"Inherent Vice"

I have been quoted a saying that watching the trailer for this film was far more fun than watching the whole of the film "Mortdecai" and I still stand by that, however the film was a huge disappointment.

It had so much promise from having seen the trailer on numerous occasions.
'Doc' Sportello is a practicing Dick, or Private Eye to you and I, and he has been hired by his former girlfriend Shasta, who has concerns about her lover, a Billionaire property developer, who may have been kidnapped, indirectly by his wife and her boyfriend. Also investigating a murder is 'Bigfoot Bjornsen', a local Cop cum TV actor, but is the murder connected with the kidnapping? Also what is the connection to a group of Dentists, one of whom is high as a kite?

There are a few laughs in the film. But it has to be said that the plot is maybe a little too multi-layered, and I never thought I would hear myself about a film by Paul T. Anderson, especially being such a huge fan of "Magnolia", and you don't get much more multi layered than that, but there you go.
The period, 1970, has been wonderfully recreated, and there are great performances most notably from Joaquin Phoenix as 'Doc Sportello', who looks like an early 'Wolverine', and also Josh Brolin who excels as 'Bigfoot'. 

Despite all the promise, sadly this film was not for me.........4 out of 10

"Guardians of the Galaxy"

Oh brother, another film based on material from the Marvel Catalogue.
But this one is a little different. Allow me to elaborate.

We see our hero, Peter Quill on Earth, and by his terminally ill mother's bedside. At such a young age, this kind of loss is a lot to deal with. Whilst outside, he has far bigger problems to deal with when he is picked up by a passing spaceship. As you do !!!

Jump forward several years, and Mr. Quill has acquired himself a trade, he is basically the Indiana Jones of space, obtaining the unobtainable and selling to the highest bidder, though I grant you Indy was never so financially orientated. He also has acquired a new name, though few have heard of it, 'Star Lord'. Not pretentious at all !!

It is during a quest for an Infinity Stone that his adventure really begins. He gets arrested, and is imprisoned with a group of other disperate space travellers. Together they aim to break out of their confinement, and to  get their hands back on the Stone, and stop it from falling into the wrong hands, and seeing worlds get destroyed because of its immense power.

There are three main reasons why this film really works.
1) There are no over blown super heroes here. Everyone is pretty much an average every day kind of Joe.
2) The characters have there own bickering arguements with each other, they would almost kill each other as much a help one another.
3) All the characters are brilliantly realised, and well played by their respective cast member.

Visually the film is stunning, a real treat for the eyes. There is great direction from James Gunn, who also does an excellent job in co-writing the screenplay.
From start to finish, just pure entertainment, with some great moments, a highlight has to be involving Groot, and a to camera smile.

All the cast are great, yes that does include Karen Gillan. But ultimately the film is a triumph for Chris Pratt, he combines the looks of a hero, also he has sarcasm and wit in abundance. Look forward to seeing more of 'Star Lord' and the rest of the gang with the recently announced sequel

A Marvel film to marvel at....................8 out of 10