YNMS: "Thor: Ragnarok"

Chris here. Though next month brings Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, we here at The Film Experience are keeping even more of an eye on November's threequel Thor: Ragnarok. The first looks of Cate Blanchett as villain Hela has had us all giddy, even those who might be irked at one of our greats hopping into the MCU at this stage. My bet is if she has fun, so will we - no matter how her turn with Indiana Jones turned out.

But it's more than actressing that's got us hyped for another go with the Asgardian hero. With Taika Waititi at the helm, we can expect a hard left turn from the previous Thor installment The Dark World's gloominess. Seriously, readers, if you haven't checked out his most recent lovable yucksters What We Do In The Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, do yourself a favor.

This week we got our action-packed first look at the vibrant trailer. Take a look for yourself and we'll break down the Yes No Maybe So after the jump...

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Ask Nathaniel

Q&A time. In this movie lull -- a weird space between winter platforming and summer blockbusters -- what should we discuss? Ask some questions. I'll pick two handfuls to answer.

Visual Effects & Makeup, the April Foolish Oscar Predix

In looking over the options for this year's visual effects and makeup and hair contenders, one thing is certain: we'll be drowning in sequels come Oscar time. Or at least come 'bake-offs' time when the these two branches whittle down the competition with screenings of clip reels of the work in question.

Some umbrella questions to consider...

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Feud: Bette and Joan "Hagsploitation"

Previously on Feud: Bette and Joan 
1. "Pilot" 2. "The Other Woman" 3. "Mommie Dearest" 4. "More or Less" 5. "And the Winner Is" (Part 1) (Part 2)

By Spencer Coile  

Although initially centered on the drama that took place during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Feud persists. As we enter into episode six, "Hagsploitation," both Bette and Joan have no bona fide hits on the horizon. Sure, Joan is tackling Strait Jacket and Bette has her hands full on TV (much to Joan's judgement) on Wagon Train, but in 1964, the success of Baby Jane has waned. In fact, in a scene that features vase throwing and Mamacita standing her ground, Joan laments that it had been nine months since any offer came her way. Clearly, as the title suggests, there is something more pervasive and sinister that happens in Hollywood, far more dastardly than the actual feud that persists between Bette and Joan: the exploitation of older actresses for the benefit of their audience... 

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The Furniture: Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, Your House Is Listening

"The Furniture" is our weekly series on Production Design. You can click on the images to see them in much more magnified detail. Here's Daniel Walber...

 “Hush hush, sweet Charlotte,” Patti Page softly croons, “He’ll love you till he dies.” The title song of Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte may not be as catchy as “Chim Chim Chiree,” which took the Oscar, but it has a much creepier sort of staying power. Here’s the final verse:

“And every night after he shall die
Yes every night when he’s gone
The wind will sing you this lullaby
Sweet Charlotte was loved by John.”

The music haunts Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis), along with everything else: her house, her family and her memories.

This Southern Gothic vibe is what separates the film from What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Well, that and the fact that Joan Crawford walked off the set. But I will leave the offscreen drama to Ryan Murphy...

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