Mandla Magic Tapestry: A Dazzling Blend of History and Art The Mandla Magic Tapestry is an exquisite piece of artwork that beautifully combines history and art. This masterpiece is a tribute to the rich heritage and cultural diversity of Mandla, a city located in Madhya Pradesh, India. The tapestry is a vibrant depiction of life in Mandla, showcasing the city's historical events, traditions, and natural beauty. It is handcrafted by skilled artisans who painstakingly weave together various colors and textures to create a breathtaking final product. One glance at the Mandla Magic Tapestry is enough to transport viewers to a different time and place. Its intricate designs capture the essence of Mandla's past, highlighting significant events such as royal processions, religious festivities, and battles fought for the city's honor.
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While Iceland has as much claim to the character as anyone and this film has some creative ideas in adapting the mythology, there ultimately isn t much to enjoy about this. You can tell that Thor does not fit the American animated family film mold perfectly, but also that its makers seem to be aiming for that with a blend of action, comedy, and fantasy.
Its intricate designs capture the essence of Mandla's past, highlighting significant events such as royal processions, religious festivities, and battles fought for the city's honor. The tapestry also pays homage to Mandla's natural wonders. The lush forests, meandering rivers, and diverse wildlife are all beautifully woven into the fabric, creating a mesmerizing panorama of Mandla's scenic splendor.
Thor legend of the magical hsmmer
Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer DVD Review
Running Time: 83 Minutes / Rating: PG
Director: �skar J�nasson; Toby Genkel, Gunnar Karlsson (co-directors) / Writers: Fri�rik Erlingsson (screenplay); �skar J�nasson, Toby Genkel (additional script writing), Mark Hodkinson (dialogue); Snorri Sturluson (characters and stories)
Voice Cast: Justin Gregg (Thor), Paul Tylak (Crusher), Nicola Coughlan (Edda), Liz Lloyd (Hel), Alan Stanford (Odin), Mary Murray (Freyja), J. Drew Lucas (Thrym), Emmett Scanlan (Sindri), Lesa Thurman (Mother), Paul Tylak (Heimdall), Rod Goodall (Gunther), Gary Hetzler (Grandpa)
Buy Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer on DVD: Walmart � Amazon
Computer animated films were initially the exclusive domain of Pixar. Then, DreamWorks Animation got into the act with Antz (1998) arriving just in time to try to make A Bug's Life look like a copycat. By 2002, the class had grown to include Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and Blue Sky's Ice Age, among others. The box office numbers continued to soar and the technology continued to spread. The market reached saturation in 2005-06, when hardly a month went by without a major new CG family film opening in thousands of American theaters.
The glut of output released in that span revealed a couple of things about the medium: 1) it alone did not guarantee commercial success, as it had seemed to for the format's first decade in existence and 2) cheaper efforts were the ones most likely to fail. For every Hoodwinked turning a healthy profit, there were three lower-budget efforts like Everyone's Hero and imports Valiant and Doogal that were losing money for their producers and distributors. Those lessons have been heeded in Hollywood, where computer animated comedies continue to flourish. but primarily from just a few established major American studios. CG 'toons made outside of those institutions -- e.g. Astro Boy, Battle for Terra, Planet 51, 9 -- have typically floundered and grown scarce in theaters. They're still being made, cost-effectively or not, but they're unlikely to turn up on your radar.
One such fringe production is Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer, a film released straight to DVD today as a Walmart exclusive by small indie studio ARC Entertainment. The film is actually a product of Iceland, where it was released theatrically in the fall of 2011 (titled Hetjur Valhallar - ��r, literally Legends of Valhalla: Thor) as the nation's first full-length animated film. Thor is also the feature debut of CAOZ, a company that has made three short films, including the 26-minute Anna and the Moods (2007), featuring narration by Monty Python's Terry Jones and a titular heroine voiced, of course, by Bj�rk.
This Thor is indeed the same figure of Norse mythology and Marvel Comics, but here, he's less of a long-haired blonde hunk and more of a gawky redheaded teenager. The son of the god Odin and a human peasant woman, Thor is a blacksmith, per his mother's wishes, but he'd rather be a warrior. Adventure and opportunities for heroism come his way in the form of the Crusher, a talking golden hammer with eyes and a face. It is the most powerful weapon in the universe, created by Sindri, a tiny magician who's met with scoffs and skepticism, even by Odin himself, who loses an eye in a demonstration on a visit to Valhalla.
The magician winds up with Odin's eye, which he then gives to Hel, Odin's Eartha Kitt-esque enemy, the Ice Queen of the Underworld herself, to soften his punishment by her. The hammer, meanwhile, winds up in Thor's possession and he takes the time needed to familiarize himself with its thunderous power. The Ice Queen wants to oust Odin and take over Valhalla, a goal her frosty giants serve but one that requires the Crusher. Thor, partially motivated by his mother's icy kidnapping, stands up to the Queen and her beasts.
Thor features ugly character design, which the DVD's front cover interestingly and utterly betrays. The film's animation makes you appreciate the sophistication and detail you take for granted in the best-looking CGI these days. Like most new US animation, this film was made for 3D, a fact you suspect in some loud gimmicky dimensional effects (even as a Blu-ray 3D edition and, for that matter, even a standard Blu-ray remain unavailable).
