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Heat - McCarthy & Bullock in this very entertaining police comedy movie, it really made laugh out loud very entertaining to watch.
Alien Covenant - Scott made a visual brilliant movie that is a sequel to Prometheus, the musical soundtrack from both Alien & Prometheus are well used to illustrate that. This movie had the same theme as Blade Runner with replicants/artificial humans having evolved too far and looking or disagreeing with their makers, humanity. I liked this moody and beautiful movie and like none of the Scott movies in a hurry to race to the end. Well cast and well scripted.
Blade runner - What a brilliant movie about created life that wants change from their creators and up being "retired", the movie says a lot about the worth of human life. One of the great scifi movies ever and its sequel will be very hard pressed to be better, I do not expect it to be.
Arrival - finally a movie about aliens and humans that is not an thriller of horror but about communication. Great compliments for this more than intelligent movie.
In this pilot to a television series that was never made, Cathy Lee Crosby plays a rather dull version of one of DC's greatest female heroes. Ricardo Montalban's presence as a charming villain is perhaps the only reason why one might consider watching this 'film'. This pilot reminds me a bit of Reb Brown's Captain America in the sense that he didn't come even close to the source material either.
WONDER WOMAN (1975)
One year after the Cathy Lee Crosby pilot, another attempt was made at a Wonder Woman television series, and this time they'd get it right. Or at least, they'd find some kind of stable formula, albeit an incredibly campy one. Much like the Batman Television Series had been both crazy and successful at the same time, so would this Wonder Woman series be. Lynda Carter is to Wonder Woman what Adam West is to Batman. The pilot, which also stars Eric Braeden, takes us to WWII and Paradise Island. The result is an entertaining, easily watchable and rather comedic film, nice to look at and vastly more faithful to the source material. Well done!
WONDER WOMAN (2009)
Say what you like about DC's animated output, but they often get it right when others fail. The Wonder Woman animated film is one such example. Of the three mentioned so far, this is easily my favourite. Keri Russell lends her voice to a more serious Wonder Woman. We also hear the likes of Nathan Fillion, Alfred Molina, Rosario Dawson, Oliver Platt and Virginia Madsen. The story is very entertaining and in fact a sophisticated re-imagining of the same story on which the Lynda Carter pilot was based. The animation is very good, the action exciting and the comedy, though kept in balance, at times superb. Christopher Drake's musical score is a great composition. Excellent movie!
I can now move on to Adrianne Palicki's 2011 Wonder Woman pilot and then the Gal Gadot film. :)
First watch for me of this charming Woody Allen joint. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are on holiday in Barcelona together. Despite being long term friends, the two girls couldn't be more different. Vicky is buttoned down, conservative and sensible, and is already engaged to a conventional (and rather typical) New York yuppie named Doug (Chris Messina). Cristina on the other hand is a much more free spirited adventurer. She doesn't know quite what (or whom) she wants, but she certainly knows what she doesn't want. While out for dinner one night, they are approached by lustful local Spaniard Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem). Juan smoothly propositions both girls to a weekend with him in a remote town, and also suggests a threesome if they are so inclined (this is one of the most confident chat ups I've seen on screen, even more so because it's a double proposition). Bohemian Cristina is game, but straight laced Vicky is initially taken aback by his forwardness. Eventually they both succumb and go along. That weekend has unexpected results which impact the rest of their trip in significant ways, forcing the girls to question the direction of their lives.
Penelope Cruz (Bardem's real wife) shows up half way through the film as Juan's volatile ex wife Marie Elena, who he has a complicated on and off relationship with (she stabbed him once during one of their many fights). The film has a light summery ambience and is a fun watch. The scenery is wonderful, & Allen showcases the architecture beautifully. It reminds me very much of Whit Stillman's 1994 film Barcelona, also filmed in this city. Johansson is good, but Bardem, Cruz (who won a supporting Oscar for her role) and Hall own their parts. Recommended.
I really like that movie. Has a lot of heart. Scarlett is great in it, though I actually prefer her in Match Point.
@JamesBondKenya
I think this is a visual but also intellectual marvel. The ultimate 'twist' of the
Stellar movie. I enjoyed every minute of it.
---
The Day Of The Jackal (1973)
I was in the mood for something exceptional. Therefore I put in one of my favourite films. I've loved this thriller, based on the Frederick Forsyth book of the same name, since I first saw it as a kid. In fact, I was so impressed that I immediately proceeded to read my dad's copy of the novel. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, the film focuses on a fictional plot by the far right Organisation de l'armée secrète (OAS) to assassinate French President Charles De Gaulle during the summer of 1963. Having failed previously the rogue organization hires an enigmatic assassin, code named the Jackal (Edward Fox), to do the job for them.
