Saturday, November 09, 2013

Thor film informatics Part 09B: Mjolnir, main weapon of Thor


Mjolnir was forged from the heart of a dying star. Thor's mystical hammer Mjolnir, which resembles a mallet rather than a war hammer, has a number of elemental powers. It has been stated by Odin himself that Mjolnir's power has no equal. Mjolnir itself is extremely durable like the Earth metal Adamantium, and combined with the various enchantments placed upon it by Odin, it is, for all intents and purposes, indestructible. It has deflected three blasts from the Destroyer (which was able to disintegrate anything that it hit) and return the blast back into the Destroyer. Thor often uses the hammer as a physical weapon, with almost nothing being capable of withstanding a hammer blow or throw. A few examples of the abilities Thor has shown with Mjolnir:

Weather Control: Wielding Mjonir grants Thor the ability to control the base elements of a storm. It can control the elements and can create giant raging electrical storms complete with thunder, lightning, hurricane-force winds, tornadoes, tidal waves, earthquakes and torrential rains at a moment's notice. He summoned a class 5 tornado to battle the Detroyer, a lightning bolt strong enough to destroy a large piece of landscape in Johtunheim, a lightning bolt to knock down Loki on the Bifrost bridge, and control the elements. He is remembered in myth and legends by the mortals of Midgard as the Norse Thunder God who used Mjolnir to summon rain, wind, thunder, lightning and more.

Worthiness Enchantment: After Thor disobeyed Odin and nearly caused a war between Asgard and Johtumheim, Odin banishes Thor to Earth without his powers and places an enchantment on the hammer Mjolnir. "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor." This enchantment surrounding Mjolnir prevents it from being wielded by anyone save those who have been found worthy. When Thor sacrificed himself to protect the New Mexico town and it's inhabitants from The Destroyer he proved himself worthy to wield Mjolnir and gained full use of his powers. He also used it to trap Loki on the Bifrost, as those who aren't worthy cannot lift it. Thor used this power to distract the Hulk in their battle, who became so focused on trying to lift the hammer that Thor was able to climb onto his back and attempt to choke him into submission.

Mystical Link: Mjolnir obeys Thor’s commands as though it were alive. Mjolnir went to Thor when it was in a crater from miles away, it came to him in seconds. Mjolnir will return to Thor when he throws it at an opponent.
Flight: Thor is capable of hurling Mjolnir with great force and, by holding onto the leather thong, is capable of flying through the air at tremendous speeds. How fast is not specified, but he was able to fly in Johtumheim to kill a Frost Monster, fly in the middle of a Class 5 tornado, fly from the small New Mexico town to the closest Bifrost site, fly from Heimdall's Observatory to the main hall of Asgard in seconds, and later vice-versa.


Energy Projection: With Mjolnir, Thor can project powerful mystical blasts of energy. He can even channel energies for stronger energy attacks. With Mjolnir, Odin projects a powerful mystical blast of energy using it to channel an energy blast through it, taking away all of Thor's superhuman powers and destroys what was left of Thor's armor after stripping much of it off of him and throwing him into the Bifrost.

Thor film informatics Part 09A: The Mighty Thor


Thor Odinson is an Asgardian warrior-prince, the God of Thunder and a self-proclaimed protector of Earth. Thor subsequently became well known for his actions on Earth, which included acting as a founding member of the Avengers. First appearing in Thor, Thor is a major character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the only Avenger that is non-human and one of the few superheroes in the MCU with genuine super powers (the others being the Hulk and Captain America). Thor wields the mystical war hammer Mjolnir, which controls the weather, but he himself also has godlike strength, durability and agility. He is based on the mythological thunder-god of the same name from Norse mythology.

Into the modern period, Thor continued to be acknowledged in rural folklore throughout Germanic regions. Thor is frequently referred to in place names, the day of the week Thursday ("Thor's day"; Old English Thunresdaeg, Thunor's day) bears his name, and names stemming from the pagan period containing his own continue to be used today.

Powers and Abilities
Like all Asgardians, Thor is incredibly long-lived and relies upon periodic consumption of the Golden Apples of Idunn to sustain his extended lifespan, which to date has lasted many millennia. Being the son of Odin and Frigga, Thor is physically the strongest of the Asgardians. If pressed in battle, Thor is capable of entering into a state known as the "Warrior's Madness" ("berserkergang" in Norwegian), which will temporarily increase his strength and stamina tenfold, although in this state he attacks friend and foe alike.


