Thor: Ragnarok

Family Movie Night

By Karyn Bowman

Once I found out that Thor: Ragnarok was on video, I wanted to see it.

It is no secret that I am a big fan of the Marvel comic series movies. I have seen most of them and love them. Each one fits into to the overall story line, with different issues being addressed specific to those characters.

But this one I knew was going to be different. It was reported that Chris Hemsworth wanted a different feel to this movie and I could understand why. Thor is a stoic character most of the time with a bit of fiery emotion that is hard to control. This can be hard to play all of the time.

In using new director Taiki Watiti, improvisation was the rule on set. Some of the lines came from suggestions from a fan who visited on set during a make-a-wish visit. Others came during the moment of filming. We have seen glimpses of humor throughout the past movies but here Hemsworth allows us to see a goofier and sometimes more honest version of Thor.

But there are other momentary glimpses of perfection. Such as when a Led Zepplin song is used for the final battle song. I giggled and screamed a little when I realized the legendary English band’s ode to Nordic myth set the scene for this important battle. I could have sworn Loki’s hair did a slow motion swoop during this scene, matching the musicality of the song.

The story is about Thor’s need to get home after being captured on a distant planet. He needs to beat the super opponent in order to be able to leave. And he must get back home to stop his older sister, that he never knew about, from destroying Asgard.

While I love this series for developing characters and making us like them even more than before, never have I seen this group of actors mix the serious and the humorous so seamlessly. His description of the break-up with Jane is telling and funny and face-saving in one fell swoop.

But other characters, including Tom Hiddleston and Jeff Goldblum go for the humor as well, working in the subtleties of their characters as allowed. It is not a total wink at the camera but there is enough to let us know the actors are trying to have fun while dealing with the serious aspects of this movie.

There are plenty of sight gags and oops moments, physical humor and eye rolls that make us laugh. But there are also moments of emotional angst and personal introspection as characters decide who they really are as a soulful creature. There are always ethical issues to mull over in a Marvel comic book movie but here we get it mixed with humor.

Cate Blanchette, Tessa Thompson and Rachel House are great as women warriors who fight with fury and their own sense of purpose or right and wrong. There are so many moments with these women that you just need to watch the whole movie to catch their wonderful moments that string along wonderful baubles into a beautiful necklace.

The essentials of the Marvel movie remains. But the differences make this movie worth the viewing. Who can resist The Immigrant Song by Led Zepplin during the major battle scene?

No one, I tell you, no one.

Until next week, see you in the rental aisle.

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Of Gods and Scarecrows

Fancy Lady Scarecrow

 

 

 Family Movie Night

By Karyn Bowman                  

As some of you might know, I have a blog running on wordpress.com.It is called Notes From Rumbly Cottage in which I discuss life issues, books, movies, political opinions and gardening.

I usually have a post once a week featuring pictures. It is really a smorgasbord of stuff. I mention this because last year I did a post on the scarecrows we have decorating the downtown area during Pumpkin Fest.

Lately, it has become one of my most popular posts as people look at the different scarecrows. What surprised me is that people really love the “Lucy” scarecrow in her black polka dot dress. It made me wonder if people across the country were planning their own scarecrows and were searching for new ideas.

And then it made me think about how interesting that our little town on the edge of the prairie is showing others the way to making a cute or scary or fun scarecrow. I mentioned this to Carol O’Connell, creator of the event as I was walking Storm. He had to talk to her sheep dog, so the humans were able to talk for a few minutes about how well the scarecrows dress up the town for Pumpkin Fest.

We talked about how much the event is a lot of fun for various groups and which parts of creating the scarecrow is the hardest. For Carol, it is coming up with a head. For me, it is the hair. I fail at that aspect every year.

We talked about what we plan to make for this year’s group and Carol gave me a great idea on how to make a wide skirt. I am hoping we can get together this week and make a great scarecrow or two.And then I am going to put it up on my blog.

Poster image from IMDb.com

Enough talk about scarecrows, you say?

How about finding out what movie is coming out on DVD. This week, comic book fans are going to be happy because Thor makes its way to the home theater market.

In the run up to the Avengers series, Thor tells the story of a prince whose arrogance re-starts a bitter war on his home realm. His father gets so mad that he takes away the powers Thor has and exiles him to Earth.

A strange man in a strange land.

But then he meets a beautiful scientist (Natalie Portman) and through her love he learns to grow up. When an old foe threatens the Earth, Thor steps up to the challenge as the mature man he has become.

This movie has it all: Gods battling, huge action, great love, references galore throughout the movie, hints at movies to come. And did I mention that the actor playing Thor, Chris Hemsworth, is a total hottie. The rating is PG because of some violence and intense science fiction action.

Here is what I know. This Friday when it is pizza and movie night at my house, I am making sure that there is room on the couch for me. The kids and the dog might have to fight over who get room on the floor.

Until next week, see you in the rental aisle.