News

A surprise hit when it surpassed expectations back in 2014, James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy raked in over 700 million at the box office, surpassing many of the tried and true super hero properties of the vaunted Marvel label. But what goes up must come down, and the element of surprise enlivening the first installment seems glaringly absent from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which more or less functions the same way as the previous film as concerns a ragtag group of superhero misfits, who, like Deadpool, seem more overtly concerned with selfish agendas and in-house squabbling than run-of-the-mill altruistic heroes.

Despite dancing around predictable beats, although this time around the focus shifting (like many franchise properties) into exploring the notion of what makes a cohesive familial unit rather than its characters being charged with explicitly saving the galaxy, Gunn manages to resurrect the same sense of scruffy charm, replete with (mostly) obscure vintage soundtrack references to make this second revolution more palatable than most of its continuously recycled Marvel cousins.

After completing a job for a race of bronzed elitist beings known as the Sovereign, led by the haughty Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki, reminiscent of a similar race led by Charlotte Rampling in Zardoz), Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and his crew are now in custody of Gamora’s (Zoe Saldana) rebellious younger sister Nebula (Karen Gillian), a being with a significant axe to grind with her sibling thanks to the abuses she endured growing up with their father. However, since the continuously ornery and disgruntled Rocket (the voice of Bradley Cooper) stole some of the precious batteries they delivered to the Sovereign, this leads to the Guardians being chased across the galaxy by the disgruntled priestess. In their flight, they are forced to crash land their ship in a remote locale, whereupon they are visited by the immortal being Ego (Kurt Russell), who informs Peter he is the long lost father he has always longed to know. Ego’s servant, Mantis (Pom Klementieff), who can read people’s emotions if she touches them, tips the Guardians off to Ego’s less than fatherly plans. Meanwhile, Yondu (Michael Rooker), the violent ravager who Ego had hired to bring Peter to him from Earth (but instead kept him and raised him to be a thief, as touched upon in the previous film), has been contending with being ostracized by the Ravagers, as exemplified by a tiff with Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone). As these storylines converge, Yondu, hired by Ayesha to capture the Guardians until his motley crew of subordinates stage a mutiny, is forced to contend with his own notion of legacy.

With dashes of Elo and Jay and the Americans among the glorious soundtrack highlights, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 plays like the kind of franchise installment assured of its success. Gunn, who this time around went solo on the screenplay, delivers endlessly witty exchanges with characters solely on hand for comedic relief such as Dave Bautista’s Drax, or the cutesy Baby Groot, the extension of the deceased character voice by Vin Diesel in the first film, here returning with a modified lilt.

Unfortunately, new additions to the cast are rather leaden, such as Karen Gillan’s husky voiced Nebula, or Kurt Russell’s amused immortal, neither of whom are handled with the same lightness as other core players, perhaps as a way to exemplify the angsty foundation of both Peter and Gamora. Vintage references abound thanks to Peter’s obsessive nostalgia for his youth, comparing his hampered romance with Gamora to that of Cheers, while a Mary Poppins reference plays for great laughs.

Gunn grants Michael Rooker the best character arc of all this time around (the actor has appeared, usually quite memorably, in Gunn’s previous films Slither and Super), while lead Chris Pratt gets wedged into a father-son dilemma clearly modeled after Luke Skywalker’s patriarchal woes from The Empire Strikes Back. Considering the plot contrivances of the first Guardians weren’t necessarily groundbreaking, the happenings of Vol. 2, by default, seem even less memorable since we’re dealing with epic storyline parameters with characters who are, by design, peripheral.

Plenty of actions sequences abound, including the requisite showdown between opposing forces, but most of these seem too computer generated (particularly Mr. Russell’s confectionary kingdom) to inspire awe (in fact, nothing really measures up to a goofy opening credit sequence where Baby Groot dances to “Mr. Blue Sky” as his colleagues battle a slithery, tentacled monster). Still, those seeking big budget, escapist entertainment should easily be won over by Gunn’s sequel, which is insistently witty (and sometimes, unfortunately, to the point of belaboring itself), even if its storyline doesn’t hold up past the credits.

★★★/☆☆☆☆☆

The post Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | Review appeared first on Ioncinema.com.

This article originally appeared on Entertainment Weekly.

Greg P. Russell, a re-recording mixer on Michael Bay’s 13 Hours, is out of the Oscars race — a day before the awards ceremony on Sunday. The Academy announced Saturday in a press release that it is rescinding his nomination for best sound mixing for violating campaign regulations.

