11-12-13 and Thor: The Dark World

How often can we post that date? 11-12-13. I like the ascendency of it. If you're European or someone who writes the abbreviated date with the day first and then the month, you will have this date again on December 11, 2013.

Here's my promised review of "Thor: The Dark World."  If you like Marvel comics, sci-fi, and mythology stories, get thee to a movie theater pronto and see. The story picks up where the last Thor movie left off.

You will want to remove the nasty baddies intent on creating a dark universe when Nine Realms line up in "The Convergence." If they succeed they will be in charge of the universe. But who'd want to live in a universe like that? Apparently the Dark Elves: Halloween-like, masked creatures who pre-date the universe. It's all they can think of, their single purpose for existing.

Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is a an astrophysicist who looks for other-worldly phenomena, not to mention her long-lost Thor, assisted by her friend, and a new "intern" to her friend. While on a quest for new phenomena, Jane Foster stumbles her way to the hiding place of the "Aether." What happens next seems to be the main reason Natalie Portman is in the movie. Also, crazed about the upcoming convergence of the Nine Realms, is Stellan Skarsgard as a somewhat demented astrophysicist.

Thor finds Jane and transports her to his homeworld, Asgard, where she meets his mother and father. Odin (Anthony Hopkins), Thor's father, is none too pleased to have a mortal in their midst. It is while Jane is on Asgard that the Dark Elves learn of the location of the "Aether." The Dark Elves decide to take the war for the Aether to Asgard and let them have a taste of what war on their home planet is like. After all, the Dark Elves' homeworld was almost completely destroyed by Asgardians.

The ensuing war on Asgard made me think of 9/11, especially when one of the Dark Elves ships flew into the king's home and wreaked havoc with the supporting pillars. The ensuing battle is devastating to both sides.

Even though there are many battle scenes and heavy casualties suffered on both sides, the movie still has a sense of humor. There were times when I laughed out loud because the tone of the jokes struck my funny bone just right.

The critics are right when they say evil brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) stole the show. He is sly, cunning and tricky. But then, we find out Thor is tricky too. The movie completely tricks US a couple of times too. Watch out, it may blow your mind. Then you will spend time later thinking about whether or not it all worked together and you will want to see it again with your new-found knowledge of the twisty nature of this movie.

Be sure to stay until the very end of the credits. There are two vignettes: one is part-way into the credits, and one is at the very, very end. Worth staying to watch.

Yes, I enjoyed it, but then I love sci-fi, action movies with a good story. This one filled the bill. 4-1/2 stars out of 5.

As far as seeing it in 3D, I'd say it will be just as good no matter which way you see it. Don't pay extra for the 3D expecting the greatest in 3D technology. It's just all right.

Travel Bug out.

Life of Pi -- Sat., Apr. 13

If you love animals, philosophy and excellent story-telling, then find a theater that is still playing "Life of Pi." Look for the theater with the biggest screen and 3-D technology. Watching this movie in 3-D is a cinematic experience. The story will hold up on a small screen, but the cinematography and special effects literally glow and are in your face on the big screen. The four Oscars the movie won were for: cinematography, special effects, best direction, and best original score.

The story starts out in India where a family opens a zoo in a botanic garden. The garden is owned by the town, but the family owns the animals. We learn the life story of Pi (Piscine) and the intricacies of family life, the curiousity and search for meaning in the life of a young boy.

Family finances force the family to shut down the zoo, but they ship the animals on the same ship they're traveling on. The goal is to sell the animals in a bigger city. A brutal storm wreaks havoc. I won't tell you any more because it's quite the epic journey.

Critics loved the film, but that doesn't always mean we agree with them. In this instance, they were spot on.

This movie made us laugh, made us cry, startled us, and made us think. Pretty good for a fantasy adventure movie.

We highly recommend you go see it.

Travel Bug out.