NEXT GOAL WINS Kicks onto Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from writer/director Taika Waititi and Searchlight Pictures comes the unusual story of a soccer team they never see coming with NEXT GOAL WINS.

Soccer coach Thomas Rongen’s (Michael Fassbender) life is about to change but necessarily not the way he thinks. Up against a committee that includes estranged wife Gail (Elisabeth Moss) and smug Alex Magnussen (Will Arnett) he is given the opportunity to do something most consider impossible – coach the American Samoa national team. The reason it is considered impossible is because they have never goaled, not once.

Arriving in American Samoa, it is clear that Rongen is not a happy man. Meeting the team of players, he immediately thinks it is all a joke knowing he can’t turn back. He meets Tavita (Oscar Kightley) who introduces him to the team and eventually becomes a sort of spiritual guide for Rongen and Ace (David Fane) a coach who is more a father figure than a coach.

Daru (Beulah Koale) is on the team of those who haven’t really been coached before and the surprise for the new coach is Jaiyah (Kaimana). Preparing them to become an elite soccer squad before World Cup qualifiers is a challenge for Rongen and it takes a lot of learning for him to realize that perhaps he is the reason things aren’t going well.

Yet, the team comes together, Rogen finds where he belongs and the team finds what they have been looking for and that’s just one goal!

Fassbender as Rongen is a disgruntled soccer coach that is on the outs with the wife and dealing with something he can’t talk about. Being sent to American Somona feels like the worse punishment and once he sees what the team he is coaching is about, he feels like it is worse than he could ever have imagined. Fassbender is surrounded by a cast that just keeps the viewer one step away from totally wanting to kick a ball to his face but his character does grow on us all.

Kightley as Tavita is the spiritual coach of the team. He realizes quickly that Rongen has to be guided to the one thing Tavita has asked the universe for, one single solitary goal! I truly enjoyed Kightley’s character as the solid and calm needed in the chaos. Kaimana as Jaiyah gives Rongen a reason to rethink so much about how he sees the world but also Kaimana gives us a look at Jaiya’s own personal struggles of acceptance.

Koale as Daru is a young man who wants so much to give his father, Tavita, something to be proud of and resolve his own feelings about playing soccer. Koale gives us a young man who is proud of his heritage, family and friends which is the warm blanket of cuddles I love about the film.

Other cast include Rachel House as Ruth, Uli Latukefu as Nicky, Chris Alosio as Jonah, Rhys Darby as Rhys Marlin, Angus Sampson as Angus Bendleton, Luke Hemsworth as Keith, Kaitlyn Dever as Nicole, David Tu’itupou as Tall David, Levy Tuiala as Chief Sila, Frankie Adams as Frangipani, Semu Filipo as Rambo, Chris Alosio as Jonah, Lehi Falepapalangi as Pisa, Ioane Goodhue as Smiley, Hio Pelesasa as Samson, and Taika Waititi as the American Samoan Priest.

Searchlight Pictures is responsible for such films as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, THE SHAPE OF WATER and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI. They have an extensive film library as well as documentaries, scripted series, and limited series. For more information, please visit www.searchlightpictures.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Bonus Features include the Featurette Creating The Pitch of Life - Explore filmmaker Taika Waititi’s loving homage to American Samoa, Polynesian culture, and the sports movie in this delightfully entertaining short-form documentary.  See what it took to make a winning movie about the losingest soccer team in the world, Deleted Scene and Priest Blessing the Team.

NEXT GOAL WINS is a humorous and human look at individuals who each have their own struggles but when they come together, amazing and wonderful things begin to happen. The team shows what they have been lacking and Rongen shows what he can be good at given the chance. Leadership doesn’t mean just one leader when they all have the potential!

The film is based on the documentary Next Goal Wins written in 2014 by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison. It is based on the American Samoa soccer team who lost to Australia in 2001 with a score of 31-0 and considered to be the worst World Cup loss in the history of the game.

But hey, you can’t win them all right? Wrong.

 

In the end – just one goal!

 

THOR: Love and Thunder Hammers Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD from writer/director Taika Waititi, Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the next chapter in the life of THOR: Love and Thunder.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been hanging out with the Guardians of the Galaxy for some time and putting in his hammer when needed. That is until a distress signal from Thor’s friend Sif warning him of Gorr (Christian Bale). Gorr has the Necrosword and wants to destroy all the gods for the death of a child. His next target is New Asgard!

