Movie Review – Thor: Ragnarok
The story rocks from beginning to end. It’s just a ton of fun.
And this is without a doubt the funniest Marvel movie yet! Yes, probably even funnier than the first Guardians. Every character has his lines and while the moment was hilarious, it was never silly. Korg (voiced by the director himself) was the funniest, especially the way he delivered his lines.
All the actors were great – Hemsworth, Hiddleston, Blanchett, Thompson, Urban… Elba gets to be a big hero and Goldblum does what he does best – be Jeff Goldblum. Some of the situations are actually really deep, but the light touch and humor keep this from being anything but a dark film.
The special effects are amazing. Some shots looked like straight out of a Frank Frazetta painting.
Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song rocks the first and last fights – and fits the action and movie perfectly.
Look for a couple big name actors in cameo roles. Also try to catch the 3D showing. And do stay for the double ending – don’t leave until the credits are completely done.
Overall, it’s an incredibly fun time at the movies. Highly recommended!
Stranger Things – Season Two Review
As hinted at the end of season one, they were not finished with the Upside Down.
Will struggles with visions. Nancy struggles with Barb’s disappearance. And Hopper struggles to hide and contain a powerful young lady…
Season two stays true to the first season. It’s lost a little now that there is no surprise, but the story line is just as great.
It’s also great to see the cast again. They are like family. Plus there are a couple new characters you will really enjoy.
The second season fleshes out the characters even more. They are real people, just like us. (Less the threat of the Upside Down of course!) But at a time when every writer is going for super damaged, edgy, and unlikeable characters, this cast is refreshing. You can root for them. They pull together and help each other. It’s very reminiscent of the time period the show is set in, the 80’s.
The only spoiler I will give (and stop reading if you don’t want to know) but the ending is definitely for the fans.
If you haven’t already binge-watched this on NetFlix…what is wrong with you? Watch it now! Highly recommended.
Movie and Science Fiction News
WONDER WOMAN has officially become the biggest superhero origin movie ever, edging out the likes of IRON MAN and SPIDER-MAN. As of this writing, WONDER WOMAN has made exactly $821,749,588 at the global box office, narrowly beating SPIDER-MAN’s $821,708,551.
That leads right into these cool promo posters that were also featured on JoBlo:
Can you tell I’m a bit stoked for Justice League?
It’s hosted by Over the Effing Rainbow and There’s Always Room for One More.
You can sign up there or just follow the Twitter account - @SciFiMonth
Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Today we have special guest at the IWSG site - B. O'Malley from Screenplay Readers. Check out his article The Top Newbie Mistakes Made By Writers Adapting their Book into a Screenplay
Thanks again to my co-hosts, the IWSG admins, and all of you who participated last Wednesday in the monthly blog posting. Those are some of the most thoughtful and honest posts I read all month.
Remakes Blogfest!
Remakes – most of them suck. Now and then, one comes along that is as good as, if not better, than the original. And after all of the bad ones we’ve endured, we want to know about some good ones.
On November 13, 2017, blog about your favorite remake: movie (or television show into movie and vice versa), song, or book – or all three! Post a YouTube video and links where we can find these treasures. Tell us why THIS remake doesn’t suck!
Join us! Sign up HERE.
Who else saw Thor: Ragnarok? Binge-watched all of Stranger Things already? Stoked for Justice League? Celebrating SciFi Month? Did you enter the IWSG Anthology Contest? And who is ready for some good remakes next week?
88 comments:
Hi Alex, another bood news and review post.
Good to know what is going on in the entertainment and book world.
Good luck with your blogfest next week.
Yvonne.
Won't have time for a blogfest this month, but I plan to keep a lookout for everyone else's remake posts. What a fun topic!
Hi Alex - good to know you had as many entries as last year for the IWSG Anthology contest ... good luck to selecting the entries. Fascinating to see Wonder Woman is doing/ has done so well ... working one's book into a screenplay - that will be interesting to read - though need to write the book first - while you... perhaps we'll see your book becoming a space opera? Cheers and here's to a good week - Hilary
I LOVED WONDER WOMAN AND SAW IT FOUR TIMES AT THE MOVIE HOUSE. CRIED ALL FOUR TIMES.
WE WATCHED ALL OF STRANGER THINGS LAST HALLOWEEN WEEKEND AND IT WAS GREAT. LOVED IT.
