Natalie Portman

Annihilation Review

Alex Garland's new sci-fi thriller Annihilation has a lot going for it – from a strong cast to stunning visuals – but it ultimately feels lacking in some ways.

Home Entertainment Round-Up: 3/9/14

As we dig out from under the pile of Blu-Ray and DVD releases that have come into the office this month, we take a look at Criterion editions of Soderbergh's underrated King of the Hill and Truffaut's Jules and Jim, Blu-rays for Thor: The Dark World, Nebraska, Wadjda, and Blue is the Warmest Color, and a DVD of the found footage thriller Banshee Chapter.

Thor: The Dark World Review

While it’s undoubtedly going to make a lot of money at the box office thanks to branding and the franchise juggernaut that fuels it, Thor: The Dark World isn’t a good movie. It might appeal to those who live only for credit stingers, plot twists that can be undone mere moments after they happen, or those who enjoy comic book epics indiscriminately, but this really does represent a turning point for the character and the series it now finds itself entrenched within.

Thor Review

I should preface this review with one caveat: I've never read or watched — or heard of Thor at all, really — before seeing the film. As you can probably guess from the preceding sentence, I don't even know what format of text or media from which its story originates. Colour me uneducated and largely incurious. Instead of attempting to hide this gaping hole in my nerd credentials, I'm sure that highlighting my lack of Thor knowledge will make for a pretty interesting review.

Thor Review

I didn’t know it until I saw it, but I have been waiting for a summer movie like Thor for a long time. It is fun, far more fun than any comic adaptation I have seen in years. Its director brings to it a distantiation that allows for investment in the fun of it all: the outrageous narration, exaggerated and impossible action sequences, and actors who can just let go and enjoy the ride without any pressure while still maintaining their integrity and talent. This, my friends, is what a summer movie should be: exciting, clever, comedic, and a joyride.

Your Highness Review

I didn’t walk into Your Highness with high expectations, that would have been silly, but I was looking forward to it in a way that defies my general like of good taste. A stoner-fantasy genre hybrid suddenly felt like exactly the nosh I was hungry for. But there isn’t a formula for this sort of subgenre as much as there is a vibe, and I’m sad to say no matter how much you tint your eyes rose coloured before entering the theatre, Your Highness doesn’t do a great job flowing with it.

New Thor Trailer Arrives

A new trailer for the live action adaptation of the Marvel Comics superhero Thor has hit the web. The Kenneth Branagh directed action epic stars Chris Hemsworth as the titular Norse god, robbed of his power and cast down to Earth by his father Odin. The film also stars Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Natalie Portman as his love interest, Jane Foster.

Thor Superbowl TV Spot

Superbowl viewers caught a quick glimpse of the God of Thunder tonight in the new TV spot for Thor. The Kenneth Branagh directed action epic stars Chris Hemsworth as the titular Norse god, robbed of his power and cast down to Earth by his father Odin. The film also stars Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Natalie Portman as his love interest, Jane Foster.

Black Swan Review

This review of Black Swan is a little late in arriving, as I wasn’t sure I wanted to write one at all. Being a great admirer of Darren Aronofsky’s previous work, my immense disappointment with the film did not encourage me. But being in what seems the extreme minority of those who found the film lacking in Aronofsky’s previous genius, I feel somewhat compelled (not only by myself) to justify my opinion.

Thor Trailer Thunders Online

Marvel has released the first official trailer for Thor. The Kenneth Branagh directed action epic stars Chris Hemsworth as the titular Norse god of thunder, robbed of his power and cast down to Earth by his father Odin. The film also stars Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Natalie Portman as his love interest, Jane Foster.