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Movie reviews: ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ sets itself apart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe

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Movie reviews: ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ sets itself apart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER: 4 STARS

Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder.’ MARVEL STUDIOS-DISNEY VIA AP / JASIN BOLAND

Regardless of that includes essentially the most Weapons N’ Roses music this aspect of a headbanger’s ball, thematically, “Thor: Love and Thunder” owes extra to the frilly pop of 10cc’s “The Issues We Do for Love.” Love, not thunder, is on the very coronary heart of this Taika Waititi directed tackle the Marvel House Viking.

The movie opens with Gorr (Christian Bale), a easy man praying for the survival of his beloved daughter. His planet is barren. Life is unsustainable, however his blind religion within the gods and an “everlasting reward” retains him going. When issues take a flip for the more serious, his god rejects him, providing ridicule as an alternative of assist.

“Struggling for the gods is your solely objective.”

In that second, Gorr obtains the Necrosword, the legendary, god-slaying weapon, and vows to kill all gods, beginning there after which. Now referred to as Gorr the God Butcher, he travels by means of the shadows, looking for vengeance.

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In the meantime, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is in isolation. He has misplaced everybody he’s ever beloved, together with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), an astrophysicist and ex-girlfriend. He has had some adventures and gone from “Dad Bod to God Bod, however beneath all that he was nonetheless Unhappy Bod.”

His midlife disaster has hit exhausting, and since Jane dumped him, he has stored everybody at arm’s size. He now lives a lifetime of lonely, quiet contemplation, rising solely when wanted for battle. “After hundreds of years of residing,” “Guardian of the Galaxy’s” Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) says to him, “You don’t appear to know who you’re.”

Elsewhere, Jane is being handled for stage 4 most cancers. Chemo therapies aren’t working so she takes issues into her personal fingers. “If science doesn’t work, possibly viking house magic will,” she says. The result’s a metamorphosis into Mighty Thor, a warrior who wields a reconstructed model of Thor’s magic Asgardian hammer, Mjolnir. “Excuse me,” Thor says to her. “That’s my hammer you’ve there. And my look.”

When Gorr the God Butcher and his creepy crawlers come to New Asgard, the Norwegian vacationer city and refuge for the surviving Asgardians, and kidnap all of the city’s kids, it units off a battle that can see Thor and sidekick Korg (Waititi), alongside Mighty Thor and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), journey to the Shadow Realm on a rescue mission.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” has all the same old Marvel strikes. There are motion set items writ massive, a great deal of characters with difficult backstories, and sufficient CGI to maintain a rendering farm in enterprise from now till eternity.

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What it additionally has, and the factor that makes it really feel contemporary, is Taika Waititi. As director, author and co-star, he infuses the proceedings with a sure type of silliness, and panache that units it aside from different Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

The motion scenes ship in carnage, but additionally present some eye sweet. An early combat has overtones of Seventies air bushed van artwork, whereas the choreography contains little jokes, like an homage to versatile kickboxer Jean-Claude Van Damme. Later, within the Shadow Realm, Waititi evokes German expressionism in his use of stark black-and-white to create a world of horror, whereas nonetheless sustaining a Marvel really feel to the motion.

With these massive franchises, the motion scenes are the place the cash is, I suppose, however above all else, “Thor: Love and Thunder” is a narrative concerning the energy of affection to harm and heal. Within the face of unimaginable losses—his daughter and his devotion to the gods—Gorr abandons love and embraces vengeance. Thor, nonetheless smarting from being dumped by Jane, learns the ability of deep emotions when she instantly reveals up once more.

Thor’s new weapon, Stormbreaker, may need the heft to do battle with Gorr the God Butcher, however it’s love that wields the true energy on this story.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” isn’t an all-out action-comedy like “Ragnarok.” It juggles a number of life-and-death eventualities, and far of the plot is rooted in heartache and ache, however Waititi’s singular model, Hemsworth’s appeal and a heartfelt examination of the ache and pleasure of affection is a profitable combo.

