A sort of French Lost In Translation, with a balding, middle-aged man with a hangdog expression confined to hotel rooms, engaging in eye contact with a lithe young barmaid at the hotel who is unaccountably drawn to him.
Very lush and languid, with some Bond touches, but like watching paint dry (albeit delux high quality gloss). Fine performances, lovely cinematography in the Moonraker vein.
I watched Super Size Me last night. It was an absolutely grotesque look at the fast food industry. I will never go to MacDonalds again.
I plan to watch the Polanski classic Chinatown tonight...the Blockbuster didn't have Network.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,923Chief of Staff
Blade Trinity. Not as good as the first two - but that was always going to be difficult - but not a bad film at all, the special effects were as good as ever.
Oh boy, some real classics recently. Vertigo last Saturday, Rear Window this past Thursday, and The Caine Mutiny this past Friday. Three overarching thoughts:
1) Hitchcock was a genius -- duh!!
2) Humphrey Bogart was beyond brilliant in Caine
3) How did I ever live without TCM?
I tried to watch Richard Curtis' Girl in the Cafe at the weekend, but had to turn over as it was quite painful, Bill Nighy couldn't do comedy of the awkward charming thing Hugh Grant does so well, in fact Nighy made Grant look like a comedy genius.
So I turned over and found the Clive Owen film Beyond Borders directed by Martin Campbell was on. It looked like a real movie, with a luminous glossy sheen to it, already I was looking forward to a moody Casino Royale....
Then the actors started to act and I remembered why I hate Campbell as a director. He can't direct actors imo. It all seemed so corny, like he was only concerned about setting up the shots and didn't have any real time for emotion, it was just painting by numbers stuff.
There's a scene where Owen, who plays an aid worker, gatecrashed a society fundraising ball with a young skinny black kid. He makes a rousing speech about hunger - then some toff tosses a banana at the kid. There's uproar, as all the upper classes laugh and applaud the racist joke. It's just stupid push button stuff - ooh how horrid and racist the posh people are! Just not convincing at all, the equivalent of Braveheart or something....
That's the prob with directors like that, you just look at it and think, nah that's not right...
Legendary classic, from the Master of Suspense! Highly recommended for those who will really appreciate the man's work! Jimmy Stewart shines.
Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1970)
Film version of Joe Orton's great play. Great performances from the cast in what is a delightfully strange yet hilarious black comedy!
FelixLeiter ♀Staffordshire or a pubPosts: 1,286MI6 Agent
My Saturday night sucked so much, I ended up watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! If there was a smilie for being sick, it would be here right now. I so hate that film. They've got worse as the series has gone on - I prefer the books.
However, I will not be one of the insane nutters waiting at midnight, on July 16th, for the 6th book to come out! I will be making my mom do it instead!
A Bond, Flint, Helm, spy caper. Directed by the great Mario Bava and starring John Philip Law of Barbarella and Sinbad fame.
Diabolik played by Law is a master thief encased head to toe in black leather, escaping the always one step behind authorites in a wide selection of sixties jags. Big bad Adolfo Largo Celi plays a mob head out for blood..
A fantastic piece of 60's shlock, based on the famouse European comics. If you're region one, pick this up on dvd for a ten spot and place it next to your Modesty Blaise and Derek Flint collection.
A Bond, Flint, Helm, spy caper. Directed by the great Mario Bava and starring John Philip Law of Barbarella and Sinbad fame.
Diabolik played by Law is a master thief encased head to toe in black leather, escaping the always one step behind authorites in a wide selection of sixties jags. Big bad Adolfo Largo Celi plays a mob head out for blood..
A fantastic piece of 60's shlock, based on the famouse European comics. If you're region one, pick this up on dvd for a ten spot and place it next to your Modesty Blaise and Derek Flint collection.
It's one of the strangest films you'll ever see, if you have no idea about the way it was filmed and why. But considering it was filmed according to "The Vow of Chastity", the rules of Dogme 95, it was very entertaining. Not a surprise it's in IMDb's top 250.
A Bond, Flint, Helm, spy caper. Directed by the great Mario Bava and starring John Philip Law of Barbarella and Sinbad fame.
Diabolik played by Law is a master thief encased head to toe in black leather, escaping the always one step behind authorites in a wide selection of sixties jags. Big bad Adolfo Largo Celi plays a mob head out for blood..
A fantastic piece of 60's shlock, based on the famouse European comics. If you're region one, pick this up on dvd for a ten spot and place it next to your Modesty Blaise and Derek Flint collection.
Did you see this one with or without the bots?
