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I know nothing, as well, past the trailers (I've watched endlessly).
When this came out, it didn t make much fuzz, but I think its status has grown immensely over the years. I loved it already then and have seen it several times since, but now it must be 15 years since the last time, so another rewatch was in order.
It has some obvious flaws (mainly some 1980s cheese), but there are enough standout scenes for it to remain a special movie. The love story between Conner and Heather is the most powerful aspect of the whole thing.
This 1998 bitter-sweet comedy features a stellar cast of stars from back then (and now) amongst whom a still charming Sean Connery. John Barry's score is a tear jerker. A film about people and love. There are worse ways to pass your time.
Such a great film. I really enjoyed a couple of the sequels, The Final Dimension and End Game. The Quickening and especially The Source were terrible. The TV show was good in it's day but doesn't hold up today.
A few years back there were plans for a reboot and Ryan Reynolds was in talks to play Connor. I haven't heard anything else in a long while so I assume its been dropped. Hopefully someday it'll be picked back up.
I love how Connor asks Ramirez how it (his immortality) happened, and Ramirez answers "Why does the sun come up?" Indeed, why is anything the way it is? Ultimately, it just is!
Edit: I forgot to mention I like Lambert's gravelly voice. It betrays Connor's age.
Right okay. So, Sean Connery lends his coarse voice to the character of Sir Billi, a kind elderly man who takes care of a bunch of talking refugee animals. And he drives an Aston Martin. And Shirley Bassey provides a lovely Bondian song for the OT. And we hear a few Barry cues here and there.
Look, not my thing, but I guess for a <80 minutes film this thing is watchable. Plus, technically this could be considered Connery's final "acting" role in any film. Could have been worse. But it could also have been a lot -- A LOT -- better.
Best pun I read all week.
One of my favourite films of all time. The Queen/Michael Kamen score is sublime.
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ATOMIC BLONDE (2017)
Just got back and really enjoyed it! The film, set in the 80's during the fall of the Berlin Wall, lives up to the trailer which didn't missell it (unlike some other films). It has a very Euro, overcast aesthetic & is incredibly stylish & avante garde. It reminds me a little of John Wick (David Leitch is also the director here) with a bit of James Bond, Sin City & Kingsman thrown in for good measure. Oh, and there is also a bit of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Toby Jones stars here too) in it. The fight scenes are quite visceral and brutal as expected, and are for the most part filmed without obvious editing cuts. This is the opposite of QoS/Bourne style film making. Despite the different approach, one definitely feels every punch and kick, just as in those earlier films. The participants bleed, hurt and die horrifically. There is a lengthy sequence towards the end of the film that takes place throughout a highrise - it's one of the most gritty fight sequences I've seen on film. One really gets a feeling for how much effort goes into beating someone to pulp. Like a few other movies I've seen recently (Baby Driver) this film has a pulsating eclectic retro soundtrack which elevates it. Depeche Mode, New Order, George Michael, The Clash, David Bowie, Queen etc. Great stuff. The plot is a bit run of the mill & predictable however - NOC lists and double agents and what not. It drags a little in the middle too before picking up for the climax. That's not really the focus though.
What is then? Well, it's Charlize Theron as Lorraine Broughton, aka. the titular Atomic Blonde. She is absolutely brilliant here, and owns it from her first scene. Icy cold, sassy, stylishly beautiful, distant & yet deadly efficient, she holds the viewer's attention and is a delight to watch. How credible is Theron as an agent? Let me put it this way: if I heard she was after me I'd be far more frightened than if I heard Bond was (based on SP at least). Sofia Boutella (another actress known for being a kick 'a') is in this film too, and she's nothing next to Theron. James McAvoy has a meaty part as a fellow agent liaison stationed in West Berlin and is pretty decent too, but this is the Charlize show through and through.
I had mentioned on another thread recently that these new thrillers (like Wick, Kingsman etc.) should be a concern for Bond. This film confirms that assessment. While none have Bond's heritage, brand, reach or box office, they collectively chip away at OO7's once supreme dominance, because they focus in niches and do what they do supremely well while not being hampered by Bond 'expectations'. The stakes couldn't be higher for EON as they consider their options for B25. I hope they choose wisely.
Recommended to see Theron hopefully birth a new franchise. I can't wait for the sequel.
Sometimes the best action movies are dumb and silly. I really enjoyed this one. Nothing game changing or remarkable but a fun way to kill 120 minutes. Plus who doesn't enjoy over the top John Travolta? :-bd
@Murdock, were there any other Bond references other than the title in the film?
