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.

The Doctor's Halloween Movie Special

Welcome to my Halloween Movie Special!

Every October, I like spending some of my free time watching horror movies and sharing my thoughts on them. So if you are staying at home for Halloween, or just want a good list of horror films to watch, you might want to check out some of these movies, most of which are available on Netflix.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Some of the following images are gory so do not proceed if that is not your thing.

With that out of the way, let's begin!


OCULUS

Starring popular Doctor Who alumnus, Karen Gillan, Oculus stands out because it's not gory, but instead more psychological. The story centers around an odd mirror that affects the senses of those who dare get near it.

"This fruit's juice tastes a little funny."

The film has a bit of a vibe similar to The Shining, but it also has a lot of flashbacks, which serve to confuse the audience as well as the protagonists. Unfortunately, the acting is a bit uneven, with many of the main characters lacking chemistry with each other. However, Karen Gillan does a great job, although her American accent could use some work. Oculus is unique enough to warrant a look.


HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II

If you know me, I love Hellraiser. It is a great horror film that is both gory and character driven. The sequel is not quite as good as the first, but it is still a very good film featuring even more gore than before.

Nah, he'll be alright..... It's just a flesh wound.

If you want to find out more about the Cenobites, and the realm in which they reside, this film will answer those questions. However, I feel that it takes a bit of the mystique away by actually showing us what Hell is like. Nonetheless, Hellbound is a worthy successor to the first film.


CANDYMAN

This has got to be one of the best horror movies I have ever seen. The premise is simple: a grad student investigates an urban legend called "Candyman." Saying his name five times will summon him to kill you. Sounds so basic, but it is so much more.

"I think I overdid it with the weight loss."

Yes, there is some gore in this film, but it is also very cerebral. The protagonist's life spirals out of control, and you begin to question what is real. Furthermore, the film doesn't lose steam in the final act, staying strong throughout. If you like horror films, this is one you need to watch.


GRAVE ENCOUNTERS

This was one of the weaker films I saw this year, though the premise is interesting. A crew of ghost hunters from a reality series encounter some real ghosts, which turn out to be deadly.

"Oh look, a friendly ghost. It just wants to say hi!"

The film doesn't try to fool the audience into thinking it might be real. The first act is entertaining with some comedy sprinkled in, but once the scares begin, the film is not as effective. Nonetheless, there are some great ideas here. I just wish the director stuck to the comedy a bit more because the film just isn't all that scary. If you don't like found footage type films, stay away. If you do, this is just ok to watch with some friends. Certainly watch the other films on this list first.


NIGHTBREED

This is a cult classic from Clive Barker, though it's not a typical horror film. The monsters are the "good guys," and the antagonist is a human serial killer.

I don't think that's the kind of mask that comes off.

The main problem with Nightbreed is that it is too ambitious. There is some world-building since the monsters live in an underground society called Midian, and the film has many interesting characters (the monsters in particular), but fitting them all into one film makes the pacing feel rushed. Furthermore, the final act feels like it could have gone further with the action and gore, though that could have been due to a budget issue.

Despite the flaws, there is a certain charm to the film. It is incredibly imaginative, and worth watching because it is so unique. It feels like there are many layers to the characters that inhabit this world, even if there isn't enough time to explore them all. I'd love to see more from Nightbreed in the future, although I can't help but feel the story would work a little better as a TV series.

Horror fans should give this film a shot. Funny little coincidence that the director's cut was just released on Blu-Ray/DVD earlier this week. Go get a copy!


YOU'RE NEXT

On the outside, this looks like just another home invasion movie, and the setup is pretty basic with a family reunion suddenly interrupted by men in masks. Panic and gore ensue. However, this is a smart movie that knows how to have fun.

Points for proper spelling.

Part of what makes this movie stand out is that one of the family guests just so happens to possess strong survival skills. What's so great is that she still acts realistic in how she approaches fighting back. She still seems vulnerable, as she is taking on several assailants. So despite the protagonist's training, there is still quite a bit of tension as she hides and strategically plans her actions. This is probably my second favorite on this list after Candyman, so go watch it on Netflix now!


WISHMASTER

This one gets creativity points. The antagonist is a djinn, a demon with incredible power, but can only use that power to grant other people's wishes. As a result, the djinn tries to get people to reveal what they want so he can twist their words and use their desires to kill them in creative ways.

"I think I need more moisturizer."

Unfortunately, the movie is not that strong as a whole. The acting is fairly weak, and the horror element is rather gimmicky. On the other hand, the film does have an all-star horror cast with Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th), Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street), and Tony Todd (Candyman). Furthermore, both the first and final acts go all out with gore and special effects, an effort I can appreciate. Overall, Wishmaster is a very flawed film, but still a fun watch.


RE-ANIMATOR

If you like gore and a little dark comedy, this is one for you. Based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft, the film revolves around a medical student (Jeffrey Combs) who concocts a serum to reanimate the dead. Of course, the serum has some nasty side effects, such as the little problem of causing the reanimated to kill indiscriminately. Well, most of the time anyway.

"Please don't eat me. I make a terrible appetizer."

Part of what makes this film stand out is how over-the-top it is. It's a fun, campy horror movie. However, there is one particular graphic scene with a severed head and a nude woman that is a bit hard to watch, but it does still fit in with the gore and nudity that is prevalent throughout. The comedy also helps make the film entertaining, such as some of Jeffrey Combs' dialogue, and visual gags that are also gory. If you don't like gore, stay away. Otherwise, this is a must-see for horror fans.


That's it for my Halloween Special. I hope you all have fun and stay safe. Happy Halloween!

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." ;)

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.

Guardians of the Galaxy - International Trailer

The new international trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy features a lot more Rocket Raccoon, and it is awesome. "I am Groot" indeed.

The best thing about this trailer is it gives a good feel for the characters and story, which also gives potential audiences a reason to care. More trailers need to go in this direction.

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

Guardians of the Galaxy is scheduled to release in US theaters on August 1st.

Josh Brolin Cast as Thanos for Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

According to Variety, Josh Brolin is set to play the big bad villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thanos. The character made a brief appearance in The Avengers during the end credits, but will also show up in Guardians of the Galaxy, and at least one of the upcoming Avengers sequels.

How big the role will be in Guardians of the Galaxy remains to be seen, but the film will likely be tied to The Avengers 3 and possibly other Marvel films.

Guardians of the Galaxy is set to release in U.S. theaters on August 1st.

Guardians of the Galaxy - Trailer 2

The newest trailer for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is here!

The cast looks promising, and the special effects look amazing. In particular, Groot and Rocket could steal the show. Vin Diesel's voice sounds perfect for the sentient tree, and Bradley Cooper seems like an inspired choice for Rocket.

As for the villains, the cast is rounded out by Lee Pace (The Hobbit) as Ronan the Accuser, Karen Gillan (Doctor Who) as Nebula, and Djimon Hounsou (How to Train Your Dragon 2) as Korath the Pursuer. There are rumors that Thanos may also show up in this film, but nothing is confirmed. If he does make an appearance, it might help tie the film to a future Avengers movie. A potential Guardians/Avengers team-up would be very exciting.

Thanos' brief appearance in The Avengers

Marvel has a proven track record when it comes to origin stories, and Guardians of the Galaxy looks like it is shaping up nicely. The film also stands out as being the first Marvel production that focuses on a group since The Avengers, so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Guardians of the Galaxy is headed to U.S. theaters on August 1st.