Thor: The Dark World

SCI-FI/FANTASY, ACTION/ADVENTURE

The Nine Realms

8.25 out of 10 | MOVIE and DVD

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Rated: PG-13  Intense sci-fi action and violence and some suggestive content
Release Date: November 8, 2013
Runtime: 1 hour 51 minutes

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Director: Alan Taylor
Writers: Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Don Payne, Robert Rodat, based on the character created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard

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SYNOPSIS:  Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

REVIEW: Game of Thrones director Alan Taylor takes his drama and fantasy small screen experience to the big screen as he tackles the return of the Norse gods in the Marvel universe. Written by experienced Marvel writer Christopher Yost, Captain America: The First Avenger scribes Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely from a story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat from the original creation by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, Thor must sacrifice everything for the kingdom he serves and the woman he loves.

Millennium ago, before the light over the Nine Realms was formed, Dark Elves ruled. When light came to the worlds the Dark Elves fought to keep it at bay. Eventually the Asgardians, led by Bor, beat the elves back into annihilation and kept their leader Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) from releasing the Aether that would bring darkness back to all the realms. Now, as the Nine Realms move into alignment known as a Convergence the physics and separation between realms becomes thin and unpredictable. After the events of the alien invasion in New York Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been busy with quelling marauders and warring factions across the worlds. When his love Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) comes in contact with the Aether, Thor takes her from Midgard to Asgard for treatment. Sensing that the Aether has returned, The Dark Elf king awakes from his slumber to retrieve it and finish plunging the realms back into darkness. Thor and his imprisonment brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) must go against Odin (Anthony Hopkins) in an attempt to save Jane, destroy the Aether, and ultimately defeat the Dark Elves.

The battle for New York is over, and the Avengers have disbanded to return to their own lives. Tony Stark has rebuilt Stark Tower and deal with the menace of Pierce and the Mandarin. Thor returns to Asgard to defend both his kingdom and the other worlds from the chaos that has erupted. And soon Steve Rogers will have to deal with patriotic nostalgic notions set against a more violent and covert modern world. While some say that no single hero film will top what the Avengers and Joss Whedon brought to life in the summer of 2012, both Ironman and Thor have returned to deal with their own single adventures. After Thor's origin story and his stint in the Avengers, The Dark World opens up the character and mythos and brings to life a tale of tragedy, loss, humor, action, redemption and action.

Taking a page directly from Norse mythology, the Dark Elves are an integral parts of viking lore. Malekith and his elf brothers add another formidable menace to Thor's rich history. Also, each realm brings to life a unique mesh of mechanics, sorcery, religion and technology. For the Dark Elves their battleships are reminiscence of those of the necromancers from The Chronicles of Riddick. The elves are both elegant and utterly dangerous.

The god of thunder, as mighty as he is with his hammer, is still most interesting when humanized. He surrounds himself with his friends Sif (Jaimie Alexander), Hogan Tadanobu Asano), Fandral (Zachery Levi), and Volstagg (Ray Stevenson). Thor struggles with his responsibility as heir to the kingdom of Asgard. He battles against the "wisdom "of his father Odin, and he yearns for a return to Jane in Midgard. But aside from his worries and responsibilities, this tale is made most interesting by his relationship with his brother Loki who was the engineer of the alien invasion in New York City.

Hiddleston's Loki always steals every scene with his conniving tricks. Played to perfection, Loki is at the same time earnest and power-hungry. Hemsworth's Thor may be muscle bound but his strength doesn't keep him from the worries of his responsibility to his kingdom and his love. Kat Dennings' unpaid intern Darcy provides plenty of one-liner laughs, as well as Stellan Skarsgard's Dr. Eric Selvig running around through half the film in some form of undress. Natalie Portman's Jane Foster is more developed and in more jeopardy in this film, serving as a focal points to the events that unfold. And you can't discount Anthony Hopkins' always Shakespearean turn as the All-father Odin.

Thor wields his mighty hammer Mjolnir to wrestle with both the safety and security of Asgard, Midgard and of the rest of the Nine Realms. Thor: The Dark World is a well-paced fantasy adventure tale perfect to follow up both the original film and The Avengers, filled with action, romance and dire consequence. This time around the god of thunder truly brings the boom.

Note: Remember to stay for both the mid end credits and after the end credits for scenes that foreshadows events in future feature films and a bit of closure for this film.

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RED 2

ACTION/ADVENTURE, COMEDY

The Best Never Rest

8.0 out of 10 | DVD or RENTAL

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Rated: PG-13 Pervasive action and violence including frenetic gunplay, and for some language and drug material
Release Date: July 19, 2013
Runtime: 1 hour 56 minutes

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Director: Dean Parisot
Writers: Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, based on characters created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner
Cast: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins, Byung-hun Lee, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Neal McDonough, David Thewlis, Brian Cox

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SYNOPSIS:  Retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses reunites his unlikely team of elite operatives for a global quest to track down a missing portable nuclear device.

REVIEW: Galaxy Quest and Fun with Dick and Jane director Dean Parisot tries to rein in Bruce Willis as he returns as Frank, a retired CIA agent designated as RED (Retired, Extremely Dangerous). Based on a script by returning scribes Erich and Jon Hoeber, from the comic characters created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, Frank and his elite retirees find themselves in even deeper trouble against the government they served and a new international threat.

Frank (Bruce Willis, A Good Day to Die Hard) returns as an ex-CIA Cold War operative living in quiet retirement with his girlfriend Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds), still labeled as a RED (Retired, Extremely Dangerous). When his long time agent buddy Marvin (John Malkovich, Warm Bodies) is killed, Frank and Sarah go to ground and Frank is arrested and interrogated by a spook specialist Jack Horton (Neal McDonough, Captain America: The First Avenger) who asks him what he knows about Project Nightshade. Knowing nothing about the project, Frank escapes to discover and uncover what he can find out about the highly classified project. He is helped by a former soviet femme fatale Katja (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rock of Ages), a crack shot and former MI6 agent Victoria (Helen Mirren, Hitchcock) while being pursued by contract killer Han Cho Bai (Byung-hun Lee, G.I. Joe: Retaliation) who Frank shares a betraying past.

A sequel to the graphic novel turned movie RED, RED 2 is a action-packed, silly suspense dramedy that does not take itself too seriously. Tongue and cheek, Frank and his ex-agents deal with governments ready to put them out to pasture - permanently - a Cold War relic that could mean the death of millions, and a conspiracy that reaches far beyond the scope of any of their individual experiences and abilities. High on snark, rich with gunfire and close combat, and thundering with explosions, RED 2 is the perfect follow-up to the original and complement to the graphic novel series.

Bruce Willis as Frank finds himself struggling against years of operative training in order to settle down with his girlfriend Sarah. The problem is that his girlfriend has the adrenaline bug and just wants to go out on grand adventures. John Malkovich is at his strange and paranoid best as Marvin, but somehow the voice of reason when it comes to Frank's romantic life. Helen Mirren's Victoria is as stunning as she is dangerous, coupled with the exotic beauty and grace of Catherine Zeta Jones Katja. A couple other familiar faces show up in the sequel, as well as new threats.

RED 2 does not skip out on the high explosives, car chases, gun fights, and close quarters fighting. It also amps up the international espionage and intrigue by forcing Frank and his crew to save themselves by figuring out the Cold War era Project Nightshade to save themselves. Sprinting around the world, Frank and his gang encounter danger and threats from all sides.

If possible, RED 2 is somehow more grounded and believable then its original film counterpart. Remember when Malkovich's Marvin shot a handgun at a rocket propelled grenade? None of that is in this sequel, although there is still plenty of high intensity action for the adrenaline junkie fans of cinema. There still some unbelievable action sequences and you root for the good guys every time.

RED 2 is a grand old time at the movies, especially if you like Bruce Willis' tough guy roles and sheer firepower. Sedate moments throughout balance the raw and plentiful action, keeping this film a perfect trajectory for success.

