Thor: Love & Thunder

 

SPOILERS

There seems to be a not so universal love for Thor: Love & Thunder out there in the Marvel fan universe. This is surprising, due to the very warm welcome Thor: Ragnarok received. Applauded for the comedy, story and bringing Thor back from the brink of the Dark World debacle. Director Taika Waititi was an out the box choice for a Marvel film and it paid off. Giving the director a second chance at recreating that magic, plus picking up Thor’s character after all the grief and loss he experienced in the previous films was no easy challenge.

Including the trend of the last few Marvel films where other characters from the Avengers films make a more prominent appearance, so do the Guardians of the Galaxy, minus Gamora which isn’t talked about because rightly so, this isn’t their film. But with Star Lord and co there to ground the story in the universe, like the left fielders themselves, Thor is then transported to his own story. It’s a hilarious and a needed intro, bringing the focus to Thor and a hint to where the Guardians will be when we next see them, finally.

Similar to the Multiverse of Madness did before, Love & Thunder brings back an old flame from a previous film. Unlike the pointless and dull Dr Christine Palmer and Doctor Strange that have no chemistry, Dr Jane Foster and Thor did. The reappearance of Jane was either going to be a passing of the mantle or it was going to mean a farewell. From the minute its revealed (very early on) that she has stage 4 cancer, it was always going to be the latter. The twists and turns of her becoming the Mighty Thor were also going to be patchy and thin but it didn’t matter because it meant Jane was back and she was going to get a proper farewell. The grief and pain that Thor has had to go through is reaches the highest with the loss of the love of his life. But Jane’s death was needed in the grand scheme of things, even though some believe that that Valhalla scene means the dead could come back.

For a story that sits outside Phase 4 of the Marvelverse plan, a decent villain was needed. Gor the God-butcher seemed like a good choice; a man infected by the sword that kills gods in his thirst for revenge. Played with the utmost dedication by Christian Bale, he embodies a man who worshipped a god who did nothing for his followers, letting them perish and die. Gor actually brings up fair points in the god killing and how it could be justified but because Thor is a god himself, we can’t have the villain kill all gods. New Asgard is where the drama is set and stakes are not about saving Earth or the universe or whatever, the story is contained with Asgardians it feels like a huge relief that the story only expands to other gods. The comedy is also amped up just making this film more fun. The moments of seriousness and sadness, which are inevitable, are treated carefully and don’t over power nor feel out of place, there is a balance.

Thor is broken man, or space viking or god, he seeks clarity and in the end is given purpose which makes the film feel like a closed story which is far more refreshing that what the other films in Phase 4 are doing. The fact that this phase is far bigger and too vast to contain all the characters with their own shows and films and spin offs, its too much to take in. The picture is too wide and with no direction but this is why Thor: Love & Thunder works so well, stepping outside the chaos to deliver a great story which we’ve been missing.

What is the great MCU plan?

 

What is the great MCU plan? What do they have set out for us all? 

 Having just seen Eternals recently on Disney+ because I missed it at the cinemas, my thought about the film were not what they should be. Firstly, and personally, I felt the film was too wide, it felt as if it was stepping outside the last MCU phase and was observing from afar. I know this is what the Eternals were meant to be doing but it felt that there was yet another layer being added to the heavily padded out universe. Dare I say it that Marvel Studios had bitten off far more than they can chew and spit out. Secondly, I thought the film was, on the whole quite good, Chloe Zhao has a keen eye for visuals and I very much appreciated the variety of characters. But I also felt that the Eternals never should have been included in the MCU. 

Their purpose and involvement was too vast. Having them fight Deviants (lame name but you can’t win them all) just felt and turned out to be time wasting. Adding even more characters to the already over-crowded mix is mind bending. Not to mention with the arrival of the multiverse it’s going to become a hell of a lot more confusing. Before Phase Two began, the execs were worried that Guardians of the Galaxy was going to be too weird. But as that is literally a space story with aliens, guns and an 80s soundtrack, it was going to be a sure thing. BUT Eternals isn’t. Its set on Earth with a group of humanoid beings with powers. It could either be seen as more of the same or just too beyond the scope, especially with the celestials. 

The days of having the Defenders on Netflix, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and the MCU films feels so long ago. The Agent Carter series that had such promise then buckled under in season two also, seems so long ago. We also don’t talk about Inhumans. Now that Disney has literally SO many TV shows in the works makes me wonder whether when will this all end or will it be never ending considering the amount of comic book characters out there. Personally, I didn’t watch all the shows, I haven’t even caught up with the films yet (No Way Home, also missed at the cinema). I only watch what interests me and if it has Oscar Issac in it. 

