Marvel Movie Minute • Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Minute Twenty-Five: From Screaming Volstagg to Collapsing UtgardThis week, we’re joined by Cass Fredrickson from Lord of the Rings Minute at Dueling Genre Productions. We’ve got Mjølnir bringing the lightning, a collapsing city, and a run from a Jotun Beast to chat about and Cass is with us every step of the way!In the twenty-fifth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Volstagg’s scream sure would’ve sent us running too, but then so would a giant Jotun Beast appearing from an ice shell directly behind us.
• How the hell do they always stay so far ahead of it? It’s perpetually catching up to them as they race toward the Bifrost point.
• Where are they running to? The Bifrost landing point? Didn’t Heimdall say Bifrost will remain closed if there’s the chance they’d bring something back that could threaten Asgard? Wouldn’t a charging Jotun Beast count? So are they... just running?
• Speaking of the Bifrost landing point, why does Heimdall have to pick them up at that one particular spot? Couldn’t he get them from anywhere? This really makes no sense.

Thor keeps the Frost Giants busy and presumably Laufey is seeing what Thor can do. Not quite lightning... but we're moments away.

• Why do they keep running straight at him? His Mjølnir spins are flicking ice shards at them and keeping them at bay, but is this for the benefit of his friends? The Frost Giants seem to be nothing more than lemmings. Just bring the lightning already!
• Is this Laufey’s plan? To keep Thor separated from his group? There are, in fact, lots of Frost Giants running after them as well as the Jotun Beast. Is he hoping to capture everyone or is he trying to kill them all before Odin shows up?
• Or maybe Laufey wants to know what Thor can do and is testing his limits.

Meanwhile, Loki, the Warriors Three, and Lady Sif continue their run from the Jotun Beast and the Jotuns.

• Now that he’s injured, Fandral becomes our eyes as we see his POV over Volstagg’s shoulder, watching the Jotun Beast grow closer over and over again. Sif manages to avoid getting hit. Hogun does as well. Seriously, how do they run so fast?
• Josh Dallas as Fandral works really well. We speculate why perhaps Dallas opted to stick with his TV show instead of returning for the sequels. Considering how the Warriors Three are treated, it makes sense.

We get to see Mjølnir’s power to bring the lightning down finally.

• This is such an iconic part of Thor and this film. It’s so smart of them to hold it back until minute 25.
• It’s neat to see that Thor actually strikes the ground with the end of the handle, not the head of the hammer, to control the lightning.
• The CG here holds up surprisingly well.
• The damage caused by Thor’s lightning, however, might call into question just how much Thor can control the damage it would cause.
• To that end, we know Thor didn’t realize Jotunheim was in such bad shape. But is he able to control this at all to make sure he doesn’t destroy the entire planet? It’s really Thor’s dumb luck everything works.
• So many Frost Giants fall to their supposed deaths here because of Thor’s actions. More of the planet falls to pieces. Even one of the towers of Utgardhall collapses.

It’s sad to lose Cass this week because we had great conversations with her about the Battle on Jotunheim, but we’re glad to know she’ll be back later this season for more conversation. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Twenty-Four: From an Icy Arm to an Icy FootThis week, we’re joined by Cass Fredrickson from Lord of the Rings Minute at Dueling Genre Productions. We chat about Loki’s backstory and his blue arm, the attempt by the Asgardians to flee, Thor’s incredible toss of Mjølnir, and the release of the Jotun Beast.In the twenty-fourth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Loki and the Frost Giant (we think it’s Richard Cetrone) share a look. Is the Frost Giant surprised by this reaction of Loki’s skin? Does he realize this is the long-lost prince? Or does he at least suspect that this is a Frost Giant in disguise? So much behind their shared look.
• Then again, perhaps it’s just the fact that he’s been stabbed twice and is slowly dying by this point.
• They say the Frost Giants tattoo themselves to denote their rank, but why would Loki have what looks like tattoos on the back of his hand? Did he get tattooed as a baby? Or is there a difference between natural marks on their skin and the tattoos? And if so, which is which?

Fandral as Errol Flynn as the Dread Pirate Roberts gets to show off a bit.

