Supernatural Possession: Part I

I have extremely strong feelings about the modern age of horror films.  It is because of this that I was hesitant to watch any of the Conjuring movies.  However, I saw Annabelle: Creation in the theater, and I enjoyed it very much.  That being said, I just recently watched the original Annabelle movie and, while it does have some plot issues, the atmosphere and tone have a genuinely creepy feel that will give you chills.

Annabelle is the story of a married couple who experience supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll.  One of the major elements I enjoy about the film is how traumatizing these supernatural events are for this couple.  It is affecting their marriage so much that they seek out guidance from an occult librarian and a priest.  This is a horrifying journey for these characters, and you feel that horror every step of the way.  However, there are a number of plot holes do hinder the film.  Early on in the film we learn that John Form (Ward Horton) is in medical school.  However, we have not seen any prior evidence of this, and it feels forced that they put that in the film.  Also, when Mia (Annabelle Wallis) receives the Annabelle doll as a gift, she reacts with phrases as, "I can't believe you found it!".  Found it from where???  The box did not even have a label on it!!  Later in the film, Mia talks to John about certain things she discussed with Father Perez (Tony Amendola) in their first meeting.  Yet, certain things she says she discussed WERE NOT discussed.  Then, at one point in the film John gets a new job but instead of actually seeing a scene that reveals this, it is only merely implied.  Also, John and Mia move to different residences a couple of times throughout the film, and yet continue to go to the same church.  Perhaps it is just me, but I would attempt to find a church closer to where I live.  Also, it seems forced that all of a sudden Mia and Evelyn (Alfre Woodard) are good enough friends that Mia would let Evelyn into her home.  They just met a few days ago!!!   These plot holes do hinder the film quite a bit, however I also feel that the director, John R. Leonetti, gives such an eerie and creepy feel to the movie that it makes it watchable.

John R. Leonetti is the director of Annabelle.  The tone that Leonetti set for this film is the other reason I enjoy this film.  I have been openly critical that modern horror films rely too much on gore and jump scares, but Leonetti creates great visual tension with the camera and puts the jump scares in unexpected places.  This film is so creepy to watch.  He also takes nods from films like The Exorcist and Poltergeist to give the film a classic horror genre vibe.  There are two quite memorable sequences in this movie: the elevator scene and the final sequence in Mia and Johns' apartment.  The elevator scene is shot in one take, and that makes you feel tense just watching.  The final sequence in the apartment also has great long cuts that do not shy away from the horrific things that are happening.  The lighting and lack of music in this sequence make is especially scary.  This is a solid directorial outing by Leonetti.

Annabelle has a cluster of plot issues.  However there is no denying that the tone of this film helps keep it on point, even if it is only by a bit.  If you are a fan of the Conjuring film series, or if you are looking for a half decent modern horror film, you should give this movie a chance.

The Heartbreak of Silence

I always enjoy watching foreign films.  It broadens my perspective on film-making, and it also encourages me that movies can be so much more than just entertainment.  Movies can impact you emotionally, and make you think about things that are happening in the world or in your life.  Blackrock is one of those kinds of movies.

Blackrock is the story of a group of surfers whos friendship is tested after one of them witnesses a local schoolgirl get raped and murdered.  I like the way this film unfolds because you see how close all of these friends are.  They may get on each others nerves sometimes, but in the end all is forgiven because these guys are like family.  I also like the side story with Jareds' (Laurence Breuls) mother, Diane (Linda Cropper).  This element of the film adds an extra element of drama to the film that makes you care about Jared even more.  This is a powerful film that makes you question where you stand between loyalty and truth.

Laurence Breuls plays Jared.  I love Jareds' character arc in the film because for a majority of the film he struggles with whether to stay loyal to his friends or go to the authorities about what he saw.  This also affects his relationship with his mother because he is being emotionally distant at a time when she needs him around.  Breuls is solid in the role, and his character provides the necessary emotional weight.  The scene where he confesses to his mother that he witnessed what happened to the schoolgirl is so powerful because of Breuls' performance.  Every subtlety in his facial expressions and voice tone makes Jared as a character feel more human.  I enjoyed watching Breuls develop this character very much.

Linda Cropper plays Jareds' mother, Diane.  I like this character because she is one of the few people in Jareds' life that is attempting to get him to talk about what happened.  I think that Jared wants to tell her, and that she knows he wants to tell her.  Also, she is going through something personal in her life as well and she needs to talk to Jared about it.  Diane and Jared have a complex relationship that adds to the story a great deal.  Cropper shines in the role, and delivers every line of dialogue as an actual mother would.  Like Breuls, Cropper inhabits the role and makes her character feel like a real person.  Linda Cropper gives an authentic, standout performance in this film.

Simon Lyndon plays Ricko.  There is a great deal of mystery surrounding this character as he does not get much screen time.  However, I think that lack of screen time is earned when you discover the revelation about the character.  Once that moment happens, his character becomes an important focal point.  Ricko is quite a disturbing character because he believes in his motivations so casually.  Like the aforementioned actors, Lyndon makes the character believable as a real person, perfectly inhabiting the character in every twisted aspect.  Even though he does not get much screen time, Lyndon is truly something special to watch in the film.  The final act of the film is so emotional to watch because of his performance.  Solid work by Lyndon.

Steven Vidler is the director of Blackrock.  I particularly like the way he uses the camera during the party scenes in the film.  It may seem too hectic and "shaky-cam" for some, but I personally feel that the reason the camera is used this way is to reflect what the party scene is like in real life.  I also like the way the camera is used in Laurence Breuls' scenes.  Jareds' journey is quite emotional, and the camera stays on Breuls in the emotional scenes to emphasize how he is feeling.  This brings me to a part of the film that I need to address.  We do not actually see the schoolgirl get murdered.  Now, some would argue that it is important that we see this because it is such an important part of the film.  However, I personally believe that seeing her get murdered after she has just been raped would have been too much for this kind of a movie.  Setting the tone is so important when making a film, and I think that seeing a murder scene immediately after a rape scene would have been too much to take in for the tone of this movie.  That being said, this film is a window into these characters' lives, and Vidler gives the film a very real, raw look at life.  This is a fantastic knockout directorial debut by Vidler. 

Blackrock is a powerful film that will move you in such an emotional way.  This is definitely a movie that every film buff should have in their collection.  If you have the means and opportunity of purchasing it, I highly suggest that you do.

On The Road To Meaning

I have always enjoyed dramatic, character-driven films.  The scripts are better than most mainstream blockbusters, and the actors who get involved with the projects invest their time in the film to truly become the characters.  The film Highway is a wonderful example of that, and showcases relatively young talent coming into their own as actors.

Highway is the story of a pool boy who gets caught with a Vegas mob boss' wife in bed, so he and his best friend Pilot (Jake Gyllenhaal) hit the road for Seattle so Pilot can find the girl of his dreams.  This movie does a fantastic job of setting up the characters of Jack (Jared Leto) and Pilot.  These guys are a couple of misfits in 90's America who are attempting to find their place in society.  They put up with each others' trouble-making because it makes them who they are, and they both have rites of passage along the way where they truly become men.  This is an incredible film about the meaning of love, life and friendship.

Jared Leto plays Jack.  Jack is a young man who is struggling with his own manhood, and finally finds it when he hooks up with Cassie (Selma Blair).  He also has an incredibly magnetic friendship with Pilot.  He is there for him through everything even though he is tough to deal with at times.  Leto gives such an amazing performance in the film, and brings his character to life in such an amazing way.  On paper, this character may seem stereotypical.  However, Leto is so dynamic in the film that you believe in him and his character.  Personally, I think he steals the entire film and runs away with it in the process.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Pilot.  Pilot is socially awkward, sexually confused and has countless questions about life.  This film is his journey, and everyone else is along for the ride.  Gyllenhaal is breathtaking in the film.  He brings a certain vulnerability to his character that makes you sympathize with what he is going through.  It is kind of cliche that he does not get the girl in the end, but that moment lasts for about a second because all he cares about is the trouble he caused his friends.  This is a wonderful performance by a great actor.

Selma Blair plays Cassie.  This character actually has a beautiful arc throughout the film.  Everything from her introduction, to her being the mediator between Jack and Pilots' bickering fits perfectly into the film, and is essential in the relationship between the characters.  In fact, just when you think her character is going to become cliche, she takes another path that makes you root for her even more.  Blair plays the role quite convincingly, and especially shines in the scenes she has with Jared Leto. 

James Cox is the director of Highway.  I love the way he handles this film because the character relationships are the driving force of the film.  Without this key aspect, we do not care about anything that happens to them.  This film is a window into these characters' lives, and it succeeds amazingly at that on every level.  Every time Leto, Gyllenhaal and Blair are on screen together it is pure magic.  This is an incredible film by James Cox.

Highway is a great example of a film where the characters guide you through the world that they inhabit.  This film has great characters that you connect to, and great actors to play those characters.  Highway is yet another hidden gem that may be hard to find but, if you do, add it to your collection.

The Road To Burnin' Love

I have always thought that a good romantic comedy can be fun to watch.  Even though I think that the genre is a dying breed, I still believe that there are a number of gems out there.  Elvis Has Left The Building is a wonderful example of a charming comedy that, unfortunately, probably did not get the attention that it deserved.