Having gone back and rewatched AOS seasons 1-5, I remembered why I stopped. It wasn’t just that I wasn’t able to find the last two seasons to watch (the UK was a year behind on TV) but I felt that something had shifted to the point I wasn’t sure if I liked how the series was going. I will finish the whole thing as I really need to know exactly what happened not just the final few minutes. Season 6 marked the point where the series wasn’t acknowledging the films, made sense but also didn’t. One of the biggest mistakes was the films not acknowledging the series. Especially as it has the greatest love story in the MCU. 

There is a part of me that wished everything had ended with Endgame just for the sake of neatness and a story coming full circle. But there’s more, there’s always more. Of course, I want Guardians of the Galaxy Vol3 and to an extent Thor: Love and Thunder, but otherwise, I’ve stopped getting excited for the next release. Shang-chi was exciting as I loved the cast and on the whole, really enjoyed the film. But every film, set on Earth, seems to just be about the be all and end all. The smaller stories are no different. With Wandavision, Wanda threatened to tear reality apart, in Loki, the Time Variance Authority and a massive clue towards the multiverse and the new ‘big bad’. Honestly didn’t bother with Hawkeye and the other show, they really didn’t interest me. Despite the backlash that the series on Netflix got, I very much enjoyed some of the shows involving the Defenders. That intimacy is what’s missing but it looks like Moon Knight might capture this again. But knowing Marvel, it will be connected to a bigger picture, maybe, Secret Invasion involving MI-13 (the British S.H.I.E.L.D). 

Unlike before, there were Avengers films to collect everyone together but for Phase 4 there is no film that will have everyone together as there is no more Iron Man or Captain America to bring everyone together. But it still feels like everyone is being pulled in together. So far characters from Phase 2 & 3 are appearing in each other’s films and TV shows. There is no, sorry to use this, endgame. God knows what Phase 5 will be or if we’ll get there. I’ll be ok with that not happening. 

One of the theories my friend and I had was that multiverse was an opportunity to bring in mutants and the X-Men, now that that film franchise is dead. But with the way things were going in Wandavision, I thought House of M might make an appearance. Bu then again, the latter mostly affected mutants. Maybe all of the above will happen but as there has been no word, Disney might try and let that superhero chain cover over in dust. 

Its strange to think that this all started in 2007 with Iron Man, I never would have guessed this growth.

Watch List: February & March

 

The New Mutants 

 

After all the hype around this film, I had hoped for something brilliant, the last FOX X-Men film before Disney got their greedy hands on the franchise and potentially ruined it. But seeing the bad press round Dark Phoenix, the mutants were probably in need of a reboot. New Mutants doesn't really end of the franchise on a high but rather just throws a spanner into the void. With a few new characters to get to know, the whole story unfortunately revolves around trying to find out what or who is causing the weird events, bring out everyone's fears, SPOILER ALERT, its obviously the latest recuit/patient admitted last. There are some great characters here but the story doesn't really focus on them. The film spends too much time on a romantic pairing and too much screen time to Magik who prances around too much, its frankly annoying. But her purple dragon is cool. The film doesn't even conclude properly, most likely with the hope of another film but we'll just have to wait and see what Disney does next. 3/5

The Dig

British films sometimes falling into two catagories; cheap and cheerful (rom-coms or gritty gangster stories) or historical and stuffy, which takes in what the Brits are known for in the film world I'm sure. The Dig is most definitely the second catagory. Based on a true story about some mounds of earth in Suffolk that had hidden Medieval treasures inside. Archaeologist-excavator Basil Brown, who had worked on many digs but barely credited on the finds, is center stage here. Carey Mulligan is on had to provide more gravitas to the film. A few other British actors pepper the screen with a weak love story and bickering museum curators, the story seems light. But it is difficult to get really into a story about digging up historical artifacts unless you're very interested in the subject. The film on the whole feels lackluster. 2/5

