THOR: THE DARK WORLD: CFQ Spotlight Podcast 4:43

Chris Hemsworth wields a big hammer to no great effect in THOR: THE DARK WORLD.
Chris Hemsworth wields a big hammer to no great effect in THOR: THE DARK WORLD.

It’s two steps forward and one step back for the custodians of the Marvel Universe. If THE AVENGERS took a rudimentary storyline — bad guy wants to rule the universe — and created something fleet, exciting, and witty, THOR: THE DARK WORLD takes the same outline — with Chris Hemsworth as the hammer swinging god going up against a universe-destroying Christopher Eccleston – and pretty much stops there. With some nice production design, good special effects, and Tom Hiddleston once again giving the proceedings a much-needed shot in the arm as the sardonic Loki, the film is a serviceable example of the superhero movie, but not much more.
Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French and Dan Persons sit down to discuss the film, spotlighting the stuff that makes it stand out, for good or ill. Then, Dan gives his capsule thoughts on the Lynchian, dark coming-of-age fantasy, ANIMALS, and Steve talks about the career-spanning documentary, RAY HARRYHAUSEN: SPECIAL EFFECTS TITAN. Plus: What’s coming to theaters this weekend.

Here’s What’s Going On 07/23/2013: Loki Commandeers Comic-Con

Norse gods are such buttinskies,.. Syfy wants to take 12 MONKEYS to series… Bill Plympton salutes those CHEATIN’ hearts…
From the luxurious Cinefantastique Online studios in NYC, Dan Persons brings you up-to-date on what’s happening in the world of fantastic film & TV.

FULL-SIZE VIDEO IS BELOW


The Avengers: The Cinefantastique Spotlight Podcast – 3:18

Left to right: Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Robert Downey Jr, and a mass of pixels that look kinda like Mark Ruffalo prepare to do some avenging, because they are THE AVENGERS.
Left to right: Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Robert Downey Jr, and a mass of pixels that look kinda like Mark Ruffalo prepare to do some avenging, because they are THE AVENGERS.

There are so many ways a grand conglomeration of super heroes could turn into a car wreck (case in point: THE FANTASTIC FOUR), that we should be grateful when a film manages just to clear that bar. Fortunately, and quite happily, THE AVENGERS not only manages that base-line feat, but goes far beyond it, becoming a rare example of a top-notch comic book movie. Granted, the team-up of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), aided and abetted by Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), doesn’t boast much more than a bare-essentials plot — demigod Loki (Tom Hiddleston) wants to take over the Earth ‘cuz… well, just ‘cuz — but under the direction of Joss Whedon, the proceedings offer enough kick-ass action and delicious character moments that plot barely matters.
Come join Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French and Dan Persons as they break down the first official blockbuster of summer 2012 to find out what makes it pop and where it fizzles. Also: What’s coming to theaters.

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