• What are the odds of a sword landing tip-in when knocked out of someone’s hands? It seems so unlikely, but it does allow for a cool moment with Fandral.
• Again, that’s Fimbuldraugr he’s wielding. This, of course, provides us more opportunity to complain about the fact that they didn’t name Sif’s weapons. Why does everyone else get a cool name but not her?
• We thought perhaps it was a toy thing but the toy version of Fandral doesn’t even wield Fimbuldraugr – he’s wielding a harpoon blade. That makes it even more lame.
• It’s great how Fandral is so cocky and proud of himself only to get impaled by an ice stalagmite. This plays well for us.
• That being said, it’s a bit of a surprise that we see his blood on the ice. That’s certainly something we didn’t think we’d see from Marvel.

The Asgardians decide it’s time to leave. And that's before Laufey releases the Jotun Beast.

• Sif yells at Thor but he doesn’t reply. Loki says they must go and Thor just tells them to go. He’s so focused on himself. This analysis makes us realize how awful a friend he is.
• When Thor throws Mjølnir to knock down at least a dozen Frost Giants, is he trying to help clear a path for his friends or is he still just focused on himself.
• We love the Mjølnir-cam that we get to see as it’s plowing through Frost Giants. How does it work though? Does it require a psychic connection?
• In the script, Mjølnir actually drops to the ground when Thor is interrupted by Frost Giants. In the film, we never see it come back. Perhaps this was just Branagh’s way of moving us through the story without having to explain all this more?
• Is Mjølnir sentient? Is that part of the psychic connection?

Laufey reacts to the battle by releasing the Jotun Beast.

• This is a different Laufey than earlier in the film. This one just watches the fight, moving his troops into position like a great chess player, very much different than the younger one we saw battling against Odin who was right in the thick of battle.
• Our opinion of Laufey initially as a mustache-twirling villain actually has a lot more going on than we’d originally given him credit for.
• Is the concept of the Frost Giants trying to take over the Nine Realms with the Casket of Ancient Winters just fiction spun by Odin as the victor of the battle? We’re definitely starting to feel more for them than we have before.
• Laufey releases the Jotun Beast, also called the Frost Beast or the frost creature, with a blast of ice energy he sends across the plaza.
• When he does this, we get a fantastic shot of the Jotun Beast’s eye as the ice around it starts cracking off. Such a great shot!
• Speaking of great shots, we get one that establishes where the Asgardians are. Turns out they’re all at the entrance to the plaza, trying to work their way back. All except Thor who fights on.
• Is the Jotun Beast Laufey’s pet?

It’s a fun minute full of fighting and fleeing. We have a great chat about it today. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Twenty-Three: From Headbutts to Arm GrabsThis week, we’re joined by Cass Fredrickson from Lord of the Rings Minute at Dueling Genre Productions. Laufey ups the battle with Hailstrum and more frost giants and we see Loki's magic in action, so there’s plenty to discuss!In the twenty-third minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Thor seriously is thumping his chest with his roar to match Hailstrum’s. But how seriously is he taking this fight? After Hailstrum shows Thor that he’s pretty strong too, Thor takes off his head with a toss of Mjølnir. So is this a war he’s starting?
• Has he ever been in a serious fight or has Odin always sent him in to the less serious fights?
• All these battles are also told from the point of view of the victors. How does that affect our opinions of Thor leading his friends here to fight?
• And to that end, does Thor see the Frost Giants as anything other than things to kill? I mean, when they’re hit, that part explodes in shards of ice.
• So realistically, the violence depicted is actually pretty tame despite a massive slaughter taking place here on Jotunheim. I mean, Frost Giants shatter into ice when hit. No blood. So it’s PG-13 friendly.

Mjølnir’s Powers are pretty damn cool.

• It’s so fun watching Thor fight with Mjølnir, and here we get to see that it returns to him when thrown.
• Is Thor’s pose of catching the hammer repeated when Captain America catches it in Endgame?

The Warriors Three, Sif, and Loki seem more focused on teamwork than Thor does.

• The battle gets tougher. Hogun comes to Sif’s aid. Volstagg lets everyone know that when a Frost Giant touches you, it necrotizes your skin. Why does Thor not work with everyone as a team? Is he too focused on himself? Or is it just that we really want to see what sort of cool stuff he can do?
• Loki doesn’t really play fair, but then again that’s war right? We feel okay with it because it’s basically how wars are fought. But how did he get behind the pillar? We’re not really sure.
• And to that end, is Loki's magic just magic? Or is it some other fancy sort of super-advanced science? They will call it magic later in the films and TV show... Hrm...
• What’s with his silly flourish when he ‘turns off’ his illusion? Is it just so we know that it’s all with his hands?
• And what’s this berserker Frost Giant thinking by charging to tackle Loki on the edge of a chasm? Was it like a suicide mission?