LOVE THOR/HULK. WHAT A FUNNY FLIPPIN' MOVIE. JUST AN ALL AND ALL OUT, GREAT TIME. EXCELLENT WAY TO KICK OFF OUR 10-DAY STAYCATION. FUNNIEST OF THE MARVELS MOVIES, TO DATE.
Even more fun than the first guardians? Guess I have to get off my butt and go watch it. Yeah, bingewatched Stranger things over two days. Had to be done. Already got my remake, ick to that word, post done.
I had no idea November was Sci-Fi month. I'll have to celebrate :-) Best of luck to everyone who entered the anthology contest. It's fantastic you got lots of entries this year. Can't wait to read the winning stories. Cheers - Ellen
I've watched nearly all of season 2 of Stranger Things. :) I hadn't even watched season 1 until recently...I finally had to see what all the hubbub was about. Good stuff! Reminiscent of The Goonies. So far, there's just been one episode of season 2 that I thought was off...the others have been great.
Wonder Woman totally deserves its success in my view, great film, very enjoyable!
I had no idea November was sci-fi month, I'm going to take a stab at celebrating by reading up some sci-fi titles for which I've collected recos... Remakes is such a fun topic for a blogfest - going to be a blast, good luck to both of you.
I really must catch up with Stranger Things season one it sounds good as does season two. I adore those Promo Posters – artwork is my thing! I’m looking forward to the Remakes Blogfest!
What is wrong with me? I've been thinking that I need to start Stranger Things. Been hearing so much about it. Maybe will try to do it this week.
And sorry not to join the Blogfest, but I don't watch enough movies/TV to have a good opinion about remakes. I work and read more.
I have to check out the SciFi Month.
I may sign up for the Blogfest next week.
It is a measure of great appreciation by the blogging community that resulted in big numbers for the IWSG Anthology contest. Reputation has been
established, that's great, Alex!
There does not seem to be any let-up in superhero themes that probably explains the success of Wonder Woman. WW can certainly hold out on its own feminine strength!
Hank
Heather, thanks!
Hilary, I'd love to see my books as movies, but someone else will have to write the screenplay.
Ivy, yes to all!
Pat, you knew you couldn't resist.
Elizabeth, seven was different, but eight and nine really rock.
Barbara, awesome!
Natalie, you have to watch it.
Sandra, please join us.
Yay for Wonder Woman!!!!
I'm sad to say I was underwhelmed by Stranger Things - even though I really wanted to 'get it' as much as everyone else seemed to. I'm going to give the second series a go, though - fingers crossed!
I'm a Stranger Things fan. Must be the 80's connection. I watched some of it alone, and some with one of my boys. It was fun, a little gory, and good storytelling. Love the characters! I want to see Thor!
Loved Stranger Things 2! Binge-watched the weekend it came out. And I totally agree about the cast/characters. :)
ALEX!!!
I'm so jealous you got to see THOR already! I'm not sure when we will get to go, but I can't wait!!!
Stranger Things is on my list of things to watch. My husband just started to watch The Man in the High Castle from Amazon. He's all excited to watch it.
YAY for REMAKES!!
Heather
I did actually see Thor!
But I still haven't seen Blade Runner...
Yay Wonder Woman. I must watch some of these movies. I stay with the real world too much. Sci Fi might be a great change.
Have a great week.
Thor was so funny. I loved the rock guy.
Great news about Wonder Woman. Yet still no Black Widow movie in sight.
I'm a big Stranger Things fan. It's like Stand By Me meets Goonies. Love it. Season 2 was fantastic.
Still need to see Thor. One of my friends called it "Big Trouble in Little Ragnarok."
So glad the entries came in such a drove! I'm excited to see the stories.
Since I was captive at 30,000 ft. for many hours, I got to watch a few movies. One of them was Wonder Woman. I liked it. Loved the costumes. :-)
I loved Ragnarok! It was the funniest one yet and Marvel too, right next to Guardians of the Galaxy. I especially loved how they continued the running joke of Thor getting electrocuted from the first Thor movie. I'd go see it again if I wasn't amped up to see Justice League next week.
I still have to see Wonder Woman but will see it soon! I also really want to see Thor especially since it sounds like it is a hoot. In the Justice League, or as I remember, Super Friends, isn't Superman part of this? I want to see this also. Lots of things to see...
