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It's a coincidence that in both cases Getty is played by a Canadian (with Plummer in the film version).
Scott ordered re-shoots (costing a few million more), re-cast Plummer in the role, in which another controversy arose: Mark Wahlberg was paid quite a bit more than his co-star Michelle Williams, to come back for the re-shoots.
Wahlberg reportedly donated this money to Time's Up:
https://www.today.com/popculture/mark-wahlberg-donating-1-5-million-time-s-after-pay-t121192
I also found Civil War very underwhelming. It's nothing like the comic book story arc, which was tense, edgy and had a story that paralleled the title, unlike the film. Vision, as a character, also annoys me the way Star-Lord does to some. Both of the Guardians of the Galaxy, while entertaining, are nowhere near as good as the acclaim they receive.
To me, the holy trinity of MCU films has become Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger and Black Panther. Then Marvel's The Avengers and then the rest.
I've always thought with Holmes it basically boils down to Rathbone v Brett with the former rather hampered by Watson being written as an absolute buffoon in quite a lot of them (although I do love Nigel Bruce in the role). I struggle to get on board with these guys who just play the role once or twice (which is strange as I'm quite happy with Laz and Dalts).
The Russian one an interesting case. I remember seeing a few of these on telly when I lived there (over 10 years ago now). Always struck me as a very decent crack at the stories and I think they are held in quite high regard over there. Of course I didn't speak Russian well enough to get the nuances but thankfully because I knew most of the stories I could follow. Would be interesting to see them all and with English subtitles.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I agree that Rathbone vs. Brett is the ultimate match-up, since an actor needs more than one film to make the role his own, especially since Holmes is offscreen for much of the Hound.
Brett's Hound, due to budget cuts and dull direction, was unable to match Rathbone's, but the rest of his appearances (including The Sign of Four, one of the very best Holmes films) more than compensate. I'm the middle of rewatching Brett's series on Blu-Ray, and the visual quality is several leaps above the DVD versions.
The Russian series is very intriguing and I need to see more of it. In the UK Livanov's Hound has been released on an English-subtitled DVD. In the US there are various NTSC Russian DVDs that happen to have English subtitles, and my local library fortunately had one.
Such a Brilliant Film this is one of my All time favorite films. Between the acting the dialogue and the locations and just well everything. So many quotable lines. so much good work. LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie
Films I have seen in 2018
1. The A-team
2. The Final Girls
3. Taken
4. Stand By Me
5. Before Sunrise
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
7. Goonies
8. Before Midnight
9. Before Sunset
Before series
1. Before Sunrise
2. Before Midnight
3. Before Sunset
Stephen King movies
1. Stand By Me
Corey Feldman movies
1. Stand by me
2. Teenage mutant ninja turtles
3. Goonies
Taken Series
1. Taken
Liam Neeson (sort of) retrospective series
1. The A-team
2. Taken
There was another HoTB playing the other day on the tellybox, starring Richard Roxborough (or did I miss that in you review?) and then of course there is Sherlock series 2 episode The Hounds of Baskerville as well.
An intriguing film with a great ending..there are some weird people out there and its amazing to think how lives can be wrecked in such a short time.
Recommended.
No, you're correct, I didn't review the Roxborough version. Everything I read about it put me off. I plan on seeing the Sherlock version someday, but since it's very far from being a traditional adaptation I decided it wouldn't be fair to review it as one.
Fantastic film, very fun, very fast paced, extremely entertaining actions sequences - the 1st major one at around the 20 minutes mark is one huge car chase that features King Kong, the DeLorean, a Dinosaur and the motorcycle from 'Akira' - and the CGI world created whenever the film dives into the Oasis (the virtual world central to the plot) are are amazing to see. A killer soundtrack (Depeche Mode, A-Ha), a very cool James Bond reference when the N64 game 'Goldeneye 007' is mentioned, and of course some very charismatic performances from the lead cast - especially the 2 asian characters and Ben Mendelsohn (who is born to play very slimy yet terribly entertaining villains). I had a blast for the entire 2 hours and 20 minutes, and it'll most likely finish the year near the top of the most fun time I'll have in theaters. One of my favorite Spielberg's too, I'll have to see where it ranks once I rewatch it, but I think it'll be very high on my list.