We've got Fimbuldraugr, Hridgandr, and Brandrheid Undrsigr as the weapons of the Warriors Three. Why aren't Sif's sword and shield named? Or Loki's daggers? Or Loki's magic, for that matter?

• We’re fans of Sif using her shield to protect herself from the ice bullets one Frost Giant creates and hurls at her when he strikes a puddle, but how is there standing water on this planet? Isn’t everything frozen? And why would they name Hogun’s, Fandral’s, and Volstagg’s weapons but not Sif’s? We’re a bit irked about that.
• We’re all very grateful that Branagh excised the moment where Volstagg uses his mighty belly to take down a Frost Giant. Sheesh.

The surprise about Loki’s heritage comes up. But where does Loki's magic come from?

• What did we think was happening when we first saw the Frost Giant grab his arm and turn it blue?
• Whose magic is keeping Loki from looking like a Frost Giant?
• Who is playing this Frost Giant though? Andy had worked with the actor who the MCU Wiki claims is playing this role and is pretty sure it’s not him. Perhaps Richard Cetrone?
• One other nice thing, though, is that this payoff comes so quickly after the setup of the Frost Giant touch that it’s really not a problem for any of us.

More fighting. Some teamwork (but not from Thor) and a surprise reveal about Loki when we see his arm turn blue. We dig in deep this minute. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Twenty-Two: From a Staring Contest to a Roaring ContestThis week, we’re joined by Cass Fredrickson from Lord of the Rings Minute at Dueling Genre Productions. We dig into the start of the battle with the frost giants as Thor finally wields Mjølnir.In the twenty-second minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Thor and the Frost Giant Sentry have a staring contest. Thor knows he needs to listen to Loki, but he looks like he reeeeeeeeeally doesn’t want to.
• The Frost Giant Sentry, of course, just can’t not provoke Thor a bit.
• Like Marty McFly in Back to the Future, Thor doesn’t take kindly to name-calling. For Marty, it was ‘chicken.’ Apparently for Thor, it’s ‘princess.’
• And Loki’s response to that? Possibly one of cinema’s most perfect Damns. Perhaps it’s Loki’s most sincere moment in this whole movie?

The battle with the frost giants begins as we finally get to see Mjølnir in action.

• The sound it makes. The way Thor drops it to catch the handle’s end. The runes. It’s all just so perfect and we love every frame of it.
• Speaking of the runes, this is Elder Futhark. Sure, there might be some minor typos and technically, it should be Younger Futhark, but we’re okay with it and imagine most people are too.
• To that end, we speak more to the history of Mjølnir in the mythology and how it’s different here.
• Thor hits the Frost Giant Sentry who flies back to the wall. Yeah, he’s gonna feel that in the morning.
• Kenneth Branagh and his cinematographer really wanted more handheld camerawork to keep that chaotic battle feel here, which we feel works well.

Everyone has their own special skills to wield in this battle with the frost giants. But seriously. Mjølnir. 

• During the fight, we see each of Thor’s companions in action, really designed to sell us that they’re each very capable warriors.
• Fandral really seems patterned off of Errol Flynn. Or maybe the Dread Pirate Roberts.
• We’re again glad that the comedy from the Warriors Three has been excised. Sure, it works for the comics but here, it just doesn’t work that well.
• Thor not only wants to fight, but he wants it to be a good fight. But does that mean he’s totally fine with killing anyone who comes in front of Mjølnir? Does he realize what he’s doing?
• And what is Laufey thinking through all of this? Does he see this as possibly the last stand of the Frost Giants? Is there something here about how he might be testing Thor to see what sort of adversary he is?
• Laufey sends more troops including Hailstrum to fight, and we see the frost giants’ cool power to essentially control ice.

A lot happens as the battle with the frost giants begins. We have a lot to talk about! Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Twenty-One: From Arguing About Odin to Accepting Laufey’s OfferThis week, we’re joined by Cass Fredrickson from Lord of the Rings Minute at Dueling Genre Productions. Cass chats with us about all things Thor, Laufey, Loki, frost giants, and the Frost Giant Sentry in today’s episode.In the twenty-first minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Laufey finally stands up and we can see where he’s standing. Is he abnormally large? The size seems off considering the size of that arch he’s standing under.
• What’s Laufey’s strategy? Is he egging Thor on to fight? Or is it a delicate balancing act he’s doing here trying to get the Asgardians to leave without losing face in front of his Jotuns?
• Meanwhile, does Thor realize they’re completely surrounded by frost giants? Not to mention they’ve walked into an enclosed space, essentially trapping themselves?
• Sif and Volstagg clearly understand what’s going on. Why doesn’t Thor?

