Never Mind Pop Film

Vampires get a bad rap as far as their depiction in pop culture goes. They are portrayed as predators endlessly stalking humans to quench their thirst. In reality, they would much rather finish that song they have spent decades working on. Feeding on humans is a Fifteenth Century problem, with sources in medicine to sell them blood, vampires focus on other pursuits such as music and literature now.

Jim Jarmusch's latest film seems like a curio of sorts, featuring vampires in modern day Detroit, but given the acting talents of Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston, it could be one of the best features of 2014.

2011's Thor was considered the least accessible of all the films that take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when it was first released, but Chris Hemsworth's burgeoning stardom and the mix of fantasy and sci-fi has coupled together for something much more intriguing for audiences this time around.

At present moment Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is busy restoring peace and order to the nine realms doing battle with Warriors Three (Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi and Tadanobu Asano) and Sif (Jaimie Alexander). There is much merriment to be had as future king after his string of victories, but banquets bring Thor no pleasure. Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and mother Frigga (Rene Russo) hope to see their son seek marriage with Sif and take his rightful place as successor to the throne, yet they can sense that Thor's priorities lie elsewhere on Earth.

Jim Jarmusch's upcoming vampire-love story finds Adam (Tom Hiddleston), a mysterious underground musician (who has lived for centuries) sunk in a depression due to the endless suffering in humanity. Trying to escape his existential funk, he reunites with long-term lover Eve (Swinton), but his hopes for romantic calm are spoiled by her wild younger sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska).

Only Lovers Left Alive received a great deal of its financing from last year's Cannes so there could be a first look at this year's festival. The cast (also including John Hurt and Anton Yelchin) and premise are extremely intriguing, let's keep those fingers crossed for a debut this year.

(Courtesy: IndieWire)

Looking at Thor from pre-production there were several questions surrounding the film. Would Aussie Chris Hemsworth manage to be a convincing Norse God? Can Kenneth Branagh take comic-book material and turn it into something worth watching? Will the costume look as awkward as it did in the comics? Fortunately, the answer to those questions is yes, yes, and no.
It should have been obvious that Thor would naturally lend itself to Branagh's Shakespearean leanings. A royal heir cast from the kingdom, a murderous rivalry between two siblings, a man fighting a battle in a foreign land. All of the elements of a great drama. 
Thor is a brash and arrogant young man. During the course of a information expedition he re-ignites a war that has lasted for the ages. Odin (Anthony Hopkins) fed up with such childish antics does not approve and casts Thor from Asgard. It is here on Earth that the humor of Thor shines through. The value of Chris Hemsworth's charm is truly on display when he is …