Elvis Has Left the Building is the story of a Pink Lady Cosmetics representative who meets an ad agency executive as she is travels across the country accidentally and inexplicably murdering Elvis impersonators.  While this film does not deliver a barrel of laughs, you will be chuckling constantly throughout the film.  The ways each Elvis impersonator is killed are so inventive and funny, and leave you wondering how many creative ways they can pull of the gag.  I also enjoy the two characters who are FBI Agents attempting to crack the case.  The characters are complete opposites, and add to that that one of them is a germaphobe, and this comedy duo almost steal the entire film.  This is such an enjoyable film that has a good story, great acting and solid comedic charm.

Kim Basinger plays Harmony Jones.  Basinger delivers brilliant comedic timing throughout the film, and brings a certain genuineness to her character that adds to the overall film.  She also has good dramatic scenes both with Angie Dickinson and John Corbett.  This is a well-rounded performance that truly showcases how talented Kim Basinger is as an actress.

John Corbett plays Miles Taylor.  Overall, I like Corbetts' performance in this movie.  He displays a certain charm and wit that could make any woman fall in love with him.  However, I do feel that there is a severe lack of development with his character.  It just feels as if he was cast as the typical good looking man who falls for the female character.  We do not even see his character involved with his ad agency much at all.  His motives just seem unclear to me.  Do not misunderstand me, Corbett is solid in the movie, but I just did not care about his character enough.

Joel Zwick is the director of Elvis Has Left The Building.  Ultimately, this movie is about how much Elvis Presley had an impact on Harmony Jones' life and career.  You can feel that impact throughout the film as there are countless Elvis-inspired sets, clothing, vehicles, outfits and memorabilia.  Also, even though this film is a comedy, the dramatic scenes do stand out because they are so good, and Zwick handles them with care.  The chemistry between the actors is solid as well, which is the mark of a good director.  Zwick does a wonderful job directing this film.

Elvis Has Left The Building is such a delightful gem of a comedy, and it is a shame that it got so unrecognized on its initial release.  The acting is great, the sets and atmosphere are wonderful, and the comedy bits will have you smiling throughout the entire film.  If you have not seen Elvis Has Left Building, I highly suggest that you pick it up.  As with all cinematic gems, it may be hard to find, but trust me, it is worth it.

Forbidden, Foreign Love

Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors of all time, and yet there is much of his early work that I have not seen.  I always find it interesting to discover earlier and lesser known films in the careers of certain actors because it is a window into how they became as great as they are today.  I had never seen Every Time I Say Goodbye, nor had I even heard of it.  While the film does have some good performances in it, unfortunately it is riddled with cliches right up until the very end.

Every Time We Say Goodbye is the story of a pilot and a girl from Jerusalem who fall in love, even though their individual backgrounds suggest that they should not be together at all.  As I said before, this film is your typical "forbidden love story".  These two characters are not meant to be together because of their different backgrounds, but they do not care and continue to see each other anyway.  The big problem with the film is that it does not focus on this aspect as much as it should.  It is more focused on the fact that David (Tom Hanks) is an American, and does not understand the Jewish culture and heritage.  The entire film consists of David and Sarah (Cristina Marsillach) seeing each other behind the back of Sarahs' family.  The storytelling falls completely flat, and were it not for the performances of Hanks and Marsillach, this movie would be dead on arrival.

Tom Hanks plays David.  Even though his character arc is predictable in every way, I like what Hanks brings to the table.  There are scenes where he displays his classic comedy chops, but for a majority of the film he displays a serviceable dramatic range that is nice to see so early in his career.  The scene where he is attempting to see Sarah one last time before he leaves is actually quite moving to watch because he is almost violent in his determination to see her.  This is a solid performance from an an actor who would go on to become one of the greatest ever.

Cristina Marsillach plays Sarah.  While I do like Marsillachs' performance, her character arc is the most cliched element of this film.  She meets David, and they start spending time with each other even though she is forbidden from seeing him.  She falls in love with him, tells her family, then tells David to leave so that she is spared more pain, and chooses to marry her best friend.  Then, she realizes she cannot marry him because she is in love with David.  Marsillach does what she can with such limited material, and her performance, along with Hanks' is the only other reason to watch this film in its entirety.

Moshe Mizrahi is the director of Every Time We Say Goodbye.  The relationship between David and Sarah is the most important aspect of this film.  Mizrahi uses this to his advantage because not only is the chemistry good between the actors, but all of their scenes together are quite touching to watch.  My favorite scene in the film is when Sarah confesses her love for David to her family.  The performances of every actor in this scene are so genuine.  You can feel the emotional conflict within Sarah, just as you can feel the anger and hatred from her family.  The location of Jerusalem is beautiful to look at as well.  Mizrahi chooses nice shots to showcase the landscape.  There is not much to like about the direction of this film, but these aspects do stand out in a positive way for me personally.

There is not much to like about Every Time We Say Goodbye.  The story and character arcs are all too familiar and predictable, but I honestly think that the acting is serviceable.  I would say if you are fan of Tom Hanks, and would like to experience his earlier work, check this movie out.  If not, you are better off skipping it.

Tragedies In The Wilderness

Time to Kill is another early film in Nicolas Cages' career that I had not seen, or even heard of, until recently.  I have always liked him as an actor, so I was automatically intrigued to watch the film.  I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and I think Cage gives one of his best performances of his entire career.

Time to Kill is the story of an Italian Army Lieutenant who is suffering from a toothache, travels to the nearest hospital to get it treated, but encounters many horrors throughout his journey.  In fact, that is the most intriguing thing about this movie.  The experiences that Lieutenant Silvestri (Nicolas Cage) has throughout the film are almost, if not just as, terrible as experiencing the war itself.  There are even times when you think that Silvestri would have been better off fighting in the war.  This is a heavy film to get through, and some of the characters are downright unlikable.  In fact, this might be one of those movies that you only watch once a year.  However, this is an incredibly well-made film that I highly recommend you make the effort to watch.  There are a few plot holes with this movie that I must address.  Firstly, it is unclear where the war in this film is being fought.  I actually had to do some research online to find out that the war was being fought in Ethiopia in 1936.  Also, at one point in the movie, Silvestri accidentally shoots a woman and kills her.  We do not learn this womans' name until moments before her death, and her name-drop feels completely random.  Later in the film, Silvestri has a standoff with an enemy, and his enemy has stolen has his gun.  Silvestri reveals that he has unloaded his gun so that the enemy cannot fire it.  While this plot point can be somewhat debatable as to whether it should be seen or not, I personally feel it necessary.  Despite these extremely minor flaws, this is an incredible film that every movie buff should have in their collection.

Nicolas Cage plays Enrico Silvestri.  This is one of Cages' most emotional and vulnerable performances.  Silvestri is a man who has plenty of war experience, but when it comes to surviving on his own in the wilderness, he has no idea what to do or where to go.  He suffers horrors beyond his imagination, and because of that he will have personal demons for the rest of his life.  The scene where he accidentally shoots and kills a local woman is particularly moving because there is no one/nowhere to go to for help.  Even though Silvestri is not a likable character in the slightest, his journey is quite remarkable.  Cage is brilliant in this film.

Giuliano Montaldo is the director of Time to Kill.  I like what Montaldo does with this movie for a couple of reasons: Firstly, the wide shots that show Silvestri traveling across the vast landscape are absolutely spectacular, and almost make you forget about all of the terrible things that have happened to this character.  Second, I like the way all of the incidents are filmed.  Montaldo does a brilliant job of making us feel like we are experiencing these events along with Silvestri, which makes you feel empathy for the character even though he is not particularly likable.  Montaldo does a fine job directing this movie.

Time to Kill is heavy on dramatic storytelling and dark character arcs.  However, it is a must for any film connoisseur.  This film might be hard to find, but if you do, I highly suggest that you pick it up.

Birth of the Blue Flash

I have always found Nicolas Cage to be one of cinemas' most interesting actors.  Everything from the projects he chooses to his subtle nuances as an actor have made him one of the most polarizing celebrities in Hollywood.  Up until now, I have been unfamiliar with his earlier work.  As I watch more of his movies, it will be fascinating to see how his career has evolved.  My first choice is the 1986 film The Boy in Blue.

The Boy in Blue is the true story of Ned Hanlan, the Canadian sculler who would go on to become the World Champion.  This film effectively chronicles Hanlans' (Nicolas Cage) days growing up in Canada, and the events that transpired as he went on to become internationally famous.  One of the things that keeps this movie grounded, and not just a puff piece, is that it shows that while Hanlan is the best sculler in Canada, he has trouble competing with the big boys around the world and truly has much to learn.  In fact, he does not even win his first race once he leaves Canada.  He is even bullied and looked down upon for being an outsider and not having professional training.  Again, it is all of these factors, as well as Nicolas Cages' performance, that make this story believable.  Other than the fact that it is unclear that Hanlan is not American ( I actually had to look up where he is from), this is a wonderful film about having the strength to accomplish your goals, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Nicolas Cage plays Ned Hanlan.  There is a certain recklessness, and yet determination, to Hanlan throughout the beginning of the film.  Hanlan enjoys living life and taking risks, but when it comes to sculling he is extremely focused.  Cage balances these emotions well, and even makes you laugh at his recklessness not because it is funny, but because he is wasting his potential.  However, once he begins to make it big in the United States, his determination is kicked into overdrive.  There is also a certain humbleness to Hanlan that Cage plays into quite well.  Hanlan is an every-man who is a casual sculler, and is not used to a celebrity status, so when he is greeted with thunderous applause it is awkward for him.  Cages' performance is the heartbeat of the film, and he displays all of these emotions in such a well-rounded way.