The Stylist  

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 4/5

 Mogul Mowgli  

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 4/5

Van Helsing 

I sometimes wondered how I managed to miss this film when it first came out. It was on the cover of Empire magazine at a time when I would have tried to see as many films as possible BUT things weren't as accessible as they are now. Thank you streaming services. This was literally a monster mash, a Hollywood botch job that doesn't really make sense, coupled with awful CGI (when it was made gives it no excuse). Van Helsing works for a secret organisation run by priests, monks and holy people basically, where he hunts down monsters. The story mixes several classic gothic novels hoping anyone who can read won't notice. The story is confusing and at the same time predictable BUT I was entertained despite the many many flaws. 2/5

Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar 

This is one of the most biazrre films to have been released in recent years. Its rather reminiscent of the wacky comedies from the 90s that no one will talk about but its also thoroughly enjoyable. Half friendship film, half self discovery and half obsurd revenge action film, plus a few random musical numbers, it entertaining as hell. The film never goes where you think it will, some twists and turns throughout and double character bill for Kristen Wiig for some reason. As brilliant as she is, someone else could have stepped in for this part as there is no real reason for the dual role. Written and starring both Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who also co wrote Bridesmaids, make a great team. 3/5

They Came From Beyond Space 

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 1/5

Dreams on Fire  

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 3/5

Lucky  

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 3/5

The Kid Detective 

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 4/5

The Craft Legacy

 Full review over at Filmhounds HERE. 2/5

Neo Noir: Batman Returns

 

My Christmas contribution last year was an ode to the beyond amazing Catwoman played by Michelle Pfeiffer but in recent weeks, while gathering up films for the upcoming follow up to Noirvember (still going by the way over at Little Sister) which will be Neo Noir, I noticed in a list Batman Returns was included. Rewatching Batman Returns not as 'just' a superhero film or Christmas film but as a neo noir genre film, was not exactly eye opening but more of an 'of course' moment. There's crime, bloodshed, murder, kidnapping, Christopher Walken and Catwoman is a perfect femme fatale. All that's added into the story are costumes and a batman cave, everything else is a very neo noir filmscape that engulf the whole of Gotham. The name of the city even screams neo noir!

There were a series of Marvel Noir comics that were released where the characters were put in a diferent setting, but Batman doesn't really need to be altered than much. There aren't even any real super powers in Batman, its all gadgets, technology and child abandonment. Although Catwoman has the only super charged experiences, being pushed out of a window only to have her fall broken and lots of cats reviving her, this could be seen as a super powered moment. This aside, Gotham and the residents could be in a permanent film noir story.

If you'd like to read more about Catwomen, check out last year's post HERE.

 

For more #noirvember & #NeoNoir follow @little_sister_filmnoir

What to Expect From 'The Boys' season two

Ending the last season on cliffhangers all round for the characters, there's quite a bit to expect to unfold in the upcoming season. After the teasers, clips and full trailer, plus the panal from Comic Con @ Home, I've out together what we can expect from season two.

My full article can be read over at Zavvi HERE. 

For all those looking forward to the new season the count down begins until September 4th!

 

We need to talk about 'The Old Guard'

We need to talk about 'The Old Guard'.

 

When it first appeared in the 'coming soon' section on Netflix I saw that Charlize Theron and Matthias Schoenaerts were in an action film and automatically added it to my watch list. However, when I finally saw the film, there was something that didn't sit quite right with me. It's rare that I watch a film with no prior knowledge or reading up on it. I saw the trailer and nothing else so I knew what to expect in terms of the genre but no details. My first impressions are very different to my opinion now. The Old Guard is both like any other action film in the genre and something entirely new.

 

SPOILERS WARNING

 

Imagine the disappointment of watching yet another American action film and the villains, the antagonists are British. This is probably the most annoying stereotype (aside those left over for female characters) in the modern genre book.

 

The actual plot of the film is over taken by the fascinating nature of this group of immortal warriors who have been working together for decades, centuries even. A longer intro to each member of the guard would have be beneficial, maybe with flashbacks? But instead we jump right into the story. The Old Guard in modern day are a special ops team for hire working various high-profile covert missions, but they are gunned down by the CIA in an attempt to reveal their real nature. Then, while in hiding, they have a vision of a new member, Nile, a US Marine who they must find. No sooner do they pick her up and begin initiating her into her new life, the real plot takes shape. An evil tech genius what the immortals to use as guinea pigs for a new drug to battle alzheimer's disease but really he just wants to pick them apart, constantly saying they could cure the world. Of course, the guard won’t go willingly.

