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grimbeard
Reviews
Casino Royale (2006)
Not just a Bond film
This is one of those rare Bond films: one which isn't *just* a Bond film (and I speak as as Bond fan). This one would be a good action film even if you changed the character names and title - i.e. if it wasn't a Bond film. That puts it up there with Doctor No (there wasn't a Bond film franchise before, although there were the books, and it was still successful), Goldeneye, and the best of the rest.
I was a sceptic before seeing the film, but Daniel Craig is an excellent star in the role of Bond. Far closer to Connery than anyone else so far (including Dalton's wonderfully raw characterisation) and with a different kind of charisma to Brosnan. Early days, but there is tremendous potential here - bring on the next one!
Unbreakable (2000)
Great film, avoid spoilers
I just got this film out on video this evening (yeah, I'm a late-comer to it) and it is *seriously* good.
I came to it knowing very little about it: TRUST ME this is the best way. Don't read the trivia or memorable quotes before you see the film (but read them after and go "aha!"). Don't discuss it with any of your friends that have seen it first (unless they can keep their mouths shut).
The acting is superb (especially, and inevitably, Sammy L. J.), the dialogue tight, and the cinematography excellent. I will say nothing of the plot except that the story is truly original and very well done.
See this film. No buts. See this film.
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
It does many things...
OK this film tries to do many things: it's a mafia film, it's a "hood" film, it's a hitman film and it's a Samurai film...it can't possibly be 100% great at any one of them,right? OK, but bear with me.
Goodfellas, Casino, Godfather trilogy etc. are better mafia films. Boyz 'n' the hood, Menace 2 society, maybe Juice are better hood films. Leon, The Killer, maybe Nikita are better hitman (hitwoman) films. Yojimbo, Seven Samurai.......well, you know the better Samurai films.
This film is a bit of a blend of all of them - with plenty of knowing references - and it finds the middle ground (or whatever you'd like to call it) in magnificent style. This is helped by one of Forest Whittaker's finest performances (and there have been some good ones over the years) and an overall feel to the film which is almost like a play, set as it is in several acts (works brilliantly on DVD, by the way).
Not a popcorn no-brainer, but a rewarding film. Warm up the Sake and enjoy!
Razor Blade Smile (1998)
A film that really takes me back - a new Hammer
OK, first I'll make a few admissions. I have several Goth friends. I have been to Slimelight, the Electric Ballroom, Camden Underworld etc (sorry to non-Londoners who don't know where I mean - think "The Pit" from the Crow). The Crow is my favourite film. I have read Dracula and Interview with the Vampire. I own a sword. All my clothes are black.
And I *really* like this film.
If, like me you "grew up" on a diet of Hammer Horror films then this film may be for you. It has all the right elements: heaving cleavages, odd lighting, dodgy fangs etc. Only updated for the modern era: the heaving cleavages belong to a vampire not averse to a little sexual experimentation, the lighting often gives the impression of "luminance enhancement" goggles (the only way humans can really see the vampire world), and the dodgy fangs don't only find their way into necks...
Add to this guns, swords, a great soundtrack and a hide-and-seek shootout around the very landmark rocks where I used to get stoned with my mates as a teenager - I almost feel young again!
Ignore what people say about the acting, editing, lighting or whatever. Just get the beers in, dim the lights and enjoy. It's not Schindler's List, but it is great entertainment.
Grimbeard.
Death Train (1993)
One reason why Brosnan got the Bond job
This film has a lot going for it: A simple, but nonetheless engaging, plot, cool action sequences and some fantastic casting. Patrick Stewart and Christopher Lee are, it almost goes without saying, superb. Alexandra Paul really should get more lead roles and Ted Levine makes a pretty good bad guy.
Top marks, though, go to Pierce Brosnan. Despite having to deliver some truly awful dialogue in places he brings the role off to perfection. His "Mike Graham" could be James Bond using a pseudonym (although without the gadgets), and it's no wonder that he went on to become the best Bond so far (and yes I do remember Connery).
This film rates up there with True Lies and The Rock as one of those films that sort of is a Bond film really, even tho' it isn't.