Actually, the best adaption from comic to big screen ever made, IMO. The movie is filmed sensously and is brimming with depth, as any true fan of Bava can attest to. He was only called the "Italian Hitchcock"
By bots, I meant Crow and Tom Servo. Danger Diabolik was the last ever Mistery Science Theatre episode. I thought you saw the 'misted' version. That's the only version I could get my paws on.
I see, this new DVD has a very nice documentary showcasing the original Italian "Fumettis" on which the story was based. I had no idea MST3 included it in their stable. To be honest, I don't agree at all with their choice to parody it. No where does it go into camp or self mockery like the American Batman television series. And it's filmed beautifully.
To answer the question, no, this is not a graphicly violent film as were some of the later ones done by messre Bava.
I see, this new DVD has a very nice documentary showcasing the original Italian "Fumettis" on which the story was based. I had no idea MST3 included it in their stable. To be honest, I don't agree at all with their choice to parody it. No where does it go into camp or self mockery like the American Batman television series. And it's filmed beautifully.
To answer the question, no, this is not a graphicly violent film as were some of the later ones done by messre Bava.
I'm glad they included it, or else I would have never had a chance to see it. It is in deed above those (sometimes supercamp) Italian spy movies which vary between pretty good and horrible. And it is a fitting finish for the series. Mike and the bots seems rather gentle with this entry... It's surprisingly low-key when compared to other Season 10 entries like Merlin's Shop... or that German Hamlet. 8-)
I really wish they'd release movies like these (I mean Danger Diabolik, not Hamlet) in Region 2 DVDs, or any of the Bond contemporary flicks that build on them.
I can't see the point of this kind of movie, it's like a poor man's True Lies. Except, whereas Harry Tasker was the spy on the quiet keeping it from his ditzy wife, here BOTH spouses are really spies, but not sussed the other out after six years of marriage... huh?
You can't take this stuff seriously, unless you take it as a comedy, and this just wasn't funny. Neither Pitt nor Jolie are natural comics so it all falls a bit flat, they're just too cool for it all.
And all this killing that's supposed to be funny, it's just morally repugnant here. Because neither side are working for a nation, they're just mercenary hitmen. You can imagine it done better with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in the 40s or something.
Even the action is really not groundbreaking, it's like watching bad porn, you sort of feel involved but bored cos you've seen it all before and there's nothing new here and you don't care either - it's just going through the motions.
Avoid - oh and Jolie is very good looking but a bit too much, y'know? Hides behind it a bit. dishes out humanity as she pleases.
When I put this in I wasn't expecting a lot, but was pleasantly surprised. Absolutely fantastic, gripping and interesting until the end. With fantastic performances from the cast, particularly Catherine Keener. A very well written and thought out film.
Hmm. That film would never get made now. The 1990's was a time when America felt it could afford to make fantasy films about terror attacks on the United States.
A good film I grant you though. I noticed that Gary Oldman uses the same East European accent as he did in Dracula 5 years earlier.
Mr MartiniThat nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,709MI6 Agent
If you like thillers in the style of Presumed Innocent or The Usual Suspects, I urge you to watch this. It was made about 10 years ago and stars Richard Gere and a young Ed Nortn, who was nommed for an Oscar for his role.
It's about an altar boy who has allegedly murdered his Arch-Bishop. Gere's the bigshot lawyer who offers to defend him free of charge - happy as long as he's got the press swarming around him.
8/10. 10/10 for Norton's performance.
Even though it's been a long time since I've seen this movie I agree with your review 100%. It is a must see!
As for the most recent movie I've seen. I saw War Of The Worlds earlier today. This is a great movie. Tom Cruise does a decent job in acting. I really like Dakota Fanning though. She can strike a fear face in a heartbeat. The movie is also directed in a unique style, something I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was the cinematography also that helped. 10 stars out 10.
Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
A fantastic cast give very funny, but very camp performances in this great film. Fantastic music from Henry Mancini, and good direction from Blake Edwards. Julie Andrews, Robert Preston and James Garner are all great in their roles and the film came together very well.
Comments
A sort of French Lost In Translation, with a balding, middle-aged man with a hangdog expression confined to hotel rooms, engaging in eye contact with a lithe young barmaid at the hotel who is unaccountably drawn to him.
Very lush and languid, with some Bond touches, but like watching paint dry (albeit delux high quality gloss). Fine performances, lovely cinematography in the Moonraker vein.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I plan to watch the Polanski classic Chinatown tonight...the Blockbuster didn't have Network.
If you're really lucky, I'll post my review of it. B-)
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Roger Moore 1927-2017
1) Hitchcock was a genius -- duh!!
2) Humphrey Bogart was beyond brilliant in Caine
3) How did I ever live without TCM?
