Movie Review - The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special

Director: James Gunn
Genre: Science Fiction/ Action/ Adventure/ Comedy
Runtime: 41 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Pom Klementiff, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Sean Gunn, Michael Rooker, Kevin Bacon
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 51: A CHRISTMAS MOVIE
 
Description: The Guardians of the Galaxy engage in some spirited shenanigans in an all-new original Holiday special.

Review: Marvel’s first special came out on Hallowee, being “Werewolf by Night”, an ode to classic monster movies from the 1930s. I loved that one. And we didn’t have to wait that long for another special, this time for Christmas. The Guardians of the Galaxy come together again for their own Christmas special.

Both “Guradians of the Galaxy” film are amongst my favorite Marvel film ever. So I couldn’t wait to see this short film, set during the holidays. The focus is on Mantis and Drax, who are trying to find the perfect gift for Peter, to give him an unforgettable Christmas. The film is hilarious, as we are used to from the previous movies.  But director James Gunn managed to add some sentiment in it as well.

“The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special” is a small package with a big heart. Loved it.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Love and Monsters

Director: Michael Matthews
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 109 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Jessica Henwick, Michael Rooker, Dan Ewing, Ariana Greenblatt, Ellen Hollman, Tre Hale, Paccharo Mzembe, Senie Priti, Amali Golden

Description: Seven years after he survived the monster apocalypse, lovably hapless Joel (Dylan O’Brien) leaves his cozy underground bunker behind on a quest to reunite with his ex (Jessica Henwick)

Review: Because of a chemical reaction, life on Earth has been forever affected. Animals have mutated into dangerous giant monsters, and humanity has already been substantially wiped out. Survivors hide in underground bunkers, including the terrified Joel Dawson. He decides to brave the monstrous world, searching for his ex-girlfriend Aimee.
In “Love and Monsters”, animals have mutated and become gigantic monsters. We see especially the normally small animals, like insects, frogs, snails, that turned into giant creatures. Suddenly these animals can be life-threatening. Seeing Joel struggle with these monstrous critters makes for a cool viewing experience. Fortunately, the film never takes itself too seriously and the tone remains lighthearted as a result. Which is the perfect choice for this movie.
In addition, “Love and Monsters” isn’t only action and adventure, it also knows when it’s time to catch your breath. The film gives out main character that extra push of character development and creates sympathy by highlighting his friendly relationship with Boy the dog. Also look out for a conversation between Joel and robot Mav1s that shows how beautiful the world can still be and that not everything is evil. Even during an apocalypse you have to keep looking for hope.
The story is pretty simple, but “Love and Monsters” impresses thanks to a charismatic leading man, incredible CGI and overall a very entertaining film. I really loved this movie, more then I expected too. One of my favorites of 2021.  

Rating: 4,5/ 5

80s Movie Review - Mississippi Burning

Director: Alan Parker
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 128 minutes
Year: 1988
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Gene Hackman, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, Michael Rooker, R. Lee Emry, Stephen Tobolowsky, Kevin Dunn

Description: Two F.B.I. Agents (Willem Dafoe, Gene Hackman) with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.

Review: Mississippi, 1964. Three civil rights activists are horribly murdered. Reason enough for investigation. Two FBI agents, the young Ward and the more experienced Anderson, soon find that they are not welcome in the town. The more evidence that comes to light, the more houses are set on fire as a warning.
The film begins one evening in the state of Mississippi. Two Jewish men and one African America man are in a car together, when they are pulled over by a group of men, members of the Ku Klux Clan. Since there is a cop car nearby, they decide to stop. But they have no intention of helping them. The three men are killed.
The FBI is called in to track down the three missing men. Ward and Anderson are from the North and are not used to the ways in Mississippi. The find out that there is a definite racial difference there. African Americans are looked down upon, are seated in a separate area in restaurants and get worse facilities compared to white people.
Ward and Anderson increasingly feel they are not welcome. The people there feel that they should leave and the rest of the country is just jealous that there is still such a racial disparity here. The people of Mississippi are very proud of their way of dealing with African American citizens.
It still amazes me how people could treat other people like this. And how topical many of the issues in “Mississippi Burning” still are. It’s a very strong movie, great performances by the cast and a story that really captivates you.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

TV Show Review - True Detective (Season 3)

Season: 3
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2019
Starring: Mahershala Ali, Stephen Dorff, Scoot McNairy, Michael Rooker, Carmen Ejogo, Ray Fisher

Description: A macabre crime in the heart of the Ozarks and a mystery deepens over decades and plays out in three separate time periods. Detectives Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff) investigate this dark crime.

