22/06/2012: Thunderball [1965]

Thunderball is James Bonds fourth cinematic outing, and considering they were at that point rolling out yearly, it is impressive that the quality continues to if anything, only increase. While it may not be my favourite, Thunderball is one of the most enjoyed and is very well done. Bond has been fully formed as the character Connery portrayed him as, the charming, witty and deadly secret agent serving on her majesty’s secret service.

16/06/2012: Goldfinger [1964]

Goldfinger is the third Bond film, and at this point the series showed no signs of slowing down, continuing to increase in budget and popularity. Many consider Goldfinger to be the best James Bond film, and while it isn't my favourite, it does have a lot of great elements that unfortunately weren't continued on through the rest of the films.

09/06/2012: From Russia With Love [1963]

I continued on with my James Bond.... jeez I really need to find a name for this. Anyway, this afternoon I watch the second James Bond movie, From Russia With Love, which I think, is quite possibly my favourite. While I will be able to better determine that when I finish them all, as it stands now, it is currently my favourite, and makes for one hell of an impressive sequel, in comparison with Bonds first outing.

03/06/2012: Dr. No [1962]

Bond, James Bond. I have been watching James Bond movies ever since I was a kid. I’ve seen ever one of them at least 3 times. James Bond was the movie I could put on, anytime, whether it be my Saturday night, or Sunday morning movie, or just something to throw on in the background while working. Unfortunately it had been nearly a year since I had seen a Bond movie, as I had never actually acquired any complete set myself. Fortunately I finally have, and with Skyfall quickly approaching, I thought it was time to watch them all from the beginning again.

26/05/2012: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy [2011]

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a movie that was hyped about for quite a long time and yet, in the end never came to a theatre near me. I was a little disappointed, and only now have I finally had the chance to see it. For those of you who don't enjoy slow-burn mystery thrillers, stay away, the rest of you, jump on in.

09/05/2012: Casino Royale [1967]

Before Daniel Craig steeped up as 007 in 2006, Ian Flemming's novel had already been, shall we say adapted. However as it says in the opening credits of Charles K. Feldman's Casino Royale, the movie is merely suggested by the novel and be that as it may, Casino Royale is undoubtedly "Too much for one James Bond"

21/04/2012: Haywire [2011]

"They left her no choice", well they left me one, and I unfortunately made the wrong one. What was supposed to be the next big thing in action movies may have been one hell of a stumble, and while I'll throw in the positives, expect a list of reasons why Haywire is one film I won't be recommending.

09/04/2012: Unknown [2011]

I think it was the combination of having seen another movie called Unknown, and Liam Neeson's other action thriller Taken, that always made me think I had actually seen Liam Neeson's 2011 outing, Unknown. On top of that the movie had clearly not struck me as anything significant and so I passed happily by it, not knowing what I was missing.

05/04/2012: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind [2002]

Chuck Barris was a well known television producer in the 1960's and 70's. Creator of numerous game shows, such as The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game and The Gong Show, Barris was big in the industry. However in 1984, Chuck Barris published his autobiography, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind in which he claimed to be an assassin for the CIA as well as a television producer. George Clooney, taking his first shot at directing, leaves it up to you to decide, as did Chuck Barris himself.

31/03/2012: Our Man Flint [1966]

Like a long lost Bond film, Our Man Flint gives us Derek Flint, the original man of mystery. Our Man Flint is the American counterpart of James Bond, and among the first to parody his style. Flint however does it quite well, and make for one hell of a secret agent.

02/03/2012: Safehouse [2012]

Safe House showed up a couple months ago with an action packed trailer that featured a CIA thriller story in the vein of the Bourne trilogy. After convincing my friends that Act of Valour was a waste of good theater money, we decided to check out Safe House. I will say the big screen does it justice primarily with the surround sound, particularly the gunshots and explosions.

03/01/2012: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol [2011]

Blue means Glue.

Mission Impossible has now become a series to rival 007. While it will never surpass the original Bond films, Ghost Protocol is better than the latest two Daniel Craig films I am disappointed to say. I'm disappointed as a Bond lover, but am thrilled by the amazingness that was the fourth installment in Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible franchise.

This movies budget is extravagant, about $145, 000, 000 which still doesn't  explain why Ving Rhames got payed $7.7 million for a 4 minute cameo. But the budget allows this movie to splurge, with locations in Russia, Dubai, and the U.S..  Also able to rake in a great cast, which is an interesting mix. Tom Cruise still stars, but throw in Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner (who is in there to take over the franchise after Cruise), and even Michael Nyqvist who I just saw in the Swedish Girl W/ Dragon Tattoo trilogy.

MI is of course a spy movie,  with its own set of unique spy gadgets, insane stunts, and evil conspiracies. Tom Cruise does his own stunts, which is surprising, but just goes to show being a movie star hasn't gone to his head. MI:4 is definitely an action movie, with thrilling shootouts and fist fights mixed with intricate plans and some high tech technology.

The gadgets are cutting edge, and while not as fun as most of Bonds weapons are very interesting to see in use. I keep comparing this to 007, but I must state that I'm talking the movies of the last decade, which have taken on a new form compared to the old classics.

I could keep going on about Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, but the bottom line is that this is a movie worth going to the theaters for. You really can't be disappointed.

Red means Dead.

Link:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229238/

02/01/2012: The Apocalypse Watch [1997]

The Apocalypse Watch is based on a Robert Ludlum novel of the same, which is why I picked up this DVD.  Made for T.V. this movie runs 2 hours and 54 minutes, something movies just don't seem to do anymore. The movie is low budget but it's held together by the strong writing of Robert Ludlum's novel.

The movie is a spy thriller with a very intricate neo-nazi conspiracy for what other than Global Domination. It is not a cheesy as it sounds, and with Ludlum's novels as a basis, the conspiracy is massive but not unbelievable. My disappointment however with this movie is that it cuts out a lot of the novel, specifically the ending which was one hell of a reveal.

My enjoyment of this movie was probably due to the greatness of the novel that inspired it. When it comes to the spy genre James Bond will always be at the top, with this movie stuck in the shadows. Ludlums novels do get a proper movie treatment with the Bourne series. I really can't suggest this movie to Ludlum fans with the expectation this adaptation is faithful to the book, but it still captures much of the conspiracy and ideas of Ludlum's book.

Link:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120027/

01/01/2012: The Debt [2011]

I've started out this year with a number of phenomenal films over the last couple days. Tonight I finally got to watch The Debt which had enticed me since the first trailer. However the trailer gave me a slightly wrong impression, as I went in thinking that the 1997 plot would be the focus and not the actual mission from 1965. I was pleasantly surprised however to find that a large amount of the movie details the actual mission to capture the "Surgeon of Birkenau".

First off I'm a big fan of World War/Cold War spy stories especially those pertaining to Nazi war criminals. (Robert Ludlum novels)  I should say I had no idea as towards the actual plot before I started, so to find out that it first included all aforementioned aspects as well as the fact that it was not some U.S. spy agency gained it a lot of points. it's nice to see the Mossad as the protagonists. The intelligence agency of Israel the Mossad have strong reasons for their mission. While the film is not directly based on a true story, it is inspired by another film Ha-Hov.

My favourite part of this film was the flashback to the events of the actual mission, but like a good thriller those events only amplify what is occurring in the present. The ending is probably divisive and your opinion of it could go either way, it is not however a bad ending.

As such The Debt is another great movie which should peak the interest of anyone who enjoys a historical (fictional) thrillers, or just anyone who enjoys a good movie.

Not sure if I like the international title, The Rachel Singer Affair, I don't feel she was really the sole protagonist but whatever.

Link:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226753/