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I know this is not the correct thread for it, but I had an experience yesterday which rivals any film I've seen this year, and so am posting here:
Hans Zimmer Live
I had the opportunity to see the maestro in concert & it was a fantastic experience. The auditorium was packed and the show was a sonic treat. Mr. Zimmer is quite a down to earth, humble and humorous man, and it was fascinating to hear him recount stories of how he created some of the famous tracks (including directors like Ridley Scott or Chris Nolan calling him up at all hours of the day with ideas) and what inspired him. He also gave a touching tribute to Heath Ledger. Mr. Zimmer had a full orchestra, choir, instrumentalists and vocalists from all over the world on hand, many of whom have worked with him for decades. They seemed like a tight knit family who really work well together and inspire one another. Everyone gave it their all and brought each piece to life passionately.
Mr. Zimmer played most his classics, including tracks from Madagascar, Batman, Interstellar, Inception, The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, The Lion King, Crimson Tide, Wonder Woman, Man of Steel etc. He reinterpreted a few of the tracks in a rock way, and perhaps that was for the North American audience or as a result of the venue. Some of the nuance was slightly lost as a result but conversely the jamming style worked for the live performance and the venue. He's currently on the North American leg of his tour and this is a spectacular 3 hour extravaganza worth catching if you can.
I now feel compelled to watch all of the films again! Thanks to @Jeffrey for recommending this.
20 years since I saw it. I loved it then, but was rather stoned, so wanted to see if it was as good as I remembered. It was. Magnificent movie, really amusing.
@0BradyM0Bondfanatic7, there were not. There was a Pulp Fiction reference though.
@Murdock, I'm sure it must involve Travolta's character talking about a burger called Royale with cheese he had in the field once?
@0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 you are bang on the money! :-bd
Lang is slowly becoming my favorite 30s/40s filmmaker.
TESTAMENT was his follow-up to M, and as in that film there's the sense of him playing with sound, feeling his way around it still, discovering it. The descriptor "silent film with sound" most definitely applies.
Hitch is the director most closely thought of as Bond progenitor, but for my money it was Lang. His influence is all over DN and GF, specifically Mabuse's. Part of that is down to the Mabuse source material being in the popular thriller style; part of it is that Lang himself was riffing on the FANTOMAS serial, which itself is rooted in popular thriller; and part of it is that Lang was helping to craft the visual language into which most subsequent thrillers would be translated (not only influencing film thrillers; wouldn't have been surprised to go back in time and see Fleming in the audience of this one, stoking his imagination). The ending nighttime car chase struck me as being particularly audacious for its time. In fact the whole film has a certain level of ambition when it comes to the amount of ideas packed into its two hours.
If you liked M, check it out.
LOGAN
This is the first X-Men film I actually sat down to watch with full attention. Not being familiar with these movies beyond the first two, it was quite a shock to find Logan and Xavier hiding in some rusty old place, with the professor in a such a terrible condition. The film was fairly touching, and had a serene, elegiac quality to it, even with all the action, some of it quite imaginative (especially the time halting). I really grew to feel for the three main characters.
YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES
I watched this one on the recommendation of @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7. All in all, a very good film. Nicholas Rowe and Alan Cox fill the roles of Holmes and Watson quite splendidly. Rowe, helped by his distinctive face, captures Holmes' quirky and restless personality, whereas Cox is endearing as Watson in a slightly clumsy, comedic version, reminiscent of Nigel Bruce's. Sophie Ward and her role of Elizabeth I found especially interesting: Quite frankly, as a character, Elizabeth doesn't have much depth; she's just basically there. And yet, she is always calm, collected, polite, charming. One can see why Holmes falls for her, and
Generally speaking, the story of the movie holds one's attention: it has just the right touch of a larger-than-life quality to it, with its secret societies and religious fanatics. The main villain is compelling and has an interesting relationship with Holmes: half father-figure, half enemy. I also appreciate how little details are dropped throughout that hint at the man Holmes will become, especially regarding his emotions. However, I must say the plot seems slightly undercooked at times: one gets the general idea, but it could've been slightly more elaborate in the details, and cleared up a couple of things.
At any rate, I like how the plot cleverly allows for a series of elaborate and fairly imaginative special effects sequences. I also appreciate how the film does not shy away from terror, death and violence simply because it's a family movie.
The set design and location work is exquisite: this is a world and an era I would like to visit! The music score is playful and engaging.
Shortcomings aside, I enjoyed this one a lot, and recommend it.
P.S.: I must say I love the poster with the magnifying glass!
The movie definitely builds to who Holmes becomes alongside Watson. My personal favorite moment is
I really wish there had been sequels, as Rowe and Cox were brilliant together and I'd have taken them as youngsters or even now as grown men. I know they played Holmes and Watson again for a one and done stage event not long ago, but I want a feature film, dammit.
Have you seen Lang's Spione, [Spys], there is so much there that influenced the Bond universe. It's a silent, but just check out the opening few minutes, awesome.