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Hitchcock

It Will be a 'Good Evening'

★ ★ ★ 1/2 out of 5 buckets | Matinee or DVD

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Rated: PG-13 - Some violent images, sexual content and thematic material

Release Date: November 23, 2012 (Limited)

Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes

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Director: Sasha Gervasi
Writers: John J. Mclaughlin, based on the book "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho" by Stephen Rebello
Cast:  Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlet Johansson, Danny Huston, Jessica Biel, Tony Collette, Michael Wincott, James D'Arcy, Ralph Macchio

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SYNOPSIS:  Alfred Hitchcock fiances his next big project with Robert Bloch's "Psycho", putting a strain on his professional career and personal relationship with his wife, Alma.

REVIEW: Writer/Director Sasha Gervasi, writer of Tom Hank's The Terminal and director of Anvil: The Story of Anvil, takes on an iconic character in a true master of suspense director Alfred Hitchcock. Black Swan writer John J. Mclaughlin adapts a story based Stephen Rebello's book "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho", accounting for Hitchcock's challenges in front of, behind, and away from the camera lens.

Acclaimed Hollywood director Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins, The Rite) had just finished directing and distributing Cary Grant's North By Northwest to the American masses. Afterward, back on the Paramount Pictures studio lot Hitch (as he preferred to be monikered) sat looking for his next big project. When he came across the Robert Bloch novel 'Psycho', none of the other treatments or script offers appealed to him. 'Psycho' would be his next project. Turned down from financing from Paramount and other studios, Hitch was forced to finance the picture himself. Hitch's editor/writer wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren, Arthur), who he had always collaborated with on his film projects, continues to stand by his side - even as Hitch ogles his blond leading lady Janet Leigh (Scarlet Johansson, The Avengers). As the production of the film drags on, the pressure on Alfred Hitchcock mounts for both the film and the relationship with his wife especially when she takes up a writing collaboration with writer Witfield Cook (Danny Huston, Wrath of the Titans).

Although never winning an Oscar, Alfred Hitchcock has been instrumental as the inspiration of directors and filmmakers who have come after him. He launched careers and innovated much of the technical craft that director and cinematographers still use in some way today. Vertigo, North By Northwest, Rear Window, and The Birds, as well as others, are pinnacles of edge-of-your-seat film examples. Some of his films have been remade with fresh current twists and actors, Disturbia naming one, but Hitchcock was the one to thrill and scare audiences decades ago as an original master of suspense. Many of the Hitchcock films I watched as a youth, or discovered even more recently, left an indelible mark to what I considered great filmmaking.

Hitchcock, based on the novel 'Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho', delves into Hitchcock's madness and methodology. Ed Gein, noted as one of the earliest American serial killers, served as the inspiration of the Robert Bloch novel and served as macabre muse for the director. Hitchcock even takes to feverish dreams with Gein (Michael Wincott, The Crow) counseling him on matters of the heart and of the career. Often rumored or stated that Ed Gein was the inspiration for other films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the 1970s, Hitchcock's obsession with the killer and what he had done on an isolated farmhouse in Wisconsin in 1944 would try to spring to life on celluloid. The studios were against Hitchcock and the censors were ready to pull the plug on a domestic release. Alfred and Alma would have to put aside their disputes long enough to attempt to finish a film that had the potential to ruin their lives or bring the director notable glory.

Anthony Hopkins is wonderful as the pair-shaped filmmaker. While not an exact likeness, Hopkins embodies the big belly, the pout, and drooping eyes and lips with all the flair and quiet aloofness that we have seen in many of Hitchcock's films and television projects. At times, Hopkins is spot on with every inflection or enunciation, while at other times he sounds more like Sir Anthony Hopkins. The elegant Helen Mirren is outstanding as the faithful and dutiful wife of a director husband considered a genius, while a creative and accomplished filmmaking professional in her own right. Scarlet Johansson's Janet Leigh looks the part of the aspiring starlet, thankful for the opportunity to work with such an attentive director. Jessica Biel, as the actress Vera Miles, is forced into a secondary Psycho role on the film because of an earlier betrayal to Hitchcock. Danny Huston's Wit plays a hack screenwriter who wants to take Alma's talents, and possibly more, away from Alfred. And knowing that Anthony Perkins is no longer with the living, I am concerned that James D'Arcy (Cloud Atlas) may be wearing an Anthony Perkins suit - a la Ed Gein - because D'Arcy shows uncanny similarity to Perkin in both look and demeanor. It is as if this period biography was shot using a young Perkins himself!

