Tag: Chris Hemsworth

Men in Black International. Just how Bad Are They?

The Men in Black movies are a far cry from the comic books it takes inspiration from, and even then, it was a limited series. The folklore about them was far more sinister, and perhaps unintentionally, Men in Black International is a return to form.

Men in Black International Movie Poster* Spoiler Alert

The Men in Black movies are a far cry from the comic books it takes inspiration from, and even then, it was a limited series. The folklore about them was far more sinister, and perhaps unintentionally, Men in Black International is a return to form. Bounty Hunters are sent to Earth to retrieve an item a visiting royal delegate has, and all heck breaks loose when this alien dies. Plus, a conspiracy is afoot!

Like Roswell Conspiracies, the animated series, not everyone wants to be part of the MiB organization. For those that are, they take the job either rather too seriously or not enough. It seems this film has taken a few cues from this cartoon, and unlike the MiB animated series set in a different universe altogether, the humour offered is a mixed bag.

As the film begins, Molly (Tessa Thompson) befriends an alien and never got neuralized. That is, she did not get her memories erased whereas her parents did. Flash forward ten or so years, she’s all grown up and is a bright but underappreciated tech support worker while on the hunt for them. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know what she’s getting into and the focus is on her than the cast of charming male leads.

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On Avengers: Endgame & It’s Implications in the MCU

AvengersBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Expectations are high for Avengers: End Game to see how Thanos will ultimately get defeated. I know some points from Ant-Man & The Wasp are key to this film more than the self-titled movie introducing Captain Marvel. To see the heroes make use of the quantum realm can mean anything… and just what happens is a huge spoiler which I will not directly address in part one of a two-part article. Massive plot reveals will be explored later.

Overall, the experience of seeing Endgame is worth the wait of everything the past films built up to. It’s well-paced, packed to the gills with Easter Eggs to sate the Marvel Cinematic Universe fans and gives audiences everything expected of a blockbuster film. Warning: a few Act One reveals follow.

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Identifying the Supernatural Lore In Feig’s Ghostbusters

timthumbBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

* Spoiler Alert

Anyone is capable of being a Ghostbuster, and no degree is needed — filmmakers included. While I would have liked a continuation with the founding team, this rebooted product helmed by Paul Feig is fine. It succeeded at being very entertaining. For those craving the original team, I recommend Ghostbusters: The Videogame (available for the PS3, Xbox and PC) where Dan Aykroyd and team helped fashion the narrative. From that non-theatrical product, the idea of how to continue as a business is put forth: training a new generation is required or franchising out.

I read the many pitches to bring the original team back, but with all the waffling going on, ultimately (as Bruce Boxleitner said to me about TRON 3 during Fan Expo Vancouver 2014) it is up to the studio executives if they really want it or not. Ivan Reitman could not imagine directing another Ghostbusters movie after Harold Ramis’ passing. He gave creative control back to the studio. They were allowed to do whatever they wanted. Violet Ramis Stiel affirmed this fact in her essay for SplitSider. She further added, “There can be no Ghostbusters without my dad! They blew it by waiting too long and now it can never happen. At the moment, that felt right…

“This community grew out of the seed of the original films but has taken on a life of its own far beyond anything the creators could have imagined, and it’s beautiful.

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The Second Ghostbusters 2016 is a Slight Improvement!

PHCyGWbP0engFK_2_lBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

I must admit, this second trailer is far better for enticing me to check out Paul Feig‘s reboot. My reason to see this film is to find out if Kevin (Chris Hemsworth) succeeds at becoming a Ghostbuster. I haven’t watched this actor’s other works where he’s working on honing his comedic chops, but to see him dressed up as a nerd is appealing. To see him, as this trailer reveals, turn sinister and ride off somewhere to take on a potentially villainous role … Well, I’m sold! This actor has played more charming roles, and to see him as menacing as Vigo the Carpathian has me curious.

Even if he succeeds at being exorcised or he has a bigger role in the film than previously led on, I wonder if he will equalize the status quo of an all-female paranormal team. Since the animated version had Janine Melnitz as a Ghostbuster to bail the guys out, I have no problems with any role-reversal going on. Fans owning the box set of this great animated series can check her out in “Mr. Sandman, Dream Me A Dream,” “Janine Melnitz, Ghostbuster,” and “Jailbusters.” In the Extreme series, she put on the uniform again, as I recall. I’d love to see a nod to the animated series approach to accepting new members, although I doubt the writers of this film even bothered to look at the past material.

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Trying to Turn The Huntsman: Winter’s War from Fairy Tale to Saga

huntsmannew1

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

When I first heard the Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is in a retelling of the Snow White tale because the story is now in the public domain, the first thought that came to my mind is if (the original movie and) the sequel The Huntsman: Winter’s War can be told from a grandiose Viking perspective? I see it trying to go that route, but the narrative is forcing the fairy tale aspects in a bitter direction.

I skipped the first film because I’m not a big fan of Kristen Stewart. This latest version caught my eye because of Jessica Chastain‘s work in Interstellar (2014) and The Martian (2015). I enjoyed what she brought to the table in those science-fiction films. In fantasy, that world is ridden with tropes where not every “once upon a time” is all that fascinating anymore. In the details I’ve noticed, the Anglo-Saxon imagery permeates and I had to wonder why the mirror, when viewed in closeup, is decorated with runes. Could Loki be involved?

When the new villain is Freya (Emily Blunt), I can not help but wonder if her character might be based on the divinity of the same name from Nordic lore. This goddess of war and death rules the afterlife and she leads the spirits of dead soldiers into battle. She leads the fights for the thrill of the hunt instead of the cold-hearted rule of the people (like Ravenna [played by Charlize Theron] did in the first film). She’s sometimes connected with the heavenly Valkyries of lore. They find the slain to take to Valhalla. Although this movie twists the legend around by spiriting children away (from murdered parents) to become the Huntsmen, the ideology suggests a darker world. These kids have their innocence stripped so they can become ideal soldiers. Instead of a goddess, she’s a mutant with the ability to create ice from the moisture in the air.

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