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Strange things are happening in
the MCU with the introduction
of Marvel’s Master of the
Mystic Arts, Doctor Stephen
Strange, as incarnated by
Benedict Cumberbatch sporting
a Machiavellian goatee, a high-
collared Cloak of Levitation
(which has a life of its own), and
possessed of an ego to rival
Tony Stark’s. When this arrogant
neurosurgeon’s hands are ruined in an auto wreck, the
solution to repairing the nerve damage and regaining
his skills turns out to be spiritual, not medical. Tutored in
the power of mind over matter by the Ancient One (Tilda
Swinton), Strange proves a quick learner and together
with fellow mystics Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Wong
(Benedict Wong), must prevent a rogue master, Kaecilius
(Mads Mikkelsen), from using forbidden knowledge to
open a portal to the Dark Dimension. Strange is an atypical
Marvel hero, using magic not muscle to get results. This
arcane adventure both refreshes and expands the MCU
while retaining the trippy quality of the comics and the
sixties’ sensibility in which the character has his roots. As
John Lennon would say, “Strange days indeed.”
SH
Open your mind. Change your reality.
DOCTOR STRANGE
There are certain immutable facts
about war, the chief amongst which
is that you may be required to kill.
Due to both a childhood experience
and his religion – after all, “thou
shalt not kill” – this didn’t sit well
with young Desmond Doss (Andrew
Garfield). Yet he still wished to serve
his country during WWII. So what to
do? Become a combat medic! Easy,
right? No, actually, as Doss soon
discovers when he ships off to Fort
Jackson for training. His refusal to touch a weapon – not
to mention declining to train on Saturdays for religious
reasons – sees him become the company’s outcast.
Yet despite being tormented by his fellow enlistees and
attempts by his army superiors to have him kicked out
on psychiatric grounds, Doss remains resolute. He ends
up in Okinawa, in the heat of battle, and you can likely
guess how things play out... Akin to a singular
Revenge
of the Nerds
, just without the comedy and sexism,
director Mel Gibson’s tale – based on actual events –
combines gritty and horrifying battle recreations with
a love story and father/son politics. But ultimately it’s
Garfield’s show. Highly recommended.
AF
The US war hero who never fired a shot.
HACKSAW RIDGE
BD ONLY
A Strange Transformation
Strange Company
The Fabric of Reality
Across Time and Space
The Score-Cerer Supreme
Marvel Studios Phase 3
Exclusive Look
The Score-Cerer Supreme
Team Thor: Part 2
Deleted & Extended Scenes
Audio Commentary with
Director Scott Derrickson
JB HI-FI EXCLUSIVE
Limited Edition Steelbook
Batman Begins
EXTRAS
FURTHER VIEWING
Release Date:
01/03/17
Format:
The Pacific
FURTHER VIEWING
Release Date:
15/03/17
TOP
HITS
TOP
HITS
Format:
Desmond’s Bible was actually
lost during the battle, but
was not retrieved until after
he had returned home due to
his injuries. His division, after
capturing the area, searched
for some time until they had
found it.
The battlefield sequence
was staged near Sydney on
a dairy farm that was about
100 meters squared. Smoke
trucks circled the perimeter to
ensure that any ‘scenery’ that
didn’t look like Okinawa was
effectively blocked out.
DID YOU KNOW...
In the comics, the Ancient One is
an old man; in this film, the Ancient
One is played by a woman. This
was a deliberate decision as Scott
Derrickson felt the Ancient One was
a title rather than a person.
DID YOU KNOW...
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