While Laufey speaks, his frost giants begin arming themselves with their ice weapons.

• The frost giants form ice weapons on their arms that act both as swords and shields.
• To that end, we spend a bit of time trying to figure out what we’re looking at in that second shot of two legs and two ice weapons forming. Cass helps us realize we’re staring at a space between two frost giants, not between the legs of one frost giant. That would’ve been a bit more awkward.
• Part of our challenge is that it’s such a dark sequence. It makes sense for the context of the film, but it’s just hard to tell what’s going on, even walking through frame by frame. Another reminder that the sun is out – it’s day on Jotunheim. And still is this dark.

Is Volstagg a long lost member of Gimli’s family?

• We find it funny that they really made him seem so dwarf-like in this film. Perhaps because of the success of the Lord of the Rings films?
• Did you know they named the weapons for the warriors three in this film? We talk about Volstagg’s battleaxe. But how practical is it really?

We never mentioned the appearance of the Jotun beast in the last minute!

• We correct our error and touch on that first time we get to see the frozen Jotun beast – or frost beast or frost creature, depending on where you look – was in minute 20. How could we forget such an important thing to point out? Perhaps because we were too busy discussing Sif’s footwear.

Loki tries to change Thor’s mind, but Thor just won’t listen, and now Laufey sends out the Frost Giant Sentry to confront and intimidate them.

• Meanwhile, Loki hops in to try convincing Thor that they should accept Laufey’s offer and leave.
• How far ahead did Loki plan? And what did Laufey actually know?
• We try to decipher Thor’s line “Know your place, brother.” Is there a military aspect to this line? Or just the brothers? Is there an element relating to their princely roles?
• Thor really just seems so much the high school bully here, and that’s part of his character arc that we enjoy.
• Finally, Laufey sends his frost giant sentry to intimidate Thor and Loki. It seems to work for Loki who uses the moment to accept Laufey’s offer, though Thor’s look seems to imply he’s not thrilled with Loki’s call.
• And to pay off our conversation a few weeks ago about Laufey and if he looks older, we do feel he does actually appear more gaunt than he did when we first saw him.

The frost giants are getting ready for battle. We have a great time talking about them and everything else in this minute. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Twenty: From Walking in the Cold to Arguing With a KingIt’s a special week indeed with not one but two guests joining us as we try to figure out where Laufey’s throne sits – Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell from the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast.In the twentieth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• The Asgardians walk across the cracked and crumbling ground toward the central plaza. We see that Sif is wearing heels, but according to Krissy, these ones are totally great.
• To that point, we’re all thankful that Sif isn’t in nonsensical boob armor and stilettos.
• They arrive in the central plaza before Utgardhall and stop. Do they realize they’re basically cornered if any frost giants decide to come out?
• And where are all the frost giants? Is there a bustling economy here in Utgard? Perhaps some food stalls somewhere or a Jotun Beast ranch behind Utgardhall?

We find out that at least Laufey is here in Utgard, even though we can’t see him or his throne.

• Laufey speaks to Thor and his troops, but not very kind words: “You’ve come a long way to die, Asgardians.” But where is he?
• He seems to already know that it’s Thor. Was that because he saw the Bifrost when they arrived? And again, maybe some sentries saw them coming but we don’t know because we see no one.
• When Thor asks Laufey how his people got into Asgard, Laufey takes a long time to reply. Does this mean Laufey didn’t know? Or he did know but is trying to figure out how to answer Thor to get more information from him? It’s an interesting way the scene plays.
• To that end, has Laufey changed clothes since we last saw him? Or aged? He looks the same.
• But where is his throne and which direction is he facing? It’s very unclear and when he turns his head, it seems he’s looking away from Thor toward someone else, but that doesn’t make any sense either. Our sense of direction here is challenged by the film’s structure.
• Laufey’s reply to Thor pisses Thor off, but Thor’s reply then pisses Laufey off who finally stands up. But we don’t get to see where he is! Not yet! We’ll have to wait until the next minute.

