Macbeth

          I recently saw a production of Macbeth starring Kenneth Branagh and Alex Kingston. While the play itself was performed in the UK, I was able to attend a screening at UCLA through National Theatre Live. I wasn't sure what to expect, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. It was a tremendous advantage, enabling a widespread audience to sit through a production they would otherwise not be able to attend.

          As someone who is neither an avid theater-goer nor particularly well-versed in Shakespeare, I went into Macbeth with virtually no expectations. I was rather pleased when the cast delivered a really solid performance. Seeing this play took me back to my high school days, and certain lines triggered memories of memorization and performance. In fact, I'd nearly forgotten that one of my very favorite Shakespearean passages comes from Macbeth, and I sat in my seat reciting it my head as Branagh spoke the words aloud:

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day

To the last syllable of recorded time,

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing."

          In general, the experience of seeing Macbeth was incredibly unique because it was neither a live performance nor a film- instead it managed to entwine the best of both worlds. While the real audience members were limited to the single viewpoint of their seats, our theater was privileged in that we got to view each scene from several wonderfully-articulated camera angles. In that sense, the play was very active and engaging in a way that it wouldn't have been for the people viewing it in person. As someone who tends to prefer film over theater, I think that element is what really drew me into this performance. However, unlike watching a movie, these productions by NTL are done live. While the play is being viewed from a camera, it is unedited footage, which makes the overall composition feel very genuine.

          One thing I rather enjoyed about this play was the stage design- specifically that there was no stage. Instead, the theater was divided in half, allowing the performers to pass from one side to the other through a central passageway with audience members sitting on either side. This space allowed for a lot of action and movement that would've been difficult to pull off with a more typical platform. I thought it worked really well.

           If there was one stand-out actor in this production, it was Alexander Vlahos, who played Malcom. While he didn't have a particularly large part, I was constantly drawn to the energy and grace of his performance. I hope his acting career continues to expand because I'd love to see him perform again.

          Overall, I had a great experience, and I would highly recommend looking into National Theatre Live for future entertainment opportunities. In the upcoming months, I already have tickets to see Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch and Coriolanus with Tom Hiddleston. Needless to say, I'm rather excited. 

Thor: The Dark World Review

          I have to say that after seeing Thor The Dark World multiple times in the past week, I am still left with an array of very mixed feelings. In my opinion, it was certainly the weakest of the three associated films. That being said, there were many elements of it that I did thoroughly enjoy.

[SPOILERS AHEAD: Read On At Your Own Risk]

          First and foremost, the movie seemed to be a bit at war with itself in terms of genre. It was largely action, but there were elements of comedy, romance and drama introduced rather abruptly at various points. Now, many movies have pulled off that sort of balancing act, and while I don't think The Dark World was particularly successful at it, the film did benefit from the attempted multi-dimensionality because the main storyline was not strong enough to stand alone.
          There were several plots going on simultaneously, and the main thread involving the dark elves was the weakest in my opinion. It felt somewhat forced within the larger context of the movie series, and involved an unnecessary amount of special effects that, for the most part, lacked the "wow" factor that should accompany good action sequences. There was far too much reliance on the mystical power of the aether, and very little actual explanation as to why certain things were happening.
           More than that however, the biggest problem with the storyline was that it lacked the emotional component that made the first film such a success. The primary villain, Malekith, is a tremendously two-dimensional character with no real motivation behind his treachery. In that respect The Dark World was a disappointing follow-up to Thor and The Avengers, which showcased Loki as the emotionally-driven antagonist. It's that extra layer of characterization which has led to his becoming the most beloved villain of the modern era. With Malekith, even his defeat, which is meant to be the climax of the movie, is underwhelming because the audience doesn't have a fully developed understanding of his character.

