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  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,699MI6 Agent
    Bridge of Spies (2015) directed by Steven Spielberg.

    I've seen this one before, but it's a very good cold was spy thriller. Smart, atmospheric and a little known story. NB: Tom Hanks' character is portrayed as an ordinary lawyer who happened to be involved in the Nuremberg trails, but he was just an down to earth guy. In reality he was the top legal advicer of the OSS (the US inteligence service) duting WWII.
    It's also worth mentining that Billy Magnusen plays a supporting role.
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    After watching some Star Wars, currently re-watching Spielberg's Lincoln.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • caractacus pottscaractacus potts Orbital communicator, level 10Posts: 3,906MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    Bridge of Spies (2015) directed by Steven Spielberg.
    I was trying to remember this film the other week as I was reading Deighton's Funeral in Berlin.

    We watch the Wall being built over the course of the film. One westerner gets caught on the wrong side of it as the bricks are being cemented into place. Later on Hanks witnesses an easterner being shot down as he tries to cross the "No Mans Land". Then finally there is the big exchange on the bridge.

    wikipedia tells me they took a lot of poetic license, compressing unrelated events to show us the construction and impact of the Wall within the time of the plot structure. But I appreciate how they were able to bring all that to life and visualize it for us.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,699MI6 Agent
    Sherlock Holmes in New York (1979)

    I saw this TV-movie on Youtube last night, mainly because it stars Roger Moore. I think it was well made and acted, but nothing really impressive. Sir Roger got the chance to stretch his acting a bit, especially in the scenes where Sherlock is in disguise. If you watch this you'll see some plot points and scenes that borders on a Edwardian Goldfinger and I enjoyed that. This moie is nice for a lazy Sunday afternoon, but it wasn't cheated at the Emmy's.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,699MI6 Agent
    The Mule (2018)

    This movie stars and was directed by Clint Eastwood. The plot is inspired by a true story. An old man who gets into economic problems is recruited by a Mexican drug cartel to smuggle drugs for them. In the making of Eastwood says he wanted to make a movie that was different from what he's made before, and he succeded in that. First of all he plays a very flawed man, something he does well. There's very little heroic about the man he plays. He's never looked this old on the screen before, even struggling to get up from a chair. Not surprising considering his advanced years (he's 89), but according to his co-star Bradly Cooper this is an acting choise. Clint Eastwood is in very good shape. Keep your eyes open for his wardrobe, because he's wearing clothes from his earlier movies!
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,882Chief of Staff
    I finally got around to watching the Netflix original (which is getting some Oscar buzz), Dolemite Is My Name! Eddie Murphy puts in his best performance since--well, maybe forever--as Rudy Ray Moore, the comedian/record store owner/musician/ etc. who created the character of Dolemite and then moved heaven and earth to get a movie about him made. It's sort of an Ed Wood of the Blaxploitation movement--and it's just as much fun.
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,699MI6 Agent
    Shout at the devil (1976)

    How much time did the filmmakers worry about political correctnes while making this Movie in South Africa? Probably even less time than they spent making sure the plot was true to actual events. The two male leads (Roger Moore and Lee Marvin) start out as ivory hunters and near the end Roger is in blackface! :))
    But I liked the movie. It's entertaining and full of adventure and Roger Moore has an arch from Eton graduate fresh of the boat to seasoned though guy out for revenge. I've actually never seen him look so convincingly though in any movie before. This is the film where Roger Moore got in a real fight on set with Lee Marvin and beat him up. Lee Marvin is obviously belivable as a heavy drinker. This is the film where Roger Moore got in a fight on set with Lee Marvin and beat him up.
    Well worth watching!
  • CheverianCheverian Posts: 1,446MI6 Agent
    I just got back from seeing 1917 and Mendes and Deakins deserve the accolades they’ve been getting. (Roger will win the cinematography Oscar in a walk.) The story is stripped down so the emphasis is on the spectacle. There are some shots and sequences that I’ve never seen before in film which is saying something given how well-trodden the ground is for war movies. The Newman score reminded me of Skyfall, I have to admit! :))
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    Re-watched Spielberg's War Horse, and Catch Me if You Can before that. The latter is definitely rewatchable for me, the former, while imo a great film, is significantly less rewatchable.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    When eight bells toll :
    First film for Anthony Hopkins, I have this on DVD but watched it on a YouTube channel
    which shows old films. Shout at the devil is another on their list.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • caractacus pottscaractacus potts Orbital communicator, level 10Posts: 3,906MI6 Agent
    The Man with Two Brains
    directed by Carl Reiner
    starring Steve Martin
    and Kathleen Turner, who had previously taken off all her clothes in a different movie with a nice noir-style John Barry soundtrack.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,699MI6 Agent
    1390-2.jpg

    "What Bond movie is this still from?" you may ask. It's not from a Bond film, it's from:


    The Sea Wolves (1980)

    In my opinion this is the best film Roger Moore made outside the Bonds, at least of those I've seen so far. It balances humour and the darker moments better than most of his films. The plot is based on real events during WWII: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Creek).