So I turned over and found the Clive Owen film Beyond Borders directed by Martin Campbell was on. It looked like a real movie, with a luminous glossy sheen to it, already I was looking forward to a moody Casino Royale....
Then the actors started to act and I remembered why I hate Campbell as a director. He can't direct actors imo. It all seemed so corny, like he was only concerned about setting up the shots and didn't have any real time for emotion, it was just painting by numbers stuff.
There's a scene where Owen, who plays an aid worker, gatecrashed a society fundraising ball with a young skinny black kid. He makes a rousing speech about hunger - then some toff tosses a banana at the kid. There's uproar, as all the upper classes laugh and applaud the racist joke. It's just stupid push button stuff - ooh how horrid and racist the posh people are! Just not convincing at all, the equivalent of Braveheart or something....
That's the prob with directors like that, you just look at it and think, nah that's not right...
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Vertigo (1958)
Legendary classic, from the Master of Suspense! Highly recommended for those who will really appreciate the man's work! Jimmy Stewart shines.
Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1970)
Film version of Joe Orton's great play. Great performances from the cast in what is a delightfully strange yet hilarious black comedy!
However, I will not be one of the insane nutters waiting at midnight, on July 16th, for the 6th book to come out! I will be making my mom do it instead!
A Bond, Flint, Helm, spy caper. Directed by the great Mario Bava and starring John Philip Law of Barbarella and Sinbad fame.
Diabolik played by Law is a master thief encased head to toe in black leather, escaping the always one step behind authorites in a wide selection of sixties jags. Big bad Adolfo Largo Celi plays a mob head out for blood..
A fantastic piece of 60's shlock, based on the famouse European comics. If you're region one, pick this up on dvd for a ten spot and place it next to your Modesty Blaise and Derek Flint collection.
Did you see this one with or without the bots?
It's one of the strangest films you'll ever see, if you have no idea about the way it was filmed and why. But considering it was filmed according to "The Vow of Chastity", the rules of Dogme 95, it was very entertaining. Not a surprise it's in IMDb's top 250.
...and none of you know what I'm talking about
7.8/10
So no, there weren't any Austin Powers "bots" or any of that nonsense. You can read a review here if you want. http://www.dvddrive-in.com/reviews/a-d/dangerdiabolik67.htm
Certainly blows away the Batman begins nonsense.
Alex, does Danger Diabolik have violence that typically marks Bava's giallo films?
To answer the question, no, this is not a graphicly violent film as were some of the later ones done by messre Bava.
I'm glad they included it, or else I would have never had a chance to see it.
I really wish they'd release movies like these (I mean Danger Diabolik, not Hamlet) in Region 2 DVDs, or any of the Bond contemporary flicks that build on them.
I can't see the point of this kind of movie, it's like a poor man's True Lies. Except, whereas Harry Tasker was the spy on the quiet keeping it from his ditzy wife, here BOTH spouses are really spies, but not sussed the other out after six years of marriage... huh?
You can't take this stuff seriously, unless you take it as a comedy, and this just wasn't funny. Neither Pitt nor Jolie are natural comics so it all falls a bit flat, they're just too cool for it all.
And all this killing that's supposed to be funny, it's just morally repugnant here. Because neither side are working for a nation, they're just mercenary hitmen. You can imagine it done better with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in the 40s or something.
Even the action is really not groundbreaking, it's like watching bad porn, you sort of feel involved but bored cos you've seen it all before and there's nothing new here and you don't care either - it's just going through the motions.
Avoid - oh and Jolie is very good looking but a bit too much, y'know? Hides behind it a bit. dishes out humanity as she pleases.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
When I put this in I wasn't expecting a lot, but was pleasantly surprised. Absolutely fantastic, gripping and interesting until the end. With fantastic performances from the cast, particularly Catherine Keener. A very well written and thought out film.
Highly Recommended. (9.1/10)
Hmm. That film would never get made now. The 1990's was a time when America felt it could afford to make fantasy films about terror attacks on the United States.
A good film I grant you though. I noticed that Gary Oldman uses the same East European accent as he did in Dracula 5 years earlier.
Even though it's been a long time since I've seen this movie I agree with your review 100%. It is a must see!
As for the most recent movie I've seen. I saw War Of The Worlds earlier today. This is a great movie. Tom Cruise does a decent job in acting. I really like Dakota Fanning though. She can strike a fear face in a heartbeat. The movie is also directed in a unique style, something I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was the cinematography also that helped. 10 stars out 10.
You can see what I thought in my review on page 2 of the War of the Worlds thread.
A fantastic cast give very funny, but very camp performances in this great film. Fantastic music from Henry Mancini, and good direction from Blake Edwards. Julie Andrews, Robert Preston and James Garner are all great in their roles and the film came together very well.