tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73618290688691156222024-02-19T04:20:58.482-08:00The Silver ScreenA cinema goers activities and appraisals.BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-30528990379245249702011-12-07T02:37:00.000-08:002011-12-07T02:41:59.037-08:00Fried Green Tomatoes<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVCZ1uiHcT8x6Vf4P5WKXt22mROAyXwE-cUIl74x9fum7CD0nXmbPiFCJfHGz3ad0w_XPElcDxUr6ADYc7aREYnTTS78rwcx8zn_2P9Oe969yAaVltJThypMndLnZA2kT9OL3NqyvUqi1/s1600/600full-fried-green-tomatoes-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVCZ1uiHcT8x6Vf4P5WKXt22mROAyXwE-cUIl74x9fum7CD0nXmbPiFCJfHGz3ad0w_XPElcDxUr6ADYc7aREYnTTS78rwcx8zn_2P9Oe969yAaVltJThypMndLnZA2kT9OL3NqyvUqi1/s320/600full-fried-green-tomatoes-poster.jpg" width="208" /></a>Or depending on which country it was released in <em>Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. </em>Unfortunately like so many adaptations I haven't read the 1987 novel by Fannie Flagg from which the film iis based. Suffice to say that as usual, because the film is good enough, the novel has been added to the impossibly long line of books I would like to read before I fall off the perch ( as they say! ). This particular film has been sitting under the telly for ages before I pulled it out last week and finally watched it. When I had finished it I did my usual background research on the film and was aghast that it was made in 1991 hence is now a staggering 20 years old!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I couldn't believe that it was that old as I re-call this playing here in NZ and the fact it was so well received. Isn't it terrible how time slips by so quickly?! But what this shows is how a good film, no matter how old it gets, will stay in our collective memories whilst the chaff fades away. <em>Fried Green Tomatoes </em>whilst not a truly great film must rate as one of the last two decades best films because it still manages a reaction whenever it is mentioned. Most people who saw it 20 years ago still say how much they loved it. I even know of some who have watched it a multitude of times since. After my recent viewing I can see why it was and still is popular.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg63L3TGttUzMNn4wLjo7_kCA3Kv62cRVqyJygdFpyZ5jcCmvAPDb2JN_c0nYkqXbd7LT3xv2bz_chyphenhyphenmjkSFs_rH5agP_2dSS-36KjGhGYY9FhOvm8RM589WjsGigdLrQ3vytZpewC5mu/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg63L3TGttUzMNn4wLjo7_kCA3Kv62cRVqyJygdFpyZ5jcCmvAPDb2JN_c0nYkqXbd7LT3xv2bz_chyphenhyphenmjkSFs_rH5agP_2dSS-36KjGhGYY9FhOvm8RM589WjsGigdLrQ3vytZpewC5mu/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> Of course what a film grosses is no indication of a films quality but it can show its popularity. Fortunately <em>Fried Green Tomatoes </em>was popular because of it being based on a popular novel and for the fact it was a well made film. On its budget of US$11 million it went on to gross just shy of US$120 million world wide which is nothing to be sneezed at. As an indication of its popularity in the US alone it ran for a whopping 20 weeks in 1,331 theatres State wide. Not bad figures are they?! Critics of the time liked the narrative and the performances especially that of Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy. Overall it was positively received by critics but conversely they found it ' conventional ' 'predictable' with the use of flashbacks ' clumsy ' .</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01uaoZlCA5OnGrnBF2aP1IaCKTlrmasTeLkwEqJ2DczTtpqu3ZateyuWgreph1IvR4QWFDuOd8lVHQHU9A3IGPyS33xeqfgO4YdN2QgiqfaTwLzhMU_3pQawHIpiIBP6Z0T_1f562YUup/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01uaoZlCA5OnGrnBF2aP1IaCKTlrmasTeLkwEqJ2DczTtpqu3ZateyuWgreph1IvR4QWFDuOd8lVHQHU9A3IGPyS33xeqfgO4YdN2QgiqfaTwLzhMU_3pQawHIpiIBP6Z0T_1f562YUup/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> I agree up to point on it being 'conventional '. But in all reality I don't think it could have been made any other way, which leads me to agree that the flashbacks were a bit clumsy at times. Again though these are central to the story and in all reality couldn't be done any other way. Flashbacks in film I have found is a difficult technique to get right. So often it doesn't work as the film flits between two time frames. And yet I though overall <em>Fired Green tomatoes </em>done it quite competently. I certainly didn't feel myself getting lost in wondering which era I was in and enjoyed the tale as told from Tandy's character to that of Bates '.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwklEFqHnw0KVtM-CCLk6AEvGp1MV5B806SdIxa4D7VgMSoy6z8th4ysD9nIENNWMNf6u7axGLQEzHpiqkqwveNg-EcKAIqyDtbPICKlNkh2W9r83qUtc9QJC_68T6L0P3LK_dIvp0yCM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwklEFqHnw0KVtM-CCLk6AEvGp1MV5B806SdIxa4D7VgMSoy6z8th4ysD9nIENNWMNf6u7axGLQEzHpiqkqwveNg-EcKAIqyDtbPICKlNkh2W9r83qUtc9QJC_68T6L0P3LK_dIvp0yCM/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> So conventional maybe, predictable? Again maybe. But overall they are minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent and memorable film. But what is it about?! It centres around Evelyn Couch ( Bates ) a timid, unhappy, overweight housewife who meets and befriends elderly Ninny Threadgoode ( Jessica Tandy ) in a Alabamian hospital. There, over several encounters, Ninny tells the story of the now-abandoned town of Whistle stop and the people who lived there. It is the story of a Depression-era friendship between two women Idgie Threadgoode ( Mary Stuart Masterson ) and Ruth Jamison ( Mary-Louise Parker ). Ninny knew both women and she relates to Evelyn the story of the two and the murder of Ruth's abusive husband and the accusations that follow.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmu6fPqrDuP1TcD5t8lLkDAE7MUn72YWG4tIqbOiViXWa9BvITtH2eX0RaE6fIsMjQhkp-qSGaf_8nJ7LlJoVCXSq6gwjYHRnc-okYdhbQCg-P-LvUcNj2tp8wIPxBy2Efs9AEdJRP3ML/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmu6fPqrDuP1TcD5t8lLkDAE7MUn72YWG4tIqbOiViXWa9BvITtH2eX0RaE6fIsMjQhkp-qSGaf_8nJ7LlJoVCXSq6gwjYHRnc-okYdhbQCg-P-LvUcNj2tp8wIPxBy2Efs9AEdJRP3ML/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> The film though is a bit deeper than just a conventional tale of murder ( it in fact touches on racism during the Depression and the more than friendship between Idgie and Ruth ). At one stage the local sheriff asks Idgie and Ruth to keep their ' coloured ' cooks hidden from the sight of the white customers in their cafe. Later on Ruth's husband turns up with the local KKK and whips one of the pairs cooks. It is this cook who is implicated in the disappearance and supposed murder of Ruth's husband. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKElGzUHhB6_Dk6_MrUOMJrsGshO3hWH8tT_NoH9FkltPGonb2b4fLVFqNrsKUmrO7iOTt1OVgY4xg9IuTbcuyGouDI3vRx6-e4zeJWe-7GkH3ru__HbneHpH-vZipTs4PuG2dUZ5K58eZ/s1600/5.5+maybe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKElGzUHhB6_Dk6_MrUOMJrsGshO3hWH8tT_NoH9FkltPGonb2b4fLVFqNrsKUmrO7iOTt1OVgY4xg9IuTbcuyGouDI3vRx6-e4zeJWe-7GkH3ru__HbneHpH-vZipTs4PuG2dUZ5K58eZ/s200/5.5+maybe.jpg" width="200" /></a> But what the film copped most criticisms over was the toning down of the novel's lesbianism between Idgie and Ruth. Many reviewers criticised the films removing of the novels lesbian content and yet the film won an award from GLAAD for ' best lesbian content '! Now as I stated I haven't read the novel and knew nothing about the film before I watched it. But as I did I immediately picked up on the fact that there was more to the ' friendship ' than the film went into it. Any viewer with any modicum of intelligence would be able to pick up on the underlying lesbian theme that is present. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SmkXV-RyL8Ex2ImOzHCmRkUshSF2GiTxfXwczanTqb5YVb5dAv_OMvXTiVjS9zUykgIoJmMQxXC7b8lTzFEqtNZ3Exf8HXPDExICm-PI9XsSRfFEfQzBqiS3jzHRhk9mSLF9UwUHnp2B/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SmkXV-RyL8Ex2ImOzHCmRkUshSF2GiTxfXwczanTqb5YVb5dAv_OMvXTiVjS9zUykgIoJmMQxXC7b8lTzFEqtNZ3Exf8HXPDExICm-PI9XsSRfFEfQzBqiS3jzHRhk9mSLF9UwUHnp2B/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a> Whilst I understand the critics sentiments in the film underplaying this element, it must also be pointed out that if it was too obvious the less open minded in our world would have avoided seeing the film, and hence it would have failed commercially. I personally think the film found the right balance in not removing the lesbianism totally and yet leaving in just enough in regards to the novel. It may not be perfect but then our world's views towards such things aren't exactly perfect are they? But criticisms aside the script was nominated for an Oscar in Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. So it can't have been all that bad!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKf_UvV9WOWedde1aTfD6m4nhog0JtLzP77q_ia6ja2nE5mKgpUFJ_7anbh3_LEzPY6bbW2G0PzcWbpxAGhiPhsRVFtXaDDR2F2e1FK3h3ve8XAdGBXDm0Std8bZOV_tligUxs1Tg-M5R/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKf_UvV9WOWedde1aTfD6m4nhog0JtLzP77q_ia6ja2nE5mKgpUFJ_7anbh3_LEzPY6bbW2G0PzcWbpxAGhiPhsRVFtXaDDR2F2e1FK3h3ve8XAdGBXDm0Std8bZOV_tligUxs1Tg-M5R/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a> <em>Fried Green Tomatoes </em>then may be slightly flawed then in its novel to film delivery and its toning down of certain themes. But what it cannot be faulted on is the acting which is the films absolute highlight. If for nothing else the film will be remembered for this aspect. And even though Jessica Tandy was the only actress nominated for an Oscar ( Best Actress in a Supporting role ) in any respects her nomination spoke for all four leading females who are just superb. I cannot speak highly enough of the four of them. What makes this so is that they all gel onscreen. I mean the chemistry between Masterson's Idgie and Parker's Ruth is superb whilst subtly lesbian in nature. And then in the modern era that of Bates' Evelyn and Tandy's Ninny is just as good. The film may have its flaws but the acting is not one of them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR-wLWUN3KTIqCTZbTX6fQId5KA1fzOhvqUSzcDM7sqV-Tm1tT0VSZI3hjfqmecUSyg5ueu6z4qtoL0ZyjILF3zIciYIXv3rAeJXpztlqciSzsn64K8GrLDpLZqc5PLtzCk_Ce7eVh0Eo/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR-wLWUN3KTIqCTZbTX6fQId5KA1fzOhvqUSzcDM7sqV-Tm1tT0VSZI3hjfqmecUSyg5ueu6z4qtoL0ZyjILF3zIciYIXv3rAeJXpztlqciSzsn64K8GrLDpLZqc5PLtzCk_Ce7eVh0Eo/s200/8.jpg" width="200" /></a> I like this film. The criticism of it being conventional is somewhat founded but it more than makes up for this with four simply stunning performances by its four female leads. They are the heart of the film even the story is somewhat predictable and with a done before feel to it. But at the end of the day it is easy to find faults. I think <em>Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe </em>a fine film with more than enough going for it that I have no hesitation in saying WATCH IT!! It is now 20 years since its release and I now know why it was so well received and immensely popular buy all who saw it in 1991.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> IMDB has this with 7.4/10. I'd agree with that because it does have several flaws ( which I choose to ignore ). But that aside the story is strong enough to engage the viewer and I doubt if anyone who watches it will fail to comment on the quality of the acting afterwards.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101921/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101921/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-17071284128473710622011-12-06T21:54:00.000-08:002011-12-06T21:55:07.559-08:00Scorcese Magic Absent In Family Fantasy<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFHK6eq1Rnyz7gCIQXArnuSXVJ_QKQ35rnflmj1DB3UDQuDXL-O5ikqfrdKNcqZ_tFQwdmx6j6taIS4ziC4OTZPLIRUGl3ZlQifDJ1LgakT54jHTJJU0p3P3V1ozucbnBaNC90mZZpWTT/s1600/200full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFHK6eq1Rnyz7gCIQXArnuSXVJ_QKQ35rnflmj1DB3UDQuDXL-O5ikqfrdKNcqZ_tFQwdmx6j6taIS4ziC4OTZPLIRUGl3ZlQifDJ1LgakT54jHTJJU0p3P3V1ozucbnBaNC90mZZpWTT/s1600/200full.jpg" /></a><strong> H</strong>ere is another article from my local newspaper on Martin Scorsese's latest film <em>Hugo.</em> It isn't to be release until the 12th January here in NZ and to be honest it hasn't piqued my attention at all. What has got me though is that this article flys in the face of of the films 8.7/10 rating at IMDB. I suspect that it is just because it is new to audiences and over time it will drop as it becomes more familiar to viewers. But none the less this is a Martin Scorsese film and the reactions it has gathered are of interest to those who haven't seen it yet. Anyway on with the article!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>A</strong> </span><span style="font-size: small;">founding legend of cinema has it that audiences jumped out of their seats in alarm when the LumiEre brothers first screened their 1895 film of a train arriving in a station. Cinema has been trying to get a comparable rise out of us ever since. Today, the method generally considered the fast track to big screen rapture is 3-D. Egregious overuse in the last two years has left us jaded about the possibilities - but you'd hope that, if anyone could do something special with it, it would be Martin Scorsese.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Alas, the maestro's <em>Hugo </em>affords little real awe, which is particularly bitter, given that the film insistently tells us - often in so many words - that wonder, enchantment, dream are the very stuff of cinema. It's surprising to find Scorsese making 3-D family entertainment, but it's not that he's yielded to the rule of the impersonal blockbuster. For behind this whimsical tale of a waif in 1930's Paris, there lies a hidden agenda very close to the director's heart. <em>Hugo</em> is essentially a well-intentioned lantern lecture on the glories of silent cinema and the importance of film preservation.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Young orphan Hugo Cabret ( Asa Butterfield ) lives in the maze of corridors and staircases behind the walls of the old Gare Montparnasse. There he makes two enemies - a cantankerous old toy vendor ( Ben Kingsley ) and the station inspector ( Sacha Baron Cohen ), a liveried martinet with a mechanical leg and attendant doberman. A spoiler warning is probably unnecessary, as many people will know the payoff from Brian Selznick's book <em>The Invention of Hugo Cabret, </em>a singular combination of text and intricate drawings. Together with the toy seller's goddaughter Isabelle ( Chloe Grace Moritz ), Hugo restores a mysterious automation and follows a trail that leads to one of cinema's greatest innovators, Georges Melies ( 1861 - 1938 ).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> A stage magician turned master of screen trompe I'oeil, Melies invented fantasy cinema - you could call his glass - walled studio the original DreamWorks. The best thing in <em>Hugo </em>is its evocation of Melies at work : in a shot that alone justifies the use of 3-D, technicians drop lobsters into a tank to evoke as underwater kingdom. The film's bottom line is its espousal of silent cinema : if any child emerges desperate to discover Buster Keaton, or search their grandparents' attic for long lost nitrate footage, Scorsese can count his job well done. But <em>Hugo </em>comes off badly by comparison with the golden oldies it celebrates.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Overall <em>Hugo </em>is a sumptuous dud. In the railway station, Scorsese and team - including Robert Richardson and designer Dante Ferretti - have created a labyrinthine wonder, sometimes including authentic architectural vertigo .But the plot is a thin support for the film history class. Much of the station business consists of Hugo being chased through milling crowds, to laborious slapstick effect, by the vengeful inspector.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>W</strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">hat say you? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I personally agree with the articles sentiment on the over use of 3-D in cinema today. I've been saying it for months but I know I'm not alone in thinking 3-D over used and over rated. I think most professional film critics and buffs feel the same way. It will be interesting over time to see where <em>Hugo </em>leads in cinema goers memories. At the moment it seems to be generating favourable reports and yet as this article shows not everyone is impressed. Just on what I have seen and read alone it is a film that I suspect will not overly impress me.</span></div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-50343038069056437492011-12-05T23:14:00.000-08:002011-12-05T23:15:52.229-08:00Never Say Never Again<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOHCayZj73vqzDAwhzB_wJaS8aox9L6cydLPBi1GWdR0dHkqoe3CbZgaQFBbnC5kq4DiuCQh67gJo1cznSd7pGs1BocRkmiZnLt9FEQB4UPN_S-UBN7C89qGud5OYBhV8DY9_zoh7rPze/s1600/600full-never-say-never-again-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOHCayZj73vqzDAwhzB_wJaS8aox9L6cydLPBi1GWdR0dHkqoe3CbZgaQFBbnC5kq4DiuCQh67gJo1cznSd7pGs1BocRkmiZnLt9FEQB4UPN_S-UBN7C89qGud5OYBhV8DY9_zoh7rPze/s320/600full-never-say-never-again-photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> 1983's <em>Never Say Never Again </em>was a film conceived out of a long drawn out legal battle and petty mindedness. I have in previous Bond posts alluded to the legal battle over the novel <em>Thunderball</em> and the use of the character Ernst Blofeld and the organisation SPECTRE. Ian Fleming wrote the novel from an abandoned screenplay that he co-wrote with Kevin McClory. When published Fleming gave no credit to McClory for the use of his ideas which lead to McClory taking Fleming to court for breach of copyright. When Eon productions made <em>Thunderball </em>they made a deal with McClory which stipulated he could produce the film but not make his own version for a period of ten years afterwards. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-T9Zko27hAdc8SnOcH42h1pXh8YY9pfEOp_MEnfLfrqhXy7VUmIX7mBZABPCDMEsn5pj4C4VsChLWHDcLWO5Pe0L5d4kSCa7mKZUiJRrQ5LSdH-QZaHGjwXrhsAP2-Hu-poy-cJfHvpS/s1600/Never_Say_Never_Again_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-T9Zko27hAdc8SnOcH42h1pXh8YY9pfEOp_MEnfLfrqhXy7VUmIX7mBZABPCDMEsn5pj4C4VsChLWHDcLWO5Pe0L5d4kSCa7mKZUiJRrQ5LSdH-QZaHGjwXrhsAP2-Hu-poy-cJfHvpS/s200/Never_Say_Never_Again_0001.jpg" width="200" /></a> These legal wranglings are the reason why Blofeld and SPECTRE do not appear in any Bond film after <em>Diamonds are Forever </em>as Eon Productions were legally bound not to use them. Of course Blofeld makes a small re-appearance in 1981's <em>For Your Eyes Only </em>where he is forever written out of Eon films as Roger Moore's Bond unceremoniously dumps him down a chimney! This scene is not only a humorous scene to watch but also a very serious on screen ' fuck you ' to McClory and the legal battles he had fought over the character.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTILsW-0qVrLxKy30Q2wXj__t_dHwtXVTTXNm9YuFpBRtiyw8p_vZGuPGBz-kUMTTzcX3PRsKF4wi70HRBQjGmldi96yOgwxW3AprbVYsHkjY46a4icfic8wLzeY-k3cmE9NVtG14qpMV/s1600/n0.5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTILsW-0qVrLxKy30Q2wXj__t_dHwtXVTTXNm9YuFpBRtiyw8p_vZGuPGBz-kUMTTzcX3PRsKF4wi70HRBQjGmldi96yOgwxW3AprbVYsHkjY46a4icfic8wLzeY-k3cmE9NVtG14qpMV/s200/n0.5" width="200" /></a> All of which in a round about way brings me to the why <em>Never Say Never Again </em>was ever made. As you all know the film is not an official Bond film. But now that McClory had won his legal battle over his rights to the novel, and more than ten years had passed, the way was clear for him to make his version of it into a film. This is the sole reason for the films existence and nothing else. So in essence there is a certain degree of petty mindedness in McClory's decision to make the film. After all he had won his legal battle and the right to be identified as the creator of Blofeld and SPECTRE but what use was that to him? All he could do was make his own version of the novel and <em>Never Say Never Again </em>was the result.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiHleYT-qiKB4KoV_LGCrYPIN4bRAYwhvASWloN-NmmHBG0uf2IP6GJcQONuFZn36zMbBxYGLCeJLjHdv1jzWZhKtH3hSkNZ6Ph6zROZM73KtQM1adPMaGO3frEwsgtrzrTKvhVA-f0RI/s1600/n1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiHleYT-qiKB4KoV_LGCrYPIN4bRAYwhvASWloN-NmmHBG0uf2IP6GJcQONuFZn36zMbBxYGLCeJLjHdv1jzWZhKtH3hSkNZ6Ph6zROZM73KtQM1adPMaGO3frEwsgtrzrTKvhVA-f0RI/s200/n1.jpg" width="200" /></a> Over the years McClory had tried unsuccessfully to get a film off the ground. Those ongoing legal issues saw to that and it wasn't until the early 1980's that the way was clear. And then in stepped Sean ' never again ' Connery! After his 1971 quip ' never again ' when asked if would make another Bond film he reneged on it to make <em>Never Say Never Again. His</em> fee of US$3 million was to include a percentage of the profits, along with casting and script approval. Unfortunately I can't find anything else on Connery's motivations for returning as Bond for this film. Suffice to say though that no other actor was considered or even approached for the role.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoJXjnRZuxT_JwTUKtfnOPv7lZyul-p9roCB7o9gM2km5rh2EvuCZCiHyl0rmq2a8A2ZFTY9C3Jy4Rpgw59rl2LxWomk6Z56yMfyDlO1orFc2WM9aN_LIhXAI8mqtcQI2ig9Xhj-eqNie/s1600/n4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoJXjnRZuxT_JwTUKtfnOPv7lZyul-p9roCB7o9gM2km5rh2EvuCZCiHyl0rmq2a8A2ZFTY9C3Jy4Rpgw59rl2LxWomk6Z56yMfyDlO1orFc2WM9aN_LIhXAI8mqtcQI2ig9Xhj-eqNie/s200/n4.jpg" width="200" /></a> Somehow with this background it is no surprise the film had a troubled production. In fact it was so troubled that Connery himself had to take on production duties as producer Jack Schwartzman's lack of experience shone through. He was so poor that money ran out half way through filming and he had to finance the rest out of his own pocket. He later admited he had underestimated the cost to make such a film. Fortunately for him and all involved the film grossed US$160 million on its final cost of US$36 million.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVygpk1unphS3VGsOKbN3VyIqoA5l4gxzrgyMvDD4broJbzc41tC_tSZYV8NlXO2uQAuT2HfYNLB6BQZsutpi9B-Nm1lJBmgCA3rEWOBoCcGibmgh62cxa4Kx5heBNuT6gOAlEXcjuI5S/s1600/n6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVygpk1unphS3VGsOKbN3VyIqoA5l4gxzrgyMvDD4broJbzc41tC_tSZYV8NlXO2uQAuT2HfYNLB6BQZsutpi9B-Nm1lJBmgCA3rEWOBoCcGibmgh62cxa4Kx5heBNuT6gOAlEXcjuI5S/s200/n6.jpg" width="200" /></a> <em>Never Say Never Again </em>of course competed in the same year with official Bond release <em>Octopussy. </em>It is almost impossible then not to compare the two. For instance as <em>Never Say Never Again </em>ran to US$36 million to make <em>Octopussy </em>was made for less ( US$27.5 million ) and grossed US$187.5 million. So in every aspect the official Bond franchise knew how to make their own product for less but also how to gross more in the process. It goes to show that even having Sean Connery back as the most iconic, let alone preferred Bond, that the cinema going public backed the official Bond film far more that its rival. Fortunately for posterity no more unofficial Bond films have been made.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGFyAOqmnLkUNQUjrrd1IUVlL-gn_5x0WmgQbCNQnni2sOJqrA5leaGS-402yrid6NkhX-yxtlK6rAt5tC2p4BMuwe1DxPnskZFD_XEUX0siA1xdP3U9x328u2p3uC7hz-xBpZtu-jQ6C/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGFyAOqmnLkUNQUjrrd1IUVlL-gn_5x0WmgQbCNQnni2sOJqrA5leaGS-402yrid6NkhX-yxtlK6rAt5tC2p4BMuwe1DxPnskZFD_XEUX0siA1xdP3U9x328u2p3uC7hz-xBpZtu-jQ6C/s200/7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I say fortunately because <em>Never Say Never Again </em>had the potential to forever scuttle and ruin the official Eon franchise. If more unofficial Bond films had followed to compete with Eon, then eventuality one would have been driven out of the Bond business, or both ( and hence Bond films as a whole ). Whilst I sympathise with Kevin McClory and his rights to the <em>Thunderball </em>novel I'm not overly impressed with the motivations behind the making of <em>Never Say Never Again </em>simply because of the potential trouble it could have brought to the future of the Bond films. Fortunately <em>Never Say Never Again </em>made a profit, starred an aging Sean Connery against an aging Roger Moore, but at the end of the day Eon really won through.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3vUc-jrWPCWYf5XUdTePTWtjA4C9VrKsRXLZJ2YuhvVmMHG_1i6n1LtCXO1wPBuWAS8dbGmEiictkYuFLriwxJrPVyRROa-n5E1DaipgSAC9pLHF4Cn5wzgwQH9cqgkYgSTJWJgzRSqM/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3vUc-jrWPCWYf5XUdTePTWtjA4C9VrKsRXLZJ2YuhvVmMHG_1i6n1LtCXO1wPBuWAS8dbGmEiictkYuFLriwxJrPVyRROa-n5E1DaipgSAC9pLHF4Cn5wzgwQH9cqgkYgSTJWJgzRSqM/s200/8.jpg" width="200" /></a> Interestingly by the time of <em>Octopussy </em>Roger Moore himself was having a Sean Connery ' never again ' moment. His initial contract with Eon had been for three films after which he was contracted on a film by film basis. He had made it clear he wished to retire from the role after 1981's <em>For Your Eyes Only </em>his fifth Bond film. Many criticise Moore for apparently staying on in the role too long. But the reality was it wasn't his desire to do so as he was heavily pressured by Eon to remain. What many do not realise is that American actor ( and father of Josh ) James Brolin under went extensive screen tests for the role of Bond for <em>Octopussy </em>as Moore's replacement. But when Eon found out McClory and Connery were to remake <em>Thunderball </em>they re-contracted Moore as it was felt he, as the established Bond, would be more than able to compete with McClory's film.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7oyFJcOKXAQTUsAFdrN3n1XUnsPxlI1PgwPuAmTntHBKPwkWgtxKcI-jqpc4-PpOvOQyYFuQRYvO6m7ma6TjAcyaeETWw74E3TSeI7H-CG7G2HOZp4iEHkbTzXkyrN3iaC4ibK36CQ0q/s1600/massage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7oyFJcOKXAQTUsAFdrN3n1XUnsPxlI1PgwPuAmTntHBKPwkWgtxKcI-jqpc4-PpOvOQyYFuQRYvO6m7ma6TjAcyaeETWw74E3TSeI7H-CG7G2HOZp4iEHkbTzXkyrN3iaC4ibK36CQ0q/s200/massage.jpg" width="200" /></a> As the figures show Moore in <em>Octopussy </em>did just that. Again I stress the importance to posterity that <em>Octopussy </em>outperformed <em>Never Say Never Again </em>and Moore must take huge credit for making the film when so reluctant to do so. I never saw <em>Never Say Never Again </em>when it was released in cinemas. In fact I never knew of its existence until it played on NZ telly several years later. Suffice to say though that I did see <em>Octopussy </em>and still consider it one of the better Roger Moore films. But then again I have a real soft spot for the Bond films of the early 1980's because they are the ones I saw first on the big screen and hence have retained a real affinity for.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kg2807YFhciS5wNB0AISp4gVOqGnAngoqLWhUX6vt3-SCETCa40KeAwRavYBiwZ6Bykg66Vr1b82htHucRkjV3jubS-2zFewQqFAGJmyJqh0XKfIGXI1wjQT8FqBd-AhfOCMFgbV9NVl/s1600/garage+gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kg2807YFhciS5wNB0AISp4gVOqGnAngoqLWhUX6vt3-SCETCa40KeAwRavYBiwZ6Bykg66Vr1b82htHucRkjV3jubS-2zFewQqFAGJmyJqh0XKfIGXI1wjQT8FqBd-AhfOCMFgbV9NVl/s200/garage+gun.jpg" width="200" /></a> But in all reality how well do the two Bond films of 1983 stack up against other outside of money made, who wrote what script, and who played Bond? To be honest I think <em>Octopussy </em>the superior film of the two. Again <em>Never Say Never Again </em>is a little more than a <em>Thunderball </em>remake with some clever script changes to incorporate Connery's age ( ie the idea that the 00's were obsolete and James Bond an aging super hero ) whereas <em>Octopussy </em>was an original Bond story. Besides my reservations behind the motives for making the film there is enough about it to like. It is far from awful and in fact on release in 1983 was generally well received by critics worldwide.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOChPB6NsVBf7TYKGPPKON_Q9nwamvUUzgED-7VrCFN-UWxFkCDRyhUwBDPyuPHSmgH8XGdDlTwoVCYPQGov_hTDhTyD8Jpx6-w3IdmRqUencqBqqUzcEQ5XPWjAlpPER0elbae43f23t4/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOChPB6NsVBf7TYKGPPKON_Q9nwamvUUzgED-7VrCFN-UWxFkCDRyhUwBDPyuPHSmgH8XGdDlTwoVCYPQGov_hTDhTyD8Jpx6-w3IdmRqUencqBqqUzcEQ5XPWjAlpPER0elbae43f23t4/s200/9.jpg" width="200" /></a> All the ingredients are there besides the plot. It has two Bond girls, a villain, SPECTRE and Blofeld, exotic locations and a theme song <em>Never Say Never Again</em> sung by Lani Hall. But because this was an unofficial Bond film the Bond theme is glaringly obvious for its absence as is the opening credits gun barrel sequence. Instead we get a screen full of 007! Personally I found a lot to like even though the idea of a 52 Connery/Bond having it off with a then 20 year old Kim Basinger/Domino Patachi didn't quite work. Otherwise the film has enough Bond going for it, even though <em>Octopussy </em>surpassed it in every way......but one. And that was in seeing Sean Connery back in his iconic role which showed the world yet again why he was considered the quintessential James Bond.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVLSQkpvzTFmrYtS_lECPknDLSx6ybNB8LwJis_c_-dI4dwfYB80iR5NIALVVp8JCiK9n8hPcFYbPn04DhAO8vVMJQgYXEKAJKKS0fYDNxGBEJuQabwXx_FmLBWfmbkmxYD7oPD_-DLKd/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVLSQkpvzTFmrYtS_lECPknDLSx6ybNB8LwJis_c_-dI4dwfYB80iR5NIALVVp8JCiK9n8hPcFYbPn04DhAO8vVMJQgYXEKAJKKS0fYDNxGBEJuQabwXx_FmLBWfmbkmxYD7oPD_-DLKd/s200/10.jpg" width="200" /></a> Again to comparisons! IMDB has <em>Never Say Never </em>again with 6.1/10 and <em>Octopussy </em>with 6.5/10 ( I'd give them 6/10 and 7/10 respectively ). There isn't a lot between the two but even with IMDB ratings <em>Octopussy </em>beats its 1983 competitor, and rightly so in my opinion. I do like <em>Never Say Never Again </em>as a Bond film. It is certainly a better film than several of the official Eon productions and it was great to see Sean Connery back in the role he defined. But besides liking it as a stand alone film I totally dislike both Kevin McClory's and Sean Connery's motivations for making it. There is a degree of pettiness about it all. Even though Connery is the best Bond of them all it was disappointing he returned to the role in an unofficial film that threw the proverbial brown stuff at Eon. It was a sad attitude to take with Connery's end as Bond to my mind ( fortunately his wink at the end of the film really did signal ' never again ' !!! ).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In a word.....interesting for Connery's return but not as good as it's official rival.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for wikipedia's comprehensive page on the film:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Say_Never_Again">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Say_Never_Again</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And here for more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086006/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086006/</a></div></div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-50363724463348522152011-12-04T23:30:00.000-08:002011-12-04T23:42:28.800-08:00Corpse Bride<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XY7WYAyvBA4-f1L38_tHrLgYLuBHixIwWvonI8q5UuVlQrC3fFdg7fhcBgZYhbhhySFjUtYUneqZ3U72GgP7MxwKIH0mv-Q9zucC7ahQ5y4wTu0Hxg2KycYOPLRx305p14HCphdDG3yF/s1600/poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XY7WYAyvBA4-f1L38_tHrLgYLuBHixIwWvonI8q5UuVlQrC3fFdg7fhcBgZYhbhhySFjUtYUneqZ3U72GgP7MxwKIH0mv-Q9zucC7ahQ5y4wTu0Hxg2KycYOPLRx305p14HCphdDG3yF/s400/poster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBPHJlqGzZ3ZU_1bTR1AqnL6RYxgd_wYEPyno0OqeHJeJp_Hd4aIK6gsgKTmnyluFsonqMi66Bc4s2rR4PKDJNHZa_UQEfjmky-EG54szlwGnhQnqrZ65sUmh0pkkABXgBWShx-OOAG1w/s1600/600full-corpse-bride-screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBPHJlqGzZ3ZU_1bTR1AqnL6RYxgd_wYEPyno0OqeHJeJp_Hd4aIK6gsgKTmnyluFsonqMi66Bc4s2rR4PKDJNHZa_UQEfjmky-EG54szlwGnhQnqrZ65sUmh0pkkABXgBWShx-OOAG1w/s200/600full-corpse-bride-screenshot.jpg" width="200" /></a> Every so often there comes along a film that for what ever reason you failed to see on the big screen and regretted having done so. Tim Burton's 2005 stop-motion-animated feature <em>Corpse Bride </em>is one such film for me. I can't recall the reason why I missed this (but even worse ) last night was the first time I had ever watched it!! This is most unusual because I like Tim Burton's films, especially 1999's wonderful dark gothic styled <em>Sleepy Hollow </em>and I have a real soft spot for 1996's satirical <em>Mars Attacks!</em>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mODr8z_Q5ux78Klhy7f7PWrDzuP_WKQcrUolP1LdgUKsznvGhsQRhlVtbNHeQ6P9qPXa8zmWEF7atlQZ6YO_pBT8VhEC8tVxUdyMMhXz8KmjapEu24hfLkR5q3xP7zsA8XGXwMXQAVkr/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mODr8z_Q5ux78Klhy7f7PWrDzuP_WKQcrUolP1LdgUKsznvGhsQRhlVtbNHeQ6P9qPXa8zmWEF7atlQZ6YO_pBT8VhEC8tVxUdyMMhXz8KmjapEu24hfLkR5q3xP7zsA8XGXwMXQAVkr/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> Now the type of animation <em>Corpse Bride </em>uses isn't for everyone and can be a somewhat acquired taste. Fortunately though it somehow perfectly fits Burton's vision of darkness, gloom, and quirkiness that are his hallmarks. In saying that stop-motion-animation is somehow more suited to tales of a darker nature than more traditional animation seems to be. For instance 2009's <em>Coraline </em>which was supposedly a children's feature, and yet in all reality was far from it. Even as an adult I found it unsettling and wondered how on earth anyone could consider it solely a children's film. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pWwDr8XL2hjzQsveN8Mgv58yD1tFs3ohMOZm2wU4w2KDcoby6F_B3R2Fh93xgfZWPn9J1IKn52BYoWgIWa3lQjZhyphenhyphen-JnHnw1DiX7RjUXxpZemdpy-WyA5gTaXtvj6B_yG3k7G-biQYlO/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pWwDr8XL2hjzQsveN8Mgv58yD1tFs3ohMOZm2wU4w2KDcoby6F_B3R2Fh93xgfZWPn9J1IKn52BYoWgIWa3lQjZhyphenhyphen-JnHnw1DiX7RjUXxpZemdpy-WyA5gTaXtvj6B_yG3k7G-biQYlO/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> As stated this type of animation isn't for all and yet on release <em>Corpse Bride</em> was both a financial and critical success grossing just shy of US$117.2 million worldwide. All of which reinforces an argument which I have been making for years in that animation is not the strict domain of children alone. <em>Corpse Bride </em>is proof of this because there is no way it is suitable for children and wasn't aimed at them at all. It is an adult orientated feature and judging by its commercial success was well received by its target audience. This fixation with animation being strictly a children's medium really annoys me because it just isn't. To be sure there are features that are aimed at children alone as this years ( both awful ) <em>Yogi Bear </em>and <em>Hop </em>show. But in all reality it is a medium for all. It is just once in a while that a film maker ( thankfully ) makes an animated feature for adults alone that reminds us of this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnnIxotFi9CcEJpjY3UoZK_bA7XIi4dW8o_VyHqIZfWrbHYcttP0ly7TnGc-wZBPvPiFkdd8nO0isyqA7I9umEUkHleKVC89z7X95ITgAa9H0IQQ09n31VFqBoarr2pBBmlvoU2-V8xIa/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnnIxotFi9CcEJpjY3UoZK_bA7XIi4dW8o_VyHqIZfWrbHYcttP0ly7TnGc-wZBPvPiFkdd8nO0isyqA7I9umEUkHleKVC89z7X95ITgAa9H0IQQ09n31VFqBoarr2pBBmlvoU2-V8xIa/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <em>Corpse Bride </em>went on to be nominated for a Best Animated Feature Oscar but was comprehensively beaten <em>by Wallace & Gromit : The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.</em> In fact <em>Wallace & Gromit </em>dominated that years animation awards claiming no less than 10 Oscars!! It is hard to dis-agree with the Academy's assessment of <em>Wallace & Gromit</em> over <em>Corpse Bride </em>because it was doing stop-motion-animation well before Burton's film. In the process it set the standard for this type of animation. But none the less just the fact it was nominated shows that <em>Corpse Bride </em>is a notable animated feature. In fact it was even nominated for the AFI's Top 100 animated features. Exclusive company to even be nominated for indeed!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkyU8NFkUduZAayn6SKjHfIv_v-3Y72VpZs-G6G50CxPAMmBfJAACH73W3rry0G5iBZMAIj-0paDbYl3wMdtUl8UgKt5oCJhA5zblVgyyLsWVkEgevE4G3LxTQF3sjAB3kTzdPn7brNDA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkyU8NFkUduZAayn6SKjHfIv_v-3Y72VpZs-G6G50CxPAMmBfJAACH73W3rry0G5iBZMAIj-0paDbYl3wMdtUl8UgKt5oCJhA5zblVgyyLsWVkEgevE4G3LxTQF3sjAB3kTzdPn7brNDA/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><em> </em>But what is all about?! <em>Corpse Bride </em>is a comedy/fantasy/horror/ musical all rolled into one. The story is set in an un-named Victorian era village somewhere in Europe. It revolves around the marriage of the son of merchants ( Victor voiced by Johnny Depp ) to the daughter ( Victoria, voiced by Emily Watson ) of cold snobby aristocrats who have lost their money .The marriage is intended to lift the social status of Victor's parents and restore the wealth of Victoria's. The young couple have never met but when they do fall in love at first sight. Unfortunately Victor's bumbling nervousness sees him unable to complete the wedding rehearsals and he flees into a nearby forest.