What has always fascinated me about this film is how it progresses in an almost procedural documentary fashion, while still being highly engrossing. It's easy to mistake this for a true story - that's how well it's directed. The story is shown from both sides as it unfolds. We see the Jackal's meticulous approach and precise technique, and we also have the privilege of witnessing Europe's finest at work as they ploddingly piece together clues in an attempt to stop him. Fox is outstanding as the cold deliberate professional. Equally excellent is Michael Lonsdale (MR's Drax) as his foil Claude Lebel, the Sûreté Nationale's best investigator & a sharp, analytical mind. Lebel is given emergency powers & full cooperation between security agencies in order to stop the Jackal. The whole thing feels so contemporary in light of today's terrorist activity.
The film has tremendous old school atmosphere, especially in Genoa, where the Jackal spends a lot of time preparing. It has a cold, detached feel to it, but also has wonderful ambience.
I noticed yesterday (for the first time) that it definitely influenced the following year's TMWTGG. The Lazar scene is very similar to a sequence in this film. Moreover, it is a little known fact that Roger Moore wanted the role and producer John Woolf wanted him for it too, but director Zinnemann refused, thinking Moore too famous. I could easily see Moore nailing this part, although Fox is absolutely superb. Recommended.
They really did up the ante, with the action, drama & humour working in perfect harmony. And i'm glad that Sean was brought back, albeit in a cameo, I thought he was a more likeable character than Han (who was just there), in Tokyo Drift.
1. Furious 7 (2015)
2. Fast Five (2011)
3. Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
4. Fast & Furious (2009)
5. 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
6. The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
7. The Fast And The Furious (2001)
Absolutely fantastic horror/thriller from Norwegian director André Øvredal. The film is set in a single location for the entire duration, as 2 coroners will try to identity the body of an unknown woman, and finding what caused her death. The 2 lead roles are portrayed by Emile Hirsch and Brian Cox, and both deliver highly interesting and mesmerizing performances. Their investigation kept me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense did not let go from the opening scene to the last scene.
Well its Walter Hill, so I always favour one of his movies. Not classic Hill by any means, its still very watchable. Essentially another remake of Yojimbo, Bruce Willis is the hard as nails killer who wanders into a town run by two gangs, who he decides to play off one another for his own ends. Over the top shootouts and lots of steely looks, a mention for Ry Cooders terrific theme, and the great Chris Walken as one of the gangs chief enforcer.
Director Hill was on the wane a bit here but I still would watch it over many action movies produced today!
Our very own director of TWINE, Michael Apted, made this new spy/action flick set in London. Featuring an impressive cast - Noomi Rapace, Michael Douglas, John Malkovich, Toni Colette and Orlando Bloom, a pretty interesting plot with many twists and turns (Apted must have been a fan of P&W's work on his Bond film, as the amount of traitors and moles was sky high in this film). Not as jam packed in action scenes as I'd have hoped, but the quality of the action was very much there - Rapace was a total badass in this, destroying goons with brutal kills. Even Bloom had some some impressive fighting skills, Douglas was as charismatic as always, and Malkovich delivered another of his hugely entertaining and unhinged performance.
In honour of Sir Rog, I put in my blu ray of this Peter Hunt (of OHMSS fame) directed thriller, based on a Wilbur Smith book entitled Gold Mine. I've always liked this film, since I first saw it on ITV as a kid. There are more Bond connections (Maurice Binder did the titles, John Glen edited, and production design was done by Syd Cain).
It tells the story of a South African Gold Mining company called Sonderditch. Moore is Rod Slater, the newly appointed General Manager of the outfit. His unscrupulous boss Steyner (Bradford Dillman), has plans to flood the mine to spike the price of gold. He is backed by a shady syndicate of financiers and commodity men led by the mysterious but ruthless Farrell (the legendary Sir John Gielgud in a particularly unpleasant turn). In order for the plan to work, Steyner must rely on Slater to do his bidding, but keeps him out of the loop on the details. Slater suspects foul play, and puts in place protective measures. He is a consummate ladies man, and takes a fancy to Steyner's wife Terry (Susannah York), who also happens to be the much loved granddaughter of the principled but cynical mine owner/Chairman of the Board Harry Hirschfield (another legend, Ray Milland). The two strike up an affair, not entirely unbeknownst to Steyner (in fact, he initially encourages it for selfish reasons). Eventually all hell breaks lose as the mine is blown (Slater's protective measures are circumvented). Will he be able to redeem himself and save the mine?
Sir Rog is in fine form in this film. Very roguish in the same manner as his earlier Bond turns, but with a slightly harder edge. There's little of his patented eyebrow raising smirks here. I've always thought he should have played Bond more like he did in this film, which is more in line with his FYEO performance. Susannah York is feisty and modern as Terry. Ray Milland, John Gielgud and Bradford Dillman are also great. However, it is Simon Sabela who really steals the show as the honourable South African chief miner 'Big King'. A six year old Patsy Kensit has a tiny role too.
