Guardians of the Galaxy- A Star-Lord Is Born

Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy had me at hello. Actually, they had me at the release of their first trailer a few months back. My excitement quickly fizzled though when I realized that I hadn’t read any of the comic books. I’m familiar with a good portion of Marvel Comics and their characters, but this time I had no clue what the movie was about, a first for me. Like any good fan, I thought about buying the Coles Notes so I wouldn’t feel totally lost. But then I thought, nah, sometimes it’s good not to know, than there’s no preconceived notion of what the movie should look like, a clean slate if you will. Turns out I was worried for nothing. Let me just say this about that, I LOVED the movie. I mean, I really LOVED IT! Guardians of The Galaxy, was a captivating, highly entertaining, adventure movie that took place mostly in space, a first for Marvel Studios. Director James Gunn, chose the perfect cast, managed to create loveable, lifelike characters and released what I would say is one of the most adult Marvel Studio movies.

James Gunn, is a little known director, only directing a handful of movies. Have you heard of the movie Super? If you haven’t I highly recommend checking out the quirky superhero movie directed by Gunn. Annnd we’re back from my sidebar... Gunn’s obscurity didn’t stop him from landing some of Hollywood biggest and brightest. Chris Pratt is known for his tough guy role in Zero Dark Thirty and his slap stick comedy in Movie 43. Pratt took the best of his previous characters and combined them to become Peter Quill, aka Star Lord, one perfectly flawed hero. Marvel Comics is notorious for creating lead characters with a certain amount of vulnerability, “with great power comes great responsibility” ring a bell? Quill is not only vulnerable but he’s also really funny and might I add, really sexy! Pratt’s comedic timing is second to none with just enough humour that it’s not distracting and doesn’t come across as cocky like Stark does (some say cocky I say confident).

For Zoe Seldona, any alien, spaceship type of role is an old hat for her, but for good reason. Beyond Seldona’s exotic looks, which makes her perfect to cast as any alien, she has a very strong, powerful presence on screen particularity as Gamora. Seldona really holds her own as Gamora and isn’t there just to dote over Quill. Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper, pulls at the heartstrings for those of us that ever felt cast aside for being different. Rocket, despite his bitterness towards the life he was given, manages to show his sense of humour, with some really funny and endearing moments throughout the movie.   

Gamora, Quill, Rocket, Drax, Groot

I haven’t watched wrestling since the WWF became the WWE so I wasn’t familiar with David Bautista. After seeing Bautista as Drax, he is definitely on my radar as one to watch. Bautista’s deadpan delivery, coupled with how he takes everything literally, is a recipe for pure comedic joy. Then there’s Groot. *Sigh* Groot needs his own blog dedicated to his epicness. Groot is EVERYTHING! He is the most perfect looking CGI character ever! Groot reminded me of something Jim Henson would of created. As a Henson fan, perhaps that’s one of the many reasons why I felt such an overwhelming attachment to Groot. It's incredible how a character with only a three-word vocabulary can impact the viewer to the extent that Groot did. Groot’s general expressions and child-like actions had me believing and wishing he were real. 

The CGI special effects in Guardians of the Galaxy were so life like, you really feel like you're in another star system. I can’t say enough good things about them. Coming in a very close second was the incredible prosthetic makeup. The intricate detail in the design of Drax’s body and Gamora’s flawless green skin were stunning works of art on screen. Bravo to the entire effects team! Here at Pickle's Pics we had fortune of getting some exclusive footage of their special effects team at work. Don't scroll any further if you don't want to ruin your movie going experience.

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED...

TA-DA, Exclusive footage, at least that's what they told me. 

Guardians of the Galaxy, is much darker and is much more violent than any other Marvel Studios movies. The content, particularly the humour, is VERY adult, not that I’m complaining, just a heads up from a mom. You know your child best and while most kids will love Guardians, I caution against taking someone who frightens easy, there are some pretty loud, pretty friggin epic scenes. 

Now that my mom lecture is done…GO SEE THIS MOVIE…you'll want to, again and again!

Guardians of the Galaxy deserves the sweetest pickle

Before you head to the theatre, stop by the candy store and get some rockets candy. Rockets make the perfect partner for your big bucket of popcorn and giant fountain pop.

CONFESSIONS OF A FANGIRL - Music Geek Edition

I recently hopped into my hot tub time machine and went back to the 80s. Rock The Park music fest was a blast from my past with all the 80s hair, outfits and “totally bitchin” rock music. Not that revisiting my teenage years was a bad thing; I always enjoy being around and meeting passionate music fans, no matter what era. When the lead act, Sammy Hager and Friends, was about to go on stage, I had the fortune of meeting a fellow music geek. Our mutual love for music and music trivia lead a passionate debate about Hagar. I love a good trivia challenge! The conversation started to get heated when I suggested that Sammy was influential not relevant. With the stellar lineup Sammy had on stage with him, my new friend seemed shocked bordering on offended that I could even suggest he wasn’t relevant. Sammy Hagar, relevant or influential, we both had a legitimate point but which one of us was right? My fellow music geek had me thinking about the difference between influential vs. relevance when it comes to music. 

THE OTHER WOMAN IS UTTER NONSENSE

Instead of watching The Other Woman watch the other movie, any, other, movie. The Other Woman starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton, is an idiotic, uninspired oddball comedy. Director Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook), had the perfect recipe for a comedy classic with two super funny, super talented players like Diaz and Mann. But throw Upton into the mix, not to mention Nicki Minaj, along with a badly written script, there was no hope for anything other than a flop. And a flop it was.

I have no problem with Diaz or Mann, I love them both and Kate Upton is obviously enjoyable to look at. While this dream team may look good on paper, every moment they were on screen together was uncomfortable to watch. The chemistry between the three women was forced and unnatural. Watching them together was like watching that old, hairy man on the beach wearing nothing but a thong. AWKWARD!

CONFESSIONS OF A FANGIRL - Marvel Comics Edition

I proudly consider myself both a geek girl for my knowledge of technology AND a fangirl. As a fangirl, I’m partial to anything Jim Henson, but have a deep love for Sci-Fi/Fantasy, graphic novels and comic book heroes. When it comes to DC and Marvel I fancy myself more of a Marvel fan. My love for Marvel started in the early 90's, when my then 4-year-old son and I 

would watch Spider-Man The Animated Series everyday after school. I thought if we watched Spiderman together maybe it would help me relate to my little boy or at the very least create a bond. What I wasn’t expecting was to actually like the show. I found myself becoming deeply attached to the characters and the storyline. As a single mom, the soap opera love affair between Peter and Mary Jane was a perfect way for me to live vicariously through them, providing me the social life I was lacking. Any fanboy or girl understands how I could become emotionally attached to cartoon characters. Shows like Spider-Man are really well written and intended to have the kind of depth not found in your typical after-school cartoons.