According to The Academy, the Board of Governors determined Russell communicated with his fellow members of the Sound Branch Executive Committee during the nominations phase to make them aware of his work on the film. This violates official campaign rules, which state “contacting Academy members by...

As Hollywood readies for it’s big night, get some tips Here on how you can throw an award-winning party,

Download Wamg’s ballot for the 89th Academy Awards.

In this week’s Oscar news:

Oscar producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd announced the final slate of presenters for the 89th Oscars telecast. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will air live Sunday, February 26, on the ABC Television Network. The presenters, including past Oscar winners and nominees, are Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Warren Beatty, Sofia Boutella, Matt Damon, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Fox, Ryan Gosling, Salma Hayek, Taraji P. Henson, Dev Patel, Seth Rogen, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep and Vince Vaughn.

Previously announced presenters include Amy Adams, Riz Ahmed, Javier Bardem, Halle Berry, John Cho, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Dornan, Chris Evans, Gael García Bernal, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Dakota Johnson, Dwayne Johnson, Felicity Jones, Brie Larson, Shirley MacLaine,...

“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” has had one of its Oscar nominations for sound mixing revoked, the Academy announced on Feb. 25.

Greg P. Russell is no longer eligible for receiving an Oscar due to the Academy’s discovery of “telephone lobbying” that violated voting rules. The film and the rest of the sound team nominated — including Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Mac Ruth — is still eligible to win.

Read More: Just How Apolitical Is Michael Bay’s Bengazhi Movie, ’13 Hours’?

Read the full statement from the Academy below:

Upon recommendation by the Sound Branch Executive Committee, the Academy’s Board of Governors voted Thursday (2/23) to rescind the Sound Mixing nomination for Greg P. Russell from “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” for violation of Academy campaign regulations. The decision was prompted by the discovery that Russell had called his fellow members of the Sound Branch during the nominations...

Governors act on recommendation of sound branch executive committee.

Greg P Russell, who worked on Michael Bay’s war film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi, has been removed from the list of sound mixing nominees for an alleged violation of Academy campaign regulations.

The Academy announced the development on Saturday – one day before the 89th annual Academy Awards – after it emerged Russell had called fellow members of the sound branch during the nominations phase to make them aware of his work on the film.

The action is in direct violation of campaign regulations that prohibit telephone lobbying.

An additional nominee from the film will not replace Russell. The remaining sound mixing nominees from the film are Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Mac Ruth.

The Academy’s board of governors voted on Thursday to act upon the recommendation of the sound branch executive committee.

“The Board of Governors’ decision to rescind Mr. Russell’s nomination was made...

Flamboyant artist Ken Russell was eventually sidelined for what the industry calls 'excess,' but he was a genuine artist, as indicated by this, his last American film. Absolutely beyond the pale in terms of polite viewing, it's by turns awkward and insightful, profane... and more profane. Crimes of Passion Blu-ray + DVD Arrow Video (UK) 1984 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 112, 107 min. / Street Date July 12, 2016 / Available from Amazon UK 39.95 Starring Kathleen Turner, Anthony Perkins, Annie Potts, Bruce Davidson, John Laughlin. Cinematography Dick Bush China Blue's dress Ruth Myers Original Music Rick Wakeman Written and Produced by Barry Sandler Directed by Ken Russell

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

What separates exploitation trash from progressive film art? They say it's an artist's vision, and Ken Russell certainly has plenty of that. I can admire Russell's house brand of outrageousness but I also find much of his work just too fussy, too indulgent. He's excellent when trying...

With 80 degree weather and tons of traffic, Tuesday started off like any other day in Los Angeles... that is, until Kurt Russell was photographed with the most incredible mustache we've ever seen ... making every male question their manhood.  Take a close up and gritty look at "The Thing" you'll probably never have.  Oh Hello There Mr. Russell Goldie Hawn's Handlebar The Over The Shoulder Stache The Prickly Pushbroom Kurt's Cookie Duster Zoomin' In On...

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra announces the release of its latest album, Carnival of the Animals, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The recording marks the 93rd Pops recording in its history adding to an abundant legacy including a Grammy-winner and the third under Mr. Russell. Carnival of the Animals will appear on the Orchestra's own label, Fanfare Cincinnati, and be distributed by Naxos.