Christopher Plummer plays Knox.  Knox is a wealthy businessman who sees Hanlan as a financial investment, and not as a talented man.  He is ruthless, and has Hanlan training vigorously for the championship.  It takes a truly great actor to make you hate the character they are playing, and Plummer plays the role with such conviction that every fiber of your being despises his character.  He virtually steals every scene that he is in.  This is such a deliciously evil performance delivered by an acting titan.

Charles Jarrott is the director of The Boy in Blue.  I love what Jarrott brings to this film because he brings you into the world and culture of sculling.  The sequences at the Centennial Regatta are a sight to a behold.  I also like the way Hanlans' relationships with Knox and Margaret (Cynthia Dale) are handled.  One is affecting him in a positive way, and the other is affecting him in a negative way.  Jarrott handles these relationships with great care.  Of course, the main character arc is about Ned Hanlan, and his story truly has an epic, "zero-to-hero" feel to it.  Jarrott does a magnificent job directing this film.

The Boy in Blue is a must-own movie for any film enthusiast.  With great characters and a compelling story, this film will truly capture your heart.  This film may be hard to find, but if you do, I highly suggest you pick it up.

Age Is Only A Number

I have been a huge fan Clint Eastwood fan ever since I graduated high school.  Personally, I believe that his career as a director outshines his career as an actor, which is saying quite a lot.  However, there are still many of his earlier films that he directed that I have not seen.  After watching Breezy, and rather enjoying it, I can finally cross this movie off of my list.

Breezy is the story of a teen-aged hippy and a middle-aged divorced man who unexpectedly fall in love.  Ultimately, this film shows how profoundly one person can affect your life.  Frank Harmon (William Holden) has just gone through a bitter divorce, and is living a live of seclusion.  He is cranky, old and lonely.  However, when Breezy (Kay Lenz) enters his life, there is a youthfulness that springs up inside of him.  It is quite beautiful to see how their relationship progresses throughout the film.  This film also sends the profound message that it does not matter who you love.  Even though there is a vast age difference between Frank and Breezy, you can tell that they are perfect for each other.  This is a solid, well put together film about enjoying life and finding love.  However, there are some minor plot points I have with the movie.  Relatively early in the film, Frank and Breezy find a dog lying helpless on the side of the road.  Breezy gets out of the passenger side to help, and Frank....does the same???  Why does he not get out of the drivers' side???  Later in the film there is a scene in a bar, but why is the dog taken inside the bar??  Why is he not tied up outside??  Then, towards the middle of the film, Frank says he is going out.  He tells Breezy that he will be home around 10:00 p.m.  It turns out that he gets home much later.  When he gets home, Breezy is not even mad at him.  Instead, there is an impromptu love scene.  Why is Breezy so forgiving of this??  Why is she not more worried about him???  Again, these are all EXTREMELY minor flaws in an otherwise good film.

William Holden plays Frank Harmon.  I love this character because you can tell that even though he lives a life of seclusion, he actually does want happiness and companionship in his life again.  In fact, it seems as if he is unwilling to admit to himself that Breezy is giving him all of this even though deep down he knows it to be true.  I love the way Holden plays the character because what could be viewed as grumpiness towards Breezy actually shows that he knows that she is the right woman for him.  The banter and chemistry that he has with Kay Lenz is impeccable, and you truly believe that these two are a couple.  Franks' character arc is quite well done as well because we see him struggle with this relationship throughout the film, and it is only at the end that he realizes that this is meant to be.  This is a remarkable performance by Holden that almost steals the show from the title character/actress.

Clint Eastwood is the director of Breezy.  I love the way Eastwood handles this movie.  Breezy is such a pivotal character in this film because she has such a strong impact on everyone she encounters and, because of this, Eastwood naturally has her on camera for virtually the entire film.  Even when she is not on screen, you can still feel her presence.  The relationship that she has with Frank is also such a driving force in the film, and Eastwood lets those two characters chew up every piece of celluloid that they are in together.  The scene where Frank takes Breezy to the beach is so emotional to watch because it marks a turning point in their relationship, and Eastwood handles it in such a way that just makes you smile.  While I would not rank this as one of Eastwoods' best films by any means, he does show that he can make a film about a romantic relationship without it being overly dramatic.  This movie is a solid gem in his directorial filmography.

Breezy is a fine film directed by one of the industrys' greatest legends.  It has a beautiful story, great characters, and a powerful message.  However, to be perfectly honest, this is probably a "one-and-done" movie to the casual viewer.  Unless you are a massive film fan or a Clint Eastwood enthusiast, you can probably skip this movie without any regrets.

Simian Takeover: Part 2

After watching Rise, I was immediately excited to watch Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.  I have to say that I had no idea what I was in for, how exciting this film would be, or how much fun I would have watching it.  Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a superb sequel that shows the violent conflict between the humans and the apes.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the story of Caesar and his army of genetically enhanced apes being threatened by human survivors of the virus that was unleashed ten years earlier.  One of the things that this movie does well is continue the story of the previous film while also standing on its own as a great sequel.  There are a couple of plot points and character arcs that carry over to this film in a wonderful way.  For example, we saw at the end of Rise that the virus that enhances apes has a vastly different affect on humans.  Then, at the beginning of Dawn, we see that the virus has actually killed 150 million Americans.  This leaves the apes as the dominant species on the planet.  However, perhaps the most important aspect about this movie is how the conflict between the apes and the humans arises.  While Caesar (Andy Serkis) and Koba (Toby Kebbell) both have opposing points of view about the humans, the most important thing about their relationship is that their points of view are CORRECT.  They are both right in everything that they say about each other.  This makes Kobas' betrayal, and his showdown with Caesar at the end of the film, so much more powerful.  Also, like the previous film, Caesar is extremely adamant that the apes will only fight if necessary.  This adds to the conflict between Caesar and Koba because Koba feels strongly that the humans are the enemy, and that they need to be eliminated.  In fact, Koba feels as strongly about fighting as the humans do.  The fact that Caesar sticks to his beliefs, even after Koba goes behind his back and does things without his knowledge, speaks volumes about Caesars' character.  Tonally, this is a much darker film than the first, with many violent action sequences that enhance the story and the conflict between the characters.  I would have liked to see a scene that explains Ellie's (Keri Russell) medical background but, other than that, this film is superb in every way.

Matt Reeves is the director of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.  As per usual with the second chapter in a story, this film is darker and more violent than the previous installment.  However, it does not start that way.  The conflict slowly builds through several scenes that are quite dramatic and tense to watch.  This is is not only because you do not know how the characters will behave in certain situations, but also because Reeves uses long takes and good reaction shots to build the tension.  The scene where Koba pretends to be a playful ape in front of two humans, and then shoots them point blank with their own guns, is a perfect example of this.  I also love the sequence in which the apes attack the stronghold where the humans are located.  The cinematography is beautiful, and the quick cuts make the action incredibly intense to watch.  The long P.O.V. "turret shot" is a personal favorite of mine.  I also enjoy the way the fight between Caesar and Koba is handled.  This fight, between two CGI characters, could have easily been silly and laughable.  However, given the tone of the movie and the emotions going through these two characters, this is more an emotional battle than a physical one.  Also, given the arcs of both characters, the end result just about makes you leap for joy.  This film is one of the better sequels in modern cinema, and that is due to the tone that Reeves set for this movie, and the direction in which he takes the story and the characters.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a rare example of a sequel being better than its predecessor.  It expands on the relationships between the characters, and the action sequences are incredibly exciting to watch.  If you enjoyed the first Apes movie, you will LOVE Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

Simian Takeover: Part 1

I was extremely skeptical of watching these new Planet of the Apes films.  Even though I have become more tolerant of remakes in recent years, the original Apes movie will always have a special place in my heart because of my genetic connection to its director, Franklin J. Schaffner.  Needless to say that, once again, I was proven wrong.  Rise of the Planet of the Apes is quite an enjoyable film that has powerful themes within the story line.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the first installment of this new, reinvented Apes film franchise, and is the story of a brain-repairing substance that makes chimpanzees super-intelligent.  I have to say that I worry about the future of humanity when I see film that makes us seem like the bad guys.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.  In fact, it is one of the main reasons this film is so compelling.  We see how evil the human race is at its core right from the beginning of the movie.  Instead of breeding the apes in captivity, and testing Substance 112 on them when they reach the right age, the humans go out into the jungle and capture them.  Also, when the substance has an adverse affect on Bright Eyes, instead of tranquilizing her or putting her down in a peaceful way, she is violently shot in front of dozens of witnesses.  The saddest part about this particular sequence is that she was just being protective of her son Caesar (Andy Serkis) which, of course, the humans were too reactionary to think about.  The most important part of this film, as far as realizing the evil of humanity goes, is when Caesar is taken to a primate shelter after protecting Charles Rodman (John Lithgow) from their violent neighbor.  We see that Caesar does not understand why he is being punished.  After all, he is not the bad guy.  He was just doing what he was taught to do by his master, Will Rodman (James Franco).  Caesar sees the human race as primitive, and the apes as the superior, and more intelligent, race.  Perhaps this is why Caesar leads the apes into the redwood forest at the end of the film: to wait for humanity to catch up to their intelligence level so that they do not react in a violent way, which of course is something that we begin to see.  This is quite an enjoyable film that has a powerful message: some things are not meant to be changed.  However, there are a couple of minor plot holes that I need to address.  At one point in the film, I believe we see a picture of Will and his father.  We are to understand that this picture was taken earlier in the film, and yet we do not see this happen.  Also, later in the film during the sequences at the primate shelter, it is revealed that owner of the shelter is actually Dodge Landons' (Tom Felton) father.  I think that this could have been revealed at an earlier time because, as it stands, it feels somewhat forced.  These are EXTREMELY minor plot holes that in no way detract from how good this movie is.  This movie proves that, if you get the right creative people involved, remakes/re-imaginings can actually be great films.