? The Post was only a couple of months ago!
Fantastic film, and what a performance by Mason.
I went to see Red Sparrow the other day and despite some very mixed reviews had a great time.
A lot was made of Jennifer Lawrence getting her kit off and if that's your reason for going you will be severely disappointed as in 2hrs 20 mins you get a few quick flashes. But I found it a very enjoyable thriller that hit all the Cold War beats you wanted it to. Charlotte Rampling and Jeremey Irons have a lot of fun hamming it up and there are some nice bursts of violence although overall I was somewhat disappointed that it was a bit superficial in terms of character. Had the potential to be up there with Tinker, Tailor but the script lacked the heft required.
Also they should have had the bottle to really go for it sex and violence wise as things were a tad muted for my liking, which seemed like a corporate decision to try and get as many bums on seats rather than being true to the project and subject matter.
But overall as the new Cold War starts to heat was this film made it feel like the Soviet Union is still in it's pomp (which after all is Putin's aspiration) so hopefully we are on the crest of a new wave of Cold War thriller revival.
1. A Fistful of Dollars (1964):
Known as the one to start it all for the genre, Sergio Leone had a great vision to reinvigorate how people have viewed Westerns by introducing a hero who's not slight bit of a white knight as opposed to what the John Wayne films did in the preceding years. Fresh out of the production of Rawhide, Clint Eastwood changes his image of a boy scout to a rogue antihero with morals falling in the grey area. A charismatic gunman who hardly lives for the moment but observes and plans ahead to manipulate two opposing forces that terrorize and emasculate a poor town, into fighting and eliminating each other, thus freeing the townspeople from the regime of the two gangs.
2. For A Few Dollars More (1965):
Even though it wasn't Leone's intention, this installment sees the return of The Man With No Name (played by Eastwood) with his famous poncho and rattlesnake-gripped Single Action Army pistol, who is now working as a bounty hunter, going after the most dangerous criminals wanted by the law. But, he's not alone. Soon thereafter, he is joined by the charismatic Colonel Douglas Mortimer (played by the ever as awesome late Lee Van Cleef) when the most ruthless gang leader then-currently known around, El Indio (Gian Maria Volonte) breaks out of imprisonment and plans to rob the largest and most secure bank ever in the US. Seeing as the gang all collectively is worth a fortune, the two heroes join forces to weaken the gang and eventually picking up the bounty money, unbeknownst to the Man with No Name, Mortimer seems to have his own agenda against El Indio.
3. Sabata (1969):
Now, this film is nothing original or visionary, but pure fun starring Lee Van Cleef as the titular character, who is more or less inspired by the role he played in For A Few Dollars More, from his mannerisms right down to the last detail of his clothing. Unlike other western heroes, however, Sabata uses a custom-built dillinger as his primary sidearm, and is a very quick draw. Sabata is an unpredictable man whose game is not known to anyone but an untrustworthy ally called Banjo (played by William Berger) whose paths cross after a long time. Finding out about a bank robbery commissioned by a local nobleman with town officials being in his pocket, Sabata recovers an evidence that tails it back to the villains, he decides to blackmail them for money and his personal gain rather than turning them in, without crossing the line or breaking the law amidst. It's a terrific action-pack western which is recommended for the lovers of the genre.
4. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966):
The third and final entry in The Dollars Trilogy, this one is a prequel to its predecessors, taking place during the Civil War and serving as an almost origin story for The Man With No Name. This time, Sergio Leone's visionary direction takes the genre to a whole new level by telling a story uneasy to follow, at least not being as straightforward as the previous two, centering on three gunslingers who are after a large sum of gold. Untrusting of each other - and rightfully so - the three of them have to go through the greatest lengths to get to the gold buried in a cemetery far away. The film depicts the violence and the tragedy of war in many ways while not failing to be a western in the slightest. Cutting through opposing forces once more, whether the Yankees or the Confederates, or battlefields they've had to flee, the quest has all the men working with and against each other, ready to stick a knife in each other's back should the moment call for it. It's the ecstasy of gold. Lee Van Cleef returns in yet another prominent role, but this time playing a character that is the opposite of the romantic Colonel Mortimer. He is "The Bad", called in the film Angel Eyes, who doesn't fail to impress in any form. Compared to the other two, it's an epic that every man on earth should see, at least once.