With his latest film "American Hustle" continuing to gain Oscar-buzz, David O. Russell fronts the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

The 55-year-old director/screenwriter shared details about asking Christian Bale to play the main role in his film and chatted about his dark comedy "Silver Linings Playbook."

Highlights from Mr. Russell are as follows. For more, be sure to pay a visit to The Hollywood Reporter !

On Christian:

"He's like, 'Why are we talking about this? Why is this worth my time? I'm not planning to work this year. So I started to tell him about it. And pretty soon, he's saying, 'Oh, so he's not a handsome guy, but he's a family guy? He's not Mr. Cold Gangster, [but he's] trapped with a woman who he can't seem to get around?'"

On the characters in "American Hustle":

"They all have to be woven together in a way that is frightening,...

In a solid year full of great movies, many directors are bound to be snubbed for award nominations by the Directors Guild of America. And so for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2013 award noms, many were left in the dust such as Joel & Ethan Coen ("Inside Llewyn Davis"), Alexander Payne ("Nebraska"), and Spike Jonze ("Her").

The Guild revealed the nominations today for the DGA Awards (full nomination list below) and it's interesting to point out that Alfonso Cuaron, Steve McQueen, and Paul Greengrass are all first time nominees.

But will these nominations shape up the Oscar race? And will the Academy favor the Coen Brothers, or Payne, or Jonze instead of some of the DGA nominees?

We'll find out the winner of the 66th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, January 25.

Here's the full list of nominations:

Alfonso CUARÓN

Gravity

(Warner Bros. Pictures)

Mr. Cuarón.s Directorial Team:

· Unit...

Directors Guild of America President Paris Barclay today (January 7) announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2013.

“To be chosen by your peers in a year full of incredibly well-crafted films is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement,” said Barclay. “The passion and vision of each of the nominees resulted in tremendously diverse films that kept audiences mesmerized. Congratulations to each of the nominees on a job very well done.”

With no big shocks or omissions, the nominees are (in alphabetical order):

Alfonso CUARÓN

Gravity

(Warner Bros. Pictures)

Mr. Cuarón’s Directorial Team:

Unit Production Manager: David Siegel (Arizona Unit)

First Assistant Directors: Josh Robertson, Stephen Hagen (Arizona Unit)

Second Assistant Director: Ben Howard

This is Mr. Cuarón’s first DGA Feature Film Award nomination.

Paul Greengrass

Captain Phillips

(Columbia Pictures)

Mr. Greengrass’s Directorial Team:

Unit Production Managers: Todd Lewis,...

The Directors Guild of America has just announced their nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2013. The nominees are hardly a surprise (these are actually the five I predicted) and include some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street) and David O. Russell (American Hustle).

Other highly predictable nominees include Alfonso Cuaron for his brilliant work on Gravity (the best film of the year) and Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave. It’s interesting to note that this is where most of the competition has centered throughout awards season, with these two taking a vast majority of the awards. However, while favor started out in McQueen’s corner, the awards over the past month have shown that Cuaron is the clear favorite, making this award his to lose.

The nominations were somewhat interesting to predict this year. Cuaron, McQueen,...

Hooray for second acts. Now, I’m not just referring to the “legitimate stage”, since most plays are in two acts (with musicals usually going to three). Well, we could apply this to films and not necessarily those based on said plays (like the upcoming August: Osage County). I’m referring to the second acts (or second chances) in one’s life, specifically in a career. A prime example is triple threat (writer/producer/director) David O. Russell. Hard to believe, but it’s been nearly twenty years since he exploded onto the scene with the low, low-budget art-house hit Spanking The Monkey. The studios soon came calling, and he delivered a couple of modest hits. And then there was I Heart Huckabees, a misfire accelerated by unflattering video footage of the director losing his cool on the set which was leaked to the internet (no doubt an early “viral...

After his flick "American Hustle" nabbed several Golden Globe nominations, David O. Russell scored a feature in the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

The 55-year-old director/screenwriter discussed his upcoming dark comedy and dished on his appreciation for Jennifer Lawrence's lighthearted personality.

Highlights from Mr. Russell's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to visit The Hollywood Reporter!

On his award-winning films:

"It really started when I wrote 'Silver Linings [Playbook]' before 'The Fighter' but couldn't get it financed. That's when things got very clear to me that these pictures were about these characters. I love them, I love their music, I love their heartbreak. I want people to be exhilarated by them by living with them for two hours. Also the women characters were the key, were going to be big, very formidable forces. People can see, ah, this is what he's doing now,...