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw-g0h0zS_uJY8q0TJYOI1KjZDVDxpmWT0INLmrPGm4oeYxnARIKHfVSURjIH4yq35U3M53wjQvd0SOUUbPrTSnQSn9eOsResynUZ8u77mzaM_oLP4YBU998V3zCvNNP5l2LmAK4dmIwL/s1600/vic+%2526ictoria+married.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw-g0h0zS_uJY8q0TJYOI1KjZDVDxpmWT0INLmrPGm4oeYxnARIKHfVSURjIH4yq35U3M53wjQvd0SOUUbPrTSnQSn9eOsResynUZ8u77mzaM_oLP4YBU998V3zCvNNP5l2LmAK4dmIwL/s200/vic+%2526ictoria+married.jpg" width="200" /></a> Here the fun and games begin because unknowingly Victor, in practising the vows, places the ring on what he supposes is a dead branch, which in fact is the finger of a dead bride. Victor finally gets the vows right and lo and behold out of the ground pops his bride, Emily....a corpse ( voiced by Helen Bonham Carter ) Suffice to say she takes him off to the under world where he tries to explain his mistake and she tries to keep him. One thing leads to another in both worlds. With Victor's supposed elopement Victoria is married off to the sinister Lord Barkis Bittern who it turns out murdered Emily on the night of her marriage. On learning of Victoria's marriage Victor decides to marry Emily by drinking a potion that will stop his heart and make him dead like her.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q0U5FeKnmReQRR7topkDjFGH0ASQCavlpEmv0b7NP2-MaYuG2-x5j28M7thfrfRiomnpaJEHtq-39e2WyYVkkqFJv6JN_eMp5XfiPua95y9etzjIUzGe-9FdiTUGPXSjQMnXVm3cdh0w/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q0U5FeKnmReQRR7topkDjFGH0ASQCavlpEmv0b7NP2-MaYuG2-x5j28M7thfrfRiomnpaJEHtq-39e2WyYVkkqFJv6JN_eMp5XfiPua95y9etzjIUzGe-9FdiTUGPXSjQMnXVm3cdh0w/s200/7.jpg" width="200" /></a> Suffice to say the story is a bitter-sweet one for just as Victor is to drink the potion the wedding is interrupted and Victoria turns up followed by Lord Barkis. The truth of his former marriage and murder of Emily is revealed and he inadvertently drinks Victor's potion and dies. Emily is set free and Victor and Victoria are free to marry. Overall the premise isn't overly original as bitter-sweet tales like this have been told for centuries. It reminded me of certain aspects of <em>Romeo and Juliet</em> in how mis-understandings led to a sad ending ( of which <em>Corpse Bride </em>almost ended as ). I believe though that <em>Corpse Bride </em>itself was loosely based on a tale from Jewish folklore.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em> Corpse Bride </em>is very much Tim Burton at his macabre best. The humour is typically black and yet it is a tale that is both bitter and sweet. What I personally liked about the whole feature was how Burton had the living in a virtually colourless drab world whereas the dead where in colour and in a more joyful, fun place. To be sure he is replicating the snobbery and evil of Victor and Victoria's parents ( along with that of Lord Barkis ) and their world, but I thought this a very clever touch. I really liked how the dead were all coloured blue just as a fresh corpse is! Again a great touch. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcgSdVfWcCY5_qxOw7x55sbIhuF4W1XtZzsbskCEaE-uQq-DTlO265JtmIDIJbNllx5N05dBoIzRfDHiAfUro9JX9X68XgM9zM1wSFGq2LEcDIk_fTfFr0pJHk0PTwkKMVBuj00sjA-TE/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcgSdVfWcCY5_qxOw7x55sbIhuF4W1XtZzsbskCEaE-uQq-DTlO265JtmIDIJbNllx5N05dBoIzRfDHiAfUro9JX9X68XgM9zM1wSFGq2LEcDIk_fTfFr0pJHk0PTwkKMVBuj00sjA-TE/s320/6.jpg" width="182" /></a> My only criticism is that I didn't like the musical element. It is very much a feature of animation but I found myself unengaged by the singing in this even the humouress scenes during it were worth watching.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> This then is a simply stunning piece of adult animation. I really regret not having seen it on the big screen when it played here but that is the way it goes sometimes. But I have finally seen it. And even though on the small screen it is still impressive enough to dazzle and show why Tim Burton is the modern master of dark gloomy gothic driven macabre films. For me he, along with Quentin Tarantino, are the two leading film makers in the world today, simply because they are always ahead of the pack in the use of new and interesting film making techniques.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em> </em>IMDB has this with 7.4/10. I'm more inclined to give it at least 8.5/10 for being so well animated. The premise isn't overly original but the visuals are its main focus against which the plot is set. The voice cast is long and prestigious which adds to its overall quality as well. I mean can you complain at Joanna Lumley, Christopher Lee, Tracy Ullman and Albert Finney?!!!! It is hard to believe though that such a masterful animated work such as this was bettered that year by an English inventor with a smart dog and the tale of a were-rabbit!!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Click here for a synopsis and more:</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121164/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0121164/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Here for more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_corpse_bride">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_corpse_bride</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And here for the official site:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://corpsebridemovie.warnerbros.com/">http://corpsebridemovie.warnerbros.com/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-53187625536900684962011-12-04T19:58:00.000-08:002011-12-04T19:58:48.172-08:00Hollywoodland<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQpYHlYRcu7nXfARfAEsaP_8RJr5G1openoj2E46QqB0G1AxrPsT7ZswpokzIHHg2Gptel55WuuXuku7rXsOgE-amEN96T6pFVY99n74gR7wjwMVtWhfa15I_bI0vHlcWFIc9PDtM3YX_/s1600/220px-Hollywoodland_film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQpYHlYRcu7nXfARfAEsaP_8RJr5G1openoj2E46QqB0G1AxrPsT7ZswpokzIHHg2Gptel55WuuXuku7rXsOgE-amEN96T6pFVY99n74gR7wjwMVtWhfa15I_bI0vHlcWFIc9PDtM3YX_/s320/220px-Hollywoodland_film.jpg" width="215" /></a> Once in a while we all strike a film that is is all but obscure and yet deserves better. 2006's biographical docudrama <em>Hollywoodland </em>is one such film. I watched it last night on late night TV and was surprised I had never heard of it. But what really hit home was how such a fine film can become all but forgotten and overlooked so quickly. I wouldn't say it is a masterpiece, let alone a modern day classic, but with its fine cast and intelligent look at the events it surrounds it deserves better.</div><br />
The film is a look at the death of George Reeves and the controversy surrounding it. For you not in the know Reeves was the actor who played Superman n the 1950's TV show <em>Adventures of Superman.</em> In 1959 he was found dead in his bedroom from a gunshot wound to the head. It was ruled as suicide but many believed he was murdered. Some even think it was a result of an accidental shooting. Either way to this day the controversy has polarized opinions. What the film concentrates on ( in a fictional way ) on is the investigation, specifically that by a down on his luck private investigator.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1rRlcch29h2JQgmz3rKz0TwXawMTn-frdam4DZSH_pP4D-zzuHlXFYpD5CSYTzXh9PL9cOQILdkyTRQLQB5wHH7G6tiWRK-34zROt050LMmjzukaiirjA-uagxKR9GKfnk5lq6RuRJeS/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1rRlcch29h2JQgmz3rKz0TwXawMTn-frdam4DZSH_pP4D-zzuHlXFYpD5CSYTzXh9PL9cOQILdkyTRQLQB5wHH7G6tiWRK-34zROt050LMmjzukaiirjA-uagxKR9GKfnk5lq6RuRJeS/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> The investigator Louis Simo is played by Adrien Brody and is loosely based on a real detective Milo Speriglio who worked on the case. As mentioned the film is a fictional look at the events and there are numerous historical liberates taken. To be sure with Reeves death still uncertain in many peoples eyes it could never really genuinely show the truth. But like so many films of this sort it attempts to show what may possibly have happened without purporting to be the truth. For me when I read of the background to Reeves death there are only three ways he died. From suicide, accident or murder.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ptaq64BMh6taX83Ez9dvv4KrwZJNGd5Bs1qvBMCLS1EHp0MKjWRwIxYy761eD-FA8kMn1nL0eDPe9FZ3hNCE3w1_HMZhrZBtpyZ1awfhjs9HGhrXk-MxjgHX_BecsZJRK-6A-FaozEG4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ptaq64BMh6taX83Ez9dvv4KrwZJNGd5Bs1qvBMCLS1EHp0MKjWRwIxYy761eD-FA8kMn1nL0eDPe9FZ3hNCE3w1_HMZhrZBtpyZ1awfhjs9HGhrXk-MxjgHX_BecsZJRK-6A-FaozEG4/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a>The film through Brody's excellent acting and portrayal of investigator Simo explores the immediate life of Reeves leading up to his death. In life Reeves had an affair with Toni Mannix ( played by Diane Lane ) the wife of studio executive of MGM Edie Mannix ( played by an excellent Bob Hoskins ). One of the theories surrounding the death of Reeves was that he was murdered on Mannix's instructions because he dumped Toni for a younger woman. Apparently the real Eddie Mannix had gangland connections and was implicated in the made to look like an accident murder of his first wife. He was also suspected of being involved in other deaths but nothing was ever proven.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiB4cnREO8b9b5cvVxTYlvfgrYaK1SFm49QkMBNIt_0z4Lo8KMoxnahwYNRg2zqXxZgc6n-kIwNj2Y0ep0bwiVEGTA1Hfg5Pfnh9vAYnkrw14PDF3T7nOaG4RCLLD-I8OVESIhrfsjqNi/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiB4cnREO8b9b5cvVxTYlvfgrYaK1SFm49QkMBNIt_0z4Lo8KMoxnahwYNRg2zqXxZgc6n-kIwNj2Y0ep0bwiVEGTA1Hfg5Pfnh9vAYnkrw14PDF3T7nOaG4RCLLD-I8OVESIhrfsjqNi/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> The second theory is that he was accidentally shot by his girlfriend who he took up with after Toni Mannix. Funnily enough it was Mannix who gave Reeves the pistol ( a 9mm Luger ) from which he died! Apparently after the shot was heard the other occupants of his house took 45 minutes before ringing the police. This is where all the speculation arises as to the possibilities outside of suicide. It was a strange event and one can see why people believe there was a cover up of sorts. And then there is the films finale which shows the unhappiness Reeves life had spiralled down into and the more probable explanation of his death being one of simple suicide.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAUmntDoYgQ3Amy7AbiC-EWiAWdhqzzx9_plti2FB2ZQbgdA9QiIRAZRQgv3PudS2QaLiDJNxm0RbrfkbMjX7PF6bFIPELxySXLAyfJfW0pgNkN8uxAMF9BO1Yfn2ZCIm-cyZnSJ1gpZf/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAUmntDoYgQ3Amy7AbiC-EWiAWdhqzzx9_plti2FB2ZQbgdA9QiIRAZRQgv3PudS2QaLiDJNxm0RbrfkbMjX7PF6bFIPELxySXLAyfJfW0pgNkN8uxAMF9BO1Yfn2ZCIm-cyZnSJ1gpZf/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> The film looks at each scenario through flashbacks at known events that may have contributed to Reeves death. Besides his breaking off with Toni Mannix there was the fact that his acting career was going no where. Many films that use the technique of jumping between time streams can somewhat feel clumsy, but credit where credit is due because I felt <em>Hollywoodland </em>done it very effectively. The past was instantly recognisable when Ben Affleck who played George Reeves was on screen. The film starts with the investigation of Reeve's death and the hiring of Simo by Reeve's mother after the police rule suicide. The thing here though is that whilst the film contains historical liberties it appears none were taken with the police investigation or the more factual side of things.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMsKQHYwDkehEz1QBQYdTuOHkXd-YPuuvXpHmsQcABwYUsgiSs3PqN6yypNjzI4hK1eRTaJflFputUzJGczEY3HoMO5Cf0zzDN6pUBvewjznMqy8PJFbO4YdouJL8QmNsvPpBLE9e9MGE/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMsKQHYwDkehEz1QBQYdTuOHkXd-YPuuvXpHmsQcABwYUsgiSs3PqN6yypNjzI4hK1eRTaJflFputUzJGczEY3HoMO5Cf0zzDN6pUBvewjznMqy8PJFbO4YdouJL8QmNsvPpBLE9e9MGE/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> This makes the film work. Because as stated it isn't trying to sway opinions but leave the viewer in an ambiguous state of mind as to what really happened and who actually pulled the trigger if it wasn't Reeves himself. The film though does end with it all but saying it was more than probable suicide and suicide alone. So often film like this over emphasis points or try to sway thew viewer towards it own point of view. But once in a while a film that is based on events where the outcome is uncertain comes along that does it right. One example is the excellent <em>Zodiac </em>of a few years ago where the film attempted to establish the identify of a murderer from the available evidence. It done it superbly and <em>Hollywoodland </em>does exactly the same thing from the available evidence but dramatises it a bit more, especially in regards to Louis Simo.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGztjObq3Uom-FbcJs01eqaPB1kdekmHLMwbz5RY93QSXluWBqMW3cdmFJ0lItSFAfUfL5-93JCdstGfssiIJYCMOgsKHzKOe93E36Vkmw6ZUGVDamKAoLt0Q2bc3knbdoF_D_HvwmH12s/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGztjObq3Uom-FbcJs01eqaPB1kdekmHLMwbz5RY93QSXluWBqMW3cdmFJ0lItSFAfUfL5-93JCdstGfssiIJYCMOgsKHzKOe93E36Vkmw6ZUGVDamKAoLt0Q2bc3knbdoF_D_HvwmH12s/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a><em> Holywoodland </em>then is a noteworthy film of its type. It has a fine cast all of who put in excellent performances and it is a shame that as film it isn't better known. The thing is that it turned in a profit on release, and received positive responses from critics. It was even thought by many to be an Oscar contender but didn't receive any nominations at all. <em>Hollywoodland </em>is yet another example of how a very good film can be intelligently realised, include a fine cast who put in excellent performances, and yet all but disappear into obscurity. I won't say it is a truly great film but it is of better quality than many films Hollywood churns out in a year. If you find this on DVD or it plays on TV then I urge you to watch it because I'm sure that like myself it will more than satisfy.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> In short...an intelligently, well made film in the <em>Zodiac </em>mold even though a more fictionalised look at the events it portrays. The cast is excellent with real standouts from Adrien Brody and Ben Affleck. It is well worth your while. IMDB has this with a disappointing 6.6/10. I'm more inclined to give it a 7.5/10 at least. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipGJzUU3pcQjYEAZAAv-Na6NfIt_qtKUfAcD432T0z-TRhx-H203XV6VzWdN8D-7mzKR5mHcpb-OdEiJqHx0A0Q2-Zb1BckJCCTe50EdYlFFiWU7TfFb4SGbJdkSsOLgfkee17fd5Bs81/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipGJzUU3pcQjYEAZAAv-Na6NfIt_qtKUfAcD432T0z-TRhx-H203XV6VzWdN8D-7mzKR5mHcpb-OdEiJqHx0A0Q2-Zb1BckJCCTe50EdYlFFiWU7TfFb4SGbJdkSsOLgfkee17fd5Bs81/s200/7.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Reeves and Ben Affleck who plays him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for a synopsis and more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427969/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427969/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And here for more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywoodland/">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywoodland/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-11843686994072700712011-12-01T05:28:00.000-08:002011-12-01T16:41:49.174-08:00Frost/Nixon<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6agfrRCYSEupK22nE8wDWa_HKuBxQRSJO6tIyrUt_oj8AjEn3AXn0ii2W6W7eOLb_g3pESmYUOyLDTfJv7gtYBnjB7ImVONoTSv1AgbJqTFy5w8-MRZl5Oo6LQRr877k6CIcokyO44Kla/s1600/600full-frost-slash-nixon-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6agfrRCYSEupK22nE8wDWa_HKuBxQRSJO6tIyrUt_oj8AjEn3AXn0ii2W6W7eOLb_g3pESmYUOyLDTfJv7gtYBnjB7ImVONoTSv1AgbJqTFy5w8-MRZl5Oo6LQRr877k6CIcokyO44Kla/s320/600full-frost-slash-nixon-poster.jpg" width="216" /></a> I've only been reading American history for about 11 years now. Before 2000 I wasn't interested in the US of A at all as Europe's long history had me engrossed. But that all changed when I picked out a battered old 1960's biography on JFK at my local library. I read it and then suddenly ripped through the entire ( and substantial ) Kennedy section before I knew it. From there I've dabbled in the Revolution and the Civil War. But my main interest has been the block of presidents from FDR through to RMN's resignation. That whole period of American history is what has gripped my fascination the most. Pity my degree in general history didn't include one paper on US history. In fact it was 24 papers on banal crap that was a damned expensive chore to complete!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Of course my number interest is in military history. So FDR is also tied in with WW2, Truman the tail end of WW2 and the Korean War. Then Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon with Vietnam. So anything about these six presidents is of interest to me. But Nixon must rate as the one that has piqued me the most. I've read more on Kennedy and his family, but believe Nixon the far superior politician. Nixon is of so much interest is obviously because of Watergate, which exposed the abuse of power and his flawed personality. To be sure Nixon achieved many things as president, especially in opening up China, but when looking at Nixon the shadow of Watergate hangs over all.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP7WdmqgGJEVIKd5-ZOMBewp64NPD13MFTA4s9bbOGdtflDHRFOgFL0VhJ6AhtAYdoJQWnJGlAr1PjfosWcBpwgXOLxUxCOqDiq2jovgXEq0CNO2MhlIPKOhKSoc90RrxObeyooq0Bjss/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP7WdmqgGJEVIKd5-ZOMBewp64NPD13MFTA4s9bbOGdtflDHRFOgFL0VhJ6AhtAYdoJQWnJGlAr1PjfosWcBpwgXOLxUxCOqDiq2jovgXEq0CNO2MhlIPKOhKSoc90RrxObeyooq0Bjss/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> So when I saw the poster to this film in 2008 I wet my lips in anticipation. Funnily enough I had just finished David Frost's memoir on the Nixon interviews entitled<em> ' I Gave Them a Sword ' </em>( a line Nixon uses in the film ). It may seem strange to many that a film about a disgraced former US president would find an audience in NZ. But find an audience it did. In fact it reached #6 at the box office and stayed there for several weeks. What I found interesting was the session I went to was made up almost entirely of those old enough to have lived through Watergate and seen the Frost Nixon interviews. It just goes to show that Nixon may be gone but his legacy/infamy still fascinates many people worldwide.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfd1KdHnuHdKe0DkwZipPLGG_oQ-7nbYfK40EnWsaFurnzrEeRXTk0o42eZWS98a6P9RZl_-m7eM5QXSg1rwQsv3tIugef75SMSa_KwTxIikQNhDa9xAidtz-Jt89L2AVUfpKjibkcp_N/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfd1KdHnuHdKe0DkwZipPLGG_oQ-7nbYfK40EnWsaFurnzrEeRXTk0o42eZWS98a6P9RZl_-m7eM5QXSg1rwQsv3tIugef75SMSa_KwTxIikQNhDa9xAidtz-Jt89L2AVUfpKjibkcp_N/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> This Ron Howard film adaptation is based on a 2006 play of the same name. It also starred Michael Sheen and Frank Langella in their respective roles as David Frost and Richard Nixon. I believe the play was very well received and won numerous awards and nominations. So in many respects it was no surprise it was then adapted to film as many successful plays are ( A Streetcar Named Desire being a good example ). And like its play counterpart the film adaptation received its share of awards etc being nominated for no less than 5 Oscars ( Best Actor, Best Director, Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing ) Of those five it won none. This is unfortunate, because even though the film is historically flawed, it has a stand out performance from Langella who, I feel, was terribly over looked for Best Actor in favour of Sean Penn in <em>Milk.</em> To be sure Penn was great, and <em>Milk </em>is a fine film, but for me Langella's was the better performance.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5_jINJOD07GQLzrJyLcx7aiCpp7vMO1xOC4CIcQKXl5Y-BIXm-lM0OE5vcHIH4YWTg2fsv6-Bl6g21cTeptO0E0-Y96FovC4keW1McOnIu_LT4hsuXPO3aw7Vh27OUnLx68KKfoHUT1n/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5_jINJOD07GQLzrJyLcx7aiCpp7vMO1xOC4CIcQKXl5Y-BIXm-lM0OE5vcHIH4YWTg2fsv6-Bl6g21cTeptO0E0-Y96FovC4keW1McOnIu_LT4hsuXPO3aw7Vh27OUnLx68KKfoHUT1n/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> But for all its Oscar nominations I'm not sure how financially successful the film was. I've looked up the figures on wikipedia which says it grossed US$27.5 million worldwide on a budget of ( supposedly ) US$25 million. Those are not particularly over whelming figures are they? I mean compare to the Us$18 million worldwide gross of NZ film <em>The World's Fastest Indian ( </em>which I reviewed two weeks ago ) That of <em>Frost/Nixon </em>is extremely modest to say the least. The good thing here though is that the film is judged on its quality and not its financial return. It may not have raked in big bucks but it was a fine film none the less.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdOMguUDZXliQEXQ_OLQ9wd7TqI5N1Vq2EIXh6J18WiuYHXkQD7F-jylCadR9NtKRD9RLOSw020EIAzXW2M768sP6-nkUs7jxTWls1cNFQL7B7_z4F7Br_0pfO_urbK9sUciTUBGYogfN/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdOMguUDZXliQEXQ_OLQ9wd7TqI5N1Vq2EIXh6J18WiuYHXkQD7F-jylCadR9NtKRD9RLOSw020EIAzXW2M768sP6-nkUs7jxTWls1cNFQL7B7_z4F7Br_0pfO_urbK9sUciTUBGYogfN/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Luckily for the film also is that it wasn't judged on its historical accuracy. On release many Nixon-ophiles/historians alike criticised the films dramatic license taking ( the only real flaw in another wise excellent film ). The historical inaccuracies and license taking make for a fine script and viewing. But for those wanting a true blow by blow account of the interviews will feel aggrieved and let down by them. I am usually a stickler for accuracy in historical films, but once in a while I do recognise the whys of dramatic license taking.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYW3IEoIhTVPKBKxtKcSsjNt1s3iEjUty2glUMY-YaTYpS9bH1twcyRmUL5k819PAcCvub7sk55FIvXft9zHON1izbu3jR30w8hUw7m_aMkY_lF7fq3wsLpQdd-3K5M7JqO-_4oSQJlXC/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYW3IEoIhTVPKBKxtKcSsjNt1s3iEjUty2glUMY-YaTYpS9bH1twcyRmUL5k819PAcCvub7sk55FIvXft9zHON1izbu3jR30w8hUw7m_aMkY_lF7fq3wsLpQdd-3K5M7JqO-_4oSQJlXC/s320/5.jpg" width="213" /></a> I won't go too deep into the inaccuracies etc as wikipedia's page on the film is a good enough place if you want to read more on them. But there is one scene that stands out for me, being both inaccurate, and yet in context to the theme of the interviews. I refer to the scene where Langella's Nixon rings Sheen's Frost late at night after a few stiff ones. In reality this phone call never happened. And yet it is a fact that in the later stages of the Watergate scandal Nixon was known to ring associates late at night after a few drinks and have no re-collection of having done so the next day ( Richard Nixon was well known for being unable to hold his liquor and it didn't take a lot to get him tipsy ).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The scene may be historically incorrect but what it did in a scriptually great way was to show how important to both Frost and Nixon the intewviews were. If one or the other failed then they were out in the wilderness forever and both knew it. Frost had invested his own money in the project and if it failed then his career was over. Conversely if Nixon came out of it smelling of exonerated roses then he could have climbed back into political favour, especially after Gerald Ford's mis-guided pardon.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oBk3YMbUNXPjM3oQiSR3QtQ18uYGAoXOEETvfuMwyv5VRRl9SYDEWabFDovlQcngJd65x0V-0AJGTr5ohw8KZ6ublTKc1BzMbi38cgwD2A7rHWSd6-O4VqLoZraE7La2dTn7SqJg4lW_/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oBk3YMbUNXPjM3oQiSR3QtQ18uYGAoXOEETvfuMwyv5VRRl9SYDEWabFDovlQcngJd65x0V-0AJGTr5ohw8KZ6ublTKc1BzMbi38cgwD2A7rHWSd6-O4VqLoZraE7La2dTn7SqJg4lW_/s320/6.jpg" width="213" /></a> Like I say completely inaccurate. But in its way it brings home to the viewer what both Frost and Nixon hoped to get out of the interviews. Nixon wanted back into political life. Frost wanted a confession and the money it would bring in. The other inaccuracy is the how overplayed the last interview on Watergate was enacted. Apparently in reality Frost went quite easy on Nixon and reigned in his fierce interviewing technique. By doing so he was able to get more out of Nixon that Nixon would have otherwise divulged. Partisans on both sides question the accuracy of the script but that aside it is a fine example of dramatising history. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
So the script is flawed historically, but none the less it is a worth while watch. The cast is truly excellent and there isn't a dud performance to be seen. To be sure Sheen and Langella were reprising their stage roles, and knew them inside out, but the support cast isn't lost next to them. I mean look at these names, Sam Rockwell, Matthew Macfadyen, Kevin Bacon, Toby Jones, and Oliver Platt. Seriously how can go wrong with such a cast? Again there are questions about some of the historical aspects though, such as the stern character played by Bacon. Apprently his character of Nixon aide, Jack Brennan, wasn't as stern being more reserved and gentle.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZBlZYPHofoau9yslFoCCXcP0f1cRXAz75jFEItwWro5fq_SIXzmEqT2FwBfXtUh4yc6Nh2VVmj0NLkJG2Rd7cx0OSj3Y5v2yl_D8pX2lDM3N06yTwPr8ol6_33gu4H3CEhyphenhyphen570sRJRNR/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZBlZYPHofoau9yslFoCCXcP0f1cRXAz75jFEItwWro5fq_SIXzmEqT2FwBfXtUh4yc6Nh2VVmj0NLkJG2Rd7cx0OSj3Y5v2yl_D8pX2lDM3N06yTwPr8ol6_33gu4H3CEhyphenhyphen570sRJRNR/s320/7.jpg" width="214" /></a> Of course ultimately the film is about Sheen's Frost and Langella's Nixon. I thought Michael Sheen excellent as the playboy television entertainer David Frost. He pulls of the sleaziness of Frost and his playboy ways perfectly. But again some of that must be taken with a grain of salt historically. The only criticism I have read on Sheen's performance is from one critic who wrote Sheen was all ' frozen smiles '. Conversely another critic commented that both he and Langella went beyond just mimicking their characters and ' embodied them '. I'm not sure about Sheen's Frost as I've never really seen a lot of him. But I've read enough ( and seen footage ) on Nixon that Langella really did become Nixon himself. Langella, like many good actors, did his research for the role by visiting the Nixon library and speaking to numerous experts. On set the cast and crew even went as far as to call him ' Mister President ' to get him into the role!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I think his performance simply stunning. One critic summed it up perfectly stating '..by the final scenes, Langella has all but disappeared as to deliver up Nixon himself. ' I couldn't have put it better. For me as a Nixon-ophile and historian ( as such ! ) I really like this film. Sure it is flawed in that it tinkers around with historical fact to make the film more dramatic. But I can overlook that because Frank Langella's performance alone as Richard Milhouse Nixon is reason enough to watch this film. It is very rare that an actor gets into the person they are playing, but Langlella does so in a superb piece of acting. The whole cast is good without being lost next to Sheen and Langella, the editing is note worthy ( hence the Oscar nomination ). Overall the film does well at showing the background to Nixon's resignation, the negotiations for the interviews, and the interviews themselves. The interviews in which the American people came as close as they ever going to get in recieving an apology from Nixon.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHq2QOzr30cokUMB2LPgRYaSFxLkNEtN4qZHTD16__BLnvqiDWXDjz0YhssKO0znT2scg1r2qaY18P2XJZonS6DFWewo8adZ2v7lCRK4D5qkb_0HQn4L2yQum68EEI64Lyx6z_4kGDa4J/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHq2QOzr30cokUMB2LPgRYaSFxLkNEtN4qZHTD16__BLnvqiDWXDjz0YhssKO0znT2scg1r2qaY18P2XJZonS6DFWewo8adZ2v7lCRK4D5qkb_0HQn4L2yQum68EEI64Lyx6z_4kGDa4J/s200/8.jpg" width="200" /></a> IMDB has this with 7.8/10. It may be inaccurately flawed but it captures the feel and flavour of the events. If for nothing else that is what the film attempted to do rather than a provide a straight out historically factual portrayal. So in the end a fine and very solid film of which I'd give a 8/10 for its overall quality. Without question though I'd give Frank Langella a perfect 10/10, for not only playing Nixon so well, but for being as close as it was possible to becoming the man himself.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
If you want to know more about the film's historical inaccuracies then go to wikipedia's page on the film. Towards the bottom is a good piece on them.<br />
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But click here for a synopsis and more:<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0870111/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0870111/</a><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-30917701680542757772011-11-28T14:47:00.000-08:002011-11-28T14:47:56.285-08:00Brother Bear<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvPD0lPdUpe4sQ0nVpbXmcX9IVjyNWj9s-N02jrWKD5dMf4GI0m2dZX8tStLXA3YdbGxVJ-oC_u8qdyUAknsU79lFPX_mMR1lOEiowGRQ9ORoYhyKCOmZh4OfjoKWlrkNMcNMzt0T8xuN/s1600/200full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvPD0lPdUpe4sQ0nVpbXmcX9IVjyNWj9s-N02jrWKD5dMf4GI0m2dZX8tStLXA3YdbGxVJ-oC_u8qdyUAknsU79lFPX_mMR1lOEiowGRQ9ORoYhyKCOmZh4OfjoKWlrkNMcNMzt0T8xuN/s1600/200full.jpg" /></a> When we think of Disney's animated features titles like <em>Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, The Jungle Book, Aladdin, The Lion King,</em> and even <em>Tangled </em>immediately spring to mind. But think on this. In 2003 <em>Brother Bear </em>was Disney's 44th animated feature, and yet I bet you cannot name, let alone say you have seen them all. I certainly can't and yet I love animation. In fact I was shocked to find out that in 2003 Disney had made 44 animated features.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Well before last night I had never heard of <em>Brother Bear</em>! I stumbled across it last night whilst rummaging around in the cabinet below the telly. At first I wasn't interested simply because I and never heard of it. But into the DVD player it went and afterwards some 'net searching did I do! What I found out surprised me. I was shocked by how many animated features Disney have made of which I know nothing about. I mean <em>Brother Bear </em>is only 8 years old and yet I don't recall this playing at my local cinema. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The thing here is that this is a feature that grossed US$250 million world wide and yet has all but slipped into relative obscurity. In many respects it has suffered the same fate as 2008's <em>Bolt </em>in being a financial success without capturing the viewers imagination. I think this is because like <em>Bolt </em>it is a one watch unremarkable animated feature. It is a film that just doesn't stay in your mind except maybe in re-calling that it was somewhat.....bland?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmu8BHBzXp_IjgyCsWzTEShvBZAcQsg1PUjtqKtp5MchDX3CClzfxZgN9PnHS2NNYA_CBp62jmKDlKDMhX1bDov0U49QrnnLmrDBGofhZ8eDF8Et1yKTEmFObwEt94g2PH4dYoApMXr8L/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmu8BHBzXp_IjgyCsWzTEShvBZAcQsg1PUjtqKtp5MchDX3CClzfxZgN9PnHS2NNYA_CBp62jmKDlKDMhX1bDov0U49QrnnLmrDBGofhZ8eDF8Et1yKTEmFObwEt94g2PH4dYoApMXr8L/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> What is surprising is that it was nominated for two Oscars ( one of which was for Best Animated feature ). It really had no hope of winning when you realise it was up against <em>Finding Nemo, </em>which is to be honest, the far superior feature. To be sure it isn't a case of computer over hand drawn animation but one of <em>Finding Nemo </em>being more original overall, if not more striking. On release for instance <em>Brother Bear </em>was criticised for retreading ground from the likes of <em>The Lion King </em>and parallels to <em>Ice Age.</em> The criticisms are valid up to a point. There is a definite <em>Lion King </em>feel at times, but the comparison between it and <em>Ice age </em>are unfounded because <em>Brother Bear </em>was in production BEFORE <em>Ice Age.</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em> </em>Other interesting facts include the fact that this was the last hand drawn animated feature to come from Disney. This is probably because of the success of <em>Finding Nemo. </em>Again if you compare <em>Brother Bear</em> against <em>Finding Nemo</em> it must be said hand drawn animation was looking somewhat dated. In all reality to survive Disney had to make the switch to keep competing. I'm a fan of hand drawn over computer generated but what got me as I watched <em>Brother Bear </em>last night was how it looked older than its 8 years. It really did hit me just how quickly I have gotten used to computer animation.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6R9VgX2fKfoF8obQUDEfD5sRcKXJ9f-icH4d4UqEhu4O0kcB_aDyIL6_R37ZwY3Pmp9hKCLbGbQT4MxurhKH3GUro68n0dz0zdaEkYUFuwHl1j9_H7y5m7YZgbcuEiSGFf0jJRgiE0cJ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6R9VgX2fKfoF8obQUDEfD5sRcKXJ9f-icH4d4UqEhu4O0kcB_aDyIL6_R37ZwY3Pmp9hKCLbGbQT4MxurhKH3GUro68n0dz0zdaEkYUFuwHl1j9_H7y5m7YZgbcuEiSGFf0jJRgiE0cJ/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> In all honesty though I don't think the quality of the hand drawn animation in <em>Brother Bear </em>is of previous Disney efforts. It isn't poor but it just isn't quite there either. At times it is quite jerky and to my eye looked like a straight to DVD feature from a minor studio of limited budget. One thing about the animation really bothered me right throughout, and that was the mouth of young bear cub Koda. That's right his mouth! In profile it looked more like a monkey's than a bear's! Seriously watch it as it doesn't look at all like a bear's mouth but a primates. I found this highly distracting and reinforced my feeling that the animation overall in <em>Brother Bear </em>wasn't quite there. At times it looked somewhat sloppy.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Fqxk8mb41rAC8LN7PHAxCko-PdxkAQMLDUMC_i_UzqpzERg2-NtB3mcHC5JSINQ5n_xRRfQGwlEfiktYBahnZU5l05m-46gYmknma0hTg-QIVkR2Wy0bP1p2WTnjujS5wfmf74ePotdB/s1600/3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Fqxk8mb41rAC8LN7PHAxCko-PdxkAQMLDUMC_i_UzqpzERg2-NtB3mcHC5JSINQ5n_xRRfQGwlEfiktYBahnZU5l05m-46gYmknma0hTg-QIVkR2Wy0bP1p2WTnjujS5wfmf74ePotdB/s200/3" width="200" /></a> Besides that there are other elements lacking. Generally speaking all Disney features have a good dollop of humour thrown in. But in <em>Brother Bear </em>there was decided lack of it. I mean in its entire 80 minute running time I laughed only once. It is not that it is overly serious in tone it is just that the intended humour doesn't come off. For instance the two squabbling, bumbling Moose brothers don't have the humour of past Disney comic characters. Even the dialogue between the characters was somewhat bland. I particularly found Koda's runaway, smart arse-mouth approach, more tiresome than humourous. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Another thing in the film had me frowning as well. It was the copious amounts of head slapping of the human characters. I'm not sure this is appropriate in a film aimed at children. Animated features are renowned for promoting morals and values, and yet here is all this slapping going on. It sort of demeaned the message the film otherwise had and it felt out of place to me. But if you overlook the low level violence the story and moral are typical Disney. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkKTXXyGshyqVizmr-GigI8hm0DHn_lptLGwSjUZjjhphIpi2UNNcYPlJGCnxGvSh30iKzoWJCwB1O-0q0RM5dO_MnKhujIwEsuhve0L_pITcgHUamAZuNIgb2gsu_w9jdw7fv4Fs85Z3/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkKTXXyGshyqVizmr-GigI8hm0DHn_lptLGwSjUZjjhphIpi2UNNcYPlJGCnxGvSh30iKzoWJCwB1O-0q0RM5dO_MnKhujIwEsuhve0L_pITcgHUamAZuNIgb2gsu_w9jdw7fv4Fs85Z3/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> Over all then it must be said that even though <em>Brother Bear </em>was a financial success it hasn't stuck around. The fact an animation fan such as myself hadn't previously heard of it says a lot. This isn't a bad feature but it is far from Disney's best. All the ingredients are certainly there but they don't come together. The animation is lacking in the usual Disney quality and it shows because at times the film looks jerky. The humour is also absent which is unusual for a Disney film because it is a real staple of the studios animated features. I can't say I like or disliked <em>Brother Bear. </em>But to be honest I found too much to criticise than I would have liked to have.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> IMDB has this with 6.6/10. I'm more prone to give it 5/10 simply for it being so unremarkable. Sure it looks and feels like a Disney animated feature but it just isn't one of the studios best...far from it. Something is palpably lacking. Maybe the fact its sequel went straight to DVD says something in itself??</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In a word......