Thor

http://thor.marvel.com/

I am rather ashamed to admit that I had little to no knowledge of Thor when Iron Man 2 came out last summer and featured the end clip of a hammer in the middle of the desert. I remember turning to my cinema buddy at the time and saying "huh?" 

I was further shamed when my brother told me that my 5 year old nephews reaction to the same clip was "THOR!" shouted very excitedly. It turns out that my nephew has quite an extensive knowledge of the marvel heroes, and as such, maybe I should sit down with him for a lesson some time?! It turns out that even without the history lesson, I was actually quite looking forward to seeing Thor. The trailers looked good, it had Natalie Portman who I'm a big fan of and Chris Hemsworth - who made a big impression on me in his 5 minute role in 2009's Star Trek - had been cast as Thor. I was starting to think this could be good.

So it was with great honor that I accepted an invitation to go and see Thor with my two nephews, my brother and my sister in law during my recent trip home. I'd planned to watch it when I came back to Brighton but I couldn't turn down the chance to see it with my young nephew as he's such a huge Thor fan! This also meant I would be present for my youngest nephews first ever 3D cinema experience. So I'm sure you can imagine that I was doubly honored to have been invited to join my family for this treasured moment. 

So with 3D glasses on and my nephews fingers in his ears (coz it's just a little too loud for the sensitive hearing of a 5 year old), we sat down as a family to watch the mighty Thor.

The film opens with Thor's (Chris Hemsworth) arrival on Earth. His father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) has cast him out of the kingdom and his home planet of Asgard, for re-starting a war between Asgard and the ice planet Jotunheim which is the home of the Frost Giants. Upon his arrival he is hit by a car being driven by scientist, Jane (Natalie Portman). He's quickly up and about and searching for his hammer which is the source of his power. Anyone who's seen the end of Iron Man 2 will know that the hammer has been found by the members of S.H.I.E.L.D (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) and is planted quite soldly in the ground. At the same time we follow Thor's brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who may or may not be trustworthy in his quest to become the new king of Asgard.   

I don't know if it's because I was with my family, and in particular my young nephew, who was so excited to see Thor, but I loved it. I found this to be one of the most enjoyable comic book/superhero movies I've seen in a long time. It had the humor that made Iron Man stand out from previous comic book adaptations (as well as a funny reference to Tony Stark), but for me, the human element is what gave Thor its heart. Natalie Portman was so perfectly cast as Jane, continuing the theme of more lighthearted performances which I love seeing her in. She was brilliantly accompanied by Stellan Skarsgaard and Kat Dennings, who I loved in Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist (and who I've been dying to see in another good film since I saw her in Nick and Nora). As much as I praise the humans, the Norse Gods were also perfectly cast. Chris Hemsworth has a star making performance as Thor and if I may also add, is very easy on the eye. Loki is cunningly played by Tom Hiddleston and Anthony Hopkins is imposing yet warm hearted as Odin. 

The other thing that really impressed me were the sets and effects used to create the worlds of Asgard and Jotunheim. Both planets looked so real and so different from each other (and different from the New Mexico setting on Earth) that you forgot you were watching a set or a green screen. I particularly loved the Bifröst bridge and the way it was lit. Really stunning. This was a big job for any director to take on, the fact that it was Kenneth Brannagh who took the challenge - someone you would never normally associate with this type of film - makes the end result even more incredible.

I was relieved that the film not only got 2 thumbs up from my nephew but that he loved it so much he also awarded it a score of 20 out of 10. A recommendation I am happy to endorse if you're taking a child to see this epic tale. For the adults, my verdict is an enjoyable, awe inspiring addition to the marvel movies. Thor receives a respectable 8.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 1st May 2011

UK Release Date - 27th April 2011

Cast Overview:

Chris Hemsworth ~ Thor

Natalie Portman ~ Jane Foster

Tom Hiddleston ~ Loki

Anthony Hopkins ~ Odin

Stellan Skarsgard ~ Erik Selvig

Kat Dennings ~ Darcy Lewis

Clark Gregg ~ Agent Coulson (S.H.I.E.L.D)

Idris Elba ~ Heimdall

Colm Feore ~ King Laufey

Rene Russo ~ Frigga

Director ~ Kenneth Branagh

Writer(s) ~ Ashley Miller (Screenplay), Zack Stentz (Screenplay), Don Payne (Screenplay), J. Michael Straczynski (Story), Mark Protosevich (Story), Stan Lee (Comic Book), Larry Lieber (Comic Book) & Jack Kirby (Comic Book)

Your Highness

http://www.yourhighnessmovie.net/

As you may have read in my review of Red Riding Hood, I was supposed to see a different film the night I saw that. The film I was meant to see was Your Highness. I actually ended up seeing Your Highness the next day so there wasn't a huge wait involved.