Review: The first season of “True Detective” was a sensation. Unknown what to expect, every episode was as intriguing and the mystery kept viewers on the edge of their seats. It had interesting lead characters and the show captivated everyone until the end. So the bar was set for the second season. A new story, new characters, but as expected, it never met the success of the first season.
Season 3 starts again, with a new story and new detectives. We meet Wayne Hays in 2015, who is being interviewed for a TV show about a case of a missing child, that he worked on in the 1980s. In the 1990s more information became available. So this story is told during three time periods: the original investigation in the 1980s, the reopening of the case in the 1990s and the look back in 2015.
In 1980, two kids disappear and detectives Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) and Roland West (Stephen Dorff) investigate this case. When we see the conversations held in 1990 and 2015, we learn that conclusions are drawn that will probably be revisited.
While the investigation is shown in three different time lines, we also get to know Hays and what this case does to him. He meets his wife and mother of his children. The scenes between Hays and his wife Amelia, shows us character development as well.
Although we follow three timelines and they switch constantly, it’s never hard to follow.
The performances are really good. Mahershala Ali steals the show and carries it easily. But Stephen Dorff as well, he is really strong in his role.
The third season of “True Detective” manages to come closer to season 1, when it comes to style, atmosphere, the story, the characters, the performances and how invested you will be. It’s still not as good as the first season, but it comes awfully close.

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 60: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Director: James Gunn
Genre: Action/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 136 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Tommy Flanagan, Sean Gunn

Description: Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' continues the team's adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill's true parentage.

Review: In 2014 everyone was surprised by “Guardians of the Galaxy”. It was such a success, that for me it’s the best Marvel film to date. I was extremely excited for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”, it was at the top of my most anticipated films of 2017 list. And I wasn’t disappointed.
I love how “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is stubborn. Fun cameos, but no forced cross-overs with other Marvel films. Eventually the Guardians will meet up with the Avengers, but for now it’s still its own franchise. And I’m glad.
The characters are more important here. Who are they, where do they come from, what drives them? Family is the key here. Peter Quill meets his father for the first time. Drax and Rocket who lost their family or never had one. Gamora and her struggling relationship with sister Nebula. And Groot, who is always protected by his fellow Guardians, after his big sacrifice in the first movie. They don’t belong anywhere else, but together as a team.
The film has tempo, just like the first. Enough action, humor, drama and sensation. Baby Groot was adorable, Rocket again on fire with sharp comments and Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista did a great job as well. I especially loved Michael Rooker, as Yondu, in this film.
If I have to choose which of the two I think is better, I just can’t. It’s an amazing spectacle, that I immediately want to rewatch.

Rating: 5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 100: Guardians of the Galaxy

Director: James Gunn

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction/ Comedy

Runtime: 120 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro, Djimon Hounsou

Description: After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace). To help fight Ronan and his team and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team known as the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' to save the world.

Review: The popularity of the Marvel movies doesn’t seem to end. After big names like Iron Man, Thor and Captain America getting their own film, the spotlights are now for the heroes from “Guardians of the Galaxy”.

The gang of superheroes was created in 1969, even before “Star Wars”. In 2008 it got a reboot and that’s the focus of this movie. We first meet Peter Quill. The only thing that reminds him of earth is a mix taped with classic pop songs. Quill, aka Star-Lord, is on an expedition to track down a mysterious orb. During his quest he gets ambushed by the Kree, an alien race lead by Ronan the Accuser. Quill manages to escape, but is then attacked by assassin Gamora, who also wants the orb. Bounty hunters Rocket and Groot are after Quill, because of the price on his head. The four get arrested and end up in jail. They make a deal to split the money they get for the orb and Drax also joins the group for his own reasons.

Between all the reboots and sequels that premiered this summer, “Guardians of the Galaxy” is a breath of fresh air. It shows that this movie was made with so much joy, it’s hard not to tag along. The eccentric and nostalgic tone is perfectly complimented by the soundtrack. But it doesn’t only please your ears. “Guardians of the Galaxy” is a visual treat. Everything looks beautiful, the special effects are amazing and mind-blowing.

What really seperates “Guardians of the Galaxy” from its competition is the high dose of humor. People who watch “Parks and Recreation” already know that Chris Pratt’s a comedic talent. But also Rocket, Groot and the dry humor delivered by Drax will definitely make you laugh out loud.

With movies like this, it’s always hard to create depth in characters. That’s also a point “Guardians of the Galaxy” does extremely well. In the first hour the main characters are introduced and you immediately like them and relate to them. Although raccoon Rocket and tree Groot steal the show, all characters have their qualities and you easily fall in love with all five of them.

Marvel has done it again, it really exceeded itself. “Guardians of the Galaxy” is heaps of fun and you immediately want to rewatch it. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Rating: 5/ 5