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THE SEA BEAST: 4 STARS

A nonetheless of characters Jacob Holland (Karl City) and Masie Brumble (Zaris-Angel Hator) in “The Sea Beast.” (NETFLIX)

Taking a lead from “The right way to Prepare Your Dragon,“ and different films the place fearsome creatures reveal their kinder, gentler selves, “The Sea Beast,” a brand new animated film now streaming on Netflix, offers the previous “by no means choose a e-book by its cowl” platitude a nautical twist.

Monster hunter Jacob Holland (Karl City) come by his job actually. As a baby, his dad and mom had been killed in a sea monster assault, one which left him adrift, alone within the ocean. After his rescue by the fearsome Captain Crow (Jared Harris), he devoted his life to the eradication of the ocean beasts. “I swore I might do every part I might to maintain folks protected,” he says.

The worst of the worst, the King Kong of sea beasts is the Pink Bluster, an enormous lobster-red creature, rumoured to be a menace to seafaring society. When Holland and his crew set off of their ship, the Inevitable, to seek out and kill the menace, they uncover a stowaway. Younger orphan named Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator) misplaced her dad and mom on a sea beast expedition, and he or she needs in on the motion.

There’s a lot at stake on this mission. The king and queen have threatened the monster hunters with dire punishment except the beast is tamed. Maisie, Holland and the crew set off to conquer the creature, however quickly study that there’s extra to the story than they may ever have imagined.

“The Sea Beast” has spectacular motion sequences with well-crafted pc animation, a compelling story about discovering household, and the same old child film messages about loyalty and the significance of function fashions, however what units it aside is a extra subversive thought.

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At its coronary heart, this can be a cautionary story, a warning to by no means take issues at face worth or blindly put your belief into accepted variations of historical past. Historical past will be subjective, the film suggests, relying the supply. Are the ocean beasts harmful troublemakers, because the king and queen declare? Or are they misunderstood creatures utilized by the rulers to instill worry and exert management over their topics? Co-writers Chris Williams (who additionally directs) and Nell Benjamin have woven massive concepts all through the material of the story, encouraging youngsters to determine issues for themselves and never settle for the traditional knowledge.

However don’t get me fallacious, this isn’t some anti-imperialist, rebellious screed. It’s an motion journey with a conscience and a few very cool “monsters” that youngsters will fall for at first sight. It slows down within the second half, however the mixture of smarts and seafaring enjoyable is a winner.

STANLEYVILLE: 3 STARS

Susanne Wuest in “Stanleyville,” directed by Maxwell McCabe-Lokos. (Oscilloscope)

Think about if Samuel Beckett wrote “Squid Recreation,” minus the enormous Kewpie doll, and also you’ll perceive “Stanleyville,” a brand new darkly humorous social satire now on VOD.

The ennui of a dead-end job and unsatisfying relationship along with her husband and daughter has draped over apathetic suburbanite Maria Barbizan (Susanne Wuest) like a shroud. Sooner or later, bored with… properly, every part, she rids herself of her cash and purse in a mall garbage can and wanders aimlessly.

Numb.

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Into this fugue state walks the well dressed Homunculus (Julian Richings), a mysterious determine with an intriguing provide. She, he tells her, has been chosen, alongside a bunch of different idiosyncratic characters— spoiled brat Andrew Frisbee Jr (Christian Serritiello), Felice Arkady (Cara Rickets), Manny Jumpcannon (Adam Brown) and muscle-head Bofill Pancreas (George Tchortov)—to participate in a “platinum stage contest” to “probe the very essence of thoughts/physique articulation.” She doesn’t perceive what which means, and the prize of a used habanero-orange compact sport utility car doesn’t curiosity her both, however the promise of true enlightenment or an “genuine private transcendence” lures her in.

The promised so-called “platinum stage contest” is definitely a “Lord of the Flies” model actuality present competitors with Homunculus as host and referee. A collection of unusual video games—at one level they’re challenged to “write a nationwide anthem for everyone in every single place by means of all time”—with escalating penalties pits the gamers towards each other. Alongside the way in which they earn factors and acquire perception into their deepest held beliefs, “each man for himself” ethos and worst inclinations.

Actor-turned-director Maxwell McCabe-Lokos paints his characters in very broad strokes. Every one is an archetype that ranges from nihilist to failed performer to a enterprise kind, with easy-to-read traits that talk to at least one aspect of the human situation.

That, nevertheless, is the one easy-to-read facet of “Stanleyville.”

Willfully bizarre, the film is all journey. The unusual state of affairs doesn’t actually go wherever and, given Homunculus’s ambiguous motivations, the film doesn’t provide any closure to the characters or many questions it presents. It’s concerning the competitors, the win-at-any-cost vibe so typically evident in competitors reveals. That is an absurdist tackle the identical, however because the state of affairs begins to unravel so does the story. The social commentary stays, however viewers hoping to for enlightenment, might benefit from the story’s oddball but thought-provoking themes, however like Maria, depart the film nonetheless seeking life-changing religious illumination.

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DREAMING WALLS: INSIDE THE CHELSEA HOTEL: 3 ½ STARS

“Dreaming Partitions” is a documentary about New York Metropolis’s Chelsea Lodge. (Magnolia Photos)

Lodge Chelsea, on West twenty third Avenue in Manhattan’s Chelsea, is the stuff of legend. Playwright Arthur Miller lived right here for six years and mentioned, “This lodge doesn’t belong to America; there are not any vacuum cleaners, no guidelines and no disgrace.”

An aged tenant, seen within the new documentary “Dreaming Partitions: Contained in the Chelsea Lodge,” now taking part in in theatres, says, “It’s a fantasy land the place folks go to get away from actuality.”

Opening in 1884, for greater than a century it was a stand-alone instance of bohemianism, immortalized in songs by Bob Dylan (“Sara”), Jefferson Airplane (“Third Week within the Chelsea”) and most famously, Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Lodge #2.” It’s featured in movies like Andy Warhol’s “Chelsea Ladies” and the sensual “9½ Weeks.”

Punk goddess Patti Smith lived there with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Summary painter Mark Rothko had a studio within the eating room. Warhol celebrity Edie Sedgwick nearly by accident burned it down and Nancy Spungen died there, allegedly (however most likely not) on the hand of her boyfriend, Intercourse Pistol’s bass participant Sid Vicious. Arthur C. Clarke wrote “2001: A House Odyssey” whereas in residence and Jack Kerouac had a one-night stand there with Gore Vidal.

It’s legendary, however the days of untamed abandon, avant garde artwork and artists who traded residences for work are lengthy gone, a sufferer of adjusting instances and gentrification. “Dreaming Partitions: Contained in the Chelsea Lodge” is a doc of the dying days of a cultural legend and the beginning of one other boho-chic New York Metropolis lodge.

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Directed by Belgian filmmakers Amélie van Elmbt and Maya Duverdiert, this can be a fly-on-the-wall, impressionistic movie that ignores the Chelsea’s rock ‘n’ roll legacy, the scandals and notable intercourse acts. As a substitute, it contemplatively paperwork the (largely) aged residents of the Chelsea, who, within the phrases of Dylan Thomas, one other former resident, refuse to “go light into that good evening.”

A have a look at the lodge by means of the eyes of the individuals who lived there, who created their artwork there and raised their households there, paints a special image of the storied constructing than we often see. Strip away the sensationalism and a melancholy portrait of a bygone period emerges, framed by architect Philip Hubert’s ornate Victorian Gothic stained glass and wrought iron stairway designs. As building tears away on the reminiscences of the remaining residents, they recollect the center and soul of a spot that, for many years, gave shelter to dreamers of all types.

These days are gone now. The few remaining previous timers, those that didn’t take the buyouts supplied by builders, now should use service elevators to keep away from upsetting the upscale, paying lodge friends. Nevertheless, on this movie a minimum of, they hold the bohemian flame alive, even because the winds of change attempt to extinguish it.

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Movie Reviews

‘Max’ movie review: A fiery Sudeep drives this high-octane action thriller

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‘Max’ movie review: A fiery Sudeep drives this high-octane action thriller

Sudeep in ‘Max’.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Inspector Arjun Mahakshay a.k.a Max takes charge unofficially a day before his suspension ends. A huge blunder inside the station puts Max against powerful men, who come for his life. As he is faced with the improbable task of saving his colleagues and coming out unscathed from the problem, the daring cop pauses to prepare a cup of tea.