I am very behind on movies and Stranger Things 2. Keep those reviews coming - you've whetted my appetite. Finally, things are looking up in the entertainment world. Happy November
Stranger Things 2 was great. I wasn't a huge fan of that underground punk episode. It felt too disjointed and fell a little flat for me, but didn't ruin the season. I tore through that sucker in 2 days. Can't wait for the next one.
Also can't wait for Thor. That's this week.
We don't have Netflix, but my sister did purchase Season 1 of Stranger Things, and we've see the first episode. I'm digging it. Now to just find the time to watch the rest.
I can't wait to see Thor. So excited. I started Stranger Things season two and I am realizing I missed a lot from season one. I must have slept through most of it.
I had to watch Wonder Woman three time before I appreciate it and understood what all the cheering was about.
At first, I was disappointed in the storyline because it mixes and combines and changed known mythology, especially the Aries mythology and connections. Also the fact she was a god, not just an Amazon Warrior.
BUT, after the third time watching it I accepted digression and could appreciate it for what it is and the story change elements and how they worked and the grandiose of the superhero story.
It is a great movie about a strong female heroine which I loved. It was action-packed and tied up the immediate main story. Once I got past my disappointments I like the character.
I think it is awesome that it has outgrossed the other superhero movies. You go Wonder Woman!
I cannot wait until I can seeThor Ragnorok. The Thor series has been my favorite of these Marvel movies with Guardians of Galaxy bumping it hard. Before that, it was Iron Man and Avengers tying. I did like Deadpool a lot which was unexpected as not a favorite comic in that line.
Looking forward to Justice League too.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
I'm really glad that Wonder Woman left the others for dust. Having a female superhero do so well, that kinda lifts morale for females and humankind.
Have a great week, Alex.
I didn't have to get beyond Hiddleston to know that my teenager will be heading to see the new Thor. Sci Fi month is a new one for me. I am sure my youngest (now 17) will make the most of it.
Thanks, Hank!
Annalisa, part of it might be a USA thing.
Heather! You need to go.
Jay, that's an apt description.
Lidy, I know! So would I, but movies coming out the next few Fridays.
Birgit, yes he is, and he is in the movie.
Bryan, that one was a little too different, but the next two episodes made up for it.
Juneta, her origin story fit well with the comics. Thor has been a favorite of mine and I didn't expect to like Deadpool so much either. Wouldn't read the comic though.
Glad you had so many entries for the anthology contest, look forward to hearing the results in due course. Will look out for the remake posts next week.
Did i miss something in Ragnarok? How did the Jeff Goldblum character capture The Hulk and hold him there for two years without any of the other Marvel characters realizing he was gone?
I'm not looking at the Stranger Things review. Have not seen it yet, don't want even a hint of spoilers (which is rare, I usually love me some spoilers). And Thor sounds great. Can't wait to see it.
I haven't seen Thor: Ragnarok yet. I heard that improvisation was encouraged and a lot of it was used. I liked Stranger Things as well.I read it moved too slow but I thought it moved just right.
After reading your review of Thor I now kind of want to see it. You had me at "funny". Maybe I'll see it when it comes on DVD.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Thor sounds like a lot of fun! Can't wait :)
Daughter and friends caught the Thor movie at a special showing in 3D and she loved it. It is on our watch at home soon as the DVD comes out list.
Love the theme of the blogfest! I have a remake I love. It is a song, but try as I might I have never found it anywhere but on the B side of a record I have. 😒 If I can scrounge it up somewhere, I'll join in. If not, I'll come a visit.
Thor does it again! I can tell from the review everyone had a great time and so many big hollywood names too! Next monday will be awesome cos I'm all set for the Blogfest Remakes.
I have only seen the first episode of ST and thank you for the no spoiler review! I appreciate that! I am so behind on all the superhero movies it's pathetic. I haven't even seen Wonderwoman yet. I need more time!
Wonder Woman certainly earned first place. That was an awesome movie.
Hope you had a productive day and are having a pleasant evening.
Stranger Things was great. Still haven't seen Thor but I almost never go to opening weekend no matter how much I want to see something.
I just finished Stranger Things- season one. Up next- season two. Can't wait to binge watch it. :)
Awesome to hear that Thor was such fun!
~Jess
Glad to hear Thor lives up to expectations. That will be a must-see at some point - though not 3-D. My eyes just don't cope with any fast movement in 3-D. I took my son to see Pacific Rim on the big screen in 3-D and couldn't follow the action. Much of it only registered when I saw it again on DVD at home :(
Now off to see what this sci-fi month is all about ...