There is some wonderful old school atmospheric location photography in South Africa (this is a Peter Hunt film after all) and the final scenes in the mine surrounded by water are chilling and very realistic.
It also boasts an Oscar nominated track by Maureen McGovern entitled Wherever Love Takes Me. It's good, but I actually preferred the brassy eponymous title track sung by Jimmy Helms. Both were composed by Elmer Bernstein who also did the score.
Recommended.
First Coppola's Dracula and then Branagh starring and directed Frankenstein, which is my favorite version of the story. It's so dark and by the end of the film I feel traumatized and sick to my stomach. Great cast with Branagh as not so mad Victor Frankenstein and De Niro as the creature.
I will have some sick dreams tonight.
I haven't laughed this hard in far too long. As a man who loves Batman movies, particularly the Nolan films and the animated films from the 90s, this has now become my favorite Batman movie. It has heart, it has laughs, it tells a genuine story about a man who doesn't want to let himself have a family, and it does it all with Lego.
It was the Batman movie we deserved and the one we needed right now.
It's a real eurospy stravaganza, with a few awesome ideas, but ultimately, it's nothing but mediocre. However, I must say that I've found Riz Ortolani's score to be quite good! We're talking of a guy that made Mondo Cane and Cannibal Holocaust sounds glorious despite the content of the films (CH is quite funny, but I had to watch it with a towel close by to cover my eyes in order not to see the animal killings. And it's thanks to Ortolani's score that I avoided to see them!).
Sherlock Holmes in New York
Escape To Athena
The Sea Wolves
and
North Sea Hijack aka Ffolkes
I never understood why he underestimated himself as an actor. He may not have been a Brando or De Niro, but he could act. I know he rated his performance in The Man Who Haunted Himself as his best acting, though I also think he's great in The Naked Face, in which he plays a psychiatrist who gets caught up with the mob. A role very different from his Bond persona. The Wild Geese is another role in which he displays capable acting chops.
Still a few films to get through, Shout At The Devil, Gold, The Wild Geese, Crossplot, That Lucky Touch and of course The Man Who Haunted Himself.
I've enjoyed re-watching these films, but also looking at Sir Rog's performance. He really underestimated himself. Fine actor and man.
Very good film. May the force be with you.............
Just got back from the theatre. Not bad. Not bad at all. This is no BB (don't let the critics going overboard fool you) but it's no BvS or SS either (phew!). It's pretty much on par with Captain America - First Avenger, which is to say it's a decent DC flick but nowhere up to Marvel's best.
So what's good? The origin story is told concisely and has resonance. The film moves at a decent clip throughout. The characters (who are essentially rebels) are relateable and three dimensional (think Rogue One, but here we actually give a toss due to better writing and acting). The score by Rupert Gregson-Williams is excellent and up there with Zimmer's work - it adds depth and feeling to the scenes. The cinematography in the earlier part of the film is very good too.
Chris Pine is pretty good as Steve Trevor - better than I thought he would be. Most importantly, Gal Gadot nails both Diana Prince and Wonder Woman. She is mysterious, alluring, vulnerable, naive, honourable and determined in equal measure. Gadot has created an authentic heroine. One with heart who we want to root for. One who has inner strength, drive & principles. DC really got the casting right with her.
So what's not so good? Well, many of the money shot scenes (especially the action sequences) were already shown in most of the trailers. The villains are quite weak and unmemorable (Danny Huston in particular is so overused in this capacity). The film goes into typical DC CGI overload in a big way at the end (similar to BvS) which is unfortunate. I'm a bit bored of origin stories too, and so some of the aspects here as Diana learns about men and humans were a bit tiresome for me. Even the jokes fell flat for me. I just wanted them to get on with the main plot. Still, I'm nitpicking.
Next to Wonder Woman, the other two jokers (Supes and Bat) seem like spoiled boys with toys. WW2 can't get here soon enough and it won't be just the girls wanting more Gadot. I do too.
Such effrontery! Such outrageousness! World War 2 was a painful--oh, wait, I get it. ;-)
Reading your review, I'm even more eager now to watch the film. Sadly I shall have to wait a few more weeks...
It's worth the wait @DarthDimi. Good film. DC should be proud of this one.
I'm glad to hear DC will get one right with this one. I rather enjoyed MOS and BvS but was left rather disappointed with SS. (Oh no, another WWII abbreviation ;-) ). Still, none of these were truly "great". WW may very well be the film we've been waiting for, and hopefully a successful prelude to JL.
It's one you need to see if you're passionate about filmmaking.