It has been well over a month since I last brianedoutloud, so let's catch up. The New York Comic Con has come and gone, with no major news you probably haven't already heard. Stephen King's IT was incredible and scary as hell. The well-received movie has surpassed Deadpool as the highest grossing R-rated film of all time and is the first horror film to earn over $300 million domestically. The second chapter has been announced for September 6th, 2019 and even though the squeal will focus on the "Losers Club" as adults, I predict successful futures for the young actors from part one. Particularity Sophia Lillis, who played Beverly Marsh and Finn Wolfhard (from Stranger Things) who played the foulmouthed Richie Tozier. Speaking of Stranger Things, the second season is available to stream on Netflix as of today and looks like a worthy successor to the stellar first season. Netflix has also announced Beyond Stranger Things, an analysis, debate and discussion program similar to The Talking Dead.
I also caught Blade Runner 2049, while I was busy not blogging. Ridley Scott's Blade Runner from 1982 is a classic, and one of my absolute favorite sci-fi films. Blade Runner 2049 lived up to the original aesthetically with beautiful technopocalyptic set pieces and sprawling city-scapes. It continues to question the core of humanity and the importance of memories. In my opinion, it was a bit too similar to a Futurama episode from 2012, "The Bots and The Bees", and my mind often replayed that episode instead of focusing on the film.
Thor Ragnarok, the 17th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hits theaters Friday, November 3 and I could not be any more excited. In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment from the first trailer, you can see what appears to a monument to the super-powered Korbinite warrior, Beta Ray Bill. Since retailers often begin advertising sometimes months before the film is released, toy tie-ins are notorious for spoiling blockbusters, even the super secretive MCU films, and no action figure, lego set, Funko Pop or any other Thor Ragnarok product has included Beta Ray Bill, leading me to believe the fan-favorite character, who is worthy to wield Thor's hammer Mjolnir, will not be in the movie. A huge missed opportunity if so.
Also on the tower is Man-Thing at the top center, Marvel's version of Ares The God of War on the top right, with Bi-Beast directly below. The Incredible Hulk appears beneath Beta Ray Bill on the left, and in the middle on the bottom is Fing Fang Foom. If true, this one image rivals James Gunn's penchant for dropping Easter Eggs.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive and Thor Ragnarok has been certified fresh by RottenTomatoes with an accumulated 96%, the highest rated MCU film to date. A common criticism is that some of the MCU films are too much alike, such as Iron Man, Ant-Man, and Doctor Strange. Guardians of the Galaxy certainly followed a different path and it appears that Director Taika Waititi has broken the mold with Thor Ragnarok. The third Thor film is expected to gross an impressive $100 million on opening weekend, an estimate that was increased after the glowing reviews were released and excited word-of-mouth. From what I've seen, it appears Cate Blanchett as Hela the Goddess of Death will be a scene-stealing powerhouse. Hopefully, Marvel has seen the error of their ways when it comes to killing off the villains, one-and-done style. Zemo survived Civil War, Ayesha lived through Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Vulture was sent to prison instead of the grave in Spider-Man Homecoming, and most likely SPOILER ALERT Hela will survive Thor Ragnarok. Multiple reports suggest Marvel will use Hela as a substitute for the entity Death, in Avengers Infinity War. Understandable as Hela the Goddess of Death has a similar role as Death, just don't deprive us of Infinity, Eternity who was perhaps name-dropped in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, The Living Tribunal who was definitely name-dropped in Doctor Strange, or the other cosmic embodiments of abstract concepts.
Next on the MCU slate is Black Panther from Creed Director, Ryan Coogler. Like Thor, Black Panther does not appear to follow the same formula as the Phase 1 and 2 films. The MCU has hit a much-needed turning point; essentially gambling by hiring lesser-known directors with unique styles, and fewer credits to their name. Having said that Black Panther does include the uninspired villainous doppelganger just like Iron Man vs. Iron Monger, or Ant-Man vs Yellow Jacket. Still, Black Panther is said to be a departure and a thrilling experience.
Netflix announces Beyond Stranger Things
Thor Ragnarok reviews overwhelmingly positive
Thor Ragnarok expecting massive opening weekend
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