One of the keys to a successful streaming video service is a show that acts as a hook to pull in subscribers. Each of the services out there (along with their cable and network counterparts) spends large sums of money acquiring talent in that quest. Last year, Netflix found their "hook" with the 1980s sci-fi/horror homage Stranger Things. The show became a key hit for the streaming platform. As a fully financed and owned Netflix production (as opposed to other originals which are produced with/by other studios), the merchandising opportunities are very lucrative. I was roughly the same age in 1983 as the show's three young male protagonists, and the series's many pop culture references from the era continually strike a chord. The show has a similar feel to J.J. Abrams's movie Super 8, but is its own living and breathing thing. Stranger Things has a funky electronic soundtrack (which feels like something out of a John Carpenter movie), pieces of hit pop music of the era, and subtle (as well as not-so-subtle) nods to movies like E.T. and The Goonies. The show is a wonderful, ridculous and pulpy ride that is a tremendous amount of fun. Target brings fans an exclusive box set for the first season of Stranger Things. The set features all eight episodes of the first season on Blu-ray and DVD (the DVDs sit in a tray under the Blu-ray discs). The only special features are trailers for Stranger Things 2 (which is currently streaming on Netflix) and Marvel's The Defenders series -- kind of a shame since there is so much wonderful content out there about the show.
But let's focus on the coolest aspect of this set... the packaging. The Blu-rays and DVDs are ensconsced in a case that looks like an old VHS cassette tape. As you unfold the "cassette" inside, one half houses the discs (two Blu-ray discs and two DVDs), and the other includes a limited-edition poster of the Demogorgon (you'll have to watch the show to learn what that is...).
One of the interesting aspect of this box set is that the discs are held into the trays by a "foam rubber" spindle. I own a number of box sets like this, and it is interesting to see the novel methods employed to house discs. This is a mechanism I'd never seen before. It threw me off a bit at first, but once I figured it out, getting the discs off was just fine.
If you are a Stranger Things fanboy like me -- or if you want to see the show, but aren't interested in subscribing to Netflix -- the Season 1 box set is a neat way to enjoy the show. I didn't realize this set was available until a couple weeks after its initial release, but I'm glad I stumbled upon it. It definitely ranks as one of the cooler-looking box sets I've owned, and it is a worthwhile addition to my collection collection. It retails for $24.99... would make a great Christmas gift.
There are certain "tentpole" films that movie lovers make a point of seeing each year. These days, those tentpoles are largely controlled and owned by Disney. Disney has done a yeoman's job managing Marvel superhero movies, the latest entries in the Star Wars saga, and whatever poignant, animated tome Pixar conjures up. Thor: Ragnarok is Disney's second Marvel outing for 2017, after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Well, third if you count Spider-Man: Homecoming, a fusion of Sony and Disney's creative efforts to integrate Spidey into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (read my review of Spider-Man: Homecoming here). Have you noticed the trend toward more humor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe this year? It's worth noting, and something that was needed to keep Disney's Marvel franchise films enjoyable (although, some of the jokes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 felt rather forced at times). The past couple of years, I've wondered if the quality of "comic book movies" was starting to wane. Sure, superhero movies continued to churn out healthy box office receipts, but a number of high-profile releases felt tired and empty. For example, Doctor Strange was capably crafted and entertaining enough, but the dreary tone and plodding pace made me wonder what the future held for Marvel movies. Other high-profile releases -- like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Age of Ultron -- were too dour for their own good. Even the DC superhero movies that Warner Bros. brought to theaters -- like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice -- started to make you wonder if the genre lacked focus and polish. Thankfully, the 2017 calendar year brought a stable of superhero/comic book movies that show there is still life in these films.
Thor: Ragnarok is a light and buoyant romp that features a considerable amount of self-effacing, tongue-in-cheek humor. It seems to be heavily influenced by cheeseball 1980s sci-fi/fantasy movies. As a result, the film doesn't feel bogged down by Thor's mythology -- something that hurt Thor: The Dark World when it was released in 2013. No, this film doesn't take the titular norse god too seriously at all. In fact, Chris Hemsworth serves up a performance in Ragnarok that seems quite comfortable poking fun at his character, mythology, and "too serious" tone prevalent in some recent Marvel entries. This is typically the point in my reviews where I write up a brief summary of early plot points in the film. I'm not sure that is really necessary. My fellow Marvel lovers are going to see Thor: Ragnarok regardless of the story. The film features Thor... the Hulk/Banner... Loki... Jeff Goldblum waxing bizarre... Cate Blanchett scowling... a cameo by Doctor Strange... a funny rock creature... a gigantic wolf... space ships... laser cannons... and an epic final battle...
Thor: Ragnarok has a soundtrack that features Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" (something featured in the teaser trailer for the movie). The musical score in the movie is a pulsing, electronic affair that was composed by Mark Mothersbaugh -- lead singer of the band Devo ("Whip It"). In many respects, Ragnarok feels like it could have been retooled and made into an entry in the aforementioned Guardians of the Galaxy series. It has a similar tone, look, and feel. It seems like a waste to pick over the finer details. Thor: Ragnarok is fun. The film is well paced and never feels bogged down. It is the epitome of a popcorn movie -- very little nutritional value, but it just feels right when you're munching it down. Rated PG-13, Runtime 2 hrs, 10 min