Andy Serkis plays Caesar.  I truly love the way Caesar is portrayed by Serkis.  The range of emotions that are portrayed on Caesar's face is nothing short of extraordinary.  There is a beautiful moment in the film where Will opens the back door of his truck to let Caesar in, and Caesar refuses, instead choosing to ride in the back seat like a typical human being.  The look on his face when he asks Will, "Am I a pet?" is the perfect combination of anger and confusion.  I also love Caesar as a character because, even when the ape uprising starts, he feels strongly about not killing any humans unless absolutely necessary.  He feels that killing makes them no better than the savageness of humanity.  This groundbreaking role is a major reason why Serkis has become the godfather of performance capture.

Rupert Wyatt is the director of Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  As I mentioned before, I enjoy the themes that this film deals with.  Specifically, this movie shows how cruel humanity is at its core.  When the humans realize that the apes have the potential to be better than them, both physically and mentally, they react in a violent way.  That being said, I was actually quite surprised at how little violence is in this film.  The violence does not escalate until the climax of the film, and it is only after the apes present a serious and legitimate threat.  The action scene on the bridge is well shot and thrilling to watch.  This action scene also shows the cruelty of humanity once again.  The humans are the ones who instigate the violence, and the apes are responding in self-defense.  The apes rarely kill any of the humans because they realize that doing so would mean that they are no better than them.  This scene is exciting, and it also sets up the extremely violent second chapter in the Apes trilogy.  Wyatt does a wonderful job of setting up the journey of Caesar.  The sequence where we see Caesar grow up and develop is quite moving to watch.  This is an epic and emotional film, and that is due to the tone that Wyatt set with this film.

I love being proven wrong about films.  Rise of the Planet of the Apes breathes new life into this franchise while also reinvigorating my love for all of the previous films.  All I can say is that if you are skeptical about watching this reinvention of the Apes franchise, as I was, I urge you to take a chance on it.

Sweaty Nerd Fandom: Part 7

When it comes to superhero/comic book movies, Superman: The Movie is the grandfather of them all.  The sheer spectacle of the film, as well as a flawless performance by Christopher Reeve, helped pioneer these kinds of films into their own genre.  This is such a revolutionary movie that helped launch comic book characters off of the printed page and on to the cinema screen.

Superman: The Movie is the story of an alien boy who gets sent to Earth because his planet is dying.  This boy grows up to become Earth's first superhero.  What this movie does so well that, quite frankly is insanely hard to do in narrative storytelling, is dive right into the action by giving you a scene of exposition.  We learn about the history between Jor-El (Marlon Brando) and General Zod (Terence Stamp) without actually seeing the events that happened.  One could argue that it would have helped the film if we actually got to see these events, but I believe that there is enough dialog in this opening scene to understand what happened, and to also understand the intentions of the characters.  This film also does a wonderful job of explaining the mythology of the character of Superman.  We see Kal-El's birth mother, Lara (Susannah York), wrap him in the red and blue clothing that he will eventually wear as Superman.  We also clearly understand that Clark Kent is a disguise, that he took his adoptive mothers' middle name, and Superman is the kind of person that Kal-El is at his core.  This film does a magnificent job of bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen in a beautiful way.  After nearly forty years, this film still holds up for the most part.  However, after re-watching it recently, there are some cheesy elements that just do not feel right.  After the sequence where Kal-El speaks to Jor-El at the Fortress of Solitude, Jor-Els' face turns to ice and slowly spins off screen.  If this was meant to be a metaphor for his permanent disappearance, I do not believe that this was executed well.  I think it would have been better to have his face just slowly fade away into nothingness.  This would also help us understand that Jor Els' task is done, and that Kal-El does not need his fathers' wisdom and advice anymore.  Also, in the scene where Superman and Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) are flying together, we hear narration by Kidder that explains her feelings when she is with Superman.  This is unnecessary.  We can clearly see how she is feeling from the way she is looking at Superman.  We do not need to be told this through narration.  There are also a few flaws in the scene where Lois Lane interviews Superman.  Lois asks a few questions that begin with, "Is it true that...."  In order for her to phrase the question like that, she had to have heard rumors about Superman, and yet there are no previous scenes where she is learning anything about him.  Also, later in the film, when Eve Teschmacher (Valerie Perrine) is reading about the interview in the newspaper, some of the traits she reveals about Superman were not even asked in the interview!  Later in the film, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) puts Superman through a gauntlet of attacks before he enters Luthors' lair.  While this is all visually splendid to watch, Luthor knows these attacks will not kill Superman.  So, why does he do this?  Does he think Superman will retreat??  Now, towards the climax of the film, it is revealed that there are two nuclear missiles that Lex Luthor and Eve Teschmacher have altered (even though it was actually Otis, played by Ned Beatty, that did the altering).  The only thing is, we only Otis alter ONE missile.  Where was the other one this whole time??  During the exciting climax of the film, an earthquake occurs which results in a dam breaking, sending endless amounts of water towards a neighborhood.  Wait....is there really a neighborhood near a dam??  Does that even make sense??  I feel that this particular scene exists just so we can witness the power of Superman.  Despite all the glaring plot holes, Superman: The Movie is still just as influential and entertaining as it was forty years ago.  I personally never get tired of watching the movie that launched superhero films as their own genre.

Christopher Reeve, in one of my personal favorite performances of all time, plays Superman/Clark Kent.  What Reeve does in this movie is so beautiful.  His physical nuances as Clark Kent and his gentlemanly demeanor as Superman are captivating to watch.  The first scene with Clark Kent at the Daily Planet is a personal favorite of mine.  Reeve completely disappears into the character, and it feels genuine.  When Superman says, "I'm here to fight for truth, justice, and the American way", you believe him.  There are truly not enough words for how much I love Reeves' performance in this film.

Margot Kidder plays Lois Lane.  Personally, I find this version of Lane to be somewhat dimwitted.  Yes, she does display remarkable exuberance when it comes to her job, but other than that it just seems like nothing can go right for her.  Now, her being "dimwitted" may partially have something to do with her being head-over-heels in love with Superman, which is understandable.  I just do not see her purpose in being in the film other than being Supermans' love interest.  I mean, how can you be a writer at the Daily Planet if you do not know how to spell??  Kidder is fantastic at playing the character, do not get me wrong.  I just do not like the character all that much.

Gene Hackman plays Lex Luthor.  Quite honestly, I have always had mixed feelings about the way Hackman plays the character.  I enjoy seeing the maniacal, intelligent side of Luthor.  However, I do not particularly care for the scenes where he shows his more humorous side.  I believe this takes away from how cunning the character can be.  In fact that cunning side is played brilliantly by Hackman when Luthor and Superman come face to face near the climax of the movie.  Even though I do have some misgivings about the portrayal of the character, that does not take away from how much I enjoy watching Gene Hackman play the character.  This is a solid piece of acting by one of cinemas' finest.

Richard Donner is the director of Superman: The Movie.  I love Donners' work in this film because he dives right into the conflict between the characters, and sets up their characteristics and motivations.  This makes you care about the characters even more when all the spectacular visual effects scenes happen.  I love the set design of the Daily Planet and Lex Luthor's lair.  The Daily Planet is bustling with people doing their jobs, people typing and phones ringing off the hook.  Luthor's lair is lined with encyclopedias and research books written by well-renowned authors.  I have to say that some of the visual effects during the flood sequence at the climax of the film do feel a bit dated.  You can tell that the sets of the neighborhoods are miniatures.  Other than this minor complaint, Donner does a marvelous job with this movie.  The characters, sets and visual effects are handled with the greatest of care by one of the most brilliant directors of our time.

Superman: The Movie is an unmitigated classic in every sense of the word.  It has a great story, wonderful characters, and spectacular visual effects.  If you have not yet checked out the movie that started the superhero movie genre, I highly suggest that you do as soon as possible.  You will love it.

Keeping Up With The Doctor: Part 3

I personally believe that there is an argument that can be made for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as the best of the Indiana Jones movies.  The story and character arcs are wonderful, the action is intense, and the final shot of the film is iconic.  I also believe this to be Harrison Fords' best performance as Indiana Jones.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is the third installment of the Indiana Jones film series, and is the story of Indiana Jones a.k.a. Henry Jones, Jr., teaming up with his father in order to stop the Nazis from getting their hands on the Holy Grail.  There are countless things to love about this film.  In the opening sequence, we learn that Indy was not that much different when he was a boy.  For the most part, he has always passionately felt that important historic artifacts belong in a museum.  We also learn in this sequence how he received his scar and his hat.  We also learn what sparked his fear of snakes and the kind of upbringing he received from his father.  In fact, the character of Professor Henry Jones (Sean Connery) is a rather important one, both to Indy and the story itself.  While Indys' quests in the past have been about recovering historical artifacts, his quest this time finds him going after his father.  Henry has been captured by the Nazis, and they intend to use him to find the Holy Grail, and Indy goes after him.  The quest for the Grail is more important to Henry, and I love the fact that the artifact he has been searching forty years for is the same artifact that, in the end, saves his life.  This brings Henrys' character arc full circle, as well as his relationship with his son.  Their relationship is both emotional and humorous because, while they both have a passion for archaeology, they have different ways of exploring and are two completely different people entirely.  Indy is the real explorer, and Henry is the bookworm.  Over the course of the film, their relationship is mended and they form a genuine respect for one another.  This film makes you feel many different kinds of emotions which is what makes it such a great piece of cinema and, for nineteen years, the Indiana Jones films stood as one of the greatest trilogies of all time.