Thor possesses a very high resistance to physical injury that approaches invulnerability. He possesses keen senses that allow him to track objects traveling faster than light and hear cries from the other side of the planet. Thor has the ability to travel through time. His stamina allowed him to battle the entire Frost Giant army for nine months without any sustenance or rest; Thor has shown the ability to regenerate wounded portions of his body, including entire limbs or organs, with the aid of magical forces such as Mjolnir. Thor has superhuman speed, agility, and reflexes, enabling him to deflect bullets with his hammer. Like all Asgardians, he has immunity to all Earthly diseases and some resistance to magic. Exceptionally powerful magic can overwhelm Odin's enchantment that transforms him between Asgardian and mortal forms. As the Norse god of thunder, Thor can summon the elements of the storm (lightning; rain; wind; snow) and uses Mjolnir as a tool to focus this ability, although the hammer cannot command artificial weather, only natural. He can cause these weather effects over the world and destroy entire buildings; by whirling his hammer he can lift entire buildings with the wind.


Thor is a superb hand-to-hand combatant, and is skilled in armed combat, excelling in the use of the war hammer, sword, axe and mace. Thor possesses two items which assist him in combat: the enchanted Belt of Strength, and his signature weapon, the mystical hammer Mjolnir. The first item doubles Thor's strength and endurance while the second is used to control his weather abilities; flight; energy projection and absorption; dimensional travel; matter manipulation and the most powerful of his offensives, the God Blast (which taps into Thor's life force), the Thermo-blast, and the Anti-Force (which counteracts another force). Using Mjolnir by throwing in the desired direction and then holding on to the handle's leather loop, Thor can fly at supersonic speeds in Earth's atmosphere and travel faster than light in space. He can throw an object out of Earth's atmosphere using his strength, and throw his hammer to Asgard from which it will return.

Friday, November 08, 2013

Thor film informatics Part 08: The days of the week

The days of the week have been named after the seven planets of classical astronomy, since the Roman period. They are also numbered, beginning at Sunday, Monday or Saturday depending on the society and tradition.

The Germanic peoples adapted the system introduced by the Romans but glossed their indigenous gods over the Roman deities (with the exception of Saturday) in a process known as Interpretatio germanica. The date of the introduction of this system is not known exactly, but it must have happened later than AD 200 but before the introduction of Christianity during the 6th to 7th centuries, i.e., during the final phase or soon after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. This period is later than the Common Germanic stage, but still during the phase of undifferentiated West Germanic. The names of the days of the week in North Germanic languages were not calqued from Latin directly, but taken from the West Germanic names.

Sunday: Old English Sunnandæg, meaning "sun's day." This is a translation of the Latin phrase dies Solis. English, like most of the Germanic languages, preserves the original pagan/sun associations of the day. Many other European languages, including all of the Romance languages, have changed its name to the equivalent of "the Lord's day" (based on Ecclesiastical Latin dies Dominica). In both West Germanic and North Germanic mythology the Sun is personified as a goddess, Sunna/Sól.

Monday: Old English Mōnandæg, meaning "Moon's day." This is based on a translation of the Latin name dies lunae. In North Germanic mythology, the Moon is personified as a god, Máni.

Tuesday: Old English Tīwesdæg, meaning "Tiw's day." Tiw (Norse Týr) was a one-handed god associated with single combat and pledges in Norse mythology and also attested prominently in wider Germanic paganism. The name of the day is based on Latin dies Martis, "Day of Mars".

Wednesday: Old English Wōdnesdæg meaning the day of the Germanic god Wodan (known as Óðinn among the North Germanic peoples), and a prominent god of the Anglo-Saxons (and other Germanic peoples) in England until about the seventh century. It is based on Latin dies Mercurii, "Day of Mercury." The connection between Mercury and Odin is more strained than the other syncretic connections[citation needed]. The usual explanation is that both Wodan and Mercury were considered psychopomps, or guides of souls after death, in their respective mythologies; both are also associated with poetic and musical inspiration.

Thursday: Old English Þūnresdæg, meaning 'Þunor's day'. Þunor means thunder or its personification, the Norse god known in Modern English as Thor. Similarly Dutch donderdag, German Donnerstag ('thunder's day') and Scandinavian Torsdag ('Thor's day'). Thor's day corresponds to Latin dies Iovis, "day of Jupiter".

Friday: Old English Frīgedæg, meaning the day of the Norse goddess Frígg. The Norse name for the planet Venus was Friggjarstjarna, 'Frigg's star'. It is based on the Latin dies Veneris, "Day of Venus."

