TINY TIDBITS: THE AVENGERS, THE HUNTER, BEL AMI

There are times when a few lines are enough to achieve “brevity”, with a dash of “soul”, a smattering of “wit”.

“MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS”,  The perfect recipe comprised of every iconic, universal savior: “The Iron Man” (Robert Downey, Jr.; “Captain America” (Chris Evans); “The Incredible Hulk” (Mark Ruffalo); “Thor” (Chris Hemsthorth) the Norse god of thunder and lightening, wields his anvil and fells countless villains. My favorites were “Loki” , the Norse god of fire and trickery (aesthetically, beautifully mendacious portrayal by Tom Hiddleston) and the “Black Widow” (red- headed, buffed, lethal combination of “Lisbeth Salander and “Evelyn Salt”,  Scarlett Johansson). The 220 million dollars spent on this visual extravaganza guarantees a good time for both audience and actors!

THREE STARS!!!

“THE HUNTER” (On Demand) starring the remarkable, fearless, Willem DaFoe as “Martin”, a mercenary hired by an untoward biotech company to “capture” the last, illusive Tasmanian Tiger; reasons being highly suspect. “Martin” is frigid, calculating, cemented to his mission, his every move honed to perfection, never a misplaced step or unprovoked action; mind, body and temperament conditioned by his trade.

His facade is fissured by the “host” family; husband gone missing, self-medicating wife, two precocious,  unattended children. Skillfully, the plot revolves around Martin’s matriculation from cold -blooded “hunter”,  discovering untapped, virginal reservoirs of emotions. The children are the catalyst;  the “tiger” completes Martin’s metamorphosis.

“The Hunter” is mesmerizing, mysterious, unnerving, disturbing and harbors plenty of “Tasmanian Devils”, contributing chillingly to the fear factor.

THREE STARS!!!

“BEL AMI” (On Demand) starring Robert Pattison (cannot shake the “Twilight” imagery), Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci, in this truly awful,  bastardly interpretation of Guy de Maupassant’s 1885 novel of the same name.  Talent trashed in inimitable detritus. “Georges Duroy” with alacrity “beds” them and “weds” them, a pretty boy, (sans sharp incisors) desperately seeking to shun the strapping’s, stench of poverty,  via the chambers of women bored with their decrepit, wealthy, powerful husbands. All paltry, pathetic, manipulative individuals, regardless of finances,(“ money does not care who owns it”) bereft of dignity or class.

1/2 STAR

For Now…………Peneflix