<strong>Bland</strong>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Click here for a synopsis and more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0328880/">http://imdb.com/title/tt0328880/</a></div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-47691584547682608412011-11-22T15:31:00.000-08:002011-11-22T15:31:08.139-08:00Harsh Times<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSI0IRFSYaR1_R-xkInNrNzcGSJnU39sYwGoliQufttD4wArShWayXSouWN8sZ06ImSfzG7Hteo0epIBTR5UqLnL97uU737cdk0WMClsgEI8fNAu12UjVlMPboUg0nUEpkWl6t3OZXRj0/s1600/220px-HTPoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSI0IRFSYaR1_R-xkInNrNzcGSJnU39sYwGoliQufttD4wArShWayXSouWN8sZ06ImSfzG7Hteo0epIBTR5UqLnL97uU737cdk0WMClsgEI8fNAu12UjVlMPboUg0nUEpkWl6t3OZXRj0/s320/220px-HTPoster.jpg" width="215" /></a> Over the years I've watched many a film that by the end I have asked myself ' Why was this ever made? ' To be sure 90% of the films made in a year can probably be asked that question! But most films have a reason for their existence, from making a statement, as pure entertainment, to scare, inform, or what not. But once in a while a film comes along that doesn't seem to have a point or reason to it at all. I watched 2006's <em>Harsh Times </em>immediately after <em>The Number 23,</em> as they were both on late night telly here in NZ. Believe me after nearly 4 hours, in hindsight, there were better ways I could have spent that time!!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <em>Harsh Times </em>is a strange film. Strange in that it is superbly acted and yet seems to have no real point. It is purportedly a crime drama and yet it fails to feel like one. Even the title is strange because harsh times conotates just that, and yet nothing in the film felt like times were tough. I mean the two lead protagonists were out of work, but they both had prospects and things didn't look that grim. So where did the ' harsh times ' come in to it? For instance Christian Bale's character is an ex- Ranger who, even though rejected by the police force, has a good opportunity for employment with the FBI. The guy has real potential so why ' harsh times? '</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4DrPul_R8uBZNSNrQeMISygmeZttuxe5nG_weww1QcC2tJ4pzBJUPcs_OI6eak2IStGDT4echACBVzfGo7e0hyTbNrTRKSfEoD_1YYnYtkniBMK8fOtXKOozqYB2vbhxj8BA0yF0BmIv/s1600/600full-harsh-times-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4DrPul_R8uBZNSNrQeMISygmeZttuxe5nG_weww1QcC2tJ4pzBJUPcs_OI6eak2IStGDT4echACBVzfGo7e0hyTbNrTRKSfEoD_1YYnYtkniBMK8fOtXKOozqYB2vbhxj8BA0yF0BmIv/s200/600full-harsh-times-photo.jpg" width="200" /></a> To be sure he is slipping back into old habits and is suffering from PTSS, but he isn't totally down and out yet. The problem is that he seems to want to be. He hooks up with his pal played by Freddy Rodriquez of <em>Six Feet Under </em>fame<em> </em>and the two go on a bit of a bender instead of looking for work. Over the length of the film Bale's character's PTSS grows worse and he completely loses control of himself, to the point where even his mates don't want to be near him. The problem is that his self destruction finally pulls them down to their's as well.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBVOuhsCkfl8ZObETzGrbFHigrxaKAQkWcV8WFAouuYbzEwwoYUoNiToHaXriyWS2tutRTG-K1zAgGZen3OAIcxGfNevVQnS71xP2lEC4L7CpDiYKf3xoxP_9Yhcut0QyQci-Rr_OpzEJ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBVOuhsCkfl8ZObETzGrbFHigrxaKAQkWcV8WFAouuYbzEwwoYUoNiToHaXriyWS2tutRTG-K1zAgGZen3OAIcxGfNevVQnS71xP2lEC4L7CpDiYKf3xoxP_9Yhcut0QyQci-Rr_OpzEJ/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> For me the major problem with the film is that it doesn't know what it wants to be. At first it flirts with trying to be a crime drama, and yet in all reality it is more about a couple of dudes who smoke a bit of pot and get up to a few stupid antics. But crime drama per se? No way. <em>Boyz in the Hood </em>it is trying to be but <em>Boyz in the Hood </em>it isn't. Then it flirts with trying to be about post traumatic stress syndrome as we see its impact on Bale's character and what happens when it is left unchecked. <em>Harsh Times </em>then is a film trying to be two things and fails at both of them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> And that is what leads to the film feeling strange. It sort of drifts along without engaging the viewer. I found myself scratching my head at it all and came close to turning it off and going to bed. But I persevered because it surely surely had to go somewhere, let alone have a point. Suffice to say the film stuttered to its conclusion and left me feeling totally unsatisfied.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsaFfm3nnvAFNCYgES-gn1HvaeY4wJFQJ-T7_R7IanWavJW4YnLx_h1V6-XL1iMNxoYXnMv3jEbMul9G_tlvW3YhlRKFn932j7PRsWjwbO7YwQnRC3SUxAUq2k2nmJeqXQmxslEwGeFD1/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsaFfm3nnvAFNCYgES-gn1HvaeY4wJFQJ-T7_R7IanWavJW4YnLx_h1V6-XL1iMNxoYXnMv3jEbMul9G_tlvW3YhlRKFn932j7PRsWjwbO7YwQnRC3SUxAUq2k2nmJeqXQmxslEwGeFD1/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> All of which is a shame, because even though it is a film that has no real direction or point, it has two fine performances in it. Both Christian Bale and Freddy Rodriquez are superb, which is surprising considering the strange wandering script. Normally a bad script sees actors unable to get anything from it, and yet both Bale and Rodriquez manage to somehow. The pity is that ultimately it was all for nothing because <em>Harsh Times </em>was a straight to DVD release where their respective performances could hardly be expected to be seen. Bale's performance has been praised by critics and he is in fine form. But ultimately his performance is wasted because the rest of the film is so forgettable.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdOIxjRWZ0b74cfcy2KYAY7WUhxu31rBqFFnd_ebqZsRS2RSirGe-YQFmtJUAuvaehS2CwlovEK75IrC9G5m2Pvtn-g3zftUPOZNcKfQOVdpqk1Z3_BMtYdyIa-lVMtV1-6DyC-QWRlBr/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdOIxjRWZ0b74cfcy2KYAY7WUhxu31rBqFFnd_ebqZsRS2RSirGe-YQFmtJUAuvaehS2CwlovEK75IrC9G5m2Pvtn-g3zftUPOZNcKfQOVdpqk1Z3_BMtYdyIa-lVMtV1-6DyC-QWRlBr/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> The director is David Ayer who directed such films as <em>Street Kings, </em>and wrote screenplays for <em>The Fast and Furious, U-571, </em>which aren't exactly quality films. And yet he wrote the script for the Oscar winning <em>Training Day. </em>But overall I think Ayer pretty average and it shows in this muddle of a film. Incredibly IMDB has this with 7/10! I find that laughable because the film is a mess, doesn't go anywhere and feels completely pointless as it tries to be two things and fails at both. I'm hard pressed to give it anymore than 4/10 simply because <em>Harsh Times </em>is a strange, unengaging film, that has two outstanding performances going for it but little else. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In a word....don't bother.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Click here for a synopsis and more:<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433387/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433387/</a></div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-80703807365469070472011-11-21T21:17:00.000-08:002011-11-21T21:17:47.052-08:00Secondhand Lions<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvMU09q0Lw_Wb9LFswS3-OpoPHSPz5hyphenhyphenGJNxLhA-dXfuNBO4Oitq6Tax3qktE7ng0Qda1-TUDhFHb_qsUNUXv5D-Q6-sA5pGIqZDXJCxmOUGDImMX9g-KTq1J_4NJ5E9kKSNrIDcnDEwC/s1600/220px-SecondhandLions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvMU09q0Lw_Wb9LFswS3-OpoPHSPz5hyphenhyphenGJNxLhA-dXfuNBO4Oitq6Tax3qktE7ng0Qda1-TUDhFHb_qsUNUXv5D-Q6-sA5pGIqZDXJCxmOUGDImMX9g-KTq1J_4NJ5E9kKSNrIDcnDEwC/s320/220px-SecondhandLions.jpg" width="207" /></a> I see dead people. Shit.....wrong film but right actor!! Or maybe it should be ' I've seen my career disappear ' because this 2003 film was almost the last Haley Joel Osment was to appear in. He has only made one other since then in 2007 entitled....??? Hmm, who cares it was forgettable. During those last 8 years all he has mainly done is voice work for video games. Sure he ran into a bit of trouble in 2006 after hitting a brick wall in his car whilst sozzled on booze ( and for possession of naughty substances ), but I can't believe that alone has driven his career down hill. After all other actors/actresses have done worse and continued on in Tinseltown.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> But thems the breaks in Hollywood. One day you can be hot property, then the next your name can be mud. Of course after 1999's <em>The Sixth Sense, </em>for which he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, he was hot property. But when you look closer at his post-<em>Sixth Sense </em>career there is nothing special there. And that includes this 2003 effort <em>Secondhand Lions</em>. Actually it is funny to compare Osment against his illustrious co-star Michael Caine, because besides Jack Nicholson, Caine is the only other actor to have been nominated for an Oscar in every decade since the 1960's! Of course he has another illustrious co-star in Robert Duvall who has an Oscar and of writing is making a telemovie at the sprightly age of 80!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0bV65GhjkZotVtLu61OXt-ILLB4UyYbnnFrvFUcYTwLFCriwW1l3VVn3TySR4RpidDU8VSe_KOeK8YuyVGZu9g_gpSSS7q-dZZj9qadJWh6EK_-ldKVHZOodvQZnTWQlIKV7X3PdiUno/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0bV65GhjkZotVtLu61OXt-ILLB4UyYbnnFrvFUcYTwLFCriwW1l3VVn3TySR4RpidDU8VSe_KOeK8YuyVGZu9g_gpSSS7q-dZZj9qadJWh6EK_-ldKVHZOodvQZnTWQlIKV7X3PdiUno/s200/1.jpg" width="133" /></a> So in 2003 <em>Secondhand Lions </em>was a film that had a hot new up and comer and two old war horses who had been there and done that. The contrast couldn't have been greater. But age, awards, etc aside <em>Secondhand Lions</em> is a 2003 dramedy...I kid you not, a dramedy! That is what wikipedia calls it so I'll go with it as well! So dramedy it is and funnily enough it fits because it is both a drama and comedy mingled into one. The result is a quite reasonable family orientated film, that whilst not great, is still a satisfying enough watch for all ages. Dramedy? Yes, but in all intents and purposes it is a family movie.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So what is this dramedy about? Well in 1962 12 year old Walter ( Osment ) is dumped on his two aging uncles, Hub and Garth ( Duvall and Caine ), by his promiscuous lying mother. Apparently they have a stash of money somewhere gained by unknown means. She leaves with instructions to Walter to find it. Suffice to say the relationship between the 12 year old and his aged uncles isn't easy. Their eccentric ways and family visits from greedy relatives initially confound Walter. But over time as he is yet again let down by his mother the three warm to each other. It is then Walter hears through Garth the tale behind his uncles lives and ultimately where the money came from.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzoaGc2weCGgaSI1SwAMBfnpRe9250DyNtIX_HRZRy0Y4IyFJgrytclyfLBoZO38wteGa6dOSUXb_NihWcCcNMPgLoznrTc0m00QRyi8oRLk42hCoMjzjTEJjz_LxcsH0GFltQ536-IYO/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzoaGc2weCGgaSI1SwAMBfnpRe9250DyNtIX_HRZRy0Y4IyFJgrytclyfLBoZO38wteGa6dOSUXb_NihWcCcNMPgLoznrTc0m00QRyi8oRLk42hCoMjzjTEJjz_LxcsH0GFltQ536-IYO/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> Along the way there are all sorts of comedic capers involving a lion hunt, an airplane, one damned good salesman, and a fight with four greasers. But over it all is the closeness and need the three grow towards each other. Overall the script is quite reasonable and pulls on the heart strings just enough for the viewer to cheer for the good guys and boo the rotten family members! My only real complaint is that the action sequences as Garth reminisces about he and his brother's past are a little lame at times. To be sure it is a family orientated film but they really did look somewhat cheap. Conversely though the 1962 scenes looked good!<br />
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When you watch this film it is hard to believe it cost US$30 million to make! $30 million! Where did it all go? Seriously that is a hell of a lot of money and yet the film doesn't project it as such. But what is more worrying is the fact it grossed only US$48 million world wide. So it is fair to say it under whelmed audiences. But it isn't a bad film at all. When released it received mixed reviews from ' its obvious flaws that can be overlooked ' ( I agree with that sentiment ) to ' it has enough charm and whimsy to capture the attention and imagination of children and adults alike ' ( a true statement ) to ' schmaltzy' and ' troubling ' due to its depiction of Arabs, hmmm maybe, maybe not.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8BYqYykLIG-XO-Hhz7nMictbZcZweft0SNwL4Xhau9dsc58tPc3VYVL84ppTtbAaOm3_pnebt-4PeVK6EVixmd3ZvI6FA8bsieOAqO_Co1wmrYrSgtoQUWRHJ1g4-8D_bgChFh2FmEvp/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8BYqYykLIG-XO-Hhz7nMictbZcZweft0SNwL4Xhau9dsc58tPc3VYVL84ppTtbAaOm3_pnebt-4PeVK6EVixmd3ZvI6FA8bsieOAqO_Co1wmrYrSgtoQUWRHJ1g4-8D_bgChFh2FmEvp/s200/3.jpg" width="131" /></a> To be sure it has flaws but in all reality it is aimed at a specific market and for the type of film it is it does it well. There is enough story and set pieces which are ably backed up with some good humour that it is a film that is hard not to like. I've watched it numerous times over the last few years and always enjoy it. The end is a bit silly though. But then again it isn't the original one. Apparently a test audience didn't like the original ending so the producers made a new one. It isn't that great either in my opinion but it is there and has to be lived with. But since it is a feel good film the end and the way it is really does fit in with the whole point of the film.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> IMDB has this with 7.5/10. I think that is probably too much as it isn't a great film as such. I think it more a 6/10 as a film overall. But where I see that 7.5 coming from is the sentimental feeling people get from it. I suppose then that it has fulfilled its role as a piece of feel good escapism anyone of any age can enjoy. Certainly more than watchable with enough to satisfy a wide range of viewers.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Click here for a synopsis and more:</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327137/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327137/</a></div><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-42505993946955281562011-11-20T23:34:00.000-08:002011-11-20T23:34:58.397-08:00The Number 23<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLBkOQySnUXpeeuf5SSSW-uhN9usyizBv804hlaYlCkKHXs32N2Ntz2JZ7qyAYYGXNmUdEobPEiSJbbUyc7iwoHzCiYsSLn9WyTFXmMnjo_YrkUKtJHx99lAGwW742uCy5gluHPXPxZTF/s1600/Number23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLBkOQySnUXpeeuf5SSSW-uhN9usyizBv804hlaYlCkKHXs32N2Ntz2JZ7qyAYYGXNmUdEobPEiSJbbUyc7iwoHzCiYsSLn9WyTFXmMnjo_YrkUKtJHx99lAGwW742uCy5gluHPXPxZTF/s200/Number23.jpg" width="135" /></a><strong>" Be sure your sin will find you out. "</strong></div><br />
<strong>Numbers 32:23</strong><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong> </strong> I am a serious fan of Jim Carrey...<strong>NOT!!!</strong> I've never taken to his style of humour, let alone the type of films he stars in. The only role I have liked him in was as The Riddler/Edward Nygma in 1995's <em>Batman Forever. </em>The funny thing is that even though he has forged a career as a comedian, I think him a better actor when playing it straight laced. The problem again though is he hasn't done it too often, which is a shame because when he does he shows his real talent.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> 2007's <em>The Number 23 </em>is a good example of just this point. Even though a totally unoriginal and forgettable film, it it is worth watching just to see Jim Carey actually acting, and not playing the fuckwit. Seriously I can't stand <em>Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura, Cable Guy, </em>etc, etc. I have always found Carrey's humour too forced and hence unfunny. The problem then with watching a film like <em>The number 23</em> is that you constantly expect Carrey to slip into fuckwit mode and let slip something stupid, or just downright dumb....or even penguins to appear.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58zELhATQ8rvhD6r6YNNsnzjYaZoJLBCH_MqzkpcrFpK0JNIddmrHElwPvvKfgUBiwSk2pmwCLl8BcP6-ObiOQPKGoEi8SvKHyvBvLri9bufQrxcASKT0FQKR8vBI5IP9TzCvBU6tSl9n/s1600/1+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58zELhATQ8rvhD6r6YNNsnzjYaZoJLBCH_MqzkpcrFpK0JNIddmrHElwPvvKfgUBiwSk2pmwCLl8BcP6-ObiOQPKGoEi8SvKHyvBvLri9bufQrxcASKT0FQKR8vBI5IP9TzCvBU6tSl9n/s200/1+23.jpg" width="133" /></a> Suffice to say it took me some time to get used to Carrey in a serious role. This is unfortunate because half the film goes by before you relax and realise Ace Ventura isn't going to leap out at you! This was actually Carey's first suspense thriller and the second he made with Joel Schumacher after <em>Batman Forever.</em> I wonder how much of an influence Schumacher was over Carrey's performances in both of these films considering how good they are?</div><br />
So what is it all about?? In short it is a psychological thriller which involves a number 23 obsession. ( you know Psalm 23, 23 was Hitler's favorite number etc, etc ). Or in other words the so-called 23 enigma, the esoteric belief that all incidents and events are connected to the number 23, permutation of 23, or a number related to 23. ( In short guy finds a novel that inexplicably is mirroring his own life. It revolves around the number 23 and he becomes obssessed by it as he finds an underlying murder behind the novel's existence ). The premise is great as this belief in 23 is held very real by many people. So you'd expect a really cool film out of it wouldn't you? WRONG!! Because unfortunately <em>The Number 23 </em>takes a fantastic opportunity and completely stuffs it up.<br />
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The problem is that whilst the idea of a number 23 obsession has real scope, the script is just so unoriginal you wonder why anyone even bothered to make it. Seriously folks if you combine <em>Memento,</em> with <em>The Shining</em> and <em>Secret Window,</em> then you would end up with <em>The Number 23.</em> The writing and scrawling on arms and hands is lifted straight out <em>of </em>Memento, as is the scrawling all over any available wall ala<em> The Shining. </em>But worse is the <em>Secret Window</em> analogy<em>.</em> The thing is that in <em>The Number 23 </em>it becomes all too obvious who wrote the novel all too quickly, hence any suspense is completely lost.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_KvkFP38TafIaYUCFD472AcLrGhnwz0iDT19dOyN2fJNmoCNlqqnKS2YDgTps6eXgHGBNzTufcHurq_DC0xGsFi6v9-TOdgx2spwQ2aI5WQgwjP0Qv0Bst02TQQRy_3CK5J9ZjsMeqhX/s1600/2+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_KvkFP38TafIaYUCFD472AcLrGhnwz0iDT19dOyN2fJNmoCNlqqnKS2YDgTps6eXgHGBNzTufcHurq_DC0xGsFi6v9-TOdgx2spwQ2aI5WQgwjP0Qv0Bst02TQQRy_3CK5J9ZjsMeqhX/s200/2+23.jpg" width="133" /></a> But unlike many films with a ' twist ending ', that of <em>The Number 23 </em>is lost because the twist is played out too long over too many scenes. The impact of who the author is, and how they came to write the novel, becomes meaningless and less of a surprise. Mind you there is no real surprise, because in all reality you'd have to be thick as a six inch plank to not be able to figure it all out within 20 minutes. So the script is a let down and thoroughly unoriginal. So much scope for a really top notch, mind twisting thriller, was completely missed. Believe me as I watched it I felt really annoyed at how such an opportunity went begging.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <em>The Number 23 </em>was a virtual straight to DVD release, but this does not excuse the poor script, or the waste of a fine performance from Jim Carrey. It did see a limited theatre run but only of 35 days worldwide. Surprisingly it grossed US$35 million in the States and US$77 million worldwide. Which aren't spectacular figures considering it grossed US$27 million from DVD rentals in 2007 alone! So this a film that failed to make any real impact. Again that script cannot be ignored for the films underwhelming performance.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> But it is more than this because the film flits, as it must, between two time streams. But it doesn't do it well enough. Sure there is a certain stylishness about it, but it ultimately feels clumsy, confusing and delivered in a rather rambling manner. And again <em>The Secret Window </em>analogy is all too obvious. All of which takes away from an excellent non-comedic performance from Carrey, which deserves to be seen. The rest of the cast is solid, but Carrey is on a different level. If you hadn't seen him act in this film you'd never believe he could pull of a role like this and so convincingly.<br />
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And that is the problem. Carry's performance is just too good for the whole film! The script is poor to say the least and doesn't do justice to Carrey at all. It is a pity because so many people will never watch this film and see his performance. But what I hope happens is that somewhere in the future Carrey is given a far superior script to work with. One in which he can showcase his obvious talent for this type of suspense thriller.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbvBLqAkXN130V6JoMnSNUcuesC5u4OHP1Tts89wOCE0LetdaL1nXa6pB37lo15LnDs9wffBJO1eHcai9YlAqPoU2DOtnDmbDOe9NUXKMIIhPAmSF2IpN3W8QuBQGb3ms54skqrsnAKDu/s1600/3+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbvBLqAkXN130V6JoMnSNUcuesC5u4OHP1Tts89wOCE0LetdaL1nXa6pB37lo15LnDs9wffBJO1eHcai9YlAqPoU2DOtnDmbDOe9NUXKMIIhPAmSF2IpN3W8QuBQGb3ms54skqrsnAKDu/s200/3+23.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memento and The Shining anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Ultimately <em>The number 23 </em>isn't worth bothering with. If it wasn't for an out of character, and yet stunning performance from Jim Carrey, I wouldn't be able to find anything to commend about this film. It is just too unoriginal, with obvious parallels to other films. And the twist is too easily worked out which makes the whole film pointless. The only thing that came out of this films existence is Jim Carrey. If for nothing else I recommend you give this a watch just too see him in a different type of role.<br />
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IMDB has this with 6.2/10. For me that is far too generous. I'd be hard pressed to give it a begrudged 5/10 for being unoriginal, too obvious, and for stuffing up a potentially great premise, and opportunity, to make a creditable thriller around the number 23 enigma.<br />
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Click here for a synopsis and more:<br />
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<a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0481369/">http://imdb.com/title/tt0481369/</a><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-55499601679367397862011-11-18T23:20:00.000-08:002011-11-20T22:23:46.798-08:00The World's Fastest Indian<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrrfYkbmym5q1sYfKMLqKpVSl-UuYTPV7SNIrZh6U73DaAyAqlRC9sFl4mrW4ql9cG9l_CG4e9d5QJVSJBQFbc233f5bbU2IJVqD2rWpLm6PZ-cK5sIiFoCibBX8CF7l7eVF3WVdTSyir/s1600/600full-the-world%2527s-fastest-indian-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrrfYkbmym5q1sYfKMLqKpVSl-UuYTPV7SNIrZh6U73DaAyAqlRC9sFl4mrW4ql9cG9l_CG4e9d5QJVSJBQFbc233f5bbU2IJVqD2rWpLm6PZ-cK5sIiFoCibBX8CF7l7eVF3WVdTSyir/s320/600full-the-world%2527s-fastest-indian-poster.jpg" width="238" /></a> I've been doing this blog for 10 months now. Within that time I've only watched and reviewed one NZ made film. The film in question was <em>Love Birds,</em> and whilst not the best Kiwi film ever made it captured our national sense of humour well. Before that the last NZ film I saw in a cinema was the very popular 2010 release <em>Boy.</em> As a film I don't think many outside of NZ will ' get it '. It is very quintessentially NZ and sums up a lot about certain aspects of our culture and heritage. It's popularity saw it out-gross <em>The World's Fastest Indian, </em>a film that is certainly well enough known outside of NZ.</div><br />
Released in 2005 ( my god was it that long ago? ) it is a semi-biographical look at Burt Munro and his setting of a land speed record on his heavily modified Indian Scout in the late 1960's. The poster states ' Based on one hell of a true story' , and the key word here is ' based on '. Because in all reality it is very, very loosely based on the life of Munro. Director Roger Donaldson had previously made a short TV documentary on Monro in 1971 entitled <em>Bert Munro : Offerings to the God of Speed. </em>Ever since he had wanted to make a film based around Munro's achievements. He was certainly qualified enough to do so.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPRjjAaG0opm2oDjJeW6XQIAEg7jbVxQ2kggojkMLUHJNLBEHrM8lGDTvuWhr-XONh0e5CteWO8ZA6iZbppwh-3uw9BGZTyHplHGR0PMRWTJQMENJmdDCx4_VPzMQZRRUfHBeUbMrh677/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPRjjAaG0opm2oDjJeW6XQIAEg7jbVxQ2kggojkMLUHJNLBEHrM8lGDTvuWhr-XONh0e5CteWO8ZA6iZbppwh-3uw9BGZTyHplHGR0PMRWTJQMENJmdDCx4_VPzMQZRRUfHBeUbMrh677/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> Again, the film is loosely based on Munro. In the film it suggests that Munro went to the Utah Salt Flats and achieved his records in one year. This is totally inaccurate as Munro went to Bonneville many times and took several years to achieve the records he did. But inaccuracies aside what Donaldson has done is compress a certain part of Monro's 79 year life into 127 minutes with particular emphasis on his Bonneville years. It pretty much excludes his earlier life as a speed way rider in Australia and motorcycle mechanic and beach racer in NZ. But I find this alright because his achievements and many records within Australia and NZ were to be overshadowed by his international records of Bonneville.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So the film is only slightly biographical due to its inaccuracies. But all the same Donaldson has captured much of Munro in the film. As a man Munro was eccentric to say the least. He had been around bikes for many years racing and repairing them, from which he gained his self taught engineering genius. The film does show an element of this in his shed ( and yes he lived like that for many years! ). We see him making his own pistons for instance. In fact the mold in the film is the very one Monro used. And on the walls are actual pistons Munro made and blew over the years. They were borrowed from the Southland Museum and Art Gallery.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifI8VarOYpQpe_ECid0LmcAO0GHfwvtkNw4yq-kJh7kSlMbsyh014Bmug1_AIDA6XjReHK9buNirV3CSqmdXSYNvPTX5CkkyV69KjUBnYguoK4Csrap5AVbgRP6NlvKklPWspzLXrgyqca/s1600/9780143202851_m_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifI8VarOYpQpe_ECid0LmcAO0GHfwvtkNw4yq-kJh7kSlMbsyh014Bmug1_AIDA6XjReHK9buNirV3CSqmdXSYNvPTX5CkkyV69KjUBnYguoK4Csrap5AVbgRP6NlvKklPWspzLXrgyqca/s200/9780143202851_m_f.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The real story!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The other thing Donald does well is capture Munro's eccentric personality. Several scenes in the film are based on some of Munro's ways. But really what Anthony Hopkins does is show more a flavour of what type of man Munro was rather that a straight out portrayal. For anyone interested in reading more about Munro and his life there was a book published in the same year entitled <em>One Good Run : The Legend of Burt Munro</em> by Tim Hanna. It is an excellent biography and well worth reading if you can get a copy ( I'm sure amazon.com will help in that regard! ). But be warned it gets rather technical at times as Hanna writes how Munro modified his Indian. But all the same it is an easy read and will appeal to anyone remotely interested in furthering their knowledge on this remarkable, eccentric man.</div><br />
So what of the film itself inaccuracies aside? I've established the inaccurate necessities to a certain degree and I'll include a wikipedia link that explores them in greater depth. Now as stated in 2006 this was the highest grossing NZ made film up to that point. It grossed a whopping NZ$7 million!! This is a staggering figure considering NZ's population hadn't quite reached 4 million! It went on to gross over US$18 million world wide. Which aren't bad figures considering the size of NZ's film industry ( which does NOT revolve around Peter Jackson!! ).<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRuCwpd5BHTrXycQlcM5Hs6g3Gpkv_nHbQE8JHtj2nyGm45nHtl6cPORb7rtF1aqti4_YKvAqAqLmXRrYvTSsw6qKGhR5Xl0SXCKRRNK4UOokN6Y09JEGnJFIL7DpgmEW5oy73CohOs-W/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRuCwpd5BHTrXycQlcM5Hs6g3Gpkv_nHbQE8JHtj2nyGm45nHtl6cPORb7rtF1aqti4_YKvAqAqLmXRrYvTSsw6qKGhR5Xl0SXCKRRNK4UOokN6Y09JEGnJFIL7DpgmEW5oy73CohOs-W/s320/2.jpg" width="213" /></a> But here the cast very much revolves around a certain Anthony Hopkins!! He was a good choice to play Munro because he had the age, but also the star power, in which to get cinema audiences outside on NZ interested in seeing the film. I've read a bit on the real Burt Munro and along with Roger Donaldson's personal knowledge of Munro I think Hopkins captures the essence of the man well. Even though of Welsh extraction Hopkins made his character feel like a Kiwi. Some criticise his accent, but really I think this can be ignored as the film needed someone of Hopkins age and stature. Sometimes little things like that have to be sacrificed for the film's greater good.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I believe Hopkins found the whole film a great experience and enjoyed his time Down Under. I've read this of many big name stars who have filmed in NZ. Tom Cruise with <em>The Last Samurai </em>( filmed in the Taranki where I lived when very young ), and the entire foreign cast of <em>The lord of the Rings </em>stated the same thing. I believe it is the fact it is so far removed from the hype and big lights of Hollywood that they find so refreshing. Orlando Bloom for instance has stated he liked the fact he could walk down the street without being mobbed. Kiwis are like that as we don't really make a big deal out of seeing a celebrity in the street.</div><br />
The other two bigger names in the cast are Diane Ladd and Christopher Lawford, son of actor Peter Lawford and Patricia ' Pat ' Kennedy, ( yes from THAT family of Kennedy's!! ). The rest of the cast is a real assembly of local Kiwi actors and lesser lights. This is important because it brings the Kiwi air to the fore and keeps it grounded as a Kiwi story for which it is. It isn't a Bonneville, Utah story, but one a Kiwi bloke setting land speed records on the international stage. When you realise this you can understand why it raked in the dollars at the Kiwi box office, as we felt a certain pride in Munro's achievements.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2qUNNP3sIrzfRiyUHOf1kQGez0mzA_bZMZTk2Z9objSKrEVA0ta0AKLPN-Ck5nziU_EWylAFObduc3EXlgqP5HbKULisRVGbTozJLkMRbdGzLIUsREEovvrs1YjakVknl-jCWD7yfoxZ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 164px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 201px;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2qUNNP3sIrzfRiyUHOf1kQGez0mzA_bZMZTk2Z9objSKrEVA0ta0AKLPN-Ck5nziU_EWylAFObduc3EXlgqP5HbKULisRVGbTozJLkMRbdGzLIUsREEovvrs1YjakVknl-jCWD7yfoxZ/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> The thing to was we all knew the film was to play overseas and we got a silly thrill from knowing that our local actors were to be seen worldwide. One scene is very tongue in cheek and completely unknown outside of NZ. The film used locations in Invercargill ( never been there! ) which was Munro's home town. In the film the modern day mayor of Invercargill, Tim Shadboldt is seen in bumping into Hopkins' Munro as he enters the bank to get his pension! It is a great touch and us Kiwis had a good laugh at the in-house joke! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> I personally saw this twice at my local cinema and several times since on DVD. My favorite scene is where the dis-believers and nay-sayers let Munro have a run whilst his entourage follow him in their car. What makes me laugh is when they hit 90mph in the car Munro cuts loose and just blows them away! Their jaws just drop!! Seriously folks when that bike disappeared like that I got goose pimples up and down my spine! It look fantastic on the big screen which gave a better feel for the speed he was travelling at. Read the book as Munro tells what it was like to ride at 300kph!!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ549OoWpj0LqhO9DzbArSwBx_tRLoP5uPQvXOa7G-hYv8p2qsUpE98eW9msB2IUs7Tntqc-tb3G3EBRa288TUJVSwx7rHMRPM53cG6bdlqJbQIG5KejFyk2uuC4WCWUSRuS5DA7mrK0xr/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ549OoWpj0LqhO9DzbArSwBx_tRLoP5uPQvXOa7G-hYv8p2qsUpE98eW9msB2IUs7Tntqc-tb3G3EBRa288TUJVSwx7rHMRPM53cG6bdlqJbQIG5KejFyk2uuC4WCWUSRuS5DA7mrK0xr/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> So this was a film NZ could be proud of. The thing I like most is that it feels like a NZ film and didn't sell out in making it more palatable for a worldwide audience. To be sure it isn't a truly great film in itself, but when you consider it's small budget and the small pool of acting talent it drew from then this is a good example of a New Zealand made film. It does have inherent flaws, especially to historical accuracy, but it doesn't pretend to be a true portrayal as it quite clearly states ' based on one hell of a true story '. But believe me if you like this film's story then I strongly urge you to read Tim Hanna's biography, because the real life story of Burt Munro far surpasses that of the film!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In short a flawed film but with two thing going for it. A great story based on even greater events. In the process it is a show case of a real quintessentially made New Zealand film. IMDB has this with 7.9/10! To be honest I think that a little bit too generous as I feel it to be more down around 6.5-7/10. But none the less a fine watch.</div><br />
Click here for a synopsis and more:<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412080/</a><br />
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</div>And here for more, especially in regards to inaccuracies and other interesting facts on Burt Munro and his Indian Scout:<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_world%27s_fastest_indian">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_world%27s_fastest_indian</a><br />
