thor

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is loaded with great actors in supporting roles, from Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Douglas to upcoming additions like Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton. It’s names like those that help enrich the MCU; it’s harder to dismiss these movies as silly comic book fare when you have someone like Sir Anthony Hopkins playing Odin. As it turns out, that specific bit of casting wouldn’t have happened if Marvel went with an earlier choice: Mel Gibson.

Since we can’t spend the entire Memorial Day weekend barbecuing, many Americans observe the day by hopping over to the local cinema to take in a blockbuster movie and some free air conditioning. Memorial Day 2011 boasts some great flicks, from the Kenneth Branagh-directed treatment of "Thor" to the much-anticipated sequel to "The Hangover" to Woody Allen's first critical hit in

'Thor' continued to show its strength at the box office this weekend. The Marvel superhero flick, starring breakout hunk Chris Hemsworth, took in an estimated $34.5 million, bringing its 10-day total to $119.3 million. Overall, 'Thor' was down 48 percent from last weekend, according to EW.com.

Three new movies are opening at our local Marcus Theatres this weekend. One has the makings of a mega-blockbuster in 'Thor,' the latest in a long line of superhero movies from Marvel. Interestingly enough, this one is from critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated director Kenneth Branagh, the man behind such Shakespeare adaptations as 'Henry V.' The other big releases this weekend are a nice alter