James_Bond_007_218 Reviews

Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)

The Best Film of 2006 - Important, Fascinating and Topical

[10/10 · 8 January 2007]

Even though its listed as a 2005 release film, it wasn't until 2006 that this film was released here in New Zealand.

I can say, without a doubt that Good Night, and Good Luck was in my opinion the best film of 2006. Superb performances all round (David Strathairn in particular) and a fascinating look at one of the darkest periods in America's modern history. The dangers of television pointed out in the final speech by Edward R. Murrow were a prophetic warning as to what and how television should be used. The question as to where the responsibility lies and what should be done to place restrictions on the material broadcast remains to be asked? I can see how such a film remains ever so timely in todays world of television and how anything outrageous is broadcast for the sake of boosting ratings. For me, Good Night, and Good Luck is a comparison piece to Sidney Lumet's Network, two films that look at the television industry and address what is right and proper to broadcast to a nation. While Network is a satire, they both address the same issues and they remain as both important, fascinating and topical films.

Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974)

Bring me the Head of Sam Peckinpah!

[28 August 2006]

After seeing Sam Peckinpah's definitive western The Wild Bunch and his under-rated anti-war film Cross of Iron, I was looking decidedly forward to viewing more of his films. Next came The Osternam Weekend, a terribly uneven film which made Peckinpah's trademark slow motion filming technique look like budget, overused television replays. After that disastrous engagement, Peckinpah's reputation as a great filmmaker was dropping. Hearing that film critic Roger Ebert gave Peckinpah's Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia four stars and that he called it a masterpiece, I was re-enthusied to see more Peckinpah! However, the film was poor in pretty much all departments. The films only redeeming quality was the presence of Warren Oates, the great character actor. Finally in a starring role, the film showcases his great talent as a leading dramatic actor. If you are a fan of the late Warren Oates, as I am, then this film is for you. But beware, this film is slow, boring and at times just plain stupid. I'm surprised that there are so many scholars and authors out there who examine each Peckinpah film in such in-depth detail when the film is just plain bad and has no cinematic quality to it whatsoever.

Tom Horn (1980)

They paid him to tame the West. But they couldn't tame him.

[4 January 2006]

The saga of Tom Horn - a real-life "enforcer" of Old West days - held a particular fascination for another legend. Hollywood icon Steve McQueen starred in and executive-produced what would be his next-to-last movie, a gritty, exciting recreation of Horn's latter-day career in a turn-of-the-century West where gentler ways supplanted the law of the gun - and Horn would be an unwitting victim of that change.

Linda Evans, Richard Farnsworth, Billy Green Bush and Slim Pickens head a strong cast in a film capturing the essence of a time when a man's word was only as good as his guns or fists. Shot on serenely beautiful Arizona locations, Tom Horn indelibly brings to life one of the West's truly unsung heroes.

McQueen's Tom Horn remains to me an unfairly dismissed film. Not only do we have excellent performance from Steve McQueen, but the rest of cast (especially Richard Farnsworth), put in emotionally charged performances. The film is also littered with excellent action sequences such as the violent gun battle at the farm ranch and the attack on the cattle rustlers as they attempt to gun down Horn. The film also built up genuine suspense towards the end and the audience really felt sympathy for the Horn character, a quality hard to find in films of today.

The script was also at times sharp and was humorous (look at the great scene between Horn and the soon to be Heavy Weight Champion of the World) and it really complemented McQueen's acting performance.

The film boasts excellent photography, shot on beautiful Arizona locations (the hills, the sky, the sunset) and direction from William Wiard. Also worth a mention is the costumes which give the film that extra bit of authenticity and the music which assists in building up the suspense

From its realistic shootouts to the pounding musical score. From the lush photography to the dark humour... Tom Horn remains an underrated film of excellence which any fan of Steve McQueen or Western's should not miss out on...

Journey of Honor (1991)

Shogun Mayeda - A Masterpiece

[1/10 · 8 September 2005]

In 17th Century Japan, there lived a samurai who would set the standard for the ages. His name was Mayeda. He is sent on an epic journey across the world to acquire 5,000 muscats from the King of Spain. Whilst at sea a violent storm swallows their precious gold intended to buy the weapons and almost takes their lives. Mayeda must battle all odds to survive and the secure the fate of his beloved Japan. Shogun Mayeda is a multi million dollar action adventure epic set across three continents.