          Another thing that frustrated me about The Dark World was a specific scene: Loki's death on Svartalfheim. Don't get me wrong, I thought it was a wonderfully heartfelt segment between the two brothers. What bothered me was the abrupt transition into the next scene. One second we see Thor angered and mourning, and the next he is completely composed and joking around with Jane as they escape to Earth. Now, I understand that the audience may not have believed Loki was really dead, but the point is that Thor did. I just felt he should've reacted differently after having lost both his mother and his brother. Faked or not, I don't think Loki's death received the treatment that his character deserved.
           Speaking of Thor and Loki, I'd like to address the last, and most aggravating thing about this entire movie. The house of Odin is obviously very broken and flawed after the events that take place in Thor and The Avengers, and while this set of complex and dynamic relationships lent itself to some incredibly powerful story material, Marvel chose not to capitalize on it. The small moments shared between the various family members were, by far, the most successful bits of the entire film. I adored the scene between Loki and Odin,

the scene between Loki and Frigga,

the scene between Thor and Odin,

the scene between Odin and Frigga,

and of course, every scene between Thor and Loki.

Those sequences in particular were what really brought the movie into the hearts of the audience. However, they were few and fleeting in duration. I wish the film would've emphasized the relationships between Thor, Odin, Loki and Frigga even more, because they were very moving and immensely powerful.

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          Now that I've thoroughly criticized the movie, I'd like to point out that there were several positive aspects of the film as well. For one thing, the comedic relief was both successful and necessary, and let's face it, Loki pretty much dominated on that front. In fact, the internet has begun referring to the God of Mischief as the "God of Sass"- and for good reason. The brotherly banter that ensues between he and Thor brings their complex relationship down to a more relateable, more human level. The cameo with Captain America was absolutely golden, and the scene when Thor hangs Mjolnir up on the wall was equally well-articulated. I found myself laughing repeatedly throughout the film, and I think the overall movie would've been significantly less enjoyable without that element of humor.

  

      
             For me, there are two standout characters in this movie: Loki and Frigga. What fascinates me about Loki is that he evolves noticeably between each film. In Thor, he is young and emotionally distraught, in The Avengers, he is bitter, ruthless and aggressive, and in The Dark World, Tom Hiddleston delivers a much more sarcastic, sardonic version of Loki that we hadn't really seen before. Despite the interesting shifts in personality, I find my attachment to this character unwavering. The relationship between Frigga and Loki is also one of the best things about the entire film. Yes, it's her death that ultimately leads to his provisional freedom, but it's quite evident that Loki genuinely cares about her. That being said, Frigga is a strong female character all on her own. We see her fearlessly take on the villain, Malekith, and she even dies with honor and grace as the Queen of Asgard. I was extremely concerned when Frigga and Loki were killed off almost consecutively. As two of the strongest, most dynamic characters, it would've been a shame to eliminate them both from the franchise.

          When it comes down to it, the very end of the movie compensates for all of its prior shortcomings. I was absolutely ecstatic when Loki was revealed on the throne. However, I feel like the shock and excitement caused people to overlook the beauty of what had just passed between Thor and "Odin" (aka Loki in disguise). It may have been Loki doing the talking, and he may not have meant a single word that he said, but I loved that it took a veil of deceit to allow the brothers to compliment one another, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Nobody really knows for certain where the story will go from here. Will there be a Thor 3? Will Loki finally get that solo film the world's been rallying for? Only time will tell. Here's to the future. Long live the God of Mischief.

Alternate Thrills

It's that time of year again! Halloween is just around the corner, and as someone who doesn't like horror movies, I thought I'd share the one word that has regularly become my source of thrills every October: Hitchcock.
If you have never seen an Alfred Hitchcock film, you are truly missing out on some high quality, classic entertainment. As a director and producer ranging from the 1920's to the 1970's, Hitchcock wasn't called "the Master of Suspense" for nothing. Unlike the visual thrills we've become so accustomed to in modern entertainment, his films are more psychologically gripping, and the story lines are immensely engaging even to this day.
Three of my all time favorite Hitchcock films are Psycho, Rear Window, and Strangers on a Train. I've included synopses of all three movies below.

