Movie Review: Thor: The Dark World

After the events of Thor and The Avengers, many worlds have been altered.  Mortals now know about the existence of gods and while a demi-god named Thor (Chris Hemsworth) pines away on Asgard for a mortal named Jane Foster (Natalie Portman).  Jane is the catalyst in this sequel for accidentally unearthing a dark matter aka 'the ether' which is being pursued by the leader of the dark elves, Malekith (a scary looking Christopher Eccleston).

This put all the Nine Realms and Earth in danger as once-in-a-lifetime event that lines up all the realms together can change the universe irrevocably.  The story allows for Jane to see Asgard for the first time and meet Thor's parents, Odin (a disapproving Anthony Hopkins) and Frigga (Rene Russo).  We also see Asgard and its people suffer great losses as the kingdom is brutally attacked by the elves who want to possess the ether.

But where's foster brother Loki (a great Tom Hiddleston) in all this? He's unfortunately in a fine dungeon dig snarling at everyone and biding his time. In general, it's Loki being Loki and it's great fun.  And we're all waiting until he'll be unleashed. And the unleashing occurs as the brothers have to work together to save Asgard and the realms from Malekith's grand plans. The good and bad part of Thor is that his counterpart and sometime nemesis Loki is much more interesting than him. Tom Hiddleton as Loki has such an mischievious smirk on him, you're often rooting for him over Thor.

But I must say, there need to more moments of levity when Thor interacts with the mere mortals of this world. His interactions with Darcy (Kat Dennings) and Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgaard) were great, but nothing beats the shot of Thor of using the underground to get to his destination. Or quietly hanging up his hammer on the coat rack of Jane's flat.  I came thisclose to missing Thor: The Dark World in cinemas.  I'm glad I didn't because the film was a enjoyable experience. I hope I can say that about the next installment of Thor's saga too.

Directed by Alan Taylor; Screenplay by Christopher L. Yost, Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeeley; Story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat; Cinematography by Kramer Morgenthau; Editing by Dan Lebenthal and Wyatt Smith; Music by Brian Tyler

Rating:

New Thor: The Dark World Trailer!

Debuting along with Iron Man 3 this Friday in theaters is the first ever Thor: The Dark World trailer.  After going back to his world Asgard at the end of Thor, we meet the hulky Norse God (Chris Hemsworth) once again on Earth as he is reunited with his lady love, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman).  Familiar faces return (Anthony Hopkins, Kat Dennings) and some new ones are introduced (Christopher Eccleston's Malekith) but the one face we were looking forward to is definitely back, the fiendish Loki (Tom Hiddleston).  A Thor sequel without him would be unthinkable. Directed by Alan Taylor, the film releases this November 2013.  What do you think?

Darren Aronofsky supports his actress!

Does everyone know what's happening with whole Black Swan controversy?  Sarah Lane, a dance double for Natalie Portman in the Black Swan, recently came out with comments suggesting that Portman only did 5% of the actual dancing in the film and that Lane was never properly credited and instead told to hide in the back during Oscar season.

Since then Portman's fiancee, Benjamin Millipied (and choreographer on the film), fellow actress Mila Kunis and the director Darren Aronofsky have all spoken up in defense of Portman and her commitment and determination to the role.  In fact, Aronofsky released this statement "doing the math" and standing by his actress.

“Here is the reality. I had my editor count shots. There are 139 dance shots in the film. 111 are Natalie Portman untouched. 28 are her dance double Sarah Lane. If you do the math that’s 80% Natalie Portman. What about duration? The shots that feature the double are wide shots and rarely play for longer than one second. There are two complicated longer dance sequences that we used face replacement. Even so, if we were judging by time over 90% would be Natalie Portman.

And to be clear Natalie did dance on pointe in pointe shoes. If you look at the final shot of the opening prologue, which lasts 85 seconds, and was danced completely by Natalie, she exits the scene on pointe. That is completely her without any digital magic. I am responding to this to put this to rest and to defend my actor. Natalie sweated long and hard to deliver a great physical and emotional performance. And I don’t want anyone to think that’s not her they are watching. It is.”

Sarah Lane, who was probably trying to get recognition for her role in the movie has seen it all blow in her face.  She was trying to make it look like Natalie lied for the role while Natalie hasn't denied that a double was used in the movie for the hardcore dancing.  But at the end of the day, it's the acting that resonates through.  Yes, it is a dance film but it's not only about that.  Black Swan is highly performance oriented film, an acting piece that revolves mainly around one character, Nina played by Portman.  As Roger Ebert of the Sun Times, rightly pointed out:

Let us not forget Natalie Portman did ALL of her own acting in "Black Swan," and that's why she deserved her Oscar.less than a minute ago via SocialOomphRoger Ebert
ebertchicago

That is all that needs to be said on the matter.  Let the acting speak for itself!!

Around the World with Posters!-

Been awhile since I put some new posters.  Here are some of upcoming movies next year.  

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are being followed by a mysterious man in a hat.  Run faster!

Vague-ish looking poster for The Battle for LA.  Ominous donut holes in the sky...

More posters of Hop, Rango, The Smurfs and more after the cut.

Thor Trailer Debuts

I love this poster, the dominant red and the rest in strong black and white.  Perfect.  

It's finally here, the Thor trailer debuts. From director Kenneth Branagh and strong cast of Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek) as Thor, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Natalie Portman, and Stellan Skarsgard, the trailer shows how Thor is banished from Asgard and has to live on Earth where he meets Jane, Portman's character. The film is due to release in May 2011 and I am really keen to see how Branagh turns this hero epic into Shakespearean saga. Come on, you know, there will be hidden metaphors in this all over.

News Roundup: No Regency Zombie Apocalypse

• So, remember that DVD review of El Secreto de Sus Ojos (The Secret in their Eyes) I posted a few days back?  I thought back to that film often these few days thinking wow, what a great film and amazing story.  Apparently, Hollywood thought so too and yet another foreign film falls down to the way of the remake.  Director Billy Ray (Shattered Glass) will also write/adapt the screenplay.  I, meanwhile, am not amused.
• And the bad news continues.  Last month, I was delighted to discover that the comic novel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, was going to be turned into a film.  Elizabeth Bennett, a martial arts experts, and Mr. Darcy, a zombie hunter.  I wanted more.  David O. Russell (Three Kings) was attached and Natalie Portman had been signed on as Elizabeth Bennett.  Things were looking promising but now both have dropped out of the project putting it in jeopardy of ever getting made.  Fitzwilliam Darcy, zombie killer, we hardly knew thee!
• Natalie Portman, does she have a super-secret project no one knows about? Because she is also not in consideration for Alphonso Cuaron's Gravity anymore.  Sandra Bullock is now in talks for the role.  This would be a good comeback movie for her after her Oscar win.  Natalie's loss, Sandra's gain.  
• Off to news that will cheer me up.  Sam Raimi is officially directing Oz: The Great and Powerful about, obviously, The Wizard of Oz.  They're hoping Robert Downey Jr will play the Wizard.  Yes, please!
• Kathryn Bigelow, first female Best Director Oscar winner, has got a great followup feature, Sleeping Dogs, set in South America about the dangerous underworld of crime and drugs.  Both Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp are said to be interested in the projects.  
• And finally, The Green Lantern website has been launched.  Have a look see to find out who the villain is!