Guardians of the Galaxy review - Marvel reaches for the stars

When it comes to comic book movies, MARVEL Studios is the Pixar of that genre/medium. Not just because they are consistent with the quality of all there films and the talent behind. But also, just like Pixar, they also take big risks that pay off, and make their competition look bad in the process. An animated film that's 100 % CGI starring toys? A rat who can cook? Monsters, robots, and a grumpy old man as protagonists in family comedies? Who would be crazy enough to believe those moves can
work? Pixar.

And Pixar is so good at executing their crazy ideas, that every other competing animation studio has tried to copy their success. Just like Marvel.






A billionaire playboy who fights crime with a high-tech suit and isn't Batman? A scientist who turns into a giant green monster when he's angry? A Norse god with the power to summon thunder with his hammer? A super soldier with an Eagle Scout attitude? Bringing all those unusual characters together in an epic crossover movie? Are these people insane?!?!?! Yes. Yes they are. And what' even more insane? All of these crazy ideas paid off MARVELLOUSLY!!! (Not one of my best jokes, I know.)

And now comes arguably their riskiest movie to date (and boy is that saying a lot), Guardians of the 

Galaxy. A science fiction, action/adventure directed by James Gunn (Slither, Super), starring a cocky
space scoundrel (who is NOT Han Solo), a green skinned assassin, a red skinned thug, a walking tree, and a raccoon with a machine gun...


How does MARVEL keep making this work?!?! Are they gods?!?!?


Yes people. Guardians of the Galaxy is just as amazing, exciting, and entertaining as you've heard.
And for some people, especially 80s kids, it's even more so.






Chris Pratt, coming right off the animation blockbuster The Lego Movie, is a awesome as Peter Quill
(a.k.a. Star-Lord)! He's charismatic, witty, and charming. He could very much be this generation's answer to Han Solo and Indiana Jones. Heck, if Disney and Lucasfilm are still considering that Han
Solo Origin spin-off, then my vote definitely goes to Chris Pratt for the role of young Han Solo! With this, The Lego Movie, and next year's anticipated sequel, Jurassic World, its safe to say that Chris Pratt is the next big thing!






Zoe Saldana is tough and beautiful as the green skinned Gamora. She wants revenge, but has a soft
side to her as well. She can be romantic and nourishing, but also pushy when she needs to. I can see a lot of boys crushing on her the same way boys in the 70s and 80s crushed on Carrie Fisher's Princess
Leia. As the blue skinned Nytiri in Avatar and the young Uhura in JJ Abrams' Star Trek films, Saldana is no stranger to science fiction. However, playing Gamora was no walk in the park. She had to paint her whole skin green! Even when she blew her nose or took a bath, she had green paint on her! Now she knows why Kermit the Frog sang "It's not easy being green."





Dave Bautista is tough and menacing as Drax the destroyer. He wants revenge against Ronan for killing his family, and will stop at almost nothing. For hsis first acting gig, WWE fighter Bautista isn't half bad.

I AM GROOT!

Vin Diesel is irresistible as Groot, a tree who only says "I AM GROOT." This character could have gotten annoying quick, but Vin Diesel and the writers make Groot a lovable, charming creature who brings warm memories of another tall, vocab limited alien creature, Chewbacca.



But the breakout character, hands down, is Rocket a Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper)!






If a sass talking raccoon with a machine gun doesn't make your inner child jump up and down with excitement, something must be wrong with you! This character easily has some of the best lines in the movie, and has great chemistry with Groot. Bradley cooper, the star of The Hangover series, American Hustle, and Silver Linings Playbook, gives a flawless voice over performance. Even my Mom, who loves Bradley Cooper, couldn't tell that was him!

The rest of the cast is great. John C. Reilly never fails to make me laugh. Karren Gillan is menacing
as Nebula. And although Ronan is a fine villain, we all know he's chopped liver compared to the real
baddie, Thanos!



The soundtrack is awesome! Featuring hit 70s songs from artists like Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Jackson 5, Joan Jett, and of course... Hooked On A Feeling by blue Swede!

My Mom and Dad had a ball naming all the artists as their songs played during the movie.

This movie could have been a mess. But James Gunn puts a lot of love into it, and gives us each something to enjoy. Whether we're seeing it as hard core comic book fans, movie fans, or just average joes looking for a great time at the movies. It has the humor of Back To The Future, the brain of
Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the heart of Star Wars.