5. Death Rides A Horse (1967):
This one is one of my favourites. Undisputed. Then again, revenge stories are always beautiful if told magnificently. And this one, like For A Few Dollars More, is delivered in the same manner, but doesn't try to be ambitious. It's only there to entertain. Starring Lee Van Cleef once again as a hero, and John Phillip Law (of the Diabolik fame) as a young man seeking revenge for the abusive and violent death of his family, the two unconventional protagonists team up to go after members of a former gang who appear to be individually rich and respected men in their own towns while keeping in touch for certain robberies and smuggling business they undertake. Van Cleef's character used to be part of the gang, only to be betrayed by his comrades and locked away for fifteen years, now prompting his former colleagues for a payback. Law, on the other hand, wants all of their blood spilled to avenge his family in cold blood. Playing on the mentor and trainee template, it showcases compelling performances by the two lead actors, and - of course - the brilliant late Luigi Pistilli (who appeared in two of Dollars Trilogy films) in the role of the main antagonist, rising from a gang leader to a city mayor, while keeping up with his old habits. Recommended for western lovers.
Trivia for Bond fans: Anthony Dawson has a role in this film.
6. If You Meet Sartana, Pray For Your Death (1968):
Here, we step into the territory of the Spaghetti Western pastiches. This was the first time I've seen a Sartana film after having heard of its cult status among the fanatics of the genre. Here, we have Italian actor Gianni Garko in the eponymous role, whose character is an amalgamation of The Man With No Name (Clint Eastwood) and Colonel Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef). It's funny how these two characters appear to be the primary influences in then-future films in the category. I can't say I blame the producers. Even though, director Gianfranco Parolini (who is a massive Bond fan, by the way) claimed that the character was mostly inspired by Mandrake The Magician (due to his skillful agility with shuffling cards as well as wearing a caped overcoat with red interior) and James Bond (his gadgetry and custom-made dillinger pistol).
The film deals with Sartana, a man of utmost mystery, manipulating two different parties who are after a large sum of gold being smuggled through coffins, and there he comes to assume the role of a "first class pallbearer" as he puts it. We also have the rather enjoyable William Berger making appearance in the film as the primary antagonist whom Sartana terrorizes by hitting where it hurts most: The character is afraid of pocket watches that chime a specific tune. A long game of a cat and mouse ensues as all players, whether individuals, collective gangs or corrupt noble families, plan to get their hands on the gold and flee the town. But, when Sartana comes in the middle, the odds no longer appear to be in their favor.
7. Sartana the Gravedigger (1969):
The second installment in the Sartana Pentalogy has the protagonist framed for a notorious bank robbery with a big price on his head put by the law that forces hungry bounty hunters to come after him. While on his quest to clear his name, he learns that there's a bigger matter in hand than a simple frameup, as there happens to be someone impersonating him like a doppelganger who seemingly knows him best and is steps ahead. We have here a second appearance by Klaus Kinski whose role is larger here than it was in the first film. Being only his third time at the helm of a film, Giuliano Carnimeo does a terrific job in delivering an experience of excitement, and dare I say, improves upon its predecessor, which itself was enjoyable. It also has a catchy theme tune.
Note: The Sartana films aren't necessarily recommended for the general viewer. It's only for the Spaghetti Western fanatic who's a completist rather than someone who wants to watch an epic film. I'd also like to mention that the films haven't been released in remastered form, so I'd wait for Kino Lober to release it on BluRay with high definition quality and nothing but.
