Thor

My View:  Thor  (2011)  In this new film directed by Kenneth Branagh, the God of Thunder comes crashing down to Earth and is banished from his world for being a hot-head by his father, the ruler of Asgard.  Found in the desert by a scientist, played by Natalie Portman, Thor has lost his power and has to live among the mortals.  His brother, Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, in Thor's absence, makes a play for his father's throne.  This is a fun action film, and Chris Hemsworth makes a convincing Thor. Anthony Hopkins gives a blustery performance as the king.  What surprised me about this film was the excessive humor, which I think was Branagh's personal touch.  Please note, this movie was not shot in 3-D, so don't pay the extra money for the glasses. Be sure to stay through the credits because, as in Iron Man 2, there is a scene setting up the next Marvel film.   My Rating:  Full Price   Thor Website

The 50 (a movie from my best/worst film of all time):

#44 Best Film:

Unforgiven (1992)  Clint Eastwood starred in and directed this western about a retired gunfighter (Eastwood) who takes a job to seek revenge for a prostitute who has been assaulted and left for dead.  Eastwood’s character enlists the help of a wannabe gunslinger, played by Jaimz Woolvett, and a wizened old cowboy, played by Morgan Freeman.  The cinematography is dark and has a sinister feel to it, giving the film a gritty look.  The soundtrack fits perfectly and contributes a unique quality to this picture.  Eastwood showcases one of the better performances of his career, and the rest of the cast is filled with talented actors as Richard Harris and Frances Fisher.  This is filmmaking at its best, and a western that doesn't always fit the typical mold.   Unforgiven Info

Forgotten Film:  Adventures in Babysitting (1987)  When a teenage girl, played by the beautiful Elizabeth Shue, gets stood up by her date, she agrees, at the last minute, to babysit three children overnight.  Things start going bad when her best friend calls from a downtown Chicago bus station and needs to be rescued.  The baby-sitter takes the family car and the kids with her when a string of chaotic happenings begin.  This funny, intelligent film is directed by Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire) and it is one roller-coaster of a ride.  Shue is perfect as the goody suburban girl who is just trying to get the kids home safely.   To accomplish that, though, she has to deal with frat boys, hospitals, blues bars, the mob and locate a missing Playboy magazine.  Is she up for this adventure?   Adventures in Babysitting Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD):  No Stings Attached (2011)  Academy Award winning actress Natalie Portman (Black Swan)  has made some bad pictures this last year, and this is one of them.  Portman plays a busy and over-worked medical intern who doesn't have time to be in a relationship.  She makes a pact with a friend, played by Ashton Kutcher, and they agree to start a non-committed relationship with each other where they use the other only for sex.  The catch in the deal is if either starts to develop romantic feelings, the arrangement will be called off.  This film isn't funny, its premise is just stupid, and Ashton Kutcher is his usual, stiff self, relying on his good looks to avoid having to really act. Kevin Kline is just dreadful as Kutcher's father, who, in this film, is a washed up, one hit actor. There is only one redeeming thing in this lame, romantic comedy:  Ludacris, the rapper, is surprisingly understated in his role as a preppy bar owner.   My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See This Again   No Strings Attached Info

Weird Credits:  From credits of the film Thor:   Special Thanks to Ralph Macchio

Coming Soon To a Theatre Near You:  Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011):  The cast is what makes me want to see this comedy/drama; Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei and Emma Stone.  Carell plays a guy who is getting a divorce (from Moore) and looks to man-about-town Gosling to teach him how to pick up women.  I think this one will be a big hit.   Crazy, Stupid, Love Website

Until Next Time!