Joining Harrison Ford is Sean Connery as Professor Henry Jones.  I love this character so much because we see that, in terms of archaeology, he is a bookworm and very much out of his element when it comes to exploring.  Connerys' body language, facial expressions and dialogue are some of the best in the film.  We also find out that he, quite honestly, has no qualms about the falling out he had with his son.  Henry raised Indy well, and he let him go off and become a man in his own way.  I think that shows a certain respect that Henry has for his son, and it also shows a certain pride within the character.  I mean, if your child went away to do his own thing, and you had no reason to worry, would you not be proud as well?  Connery shines in the role, particularly in the scenes where he and Indy are bickering at one another, which are quite humorous to watch and shows how talented both actors are.  There is also a beautiful moment near the end of the film where Henry thinks he has lost his boy, and the way Connery plays this moment almost makes you tear up.  This is one of the few instances when, in my opinion, the supporting actor is better than the lead actor.  Connery had quite a career rejuvenation in the late 80's and throughout the 90's.  This film, and his performance, is one of the reasons why.

Steven Spielberg returns as director of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  I love that Spielberg has one of Harrison Fords' first scenes be a scene where Indy is talking about how most archaeology is done by reading and research.  It is as if Indy is encouraging his students to NOT follow the path that he has gone.  There is a certain irony to this scene as well because, as we find out later in the film, X truly does mark the spot.  I also like that, from a storytelling point of view, Henry Jones has a phobia just like his son.  It seems that they run in the family.  Also, the action sequences are magnificent to watch.  This is the most action-packed of all the Indiana Jones films, and each one is bigger and better than the previous.  My personal favorite is the plane attack because it evolves into a sequence where the plane is chasing the Jones' in a car, and then Henry becomes the hero of the entire sequence by using his literary knowledge against the enemy.  The dialogue sequences are quite emotional to watch as well because you can see that the relationship between Indy and his father is gradually healing throughout the film.  The scene where Henry is shot is particularly emotional because Indy only recently reconnected with his father, and now he is slipping away right before his eyes.  This also adds an emotional weight to Indys' path through the booby traps, and adds to the feeling of anxiousness during this sequence.  Spielberg is at the top of his game with this film.  Every sequence, every scene, is so expertly crafted.  The final shot of the movie just might bring a tear to your eye.

Indiana Jones is a thrilling adventure film that rides higher on emotion than you might think.  It is hard to make one good film, let alone three, but Spielberg and Company truly captured lightning in a bottle with this film franchise.  If you enjoyed the previous installments of the series, you will definitely enjoy this one.  If you are already an Indiana Jones fan, go ahead and treat yourself to another viewing.  It is totally worth it.

Secret Agent Man: Part 3

Goldfinger is the quintessential James Bond movie.  It has the perfect combination of fun, thrills, excitement, it has a great leading man in Sean Connery, and is captained by a wonderful director in Guy Hamilton.  When people ask, "What is your favorite James Bond film?", nine times out of ten the answer is Goldfinger.

Goldfinger is the story of James Bond investigating a smuggling case, and uncovering a plot to contaminate Fort Knox in the process.  I love the way the story unfolds in this film.  James Bond (Sean Connery) is first assigned to investigate Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) to find out if he is smuggling his gold illegally.  This quickly evolves to believing that Goldfinger is going to steal the gold supply of Fort Knox, and we actually believe this for the majority of the movie.  It is only towards the climax of the film that we find out Goldfingers' true intentions, and this leaves us anxiously waiting to see if Bond will be able to save the world once again.  This film also set the standard for gadgetry-equipped vehicles.  No Bond car will ever be better than the Aston Martin DB5, and that is, in large part, thanks to all of its high-tech weaponry.  The moment in the film that showcases the ejector seat is perhaps the most memorable moment in the history of the franchise.  There is one EXTREMELY minor plot hole that I feel the need to address.  When Bond is Goldfingers' "guest" on his private jet, we learn that their final destination is actually Kentucky.  Perhaps I missed it, but I do not recall the jet ever actually landing there.  This flaw in no way diminishes the enjoyment of watching this film.  In fact, one of the best moments of my life was watching this film with my grandfather.  He had seen the movie when it was released in 1964, and it was quite wonderful knowing that he was also a Bond fan.  If you have never seen one of these films, Goldfinger is the perfect place to start.

Sean Connery returns as James Bond.  This is perhaps his best performance as 007 because he brings the perfect blend of charm, wit and lethalness to the character.  The scene where he is playing golf with Goldfinger is the perfect example of this.  This is also the film that, in my opinion anyway, sets the standard for the Bond one-liners.  Connery delivers them in such a humorous yet deadly way, and they become second nature to the franchise for years to come.  This is an iconic performance from Connery in an iconic James Bond film.

Honor Blackman plays Pussy Galore.  I like this character quite a bit because even though she is Goldfingers' personal pilot, and even though she says she is immune to Bonds' charm, you can tell by the way Blackman plays the character that both things are getting to her emotionally in different ways.  The look that Galore gives Bond when he says, "He's quite mad, you know." speaks volumes.  Galore is a strong, independent woman which is why she is one of the most popular "Bond Girls", and Blackman gives an exemplary performance.

Gert Frobe plays Goldfinger.  Goldfinger is one of those Bond villains that you love to hate.  There is a certain charm and confidence that he has that Frobe plays into quite well.  The scene with the industrial laser is one where Goldfinger shows all of these traits, as well as being exceptionally evil.  Frobe's performance is one of the countless reasons why this film is so re-watchable.

Guy Hamilton is the director of Goldfinger.  I love the style and tone that Hamilton brings to Bond.  In nearly every scene you are anxious to see what happens next, and yet there is a certain enjoyment that is there as well.  That kind of tone is tough to achieve.  I also love the way Hamilton directs action sequences.  There are longer cuts, shorter cuts, tracking shots, and even a couple of P.O.V. shots.  The car chase throughout Goldfingers' warehouses keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time.  This film is a brilliant cinematic achievement, and that is due to Hamiltons' masterful directing.

Goldfinger is certainly the most popular of the James Bond films, and there are many reasons why.  With a unique combination of action and humor, the film long ago established itself as the Bond film for the ages.  If you are a Bond fan like me, and especially if you are a fan of the Sean Connery Bond films, then I cannot recommend this movie highly enough.

Fathers and Sons: Part VII

For over thirty years, Star Wars Episode VII was just an idea.  Star Wars fans around the world talked about and thought up ideas of what they would like to see.  On December 18th, 2015, Star Wars Episode VII became a reality called The Force Awakens and, for me personally, the film lived up to all of its hype.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is the seventh chapter in the Star Wars saga, and is the story of a defecting stormtrooper and a scavenger who band together with Han Solo to fight the First Order, and help the Resistance find the missing Luke Skywalker.  The first thing you notice about this film is its similarities, particularly in its themes and occasional plot points, to A New Hope.  You have the reluctant hero, Rey (Daisy Ridley), who receives guidance from an older man (in this case, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and starts training with legendary Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).  You have the message that is given to a droid at the beginning of the film (a map leading to Luke), a space battle above a circular space station (Starkiller Base),the best pilot in the galaxy (Poe Dameron played by Oscar Isaac) and even the boy who has turned to the dark side, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).  For better or worse, The Force Awakens is a love letter to A New Hope.  This film also gives us several moments that we as fans were not expecting.  Everyone expected to see a reunion of Han, Luke and Leia, but that did not happen.  Everyone expected Han and Leia to be happily married and have a family, but that did not happen.  Everyone expected all of the heroes to survive this new trilogy, but that is not going to happen.  Personally, I rather enjoy the fact that this movie surprised me.  After all, unlike the prequel trilogy, we have no idea where the story is going.  This film also does a good job of raising more questions than answers.  Who is Supreme Leader Snoke, and where did he come from??  When did Ben Solo turn to the dark side and form the Knights of Ren??  Who are Reys' parents??  When did Luke vanish??  I have a feeling that these questions will be answered in the forthcoming movies.  One of the other things this film does quite beautifully is mention the events of the prequels in an extremely subtle way.  Kylo Ren suggests that General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) use an army of clone troopers because the stormtroopers are not performing at proper efficiency levels.  Also, the character of Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o) mentions that she saw the rise of the Sith and the Empire.  Both of these dialogue sequences remind you of the important events of the prequel trilogy without reminding you how awful those movies are.

For all of its strong points, this film does have a number of problems.  The character of Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) is severely underused.  It is disappointing that such an important and imposing character received only ten minutes of screen time.  Also, at the beginning of the movie, Finn (John Boyega) and Poe crash on the planet Jakku.  There is no sign of Poes' survival, and yet he magically shows up when the Resistance attacks the First Order on Takodana.  I would have liked to see how he survived and was able to rendezvous with the Resistance.  I also feel that the A New Hope references, such as the Dejarik game table and the trash compacter suggestion by Han Solo, are forced.  We do not need those references to understand that The Force Awakens is an homage to A New Hope.  I also strongly feel that Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and Leia (Carrie Fisher) should have embraced when they returned to the Resistance base.  The death of Han Solo is an emotional moments for these characters, and for them to not acknowledge that is disrespectful.  I also have a hard time believing that R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) has been distrought, or "in low power mode", ever since Luke left.  Granted, we all know that R2 is the best droid in the galaxy but he is not a pet who misses his owner.  He is a machine.