Starring cinema legends Sho Kosugi (Tenchu: Stealth Assassins), Christopher Lee (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings Trilogy), John Rhys Davies (Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Indiana Jones Trilogy) and Toshiro Milfune (The Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood), Shogun Mayeda (Kabuto) is a film masterpiece.

The Osaka winning stunt team bought to the screen by Bob Ivy bring exciting battle/action sequences such as the opening battle against the Eastern army, the attack on Mayeda's ship carrying priceless jewels and the final confrontation between Sho Kosugi and David Essex. A fine musical score by famed composer John Scott is also present. Director Sho Kusugi was not even nominated for an Oscar for this film which deals with the emotional strife such as the death of Mayedas family, the search for love and acceptance after grieving, all of which is dealt with extremely well. Highly recommended cinematic masterpiece.

Please note: All of the above is opposite for the film in question.

Cold Sweat (1970)

Terrible Film, Cold Sweat = Waste Money

[1/10 · 4 September 2005]

I bought this film for $6.00 because I am a huge James Mason fan. I knew it was a bad film because of the previous reviews I read but I never thought it would be as bad as it was. The car chase, which was highlighted as the best thing was also a major let down, it was boring and stupid.

Don't waste your money, even if your a James Mason fan such as me. He puts on an Amercian accent so you can't hear his suave English voice (most of the time anyway), and the quality of the film is crap. Don't buy this because it will only make you think lesser of your favourite stars. (A little lesser of James Mason, but not much, because I know he is an excellent actor. Charles Bronson on the other hand leaves me with the impression that we have the worst actor for the century. How can this guy have been the most highly paid actor at one time?) If you want Bronson "action", watch Death Wish, a good film. If you want Mason, watch North by Northwest, an excellent film.

So remember, DON'T BUY THIS FILM, EVEN IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR FAVOURITE STARS, FIND SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE AS DISAPPOINTED AS I WAS!

Avalanche Express (1979)

Avalanche Express... The Slow Track For All-Star Adventure

[5/10 · 19 August 2005]

Upon watching Avalanche Express, Robert Shaw's final film I was rather disappointed. Shaw, one of my favourite actors, lines are dubbed and this detracts from the viewing pleasure. This is not only because the voice sounds nothing like Robert Shaw, but because the dubbing has been done so poorly.

When I read a previous review which stated that it was not worth watching, I tend to agree. The film is suppose to be an action adventure but is nothing of the sort. To start off with, it is a very long time before we actually get to any exciting parts, the most memorable being the train escape during the avalanche. The special effects are also worth a mention. The avalanche doesn't look hokey, I was actually more impressed than I thought I would have been. The main problem with the film is its slow pacing. I found myself drifting off to sleep several times during its screening. Any film that does that to you really tells you something, doesn't it!

I think had both the star Robert Shaw and director Mark Robson not died during the production, it would have been something special. It had the potential, but sadly it is not an excellent film. I only recommend purchasing this film if you are a fan of Robert Shaw (Even though his lines are dubbed, its nice to see him in any film) or if you can purchase it for less than $5.00 - $10.00 US (I purchased it on DVD, which was a surprise as I have only ever seen it for sale on VHS).

Final rating: 5/10 - I don't think it deserves to be called a bomb, but it certainly isn't a masterpiece. If your looking for an excellent action/adventure film, check out Black Sunday starring this films star, Robert Shaw. I regard it as an underrated classic.

Figures in a Landscape (1970)

The Bird has Come for its Prey...

[7/10 · 8 July 2005]

Based on the novel of the same name by Barry England, and directed by Joseph Losey, Figures in a Landscape stars Robert Shaw and Malcolm McDowell as two convicts on the run.

The film takes place in an unnamed Latin American country where the two men fin themselves constantly followed by a menacing black helicopter that attempts to gun them down. As they try to evade the helicopter, they stop for rest and nourishment, meeting people along the way that share the same contemptuous nature towards the mysterious powers that be. During these moments, they share information about their lives with one another becoming more human. We never know what crimes they have committed or why the helicopter is after them, but their fate is eventually clearly revealed.