It’s quite the journey to Utgardhall on our adventures in Utgard with Thor and the gang. Lots to discuss. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Nineteen: From Outskirts to In TownIt’s a special week indeed with not one but two guests joining us as we take the long walk into downtown Utgard – Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell from the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast.In the nineteenth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Hogun the Grim is, well, grim about their situation. Quite honestly, however, this plays much better than how it was originally scripted. It gives us more interaction between the Warriors Three, Lady Sif, and Thor, but at the expense of the darker mood.
• That may speak, however, to the feel that we get from this group feeling very much like a group of college friends heading out to cause some trouble.

The walk through the town of Utgard is full of blue and gray bleakness.

• We know Jotunheim is largely ice, but it’s dark and bleak and makes it hard to see things a bit. For instance, we only just realize that these tall structures which have the vibe of a cave’s stalactites and stalagmites are actually ruins of buildings in what we feel are the outskirts of this Jotun city.
• Speaking of Jotun cities, this is never identified but the comics identify the primary Jotun city which is named Utgard. Laufey’s tower from where he rules is called Utgardhall. Again, it’s never confirmed but we’re going to go with it.
• Speaking of Jotuns, which are of course the frost giants, Jotunheim actually was the home of all giants in Norse mythology, not just frost giants. That seems to be something Marvel decided for its universe.
• Thor, Sif, Loki, Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun, still walking in their same formation, travel through many beautiful shots of crumbling desolation. Again, when the Casket of Ancient Winters left the planet, Jotunheim started falling apart. That’s likely why Utgard looks so rough and unrecognizable from what we saw in Odin’s flashback.

Utgard and Jotunheim are falling apart.

• To that end, why would Laufey make such a terrible deal for himself and his people?
• The minute ends with the group of Asgardians coming closer to Utgardhall at the center of Utgard. (See? We said we were going it it and we are.) At the last moment, we see Jotunheim’s sun shining from behind Utgardhall’s towers. That surprises us because we thought it was night all this time. Turns out, it’s just a cold sun that gives no heat.

It’s a minute through which we journey but likely a much longer walk for our warriors across Jotunheim. Still, so much to discuss. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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• Trailer #1
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• Krissy’s Theatre: The Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, on Facebook and on Instagram
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Minute Eighteen: From Asgard to JotunheimIt’s a special week indeed with not one but two guests joining us on a trip through the Bifrost – Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell from the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast.In the eighteenth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Heimdall finally finishes his warning in his stilted English. Volstagg delivers a silly line that does nothing for us except provide an opportunity to deliver Chekov’s ‘full power of the Bifrost.’
• Everyone looks worried except for Thor, who delivers one of his best lines in the film: “I have no plans to die today.”
• Heimdall, of course, has an equally brilliant retort: “None do.”

Tripping the Bifrost Fantastic

• Heimdall activates the Bifrost wormhole and each member of the group gets yanked by what looks like their stomach into it.
• This looks like an incredibly cool way to travel, but also looks like everyone would be throwing up.
• Since they left Valaskjalf, the group has been traveling in what we must assume is their ready positions: Thor in front, Sif and Loki just behind him, and Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun behind them. Once they’re pulled into the rainbow of the Bifrost, they seem to change positions. Does it reverse them? While we’re in it, it seems that Thor’s still in front but once they burst out over Jotunheim, Thor is third. And since it’s Thor, he’s working past the others to get back in front. He passes someone holding a weapon and the only person that was holding one in the Observatory was Volstagg. So it must’ve reversed it, right?
• And really, no surprise that Thor’s pushing to be in front.
• How do you land when traveling through the Bifrost? Do you have to somehow turn yourself so you land feet first? Does the Bifrost turn you? Is it a gentle landing or do you really come in traveling at light speed? None of this makes us want to try it any time soon.

The Bifrost Dumps Them on Jotunheim.

• The six Asgardians land on Jotunheim. Thor looks around. We saw the planet was encircled by chunks in space so presumably the planet has been falling apart since Odin took the Casket of Ancient Winters, but is this Thor’s first time here? Did he realize it would look so desolate and broken?
• And as it turns out, Heimdall dumped them on the edge of a cliff. Was that intentional as a way to poke Thor a bit for his attitude pre-Bifrost trip? Or does he have any control over where he drops people on any given Realm?