 

 

The mythology and history behind the characters is fascinating and most likely explored differently in the comic books, but here on film, the visual and imagination take over. The attention to detail and the loyalty to the source material is very much unlike any other comic book adaption out there. Some changes that come with bringing a comic to the screen make sense in that things won’t translate well from the page but some are pointlessly changed, however ‘The Old Guard’ only seems to have change a few things, but the biggest being Andy losing her ability to heal again. It makes sense within the story and gives a decent explanation for Nile’s appearance and excuse for Andy to realise her humanity again. Realise instead of discover as she has doesn’t need to find it again, she just needs to realise why she is the way she is.

 

Discovering that the film was a comic book adaptation and that it was a very faithful one, changed the perspective of the film. It was not a stereotypical action film, as everything that happens, how the characters are presented, this is all part of the story and not a genre check list, which makes it’s more difficult to be satisfied with the way Nile and Andy are portrayed, especially Andy. She is the leader, but she’s the leader of a group consisting of all men and she herself blends into this all-male group. Her haircut, her clothes, her stance are all very masculine. If this wasn’t an action film, this wouldn’t feel like such an issue but because it is, it feels as if Andy is only accepted into this group because she exudes masculine qualities. Who do the women in action films always have to be this way? Having Nile join the group, she is just like Andy, except new to the whole immortal life, but she also exudes masculine qualities, but only once she’s joined the group. The fact that these are who and what the characters are like in the comic, there is praise for the accuracy and staying true to the original natures but I can’t help but think that ALL action films follow this trait in female characters, even the ones who wear dresses and high heels while they fight. The idea that a woman must be masculine to fit into the genre norm is something that really needs to change. But we must take solace in the fact that two of the main characters in this action film are women and even better, neither is involved in a side romance plot with a man. That’s progress.

 

Refreshing representation that is an integral part of the film is the love story between guard members Joe and Nicky, Yusuf Al-Kaysani, a Muslim warrior and Nicoló di Genova, a former Crusader. They are the heart of the group and something to hope for. Joe’s speech in response to their captors asking if Nicky is his boyfriend is over the top and out of the blue but is one of the best moments in the film as even Nicky looks stunned by this declaration of love. Having a gay couple as two of the central and main characters in an action film is a huge leap and it’s about time too.

 

Upon a second look at the film, there is far more to celebrate than worry about in terms of tired genre tropes, this is a step in the right direction as well as the director herself, Gina Prince-Bythewood, lets hope we see more films from her. The only part of the film that I really think could be reworked was that darn soundtrack. Amazing fight scenes, terrible music choices.

 

 

 

Around the World: Russia

As promised from a while ago, a post just for the Russian superhero film, ‘Guardians’ as it was needed. When you see the typical superhero stance on a poster and they are dressed in ‘special’ suits, plus there’s a guy who is half bear, you can guess what sort of film you’re going to get.

With a standard plot about four individuals who were experimented on and as a result of these experiments, that turns out only a few of them agreed to, they all have super powers. Now the leader on this programme has gone rogue after getting powers of his own, a secret task force is assembled to recruit back these gifted individuals to help defeat the evil guy. Standard. The ‘Guardians’ as they are called, are defeated at first but then through the power of montage they are given weapons and go into training mode and once again go into battle with the now crazy evil guy. He’s crazy now too as he literally tears apart a building and wants to take over all the satellites. There is also a side plot where the only woman in the group can’t remember her life before the experiments but you can guess who she was married to before a mile off

This may sound like I’m not taking this film seriously but I was actually very much looking forward to seeing this film, no matter the outcome. For a standard plot, I was still very much confused throughout. I didn’t really understand the need for the experiments in the first place or what the evil guy was really up to, all I know is that he was evil and killed people and experimented on people. The real fun parts was when the task force recruited the guardians, going to various parts of the Russian domain and seeing what they could do with their powers. And of course seeing one man go full bear, that was enjoyable and most amusing as he ruined quite a few outfits but never seemed to be without clothes. 

The film was not adapted from a comic book or novel source material although considering the wider plot, I’m surprised. The fact that this film did not do very well at the box office was not a surprise. Even the filmmakers were quite optimistic and announced a sequel would happen with Chinese characters BUT that never happened. The filmmakers said to was due to the fact that no one knew the characters. There was no ready made fan base to hype the film despite the marketing team going all out. But in a movie world filled to the brim with superhero films, TV shows, comics and books, maybe there just wasn’t space for the Guardians to thrive. Except, on a late night screening at an obscure cinema that appreciates the more ridiculous things in life. 