I had a mixture of emotions towards the trailer, I like Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel and James Franco but I hadn't seen Danny McBride in anything before (nothing that had made an impression anyway), so I didn't know if he was any good? The film also seemed to be something of a spoof and I don't really like spoof films (Scary Movie and Hot Shots are not really my cup of tea). But then I thought, maybe, it might turn out to be like The Princess Bride, a parody of classic medieval swashbucklers. It has actors I like, and the the trailer did make me laugh at least once. All this combined made me decide that Your Highness would be a go.

A comedy of two brothers, one handsome and noble, Fabious (Franco)

and one who's...not so much, Thadeous (McBride) who are thrown together when

Fabious' bride to be, Belladonna (Deschanel), is stolen from him during the wedding ceremony 

by the evil sorcerer Leezar (Theroux). 

Whilst on the quest they meet the fearless and beautiful Isabel (Porman)

who Thadeous takes a shine to. Thus making him step up and become a hero like his brother. Something he hopes will impress her.

My mixed emotions towards the trailer continue even now towards the finished film. McBride is perfect for the role of Thadeous, but that doesn't mean that he's particularly good. It just means that he fits the role of being rather annoying and not all that funny. What is funny though, is that the lack of comedy can be largely blamed on McBride as he co-wrote the script. 

I was also quite disappointed with the way Zooey Deschanel's character was portrayed as a simpleton. There are other, more effective ways to get laughs, boys! Surprisingly though, I loved Natalie Portman's participation in the film. After she played such a serious role in Black Swan it was nice to see her do something silly which she seemed like she had a lot of fun doing. Which just leaves me to comment on Franco and Theroux. Franco is good but nothing special and Theroux just leaves you feeling a little bit dirty. I'm not sure if that's what the filmmakers were going for but it's not pleasant.

All in all, an OK film but not tremendously funny - the best bits are in the trailer - and certainly not the new Princess Bride. 6 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 16th April 2011

UK Release Date - 13th April 2011

Cast Overview:

Danny McBride ~ Thadeous

James Franco ~ Fabious

Natalie Portman ~ Isabel

Justin Theroux ~ Leezar

Zooey Deschanel ~ Belladonna

Rasmus Hardiker ~ Courtney

Toby Jones ~ Julie

Charles Dance ~ King Tallious

Damian Lewis ~ Boremont

Director ~ David Gordon Green

Writer(s) ~ Danny McBride and Ben Best

No Strings Attached

http://www.nostringsattachedmovie.com/

Bit of a strange start to this one, as for the first 15 minutes of the film I felt sure I was going to pass out or throw up. Not because of the film or because I ate a dodgy hot dog, I honestly couldn't tell you why? I felt fine going in and fine after I'd gone out for a little air, it's all very odd! Anyway, as I didn't have the luxury of having seen the whole film (I missed around 5-10 minutes while I went outside for air) I'm hoping this review doesn't feel incomplete.

From the poster's tag line I thought this was going to be about two best friends who decide to become friends with benefits. The tag line is misleading, but not in a bad way. The film is actually about two people Adam and Emma, who meet as teenagers at camp, again when they're at college and again when they're adults (the adult versions played by Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman). Here is where I'm a little fuzzy as this is the part I missed. Adam finds out that his dad (Kevin Kline) is sleeping with his girlfriend and goes to Emma's house drunk, hoping to hook up with her. Feel free to correct me if I got that part wrong! It's here they decide to be friends with benefits as they only know each other briefly (not being best friends as the poster suggests!) and having nothing to lose. They make rules not to lie to each other and not to fall in love with the other person. If they do, the person who didn't lie or fall in love is allowed to break it off. 