It’s a wild trip through the Bifrost and we have a great conversation along the way with our guests. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’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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• Krissy’s Theatre: The Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, on Facebook and on Instagram
• Nathan’s Company: Squishy Studios, on Facebook, on Twitter, and Instagram

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Minute Seventeen: From Thor’s Demand to Heimdall’s WarningIt’s a special week indeed with not one but two guests joining us as we tour Heimdall’s Observatory – Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell from the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast.In the Observatory-heavy seventeenth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Thor is a bit pushy with his demands to get into Heimdall’s Observatory. Well, it seems like he’s already made up his mind that he’s going, but does Heimdall remember that only he has the key?
• Speaking of the key, that sword that Heimdall is holding? That’s Hofund, Heimdall’s sword. It was made by the same dwarves that made Mjolnir and Gungnir. And it also is the key to turn on Heimdall’s Observatory.
• So Thor, Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three just walk in, assuming they’re good. Volstagg has a snarky line he throws at Loki. Let’s just be glad we didn’t get all of the comedy that was scripted.
• And again, Heimdall just walks in after them. So I guess that’s his way of saying yes?

A tour of Heimdall’s Observatory

• First off, the actual name for the observatory is Himinbjorg. So how far is it from Valaskjalf to Himinbjorg as the raven flies?
• We’re all fairly mesmerized by Kenneth Branagh’s decision to film the inside from the top looking straight down. It’s a bit dizzying but a very cool angle to show the Observatory.
• Heimdall uses Hofund as the key by inserting into a slot in the dais at the center of the Observatory. When he does this, lightning shoots out in all directions, looking very much like Yggdrasil. That was intentional and looks really cool.
• As that happens, we get a surprising move by the camera as it drops through the floor to reveal the inner workings of the Observatory. Things start spinning and the entire shell of the building starts rotating. It’s one of the coolest things ever.
• The entire shell of Heimdall’s Observatory then tips down, pointing the turret horizontally. As soon as it hits horizontal, bifrost energy shoots out into space. So this is how the bifrost energy in the rainbow bridge allows for wormhole travel?
• At this point, as Thor and his group stare into the bifrost through the turret of the Observatory, Heimdall starts a warning about honoring something but we don’t get to hear it all as the minute comes to an end.

So much to see and talk about in Heimdall’s Observatory. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’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
• Source Material
• Krissy’s Theatre: The Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, on Facebook and on Instagram
• Nathan’s Company: Squishy Studios, on Facebook, on Twitter, and Instagram

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Minute Sixteen: From Horse Riding to Heimdall’s WishIt’s a special week indeed with not one but two guests joining us as we get to meet Heimdall – Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell from the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast.In the sixteenth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• We talk about the physics of Asgard. It’s pretty clear it’s flat, so do they have #round truthers? Does it flip around like a pancake in space to allow for day and night? It’s interesting that the atmosphere is so thin but allow for a lovely bright day in town and a starry, nebulae-filled night when you ride out on the rainbow bridge.
• Why does the group stop so far from their destination?

Perhaps it’s because of the imposing figure standing at the end of the rainbow bridge. It’s Heimdall!

• We get to meet the stoic character who guards the rainbow bridge. We also talk about Idris Elba, one of our faves, who plays him, even though it sounds like he didn’t enjoy his experience. He doesn’t get to do much, after all. Plus he had to wear those contacts and that insanely large costume.
• Heimdall comes from the Norse myths and a lot of his descriptions fit what they did with him. Even the references to him in the deleted scenes last week made by the Warriors Three fit the myths. But we’re really glad they went with Elba instead of someone white considering the mythical character is said to have the whitest skin of them all.
• Loki tries to show his smooth-talking charm to get them past Heimdall. Turns out, Heimdall already knows where they’re going. Is this perhaps a moment where Loki is delaying a bit in the hopes that Odin stops them from traveling to Jotunheim?
• Thor interrupts Loki and demands that Heimdall let them pass. But why is he seemingly so angry? Is it just that Heimdall is delaying his confrontation with the frost giants?
• Heimdall seems to refuse Thor’s request, but it turns out he was just adding a dramatic pause. We don’t think Heimdall was playing with Thor. Heimdall doesn’t seem like the sort who plays those games. He likely was actually making a dramatic pause because he’s so pissed at the frost giants.
• But he does say the frost giants have never made it past him before so perhaps this is their chance to get his help?

Idris Elba brings a lot of stoic weight to the minute as we finally meet Heimdall. So much to talk about. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’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
• Source Material
• Krissy’s Theatre: The Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, on Facebook and on Instagram
• Nathan’s Company: Squishy Studios, on Facebook, on Twitter, and Instagram

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Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.