A lot of people have been comparing this to Star Wars, and it's easy to see why. The fact that it takes place in a far away galaxy. Rocket Raccoon being the only character to understand GROOT is just like Han Solo being the only one to understand Chewbacca. And the climax at the end, without spoiling it, is just like the X-Wing battle. The release date of Star Wars Episode VII is a long way away. So if you can't wait that long, then Guardians of the Galaxy will scratch that itch for you.





In conclusion, Guardians of the Galaxy is a blast from start to finish! It has a simple, and fast paced story, loveable characters, and an unbeatable soundtrack! This is easily the most fun I've had at the movies so far this year! If you're sick of sequels and reboots, and want something a little different, then Guardians will have you... Hooked On A Feeling!

I give Guardians of the Galaxy... 4.5 Infinity Guantlets out of 5!

Lupita N’yonggo And Gwendolyn’s Christie cast in Episode VII!!!

"I just felt a great disturbance in the Force. As if millions cried out in excitement, and were suddenly silenced." - Obi-Wan Kenobi

In case you've been living in another galaxy today, it has just been announced that Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave) and Gwendoline Christie (Game Of Thrones) have been cast in the most anticipated movie of all time (please don't even try to argue): Star Wars Episode VII!

As who? Well, nobody knows yet. Which isn't surprising, considering that JJ Abrams is practically famous for keeping things close to himself.

On StarWars.com (the ONLY credible and reliable source of information on anything related to Episode VII), Disney and Lucasfilm said the following:

Lupita Nyong'o joins the recently announced cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. This year, her breakthrough performance in 12 Years a Slaveearned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television series Game of Thrones as Brienne of Tarth, has also been cast in the production. She can next be seen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.

"I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII," says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. "It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the Saga Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015

Now comes the fun part: speculation. Which characters will these fine, talented ladies be playing? Will they be humans? Other aliens? Jedi? Sith? Bounty Hunters? Wookies?

Let's start with Lupita Nyong'o. 

Lupita Nyong'o is an up-and-coming actress, whose big break came last year in the brutal, intense, and powerful 12 Years A Slave, where she played a black slave girl named Patsey. She put so much emotion and so much torment in the role that she immediately won audiences hearts and sympathy. She basically stole the show!

There are three different characters she could possibly be playing. One of them is Lando Calrissian's daughter. 

This is probably the most obvious one. As you can see though, Billy Dee Williams' name is not mentioned anywhere in the cast list, as has been pointed out by many fans. Perhaps Lando was murdered sometime after Return of the Jedi by a Sith Lord or Boba Fett, and perhaps Lupita Nyong'o's character is trying to avenge her father's death. Or maybe he'll make a surprise cameo. Who knows?

Another possibility is she could be the secret daughter of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Billy Jean is not my lover. She is just a girl who claims that I am the one."

Of all the choices I've considered, this one is the most unlikely. Mainly because Obi-Wan Kenobi was a Jedi Knight. And one of the rules of a Jedi Knoght is to never fall in love and get married. And Obi-Wan was a much more faithful Jedi Knight than his fallen apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. However, let's not forget that Obi-Wan spent a long period between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope wandering the desert planet Tatooine watching over Luke Skywalker. And it can be pretty lonely on Tatooine. And let's not forget that the Jedi Order was destroyed at this point. Perhaps Obi-Wan went through a phase of depression, questioning the ways of the Jedi, and what caused them to fall. And maybe Obi-Wan met a young woman at Mos Eisley, and well, you know the rest.

And maybe Lupita Nyong'o's role as Obi-Wan Kenobi's daughter is to carry on her father's legacy and join Luke Skywalker's new Jedi Order.

The third option, and this is the one I hope it is, is Asaajj Ventress!

Asaajj Ventress

Now many of you reading this may be wondering, "Who the heck is Asaajjj Ventress?!?!?"

Perhaps you've never heard of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Well do yourself a favor. Subscribe to Netflix, look it up, and take time out of your schedule to give it a watch. If you're a Star Wars fan, you will not be disappointed! So many great characters, including Asaajj Ventress.

Asaajj Ventress is a Sith Bounty Hunter who works for Count Dooku. She carries two curved lightsabers, and has a big grasp on the Dark Side. You don't want to mess with her!

And she has the same physique as Lupita Nyong'o!

Lupita Nyong'o would make an awesome Asaajj Ventress! Her performance in 12 Years A Slave is almost  like that of a Sith. She feels angry, tormented, and hostile. Just watch this scene, and you'll see why:

And now onto Gwendoline Christie.

Much like Lupita Nyong'o, Gwendoline is also an up-and-coming actress. Her big break is on the hit TV show, Game of Thrones. If you haven't watched it yet, please download the HBOgo app on your iPad, and give it a watch. I's one of the best shows on television right now! If you can get passed the violence, nudity, sexual content, and pervasive language that is.