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Psycho (1960)

Side note: As I was re-watching some clips from the film just now, I realized that the looks and mannerisms of Anthony Perkins as the character Norman Bates remind me a lot of Andrew Garfield. Apparently other people think so too, judging by this image I found floating around the internet. The resemblance is uncanny! I'd love to see a remake with Garfield cast in that role, but unfortunately there are already too many Psycho spin-offs. Bummer.

I think it's safe to say that this is the epitome of all murder mysteries- ever. I saw it for the first time two years ago and it still blows my mind. That being said, once you know the story, the experience of the film will never be the same. The premise revolves around a young woman who, after embezzling money from her employer and fleeing town, finds herself at an eerily secluded motel in the company of the mysterious manager Norman Bates, and his mother. If that doesn't peek your interest, I don't know what will.

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Rear Window (1954)

If you've ever seen the movie Disturbia (2007) with Shia LaBeouf, its basic premise is pulled from Hitchcock's Rear Window. After breaking his leg, the main character of finds himself confined to his apartment for a substantial amount of time. With nothing else to do, Jeff begins spying on his neighbors through binoculars, and as time goes on he notices some startlingly suspicious activity. Similarly, in Disturbia, the main character Kale is on house arrest, leaving him helpless when he realizes that one of his neighbors is in fact a murderer.
I've seen both films and and enjoyed both films, Rear Window being on one end of the spectrum as perhaps just a bit unsatisfying in terms of thrills and Disturbia on the opposite end, at borderline terrifying. That being said, I couldn't stop watching either of them.

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Strangers on a Train (1951)

I adore the premise of this movie. It's blunt and ridiculous and brings a horrifying topic down to a more comprehensive level. The video above is a pretty solid introduction, but essentially two strangers meet on a train ride and engage in a plot of murder in exchange for murder. However, as the movie progresses, the two men realize that they are not on the same page. It's an incredibly compelling and obscure story that is guaranteed to keep you engaged. 

Doctor Who: The 50th Anniversary and Beyond

 

The British Television series Doctor Who is celebrating its 50th anniversary on November 23, 2013 and the BBC just (finally) released the official poster for this iconic and celebratory episode of the show. Previous stars David Tennant (the Tenth Doctor) and Billie Piper (Rose) will be joining forces with Matt Smith and guest star John Hurt in what is sure to be an adventure of epic proportions, but beyond that little information has been released in regards to the content of episode or even the 50th celebration in general. With November 23rd now rapidly approaching, fans (more affectionately known as Whovians) are growing more and more anxious. 

Series 7, which concluded on May 18th, has received perhaps the most severely mixed reviews since Doctor Who started up again in 2005, leaving much of the audience concerned about the direction the show is now taking. In addition to the anniversary, 2013 proved to be even more of a milestone year when the departure of the current star, Matt Smith, was announced back in June. Following the anniversary episode, Smith will make his last appearance as The Doctor in a Christmas special this December. Knowing the loss of Matt Smith would be overwhelming, the BBC turned things right around by announcing who would be taking over the role. In a live broadcast on August 4, it was revealed that Peter Capaldi would be Smith's successor as the twelfth Doctor.

Those of you unfamiliar with Doctor Who probably have no idea just how big of a deal this really is. Next to the coronation of a new monarch, the announcement of a new Doctor is the pride and joy of the UK (at least in terms of entertainment). I don't think there's a Whovian out there that wouldn't be able to tell you where they were when they found out about the twelfth Doctor. As for my story, I was on vacation in Las Vegas. It was morning, and I was in my hotel room waiting for my sister to wake up so that we could start our day. I grabbed my laptop and logged onto my Facebook mere minutes before the announcement was made; not realizing the convenient timing until I witnessed the internet nearly implode upon itself. My news feed exploded, I got text messages from friends, and let's just say I can't believe Tumblr didn't crash from overuse as fans around the world posted their reactions to the news in uncontrollable quantities. It was mind-blowingly remarkable.
The transition from one Doctor to another is always a bittersweet event (actually it's entirely bitter at the time it occurs, but never fails to turn sweet in the end). While Peter Capaldi has already been  wholeheartedly welcomed as the newest star of Doctor Who, it's impossible not to associate his casting with the inevitable demise of Matt Smith. The 50th anniversary and Christmas specials, while highly anticipated, will surely not fail to be heartbreaking as they mark the end of one era and the beginning of another.
 