Danny Elfman's music is a nod of the cap to the films of Hitchcock, with long drawn out strings to set the mood. And no movie of this type would be complete without the sharp repeating violin chords that accompany every butcher knife that finds itself by a shower curtain. While Janet Leigh was rumored to have sworn off showers after wrapping on Psycho, there is not a person over thirty-five who hasn't made the stabbing gestures, made the noise, or thought about who may be behind a vinyl motel curtain. Hitchcock has done for scenic motel vacations what Spielberg has done for swimming.

Hitchcock will not be a blockbuster, but it is a riveting, charming, funny, and probing period semi-historical film surrounding the lives and times of Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville, and the making of a film that would be a successful highlight of the director's career. If you are a fan of Hitchcock, then you should head to this namesake film as the raven flies.

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Thor 3D

Thunderous!

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Writer: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne, J. Michael Straczynski, Mark Protosevich

Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Clark Gregg, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson

RANT: What happens when the studios offer so many versions of a film? Not only has Paramount released Thor for normal theatrical 2D viewing, but also released the film in Real D 3D and IMAX 3D. Are the studios offering enough choices that appeal to all audiences and their wallets, or simply deluding and desensitizing the masses?

SYNOPSIS: Powerful but arrogant Norse thunder god warrior Thor is banished to Earth from Asgard by the AllFather Odin, forced to learn humility as a mortal.

Kenneth Branagh, no stranger to classical tales in front and behind the camera, takes on one of the strongest and mythical characters in the Marvel Comics canon. Hulk may be the strongest when the green goliath is engaged, and Captain America may be the conscience and heart of the Marvel universe, but Thor is the regal mix of the two.

Based on a story crafted by Mark Protosevich and J. Michael Straczynski, a screenplay written by Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz and Don Payne from the Marvel Comics source material from Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, Branagh brings to life the Mjölnir hammer-wielding Asgardian thunder god Thor. Part original origin, part modern reclaiming of the hammer, Thor has a something for every fan and newcomers alike.

Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek reboot) bulks up to embody the arrogant young god Thor. Banished from the realm of Asgard by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), Thor is striped of his powers and sent through a wormhole to New Mexico, USA, Earth. Found by Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Thor must find his destiny in order to regain his powers and favor from Odin. Along the way, Thor's brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) looks to destroy the inhabitants of the planet and SHIELD director Nick Fury and agent Coulson try to determine the secret of the Mjölnir hammer fused to the New Mexico desert landscape.

Marvel Studios Films Thor brings to life the most important aspects of the Norse thunder god. Gone are Dr. Donald Blake and his walking stick, which when struck to the ground transforms the doctor into Thor. In the 1960s, Blake was perfect as the weakling foil to the nigh-powerful god. In the 21st century, audiences can adjust to a more rich mythical Asgardian origin story.

A perfect mix of a mythical other-realm fantasy and a earth bound Arthurian coming of age drama, Branagh brings us a difficult tale to show on the silver screen. How does one present Asgard? How will the Rainbow Bridge translate to film? The makers of Thor give us a kingdom worthy of of Middle Earth, steeped in magic and gold. In stark contrast, the New Mexico desert paints the somber sandy setting fit for a banished pre-king and god of Asgard.

Chris Hemsworth as Thor is perfectly arrogant as a brash spoiled reckless prince of the realm and decidedly filled with regret and loss once in exile on Earth - all the emotion seering into us from his piercing blue eyes. And while Natalie Portman as Jane Foster is similarly driven in her pursuits of science, along with her colleagues Darcy (Kat Dennings) and Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård), her chemistry is more felt from Thor's heart. Joining Thor in his pre-exile escapades are Ray Steven as the younger LOTR Gimly-esque Volstagg, Josh Dallas as the swashbuckling Princess Bride clone Fandral, Jaimie Alexander as the severe but gorgeous warrior Lady Sif, and Tadanobu Asano as Hogun. Tim Hiddleston as Loki is picture perfect, feigning innocence and compassion while he plots much magical mischief against his brother Thor and his father, Odin.

