Die Another Day was in the unfortunate situation of opening a few months after a spy film that changed the genre, The Bourne Identity. The film marked its 20th anniversary last month. I was a bit swamped at the time with the final weeks of watching awards screeners before turning in my ballot. Because of timing, I’ve opted to review it along with the rest of the Pierece Brosnan movies. It really doesn’t matter how…
"Die Another Day Is Among The Worst Bond Films"Tag: Judi Dench
The World is Not Enough is one of the worst films in the James Bond franchise and would get the franchise closer to a hard reboot. An impressive boat chase on the River Thames is not enough to save the film. Pierce Brosnan does most of his own stunts, which helps add to the realism that we see on the big screen. But again, flashy and stylish action scenes–including the 14-minute pre-title sequence–cannot save a…
"The World is Not Enough is Lesser James Bond"
The second James Bond movie starring Pierce Brosnan, Tomorrow Never Dies, marks the 25th anniversary of its 1997 theatrical release. This was the first James Bond film that I watched on the big screen. I’ve seen everything else on the big screen ever since. My family saw the film over opening weekend since we saved Titanic for December 25. It’s the film that would lead me to buy the 30 Years of James Bond album…
"Tomorrow Never Dies Marks 25th Anniversary"
At long last, Pierce Brosnan was finally able to step into the role of James Bond as GoldenEye finds the British spy in a new era. GoldenEye‘s cold open more takes us back to 1986 where James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) and fellow MI6 Agent Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean) are infiltrating a Soviet chemical weapons facility. Things quickly sour when the Soviets capture Trevelyan and Bond assumes they kill him, but not before Bond destroys the…
"GoldenEye Resets James Bond For Late 20th Century"
Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar-nominated film, Belfast, is now available for fans to bring home on home video in advance of Oscar Sunday. Belfast is the most personal film yet for writer/director Kenneth Branagh and could only be made after his parents died. August 15, 1969. Belfast. Riots. The city would never be the same. We’ve all heard about the fighting between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland but this film really puts in on display. Appropriately, Belfast…
"Belfast: Oscar Nominee Arrives on Home Video" Belfast is the most personal film yet for writer/director Kenneth Branagh and could only be made after his parents died. August 15, 1969. Belfast. Riots. The city would never be the same. We’ve all heard about the fighting between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland but this film really puts in on display. Appropriately, Belfast focuses in on Buddy (Jude Hill), a nine-year-old boy. Buddy’s life in North Belfast is turned upside down right there in…
"Belfast Is A Personal Film For Kenneth Branagh"
Skyfall celebrates the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise with its first billion-dollar picture and one of the best films to date. James Bond (Daniel Craig) is in a much different place following Quantum of Solace. He’s no longer a rookie agent. But the thing that sets this film apart from his previous outings is that he fails repeatedly throughout the film. It’s a recurring theme that kicks off almost as soon as the…
"Skyfall Marks James Bond’s 50th Anniversary"
Quantum of Solace might seem to be a disappointment following the high of Casino Royale but this is because of the 2007-08 WGA strike. Marc Forster had his work cut out for him behind the camera. It’s not so much because of him but the studio pressure to release a film on time. In a perfect world, they would have waited for the WGA strike to end. Of course, this would have pushed the film…
"Quantum of Solace Shows WGA Strike’s Effect"
Daniel Craig enters the picture as Casino Royale comes along at a much-needed time in 2006 to reboot James Bond for the 21st century. The road leading up to Casino Royale is a blockbuster documentary in and of itself. However, this is another story for another day. In the decade leading up to the film, the Bond franchise was geared more towards fantasy than being grounded in reality. What else could you do after Die…
"Casino Royale Reboots James Bond For A New Era"
Blithe Spirit is the type of screwball comedy that will offer laughs this deep into the pandemic even if characters aren’t that likeable. Noël Coward’s play comes to the big screen or small screen depending on how you’re watching. I cannot compare the film to the play because I haven’t seen it. Nor can I compare it to the 1945 film or the 1956 TV movie. To be fair, I had no idea that the…
"Blithe Spirit Offers Laughs For Viewers"