Arriving at New Asgard, he is happy to see Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and explains about Gorr and needs help. What he does not expect is to see Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), or in her new incarnation as the Lady Thor. They do not have much time to talk about it when Gorr arrives in New Asgard and captures the town’s children.

Now they must come together to discover what it is that Gorr wants with the children and how to stop him. Thor, Dr. Foster, and Valkyrie set out with Korg (Taika Waititi) to bring together an army with the help of the gods. They reach out to Zeus (Russell Crowe) to get the one weapon that may be able to take on the Necrosword.

But Gorr is not about to back down and when a fight breaks out, it is Valkyrie and Jane that pays. Now Thor has to take on Gorr alone if he is to save the children of New Asgard and stop the evil from having its way with the entire world.

Hemworth returns as Thor, and he’s finally exercised out his previous chunky dad-bod. Back to form he is still with the Guardians trying to figure himself out. When he sees a message from a friend asking for help, he learns about Gorr and his plans. Thinking he has found his purpose and arriving in New Asgard, he does not expect to see Jane transformed. Hemsworth is funny, tries to be charming and in fight mode.

Portman as Dr. Jane, she is ill and finds herself drawn to New Asgard and Thor’s broken hammer Mjolnir. Seeing Thor once again in her new incarnation, she is enjoying her new role as a heroine for the town of New Asgard. When Thor makes it clear he is going after Gorr, Jane also makes it clear that she is perfectly capable of handling both a hammer and a bad guy.

Thompson as Valkyrie lets it be known that being a ‘king’ has not turned out exactly how she thought. But then again being a king on Asgard and being a king in New Asgard is totally different. She is responsible for a town and that means financially and for their well-being. So, when Gorr takes the children, well, she is ready for a good fight.

Bale as Gorr gets a chance to play a villain in the MCU and it is as a butcher of gods. As he gets bolder and bolder with his Necrosword, he fades being a human being. His one ‘wish’ is to get to a place no one else has seen to recover his daughter.

Waititi as Korg is so dang cute it’s ridiculous. He cares so much for Thor that he will stand with him in any battle. There is an innocence to Korg as well that is so sweet because it is honest and heartfelt. When he does go off on a subject, he makes me laugh so much. Crowe as Zeus has issues and we are still trying to figure out how a Greek god has an Italian accent, oh well.

Other cast include Jaimie Alexander as Sif, Dave Bautista as Drax, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Carly Rees as Miek, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Vin Diesel as Groot, and Chris Pratt as Peter Quill.

There are so many cameos to mention but I think it would be much more fun in the surprise!!

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.disney.com.

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.com.

Bonus Features Include Gag Reel, Audio Commentary with Director/Writer Taika Waititi, Hammer-Worthy: Thor and The Mighty Thor, Shaping a Villain, Another classic Taika Adventure, Looking for Zeus, Wasting Time, A Safe Vacation and Fighting For You.

THOR: Love and Thunder is just a good time at the movies. It is the typical Thor vs. a bad guy in order to save those around him but this time he finally has a chance to come face to face with Jane. Let’s face it, he has talked about his broken heart long enough and now is the time to mend it.

A visit from the Guardians gives Quill a chance to tell Thor it is time for him to find out who he is and Gorr helps along that storyline. Returning to New Asgard, it does not take long for the battles to begin in both inner and outer space.

This is a fun time at the theatre for families so pack them up and prepare to laugh, see epic battles and see how New Asgard has grown and come together to protect one another and the universe!

In the end – not every god has a plan!

THOR: Love and Thunder Explodes in Theatres

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director Taika Waititi, Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios is the next chapter in the life of THOR: Love and Thunder.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been hanging out with the Guardians of the Galaxy for some time and putting in his hammer when needed. That is until a distress signal from Thor’s friend Sif warning him of Gorr (Christian Bale). Gorr has the Necrosword and wants to destroy all the gods for the death of a child. His next target is New Asgard!

