Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 SPOILER Review: James Gunn's Goal To Make You Cry Any Way He Can

It's 2012 and Kevin Feige has announced that the Guardians of the Galaxy are coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and everyone said, "who?"  I had heard of the Guardians, Rocket Raccoon and Groot, but never read the title before.  But after Kevin said a film was in development, I decided to check out these soon-to-be live-action heroes. So, I went and investigated the 2008 series by Dan Abnett, and then started reading the 2013 series by Brian Michael Bendis. By then, I couldn't wait for this movie to come out.

Cut to the first trailer. I'm sitting in the theater with my wife when the teaser is played and she says, "we don't have to see that, do we?" Cut to the morning of opening day for Guardians of the Galaxy. I'm at work, getting the store ready to open, listening to my iPod, dancing through the sales floor.  Cut to the opening titles in the movie. I laugh my ass off and immediately feel a connection to Christ Pratt's Star-Lord. Cut to the closing credits of the film. My wife asks if we can go see the movie again.

Aside from the Captain America films, Guardians of the Galaxy has been my favorite property in the MCU. The characters are whacky, and a mess, and so much fun to watch. I had every faith that James Gunn was going to stick the landing for several reasons. First, before he was fired (and then rehired) by Disney, Kevin was setting Gunn up to take control of the MCU's galactic division. Second, Gunn proved he could do more than just Guardians when I saw The Suicide Squad. And finally, the entire Guardians cast rallied around Gunn when he was let go from Marvel, proving how much they love James Gunn, and how much fun they have making these movies.

From the early reviews I was expecting a film that was going to be a tearjerker with a lot of deaths. Especially since it was the last film Gunn was doing before switching teams to DC, and a lot of the cast said they were not planning in doing any more in the MCU.  I was very surprised none of the Guardians died. The one that came closest (besides Rocket) was Peter, and in that moment, I remember Chris Pratt being the only cast member in interviews saying he'd come back for more films.  I thought those quotes were a visaed to make us think Star-Lord was the only safe character, but then kill him. For several seconds, I thought Marvel was pulling off a great "gotcha" moment. But they weren't.

Some of the weak points in the film for me were the villain and the slow motions shots. I'm not saying Gunn is as bad as Michael Bay, but slow-mo I think is most effective when you only have it in one or two points in the film to show the importance of that scene. Any more than that, I think it loses its emphasis. The MCU isn't known for great villains, and the High Evolutionary wasn't a bad villain, but he also wasn't that menacing to me.  He wanted Rocket back, to create new life, and he spazzed out when things didn't go his way. He's nowhere near top MCU villains like Thanos, Loki, or Vulture in my eyes.

The things that stood out to me in this film were obviously the music, and the relationships. Between the hallway scene and The Marvels trailer, the MCU has got me relistening to the Beastie Boys music on my iTunes.  The first film brought this group of misfits and loners together.  The second film solidified them as a found family, and this film showed us what that family meant to each of them. The Guardians did everything they could to save Rocket, without hesitation. And like the rest of the MCU, the heroes shined enough that you didn't mind that the villain wasn't as strong. I was expecting a little more out of Adam Warlock, but I think this is a good start for the character with lots of potential to grow. 

As for Peter and Gamora. I think that went exactly how it should. This Gamora never tried to steal the orb from Peter on Xandar. She never traveled to Nowhere with them to see The Collector, and never refused to leave Ego without Peter on board. I wasn't expecting them to get together, and they may never do so, especially with Zoe Saldana saying she's done playing Gamora, but the one sound that is louder than "no" is "cha-ching" and a dump truck full of money.

The film ended with Rocket leading a new team of Guardians that I'm curious to see, but no really excited for as some of favorite Guardians are no longer on the team. However, I do expect to see those former members show up in other MCU projects. But, the new additions of Adam and Phyla-Vell (who has a connection to Captain Marvel) could lead to some interesting storylines.  I think the success of this film also has to do with its disconnection to The Multiverse Saga. You can go straight from Avengers: Endgame to this film and be fine, unless you want to watch the Holiday Special on Disney+, which you should have already done!

Confession Time. There are several sad moments in this film that made the people I saw it with cry. But my tears came at a time I did not expect and had only a little to do with the movie. The morning I was about to see Vol 3 my Facebook Memories were of my grandfather's funeral 8 years ago. So, with that on my mind, when I saw Peter hug his grandfather after decades apart, I lost it.  I started to sob like it was Happy and Morgan Stark on the porch 4 years ago. 

