Thor

Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: THOR. This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth. Kenneth Branagh directs this fantasy epic which stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as the ancient Norse god, Tom Hiddleston as his evil brother Loki, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a young woman who befriends Thor on Earth, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Thor’s father and king of Asgard.

Opens Friday, May 6.

Official Site
Facebook page
Twitter

Review – The Rite

Let me begin by saying I am not a fan of the possession subgenre of horror films. I’ll gladly sit through zombies, vampires, slashers and flesh eating fish before I willingly submit to a film where the devil made them do it. Naturally I was very apprehensive about seeing the latest in head-spinning, bone-cracking exorcism movies, The Rite, opening today. But it turns out if I had to see one “demon invading my personal space” flick this year; The Rite was a surprise and not so bad, relatively speaking.

Young Michael Kovak (Irish newcomer Colin O’Donoghue) is desperately looking for a way out of the nowhere life working as a mortician in the family funeral home. But according to his father Istvan (Rutger Hauer) either you work with the dead or you become a priest. Seizing an opportunity to escape (with the backup plan of quitting, should “the calling” not manifest itself) Michael heads to seminary school. Four years later he is at a crisis of faith cross-road, wanting to leave the priesthood before taking his final vows. A strongly-worded suggestion from one his instructors send Michael to Rome to enroll in a course on Exorcism.

If Michael was already skeptical, discussions with the professor, Father Xavier (Ciarán Hinds) and reporter Angeline (Alice Braga) only compound matters. Sensing that the force is strong with this one Father Xavier recommends Michael visit Xavier’s old friend and famed exorcist Father Trevant (Sir Anthony Hopkins). Trevant is an “unconventional” priest and, even in the face of what others consider irrefutable proof, is having difficulty convincing the analytical young man that the devil does indeed exist and should be feared for the force of evil he is.

The puzzle pieces of Michael’s past and present come sharply into focus just as Father Trevant begins to exhibit signs of demon possession. If there was ever a time to call upon faith in God and yourself, it’s now. Michael must do both in order to save his own soul as well as Trevant’s.

I had prepared myself for what I was sure was going to be an onslaught of horror and seating-jumping moments. While there were enough of both of those elements I was pleasantly relieved that The Rite wasn’t a non-stop gore fest. It also helped that the protagonist was a comely Irish lad with lovely eyes and a tragic, yet forgivable hair style. Another welcome and surprising feature was humor. There are a few self-aware moments, references to the pivotal 1973 film The Exorcist, etc. It’s pretty clear no one is taking this too seriously.

I fear genre enthusiasts will be put off by the wishy-washy attempt to make the story “real” (it’s “inspired” by true events).The story is nothing fresh and the only thing that may raise expectations for this film compared to, say, last year’s The Last Exorcism is the caliber of the largely European cast. Which then begs the question – what, did Anthony Hopkins need his bathroom remodeled or something? Why is he doing a movie like this? If it wasn’t home improvements, I’d have to say that it had to be the prospect of having an immeasurable amount of fun playing the possessed Trevant. When we first meet the older priest he’s understandably weary and subdued (atypical Hopkins character traits). Throw an unclean spirit in there and Trevant blossoms! There are flashes of Hannibal Lecter but there is something deeply and deliciously evil about Trevant under the influence of the devil. Who would pass up an opportunity like that?

I’m not sure if my saying The Rite is an OK film is going to encourage the hardcore horror fans out there. If you find yourself the losing end of a bet and have to see this film against your better judgment, you won’t be cursing the person who made you go. Not a rousing endorsement I know, but considering the circumstances, take what you can get people.

The Rite

Inspired by true events, “The Rite” follows skeptical seminary student Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue), who reluctantly attends exorcism school at the Vatican. While in Rome, he meets an unorthodox priest, Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), who introduces him to the darker side of his faith.

Directed by Mikael Håfström (“1408”), “The Rite” is a supernatural thriller that uncovers the devil’s reach to even one of the holiest places on Earth. Contrafilms’ Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson (“The Exorcism of Emily Rose”) are producing the film. The screenplay was penned by Michael Petroni (upcoming “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”), inspired by the book by Matt Baglio. Christy Fletcher and Emma Parry are co-producing. Richard Brener, Merideth Finn and Robert Bernacchi serve as executive producers.

Hopkins stars as Father Lucas. An Oscar® winner for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs,” Hopkins’ impressive career includes “The Remains of the Day” and this year’s “The Wolfman,” as well as the upcoming comics-based film “Thor.”

Making his feature film debut, O’Donoghue stars as Michael Kovak, the disillusioned American seminary student.

Alice Braga plays the role of Angeline, a journalist in Rome doing research on exorcisms. Braga will next be seen this summer in “Predators.” Her additional credits include “I Am Legend” and “City of God.”

Ciarán Hinds portrays Father Xavier. Known for his role as Gaius Julius Caesar in HBO’s “Rome,” Hinds will soon be seen in the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” films.

Toby Jones plays the role of Father Matthew. Jones has appeared in such films as “Frost/Nixon,” “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and “The Painted Veil” and will soon be seen in “Captain America: The First Avenger.”

Veteran actor Rutger Hauer takes on the role of Michael’s father, Istvan Kovak. Hauer’s career includes roles in “Blade Runner,” “The Hitcher,” “Sin City” and “Batman Begins.”

Håfström previously directed the John Cusack thriller “1408,” and “Derailed,” starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston. His most recent film, “Shanghai,” also starring John Cusack, will be in theaters later this year. His film “Evil,” which he wrote and directed, was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards® and won three Swedish Guldbagge Awards, including Best Film.

Slated for release in January 28 2011, New Line Cinema’s “The Rite” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Official Site
Facebook page

The Wolfman

Inspired by the classic Universal film that launched a legacy of horror, The Wolfman brings the myth of a cursed man back to its iconic origins. Oscar® winner Benicio Del Toro stars as Lawrence Talbot, a haunted nobleman lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father (Oscar® winner Anthony Hopkins), Talbot sets out to find his brother…and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself.

Lawrence Talbot’s childhood ended the night his mother died. After he left the sleepy Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor, he spent decades recovering and trying to forget. But when his brother’s fiancée, Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt), tracks him down to help find her missing love, Talbot returns home to join the search. He learns that something with brute strength and insatiable bloodlust has been killing the villagers, and that a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline (Hugo Weaving) has come to investigate.

As he pieces together the gory puzzle, he hears of an ancient curse that turns the afflicted into werewolves when the moon is full. Now, if he has any chance at ending the slaughter and protecting the woman he has grown to love, Talbot must destroy the vicious creature in the woods surrounding Blackmoor. But as he hunts for the nightmarish beast, a simple man with a tortured past will uncover a primal side to himself…one he never imagined existed.

Opens February 12th.

Official Site
Facebook page