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standish77
Reviews
Quantum of Solace (2008)
The Best non-Fleming Bond movie
The biggest mystery about Quantum of Solace is why are there so many negative comments about it? Yes, the editing of the action scenes is at times too fast paced and difficult to follow. Yes, there is a lot of action. But this is a James Bond film...how can you possibly have too much action?! Quantum of Solace is far more entertaining that Casino Royale...though of course the latter is a better film in terms of characterization and story. However, we are forgetting that Casino Royale was based on an original novel by Ian Fleming (as were the classic Connery films). Quantum of Solace is a completely original story and it certainly is the best non-Fleming film. It makes me cringe now even thinking about the Pierce Brosnan era of films. With Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig continues to give a top-notch performance. His Bond is brutal, bitter and one hell of a nasty guy. You just wouldn't want to mess with him. This is as close to the original Ian Fleming Bond that you are going to get. Yes...there are comparisons with Timothy Dalton's serious approach. But what Dalton was lacking was real charm and charisma...and Craig definitely has this! The movie is a direct continuation of Casino Royale...but it is a completely different movie. Much shorter, much faster and altogether more grittier. Bond is simply angry...and on a mission to kill. He kills whoever gets in his way...which becomes a running joke between him and M (the ever excellent Judi Dench). He is simply out for the revenge for the death of Vesper. Nothing will stop in his way.
The film introduces us to the concept of a secret organization known as Quantum. This is reminiscent of SPECTRE from the early films. In one great scene, we realize the extent of the organization as one by one key villains are revealed during a performance of Tosca. Marc Foster's art-house vision is notably evident in this scene as Bond fights his way out of the opera house, edited in cuts with the similar operatic scene taking place on stage. A brilliantly executed sequence.
Quantum of Solace feels different to other Bonds...and this may be why some people have reservations about it. Gone are the gadgets and the dodgy CGI action (from Die Another Die). But there is still some humor (no cheesy one liners...but more subtle sarcasm which really fits well with the tone of the film). The story is not as complicated as everyone makes it out to be...but one word of warning...DO WATCH CASINO ROYALE BEFOREHAND, otherwise it could be a little hard to follow.
Overall, this is one hell of a ride...and quite simply one of the best Bond films ever!
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
A welcome return of the classic hero
To all those guys out there who have panned the latest Indiana Jones film...you are ALL SO wrong!!! Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is not a perfect movie, by any means...but it's a damn sight better than any of the most recent Hollywood blockbusters (The Mummy, Spiderman, Superman Returns, etc).
The movie begins with the classic Paramount logo and from that moment on you realise you are watching something different...something special. This looks and feels exactly like the other Indy movies. Kudos to Spielberg for capturing the 1950's era spot on. There has been criticism over the OTT factors of the film; especially the fridge scene. Yet I thought this was an incredibly fun scene that does work. Indiana Jones has always been about pure-escapism fun...and in all the previous movies there have been OTT scenes (how about the time when Indy jumps out of a plane in a boat? Or almost has his heart ripped out?). The series was never rocket science...it was just about being good, old, unadulterated fun...it always has been...and thankfully with the latest installment it still is! Harrison Ford is on top of form...and the humour is just right. Most of the action scenes work and the partnership between Indy and Mutt is solid and at times entertaining.
The criticism (if any) lies in the middle part of the movie (set in Peru) where the story does go a little flat. There is also a little too much CGI (though I do argue that the ants looked great)...it was just the jungle chase that was too blue screen for me.
As for all you who hated the alien story-line...you're forgetting something. The 1950's were all about science-fiction and martians. So whilst the original 3 films are a homage to the 1930's adventure movies...this is a homage to those 1950's B-movies.
So all in all...whilst not perfect...this is still great cinema...and is highly-recommended! At the moment I will put it between The Last Crusade and The Temple of Doom in order of my favourite Indy films. And that is no bad thing!
Casino Royale (2006)
Well done Daniel...you would have made Mr Fleming proud!
