Daniel Craig ; Re-inventing Bond

  I believe Daniel Craig is the perfect Bond.  He has the style and charisma required to pull off the ultimate spy, while having the lethal and uncompromising edge that makes him gripping to watch.  The best bits of Connery and Dalton combined.



  Daniel's story start at the very beginning,  Casino Royal (2006) James Bond sets out on his first mission as 007 and must defeat a weapons dealer in a high stakes game of poker at Casino Royale.  This is exceptional from start to finish and has the quintessential cinematography we have come to expect from this franchise.  Directed by Martin Campbell the man who re invented bond previously (GoldenEye) is a great man to take the rains on this re vamp.  Along side Daniel is a Stella performance from Eva Green as Vesper Lynd the treasury official, tasked to look after the money for the poker game.  She really brings across the angst of her character throughout the film.  Also Mads Mikkelsen is Le Chiffre, Le Chiffre is a man out of his his depth desperately struggling to stay afloat long enough to replace the money he lost from his employer.  Yet Mads brings across a chaotic feel and later his utter despair.  Also Giancarlo Giannini as Rene Mathis Bonds ally in Montenegro.  In closing Daniel Craig's first outing as Bond is a great one, start to finish I was gripped and this film should be on any film shelf.  A modern masterpiece and will stand the test of time.

9 out of 10


  Quantum of Solace (2008) is a difficult one, slated by many I feel this Film is a required narrative following on from Royale.  Without this you miss Bond's inner turmoil after Vesper.  He needs this "revenge piece" to deal with his loss.  Yes I agree this was a poor sequel to Casino Royal.  However it was always going to be like this.  Directed by Marc Forster he spends too long on choppy action sequences.  Olga Kurylenko plays her part well as Camille Montes, also seeking revenge for her parents.  They bounce off each other well and Bond see's his own issues through her eyes.  Other then a brief moment or two with M Judy dench, Fields Gemma Arterton and Mathis Giancarlo Giannini. There is very little depth.  A mediocre villain in Mathieu Amalric, who is neither Evil or world dominating.  We get a glimpse at the organisation from Royale (Spectre).  In closing Quantum is a let down, but watched immediately after Casino Royale is really a fitting end to Bonds first chapter and shapes his character.  A necessity but not a great watch.

5 out of 10


Skyfall (2012) is by far the greatest Bond film ever.  From the first to last shot this film is a thing of beauty.  Director Sam Mendes is flawless, from his action sequences to his monologue's it flows.  He shows why he was the right choice to direct a film of this magnitude, this is truly an epic movie.  Javier Bardem is electrifying as Silva, he plays a blood thirsty ex-MI6 agent out for revenge. His performance is equally as creepy and twisted as his portrayal of Anton Chigurh in "No Country for Old Men" and it is an Oscar worthy performance in my opinion.  Judi Dench reprises her role as M and Ralph Fiennes and Albert Finney give important and memorable roles.  In this film we get a glimpse into our mysterious hero's dark past.  Where he came from and what made him the person he is today.  Roger Deakins is the man behind the camera and his cinematography is exceptional,  He manages to capture mood visually and really adds to the story dynamic.  While on Story Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan created this masterpiece.  There is not enough positives to say about this movie...

  With Spectre around the corner and Sam Mendes and his writers back, I believe we are in safe hands and the franchise is as strong today as it has ever been.  Skyfall is one to own and love!

10 out of 10

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John Wick

  

If you love a full throttle, rip roaring bullet fest!  Then John Wick is for you. 

  

  It takes as much time setting up its elaborate action sequences as it does the world in which they happen and what a world it is too.  We are shown a criminal underworld where, if you are connected many powerful people know who you are and respect you.  John Wick was connected and was certainly respected,  but he got out.  He is the rare killer who has found peace and he is grateful for that peace.  When someone decides to destroy this peace he is more than capable of exacting a one man war of revenge.

   

  What I like about this film is its ability to bring a certain noir feel, while keeping to its action roots.  No easy feat unless you are Chad Stahelski (The Matrix) this director has sequences that flow so smoothly it puts other action films and their quick cuts to shame.  Keanu Reeves is on form as John Wick, moving so fluidly throughout the film and it comes across so natural, the only disappointment is that we have not seen him like this enough.  There is a feeling throughout that Reeves brought to the role that made you feel he was not to be trifled with.  A strong supporting cast including character actors Willem Defoe and Ian McShane do there bit to add to the over all depth.  While fans of Game of Thrones and The Wire get some pleasant reminders.  But Keanu steels the show, I honestly can't recommend this enough.  It easily ranks as the best action movie of 2014.  Judged as just a movie, it is simple in story structure, but what it does it does very well.  

On this basis it gets an easy 8.5 out of 10.

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RoboCop

 

 Before we begin I think it it important to clarify this is a review of the 1987 film and not the abomination of 2014.