Arriving at New Asgard, he is happy to see Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and explains about Gorr and needs help. What he does not expect is to see Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), or in her new incarnation as the Lady Thor. They do not have much time to talk about it when Gorr arrives in New Asgard and captures the town’s children.

Now they must come together to discover what it is that Gorr wants with the children and how to stop him. Thor, Dr. Foster and Valkyrie set out with Korg (Taika Waititi) to bring together an army with the help of the gods. They reach out to Zeus (Russell Crowe) to get the one weapon that may be able to take on the Necrosword.

But Gorr is not about to back down and when a fight breaks out, it is Valkyrie and Jane that pays. Now Thor has to take on Gorr alone if he is to save the children of New Asgard and stop the evil from having its way with the entire world.

Hemworth returns as Thor and he’s finally exercised out his previous chunky dad-bod. Back to form he is still with the Guardians trying to figure himself out. When he sees a message from a friend asking for help, he learns about Gorr and his plans. Thinking he has found his purpose and arriving in New Asgard, he does not expect to see Jane transformed. Hemsworth is funny, tries to be charming and in fight mode.

Portman as Dr. Jane, she is ill and finds herself drawn to New Asgard and Thor’s broken hammer Mjolnir. Seeing Thor once again in her new incarnation, she is enjoying her new role as a heroine for the town of New Asgard. When Thor makes it clear he is going after Gorr, Jane also makes it clear that she is perfectly capable of handling both a hammer and a bad guy.

Thompson as Valkyrie lets it be known that being a ‘king’ has not turned out exactly how she thought. But then again being a king on Asgard and being a king in New Asgard is totally different. She is responsible for a town and that means financially and for their well-being. So when Gorr takes the children, well, she is ready for a good fight.

Bale as Gorr gets a chance to play a villain in the MCU and it is as a butcher of gods. As he get bolder and bolder with his Necrosword, he fades being a human being. His one ‘wish’ is to get to a place no one else has seen to recover his daughter.

Waititi as Korg is so dang cute its ridiculous. He cares so much for Thor that he will stand with him in any battle. There is an innocence to Korg as well that is so sweet because it is honest and heartfelt. When he does go off on a subject, he makes me laugh so much. Crowe as Zeus has issues and we are still trying to figure out how a Greek god has an Italian accent, oh well.

Other cast include Jaimie Alexander as Sif, Dave Bautista as Drax, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Carly Rees as Miek, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Vin Diesel as Groot, and Chris Pratt as Peter Quill.

There are so many cameos to mention but I think it would be much more fun in the surprise!!

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.disney.com.

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.com.

THOR: Love and Thunder is just a good time at the movies. It is the typical Thor vs. a bad guy in order to save those around him but this time he finally has a chance to come face to face with Jane. Let’s face it, he has talked about his broken heart long enough and now is the time to mend it.

A visit from the Guardians gives Quill a chance to tell Thor it is time for him to find out who he is and Gorr helps along that storyline. Returning to New Asgard, it does not take long for the battles to begin in both inner and outer space.

This is a fun time at the theatre for families so pack them up and prepare to laugh, see epic battles and see how New Asgard has grown and come together to protect one another and the universe!

In the end – not every god has a plan!

It is LIGHTYEAR in Space

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this week from director Angus MacLane, Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Motion Pictures is the story of redemption for LIGHTYEAR.

Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) is on a mission with partner Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) and when their ship lands, it takes no time at all to realize that there are hostile creatures who do not want them there. Trying to escape, Lightyear tries to fly their odd shaped ship back into space and when they crash land, everyone aboard steps up to create a camp.

Their new mission is to find a way home with the creation of crystals for the hyper drive. The problem is that with each test, Lightyear returns the same age but everyone else gets older and older with every test. Hawthorne encourages Lightyear and even gives him the gift of a techno-cat named SOX (Peter Sohn). Lightyear also sees Hawthorne having a life and creating a family on the planet.

The final test run against orders brings Lightyear back 22 years later even though the flight is finally a success. Realizing everything seems to have changed, he meets Hawthorne’s granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer). She tells Buzz how much time has passed and that there are robots out to destroy the base. Referring to them as Zurg (because that’s all they say), the chase is on.