Let's begin by saying that YES I am a hardcore James Bond fan, one who has watched all the films countless times before, traveled to some of the locations worldwide and even once blagged my way into the press pit at a 007 film premiere. James Bond is a national icon and a film phenomenon. So when Daniel Craig was originally announced as the 6th and latest incarnation of the character, obviously like everyone else I was somewhat taken back and surprised. Yes, maybe he didn't have the playboy good looks of Pierce Brosnan but let's remind ourselves that the original James Bond character that Ian Fleming wrote was a ruthless agent with a license to kill. The Brosnan and Moore films, though extremely entertaining completely destroyed Fleming's original character. Gone were the tension and realistic action scenes found in the Connery and Dalton films and in their place were fantastical and completely implausible plots. Bond never seemed to be in danger, because the audience always knew that he could whip out his latest gadget and save the day. 'Die Another Day' also had some shockingly bad CGI effects (notably towards the end with the crashing plane). Bond was beginning to look like a glorified cartoon character.
So at last it is refreshing to see that Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Brocoli have completely turned the Bond franchise on its head and come up with an entertaining and highly realistic film. Without a doubt 'Casino Royale' is the best film since 1987's 'The Living Daylights'. Simply because its the first film since then to adapt an original Ian Fleming novel.
Dare I say it...Daniel Craig IS Bond! He is funny, he is suave...but boy is he dangerous. From the stunning pre-credits sequence in which he brutally kills his first two targets...we know that this is a new kind of Bond. A Bond you can believe in. Craig's fight scenes are without a doubt the most realistic fights in the series. The stand-out fight scene takes place in a stairwell and involves a large knife and a lot of blood and body blows. You really feel for him when his crisp white shirt is ruined and covered in crimson blood. There's no smarmy one liner, no joke, just 2 dead bodies and a traumatized Bond girl, who is clearly disturbed by the brutality of Bond. You just cannot imagine Pierce Brosnan in the same scenes.
The interplay between Craig and his leading lady Eva Green is extremely strong and incredibly convincing. They banter off each other and share quips. You can really feel the chemistry between them. Vesper is certainly not just a casual one night fling for 007. Bond falls in love...and you see the relationship develop before your eyes. It's believable.
Another classic scene is when Bond gives Vesper a stunning dress to wear and in return she gives him his customary black dinner jacket. The moment Craig puts it on the first time, looks in the mirror and you hear the faint sounds of the Bond theme tune...you know that Bond is definitely back.
Its a great film full of believable action scenes (the opening chase in Madagascar is breathtaking). There is also pretty much no CGI in the scenes. These are true stunts harking back to the glory days when incredible stunts really made the franchise. A few people have complained about the main villain (Le Chiffre) as being too weak. I for one would have to disagree. Yes, he is not a Dr Evil hell-bent on world domination, but instead he is a real, seedy and incredibly dangerous character. He has faults, he has other enemies apart from Bond...and from the moment you see him puff on his inhaler...you know he has some weaknesses...but that doesn't make him a weak villain. Far from it. His torturing of Bond is incredibly sadistic (lightened by Craig's humor).
Of course nobody is perfect...there ARE a few complaints with the film. The action scenes (though amazing) seem somewhat out of place (an editing issue) and the film is too long (some scenes do drag towards the end). The Bond tune is not used nearly enough and there are a lot of unanswered questions. However, these are just some minor quibbles.
Overall, compared to ALL of the Brosnan films and in fact any other 007 since the 60's this is a great movie. A welcome return to the literary roots of the character. Congratulations Daniel...you would have made Mr Fleming proud! Bond IS indeed back...and here to stay!
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Love the detail!
This was an incredible movie experience! I just loved every moment. By far Kill Bill is the best movie of 2003 if not the past few years.
Although on the surface a very simple story...it was nevertheless thouroughly entertaining and enjoyable. To the point that you leave the cinema rooting for The Bride and her quest of vengeance.
For me, though what really made the film was Tarrantino's flair for detail...which really created a unique character. Aspects such as the array of sunglasses on the dashboard of the sherriff's car, the close-up of the mosquito sucking blood from The Bride and most effectively the solitary sound of the wooden water fountain during the final fight between The Bride and Oren Ishi.
The soundtrack as well really helps to add to the killer atmosphere. Roll on Kill Bill volume 2...I simply can't wait!
Stara basn. Kiedy slonce bylo bogiem (2003)
A worthy adaptation of 'The Old Tale'
Stara Basn means "The Old Tale" in Polish. Indeed this is a mixture of Polish folklore and history brought to the big screen!
Set in the 9th Century...the movie depicts an exciting tale of love, betrayal, death...and action...plenty of it!
At 1 hr 45 mins long the pace is just right and never tires. The story itself is relatively easy to understand...even for a non Polish speaker like myself! This is mainly thanks to the gorgeous visuals...which really speak for themselves.
