/ Register

Account / Logout

Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest StumbleUpon

James Gunn Page 2

Follow James Gunn

James Gunn

James Gunn Quick Links

News Pictures Video Film Quotes RSS

« Prev 1 2 3 Next »

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Review

Extraordinary

It was never going to be easy to match the impact of 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, which jolted the Marvel franchise to life with its fresh comedy and freewheeling adventure. This sequel is still a lot of fun, but it's also far more controlled, a conventional, plot-based step of the Marvel universe. And all of the characters are angry about everything and everyone. Thankfully, there's also an emotionality that sneaks into the final act.

Now working as a team, the bickering Guardians just manage to complete their latest mission when Rocket (Bradley Cooper) makes an enemy of a tenacious high priestess (Elizabeth Debicki). Her fleet chases them into an encounter with Ego (Kurt Russell), a god-like being who claims to be the father of Guardian leader Peter (Chris Pratt). So Peter takes Gamora and Drax (Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista) to check out Ego's planet, while Rocket and Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) fend off both the priestess and Peter's old mentor Yondu (Michael Rooker), who arrives with a large posse. And then there's Gamora's perpetually furious sister Nebula (Karen Gillan), who's on the rampage, determined to get revenge against everyone who has slighted her.

There's an underlying rage that drives everyone's actions, and the constant screaming matches become exhausting as the film progresses. The worst offender is Rocket, who expresses his perpetual aggravation in a stream of tetchy tirades. Thankfully, the dialogue is sharply written, with wicked insults to keep the audience smirking along. And there's also a nice sense that all of this fury is masking a deeper affection these misfits have for each other, which boils over in some remarkably strong dramatic scenes. Pratt and Russell are both terrific, seizing every chance to play with the comedic and dramatic notes. There are nice moments for Rooker, Saldana and Gillan, plus some witty cameos. And while Baby Groot is almost painfully adorable, it's Bautista's hilariously open-hearted Drax who steals the show.

Continue reading: Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Review

'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' Doesn't Live Up To The Original According To Critics

By Daniel Falconer in Movies / TV / Theatre on 25 April 2017

James Gunn

It's good, but are too many puns recycled and out-dated?

James Gunn and the all-star cast of the original 'Guardians of the Galaxy' movie return this coming weekend with the sequel to the box office hit. With Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel on board, along with other big names, the film certainly has an incredible amount of pulling power.

Baby Groot and Rocket in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2'

The film will mark the big screen introduction for Ego, the Living Planet, whom fans will immediately see in a 1980 meeting with Meredith Quill - Peter's mother. Showing her an alien seedling he planted in the woods of Missouri, a whole new adventure is kickstarted with Star-Lord's parentage clearly a huge part of everything that's to follow.

Continue reading: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' Doesn't Live Up To The Original According To Critics

The Belko Experiment Review

Weak

The kill-or-die scenario that this movie hinges on isn't something new; it's been used in films from Battle Royale to The Hunger Games. What's different here is the utter pointlessness of the exercise. There's no social commentary here whatsoever, nor is there any satirical edge or character-based intrigue. Instead, this is little more than a sadistic exercise in violence and death, more along the lines of the Saw series. And if it didn't have such a terrific cast, it would be unwatchable.

It's set in a suburb of Bogota, Colombia, where the Belko nonprofit agency helps Latin American companies connect with North American employees. One morning, just after the staff arrives for work, there's an announcement: two people must be killed in the next two minutes. And then 30 people must be dead in the next two hours. It doesn't take long until the entire office block collapses into anarchy. The boss Barry (Tony Goldwyn) immediately seizes control of a stash of guns in the security office, while IT guy Mike (John Gallagher Jr.) keeps a level head as he tries to protect his girlfriend Leandra (Adria Arjona). And as chatterbox Wendell (John G. McGinley) goes on a rampage, Dany (Melonie Diaz) manages to keep out of everyone's way on her very first day in the job.

It's hard to believe that this is written and produced by James Gunn, the man behind the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. The script is so simplistic and witless that it can't help but make thinking audience members furious. Convenient elements are added to boost the premise, such as impenetrable shutters closing off the building or tracker chips implanted in the employees that have explosive charges in them that can be triggered with the flick of a switch. In other words, it's clear from the start that it's unlikely anyone will survive. And even if they do, there's no real reason for any of this to be happening.

