it in the car when it was on the radio despite having no idea who sang it. After finding her music video, I came to learn a few things; the first is that Zendaya is extremely talented and the second is that she is GORGEOUS! I am officially now Team Michelle when it comes to Peter Parker and have Zendaya on my radar as a star on the rise to watch out for.

And with that, my friends, you are ready for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Check back next week to hear me obsess over the Planet of the Apes franchise. The latest film is already receiving some very positive early reviews, teaming up with Spider-Man to help prove that not all franchises/sequels/reboots suck. It’s a good time to be a fan of movies and I look forward to helping you prep for next week’s winner.

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