100 Word Review – Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Cosmic criminals, comedy, combat and a killer 80s soundtrack, what more could you want from this Marvel comic adaptation?

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is taken from Earth after the death of his mum, with only an epic mixtape to keep him company. 25 years later he calls himself Star Lord, and is an intergalactic thief, caught up in a bid to save the galaxy.

Writer/director James Gunn (Scooby-Doo) does a fantastic job of creating a three-dimensional ensemble cast that includes a talking tree (Vin Diesel), a wise-cracking racoon (Bradley Cooper) and a whole lot more. It’s an absolute joy to watch.

100 Word Review – Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Based on the psychedelic ramblings of Hunter S. Thompson, this was never destined to be a comfortable film to watch.

Journalist Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his psychotic “attorney” Dr Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) drive to Las Vegas to cover a car race. With a boot full of drugs, what could go wrong.

Having seen this film several times, I’m still not certain how it ends.

Directed by the king of weird, Terry Gilliam (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Brazil, Twelve Monkeys) this film falls somewhere between a nightmare and a psychotic break. It is also remarkable and incredibly clever.