I think James Gunn showed everyone in the entertainment industry looking to adapt comic properties that you can take unknown characters and make them popular by highlighting why they have endured and making a great movie around them. Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man are great, but I can't wait for people to meet Kyle Rayner or Ben Reilly!

Sweet Child of Love and Thunder: A Thor Trailer

I enjoy Taika Waititi as a film maker.  I really like JoJo Rabbit and What We Do In The Shadows.  He brought that same style to Thor: Ragnorak.  And as a Thor movie, I didn't enjoy it much.  I thought it wasn't what Thor should be.  As a film I found it fun, but as a Thor film I thought it lacked gravitas.  Sure Thor's father, friends, and planet was destroyed.  But you never felt the weight of it because their were too many dumb jokes.  Please don't get me started on how fast the Warriors Three went down.   I was torn when Taika was going to be directing another Thor film. I was excited though when they said they were adapting The Mighty Thor.

I had never been a Thor reader, but when "Lady Thor" was released, I wanted to give it a fair shot before truly criticizing it.  What I discovered was a great title being written by Jason Aaron and I've kept up with Thor comics ever since.  The first trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder has arrived and it's everything I thought it would be.  Thor cracks jokes because Taika turned him pretty much into a stereotypical jock, he has a funny moment with Star-Lord, and a popular song was playing in the background. But we also got more than that.

When we left Thor in Avengers: Endgame he was having a crisis of faith, riding off with the Guardians of the Galaxy to try and find his true path.  From this trailer it looks like he's still on that journey.  He's getting back into shape using chains from something big and dead, and it looks like he refuses to follow the Guardians into battle. "My superheroing days are over," he says.  But who will be the God of Thunder?  Bring back Natalie Portman as Mighty Thor!  For those who don't know the comics, I kind of don't want to spoil it, but let's just say Jane Foster wielding Mjolnir is epic storytelling, and if Waititi can tap just a little of that into this film we could get some great drama.  

I was surprised Natalie Portman came back.  I thought she was done with franchise films after her experiences on Star Wars and Thor films.  The whole trailer I was watching with curiosity if they were going to show her, but of course they waited till the end.  I also can't wait to see her behind-the-scenes training videos.  She looks jacked!

The rest if the trailer brought up some questions with cameos.  Who is the blue haired lady Thor was kissing?  Is that Russell Crowe as Zeus?  And Valkryie looks so board in what appears to be some kind of diplomatic meeting.  Christian Bale does play the villain of this film as Gorr the God Butcher. My guess is Thor will find some kind of peace with Zeus, but it will be short lived when Gorr comes to butcher some Gods. As for Valkryie, I was watching Spider-Man: No Way Home the other day and noticed a news headline on a TV that said, "Political Turmoil Continues In New Asgard."  Maybe Valkryie isn't liking being the king?

From the trailer it feels like Star-Lord and the Guardians are going to be in more of this film that I thought, which is fine by me because Star-Lord is my favorite MCU character next to Steve Rogers.  It also appears Thor will be hanging out with Korg (voiced by Taika Waititi) a lot.  I just want another quotable line like "piss of ghosts!"  I'm going into this film with hope and optimism.  I like Waititi, I like Mighty Thor, and like Guardians of the Galaxy.  This trailer rocked, now let's see if the film rolls. 

 

Worth A Read? Guardians of the Galaxy: Guardians Disassembled

Remember that hit movie from the summer with the walking tree and the talking raccoon? Well it was actually based on a comic book series that hardly anyone had ever heard of, but ever since writer Brian Michael Bendis restarted the title it's been a hit comic book series.

In the third volume of the GotG reboot the Guardians are on the run from Star-Lord's father, the king of the Spartax Empire, who has a bounty on all their heads. One by one the Guardians are picked off and separated to various parts of the universe. Rocket is back to being a science experiment, Drax is put on trial by the Shi'ar Empire, and Peter's dad gives him one more chance to join him or be executed. Their only hope lyes with the Guardians newest recruit; Venom, a.k.a. Flash Thompson.

I've always enjoyed Bendis's work but now that he writing Guardians of the Galaxy as well has several X-Men titles I find myself reading his words more than usual.  The book starts out with Tony Stark asking Venom to take his place with the Guardians as Earth's representative.  I like the newest interpretation of Venom in the Marvel U as a dark/slightly unstable hero.  Flash's journey ends on a sour note, but I'm curious if they'll dive more into the symboite suit's origin since every alien Flash runs into seems to know more about it than he does.

Bendis writes the characters very well, giving them each their own brand of personality and fun.  Captain Marvel shows up to help lend a hand; out of nowhere I might add. It's never really explained what she is doing on that side of galaxy so I guess we're just supposed to roll with it. The end of the book gives you previews into the current Captain Marvel and Venom comics with the purpose of getting to know Carol Danvers and Flash Thompson a little better, whether it be for the sake of the book or other "cinematic" reasons. Another preview in this book is Guardians of the Galaxy 3000.  If you've read the previous GotG series you'll recognize the leader carrying Captain America's shield as Vance and even Yondu from the 2014 movie.

The main artist in this volume is Nick Bradshaw, who previously worked on Wolverine and the X-Men, but Michael Oeming does finish off the storyline. I'm not a fan when a book switches artist mid-story but I'm sure something came up since it's not that common.  I do, however, miss the art of Steve McNiven from previous GotG books, but Bradshaw is a decent substitute. And while I don't dislike Oeming, I don't think he's right for GotG.

Guardians Disassembled was a good four-part story but felt I like it could have been a better six-part plot. The end of the book was full of teasers from Captain Marvel to Spider-Man that I really wasn't interested in. I feel like since this is the first GotG graphic novel released post-movie they filled it with other titles they want you to read, knowing people who liked the movie might pick up this book. From a marketing perspective it's good move, but as a regular reader I'd rather get more story.

This volume does make a good starting point for anyone who just saw the Guardians of the Galaxy and wants to dive deeper. Tony Stark even explains each Guardian, and their history, to Flash and new readers. As long as Bendis keeps writing Guardians of the Galaxy I'll keep reading it.

Worth A Read: Yes

My 2014 Geek Nominees

A few days ago the 87th Academy Award nominees were announced.  I've been watching the Oscars as far back as I could remember. My family would always take a night off from our annual spring break trip to Daytona Beach and watch the golden statues get passed out.  As I've gotten older I seem to have watched more of the pictures nominated and less nominees of the MTV Movie Awards.

However, the comic geek inside of me is still conflicted with the lack of genre films nominated; aside from just Best Visual Effects.  If anything, 2014 proved comic book and fantasy films can be just as well produced and compelling as anything David Fincher directs.  So I decided to put together my own nominees I felt could have been nominated for Academy Awards.  Chances are the average theater viewer has seen more of these films than those nominated for Oscars.  Plus, I added a few of my own categories.  

In the following weeks I'll be posting these on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram page.  People should feel free to comment on their choices for each category, or feel free to add any "geek" movie you feel I left out.  

DISCLAIMER: I only based this on movies I've seen in 2014, which is why movies like Interstellar or The Interview are left out of certain categories.    

BEST MOVIE
(saw at least twice in theaters)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Guardians of the Galaxy

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Big Hero 6

  

 

BEST ACTOR
(person you wish you were as cool as)

Chris Evans (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

James McAvoy (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy)

Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Caesar (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes)

BEST ACTRESS
(person you wish your girlfriend was as cool as)

Scarlett Johansson (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy)

Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow)

Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt.1)

FUNNIEST MOVIE
(couldn't stop grinning the whole movie)

The LEGO Movie

22 Jump Street

Neighbors

Let's Be Cops

That Awkward Moment

  

 

BEST VILLAIN
(made you want to reach into the screen and kick some ass)

Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

The Sentinels (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

Koba (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes)

Jackie Earle Haley (Robocop)

Eva Green (Sin City:A Dame To Kill For)

BEST ACTION SEQUENCE
(made you say, "sweeeeet")

Highway Fight (Captain America: The Winter Solider)

The Sentinels Kill Everyone (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

ED-209's vs Alex Murphy (Robocop)

John Wick "Kills It" at the Night Club (John Wick)

The 6 Save San Fransokyo (Big Hero 6)

WORST MOVIE
(wish you could have a lobotomy to forget)

I, Frankenstein

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For

  

 

The Guardians of Summer Entertainment

If you're one of my Facebook friends then for months now you have seen me post numerous things about the  film, The Guardians of the Galaxy.  It's based on an obscure little comic book that even most fan boys have never read, which is why so many of us scratched our heads when Marvel Studios announced it's 2014 release.  

I will admit, I had never read any GotG(Guardians of the Galaxy) before I heard they were making the film.  I knew the names Rocket Raccon and Groot, but not much more than that.  I decided to check out the source material, the 2008 comic book series by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan.  And I LOVED it!  It was so different from the superhero-style comics that Marvel put out.  It was weird, a little quirky, and didn't really take itself seriously. In 2013, Brian Michael Bendis relaunched the series to help people get acquainted with these heroes before the film opened, and it's been a hit ever since.  Seriously, check it out, you'll get all those Peter Quill "dad" references in the film.

Because this property was so unknown the film was Marvel's Studio's biggest gamble since their first film, Iron Man.  Park and Recreations star Chris Pratt plays Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, a human who grows up with a band of intergalactic thieves. Quill finds an orb that everyone is after, including that purple guy who was at the end of The Avengers, Thanos.  Peter then finds an entourage of misfits and outsiders who decide to come together to protect the orbs power from Ronan the Accuser, a Kree criminal who wants to kill billions of people on the planet Xandar.

This film felt like The Avengers in that it was fun as hell!  There were a lot of laughs and a lot of action to make it the perfect summer popcorn film for everyone to watch.  The characters were really the thing that made it pop.  The five leads just sitting around talking were some of the best scenes.  And these characters could have turned out sooo bad.  

Being familiar with Pratt's work I wasn't worried about him carrying this film at all.  Zoe Saldana as Gamora was probably the safest bet; her being a veteran to sci-fi films like Star Trek and Avatar.  Vin Diesel's unique voice was perfect for the character of Groot, who only is supposed to say three words, ever.  But I'll get to that.  Pro wrestler Dave Bautista could have also been bad, but Drax the Destroyer seemed to be tailor made to fit his "range" as an actor. Finally, Rocket Raccon was voiced by Hollywood pretty boy, Bradley Cooper.  Sure there were dozens of animators that helped bring Rocket to life, but I think Cooper did a great job of bringing this character out, so much that sometimes I forgot it was Cooper, and isn't that the point?  

The other actors were small and really unimportant. Lee Pace as Ronan was effective, but not memorable and complex like Loki.  Djimon Hounsou(who I think should be playing Black Panther) was a waste of talent in this film.  Meanwhile, award-winning thespians John C. Reilly and Glenn Close didn't even have enough screen time to have character personalities.  The best supporting role I felt was Karen Gillan as Gamora's sister, Nebula.  She didn't say much, but carried that character with attitude.  I would have loved to have seen that sibling rivalry more, but that's what sequels are for.

Now for the knit-picking kids!  First off, the Nova Corps is Marvel's version of the Green Lantern Corp; each with tremendous power.  So why did they seem more like a pathetic, galactic, military.  None of them showed the strength a Nova Corps member was supposed to have. GotG is about opening up the Marvel "universe" so let's see the universal police be badass so people will say, "I want to see more of that."  As of right now I don't want more Glenn Close unless she plans on boiling a bunny.

Gamora seemed a little too good.  This is a girl who was raised as a warrior to kill and is the most feared woman in the galaxy.  Why did she seem as pure as Princess Leia?  Right now I fear Black Widow more than Gamora. 

"I am Groot".  That's all I've ever read Groot saying in any comic book, EVER. "We are Groot" does not make sense.  It took me out of the film.  In fact it made some people in the audience laugh at a moment that was supposed to be sad and sweet. I am Groot. That's all we'll ever need.  And as for the post-credit scene?  I found it funny, but these extra bits at the end usually add something to what is to come in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Is this a hint of things to come, or just a silly thing to make people laugh and say WTF?  I'm gonna go with option B.

I had high expectations for this film, and although I really liked it, I didn't LOVE it. It's a great sci-fi/comic book film that I can't wait to see a sequel too, but the plot was simple and nobody outside of the main cast is worth remembering. Well, maybe Michael Rooker.  However, I do hope this shows J.J. Abrams what today's audience is looking for in it's sci-fi/fantasy.  I had a blast watching this film, and I'm glad everyone else did too.  Now, to all of my Facebook friends who got annoyed with all my GotG posts.  You're Welcome. 

Rating:  B+

P.S. What's on your Awesome Mix?

Movies To Watch: Summer 2014 Edition

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  No, it’s not Christmas.  It’s almost time for the summer blockbuster season!  Every summer Hollywood fills our theaters with high budget, high action, films that make us all get out of the pool and sit in a cold theater for several hours.  Ever since I was a boy I’ve loved going to see these types of films.  In fact, they’re the only ones I see nowadays. 

I don’t really go see a lot of movies in the theater anymore.  Somewhat do to my availability, but mainly due to the fact that it’s just so damn expensive.  I mean, $15 for an evening show, another $10 for snacks at least, and this is if I go myself and not bring my wife.  Also, when I watch a movie I want to sit and enjoy it.  I don’t want some dumb teenagers making jokes the whole time, or have to sit all the way in the back, or front, just because everyone else thinks their uber-fans even though they haven’t ever seen or read the original source material.  In my old age it’s just becoming a pain to go to the theaters.

I save my money for the action and fantasy films.  The films that are meant to be seen on a big screen.  A drama or comedy will be just as good watching it in my quiet living room, maybe even better because I can watch it while drinking a beer and wearing my pajamas.  Sure I have to wait a little longer to get from Redbox or the library, but I don’t mind waiting a few extra months for movies I’m only mildly interested in. 

With that being said, listed below are the films I’m thinking about going to see this summer.  All of them should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, or anyone who knows what the most anticipated films are being released between May and August.  I don’t know if I’ll have the time to see them all, but these are all ones I would recommend checking out just based on what I've seen from trailers, word of mouth, etc.  I’m either MAYBE going to see a film, I WOULD LIKE TO CHECK IT OUT, or it’s A MUST-SEE.

Captain America: The Winter Solider (April 4)

Early screenings of this film have created even more of a buzz that it already had.  I have a feeling an April release date gives Marvel Studios the advantage seeing how no other big contender will open till May.  Or perhaps, like Christmas, the summer blockbusters just get released earlier and earlier every year.

In this sequel to 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, and I guess technically The Avengers, Steve Rogers is fighting crime by working with S.H.I.E.L.D. to take down bad guys in a modern world he doesn’t quite understand.  When the mysterious Winter Soldier comes out to cause chaos Captain America must step up to take down this global threat alongside Black Widow, Nick Fury, and Falcon.

This is probably my #1 movie to see this year; and I’m a much bigger X-Men fan than Captain America fan.  Marvel Studios has just blown me away at how they are treating their heroes.  They know what works, they know what loyal readers love about the characters, and then they apply that to a mass audience, and it makes billions of dollars!  I love the cast, I love the original story, and everything I’ve seen or heard about this film leaves me drooling to see it.  It’s being called the best Marvel movie yet.  If Scarlet Johansson gets naked it’s got my vote for best movie of the decade!

STATUS:  MUST-SEE

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (May 2)

I’ve never been a big Spider-Man fan.  That title I left to my brother.  I’ve always been X-Men & Superman, and he’s always been Spider-Man & Batman.  I like the character, I see his appeal, and I think the first 2 Spider-Man films by Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire are still some of the best comic book/superhero films ever made.  When I heard Sony was rebooting the franchise less than 10 years since the original Spider-Man movie came out I thought it was a big mistake. 

As I sat in the theater watching The Amazing Spider-Man I was bored because I had already seen all the origin stuff done, and recently.  Plus Andrew Garfield looked no different than his bully; Flash Thompson.  But the action was cool, they got some of Spider-Man’s quirks right, and Kristen Dunst was no where to be seen.  So it was ok I guess. 

This film is kicking off Sony’s attempt to do a Spider-Man Cinematic Universe like Warner Bros and Fox are attempting to do with their properties because they’ve seen how well its worked for Marvel.  Since the Spider-Man properties are mainly villains they’ll be villain films, maybe even a Blackcat film, and definitely a Venom.  But Blackcat and Venom may be the only two I think will work, especially if they go with the current Venom; Flash Thompson.  Check it out.

Anyway, this sequel sees Garfield spinning webs again with Emma Stone has his leading lady.  There are heavy rumors that Stone’s character, Gwen, dies in this film like she does in the comics and makes way for Mary Jane in the 3^rd film.  I think I speak for everyone when I say, who cares.  Just shows us some bad ass villains like Electro, Rhino, and Green Goblin.  Meanwhile tease to us all the other villains you’ll do later.  I do think the action in this film will look great on the big screen and in 3-D.

STATUS:  I WOULD LIKE TO CHECK IT OUT

Godzilla (May 16)

I still remember seeing the Matthew Broderick version in theaters when I was twelve.  At the time I thought it was cool, just like at one time I thought Batman and Robin was cool.  Boy, was I a dumb kid.  It looked more like a bad offspring of Jurassic Park than the classic Godzilla movies my dad watched. 

The giant reptile is back and accompanied by a great cast that includes Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Olsen; the good Olsen actress.  I’ve never been a big fan of Godzilla but the hint that Godzilla may face not 1, but 2 other monsters in the film has definitely peaked my interest.  The trailer makes it look cool and I love watching me some cities being destroyed digitally.  Unless it’s over excessive and pointless.  Yes, I’m talking to you Zach Snyder!

STATUS: MAYBE

X-Men: Days of Future Past (May 23)

I remember when I was young my brother and I would watch the X-Men animated series on Saturday mornings and then my dad would take us to the comic book store where I would buy the latest issue of X-Men.  To this day I would say I’m a big of X-Men fan over anything else, except maybe Star Wars.  That’s why I have been so pissed and disappointed about how Fox has treated the X-Men property.  Aside from the first 2 X-Men films and The Wolverine I have found them all to be atrocious.  Though, 3 out of 6 ain’t bad I guess.

I could not be more happy that Bryan Singer has returned to the world of mutant to direct one of the greatest X-Men story lines ever told.  I know it won’t be much like the original Days of Future Past story but I’m just happy to see cast members that I love return after years of being gone and maybe correcting some of the mistake Brett Ratner made in X3: The Last Stand; namely trying to end this franchise by killing every important character in the X-Men universe.

In the original plot Kitty Pryde gets sent back to her younger body to stop an assassination that will hurt not only the mutant community but the rest of the world as well.  Of course the X-film star, Wolverine, goes back instead of Kitty, but, I expected this so I’ll let it slide.  This is also technically a sequel to X-Men: First Class so most of that cast is back, the good ones at least, minus Havok.  Don’t get me started on how the Summers family has been screwed over with their live-action interpretations.

With a sequel, X-Men:Apocalypse, already planned I think this franchise may be heading back in the right direction, especially with Singer back at the helm.  Now the question is how long before Hugh Jackman stops playing Wolverine?  If only he had a healing factor like Logan so he could play this character forever.

STATUS: MUST-SEE

Maleficent (May 30)

Angelina Jolie stars in this highly anticipated film based off of the classic Disney film; Sleeping Beauty.  Jolie stars as the villain of the original story, but something tells me like Wicked and the Star Wars prequels, their used to be a good person inside of her and a good story has to how that good person turned bad. 

My wife is a big Sleeping Beauty fan so she’s excited to see this film, and I think it looks like Jolie will give a good performance.  So if my wife wants to see it bad enough I guess I’ll go.  If not, I can wait for Redbox.

STATUS: MAYBE

Transformers: Age of Extinction (June 27)

When the first Transfomers film came out I walked out of the theater hoping my 1990 Jeep Wrangler would turn into a giant robot in front of my eyes.  It didn’t happen, but it was one hell of a film!  It recaptured the fun of the 1980’s cartoon series and re-spawned the toy franchise. Shia LeBeouf was a great lead and Megan Fox was so hot.  Then the sequel came out it sucked!  They tried take everything good about the first film and intensified it 10x and it sucked.  Transformers: Dark of the Moon was also not as good as the 1^st film, but leagues above the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.  Now Michael Bay is back at it to satisfy all those Paramount executives who want to squeeze more milk out of a dry cow.

It’s a whole new cast in this film as Mark Wahlberg finds the remains of what appears to be Optimus Prime.  The government shows up at his door, who appear to be sour on all Cybertronians after the battle in Chicago.  Lucky for the humans the Autobots are still around because the Decepticons are also back, and well, I’m sure you can imagine the rest.

This is all just what we know based in the first trailer released.  Optimus Prime looks more bad ass than ever and I’m still waiting for my favorite Autobot, Hot Rod, to make his live-action debut.  If you don’t know who Hot Rod is watch the 1986 animated movie, then come ask me for the soundtrack; it’s awesome.

STATUS: I WOULD LIKE TO CHECK IT OUT

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (July 11)

A re-vamp of this franchise has worked out great.  I never got my dad’s obsession with these "damn dirty apes" but after all the buzz I heard about Rise of the Planet of the Apes I had to check it out, and it was sweet!  It also freaked the hell out of me.  The apes looked so real and Andy Serkis should have got some kind of Oscar nomination for bringing Caesar to live so wonderfully.  I actually didn’t feel bad when the apes started attacking people.

I don’t know much about the sequel.  It seems that it takes place years later and a plague has threatened mankind.  Now it’s all-out-war between the remaining humans and Caesar’s growing ape army.  Given the high caliber of the first film I have high hopes for this one.  But if I see it in theater I may need my mommy there to hold my hand.  Seriously, those apes really freaked me out.

STATUS: MAYBE

Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1)

These last few months I keep getting the same question, “who are the Guardians of the Galaxy?”  Up until last year I didn’t even really know who they were, except that Marvel Studios was making their next film about the GotG.  So I went and read up on the Guardians and what I found was great!  The 2008 comics series was full of action, laughs, and great characters.  I can see why Kevin Feige wanted to make the film and now I've spent my time trying to educate everyone I know about GotG. 

Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, and his band of criminal misfits roam the galaxy causing trouble for an intergalactic tyrant named Ronan.  Quill is in possession of an orb that Ronan plans in use to harm everyone so it’s up to Star-Lord and his crew to keep it safe and do something good…for once.

I was hoping this film would be good, and after seeing the trailer my hopes are now even higher.  This looks like it’ll be a great story, with a great cast lead by Chris Pratt.  This film is full of well-known actors and soon-to-be well known characters.  If Marvel strikes gold again with this unknown property I think they should send Warner Bros a special copy labeled 'Suck It.'  At least that’s what I would do if I was Kevin Feige.

STATUS: MUST-SEE

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (August 8)

It’s no secret that I have watched a lot of TV and movies in my time.  I mean A LOT! And in my childhood there are two cartoons that I hold as 'sacred.'  Thundercats and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hold a special place in my heart and anyone who f*cks them up, like maybe director Jonathan Liebesman, will fall under the same disdain that I have for Brett Ratner and now Zach Snyder.

I remember going on opening night to see the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie.  We had to sit all the way in the back, the theater was crowded, and it was "radical."  I own that movie on blu-ray, despite my wife’s curiosity as to why.  The Turtles represent some of my best childhood memories; Halloween costumes, birthday parties, Christmas toys.  All of these things the Turtles played a huge part of.

We have yet to see a trailer from this new film but set pictures and the designs for the toys have been released and so far I am unimpressed.  I know things have to be updated to change with the times, but these Turtles look like crap!  Read the IDW comic series, see how the Turtles are still relevant while being classic, and then get back to me.  Come on Mr. Liebsman, pull your head out of your ass!

STATUS:  MAYBE

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For (August 22)

I’ve never read a Sin City comic, and I didn’t even see the first film in theaters.  But once I did see it I was blown away by the style and story of it all.  I forgot who Mickey Rourke was, and forget The Wrestler, his role as Marv is his best ever.  It was a unique film with cool guys and hot dames.  I for one am looking forward to seeing what Mr. Rodriguez has brought us this time because the trailer looks pretty sweet.

Speaking of Robert Rodriguez, he occasionally comes into my place of business in Austin and last time I was lucky enough to help him and his son.  He was on the phone talking about a pre-screening.  My mind immediately thought it was Sin City to which he spoke of.  I played it cool and acted like he was just another customer.  I should have asked if I could be on set the next time Jessica Alba is in her Nancy costume; damn.

STATUS:  I WOULD LIKE TO CHECK IT OUT

Why I'm Excited For Guardians of the Galaxy

If you ask the average person to list Marvel heroes they'll probably tell you about Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, and Thor.  I doubt anywhere on their list will be Star-Lord.  Well, he's only one of the coolest heroes in the Marvel Universe and is the center of Marvel Studios 2014 summer blockbuster.....next to Captain America: Winter Soldier.  I'll have to admit that not so long ago I too was clueless as to who the Guardians of the Galaxy (GotG) were.  The only character I knew was Rocket Raccoon.  After I heard a movie was in the works I sought out to discover why Marvel thought this relatively unknown comic book would make a good movie before characters like Black Panther or Ms. Marvel.

Luckily my local library had the 2008 series on file so I could get acquainted with the Guardians.  To my joy, I ended up loving these characters!  Star-Lord reminded me so much of Chris Pine's portrayal of James T. Kirk in the current Star Trek films.  He's got a boyish charm, he means well, but usually is pulling his plans out of his ass as he goes along.  Ask my wife who that reminds her of.  In the series, Star-Lord recruits a team of lone-wolves and outcasts to fight impending intergalactic catastrophes.  He has to lie to them a little to get them to play along, and of course it comes back to bite him in the ass, but you knew that was coming.  The series was cancelled in 2010 after twenty-five issues.  

Last year Brian Michael Bendis brought back the GotG for a new on-going series.  Bendis re-told Star-Lord's origin and had Tony Stark tag-along as familiarity for readers.  This comic is going strong and I hope people read the first graphic novel "Cosmic Avengers" before seeing the film, which comes out in August.  After rumors that we may FINALLY get a trailer for the film this week I wanted to give you a brief rundown as to who the Guardians of the Galaxy are.

Peter Quill/Star-Lord

His father fell from the sky and fell in love with his human mother.  When Peter was a child aliens came looking for him and ended up killing his mother.  Peter ran away and made a vow to avenge his mother's death by going into space and seeking justice.  There he met his biological father, who is Prince of the Spartoi Empire, and kind of an asshole.  So Peter did what all normal kids do; he formed a gang and caused his dad a lot of trouble.

After the success of The LEGO Movie, I think this going to be Chris Pratt's break-out year.  I've always loved him in Parks and Recreations and I think the charm he exhibits as Andy will come across great as Star-Lord.

Gamora

Remember that purple guy at the end of Avengers?  Well he's a daddy.  Thanos trains his adopted daughter to become a great killer/assassin, but when she sees him for the villain he is she takes off and joins Star-Lord in taking back the galaxy from their tyrannical parents.

I think this film cements Zoe Saldana as the Queen of Sci-Fi.  She's played Uhura in Star Trek and the lead female in James Cameron's Avatar.  Adding another alien hottie to her resume just makes me want to say, "all hail the Queen."

Arthur Sampson Douglas/ Drax the Destroyer

Arthur was with his family when Thanos killed them all and left him for dead.  The being Kronos found Arthur and transformed him into a superhuman weapon to unleash and defeat Thanos.  His lust for vengeance has made Drax a powerful killer as he rampaged through the galaxy till he received justice.  I'm sure you can see why he teamed-up with Star-Lord and Gamora.

Of all the actors in this film Dave Bautista has me the most worried.  He's got the look and build to pull off Drax, but I've never been impressed with wrestlers branching out to film.  But I do trust Kevin Feige and director James Gunn that they got the right guy for the part. "All hail Feige."

Groot

This alien is strong enough to go toe-to-toe with the Hulk, but all he says is, "I am Groot."  In his native language he is saying something, but in English every sentence he says is "I am Groot."  Groot's the last of his race, the Floral Colossus,  and some would like to finish the genocide by taking out Groot.  However it's a little hard to do when the being can grow in size and hangs out with a genius raccoon with lots of big guns.

Remember The Iron Giant?  It was a great film and Vin Diesel voiced the Giant before he ever stepped into the Fast and Furious franchise.  I highly recommend watching the film, and then you'll see why Diesel is going to say more with three words than most do with a hundred.

Rocket Raccoon

As a guardian of an outcast planet full of 'Loonies' Rocket is out to keep the galaxy at peace and use his high level IQ, and bad attitude, to keep it that way.  This is the most-well-known character of the GotG, and the one most are excited to see.  

Bradley Cooper is lending his voice to this classic character and though he wasn't my first choice I have more than enough faith in Cooper.  I've been watching his career since he was on the WB show Jack and Bobby with Logan Lerman.  I just really hope he never actually is cast as the Flash like some fan boys want.

So this is just a brief history of the characters origins.  I'm not sure what spin the film will put on the characters but given that Thanos has a history with several characters we can be guess that the galactic Titan will at least appear in the film, hopefully for more than just an over-the-shoulder smile.  This film could open up the Marvel cinematic universe like the Grand Canyon.  Just the idea of the Nova Corps appearing is enough to make me giggle.  A look at the GotG toyline was just released and it just makes me crave a trailer even more.  With this relatively unknown property I feel like Marvel Studios is going to have to market the hell out of it.  I think Marvel is about to face it's toughest challenge yet in GotG, but I have every faith that it'll be awesome.  A sequel is already planned, and if GotG is a success I can see 20th Century Fox putting out a Starjammers movie at some point.
 Finally, just to paint you a funny visual, in one issue of Bendis's current run, Tony Stark sleeps with Gamora and has an awkward-after moment.  When I read that scene all I could think of was Robert Downey Jr. and Zoe Saldana.  Plus, Tony got a lecture from a raccoon afterwards.