Saturday: the only day of the week to retain its Roman origin in English, named after the Roman god Saturn associated with the Titan Cronus, father of Zeus and many Olympians. Its original Anglo-Saxon rendering was Sæturnesdæg. In Latin it was dies Saturni, "Day of Saturn." The Scandinavian Lørdag/Lördag deviates significantly as it has no reference to either the Norse or the Roman pantheon; it derives from old Norse laugardagr, literally "washing-day." The German Sonnabend and the Low German words Sünnavend mean the "evening before Sunday", the German word Samstag derives from the name for Shabbat.

Thursday, November 07, 2013

Thor film informatics Part 07: The Other Realms

ALFHEIM
Alfheim exists on the highest level of the World Tree along with Asgard and Vanaheim. Little is known about this realm. Its inhabitants are the Light Elves, shown them to be peaceful, friendly, happy beings with few if any weapons. Physically their shape ranges from physically looking like humans with pointed ears to slightly more alien shapes. Odin the All-Father appointed the Aesir known as Frey, as the ruler of Alfheim. The general climate of the realm has been shown two different extremes. Most of the time it has been shown to have a spring, temperate climate abound with forests. The other extreme has shown Alfheim to be a land of ice and snow. The elves look like the elves of lore, but with blue light.

VANAHEIM
Vanaheim is the home of the Vanir gods, deities associated with fertility and wisdom, as well as masters of sorcery and magic. These gods are also widely recognized for their talent to predict the future. Vanaheim exists on the highest level of the World Tree along with Asgard and Alfheim.

NIDAVELLIR
Nidavellir is home of the Dwarves, located in the middle level of the Nine Worlds, on the same level as Midgard. The Dwarves live underground working in the caverns of the Nidavellir. They have large forgers utilizing the flames and heat from beneath the surface to create weapons used by the Dwarves and their allies. Dwarves are the race that have crafted the most powerful weapons in the Nine Realms including: Mjolnir, Gungnir, and Stormbreaker. The nomadic Rock Trolls also inhabit some areas of this land.

NIFLHEIM
Niflheim is the far northern region of icy fogs and mists, darkness and cold. It is situated on the lowest level of the universe alongside Muspellheim. The realm of death, Hel is part of the vast, cold region. Niffelheim lies underneath the third root of Yggdrasil, close to the spring Hvergelmir. Also situated on this level is Nastrond, the Shore of Corpses, where the serpent Nidhogg eats corpses and gnaws on the roots of YggdrasilNiflheim is the darkest and coldest region, mentioned in the Edda. It was the first of the Nine Worlds, created in the empty Abyss GunnungagapNiflheim was placed in the northern region of Gunnungagap and Muspelheim in the southern region. In Niflheim there was located the eldest of the three wells, called Hvergelmir, protected by the dragon Nidhogg.

MUSPELLHEIM
It is a realm of eternal fire, situated on the lowest level of the universe alongside Niflheim. It is the home of the Fire Demons and their ruler Surtur. Muspellheim and Niflheim mixed and created water from the melting ice in Ginnungagap. The sun and the stars originate from Muspelheim.

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Thor film informatics Part 06: Svartalfheim the Dark World

Svartalfheim is one of the Nine Realms of Yggdrasil and the homeworld of the Dark Elves. The word means "home of the swart elves" in Old Norse. It is based on the mythical realm of the same name of Norse mythology.

Svartalfheim is in the middle region of the nine realms, on the same level as Midgard and Jotunheim. The geography and climate of the realm has was once heavily wooded with Dark Elf towns, villages and castles doting across the green rolling landscape. However the realm had been barren for eons after the great war between Malekith and Bor Burison father of Odin. The Dark Elves have their own portals that grants them access to the other Nine Worlds including Midgard.

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

Thor film Informatics Part 05: Midgard aka Earth


Earth is the homeplanet of humanity. It is also known as Midgard, once the center of the Nine Realms. It is also the home of superheroes and supervillains. Earth's science and technology created many superhumans who will be heroes and villains.
Earth has always been targeted by villains, time-travelling conquerers, ancient creatures, and aliens, but has withstood by the Avengers and neutral hero groups and individuals. It is also where ancient secrets are hidden by Asgardians like the Casket of Ancient Winters for example. It has a history of surviving various attacks from all hostile cosmic beings, villains, aliens, monsters etc.

Monday, November 04, 2013

Thor film informatics Part 04: Jotunhiem


Jotunheim is one of the Nine Realms of Yggdrasil and the homeworld of the Jotuns, also known as Frost Giants and Rock Giants. The word means "home of the giants" in Old Norse. It is based on the mythical realm of the same name of Norse mythology.