Even with its fair share of problems, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens definitely rekindles the spirit of the original Star Wars trilogy.  There are new characters we get introduced to, and great arcs for those characters.  The film also has the best cliffhanger in the series since The Empire Strikes Back, leaving you wanting to see the next chapter as soon as this film ends.

Harrison Ford returns as Han Solo.  In my opinion, this is Fords' best performance as the character because he is older and wiser now that he has experienced certain things in his life, but deep down he is still the smart-ass that we love so much.  Of course, seeing Han Solo back on the Millennium Falcon after so long is enough to make a grown man cry, and Ford is great in the action sequences, but there are several dialogue scenes in this movie where Ford shines as an actor.  I love that the scene in which Han Solo tells Finn and Rey, "It's true.....all of it." takes place in the same room on the Millennium Falcon where, years earlier, he told Luke, "I've never seen anything to make me think there's one all-powerful force controlling everything."  I think that the dialogue, as well as the subtext of the scene, shows a certain growth in Han Solo as a character.  I also think Ford is brilliant in his scenes with Carrie Fisher, particularly in the scene where they are talking about their son.  Ford brings an emotional side to Han Solo, but does so in a way that does not make the scene a giant tear-fest.  Ford plays this scene as if Solo has buried his grief deep within himself, which is exactly the way it should be.  Ford also brings this kind of emotion to his death scene in which he is killed by his son.  In one of the more brilliant acting moments I have ever seen, Han Solo touches his sons' cheek just before he falls to his death as if to say, "This path that you have chosen is going to kill you, and everyone that you love".  In this small moment, Solo is acknowledging the fact that his son is truly gone.  This moment also shows why Harrison Ford is the kind of actor that he is.  He knows the character of Han Solo so well, and any other actor would not have thought to add that tiny moment of grief.  Ford disappears into the character so much in this movie that I do not see Harrison Ford.  I see Han Solo.  When I was a kid, I was not sure if I wanted to be Luke Skywalker or Han Solo.  This movie, and Fords' performance in it, makes me want to be Han Solo.

Daisy Ridley plays Rey.  I love Ridleys' first scene because, while she does not say much, we immediately know who she is and what she does.  I also love the fact that she is such a strong female character.  We see early on that she can fend for and defend herself without any help from anyone else.  As Rey gets thrust into the epic story of this film, Ridley displays a wide range of emotions because she is experiencing things she has never felt or seen before. Her scenes with Adam Driver are particularly well done because she displays the perfect combination of fear and determination to overcome his evil.  The banter between Rey and Finn is also well done because you get the sense that they need each other, but there is also a comedic element to their friendship because their characters are so different.  She also displays a good combination of fear and confusion during the force-vision sequence.  I also love the way she delivers the line, "I didn't know there was this much green in the whole galaxy".  Rey is someone who has never left her homeworld, so for her to take in the world around her is awe-inspiring, but you also feel bad for her that she has not experienced much in her life.  This is a wonderful, emotional performance by Ridley, and I cannot wait to see where her career takes her.

John Boyega plays Finn.  I love this character and his storyline because he has seen how truly awful the First Order is, and chooses to defect and fight against them.  Like Daisy Ridley, Boyega gives a performance fueled with emotion.  The scene where he tells Rey the truth about him being a stormtrooper is quite impactful because you feel for the upbringing he has had, and you also understand everything he has experienced since he met her.  I also find Finn a great character because he is attempting to find himself and find his place in the world.  He is a boy who is becoming a man.  These aspects actually lend some comedic elements to the film, especially in the scenes he has with Harrison Ford.  Han Solo is like a father figure to Rey and Finn, and you really get the sense that Solo is attempting to bond with and understand his teenage "son", if you will.  The "I'm in charge now, Phasma!" bit is quite hilarious.  Boyega brings the perfect blend of dramatic and comedic elements to the character, and it will be nice to see how Finn evolves over the course of the new films.

Oscar Isaac plays Poe Dameron.  I like the way Isaac plays this character because, while Dameron may be the best pilot in the Resistance, there is a very down-to-earth quality about the character.  Dameron does not brag about his abilities, instead being humble about them and his role in the Resistance.  Isaac and Boyega also play well off of each other, which is a testament to both of the actors' talents.  I feel like I want to see more of this character because I like it so much, and I think Isaac is a solid actor.  This is another character that I am looking forward to seeing evolve over the coming movies, and I am especially looking forward to what Isaac does with the character.  This is a fine performance by Isaac.

Adam Driver plays Kylo Ren.  Rens' storyline and character arc, like Finns', is completely original, and that is one of the reasons I love it so much.  As opposed to previous generations of Jedi who attempted to resist the call of the dark side, Kylo Ren embraces the dark side and is attempting to resist the light side.  The scene where Ren is praying to the spirit of his grandfather, Darth Vader, and the reveal of Vaders' mask, is particularly haunting.  It also begs the question of how and when Kylo Ren got a hold of the mask.  You also understand that Kylo Ren admires Darth Vader for what he did, and he hates Luke because he turned Vader back to the light side.  I mean, from Rens' perspective, Vader was seduced by the enemy.  This raises another question: Does Kylo Ren know that Vader was redeemed?  Adam Driver plays Kylo Ren with such gravitas, and completely owns the character.  The scenes where he is interrogating both Poe and Rey are completely bone-chilling.  Also, the scene where he kills his father, Han Solo, is an important moment for both the character and the plot of the movie.  It is important because we see how far down the dark path Ben Solo has gone.  It is also important because it raises the stakes for the upcoming films.  Adam Driver gives a truly phenomenal performance in this film.

Carrie Fisher returns as Princess Leia.  I particularly love her scenes at the climax of the film that showcase Leia as the leader of the Resistance because we see how great of an actress Fisher was.  Fisher is also exceptionally good in the scene I mentioned earlier when Han and Leia are talking about their son.  What Fisher does as an actress is so special in this scene because we see that, while Han and Leia may have grown apart, there is still enough love there for her to essentially say that if they can get their son back, then they can be a family again.  Also, the moment where Leia realizes Han is dead, while brief, is very powerful.  It is still hard for me to talk about Carrie Fisher in the past tense.  She was the original female badass.  She brought everything she had to the role of Leia, and did so again with this film.

J.J. Abrams is the director of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.  Abrams had the daunting task of making us care about Star Wars again, and thanks to his personal love of the original film, he brings the spirit of Star Wars back while also making a good movie.  One of the things I enjoy about the film is that we get to see what Han Solos' smuggling life is like.  We see him "talk his way out of it" and attempt to cover his tracks.  I also particularly like the tone that Abrams set with this film.  The Force Awakens has the perfect blend of the lighthearted fun of A New Hope and Return of the Jedi and the darkness of The Empire Strikes Back.  The final scene of the film is also quite emotional to watch.  I personally feel that the reveal of Luke Skywalker is as close to a religious experience as I am ever going to get.  This scene slowly builds with slow cuts that give you goosebumps until the shot that reveals Luke.  You can tell that Abrams is a fan of Star Wars just by watching this film, and The Force Awakens is the perfect entry into an entire new generation of this series.

I am still wrapping my head around the fact that Star Wars is back.  The Force Awakens breathes new life into the franchise while also honoring the legacy of what has come before.  If you like Star Wars at all, specifically the original trilogy, this film is definitely for you.

Bratzi Party!!!

When it comes to making original films, few directors can compare to Kevin Smith.  He makes movies with his friends, writes his own material and does not care who likes it or who does not.  Yoga Hosers is one of the most outrageous comedies I have ever seen and, while there are some issues with it, I personally loved it.

Yoga Hosers is the story of two teenage yoga students who team up with a legendary detective to fight an evil organization of Nazi bratwursts.  With this film, it definitely feels like Kevin Smith is making movies for himself and his audience, and less for critics.  You cannot help but be intrigued at what he has created from his imagination.  The adult-themed humor is at an all-time high, and you can definitely tell that this movie is not for children, or for people who are easily offended.  Yet, for all its comedic glory, there are a couple of minor problems with the film.  For one, Lily-Rose Depp and Harley Quinn Smith both play girls named Colleen, and you never know which Colleen is which. Secondly, it is never actually clear that both Colleens work for Colleen C's dad, nor is it clear which Colleen Tony Hales' character is supposed to be the father of.  Other than these extremely minor issues, Yoga Hosers is a balls-to-the-wall comedy that will cause your jaw to drop to the floor before it is even over.

Harley Quinn Smith and Lily-Rose Depp play Colleen McKenzie and Colleen Collette, respectively.  Their comedic banter is flawless, and it drives the entire film.  The two play off of each other so well, while also bringing their own unique presence to the film.  There is one scene, specifically, where they get their cellular phones taken away from them, that had me in stitches because it was so perfectly executed.  When you have two actresses that are the daughters of such talented people as Kevin Smith and Johnny Depp, it is only natural to assume that they would inherit that talent, and trust me when I say that they do not disappoint.

Kevin Smith is the director of Yoga Hosers.  There are several things that Smith does exceedingly well with this film.  First, the fact that this film is partly historical fiction makes it all the more enjoyable.  Also, this movie is partly a commentary on how much of an impact social media has on our daily lives.  Again, I go back to the scene where the Colleen girls get their phones taken away from them.  The girls' reaction represents one of the main problems with todays' youth, and their reliance on technology.  I also love the yoga sequences in the film because it represents how overly serious some people can be about exercise.  The standout sequence of the film is the Bratzi fight near the end.  This is one of the most hilarious action sequences I have ever seen.  At this point in his career, Kevin Smith is clearly making movies because it is fun, and he delivers originality in spades with this film.

