Marvel Movie Minute • Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Minute Ninety-Five: From Thor’s Return to Bifrost BlastJoining us to talk about family reunions and planetary destruction are James Anderson and Colin M. Parker, hosts of the Timeline Scavengers podcast.In the ninety-fifth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Loki and Frigga hug. It’s Loki’s chance to shine. He’s saved Dad and Mom from the mean frost giants and now he’s good to rule, right?
• Uh, yeah... no. That’s when Thor decides to show up.
• Frigga’s thrilled and gives him a hug. What a death stare he throws at Loki!
• We love the way the conversation between Loki and Thor cuts back and forth between each of them with Odin’s sleeping form in the lower foreground. Fantastic way to really tie the connection firmly between fathers and sons here.
• So Loki blasts Thor through the wall and down to the lower parts of Asgard. Next time we see him, he’s riding on a horse toward the Observatory. So what about the whole part when Frigga confronts him for having attacked Thor? Where’s that bit? It’s kind of an important part that gets completely glossed over.
• Loki uses Gungnir to turn the Observatory on and blast Jotunheim with Bifrost energy. But why does it hit downtown Utgard instead of the Bifrost Junction we’ve come to know on the cliff’s edge?

James and Colin join us to talk about the family coming back together and Loki’s Star Wars level plan to blow up a planet with a giant beam. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Ninety-Four: From Frigga Fighting Frost Giants to Frigga Hugging LokiJoining us to discuss Frigga facing off with Laufey and Loki’s surprise turn are James Anderson and Colin M. Parker, hosts of the Timeline Scavengers podcast.In the ninety-fourth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Frigga knows how to wield a sword as she takes down a Jotun in one blow. Why doesn’t she use her witch magic though?
• Could they have found more ways to better work Frigga into the story? Or is this a side effect from being so early in the MCU?
• Laufey takes Frigga down in one blow. Ouch! Again, why no magic? It unfortunately speaks to plot needs more than anything.
• Laufey’s red eyes look fantastic here, but his fingernail by Odin’s eye is so creepy. So is that a creepy, gross fingernail or is this a well-manicured nail on Jotunheim?
• Does Laufey generate the ice weapons from his hands with strange secretions like Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man?
• Why does Laufey whisper here? And why does Loki do the same thing? Is there a reason they’re so quiet?
• This is where Loki kills Laufey and claims he’s killing him as Odin’s son. So will he then change his last name from Laufeyson to Odinson?
• Did Laufey freeze Odin’s eye open? Why does it stay open?
• Is this a stunt hand from someone who has naturally large hands? Or is this a mo-cap embiggened hand?
• This brings us into a bit of mo-cap conversation about Captain America and scrawny Steve Rogers.
• The reflection of Laufey in Odin’s eye is frickin’ cool. (Frigga’n cool?)
• Why does Thor fly straight to the front door instead of up to Odin’s chambers?
• We discuss our recollections about the reveal of Loki killing Laufey here.
• There’s been an element of Loki always taking down Laufey from the comics, so it makes sense it happens here.
• We work through some more thinking about Loki’s plan and why he kills Laufey.
• This is a picture wrap on Colm Feore as Laufey, king of the Jotuns!
• Frigga runs to Loki to hug him. This very well could be the end of a film called Loki.

Frigga, Laufey, and Loki – oh my! James and Colin dig in with us for this big minute. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Ninety-Three: From Dutch Kisses to Jotun EntrancesJoining us to discuss Thor’s and Jane’s final kiss and Frigga’s defensive stance are James Anderson and Colin M. Parker, hosts of the Timeline Scavengers podcast.In the ninety-third minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman are the perfect height for a romantic dutch angle kiss. It’s just perfect here.
• We discuss the romance and chemistry between these two actors. It’s interesting that people approach this pair differently.
• Thor kisses Jane’s hand. Jane full-on kisses him. It’s a fantastic kiss. There’s some serious passion here.
• And who wouldn’t get in on that if they were that close to either of these two?
• The scripted kiss came from Thor after kissing Jane’s hand. We’re so happy they give the agency to Jane to kiss Thor after that kiss on her hand.
• We wish more of the MCU had this level of romance.
• Is this Chris Hemsworth’s first on-screen feature film kiss?

Bifrost, Engage!

• Bifrost comes down and sucks everyone up into space. So... were they just standing there watching Thor and Jane this whole time?
• We again ponder the look of all the trips through the Bifrost. We really feel it’s more storytelling shorthand though, just like Rhodey learning to fly in the War Machine suit.
• How did Thor see Heimdall needed medical attention so quickly?
• Thor takes off to fly toward Valaskjalf.