Jotunheim is a dark, icy world in a distant part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unlike Asgard, which is a flat, advanced and tranquil interstellar body, Jotunheim is depicted as a small, round planetoid. Jotunheim's ruler was Laufey .

Sunday, November 03, 2013

Thor film Informatics Part 03: Asgard


Asgard is one of the Nine Realms where immortal Asgardian gods and goddesses reside. It si ruled by Odin and his wife Frigga. It is not a planet like Earth or Jotunheim, but is instead a flat, mystical realm filled with cliffs and waterfalls that pour out into outer space. Asgard is covered in shining buildings of gold, with the Asgardian Castle gleaming in the center of the city.

Although they look human, all Asgardians possess certain superhuman physical attributes. They are extremely long-lived (though not purely immortal like their Olympian counterparts), aging at an extremely slow rate upon reaching adulthood (through the periodic consumption of the golden apples of Idunn). Asgardian flesh and bone is three times denser than similar human tissue, contributing to their superhuman strength and weight. An average Asgardian male can lift 30 tons (27.2 metric tons); an average Asgardian female can lift about 25 tons (22.7 metric tons). Asgardians are immune to all terrestrial diseases and resistant to conventional injury. The metabolism of the Asgardians gives them superhuman stamina in all physical activities.

Saturday, November 02, 2013

Thor film informatics Part 02: The Nine Worlds according to Norse mythology


The Nine Realms are worlds interconnected through the world tree, Yggdrasil. In each realm, it is the home of different races and magics. This Tree of Life is located within the Halls of Asgard, and is the source of the powerful OdinForce.

Alfheim: Home of the Light Elves (Ljósálfar) and Fairies.
Asgard: Home of the Asgardians, ruled by King Odin.
Jotunheim: Home of the Frost Giants (Jötunn), ruled by Laufey.
Midgard: the Earthly plane of existence populated by humans. Although technically not a part of the Asgardian dimension, it is considered one of the Nine Worlds by the Asgardians because of its significant connections to Asgard.
Muspelheim: Home of the Fire Demons, ruled by Lord Surtur.
Nidavellir: Home of the Dwarves, with arctic waters and blistering cold climate.
Niflheim: Realm of the dead who are neither honored nor dishonored. Ruled by Hela, daughter of Loki.
Svartalfheim: Home of the Dark Elves (Svartálfar), ruled by Lord Malekith.
Vanaheim: Home of the Vanir (fertility gods) who are the sister race of the Asgardians.

Friday, November 01, 2013

Thor film Informatics Part 01: Intro to the films that started it all


THOR is a 2011 American superhero film based on the comic book character of the same name published by Marvel Comics. It is the fourth film released as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film was directed by Kenneth Branagh, written by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz and Don Payne, and stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Colm Feore, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins. The film tells the story of Thor, the crown prince of Asgard, who is exiled from his homeland to Earth for destroying a truce between the Asgardians and the Frost Giants and nearly re-igniting a war. While there, he forms a relationship with Jane Foster, a scientist who specializes in astrophysics, the study of physics of the unvierse. However, Thor must stop his adopted brother Loki, who intends to become the new king of Asgard.
Thor was released on April 21, 2011, in Australia, and on May 6, 2011, in the United States. The film was a financial success and received positive reviews from film critics. A sequel, Thor: The Dark World, was released October 30, 2013, being the eighth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following the happenings in The Avengers.

 
Cast from both films
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Tom Hiddleston as Loki Laufeyson
Natalie Portman as Jane Foster
Anthony Hopkins as Odin Allfather
Jaimie Alexander as Lady Sif
Stellan Skarsgård as Professor Erik Selvig
Zachary Levi as Fandral (formerly Joshua Dallas)
Ray Stevenson as Volstagg
Tadanobu Asano as Hogun
Idris Elba as Heimdall
Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis
Rene Russo as Queen Frigga

Cast members who appeared in first film
Colm Feore as King Laufey
Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson
Maximiliano Hernández as Agent Jasper Sitwell
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
Jeremy Renner as Agent Clint Barton (Hawkeye)

Cast members who appeared in second film
Christhoper Eccleston as Malekith
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Algrim the Strong/Kurse
Clive Russell as Tyr Odinson
Richard Brake as Captain of the Einherjar
Chris O'Dowd as Richard
Tony Curran as Bor Burison
Jonathan Howard as Ian Boothby
Benicio del Toro as Taneleer Tivan/The Collector