The Movies

[Mark E. Hurling]

I think if Sean Connery was younger and had the quality of direction that "Casino Royale" had, he'd have been just as good.

Some things to take note of:

Connery started the Bond franchise at age 32. Craig inherited the franchise at age 37. That's not taking anything away from Craig, just setting the record straight.

Just take a listen to some of the stock background action scenes. You might be too young to know this, but you could hear them on American TV action shows, especially the scene during the attack on the Gypsy camp in From Russia With Love and at least once in Doctor No. My point is, the openers of this franchise had no clue if they would catch on. So they didn't spend a lot of money on them at first. Goldfinger was probably the point they started forking over some production cash.

I'm a big fan of Craig in general. He was good in Layer Cake and The Road to Perdition, a couple of gangster movies well worth seeing.

[Inverstone]

Mark, I guess uninspired would be a better term than "terrible". I was just disappointed that the creative juices weren't up to par with "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Silence".
Mark E. H., I'm 66 so I do know of those films. I agree that the train fight in "From Russia With Love" is iconic.

[Shawnlock]

The James Bond crossover title in Deadpool 2 is just excellently done. If you haven't already, Rip, you definitely want to check it out in the theatre.

You might also find this analysis comparing Marvel movies and the disastrous DC movies very spot on and satisfying to watch.

YouTube

[Mark E. Hurling]

Mark E. H., I'm 66 so I do know of those films. I agree that the train fight in "From Russia With Love" is iconic.

OK then. On the subject of fight scenes and the rooskies, I just rewatched Eastern Promises. The fight scene in the steam room with Viggo Mortensen getting jumped by two thugs with hooked carpet knives was incredibly brutal and was an even straighter shoot film wise, than the train fight. Mortensen had another good scene in A History of Violence when his brother tries to have him garroted.

I'm huge fan of the guy. But with those small, closely set eye sockets, he would always be cast as an Eastern European foe of Bond. I can't think of one movie I've seen with him in it that wasn't good. But then I haven't seen all of his movies.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Mark, please get back to us on what you thought of "Annihilation" once you see it? Natalie Portman's roles really vary from silly/insipid to top notch acting in more serious films. I really think she has the potential to be "Meryl Streep quality" when she's older, depending on how her career goes.

Watched it last week. It was okay, and that's all, not a double-viewer in my opinion. Interesting if unoriginal premise, an honest attempt at cinematography, trendy minimalist explanations. I liked the crocodile.

[Inverstone]

Mark, thanks for your review. No it wasn't a masterpiece or anything, but I thought maybe the ethereal 2001-ish mood regarding the unknown of the "shimmer" or whatever it was called and the somewhat similar music might appeal to you. Should I give up on recommendations for you? I agree it's a one time viewing movie but thought the genetic angle/gimmick was interesting. (What movies were similar? I'd like to check them out).

Anyway, with all that said, seeing as you and Stef are brass players, there's a charming British movie called "Brassed Off" that is about a collieries band (community band of coal miners who compete) that is fun and has some good performances both musically and acting wise. A small independent style film but there's not much quality stuff out there for us brass guys. It does deal with the ramifications of the Thatcher govt.'s policies on their livelihoods some too. Ewam McGregor and Pete Postelthwaite as the band director star. It's also a wee bit of a love story too when the girl player comes into the band. Carson of Downton Abbey is in it as is Stephen Tomlinson from the Brit detective series "DCI Banks" in case you've ever see that.

Having played in many competitive concert marching bands and drum and bugle corps. it was a fun movie for me anyway. A more modern film "Drum Line" is also fun for
us retired marchers. Black college kid learning lessons about life and team work, etc etc.

My tastes in films are varied and I'm just trying to turn you and others onto non-multiplex films that may have not been on your radar(s) and might enjoy. (or not!)

I thought the supremely creepy BEAR in "Annihilation" was, well...extra creepy.

[Mark Rippetoe]

The Bear was a pretty cool monster. Shades of The Thing with that one, and really through the whole movie.

[hector_garza]

I understand the film Annihilation wouldn't, and couldn't, capture everything about the book. Especially the ecology science stuff.

But I feel like they gave up on some of the best qualities and said "Fuck it, throw in some artsy shit at the end and call it a day."

[Will Morris]

Haven't seen it. Heard it was a comedy. I am less than impressed with 185-pound Helmsley or what ever his name is cast as Thor, and they've been my least favorite of the Marvel movies. Evans as Captain American is a good piece of casting, as is Downey as Iron Man.

Agreed, except his performance in the latest Avenger's installment carried the movie. He came dangerously close to salvaging the entire Thor character in this line of movies.

[Alex Ptacek]

I understand the film Annihilation wouldn't, and couldn't, capture everything about the book. Especially the ecology science stuff.

But I feel like they gave up on some of the best qualities and said "Fuck it, throw in some artsy shit at the end and call it a day."

It was a really dark and creepy movie. The end was some really haunting stuff and I thought most of it was good, granted I didn't read the book. A cast of mostly women and an interesting enough premise, yet bombs at the box office. People are stupid. Where are the people who threw a hissy fit after the new Ghostbusters got railed? These are the types of movies they should be supporting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Interstingly enough, the guy who directed it also directed Ex Machina. Excited to see what he does next.