    Some of the cars, costumes and guns look too modern to me, but it doesn't destroy the film for me.
    The Germans were transmitting shipping information to u-boats in the Indian Oacean from a (supposedly) civilian ship in Goa harbour. Goa was a colony of neutral Portugal, so the Allied forces couldn't be seen as involved in an attack. The SOE (Special Operations Executive) decided to use volunteers from Calcutta Light Horse, a territorial unit consiting of bankers, solicitors and the like who last saw combat in the Boer war. The film stars Roger Moore, Gregory Peck and David Niven - that's two cast memebers from "The Guns of Navarone" and James Bond. Patrick Macnee also has a supporting role. The advanced years of the cast works because of the plot, unlike AVTAK. Roger Moore's character is spy who gambles, womanizes and wears a tux for a while. He also Plays the role closer to his James Bond and public persona than he did in "Scherlock Holmes in New York" and "shout at the devil".
    The movie is an adventure with spying, humor, exotic locations and action. If you (like me) likes that kind of stuff and you're a Roger Moore fan this film is highly recomended.
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,418Quartermasters
    When eight bells toll :
    First film for Anthony Hopkins, I have this on DVD but watched it on a YouTube channel
    which shows old films. Shout at the devil is another on their list.

    I've seen this Youtube channel (I assume you are referring to Flick Vault)...and there are a few films on their list that I would like to check out. When Eight Bells Toll is one of them. From what I've heard it is a film worth checking out. Shout at the Devil is a film I watched a number of years ago, although I must admit to being a little bored throughout - apart from the scenes involving a WWI era pusher biplane. I'm a sucker for that sort of thing.

    And on the subject of WWI...my all-time favourite guilty pleasure movie is on Flick Vault - Biggles: Adventures in Time. I read a fair few Biggles book in my childhood and was very excited to come across a Biggles movie in my local video rental shop as a kid. When I was a 10 year old the use of 80s electro-pop tunes to accompany a WWI dogfight scene didn't seem incongruous at all! I still think the film's cast is pretty decent. Neil Dickson makes a fine Biggles, and Peter Cushing plays Air Commodore Raymond. You may even recognise the occasional sexy French waitress from 'Allo 'Allo, as well as a porky X-wing pilot and one of Bertie's mates from Jeeves and Wooster.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    edited January 2020
    I remember the Biggles movie ( I read a couple of the books ) shame it didn't get
    a follow up movie.
    From the same YouTube channel ....

    The Abominable Dr. Phibes a 1971 black comedy with Vincent Price.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,238MI6 Agent
    The Sound of Music over Christmas

    Hard not to mickey-take this film when you see it and equally hard not to get swept along with it. The finale - a superbly played out visual gag involving nuns and the Nazi staff car, seguing into the panoramic shot of the Austrian Alps - is an emotional sucker punch, esp viewed after copious wine and in the festive spirit.

    That said... :D It's the sort of film set in Austria where everyone speaks English. Okay, but then there is a caste system within the cast. Anyone with impeccable moral authority - Fraulein Maria, the nuns, Captain Von Trapp - speak with English accents.
    The children speak with American accents, because they are boisterous, naive and easily led... :D
    The Nazis? They all speak with German accents. This is because... of a nod to cultural diversity. :D

    Oh, and those two scheming Austrian friends of Captain Von Trapp have American accents too, they are kind of the Karen and Jack to Captain Von Trapp (does he have a Christian name?) and Maria - they sort of make things a bit more fun.
    Perhaps this is all less anomalous given that Americans are a nation of immigrants, with many second-generation Germans or Italians, with the great originators (ignoring the Native Americans) being English...

    I'll admit that Andrews and Plummer are all the better in their roles for being somewhat apart. I can't think of many other films they did, they didn't quite settle into movie stardom so have an otherworldly quality. Connery was said to have been considered for Plummer's role, and Michael Caine got his big break as Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File because Plummer turned it down to do Sound of Music.

    Oh, the young Nazi Rolphe or whoever is American too, but he isn't quite a Nazi yet so that's alright. The sheer perversity of the Nazi regime is summed up by the fact that originally he wants to cop off with hot young Liesle, but once he is signed up he no longer wants to - I mean, that's just unpardonable.

    Actually, 'young' Liesle (way into her 20s at the time) does have an odd scene of flirtation with her 'father' in the film that is a bit iffy. If you were the director you'd want space kept between the two actors.

