Snark, Critic and Pop!

Actor Nicol Williamson has died at the age of 75 from esophageal cancer (he actually died back in December, but his family has just released the statement).  A two time Tony award winner, he was also known for having played many famous characters on the big screen such as the wizard Merlin in Excalibur and Hamlet opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins and Marianne Faithful.  But his greatest roll was undoubtedly that of Badger in Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.  In one of the greatest things I have ever seen on IMDB, his first film roll is listed as “Man lighting Major Lockwood’s distorted cigarette (uncredited)” in The Iron Petticoat.

Sadly, Saturday I did not see the Asylum’s, low-budget mockbuster Almighty Thor, though it sits comfortably on my DVR for a later date.  I did however see the big budget, comic book adaptation Thor which opened on Friday.  Coming into the theater with low expections, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.

Thor is entertaining in a similar vein to 2008′s Iron Man, with a focus on character development/growth and a healthy dose of comic relief.  In this case, it’s the  Thor’s (newcomer Chris Hemsworth, who will be a star)  journey from vain, hammer-happy warrior to compassionate, lovable god of thunder.  Natalie Portman is great as Thor’s love interest on Earth, when he’s cast out of Asgard for disobeying “all-father Odin” (Anthony Hopkins, phoning it in). (continue reading…)

Believe it or not, this photo of the upcoming film version of the Marvel superhero Thor was officially released by the studio to generate publicity.

Yes, that’s Sir Anthony Hopkins as Odin, looking hopped up on a rag of ether.  Rumor he mistook the studio executive offering him the role as Poppin’ Fresh, the Pillsbury Doughboy.  Since Hopkins owes his robust physique to those tubes of triple-bleached goo, he accepted.  Now he’s stuck with a gold coin over one eye looking slightly less dignified than Topol in Flash Gordon.

They say a photo is worth a thousand words, but this photo leaves me speechless.  Sure, the movie might still be cool . . . well, it’s not outside the realm of possibility, right?  I mean, it could have a great script and story about the Norse thunder god, right?  Anybody think this isn’t going to stink on ice?

I saw Wolf Man this week, and my low expectations were thoroughly met.

Wolf Man is a remake of the 1940s Universal classic starring Lon Chaney, Jr.  The remake amps up the violence and the gore. In addition, there is the requisite Hollywood plot twists and grand finales with cymbals classing, buildings burning, and heads being lopped off aplenty. (continue reading…)