Izzy introduces Lightyear to her team with the nervous Mo (Taika Waititi), and criminally minded Darby (Dale Soules). Believing that the trio have absolutely no idea what they are doing or that they can help, that is going to have to change if they are to protect the base camp and hold on to the precious power source.

It is time for Operation Surprise and prepare for a lot of surprises along the way that even Lightyear’s new team could not have seen coming.

Evans as Lightyear gives a serious side to this character but that does not stop the comedy from coming through whether he likes it or not. Every emotion comes from Evans voice as Lightyear deals with guilt and, in a way, isolation from friendships other than Hawthorne. He grows as a person and everyone is thrilled by the end of the film for that.

Palmer as Izzy is a chip off the space family block, well sort of. Wanting to help save the base camp from Zurg, she is smart and creative even if Lightyear doesn’t see it right away. Palmer gives her character heart and soul.

Sohn as the voice of Sox has ruined me and my granddaughter because we want our cats to be as clever and cool as he is. We love Sox and agree that we both at least want a stuffed kitty in our Disney home collection.

Waititi as Mo is endearing, twitchy, clumsy yet this character fits in perfectly with Izzy and Darby. Speaking of which, Soules cracked me up totally voicing this character who has no problem breaking parole with her skills in three-object bomb making. Calm, cool and collected – I love Darby.

Aduba as Hawthorne knows Lightyear better than anyone which irritates Buzz to no end. Yet, he truly cares for his friend. The messages she leaves keeps her presence in the film that causes a few teary-eyed moments.

Other cast include Mary McDonald-Lewis as IVAN, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Bill Hader as Featheringhamstan, Efren Ramirez as Diaz, Keira Hairston as young Izzy and James Brolin as Zurg.

Pixar has produced twenty-six feature films beginning with TOY STORY in 1995. Earning twenty-three Academy Awards, ten Golden Globe Awards and eleven Grammy Awards just to name a few. They are responsible for beloved family films such as FINDING NEMO, THE INCREDIBLES, RATATOUILLE, WALL-E, UP, BRAVE, INSIDE OUT and SOUL. For more about Pixar please visit www.pixar.com.

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

There is really a risk in taking a beloved character and try to bring him more ‘real’ to viewers. Most of us know Buzz Lightyear as a straight forward Space Ranger with a mission that is clear from the moment he is turned on. He is also the yin to Woody’s yang making it hard to see one without the other.

That being said, it did take me a bit to fall into the story LIGHTYEAR is trying to tell but it happened. What Disney and Pixar did was fill the screen with sounds, sayings and hints of the Buzz we came to know in 1995. I truly believe that is what brought the audience around. I heard the giggle, ‘ohhhh’s and laughter remembering and accepting – and all from the adults.

LIGHTYEAR is a fantastic family film that I truly believe is fun adventure and humor. Yes, it is a little intense sometimes but once the action roles and the story unfolds, everything comes together wonderfully. The animation is fantastic but then again, we are talking the stellar collaboration with Disney and Pixar.

In the end – to infinity and beyond!

THOR: Ragnarok Puts the Hammer Down on Bluray!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Taika Waititi, Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures Home Entertainment is the next adventure from THOR: Ragnarok.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is once again in a predicament but once the hammer is back in hands there is one place to go – Asgard. Knowing that brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has been hiding behind the image of their father Odin, they both go looking for him. Not where Loki left him, they get a little unexpected help.

Thor and Loki speak with Odin and discover that they have sister named Hela (Cate Blanchett) and she is an angry individual and extremely powerful. He tells them about Ragnarok which is the destruction of Asgard by the hand of Hela. When she arrives unexpectedly, Loki panics bringing the gateway and Hela hitches a ride.

Pushing both Loki and Thor out into another world, Thor lands in a pile of junk on a planet that has piles of junk. Captured by Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), he is taken to the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) who has a little fighting arena to keep the masses entertained. Surprised to discover who he will be fighting, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) bring entertainment to the masses.

Back on Asgard, Hela has found a new lackey in Skurge (Karl Urban) who is guarding the door of their world. Heimdall (Idris Elba) is now considered a traitor and no one knows where he is. The destruction of the beautiful civilization of Asgard has begun and the people are all looking for safety.

As Thor, Valkyrie, Loki and David Banner escape from the Grandmaster, their eye is on Asgard and nothing is going to stop them from saving what is left of their world!