    You get this kind of stuff in Die Hard, where the German terrorists all obligingly speak in English over the walkie talkie even though John McClane has given himself away as American. Also in Schindler's List, where it's all English - this time in convincing German accents, but angry swearwords are in German. Done well, as in these two films, it takes several viewings to realise this.

    In his book on History in the Movies, Flashman writer and one-time Bond scribe George MacDonald Fraser wrote about the kind of accents that seem 'acceptable in such films, including Roman Epics. It does uncover all kinds of subliminal attitudes towards different nationalities. Films like The Sound of Music might explain why America thinks it can invade or 'liberate' foreign lands who will be jolly grateful, because they're all English/Americans really, they just don't quite know it yet.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,238MI6 Agent
    Knives Out

    Now it turns out that Sound of Music star Christopher Plummer has a key role in this film, though he is playing a family patriach, like he did in another Daniel Craig film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It's odd to see Plummer still at it, while contemporary Connery has been long retired. Plummer is older than Connery and it seems busier than ever.

    The film is okay but not quite right. Craig plays Southern American, his accent is not bad but for the first 20 mins you are noticing it, more than in that heist movie cameo of two years ago, perhaps because he looks like Bond in this, wearing a smart suit and being all knowing.
    The actors are not quite right because we know them and are trying to get past that, when really they are playing caricatures. The humour should be played up, the flirtiness. It isn't.
    Suddenly after half an hour of what's the point, it picks up and maintains momentum. That said, you don't see the plot holes because the denoucement is ludicrous. Oddly, you can get away with this nonsense in Midsomer Murders, less so in a big movie.
    I did enjoy this however, it's was a nice break at the cinema over Christmas.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,418Quartermasters
    Captain Von Trapp (does he have a Christian name?)

    Georg. I think he is referred to by his first name quite often in the film.
  • caractacus pottscaractacus potts Orbital communicator, level 10Posts: 3,906MI6 Agent
    In his book on History in the Movies, Flashman writer and one-time Bond scribe George MacDonald Fraser wrote about the kind of accents that seem 'acceptable in such films, including Roman Epics. It does uncover all kinds of subliminal attitudes towards different nationalities. Films like The Sound of Music might explain why America thinks it can invade or 'liberate' foreign lands who will be jolly grateful, because they're all English/Americans really, they just don't quite know it yet.
    I've seen a copy of this and thought about picking it up, having run out of Flashman adventures to read. Do you recommend it?
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,238MI6 Agent
    Can't do any harm, it's a decent read esp if you're a fan of historical movies. The main thesis of the book is to assess how realistic - or not - these historical movies actually are. It's quite an eye opener, and has a witty turn of phrase or slant on it quite a lot. Been a while since I picked up my copy, but it has photos in it to illustrate the similarity or not between the actors and the actual historical characters.
    Dated of course, with no coverage of the numerous recent historical films like Lincoln. The author's been dead a few years. Of course, you'll know he wrote other adventure novels like The Pyrates, might be worth a look if you haven't done so.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,699MI6 Agent
    The History Buffs youtube channel is exellent if you're interested in historical movies and their accuracy:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCggHoXaj8BQHIiPmOxezeWA
  • MarkOOMarkMarkOOMark Posts: 91MI6 Agent
    1917 An amazing film all round... visually epic (this has to be an Oscar, and every other award, for Deakins) with beautiful pace, and yes, that much talked about 'single shot' style, that I felt worked brilliantly, as you're kept in the moment the whole time; it's a technical masterpiece. Great performances from the cast, and a stunning score from Thomas Newman. It's gruelling and visceral at times, as could only be the case for a such a subject, and both my wife and I found it very moving. I'd love to see it again at the cinema, as it needs that 'big screen' experience... I hope when released on Blu-Ray it comes with an in-depth making of, as there is much to admire in the process here. Mendes finest work to date.
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,882Chief of Staff
    I saw two of the films up for Best Picture Oscar. First, via Netflix, I saw Marriage Story. At first I thought I wouldn't like it--a twee (love that Britishism) show biz movie about the woes of show biz folks--but it turns into a searing look at divorce, and especially of how the words and actions of very good people get twisted around so that they can only be seen as villains. Really a good show. The next day I took in 1917, which is brilliant. It manages to use a simple premise to follow two characters through all the things that made World War I such hell: claustrophobia, confusion, broken or indifferent officers. . . I actually felt a little nauseated during the film: I'm not sure if it was my recently-consumed lunch or the seemingly-uninterrupted camerawork or both. . .but, still, brilliant.
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,418Quartermasters
    I saw 1917 on Friday night with a packed audience, which resulted in me having to watch from near the front of the cinema with my neck at an uncomfortable angle, and certainly that combined with the continuous motion of the camera did make me feel a little bit off-kilter and a tiny bit nauseated - but that certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the film. I think it will become a bit of a modern classic in the war genre. It's an intimate epic, with some astonishing visuals both in the trenches and also in the hypnotic, noirish night sequence with flares creating an eery shadow world. The 'going over the top' sequence is also pretty spectacular, especially when you consider the complications of achieving that sequence in one take. Now that my first viewing has sunk in, I'm looking forward to seeing the film again. I think I'm safe in saying that this is going to go down as my favourite film by Sam Mendes.
  • PPK 7.65mmPPK 7.65mm Saratoga Springs NY USAPosts: 1,227MI6 Agent
    I saw Caddyshack on the big screen for the first time with my brother recently. I have been a fan of actor Bill Murray since my childhood in the 1980's. Despite the cinema not having a capacity crowd, everyone present was having a good time. All of the jokes caused a lot of laughs for everyone present. My brother really enjoyed it too, since he had never seen it from start to finish. 1917, is next on my must see list. I am hoping that next weekend, I can go see it at my local cinema.
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,882Chief of Staff
    Dark Phoenix, the DVD cover of which now reads X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Take the "dark" in the title literally: this is a downright dreary film: melancholy, slow-moving, and devoid of the least hint of fun. The last few years have shown that superhero movies can be a lot of things; one thing they shouldn't be is Bergmanesque.
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • caractacus pottscaractacus potts Orbital communicator, level 10Posts: 3,906MI6 Agent
    Saboteur

