May 15

Movie Review: Thor

Reviewer and Thor movie poster
Me & Thor

Thor (2011)
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston
115 minutes
rated PG-13

I’ll go ahead and admit at the outset here that I’ve never read a Thor comic book, or even a full comic book  of any hero variety. A blasphemy of sorts, perhaps, but I’m ok with that. But I still appreciate a good comic book hero movie, and the latest installment in the Marvel movie franchise did not disappoint.

The movie Thor features a godly character of Viking descent – based on a mixture of Norse mythology and Marvel comic book lore. In the movie, the Mighty Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, is the son of the “all-father” Odin, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, and older brother to Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston. Just as Thor is about to be crowned King of the mythical realm of Asgard, the Frost Giants break in to Asgard and attempt to steal a powerful relic. Ever the warrior, Thor counsels his father to make swift and violent retribution against the Frost Giants, which would no doubt lead to all-out war. Recognizing his son’s arrogance and pride, Odin calls him a “vain, greedy, cruel boy”, and banishes Thor to Earth without his god-like powers, most significantly without the ability to wield his iconic war hammer Mjollnir. Once on Earth, Thor must learn the humility and wisdom required to be a great ruler, in order to earn back his godly powers and access to Asgard. Along the way he apparently also “learns” the ability to fall in love – with astro-scientist Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman.

This movie was complete eye-candy – I almost wished the Asgard scenes had run in slo-mo so I could take in all the details. The special effects were flawless – from the epic battle scenes in Jötunheim (the frost giant world), to traveling via the Bifrost Bridge portal, to Loki’s cloning powers, to the Earthly battle scene with the Destroyer – all just awesome. This is a film that is definitely worth seeing in the theater to get the full effect of the big screen – even worth splurging the extra few bucks to see it in IMAX 3D (which we did – Happy Mother’s Day to me!)

Continue reading

Category: Comics, Geek, Movies | Comments Off on Movie Review: Thor
May 1

Crafting Valhalla

Thor movie posterWith the premiere of the movie Thor this week, I thought I’d highlight some viking crafts. As my paternal grandfather was a full-blood Swede, I think it only fitting, ja?  :)

Chandra Willis created a stylish infant-toddler viking helmet (though her model does not appear to agree) – find her knitting pattern at Hot Potato Knits.

Yarn manufacturer Bernat offers a crochet version of a warrior baby helmet (Ravelry link, login required), with which I am completely in love, and which has me eying every baby head in near vicinity with crafting glee.

Traci Heiner worked up a pattern for a dishcloth featuring Thor’s Hammer – known as Mjolnir – and kindly provides a link to the Wikipedia entry to learn more about its symbolism.

Amigurumi viking doll projectNeedleNoodles offers an amigurumi viking pattern (left), as a free expansion pack pattern to her Creepy Cute Crochet book.

In the new-to-me craft category, a Viking Knitting tutorial from janraven on Etsy. Since the tutorial features 75 photo step-outs, it’s probably a good thing janraven also offers the finished Viking Knit Hoop earrings in her Etsy shop.

And finally, Cheryl Herrick (aka “crankycheryl”) shares her version of a Viking birthday party, complete with duct tape Viking helmets, a catapault, and a Viking long boat made of chocolate chip pound cake. Complete epic-ness.

Oh, and a side geek-note? Chris Hemsworth, the actor who is playing Thor in the forthcoming movie, also played George Kirk in the 2009 reboot of Star Trek, and is currently working on Joss Whedon‘s Avengers, also as Thor. Nice.

Viking crafts previously linked on GeekCrafts:

Category: Comics, Craft, Geek, Movies | 3 Comments on Crafting Valhalla
April 24

Jayne Cobb Hat and Scarf

Jayne Cobb hatsAs my first geekcraft-sharing post, I thought I would share one of my own projects, or actually a couple. As a proud Browncoat (fan of Joss Whedon‘s TV series “Firefly“), I of course knit the requisite Jayne Cobb hat – one for my husband, and one for my son. I used Dryope’s Jayne Cobb hat pattern for the hat, though there are many variations on the pattern.

My husband says it’s the warmest snow-shoveling hat he’s ever had. In fact, after shoveling one particularly cold day, he remarked that it was too bad that there wasn’t a matching scarf pattern, to keep his neck and face warm as well. Not one to let my crafting superpowers go to waste, I began designing a scarf immediately.

I consulted with my son and fellow Browncoat, and he thought the stripes should be “random” (rather like Jayne himself), so he devised the pattern of stripes, and how wide each stripe should be. I think the resulting pattern turned out almost like a contemporary version of the Dr Who scarf, which just gives it extra geek points, in my mind.

I stuck with the traditional colors of the Jayne Cobb hat – red(ish), orange(ish), and yellow. I used Vanna’s Choice yarn in Brick, Mustard, & Rust, so it would have easy care & handling.

Here’s a rough pattern for the Jayne Cobb scarf I came up with:

cast on in desired width (multiples of 6)
knit two rows of garter stitch
then work in a 3×2 rib (K3, P2) for remainder of scarf:
row 1: K3, P2
row 2: P3, K2
end with two rows of garter stitch
Jayne Cobb scarf
pattern:
6” Brick/red
7” Rust/orange
1” Mustard/yellow
3” Rust/orange
4” Mustard/yellow
2” Brick/red
7” Rust/orange
3” Brick/red
6” Mustard/yellow
7” Rust/orange
7” Mustard/yellow
3” Brick/red
7” Rust/orange
6” Brick/red

Links of interest:

Category: Craft, Geek, TV | 6 Comments on Jayne Cobb Hat and Scarf
April 20

“Sudden, but inevitable betrayal” pillow

Over at Craftster, the Whedonverse (as in Joss Whedon’s worlds: Buffy, Angel, Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible, and Firefly) Round 6 Swap is in full swing, and there are some amazing things over there! But my favorite so far is the embroidered Wash pillow. FiberAlchemist made it for her partner ifallthraindrops. The detail is so amazing, and the shading is gorgeous (shading is one of the many, many things I need to learn). I love cartoon Wash!

Category: Craft, Geek, Sci-Fi, TV | Comments Off on “Sudden, but inevitable betrayal” pillow
February 8

Silk Screened Serenity Tote

“I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar.” Hoban ‘Wash’ Washburn

I’m not joking, my husband and I re-watched serenity a couple of days ago, and I had to look away when Wash said this line… I won’t tell you why… if you know you’ll know, but I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone.

PURE GENIUS!! – why did you cancel Firefly Fox?… WHY!!!!!?!??!?!??!??!!

*ahem* For those of you (like me) who have a Firefly shaped hole in your lives, you can plug it with this cute tote, or perhaps a T-shirt or hoodie from geekboypress on Etsy (seriously good value too, the tote and t-shirt are only $10USD each!) oh I really want one…. maybe I can negotiate one for valentines day…

Silkcreen printing is an awesome craft and I really want to get into it myself, but I’ve never been able to find anywhere in the UK that sells the supplies… I guess I’d better use the internet to it’s full potential… any good starter kit suggestions GeekCrafters?

Category: Craft, Geek, Movies, Sci-Fi, TV | 6 Comments on Silk Screened Serenity Tote
January 7

Angel Investigations Necklace

Angel Investigations Necklace

Is it a lobster?

Of course not! It’s the logo for Angel Investigations, the vampire-led detective agency from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off, Angel.

Though the program’s been off the air for some years, you can still show your love for the L.A. crew who “helped the hopeless” with this striking copper necklace by Etsy seller Hollywood Jane. 

Category: Craft, Geek, Horror & Gore, TV | 1 Comment on Angel Investigations Necklace