Figures in a Landscape is an interesting film and is a very rare film to come across.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy on VHS, I may be able to help. Please send an e-mail to: [e-mail] Colour/110 minutes/1970

Plotting 'Family Plot' (2001 Video)

Plotting Family Plot.... Documentary

[6/10 · 22 May 2005]

An excellent documentary by Laurent Bouzereau, the man responsible for other great Hitchcock film documentaries. It gives great insight into the making of the film and is highly recommended to any fan of the film or Alfred Hitchcock.

It covers the the beginning of the film with Hitchcock's decision to turn Victor Canning's very dark thriller, The Rainbird Pattern into his latest film, the problems that arose when casting the character of Arthur Adamson and ideas such as the suggested ending by Bruce Dern for Hitchcock's final film.

Overall, this documentary is a great end to the finish of the Hitchcock DVD Collection.

Force 10 from Navarone (1978)

Most Underrated War Film

[8/10 · 25 March 2005]

While Force 10 from Navarone may not be as good as its predecessor The Guns of Navarone, it remains to be one of the most underrated war films of all time.

The survivors of Navarone have been given a new, and even more difficult assignment - they must destroy a huge bridge located deep in the Balkans. However, in their midst is a traitor who betrays them to the enemy, and nearly succeeds in foiling their plans.

Force 10 From Navarone has been poorly received by many critics such as Leonard Maltin who called the film a bomb, but this is the same person who gave films such as Jaws 3 and Jaws: The Revenge (that IMDb has put in the worst films of all time list) a 2 1/2 out of 4.

The cast which includes Robert Shaw, Harrison Ford, Bernard Fox, Franco Nero, Carl Weathers, Barbara Bach and Richard Kiel all put in good performances. The script and special effects are also worth a mention. The finale which takes place on a dam is spectacular and features some excellent miniature shots.

While its not the best war film, it is certainly a good film that is very underrated.

Ignore the critics that give it poor reviews. Watch it and decide for yourself.

"A guilty pleasure to be sure, but Ford is great and Robert Shaw's final speech is irresistible." -- Rob Vaux, FLIPSIDE MOVIE EMPORIUM

"Entertaining war flick shadowed by superior original." -- Gerry Shamray, SUN NEWSPAPERS OF CLEVELAND

"A very cool, unpretentious war film about a mission to blow up a dam." -- Shannon J. Harvey, Sunday TIMES (AUSTRALIA)

Helen of Troy (2003)

Above average TV Movie

[8 May 2004]

This TV Movie of Helen of Troy was above average. I thought that in the first hour did stick to Homers Illiad but, in the last 1/2 it went off the story.

John Rhys Davies puts in a good performance, along with Maryam d'Abo, Matthew Marsden and Rufus Sewell.

There were stupid parts in the film, eg Agamemnon's joke when Paris's sword is broken, "Unfortunate." he says. There is no need for that joke, which isn't even funny. Another bad thing about the film were the extras, just after Hector dies, the look on there faces is just stupid. There were more faults but it would take to long to list them.

Overall 5.5/10

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Roger Moore Back In Action - The Man With The Golden Gun

[30 September 2003]

Roger Moore returns in The Man With The Golden Gun. Probably one of the most underated Bond films ever. Bond is sent a bullet with his number, 007, on it. Bond, believing that an assassin is after him, goes on the hunt to find the most deadly assassin of all time, Francisco Scramanga.

With great villians, henchman, Bond women, locations, stunts, and music. This makes a great Bond movie. But why isn't it a success?

Christopher Lee as Scramanga is probably one of the best Bond villians in the Bond series, Nick Nack, played by Herve Villechaize is one of the most unusual henchman. All the cast members put in great performances, especially Roger Moore.

Their are some bad points about this movie.

1.) The AMC Matador - They are not the nicest cars seen in a Bond movie, they have no gadgets but they do perform one of the greatest stunts ever.

2.) The Q Scene - Usually we are treated to a large array of gadgets by Q. This time we only see one which is below par and is a big disappointment.

3.) J.W. Pepper's Return - His appearance in Live And Let Die was average and he was an okay character. He did not really suit the stroy and his appearance was disappointing.

On the whole this movie is great. It is far better than some of the other Bond movies. I recommend this movie and give it a 9/10.