Innocent Primate

Here's my admission as a comic book geek: I've been collecting since 1982 and in all that time I never really got into Thor. I don't have a good reason other than I guess the stories just didn't appeal to me. But ever since I first heard they were making Thor and tying it into The Avengers, I started to get more curious about this hero and how he fits into the Marvel Universe. What Thor brings is a noble heroism that should appeal to anyone who is also familiar with Iron Man's cockiness (though Thor starts the movie as an arrogant but still likable warrior), the Hulk's primal anger, and Wolverine's brooding egoism.

Fine. But is this movie any good? In a word...hellayes. Here's the Primate's take.

What I liked...
1. Casting.
Thor: Whoever pulled the trigger on Chris Hemsworth as Thor deserves mucho props. Holy hellcats, this guy sells the role and makes you want to see more. And here's hoping we see lots more of him as Thor beyond The Avengers.
Loki: There's a slow-building, dangerous malevolence in Tom Hiddleston's Loki. He's not pure evil, but a believable personification of all the traits that can turn anyone - let alone a magical god - toward darkness: jealousy, envy, betrayal, hatred. Where the hell was Hiddleston when they were casting for Anakin Skywalker?
Odin: Anthony Hopkins delivers just the type of majesty we expected to the role of the All-Father. 
Heimdall: All the fanboy bitching about the casting of Idris Elba as Heimdall because he's black should be forgotten. Elba was absolutely fantastic in the role. Kudos again to the casting team for having the guts to make this decision.
Sif: I'll get to her a little later but...wow. Please, can we get a lot more of the hotness that is Jaimie Alexander?
Jane Foster: Yes, Natalie Portman could easily make a god want to defend Midgardian mortals.
Director: The choice of Kenneth Branagh to give this movie a classical, Shakespearian style was genius. Perhaps he could also pull double-duty, conjure up his Henry V experience, and take on the role of Balder who was noticeably absent from the film.

2. Marvel References.
Bruce Banner: Midway through the movie, when Dr. Selvig was talking about S.H.I.E.L.D., he talked about a scientist studying gamma radiation then S.H.I.E.L.D. came along and hasn't been been heard from since.
Hawkeye: Terrific cameo of Clint Barton who will appear in The Avengers. (Spoiler: want to see Hawkeye's scene? Here it is.)
Eye of Agamotto: I was alerted to this on one of the comic fan blogs. When you first see the weapons vault on Asgard, you get an ever so brief glimpse of something resembling an eye. While I haven't seen anything definitive from Marvel, it surely is the Eye of Agamotto, a mystical item used by Doctor Strange. (And while I'm on the subject, am I the only one dying for Marvel to bring Doctor Strange to the big screen?)
End credits: As always, stick around after the credits for an additional scene. I won't give it away, but there is undoubtedly a tie-in to both this summer's Captain America and next year's Avengers.

3. Thor in Action.
Really, it was just about everything I expected. He threw Mjolnir, created tornados, commanded thunder, and unleashed fury against the Frost Giants. I'm also greedy...I want more (see below).

4. The Setup to The Avengers.
It's all right there, waiting for next year. And based on the character we see in this film, he's going to have to referee the inherent conflict between Iron Man and Captain America.

What I wanted to see more of...
1. Thor in Action.
Probably will never be enough to satisfy my need to see the God of Thunder wielding Mjolnir against evil and tyranny.

2. Lady Sif.
Is there anything hotter than seeing a beautiful woman kicking Frost Giant ass? I could watch Jaimie Alexander do her taxes and find that hot. And where was the romantic tension between her and Thor? Dear Marvel, I'd pay pay good money to see more Thor movies just to watch this relationship take shape.

3. Additional Story.
Here it is: If I have any major criticism it's that there was need for at least 45 to 60 minutes of story. Thor is a story of self-discovery and redemption. It's difficult to tell this story - with all the necessary background and action - in just under 2 hours. If a movie audience can sit through the Lord of the Ring sagas, we can easily do it here. On the plus side, I hear that Branagh plans to release extended scenes in the DVD release.

The Primate's Rating...
4 of 5 Mjolnirs

Really? Are you kidding me? This is what passes for industry analysis these days?

"Given the forward curve for fuel prices and the known revenue environment," UBS airline analyst Kevin Crissey wrote in a client note, "Southwest *may or may not be profitable* in the first quarter, and *may or may not grow earnings* in 2011."

The emphasis is mine. Let's put this into another context. I think I'll start by telling my wife that I *may or may not* be giving her a diamond necklace. I'll also tell my boss that I *may or may not* come to work.

Jeez, talk about hedging your bets here, Mr. Crissey. I'd love a job where I wouldn't have to say anything definitive or take a stand.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20110121_Southwest_CEO___I_d_rather_hav...

URL:  http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/davis-has-bui...

Articles like this one from the Austin American-Statesman drive me crazy. It's about Greg Davis, the former offensive coordinator for the UT Longhorns football team. What drives me crazy is how media writers (not just sports writers) conflate an individual's performance and personality. Case in point: Kevin Robbins writes on several occasions just how much of a "good person" Davis is. I don't know Greg Davis and I doubt there is any reason to disbelieve that he is truly an individual of great integrity and heart. More than likely, he is. But that all ignores the simple fact that being a good person doesn't automatically equate to being great at his or her craft. And it's certainly no excuse if you can't execute successfully. If I can't meet the goals of my job as a marketer and this becomes a consistent problem, I need to be relieved of duty...regardless of how much of a "good person" I am.

Honest to god, one of the best quotes I've read about getting your butt kicked. This came from Sione Pouha, a New York Jets defensive tackle, after they got stomped 45-3 by their hated arch-rivals New England Patriots: "This humble pie tastes like a car tire and it goes down like peanut butter." http://amplify.com/u/htz2

URL:  http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/mediageek/news/?...

Pretty sure this has been around for a few years, but this is just pure genius. Who knew Spiderman was a fat porn actor?

URL:  http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20101118_Vic...

We all screw up in our lives. And we all are never far away from the release of forgiveness. We can get caught up in the guilt and continue down the path of doing wrong...or we can choose to look deep inside and learn from our mistakes But redemption is a sweet thing. It's one reason why I'm really pulling for Vick and excited to see him succeed.

It's been a little over a month since my Dell Streak bought the farm. I scored my beta tester version this past summer as a racer in the Congress Avenue Mile. And of course, since it was a beta version, it came with zilcho warranty. This I can sort of make peace with...but there's this lingering irritation that I have this perfectly functional piece of hardware (which did get some pretty good usage as both personal tool as well as professional utility belt). Well, functional except for the a completely busted screen. Strange that a tablet that touts a Gorilla Glass screen would crack on the inside.

So now I'll take my 16GB data card and plug it into my hardy Blackberry which is soon to be replaced by either an Android device or iPhone later next year.

But what I can tell you is that it won't be a Dell Streak. If it can go all FUBAR with next to no effort (along with the fact that Dell has been pure crap for offering any support), how can I put my trust in buying another one?

Sorry Dell, but your Streak is heading to the hardware graveyard.

A strange juxtaposition for today as we celebrate Easter, but this just has to be said. If I said I didn't care for Duke before, that would have been a mild understatement. Now that they trounced my Mountaineers, I wish a nasty plague upon each player, assistant coach, and Coach K. Last night, Duke confirmed they enjoy smacking babies and kicking little old ladies (particularly little old ladies with heart problems). Next up for Duke? A chance to continue their penchant for stealing dreams when they play Butler for the National Championship. Hope their bulldog mascot mistakes Coach K's crotch for a Milk-Bone.