Hi Alex,
I guess you have me curious about Thor now. I'll have to catch it soon. I watched all of Stranger Things 2. I spaced it out over a few days and my only disappointed was that there weren't any more episodes to watch..lol..I know they hooked me good. Oh, and I did enjoy Wonder Woman. It's amazing how well it was received.
Have a wonderful week!
My son saw Ragnarok this last weekend and loved it. So it's a must see on my list. As is the Justice League. Now, I'm curious how many entries you guys had for the IWSG (I can't remember the number for last year).
Stephen, they knew he was missing - he went off the grid in the last Avengers, remember?
Holly, they did improvise and it rocked. I thought the pace was good.
Lee, watch it on DVD at least!
Barbara, I hope you find it!
Spacer Guy, awesome!
Sandra, I am!
Susan, and I almost never go to see something past opening weekend.
Jess, enjoy!
Truedessa, I know! I want more.
Tonja, almost as many!
I'm looking forward to seeing Thor, and now your review makes me want to rush out to see it. I loved the first season of Stranger Things. Instead of binge watching the 2nd season, we wanted to make it last, at least a week. So far, still in love with those kids. I'm still a bit in shock about Bob the Brain.
Have a great week, Alex.
I've only heard good things about Thor and Stranger Things. Glad they didn't disappoint.
Haven't seen the new Thor movie yet. May not get the chance to see it while it's still at the movies. That lack of time thing is a bit of an issue at the mo.
Loved Stranger Things 2. I agree with your review.
I used to love reading Sci-Fi but then I discovered romance.♥ Glad there's a month for it though.
I was already looking forward to seeing Thor: Ragnarok, now I really am.
Cathrina, I know! We were bummed when Bob bought it.
I rarely see a movie close to its release date, but I saw Thor Ragnarok with my little boy. I read Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology recently, so we really wanted to see this movie right away. I agree it was awesome. But I chose the Dolby theater option. The previews assaulted my senses. My son and I almost left, it was so loud and the rumble of the seats was so annoying. We loved it so much, we are going to see it again when he has his homework done for the week and I have my writing done. Best Marvel movie so far. Cate Blanchett was amazing.
Alex, you convinced me! I am seeing Thor this weekend. Wonder Woman deserves the spotlight! My favorite story of all the superheroes. Good luck to all the contest writers this year, and have s great rest of your week.
I've heard a lot of good things about Stranger Things. I plan to watch it eventually. Wish I had more time! (One of the siblings is an actor from Atlanta, where I live. And I think it may have been filmed here.)
I really think Netflix does an amazing job on their original series shows. Ozarks was super good but oh the swearing....! Stranger Things is nice since it's more of a family show. I wish they'd do more like that.
It will be interesting to see what people pick for remakes.
Enjoy your day.
After reading your review of 'Thor,' I know my weekend plans.
Happy to report, my "kids" totally agree with your review of Thor! I'm looking forward to 'Stranger Things'.
Haven't seen Thor yet, but I know what I'm doing this Friday.
Love Stranger Things 2. I'm still not sure how I feel about Nancy. I think she was more motivated by guilt than a loss of closure.
I'm super excited about the Remake Blogfest.
I can't wait until I get to see Thor. Justice League will also be one of those I hope to see in the theater as well.
People are in love with Thor 3. Maybe I'll have to see it after all...
Hi Alex! Thanks for the movie review on Thor! I want to see it so badly! You made me laugh about Justice League! You remind me of my brother so much! LOL!
Thor and company were amazing and funny and such a hoot. Not another crash and bash, this one had a totally full theater totally hooked. Music was amazing.
Several friends have raved to me about Stranger Things -- maybe I'll have a chance to binge watch it this winter.
I am SO glad the Wonder Woman movie has been such a big hit. Maybe now Hollywood will realize that women on the screen and in the audience can mean good business.
I loved Thor:Ragnarok so much that I saw it twice. I haven't watched season 2 of Stranger Things yet. I'll get around to it soon.
Tonja, it is one of the best!
Erika, go and enjoy!
Sherry, I think it was.
Karen, they have the best original programming.
Toi, you might be right.
Magic Love Crow, I hope that's a good thing!
Michael, thought about seeing it twice, but already have a new movie to see every Friday this month.