  This Paul Verhoeven Sci Fi/action movie is a gritty and gruesome affair.  We follow Officer Alex J. Murphy played by Peter Weller, he has just been transferred to a new precinct.  Set in the near future of a crime ridden Detroit.  RoboCop is so over the top and out of control, it speaks of a future where big companies will run the governmental defence.  Those times are upon us more and more everyday.  Paul Verhoeven has made one of the most iconic science fiction films ever made and it's a brilliant piece of cinema.  Ultra-violent throughout, there is a strong cast including Kurtwood Smith as Clarence Boddicker and Ronny Cox as Dick Jones.  This film is a cult classic and should be owned by all.  It has a half decent sequel and lets not mention anymore...

A solid 8 out of 10

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Black Rain

 

  Ridley Scott is the director of this action crime thriller.  Starring Michael Douglas as Nick Conklin a veteran cop who is under suspicion of been on the take, he pulls off the bad ass role to perfection throughout.  A long side is Andy Garcia as Charlie Vincent a young cop on his way up.  They get involved in a gang war between members of the Yakuza.  After arresting Sato (Yusako Matsuda) they are ordered to escort him back to Japan.  This action packed jaunt through the streets of Japan is an example of how good Ridley Scott is.  With some great cinematography by Jan De Bont and superbly crafted music from Hans Zimmer.  What's not to like... great roles from Ken Takakura as Masahiro and the legend that was Tomisaburô Wakayama (ninja assassin) as Sugai.  I love this film and would class it as Michael Douglas's best film.  Well worth watching if you haven't and a good shelf filler if ya have.

8 out of 10

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Ronin

  This 1998 film is everything you could hope for a Action/Thriller, from the out set it set you are immersed into the underworld of freelance specialists who take any job that pays.  In this case to retrieve a mysterious package.  This film is a rare breed, my meaning being that it is Directed by John Frankenheimer and stands apart from the rest of his back catalogue which is mediocre at best.  Starring Robert De Niro as Sam, De Niro is at his usual (at the time) best in this role keeping you guessing throughout.  Supported by Jean Reno as Vincent a specialist at getting whatever may be required for the job and Natascha McElhone as Deirdre the Irish contact who brings the "Ronin" together for this job.  Also worth a mention are Stellan Skarsgard, Sean Bean, Jonathan Pryce and Michael Lonsdale.

  The main body of this film is set around a package, wanted by both the Russians and Irish.  A rip roaring, bullet laden cat and mouse ensues with arguably one of the three top car chases ever filmed. This film ticks all the boxes for me.  An absolute classic and a must see.

7.5/10

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ALIEN

 
  Directed by Ridley Scott, this Sci Fi/Horror is in my opinion the creative beginning of the greatest movie franchise ever.  We begin this masterpiece in outerspace, as the crew of the USCSS Nostromo are awoken from cryosleep to find themselves still 10 months from earth (there original destination).  After receiving a distress call from an unexplored planet.  Starring Sigourney Weaver as Warrant Officer Ripley, Tom Skeritt as Captain Dallas and a terrific performance from Ian Holme as Ash the crews Science Officer.  This film is expertly constructed, a journey of low lit room after low lit room.  It's art is to keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for what seems an age... and then Bam the briefest moment of carnage (then rinse and repeat).  Throughout it almost makes you shiver.  With the style and mood you would expect from a Ridley Scott movie it is now crazy to think it almost was never to be,  due to most production companies believing it too bloody and Fox originally passing on it.  Thankfully they then took it to production due to Scott's extensive story boards.  He also had the sense to change the original working title of 'star beast'.   Last but by no means least Gerry Goldsmith's musical score really adds to the feel of the movie from the opening scene to the closing credits he really sets the mood. 

   Light years ahead of its time though it was released in 1979 it still seems at home against any of its kin.  Making this one of the greatest Sci Fi movies ever made and a true classic.

10 out of 10

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American History X

  This 1998 movie from Tony Kaye, tells the story of Derek Vinyard.  Played by Edward Norton he is the ex neo-nazi  trying to prevent his younger brother from making the same mistakes he did.  Written by David McKenna it's a powerful and thought provoking look at the way a young man can be twisted and contorted.  Often by those closest to you, as the said younger brother Danny (Edward furlong) points out in conclusion.  Life is too short to be pissed off all the time.  The cinematography is paramount to this movie.  It takes on a role of its own and really shows how life is not just black or white.  The supporting cast do a great job of bringing the story to life.  The stand out performance being Avery Brooks as Dr. Bob Sweeney.  This piece of cinema tries to look past the pigeon holed neo-nazi scene in so many bad movies.  I believe it does the job, this is a well made modern picture.  Hate is a powerful sub text and extremism is something we are dealing  with every day.  This film is as relavent today as it ever was.

I give it 9 out of 10

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Comment if you have a review in mind, all thoughts welcome...