The Wonderful World of Color

Last November I had the pleasure of attending Disney's California Adventure park for the first time in about ten years. While the design improvements throughout the park in general were both countless and impressive, there was one thing in particular that captured my attention, and that was the World of Color. 

For those who don't know, World of Color is a nighttime show at California Adventure combining light, water, music, fog, visual projections and fire into an entertainment phenomenon. The whole thing required about $75,000,000 to design, manufacture and build (according to Wikipedia), and I'm assuming the cost of upkeep isn't a small number either. 

World of Color is truly one of the most, if not the most, breathtaking thing I have ever seen in my life. The show runs about 27 minutes in length, and there's not a single dull moment. My jaw literally fell open over and over again in sheer awe of the beautiful choreography. It's a visual delight guaranteed to fill you with nostalgia if you grew up with Disney. 

This is the perfect event for parents and children to enjoy together. I saw the production for the second time just recently, and looking around at the crowd, I was incredibly surprised by the attentiveness of young children, teenagers and adults alike. Everyone looked to be enjoying themselves, despite the fact that it was the end of the day and you have to stand for the entire duration of the show on tired feet. 

I think the thing that makes this show particularly successful is that it draws on all the senses simultaneously. You can smell the fog, hear the music and feel the mist of the water and the heat of the fire even from the very back of the viewing area. You feel one-hundred percent engaged in the moment.

I highly encourage you to see the World of Color if you ever get the chance. The visual and auditory content is constantly being updated and revised to encompass the latest Disney movies, songs, and characters. However, there are also snippets of the classic films and even the company's early cartoon shorts to satisfy older Disney-goers and die-hard fans.

If you can't make it to California Adventure anytime soon, you can catch the entire show here. Naturally it's not quite as impressive online, but it gives you a taste of what World of Color is all about. 

9/12/13: Tom Hiddleston LIVE on Twitter

This morning, @marveluk sponsored a one-hour live chat with actor Tom Hiddleston on Twitter. Needless to say, the internet went a little crazy! I've never witnessed anything quite like this before, and until today I had very limited knowledge of how to even use Twitter, but I guess that only made it all the more exciting!

Fans from across the globe immediately began tweeting their questions to Tom when this event was announced on various social media sites yesterday. The conversation was based strictly on whatever items Hiddleston decided to answer.

Just to stir up a bit of excitement before the chat began, Tom posted this behind-the-scenes photo from the set of Thor titled Filming Loki's Demise (2011). This photo definitely got me really excited, and may very well be my favorite thing to come out of the entire event. In the movie, this scene has such an intense emotional resonance, that seeing it all laid out with the green screens makes it infinitely more awesome!

Before I even get into the content of this conversation, can we just take a minute to appreciate the immense modesty of this man?

He never ceases to be amazed by the quantity of his followers and his sincere appreciation of us all is quite endearing.

Now, even though this was a live chat, it obviously takes time for a person read through a massive pool of questions, chose one to answer, and then give a concise and adequate response. It was a lot of fun watching new items gradually pop up in my feed. And in between Hiddleston's tweets, you could relish in and laugh at the comments posted by other people. 

What really blew mind though, was the number of people who were online and actively involved in this event world-wide. Tom would post something and within mere seconds it had hundreds of notes. There's something truly magical about the instantaneous communication that is made possible by the internet, but I digress...

