Music, Art, Movies

Shaw Capital Management Factoring: Thor disappoints but still tops the summer box-office

 

I don’t know about you but when I came to learn about Roman, Greek and Norse mythology in high school, I was not all that impressed. And now that another one has come to grace the movie screens, the impression just got worse.

So a little known comic book character, the god of thunder, Thor, wielding a divine hammer got his own movie. Only that it’s a very lame attempt at depicting a Norse mythology story for the moviegoers’ eyes. I was never really a fan of the comic and won’t be a new one anytime soon (or ever).

For one, I’ve totally got tired of ‘banished hero learns his lesson and kicked some ass’ formula most blockbuster movies have these days. The actors’ attempt at archaic language failed miserably and the only redeeming factors, it seems, are the quality of visual effects and the notable performance of Tom Hiddleston as the villain brother, Loki.

Don’t mind the colossal earnings and excitable people lining the theaters who will emerge as Thor converts afterwards. Not because everyone flocked the cinemas and thinks it’s ‘the bomb’ does not mean it’s worth your time. Or have you forgotten Iron Man franchise already?

I am thoroughly disappointed that the movie industry seems to be running out of decent ideas to put into screens that they have turned to comic books and novels for adaptations (that came out really bad, by the way).

You know, I’m not usually a critic who cares for acting and stuff but it was so bland I just have to mention it. I cannot possibly enjoy a movie when I’m constantly reminded of how trashy are the actors’ performances.

Perhaps the only major selling points of this completely boring movie is the attractive lead character or maybe it’s the ‘huge’ fanbase of the Marvel story that watched it at least twice — in 3D. At least when you know your plot’s quite thin, put in some wit to make it entertaining for the rest of us, please.

And I keep hearing of this ‘glorious sense of humor’ the film has. Where was it exactly? Are you kidding me? The whole story is practically dragging, man.

Kid’s movie all the way.

 

Related Thor Articles

Tags: boxoffice, Capital, disappoints, Factoring, Management, Shaw, Still, Summer, Thor, tops

Most Anticipated Theatrical Releases: Summer 2011

Here is a list of the top billing movies that are slated to release this summer in 2011. There are a score of must watch titles.

Thor will open in theaters May 6th, 2011. The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Colm Feore, and Jaimie Alexander. It is directed by Kenneth Branaugh.  Thor is action movie from Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment, which spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard.  At the center of the story is the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war.  Thor is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and is forced to live among humans.  A beautiful, young scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), has a profound effect on Thor, as she ultimately becomes his first love.  It’s while here on Earth that Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Hangover 2 hits the big screen May 26th, 2011. Cast is Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Ken Jeong, Justin Bartha, and Liam Neeson. The movie is directed by Todd Phillips. A comedy where Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu’s wedding.  After the unforgettable bachelor party in Las Vegas, Stu is taking no chances and has opted for a safe, subdued pre-wedding brunch.  However, things don’t always go as planned.  A source familiar with the production said the character of the tattoo artist (played by Liam Neeson) is “pivotal” to the plot, in which one of the stars gets a tattoo during a night of debauchery.

X-Men: First Class begins in theaters on June 3rd, 2011. Cast includes James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Caleb Landry Jones, and Kevin Bacon. The director is Matthew Vaughn. This action story centers on the teenage years of the first team of X-Men to come out of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.  The film, following the classic Marvel mythology, charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time.  Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.  In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men.

Green Lantern rolls out to theaters June 17th, 2011. Cast members are Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, and Temuera Morrison. The director is Martin Campbell. Another action set in a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries.  Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps.  A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers.  But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds).  Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before. But Hal is clearly the missing piece to the puzzle, and along with his determination and willpower, he has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity.  With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax…he will become the greatest Green Lantern of all.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is set to open at theaters July 1st, 2011. Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, James Avery, Frances McDormand, and John Malkovich round out this cast. Returning director is Michael Bay. This sci-fi features Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) taking his first tenuous steps into adulthood while remaining a reluctant human ally of Optimus Prime.  The film centers around the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, suggesting there was a hidden Transformers role in it all that remains one of the planet’s most dangerous secrets.  The villain of the third film will be Shockwave.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is at theaters July 15th, 2011. Cast is Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Helena Bonham Carter, and Timothy Spall. It is directed by Dabid Yates. This fantasy title is the final adventure of Harry Potter as he attempts to bring an end to his nemesis, Lord Voldemort.

