Review: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ *VERY minor plot details*

The Guardians are back and in a big way. James Gunn returns to helm the sequel to Marvel’s unlikely smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy looking to capitalize on the franchises soaring popularity injecting more humor, more spectacle and more all outrageous fun this time around. This film is not short on stimulation so marvel in the infinite glory that is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) are just a few weeks out from the events of the first film and their out to keep their good name by ridding the galaxy of those who would do it harm. Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), leader of the Sovereign race, has hired the Guardians for a mission in exchange for Gamora’s estranged sister Nebula (Karen Gillan), but situations turn sour as the Guardians find themselves on the other side of the fight. Facing certain death, a mystery traveler rescues the team and reveals himself to be Ego (Kurt Russell), Peter Quill’s missing father accompanied by his servant Mantis (Pom Klementieff).

Angry about the escape, Ayesha hires Yondu (Michael Rooker) and his crew to hunt down the Guardians and bring them back to pay for their crimes. The Ravagers head out to find the heroes while Quill comes to grip with his new found father; but could everything be as it appears? Facing a multitude of foes closing in on the team, they must align with some unusual allies to once again protect the galaxy from certain destruction. Can the Guardians remain vigilant in their quest for good to prevail or will outside forces pull the team apart and end their friendship forever?

Marvel continues to find the perfect directors to lead their franchises, bringing out the very best in the source material by allowing these directors to inject their unique style of storytelling. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Director James Gunn‘s radical departure from the core Marvel movies made the first film a surprise hit, but no one will be surprised when Vol. 2 wows audiences this weekend with its rare brand of humor and eye popping visuals. The cast, including Chris PrattZoe Saldana and Dave Bautista, are noticeably more comfortable this time around within their characters and within their collaboration with each other. Kurt Russell is an outstanding edition to this cast and, as the elder statesmen, brings out the very best in Pratt’s Star Lord during their emotional scenes.

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is an absolute joy of a film. From start to finish, the ride is nothing short of exactly what you would expect from a James Gunn Guardians of the Galaxy film. Take the family, take the neighbors, take everyone you know and run to the theater to see this…and do NOT leave your seat throughout the credits…there is 5 extra scenes!

Stars:

4 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

Yes. 5! 4 throughout credits and 1 post credit

Trailer:

Mayor Nutter Proclaims ‘CREED’ Day in Philadelphia

IMG_2580Standing atop the Philadelphia Art Museum’s iconic steps, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter proclaimed Wednesday, November 25th “Creed” Day in honor of the upcoming film—opening that same day—which explores the next chapter in the “Rocky” saga.  Joining Mayor Nutter to receive the official proclamation were Stallone himself and fellow Creed stars Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson, and the film’s writer/director, Ryan Coogler, and producer Irwin Winkler.

The film, which brings Rocky Balboa face-to-face with the son of his one-time rival and best friend, Apollo Creed, was shot in and around the City of Brotherly Love.  The museum steps, and the statue of Rocky that stands at the bottom of them, can, in fact, be seen in Creed.

Mayor Nutter also gifted the team from Creed with individually inscribed miniature Liberty Bells to mark the occasion; they, in turn, presented the mayor with a framed rendering of the mural, created as a special tribute to the city, that was installed this morning at the Front Street Gym in North Philly, a location that features prominently in the new film.

Following the presentations, former football star Vince Papale—who, much like Rocky, went from underdog to hometown hero to sports superstar when he became a walk-on Philadelphia Eagle—opened the floor for questions from the press in attendance.

From Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema comes award-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s Creed. The film reunites Coogler with his Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed, and explores a new chapter in the “Rocky” story, starring Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone in his iconic role.

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born.  Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.

Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer.  Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend.  Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

Creed also stars Tessa Thompson (Selma, Dear White People); Phylicia Rashad (Lifetime’s “Steel Magnolias”); and English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew.

Ryan Coogler directed from a screenplay he wrote with Aaron Covington, based on a story by Coogler.  The film is being produced by Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton and Sylvester Stallone, with Nicolas Stern executive producing.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures present, in association with New Line Cinema, a Chartoff Winkler Production, Creed.  The film opens nationwide on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, with select international territories as well as all television distribution being handled by MGM.

Creed has been rated PG-13 for violence, language and some sensuality.

You can view pics from the press conference here

Advanced Screening of ‘Creed’ in Select Theaters Nationwide *Regal Crown Club*

creedpostersmallRegal Crown Club is sponsoring a bunch of advanced screenings for the upcoming drama Creed on Wednesday November 11th and we have them for you below!

Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born. Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa. Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer. Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend. Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring. With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

The screenings are in the following cities:

Albany, NY

Albuquerque, NM

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, GA

Austin, TX

Boise, ID

Bossier City, LA

Carmel, IN

Charlotte, NC

Charlottesville, VA

Chicago, IL

Coeur D’Alene, ID

Colonial Heights, VA

Columbia, SC

Denver, CO

Dublin, CA

Eugene, OR

Fort Myers, FL

Fresno, CA

Gainesville, FL

Gambrills, MD

Garner, NC

Honolulu, HI

Houston, TX

Irving, TX

Knoxville, TN

Lakewood, WA

Las Vegas, NV

Lexington, KY

Live Oak, TX

Marlborough, MA

Mason, OH

Minneapolis, MN

Naples, FL

New Albany, IN

New Rochelle, NY

Norfolk, VA

North Little Rock, AR

Nashville, TN

Orlando, FL

Pinellas Park, FL

Royal Palm Beach, FL

Sacramento, CA

San Diego, CA

Silver Spring, MD

Sunrise, FL

Syracuse, NY

Tigard, OR

Westlake, OH

Williamsville, NY

Wilmington, NC

Wanna go?! Click on the link below and grab a pair of passes while supplies last

Tickets

The New Trailer for ‘Creed’ has Arrived

Creed

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema have release a new trailer for  Ryan Coogler’s CREED starring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa and Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed.

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born.  Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.

Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer.  Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend.  Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

Creed opens everywhere on November 25th

The First Trailer for the Upcoming ‘Creed’ Movie is Here!

creedbarThe first trailer for the upcoming Rocky spin-off Creed has arrived and we have it for you below!

From Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema comes award-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s Creed. The film explores a new chapter in the Rocky story and stars Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone in his iconic role. The film also reunites Coogler with his Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed.

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born. Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.

Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer. Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend. Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

Creed also stars Tessa Thompson (Selma, Dear White People) as Bianca, a local singer-songwriter who becomes involved with Adonis; Phylicia Rashad (Lifetime’s “Steel Magnolias”) as Mary Anne Creed, Apollo’s widow; and English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew as boxing champ “Pretty” Ricky Conlan.

Coogler directs from a screenplay he wrote with Aaron Covington, based on characters from the Rocky series written by Sylvester Stallone. The film is being produced by Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King Templeton and Sylvester Stallone, with Nicholas Stern executive producing.

Joining Coogler behind the scenes are director of photography Maryse Alberti (The Wrestler) and costume designers Antoinette Messam (Orphan) and Emma Potts (127 Hours), as well as his Fruitvale Station team: editors Michael P. Shawver and Claudia Castello; production designer Hannah Beachler; and composer Ludwig Göransson.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures present, in association with New Line Cinema, a Chartoff Winkler Production, Creed. Opening on November 25, 2015, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, with select international territories as well as all television distribution being handled by MGM.

 

Warner Bros. Releases Synopsis of the New Rocky Spinoff ‘Creed’

WB

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures comes award-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s Creed.  The film explores a new chapter in the “Rocky” story and stars Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone in his iconic role.  The film also reunites Coogler with his Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed.

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born.  Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.

Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer.  Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend.  Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

Creed also stars Tessa Thompson (Selma) as Bianca, a local singer-songwriter who becomes involved with Adonis; Phylicia Rashad (Lifetime’s Steel Magnolias) as Mary Anne Creed, Apollo’s widow; and English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew as boxing champ “Pretty” Ricky Conlan.

Coogler directs from a screenplay he wrote with Aaron Covington, based on characters from the Rocky series written by Sylvester Stallone.  The film is being produced by Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Sylvester Stallone and Kevin King Templeton.   Joining Coogler behind the scenes are director of photography Maryse Alberti (The Wrestler) and costume designer Emma Potts (127 Hours), as well as his Fruitvale Station team: editors Claudia Castello and Michael P. Shawver; production designer Hannah Beachler; and composer Ludwig Göransson.

The movie is opening on November 25, 2015

New Trailer: ‘Reach Me’ with Sylvester Stallone, Tom Berenger, Kevin Connolly, Danny Trejo, Kyra Sedgwick, Nelly, Cary Elwes, Thomas Jane, Terry Crews, Danny Aiello, Kelsey Grammer, Lauren Cohan, Ryan Kwanten, and Tom Sizemore

REACH_ME _1SHEET_newBB.indd Read More →

Michael’s Review: ‘The Expendables 3’- Michael Bay’s Wet Dreams Realized

The Expendables 3 - poster

The franchise that keeps on truckin’ despite the average age of its stars being 143, is back and it’s exactly what you expect…loud. Sylvester Stallone, the mastermind behind this meeting of the biceps again headlines this testosterone fest using testosterone supplements as a vast array of co-stars, some old faces and some new ones. Sly’s band of merry men set out to kill as many people as possible without spilling an ounce of blood to achieve a PG-13 rating and make sure that this film stays “kid-friendly”, cause…’Merica! Read More →