In addition to sharing his favorite Shakespearian insults and his preferred song to jam out to on the set of Thor: The Dark World, Tom also revealed that his latest film, Only Lovers Left Alive will reach the US sometime in late March or early April 2014. 

While this conversation was only scheduled to last one hour, Hiddleston was gracious enough to continue answering questions far beyond the time limit, and the event eventually ended the way it started: with "Lots of Love" from Tom. 

So rather than trying to summarize everything that went on during the chat today, I've posted bits and pieces of the Q&A that I found particularly interesting below. Enjoy!

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(aww, can't wait to see this mother-son relationship depicted in the movie)

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All in all, the whole thing was a fun little affair. I learned a lot about Tom Hiddleston and even more about Twitter.

You can follow Tom on his official Facebook account here: https://www.facebook.com/twhiddleston
                                                       Twitter account here: https://twitter.com/twhiddleston

The MARVELous World of Disney

Back in 2009, the Walt Disney Company purchased MARVEL for a whopping $4 billion dollars. There was a lot of concern expressed at the time, as MARVEL fans feared the worst for future movie productions. However, after the immense success of recent films such as Iron Man 2, Captain America, Thor and The Avengers, I think it's safe to say that those worries have since been put to rest.

The two companies have managed to maintain surprisingly distinct identities despite the absorption of MARVEL by Disney. Recently though, there has been a great deal of speculation about how the various MARVEL superheroes will inevitably be incorporated into Disney products and theme parks. 

Four years after purchasing the company, Disney is finally initiating some projects that will introduce elements of MARVEL into the existing magic. As a fan of both companies, I'm rather excited by the things they are planning. 

The Disneyland park in Anaheim California got the party started this year by opening up a Stark Industries exhibit to accompany the film Iron Man 3. According to Disney.com visitors can "experience the latest Iron Man technology" in both physical and virtual form. But this is only the beginning. The Disney Cruise Line is said to be starting an Avengers Academy for young fans to enjoy their time at sea in an environment themed to that of the S.H.I.E.L.D helicarrier (video). It is said that Captain America will even appear in character to inspire budding Avengers.

Most recently however, Disney has announced their intention to bring the mighty Thor into Disneyland in correlation with the release of the The Dark World this coming November (Disney Parks Blog). Guests will now be able to meet and greet their favorite hero in person. How cool is that? 

With all of these smaller elements of MARVEL gradually creeping into the wonderful world of Disney, I can't help but wonder if we will ever see a full on MARVEL theme park (or at least a MARVEL-themed land within one of the existing parks) in the future. Can you imagine crossing the Bifrost bridge, seeing the Asgardian castle, visiting Stark Tower, bumping into agent Coulson, or coming face to face with the God of Mischief himself? How magical would that be for young superhero fans?

Thor: The Dark World Cast

With Marvel's next big film Thor: The Dark World hitting theaters in just over two months time, the anticipation is as strong as ever. More than anything, I think fans are thrilled to see the God of Mischief back on the screen for the third time, and this time, perhaps even at his brother's side (fingers crossed). However, I've also become quite intrigued by some of the new additions to the cast as well. 

For starters, the villain this time around is to be played by Christopher Eccleston. Those of you familiar with British television will recognize the name from Doctor Who. That's right, the man so well-known for his role as savior of the universe has had to harness his inner villain in his portrayal of the character Malekith. In a recent interview Eccleston admitted that "there is a kind of tragic quality to his quest" (Empire Magazine October 2013). Sound familiar? I can't help but wonder if they decided to play the "wounded British villain" card again because it worked so well with Loki. Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing Chris Eccleston's performance. 

In other news, Zachary Levi, star of NBC's Chuck and voice of Flynn Rider in Disney's Tangled, will be replacing Josh Dallas (Once Upon a Time) as Thor's friend Fandral. Now, like most people, I am not a fan of re-casting. I am however, a big fan of Zachary Levi, and I'm confident that he will do the role justice. In a Nerd HQ interview this summer, Tom Hiddleston said that his friend and co-star (Levi) needed no help in perfecting his British accent for the role. It'll be interesting to see how he pulls it off.

