Thor: Ragnarok

My View:  Thor: Ragnarok  (2017) PG-13  Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela (Cate Blanchett) from destroying his home and the Asgardian civilization. This is not the Thor movie that you are used to seeing. This film is filled with jokes and makes Thor look like a bit of buffoon. While the plot is a little weak, you won’t notice because this film is a blast to watch. It’ a delight to watch Cate Blanchett chew up the scenery (like a bad guy should do) as the evil Hela. I loved the hilarious conversations that Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor have, even when Hulk has turned back to Bruce Banner. Yes, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) does make his long-rumored appearance, and while it doesn’t add much to the plot, the interaction between Thor, Doctor Strange, and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) are one of the highlights of the film. The action sequences are awesome, and the final sequence is spectacular. What makes this film work is the comedic timing of Chris Hemsworth, making this film one that you will want to see more than once. As with most of the Marvel films, stay for bonus scenes all the way through the credits.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Thor: Ragnarok Website

My View:  Wonderstuck  (2017)  PG  Ben (Oakes Fegley) goes on a journey to New York to try and find his long-lost father, and we also see a young deaf girl named, Rose (Millicent Simmonds), 50 years ago, making her way through the streets of New York to see her mother (Julianne Moore). The film is divided into two stories: one takes place in 1927, is in black and white and is shown like a silent film (dialogue is displayed with title cards and a musical soundtrack), and one story is set in the 1970’s, is in color and uses a soundtrack of popular music from that time period. I loved the silent film part of this film, and Millicent Simmonds (who is deaf in real life) is brilliant as the strong-willed Rose. The story drags a bit in the 70s section. I did enjoy the performance of Oakes Fegley, and I especially enjoyed Jaden Michael as Jamie, a kid who befriends Ben, and who breathes some life into the 70s section. This is a film that I wanted to love but only liked. If only the 70s scenes had lived up to the brilliance of the silent film part.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Wonderstruck Website

My View:  A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)  R   The bad moms (Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Kathryn Hahn) are back, and they are tired of creating the perfect Christmas, so they plan on rebelling like the bad moms they are. I liked the first film, but this misses the mark. I only laughed once and giggled a couple of more times, but that’s it because most of the material just isn’t funny. I love the three leads, but they are let down by a very skimpy plot that you can see coming from almost the first frame of the film. I also missed Christina Applegate, who was the villain in the first film but only makes a cameo in this one.   My Rating:  Cable

Indiefest:  Blade of the Immortal  (2017)   Manji (Takashi Kimura), a samurai warrior of immense skill, becomes cursed with immortality after a legendary battle.  He takes on a mission to avenge the parents of a young girl, Rin (Hana Sugisaki).  Filled with blades flying through the air and blood spirting everywhere, this is a big action picture that also has some heart. The almost father/daughter relationship that develops through time between Manji and Rin makes this movie different than your ordinary samurai film. The chemistry between Kimura and Sugisaki is outstanding, making the relationship feel real. The action sequences are stunning and marvelously choreographed. If you are a fan of action films, then this is a film for you.   My Rating:  Full Price   Blade of the Immortal Website

Forgotten Film: Big Night  (1996)  R  Two brothers (Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci) from Italy have come to America to run a restaurant. The restaurant is failing, and their only hope is when a big-time musician agrees to play a special benefit for the restaurant, but will the two brothers get along long enough to put on the big meal? If you are a foodie, you will want to see this funny and touching film that makes food the centerpiece of the story. I guarantee that you will want some Italian food after seeing this film.   My Rating: Full Price    Big Night Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Thor: Ragnarok:  Dental Prosthetics

Coming Soon to a Year Near You: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri  (2017)  R  After police fail to solve her daughter’s murder, a mother (Frances McDormand) personally challenges the local authorities.  From what I am hearing from other film critics, Frances McDormand is a shoe-in for an Oscar nomination.    Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Website

Until Next Time!