Thor the new comic book movie from the Marvel universe is a fun romp through a surprisingly enjoyable fantasy world. It’s rare to find a movie with such high concepts like the world of Asgard (Thor’s home) relatable to the Iron Man loving public of planet Earth. This movie pulls it off, and quite well!

Director Kenneth Branagh managed to combine the stories of Asgard and Earth in a very effective way in Thor. The outlandish costumes and extreme Asgard personalities are laughable and grandiose, much like characters from any fantasy film. Thankfully Branagh managed to bring it all together. The film progresses with almost Shakespearean drama of kings, warriors, jealousy, betrayal, murder and parallel realms battling for supremacy. It’s not your average superhero movie to say the least. The pace well kept through all 114 minutes, all the way up to the teaser after the end credits. I never felt bored or sleepy and it left me wanting more.

The best performance in Thor, hands down, is from newcomer Tom Hiddleston who plays Thor’s evil brother Loki. His extreme story and performance come across with the most impact of any of the characters in the movie. Anthony Hopkins’ performance as Odin is solid (as expected), he really helps make Asgard more believable conceptually. Hemsworth’s Thor is a fun, power-loving guy who fits more easily into the world of Asgard than that of Earth. Thankfully his crash landing on earth makes for some great interactions with the human weaklings, given his recently stripped god-like powers. Natalie Portman’s character Jane seems almost incidental, not to say she wasn’t good in the role, but the character just reacts. She’s never all that pro-active and I just never care a whole lot about her in this movie. There were a few groaner moments early in the movie with some of the performances from Thor’s Asgardian friends, but overall the performances weren’t bad.

The visuals in this movie are certainly something to behold, very clean. There are moments where I was feeling a little like I was watching a video game cut scene, CGI abounds.

Overall, this movie is a must see for comic book fans and fantasy fans alike. It’s not the best movie I’ve seen or even the best Marvel movie, but it’s definitely worth the price of admission.

–Nick Wolfwood

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Paula Abdul is back with Simon Cowell for his U.S. version of the British hit The X-Factor.

Cowell had one last judges seat to fill and Abdul (who is finally confirmed) will take her place at the table with Cowell, music producer Antonio “LA” Reid and singer Cheryl Cole.

Former Pussycat Dolls lead Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones are co-hosting the new reality singing competition and at stake for the winner is a $5 million contract, among other prizes.

With all the judging/hosting talent in place, the first taping took place on Sunday, May 8th in downtown Los Angeles.

[image: FayesVision/WENN]

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Here’s the new full trailer for the upcoming comic book movie Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds.

This is by far the best trailer so far for this movie, and I’m sorry to say, I’m not excited. As much as I want it to be good, it just looks a little too corny. The amount of promotional material for this movie is overbearing, granted this is a big comic book release, but it’s no Marvel movie. The fan-base for Green Lantern has to be miniscule in comparison to most other big-name comics, which all have movies out or on the way already.

Source: YouTube

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A little boy is the new and welcome addition to Alicia Silverstone and Christopher Jarecki’s house.

Silverstone gave birth to the couple’s first son on Thursday, May 5th in Los Angeles. The actress and her musician hubby had a 7 pound 15 ounce baby they’ve chosen to name Bear Blu Jarecki.

“Mom and Dad are completely in love” with their “beautiful baby boy,” the actress’ rep said in a statement.

The Clueless star shared her joy with the world on her blog, The Kind Life:

“We are all three in love!” Silverstone wrote. “I’m so grateful to this community for all the love, support, good wishes and happy vibes you’ve sent me during my pregnancy…it has been wonderful. Thank you all!”

Silverstone, 34, and Jarecki, 40, have been together since 1997 and married in 2005.

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Blu-ray is the new standard, DVD is on its way out and every week they are releasing many films on the relatively new format. Here’s the full list of Blu-ray movies out this week on May 10th, 2011.

• Alien
• Alien 3
• Alien: Resurrection
• Aliens
• The Almighty Thor
• Another Stakeout
• Black Death
• Blue Valentine
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Digibook)
• Chobits: Complete Collection
• Cougars, Inc.
• Dahmer vs. Gacy
• Flicka 2
• Heaven & Hell: Radio City Music Hall – Live!
• The Hit List
• The Horse Soldiers
• I Saw the Devil
• The Illusionist (2010)
• An Innocent Man
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Digibook)
• The Misfits
• No Strings Attached
• Patton (Digibook)
• Rocky (Digibook)
• Shigurui: Death Frenzy
• Some Like It Hot (1959)
• Something Wild
• Straight Talk
• The Terminator (Digibook)
• Top Gun: 25th Anniversary Edition
• The Usual Suspects (Digibook)
• V.I. Warshawski
• The Violent Kind

This week’s highlight is the new drama Blue Valentine starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams which I haven’t seen yet, but I’ve heard is really great. Another (far contrasting) couples movie also out this week is No Strings Attached starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. No other big new releases but all those sci-fi fans will be excited for the release of Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection this week.

