See it at the movies

Posted 7/12/22

WARWICK SHOWCASE

THOR: Love and Thunder* * * ½ (Joyce) * * * * (Don)A Classic Joy Ride

While Joyce is not a big fan of Marvel Comics movies, she did enjoy the antics of Thor (Chris …

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See it at the movies

Natalie Portman returns with Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Love and Thunder.
Natalie Portman returns with Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Love and Thunder.
(Photo by Jasin Boland courtesy of Marvel Studios)
Posted

WARWICK SHOWCASE

THOR: Love and Thunder
* * * ½ (Joyce) * * * * (Don)
A Classic Joy Ride

While Joyce is not a big fan of Marvel Comics movies, she did enjoy the antics of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in his latest adventures.

The action-packed movie contains a couple of backstories that help to bring you up to date; the big one is the relationship and split up between Thor and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman).

The movie is loaded with one-liners, in-jokes and physical humor, some of which may go over non-fans’ heads.

Hemsworth is great, especially when he is trying to decide what the love of his life is: his hammer or Jane.

The movie starts on a somber note as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) denies the Gods, turning against them after losing his beloved daughter.

The scene shifts, as it does many times during the movie, to Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy crew, as our hero parts from them to take on Gore, who has gone over the deep end.

Jane shows up during one of many battles with Thor’s old hammer, creating a big problem for him. He yearns for his old hammer but doesn’t want to hurt his new axe’s feelings.

Silly? Yes, but it sets up a love spat among Thor, Jane, the hammer and the axe that takes on a life of its own. (Hard to explain, but you’ll get it when you see it.)

Among all the humor and action are some heavy references to life, death, God and eternity.

Add a wild scene involving Russell Crowe as a nasty Zeus, and you’ll have your hands full trying to keep up with everything that is going on.

Thor is off to save the children of a small village, with Jane joining him despite a serious illness, all leading to the patented final battle.

Stick around for the credits when Zeus gives us a hint of what is coming.

More important, sit through those endless credits that list the hundreds of people involved in the production for one of the best postludes we’ve ever seen.

Rated PG, with a discreet but lengthy look at a nude Hemsworth – Joyce added a star for that.

Note: We watched the movie in 3D and enjoyed the added depth the glasses give to the scenery.

Don’t expect flying objects to shoot out from the screen over your head. The glasses are comfortable to wear and the 3D effects are good, but not necessary to enjoy the movie.

AVON

LOST ILLUSIONS
* * * (Joyce) * * * ½ (Don)
French story of early journalism

Lucien is a young, aspiring poet who leaves his village to become successful in 19th century Paris.

He lands a job with a radical newspaper where he is taught what we would call today “yellow journalism.”

Journalists are taught to write bad or good reviews of the arts, depending on who will pay them the most. Writers’ and actors’ careers are in the hands of the newspapers who are only interested in making money.

Lucien gets involved with an actress and a woman who is a member of the upper crust. He also writes for both political sides, depending on who pays the most.

The movie drags a bit, but the exposure of yellow journalism in the past will echo through to today.

English subtitles. Based on Balzac’s novel.

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