I have said this plenty of times before: in an age of franchises, remakes and reboots, it is always nice to see some original films, and you cannot get more original than Kevin Smith.  Whether it is his brand of humor, his dialogue or just his concept ideas, the man is a creative force.  If you are a fan of Kevin Smiths' movies, I highly recommend that you pick up Yoga Hosers.

Knowing Your Place

A Bug's Life is perhaps Pixar's most under-rated film.  Personally, I love everything about it, from the world creation to the themes that it discusses.  It is also one of the few Pixar films that does not warrant a sequel because it works incredibly well on its own.

A Bug's Life is the story of an ant who goes looking for warrior bugs to save his colony from grasshoppers.  There are so many things to love about this film.  Firstly, Fliks' character arc is flawless.  Flik is an inventor who gets laughed at by the rest of the colony because his inventions never work.  It is because of this that the colony sends him away to find warrior bugs because they know he will fail.  The important thing is that he does not fail, and the warrior bugs help Flik realize his potential, and by the end of the film the entire colony has realized how important he is to their survival.  Also, the relationship between the grasshoppers and the ants is quite interesting.  The ruler of the grasshoppers, Hopper, believes that they are at the top of the bug food chain.  However, he also acknowledges the fact that the ants present a potential threat to them.  There is a wonderful moment in the film where Flik teaches Hopper a lesson by explaining to him who really needs who.  This is a lesson that teaches us that just because someone is bigger and more threatening does not mean they are more important.  In fact, it is the little guy that is crucial to the big guys' survival.  There is also the issue that is discussed, albeit briefly, regarding the character of Francis the Ladybug, and the fact that just because Francis looks like a girl does not mean he actually is one.  I personally believe that this character is Pixars' way of showing support for the LGBT community, and that you can be whoever you want to be in life.  All in all, A Bug's Life is a wonderful movie that is the total package for people of all ages.

John Lasseter is the director of A Bug's Life.  I love the world that Lasseter creates in this film because it actually operates like a human world.  There are different hierarchies, the bugs have friends from different locations, and there are even cities and suburbs.  All of these aspects give the film such a grand scale, and give Fliks' journey an epic feel.  I also love that both of the grasshoppers arrivals to Ant Island are treated like something out of a horror film.  This puts more emphasis on how evil and intimidating they are.  The final battle between the ants and the grasshoppers in the rain is so thrilling to watch and, in a true "circle of life" moment, Hopper meets a grisly demise.  Throughout this entire film, you can feel Lasseters' passion for storytelling, and he succeeds brilliantly.

Maybe it is just me, but when I hear people talk about the Pixar films, I do not hear anyone mention A Bug's Life.  This film deserves so much more recognition than it gets.  If you have not seen this film, I highly recommend that you do.

Sweaty Nerd Fandom: Part 6

Tank Girl is one of the few movies based on a comic book that I had not seen until now.  I have been a fan of the genre for years, but I have to admit that I was skeptical about watching it because it is less mainstream than most of these kinds of films.  I always love it when I am proven wrong about a film, and I am pleased to say that I loved almost every single second of this movie.

Tank Girl is the story of a girl who fights against an evil corporation who has control of Earths' water supply in a dystopian future.  One of the things I love about this film is that it does not take itself too seriously.  I mean, you have two women teaming up with an army of kangaroos!!  Every character is so radically different than anything you have seen before, and this makes you cheer for them more than you typically would.  The use of technology in the movie is also incredibly inventive, and the vehicles even look like they have built using parts of other vehicles.  This film is incredibly entertaining, and it is also one of the more fascinating movies in the genre.  However, I do have to address some problems I have with the movie.  At the beginning of the film, we hear a bit of narration from Tank Girl (Lori Petty) that describes what is going on and what she is doing.  I cannot emphasize enough how much I despise narration.  There has to be some other way to bring exposition to a movie without it being told to me by the main character, thus taking me completely out of the film.  Also, apparently one of the rules that the Water and Power Corporation is that no one can own animals.  Not only is this rule not actually on the list of things you are not allowed to do in the world, but there is no explanation as to why this is a rule.  Other than these minor issues, this is a crazy and wild film that will definitely leave a lasting impression.

Lori Petty plays Tank Girl.  I have often talked about the fact that there is a severe lack of strong female characters in film.  One of the other major reasons I loved this film is because of what Petty brings to the role.  The character of Tank Girl epitomizes what a female action star should be.  She kicks ass throughout the entire film, has a wonderful sense of humor and is defiant to the end.  Petty shines in the role, and brings every ounce of craziness she has to an iconic performance.

Naomi Watts plays Jet Girl.  "Jet", as she is called, is yet another example of a strong female character.  She is a mechanic for the Water and Power corporation, but she switches sides when she realizes how horrible the people she works for actually are.  She is also socially awkward, but really comes into her own at the climax of the film.  Watts plays the character beautifully, right down to her physical movements.  When Jet gets comfortable in her own skin at the final act of the movie, she talks and even moves differently than she does previously in the film.  This is a great moment because she realizes her potential, and kicks ass in the process.  Watts is quite good in the film, and displays a wide range of emotions throughout her characters' story arc.

Malcolm McDowell plays Kesslee.  I like the way McDowell plays the character because it is a tad over the top which is exactly the way it should be considering the tone of the film.  Thanks to his performance, the character of Kesslee is both odd and menacing.  McDowell truly gives one of the quirkiest performances I have ever seen.

Rachel Talalay is the director of Tank Girl.  First off, let me say that I love the fact that a woman directed this film.  The character of Tank Girl is such an alluring character, and it takes a female director to fully realize the characteristics of the character.  I love the world that Talalay created with this film.  In this movie the Earth of the future is a desolate wasteland, and people have to create their own makeshift devices so that they can perform everyday functions.  All of these devices have their own specific and unique look.  The action sequences are exciting to watch, especially the sequence where Tank Girl hijacks the Water and Power shipment of weapons.  There is also a musical number in the film where Tank Girl sings "Let's Do It".  Lori Petty is particularly wonderful to watch in this sequence as it is both quirky and funny.  There are also a couple of animated sequences that, even though they are not live-action, are extremely fun to watch.  The only thing I did not care for was the use of the comic book source material in the movie.  Sometimes there are frames from the comics that are used in the film to show what is happening instead of actual footage shot for the film.  This took me completely out of the film.  Other than that, Talalay does such a wonderful job of bringing the character of Tank Girl, and the world she inhabits, to life.

Tank Girl is one of the more unique comic book films, and even films in general, that I have ever seen.  Everything about it has such an odd sensibility about it, and it is definitely not for everyone.  If you are a fan of these kinds of films, and want to know more about the comic book movie genre before it got famous, then I recommend you pick this one up.

Fathers And Sons: Part VI

If you choose to look at Star Wars as two separate trilogies, than Return of the Jedi is one of the rare instances where the third film in a film series wraps up everything perfectly.  In fact, it is because of this that Jedi was my favorite of the original three films for a long time.  This is one of the few third chapters in a series that actually makes me tear up every time I watch it.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is the sixth installment in the Star Wars saga, and tells the story of Luke Skywalker attempting to turn his father, Darth Vader, back to the light side of the Force while the rebels attempt to destroy the second Death Star.  One of the things you notice towards the beginning of the film is that Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) has grown since the end of Empire.  The duel with Vader at the end of that movie has changed him, and he has become wiser since then.  He has even gotten a bit arrogant, just like his father was, in terms of being presumptuous about being a Jedi Knight and even using some powers of the dark side of the Force.  We also see the character arcs of Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch) and Yoda (Frank Oz) come full circle.  Speaking of Yoda, one of the last things he says is, "Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your fathers' fate, you will."  Now, let us go back to Empire when Luke asks Yoda if the dark side is stronger, to which Yoda quickly replies "No".  It is my personal belief that the dark side IS stronger, but the reason Yoda says otherwise, and says so abruptly, is to prevent Luke from wanting to discover more about the power that the dark side offers.  Later in the film, it is nice to see Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) pilot the Millennium Falcon since we learned that it was his ship before Han Solo (Harrison Ford) won it from him.  I am also, apparently, one of the few defenders of the Ewoks.  The Ewoks exist to show us that it does not matter how much technology you have.  If the will of the people is strong, then they are always going to win.  Also, for keen eyes of canon material, Captain Rex appears in the film!!!  In the scene where Han Solo taps a stormtrooper on the shoulder and then the trooper chases after him, we see an older man at the front of the group of rebels that capture the trooper.  That is Rex.

While Jedi may still be my personal favorite of the series, it does have its problems.  I would have liked to see a scene where Luke Skywalker constructs his green lightsaber.  No, a deleted scene does not count.  I also would have liked to see Han and Lando reconcile after what happened in Empire.  It feels like they start being friends again out of nowhere.  Also, at one point in the film Han says to Luke, "Now I owe you one".  Actually, he does not.  Luke still owes him one more.  Later in the film, the Emperor says that he cannot feel Lukes' presence.  Why not?  What exactly is preventing the Emperor from sensing Luke??  Later, towards the climax of the film, Admiral Piett (Kenneth Colley) says that he was given orders from the Emperor to keep the Imperial fleet in attack position.  When did this happen???  Also, how does Luke know that Darth Vader will die if his mask is taken off??  It is not as if he has an extensive knowledge of the technology that runs Vaders' suit.  Also, how does Luke know about the ancient Jedi ritual of a funeral pyre???  When did Obi-Wan teach him that???