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And click here for wikipedia's biographical sketch of Burt Munro:<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Munro">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Munro</a>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-21980607050720974932011-11-18T03:18:00.000-08:002011-11-18T03:22:33.435-08:00New Brave Princess Breaks The Mold<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjauN6qj4Lbx4OFtUFqLF0nZf18FqtfsRhBSFkKG0J2aKozm6mLEMRP4w9YUrbsLmBl6_wAwIMXzf-wwNSnNXeMlyjE2YhwbiUTAds0x0p6RYa8VYNu7PKTAo3a2HM8EL2_NOCmJ4qf9I/s1600/220px-Brave_Teaser_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjauN6qj4Lbx4OFtUFqLF0nZf18FqtfsRhBSFkKG0J2aKozm6mLEMRP4w9YUrbsLmBl6_wAwIMXzf-wwNSnNXeMlyjE2YhwbiUTAds0x0p6RYa8VYNu7PKTAo3a2HM8EL2_NOCmJ4qf9I/s320/220px-Brave_Teaser_Poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A teaser poster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Here's an article from my local rag about the upcoming Pixar animated feature <em>Brave </em>( the studios 13th )<em>.</em> The incredible thing is that it is slated for a mid-2012 release, and yet I have already seen a teaser trailer at my local cinema several weeks ago! In fact if you go to wikipedia's page on the feature it gives so much information you could be forgiven for thinking it had been already released. Suffice to say though that much of wikipedia's page is mirrored in this article. So without further adue the article!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Pixar's first female lead shows she's one tough cookie.</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>T</strong>he newest princess from The Walt Disney Co is more interested in shooting arrows and hunting bears than attending balls and finding Prince Charming. Merida, the spunky curly-haired Scottish heroine from the coming Pixar Animation Studios adventure <em>Brave</em>, is breaking new ground as the archery-loving protagonist of the Oscar-winning studios first fairytale.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> " She's your anti-princess, " said <em>Brave </em>co-director Mark Andrews. She isn't your typical princess. She does not wear nice clothes except in a couple of scenes when her strict mom, Queen Elinor, makes her do it for special functions. She's an active and action-orientated person. She wants to get out in the outdoors of the Highlands, escaping from castle life and exploring the woods. "</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <em>Brave</em>, scheduled for release next June 21st, is set in medieval Scotland and features the voices of <em>Boardwalk Empire </em>actress Kelly MacDonald as princess Merida, Emma Thompson as Queen Elina, Billy Connolly as her one-legged father, King Fergus, as well as Craig Ferguson, Kevin Kidd and Robbie Coltrane as the kingdom's noblemen. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Despite being the first Pixar film to focus on a female heroine, Andrews said <em>Brave </em>will be less about girl power and more about the oppositional relationship between mother Elinor and daughter Merida, likening the defiant red-haired princess to a scrutinised modern teenager who is forced to attend the same high school where her mother serves as the principal.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In the trailer, Merida's father tells of the 6.7m beast with razor-sharp claws, a face scarred with a dead eye and " hide littered with the weapons of fallen warriors, " that chomped off his leg while the rebellious Merida transverses a forest, ascends a mountain and lands a bulls eye at a tournament. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1QkC5nRZxTa6oimMtISlyMrKXKsaISSdfuEnOjHZyUueAXIVcjh_FLJHZh-n4zmamo7na8eTpcXSmj3r0VEGNmB5DaqejUmzym2eOIleH_F7uLtOEHhSVZrrYNaaUkOnu3PhlDX-HBe1/s1600/seo_gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1QkC5nRZxTa6oimMtISlyMrKXKsaISSdfuEnOjHZyUueAXIVcjh_FLJHZh-n4zmamo7na8eTpcXSmj3r0VEGNmB5DaqejUmzym2eOIleH_F7uLtOEHhSVZrrYNaaUkOnu3PhlDX-HBe1/s320/seo_gallery.jpg" width="320" /></a> The role of Merida in <em>Brave</em> marks the first animated film part for MacDonald, a Scottish actress who has appeared in <em>Gosford Park </em>and <em>Finding Neverland. </em>She acknowledged being struck by the significance of playing Disney royalty during a visit to Disneyland this year as she watched Disney princesses gallivant during the parade.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> " I just thought, ' My goodness! There's eventually going to be a Merida doing her thing up there, " said MacDonald. " The people that they cast to be the characters and wear the costumes at Disneyland have to do the accent, so.....some American girl will have to do my accent. It kind of blows my mind, really. "</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Other imagery in the trailer includes Merida encountering mystical blue-hued wisps and the gnarly bear that took her father's leg. Andrews said despite the 3-D film's darker tone and visual style compared with past Pixar movies like <em>Toy Story </em>and <em>Cars, Brave </em>will not be " missing any of the comedy or entertainment you usually associate with Pixar. "</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <strong>Of </strong>course the article doesn't tell all. It was initially to called <em>The Bear and the Bow </em>and Reese Witherspoon was approached to voice Merida. She declined though because of schedule clashes. The darker tone and fairy tale elements are lifted from the likes of The Brother's Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. Even the score has a Scottish flavour with the film's score composed by a ( gasp!!! ) real live Scot!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So all we can do now is wait and see. It is Pixar so I'm sure it will be a quality animated feature. Just judging by the teaser trailer I saw it looks as if it is worth waiting for! But bah to it being in 3-D!!!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for the official site:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://disney.go.com/brave/?cmp=wdsmp_brv_url_dcombrave">http://disney.go.com/brave/?cmp=wdsmp_brv_url_dcombrave</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And here for more at IMDB:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-18820578969969632482011-11-18T00:54:00.000-08:002011-11-18T00:55:22.858-08:00Miss Potter<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTHU23F9hNYpWK9btOM7aq45YrmT3dz4enWIX0XT-HbdOpYeRnXq-k-OU4NaPRGXBb4QPyL2YFSDHyQ9dLKO-qFIyPT-yEReqhnhFKF5X4euHvQZ2Ea0Wpu9XDE0UHf2WUH740o3uzShA/s1600/220px-Misspotters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTHU23F9hNYpWK9btOM7aq45YrmT3dz4enWIX0XT-HbdOpYeRnXq-k-OU4NaPRGXBb4QPyL2YFSDHyQ9dLKO-qFIyPT-yEReqhnhFKF5X4euHvQZ2Ea0Wpu9XDE0UHf2WUH740o3uzShA/s320/220px-Misspotters.jpg" width="217" /></a> Heaven forbid...I have actually put aside the wonderful ' magic ' of <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>and watched a different film!! This particular DVD has been under the telly for as long as <em>Sleepless in Seattle</em> has been<em>. </em>And like that film I never thought I'd bother to watch it. But last night I did before my fifth consecutive night of watching Tom Hanks win over Meg Ryan. Now this is a difficult film to categorise. It isn't quite a chick flick even though of more interest to a female audience. And it isn't strictly speaking a bio-pic. It is a sort of hybrid of both.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> But all the same it avoids the dryness that can sometimes come with biographical films. It also infuses enough heart and warmth to make it approachable and watchable. I do re-call the release of this film and the positive reviews it got but at he time I felt it looked too female orientated for my tastes. After last night I still think it more a ' chick's ' film. But all the same it is a fine film and well worth watching.<br />
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It is of course based on the life of children's author Beatrix Potter and her battles with her parents over her chosen vocation and choice of men. Now first off the film has several inaccuracies. But they fortunately don't detract from the main focus of the film, which is Potter's rise to fame as a children's author, and her desire to marry her publisher against the wishes of her snooty parents. The surprising thing about the film is that it is only 91 minutes long! But even with cutting out a few aspects of Potter's life the 91 minutes are actually spot on length wise.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN96BTNJoNyEnaNdooAgCxqJNdbGroWT2HDnrdhFdgsAJ_FrZhjr0pzmsMrv0Mg4VbI9ttFtKCkFb2IpwrUdlf5WXAm_BUHfi6b9cINfZPwGLF3gmo0nbd_0Ron-4NjxjkMpl-iEbhFC-/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN96BTNJoNyEnaNdooAgCxqJNdbGroWT2HDnrdhFdgsAJ_FrZhjr0pzmsMrv0Mg4VbI9ttFtKCkFb2IpwrUdlf5WXAm_BUHfi6b9cINfZPwGLF3gmo0nbd_0Ron-4NjxjkMpl-iEbhFC-/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a> Normally a film like this of that length would aggrieve me. I think a film should be at least 100 minutes at least, but <em>Miss Potter</em> delivers more than enough in its relative briefness to satisfy. And satisfy it does! The cast here is superb and there isn't a mis-casting to be seen. Renee Zellweger is magnificent as the somewhat sheltered Potter, who battles her interfering, over bearing parents. I believe she had a dialogue coach for the film to negate her post <em>Bridget Jones </em>American twang. She speaks and captures Potter's privileged, but sheltered life beautifully.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu9vkQuR0TcsPiorMCdggrg6UpJJ1cCYOy_HimMH61IF89sCIlm8-BlhbkBNl6wO9wcVuoVGZcM9nop0g2HJivzAxorepDXZKTvp-kDlZ-RVjym78RHxi8SkoCUNliIDp3LcOoup5UkE5/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu9vkQuR0TcsPiorMCdggrg6UpJJ1cCYOy_HimMH61IF89sCIlm8-BlhbkBNl6wO9wcVuoVGZcM9nop0g2HJivzAxorepDXZKTvp-kDlZ-RVjym78RHxi8SkoCUNliIDp3LcOoup5UkE5/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> This is important because the viewer instantly gains a rapport with her and sympathises with her desire to strike out on her own. Her parents are superbly played by Bill Paterson and Barbara Flynn. Flynn in particular captures the snobbery of too much money, and I couldn't help but won't to give her a good hard kick up her fat snobby arse! I mean even as a child she was dismissive of her daughters obvious burgeoning artistic talents and offered no encouragement or praise. It is terrible to think that once upon a time parents could and did feel the need to control their children's lives, even into adulthood.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44X-eJOpEl4sfWbTJukDwtCN0jAa7xnt7dfL-jtDpZjWSK-W9bSLlR-Ryt5GiVfk8GO__sS-oxvjnit6ujvjWfuTILJnZAIO_ZqzzskUdGENoxoa8IMgLk7PdKeAzsDJvWW5NnV1NlhLp/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44X-eJOpEl4sfWbTJukDwtCN0jAa7xnt7dfL-jtDpZjWSK-W9bSLlR-Ryt5GiVfk8GO__sS-oxvjnit6ujvjWfuTILJnZAIO_ZqzzskUdGENoxoa8IMgLk7PdKeAzsDJvWW5NnV1NlhLp/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> Ewan McGregor is well cast as Potter's publisher and then fiance. He has the ability to play these charming mannered roles so well. The chemistry between him and Zellweger is obvious. I just loved the almost innocence of Potter juxtaposed against the polite charm of McGregor's Norman Warne. To prepare for the role McGregor actually studied photos of Warne and visited the modern day Warne Publishing House. Both he and Zellweger read letters that Potter and Warne wrote to each other as well. So research was done to create the characters as close as possible to the real people. The animated Peter Rabbit scenes etc were done by an animator who had previously worked on <em>Who Framed Roger Rabbit.</em> It adds a real charm to the film as it conveys to the viewer the world through Potter's eyes and how she conceived her characters. I think it very well done.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w_EWH50xpzXKhywFQz_FGIb34O-LQGcIG4YLMNKIED87UiODTXCHHS87VcdL2y0MxXS1mN5pSttpvlBvp_T7ie6q2eV7rjiu05cuHVnupdvHuXfbicbLysFj5P0DvQe2Cx2WvkI1GQDS/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7w_EWH50xpzXKhywFQz_FGIb34O-LQGcIG4YLMNKIED87UiODTXCHHS87VcdL2y0MxXS1mN5pSttpvlBvp_T7ie6q2eV7rjiu05cuHVnupdvHuXfbicbLysFj5P0DvQe2Cx2WvkI1GQDS/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> My only niggle is in just how real was the politeness? I know this Victorian England but somehow it just felt a tad overdone. Or I may be fatally wrong and that was how the upper class and privileged spoke and thought of one another. But either way, overdone or not, it still produces a quite reasonable period drama of which the English excel at better than anyone else...period. But as stated there are several minor inaccuracies. For instance Norman Warne died of pernicious anemia which does not cause coughing as stated in the film. Secondly whilst not an inaccuracy as such, more an oversight, is the fact that Potter throughout her life made detailed fungi studies and often stated her desire to be a mycologist. And lastly <em>The Tale of Peter Rabbit </em>had been privately published before taken up by the Warnes.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mIcSAeizuARWPIehCIaJOUmFw5rzNCIv7e3DmzZl790QuBbH4EvuugcONOQQqMm6GUp0F9VSe52tKT7MAt2Sug2Kl_Pq6rRsLp5gO3-ZeOuWZCDrexAlJKyPVMDhlgNQpiJf-xzUgCJw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mIcSAeizuARWPIehCIaJOUmFw5rzNCIv7e3DmzZl790QuBbH4EvuugcONOQQqMm6GUp0F9VSe52tKT7MAt2Sug2Kl_Pq6rRsLp5gO3-ZeOuWZCDrexAlJKyPVMDhlgNQpiJf-xzUgCJw/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> <em>Miss Potter </em>was released in time to be in Oscar running contention but garnered no nominations. Whilst positively received and a financial success it has a sort of under whelming feel to it. It is a well made, acted film no question, and it delivers charm and fell good vibes galore, but something isn't quite there. I felt the Victorian era politeness a little over done which I found somewhat distracting. But for it's relative short running time of 91 minutes, the quality of the cast and their respective performances <em>Miss Potter </em>is a worthy watch. It is just interesting to watch a film like <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>before this because I haven't stopped thinking of that film whereas <em>Miss Potter </em>hasn't really stayed in my mind.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> IMDB has this with a solid 7.1/10 which is probably fair because it is well made all round. It isn't perfect but it does enough to be a fine watchable biopic/period drama. Where it fails is that it just isn't memorable. Solid undoubtedly, but sadly not at all memorable.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for a synopsis and more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482546/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482546/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-79851515762896986722011-11-16T21:21:00.000-08:002011-11-17T07:40:29.059-08:00Sleepless In Seattle<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SqOt35kPauztl5Qhhfxnaq5RF0ZRsgFw7JsQkf3G9pscYddXn5IAU4W4oWV1DrTojjiHa6hDE9gM-ao0Mui5mTdJsBURDffvDp7v2nIj_vxkEUPK8PlVHt1YJiA-uFSXNbOpbxuDwXi2/s1600/600full-sleepless-in-seattle-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SqOt35kPauztl5Qhhfxnaq5RF0ZRsgFw7JsQkf3G9pscYddXn5IAU4W4oWV1DrTojjiHa6hDE9gM-ao0Mui5mTdJsBURDffvDp7v2nIj_vxkEUPK8PlVHt1YJiA-uFSXNbOpbxuDwXi2/s320/600full-sleepless-in-seattle-poster.jpg" width="211" /></a> <strong>" That's your problem. You don't want to be in love. You want to be in love in a movie. "</strong><br />
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<strong>" It was like....magic. "</strong><br />
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<strong> </strong> Alfred Hitchcock once quipped ' It is only a movie. ' And of course the rotund one is right, they are only movies. This is both fortunate and unfortunate. Fortunate because after a Hollywood bloodbath we can all walk out in one piece. Or unfortunate in that we leave wishing that sometimes life mirrored the big screen. This is the power of cinema. It entertains, scares, moves, makes you laugh, cringe, squirm, hurl abuse at the screen, or heaven forbid, cry ( for those of you willing to admit to having done so! ).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> Well after four viewings over consecutive nights I'm in the ' unfortunate ' category with 1993's rom-com <em>Sleepless in Seattle.</em> Why? Because things like that don't happen in life do they? Well they might. But in all honesty what his film done for me was reinforce what cinema is ultimately about. Fantasy and making them happen, albeit for a few hours. And <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>is a wonderful example of this fantasy and escapism. <br />
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Now there are some film genres I don't really do. Musicals and horrors are on the bottom of the list. Romantic comedies I have avoided precisely because of films like this! In fact it wasn't until 1998 and <em>Saving Private Ryan </em>that I watched a Tom Hanks film! It was because in his early career he starred in such films as <em>Big, Joe Versus the Volcano </em>and <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>which twenty years ago held no appeal. I never took to Meg Ryan because of the string of rom-coms she starred in as well. But time and age is a funny thing. And whilst sitting down in the middle of the night to watch a film like this 20 years ago wouldn't have happened, it isn't such a rare occurrence now. Suffice to say as I've gotten older I've got ( thankfully! ) a bit more eclectic in my tastes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SiUxIcwrCVEpGn_wSHNNs07lp4Q1FNvBrcz5zWj3Y1Nj9bXrLqCKj1AqA8lvSKCfT17fwK_Vmtmw9KWERdDeYxemhwsycTYDHF2RdIKDjH8D0qANqBwScP8flbhr7xSTnSL5YIE5aY6k/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SiUxIcwrCVEpGn_wSHNNs07lp4Q1FNvBrcz5zWj3Y1Nj9bXrLqCKj1AqA8lvSKCfT17fwK_Vmtmw9KWERdDeYxemhwsycTYDHF2RdIKDjH8D0qANqBwScP8flbhr7xSTnSL5YIE5aY6k/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is Fatal Attraction your favorite scary movie?!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I do remember this playing here and I cannot believe this is now 18 years old! It can be said that it is a modern classic even though not that old. But I do believe it deserves to be called a classic, and if not, then it is definitely one in the making. Well I think you can see where this is going can't you! Seriously I loved this film! I mean I looovvveeeed it! Which is unusual because rom-coms don't generally appeal to me and I don't seek out watching them very often. I'm not dismissive of the genre, its just that they aren't my cup of tea. But from time to time I do partake.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Suffice to say once in a while a rom-com crops up that is actually pretty damned good. And I think <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>not only a fine rom-com but an excellent film full stop. This is a film that I can't fault in anyway. It just works on all levels. The script is par excellence, the soundtrack is a genuine cracker, the acting superb ( especially that of Meg Ryan who I've never taken notice of ), well...just everything. This is a film that just got it all right. But at the same time I can't call it a masterpiece or even genuinely great. But it is memorable and once watched never to be forgotten. Which to my mind shows a film doesn't have to be entitled <em>The Godfather </em>or <em>Gone With the Wind</em> to make an impact.</div><br />
The wonderful thing here is that so many professional critics and film goers in general are dismissive of rom-coms as a genre. What I think <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>has done is shown it is a valid genre and can produce some very, very good films. The thing I like most about this particular film is the script. It is pure romantic escapism to be sure ( which is its whole point of existence ). But it does it so well by incorporating the movie within a movie theme. Of course it builds itself around the classic Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr film <em>An Affair to Remember </em>of which it uses the theme song and various clips from.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1RhUdzOFtxI8JbGuRucoEev8hyphenhyphenMoxoxauFbp-07DNqvvAppKLlUaqdtzx8GJFa3Yco6KZWWdt3M-w_-IYtivueah9yseFr7pLf3Qx6alv_tgOD0cbHk8WaHnqrP6-T9ouxhX_VUBvRF0/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1RhUdzOFtxI8JbGuRucoEev8hyphenhyphenMoxoxauFbp-07DNqvvAppKLlUaqdtzx8GJFa3Yco6KZWWdt3M-w_-IYtivueah9yseFr7pLf3Qx6alv_tgOD0cbHk8WaHnqrP6-T9ouxhX_VUBvRF0/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> This inspiration is wonderfully parodied as the females in the film all gush over its romantic content. I went into hysterics when Rita Wilson's character Suzy went into tears as she described the film to her husband Sam and Jonah! Of course Sam spouts out ' sounds like a chick's movie!! 'The three of them all look at her in disbelief as she blubbers away and then go into tears themselves over <em>The Dirty Dozen</em>! The climatic scene where Sam and Annie meet on top of the Empire State Building is playing out the meeting that never happened in the Grant/Kerr film. This is such a great script where it uses a classic film and has the lives of its character mimicking that of another film. ( I loved the <em>Fatal Attraction </em>allusion as well!! ).<em> </em> Sure it isn't an original premise and done many times before. But <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>does it in its own way that is funny, heart warming and full of charm. In fact it was so good it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Screenplay ( but lost out to Jane Campion's <em>The Piano </em>).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The thing is to is that it doesn't get mushy or too sentimental. When a rom-com does that it tends to lose me. But this is the strength <em>of Sleepless in Seattle</em> in that it avoids the mush and keeps it grounded. It is sheer romantic escapism. It doesn't pull on the heart strings but plays on the viewers romantic streak. And just like the characters themselves watching Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, the viewer is feeling the same way about the movie they are watching with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It is very clever and it works brilliantly.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The cast is excellent which also helps! I get the feeling they knew they had a good script and that they were making a good film. It shows in the final product because it just has that warm fuzzy feeling to it. The cast has gotten into it and the vibe is palpable. There are of course five main players in the film, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger and Rosie O'Donnell. But for me personally the performances that really stood out ( even though they all compliment each other ) are from Ryan and O'Donnell. O'Donnell as Becky is superb! Her scenes are full of a droll, dry, subtle sense of humour that constantly had me in stitches! ( re-call her loving the dream of walking down the street naked!! )<br />
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But Meg Ryan as Annie was the star for me. I've never really taken notice of her before because of the type of films she starred in. But after <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>I certainly sat up and took notice. I just loved every scene she was in. At times her body language was superb as she expressed the doubts and frustrations of her character. ( Favorite? I liked the look over her shoulder at Becky as she walked out of her office after telling her obliquely she was going to Seattle ). It is no wonder she has been dubbed the ' soul of romantic comedy ', because she is just so damned good at it. The funny thing here is she won a comedy award for her performance and yet it is more Rosie O'Donnell who provided the comedy. But non the less, even though the film has a female bias audience wise, Ryan really stands out amongst a cast that was superb as well. And notice what a beautiful head of hair she had in the film! God I couldn't keep my eyes of it. And just as her character Annie was ' having fantasies about a man she hadn't even met ', I kept having fantasies of running my fingers through that blonde crop!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidazjsWsWw3q7pFcRaYDYRk8CGfyMJ-gYqfH9VSu3yRZ8g08-QxKLm0l1ixcuc3uH-btp-8RGnyJ1WDOxOnEJJZreHTElzjMUeffNB-PuwrtH__0Z5DKlDC3-Cc5qtHnaj6PQUBFnqgOYA/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidazjsWsWw3q7pFcRaYDYRk8CGfyMJ-gYqfH9VSu3yRZ8g08-QxKLm0l1ixcuc3uH-btp-8RGnyJ1WDOxOnEJJZreHTElzjMUeffNB-PuwrtH__0Z5DKlDC3-Cc5qtHnaj6PQUBFnqgOYA/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a great scene isn't it??!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Once in a while I think we all watch a film that completely takes us by surprise. For me <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>is just such a film. There really is nothing I can criticise about it. Sure I loved it, but I can criticise many films I love. But somehow <em>Sleepless in Seattle </em>just got it all right. The cast is superb, especially considering there are five main characters who all have a real input to the film. For me Meg Ryan was a particular highlight and I was enrapt with each and every scene she appeared in. But what really carries this film is the script. The film within a film aspect is especially well done. But what I liked the most was how it concurrently showed both Hanks and Ryan's character in two different cities and how their lives drew together. It is well conceived and played out. For me the script is one of the best, and most memorable, I've ever come across. <br />
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But the final cherry on top is the fantastic score. Back in the Saddle Again, Love is the Answer, As Time Goes By, Stand By Your Man, etc. Ah what perfectly chosen songs which fit their respective scenes perfectly. But what I liked was how each is so gentle which mirrors the whole film. Anything too fast paced or racy just would not have fit. It really is a memorable score and I hummed along quite merrily to it!!! Yep this is a film that you can't resist. It's warmth, gentleness, and subtle humour just wraps itself around your heart and doesn't let go. I just haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I first watched it several nights ago. In fact I have watched it three times since! It is just so memorable. This is a film that you will never forget and one I think destined to become a true classic, if it hasn't done so already.<br />
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In short..<strong>MAGIC!!!! </strong>A lovely gentle film with a truly great script. It satisfies on every level. I just wish life was like this at times! IMDB has this with 6.7/10. I'd give it 10/10 as a rom-com and a solid 8/10 as a stand alone film.<br />
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Click here for a synopsis and more:<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleepless_in_Seattle">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleepless_in_Seattle</a><br />
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And here for more:<br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/</a><br />
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And click here for a site on the house Tom Hank's character lives in in the film. It doesn't look the same anymore and even the interior is different. There is a good link to a site when it was put on the market in 2008:<br />
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<a href="http://www.hookedonhouses.net/2010/02/14/sams-houseboat-in-sleepless-in-seattle/">http://www.hookedonhouses.net/2010/02/14/sams-houseboat-in-sleepless-in-seattle/</a><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-20692669875272067972011-11-11T06:46:00.000-08:002011-11-16T21:29:38.992-08:00Doctor Who - The Five Doctors<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudvjneaY_XZf5vWn7f84AVvJPDMP8mfErRWD_5i51ANezCtameF51dv13yBQ7i9a1uSHxA-ukqUDDO14OYSA-y3fnNdDRowFTlp099xKGR2osb9GgvE-G7Y4rX9a9STWa7zN4r3xyx47W/s1600/220px-5_Doctors_DVD_original_cvr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudvjneaY_XZf5vWn7f84AVvJPDMP8mfErRWD_5i51ANezCtameF51dv13yBQ7i9a1uSHxA-ukqUDDO14OYSA-y3fnNdDRowFTlp099xKGR2osb9GgvE-G7Y4rX9a9STWa7zN4r3xyx47W/s1600/220px-5_Doctors_DVD_original_cvr.png" /></a> Well after watching <em>Pete's Dragon </em>this morning<em> </em>I re-visited <em>The Five Doctors, </em>a 1983 telly-movie made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UK television series <em>Doctor Who</em>. Now I'm a Doctor Who fan but not aficionado. Unlike its almost cousin the Bond films I know virtually nothing about this series. I've always wanted to read up more on it but other things have always taken priority. So I've tended to just watch and enjoy the series alone. After watching this I found it hard to believe that we are now up to Doctor number eleven in Matt Smith! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> I have seen all the Doctors since Jon Pertwee. I can just, just recall him in the early-1970's. But besides re-runs of his time as the intrepid time lord I remember from Tom Baker onwards with more clarity. In reference to my Bond as almost cousin statement I mean how both Bond and The Doctor have both been through multiple actors and have remained popular for almost the same length of time. Remember the first Bond film was released in 1961 and <em>Doctor Who</em> first aired in 1963. Another is having Roger Moore<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">as</span> the longest serving Bond with seven films of which Tom Baker semi-mirrors as the longest serving Doctor from 1974 to 1981.<br />
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I wasn't old enough to really know, let alone recall, the change from Pertwee to Baker. But I can vividly re-call the change from Baker to Peter Davison. I remember how it was announced Baker was retiring and there was to be a new Doctor. Of course speculation was rife and the secret was well kept until he was unveiled in the show. It was one of the few times Doctor Who aficionados, and fans world wide, didn't know who it was to be before hand. It was one of things that made the show so appealing as it could go on even without its lead actor. So many shows die when a major character/actor leaves. And yet, because Doctor Who under goes ' re-generations ', a new actor can come in and take over.<br />
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And like the role of James Bond it is coveted. Many of the Doctors have been played by very accomplished actors. Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Christopher Eccelstone for example have all had long distinguished acting careers outside of playing the Doctor. Like Bond each actor has brought not only a new face to the role but a new interpretation and style. Just look at how different Pertwee is from Davison for instance. This is what has helped keep the series fresh even though it was controversially dumped by the BBC in 1989. It then went through several attempts at a revival through the 1990's, but it wasn't until 2005 it again became a settled series on worldwide telly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aX0J9rJqIgpkAkCMX5rjp_ol0-xsK5lyWgWRU1UfGmGG8ao6mtKNK3QQWIxhtFDBONTnSxYnCxMJYZzld6tTYoZRecCQD78CmmsGjY27mNMh8xu2SClVPQ8xAH87Ut9huubrBaZLp6yf/s1600/200px-Master_Ainley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aX0J9rJqIgpkAkCMX5rjp_ol0-xsK5lyWgWRU1UfGmGG8ao6mtKNK3QQWIxhtFDBONTnSxYnCxMJYZzld6tTYoZRecCQD78CmmsGjY27mNMh8xu2SClVPQ8xAH87Ut9huubrBaZLp6yf/s200/200px-Master_Ainley.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> Interestingly whilst the Doctor has undergone many regenerations his nemesis, The Master, has had one actor who outlasted several of them! Of course I refer to Anthony Ainley who played the third Master from 1981 to 1989. For my mind of all the actors who I have seen play the Master Ainley is the best and most memorable. In this particular film his character is called ruthless, vile, despicable by President Borusa. I couldn't have put it better and Ainley played the part exceedingly well! And like his Doctor counterparts he also had a distinguished career outside of <em>Doctor Who</em> appearing in Bond film <em>You Only Live Twice</em> and BBC productions such as the impressive <em>Secret Army </em>and <em>Upstairs, Downstairs.</em><br />
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But here we are in 1981 and The Doctor is twenty years old. I'm not sure if this aired on NZ telly back then. Before I got the DVD about eight years ago I hadn't seen <em>The Five Doctors </em>before. Actually the last episode of the latest Matt Smith episode finished here only a matter of weeks ago so this was an interesting comparison between the Doctor of 2011 and that of thirty years ago. Now the first thing is is that Jon Pertwee is now deceased ( 1996, aged 76, whose death I remember well as he is my favorite of the Doctors ) as is Ainley ( 2004, aged 71 ). Patrick Troughton who played the second Doctor died in 1987 aged 67. Richard Hurndall died in 1981 just six months after completion of <em>The Five Doctors</em>. He of course stepped into the shoes of the deceased William Hartnell ( 1975, aged 67 ) who had played the first Doctor. It is a remarkable performance and he captured Hartnell's movements and voice uncannily.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSA89QD83TRT8AxptTIzhwTN-ImB36rdTZAISmdjn0yZGiFfFg6Pm6Fi2KptQBi_tiPwnzdd3hhLxwMuo9r61klmMBniITWRz0bRtc6Q-U3NqfEax1GF7Ck5Zlnv_K8UcsWonLG8VZ3m1/s1600/250px-Five_Doctors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSA89QD83TRT8AxptTIzhwTN-ImB36rdTZAISmdjn0yZGiFfFg6Pm6Fi2KptQBi_tiPwnzdd3hhLxwMuo9r61klmMBniITWRz0bRtc6Q-U3NqfEax1GF7Ck5Zlnv_K8UcsWonLG8VZ3m1/s1600/250px-Five_Doctors.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We shall never see so many Doctors together again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Peter Davison is still alive and presently aged 60. He remains the second youngest actor behind the then 27 year old Matt Smith to have played the Doctor. Tom Baker declined to appear in <em>The Five Doctors </em>as he didn't want to play in the role he had all but just left. It was a decision he came to regret later on in life. It is a shame he done so because to have had all five actors/Doctors ( barring of course the original Hartnell ) together for this one and only time was something quite unique. Baker's scenes were out takes from previous episodes that were never used.<br />
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Of course all the Doctor's partners are also present. It made me laugh because I read recently that Karen Gillan ( mmmm Karen Gillan......grrrrrrrrr!! ) has been called the sexiest of all the Doctor's female companions. And yet whilst Karen is hoooooooooot ( and I mean grrrrrrrrr hot! ) I think that several of the others are just as grrrrrrrrrrr hot. For instance both Sarah Jane Smith ( Elisabeth Sladin ) who accompanied Pertwee's Doctor and Tegan Jovanka ( Janet Fielding ) who accompanied Davison's were both grrrrrrrrrr babes in their day. Even the ( possibly? ) mis-guided character of K-9 makes a cameo appearance. But he is only a metal robotic dog and isn't so grrrrrrrrrrr!<br />
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Of the others Liz Shaw, Captain Yates, Vislor Turlough ( played by Mark Strickson who now lives in Dunedin NZ!! ), and the erst-while Brigadier Leth-Bridge Stewart played by Nicholas Courtney who died in February of this year aged 81. So yep they all there which makes this a really unique and special piece of <em>Doctor Who</em> history. Just think as a comparison there have been six actors to have played James Bond and with both Sean Connery and Roger Moore into their eighties they won't be with us that much longer. I use this an analogy because earlier this year Connery spurned an anniversary party held for the James Bond franchise.<br />
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So this was a real television event. The strange thing is that it aired on US television two days before the UK got to see it! I've always read that <em>Doctor Who </em>wasn't particularly popular in the States. I'm not sure how true this is but for me this is by far my favorite sci-fi TV series ever. For some reason I much prefer British sci-fi over its American counter parts. Series like the brilliant <em>Blake's 7</em>, <em>Doctor Who</em> and the sci-fi comedy<em> Red Dwarf </em>just had a certain something the US TV studios couldn't emulate. If anyone doubts <em>Doctor Who</em>'s pedigree just remember this. It is the longest running sci-fi series in the history of television and the most popular!<br />
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But it does have its flaws. Its main one is budgetary. The UK studios could never compete with their American counter parts in this area. So unfortunately <em>Doctor Who </em>episodes visually date very, very quickly. But where money was short for better looking special effects it made up for in great weekly sci-fi scripts. And this is where a 90 minute telemovie like this shines. It has dated but the script is excellent and showcases the talent that has seen the programme endure for so long. I really enjoyed this and was surprised by it as I had watched it twice before. And yet this time round I saw past the datedness and saw how good a script/plot it really was.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iuTDwrpmeoT4hEcF3nJ87rHDAGtudPR92TGZtlS7y1mAO7oz1w62wvOh22cszlH3e7Wcv5QuJ5SaIpcGbPLBt5nazQfVSN2A26itBSP2kokD_Z_eQBFGXddDPN9c-ZJr-7btb0kOEJ9f/s1600/220px-TARDIS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iuTDwrpmeoT4hEcF3nJ87rHDAGtudPR92TGZtlS7y1mAO7oz1w62wvOh22cszlH3e7Wcv5QuJ5SaIpcGbPLBt5nazQfVSN2A26itBSP2kokD_Z_eQBFGXddDPN9c-ZJr-7btb0kOEJ9f/s1600/220px-TARDIS2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fibreglass TARDIS. Note the wheels to move it about!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In short someone is pulling all five incarnations of the Doctor out of time and placing them in the Death Zone on Gallifrey, home planet of the Time Lords. There old enemies like the Daleks and the Cybermen are encountered, as Davison's Doctor finds a traitor among the Time Lord elite. It transpires, as his identity is revealed, that he wants to gain immortality by acquiring an old ring belonging to a long dead Time Lord of dubious background and knowledge ( Rassilon ).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> What follows is each individual Doctor finds his way to the Tomb of Rassilon where they all finally meet. Along the way they each face their own trials and tribulations before the finale. It is classic <em>Doctor Who </em>and it is a very solid script. I liked how each Doctor makes their own way to the tomb and only slowly encounters his old incarnations. Suffice to say once together there are any number of tongue in cheek jokes about I, me and we! The telemovie ends with the traitor getting his deserved comeuppance as he finds out immortality is actually a curse. It all ends with final goodbyes from the past cast members until the then Doctor of Davison is left. It is here he finds out he has been chosen to replace the traitor and goes on the run we all know him for.<br />
<br />
