"Thor" Movie Review

After watching "The Incredible Hulk" and reading negative reviews of this movies, I was dreading watching it. But I am pleased to say that it surpassed my expectations. When Thor is banished from his home world, he lands in New Mexico in the presence of three scientists. They aren't sure what to do with him and as they get to know him, they find that there is more to him than what meets the eye. Meanwhile back home, his father has fallen into a sort of coma and his brother is now the ruler. And not a very good one at that. Chris Hemsworth does a great job in the lead role as does Anthony Hopkins as Odin and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. The movie felt refreshing and although a bit cheesy, it was entertaining. Not as good as "Iron Man"  and "Captain America: The First Avenger", but not bad.

7/10

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"Captain America: The First Avenger" Movie Review

Have you ever dreamt of being an American hero? Steve Rodgers certainly has but he hasn't yet found much success in making his fantasy become a reality. Steve is small, weak, and awkward. He has tried to enlist in Army but has been refused. After meeting a friendly doctor who decides to give him a try, he joins the Army and soon after becomes part of an experiment to test drugs that will strengthen him and give him a better chance to be successful. While all this is going on, a madman named Schmidt is attempting to take over the world. This film, set in the 1940s, feels more like a war movie than a superhero movie. Either way however, director Joe Johnston pulls it off and does it very well. It is highly entertaining, with perfect acting, grand sets, and a first-class story. I especially liked Tommy Lee Jones' performance as the rough colonel. As it began, I was comparing the characters of Steve Rodgers and Peter Parker, from Spider-Man, who both are week and not at all hero-like but become powerful as the stories go on. However, there couldn't be a bigger difference between the two because Steve Rodgers is so much more of a stronger and likable character altogether. Although it starts out slow and some of it is a bit silly, the entire movie is a joy to watch and everything comes together in an unforgettable picture.

9/10

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"Hugo" Movie Review

I went into this film, not knowing much about it other than it has been much loved since its release last year. And rightfully so. "Hugo" is one of the most unique and captivating movies I have ever seen. Hugo Cabret is a young orphan who isn't quite sure what he wants to do with his life, except for one thing he is absolutely certain of: fixing a strange mechanical man that could not be completed due to his fathers death. One day, when trying to steal from a toy maker, his plan backfires and the toy maker takes something very important to Hugo: his fathers notebook. In his attempt to get it back, he meets a young girl and together they find out that there is more to this toy maker than what meets the eye. Throughout the first hour, I wasn't sure where it all was going but everything couldn't have come together in a more enjoyable or astounding way. I can see how this movie would appeal specifically to film buffs, like myself, because of the numerous direct references to the early history of film and how cinema really is how it is portrayed here: dreams coming alive.

10/10

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