In the Loop - 2009 - Tom Hollander, Peter Capaldi, James Gandolfini

Seriously funny.

Director and writer Armando Iannucci (Veep, I'm Alan Partridge) brings us a spin-off of the highly successful British satirical political comedy The Thick of It. In the Loop chronicles the tested and uneasy Anglo-American relations during the run-up to a war. Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), a minor minister in the British government, makes a mistake when he states that "war is unforeseeable" during a radio interview. Before he knows it, Simon is one of the British governments biggest media figures and is being sent to Washington D.C., along with aide Toby (Chris Addison), to meet with American political and military leaders. As Foster seems incapable of saying what he is supposed to; he ends up being caught in-between pro-war factions and those who oppose the conflict. Will military action take place?

I honestly can't understand why I haven't seen this film sooner; with its outstanding critical reviews and top cast. Peter Capaldi will stick clearly in your mind after watching In the Loop due to his scolding rants that are simply unrelenting and quite brilliant. Hollander produces a spot-on performance, delivering vulnerability and empty-minded hopelessness to the screen superbly. James Gandolfini also puts in a notable showing as under pressure General Miller.

The stand-out aspect of this picture has to be its academy award nominated script. Iannucci is a master of comedy as shown in some of his other work. In the Loop is no different with its non-stop satirical black comedy which is seriously funny. The plot is magnificent, the one-liners are very slick and the rants are simply hilarious (perfectly illustrated in the relationship between Chad (Zach Woods) and Liza (Anna Chlumsky)).

A very clever film. And watch out for scenes with an Iannucci favourite, Steve Coogan.

J.Henderson

8/10.

Guardians of the Galaxy - 2014 - Chris Pratt, Zoe Salana, Dave Bautista.

I've been talking about this film non-stop since its release.

James Gunn writes and directs the Marvel event of 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy. An epic, space action-adventure that sees Marvel explore the universe in their latest franchise. The film centres on Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), an adventurer whose outlandish behaviour lands him being the subject of a bounty hunt after stealing an orb hidden by notorious villain Ronan (Lee Pace). The only way for Quill to resolve this situation is to form an alliance with an unusual quartet including, Rocket (Bradley Cooper), a weapons-obsessed racoon, Groot (Vin Diesel), a loveable tree, the fearsome and deadly Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and the vengeance-hungry Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). On finding out the true power of the orb, the group must go to battle in order to save the galaxy.

I don't know about you, but prior to GOTG's release I wasn't expecting too much. I was unaware of most of the characters, I was surprised by the casting, and I honestly felt that it would be a one off that Marvel looked back on as a bit of a flop. I couldn't have been more wrong. From beginning, to end, I was hooked; the soundtrack, the acting, the story and the overall feel of the film was just what I wanted.

Chris Pratt leads the way with a charming and charismatic performance that holds together, quite brilliantly, his team of misfits. Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel's voice work as Rocket and Groot fits perfectly; with the pair forming a friendship that surprisingly brings out more emotion than you ever thought a tree and a racoon could!

But the biggest shock for me? Dave Bautista. I grew up watching Dave Bautista as a WWE superstar. I can't lie, when I previously mentioned that I was surprised by the casting, I was referring to Bautista as Drax the Destroyer. However, I was more surprised by the brilliance in his performance, playing the humourless, straight-to-the-point, loose cannon, with great wit, producing some unforgettable scene stealing moments. One, in particular, sticks out in my mind. For those of you that do not know, Drax the Destroyer is extremely literal, another aspect which is executed perfectly in Dave Bautista's performance. There is a moment when Rocket makes a comment that metaphors go straight over Drax's head, to which Drax replies, "NOTHING goes over my head... My reflexes are too fast, I would catch it." This aspect of James Gunn's script is what I love, it is not trying to be any other film.

In my opinion, ever since Christopher Nolan's Batman, in particular, The Dark Knight, I have found that the majority of superhero films have attempted the borrow from Nolan's way of thinking. Nowadays, superhero movies are focused on darker stories with a twisted villain who is as intriguing as they are villainous. I am not trying to state that Marvel are just the same as DC, because Marvel do like to keep a comedic streak in their films; I just feel that this Marvel way of film-making is being too heavily influenced by the work of Nolan.