Continue reading: The Belko Experiment Review

James Gunn Confirms FIVE Post-Credits Scenes For 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2'

By Daniel Falconer in Movies / TV / Theatre on 19 April 2017

James Gunn

The director has teased fans with news of multiple post-credits scenes.

Before the release of the first 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' movie, only hardcore Marvel comic book fans would have known of Star Lord, Gamora and their fellow space-travelling adventurers. Now, they and the actors who have portrayed them on the big screen have become some of the most popular characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe; you'd be hard pressed to find a cinema-goer who wouldn't recognise them immediately.

Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana make up some of the incredible ensemble cast

With 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' right around the corner, more news and tidbits of information regarding the film continues to rise to the surface, with director James Gunn - who was recently confirmed to also be on board to write and direct the third movie in the 'Guardians' trilogy - whetting the appetites of those anxiously awaiting release.

Continue reading: James Gunn Confirms FIVE Post-Credits Scenes For 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2'

James Gunn Responds To Critics Of Zendaya's 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Casting

By Stephanie Chase in Movies / TV / Theatre on 22 August 2016

Zendaya Coleman James Gunn Tom Holland

The actress is thought to be playing Mary Jane Watson in the upcoming reboot.

Guardians of The Galaxy director James Gunn has hit out at critics of the upcoming Spider-Man reboot who have complained about the casting of Zendaya as Peter Parker’s love interest Mary Jane Watson. Last week The Wrap reported that the former Disney star had been cast as Mary Jane in Spider-Man: Homecoming, causing backlash from those who believed the character should be played by a white actress.

Zendaya Zendaya is said to be playing Spider-Man’s girlfriend Mary Jane

In a lengthly Facebook post Gunn wrote that he understands when comic book fans get upset when something they consider intrinsic to a character changes when it's adapted for film.

Continue reading: James Gunn Responds To Critics Of Zendaya's 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Casting

'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Director James Gunn Stands Up For Superhero Movies Amidst Award Show Disses

By Nick Hill in Movies / TV / Theatre on 25 February 2015

James Gunn

The 44-year-old director has addressed "serious" filmmakers after the superhero genre was slammed several times during this year's movie award season.

Throughout this year's awards season, it seems to be apparent that some individuals in the film industry are growing tired of superhero movies and the genre's dominance over the box office in recent years.

James Gunn defends superhero movies after the genre gets dissed during award season

The attack of superhero flick's begin during the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday (Feb 21st) when 'Nightcrawler' director Dan Gilroy received Best First Feature, while taking to the stage he slammed the "tsunami of superhero movies" that audiences are flooded with today.

Continue reading: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Director James Gunn Stands Up For Superhero Movies Amidst Award Show Disses

Contactmusic.com's 10 Best Films Of 2014

By Rich Cline in Movies / TV / Theatre on 23 December 2014

Richard Linklater Wes Anderson James Gunn Eddie Redmayne Jake Gyllenhaal Benedict Cumberbatch Ben Whishaw

Rich Cline shares his picks for the best films of 2014

There was unexpected variety and diversity in cinemas this year, including some genre films that broke through the barriers...

Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler

10) Nightcrawler - Jake Gyllenhaal goes very dark in this creepy black comedy about a man who has very few limits in what he'll do to become famous. It's so timely that it almost hurts to watch it.Watch the trailer for Nightcrawler here.

Continue reading: Contactmusic.com's 10 Best Films Of 2014

Director James Gunn Explains 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Position In Marvel Universe

By Nick Hill in Movies / TV / Theatre on 23 December 2014

James Gunn

The American filmmaker recently addressed speculation on whether 'The Avengers' will ever cross over with the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' characters.

This past summer saw the release of the hugely successful Marvel flick 'Guardians of the Galaxy,’ which grossed over $772 million worldwide, and although the plot isn’t connected to any of ‘The Avengers’ superheroes, many fans have wondered whether the two will ever collaborate.