Her character on the show is Brienne of Tarth, a kings guard. She is one of my favorite characters on the show.

Her character might not be the most attractive woman in the Seven Kingdoms. But she makes up for it with her brute strength, her sass, and her wit. She could go for months with putting up with Jaimie Lannister's insults, all to live up to her promise to Catelyn Stark. And Gwendoline Christie does a magnificent job of playing her.

As for which character she'll play. There are two options that come to mind:

She could be a Jedi Knight. Obviously. I mean, have you seen her sword fighting as Brienne of Tarth? She could give General Grievous a run for his money!

Or maybe she's a bounty hunter? Her character, Brienne of Tarth, is very much like a Bounty Hunter. Tough, brutal, fierce,  and she is very perseverant on living up to her promise to her master. 

Well, I guess we won't know who these two actresses will be playing for a while. But no matter who they are cast as, Jedi or Wookie, adding these two tot the cast is a great choice! It shows that JJ Abrams has a real knack for assembling great talent!

It also adds more diversity to the cast, responding to the criticism that there are far too few female roles. (Yeah, the Original Trilogy had a TON of female leads, right?)

It's way too early to tell just how Star Wars Episode VII will turn out. But judging by what we know so far, it seems like JJ Abrams and his team are going in the right direction with George Lucas' galaxy. They've got the old cast back, with a new, talented cast, they've got John Williams back as the composer, and Lawrence Kasdan (writer of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi) as the screenwriter!

Perhaps Mark Hamill is right. The Saga is in great hands! So it seems...

May the Force be with you!

Chef review - Jon Favreau cooks up a tasty film (WARNING! DO NOT SEE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH!)

Do you have a crappy job? Is your boss a total jerk? Do you feel like you can't express your creative ideas? Then you will instantly relate to Jon Favreau's brilliant, hilarious, and charming new film: Chef.

Jon Favreau

You may remember Jon Favreau as the director of all your friends' favorite Christmas movie, Elf, and Iron Man, the film responsible for sparking the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a franchise that is still going strong to this day.

Of course, Chef is a much different film than those films I mentioned. There are no Christmas elves or billionaires in robotic suits.

It's a simple story of a divorced chef named Carl Jefe, who works in a Los Angelos restaurant. Carl feels unhappy with his life and job, even though he has Scarlett Johansson as his co-worker. His boss, played by Dustin Hoffman, has a problem adapting to change. He insists that Carl Jefe sticks with the same menu they've used for almost a decade. After receiving a harsh review from a famous food critic, Carl Jefe gets angry and quits his job. Uncertain of what to do, he receives the help of his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara) and her ex-boyfriend (played by Robert Downy Jr.), who suggest that he start a food delivery truck service. That way he can be his own boss and cook whatever he wants. His son, Percy (played by Emjay Anthony) and his friend and former co-worker Martin (John Leguizamo), both tag along on his journey cross country to serve Cubano sandwiches.

As you can see, there isn't much conflict in the story. There's no direct bad guy, no epic quest, no macguffin, no misunderstandings, no car chases, no explosions, etc. It's all just a simple, basic cross-country trip with fine foods. Much like how the main character refuses to cook by the menu, this movie refuses to play by the rules of typical Hollywood storytelling. It's not a complicated story. But it doesn't have to be. Part of the charm is the simplicity of its plot. And at its heart, it's about a divorced father trying to bond with his son, and learning to do what ultimately makes him happy.

Jon Favreau, who also directed this film, plays Carl Jefe. He makes Carl Jefe a very likable and relatable protagonist. He's flawed, but not to the point where you have a hard time rooting for him. He's like the kind of person you would love to cook a meal with.

Robert Downy Jr. is in only one scene as Sofia Vergara's ex-boyfriend. And I wish he was in more scenes. RDJ never fails to steal any scene he's in. He could just play an endangered citizen in a Godzilla movie, and still be charismatic. In my opinion, he is one of the top 10 best actors working today, and his performance in this movie is proof of that.

Sofia Vergara of Modern Family is charming and lovable as Carl's ex-wife, Inez. It would be easy to make her just a bitter, nagging throw-away character. But Favreau's script makes her feel likable, and important to the story. John Leguizamo is hilarious as Carl's best friend, Martin. Dustin Hoffman is excellent as Carl's hot-headed, stubborn boss. And Scarlett Johansson, my celebrity crush, is endearing as always as Carls' friend and restaurant hostess, and gives great advice to Carl on doing what makes you happy.

