The newly-formed Rotten Tomatoes alternative Banana Meter has been gathering talented critics and hoping to make a social media splash. They’ve been timely and spirited with highlighting their members and getting their reviews out there. One of these frequent features is a collection of “First Reactions” for big new releases. If I can get my work done early enough, I have the chance of my work and grade being selected for one of those hot-off-the-press features. It’s an honor to join friends and peers for such an inclusion. Here’s my highlight from Thor: Love and Thunder.
Read MoreUpon being accepted into the Hollywood Critics Association, their fine site-runners and admins assemble “Gradebooks” collecting early reviews and grades from their critics on popular releases. When I can get more work completed and a review submitted early enough, my take and connected quotes have the chance to make these shout-out posts. My newest was being included for Thor: Love and Thunder playing now in theaters. Check out your boy!
Read MoreAs he announced in May, Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel has begun a one-year moratorium on watching new comic book-based movies and TV shows (with DC League of Super Pets as his one caveat to take his young son to his first movie). While he may not be leading his usual YouTube roundtables, he still invited and welcomed participants for the team of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” to still get the good and bad words out there for Thor: Love and Thunder.
Read MoreFor their 71st episode, two Nordic film critics, hammered dads, and Guns 'N Roses-jamming school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan go toe-to-toe with the gods and monsters of Thor: Love and Thunder. For the second Marvel Cinematic Universe movie in a row, our two hosts find themselves far apart. Expect different shouts of love and different shots of thunder in this rollicking episode.
Read MoreIf, from here on out, the Thor series is going to stay in Taika Waititi’s control, so be it. Let him own it and be all things Thor. Hemsworth’s natural charisma and self-deprecating personality, put on blast in Thor: Love and Thunder (buns and all) more than it’s ever been in that shiny armor, match the zany route Waititi has taken with this character. Going back to the bold spirit of Branagh’s mythic origins seems difficult, if not damn near impossible, where Waititi and company would be better off sticking with the fluffy cheese and not even trying. For better or worse, this is Thor now. Maybe at least, even in sideshow comedy mode, this character will finally have consistency.
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