Director Vijay Kartikeyaa’s debut project is driven by a protagonist who keeps you guessing about his next move. Even if Max aims to provide unhinged ‘masala’ entertainment, the movie’s leading man isn’t a one-note character. Since the events unfold during one night, and he has limited time to cross a series of hurdles, Max puts his sharp brain to quick use. And once he enters the risky zone of facing the criminals head-on, he unleashes the beast inside him.

Max (Kannada)

Director: Vijay Kartikeyaa

Cast: Sudeep, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Ilavarasu, Uggram Manju

Runtime: 132 minutes

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Storyline: A day before reporting for duty after a two-month suspension, inspector Arjun Mahakshay faces an unexpected situation. Can he save the day?

Max is a celebration of Sudeep, who oozes style in his aggressive portrayal of an all-conquering officer. If you saw him as a subdued yet classy cop carrying a deep pain within him in Vikrant Rona (2022), Sudeep cuts loose in Max to cater to his fans, who were hungry for ‘mass’ moments involving their favourite star.

The one-man show is great fun to watch to an extent. Director Vijay scripts an old-school world where the hero emerges as the ultimate saviour of distressed people. However, as a whole, Max leaves you wanting more as you expect the protagonist to face the heat of a mighty antagonist.

Sunil, essaying the main villain, is undone by a toothless character. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s character of a cop with a negative shade shows promise early on but gets fizzled out eventually as she fails to make any difference to the plot. Right from the beginning, it’s apparent that both the characters are bracing for an inevitable onslaught from Max.  

It’s also quite shocking how Max has an almost incompetent team. When they aren’t blindly following the instructions from Max, the junior-level officers are scared and clueless. Ilavarasu, playing an experienced officer, delivers a measured performance. The rest of the cast, including Uggram Manju, Samyuktha Hornad, Sukrutha Wagale and Vijay Chendur, are too loud in their respective portrayals.

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One can’t blame the actors as their characters are designed to artificially amp up the tension. With a highly dramatic plot in hand, the director’s decision to showcase stronger emotions than what’s necessary dents the film.

ALSO READ:‘UI’ movie review: Upendra’s political commentary is a one-of-a-kind experience despite its flaws

The core idea of Max might remind you of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Kaithi (2019). With so much happening in a short span of time, it’s tough to emotionally invest in the proceedings. On the other hand, Max’s racy screenplay keeps you curious about the events on screen. A superb fusion of Chethan D Souza’s action choreography and Ajaneesh Lokanath’s ensures an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Max is a star vehicle with admirable experiments from the makers. With Vikrant Rona and Max, Sudeep has deviated from traditional commercial films. The big stars of Kannada cinema are seeking change, and that’s a good sign.

Max is currently running in theatres.

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Barroz Twitter Review: Is Mohanlal’s directorial debut with the fantasy film worth a watch? Check out these 11 tweets to know

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Barroz Twitter Review: Is Mohanlal’s directorial debut with the fantasy film worth a watch? Check out these 11 tweets to know

Mollywood icon, Mohanlal has now ventured into the director’s chair and his directorial debut film Barroz has made its theatrical release today, December 25, 2024. The Malayalam fantasy movie, within hours of release, has gotten some vivid reviews from fans, who have highlighted their opinions on social media.

Well, it seems that Barroz has received mixed opinions from some fans, who have significantly highlighted how the film has not lived up to the expectations considering it being the senior actor’s directorial debut.

Fans have expressed disappointment at the fact that the film’s storyline is weaker, and it is only the specialised use of VFX that has been pulling it all together.

On the other hand, some other fans have appreciated the impeccable acting chops of Mohanlal himself, with special mention to the excellent 3D presentation appealing to mass audiences for more than one reason.

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There have been specific references to a few underwater scenes, which have been touted as an epitome of masterclass cinematic presentation, not to forget how it would not hit as a mass entertainer.