<em>The Five Doctors </em>then is an excellent Doctor Who adventure. It not only combines a great script but it was the last time the entire cast surrounding the first five Doctors was to ever assemble. This makes this a unique piece of <em>Doctor Who</em> history and thankfully it delivered the goods. I thoroughly enjoyed it more this viewing than in the previous two! My only criticism is that it has dated visually.Some of the special effects are almost cringe worthy now, but all the same, after watching Matt Smith in the new version of the TARDIS, it was really cool to look back and see how it was in 1983!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for the BBC site:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/fivedoctors/">http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/fivedoctors/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here for a thorough synopsis and more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_6k.htm">http://www.drwhoguide.com/who_6k.htm</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>And here for wikipedia's very thorough and comprehensive page on the series and character:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUhNnAoNuHSbrM82HZUfdIzDMcF7OfnwAz5Q5URsRUyERGtwEZprNlWL_7B6savqVJ_I2P-9BDns_7Z8QFNzXEIwe2Ex6TQYc_tXw3V-a8OoVjmsvmKqpwxWb-1vTeqemv7ZG9NpnA4UY/s1600/Versions_of_the_Doctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUhNnAoNuHSbrM82HZUfdIzDMcF7OfnwAz5Q5URsRUyERGtwEZprNlWL_7B6savqVJ_I2P-9BDns_7Z8QFNzXEIwe2Ex6TQYc_tXw3V-a8OoVjmsvmKqpwxWb-1vTeqemv7ZG9NpnA4UY/s320/Versions_of_the_Doctor.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All eleven Docs!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-51730581716198512932011-11-11T00:18:00.000-08:002011-11-11T00:23:08.487-08:00Pete's Dragon<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc5DyVcMj3l1JXeasyYhl6cQ5vVEa9vsd0f28-xw4m1jLjTkyhO6vZ9qthXWsX_Zg-N4-licHzSUowib-MLKrHXy26lWd1rnH-HjTQ7xH-7MI2-jEL6cyNhGTetOAohcbBB2isBRAKXJY/s1600/600full-pete%2527s-dragon-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 525px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 212px;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc5DyVcMj3l1JXeasyYhl6cQ5vVEa9vsd0f28-xw4m1jLjTkyhO6vZ9qthXWsX_Zg-N4-licHzSUowib-MLKrHXy26lWd1rnH-HjTQ7xH-7MI2-jEL6cyNhGTetOAohcbBB2isBRAKXJY/s320/600full-pete%2527s-dragon-poster.jpg" width="208" /></a> I don't do musicals.....well I don't do them very often, lets put it that way. They are a bit like horrors in being a genre I don't get into as such. But I will from time to time partake. So with a case of insomnia last night I sat down at 2.30a.m this morning and watched a film I had wanted to re-visit since I had first seen as a kid. Released in 1977 I don't actually think I saw it that year though. It was definitely a matinee but I think it was about 1980-81 when Isaw it with my sister and two cousins in Hastings.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Well since whenever it was I have not seen <em>Pete's Dragon </em>since, and yet I have always wanted to. The funny thing is with this film is that I knew absolutely nothing about it. Before this morning I didn't even know the year it was made let alone name any of the cast! Also because it is a film my mother likes I always had the impression it was a film from the 1950's or 1960's. As I watched it I thought it looked like a 1950's film and was flabbergasted to find out it was actually a late 1970's release. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not because <em>Pete's Dragon </em>looks out of era to me.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em> Pete's Dragon </em>has dated to be sure but I just couldn't get over how it looked as if it was from the 1950's. In fact the thing that really struck me was that the special effects etc were those Alfred Hitchcock used in 1963 <em>for The Birds</em>. That is a 14 year difference and yet<em> Pete's </em>Dragon was using techniques from the early 1960's. It is interesting because whereas Hitchcock used blue screen technology to negate the blue haziness from overlayed images,<em> Pete's Dragon </em>didn't. It was this blue hue/shadowing that made me think the film was older than it was. But even the hand painted landscapes etc are lifted straight from <em>The Birds.</em> But whilst I didn't mind it I was left wondering why, and how, such obviously dated techniques were still in use in 1977. Really, hadn't special effects moved forward that much that they were still mired in the early 1960's?</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6frXFk97ChBMSzp5qCoyVNRcbGuEzJEcjlEBkpXuasyN4yZfl2on3btKiFNJpHq3CmpUsyiaA41LtI3HPkqwGJO87ciBxpitLGuvFrz-ruuRzTNqKAGdY1drCj2qonat2wtp7BpUeNQL0/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6frXFk97ChBMSzp5qCoyVNRcbGuEzJEcjlEBkpXuasyN4yZfl2on3btKiFNJpHq3CmpUsyiaA41LtI3HPkqwGJO87ciBxpitLGuvFrz-ruuRzTNqKAGdY1drCj2qonat2wtp7BpUeNQL0/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So visually <em>Pete's Dragon </em>has dated more than it should have. If it had been made ten years earlier then it wouldn't be so noticeable, but this was 1977 just as George Lucas was about to unleash the special effects heavy <em>Star Wars </em>onto the world...and just compare the two. Seriously <em>Pete's Dragon </em>looks like a 1950's-1960's film and was a virtual dinosaur as soon as it was made. But that doesn't mean the film is a dud. For me the only criticism, if I could call it that as I felt it more an observation than a criticism, is the visuals. But it doesn't just apply to the animated dragon Elliot. It is the painted landscapes and the overlaying of images that is most noticeable. The use of live-action animation was still in its relative infancy so its datedness is understandable.</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The film is based on an un-published short story that the Disney studio acquired and intended to make into a TV program in the 1950's. Unfortunately I can't find out why it took almost two decades before it was given the full screen treatment. On release the film was only a moderate success and it was seen as Disney trying to re-create the success of 1964's hit <em>Mary Poppins.</em> Now I don't think this a bad thing. But as much as I personally like <em>Pete's Dragon </em>it doesn't even come close to <em>Mary Poppins. </em>If anything it shows that by 1977 this type of film had had its day. That is probably why <em>Pete's Dragon </em>feels so dated because even in 1977 it was!</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPk1OXFQ40VzrN5mLPsOmd6fVC0y7dqw4d3CuptNRk54O78_aGilertrmU6Pi_xvGvkD3450Knwa_Nc91G6wgANYZHfa_R0rI5vE0IVyrc6k3bi0-0GFQMktTLcVOFmEw-3-iCxQZjKsGc/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPk1OXFQ40VzrN5mLPsOmd6fVC0y7dqw4d3CuptNRk54O78_aGilertrmU6Pi_xvGvkD3450Knwa_Nc91G6wgANYZHfa_R0rI5vE0IVyrc6k3bi0-0GFQMktTLcVOFmEw-3-iCxQZjKsGc/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> Of course musicals haven't gone away as the three recent <em>High School Musical </em>films have shown. But as a genre it is now a thing of the distant past and <em>Pete's Dragon's</em><em> </em>is on the cusp of that demise. Westerns of course suffered a similar fate. Like musicals film makers when they make a western cannot even come close to those of the past. But where does that leave <em>Pete's Dragon? </em>Well sure it isn't <em>Mary Poppins </em>but it isn't all that bad either. It has all the usual Disney heart, charm and humour. In all honesty I found it a film that was hard not to like. I think it a film that you develop a soft spot for even whilst recognising it as a lesser Disney effort.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Soft spot and visuals asides I find it difficult to define why <em>Pete's Dragon </em>isn't better thought of. I mean I haven't heard anyone say it was rubbish, but it also doesn't' light anyone up enthusiastically. One thing though struck me was even as I was putting it into the DVD player. And that was my mind went 'I don't know any of the songs from this '. And that possibly sums it up. Because whilst the songs and singing are very accomplished none of them are memorable. I mean none have entered our collective memories or popular culture in anyway. None of them quite have the zing and magic of previous Disney films of this sort.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpDaUAH0BsNnbKhpN-t1RJCxwv3hVuJQCn4GTAwaf46vTckMw2e72yw3iUFhFq8_bcy6PtJjvWx9q2G4ZtIjiDye6iGfH5wii2WBmNVXGtZMSOsn60tQWpr1h-bg-qrkCVv0L7f1XKI7R/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpDaUAH0BsNnbKhpN-t1RJCxwv3hVuJQCn4GTAwaf46vTckMw2e72yw3iUFhFq8_bcy6PtJjvWx9q2G4ZtIjiDye6iGfH5wii2WBmNVXGtZMSOsn60tQWpr1h-bg-qrkCVv0L7f1XKI7R/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> But all the same the acting is fine and the choreography in particular just superb. I just wonder if this as being aimed a children is maybe too long. I mean it is 121 mins long, and even though the kids I see watch it love it, they rarely can sit still for its entire run time. Certainly as an adult I didn't mind and felt satisfied, but then as a strictly kids film it is 30 minutes too long. We see this in animated features of today which average around the 90 minute mark. Funnily enough even though not one of Disney's finest efforts <em>Pete's Dragon </em>was the first Disney feature to be released on VHS in 1982!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Again when quality is mentioned was <em>Pete's Dragon </em>that bad when you consider it was nominated for two music Oscars? Even the song ' Candle on the Water' sung by Helen Reddy made it to #27 on US singles charts. Sure it hasn't stayed in popular culture but it shows the film did reach out and touch people as good Disney films did and do. Now to a last observation and fact. It is hard to credit that Mickey Rooney is now 91 and still starring in films! Here in <em>Pete's Dragon </em>he was already 57!! The last thing is that the dragon Elliot was made to appear more oriental as Asian dragons are associated with good. Interestingly Elliot was the first animated Disney creation not to involve the 'Nine Old Men ', the original Disney animators. In fact one of Elliot's animators went on to the much vaunted and over hyped <em>Who Framed Roger Rabbit?</em></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD0QXP-6VyPbo4Q6Dg-X2zeZLM8btJ6Q0IYgz1bSlUcyZ_DsUq447mtqvYE2LldHhH3igIQ-PmEnJLSd1orxr3i4oYVlbTfDtgjumRZa6mWjWWtTM-Nmjr4u2lVId9ey_LYm7K6W676C8/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD0QXP-6VyPbo4Q6Dg-X2zeZLM8btJ6Q0IYgz1bSlUcyZ_DsUq447mtqvYE2LldHhH3igIQ-PmEnJLSd1orxr3i4oYVlbTfDtgjumRZa6mWjWWtTM-Nmjr4u2lVId9ey_LYm7K6W676C8/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><em> </em>So OK <em>Pete's Dragon </em>is not one of Disney's best. But even as a lesser Disney film is has plenty to offer. Just on charm and heart alone it succeeds, as it has plenty galore, as it does laughs. It transcends just being a kids flick as it is just as accessible to adults. But it has dated visually more than it should have because of its outdated 1960's effects. Unfortunately it means the film looks far older than what it actually is. But at the same time one of its failings isn't as easy to criticise, because by 1977 the musical was and had been in terminal decline, and <em>Pete's Dragon </em>got caught up in the change of taste. This means that it hasn't stood the test of time well and hasn't been re-evaluated. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Not <em>Mary Poppins </em>but even still a worthy heart warming watch that both the kids and adults can enjoy. IMDB has this with a 6/10 which is probably fair quality wise. But for me it whilst flawed it still has enough classic Disney ingredients that makes<em> Pete's Dragon</em> hard to ignore, and heaven forbid, develop a soft spot for!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for a synopsis and more: </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076538/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076538/</a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-7582740029848849732011-11-07T09:02:00.000-08:002011-11-18T21:04:56.230-08:00The Man With The Golden Gun<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CXjft_GAtAeQnf0OINxPQcBZYP6-sxik9x0y0Y27q3Wau4qwumyuIBfwl_0qTyYkn-1WCrVXwKETvNQsVq-kdYUR1bpZSrYmXhsyjNq07B60gJKV1DH8fck_348V8xmJbcu8jD7-G6Q/s1600/600full-the-man-with-the-golden-gun-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CXjft_GAtAeQnf0OINxPQcBZYP6-sxik9x0y0Y27q3Wau4qwumyuIBfwl_0qTyYkn-1WCrVXwKETvNQsVq-kdYUR1bpZSrYmXhsyjNq07B60gJKV1DH8fck_348V8xmJbcu8jD7-G6Q/s320/600full-the-man-with-the-golden-gun-poster.jpg" width="203" /></a> What a quick turn around between <em>Live and Let Die </em>and <em>The Man With the Golden Gun</em>! It was in fact a year between the two which is unusual for a Bond film. Normally there was at least a two year gap because of the sheer logistics of making a Bond film. But none the less it was one and <em>TMWTGG</em> was released in 1974. Now many consider this the franchises lowest point. But I don't think that at all. Sure it isn't one of the great Bond films but it isn't all that bad either. On release though it was to become the fourth lowest grossing Bond film even though still making a profit. But the main criticisms were directed at its comedic approach which was heavier than any previous film.</div><br />
The overall view of the film hasn't changed in the preceding 37 years either. It is ranked within the bottom four worst Bond films. Whilst I dislike the word 'worst' as I like all of the Bond films in way or another, it is one I would intentionally or intentionally watch towards the end if I was to play all 22 films back to back. Not because I dislike it but there are in all honesty better. But for its criticisms I have a soft spot for this, Roger Moore's second outing as 007, and am always happy to watch it.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPQKRGwzhiob0itoKX4BD42pz4RaySQMPToU8nEdOeC5H6EGbUmfpb08SHMcU-xgxU2LpNdkDwW1vWrGSK-XSKXVr-7Qh2HjS75Ku3d4_CErhM0yUM3S0LJM1Hzj55QlYQl5OwXeDVZw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPQKRGwzhiob0itoKX4BD42pz4RaySQMPToU8nEdOeC5H6EGbUmfpb08SHMcU-xgxU2LpNdkDwW1vWrGSK-XSKXVr-7Qh2HjS75Ku3d4_CErhM0yUM3S0LJM1Hzj55QlYQl5OwXeDVZw/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> As a Bond film there is enough to like but also things to bemoan. For me the only things I question in this was the use of the boat chase and the use of character Sheriff J. W. Pepper. My problem here is that a extensive and probably over long boat chase was used in previous film <em>Live and Let Die. </em>So there is a lack of originality there. But the reprising of Clifton James sheriff role didn't sit well with me. Even in <em>Live and Let Die</em> he is a bit dubious in the overall scheme of the film. But in <em>TMWTGG</em> he is completely out of place. His inclusion is to add an air of comedy but he is almost embarrassing. Besides these two complaints there is still enough I like though.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoEMfGdqiaWGf63uQNwrX6z8E5Vn7JclF-gwhhecAhnfNzUf-p9MTeJ6vSnUNcqGypaY8mNZ2ZZCJcH4JK_d8O6A_k-zhV021FaAZ93KbVtf10YPAeb4RUMIQQZR7Eur6i2fQVRN0xbA/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoEMfGdqiaWGf63uQNwrX6z8E5Vn7JclF-gwhhecAhnfNzUf-p9MTeJ6vSnUNcqGypaY8mNZ2ZZCJcH4JK_d8O6A_k-zhV021FaAZ93KbVtf10YPAeb4RUMIQQZR7Eur6i2fQVRN0xbA/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> The comedy in this is far heavier than in any previous Bond film. Whilst criticised I actually don't mind it as it is juxtaposed with Moore's Bond also having more steel and thugishness than in <em>Live and Let Die. </em>The humour is more sexual innuendo and double entendre than anything else. It is extremely clever and genuinely funny. I certainly laughed at it all. But the humour probably doesn't work so well in some of the sight gags. For instance the scene where Bond and Pepper jump the canal and the car does a flip in mid-air. I've always questioned the decision to add in that type of humour as it isn't quite Bond like. The ad-lib lines and sexual innuendo are, of which Roger Moore was perfect at that type of light comedy. But the sight gags probably don't fit as well.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nlvvwFEAWXFo5qPdQGesoCV-z0ANT7WN8Mhlvvs00lz4c7nFIHFLfYJBPNp1dkPTJICRAPQLN9_n2S0agCAk8aeZUYwIP-HwCGbrkT7LrPGfhRV-BvH6-BCLgxntlQtXQc1ZAIbSE2E/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nlvvwFEAWXFo5qPdQGesoCV-z0ANT7WN8Mhlvvs00lz4c7nFIHFLfYJBPNp1dkPTJICRAPQLN9_n2S0agCAk8aeZUYwIP-HwCGbrkT7LrPGfhRV-BvH6-BCLgxntlQtXQc1ZAIbSE2E/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> This of course was the ninth Bond film. It is now hard to credit there are now 22 Bond films with another to come! Nine in 1974 must have seemed an incredible feat, and even though not as lucrative as previous films it still made money. The film as usual is based on Ian Fleming's novel of the same name. But there almost all similarities stop because the novel was more a novella and not long enough to adapt a film from. In fact almost the only elements used are the names Bond, Mary Goodnight and Scaramanga. The use of a golden gun by Scaramanga was even changed, because in the novella he uses a gold plated Colt six-shooter, where as in the film it is a custom built pistol. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTxiEegRFHESbrQxNz4zC03tm9anjYO3KKKhXiPzEvLPob7-8RAq4XEeDWRIqYIndxSK6V8D6X-QLhSIVJK-J6bfjxRbNEC-MoWH_EhBLq7javYIrVGBVEGpF6KzdGL4YmVxm0cgDlh8/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTxiEegRFHESbrQxNz4zC03tm9anjYO3KKKhXiPzEvLPob7-8RAq4XEeDWRIqYIndxSK6V8D6X-QLhSIVJK-J6bfjxRbNEC-MoWH_EhBLq7javYIrVGBVEGpF6KzdGL4YmVxm0cgDlh8/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> So what the film adaptation is in all reality was the first time a story outside of Fleming's influence was attempted. As stated it used the title and character names, but that was it .What you and I see on the screen has nothing to do with the novel what so ever. This may account for the average showing of the script. Whilst it isn't a bad script it is somewhat uneven and the film bounces between highs and lows. In fact on release the only scene that was praised was the films shoot out finale between Bond and Scaramanga. Before then it was probably too light hearted, with even the action scenes too comedy driven in approach.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUnkVRmNEKjbjZzGkMU8HhR9e76XZt6rikvwJY_ktkVvm51-YP9lzsDoiuuofOwklhrc6zoNlCb2lg3J24gh3EnGVKLUNn1GpAdUJKNp-K9BnyvHOtRjwRzRr_WbGP6xPbpbbIvnCY5Y/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUnkVRmNEKjbjZzGkMU8HhR9e76XZt6rikvwJY_ktkVvm51-YP9lzsDoiuuofOwklhrc6zoNlCb2lg3J24gh3EnGVKLUNn1GpAdUJKNp-K9BnyvHOtRjwRzRr_WbGP6xPbpbbIvnCY5Y/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a> For instance the scene where Bond goes to ' school ' to be beaten up. When he escapes and his contact's nieces join in the fight and beat up Bond's pursuers is more comedy than action. In an aside the use of martial arts in the film was in reaction to the then world wide craze of martial arts films ( ie <em>Enter the Dragon </em>). The Bond franchise always was receptive to the mood of the times and this is an example. Of course its most famous move was in jumping on the success of <em>Star Wars </em>and putting Bond into space for <em>Moonraker.</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5uqw3jX8jjU0ZzKbyWKo7vAscUbvzX00PAXO54VS6YJXTiQk1Di1x4wqcfin-cfzovvUgOeS3eQ6P64Bu26SZvv5vTaNsfAovW1KS2zh9PZyZbwalDB6NQuQx73B0HYgPQeKLVu8j2M/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5uqw3jX8jjU0ZzKbyWKo7vAscUbvzX00PAXO54VS6YJXTiQk1Di1x4wqcfin-cfzovvUgOeS3eQ6P64Bu26SZvv5vTaNsfAovW1KS2zh9PZyZbwalDB6NQuQx73B0HYgPQeKLVu8j2M/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a><em> </em>So how was Moore as Bond in his second outing? Well after the criticism he copped for being too charming and lacking steel in <em>Live and Let Die</em> Moore showed in this turn his Bond could be a cold hard man when needed. Two scenes reinforce this for me. The first is when he meets the gunsmith Lazar and points the loaded rifle at his groin and threatens to blow certain bits off if he doesn't cop up the information he wants. The second is when he roughs up Maud Adams character and quite firmly tells her what she is going to do to help him bring down Scaramanga. Both scenes show Moore's Bond at his hard best and dissipate for me the criticisms that Moore wasn't a strong enough Bond.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC8Dle7h1GCK98ZBwmhSzLGwOGuefdyo3-EanVBPqIAZuzl2wR6IXEdaCjIpMZKifbkGHQz4XyR8lnNw6e8G2XhxfY-kXKdBYCnmeRI2hLLw8s0JoQCJulQ9WhWjgy_LV4UzlRTr7yTs/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC8Dle7h1GCK98ZBwmhSzLGwOGuefdyo3-EanVBPqIAZuzl2wR6IXEdaCjIpMZKifbkGHQz4XyR8lnNw6e8G2XhxfY-kXKdBYCnmeRI2hLLw8s0JoQCJulQ9WhWjgy_LV4UzlRTr7yTs/s200/7.jpg" width="200" /></a> The really interesting thing here is the historical backdrop against which the film was made. Obviously Britain at the time was in the middle of its energy crisis. And so the film adapted that into its plot with the ' solex agitator '. Again I refer to my earlier point of the Bond films having a pulse on the current events of the times ( this is why filming was predominately in the Far East due to the then popularity of martial arts films ). This in face of the fact the novella was based entirely in Jamaica. But Jamaica had been used previously in <em>Dr. No </em>and <em>Live and Let Die</em>. So this was a chance to get Bond out into other 'exotic ' locations.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpG9nm5q-V0O0lA-SMTaY2LLfRN4Ub8XfChkVZ4cf2tvQCaq3izM1mgmW-aXDqSTxrj-PFSaFsWeXLZ8e2gvrbykthJ1rPzrBVjBBygT06p99TW2HW0-Qb6_NaKlapARTBvggBQIUdvU/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpG9nm5q-V0O0lA-SMTaY2LLfRN4Ub8XfChkVZ4cf2tvQCaq3izM1mgmW-aXDqSTxrj-PFSaFsWeXLZ8e2gvrbykthJ1rPzrBVjBBygT06p99TW2HW0-Qb6_NaKlapARTBvggBQIUdvU/s200/8.jpg" width="200" /></a> Actually <em>TMWTGG</em> was going to be made after <em>You Only Live Twice. </em>But it was scrapped as planned filming in Cambodia became impractical due to the outbreak of war. In fact other scouted locations for <em>TMWTGG </em>also suffered from world events! For instance Beirut and Iran were discarded due to the Yom Kippur War. Ha Long Bay in Vietnam for a quite obvious reason as well! Which saw Thailand chosen after pictures were seen of Phuket in a magazine. It was whilst looking at possible filming locations that Broccoli saw the wreckage of RMS Queen Elizabeth in Hong Kong harbour and decided to include it in the film.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bojAfvsoMYqz-KbuhMV5Wyqjpfe3Tr2RGO-r9BcNIQ9vgVWIqVwuNezgTMOxSRXkXUVI-jSFrM-TaEhQ7PuH9OYMPmAeXoojSTTfUXJuIw9HQSZfFQYPXG3Jlwvs-YK0LmL9XsO6byw/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bojAfvsoMYqz-KbuhMV5Wyqjpfe3Tr2RGO-r9BcNIQ9vgVWIqVwuNezgTMOxSRXkXUVI-jSFrM-TaEhQ7PuH9OYMPmAeXoojSTTfUXJuIw9HQSZfFQYPXG3Jlwvs-YK0LmL9XsO6byw/s200/9.jpg" width="200" /></a> This was to be the last film to be co-produced by Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman. Saltzman afterwards sold his 50% share to alleviate his financial troubles to United artists. This lead to legalities which delayed the next film <em>The Spy Who Loved Me</em> for three years. As to castings? Well originally Jack Palance was offered the role of Scaramanga but declined. Interestingly Christopher Lee had been suggested to Broccoli and Saltzman as Dr. No but they had already cast Joseph Wiseman. ( for you not in the know Ian Fleming and Christopher Lee were actually cousins ). Two Swedish models in Britt Ekland and Maud Adams were cast as the Bond girls. Ekland had been interested in being a Bond girl since watching <em>Dr. No</em> and contacted the producers about the role of Mary Goodnight. Maud Adams was cast as a contrast in looks to those of the blonde Ekland. Marc Adams who plays the gunman Scaramanga shoots dead in the films opening had previously appeared in a minor <em>Diamonds are Forever </em>role. He was cast as it was found an interesting idea to put a ' Chicago ' gangster type in the middle of Thailand.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FpX3b7kol8b3EYt6iZiq0-5ghgQn49znKH5TbRkN4R7sEfD7HLntpNN7JVVFgWj0i6KnU-lscbAonp77U_FeyXgZNYSfwJ9jK5R14H85d_-sSYZKwAUA1n2qDFoEViB9DpUlyyKb_vTC/s1600/10" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FpX3b7kol8b3EYt6iZiq0-5ghgQn49znKH5TbRkN4R7sEfD7HLntpNN7JVVFgWj0i6KnU-lscbAonp77U_FeyXgZNYSfwJ9jK5R14H85d_-sSYZKwAUA1n2qDFoEViB9DpUlyyKb_vTC/s200/10" width="200" /></a> The film is of course well known for one incredible stunt. This is where stunt driver " Bumps " Willard leaps a AMC Hornet over a broken bridge twisting it 360 degrees in mid-air. It was successfully done in one take and shown in slow motion due to the actual speed necessary for its undertaking. The stunt is quite cool but it has been forever marred by the addition of a penny whistle over the scene. Broccoli kept it in despite reservations, but came to regret it later. One critic described it as 'simply crass ' and that the stunt showed up the lack of excitement in the film. For me it was spoilt by the use of comedy sound effects. Interestingly the stunt was tested many times beforehand and was toured around America before being filmed. UK motoring programme <em>Top Gear </em> tried to recreate the stunt in 2008 and failed!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo46Z0Lft6VLi9fRZSYY46gAY5PUESff0i2rE6JOUmoZ9Fi0JzWp-X4AVnqwPJ1WheXNJaqNSoYxk_xWmCFAuzzE_w76w0AYgw1SEdx_7RVGq3kryHQPzfZ1VqIuXCGaUl80yoygdHsyWI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo46Z0Lft6VLi9fRZSYY46gAY5PUESff0i2rE6JOUmoZ9Fi0JzWp-X4AVnqwPJ1WheXNJaqNSoYxk_xWmCFAuzzE_w76w0AYgw1SEdx_7RVGq3kryHQPzfZ1VqIuXCGaUl80yoygdHsyWI/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> The car plane was filmed at Bovington and was a model inspired by an actual prototype. Again the Bond franchise with its finger on the pulse! The finale between Bond and Scaramanga was significantly shortened because it had pacing problems. This is fortunate because the film at 125 minutes is possibly too long as it stands. Finally the solar power plant was built in Pinewood studios and a used a miniature duplicate model as well. Scenes cut between the two so the viewer was unable to see a discernible difference. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX3TWWPW6D8uRJeLVvVdKV4jxavLBwgzXafJVPlOB-xIydIirQrD9lJnvRnoyTvk_jWPNP6rLjWtHcKDPzuy55DDS_TJDYtoHbaVhReb4c1BsoLxZpNITsZVeJt8URS2Yh0bO1st8HPAv/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX3TWWPW6D8uRJeLVvVdKV4jxavLBwgzXafJVPlOB-xIydIirQrD9lJnvRnoyTvk_jWPNP6rLjWtHcKDPzuy55DDS_TJDYtoHbaVhReb4c1BsoLxZpNITsZVeJt8URS2Yh0bO1st8HPAv/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> For Scaramanga's prop golden gun three copies were made. One could be fired with a cap. One we see used in the film with Christopher Lee assembling and disassembling it several times. It of course comprised of an interlocking fountain pen as the barrel, a cigarette lighter as the chamber, and a cigarette case as the handle. Finally a cuff link was the trigger. It is regarded as one of the most memorable Bond film props and is ranked as one of the most popular and recognisable of film weapons. In 2008 one copy was stolen from a studio display and it was valued at 80,000 Pounds!!!!!! As usual there were film product tie ins ( but not as many as in the past ) but bizarrely the toy golden pistol on offer differed from Scaramanga's. Go figure!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX2tu_RdiRea9NNSTz2cNUxPeBksgy_6AriOLZniyYovI0KcP-gsidZqSiA5QxV23nWMxvUTJM0kuKEAKma86FnFQLQ8U4czzbLa-atHm5UBaUn2uIiakrQE7MQD-gVDx6E8fjz7hsoBt/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX2tu_RdiRea9NNSTz2cNUxPeBksgy_6AriOLZniyYovI0KcP-gsidZqSiA5QxV23nWMxvUTJM0kuKEAKma86FnFQLQ8U4czzbLa-atHm5UBaUn2uIiakrQE7MQD-gVDx6E8fjz7hsoBt/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> And as ever there is the theme tune! Sung by Lulu it has been variously described as ludicrous, inane, and smut, due to its overt sexual innuendo. Interestingly shock rocker Alice Cooper wrote a song entitled The Man with the Golden Gun for the film which he used on his <em>Muscle of Love</em> album after the producers went with Lulu instead. Composer John Barry who wrote the song hates it and considers it his worst of the franchise. In general critics regard it as the weakest of all the Bond theme songs. Made on a budget of US$7 million it grossed only US$97 million, which as stated, has made it the fourth lowest grossing of all the Bond films.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk7hRMaZ7RPg_F0A3fsAFjQtCG9-ai3C9VwY3dFiZyB2ZDdgYppUTh7OcVyW9s6XFvZBVYo0WWdZClYttNq_aW7EkgaUf6EJbpHcM48bAeWjWs9W-TFfiaXW_x5l-9bf07O2IrmcRO6mh/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk7hRMaZ7RPg_F0A3fsAFjQtCG9-ai3C9VwY3dFiZyB2ZDdgYppUTh7OcVyW9s6XFvZBVYo0WWdZClYttNq_aW7EkgaUf6EJbpHcM48bAeWjWs9W-TFfiaXW_x5l-9bf07O2IrmcRO6mh/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a>When released critics generally savaged it. The script was called limp ( and admittedly it wasn't very good as I've mentioned ). Moore was criticised for non-acting and Britt Ekland came under fire for being the least appealing of the Bond girls. But whilst Moore and Ekland were criticised Christopher Lee was highly praised for playing a particularly good Bond villain. But on the other hand some critics thought Moore very good for adding sparkle to the role of Bond in among the films other wise genral boringness. Reflective views have not changed with time. Called silly, sloppy, tired, and boring it has been rightly pointed out it is tonally an entertaining Bond film but lacking in quality. Moore has been accused of looking stiff but really with such an uneven script what could he do? But all critics agree that the shoot out between Bond and Scaramanga is the films high point.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rxShVN8Rl4RyR3BtRS8XXh5WZ8D1ejThep_tGxyFbL7k7EH-AeEiYchvsJ4HrSS7Yg8ultCd_hyphenhyphennW26iGjbS2yva0QMHviNs6HqyBYAB1GCSHEzByCBiT7LXWtdBJJ8d05WMSM99P59A/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rxShVN8Rl4RyR3BtRS8XXh5WZ8D1ejThep_tGxyFbL7k7EH-AeEiYchvsJ4HrSS7Yg8ultCd_hyphenhyphennW26iGjbS2yva0QMHviNs6HqyBYAB1GCSHEzByCBiT7LXWtdBJJ8d05WMSM99P59A/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a> So then <em>The Man With the Golden Gun</em> is not regarded as one of the franchise's best. It isn't so much a case of it being bad but a case of an uneven, uninspired script. I can see where critics of the film come from when they call it tired or boring. I don't think it is either as such more as ( I keep coming back to ) uneven. There is a palpable lack of spark and it suffers from some real flat moments. Its two flaws are the boat chase and the reprisal of Sheriff J. W. Pepper. If those two were taken out then the film may have a different look to it, certainly in length, as it does feel too long. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi2X7XaFENx-OQ_d19tD531N0nXPyLBpllRJyC7zHnTPognufudjAFwyKdQBlxB68rYK2l3kURUhthKHoXYal3yQQpOhxwFiiDp3DGKnGtxrQcurdKwV2pAbWsHPXOK0Pwt1Xu4Le76pH/s1600/600full-the-man-with-the-golden-gun-screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi2X7XaFENx-OQ_d19tD531N0nXPyLBpllRJyC7zHnTPognufudjAFwyKdQBlxB68rYK2l3kURUhthKHoXYal3yQQpOhxwFiiDp3DGKnGtxrQcurdKwV2pAbWsHPXOK0Pwt1Xu4Le76pH/s200/600full-the-man-with-the-golden-gun-screenshot.jpg" width="200" /></a> For me personally, even though this is an admittedly lesser Bond film, I don't consider it bad. Even though inherently flawed I as a Bond aficionado have a real soft spot for it and have no problem with watching it. I think Christopher Lee was a great casting choice as Scaramanga. And even though the script is uninspired it does have some good moments, especially the films shoot out finale between Bond and Scaramanga.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Final word? Flat, uninspired, uneven, and not a memorable Bond film. But it does have its good points. And even though flawed I consider it better and more watchable than <em>Diamonds are Forever. </em>IMDB has this with 6.7/10 which shows it isn't that bad really.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for a synopsis and more:</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071807/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071807/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And here for more from the BFI:</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/505543/">http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/505543/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div></div></div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-84472688541796441272011-11-06T07:09:00.000-08:002011-11-07T17:58:51.152-08:00The Exorcist<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuYypgjC2MKbed9PRwDQN529Iggy2PXuiAU4UauCxpakF6aE93LANcNSZYDQOg3OIeuxRYojc8lh5TzSRtFpd1KMwdb7ooUwRFtTeV5GVm1X_qN7NOfLyAuhivsj7A9h6uNjwQ1UgxPaA/s1600/220px-Exorcist_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuYypgjC2MKbed9PRwDQN529Iggy2PXuiAU4UauCxpakF6aE93LANcNSZYDQOg3OIeuxRYojc8lh5TzSRtFpd1KMwdb7ooUwRFtTeV5GVm1X_qN7NOfLyAuhivsj7A9h6uNjwQ1UgxPaA/s320/220px-Exorcist_ver2.jpg" width="214" /></a> What on earth is there possibly left for anyone to write about this seminal of all horror films? It has just finished playing here on NZ telly and all the way through it I wondered what I could write that hasn't been written before? Well I won't try to! Anyway I cannot for the life of me recall the last time I watched 1973's <em>The Exorcist. </em>It would be twenty plus years at least. But I do recall the first time which was as a 17 year old in 1988. And like so many films I have read the novel it is based on...which I was under-whelmed by! It really was a disappointment against the film even though its author William Peter Blatty wrote the film's screenplay.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Nostalgia aside I was really looking forward to watching this again after reading two fine posts elsewhere on blogosphere.( In an aside what this has done, along with some recent re-watching of classic early 1970's film that I hadn't seen in many years, has reinforced for me that this my favorite era film wise ). But before I sat down to re-visit <em>The Exorcist </em>I done some reading up on it. What surprised me was that it was nominated for no less than 10 Oscars. How often, if ever, has a horror film managed that? When we think of <em>The Exorcist </em>we immediately think horror, Reagan, possession and its impact on popular culture. But what has been forgotten is that it is actually a pretty damn film, even outside of genre. It is so good it was even nominated for the AFI's Top 100 Best Films which is acknowledgement of its quality.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs58X4PcBsuAhB5akfJ4yGFw452fJyokwloCiROlJfP8Tfj4uQMsAmitFQZEqmXMY3_-poAoniEyerlIbuUCN-KcWYPUW0J4hxax7YiFyeg8gcTGZ6s-37ZbnCNhpoPW4GCqoyBtJfp8u/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs58X4PcBsuAhB5akfJ4yGFw452fJyokwloCiROlJfP8Tfj4uQMsAmitFQZEqmXMY3_-poAoniEyerlIbuUCN-KcWYPUW0J4hxax7YiFyeg8gcTGZ6s-37ZbnCNhpoPW4GCqoyBtJfp8u/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rats??...nah we don't have rats. We have a demon though!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The other thing that ran through my mind as I watched was how such films as this and <em>Psycho </em>have become so ingrained in our collective memories. Why is it these two seminal horrors have done so. Sure they are great films but what else is it that continuously draws us to them, and why have they endured, even though dated visually? Don't ask me.....I just blog here!!!!!!! Because when you think about it these two films in themselves started the slasher and possession type horror film. There are now scarier, newer, more grisly visions of what both first brought to the screen, but neither have ever been beaten.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_s-HCDXNNFAKAjWkAF3toxSfmRAP2JOvuJ7m3D0UlTguxZiHS-O69JwKnA1WdUnLfGZnl1YX3RpEkvyCtd0uNjJM1NHJEZaSG9cIbqRaHE-wqRglbKy2wBQArqEseO1WcLlNbMdv87JW/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_s-HCDXNNFAKAjWkAF3toxSfmRAP2JOvuJ7m3D0UlTguxZiHS-O69JwKnA1WdUnLfGZnl1YX3RpEkvyCtd0uNjJM1NHJEZaSG9cIbqRaHE-wqRglbKy2wBQArqEseO1WcLlNbMdv87JW/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get your fingers away from my....!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In my recent review of Alfred Hitchcock's <em>The Birds </em>I pointed out how Hitch built up the horror in that film slowly. It has become the formula for horrors since and <em>The Exorcist</em> follows it perfectly. Younger viewers may not get it but this is classic horror at its best. But what I particularly like with <em>The Exorcist </em>is how each phase of Reagan's possession is in small bite size pieces. We aren't bombarded with the scary stuff all at once. The film slowly and inexorably ratchets up the creepiness, which culminates in the exorcism scenes. For me this is the films brilliance as a horror. I mean each time the door to Reagan's room was opened the viewer was in frightened expectation of what they were going to see.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQNxjZrE_ohCZr4Y15ttokWD87kt3cVOAUH-P_NZ9l4-90q9yu1L5tFNUq1FyWrPZsE4uvPO865xnU8PrTgKr91BH4ssvj-JKD4ZKA43Tee2fERw8o2eoBlrHTnRQI2iP-BIcU-1mJQ2E/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQNxjZrE_ohCZr4Y15ttokWD87kt3cVOAUH-P_NZ9l4-90q9yu1L5tFNUq1FyWrPZsE4uvPO865xnU8PrTgKr91BH4ssvj-JKD4ZKA43Tee2fERw8o2eoBlrHTnRQI2iP-BIcU-1mJQ2E/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that you Captain Howdy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I had really forgotten so much of this film! It really did feel like watching it for the first time. But it was more than this because I watched it differently than I did as a teen and into my early twenties. Back then I think we all did the horror film buzz and we watched them to scare our selves silly. Nowadays I don't care much for the genre and watch just a few a year. So this time round I watched it as film alone. What got me was yes <em>The Exorcist </em>is a horror but it stands up extremely well as a film ( which I've already stated ). The immediate thing I saw for the first time was the face of the demon Pazuzu which flashes up for brief milliseconds in certain scenes ( image on right if you didn't already know! ) I can honestly say I'd never seen that before!!!