Oh yea Hela, it’s on now!

Hemsworth as Thor is physically still ripped (didn’t think I’d miss that did you?), expands his humor and keeps Loki in check and all while still calling him brother, and twists the Hulk/Banner to do what is right for Asgard. Is it me or does he smile a heck of a lot more in this film and join in on the jokes? I think cutting his hair made Thor much more at ease with being the God of Thunder. All of that just gives Hemsworth everything he needs to be the one and only Thor.

Hiddleston as Loki is hilarious, saucy, charming, unpredictable, edgy and although still full of mischief, finds that helping can also be self serving to his way of thinking. I adore Hiddleston, there, I said it. He is so fun as Loki because lets be honest, it is fun watching him have fun being Loki. There are moments where the expressions on his face are just pure magic. That’s what Hiddleston brings to this character a sense of everything a good bad guy needs to have his own beloved army – meaning everyone who loves Loki even with his faults. I keep thinking ‘when will Loki get his own gig?’ but maybe just having him mischievous in the right amounts works just as well.

Blanchett as Hela is the opposite of Lady Galadriel from LORD OF THE RINGS. Hela is angry, sarcastic and certainly doesn’t walk away from a fight. Knowing her brothers aren’t about to embrace her takeover, she spends her time looking for Heimdall and using Skurge to get what she wants. Blanchett turns on her badass and has no intention of letting anyone find the off switch. It must be said – she is stunning!

Ruffalo as Hulk/Bruce Banner has been stuck being the big green guy for quite a while. He doesn’t want to get involved in any other skirmish but knows what the right thing to do is. Ruffalo also gets to be part of the humor that this film brings out and the audience loved it.

Thompson as Valkyrie is a disillusioned Asgardian who just needs a little push to remember her honor. Goldblum as the Grandmaster is perfection with his zany outlook on things and I’d hire him to be a DJ at my party any day. Hopkins as Odin deserves to be Odin and every time I see this actor on screen it is such a joy.

Urban as Skurge wants a position of importance in Asgard but serving a scary goddess means doing what he’s told and keeping his distance when she’s a bit upset. Elba as Heimdall isn’t about to let anyone get the sword, especially Hela since her plan is universal destruction and domination.

I’m throwing a shout out to director Taika Waititi as the voice of Korg who I think is my newest funny creature. He is laid back yet tells it like it is and when things go wrong, well, he is the last to get all upset about it. Just know that we all could use a good Rock-guy on our side! I think he needs his own Funko actually.

More cast include Rachel House as Topaz, Clancy Brown as the voice of Surtur, Tadanobu Asano as Hogun, Ray Stevenson as Volstagg, and Zachary Levi as Fandral.

Cameos include Luke Hemsworth, Sam Neill, Charlotte Nicdao, Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Damon.

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.com. 

The Bluray includes the stunning Bonus Extras Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Getting in Touch with Your Inner Thor, Unstoppable Women: Hela & Valkyrie, Finding Korg, Exclusive Short – Team Darryl: With Thor Gone, Darryl Runs an Ad for a New Roommate, Director’s Commentary and so much more! Also, THOR: Ragnarok can instantly be streamed or downloaded on Digital through iTunes!

THOR: Ragnarok is a wild ride from beginning to past the credits end! The story is strong, the special effects are pretty frakken cool and I don’t mind since it is part of this universe. The characters are absolutely amazing and the cross over in the film brought the audience to its comic book knees.

There is serious laughter, cheering and fun bringing the adventure on Bluray to us excitement like to kids in a candy store. I will say it here and now, I had so much fun watching THOR: Ragnarok again, and alright I’ll admit it – again! There is non-stop action with a cast that brought their adventurous A-game. This film is the reason people have Bluray collections so microwave a huge bag of popcorn and revisit that theatre feeling once again – and again.

In the end – No hammer? No problem!

Get Ready for THOR: Ragnarok!

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres from director Taika Waititi, Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures is the next adventure from THOR: Ragnarok.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is once again in a predicament but once the hammer is back in hands there is one place to go – Asgard. Knowing that brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has been hiding behind the image of their father Odin, they both go looking for him. Not where Loki left him, they get a little unexpected help.