    One of Hitchcock's first American films, and the evolutionary missing link between the Thirty Nine Steps and North by Northwest. Not only does it repeat the handcuffs, the respectable country gentleman, and the chase through a crowded theatre from the earlier film, but it climaxes with a scene on the outside of the Statue of Liberty, that is a prototype for the Mt Rushmore sequence in the latter film.

    What is unique to this film is all the marginal but saintly characters who aid our heroes on their journey, including the cast of a circus sideshow. Also, dialog polished by Dorothy Parker, specifically the noble patriotic speechifying. A bit more optimistic than our typical Hitchcock worldview. This was a wartime film, so it's a bit of propaganda, but contrast the saintly circus sideshow folk with who the real villains are!

    I found this excellent and lengthy article on the film, including a PDF of the script, Truffaut's interview with Hitchcock discussing this film and the other two I see as related, as well as storyboard art for the Statue of Liberty sequence and other scenes.
  • James SuzukiJames Suzuki New ZealandPosts: 2,406MI6 Agent
    I thought I'd watch the classic Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks trilogy.
    Joe versus the Volcano-An underrated surrealist film I loved to bits about a man who finds out he has only a few months left to live so he agrees to throw himself down a pacific island volcano to appease the local tribes's god.
    Sleepless in Seattle- Classy movie. Top tier romance movie. And they did such a great job considering that Hanks and Ryan aren't on screen till the end.
    You've got Mail- wonderfully clever plot about two people who hate each other, while sending anonymous love emails to one another without realising they're the same person.
    Fantastic
    “The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
    -Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,699MI6 Agent
    The English Patient (1996)

    I'm not sure I've seen this movie since it was at the cinemas, and I'm relived it still as great as I remember it. The Movie is almost operatic with the exotic locations, big ideas and doomed love, but somehow it works. A modern classic!

    If you haven't seen it, please do yourself a favour and do. If you have, treat yourself to this very well made paradoy - "The Toy Patient": :D

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irEivzvZX9s&feature=emb_logo
  • Lady RoseLady Rose London,UKPosts: 2,667MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    The English Patient (1996)

    I'm not sure I've seen this movie since it was at the cinemas, and I'm relived it still as great as I remember it. The Movie is almost operatic with the exotic locations, big ideas and doomed love, but somehow it works. A modern classic!

    If you haven't seen it, please do yourself a favour and do. If you have, treat yourself to this very well made paradoy - "The Toy Patient": :D

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irEivzvZX9s&feature=emb_logo

    I have never been as distressed leaving a cinema as I was after seeing 'The English Patient'

    I was crying uncontrollably. To the point where I couldn't drive home.

    I have refused to watch it again since. The funny thing is I can't remember that much about the story now but I won't revisit it. :s
  • Lady RoseLady Rose London,UKPosts: 2,667MI6 Agent
    I saw Centurion with Michael Fassbender over the weekend.

    A very watchable film about what happened to the Roman 9th Legion who seemed to disappear after marching into Scotland.

    A good cast and alongside Fassbender is Dominic West, David Morrisey and Olga Kurylenko.

    Lots of graphic violence but I found it enjoyable.
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