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u-Jb9rl1-LWpc6O1vfi5ILjo-l78tqA3AHrogJzET6RIHBtp_U7JwsKiMZ1Y97epFUHPDmBtyDdtO5z9o9nX88EMCL-G6EUL3T8RbkDtU37tD5HzU9N9Q9XYtrg5-QvSwIcq-zOZAlVZ/s1600/3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u-Jb9rl1-LWpc6O1vfi5ILjo-l78tqA3AHrogJzET6RIHBtp_U7JwsKiMZ1Y97epFUHPDmBtyDdtO5z9o9nX88EMCL-G6EUL3T8RbkDtU37tD5HzU9N9Q9XYtrg5-QvSwIcq-zOZAlVZ/s200/3.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I hope you removed ALL the crucifixes!!</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So yeah this was a film in so many respects I was watching for the first time. But I've experienced that a lot recently with many of the other films I've re-watched from my younger days this year. Also I think as we get a bit older we do get wiser and view things differently than when younger. Well, what was my impression after all these years? Well to be honest I freakin' loved it! It's power and impact haven't diminished, and at times I did feel my skin crawl! Especially during the spider walk down the stairs...that seriously creeped me out and I did get a dose of goose bumps! The other thing I had forgotten was that Reagan did two 360 head turn scenes. One in front of her mother and one with Father Merrin. Funny the little things you forget over the years isn't it?</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yyYOpBdblw4EUP-8ZNBZXFC6y5VBTADJDL-iykOTbquWi0P4bT0Ro3mo6Ipk8cQfmVLASIs0xWOIkB99Hrl7oiEXFY8ILn6XfmIEJK5iMAKFXXSnSk3RyC4fSycCKttIU2EceEcBwS-G/s1600/spider+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yyYOpBdblw4EUP-8ZNBZXFC6y5VBTADJDL-iykOTbquWi0P4bT0Ro3mo6Ipk8cQfmVLASIs0xWOIkB99Hrl7oiEXFY8ILn6XfmIEJK5iMAKFXXSnSk3RyC4fSycCKttIU2EceEcBwS-G/s200/spider+walk.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cree-fucking-py!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> God damn even when the demon/Reagan opens the draw in front of Father Karras had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck! Again a little thing that I had forgotten and yet was genuinely creepy. I tell you there are many, many films I would love to have seen on their big screen release. Seriously, this must have been one hell of a ride in 1973. Just think this was only five years after 1968's <em>Rosemary's Baby,</em> and yet the contrast between the two couldn't be greater. <em>Rosemary's Baby </em>must have looked so lame! To be sure it is a fine film, and a true classic I like but look at the difference between these two horrors. Even 1976's <em>The Omen </em>didn't even get close to <em>The Exorcist.</em> </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZwz5JeITAYp08J23Fl1aYeebHMNeXKaIi-2zEq_KHx4Kiu9W_MmhgE1WJcLiEbP4MhneTClROjM7RGKOpX3t3DK0zaC1Ff6Qf4GkDpZ1_D6zIGDeCfaPGV2MAtkkynMwNjDU5_nzYI42/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZwz5JeITAYp08J23Fl1aYeebHMNeXKaIi-2zEq_KHx4Kiu9W_MmhgE1WJcLiEbP4MhneTClROjM7RGKOpX3t3DK0zaC1Ff6Qf4GkDpZ1_D6zIGDeCfaPGV2MAtkkynMwNjDU5_nzYI42/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you to get rid of all the crosses mother!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So when you put it in that sort of perspective then you realise why cinemas had patrons running screaming from their seats. Some even supplied barf bags for the weak of constitution. There was just no buildup cinema wise to what <em>The Exorcist </em>showed on screen. The funny thing is is that 1970's films were getting more graphically violent with the likes of <em>Dirty Harry</em> and <em>The French Connection </em>but there was nothing approaching <em>The Exorcist. </em>For me when you look back at cinematic history certain films were events rather than just films. <em>Psycho </em>is undoubtedly one. On release theatres in the US ran 24 hours a day to keep up with demand. Even inter-states were clogged for miles due to people waiting to get into drive-in sessions. I think 1982's <em>E.T</em> certainly qualifies. It was an event and <em>The Exorcist </em> undoubtedly had this status. I have several friends whose parents saw this in 1973 and they state it was beyond words. They had seen nothing like it and can vividly recall people leaving theatres and even fainting!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvGaAJG66WYD2fsFU3tSG3Q9ED_CF30Djo1ibPQAY1UwqlBFq4IPzJVM3c_2Oy-3vxT97nbqlDuYVj4ewC5MnTeXgNUNj8zKw9sY04kLEfueizsnipnIUPcsLUmvIQDIrxsXSN3kjphAr/s1600/reagan+po%2527ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvGaAJG66WYD2fsFU3tSG3Q9ED_CF30Djo1ibPQAY1UwqlBFq4IPzJVM3c_2Oy-3vxT97nbqlDuYVj4ewC5MnTeXgNUNj8zKw9sY04kLEfueizsnipnIUPcsLUmvIQDIrxsXSN3kjphAr/s200/reagan+po%2527ed.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch it...I'll puke on ya!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> But it wasn't just the imagery that shocked patrons. The language even by a decade striving for shocks was strong. Even by today's standards it is! Sure the word ' fuck ' isn't blinked at but ' cunt ' isn't that common as such. I think 1973 audiences must have recoiled as Reagan/demon told Father Merrin to ' stick it up her arse' as well. ' Cocksucker '?, my goodness such filthy language!! They must have had kittens when demon Reagan grabbed her mother's head and shoved it between her legs yelling ' lick me, lick me '!!! Seriously even by 2011's standards this is strong stuff. The <em>Paranormal Activity </em>films look soooooooo lame against scenes like that don't they?! And who was Emily Rose again???!!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukGOm4kc5KY6qC2D9DpdDgCNzXXKQI87qffCzTt5D5BHyqgZHHRyq7Rm4G8-T5oOVQaadfEzjQomdn-mDNZGS89LliVlEiHVoZW8qiyjviIHtKMs-BpeKljQdb-DOpDLzqtnpuG5H8n2w/s1600/merrin+arives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukGOm4kc5KY6qC2D9DpdDgCNzXXKQI87qffCzTt5D5BHyqgZHHRyq7Rm4G8-T5oOVQaadfEzjQomdn-mDNZGS89LliVlEiHVoZW8qiyjviIHtKMs-BpeKljQdb-DOpDLzqtnpuG5H8n2w/s1600/merrin+arives.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The friendly neighbourhood exorcist!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The thing here also is I haven't been able to find any other responses to the film from 1973. Sure we know of audiences responses but what of those from the church, and other such groups? This must surely have caused serious outrage. And yet I haven't found anything. There must have been calls to have it banned etc. Yet this is the funny thing with <em>The Exorcist </em>because even though graphic it wasn't a cheap thrill seeking film. It is serious in tone with a fine cast and script. And this is where the crux of it comes as to why it has never been beaten. Horrors since have all tried to emulate or better <em>The Exorcist</em> by being bloodier, upping the shock stakes etc. And yet by doing so they all lost sight of what made it so great in the first place. It wasn't tying to shock or out do anything else. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45RP0hpisxh_EYAKadIliFQnQG6-arYht9qTE-DAI1s-_1agDzopwkNXntLLDbtjTR8QE9OfKMdoGJYt_75079xEsMBRReof8Hjaz7p8nxfnQYDd9T4CR3lv1R1lKg-4AXhAVI4X8thvK/s1600/levitating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45RP0hpisxh_EYAKadIliFQnQG6-arYht9qTE-DAI1s-_1agDzopwkNXntLLDbtjTR8QE9OfKMdoGJYt_75079xEsMBRReof8Hjaz7p8nxfnQYDd9T4CR3lv1R1lKg-4AXhAVI4X8thvK/s200/levitating.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get back into bed you naughty girl!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The real thing that surprises me about the film is how it was nominated for 10 Oscars. Sure we know it is a fine film but I come back to the point of its controversial aspects. Surely it must have raised a storm of protest and if so it is surprising politics didn't kick in and see it 'overlooked' for nominations ( it's Oscars came for Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay ). But whilst a fine film it wasn't ever, ever ,ever going to beat <em>The Sting </em>as Best Picture!! ( I'm a HUGE <em>The Sting </em>fan! ). So this was a film that really made the cinematic world sit up and take notice, and not just because of its content. I think as time has gone by its reputation has preceded the fact it is regarded so highly as a film regardless of genre. It is in fact preserved in the Library of Congress as 'culturally significant' !! Amazing isn't it considering what it shows....and as for all that bad language!!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-_DE5lLJxL0f9DZGagRCbyh_r2_n-h4vkOAQ5OWKe4uD3ihHGcaLeGWisb6HYGHLnx0nOYyJ_fhzu8Nk6vQ6D1hBC35hVQN8_Kx-qCd7AdmmHfAFg-LhT-_an68GFhqwmQyx8g_DACLS/s1600/gargoyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-_DE5lLJxL0f9DZGagRCbyh_r2_n-h4vkOAQ5OWKe4uD3ihHGcaLeGWisb6HYGHLnx0nOYyJ_fhzu8Nk6vQ6D1hBC35hVQN8_Kx-qCd7AdmmHfAFg-LhT-_an68GFhqwmQyx8g_DACLS/s1600/gargoyle.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IS tatue Pazuzu??!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Without question <em>The Exorcist </em>has well and truly passed into popular culture. It must be one of the most watched and talked about films ever made. <em>Psycho</em> is also one of the films that have achieved this. So for a few facts! It is the 9th highest grossing R-rated film of all time. The AFI has it third on their Top Thrills list behind <em>Psycho </em>and <em>Jaws. </em>It has been repeatedly in numerous publications etc rated as the scariest film ever made. Most critics agree it is the most effective horror ever made, balancing a good script with gruesome effects and fine acting. I agree on all counts. This is why it lifts <em>The Exorcist </em>head and shoulders above ALL its competitors and imitators.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQg9RGlI4DYh8PGntI-OWPGADBQJgPsEHdFehC8CkZIuWrATVcZmCZOq9OuMHdq3t00jbBBxmRHJb4RHbakXbtvgzM8EmUQ4EyCsiafrwSq1-7OCYXMQ-HOs-Vip8DfACemkbz5bGDHFF/s1600/thos+esteps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQg9RGlI4DYh8PGntI-OWPGADBQJgPsEHdFehC8CkZIuWrATVcZmCZOq9OuMHdq3t00jbBBxmRHJb4RHbakXbtvgzM8EmUQ4EyCsiafrwSq1-7OCYXMQ-HOs-Vip8DfACemkbz5bGDHFF/s200/thos+esteps.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch your step...you might break your neck!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Well readers I just absolutely enjoyed watching this seminal horror classic again. Even though I have seen it before it still had the power to creep me out and make my skin crawl. It is funny though how it and <em>Psycho </em>are so similar. Both are the last word in their respective horror genres. Also both Anthony Perkins and Linda Blair went on to nothing mediocre careers. They became so well known for these roles that they were never able to shake them off. Perkins admitted to not minding so much and wouldn't change a thing. Blair though stooped as low as to star in a third Exorcist and a comedy parody of the role she made so famous.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8x5GMdEfBIES2TKBUGwZvkP_zJCWdTpXTNwJ6O-goQa3fnsVO5RMWOJS5TKp88xHiSrYtPTUqGaizB5vgCpIdzxthfq52JpjlusCsBXfhwQGCDbJqOaTM3Ps7pyCDcGIRAXLvpQlD1Nk2/s1600/iconic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8x5GMdEfBIES2TKBUGwZvkP_zJCWdTpXTNwJ6O-goQa3fnsVO5RMWOJS5TKp88xHiSrYtPTUqGaizB5vgCpIdzxthfq52JpjlusCsBXfhwQGCDbJqOaTM3Ps7pyCDcGIRAXLvpQlD1Nk2/s320/iconic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of cinema's most iconic images?? You bet ya!! Superb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Without question a great film and a damn scary horror. It may not be the greatest horror though as many critics rate <em>Nosferatu </em>as the greatest. Regardless of which is the best <em>The Exorcist </em>is a film that has indelibly stamped its mark on the world of cinema. Ahead of its time it has had many, many imitators that have done nothing more than try and out do it. None have even remotely come close. My last word is this, often imitated but never beaten....and I doubt it ever will be.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Oh in closing lets all pray that it never suffers the indignity of a re-make. But I believe rumours are out and about. This would seriously piss me off. How and why butcher a true classic? It will only try and out special effects the original and fail miserably in even trying to get close to the original in every way. Leave it alone why don't ya?!!!!!! I hate re-makes at the best of times but don't try it on this I say.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
I highly recommend a look at wikipedia's page on <em>The Exorcist.</em> It is extremely thorough and damn interesting. It covers all the casting ( like Audrey Hepburn being approached to play Reagan's mother and Stanley Kubrik being asked to direct ). Even facts like how the spider walk was made by a contortionist with the help of wires is examined. It is well worth a look for any serious film/<em>The Exorcist</em> aficionado.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;"></div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for a synopsis and more from IMDB:</div></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA9RnwqstntL3c_5izHCHMcYtkN3J89PSARK9rRoG6rcvnCGKZLltEd5AteHIcoeiLBpx_LLvrfruaA2DCXRtCsYSqA7Y1QWzJUU-I5X15gN_97Y4zQ7Ynz7BA4zLthCRnsAdgqCRBxBp/s1600/a+cutie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; height: 200px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 201px;"><img border="0" height="224" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA9RnwqstntL3c_5izHCHMcYtkN3J89PSARK9rRoG6rcvnCGKZLltEd5AteHIcoeiLBpx_LLvrfruaA2DCXRtCsYSqA7Y1QWzJUU-I5X15gN_97Y4zQ7Ynz7BA4zLthCRnsAdgqCRBxBp/s320/a+cutie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awwww......wasn't she a cutie!!!</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070047/</a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And here for a fan site:</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://captainhowdy.com/">http://captainhowdy.com/</a> </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-58982815077012531372011-11-04T19:55:00.000-07:002011-11-05T01:05:26.704-07:00Serenity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBrJQl2etZ-VEbINW26L1aZp_Un52VVKbio8y4uk-_zxSfdVRs2s_zOEeTqJ0BYCtunIGuF5iQYUaHhgfSYQi8FcgZBeSbuO580lIV8v1fwVqTMM-s56r0HwrzQn2BDSulzKlvJ7T-f0/s1600/600full-serenity-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBrJQl2etZ-VEbINW26L1aZp_Un52VVKbio8y4uk-_zxSfdVRs2s_zOEeTqJ0BYCtunIGuF5iQYUaHhgfSYQi8FcgZBeSbuO580lIV8v1fwVqTMM-s56r0HwrzQn2BDSulzKlvJ7T-f0/s320/600full-serenity-poster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Ah Friday night and I had the house to myself. And with it being Friday night TV3 usually has a movie on at 8.30. So empty house and yours truly ( oh and the cat ) settled in for a few hours. Now I've never seen</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Serenity</em> before and really knew little about it besides what I read in the paper. But even as I read the paper's abbreviated review I wondered..you know...that almost sixth sense kicked in.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxWMPKga9ieein_G9splKHgWpRrQIfTHEBKWlVlqDB8xHmpdHNVuf_WFpWm6bi_BdYOyD2ZiIDle__UYEzylpWcHZm7XB35In5P-mIB1aluKKCIQgMVhE0onsUNjznhHaxGTS3HLyF-A/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxWMPKga9ieein_G9splKHgWpRrQIfTHEBKWlVlqDB8xHmpdHNVuf_WFpWm6bi_BdYOyD2ZiIDle__UYEzylpWcHZm7XB35In5P-mIB1aluKKCIQgMVhE0onsUNjznhHaxGTS3HLyF-A/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> I found this a strange movie. It is a full length, big screen release, and yet it has its root is television. I'm fairly sure this didn't play here in NZ theatres and probably went straight to DVD. I'm 99% sure I wouldn't have bothered to see it on the big screen either. It just looks too much like a made for TV movie and yet it was made specifically for the big screen. Somehow the effect just does not work. Its not that it looks cheap, it just doesn't look right. Seriously the CGI is no better quality than what you see in Doctor Who or any of the myriad of Star Trek spin offs. On the big screen they must have looked lame, but all the same acceptable for telly.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn0zqSv5bnOkvKIv82bmqSg-OG1ZKPI1ILFtSRN7nwMpzL7220zWGb3ZVnHcBNE36Vy-8FyGdlGb1DaaGMZ953WwjDJSRqnaILJ-o4yVEyR55jPJfKr9r-g5P6rG_8c53rkqcUcDlqf4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn0zqSv5bnOkvKIv82bmqSg-OG1ZKPI1ILFtSRN7nwMpzL7220zWGb3ZVnHcBNE36Vy-8FyGdlGb1DaaGMZ953WwjDJSRqnaILJ-o4yVEyR55jPJfKr9r-g5P6rG_8c53rkqcUcDlqf4/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> You have all seen made for TV movies and you know what they visually look like. But I really can't figure why it was made for the big screen. It is a continuation of a short runned TV series <em>Firefly</em> of which this movie is based after the last episode. I've never heard of the series and I'm pretty certain it never reached NZ shores. Apparently the series was scrapped after 11 of a supposed 14 episodes. Producer Joss Whedon, after unsuccessfully having another studio buy it, decided to make a film out of it ( here is my explanation of why it was made for the big screen!! ).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2StyPeu8O4oG7RGEo4WVs9NmqlQoDPXBEb3rThI3wKWIBCWiGzJ9wH5qahjcUJ0YNpOQ3_yKTSnr-cFANjXQkt7Ci1oVD0cfM2CL88UE3YtX9iD5TSTGHimvTETnrFjytVNanpluVL4/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2StyPeu8O4oG7RGEo4WVs9NmqlQoDPXBEb3rThI3wKWIBCWiGzJ9wH5qahjcUJ0YNpOQ3_yKTSnr-cFANjXQkt7Ci1oVD0cfM2CL88UE3YtX9iD5TSTGHimvTETnrFjytVNanpluVL4/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> The problem is as I've stated is that visually, scriptually and acting wise it just can't escape its television roots. There is a lot to like but if I had seen this in a theatre I would not have been happy to have watched what is essentially a made for telly movie. My other problem with <em>Serenity </em>is this....WTF is it all about?????? Seriously I couldn't make head nor tail of the plot what so ever! So for its 119 minute running time I was scratching my head wondering what it was all about. Strange to think that I sat through a two hour movie all the time hoping something would happen to explain it all. But no, the end came and I was still in the dark!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXurdihzt1C4KPdbqF1b0TlGDHfGqAUvFsWXoQlZ0pMAs_KidQT59JyNcDcbrV5RaSofpzC7zcXlQmV29ZlwbcJ_kdVBlO4L3NIU6J361rr0UVrx9BQGCBTk6UyiocnVphzBwsT23n-cM/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXurdihzt1C4KPdbqF1b0TlGDHfGqAUvFsWXoQlZ0pMAs_KidQT59JyNcDcbrV5RaSofpzC7zcXlQmV29ZlwbcJ_kdVBlO4L3NIU6J361rr0UVrx9BQGCBTk6UyiocnVphzBwsT23n-cM/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> Maybe I needed to see the series but this made no sense to me at all. I came close to turning it off because I couldn't fathom the plot. It wasn't so much overly complicated but it was if it was trying too hard. I sort of grasped the almost <em>Star Wars </em>Empire and Alliance angle and the <em>Minority Report </em>similarities, but after that I was lost. What was all the fuss about the girl ? Who was she and what was her gift/power/ thingy?? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? That was me all the way through!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRbF-1MsD8KDoLrCFupkb3CZ5BfqYpRTf36LfaEEU-Wmycokl-fFWeA9HqRynjw2R4WDGhoHLEJofci8vKTymYBvXKVHJrsYdFNiiA8IVyD7mTIJsvbRIq1XVxrmkzWP3T4u35Q0zNq0/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRbF-1MsD8KDoLrCFupkb3CZ5BfqYpRTf36LfaEEU-Wmycokl-fFWeA9HqRynjw2R4WDGhoHLEJofci8vKTymYBvXKVHJrsYdFNiiA8IVyD7mTIJsvbRIq1XVxrmkzWP3T4u35Q0zNq0/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a> So the script really left a lot to be desired. It was cloudy at best and didn't seem to clarify what the whole point was story wise. But this was its major drawback because other wise the CGI and the acting was pretty cool considering its TV origins. The cast is actually quite solid, especially Nathan Fillion of TV's <em>Castle </em>and horror film <em>Slither </em>fame<em>.</em> He plays these deadpan comedic roles so well and again here he is in top form. Alan Tudyk who I know from <em>Death at a Funeral </em>( the English version and not he inferior American re-make/butchery ), Alan Baldwin etc make for, and do a reasonable job. But again it all has that made for TV feel.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod3_5WyxJq-tjlQLC237D5q2Ox7LjKuRMI3k4nzq1-MEO6XR5IUSEMjU8KM-Z93hyYhnCb3DH9QWngI4Rn3ThQ4V28cVWjFrMm6n8wbM0OdltZIaHZwsLAoEuB0mZ4faULaIrxcQtgZg/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod3_5WyxJq-tjlQLC237D5q2Ox7LjKuRMI3k4nzq1-MEO6XR5IUSEMjU8KM-Z93hyYhnCb3DH9QWngI4Rn3ThQ4V28cVWjFrMm6n8wbM0OdltZIaHZwsLAoEuB0mZ4faULaIrxcQtgZg/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a> Apparently on release in 2005 it performed poorly at the box office and yet received generally favourable reviews from critics. But overall it was felt to be a modest sci-fi movie that couldn't shake off its TV roots. For me, whist I didn't mind its origins, I wouldn't have been impressed to have seen it on the big screen. But the thing I can't escape with <em>Serenity</em> is its plot which just doesn't seem to explain anything or go anywhere as such. I sat down for 2 hours and watched a movie that I couldn't for the life of me comprehend! So either I'm completely thick or the script failed to deliver. I will leave you to decide!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWA61UOscb4EbPJg17JbmRPv95KFDRdIY7MWoasNOLyiO-mbEBSoYgdmVoGbMy_F2YjeD68TcLMDS8ezLnSLXNHGOifgQt5QHV2b9v5vyB7-26WbTk20qmEjPYaIYluNn9wRxtZESgo5s/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWA61UOscb4EbPJg17JbmRPv95KFDRdIY7MWoasNOLyiO-mbEBSoYgdmVoGbMy_F2YjeD68TcLMDS8ezLnSLXNHGOifgQt5QHV2b9v5vyB7-26WbTk20qmEjPYaIYluNn9wRxtZESgo5s/s200/8.jpg" width="200" /></a> Amazingly IMDB has this with 7.9/10!!!! I just don't believe it warrants that all. I'd be hard pressed to give it more than 4/10 simply because it isn't a genuine big screen movie and the script is too cloudy. When a movie can't clearly explain itself within two hours and loses the viewer there is something wrong. I wouldn't say it was poor but it is certainly a TV movie and a TV movie alone. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In a word.......odd. Thank goodness I have Bond film <em>The Spy Who Loved Me </em>and <em>The Exorcist </em>to watch tomorrow and Sunday night!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Click here for a synopsis and more:</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/</a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> And if you really want more then I highly recommend a visit to wikipedia's page which is extremely detailed and thorough...( but in no way clarified the plot for me! ).</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-53148341392132707702011-11-04T07:36:00.000-07:002011-11-04T18:53:28.228-07:00Live And Let Die<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WCgdj6EMvOAaQdEVdcuJokB7347ik02YwVL29ZbwTFvaestlvWli536JwFTQjhrW0zyIOfTgCeASZXAwfKdXqSHYXs123GjFAILeehZXXefvoF6NTDQ_bZYbYu_I6UXOvXBOIWoCSjo/s1600/600full-live-and-let-die-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WCgdj6EMvOAaQdEVdcuJokB7347ik02YwVL29ZbwTFvaestlvWli536JwFTQjhrW0zyIOfTgCeASZXAwfKdXqSHYXs123GjFAILeehZXXefvoF6NTDQ_bZYbYu_I6UXOvXBOIWoCSjo/s320/600full-live-and-let-die-photo.jpg" width="320" /></a> Well with Sean Connery, George Lazenby and Sean Connery done and dusted as James Bond it came Roger Moore's turn at having the license to kill. Of course Moore had been previously considered for the role after Connery first retired after <em>You Only Live Twice. B</em>ut due to other commitments couldn't take the role which went to unknown Australian male model George Lazenby. The funny thing is that even after Connery's second retirement Moore wasn't initially considered as Bond.</div></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Of course Connery was urged to stay on. But with his final departure the search for a new Bond began. Believe it or not Albert Broccoli approached Clint Eastwood who was fresh off his <em>Dirty Harry </em>success. But although flattered Eastwood declined stating Bond should be played by an English actor. Oxymoronically after having asked American Eastwood Broccoli then refused United Artists desire to cast an American. Burt Reynolds, Paul Newman and Robert Redford were all considered. But Broccoli put forward Roger Moore instead. Without appearing anti-American it is fortunate the role has never been given to an American. I feel if it had been done so United Artists then would have put pressure on Broccoli and co to make the whole franchise more American in feel.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiOoxnIoj5erG85HGpPqU_LuORia_4s6a44SIW-FVQGPo2FVgunSEDZY2X5MvN6qVAxzM2tew4r6AVyfcqqC22pQJGAMRONpIr6cxV2JS1wbhkji60MIqdfUx_aalY0s0rQxPWhPzx8w/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiOoxnIoj5erG85HGpPqU_LuORia_4s6a44SIW-FVQGPo2FVgunSEDZY2X5MvN6qVAxzM2tew4r6AVyfcqqC22pQJGAMRONpIr6cxV2JS1wbhkji60MIqdfUx_aalY0s0rQxPWhPzx8w/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
But fortunately for posterity's sake the English actor Roger Moore was cast. With Moore on board the character changed direction. Not only did Moore himself not want to play Sean Connery's Bond, but he was also at odds not to imitate his television role of Simon Templar in <em>The Saint</em>. Screenplay writer Tom Mankiewicz was to intentionally write in Moore's persona by giving more comedy and a light hearted approach to the role. Moore was in the unenviable position that George Lazenby was in in following on from Sean Connery. But with all due credit, whilst <em>Live and Let Die </em>isn't the best Bond film, it is superior to its predecessor <em>Diamonds are Forever.</em><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBOmJPVg063l9NYnuGM-ySpFJlMjWtz5qlz_QLf93ptQaTf4Ek0QoVB0PeOJqE_P8_Nyf1uAt8nUN9cwTeaDZGmn04bEMaBfZczSdMvC85tjFg2R9P-eppjQyJDSjnc1BPCMyewPzQW4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBOmJPVg063l9NYnuGM-ySpFJlMjWtz5qlz_QLf93ptQaTf4Ek0QoVB0PeOJqE_P8_Nyf1uAt8nUN9cwTeaDZGmn04bEMaBfZczSdMvC85tjFg2R9P-eppjQyJDSjnc1BPCMyewPzQW4/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> But I have now lived through the transition of Bonds from Moore to Brosnan to Craig, and it is amazing how quickly you become used to the new actor. Even though very familiar with <em>Live and Let Die </em>after repeated viewings over the years, I found I settled into Moore as Bond very quickly. If nothing else Moore was noted as a fine actor and his professionalism is very obvious in this, his first Bond film. One of the criticisms of Moore as Bond in this was that the character lacked the hardness under the charming exterior. To a certain degree I agree. But in <em>The Man With the Golden Gun </em>onwards Moore really got into his stride, and in certain scenes he was definitely a cold, hard man when he needed to be. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_uXsq-b_eOME49nhhC2XWqQL1EzVHC8P7HEDIl4yKF1aDTz0oWERy63hEdOZPyxqZZPJIqeGuAM9UXXLM5zN713_145CX3UG_UqWAOLvDl0HyJHnwsxjXWs_YDSGk_c2Zls8DYLmKes/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_uXsq-b_eOME49nhhC2XWqQL1EzVHC8P7HEDIl4yKF1aDTz0oWERy63hEdOZPyxqZZPJIqeGuAM9UXXLM5zN713_145CX3UG_UqWAOLvDl0HyJHnwsxjXWs_YDSGk_c2Zls8DYLmKes/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> Now of course this is based on Ian Fleming's second Bond novel. It has certainly dated as many of his very earliest novels have done. But none the less it is one of his stronger early novels. But there is a major problem with it. It is extremely racist. Some critics on release of the film adaptation thought it too racist. But I dispute this as the producers made every effort to keep Fleming's racism, sexism, along with his many other unsavoury views out of the films. They were seen as family entertainment so any thing along those lines was ewell and truly toned down. I personally think the Bond films over the years have managed to keep things ' clean ' in regards to keeping much of Fleming's view points out.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NwizrQslFeurNIn7HEgRj4xGSjI_97R4XoTMZVfgtkfzG3Uc84DqbETELmIs3EsZJxRpXCkCdsxddN9AL8GtLm-mIRt4C9biY6MmPXM8aXA8MphABJVKwBPxbuv6qAAPzcO_OYqbYrQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NwizrQslFeurNIn7HEgRj4xGSjI_97R4XoTMZVfgtkfzG3Uc84DqbETELmIs3EsZJxRpXCkCdsxddN9AL8GtLm-mIRt4C9biY6MmPXM8aXA8MphABJVKwBPxbuv6qAAPzcO_OYqbYrQ/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> But it is a ' blaxploitation ' film no question. But whereas Fleming used racism to belittle Black culture, the film adaptation merely uses it as a story backdrop alone. If anything the decision to tackle the novel was a brave move considering the potential for racial mis-understandings. But all the same it was released at he height of blaxploitation so affros, black gangsters, ' pimp mobiles ' and honky abounds. It was also the first time a black was used as a Bond girl just to keep the waters smooth. All the same criticism was unavoidable but on the whole the film was generally well received.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvbOwCIo-pyoGhXjsMkVAx7_pAU1SX3KFRoF9AimXkT2ichSTFZjYvN02oLW2ceaPXi_BY_d6fkHU8zFiU7BH1quOYXQymxx0MDsN-RxK_L7Evh9gYTbgyrNgofGJiLZ6VnVQaVKjIdI/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvbOwCIo-pyoGhXjsMkVAx7_pAU1SX3KFRoF9AimXkT2ichSTFZjYvN02oLW2ceaPXi_BY_d6fkHU8zFiU7BH1quOYXQymxx0MDsN-RxK_L7Evh9gYTbgyrNgofGJiLZ6VnVQaVKjIdI/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a> In fact <em>Live and Let Die </em>was chosen to be the next Bond film even as <em>Diamonds are Forever </em>was still in production. Screen play writer Tom Mankiewicz thought it would be daring to introduce a black villain considering the Black Panthers and other black movements were so active at the time. New Orleans came to be used as a filming location because of its vibrant black community. Hence we see the two black jazz funerals, along with the use of local canals for the boat chase. It was whilst in Jamaica searching for locations that the crew found a crocodile farm owned by a Ross Kanaga. Of course this inspired the crocodile farm scene in the film and gave the name to the film's villain.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlwV2n5CWK-dHphuYc5ourkLJlB0Bz1mA_I6uo9lS4XPF2UFQl5Anorl_4kWju8E_tBlWEluxc0uGA98lPJS7QwIyDX8YGnjugSHw9WAgBYOQybj8Os5KjwfeZEjQCmeZ04a3w2v0jjM/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlwV2n5CWK-dHphuYc5ourkLJlB0Bz1mA_I6uo9lS4XPF2UFQl5Anorl_4kWju8E_tBlWEluxc0uGA98lPJS7QwIyDX8YGnjugSHw9WAgBYOQybj8Os5KjwfeZEjQCmeZ04a3w2v0jjM/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naughty James...taking Solitaire's virginity!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> As usual the behind the scenes stuff is of interest...well I always think it is. So here are a few facts etc, I always add in for any die hard Bond fans who are reading!! In the novel Solitaire is Caucasian, and for a brief time it was considered turning her into a black woman for the film. But the idea was discarded in favour of Fleming's description. At first Catherine Deneuve was considered for the role before yummy Jane Seymour was cast after her performances in television series <em>The Onedine Line. </em>Yophet Kotto was cast after he was seen in another United Artists film, <em>Across 110th Street. </em>He said one of the things that appealed about playing Kanaga was his interest in the occult and feeling he could control events through it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08rNQE_4NzyNNDRspszJs_oL0fTf1-61ijqthe0ut3UpyZsFp5XlPBhQnj8H2a3s9Zu3CMNxx3W33unWY5k6gOEe4dc7ybIw2j38ya7BKpa1qijkZWb-GsaGJKT38qjECcTQfMmfzCcg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08rNQE_4NzyNNDRspszJs_oL0fTf1-61ijqthe0ut3UpyZsFp5XlPBhQnj8H2a3s9Zu3CMNxx3W33unWY5k6gOEe4dc7ybIw2j38ya7BKpa1qijkZWb-GsaGJKT38qjECcTQfMmfzCcg/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> The character of buffoon like sheriff J. W. Pepper was created to give the film some comic relief. Portrayed by Clifton James he was to appear in the next Bond film <em>The Man With the Golden Gun </em>as well. At the time of writing James is still alive aged 90! This was also the first of two times David Hedison was to play Felix Leiter. He was to reprise the role in 1989's <em>License to Kill </em>even though it was a tradition up until then to cast a different actor for the role. Madeline Smith, who plays Italian bedmate to Bond in the films opening scenes, was cast on Moore's advice after she appeared with him in <em>The Saint. </em>Whilst acknowledging Moore's politeness on set she later confided she found it difficult to wear only bikini briefs whilst Moore's wife oversaw the scene. In his biography <em>My Word is my Bond </em>Moore goers further into his then wife's jealousies over him working with other woman. This was the major reason for their eventual divorce.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKswIKFTp37_SqXxwiqVlKUmfR5A2Nw8ZYmBtEHlLUyt0ZLMlwqc8GvdoCEU8YX19mlHGyN2Z0fW3JluMm-AnW4khUYx9mGP12L4P-el-1Bvebzv1XwH4gCRtJGUjS7fcpEhH3aMJw6c/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKswIKFTp37_SqXxwiqVlKUmfR5A2Nw8ZYmBtEHlLUyt0ZLMlwqc8GvdoCEU8YX19mlHGyN2Z0fW3JluMm-AnW4khUYx9mGP12L4P-el-1Bvebzv1XwH4gCRtJGUjS7fcpEhH3aMJw6c/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm..Jane, can you spill out of that anymore?!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Amazingly enough this was the only film until 2002's <em>Casino Royale </em>that didn't feature Desmond Llewellyn as Q. At the time he was starring in television series <em>Follyfoot. </em>But even though written out of three episodes so he could film <em>Live and Ket Die</em>, the producers had previously decided not to include the character, much to Llewellyn's annoyance. Initial filming was held up because Moore was diagnosed with kidney stones. But once started principle filming took place in Louisiana. Then it moved to Jamaica ( which doubled for the fictional San Monique ). The other scenes were divided between Harlem and the ubiquitous Pinewood Studios. Apparently whilst in Harlem the producers had to pay ' protection money ' to a local gang to ensure the crews safety. Suffice to say when the money ran out they were " encouraged " to leave!!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSd5yRRCnilJj0GbnFV7_ufI7BSk2WU83LVGI_x8sCKzbawNE-s7hsoAHSRXzZYqGxL71lTsd4t0E70tARJc_jxdseaUR_5nqeM0tO3e5AR_8KEb4yUd-lG0NK2iUee5rtFqOpT_h0MQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSd5yRRCnilJj0GbnFV7_ufI7BSk2WU83LVGI_x8sCKzbawNE-s7hsoAHSRXzZYqGxL71lTsd4t0E70tARJc_jxdseaUR_5nqeM0tO3e5AR_8KEb4yUd-lG0NK2iUee5rtFqOpT_h0MQ/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The crocodile stunt was actually suggested by farm owner Ross Kananga. The producers liked the idea and enlisted him to help to do it. The scene took five takes to complete, including one where a crocodile snapped at Kanaga's trousers, tearing them. The snakes also caused a fuss among some crew members. The script supervisor was so afraid she wouldn't appear on set with them. The actor who plays an agent in the films opening scenes fainted during filming! Jane Seymour was terrified if they got too close. And Geoffrey Holder only agreed to fall into the coffin full of snakes because Princess Alexandra was on set watching!! Ah the pitfalls of acting huh!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdPBMZHIT64r3uFEJ1DxcmFeXxMs1jjq-SbGA1zJSAoSXtWVKFQjfHsyK49KlDItk7XuQbc9EQhW4Fj6VViLoY8pW5tN0k-lTwLelLEo2M7xq_bL1iqDoE2rR85wssOXkQmk6exT02Dg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdPBMZHIT64r3uFEJ1DxcmFeXxMs1jjq-SbGA1zJSAoSXtWVKFQjfHsyK49KlDItk7XuQbc9EQhW4Fj6VViLoY8pW5tN0k-lTwLelLEo2M7xq_bL1iqDoE2rR85wssOXkQmk6exT02Dg/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> Since the crew was filming in the deep south of the US the local canals offered up the opportunity for the films lengthy boat chase. It was filmed on the Louisiana bayou and was at one stage interrupted by flooding. 26 boats were built especially for the scene. 17 of which were destroyed during rehearsals alone! The scene where the speedboat jumps over the bayou ( pictured ) with the help of a ramp unintentionally created a then Guinness World Record with 34 cleared meters!! Unfortunately the waves it created in doing so made the following boat flip over! And finally the double-decker bus chase used a second hand London bus that had the top adapted. It ran on ball bearings so that it slid off when it passed under the low bridge. Suffice to say Roger Moore wasn't the driver, but an actual London Transport driving instructor was!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vYAF1_7FZLZbPe-Y541t1uIQyK3HtL5gPOMk6vI3YtxKh_cxYxFJMy8bZ13dzF-5ozAaW2O5f06xdF_Ad_xyeZEpd6SzKAVLvDNrE30BZnYJauoIPktgGldO38tpGcljA1wN3z5eNlY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vYAF1_7FZLZbPe-Y541t1uIQyK3HtL5gPOMk6vI3YtxKh_cxYxFJMy8bZ13dzF-5ozAaW2O5f06xdF_Ad_xyeZEpd6SzKAVLvDNrE30BZnYJauoIPktgGldO38tpGcljA1wN3z5eNlY/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> Now where would a review be without a word about the title song! Of course it is the hard driving classic <em>Live and Let Die </em>( funnily enough ) by Wings. It was the first true rock 'n' roll song to open a Bond film. It was a success that remained at #2 in the US charts for three weeks and reached #9 in the UK's. It has arguably remained one of the best and well known pieces of Bond music outside of the theme. When the film was released it was a box office success but met with a mixed reception from critics ( none the less the film won an Oscar for the title song of Wings! ).