Next up... check out all the films HERE
#AroundtheWorldin80Films

 

Watch List: April/May

The Missing Link

I love Laika Studios because their films are not just beautifully made, they are intricate and the details are amazing, but they're stories are heart warming as well breaking. They are afraid to end on a sad tone or realisation, they make realistic stories that children can enjoy and pick up on their messages, for everyone else, they get to enjoy the wonder. When explorer Sir Lionel Frost recieves a mysterious letter about a Sasquatch he comes face to face with the real deal who is actually a big fan of his work. The two go on a journey to the other side of the world so that Susan (that's the Sasquatch's name he gave himself) to meet his cousins, the yeti. But things don't always turn out how you imagine. 4/5

Eighth Grade

I think this is looking like my favourite film of the year (not seen Booksmart yet though). I wrote all about how much I loved this film and everything its about HERE.  5/5

Hellboy

My best mate made me watch this. Or rather, I was enjoying cocktails while we laughed/felt sick throughout the film. So much gore, so much pointless gore. When Merlin showed up in a cave, that's when I mentally checked out of the film. 1/5

Guardians

Superheroes, the Russian way. More info soon.

Avengers: Endgame

In all honesty, not quite the 'end of an era' film I thought it would be. I had no idea they were going to use time travel, or a rather a time heist to 'fix' everything. But they ended two character's stories well, Black Widow deserved much better, Thor is not done yet and how the hell are they are going to solve the time travel **** ups with Guardians of the Galaxy because their time line is all over the place?! More on this HERE 3/5

High Life

So much has been said about Claire Denis' science fiction slightly horror toned drama where Robert Pattinson looks after a baby, at least that's putting it lightly. Death row inmates are given the chance to serve science by journeying into space to extract energy from a black hole. Aboard this particular ship is Dr Dibs, who is obsessed with making babies. She collectes sperm from the willing male inmates and tries to impregnate the female inmates. There is also the terrifyingly shot 'fuck box' which the crew uses to masturbate, all except Monte, nicknamed, the monk. Existence on the ship shifts from sedative induced nights to bleak days, some of the crew finds solace in the ship's garden, others stare into the vast space around them. The mystery unfolds of how Monte comes to be the only crew member left, plus a baby to care for but the true myteries are left unanswered. Such as why were they sent there, what crimes brought them to the ship (only two inmates' backgrounds are revealed) and are there more ships apart from the one with stray dogs? It's a science fiction peice of art that you can dwell on for days. Horror, is other people and the feeling that you're not in control seeps into the cracks of the ship and story and never really leaves you, as well as that damn 'fuck box'. 4/5

Detective Pikachu

I was never really into Pokemon, I had a couple of the cards (which I found in the school car park) and the show never really caught my attention long enough for me to feel invested BUT the fact that Ryan Reynolds voice was coming out of an adorable Pikachu and actually was very funny, the trailer had me at 'that's very twisty'. As someone who knows nothing about the Pokemon world I felt invested in the characters, mostly because the pokemon are either cute or ridiculous (the duck who's head explodes - loved him) and the story of a missing father and conspiracy, even though it was predictable, I still enjoyed it. 3/5

Rocketman

Its about how Reg Dwight became Elton John, with music and musical numbers thrown in. My review is over on Vulturehound HERE. 4/5

Someone Great

Film about friends and growing up are usually a safe space where you can sit back and relate to the characters, enjoy the hijinx and think about your own life, at least thats some of the thoughts going through my head with this type of film. I love the main cast, they all have their issues going on, they have great chemistry and there are geniune funny moments BUT the fact they are all meant to be 'almost 30' was something that bothered me. Maybe because I'm almost 30 and do not have everything together. My own insecurites coming out here. I was saving this film for another day and maybe I watched it in the wrong head space, after I had recieved terrible and sad news or that something had ended the day before and I was just accepting it but, all these things aside, the film was ok but it was more about the end of a nine year relationship than about friends. 3/5

The Tribe

When a horrible corporate HR director fires 300 people, THEN gets caught cheating when he gets stuck inside a woman, only to be dragged out in front of the whole office and phone cameras, he loses his job, his wife and when he goes to meet with his biological mother, his memory too when he gets hit by a bus, Fidel is not having a great time. His mother takes him in, taking care of him even after she finds out who he is. She intriduces him to her dance class and as they say, that's that. Turns out he's a great dancer and makes an impression on the class as well as the teacher. Very funny at time, at others truely bizarre but the dancing is fun. 3/5