Check out the fans’ reviews about Barroz on Twitter:











Mohanlal has left no stone unturned when it comes to the jam-packed promotional spree for Barroz. The film’s cinematography has been done by the talented Santosh Sivan, while the musical score is handled by Mark Killian.

Coming to the plot of the film, it is said to revolve around the conquest undertaken by Barroz, the guardian of a treasure which has been hidden for over 400 years. This wealth has been trusted to only a true descendant of Da Gama. 

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It is inspired as an adaptation of Jijo Punnoose’s novel Barroz: Guardian of D’Gama’s Treasure. However, the scenes were rewritten by Mohanlal and Thazhathupurakkal Karunakara Panicker, including characters and locations, leading to the exit of the novelist, forfeiting his credits.

Speaking of the cast of Barroz, besides Mohanlal, it stars Maya Rao West, Cesar Lorente Raton, Kallirroi Tziafeta, Daniel Caltagirone, Aadukalam Naren, Tuhin Menon  and others.

ALSO READ: Nayanthara enjoys ‘best holiday’ in Europe with Vignesh Shivan and twins; sunsets, long walks and Eiffel Tower sum up her travel diaries; PICS

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Film Review: The Fire Inside – SLUG Magazine

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Film Review: The Fire Inside – SLUG Magazine

Film

The Fire Inside
Director: Rachel Morrison
Michael De Luca Productions, PASTEL
In Theaters: 12.25

I’m not a fan of combat sports in real life, yet I find that movies about them are nearly irresistible. Whether it’s Rocky, The Karate Kid, Warrior or the upcoming wrestling flick Unstoppable, the underdog who comes out swinging and bests their bigger, more experienced opponent always plays. It’s also nearly always the same movie, and that’s what makes The Fire Inside a knockout.

In this fact–based story, Claressa Shields (Ryan Destiny, A Girl Like Grace, Oracle) is a young woman from Flint, Michigan, who has one skill and one passion: boxing. Despite limited support from her family, Claressa is taken under the wing of Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry, If Beale Street Could Talk, Godzilla vs. Kong), a coach at a local gym. As Jason becomes as much a surrogate father as a coach, Claressa trains with a ferocious determination and earns a spot on the 2012 Summer Olympic team —  Claressa “T-Rex” Shields becomes the first American woman to take home the gold in the sport at age 16. From there, Claressa goes from being a poor inner city kid with nothing to … a poor inner city kid with a gold medal overnight.  There are no endorsement deals, no professional career and seemingly no new worlds to conquer. As Claressa fights discouragement, she must find a path to lead her beyond a one time victory into a lasting better life.

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Rachel Morrison, the first woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for her work on Black Panther, makes a strong directorial debut, coming out swinging. She’s ably assisted by a terrific script by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight). The Fire Inside transcends the tropes of the genre by reaching the rush of climactic fight and then daring not to end there, instead delving into the reality that in Shields’  life, one triumph in the sports world doesn’t change your circumstances, especially for an uncouth young woman with no interest in playing the public relations game and selling a softer, more traditionally feminine image. We’ve heard the cliche “this isn’t just a movie about sports, it’s about life,” but such a candid look at a life-changing moment that does nothing to change your life, and learning how to face this, was something refreshingly new and honest. The often bleak and at times stunningly beautiful cinematography by Rina Yang, along with the stirring score by Tamar-kali, lift the sensory experience and go a long way to making this one a winner. 

Destiny shows potential as a breakout star, commanding the screen as effortlessly as Claressa commands the ring. Henry is the highlight of any film he’s in, and The Fire Inside is no exception, with his grounded performance keeping the film moving along and setting the tone for a story about learning that you can still lean on others while you’re believing in yourself. The sizzling chemistry between these two actors drives a poignant and entertaining story to a satisfying and believable conclusion that’s not the one you’re expecting.

The Fire Inside is a breath of fresh air in a genre that far too often settles for stale and dank. It provides enough inspirational warmth to fulfill its duties as an uplifting sports movie, but its got the stamina and the drive to go a few extra rounds and push its own limits. Unlike most boxing films, this champ doesn’t pull any punches. –Patrick Gibbs

Read more film reviews here:
Film Review: A Complete Unknown
Film Review: Babygirl 

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