Thor is not the typical super hero film fare. Branagh brings a dramatic shakespearean tragic feel to the realm of Asgard and its neo-norse robed inhabitants. Back on Earth, Thor must endure an exiled existence where he is not worthy to pull the proverbial sword from the stone, namely the Mjölnir hammer from the New Mexico rock bed where it is fused. The feel of the film is alternately filled with levity, drama, action and heart. Some may not be able to rectify the stark (not an Iron Man reference, I assure you) contrast between Thor's time in Asgard and on Earth, but every swing and throw of his hammer against the Destroyer, a legion of Frost Giants, or against his traitorous brother did bring the thunder and lightning for me!

As with every Marvel superhero flick of recent age, stay to the end of the credits for another easter egg for hints for upcoming films. And unless you are a 3D nut, you can pass the 3D in favor of the 2D screening.

WORTH: Friday Night Opening and Blu-Ray

The Rite

The Devil is in the Belief

[Anthony Hopkins, Colin O'Donoghue, Alice Braga, Rutger Hauer]

image from highdefinitionphotosandwallpaper.blogspot.com

RANT: Went to Denny's last night. Encountered a couple with 4 kids, ages 1 to 12. The parents kept leaving the table, putting the 12 year old in charge. The baby cries and carried on, the next two older screaming for the parents to come back to the table. At long last, their meals came - consisting of one beef ravioli meal for the 6 of them. I do not think the tip to the server is going to be worth the trouble... but that is only my opinion.

SYNOPSIS: A man in the seminary questions whether to complete his training and become a priest. Before making a final decision, he is asked to study in Italy with an experienced exorcist.

The Rite is inspired by some events from a book by Matt Baglio, with the screenplay by Michael Petroni. Mikael Håfström, director of 1408, explores existence of God and the Devil, questions of faith, and the controversial calling of exorcists. Starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and The Tudors Colin O'Donoghue, The Rite is what The Exorcist would be if wholly from the priests' point of view.

Mortician's son Michael Kovak (O'Donoghue) looks to escape his life by entering the seminary -one of two approved career choices for the Kovak men. After four years of religious training, Michael comes to terms with his lack of faith and asks to leave the school. His superior, Father Matthew, tells Michael that there has been 500,000 reports of demonic possession in the last year and that the Vatican was looking to install an exorcist in every diocese across the United States in the coming year. Not only that, Father Matthew sees in Michael something that he feels would excel at the religious trade, and tells Michael to complete his training in Italy before making a final decision about leaving the order. Enter Father Lucas Trevant (Sir Anthony Hopkins) as the long experienced exorcist with the unorthodox methods in the practice.

Håfström uses the camera to capture the ominous nature of ordinary objects. In previous religious suspense thrillers, we were shown the shadowed carvings of the church and diocese. In Håfström's film, the most ordinary overturned shopping carts and swing sets in America and satellite dishes on top of Italian villas take on additional meaning. Does a television antennae on a century's old structure equate to how far a person's faith has come with each new generation? There seem to be subtle reminders throughout the film.

Anthony Hopkins is still an expert of his craft. In no role since Hannibal Lector in The Silence of the Lambs has Hopkins portrayed such a chilling character. He is at once vulnerable, weary of the world, as well as possessed by the Spirit. O'Donoghue, although the relative newcomer, paces Hopkin scene for scene, brooding and unbelieving of the hand of God that his deceased mother claimed to be upon him. Rutger Hauer, as Michael's father, is notable as being caring and creepy, but does not hold a candle to the performance that Marta Gastini brings as the pregnant, as possibly possessed, Rosaria. Epitomizing the struggle of belief in demonic possession and the need for exorcism, Rosaria embodies both the fragile little girl in need of psychiatric help and the polluted, possessed girl she believes herself to be.

Ever referential to the best of breed genre film The Exorcist, Father Lucas Trevant asks Michael what he had expected from his first experience - "...spinning heads? Pea soup?" We will never have the same experience as we had during our first viewing of The Exorcist, but The Rite comes in at a worthy second.

Worth: Matinee or DVD

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