Film Review: Thor – Ragnarok

Directed by Taika Waititi, the third instalment in Marvel’s Thor films, Thor: Ragnarok, sees the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) return after being banished by his long-lost goth sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett). Imprisoned on the planet Sakaar, which is ruled over by camp tyrant Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), Thor is pitted against the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) in a gladiatorial contest. But, with the help of his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and a defender of Asgard, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), his priority is to return home to save it from of the prophesised catastrophe of Ragnarok.

Comment: Apparently it Does Matter if You’re Black or White

(Edited version of my competition entry. Click image to view layout on ISSUU.)

Racism is something we’re all aware; we hear about it constantly in society, in football and in our everyday lives, but what about in film?

It’s likely that you would have heard stories about directors, writers and producers typecasting characters and it’s not uncommon to see particular actors play the same racial stereotype all of the time. What is a rarity, however, is an audience’s reaction when they don’t agree with the race of a character cast in a certain role.

Competition Entry: Prejudice In Film

(Written for a competition to write for MTV Sticky, which I won.)

You may have heard that The Hunger Games has done extremely well since its release last month, making over $350M worldwide and clinging on to the top of the box office for four whole weeks, but did you hear about those who only had negative things to say about the film?

‘Thor 2’ Gets A Robert Rodat Rewrite & Starts Filming This Summer

(Written for Lost In The Multiplex)

Tom Hiddleston revealed to Empire earlier this month when and where Marvel Studios will start filming Thor 2, as Marvel Studios confirmed that Saving Private Ryan scribe Robert Rodat is rewriting the script for director Alan Taylor.

Hiddleston, who plays the character of Loki, told Empire that: “All I know about Thor 2 is that we’re supposed to film it in London in the summer and that it’s being directed by Alan Taylor.”

My Top 10 Films of 2011

There were many great films released on the big screen this year, from the origins of the X-Men to nameless drivers. Of course, there were many films that I didn’t get to see, but as I’ve started to write about film more over this past year, I have slowly been catching up. For the UK, as well, we’re still waiting for some highly acclaimed films, such as Shame, to be released over on these shores, but these will have to be included in next year’s list as I am going by UK dates.

This list is constantly changing with the more films I watch so you can visit my Letterboxd account for a constantly updated list.

For now, here are my top 10 films of 2011:

Patty Jenkins to Direct ‘Thor 2’

(Written for Lost In The Multiplex)

Marvel Studios have confirmed The Killing’s Patty Jenkins as the director of Thor 2, the sequel to the first Thor film based on the Marvel Comics character – the God of Thunder.

Patty Jenkins previously directed Monster starring Charlize Theron who won an Academy Award for her performance. Jenkins also received an Emmy nomination for directing the pilot of AMC’s acclaimed series The Killing, but with so few blockbuster titles behind her name, many have questioned the choice for her as director.

Film Review: Thor

The fourth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and directed by Kenneth Branagh, Thor follows the Asgardian god of thunder, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), who is banished to Earth by his father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), the ruler of Asgard, and stripped of his powers and his hammer after reigniting a dormant war. As his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) plots to take the Asgardian throne, Thor must prove himself worthy. But when the most dangerous villain of his world sends its darkest forces to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero as he must protect his new human allies (Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, and Stellan Skarsgård).