Director James Gunn explained where he sees the 'Guardians' characters in the Marvel universe

Director James Gunn recently spoke about a possible affiliation between ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘The Avengers’ while being interview on a podcast session with Jeff Goldsmith, and explained where the ‘Guardians’ lie in the Marvel universe.

Continue reading: Director James Gunn Explains 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Position In Marvel Universe

Guardians Of The Galaxy Review

By Rich Cline

Extraordinary

By refusing to follow the usual formula, filmmaker James Gunn has made Marvel's best-yet movie, a summer action-adventure that provides more cinematic fun than the rest of the year's blockbusters rolled into one. It's shamelessly entertaining, keeping the focus on sparky characters even as the action spirals into exhilarating set-pieces around them. And the best thing is that the film isn't actually about the big plot: it's about a group of people who should hate each other but instead come together as a team.

In a pre-logo sequence set in 1988 America, a young boy is kidnapped by aliens. Some 25 years later, Peter (Chris Pratt) has become an ace thief who roams the galaxy in search of cash. Curious and charming, he can get himself out of most scrapes, but when he collects a mysterious orb for a client he ends up as the target of two bounty hunters, the raccoon-like Rocket and tree-like Groot (voiced by Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel). And the villainously destructive Ronan (Lee Pace) sends his best fighter Gamora (Zoe Saldana) to get the orb for his own nefarious plan. Rounded up and thrown into prison, Peter, Gamora, Rocket and Groot stage a daring escape with the help of literal-minded muscleman Drax (Dave Bautista), then must work together to deal with this troublesome orb. So they contact Peter's mentor/nemesis Yondu (Michael Rooker) before taking on Ronan and his second-best fighter, Gamora's half-cyborg sister Nebula (Karen Gillan).

Gunn gives the film a look and tone unlike anything in the Marvel universe, with colourful ships, sassy humour and freewheeling action that propels the story and deepens the character at the same time. It also makes the most of the well-worn 1980s mixtape Peter uses as his own personal soundtrack. It's the kind of riotously thrill ride that makes us hold on for dear life, loving every twist and turn. And since it's so tightly focused on the characters, the action plot involving the orb merely adds texture around the edges. As do terrific actors like Glenn Close and John C. Reilly in small but pivotal roles.

Continue reading: Guardians Of The Galaxy Review

Guardians of the Galaxy - Featuette

The cast of forthcoming Marvel movie 'Guardians of the Galaxy'; Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper; talk about the new film in a short featurette.

Continue: Guardians of the Galaxy - Featuette

New 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Trailer: What We Noticed

By Lauren James in Movies / TV / Theatre on 17 June 2014

Chris Pratt Zoe Saldana Bradley Cooper Vin Diesel Glenn Close Dave Bautista Josh Brolin James Gunn John C Reilly Karen Gillan Benicio Del Toro

The brand new, full length international trailer has been released for the upcoming summer blockbuster.

Prepare to check out the new trailer for the upcoming summer blockbuster, Guardians of the Galaxy, which is due to open from the end of July. James Gunn's visualisation of Marvel's lesser-known comic book series recruits a stellar cast in an outer space setting with jaw-dropping special effects and rib-tickling one-liners.

Chris Pratt takes the lead alongside Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Josh Brolin, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close Benicio Del Toro and Dave Bautista in what looks to be one of the action highlights of summer 2014.

In a nutshell, Pratt's adventurer, Peter Quill, gets stranded in space and unites a team of unlikely ex-con aliens in order to mount a defence against the cosmic threat of Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe.

Continue reading: New 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Trailer: What We Noticed

Guardians Of The Galaxy Trailer

Peter Quill runs into some trouble when he discovers an unusual looking orb that happens to be hunted by the merciless admiral Ronan and his army of miscreants. He is an Earthling; an unusual race within his neighbourhood in which he grew up after being removed for his home planet as a child. Naming himself the Star-Lord, he likes to think he's one heck of a superhero - but he's about to meet his match (or should we say 'matches'?). After being arrested by Ronan's people, he is greeted by four other alien outlaws. First there is the enormous Drax the Destroyer who is determined to use his supernatural strength to avenge his murdered family; then there's cyborg Gamora, the daughter of Thanos (an even bigger villain in this story); Rocket, a psychotic gun-toting raccoon; and half-man half-tree Groot. They may be distrustful of each other, but they've got to stick together if they want to save the universe from certain annihilation.