Thanks for the Stranger Things review! I haven't watched it yet, but I'm always glad to hear about shows that stay true to the characters.
Looking forward to the IWSG anthology!
Ooh, remakes blogfest, great idea. Especially now with the news that LoTR might be coming to tv...
Yaaaaaaa! I totally forgot that Thor Ragnarok came out. I needs to see it this weekend. :3
The new Thor movie does look like it’d be a lot of fun.
The game plan yesterday was to see Thor. Ended up getting new ductwork put in instead. Sigh. But it made a huge difference with the air so that's a good thing.
Have a relaxing evening.
I wrote my story for the IWSG contest in the last few days. I almost gave up early on, but I'm glad I pushed myself to finish and submit before the deadline. Even if I'm not one of the winners, at least I tried something different and took a chance.
I am looking forward to seeing Thor - alone if I have to on the road. I also can't wait to see Justice League; no Aqua Man's hunky good looks has nothing to do with that desire, lol.
Can't wait to see who the Anthology participants will be. My last rejected IWSG submission was accepted by another publication, and one of the reviewers commented that it was reminiscent of Stranger Things, yet original. So, now I have to go watch Stranger Things. I'm glad to see it is such a good program. I never know what to watch on Netflix so this recommendation will give me something for a weekend binge at a motel :)
Yep, there have been way too many bad remakes out of Hollyweird lately.
I feel like you and my hubby would be fast friends. You guys have so much in common. Same music taste. Same movie taste. Same humor. Anyway, we have been waiting for Stranger Things to drop on Netflix but have had so much going on at home (family visiting, parties, etc.) we haven't had time to binge on it yet. Ugh! I'm so glad it's just as good as the first season. Yay!!! Can't wait to dive in. Fun fact: that was the first show hubby binged watched with me on Netflix. haha!
Have a beachy week!
Elsie
If November is Sci Fi month it must be Cassa month as well:)
Deniz, I heard that.
Sandra, still doesn't sound like a fair trade off.
Carrie-Anne, good for you!
Donna, that's awesome it was accepted elsewhere. Yes, you do need to watch Stranger Things. And go see Thor.
Elsie, then you'll have to binge watch season two together. And good to know we'd be friends.
Sandra, it should be!
I loved "Wonder Woman" and plan to see the new Thor movie. The reviews in our newspaper have been good... but not as good as yours.
As for remakes, I've found most of them to be disappointing. I enjoyed the Lethal Weapon movies so much, I was going to skip watching the TV series. I figured it couldn't POSSIBLY be as good as the movies. I was wrong. I loved the TV show last year, and the chemistry between the characters was every bit as good as in the movies. This season? Not sure yet. The story line is getting a little old, but I'll withhold judgment.
My daughter loves Stranger Things. I have to check it out.
We saw the new Thor movie. My two grown sons and one of the boys' girlfriends was with us, so we didn't stay to see the double ending after the credit. My youngest son is perturbed about the big loss Thor suffered (I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't seen it, so that's all I'll say). Def. recommend seeing it!
I can't wait to see Thor, but I'm going to have to wait until it's out on blu ray. Too much going on to be able to get over to Canada and the wait is always ridiculous and that makes it harder. Basically, we need a whole day set aside just to go see a movie in a theater.
Haven't gotten to Stranger Things 2 yet, but I will. Will have to take the old man to see Thor if it's that good.
I've heard nothing but great things about Thor and am pumped to see it. As far as Stranger Things, I started watching the first season with one of my sons, and only got to the fifth episode before I ran out of watching time for the moment. I've caught a couple episodes from the second season as he's watched (it doesn't spoil it for me at all) and really need to get caught up. Wish I had time to binge . . .
Happy science fiction month!
I'm definitely goin to watch STranger things
Hope your weekend is wondrous;)
Saw Thor, thought it was awesome. ^_^ It's rare that I see a movie where it's so clear that everyone involved was having such a good time making it, and that really came through in their performances. Especially Jeff Goldblum.
And I'm really starting to think I should get Netflix one of these days, if only for Stranger Things - the sheer amount of praise I'm seeing for it is amazing.
I've finally watched one of your reviewed movies! Loved the new Thor--it was a ton of fun, and always great to see those characters again.
I'm saving Stranger Things 2 as a reward for surviving NaNoWriMo, but I am looking forward to it.
And hooray for Wonder Woman! Perhaps the powers that be will finally sit up and take notice.
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