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8LpzHytMIHqzOnY1Z5MEiIXfJjhhZInUKUkVtqL32fv9cGpmThBqHNoDpiYzN-Y1R0alMkUqhUjeHqCf6h_yp2YE9t3sqBLC2m8boJJLvD7yWgsYaOLlK9vSC3fCaFRphlNllXz1NAU/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8LpzHytMIHqzOnY1Z5MEiIXfJjhhZInUKUkVtqL32fv9cGpmThBqHNoDpiYzN-Y1R0alMkUqhUjeHqCf6h_yp2YE9t3sqBLC2m8boJJLvD7yWgsYaOLlK9vSC3fCaFRphlNllXz1NAU/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> So what did critics make of <em>Live and Let Die </em>and Roger Moore in 1973? Well the racial themes were questioned but the action scenes were praised. Many felt Moore unable to live up to the legacy of Sean Connery. But that was said of George Lazenby as well, and yet <em>On Her Majesty's Secret Service </em>was a very strong Bond film. Any actor who takes on Bond will always have to suffer being compared to his immediate predecessor though. Some stated Moore's Bond didn't have the thuggisness that was under the surface of both Connery and Lazenby's Bonds. But this was to come out in the next few films Moore was to make. The role of Kanaga was considered banal compared to previous Bond villains Goldfinger and Dr. No. But Jane Seymour was praised as one of the franchises most beautiful Bond girls. And so it went on.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkHR4LkFGU0bq9StRekgdjnA9D3alHm-3M6EiAKoW0B9hAlqzSZNMDVcGI7yWC9yxFgqLDk90U3bIz757Fn1eZOy980fOTvickoOqr5JMVlDD-LwZZIJb7SnJ6WnJx2d7mmQJ38JGxXw/s1600/before+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkHR4LkFGU0bq9StRekgdjnA9D3alHm-3M6EiAKoW0B9hAlqzSZNMDVcGI7yWC9yxFgqLDk90U3bIz757Fn1eZOy980fOTvickoOqr5JMVlDD-LwZZIJb7SnJ6WnJx2d7mmQJ38JGxXw/s200/before+4.jpg" width="200" /></a> For me I do like <em>Live and Let Die</em> even though I rate it as a middling effort Bond film. It must be remembered that this was Roger Moore's first outing in the famous role, and he was going to be minutely examined. I think he done a fine job. The film's failings are more a flat novel to film adaptation, and the script, rather than any from Moore. For me it is superior to its predecessor <em>Diamonds are Forever.</em> As an adaptation it does leave in enough of the novel, but mixes up the chronology somewhat. For instance at the end of the film, when Felix Leiter asks Bond and Solitaire what there is to do on a train for 6 hours, it is from their escape from Kanaga in New York, which is less than half way into the novel.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYlmH1eEhX64aVk3z5h2Xb3IMlX7UCjergFDrb27FCDHz-qwYLe8JItxmR6nmUxj0wmkKGyaQTNzpy2heeEs0AvkquK9nPSP1tjtOMvW8thpADE-N8OEXuNe6hVteSuS2FTTpIjDa9nc/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYlmH1eEhX64aVk3z5h2Xb3IMlX7UCjergFDrb27FCDHz-qwYLe8JItxmR6nmUxj0wmkKGyaQTNzpy2heeEs0AvkquK9nPSP1tjtOMvW8thpADE-N8OEXuNe6hVteSuS2FTTpIjDa9nc/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> The last scene although changed from t<span style="background-color: white;">he</span> novel does nod towards it though. In the novel Kanaga intends to kill Bond and Solitaire by dragging them behind his smuggling boat over some coral. Hence attracting the sharks and barracudas to finish them off. Of course in the film Kanaga has several caged sharks, and purists of the novel will recognise the reference. One scene isn't used but was later in 1989's <em>License to Kill.</em> And that was where Felix Leiter is savaged by a shark at one of Kanaga's entry points of his smuggling operations. ( In the novel it is gold coins he is smuggling and not heroin ).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNEzoebTP3dbkGxlWxWkmnUm8XcCiaPw6zoCPrWlVBFwd2rJm5aQgDJ9pyAeOqRj4iL5wFMypoV5OtXJLAgxSbxP9VftZ8YX9h8G9gf4pkHlCZmk-CW4pyYUIhA5cj6xdx1_hiX0cZd8/s1600/600full-live-and-let-die-screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNEzoebTP3dbkGxlWxWkmnUm8XcCiaPw6zoCPrWlVBFwd2rJm5aQgDJ9pyAeOqRj4iL5wFMypoV5OtXJLAgxSbxP9VftZ8YX9h8G9gf4pkHlCZmk-CW4pyYUIhA5cj6xdx1_hiX0cZd8/s200/600full-live-and-let-die-screenshot.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmmmm...Jane Seymour!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Over all though the novel is not one of Fleming's best and it has passed on to the film. As a Bond film it is possibly a bit too long, and whilst not bad isn't overly memorable. But for a first up 'new' Bond film it is solid enough. I always feel for such an iconic role it took an actor time to truly grow into it. This is something Timothy Dalton unfortunately never got. Whereas George Lazenby shot himself in the foot by walking away from the role. Like him or not Roger Moore is Bond. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> IMDB has it with 6.8/10 which is more than fair. For me there is enough to like but there are other Roger Moore outings I'd watch before this.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Click here for a synopsis and more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-57364948106137147082011-10-31T16:06:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:04:25.268-07:00Diamonds Are Forever<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIdojPLRcGpPh94U478XdNgNbb5YVuR7h-vfkvJ1jAvccMIe0EozfYsEVwprAJPu6iZ8TW2zHL5ZSVsdr_onsZkqf9GqQRMQnBCfNGZOc9NKwuuUkrTHUp-bsmcFsFIgPybdgiuYKYkw/s1600/-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIdojPLRcGpPh94U478XdNgNbb5YVuR7h-vfkvJ1jAvccMIe0EozfYsEVwprAJPu6iZ8TW2zHL5ZSVsdr_onsZkqf9GqQRMQnBCfNGZOc9NKwuuUkrTHUp-bsmcFsFIgPybdgiuYKYkw/s320/-poster.jpg" width="295" /></a> I have unfortunately missed the last three Bond films after <em>Goldfinger,</em> <em>Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, </em>and <em>On Her Majesty's Secret Service.</em> This of course, as I wrote in a previous post, was due to watching the Rugby World Cup matches that overlapped with these films on a different channel. I wasn't worried at missing <em>OHMSS </em>as I watched and reviewed it quite recently. But it would have been nice to catch up with the last two films of Connery's first tenure as the world's most famous secret agent. </div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So here I am at the last official Bond film Sean Connery was to star in. He was asked to make the next film <em>Let and Let Die</em> but his response is the now famous 'never again'. Well we all know that he reneged on that statement and made the unofficial Bond film <em>Never Say Never Again. </em>It is nothing more than a <em>Thunderball </em>re-make, and as much as I like Connery this was not his finest hour in deciding to star in this. He is the quintessential Bond and yet by starring in this he sullied his name, along with the wonderful things he gave the world as James Bond. Even as a film <em>Never Say Never Again </em>is poor and thankfully Roger Moore's official Bond film <em>Octopussy<strong> </strong></em>far out grossed its same year competitor.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHP_4Er2xhXuUrceHOz5vyQKX3FKfvHFigWDL4qG4QDQwdgBSuzZ1Sxd2Dr6Cv5-jpKEvI84jLHdCpozNXy2H3DACUHmoG5YOmPPu4oROQsdi-eyX5UBozHKtckLkgxCX359-NaCsRMQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHP_4Er2xhXuUrceHOz5vyQKX3FKfvHFigWDL4qG4QDQwdgBSuzZ1Sxd2Dr6Cv5-jpKEvI84jLHdCpozNXy2H3DACUHmoG5YOmPPu4oROQsdi-eyX5UBozHKtckLkgxCX359-NaCsRMQ/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> Now even though Sean Connery is considered the best Bond it doesn't mean he couldn't star in what is considered the franchise's worst film. For me personally I rate <em>Diamonds of Forever </em>as my least favorite Bond. I don't rate it as bad, but as a Bond film it has major failings that make it feel more like a Bond film trying to be a Bond film. I think its major flaw is that the novel it is adapted from is based heavily in the US. Hence I get the impression with this being so the producers made the mistake of making the film US concentric. In other words they made it how an American would make a Bond film.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIyHMwzjTxwyb80skzkAO0p5l9a8OORfpiBXb4Wwf1I79VVCpMkVAJA1a_57ZOYRhfnF9EAN1eqqMueTjpwmpxQfkO7KFB2JXk1sTH-1UjXb60dMzVSkjVxXGfOhhXQXx6wd1JVztZ34/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIyHMwzjTxwyb80skzkAO0p5l9a8OORfpiBXb4Wwf1I79VVCpMkVAJA1a_57ZOYRhfnF9EAN1eqqMueTjpwmpxQfkO7KFB2JXk1sTH-1UjXb60dMzVSkjVxXGfOhhXQXx6wd1JVztZ34/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a> But I do understand the thinking behind this and it wasn't the first time the producers had equated in the American market<em>. Goldfinger </em>when made was very much aimed at American audiences ( because as we all know America is the worlds biggest cinema market and success there equates to dollars ). This is important I know but where as <em>Goldfinger</em> was aimed at America it doesn't have the almost sell out feel that permeates <em>Diamonds are Forever</em>. For me this is its biggest problem. It just doesn't have any British feel to it and yet Bond is a wholly British creation. Previous to this the franchise had achieved the balancing act of making a British character and film accessible to all audiences world wide. But in trying to aim at one specifically the whole film fails.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2YS8MOsZgEvVHMSq_eKFwWoTEj1MKW98Nn5ueGcpWvYaLdvBzmNbIl8U0P99AvDJyk17PEGIAeiOamhesnrGQHIy-U2ra5NAem2hLp5opw48V-r7rb6DhnqX9E7bQI8q-SNHVKQL4ZA/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2YS8MOsZgEvVHMSq_eKFwWoTEj1MKW98Nn5ueGcpWvYaLdvBzmNbIl8U0P99AvDJyk17PEGIAeiOamhesnrGQHIy-U2ra5NAem2hLp5opw48V-r7rb6DhnqX9E7bQI8q-SNHVKQL4ZA/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> The other problem here is Sean Connery himself. As you all know Connery had retired from Bond after 1966's <em>You Only Live twice.</em> His replacement for <em>OHMSS</em> George Lazenby of course made the career killing decision not to take up his pro-offered seven film Bond contract. This left the franchise without a Bond. Connery was lured back after stipulating the then astronomical sum of US$2.9 million which made him the highest paid actor in the world. This was due to United Artists wanting him back. They put the hard word on Broccoli and co telling them money was no object just to get Connery back. Again it is interesting to see who was considered for Bond after Lazenby's departure. <em>Batman</em>'s Adam West, <em>Psycho</em>'s John Gavin and even Michael Gambon were all considered. But ultimately money lured Sean Connery back for his last official turn as 007.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS68cTqPxlKeX0vsS4mp69NOBKVwMyBnJohTyHJdQx0Sxmslam3ijPMlJ8AGw6lGfAeCixSTYkYZflJOcuRa40Nhecsbw7iW-fq13H1QWvNF95vgA0AzAg1ot3qsrlX0o2Lk2Q_Cw1ns4/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS68cTqPxlKeX0vsS4mp69NOBKVwMyBnJohTyHJdQx0Sxmslam3ijPMlJ8AGw6lGfAeCixSTYkYZflJOcuRa40Nhecsbw7iW-fq13H1QWvNF95vgA0AzAg1ot3qsrlX0o2Lk2Q_Cw1ns4/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a> By now Connery was 41 but looked older. In fact he looked older at 41 than Roger Moore did at 45 when he took over the reigns in 1973 for <em>Live and Let Die. </em>And yet it was only four years since <em>You Only Live Twice.</em> But appearance aside Connery just doesn't feel as if he had slipped back into being Bond in <em>Diamonds are Forever.</em> Sure the ad-lib lines are there, the accent, etc, but something is just missing. I really do think that four year hiatus, along his feelings towards the role and producers, comes through here. He may be playing James Bond but he just didn't become Bond again.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wntHimHj5XGiAhNYcCZufE5Gop1b-sLJQNFINg1hgbO-Eqqv9E9wzcsM-WKOHM9Zr4cyPC5iR4uTtUAAhW1OsLNPac-1QoKi6sNoGfAq7miSKjz00NwiY3x4Pd6t2qPd4Jl95jYgLy0/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wntHimHj5XGiAhNYcCZufE5Gop1b-sLJQNFINg1hgbO-Eqqv9E9wzcsM-WKOHM9Zr4cyPC5iR4uTtUAAhW1OsLNPac-1QoKi6sNoGfAq7miSKjz00NwiY3x4Pd6t2qPd4Jl95jYgLy0/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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This is of course the seventh Bond film to be based on an Ian Fleming novel. Published in 1956 it was Fleming's fourth Bond novel. But even though his fourth, and published three year after debut <em>Casino Royale,</em> it has palpably dated more so than its three predecessors. Well that was my impression when I read it recently. It isn't a bad story it just has not dated well as a novel. So if you have been reading my Bond reviews you'll know that I state the stronger Bond novels make for the stronger films. It may be no exaggeration then as to why <em>Diamonds are Forever,</em> with its other flaws, just doesn't work as a Bond film.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9mwbybo6zyLcMvkdGPlnMc5um5-1uKwdLnyI34rwlEy4hAJ816vAfcO3EefUC0DzSb_M6x0lef-LsGoaEoTzD-eEaN7bGuZNHRDo7i45G0m0ceaJjtLhj0x6S97xPsM5vk60ms9y-yY/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9mwbybo6zyLcMvkdGPlnMc5um5-1uKwdLnyI34rwlEy4hAJ816vAfcO3EefUC0DzSb_M6x0lef-LsGoaEoTzD-eEaN7bGuZNHRDo7i45G0m0ceaJjtLhj0x6S97xPsM5vk60ms9y-yY/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a> So how different are the two. Well as in the other novel to film adaptations there are changes, both out of necessity, and to upbeat the films in the process. With the film the first half follows the novel markedly, except that in the novel the diamond smugglers are American gangsters, and not from Blofeld's organisation. But once the smuggling angle is over the film deviates from the novel only to return in the climatic scene where Bond dispatches Mr.Wint and Mr. Kidd on board the ship. But even though a dated novel and deviations the film has a feel of two halves to it. The first half feels like a routine diamond smuggling film and the second is more Bond like with the appearance of Blofeld, the moon buggy and the oil rig finale.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIr0-kNCE4VHw0IqDJFNCaR1Pfy0PCz7whrszN0gGWK_6vkHHHmCRoeXRosX_dNWizTIBKNBDw7mVsggwN4Jj7CWXfvk4k353AfAbYHjNSVkVpSwPRv5qOoz1H6lBY2aU8k_LuXvHuMI/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIr0-kNCE4VHw0IqDJFNCaR1Pfy0PCz7whrszN0gGWK_6vkHHHmCRoeXRosX_dNWizTIBKNBDw7mVsggwN4Jj7CWXfvk4k353AfAbYHjNSVkVpSwPRv5qOoz1H6lBY2aU8k_LuXvHuMI/s200/7.jpg" width="200" /></a> So the script isn't as solid as previous Bond outings. The major problem is that <em>Diamonds are Forever </em> looks like a Bond film, it has the Bond ad lib lines, it has Sean Connery, it has Guy Hamilton directing, it is based on an Ian Fleming novel, it has arch Bond enemy Ernst Blofeld, a climatic shoot out scene, two Bond girls Tiffany Case and Plenty O'Toole ( whose 'tools' we see all too little of!! ). And yet with all the usual Bond ingredients <em>Diamonds are Forever </em>manages to be as close as it can get to being a non-Bond film! In fact it feels as if it was made by the same outfit who made the unofficial bond film <em>Never Say Never Again. </em>It just has that sort of feel to it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39AacuJ-1RXlsQ-D0RKnoKk4GKY8yAhgm8paq4ziZTBj7fM5iKGTBHUA8APpZm0X6OLiGJ936eXgEU4mPnivCbn-pVPxAMCw6j1sAX4F6LwnjBKs8N-1-5ZHGj3vsphw5_G8mQYS14Q0/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39AacuJ-1RXlsQ-D0RKnoKk4GKY8yAhgm8paq4ziZTBj7fM5iKGTBHUA8APpZm0X6OLiGJ936eXgEU4mPnivCbn-pVPxAMCw6j1sAX4F6LwnjBKs8N-1-5ZHGj3vsphw5_G8mQYS14Q0/s200/8.jpg" width="200" /></a> So in my usual indubitable style some behind the scenes stuff is of interest. Well I always think it is and is often quite useful in gauging a films final outcome. So why did Sean Connery return? Well in a nutshell....money. At the time what he earned for this made him I believe the first ' million dollar ' actor. But he had an ulterior motive in asking for and receiving such an outrageous sum. Not only was studio United Artists to back two films of Connery's choice, but he used the fee to establish the Scottish International Education Trust, where Scottish actors could apply for funding without having to leave Scotland to further their careers. Quite a generous move to make on Connery's behalf.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWYV-Kiu5a9u-DruwaLtpRL5lNazMyFFL02VN2dqXS4IboIUnwRTq5evA0S68lBQIY7F7oeHGbEyUO1aPE5QsxiqIfOlR-oj3KR3l6WCWzd_UZYH0W4cdlvqNFlzop8JLzhEYCgG3gRc/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWYV-Kiu5a9u-DruwaLtpRL5lNazMyFFL02VN2dqXS4IboIUnwRTq5evA0S68lBQIY7F7oeHGbEyUO1aPE5QsxiqIfOlR-oj3KR3l6WCWzd_UZYH0W4cdlvqNFlzop8JLzhEYCgG3gRc/s200/9.jpg" width="200" /></a> Other castings included Charles Gray who of course plays Bond arch villain and nemesis Ernst Blofeld. This even though he played Bond ally Henderson in 1967's <em>You Only Live Twice</em>!! Also David Bauer who appeared in the same film as an uncredited American Diplomat plays Morton Slumber in this turn. Jimmy Dean who plays Willard Whyte was actually employed by eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes and had concerns at playing a patische homage to his employer! Actresses considered for Tiffany Case included Raquel Welch, Jane Fonda, and Faye Dunaway. Jill St. Clair was initially offered the role of Plenty O'Toole, but landed the role after impressing Guy Hamilton during screen tests. Interestingly by this the seventh Bond film she was to be the first American Bond girl. Also the woman in the bikini, whose top Bond so unceremoniously whips off in the films opening scenes, was Denise Perrier, Miss world 1953!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZA6_nEM77WMhJ4V8IYhOLCqPJvahMKy8kdx4zdO3UTLc3zaedJf0pSGRjDFk29I9Cy6khrPFVw0OJ4T81PCYOMz1W75nE9tx_RdEj2T9370U4pFVGkhM8Pobs-DgoQh0sV_yXfV8Qh3c/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZA6_nEM77WMhJ4V8IYhOLCqPJvahMKy8kdx4zdO3UTLc3zaedJf0pSGRjDFk29I9Cy6khrPFVw0OJ4T81PCYOMz1W75nE9tx_RdEj2T9370U4pFVGkhM8Pobs-DgoQh0sV_yXfV8Qh3c/s200/10.jpg" width="200" /></a><em> Diamonds are Forever</em> was the last Bond film to use either Spectre or Blofeld, both of which were elements not featured in Ian Fleming's novels. This was due to the long running legal batle by Kevin McClory who claimed that he, and not Fleming, created the organisation for the novel Thunderball. Blofeld is subsquently identified but never seen in 1981's <em>For Your Eyes Only,</em> as Eon's arrangement with Fleming's estate did not permit them to use McClory's works. Initially the plot was to involve a twin of Auric Goldfinger seeking revenge for his brother's death. But after Albert Broccoli had a dream where his friend Howard Hughes was replaced by an impostor the script was re-worked. Also the script eliminated entirely the villains of the novel, mobsters Jack and Seraffimo Spang. This of course was to accomodate Blofeld and his use of the diamonds in his satellite laser.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAPJLWVB57rsRYUFwsMRvwIVY8QmqkBldP1nSd0LGGlP32U0PD_ti4yeG9PJGJEZZWbTy_VEU-S2foFRU26NIzXOkJwb9oONPzJD7H9-TvrlppHzQJMLP07H-2SUahDolVDE_mSxVClc/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAPJLWVB57rsRYUFwsMRvwIVY8QmqkBldP1nSd0LGGlP32U0PD_ti4yeG9PJGJEZZWbTy_VEU-S2foFRU26NIzXOkJwb9oONPzJD7H9-TvrlppHzQJMLP07H-2SUahDolVDE_mSxVClc/s200/11.jpg" width="200" /></a> The films finale was meant to be much more spectacular. Armed frogmen were to have jumped from helicopters and attached limpet mines to the legs of the oil rig. Blofeld was to escape in his mini-sub with Bond pursuing him hanging onto a weather balloon. The chase was to end in a salt mine where Blofeld was to fall to his death in a salt granulator. But this was discarded because permission to use a local salt mine was not granted and the sequence was found to be too long. Further problems involved the premature blowing of the explosives when only a handful of cameras were ready. So we see the somewhat flat predictable scene instead.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VTT5JlEg35HdBLIMA4-ItCELhXHr_hRMCeZ52qGtRQ90CnOntgrRqV2Re7akaGTfQQ6tcrYLvubxm901i_8dpt-4v6B-078c4AZnypPWt7iGPU8UC1nNcIt8NP-GtyBcHFex5wyJJ9U/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VTT5JlEg35HdBLIMA4-ItCELhXHr_hRMCeZ52qGtRQ90CnOntgrRqV2Re7akaGTfQQ6tcrYLvubxm901i_8dpt-4v6B-078c4AZnypPWt7iGPU8UC1nNcIt8NP-GtyBcHFex5wyJJ9U/s200/12.jpg" width="200" /></a> As always the filming locations and what nots throw up some points of interest. Most of it was filmed in and around Los Angeles International Airport, Universal Studios and eight Las Vegas hotel rooms. Filming in Las Vegas used hotels used by Howard Hughes because of his friendship with Broccoli. This friendship helped when it came to keeping the Las Vegas streets clear when filming of the car chase occurred. One advantage of filming in the famed gambling town was that no extra lighting was needed due to the sheer volume of naturally occurring illumination from the neon lights! Funnily enough at one stage during the Vegas shooting Connery delayed a scene because he was collecting his winnings from a casino!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMu2sAy-BixJyPv6utfSsz6u7D80qGn-ZxU7Z3DujeTFYHyX2WxR2fqopyeQ7Xkr_s9WnmpUQ9FdIsUZgBiQTI1P4EW2Lm4CMRccd0smQY7V-snFFn2bsopWfJ6kzZHsir27ppdHqQF4/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMu2sAy-BixJyPv6utfSsz6u7D80qGn-ZxU7Z3DujeTFYHyX2WxR2fqopyeQ7Xkr_s9WnmpUQ9FdIsUZgBiQTI1P4EW2Lm4CMRccd0smQY7V-snFFn2bsopWfJ6kzZHsir27ppdHqQF4/s200/13.jpg" width="200" /></a> Actor Kirk Douglas's home was used as that of Tiffany Case's. Actress Lana Wood, whose character Plenty O'Toole drowned in the pool, did actually have concrete blocks tied to her feet and filmed as if drowned. At one stage she got into difficulties and had to be pulled out of the pool! The exterior shots of the Slumber Mortuary were of a real Las Vegas crematorium. The interiors are a Pinewoods Studio mock up. Ford made an arrangement with Broccoli that their cars could be used, but only if Sean Connery drove the Mach 1 Mustang as a semi-endorsement. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithO9pKb_TknSxxUSQgd2EyHlNa7RTrgUrEvdNQkErUfN9zhwlveTqM5dSCbXAh8WAMim_loP9RdxdbYbFQsPejS11HeGCjclFSfttZv9DwoiZq_TDjnfu6ejwXNTR6Pn6XWHbf-IXhfQ/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithO9pKb_TknSxxUSQgd2EyHlNa7RTrgUrEvdNQkErUfN9zhwlveTqM5dSCbXAh8WAMim_loP9RdxdbYbFQsPejS11HeGCjclFSfttZv9DwoiZq_TDjnfu6ejwXNTR6Pn6XWHbf-IXhfQ/s200/14.jpg" width="200" /></a> Within what is considered the worst of all 22 Bond films the car chase is considered its only real high point. The now famous alleyway scene where Bond tips the car on to two wheels was filmed in two locations. One in Las Vegas and the other on Universal's back lot. It took over three nights to film and lead to a goof. As the car enters the alley it is on its right tyres, as it leaves it is on its left ones!The moon buggy Bond escapes in was inspired by a real NASA vehicle but the producers didn't find it 'outrageous' enough so arms were added to flay about during Bond's escape. It was custom built by car maker Dean Jefferies and capable of highway speeds!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HXlekoQHm_M0nHl2s3SYos5Ok9coL0K8fOjDqz7X8bVOCgqzSca_R-4FhUAAfOzmHYLdJBviDTj4jsAj64JTevlf8HcY51CS7Kb-Xghpe5nlDVfohe-IhqMkp1plFgcIBX5GYsWIEDc/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HXlekoQHm_M0nHl2s3SYos5Ok9coL0K8fOjDqz7X8bVOCgqzSca_R-4FhUAAfOzmHYLdJBviDTj4jsAj64JTevlf8HcY51CS7Kb-Xghpe5nlDVfohe-IhqMkp1plFgcIBX5GYsWIEDc/s200/15.jpg" width="200" /></a> Of course this was the second Bond film to have the title song sung by Shirley Bassey. Producer Harry Saltzman apparently hated it, but on the insistence of Broccoli it was kept in the film. Saltzman objected was to the lyrics and their sexual inneuendo. In fact the song's composer John Barry told Bassey to imagine she was singing about a penis! When released the film received mainly positive reactions, but many questioned its camp tone. Some found the moon buggy silly and the plot too complex. Jill St. Clair was criticised for being the least effective of all the Bond girls. Even Las Vegas wasn't found exotic enough for a Bond film! But this is unavoidable because the bulk of the novel is set there. More modern reactions rate the film as the worst of the Bond franchise with Mr. Wint and Kidd, along with Bambie and Thumper, as the first and second worst Bond villains respectively.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiYuddQIyV2nTBCX4r7Ze9-UP7LvPRuCXpfCNeU5VFfOIcbpPlwkk7KOV9HfvEk3v5wMqaDiSP1sfi0fGwYvxG4PHOgyR6poSHSi4dg3FWPvfcV64qj2RJQCdpvRgt4XiaUt57ZW3GcM/s1600/600full-diamonds-are-forever-screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiYuddQIyV2nTBCX4r7Ze9-UP7LvPRuCXpfCNeU5VFfOIcbpPlwkk7KOV9HfvEk3v5wMqaDiSP1sfi0fGwYvxG4PHOgyR6poSHSi4dg3FWPvfcV64qj2RJQCdpvRgt4XiaUt57ZW3GcM/s200/600full-diamonds-are-forever-screenshot.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So <em>Diamonds are Forever </em>is not a good Bond film. It was a financial success in 1971 but it hasn't stood the test of time well. It's major flaws are being too American in feel, and the script which makes the film one of two halves ( the first half a diamond smuggling film, and the second an attempt at a Bond film ). But even Sean Connery is one of the films drawbacks. He looks too old for the role and just hadn't slipped back into Bond mode for the film. For me it almost feels like a diamond smuggling film with Sean Connery in it. And this is ultimately what is wrong with it. It is a Bond film that looks and trys to be a Bond film, but utterly fails to feel like a Bond film.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I am a serious Bond aficianado and I hate to use the word 'worst' here personally. But when it comes to Bond films <em>Diamonds are Forever </em>is the one I would watch last. And yet in itself it isn't a bad film, it just isn't a good Bond film. IMDB has this with 6.7/10. I'd give it a 5/10 simply because I don't dislike it but don't rate it well as a Bond outing. This is maybe because it is adapted from one of Ian Fleming's less convincing novels, of which maybe rubbed off onto the film? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> In short the least memorable of the Bond franchise I'm afraid.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Click here for a synopsis and more:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066995/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066995/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-27618737632823983182011-10-30T05:50:00.000-07:002011-10-30T05:53:23.433-07:00The Omen : 666<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7U5PIoq-YJ7shEidZKX882iwOW20hn4LinXlUxeGC4fnnW3lma0E9laLgFxNEU-dXNNWDt23bzmYMK6H_HXeLkuAIedEsBz00AU-tS6a8wzs6bMeCgwI_0e_vQs-0Xt4uTRwyenVmbs/s1600/omen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7U5PIoq-YJ7shEidZKX882iwOW20hn4LinXlUxeGC4fnnW3lma0E9laLgFxNEU-dXNNWDt23bzmYMK6H_HXeLkuAIedEsBz00AU-tS6a8wzs6bMeCgwI_0e_vQs-0Xt4uTRwyenVmbs/s1600/omen.jpg" /></a></div> It is somewhat ironic that this 2006 re-make of <em>The Omen </em>played here on NZ telly just a few hours ago. Why? Well it seems as if the whole of northern hemisphere bloggers are all agog over Halloween!! And why do I find this amusing? Well many in the north of our planet do not realise that Halloween isn't celebrated way down here in the likes of NZ, Oz, South Africa etc. It isn't part of our heritage like it is up top.<br />
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This is unusual considering these countries have a strong colonial past with the U.K. You'd think the first settlers down under would have brought Halloween with them and continued it. But no, Halloween isn't part of our social calender!!!! But with it just around the corner, and being aware of it, I suppose NZ telly had to play something, even in quiet acknowledgment. So from the myriad of horrors to choose from we were offered up this 2006 re-make of the 1976 Gregory Peck original.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Well as many of you be know this was released on 6.6.06 to coincide with the Bible's number of the beast!! Believe it or not I saw one of the first screenings of it in the world! NZ is after all the first country to see the sun of the new day! My, this post is getting factual isn't it?! But anyway my local mainstream theatre had a one off 6.6.06 screening. I still have the ticket butt! Suffice to say early tickets sales sold out within hours in anticipation of this rare and momentous date/occasion!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtworqRNzzXqIOua19qkEiJ6sGoI2MWeqyUJMMdJuzGK9OrHP1LtlEb2VVp5Fz04_6Ktf68GGZqx_raqJqXmWZa5oT7MP-TksaZ2CSCQFb9dgkxvXQwO_bIU7SysGMT3GgO6ir0oO4S4s/s1600/omen+first+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtworqRNzzXqIOua19qkEiJ6sGoI2MWeqyUJMMdJuzGK9OrHP1LtlEb2VVp5Fz04_6Ktf68GGZqx_raqJqXmWZa5oT7MP-TksaZ2CSCQFb9dgkxvXQwO_bIU7SysGMT3GgO6ir0oO4S4s/s200/omen+first+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a> Pity though for all the hype, fun of the date, and tie in of the film, it turned out to be such a poor film. Even as re-makes goes it was poor. The original wasn't exactly a masterpiece even though now a semi-classic. Fortunately this 2006 version hasn't followed in the footsteps of the original and made two awful sequels! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> As far as horrors go the original Omen has dated considerably and would be hard pressed to produce any scares these days. Even in its day it wasn't an overly scary film. But the idea of Damien being the son of the devil was intriguing, and used before such as in the classic <em>Rosemary's Baby</em>. Admittedly it has been quite a number of years since I have seen the original. But as I watched its un-necessary, and inferior, re-make most of it came back to me. I like the premise and the story of the original, and it has its place in the horror genre. But its re-make should be consigned to the dust bin of cinematic history.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfa4coaM8_UiveOAYBTt2LyawnsTZ6QVUwEit-YIqFKIezFbfmFRR6fD7p7npge7MSGXQZRQiTgstjeQ9agCzWDcQ_Yq-ZMu8IjTDgL3QYPnlLB765x_tVIy_-GW1WnqvwecihyYP-Qqo/s1600/omen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfa4coaM8_UiveOAYBTt2LyawnsTZ6QVUwEit-YIqFKIezFbfmFRR6fD7p7npge7MSGXQZRQiTgstjeQ9agCzWDcQ_Yq-ZMu8IjTDgL3QYPnlLB765x_tVIy_-GW1WnqvwecihyYP-Qqo/s200/omen+1.jpg" width="200" /></a> As a re-make it couldn't even find a shred of originality. I mean the deaths of those who fathom out who Damien is are all but carbon copies of the original. And even as an updated horror film it produced the big fat zero in the fright stakes. Seriously, come on, if you are going to re-make a film isn't the idea to re-interpret, or at least freshen it up a bit? There is such scope with <em>The Omen</em> to have made a really scary, creepy, chilling, horror film. But alas, it was not to be, and all we got was this sad lame excuse of a so called horror flick.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju7ttoCni0EFd_HSeVxSy3xTS5ByIfoqiknYkPWnUxuaBI3jqY73XeVcnZTgr3YPp0MPDCDVUcqvwg2mbyqLP4FPEeuLtjtvj7mcwVt95cNw86iyCNROp5akXQeWLIc6J8SmKfbDP8Ac/s1600/omen+3rd+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgju7ttoCni0EFd_HSeVxSy3xTS5ByIfoqiknYkPWnUxuaBI3jqY73XeVcnZTgr3YPp0MPDCDVUcqvwg2mbyqLP4FPEeuLtjtvj7mcwVt95cNw86iyCNROp5akXQeWLIc6J8SmKfbDP8Ac/s200/omen+3rd+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a> So in short the script was total rubbish. With so much scope to play with how could the mark have been missed so badly? It may be a re-make of a 1970's film with the world having moved on to the point of de-sensitivity in regards to what we see on screen, but this even felt like a 1970's film itself! It just had absolutely no updated feel to it all. Whilst not quite a scene for scene re-make like the dreadful <em>Psycho </em>attempt of several years ago it might as well have been. It is totally devoid of impact and is an ultimately pointless exercise. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi_vZmLd2GKZd9WWfv0MueuerF-RKxk_NSMQhmtClhdclKkhYFZaKbHP6Zvs266P02L7fwDHrJJO5v7z9_8Z0CL5okOvGnGcEEFDgkgPKeGeUxO1llQdycvaEIpohpi-oltbXXKERYdw/s1600/omen4th+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi_vZmLd2GKZd9WWfv0MueuerF-RKxk_NSMQhmtClhdclKkhYFZaKbHP6Zvs266P02L7fwDHrJJO5v7z9_8Z0CL5okOvGnGcEEFDgkgPKeGeUxO1llQdycvaEIpohpi-oltbXXKERYdw/s200/omen4th+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The cast? Well in such a dud they all felt like cardboard cut outs. Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick as Damien has no chill factor and looks no more than a spoilt kid who needs to put across your knee and have his arse tanned. Liev Schreiber is totally blank and going through the motions ( I read at the time he had a big on set sulk ). Gregory Peck he isn't!! At least Peck in a somewhat ordinary role from him looked as if he was trying. But Mia Farrow was actually quite reasonable as Damien's nanny. I laughed at this all too obvious, dumb, cheesy nod to <em>Rosemary's Baby. </em>Unfortunately it sort of sums up the whole film.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtNc1uyGor7qpjxnjQq3ATdvYwSercb1fGsx5NB5UQiu0q9Opx2ExAYjBB3dUZ4MRnwVbLoZaJZ_XyPrtbePENxoKYzElccI_nSwF9ChepATKWVnEDwFX_MeBjwqvxkWAj570GInS2aE/s1600/omen+last+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtNc1uyGor7qpjxnjQq3ATdvYwSercb1fGsx5NB5UQiu0q9Opx2ExAYjBB3dUZ4MRnwVbLoZaJZ_XyPrtbePENxoKYzElccI_nSwF9ChepATKWVnEDwFX_MeBjwqvxkWAj570GInS2aE/s200/omen+last+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a> Not surprisingly with the gimmick of its release date it broke box office records for a single day in the US. But it quickly fell off and it only made 4 times it US$25 million back worldwide. The original is still the highest earner of the series...and still by far the best film! Funnily enough it was the 12th highest grossing R rated film worldwide in 2006. But either way it under performed and it is not hard to figure out why. It is just poor. On release critics gave it generally negative to middling reviews, with most commenting on it being too similar to the original. ( which is my main criticism as well ). IMDB has this with a 5.4/10 rating. I'd be hard pressed to give it a 3/10. I can't actually believe I wasted my time and watched it!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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In a word mediocre. No.........<strong>CRAP.</strong></div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-75655864458345672082011-10-27T21:30:00.000-07:002011-10-27T21:35:33.718-07:00Film Images And A Little Test...Give It A Go!! After my post of several days ago in which I attempted to find my top ten iconic film images I did some net surfing. What I found made me groan out loud! I found three images that I instantly knew should have been included. Suffice to say I will now do another post of a similar sort because there are just so any truly iconic film images to choose from.<br />
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But what I thought I'd do here here is set a little test for you all instead of me posting a set of images and writing a piece on why I consider them iconic. None of the following five images is overly obscure. As film and telly watchers, poster buyers, magazine readers, music video watchers, etc, in other words uses of all manner of possible mediums, you will have at some stage come across these images. The first four may be in B&W but are instantly recognisable and very much a part of popular culture.<br />
