Thor feels more like a movie that has to be good rather than just being a good movie. With The Avengers movie looming in the near future Marvel Studios is doing its damnedest to do everything right. Thor is certainly not as enjoyable as films like Iron Man, but it could have been worse in my opinion. This wasn't going to be an easy adaptation from comic book to big screen and I think in that respect they pulled it off well. The Norse God of Thunder that wields a big hammer could have ended up looking stupid, but it surprisingly didn't. Well, not as stupid as I was expecting.
Movies
Jumping the Shrek – Curse of the Fourthquel
I remember a time when only straight-to-video animated family films had three or more sequels. I made jokes when The Land Before Time 4 was being released over fifteen years ago, but at least back then fourth-quels knew their place. The recession has recently made Hollywood choose only what seems commercially viable over something with merit. In my opinion they should stick to trilogies. Beyond that you're jumping the shark, like Shrek.
Movie Review: Hanna
Hanna is an exciting movie that's fun while it's happening but leaves you wishing it had more meat to it. The plot was painfully simple. I think the story needed more conflict or different characters or raining frogs at the end; some tasty side dish to accompany the main course of cool action sequences and delicious visuals we are being fed. There's some great things in Hanna, but story details are not one of them. See this film for the imaginative visuals, heart-pounding psychedelic music from The Chemical Brothers, and fascinating performances by the actors, but not to be stimulated intellectually.
Movie Review: Source Code
Source Code is a fascinating story masterfully told by a fairly new yet extremely talented director. Sequences unfold in a satisfying way throughout without being too predictable. It has the fast-paced action of Speed and the addictive narrative style of Groundhog Day. This is a science fiction/action film that happens to also be a great movie; not cheesy or gimmicky like others in the genre (no 3D glasses needed.) It may sound cliché but I literally was on the edge of my seat for most of this smart thriller. I was already sold on the director, Duncan Jones, from his brilliant film Moon. He tackles some of the same meaningful themes in this film that make you think and keep you thinking long after you leave the theater.
Movie Review: Paul
This was a well-made and funny film perfectly suited for fans of science fiction and/or comedy (as long as you're old enough to see an R rated movie.) In a way it's sort of the anti-E.T. movie. Where ET befriends one child and doesn't say much, this film has an alien befriend two grown men, and then never shut up. Luckily he's voiced by Seth Rogen (who I love to death,) and the two guys are not only hilarious but are also the extremely clever writers of this film. Without the writing of Nick Frost and Simon Pegg this film would have been a waste of time and money. Their understanding of sci-fi themes, comedic set-ups, and the nuances of good storytelling make this movie well worth seeing.
Movie Review: Limitless
I liked this film exactly as much as I expected I would, but keep in mind I had high hopes. It's nice to see a movie that can be fun and still make you think. It's well acted, clever, and creatively done. Everyone in the theater was into it and along for the ride. Not something I see often. Although no applause at the end, as the film manages to loose momentum in the last 5 minutes, unfortunately.
3 1/2 Stars (out of 5)
Movie Review: Battle: Los Angeles
If only there could be an alien invasion movie with writing as good as the visual effects. This looks great, as long as you can't hear anything anyone is saying. I liked that it was all from the military's POV, but not enough happened, it was dull and the film definitely did not earn its hero's ending.
2 1/2 Stars (out of 5)
Movie Review: The Adjustment Bureau
Based on a great concept, but felt like a short film being stretched into a feature. The space in between good parts is filled with extraneous shots of Matt Damon running that I swear are from one of the Bourne movies or Greenzone. This should be re-cut down to 20 minutes.
3 Stars (out of 5)
Movie Review: The Green Hornet
I think I liked this more than Kickass, even though it wasn't as good... I'm guessing I just really like Seth Rogan and will enjoy anything he's in. ANYTHING! Even Observe and Report. What's that, he's an alien that eats birds? Sign me up! I love you like I did Adam Sandler before he stopped being funny.
2 1/2 Stars (out of 5)
Movie Review: Tron Legacy
As with the original, the production design steals the show in Tron Legacy. The world of Tron is far more interesting than the thin storyline presented. Jeff Bridges does a good job bringing his character back, but the young version CG never looks believable to me.
3 1/2 Stars (out of 5)