Chris Hemsworth

  • Review: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is what fans want but not what they expected (Includes first-hand account)

    After 11 years and 22 films, the penultimate movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s phase three brings it all full circle. With only a handful of Avengers left to fix the world — most of whom are ready to hang-up their superhero costumes — it was obvious they’d need to find a way to reverse Thanos’ snap. But who or how remained to be seen. As the Russo brothers swore everyone to secrecy via social media, anxious fans bought their movie tickets and prepared to find out just how a defeated group or heroes save a world that no longer exists in Avengers: Endgame.

  • Review: ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ will shock its spellbound audience (Includes first-hand account)

    There are many types of venues that gather strangers into a single spot, each with their own stories that briefly intersect for this comparatively brief and forgettable period of time. Whether they’re attending for food, lodging, business, entertainment or some combination, the reason for congregating can also be inconsequential and just a matter of necessity or obligation. But occasionally something extraordinary (or extraordinarily horrific) occurs that forever links these people to each other, intertwining their narratives in a manner no one expected when they crossed the threshold. This is what happens when patrons check-in in for Bad Times at the El Royale.

  • Review: ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ makes a big and powerful statement (Includes first-hand account)

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been laying the groundwork for this epic crossover for years. First, post-credit sequences included unrelated characters; then they began to interact with individuals from other storylines; and finally, those characters began to appear in each other’s narratives, including a movie featuring unparalleled in-fighting. Now, all of this preparation is culminating in possibly the greatest — and most ambitious — superhero movie to date. A villain that’s lurked on the periphery for some time is ready to make his big move in Avengers: Infinity War and it’s going to take everyone in the MCU to stop him.

  • Review: ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ is the wittiest Marvel movie to date (Includes first-hand account)

    With Thor not being included in Captain America: Civil War, Marvel appeared to take to social media to explain his absence via hilarious short videos about him attempting to assimilate to civilian, human life in Chris Hemsworth‘s native Australia. This was followed by an amusing post-credit sequence in which the God of Thunder has an awkward sit down with Doctor Strange and a bottomless beer stein. While it seemed like the studio was just having some fun with one of its more popular characters, it turns out they were actually laying the groundwork for their latest superhero picture, Thor: Ragnarok, which takes a decidedly lighter approach to the franchise.

  • Asgardian hero not having a good day in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ trailer (Includes first-hand account)

    It’s been four years since the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) starred in a standalone film and he made his last big screen appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron two years ago. His absence from the Captain America: Civil War team-up has been explained via a couple of amusing YouTube videos. But Thor’s Australian vacation has ended and he’s returned to Asgard where he’s needed — and the teaser trailer for Thor: Ragnarok shows just how much.

  • Thor doesn’t know how to pay his rent and it’s hilarious (Includes first-hand account)

    While last year’s Captain America: Civil War pitted the Avengers against each other in a battle of right vs. also right, there were a couple of members missing from the fray. Bruce Banner/Hulk’s absence is easily explained by his tendency to go into hiding after major skirmishes, but where was Thor (Chris Hemsworth)? Marvel subsequently released a YouTube video, titled “Team Thor,” in which Thor explains he’s taking a break from being a superhero and living a “normal” life in Australia with his roommate, Darryl — also, he wasn’t asked to join either side of the conflict. In conjunction with the release of Doctor Strange on Blu-ray, Marvel checks in with Thor and Darryl who are having a bit of a disagreement over the rent in “Team Thor: Pt. 2, Where Are They Now?.”

  • Review: New ‘Ghostbusters’ makes us feel good (Includes first-hand account)

    The leading issue with pre-determined notions regarding a yet-to-be-released movie is that they’re generally unfounded, even if not always disproven. Most people are aware that promotional campaigns, particularly trailers, can do a great disservice to otherwise likeable and/or respectable films. And while a distaste for remakes that don’t add anything meaningful to the conversation is warranted, there are exceptions to the anti-remake position. One of the most notable is when a studio and/or filmmaker is eager to deliver a new perspective on a classic narrative, rather than simply rehashing what was done before. Paul Feig‘s Ghostbusters is that exceptional movie.

  • Review: ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ leaves audiences out in the cold (Includes first-hand account)

    Origin stories are a simple way of capitalizing on the success of an already existing narrative. With previously established characters on which to draw and a ready-made audience familiar with the premise, going back to a tale’s ultimate beginning seems like a no-brainer. However these advantages don’t automatically translate into a good movie as filmmakers are still required to combine these ingredients with a fresh, engaging story that incorporates old and new elements. The latest to try to use this formula is The Huntsman: Winter’s War, which is a follow-up to 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsman.