The Doctor's Halloween Movie Special 2022

Hi everyone. Welcome to my Halloween Movie Special!

Every year in October, I enjoy spending some of my free time watching horror movies and TV series. So if you are planning on staying in for Halloween, here are some films and TV shows you might want to check out.

Let's begin!

HELLRAISER (2022)

Surprisingly released straight to Hulu, this reboot follows a young woman struggling with addiction. She soon finds herself in possession of the ancient puzzle box known as the Lament Configuration, unaware that its purpose is to summon the dreaded Cenobites.

Directed by David Bruckner (The Ritual, VHS), this new version of Hellraiser tries some new things and sets up some new rules. For example, solving the Lament Configuration alone isn't enough to be sent to Hell. The puzzle box now hides a blade which will doom whomever is cut regardless of who solved it. Unfortunately, this resulted in the movie devolving into a slasher flick at times but it was still an interesting change. There are other changes to the rules but I am not sure the film quite follows them all as it appears to break them at times.

Another change is the Cenobites no longer wear leather. Instead, they appear to wear their own mutilated flesh as clothes. The Cenobites are as scary as ever and Jamie Clayton is amazing as the new Pinhead. She did her own interpretation and knocked it out of the park.

Jamie Clayton kills it as Pinhead... Bad pun not intended.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this take on the Clive Barker classic despite its flaws. It felt like the story had a message. It shows what addiction can do to someone as they take down those around them, including loved ones. If you enjoyed the original film, I suggest giving this one a try.

X

Set in 1979, a small cast and crew set out to make an adult film on an elderly couple's property in rural Texas. But the filmmakers soon find themselves fighting for their lives.

I think I downloaded the wrong adult film.

Directed by Ti West (The Sacrament), this is a fun homage to 70's slasher flicks like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The film also features standout performances by Mia Goth and Jenna Ortega.

X was just released this year and a followup called Pearl was already released in theaters to great reviews. I have yet to see it but based on what I saw from X, I look forward to checking Pearl out as well.

THE BLACK PHONE

A 13-year-old boy is kidnapped and held prisoner in a soundproof basement by a sadistic masked killer. However, the boy soon finds out he can communicate with the murderer's previous victims through a disconnected phone on the wall. Will they be able to help the boy escape?

"Who wants to see the back of my van?"

Directed by Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange, Sinister), and based on a short story of the same name by Joe Hill, this was an intense thriller and one of my favorite horror films this year. Ethan Hawke is super creepy as the masked antagonist. The film will have you on the edge of your seat while you root for the protagonist to escape. Highly recommended.

NOPE

This sci-fi horror movie follows two horse-wrangling siblings as they attempt to capture evidence of an unidentified flying object. But what is it exactly they are trying to capture?

What exactly is going on here? An abduction? Do you really want to know?.... Nope.

This is another great horror film from director Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us). What I enjoy about Peele's films is how layered they are. I can also tell he is a fan of The Twilight Zone since his films often feel like they were inspired by the old sci-fi show. If you liked his previous films then this is an easy one to recommend.

BARBARIAN

A young woman books a rental home but discovers it was somehow booked at the same time by a strange man. Against her better judgement, the young lady decides to stay anyway. But she soon learns things are not how they seem at this creepy house.

This might just be my favorite horror film this year. I do not want to give anything away but the film kind of changes genre in the middle of it, and yet it continues to throw twists at the viewer as the story moves along.

Justin Long plays one of the most detestable characters in the film but also has some of the funniest scenes.

Writer/director Zach Cregger clearly took a lot of risks with this film. It has some of the tropes you expect from a horror movie but also eschews the typical formulas audiences have come to expect. That might be polarizing to some but I think that it mostly works in this case. It is a surprising and entertaining film. A stand out among horror movies. It is also available on streaming platforms right now. I think this is one of those movies that is best watched knowing as little as possible, and even better when watching it with a group of people. So go find some friends and make this a priority.

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT

This Disney+ MCU special follows a group of deadly hunters who convene following the death of their leader. The attendees are then instructed to participate in a deadly competition to determine a new leader, and for possession of a powerful artifact.

The titular Werewolf by Night is just one of the new characters introduced to the MCU

I was really surprised by this special. You wouldn't think a good horror film would debut on Disney+ taking place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but here we are. The great thing is you do not need any knowledge of the MCU to enjoy it. This short film is under an hour but serves as an homage to classic Universal monster movies. It isn't scary but the film is surprisingly bloody and gory. It is all done in black and white, which may be why they can get away with it.

This was a fun special and my only criticism is that I want to see more of these characters. Here's hoping we'll see them in future MCU releases.

PREY

This is another film I am surprised went straight to Hulu as it could have made a lot of money in theaters. The story follows a Comanche warrior who finds herself having to protect her people from a highly evolved alien predator.

Taking place in 1719, Prey is the fifth entry in the Predator film franchise and a prequel to the previous four films. This movie features the Feral Predator with a much more primitive look.

He's ugly even for the Yautja (the name of the Predator race).

This is the best Predator film in a long time. It does follow somewhat of a slasher flick formula but it is so well done and unique with the setting and characters. My only small gripe is that it was filmed mostly in English but I can understand why they did that. I recommend watching this film with the Comanche dub. It's just more immersive that way. Big thumbs up for this one.

ANNIHILATION

A biologist and former soldier joins a dangerous expedition into a mysterious zone where the normal laws of nature do not apply.

Directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Men) and based on the novel of the same name, this sci-fi horror story has some Lovecraftian elements similar to the film Color Out of Space (which is an adaptation of a Lovecraft story). Both films focus on a mysterious, extraterrestrial force that lands on Earth and begins to warp reality around it. It is like a horrific infection that cannot be contained.

Annihilation features imagery that is both beautiful and horrific.

I think this film is a little more cerebral than most horror movies as it explores challenging themes but that is why I love it. This is a film that makes you think and you may be wondering what exactly you experienced by the film's end. This film also has a great cast featuring Natalie Portman (Black Swan, Leon: The Professional) and Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Inside Llewyn Davis) so check this film out now.

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB

The latest Netflix offering from Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Gerald's Game, Hush) centers on a group of eight terminally ill young adults who live in at a mysterious manor and gather at midnight to tell scary stories.

Based on the Christopher Pike novel of the same name, despite the setting lending itself to an anthology series, this is not that kind of show. There are central mysteries the characters explore within the manor, and the stories they tell mainly serve as a form of character development. The club members often put themselves into the stories they tell, making the stories more of an extension of who they really are and what they have experienced.

The Midnight Club getting ready to "make ghosts" by telling their stories.

I went into this show thinking it was a limited series like all of Flanagan's previous Netflix shows like Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Bly Manor. However, the story ends with some story threads left unfinished and some mysteries unexplained. I was disappointed at first but then I found out that Flanagan meant for this to have multiple seasons. I am hoping that happens but a second season has not yet been announced.

Ultimately, this show was not very scary but features strong characters like most of Flanagan's previous efforts. This first season (and maybe last) offers an emotional journey that happens to have a lot of jump scares. Give this show a chance and maybe we will get that second season. The Midnight Club is streaming on Netflix now.

That's it for my annual Halloween Movie Special. Thank you for reading! I hope you all have fun this year and stay safe. Just don't solve any puzzle boxes if you don't know where they came from. Happy Halloween!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Teaser Trailer

Marvel Studios has released the first teaser trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2! Need a hug?

Fantastic trailer that has that same fun feel we remember from the first film. And who can't get behind cute little baby Groot? More of this please!

Marvel also released a new poster for the film.

Written and directed by James Gunn, the film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Glenn Close, Chris Sullivan, Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will arrive in US theaters on May 5, 2017.

Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders - SDCC Teaser Trailers

Sweet Christmas! Watch the SDCC teaser trailer for Marvel's original Netflix series, Luke Cage!

Assuming the show follows the same quality as Daredevil and Jessica Jones, Luke Cage will be a must-watch for fans of the superhero genre.

Here is an official synopsis:

"After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter) becomes a fugitive who attempts to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But soon he is pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city - forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury."


Want more? Marvel also released a teaser trailer for Iron Fist!

Here is a short synopsis:

"Danny Rand (Finn Jones) returns to New York City, after being missing for years, to fight corruption with a proficiency in kung-fu and the ability to call upon the power of the Iron Fist."


But that's not all. Marvel also revealed the teaser trailer for The Defenders!

The Defenders serves as a culmination of the various Marvel Netflix shows. It features Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist as they unite to face their biggest threat yet.


Finally, Marvel also released an awesome sizzle trailer for their Netflix programs..... because apparently we are not hyped enough.

The first season of Luke Cage will debut on Netflix on September 30, 2016. The Defenders will arrive sometime in 2017. No release date was revealed for Iron Fist, but it is expected to premiere in 2017.

Doctor Strange - Official Teaser Trailer

Check out the official teaser trailer for Marvel's Doctor Strange!

That was some amazing imagery. Very exotic and otherworldly. Feels much different than anything else from Marvel, yet still feels like it fits in well. Cannot wait to see more.

Directed by Scott Derrickson, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mads Mikkelsen, and Tilda Swinton.

The story revolves around an arrogant but brilliant surgeon, Stephen Strange, who learns the mystic arts from the Ancient One after his career is destroyed by a near-fatal car accident.

Doctor Strange is set to release in US theaters on November 4, 2016.

Captain America: Civil War - Second Official Trailer

The new Spider-Man debuts in the latest trailer for Captain America: Civil War!

This looks great so far. We saw Black Panther take down the Winter Soldier from a speeding motorcycle, Ant-Man riding Hawkeye's arrow, and Spider-Man finally jump in to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time!

Interestingly, Spider-Man's eyes can change size, which appears to be facilitated by mechanical shutters as evidenced by the details around the eyes in the pic above, and the sound that can be heard as the eyes change in the trailer. Very clever design reminiscent of a camera's aperture, which may have been inspired by Peter Parker's "real life" job as a photographer for the Daily Bugle.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), the film stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Chadwick Boseman, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, and Martin Freeman.

Here is an official synopsis:

"Captain America: Civil War finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps - one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark's surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability."

Captain America: Civil War will swing into US theaters on May 6, 2016.

X-Men: Apocalypse - First Official Trailer

The end is nigh in the first official trailer for X-Men: Apocalypse!

Apocalypse looks a lot better in the trailer than he did previously released photos. Either way, this looks like a fun blockbuster.

Directed by Bryan Singer, the film stars Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Sophie Turner, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult, Evan Peters, Alexandra Shipp, Olivia Munn, Lucas Till, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ben Hardy, Tye Sheridan, Lana Condor, and Oscar Isaac.

Here is a short synopsis:

"Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel's X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction."

X-Men: Apocalypse will arrive in US theaters on May 27, 2016.

Captain America: Civil War - First Official Trailer

It's here! Marvel has released the first official trailer for Captain America: Civil War!

First of all, Black Panther looks awesome. Second, this movie may be even bigger than Avengers: Age of Ultron. We will see some of the usual team members like Black Widow and Hawkeye, as well as newer additions such as Ant-Man and Spider-Man. It will be interesting to see how they handle so many characters, even if the focus is mainly on Captain America.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), the film stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Chadwick Boseman, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, and Martin Freeman.

Here is an official synopsis:

"Captain America: Civil War picks up where Avengers: Age of Ultron left off, as Steve Rodgers leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain."

Captain America: Civil War will arrive in US theaters on May 6, 2016.

Jessica Jones - First Full-Length Trailer

Watch the first full-length trailer for Marvel's new Netflix series, Jessica Jones!

Very intriguing story. The villain came off as disturbingly powerful, and from the looks of it, the show could be even darker than Daredevil.

The series stars Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, David Tennant as Kilgrave, and Mike Colter as Luke Cage.

Here is a short synopsis:

"Ever since her short-lived stint as a Super Hero ended in tragedy, Jessica Jones has been rebuilding her personal life and career as a hot-tempered, sardonic, badass private detective in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. Plagued by self-loathing, and a wicked case of PTSD, Jessica battles demons from within and without, using her extraordinary abilities as an unlikely champion for those in need... especially if they're willing to cut her a check."

This is the second series Marvel will release exclusively for Netflix. Luke Cage and Iron Fist will also be released exclusively for the popular streaming service, which will lead to a big miniseries called The Defenders featuring the lead characters from all four series in one big team-up.

The entire first season of Jessica Jones will be available on Netflix on Friday, November 20th.

Fantastic Four - First Full-Length Trailer

Doctor Doom finally appears in the first full-length trailer for Fantastic Four!.... Say that 10 times fast.

Anyone else suddenly craving ribs? (House of Cards reference) The trailer was not bad, but I still need to see more. For a full-length trailer, I think it could have better differentiated itself from all the other superhero films. Hopefully the next trailer will do just that, considering the burgeoning amount of comic book-related movies in theaters.

Directed by Josh Trank, the film stars Miles Teller as Mr. Fantastic, Kate Mara as The Invisible Woman, Michael B. Jordan as The Human Torch, Jamie Bell as The Thing, and Toby Kebbell as Doom.

Here is an official synopsis for the film:

"FANTASTIC FOUR,  a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel's original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy."

Fantastic Four will arrive in US theaters on August 7th.

Ant-Man - First Full Trailer

Marvel has released a humorous but action-packed new trailer for Ant-Man..... set atop a toy train.

Now this looks like a fun movie. The cast is great, and there is plenty of action, but the film doesn't appear to take itself too seriously, which is a definite plus when the story revolves around a man who shrinks and controls ants.

Directed by Peyton Reed, the film stars Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, and Corey Stoll.

Here is a short synopsis:

"Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world."

Ant-Man will arrive in US theaters on July 17th.

Daredevil - First Full Trailer

Check out the first full trailer for Marvel's new Netflix series, Daredevil.

The trailer definitely fleshes out the story, which is looking like the grittiest take on superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That is good thing since it helps give the series its own unique flavor.

The series stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson, Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple, and Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin.

Here is a short synopsis:

"Meet Matt Murdock. Blinded as a boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, Matt fights injustice by day as a respected lawyer and by night as the masked vigilante known as Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen, New York. He'll do anything to make his city a better place, but at what price?"

Daredevil is the first of 4 new programs slated to be released from Marvel exclusively on Netflix, including A.K.A. Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage. These programs will culminate with the main characters of these shows teaming up for a miniseries called The Defenders. These new programs will also be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which includes popular movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers.

All 13 episodes of Daredevil will be available on Netflix on April 10th.

Avengers: Age of Ultron - Third Official Trailer

Catch a glimpse of the Vision in the newest trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron.

This movie is looking better with each new trailer. What's amazing is that the main antagonist is a robot, but seems to have layers behind him, rather than being just a cartoony villain. I hope my early assessment is correct, but the trailer makes it look promising thanks to some great dialogue.

Directed by Joss Whedon, the film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, James Spader, Paul Bettany, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Elizabeth Olsen.

Here is a short story synopsis:

"When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to the Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure."

Avengers: Age of Ultron will arrive in US theaters on May 1st.

Daredevil - Official Teaser Trailer

Watch the official teaser trailer for Marvel's first Netflix series, Daredevil!

Looks like a dark and gritty program reminiscent of the CW's Arrow, which is definitely a good thing.

The series stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson, Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple, and Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin.

Here is a short synopsis:

"Meet Matt Murdock. Blinded as a boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, Matt fights injustice by day as a respected lawyer and by night as the masked vigilante known as Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen, New York. He'll do anything to make his city a better place, but at what price?"

Daredevil is the first of 4 new programs slated to be released from Marvel exclusively on Netflix. The show will be followed by A.K.A. Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage, all of which will culminate with a miniseries about the Defenders. These new programs will also be a part of Marvel's Cinematic Universe, which includes popular movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers.

All 10 episodes of Daredevil will be available on Netflix on April 10th.

Fantastic Four - Official Teaser Trailer

Fox has finally released the first teaser trailer for their reboot of Fantastic Four!

Director Josh Trank (Chronicle) has recently said that he was going for a hard science feel, and that he was inspired by David Cronenberg films such as The Fly. These influences shows in the trailer as the film definitely looks more grounded and darker than the previous iteration, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Expect to see some "body horror" elements as well. Maybe not straight horror, but the heroes do see their bodies go through some quick and unexpected changes that perhaps get a little out of control. It will be interesting to see a full trailer to get a better feel for the movie.

Thankfully, the film features some talented actors with Miles Teller as Mr. Fantastic, Kate Mara as The Invisible Woman, Michael B. Jordan as The Human Torch, Jamie Bell as The Thing, and Toby Kebbell as Doom.

Here is an official synopsis for the film:

"FANTASTIC FOUR,  a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel's original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy."

Fantastic Four will arrive in US theaters on August 7.

Ant-Man - First Full-Sized Teaser Trailer

Marvel has finally released the full-sized teaser trailer for Ant-Man!

Not a lot to go off of yet, but a god introduction to the character. The film definitely has potential with such a great cast. Directed by Peyton Reed, the film stars Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, and Corey Stoll.

Here is a short synopsis:

"Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world."

Ant-Man will release in US theaters on July 17.

Avengers: Age of Ultron - First Official Teaser Trailer

It's here! Watch the epic first official teaser trailer for Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron!

That trailer gave me chills, and that last line was just perfect.

Directed by Joss Whedon, the film sees the return of Marvel favorites Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).

Newcomers include James Spader as the villainous Ultron, Paul Bettany as The Vision, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Quicksilver, and Elizabeth Olsen as The Scarlet Witch.

Here is a short story summary courtesy of IMDb:

"When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it is up to The Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans."

Avengers: Age of Ultron will open in US theaters on May 1, 2015.

First Look at Paul Rudd as Scott Lang in ANT-MAN

Marvel began production on Ant-Man yesterday in San Francisco, and with that news comes the first official shot of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, the man who becomes the titular hero.

Directed by Peyton Reed (Yes Man, The Break-Up), the story sees genius scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) enlist a thief (Rudd) to safeguard his size-changing technology, and to create a superhero who will defend the world (IMDb). The film also stars Corey Stoll (House of Cards) as antagonist Darren Cross/Yellowjacket, and Evangeline Lilly (The Hobbit) as Pym's daughter, Hope.

The picture isn't much, so let's take a look at some exclusive test footage courtesy of Uproxx!

That never gets old. For those not familiar with the joke, Paul Rudd has a history of showing this clip on Conan instead of showing a clip from whatever project he is working on. Take a look at this montage.

Ant-Man is scheduled to open in US theaters on July 17th, 2015.

Guardians of the Galaxy - Review

Guardians of the Galaxy is finally out and making tons of money, but does it deserve your hard-earned cash? Short answer: I am Groot.

The story is rather simple, centering around a mysterious orb that everyone wants to get their hands on. Chris Pratt plays Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, an outlaw who finds the orb so he can sell it for a large sum of credits. Gamora (Zoe Saldana) attempts to take the orb from Quill so she can sell it herself, but things get slightly complicated when Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel) show up to collect the bounty on Star-Lord's head.

It isn't Shakespeare, but the story serves the film well, moving at a brisk pace to introduce various characters and plot points in an entertaining fashion. The actual feel of the film is reminiscent of classics like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars. Star-Lord even comes across like a mash-up of Indiana Jones and Han Solo, with just a dash of Captain Kirk. Though Chris Pratt is a bit sillier than those characters, he does it with style and personality, such as when Star-Lord does a little dance during the intro title sequence.

A visual seemingly inspired by Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Putting together a team so quickly and making the audience care about them is a difficult endeavor, but director James Gunn did an excellent job considering the time frame allotted to accomplish this task. Every character has different motivations and backstories that are revealed without feeling too contrived. In particular, the foul-mouthed raccoon called Rocket and his sentient tree friend known as Groot really steal the show. Bradley Cooper does such a good job that you will forget he is behind the voice. Vin Diesel emotes excellently as Groot as well. "I am Groot" takes on many meanings and you will feel his emotions.

This guy will win your heart.

Part of the reason the characters are so likable is because of the dialogue. There are some bad parts, such as one scene where Gamora feels the need to explain to the audience what they already saw, but these are few and far between. For the most part, the dialogue is very funny and helps the personalities of these characters really shine. For example, when Drax (Dave Bautista) is made fun of because he takes things too literally, Rocket says that metaphors will just go right over his head. Drax responds, "Nothing goes over my head! My reflexes are too fast. I will seize it." Moments like these really add to the fun atmosphere of the film, and the team dynamic really flourishes as a result.

I trust what he says about his reflexes.

While the protagonists are fairly well-developed, the villains feel like a missed opportunity. We know so little about Korath (Djimon Hounsou) that he might as well be just another faceless henchman. Nebula (Karen Gillan) has a backstory with Gamora and Thanos (Josh Brolin), but this could have been fleshed out a little more, which would only have helped give even more depth to Gamora as well. Ronan (Lee Pace) is a powerful and intimidating villain, but it would have been nice to see him use that power a little more. This does not take away from the film very much, but it would have made the villains more interesting, and added more tension to the eventual climax.

If you see Ronan in a dark alley, RUN!

One of the more interesting characters in the film is Yondu, played by Michael Rooker. He is the leader of an intergalactic band of outlaws called the Ravagers. Yondu took in Peter Quill and trained him as one of his own. However, Yondu serves as both an obstacle and an ally for Star-Lord. Definitely one of the more complex characters in the story, and hopefully one to show up again in the Marvel cinematic universe.

Note to self: do not get on this guy's bad side.

Another standout in the film is the superb soundtrack. The best thing about it is that it is not just arbitrary music. Some of the songs are related directly to the story. Star-Lord's most prized possession is his cassette player, his only tie to Earth. The player houses a mixtape with various songs from the 70s such as "Cherry Bomb" by The Runaways and "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" by Elvin Bishop. These tracks help set the mood and keep the fun going as the story progresses.

"I-I-I, I'm hooked on a feeling! I'm high on believing! That you're in love with me!"

The visuals impress in terms of special effects and frenetic action that takes place, which includes gunfights, dogfights with spaceships, and hand-to-hand combat, all of which add to the fast and fun mood of the film. Again, both Rocket and Groot stand out in this sense as well. Part of the reason the audience grows to care about them is because of how good the animation is.

Pretty!

The various locations these characters visit also pop, with lots of interesting inhabitants depending on the kind of place they visit. For example, Xandar looks like a sunny planet and is home to the Nova Corps, an intergalactic police force that wants to stop Ronan. On the other hand, Knowhere is a seedy locale featuring a few unsavory characters and questionable activities.

Knowhere is also the severed head of a being called a Celestial... Creepy.

Marvel took a lot of risks with this film. James Gunn has never had a project of this scale, the characters are obscure even among comic book fans, four out of five of the main characters are not even human, and the film comes off as more sci-fi than superhero compared to the rest of the Marvel cinematic universe. Yet it somehow all adds up to a highly entertaining ride. The characters are memorable, the visuals are some of the best around, the soundtrack is stellar, and the cast does a great job playing off each other. Any perceived flaws come off as trivial when you are having this much fun. In the end, that is all a film like this really needs to be.

That is why Guardians of the Galaxy earns a 9 out of 10!

"You're damn right we get a 9 out of 10!"

This is arguably one of Marvel's best films to date. Right up there with Iron Man 1, Avengers, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. If you asked me if I wanted a sequel, I would say, "I want them back." ;)

Big Hero 6 - First Full Trailer

Check out the first full trailer for Disney and Marvel's Big Hero 6!

The film definitely looks like a lot of fun. Baymax on low battery comes off like he is a funny drunk. The trailer also briefly introduces us to the other members of Big Hero 6, as well as the kabuki-masked antagonist. Let's hope that Disney continues to utilize appropriate Marvel properties for future animated films like this one.

Make sure to take a look at the official website for more on the film such as character info and a picture gallery.

Big Hero 6 will hit US theaters on November 7th.

Guardians of the Galaxy - Official Extended Trailer

Check out the new extended trailer for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy!

Every trailer for this film has delivered, and this one is no exception. The dialog is funny, and the action looks like a lot of fun. The soundtrack looks to be great too, with this trailer featuring the blood-pumping "Cherry Bomb" from The Runaways. In addition, Bradley Cooper looks like he is going to steal the show as Rocket Raccoon.

The film also stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Lee Pace, and Karen Gillan.

Guardians of the Galaxy will be released in US theaters on August 1st.