Bill Nye the Dancing Guy

The cast of Dancing with the Stars Season 17 was revealed this morning, and for me, the highlight was hearing that Bill Nye the Science Guy would be taking to the floor! The crowd in New York seemed perhaps the most excited by his entrance, bow tie and all. 

While most the rest of the cast is largely unknown to me, I'm willing to bet that Corbin Bleu will go far in the competition judging from his background in High School Musical. Brant Daugherty, who plays Noel Kahn in ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars, is also among the stars set to dance this season. It'll be interesting to see him on the dance floor rather than entwined in the mysteries of PLL.

However, most importantly, this season's cast includes an inspiration woman who is currently fighting cancer; Valerie Harper. She was diagnosed as terminal several months ago, but rather than accept such a grim fate, she's agreed to compete in a reality television show! What better way to put up a fight? Valerie is partnered with Irish pro Tristan MacManus. I can't wait to see what they can do when the show premieres on September 17th.

The Music of Our Lives

It seems to me that movie scoring is a truly under-appreciated art form. While I know very little of the technicalities of music, as a dancer I am highly sensitive to the emotional impact of instrumental scores. The absence of words in a song only makes it speak louder and more clearly in my opinion. What movie scorers do is tell stories through their music, making people feel something in addition to whatever they are seeing on the screen. If you don't believe me, try muting a scene in your favorite movie. Does it have the same impact? No. And how could it? Movies are so much more than just scripts, acting and filmography. It's the combination of all those things, and more, that makes a feature film- and music is one of the essential ingredients.

Think about the intense associationism of music with movies. When you hear the familiar tune of the theme from Star Wars, Harry Potter, or James Bond, you cannot help but think of the film itself, even if you haven't seen it. However, it doesn't work the other way around. You can't watch a clip of a movie and imagine what the background score would sound like, as we would all come up with something vastly different. That is the job of the composer. The score of a movie serves to unite the mood and understanding of the audience through sound.

Disney movies are particularly popular amongst my generation. People sing songs from the various animated musicals all the time. However, there is so much more to Aladdin than just "A Whole New World" (sung by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga). For me, some of the most resonant moments in Disney movies are scenes where there is nothing but an instrumental score, which can often be attributed to the one and only Mr. Alan Menken. From Beauty and the Beast to the more recent production Tangled, Menken's compositions have gradually compiled into what I call the soundtrack of my youth. However, only avid Disney fans seem to know this man's name.

Now, the great thing about animated movies in comparison to live action films, is that they are entirely choreographed. As a composer, what Menken does so well is embed his music within the animation itself. Every note goes hand in hand with some sort of visual cue. Next time you're watching a Disney movie, I encourage to pay special attention to the background music, and I hope that you'll appreciate it as much as I do. Personally, some of my favorite scores are:

"Kingdom Dance" Tangled, Alan Menken

"Skirmish" Pocahontas, Alan Menken

"The Little Mermaid Theme" The Little Mermaid, Alan Menken

I am not suggesting that all instrumental music goes unnoticed; that would be far from the truth. Look at John Williams for instance- he revolutionized what it meant to compose for film. Today it's rare to come across a person that doesn't know his name. What I am encouraging is that we attempt to appreciate the varied degrees of musical scoring and how sound brings stories to life. I will leave you with a handful of my favorite examples. Even if you haven't seen these movies, I urge you to listen to the songs and imagine what kind of a picture the music is painting. They are beautiful even without context.

"He's a Pirate" Pirates of the Caribbean, Klaus Badelt
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17XDrKuqc4

I don't know what to say about this except that it's really the epitome of all modern theme songs. It reeks of adventure and makes me want to get up and dance and/or sword fight every time I hear it!