Meanwhile, in Odin’s Chambers

• Frigga pulls Odin’s sword out of the holster built into his bed stand. Is that a thing?
• That being said, Frigga seems ready to wield a weapon.
• Does the golden glow around Odin keep us from hearing his snoring?
• The doors are icing up. The frost giants are close. When did Loki slip away from them?
• Do frost giants freeze everything they touch or do they freeze the door because they need to break it open?
• Are frost giants weaker when on a warmer planet like Asgard?

From Midgard to Asgard, from goodbyes to hellos, it’s a busy day. James Anderson and Colin M. Parker, hosts of the Timeline Scavengers podcast, are here for all of it. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube • Disney+
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• James Anderson on Twitter

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Minute Ninety-Two: From a Pinzgauer Ride to a Final SqueezeJoining us this week to discuss the the impending trip through Bifrost are James Anderson and Colin M. Parker, hosts of the Timeline Scavengers podcast.In the ninety-second minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• The Pinzgauer arrives at Bifrost Junction with Darcy, Erik, Sif, Hogun the Grim, Fandral, and Volstagg. It looks like Volstagg rides on the top. Is he the only one?
• Did they tell Volstagg he has to ride on top or was that his request?
• Has Thor been standing here at the Bifrost Junction calling for Heimdall this whole time?
• Perhaps there was a bit of a ‘Can You Read My Mind’ Superman moment where Thor flew Jane to Hawaii quickly?
• Why didn’t Thor and Jane say goodbye while they were alone here?
• There are the remnants of the SHIELD vehicles here. Where are the agents? Are they all walking back toward the SHIELD Crater Base?
• It’s kinda funny how Thor keeps calling for Heimdall. It’s like a kid trying to get his parent’s attention.
• Is there a small part of Jane that starts doubting Thor again as he stands in the desert calling some stranger’s name to the sky?
• We pine for all those minutes of Thor’s Asgardian friends that we just won’t get.
• Are the Warriors Three different facets of Thor’s personality? Perhaps they’re only figments of his imagination?

We talk more about Heimdall’s magical senses.

• Andy forgets that Heimdall has great hearing on top of his great sight.
• We discuss if his skills relate to his role or are just part of him and how it played out in the comics.
• We feel like we come up with a solution that works for us.
• It’s clear regardless that Marvel has found ways to fit everyone together.
• We ponder if these skills actually belong to the character or... perhaps to Idri Elba himself?
• So how is Heimdall breathing while encased in ice?
• And is he just flexing or breathing hot air to soften the ice up?
• We love that we can see his icy footsteps into the Himinbjorg.
• And he gets things started up. Sure doesn’t look like he’s holding up very well.

Back on Midgard...

• Again, why didn’t Thor get his goodbyes done while he and Jane were alone?
• And again, why such big atmospheric disturbances here on Midgard?

It’s a great time to celebrate Heimdall breaking out of the ice and James Anderson and Colin M. Parker, hosts of the Timeline Scavengers podcast, are here for it. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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• James Anderson on Twitter

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Minute Ninety-One: From Coulson’s Cheeky Check-In to Heimdall’s Icy StruggleJoining us to discuss Thor, Jane, Agent Coulson, Loki, Laufey, Heimdall, and more are James Anderson and Colin M. Parker from the Timeline Scavengers podcast!In the ninety-first minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• It’s Agent Coulson! And not just any Agent Coulson, but the one we’ve really grown to love. His dialogue here seems spot-on perfect for how Coulson should act. We love this guy!
• And how funny is it that he calls after Thor and Jane as they fly off! So perfect.
• The taken/stolen/borrowed bit cracks us all up.
• The way Thor speaks to Coulson feels very... formal. Is this some official pact that Thor is making with a Midgardian representative on behalf of Asgard?
• Sadly, this is a picture wrap on Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson for this film. But he’ll be back in a few seasons!

Thor flies off with Jane.

• We compare him asking Jane if she’d like him to show her the bridge to someone asking the pretty girl if she’d like to see his room. Very funny.
• We all agree that Natalie’s/Jane’s reaction to Chris/Thor pulling her in close is perfect, and likely the same reaction we’d all give.
• Any chance that they had a chance to check on Agents Cale and Garrett who theoretically are still on the top of the library?