Despite the inconsistencies, Jedi is my personal favorite of the Star Wars series.  The character arcs are all wrapped up nicely, the battles are spectacular and the visual effects are second to none.  This is a fitting conclusion to the Star Wars saga.  Although, this is not really the end....

Joining the returning cast is Ian McDiarmid as The Emperor.  The Emperor is deliciously evil in every scene, and is a show-stealing character.  McDiarmid shines in the role, especially in the scenes where he is attempting to lure Luke to the dark side.  The moment where he is killing Luke with the dark side lightning is especially frightening.  This is an iconic role that is made even better because McDiarmid is a classically trained theater actor.

Richard Marquand is the director of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.  There are certain revelations that happen in this film that Marquand handles quite well.  The moments in the film where Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) reveals to Luke that Leia (Carrie Fisher) is his sister, and subsequently when Luke tells Leia this are drawn out so that the emotion can sink in.  Also, the speeder bike chase is one of the most exhilarating sequences in the entire saga.  The editing is quickly paced, and the P.O.V. shots make you feel like you are actually there.  I also love that we see what the relationship between the Emperor and Darth Vader is like.  There is a moment where Vader disobeys his master, and the scolding Vader receives is akin to that which a child would receive.  Also, the last twenty-five minutes of the film are edited to perfection.  There are three separate battles occurring: the ground battle on Endor, the space battle and the duel between Vader and Luke in the Emperors' throne room.  Each battle gets an equal share of screen time, and each is so thrilling to watch that you cannot wait to see what happens next.  The climax of the film, where Vader and Luke have a private moment together, has quite the emotional impact.  Anakin Skywalker is redeemed by his son only to die in his arms moments later.  This moment is handled with care by Marquand, and completes the story arc for Anakin in a beautiful way.  It is because of all of these moments and more that Marquand does a fantastic job with this installment of Star Wars.

Return of the Jedi is, for the moment anyway, my favorite Star Wars film.  Trilogies rarely end on a high note, but this film is an extraordinary exception.  If you have the chance, I highly recommend that you re-visit Jedi and, if you have not seen it, do yourself a favor and watch it.

Keeping Up With The Doctor: Part 2

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is the quintessential adventure film of our time.  This film birthed one of the greatest characters in the history of cinema, and has become one of American cinemas' greatest classics.  It is one of those rare pieces of cinema that you never get tired of watching no matter how many times you have seen it.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is, chronologically speaking, the second film in the Indiana Jones film series, and follows famous archaeologist Indiana Jones as he is hired by the U.S. government to acquire the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis get to it.  Right from the beginning, as all great films do, we understand who Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is, and what he does.  It is also understood that Jones has competitors within his line of work.  This makes this, and the other films, so much more compelling because it adds conflict to the story.  If Indy was the only one going on these kinds of quests, the film would feel extremely mundane.  I also enjoy the time period in which the film is set.  More specifically, I love that the antagonist in the film is a group of people rather than one person.  The Nazi Party was the most evil group of people to ever grace the planet, and making Indiana Jones the protagonist automatically sets him up as an American hero.  It also helps that one of his competitors, Rene Belloq (Paul Freeman), is actually working with Nazis because this makes you hate Belloq even more than you would if he was just competing with Indy.  Raiders has some of the best action sequences ever filmed and has wonderful characters like Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) and Sallah (John Rhys-Davies).  This is definitely a film that belongs on your "100 Movies To See Before You Die" list.  Sadly though, even Steven Spielberg makes mistakes, and there are a few problems with the film.  Firstly, at the end of the action sequence at the beginning of the film, we see Indy escape in a plane with Jock (Fred Sorenson).  My question is: how were the men that Indy was with going to get away if Indy hadn't found out they were there to betray him?  Were they just going to hang on the outside of the plane??  Also, I personally feel that it is confusing who Abner is.  I know that it is common knowledge that he was Marions' father, but they talk about him like he was her lover.  Later on, during the sequence where Marion is being kidnapped in the basket, there is a shootout at the end of the sequence.  Now, obviously they use blank cartridges in these films, and someone usually cues the actors on when they need to react to getting shot.  My problem with this sequence is that, when the driver of the truck gets shot, if you look carefully you can actually see someone in the back seat hit the driver on the head as a cue for the driver to fall over dead!!!  You would think that a director like Spielberg would be able to frame the shot better so that we do not see this!!!  Also, in that same sequence, it looks as if the truck explodes in a completely different area of the town than it is in the previous shot.  I am shocked and disappointed that a movie as excellent as this has such a glaring continuity error.  I also would have preferred to see more backstory about Indy and Sallahs' friendship.  I feel as though it is a tad forced.  Also, how the blazes did Indy get the gasoline pump down into the Well of the Souls so that he could set the snakes on fire???  Fill up those plot holes, Spielberg!!!  Even with its' problems, Raiders is one of the most entertaining movies of the past thirty years, and serves as the introduction to one of cinemas' greatest heroes.

Harrison Ford plays Indiana Jones.  Ford brings a certain gravitas to the role, and plays Indy with determination and fearlessness.  This makes you cheer for the character even more because he knows the Nazis are evil, and he will stop at nothing to prevent them from achieving their goal. The scenes where we see him as "Professor Henry Jones Jr." are quite good as well because we see what Indy does in his professional life, and the dialogue rolls of Fords' tongue with such ease.  These scenes add credibility to the character, and make you believe that he knows what he is getting himself into.  This is an iconic role that cemented Fords' legacy as one of the biggest movie stars of all time.

Steven Spielberg is the director of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Visually speaking, Spielberg does a masterful job of introducing and setting up the character of Indiana Jones within the first few minutes of the film.  Even though we do not see Jones' face until about three minutes into the film, we understand who he is and what he does.  I also love that the opening sequence that shows Indy as the adventurer is followed by the sequence that shows him as a professor.  The mirroring of these sequences shows the different aspects of Jones' life and the multiple characteristics of the character.  The scene with Indy in the map room is also spectacular to witness.  The slow cuts help build visual tension, and the moment the sunlight hits the place on the map where the ark is hidden is one of the greatest moments in film history.  Spielberg does this again later in the scene in the Well of the Souls.  Much like the bug tunnel and spike room in The Temple of Doom, this sequence is exhilarating and tense at the same time.  The shot of Indy landing in front of the cobra is another one of those movie moments that will last forever.  The truck chase sequence is yet another one of these iconic moments.  While this sequence is certainly one of the great action sequences of all time, it also displays Indys' determination to stop the Nazis from opening the ark.  The stunt work in this sequence is absolutely breathtaking.  This is undoubtedly one of Spielbergs' best films.

Raiders is a prime example of what every adventure film should be.  It has a great story, great characters and some of the most iconic moments in cinema history.  If you have not seen Raiders, and there should not be any reason why you have not, stop what you are doing right now, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to it.  You will not regret it in the slightest.

Secret Agent Man: Part 2

From Russia with Love is one of the best James Bond films.  In fact, it is more than just a great James Bond movie.  It is a great spy movie with heroes and villains on both sides that are deceiving one another.  When you combine all of this with one of the greatest henchman character portrayals in the history of the franchise, you get one of the most thrilling Bond films ever produced.

From Russia with Love is the second film in the James Bond franchise, and is the story of James Bond getting involved in an assassination plot in order for the British to get their hands on a Soviet LEKTOR encryption device.  What makes this film so special is the complexity of the narrative.  This is not your typical "Bond saves the world, and gets the girl" Bond film.  You have to watch and listen carefully in order to know what is going on.  Even when you think you know what is going on and what is going to happen, you actually have no idea.  This was also the first Bond film to have the now-traditional opening title sequence.  With such a rich narrative and great characters to boot, it is no wonder why From Russia with Love is a favorite among fans.

Sean Connery reprises his role as James Bond.  In this film, we start to see certain characteristics that will be become the blueprint for the character.  He is suave, he keeps his cool and the one-liners start to become commonplace.  One of the other reasons I love this film is that we see Bond form friendships with his associates.  Bond and Kerim Bay (Pedro Armendariz) form a mutual respect for one another, and the scenes with Connery and Armendariz are some of the best in the film.

Robert Shaw plays Grant.  I absolutely love the fact that Grant does not say a word until the climax of the movie.  There is a certain mystery and menace that is added to the character because of this.  Shaw is thrilling to watch in the role, uttering his lines with coldness and malevolence.  This is a terrifying performance if there ever was one.

Terence Young is the director of From Russia with Love.  Most of the film takes place in Istanbul, and the sequences that showcase the city, especially the exterior shots, are remarkably beautiful.  Most of the action sequences are at the end of the film and, while not over the top, are well done and serve the story quite well.  It goes without saying that the fight scene between Bond and Grant on the train is one of the best ever filmed (although it is confusing which briefcase the tear gas is in).  This scene has many cuts, which add tension and excitement, and Grant meets a fitting demise.  Young grasps ahold of the essence of Bond with this film, and it is no wonder why his Bond films are some of the best.

From Russia with Love is one of my favorites of the Connery Bond films.  It is so much more than your typical action flick.  Raw emotion is evident in every scene, and as the film progresses you realize that the stakes have never been higher.  If you are a Bond fan that needs to brush up on the history of the franchise, or if its simply been a while since you've seen this film, I highly recommend that you watch it.