Source: High-Def Digest

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Thor was the #1 movie this past weekend making $65.7 million, more than double the gross of Fast Five which made another $32.4 million in it’s second week. Jumping the Broom snatched up the #3 slot with $15.2 million. And finally, Something Borrowed opened at #4 with $13.9 million. No other movies opened in the top ten this week.

Source: Box Office Mojo

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CSI gave Justin Bieber a guest spot for two episodes this past year and star Marg Helgenberger is kinda calling out the teen singing sensation.

In an interview last week with a French magazine, the 52 year-old mildly dished on the “Baby” singer’s behind-the-scenes behavior.

“I shouldn’t be saying this but he was kind of a brat,” Helgenberger said. “He was very nice to me, but he locked one of the producers in a closet and put his fist through a cake on a craft service table.”

She had some half-hearted praise for him, to soften the ‘brat’ blow.

“Justin Bieber wasn’t bad,” the actress said in regards to his acting ablilities. “He had never acted before… He’s better than you think.”

The 17 year-old tries to take the high road and responded on twitter.

“It’s kinda lame when someone you met briefly and never worked with comments on you. I will continue to wish them luck and be kind,” was his first response.

“Even last week they had me scolded on a plane in the news because i wasnt in my seat fast enough. She was right and i sat down. That’s news?”

“I know who i am and sometimes people r just going 2 say what they want. Keep ur head up and be the man ur mama raised,” he continued.

Ultimately he finished with this: “”Rumors are just that … rumors. In the end if you just be kind and be yourself people will know who you are. That goes for anyone i think.”

Much ado about nothing.

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Aubrey O’Day and Maria Menounos both chose rather whimsical black and white dresses  for the Kentucky Derby.   However, that’s where the similarities between these two ladies end.

Aubrey is only 27 years old, but she looks like a much older woman.  It could be the hat – it looks like something a 52 year old grand dame would wear to church.  And it would be PERFECT on said grand dame… but on Aubrey it is not so fab.   Paired with a babydoll dress that is a more appropriate length for a four year old, it’s just not a good look.

As for Maria, there’s a little too much pom-pom on her dress for my taste, but HER fascinator is super cute.  It’s fun, feminine and feathery!  (How’s that for alliteration?)   She looks awfully pretty, and more important, like she’s having a great time.  But then who wouldn’t, with a cute  mini-cupcake in their hand?

More pictures of Aubrey and Maria after the jump.

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Perhaps inspired by all the hats and fascinators worn at the Royal Wedding, celebrities donned an impressive array of toppers to attend the Kentucky Derby this weekend.  I understand that here in the U.S., most of us don’t have very many chances to wear strictly decorative hats, so I completely get that some people jump at the opportunity.

It’s just too bad Kate Gosselin‘s extra enthusiasm led her to jack a fringed lampshade from a bordello.

Jennifer Tilly, on the other hand, looks like she has no idea what’s on her head or how it got there.    (Jen… they’re molded feathers, but yeah – they totally look like snakes!!)

More pics of Kate and Jennifer after the jump.

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Taylor Swift‘s song ‘Mean‘ is nothing new – her album Speak Now was released in the fall – but the video is just out.  This song was supposedly written as a response to negative press about her performance at the 2010 Grammy Awards and includes  lyrics like:

“Drunken rumbling on about how I can’t sing / But all you are is mean/ And a liar/ And pathetic/ And alone in life/ And mean”

Which sounds like the sentiments of a middle school girl, but then again, Taylor is only 21, so she’s still got a lot of growing up to do.  The song, though, is a super-appealing, bouncy pop-country ditty featuring Taylor on banjo.   The video shows three young people being bullied, excluded and taunted, but triumphing in the end.  (It also portrays Taylor as the classic damsel in distress, tied to railroad tracks by a greasy Snidley type.)  One can only assume that Taylor believes she’s destined to come out ahead as well.

Peep the video for ‘Mean’ after the jump.

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