Despite missing the part of the film when Adam and Emma meet again as adults and finding out how that happened, I did still really enjoy No Strings Attached. It's not life changing, overly intelligent or even that realistic a look a relationships but it doesn't pretend to be. That's why I like it. The film is funny, lighthearted and from the outset, it is what it is. I know I said it's not that realistic, and it's not. For the teenage girls in the audience who kept 'Aaaahing', I hate to break it to you but there are no real life guys out there who are as sweet and thoughtful and perfect as Adam. I'm also sorry to break the bubble of my guy friends but you just aren't like that! Having said that there are moments of realism, the scene where Emma is singing Bleeding Love in the car while eating donuts and crying had me in hysterics. Because I've done that. Maybe to a different song, and likely in the comfort of my own home as I don't drive, but yeah, I've been there and bought that t'shirt. 

I thought it was nice to see Natalie Portman doing something less physically and emotionally taxing after Black Swan. I think both she and her audience needed a break and this was a welcome one. Ashton Kutcher was his usual charming, if one dimensional, self. And both were supported by a great cast, even if Kevin Kline and Cary Elwes were both woefully underused. A fun frolick. 7.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 4th March 2011

UK Release Date - 25th February 2011

Cast Overview:

Natalie Portman ~ Emma

Ashton Kutcher ~ Adam

Kevin Kline ~ Alvin

Cary Elwes ~ Dr Metzner

Greta Gerwig ~ Patrice

Lake Bell ~ Lucy

Olivia Thirlby ~ Katie

Director ~ Ivan Reitman

Writer(s) ~ Elizabeth Meriwether (Screenplay), Michael Samonek (Story) and Elizabeth Meriwether (Story)

Black Swan

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/blackswan/

There are some films I want to see before I've seen the trailer, others that I want to see after seeing the trailer and occasionally there are films I know I'll end up seeing, even if there was nothing about the trailer that made me want to see it. Black Swan is one of the latter films. I'd seen the trailer a couple of times and just didn't know what to make of it. It looked like a satisfying mix of dark and twisted but also looked like it had the potential to bore the pants off you by being overly pretentious. Thankfully, the pretentious overtones were limited and the dark and twisty elements were the dominant factors. 

The story centers on a girl, Nina (Natalie Portman), who has always dreamed of starring in the lead role of her ballet company's next big production. She works tirelessly at this goal night and day and one day gets her big break in the production of Swan Lake. But the role of her dreams starts slipping away when Nina's paranoid mind starts playing tricks on her. 

This might make me a bit of a freak but for me, this is when the film really started to become interesting. If a little disturbing. If you're squeamish there's lots to look away from, as well as moments to make you go "Gah!" My poor friend witnessed me squirming in my seat during several of the films more gruesome scenes. I consider myself a hardened horror fan but even I found myself jumping when the lady seated in front of me leapt out of her seat. 

It's a well acted, well directed movie but it's not amazing. In some ways I feel it's worth the hype - Natalie Portman's performance is certainly one of the best I've seen her give and must have been very tough for her to do, in both the physical and mental sense - but in other ways it's not worthy. Yes it does give an insight into the arduous world of ballet but as my friend pointed out afterwards, that can also take away some of the magic. When we learned how Superman really flew it didn't make us marvel at the technical wizardry as much as make it all less real, less of a fantasy. My friend is going to see Swan Lake in a few weeks and has now lost some of her enthusiasm toward it. And I can understand why.

This is a film of very good performances. Although I only noted Natalie Portman above I should also mention the faultless performances of Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder and Vincent Cassel. Black Swan is a very dark and disturbing film but for those who like movies to provide the magic rather than destroy the illusion of it I would stay clear. 6 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 18th January 2011 (saw it on preview)

UK Release Date - 21st January 2011

 Cast Overview:

Natalie Portman ~ Nina Sayers

Mila Kunis ~ Lily

Vincent Cassel ~ Thomas Leroy

Barbara Hershey ~ Erica Seyers

Winona Ryder ~ Beth Macintyre

Benjamin Millepied ~ David 

Director ~ Darren Aronofsky

Writer(s) ~ Mark Heyman (Screenplay), Andres Heinz (Screenplay/Story)

and John J McLaughlin (Screenplay)