"London Calling" Star Trek Into Darkness, Michael Giacchino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfP6o-61e2s

I love how this piece transitions in and out of the gentle piano sequence and then builds to the climactic ending. It fits perfectly within the movie, and as soon as I can find a clip of the scene on YouTube, I will post it because it really is worth a watch.

"Mind Heist" Inception, Zack Hempsey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JGHI4TAC5U

I have been in love with this song ever since seeing the trailer for Inception. It literally defines the word EPIC, it's as simple as that.

"Time" Inception, Hans Zimmer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOv4R3BXEHY
This piece is simple and repetitive, but very emotionally effective.

"Back to the Future III Theme" Back to the Future, Alan Silvestri
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zejzjnZvD2M

I absolutely love this song-particularly the beginning. Every time I watch the movie, I end up humming this tune for hours afterwards. It's crazy how the composer managed to create a piece of music appropriate for a film that deals with the past, present and the future simultaneously. You can almost hear the different temporal elements in the song.

"The Avengers Theme" The Avengers, Alan Silvestri
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VGJGXMUhmc

I have to be honest, this movie was so action packed that I never really noticed a background score at all, except for whenever this theme played. It's upbeat, iconic, recognizable and fits the film well.

"Volturi Waltz" New Moon, Alexandre Desplat
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK42smO5wYc

This song was the best thing about the entire movie! I don't know why, but it's really melodically catchy in addition to being a bit dark, mysterious and playful. I thought it was very effective.

I personally find it extremely inspiring to listen to movie scores when I do homework. Are there any songs you particularly enjoy?

Saving Mr. Banks

One upcoming movie that I am beyond excited for is the Walt Disney production Saving Mr. Banks. It will be monumental, and likely controversial, in that will mark the very first time Walt Disney himself has ever been portrayed in a theatrical film. Up to this point that idea has been carefully avoided, as there is great discrepancy in remembering who he really was as a person. Die hard Disney fans are extremely curious to see how award-winning actor Tom Hanks pulls off playing the man who brought such immeasurable magic to our modern world.

The movie itself is based on the true story of Walt's process in adapting and producing the well-known feature Mary Poppins. Based on the trailer that was recently released, it is looking to be a quality film. Saving Mr. Banks will premiere December 20th, 2013.

I Am _ _ _ _ LOCKED

One of my very favorite television series currently is the recent BBC adaptation of Sherlock. It puts a modern day twist on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, and the actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are beyond brilliant in their roles as Sherlock and Watson. If you haven't heard their names before, I encourage you to watch the show because you are truly missing out on an entertainment gem.

For those of you unfamiliar with Sherlock, here is the trailer for the first series:

Masterpiece Mystery Sherlock Series 1

Aside from the acting, however, it's the writing that is especially mind-blowing. Creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss (who have both been involved in the British phenomenon that is Doctor Who), are largely responsible for writing the scripts. Mark Gatiss also plays Mycroft Holmes in the show itself. If you aren't familiar with these men, then you should know that they are quite well known for breaking fan's hearts. Their plots are complex, engaging, and all-too-often, heartbreaking. While there have only been six movie-length episodes since the series premiered in 2010, what the show lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. The witty dialogue is hilarious and manages to achieve a perfect balance between comedy and the seriousness of the show's premise.

Some of my favorite moments include:

Benedict Cumberbatch is stunning in his portrayal of the vastly intelligent and emotionless Sherlock. He delivers his lines with such speed and precision that it's hard to believe he isn't in fact a genius detective in reality. This was really a break-out role for him, and has led to both his and the show's immense popularity throughout the world recently. One of Benedict's other prominent roles is the villain John Harrison in the 2013 J.J.Abrams film Star Trek Into Darkness (which I will be talking about in a later post). 

The show is currently going on it's third series, which is set to debut sometime late in 2013 or early in 2014. The date is indefinite. If you're aren't already an avid watcher, get on it! I've yet to hear a severely negative reaction to this show. It may very well be the best thing I've ever seen on television.