Captain America: The First Avenger will be in theaters July 22nd, 2011. Cast includes Hugo Weaving, Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Hayley Atwell, and Toby Jones. The director is Joe Johnston. The genre is action. Born during the Great Depression, Steve Rogers grew up a frail youth in a poor family.  Horrified by the newsreel footage of the Nazis in Europe, Rogers was inspired to enlist in the army.  However, because of his frailty and sickness, he was rejected.  Overhearing the boy’s earnest plea, General Chester Phillips offered Rogers the opportunity to take part in a special experiment… Operation: Rebirth.  After weeks of tests, Rogerswas at last administered the Super-Solider Serum and bombarded by “vita-rays.”  Steve Rogers emerged from the treatment with a body asperfect as a body can be and still be human.  Rogers was then put through an intensive physical and tactical training program.  Three months later, he was given his first assignment as Captain America.  Armed with his indestructible shield and battle savvy, Captain America has continued hiswar against evil both as a sentinel of liberty and as leader of the Avengers.

The Smurfs starts at theaters July 29th, 2011. The cast and voices are Jonathan Winters, Neil Patrick Harris,George Lopez, Alan Cumming, Katy Perry, and Hank Azaria. The director is Raja Gosnell. This family title has animation. When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours – in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park.  Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.  Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, and Hank Azaria star on camera opposite an all-star voice cast.  Anton Yelchin will play Clumsy Smurf; comedy legend Jonathan Winters, who voiced roles in the “Smurfs” television series, will voice Papa Smurf; Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Katy Perry will play Smurfette; Alan Cumming will play Gutsy Smurf; “SNL’s” Fred Armisen will voice Brainy Smurf; and George Lopez will play Grouchy Smurf.  In the live-action roles, Azaria will play the Smurfs’ nemesis, the evil wizard Gargamel.  Harris and Mays star as an expectant couple whose lives are turned upside down when the Smurfs cross over from their magical village to New York City.  Vergara plays Odile, Harris’s boss, a cosmetics executive.

written by: terrgill

Tags: 2011, Anticipated, Most, Releases, Summer, Theatrical

Thor: Most Awaited Blockbuster Film of Summer 2011

The most favorite blockbuster film this summer is “Thor”, an American superhero film released in 3-D and IMAX 3-D. The story begins from Asgard, the celestial realm at the top of the universe ruled by the aging King Odin. When Odin’s son Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is preparing to ascend to the throne of Asgard, the Frost Giants of Jotunheim led by Laufey interrupts and tries to get the Casket. Therefore, Thor and his brother Loki come to Jotunheim to kill Laufey and cause a catastrophic outcome. Thor is striped of godly power and exiled to Earth by his father. Thor lands in New Mexico where he meets scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), whom he develops a romance with. In Asgard, when King Odin falls into a ritual hibernation known as the Odinsleep, Loki takes control the kingdom and stops Thor from coming back to Asgard.

This is the image of Thor’s coronation to the throne at the beginning of the film

Thor is best known as an extremely powerful God of Thunder with an extremely violent temper.

British actor Tom Hiddleton (left) plays as Loki, Thor’s brother in the film

Loki is a bad guy in the film

People in New Mexico are curious about the strange astronomical phenomena

Natalie Portman plays as scientist Jane Foster

Asgard is the celestial realm at the top of the universe ruled by the aging King Odin

Due to his aggression, Thor makes a big mistake and is exiled to Earth to live as a normal person by his father, King Odin

Chris Hemsworth shows off his ‘heavenly’ body in a scene from “Thor”

Thor finds himself unable to lift his hammer Mjolnir on Earth because he is not a god anymore

Jotumheim – the world of the frost giants looks colder and bleaker than Asgard

“Thor” is the most anticipated film of the summer with an estimated production budget of 0 million

 

Tags: 2011, Awaited, Blockbuster, Film, Most, Summer, Thor