8. The Grand Duel (1972):
With this film, we're back to originality and quality-storytelling that use more experienced and professional actors with talents as well as a director who has a lot of vision invested in this one. It's less action-packed, more investigative with elements of Giallo (Italian-made horrors of sorts) playing in the shadows. It tells the story of a former Jefferson City Sheriff named Clayton (Van Cleef) going through the greatest lengths to exonerate a young man who was wrongfully accused and condemned of killing the patriarch of a rich and influential family in the west. The first half plays like a regular western, whereas the other half relies on the structure of a detective tale as the major players in a conspiracy plot come to reveal themselves. The supporting cast also has powerful actors with great presence, on top of all being Horst Frank, followed by Dominique Darel as an obligated bride to the family, and Klaus Grunberg playing a conflicted psychotic killer with thirst for blood. Luis Bacalov composed a beautiful theme tune for this film which I've gladly added to my collection of SW albums sometime ago.
You know? Watching all these Spaghetti Westerns and listening to their outstanding soundtracks... As much as I like Quentin Tarantino, I wish he would stop bastardizing those themes in his own respective films.
Next stop: One Silver Dollar (1965) starring Giuliano Gemma.
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@ClarkDevlin Much less familiar with spaghetti westerns than I'd like. Of the ones you listed I've only seen the Dollars trilogy, A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS being my favorite. DEATH RIDES A HORSE sounds interesting, though, like it might be a good place to start expanding.
EDIT: Just when I finished typing this, my sound system running soundtracks/scores set to "random" started playing THE EXTASY OF GOLD. Brilliant, brilliant anytime. It must be a sign.
I've had this Blu-ray since 2010 and always postponed but am happy to report that I watched and enjoyed it immensely tonight. Marvellous feel-good movie with beat-up music track and super performances by all involved. A sure re-watch much sooner than my first watch happened.
OUATITW is pure classic gold IMO.
It also features Charles Bronson is his first prominent role in a globally successful film after having appeared in numerous French films at the time. The thing is, the whole cast is perfect and their performances are outstanding. By label, it's definitely a Spaghetti Western. By feeling however, it's slightly different. Then again, so was The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Duck, You Sucker! (aka A Fistful of Dynamites).
I'll be watching them all along the way. Also, I forgot to mention... Man, this just happens by luck. Having recently watched the first two Sartana films, I only found out a few hours ago that Arrow Films announced a remaster of the whole Pentalogy!
https://arrowfilms.com/product-detail/the-complete-sartana-limited-edition/FCD1762
Here's a clip for those interested:
One Silver Dollar (1965):
The sixties was a terrific decade for westerns, more so than anything that came before it. With the unexpectedly overwhelming success of A Fistful of Dollars a year earlier, the Italians started making westerns in their own way rather than imitating the American Westerns as they've done it before. Starring Giuliano Gemma under the stage moniker, Montgomery Wood, with all the other Italian cast members adopting generic American names in order to achieve success in the US market, here we see an outstanding western that doesn't get tiresome in the slightest.
Giuliano Gemma plays Gary O'Hara, a former Confederate Lieutenant, who is betrayed and left for dead by a corrupt town official called McCory. Seeking justice and revenge for the death of his brother, O'Hara changes his appearance and identity to join up McCory's underlings who are terrorizing the entire state and stealing a shipment of gold belonging to the townspeople, and destroy the whole gang from within.
The film does feel original, albeit not overtly ambitious. I rank it as good as A Fistful of Dollars as a whole. It's evident that the early-to-mid sixties always have had handled works of cinema more classically and romantically rather than what came later where it just turned to a cash cow business and spawned films in the genre no matter the quality. Gianni Ferrio's score also plays a large part in elevating this film's value with its haunting tone. If only this film gets remastered on BluRay. For western lovers of all kinds, I recommend this.
Great movie all around. Too bad I didn't see it in the theater when it came out. Still, now it makes me more fired up for the next MCU movies, given that Loki, Carol Danvers and Nick Fury were in it ;) And the Kaiju lover I am got a kick out of the post-credit scene.
Jack Reacher: never go back - A decent second installment of this series in which Tom shows that he does seem to do a decent enough Reacher.
The Mummy (2017) - I kinda enjoyed this actioner/dark universal movie, a nice enough retelling of the Mummy. Some great action scenes and Boutela is amazing.