Who cares if my boss would be a jerk? If I had this woman as my co-worker, I would never, ever want to quit my job!

 
But the real star of this movie is the food!

Cubano sandwiches, beignets, French Onion soup, Filet mignon, Caviar egg, etc. Good luck keeping your mouth from watering! I dare you!

Much like Disney/Pixar's Ratatouillie, this is a film filled with fine cuisines that will make you immediately look for a good restaurant after it's over. Seriously, the food in this movie is just incredible! You just have to see it to believe it!

In conclusion, Chef is a delicious meal of a film. It has a simple, and entertaining narrative, characters that are lovable, stellar performances from an all-star cast, and lots of delicious looking food. It's an excellent showcase for director Jon Favreau, and it proves that Marvel's Iron Man was no fluke. It's a film that will leave you hungry for more.

Rating - ***** (5 stars out of five)

"This Will Be A Day Long Remembered...." Star Wars Episode VII Cast OFFICIALLY Announced!!!

That famous line was uttered by Darth Vader in Star Wars (Episode IV: A New Hope), as the Death Star was about to blow up the planet Yavin IV, where the Rebels were hiding. And he was right, it was a day to remember... For the rebels. The rebels actually found out the Death Star's weakness in the Death Star plans stored in R2-D2, and they flew their X-Wing fighters into the Death Star's trench run, and one of the Rebels pilots, Luke Skywalker, fired hsi proton torpedo into the thermal exhaust port, and blew up the Death Star!

And today, that line can't be more appropriate.

For it was announced today by Walt Disney Studios and Lucasfilm that J.J. Abrams and his crew had finally assembled their cast for the next chapter in the Star Wars saga!

StarWars.com (the ONLY credible website for Star Wars Episode VII news) put out a statement today that went something like this:

The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Director J.J. Abrams says, "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

This is a great looking cast! The most interesting cast member, in my eyes, is Andy Serkis.

Andy Serkis is a famous motion capture actor, and brought so many iconic roles to life such as King Kong, Ceaser in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and his most famous role Gollum in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

What makes this casting choice interesting for me is that Andy Serkis has always acted using motion capture from Peter Jackson' WETA Studios. But the special effects in Star Wars Episode VII will be done by George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic. It will be interesting to see Andy Serkis break out of his comfort zone.

And even though he's a great actor, he was never nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for any of his roles. Including Gollum. Maybe Star Wars Episode VII will be the role that gives Andy Serkis his precious (Oscar)!

This is also great buzz for Andy Serkis' upcoming Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Although, it will be nearly impossible for Andy Serkis to avoid Star Wars questions while promoting that film.

What I love about this cast list is that 90% of them are unknowns. Just like Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher were back in 1977.

Part of the magic of the Original Star Wars was that the main actors, with the exception of Alec Guiness, were unknowns. And thus, it made it easier for audiences to focus on the characters instead of the actors. Nobody saw Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. They saw Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.

Oh, and speaking of the old cast, they're in it as well! Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), and Peter Mayheww (Chewbacca) are all returning to their famous roles from the beloved Saga.

And I can't be more thrilled!

When I first heard that there was going to be a new Star Wars trilogy, one of the things I was most concerned about was whether or not the old cast can come back. Many fans were split on the issue. Some felt they should stay out of the new films altogether, and pass the torch to a new generation. While others felt they should finish what they started. I fell in the latter.

For decades, whenever he spoke about Episodes VII-IX, George Lucas always mentioned that Luke, Han, and Leia would play big roles in them, with their kids starring. And it only makes sense that they stay true to the Maker's original vision.

And plus, I'm excited to see Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher making a big screen comeback!

I actually met Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher in August 2012 at Star Wars Celebration VI in Orlando, Florida. They were two of the coolest people ever! And it was one of the highlights of my life!

From left to right: My Mom, Mark Hamill, and me

 I also met Peter Mayheww not once, but twice in the past. Once at Star Wars Celebration IV in 2007, and again at Wondercon in 2013. He's an awesome guy. And I'm happy that he's feeling better from his knee surgery.

The only part about this news that makes me unhappy is that, well, I'm not in the cast.

But that's more of a personal problem than a real problem. And besides, I can always be an extra! (I hope you're reading this, JJ Abrams! I can play a killer wookie!)

So, we've got the old cast returning, with a new cast of very talented actors, with a great director in charge! This could be the most anticipated film since... well.... the last Star Wars film, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith!

December 2015 can't come here fast enough!

What are your thoughts on this casting news? Love it? Hate it? Could care less? Let me know in the comments below!

May the Force be with you! :)

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