Thor and Loki speak with Odin and discover that they have sister named Hela (Cate Blanchett) and she is an angry individual and extremely powerful. He tells them about Ragnarok which is the destruction of Asgard by the hand of Hela. When she arrives unexpectedly, Loki panics bringing the gateway and Hela hitches a ride.

Pushing both Loki and Thor out into another world, Thor lands in a pile of junk on a planet that has piles of junk. Captured by Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), he is taken to the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) who has a little fighting arena to keep the masses entertained. Surprised to discover who he will be fighting, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) bring entertainment to the masses.

Back on Asgard, Hela has found a new lackey in Skurge (Karl Urban) who is guarding the door of their world. Heimdall (Idris Elba) is now considered a traitor and no one knows where he is. The destruction of the beautiful civilization of Asgard has begun and the people are all looking for safety.

As Thor, Valkyrie, Loki and David Banner escape from the Grandmaster, their eye is on Asgard and nothing is going to stop them from saving what is left of their world!

Oh yea Hela, it’s on now!

Hemsworth as Thor is physically still ripped (didn’t think I’d miss that did you?), expands his humor and keeps Loki in check and all while still calling him brother, and twists the Hulk/Banner to do what is right for Asgard. Is it me or does he smile a heck of a lot more in this film and join in on the jokes? I think cutting his hair made Thor much more at ease with being the God of Thunder. All of that just gives Hemsworth everything he needs to be the one and only Thor.

Hiddleston as Loki is hilarious, saucy, charming, unpredictable, edgy and although still full of mischief, finds that helping can also be self serving to his way of thinking. I adore Hiddleston, there, I said it. He is so fun as Loki because lets be honest, it is fun watching him have fun being Loki. There are moments where the expressions on his face are just pure magic. I keep thinking ‘when will Loki get his own gig?’ but maybe just having him mischievous in the right amounts works just as well.

Blanchett as Hela is the opposite of Lady Galadriel from LORD OF THE RINGS. Hela is angry, sarcastic and certainly doesn’t walk away from a fight. Knowing her brothers aren’t about to embrace her takeover, she spends her time looking for Heimdall and using Skurge to get what she wants. Blanchett turns on her badass and has no intention of letting anyone find the off switch. It must be said – she is stunning!

Ruffalo as Hulk/Bruce Banner has been stuck being the big green guy for quite a while. He doesn’t want to get involved in any other skirmish but knows what the right thing to do is. Ruffalo also gets to be part of the humor that this film brings out and the audience loved it.

Thompson as Valkyrie is a disillusioned Asgardian who just needs a little push to remember her honor. Goldblum as the Grandmaster is perfection with his zany outlook on things and I’d hire him to be a DJ at my party any day. Hopkins as Odin deserves to be Odin and every time I see this actor on screen it is such a joy.

Urban as Skurge wants a position of importance in Asgard but serving a scary goddess means doing what he’s told and keeping his distance when she’s a bit upset. Elba as Heimdall isn’t about to let anyone get the sword, especially Hela since her plan is universal destruction and domination.

I’m throwing a shout out to director Taika Waititi as the voice of Korg who I think is my newest funny creature. He is laid back yet tells it like it is and when things go wrong, well, he is the last to get all upset about it. Just know that we all could use a good Rock-guy on our side! I think he needs his own Funko actually.

More cast include Rachel House as Topaz, Clancy Brown as the voice of Surtur, Tadanobu Asano as Hogun, Ray Stevenson as Volstagg, and Zachary Levi as Fandral.

Cameos include Luke Hemsworth, Sam Neill, Charlotte Nicdao, Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Damon.

THOR: Ragnarok is a wild ride from beginning to past the credits end! The story is strong, the special effects are pretty frakken cool and I don’t mind since it is part of this universe. The characters are absolutely amazing and the cross over in the film brought the audience to its comic book knees.

There was serious laughter, cheering and the screening audience were like kids in a candy store. I will say it here and now, I had so much fun watching THOR: Ragnarok. There is non-stop action with a cast that brought their adventure A-game. This film is the reason people go in packs to the theatre, buy huge buckets of popcorn and come out feeling like they have just had an experience worthy of the price of admission.

In the end – No hammer? No problem!