Guardians of the Galaxy differs considerably as the focus of the film is clearly based with Peter Quill and his team, unlike many of the other films in the genre which has its sole focus on the villain. You just have to look at the new teaser for Age of Ultron to see this trend continuing. James Gunn has been innovative and created the most enjoyable Marvel film to date, due to not taking himself or his project too seriously.

This is the film that I've been talking about non-stop since its release, and I know that the majority of people who see it have been doing the same. If you want comedy, adventure, sci-fi and a kick-ass soundtrack, GOTG will blow you away.

J.Henderson

9/10.

Last Forever... How I Met Your Mother finale. End of a legendary era.

That's How I Met Your Mother.

March 31st 2014 saw the end of a sitcom that has graced our screens for nearly a decade. When the first episode aired on Sept 19th 2005, who'd have thought that nine years later we'd be looking back on some great times that include a pineapple incident, a slap bet, a goat, robots vs wrestlers, a butterfly tattoo, one special bar and five friends. Last night the finale aired, but how did things end for Ted and the gang?

SPOILERS - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

As a ridiculously huge fan of HIMYM I cannot lie, I am slightly disappointed by the final ever episode of the long-running show. The final episode goes on to highlight the big moments following Barney and Robin's wedding; and there are plenty of ups and downs, but mainly downs.

Lily and Marshall: The pair move to Italy for a year after the wedding. On their return to New York Marshall goes back to work in corporate law, hating his working life until he gets offered his dream job of a judge in 2018. The couple finally move out of the apartment above the bar and also get pregnant with their 3rd child.

Barney and Robin: This is a real sad point of the episode. After their wedding the couple struggle with the requirements of Robin's job, the constant moving that comes with following international news results in divorce. Following the divorce Robin continues with her job and ends up distancing herself from the group, whilst Barney goes back to his bachelor days, completing the 'perfect month' only to find out he has got one of his many one-night stands pregnant. After the birth of his daughter, Ellie, Barney seems to dampen his need to go out and pull women as he has a more important female in his life.

Ted and the mother: Finally we see the couple we have been waiting nine years for. The mother, who we find out is called Tracy McConnell, is now part of Ted's life and we see her become one of the group; indulging in traditions such as their annual Robots vs Wrestlers night. We see Tracy get pregnant and make Ted's dream of a family come true. However, we find out that in 2024 Tracy becomes ill and eventually passes away, leaving Ted a widower.

2030: Ted has finished telling his story and his children see right through him with his daughter Penny saying, "You made us sit down and listen to this story about how you met mom - yet mom was hardly in the story. No, this is a story about how you are totally in love with aunt Robin." And that is what this whole show has apparently really been about and the finale ends with another final romantic gesture from Ted, bringing the Blue French Horn back to Robin.

What is so disappointing about this episode? For me, the worst part of the finale was Barney and Robin's divorce. In episode 22 of the final season we see the couple tie the knot and then within 15 minutes of the next episode it's all up in smoke. Then, with the revelation of the mother's death comes the obvious reality that Ted and Robin will end up together after all. Now, this would have been all fine if the show had only ran for a few seasons, yet this was not the case. Seasons 8 and 9, up until last nights episode, created a change in the character relationships which resulted the viewership being invested in Barney and Robin's marriage for the long haul. Furthermore, I personally think that by the time everyone had met the mother and seen her for the majority of the final season, we just wanted to see her and Ted together. Nobody was invested in Ted and Robin anymore because Robin's relationship with Barney worked so well.

I just felt that the final episode lacked any real joy from the main characters. Even when discussing Ted and Tracy's wedding we are aware that Robin has grown apart from the group. The whole 45 minute finale just seemed quite depressing, I'd rather of seen the celebration of the big events rather than focus on sad changes.

I will always remember this show for its comedic genius, its weird and wonderful story and its brilliant characters. I thought nothing could replace Friends but How I Met Your Mother has been a show I have grown up with and respect in itself. I will 100% be watching this show in years to come despite the nature of its ending.

J.Henderson.