For the Love of Loki

In my recent ventures through that virtual abyss that is the internet, I've seen a profound interest in some character called Loki. For a long while, I just ignored it, but after seeing the footage from this year's Comic Con, the excitement surrounding this Loki only seemed to increase exponentially. That's when I decided my curiosity could be contained no longer! I did what any normal person of this generation would do and googled his name. 

Upon discovering that Loki was a major character in both Thor and The Avengers (two blockbuster movies that I don't know how I ever missed, but I did), I decided to watch them and find out just what all the excitement was about.

Now, I'd be lying if I didn't say I took an immediate liking to Loki's character in Thor. His wounded villain story is by no means unfamiliar, and yet I fell for it- entirely. I was, and am still, consumed by this character. If you ask me, the film would've been more appropriately titled Loki, not Thor. Now, that's just my personal opinion, but judging by the enormous fan base surrounding Loki, I'd say I'm not alone in this. The question though, is why? Why is this man, this fictional character, this villain so admired? Well, after doing my "research" (if it can be called that), this is my analysis:

Why is Loki Loved?

1) Well, perhaps the most obvious reason is that he is emotionally wounded. While Loki is not particularly frightening or even overly evil as a villain, he does have reasonable and relate-able motivation to support his actions.

 

His unfortunate situation humanizes him, and leaves people feeling sorry for him. I can't deny that I am one of those people. Come on, you'd have to be heartless not to feel the slightest pang of despair when Loki falls at the end of Thor. Behind that mask of villainy, there's an innocent child just trying to prove himself and begging to be loved and accepted.

(no matter how many times I see that, it still breaks my heart)

I'd even go so far as to argue that Loki is not a villain at all in Thor. I think this scene is the turning point which leads into his more obviously aggressive role in The Avengers.

2) The second thing Loki has going for him is the actor behind his character: the one and only Tom Hiddleston. For starters, he's English (and not bad looking). That in itself is reason enough for some people to like Loki. However, for others, it's his deeply resonant acting that wins over in the end. Tom plays Loki with such calm, casual, and deliberate demeanor, that the dynamic of his powerful character becomes truly enchanting. Everything about Loki feels very natural. He's extremely confident- which can be seen in the way he walks and holds himself- but quite introverted compared to other villains. You can see his mind at work constantly, and his eyes often speak louder than his words. If you don't follow me, just take a look at this clip and tell me that Loki isn't a smooth-as-silk villain:

And then there's the fact that Tom Hiddleston doesn't play Loki at all, he becomes Loki, taking the performance to an entirely different level of entertainment. It's quite easy to obsess over such incredible talent and dedication to a part. Take his appearance at Comic Con for instance:

(can you imagine how chilling must it have been to hear that voice as you're sitting there in the dark)

3) Another one of the great things about Loki is the humor that surrounds him. While the character himself is quite amusing,

even the ways in which he gets defeated are hilarious!

4) The last thing that makes Loki so interesting (and don't get me wrong, this list could go on forever, but I had to stop somewhere) is that he isn't human, which makes him an immediate object of intrigue. Now, of course, Thor isn't human either, but Thor is the more predictable hero archetype. As the God of Mischief, Loki is mysterious and dubious. His character is thrilling, keeping people on the edge of their seats, always curious.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Loki and his roles in both Thor and The Avengers. I've heard it said that Loki is the weakest of the Marvel villains, and while that's one way of looking at it, I disagree. Loki is simply different. He has an entirely unique motivation and personality. His power resides more with his mind and his trickery than with brute force, and I think that's the beauty of his character. In fact, the actor Tom Hiddleston himself sums it all up quite nicely when he says "what Marvel is so clever at is that they make their heroes flawed and their villains heroic" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWiRNhtvbr0).


Now that I've talked about what I think of Loki, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. Leave a comment telling me if you like or dislike Loki and why you think that is!