Since when did superhero films have to be serious? Marvel apply comedy to comics with 'Guardians Of The Galaxy', which is based on the original comics by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. The movie has been directed by James Gunn ('Super', 'Slither', 'PG Porn') and co-written by Nicole Perlman and is due for UK release on July 31st 2014.

Click her to read Guardians Of The Galaxy movie review

Guardians Of The Galaxy Trailer

Peter Quill is a fearless Earthling pilot who rather proudly proclaims himself to be an outlaw, going by the nickname Star-Lord. As a child, he was taken from his home planet and forced to live around various alien races, but even he is in for a surprise when he is captured by merciless hunters led by the evil admiral Ronan after he tries to make off with an extraordinary orb. It is during his imprisonment that he meets four other intrepid outlaws. There’s Drax the Destroyer, a man of muscle hellbent on avenging the tragic murders of his family; Gamora, a green-skinned cyborg who is the rebellious daughter of Ronan’s boss Thanos; Rocket, a genetically modified raccoon with incredible firearm dexterity; and Groot, a half-man half-tree creature who knows little about the technological world. Despite their reluctance, the five must join together to save the universe from Thanos’ dastardly plans.

Continue: Guardians Of The Galaxy Trailer

Guardians Of The Galaxy's Groot Appears Cast Favourite Following Q&A

By Elinor Cosgrave in Movies / TV / Theatre on 21 May 2014

Vin Diesel Karen Gillan James Gunn Chris Pratt Glenn Close Bradley Cooper Lee Pace Benicio Del Toro John C Reilly Zoe Saldana

Groot, the tree-like creature, Vin Diesel voices in the upcoming ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ appears to have won over the cast of the film. In a special Q&A session on Monday (19th May), Diesel and director James Gunn spoke affectionately about Groot with Diesel claiming the role helped him overcome the death of Paul Walker.

Guardians of the Galaxy, the latest film based on Marvel’s comic books, is due to be released in July. With fans already speculating about the film’s plotline and special effects, the cast and crew were happy to chime in with a special Q&A session on Facebook on Monday (19th May). The session followed the release of the film’s second trailer, following the shorter teaser trailer we saw back in January.

Guardians of the Galaxy
Chris Pratt stars as Peter Quill in GoG.

Continue reading: Guardians Of The Galaxy's Groot Appears Cast Favourite Following Q&A

"Guardians Of The Galaxy": Meet The World's Most Dangerous Raccoon (And The Voice Behind Him)

By Victoria Pavlova in Movies / TV / Theatre on 23 February 2014

Bradley Cooper James Gunn

In case you needed a closer look at the smallest Guardian, Marvel have you covered

The Guardians of the Galaxy trailer has been out for a week now – plenty of time to get acquainted with the rag tag band of misfits, who call themselves the Guardians. These aren’t your regular superheroes we’re talking about here. And despite the fact that the team includes a green alien assassin and a treelike humanoid, the Guardian getting the most flack has to be Rocket. You know, the raccoon?

Rocket Racoon
Rocket, looking cooler than any racoon ever could.

Rocket Racoon didn’t get a lot of screentime in the trailer – presumably the visual gag of him being, you know, a raccoon, was enough to make people remember him.

Continue reading: "Guardians Of The Galaxy": Meet The World's Most Dangerous Raccoon (And The Voice Behind Him)

Guardians Of The Galaxy - Teaser Trailer

Peter Quill is a tenacious pilot who was taken away from his home planet Earth as a child to grow up around alien races. Arrogantly nicknaming himself Star-Lord, he finds himself captured by the evil admiral Ronan's ruthless hunters during the attempted theft of a powerful orb. On his arrest, he meets four other criminal eccentrics: muscle man Drax the Destroyer, who is searching for vengeance after the brutal death of his family; the rebellious cyborg Gamora, whose father is Ronan's boss Thanos; a weapon toting, genetically modified racoon named Rocket with better gun skills than most humans; and, the latter's accomplice, tree man Groot. Soon, the group decide to band together in order to protect their galaxy after discovering what the orb is really about to be used for.