Back in Asgard, Loki’s up to no good.

• Turns out, he’s brought King Laufey and three other Jotuns here so they can kill Odin.
• But why do they walk so slowly as they leave the Observatory?
• If any Asgardian happened to look out, would they see Loki, Laufey, and the Jotuns out for a casual stroll? Or is Loki magically concealing them?
• And why does Laufey leave two sentries to stand guard with the frozen Heimdall?

It’s a busy minute as the climactic act three kicks into high gear, and James and Colin are here for all of it. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Ninety: From a God’s Storm to An Agent’s InterruptionJoining us to discuss Thor taking down the Destroyer (along with some funky rules when it comes to fire), Thor’s return to his friends, Jane’s reaction, and Agent Coulson popping in just in the nick of time is Father David Mowry, Chaplain of the Movies by Minute community.In the ninetieth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Thor creates some sort of tornado by spinning his hammer around really quickly, which also keeps him aloft and somehow sucks the Destroyer into the air. Doesn’t seem like physics work here correctly, but... okay. We’ll go along with it.
• And speaking of physics not working, the Destroyer blasts at Thor three times. The first two times, Thor bats the blast away with his hammer. That really doesn’t make sense, but again... okay. We’ll go along with it.
• (But even the Destroyer’s head gets hit to the side as if Thor’s striking it, not the fire blast. It really makes no sense.)
• How does Thor keep himself afloat when he’s swinging his hammer at the fire blasts? Wouldn’t he plummet?
• Is this actually helping by moving the battle away from the town or making it worse with cars flung all over the place?
• Thor essentially uses his hammer as a cork and plugs the Destroyer’s head, stopping that third blast of fire. And it kind of explodes? Or at least breaks down.
• The shot of it exploding from a very wide shot of the town has horribly rendered CG buildings and looks terrible. Luckily, it’s on screen for only the briefest of moments.
• Honestly, all of this is easy to forgive because we’re here to see Thor walk with an adult swagger out of the smoke. That’s such a great moment.
• Jane’s reaction to his outfit is great.
• But seriously, it’s that comedic moment right at the end of this minute when we hear Agent Coulson piping in from off screen. So funny!
• Father Mowry talks a bit about the story of the prodigal son in today’s Christ and the Cape segment.

It’s the showdown in Puente Antiguo, and Thor comes out on top! Father David joins us sadly for the last time. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Eighty-Nine: From Heartbroken Jane to Confused DestroyerJoining us for the most thrilling minute in the movie as Thor is resurrected is a guy who knows a few things about resurrections, Father David Mowry, Chaplain of the Movies by Minute community.In the eighty-ninth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• It’s a big minute!
• Mjølnir rips across the sky like a missile. It even breaks the sound barrier as we see the sonic boom.
• So is this why Erik runs to pull Jane away? Does he – and perhaps everyone else – think that SHIELD launched a missile on the town to destroy the Destroyer? It sure looks that way.
• It’s powerful to see how Thor’s arm and hand react to the approaching Mjølnir, reaching up to grab it even though his body remains lifeless on the ground.
• It’s also cool to see the lightning strike, essentially acting as a defibrillator for Thor, bringing him back to life. The shot of his face certainly looks like that’s what’s happening.
• Does Loki sense Thor’s return or does the Destroyer? Why does Loki turn back right then?
• Not only is is cool seeing the silhouette of Thor standing, hammer raised, in the lightning, but it says a lot that his back is to the Destroyer.
• The symmetry between Loki backhanding Thor with the Destroyer then Thor backhanding the Destroyer with Mjølnir works well for us.
• Everyone’s reactions are priceless, but it’s hard to not see that Sif clearly was expecting this all along. Jaimie Alexander’s reaction here plays so well.
• Erik clearly is coming to terms with his childhood myths actually being real.
• But Jane’s “Oh... my... god...” reaction is the one we really talk about because, well, it’s cheeky and works.
• Father Mowry has more Christ and the Cape to discuss in this minute too!

