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THOR
Who’s In It? Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston, Colm Feore, Jaimie Alexander, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson, Rene Russo, Tadanobu Asano
Who Made It? Directed by Kenneth Branagh (Marvel)
What Is It? A brash young god angers his old man, gets stripped of his powers, and is chucked out of his home dimension onto Earth. In between getting knocked around by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and being distracted by the general sexiness of Natalie Portman, Thor must learn humility, defeat his devious brother, save the day, and prepare himself for THE AVENGERS.
How’s It Look From Here? Verily and forsooth, comic fans have waited an age to see Marvel’s Mjolnir-swinging deity come to life on the big screen. And although this version deviates substantially from the origins on the page (no Donald Blake alter-ego), it retains the character’s essence and supporting cast, and seems to gel with the established Marvel movie universe.
But while general audiences should get a satisfying adventure with lots of visual kazow, most of us hardcore fanboys/girls will be there to see all the geek references and how the movie sets up next summer’s grand assemblage of Marvel’s superheroes.
SOMETHING BORROWED
Who’s In It? Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield, Steve Howey, John Krasinski
Who Made It? Directed by Luke Greenfield (Warner Bros.)
What Is It? A single thirty-something woman gets stupid drunk and takes a hot wet flop on the crotch of her best friend’s fiance. This momentary slutness leads to an ongoing affair, complications, hurt feelings… that sorta shit.
How’s It Look From Here? As counterprogramming to THOR, this seems like a generic romcom/dramedy (what else does Kate Hudson make?) specifically looking to attract the gals who aren’t into comic book movies and/or tall, muscular blond men. It’s also based on a book by popular “chick lit” author Emily Griffin and produced by Hilary Swank, but director Luke Greenfield might be the most notable thing about it — his last feature was the under-appreciated THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, about a teenager’s relationship with a porn star.
JUMPING THE BROOM
Who’s In It? Angela Bassett, Mike Epps, Julie Bowen, Meagan Good, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Tasha Smith, Valarie Pettiford, Romeo Miller, DeRay Davis
Who Made It? Directed by Salim Akil (Sony)
What Is It? Two African-American families from different social circles gather for a wedding on Martha’s Vineyard, and everyone is deliriously grateful that Tyler Perry wasn’t invited. Sassy hilarity and ceremonial broom-jumping ensues.
How’s It Look From Here? Shrewdly positioned in the romantic afterglow of the Royal Wedding, this seemingly innocuous offering does feature some fine-looking ladies (Bassett is still mad sexy at 52), and one of the actors (Romeo) has the benefit of recent “Dancing with the Stars” exposure. Is that title hoping for HARRY POTTER fans looking for a Quidditch match?
OUTLOOK
FAST FIVE may have kicked off the summer movie season before May even got here, but Marvel’s THOR has the IRON MAN weekend and properly starts the FX-filled season. Whether the unknown Aussie Asgardian has the same appeal as RDJ’s Tony Stark is the big challenge, and the movie’s success or failure could set the tone for a superhero-loaded summer.
HOW MUCH $$$ DO YOU THINK EACH
FILM WILL MAKE?