"Thor: The Dark World" released 2013

The sequel to Marvel Cinematic Universe's Thor, Thor: The Dark World, was released November 8, 2013. Chris Hemsworth reprised his role as the God of Thunder, with Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Ray Stevenson.

It surpassed its predecessor's success in only 19 days after release.  It earned $206.4M in North American and $438.4M world-wide.  Rotten Tomatoes, which doesn't like any movie, gave it a rating of 66%!

"Thor: Ragnarok" released 2017

Thor: Ragnarok, the third in the MCU's Thor movies, was released November 3, 2017.  It starred dreamy Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Cate Blanchett as Hela, Idris Elba as Heimdall and Karl Urban as Skurge.  Benedict Cumberbatch appeared as Doctor Strange. 

Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins also appeared.

I enjoyed the movie but it did go for a walk on the weird side.

"Doctor Strange" released 2016

Marvel Studios released Doctor Strange November 4, 2016, the fourteenth Marvel Comics Universe movie.  London-born actor Benedict Cumberbatch played a sexy version of the good doctor.  I am a big fan of Tilda Swinton but I did not like her being cast in a role of an old Tibetan man from the comics. 

The special effects were eye-popping and the story was well in line with the comics.  It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects.  (It lost to The Jungle Book.) I liked his appearance in Thor: Ragnarok with Chris Hemsworth.

As of April 2017, Doctor Strange has grossed $677.7M world-wide.

Happy birthday, Thor!

Uber-sexy Chris Hemsworth, born August 11, 1983, has starred in Marvel blockbuster movies as the Norse God of Thunder, Thor. He has also starred as George Kirk, father of James T., in the new Star Trek movies as well. 

He was born in Australia and that is where he started his television career.  His first big screen appearance was as George Kirk in Star Trek (2009). He has appeared in three Thor movies as the title character, and three Avengers movies.  He had a brief, uncredited appearance in Doctor Strange with Benedict Cumberbatch.

"Star Trek" premieres 2009

The newest incarnation of the Star Trek movie franchise, Star Trek, premiered May 8, 2009.  It presented the classic characters from the original 1960s series but with new faces.  Chris Pine as Capt. Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, and Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy.  It was the film debut of Chris Hemsworth as George Kirk.  Leonard Nimoy appears as Spock.

I thought it was a gutsy move, breaking away from the Star Trek universe most of us grew up with but it did introduce Star Trek to a new generation of fans.

It garnered many positive reviews (I even liked it!) and even won an Oscar for Best Makeup, the first Star Trek movie to receive an Academy Award.