You can tell that Thor does not fit the American animated family film mold perfectly, but also that its makers seem to be aiming for that with a blend of action, comedy, and fantasy. Thor deserves its PG rating, not out of the MPAA's increasing reluctance to issue a G, but because it's got some content that could easily unsettle the youngsters whose parents might see the cover and think "inexpensive babysitter."
VIDEO and AUDIO
Computer animation usually upholds perfection on disc, as the result of its direct digital to digital transfer. I assume that is what has occurred here, which explains why Thor's 2.40:1 transfer isn't harmed by anything but the limitations of standard definition video. As the unknown names comprising the voice cast list above suggest, the DVD presents the film exclusively in American English, with no option to hear the original Icelandic it was presumably presented in. Nonetheless, the words match the mouth movements perfectly, so this doesn't appear to have been a hasty dub or afterthought. That English mix is offered in Dolby Digital 5.1 and plain stereo. The default former is quite potent, with a number of sequences commanding notice with their sound design and the bass strongly resonating. Deduct points for the complete lack of subtitles, as closed captioning alone doesn't really cut it in this age of HDMI connections.
BONUS FEATURES, MENUS, PACKAGING and DESIGN
The disc's only bonus feature is a Thor trailer (1:40), which touts the film's 3D nature.
The disc opens with trailers for the weak-looking CGI films Reef 2: High Tide, Jock the Hero Dog, and Animals United plus one for the sappy live-action dud Heaven's Door, whose two months of Walmart exclusivity will be echoed here. None of these previews are accessible by menu.
Beyond that, the DVD does include an insert with your unique code for accessing a digital copy of the film. ARC Entertainment has apparently partnered with a service called VUDU to allow you to stream the film on your computer or Blu-ray player. A VUDU account, which does not appear to be free, is required, making this less complimentary than what bigger studios offer in this regard.
The menu plays clips in a golden oval placed on the bridge between Valhalla and wherever it is this Thor is supposed to live.
The black Eco-Box keepcase is topped by an embossed foil-faced slipcover.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer is not as terrible as a look at its cover would lead the discerning animation enthusiast to suspect. But Iceland's first animated feature is also not all that good.
While Iceland has as much claim to the character as anyone and this film has some creative ideas in adapting the mythology, there ultimately isn't much to enjoy about this. It will have difficulty finding the right audience, looking too childish for those who might like it, but being too dark and action-oriented for the kids more likely to see it. There aren't really specific complaints to lob at the film; it's just that everything from characters to story to comedy to visuals is terribly unremarkable. It's the kind of movie I expect to wake up tomorrow remembering nothing of and I was watching closely and analytically.
Buy Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer on DVD: Walmart (now) / Amazon (later)
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Reviewed January 15, 2013.
Text copyright 2013 DVDizzy.com. Images copyright 2013 ARC Entertainment, 2011 CAOZ, Ulysses Filmproduktion, and Magma Productions.
Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
What sets the Mandla Magic Tapestry apart is its ability to evoke emotions and create a sense of wonder. As one admires the intricate details and vivid colors, they cannot help but feel a connection to the city's rich history and its people's resilience. Moreover, the Mandla Magic Tapestry serves as a cultural artifact, preserving the heritage and traditions of Mandla for generations to come. It serves as a testament to the skill and creativity of the artisans who brought this masterpiece to life. The tapestry is not just a sight to behold; it is a symbol of Mandla's identity and a source of pride for its residents. It serves as a reminder of the city's glorious past and a beacon of hope for the future. In conclusion, the Mandla Magic Tapestry is a remarkable work of art that seamlessly blends history and artistry. Its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and captivating details make it a true masterpiece. This tapestry stands as a testament to the rich heritage of Mandla and serves as a source of inspiration for all who witness its beauty..
Reviews for "Mandla Magic Tapestry: A Testament to Human Creativity and Ingenuity"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really expecting something magical when I purchased the Mandla Magic Tapestry, but I was left feeling disappointed. The tapestry itself was of average quality, and the design was not as vibrant as advertised. Additionally, the tapestry did not come with any hanging accessories, so I had to go out and purchase those separately. Overall, I found the experience to be underwhelming for the price I paid.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - Mandla Magic Tapestry was a complete waste of money for me. The colors were dull and faded, nothing like the vibrant and magical design shown in the product images. The fabric of the tapestry was also very thin and cheap, not worth the price I paid. I would not recommend this product to anyone looking for a quality tapestry.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - The Mandla Magic Tapestry was not what I expected at all. The design looked beautiful online, but when I received it, the image was pixelated and blurry. The quality of the fabric was also questionable, as it felt rough and cheap. I was really disappointed and would not purchase from this brand again.
4. James - 3/5 stars - The Mandla Magic Tapestry had an interesting design, but I found the overall execution to be lacking. The colors were not as vibrant as I had hoped, and the tapestry had a strong chemical smell when I opened it. I had to air it out for several days before being able to hang it in my room. It's an average tapestry, but not worth the hype.