It’s a powerful minute as Thor returns in full garb as the god of thunder, and Father David’s got a lot to say. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Eighty-Eight: From Sad Faces to a Flying HammerJoining us to discuss the loss of Thor, his sad friends, Odin’s spell, and the reaction in the SHIELD Crater Base to Mjølnir’s change in attitude is Father David Mowry, Chaplain of the Movies by Minute community.In the eighty-eighth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• We get various shots of Thor’s friends, all mourning his death. Each of them carry weight as to the lives he’s touched, but is it Darcy that we find the most moving?
• It’s interesting – and likely intentional – that no one on Midgard sheds a tear for Thor.
• That’s because there’s one very prominent tear that gets shed in this minute for Thor, and it’s Odin. But how does Odin know what’s been going on on Midgard?
• In the script, one of Odin’s ravens had been watching so presumably Odin used his raven-cam to see his son sacrifice himself. Did we need that?
• We feel that it plays well (and into the magical bond) to not have Odin’s connection explained.
• Clearly, Odin approves of the change his arrogant son has made, sacrificing himself for the good of the realm, because his triquetra reappears on the side of Mjølnir.
• The SHIELD scientists have no idea what’s happening or why. To that end, we do touch on some of the gear they’re using.
• And Mjølnir takes flight. How nice of Odin to think ahead to have it fly up and over toward Thor instead of directly across the surface because it likely would take out SHIELD agents, buildings, horses, and more along its way.
• Father Mowry brings more Christ and the Cape this minute!

It’s a sad minute, but Odin’s spell is in action and Mjølnir’s flying so happiness must be on its way! Father David Mowry joins us. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube • Disney+
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• Father David Mowry on the Web and in Twitter

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Minute Eighty-Seven: From Thor Offering His Life to Thor’s Dying BreathJoining us to discuss this heavy minute of Thor facing the Destroyer and it killing him is Father David Mowry, Chaplain of the Movies by Minute community.In the eighty-seventh minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Thor finishes his plea to Loki through the Destroyer. We still aren’t sure how the tech works there but... c’est la vie.
• Thor gives a small smile at the end as he sees the Destroyer turn as if to leave. Does he think he’s won? Does he know what’s coming?
• Loki uses the Destroyer to backhand Thor. Ouch! That’s intense. We discuss how it would’ve been so much worse on The Boys, but still... it’s horrifically painful to watch.
• We also discuss why Loki possibly backhands Thor instead of using the Destroyer’s incinerator-face to burn Thor to a crisp.
• Loki turns to leave. Well, he turns the Destroyer to leave. Or something. So we assume Thor did win through to Loki and that Loki’s intentions here are to kill Thor then leave everyone else alive.
• Jane runs in slow motion toward Thor’s broken body. Does slow motion have any effect on us after Zack Snyder used it so often?
• Thor speaks his last thoughts to Jane. It’s touching, and his words show he’s a changed man. No longer is this the cocky, arrogant Thor we saw at the beginning. This is a new Thor who sacrifices himself to protect Jane, his friends, and the people of Puente Antiguo. It’s a powerful moment.
• But then Thor dies! Wait... he’s not supposed to die, is he?
• Father Mowry has another round of Christ and the Cape for us today!

It’s a minute full of painful backhands, last thoughts, and dying breaths, and Father David Mowry’s here for all of it. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube • Disney+
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• Script Transcript
• Trailer #1
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• Father David Mowry on the Web and in Twitter

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Minute Eighty-Six: From Thor’s Decisive Walk to the StandoffJoining us to discuss Thor’s decision, his conversation with Loki, how the Destroyer works, and more is Father David Mowry, Chaplain of the Movies by Minute community.In the eighty-sixth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• It’s Thor’s big showdown with the Destroyer, and in some capacity, his brother.
• But how does the connection through the Destroyer work? Is Loki hearing and seeing in his mind? It’s never clearly conveyed in the film as it is in the comics.
• There’s a fantastic long lens shot as Thor walks toward the Destroyer with his Asgardian and Midgardian friends behind him in the distance. It’s a great shot to show their connection but also to isolate him.
• Thor begins his confrontation not with fists but with words. He speaks softly and kindly. This is definitely not the Thor we’ve seen before!
• We talk a lot about the words Thor uses and how he approaches his brother. It shows a lot of growth.
• To that end, just the fact that he’s chosen to face the Destroyer alone shows that Thor knows he is likely sacrificing himself here. It’s quite powerful.
• Just like back in our Iron Man season, Father Mowry brings his Christ and the Cape! In this episode, it’s the anthropology of the four types of love Thor encounters in this film.

It’s a powerful minute with Thor confronting his brother. Through a magical suit of armor. Or something. Father David Mowry joins us. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

• Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • Netflix • YouTube • Disney+
• Join the conversation on Discord
• Script Transcript
• Trailer #1
• Trailer #2
• Poster artwork
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• Father David Mowry on the Web and in Twitter

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