Continue: Guardians Of The Galaxy - Teaser Trailer

Guardians Of The Galaxy Plot And Photo Unveiled: What You Should Know

By Lauren James in Movies / TV / Theatre on 02 January 2014

James Gunn Zoe Saldana Karen Gillan

What's all this 'Guardians of the Galaxy' talk about then? We cut through the internet's excited babble.

Marvel fans: prepare to get very excited. Those who have no idea what Guardians of the Galaxy is and why they should be very excited: listen up. After what feels like years since we first heard that Marvel were adapting the Guardians of the Galaxy comic book series, we have our first real insight into what James Gunn's summer 2014 movie.

Director James Gunn Gets Fans Excited.

The director tweeted the first image from the upcoming action blockbuster on the 31st December. The intriguing on set snap shows what looks like a police line-up with Zoe Saldana's Gamora, Chris Pratt as Star Lord, Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, and Vin Diesel's Groot.

Continue reading: Guardians Of The Galaxy Plot And Photo Unveiled: What You Should Know

Cast Shooting 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' On London's Millennium Bridge [Pictures]

By Jack de Aguilar in Movies / TV / Theatre on 12 August 2013

Vin Diesel Zoe Saldana James Gunn

Check out these on-set photos

As Guardians of The Galaxy, Marvel’s superhero team have a pretty big catchment area, which includes London. Cast frm th movie were seen filming scenes on the Millennium Bridge over the River Thames over the weekend.

Cast film Guardians of The Galaxy in London

The highly anticipated film actually has its base in the English capital, with Shepperton Studios housing the production. Filming started yesterday with the cast sprinting over the Millennium Bridge.

Continue reading: Cast Shooting 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' On London's Millennium Bridge [Pictures]

Karen Gillan And Dave Bautista (Both Bald) Talk 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' [Videos]

By Michael West in Movies / TV / Theatre on 23 July 2013

Karen Gillan Chris Pratt Zoe Saldana James Gunn Joseph Gordon-Levitt Dave Bautista Michael Rooker

The Guardians of the Galaxy stars were on-hand to promote the movie - still a year off - at Comic Con 2013.

Though it was Thor 2, Breaking Bad and The Hunger Games that made headlines at Comic-Con, the Guardians of the Galaxy gang were about to promote James Gunn's movie, which is still a way off - set for release on August 1, 2014.

A newly bald Karen Gillan - who shaved her head for the film - discussed getting in shape for the high-octane movie, telling us on the red-carpet, "I feel like I'm in an action movie bootcamp right now where I am on set everyday learning how to fight and I'm training like crazy and it's a really cool way to get into the character I think."

Her co-star Lee Pace praised the movie's director, saying: "James Gunn has got a great vision for the movie. He just showed us a little clip of what he's been working on for the past 10 days and it's excellent."

Continue reading: Karen Gillan And Dave Bautista (Both Bald) Talk 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' [Videos]

Guardians Of The Galaxy: Is Chris Pratt The Next Big Hollywood Star?

By Michael West in Movies / TV / Theatre on 08 July 2013

Chris Pratt Kathryn Bigelow Osama Bin Laden James Gunn Dave Bautista Zoe Saldana Lee Pace Glenn Close Karen Gillan Benicio Del Toro John C Reilly Joel Edgerton Jack Huston Jim Sturgess Eddie Redmayne Joseph Gordon-Levitt Christian Bale

Chris Pratt is bulking up for his role in the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Chris Pratt, the 34-year-old actor who has bagged himself some pretty tasty roles in recent years, is bulking up for his role in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Pratt is the latest movie star to undergo a dramatic physical transformation and posted his progress in an Instragram photo this week.

It's not the first time the Parks and Recreation actor has changed weight for a movie role - he sported a hugely toned physique for his role as a member of Seal Team Six in Kathyn Bigelow's Osama Bin Laden movie 'Zero Dark Thirty' last year.

Continue reading: Guardians Of The Galaxy: Is Chris Pratt The Next Big Hollywood Star?

« Prev 1 2 3 Next »

James Gunn