This movie has anything and is definetly highly recommended. Its the most polished, well crafted and enjoyable Polish film that I have seen in a long time!
One note of caution though: this film is highly graphic! You don't get the Hollywood clean cut treatment. So when heads roll, swords thrust into flesh and druids enact an orgy...you see EVERYTHING!!!
Still that's what it was like back then!!!
Zemsta (2002)
poor quality
Just saw this film in Poland. For those of you who are not accustomed to Polish history...Zemsta is a film adaptation of a popular Polish folklore.
Gathering by the relatively large budget and big name cast (Roman Polanski!)...I was very surprised by such a poor finish. The acting (Polanski excluded) was very over the top and wooden and the music was just reworked pieces from the composer's last film!
Above all the quality of the actual picture was appalling. For instance there is an entire scene where the sound is inaudible and what on earth were those strange @ symbols that kept appearing at the bottom of the screen?
I will not be seeing it again...and I don't think I'm the only one!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
What a bore!
I was looking forward to this one as I really enjoyed the first. What a disappointment! The film's main problem is its running time...at 2 hrs 40 mins it drags terribly.
I dont understand why people are saying there is more action in this one....I suppose there is...but that doesnt necessarilly mean it will be more fun...it isnt.
Kenneth Branagh is great fun...but his character just disappears at the end. Alan Rickman is brilliant as usual...but hardly used....and what with those slugs coming out of the mouth...pure nauseating.
Awful!
Ali G Indahouse (2002)
obscene and sick...not entertainment
Bean, Kevin & Perry, UK TV creations that have made successful transitions onto the BIG screen. Now its Ali G's turn and I m afraid to say this is not one of them!
Ali has always been obscene but funny with it. This film was extremley sick and not funny at all. Scenes involving bestiality, gay sex and paedophilia should not be portrayed for entertainment's sake.
Ali G In Da House is rubbish and deserves making very little money.
1 out 10
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Bore of the Rings
Gees....what a disapointment. This movie was so dull and I mean DULL!! Way too long!! Not enough humour! Something was lacking. The acting is great...particularly by Sir Ian McKellan and Sean Astin. Plus you do get some amazing photography of my country of New Zealand. But does it really need to be a nauseating 3 hrs long?
Goodbye, Mr Steadman (2001)
A fantastic film that rightly deserves a cinematic release!
Now known as Goodbye Mr Steadman, this brilliantly written Black comedy is a pure comical masterpiece. Lovingly shot, with incredible detail the film tells the story of History teacher Mr Steadman who returns from his summer vacation in the isolated Scottish Highlands to find that all his database records have been erased and that he is technically deceased. What then involves is Steadman's long road to recovery and the task in trapping the culprits behind the scam. Although very funny, the film is also very moving and incredibly dark (cue the frosted window scenes of the tramp and the hand rising from the Thames). The acting all round is top notch and the relationship between the two leads is both realistic and warming. A fantastic film, that rightly deserves a cinematic release!
To Walk with Lions (1999)
Criminal how it suffered a limited first release
All I can say about this movie is...wow! Its a fascinating retelling of the later years in George Adamson's incredible life. Richard Harris is a spitting image of the ageing Adamson and the supporting cast (particularly the late Ian Bannen) are excellent. There is nothing to fault with this film....an absolute classic! Its criminal why this film suffered a very limited release. Hopefully it will do a Shawshank Redemption and enjoy the praise it deserves, now its out on video.
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
An entertaining, edge of the seat adventure
I had read mixed reviews of this movie...so weren't expecting too much. What I got however exceeded all my expectations. Enemy at the gates is an entertaining edge of the seat adventure that never gets boring. Go to the cinema to enjoy yourself in an exciting action packed movie. However don't expect a history lesson. Despite its grand scale battles the movie is very inaccurate. Excluding the fact that annoyingly all the actors have either American or British accents there are many other goofs such as the fact that the Russian soldiers sing the Soviet anthem...when that had been written until AFTER the Second World War. You would think that with so much money spent on this movie the producers would have realized such a gaping error! The amateur script also lets down the experience a tad...with Jude Law limited to some really terrible lines which sound even worse with his very British accent. Nevertheless despite these cons there are enough pros in the movie to make this a damn fine flick! Ed Harris is superb as the Nazi sniper sent into kill Law, Rachel Weisz is stunning as the love interest, the music (although rejects from Apollo 13) is very moving and the action scenes are superbly recreated. All in all this is worth a price of a cinema ticket. Check it out!