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So after each image I will ask the simple, quite obvious question! Go ahead because I'm sure all five images are known to you all regardless of where they came from.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-yCmUHD5mq_vNqyOwO87jyJ6NxzbNPiZvWoY6flXkxfuHDMkYcGxVl_OzbBhL-Wk4VDlm22EpnYx_RZLEpx2saiiy2ITA5_ZgCsk69lDF7BAL3yPOwQpJkpgJuQ8Eqmq6NHigX12WkY/s1600/nosferatu+test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-yCmUHD5mq_vNqyOwO87jyJ6NxzbNPiZvWoY6flXkxfuHDMkYcGxVl_OzbBhL-Wk4VDlm22EpnYx_RZLEpx2saiiy2ITA5_ZgCsk69lDF7BAL3yPOwQpJkpgJuQ8Eqmq6NHigX12WkY/s320/nosferatu+test.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>1.</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Just how legendary is this image!! Seriously even though you haven't seen the film itself it is still instantly recognisable in one form or another. And even though from a film that is now almost a century old it still projects the creepiness it did when released. An iconic image that modern horrors should take note of.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So what is the name of the film?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe2tTG18atH1wTNBU_H-f7pylSt3L4xSyfxhC08zIqKZyJPUoXwPgrATawxV1k4vZhaGE8Z5xji0YwsYCeZRjBvjq_A0cov5UjSyiHUeiBa_4urPsf7pnomll_5I2YuqAMEgp_w_jWVs/s1600/M+test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe2tTG18atH1wTNBU_H-f7pylSt3L4xSyfxhC08zIqKZyJPUoXwPgrATawxV1k4vZhaGE8Z5xji0YwsYCeZRjBvjq_A0cov5UjSyiHUeiBa_4urPsf7pnomll_5I2YuqAMEgp_w_jWVs/s320/M+test.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">2.</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Another German image from an era when the they were the best film makers in the world. This film is now regarded as a masterpiece and one I personally consider one of the greatest ever made. From the film we have this classic, and don't silhouettes make for great images?! They are so simple and yet so effective. In fact at some stage I will do a ' name the silhouette ' post because there are so many great ones. This film also has another iconic image, but it is too obvious! A hint there!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, name the film. And if you like, name the actor whose profile this is.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX0HwN6Z03NzRsqMwVbVhnm_nDbeC4JKwdrhvW94c1_B87OvuYX9NOSHPtyR8_4npcOrmULOq8ihyphenhyphenYI7J0eaklWG42WVJqTeH3uYjITxwcq73sNKcmS3-HbmfYOTLB4mbJtc73ZMVeKI/s1600/harry+llyod+test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX0HwN6Z03NzRsqMwVbVhnm_nDbeC4JKwdrhvW94c1_B87OvuYX9NOSHPtyR8_4npcOrmULOq8ihyphenhyphenYI7J0eaklWG42WVJqTeH3uYjITxwcq73sNKcmS3-HbmfYOTLB4mbJtc73ZMVeKI/s320/harry+llyod+test.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">3.</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></strong><span style="font-size: small;">I was </span>very fortunate to see this classic American comedy several years at the NZ Film Festival. Again what an iconic image and one that has been printed on posters and generally entered popular culture. It has come to dominate everything else about the film. Without question from an era of great American slapstick comedies.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Hence can you actually name the film itself? Again test your knowledge if you like. Who is the actor?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzLylHAK3Sc6Rs3ciZbwifpH5OQvPDtUssSWVVm9wvFg66LREUpmYU4CVZZZzN_q5FA-HyF5VIHl1Nxl6uMFQcTy6b_E5YloRxn0F22sPuc_dVpbOYaPBvHm_EuJEOJ315LhY_saWeRQ/s1600/rocket+in+eye+test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzLylHAK3Sc6Rs3ciZbwifpH5OQvPDtUssSWVVm9wvFg66LREUpmYU4CVZZZzN_q5FA-HyF5VIHl1Nxl6uMFQcTy6b_E5YloRxn0F22sPuc_dVpbOYaPBvHm_EuJEOJ315LhY_saWeRQ/s320/rocket+in+eye+test.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">4.</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Now seriously can any of you honestly tell me you have never seen this image?? It is truly iconic and has been used extensively in advertising parodies. I have seen it used in eye medication ads quite often....wonder why? Even American band The Smashing Pumpkins used the clip the image is from in one of their music videos! Again posters etc, etc, have seen this image immortalised on our collective memories.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> But what is the name of this silent era film? Test your knowledge if you like. What year is it from?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn2oeM3XWpWvMADtzdJL24K-8HhLcNe3s92mDlGtizlZhbwC7J4kGbfEk1iNIKbswzfD5fDOrAWzEVO2SGiLKgjqraxAwlp1HOb6LPb13sag_cgH3aQc2OJMYUgZMNBjM40K0ez1wUAM/s1600/2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn2oeM3XWpWvMADtzdJL24K-8HhLcNe3s92mDlGtizlZhbwC7J4kGbfEk1iNIKbswzfD5fDOrAWzEVO2SGiLKgjqraxAwlp1HOb6LPb13sag_cgH3aQc2OJMYUgZMNBjM40K0ez1wUAM/s320/2001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">5.</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Now for some colour! This image is a recognisable one as it is from one of the greatest films ever made ( even though I'm not overly fussed on it! ). Not only is it an iconic image it is an iconic character. Again posters have been printed and it has been parodied endlessly in advertisements. I have seen it well parodied in <em>The Simpsons </em>with Pierce Brosnan. Even recent film <em>Moon</em> used a character of similar ilk with Kevin Spacey in the role. Two hints!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So, name the film. If you can do that then you can of course name the creepy character!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Leave your answers in the comments box, and I will answer them myself some time soon.</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-53452266171097435252011-10-23T22:40:00.000-07:002011-10-24T05:58:41.110-07:00Ten Iconic Film Images<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> I</span></strong> decided to do this post on iconic film images after an un-named blog I visit directed me to another un-named blog. Once there an un-named blogger posted what they considered to be their top ten iconic film images. Well to be bluntly honest I wasn't impressed with what I saw. To me they were more favorites rather than well thought, reasoned images. Certainly none were what I could honestly call 'iconic'. Some were so obscure I didn't even know them! So it got me to thinking. What would I consider my top ten iconic film images? Believe it or not it wasn't, as I quickly found out, an easy task. First of all I have my own particular favorites. But I wanted to be more definitive rather than make the mistake I thought this un-named blogger did.<br />
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Now I'm not trying to be a presumptuous arsehole here but what I have come up with here are ten of what I consider genuinely iconic images. I've done so through a certain criteria. Firstly, and crucially, they must be instantly recognisable to a wide cross section of film watchers. To me an iconic image cannot be one from a film only a certain type of film goer has watched. Iconic isn't from some obscure film, from an obscure studio, from an obscure director, no matter how good the film may or may not be. Secondly it must have had an impact, not only in becoming seared on the cinematic world's collective world but to have also entered the realms of popular culture. That is what an icon is. Immediately identifiable to a wide range of people and accessible to all.<br />
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Again I stress this is not a list of personal favorites. But suffice to say several are, but are included due their own merits and not on how I feel about them. There are several I had to discard for this reason because they don't fit within the criteria I laid down. For instance the cliff jump from <em>Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, </em>which is certainly iconic ( and a personal favorite, certainly top three with me ), but one I had to leave out. But it would certainly rate very highly in the top best of lists if I had to go past only ten. Marlon Brando as Don Corleone is certainly an iconic image, but again against the ten I have selected not quite iconic enough. <br />
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And here I must stress something else. It is not the scene itself that I'm concerned with but with the certain image a particular scene produced. For instance Ursula Andress was in many other bikini scenes in <em>Dr. No </em>besides the iconic one of her walking out of the surf. That scene alone is the iconic one over the others with her and ' that bikini '. Hopefully I have set the idea in your minds as to what I'm driving at. I'm sure we all have differing ideas. But after the disappointment of what I saw on that un-mentioned blog I thought I could come up with better. I hate to say it but this blogger quite clearly stressed that they considered their choices as ' the best '. I disagreed with what I saw. <br />
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So preamble over read on!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJaK0asV4e9s69oblPBZPeFXludovC6-w-9JELlLtJSbYxonI5JfQK2XcCd0yG-CQ43OMv-jmsApDh1dukdIsT8E7uHFRv0eUVsZ-pAyG1o5VPzmFQSMr-osFwWreW0IH_VnPM4vKp5c/s1600/ursula+andress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJaK0asV4e9s69oblPBZPeFXludovC6-w-9JELlLtJSbYxonI5JfQK2XcCd0yG-CQ43OMv-jmsApDh1dukdIsT8E7uHFRv0eUVsZ-pAyG1o5VPzmFQSMr-osFwWreW0IH_VnPM4vKp5c/s320/ursula+andress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">1. Ursula Andress, Dr. No</span></strong></div> For me this is quite simply the most iconic film image ever! I reviewed 1961's <em>Dr No</em> recently and went into greater detail about this scene. Why is so iconic? Simply put it is so instantly recognisable to a wide cross section of film watchers. Think about it. How many people can honestly say that they can't name the actress or the film it is from? And that is the crux of it. Sean Connery may have been the star, and this a Bond film, but quite simply put Ursula Andress and 'that white bikini' have stolen the show. Again think about it. Which image immediately springs to mind when you think of <em>Dr. No</em>? Exactly!! Andress' when she first walks out of the surf on Crab Key!! Parodied? Oh yes!! ( Even the Bond franchise knows the power of this image having parodied it with Halle Berry in <em>Die Another Day</em> and Daniel Craig in <em>Casino Royale </em>). Controversial in its day it is now truly iconic. And as we shall see several of these images, whilst controversial, came to define what iconic meant.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMrIkTdraJpU3F6McJpjVxs82daziO4NotZOjBLVsHPoPYo58CuKuYeoLIZLpXS1SlUMK0gLu7UxRVPGmVtmmtDt58cUd312EoMrnvYCJKrAul6B7XR8rTUkzhN9EGpe0Z5UfoyBMHfY/s1600/MARILYN-1-popup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMrIkTdraJpU3F6McJpjVxs82daziO4NotZOjBLVsHPoPYo58CuKuYeoLIZLpXS1SlUMK0gLu7UxRVPGmVtmmtDt58cUd312EoMrnvYCJKrAul6B7XR8rTUkzhN9EGpe0Z5UfoyBMHfY/s320/MARILYN-1-popup.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>2. Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch</strong></span></div> Hmmm ( or is it mmmmm!! ) what is it with thighs and iconic images??!! Anyway this was a difficult choice to place in only second spot. Why?? Well unlike Andress in <em>Dr. No</em> it must be faced that many people, whilst instantly recognising Marilyn Monroe, may possibly be unable to name the film it is from. I mean personally I haven't seen <em>The Seven Year Itch </em>and yet I know the image. In fact I knew the image so well that I had to search around to find which Marilyn film it was from! The problem for the film itself is the image has over shadowed it somewhat. Again as we have already seen with Andress and <em>Dr. No</em> this isn't the only film to suffer this. So you see my point about Andress image being slightly more iconic just in sheer nameabilty as an actress and the film her scene is from. But seriously Marilyn's famous New York grate scene, more than any other, defines the word iconic. This has entered popular culture no end and the parodies have been endless. Even the recent Smurfs movie sees Smurfette doing her own ' grate ' scene!! And if that isn't enough this very dress, from this very scene, earlier this very year sold at auction for a staggering US$4.6 million!! Is that iconic enough for you? Compare that to the paltry US$64,000 for Andress' bikini of a few years back!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl4FiWWWJxd6HX0LzLky73tIwTs6oAkG0yPk1bWXEB_F-sw7RxOZNmy1muT-XXioloLmFOjfPVrTLHZAxIhCtN21WNqwCmz_Z9WmcsZ17aaRfjXwIEi8TynnqE8qZr7EjKwj4L67a5x0/s1600/psycho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl4FiWWWJxd6HX0LzLky73tIwTs6oAkG0yPk1bWXEB_F-sw7RxOZNmy1muT-XXioloLmFOjfPVrTLHZAxIhCtN21WNqwCmz_Z9WmcsZ17aaRfjXwIEi8TynnqE8qZr7EjKwj4L67a5x0/s320/psycho.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">3. The shower scene, Psycho</span></strong></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Again controversial for its depiction of nudity...in other words...more thigh!!!!! Mmmmm thigh! Not that I mind even though most it is done by a body double and not Janet Leigh herself. But whilst the whole scene is famous beyond words its most enduring image is not of Janet Leigh, or her scream, but of the silhouetted knife wielding 'mother' of Norman Bates. But unlike Marilyn Monroe's image above I'm sure almost everyone can not only name the two actors, but also the film the scene is from, and probably just as likely, the fact they have seen <em>Psycho</em>. Maybe though its most enduring legacy is that this is the grandfather of the 'slasher' films. Wannabes like Jason, Freddy and Michael all owe their existence to Norman Bates. But none, I repeat none, have even come close to <em>Psycho. </em>It is an undisputed masterpiece and in the AFI's top 100 greatest films. Yes this is an iconic image from what could quite possibly be the best known, most talked about scene, in cinematic history.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTgPuTWqUXPcSaya-uJGzF4GOYt1IH84uBaWtrFhVm9i1bZruoTknUYjwELl4co3-WcV2RJt1CpsOzZz36E5m7tfpeoTOiE9PNBF2B2fLCoCRwGzhieKUJn6JEc528ZN4pJQIsNHv5oQ/s1600/from+here+to+eternity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTgPuTWqUXPcSaya-uJGzF4GOYt1IH84uBaWtrFhVm9i1bZruoTknUYjwELl4co3-WcV2RJt1CpsOzZz36E5m7tfpeoTOiE9PNBF2B2fLCoCRwGzhieKUJn6JEc528ZN4pJQIsNHv5oQ/s320/from+here+to+eternity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>4. Burt Lancaster & Deborah Kerr, From Here To Eternity</strong></span></div> Mmmmmm even more thigh...and I ain't talking about Burt Lancaster's hairy pins!!!! Again just how iconic is this???? In all honesty after just three images I'm finding it difficult in how to keep finding plaudits!! But this image really doesn't need any does it? We all know the film and the actors. And like the previous iconic images it follows it has been parodied and imitated endlessly, but never beaten. Funnily enough when at the flicks seeing <em>Real Steel </em>the other day the trailer for the new <em>Twilight </em>film played. In it there was a scene that parodied this except in a waterfall. But its nod to Lancaster's and Kerr's scene is unmistakable. Again what an uproar this created in 1953. Even today it is still a seriously provocative scene. Iconic is quite simply the only word for it and has come to define the whole film. Like the previous three images, whose image defines their respective films, this is the one that instantly comes to mind when <em>From Here to Eternity </em>is mentioned.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sO3oHsBNBrQaqwyed_lRlSjiOVUo1t9OvwnDki6lj9_pBZd0cEGbNHZOuUBiDB4EHbb__Fi9Fz1auRbYWpWR7hdZOFQmKp1-t9SLHwyZKsw2g78nub120h-2oGi32YHrq_gLx0hDnxo/s1600/goldfinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sO3oHsBNBrQaqwyed_lRlSjiOVUo1t9OvwnDki6lj9_pBZd0cEGbNHZOuUBiDB4EHbb__Fi9Fz1auRbYWpWR7hdZOFQmKp1-t9SLHwyZKsw2g78nub120h-2oGi32YHrq_gLx0hDnxo/s320/goldfinger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">5. Shirley Eaton, Goldfinger</span></strong></div> Unlike Ursula Andress the name Shirley Eaton is relatively obscure to most. This is unfortunate because she has left us with one of cinemas most enduringly recognisable images. One look and almost anyone can instantly name the film. As a Bond fan it is with delight that I include this image because it just shows the sheer enormity of the Bond phenomenon in that it has left two iconic images on our memories. Oh yes...it has thighs!!! Mmmmm smooth gold painted ones ( imagine my tongue hanging out Homer Simpson style!! ). The thing here is that the franchise itself knows the power and instant draw card of this image, and paid homage to in <em>Quantum of Solace</em> where the utterly yummy Gemma Arterton was covered in black paint. Of course her character ' just Fields ' was drowned in oil. I really liked this oil homage scene from a Bond film that was somewhat maligned even though it made 1/2 billion at the box office!! As to the image above, iconic? Absolutely. For me personally, superb, just superb.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqHjHx8PHd_u8c41H3gPtplNP9Br_n9FO10yt0W_WcS7M9mw9Tj4gG43GWeJdpaAuMk9luRvfGIvFeLBjxE0zIaEvbDDNK4NoflfFsMU08DJXaQMujJrj4xmR1GnnWlufaW6yF9LZisg/s1600/the+gret+escape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqHjHx8PHd_u8c41H3gPtplNP9Br_n9FO10yt0W_WcS7M9mw9Tj4gG43GWeJdpaAuMk9luRvfGIvFeLBjxE0zIaEvbDDNK4NoflfFsMU08DJXaQMujJrj4xmR1GnnWlufaW6yF9LZisg/s320/the+gret+escape.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">6. The bike jump, The Great Escape</span></strong></div>What no thighs? Bugger this just will not do!! But anyway again what is there to say? One look at the image says it all. Even though it is not Steve McQueen who done this iconic stunt it is his character in the film. McQueen is an iconic movie star and even though he is the flaw within an otherwise fine film this image is instantly recognisable. It is just so iconic on so many levels. As a stunt and as an image but also as a scene within a very good film. Unfortunately in many ways it has overshadowed the whole film and has come to define it. In our collective memories this image is the one that instantly comes to mind. This is the films major flaw and one I explored in great depth in my recent review. Iconic yes, but with an unfortunate undertone to it. ( This has got me to thinking of the top ten iconic film stunts of which this would be one ).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGtlKXX_ec_IGVjbNtV4wL2w0kauTddZ4RgeB_JFLckZM-fnMmVLjKJmAjTJjz1ejyoEWKdqXuJjFQ9z8jY3yHHCrHOGRB3l3842xs9_vo6AmJcmiWfuSgEWT2gLDmEAZL-pPnW7zp2c/s1600/Dr+strangelove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGtlKXX_ec_IGVjbNtV4wL2w0kauTddZ4RgeB_JFLckZM-fnMmVLjKJmAjTJjz1ejyoEWKdqXuJjFQ9z8jY3yHHCrHOGRB3l3842xs9_vo6AmJcmiWfuSgEWT2gLDmEAZL-pPnW7zp2c/s320/Dr+strangelove.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">7. Slim Pickens, Dr .Strangelove</span></strong></div><span style="font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">Just how iconic can an image get??!! This is such an instantly recognisable image that certainly comes close, but doesn't quite define, Stanley Kubrick's 1964 masterpiece. I think Peter Seller's brilliant three pronged performance also are instantly thought of when this film is mentioned. And rightly so ( but even George C Scott's performance is masterful as the deranged general ). In such a great film it is a case of brilliant performances that are not overshadowed by the image it is most famous for. If anything when I look at it it conjures up the whole film with Slim Pickens' nuke ride. This was a film I was fortunate enough to see on the big screen three years ( I also saw <em>A Clockwork Orange </em>in the same theatre way back in 1991 ). I consider it Kubrick's best film and one that has left an image that has been parodied any number of times. Again how many don't know the image or the film? Iconic? You bet your sweet ass it is!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ6_lAea6il8VZnbsRRXgeDhs_ZHAiESQMwWmPpUEknfKRRoaB7MBipQTeR5nhkcdWftqy0D8F59cJp83virS5c2i91sO63_jP_6O9tJGsHlkeGKvadDCBdBkbT3sw9daSG_sLtaCkJM/s1600/the+sound+of+musiic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ6_lAea6il8VZnbsRRXgeDhs_ZHAiESQMwWmPpUEknfKRRoaB7MBipQTeR5nhkcdWftqy0D8F59cJp83virS5c2i91sO63_jP_6O9tJGsHlkeGKvadDCBdBkbT3sw9daSG_sLtaCkJM/s320/the+sound+of+musiic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">8. Julie Andrews, The Sound Of Music</span></strong></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Where are your thighs Julie?? Come on this iconic image-ville and female thighs are mandatory to iconicness....seemingly!!! Anyway I cannot ever, ever, ever tell you how much I abso-fucking-lutely hate this film!! Seriously this would be near on number one as the film I hate the most!! ( In fact I don't like musicals in general but I make an exception for the wonderful, delightful, masterful <em>The Wizard of </em>Oz ). I have come to this point because for soooo many Christmases in a row this played on NZ telly. This and <em>Jaws </em>would have to be the MOST heavily screened films on NZ telly over the years. Every bloody Christmas I had to endure Julie Andrews run up that god forsaken hill, spread her arms and warble out those hateful lines 'The hills are alive to the sound of music.' Honestly cutting my danglies of with a rusty razor blade holds more appeal than EVER sitting through that scene again!! No kidding, but when ever I see it I run screaming from the room with my hands over ears. I can be found later hiding under my bed as a quivering nervous wreck!!!!!!!! But <em>The Sound of Music</em> is undoubtedly a great film and I do acknowledge it as such. The image above again is incredibly iconic just because it is so instantly recognisable. But it goes a bit further than just being able to name the actress and film because there is 'that' ( arrrrgggggghhhhhhh ) song as well. Now if you don't mind I want to crawl under my bed for a while as I can hear it in my mind right now!! Nooooooooooooooooo!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpboxPlMWWzjUGT2OmCEpADbrrOfvDmwsqxy4edrhqMvWFqzgBYLYukhgMnT8l_756eOJUFxIfJX0sh-SIo_P8lT6X9pX-PtXMDzRujNpD32pjnTvg4AtjzY5eda2v8gsn0ftdjA5WPA/s1600/et.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpboxPlMWWzjUGT2OmCEpADbrrOfvDmwsqxy4edrhqMvWFqzgBYLYukhgMnT8l_756eOJUFxIfJX0sh-SIo_P8lT6X9pX-PtXMDzRujNpD32pjnTvg4AtjzY5eda2v8gsn0ftdjA5WPA/s320/et.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>9. E.T</strong></span></div> Enough said. For you who lived through <em>E.T</em> and saw in it on the big screen in 1982 you will understand this image more than those who didn't. From a film with an unbelievable amount of heart this image is so iconic it has quite simply defined the 1980's as a decade. Anything to do with the 80's would be incomplete without this image. In 1982 <em>E.T </em>was more than a film, it was an event, and one of the few films that you lived through and experienced rather than just watched. The first three <em>Star Wars</em> films were very much like. And certainly the Bond films once had this as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_ZECANmToGxjxfGi7E0gifCWT4M0BHrr8aWQXpQ6mxZVzfa63mDhPLQFIkiZJOtMCz0L7OhTd0qn8XSAdPugCab36h5qCqw95x-9ZbxYNFz92CV9X7kk75wbNM4SkdgWzCfFw3dtFTw/s1600/patton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_ZECANmToGxjxfGi7E0gifCWT4M0BHrr8aWQXpQ6mxZVzfa63mDhPLQFIkiZJOtMCz0L7OhTd0qn8XSAdPugCab36h5qCqw95x-9ZbxYNFz92CV9X7kk75wbNM4SkdgWzCfFw3dtFTw/s320/patton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">10. George C. Scott, Patton</span></strong></div> Ah yes how can this not be called iconic?! That flag is huge and absolutely dwarfs George C. Scott who is in the second film to make this list! Of course the film is regarded as one of the greats and this scene, like the other 9 so far, has come to define it. When ever <em>Patton</em> is mentioned it is this flag scene and the speech that come to mind. It is iconic because again the actor and the film are instantly recognisable to a wide cross section of people. What?? There is actually a whole film that follows this scene??!!!<br />
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<strong>W</strong>ell there it is, my top 10!! Believe me folks it wasn't as easy as you'd think to come up with just 10. Give it a go if you don't believe me. Like I stated these are not personal favorites but images I think truly iconic with an enduring legacy. One look at them says it all. And what must be remembered is that the images are not necessarily from great scenes. There are far greater cinematic scenes than some of those above which haven't produced an iconic image. But in saying that 6 out of the 10 are out of films on the AFI's top 100 greatest films list. And as an example of how difficult this was I thought I throw in two more. They are examples of instantly identifiable images which ask the question, just great scene or iconic image as well?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC42POQBHhUuMPUs21NuUxgtihY0f4YSE9F6eT13ScwfmaF2xcjmL4_aFfdVF5QvGa_zg1i6fg3cwEkeh_UW_b6XgjPmA_NMj1Xz6LA61EPheCBnp2ga_PnX8CQvhN1j36m4bxznevaI/s1600/jaws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC42POQBHhUuMPUs21NuUxgtihY0f4YSE9F6eT13ScwfmaF2xcjmL4_aFfdVF5QvGa_zg1i6fg3cwEkeh_UW_b6XgjPmA_NMj1Xz6LA61EPheCBnp2ga_PnX8CQvhN1j36m4bxznevaI/s320/jaws.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Rob Scheider, Jaws</span></strong></div><span style="font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Jaws</em>. The name alone conjures up any number of images and feelings among us all. An iconic film with an iconic theme da dum da dum da dum in ever increasing tempo. You ALL know it.!! I think along with <em>Psycho </em>this would have to be one of the most watched and talked about films ever made. Its place in popular culture cannot be disputed and again it is on the AFI's top 100 greatest films list. Whether it is a great film or not is a moot point because it's place in our collective memories is permanently cemented. My iconic image from the film is the one where Rob Scheider's character turns around and sees the shark for the first time. Unfortunately I cannot find a shot of the precise moment but it is soooo identifiable. The image above is only seconds before it. The look on his face is priceless and we all know the immortal words he next splutters out to Robert Shaw ' You are going to need a bigger boat '. A true Mastercard moment and black humour at its finest.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnxomMIf6TwLz_ueqGUy8gPWLh23QRSVGHyT9VB6hSpZQLVZC6OzAOpkOUr8ZF3TePUauqWWk2KTc4IcU91cvDnBglFCJuCKPaOvDK8i96ryQlESgTaVZ-9Cul9xC-MdCJ2aX0AL88u8/s1600/the+exorcist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnxomMIf6TwLz_ueqGUy8gPWLh23QRSVGHyT9VB6hSpZQLVZC6OzAOpkOUr8ZF3TePUauqWWk2KTc4IcU91cvDnBglFCJuCKPaOvDK8i96ryQlESgTaVZ-9Cul9xC-MdCJ2aX0AL88u8/s320/the+exorcist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Linda Blair, The Exorcist</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">This seminal horror has several memorable scenes, from Reagan spider walking down the stairs ( a genuinely creepy sight ) to her levitating. But in a film with so many creepy moments the 360 head turn must rate as the best known, which has left an iconic image in the process. But again just how iconic is it and how great? Is it good enough to actually be called ' great' ? Possibly not becasue a whole wealth of people do not watch horror films so this would be unknown to them. And this is the point. But like so many images it is the one that is instantly talked about whenever the film is spoken off to those who have watched it ( conversely there are many who haven't seen the film and yet still know the scene ). I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw it over twenty five years ago!! Even today it chills my blood and <em>The Exorcist</em> is an iconic film all by itself. Many have come and tried to take its crown but none have been able to capture the sheer atmosphere of evil and genuine creepiness of this great horror. Often imitated...but never, never beaten! <em>The Exorcist </em>is to horror films like <em>Paranormal Activity </em>and <em>The Exorcism of Emily Rose etc </em>what <em>Psycho</em> is to the abundance of ( way inferior ) slasher flicks.</span><br />
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<strong>So what say you??</strong> What are your most iconic film images? Hopefully I have set a criteria and you get my point. Whilst I'm not asking you to agree with my choices I'm sure you can see where I'm coming from. A great scene does not necessarily equate to producing a great enduring image. I mean I couldn't think of one from great films such as <em>Casablanca</em> or <em>Gone with the Wind</em>. <em>The Wizard of Oz</em> has so many wonderful images it was impossible to pick one I could consider iconic. I mean most scenes included the yellow brick road and that alone couldn't be considered iconic. <br />
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Seriously give this some thought because it isn't easy!!!BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361829068869115622.post-86616779101948732022011-10-21T19:36:00.000-07:002011-10-21T19:37:55.783-07:00Real Steel<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmL8wqDyZuhg9FWksGQQsxnmbO8MTnGobd4gBQtDUlYxIxfLBjzIyPnA-rRp6qfAAe42cuJxVQBoa959Aj8eFeKUlzs-6O1hs9PBfXEOFS8dJwD3zGURRizEq6utpph_hyeHHMBaGXLS8/s1600/220px-Real_Steel_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmL8wqDyZuhg9FWksGQQsxnmbO8MTnGobd4gBQtDUlYxIxfLBjzIyPnA-rRp6qfAAe42cuJxVQBoa959Aj8eFeKUlzs-6O1hs9PBfXEOFS8dJwD3zGURRizEq6utpph_hyeHHMBaGXLS8/s320/220px-Real_Steel_Poster.jpg" width="215" /></a> October is almost gone and I have posted only eight times!! I haven't watched such a barreness of films since well.....I was a teenager! The last film I watched was the mediocre Bond <em>Diamonds are Forever </em>last Saturday night. I have missed the previous two films ( <em>Thunderball </em>and <em>You Only Live Twice </em>) because of watching the rugby world cup, which incidentally winds up tomorrow with NZ playing France in the final. But that aside trips to the cinema have been far and few between which is extremely rare for me. Just short of that awful stuff called money at the moment with niggling little commitments elsewhere. Yeah October has been a grim month film wise and I honestly cannot believe how few I've managed to watch!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> Now <em>Real Steel</em> wasn't on my radar as a trip to the cinema watch. With money so tight I've had to become pretty selective in what I see. Normally in flusher times I would probably see this. But the trailers didn't impress me and I thought it all looked somewhat cliched and aimed at a younger audience. But when I got a free ticket and it being Thursday I used it on this. Why?? Because for only the second time in two years there wasn't a new release at the main stream theatre!! I couldn't believe it as I really didn't want to see this! But it is still school holidays here so the theatre is cashing in on all the idle school kids coming in during the day.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH38D5piD67G_-YbcryF56bTfj6FXYxX7ZKSAyAvfkmHbkdNv0GqRs1nC_7L1xYXQc8HhyphenhyphenVtjPUkaxL8-r6611NZHbKO1x5ZVHrcgBxuQGKBR1KarhGrC5e5BZm3AkAFHfPxVJVsUIy2I/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH38D5piD67G_-YbcryF56bTfj6FXYxX7ZKSAyAvfkmHbkdNv0GqRs1nC_7L1xYXQc8HhyphenhyphenVtjPUkaxL8-r6611NZHbKO1x5ZVHrcgBxuQGKBR1KarhGrC5e5BZm3AkAFHfPxVJVsUIy2I/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> So reluctance aside, considering I wasn't paying a cent, off to the theatre little butt of mine did go! Fortunately it wasn't packed with younger school kids and I was surprised at having a relatively older audience with me. First thing is that <em>The Avengers </em>trailer played before hand and it gave nothing away. Honestly it was very short and for once a trailer didn't play half the bloody movie in its running time. It was just a taster and that is what a trailer should be. Just long enough to pique the interest. By doing so I believe it draws in an audience more than bombarding them with a long trailer. I mean <em>Real Steel </em>had a long trailer form which I drew my negative judgement from. If shorter it would have piqued me more and made me think ' I must see that. ' Anyway free ticket or not <em>Real Steel</em> turned out to be a movie that was better than I expected it to be.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M8PNh-QvutuP8QqvqSRqedTVvri3HUg85qyU_G7PZtzRc-GRimISet8Vr7SqMS9oI_OfLI-8rtuy2CFCNhnFBwW3KwpPdI12XijnE-N-OwohzXupwsJkVdOI6PFOhpSC7W7l3D0-QAQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M8PNh-QvutuP8QqvqSRqedTVvri3HUg85qyU_G7PZtzRc-GRimISet8Vr7SqMS9oI_OfLI-8rtuy2CFCNhnFBwW3KwpPdI12XijnE-N-OwohzXupwsJkVdOI6PFOhpSC7W7l3D0-QAQ/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The trailers gave me the impression of unoriginality. Well it is that in regards to the bum father doing good by his abandoned kid. Been done before, and to death. So I got what I expected there. But fortunately whilst all the done to death cliched moments came out they didn't get too mushy and emotional...which can become an embarrassment. There were a few moments where I groaned and gritted my teeth but overall it didn't become too sentimental. In fact what impressed me most was the fact that the ending wasn't the usual feel good cliched one. OK it ended on a high but not as far as the underdog hero winning against all odds endings generally go. I liked this and found it commendable...but when you realise a sequel is already afoot you can maybe understand why!!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpcnHHEQAuDyGoq8VNbd6jqE37VHwNI2JSTGpd19-0UkGHaVa3A8AuqKVKK90HorWaUh7b6capeEISoXCm5i5voSv7SXfd-DKUaGURnuoIFzB2hZN9a4TaM2S2VhV1Y0mLqKCEBP5a1Q/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpcnHHEQAuDyGoq8VNbd6jqE37VHwNI2JSTGpd19-0UkGHaVa3A8AuqKVKK90HorWaUh7b6capeEISoXCm5i5voSv7SXfd-DKUaGURnuoIFzB2hZN9a4TaM2S2VhV1Y0mLqKCEBP5a1Q/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a> So the premise is not exactly new. Interestingly as the opening credits rolled I saw that this is loosely based on a short story entitled <em>Steel</em> by Richard Matheson. For you not in the know he wrote the brilliant vampire novel <em>I am Legend</em> which was hideously butchered in the Will Smith adaptation. What I see here is the screen writers having taken Matheson's vision of futuristic robot boxing and fused into it an estranged father son relationship. It does work but again it has all been done before. I did find the script somewhat weak but oxymoronically <em>Real Steel</em> is a reasonably strong film. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEkXNxq5wvS7WKwWkREfoWFdsYSQ5rKsctsNeAU36O1PX3eXykYG451545ugbAMkJkxxYAh8u-9FJlHFNaUrNe2maLKj33xLfYQdWQhE171wtrikZo-QOP6ei64MKokG-rD7ozrM4mkI/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEkXNxq5wvS7WKwWkREfoWFdsYSQ5rKsctsNeAU36O1PX3eXykYG451545ugbAMkJkxxYAh8u-9FJlHFNaUrNe2maLKj33xLfYQdWQhE171wtrikZo-QOP6ei64MKokG-rD7ozrM4mkI/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to add this because she has very yummy thighs!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So script and premise aside what is strong about this? Maybe it is because it is a movie that encompasses the entire audience. I mean an adult can take the kids along and enjoy it as much as they would. Its great strength is in the fact it doesn't alienate one sector of the audience over the other. In other words it works for all age groups. And in this type of movie I think that is quite rare and at times difficult to pull off. It is certainly at a level where adults could quite easily watch it without children present even though the target audience is the younger set. What <em>Real Steel</em> has done is what animation has been doing for years in making a user friendly product that is age resistant. </div></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_qBuJS0rFvIUJgr85Xtf4k7sJl52_TbKMKEzD9-1SwI7J_ufHuEw9yaotleifek8Dv5LbnazRBVgIpVRfeieH3ncMG5iLNrNSVuSksZw5_4qzGOqRAA7XxhY1fpBZf-VXnTXreF5iNk/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_qBuJS0rFvIUJgr85Xtf4k7sJl52_TbKMKEzD9-1SwI7J_ufHuEw9yaotleifek8Dv5LbnazRBVgIpVRfeieH3ncMG5iLNrNSVuSksZw5_4qzGOqRAA7XxhY1fpBZf-VXnTXreF5iNk/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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The cast is competent without being spectacular and was made up of basically second ringers. I like Hugh Jackman though. He is one of the film industry's nice guys and keeps out of the celebrity limelight. He is almost purpose made for a movie like this even though he is an accomplished actor and can do far better. But this isn't a movie out for Oscar glory! So yeah the cast is competent within the given script and dialogue which was better than usual. In fact it was remarkably devoid of some the almost obligatory clunker lines than make you grimace and cringe in embarrassment movies like this throw up all too often.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHeteFcAo5UsC4gYTlIPLYoRvOTu7m3nahYAnbZmiN-dHY2knK_EDjAHa6dQw_d82VvXixHFKT5kyRopeTU0D-6Cz82pmBB2cyn978SRc2AltiX2DsUSLu3HSal1wgEJoKqo_o3T0o1w/s1600/6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHeteFcAo5UsC4gYTlIPLYoRvOTu7m3nahYAnbZmiN-dHY2knK_EDjAHa6dQw_d82VvXixHFKT5kyRopeTU0D-6Cz82pmBB2cyn978SRc2AltiX2DsUSLu3HSal1wgEJoKqo_o3T0o1w/s200/6" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So human elements out of the way what about the robots?!! Well they are fantastic! By the looks of them the same technique that is used in the <em>Transformers</em> franchise has been used here. But I'd rather watch this than the last two from that neck of the woods any day! What I liked here is unlike the transformers the action isn't at a million miles an hour and the robots look more authentic. The humans and robots mix well on screen and look as if it is all real. I love the scene where Jackman's character first starts to teach Max's robot how to box. It is a good example of how well fused the robot imagery is fused with the live action of the actors. ( See the picture above ).</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <em>Real Steel</em> then is better than I expected. It certainly isn't great and has inherent flaws in regards to an unoriginal estranged father son premise. But fortunately it doesn't over do it. It is cliched but the ending makes up for this somewhat because it doesn't go all out on the cliches!! But it still has a lot of heart and is friendly to all age groups. While strictly speaking not an adult orientated film it has been well enough made that any adult can sit through it and enjoy it in the process. Not unmissable and certainly not a mandatory watch, but still worth it if you do catch it ( especially with a free ticket!! ). I'd give it 6/10.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Click here for wikipedia's usual thorough and informative page:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Steel">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Steel</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> And here for more from IMDB:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433035">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433035</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>BRENThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15953231992674091002noreply@blogger.com8