New Movies to Crave: Thor Declares "It's Hammer Time",

By Chris Kavan - 05/06/11 at 11:19 AM CT

I have to admit after Fast Five gave a shot of adrenaline to the box office last week, I'm interested to see if Thor can also bring in some huge numbers.

1) So it's without a doubt that Thor take the top spot. Once again super hero franchise + special effects + 3D should equal box office gold. I'm over 3D at this point, but I have no problem watching it in good old regular dimensions. I admit I don't know much about Thor (but then, I didn't know much about Iron Man either and that turned out fine) - but mixing Norse mythology with over-the-top action? I guess I'm ready to be entertained.

2+3) If arrogant gods sent to learn a mortal lesson doesn't sound like fun - you might have to drag an unwilling boyfriend or do a girls night out for the other two wide releases - both romantic comedies. Something Borrowed looks to be a fairly typical story about falling in love with the person you can't have - and it stars Kate Hudson, so it should be able to fill the standard romcom fix just fine. On the other hand Jumping the Broom has the whole class dynamic going when rich meets blue-collar at a wedding and, I'm guessing, hilarity is going to ensue. Neither one holds the slightest bit of interest for me and I have a feeling you will here on a whimper from them at the box office as the combined power of Thor and Fast Five dominate the competition.

4) I have to mention two other films that aren't going to open as widely - the awesome-sounding grindhouse offering of Hobo with a Shotgun, starring Rutger Hauer in his most cranky role to date (warning, hobos with shotguns are NOT to be messed with) and Roland Joffé's There Be Dragons which actually looks like an interesting historical drama revolving around a would-be saint, the Spanish Civil War and one journalist's family secret. Smaller films to get a shout out too.

See you on Mother's Day when I'm sure I'll be telling you if Thor broke any records.