The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) Review

Title: The Man with the Golden Gun
Year: 1974
Director: Guy Hamilton
Country: UK
Language: English

The 9th film in the James Bond Franchise, and the fourth and final 007 film to be directed by Guy Hamilton, The Man With the Golden Gun (1974) brings the ever charismatic Roger Moore back in a role that received mixed reviews at the time. Indeed, the film is one of the lowest grossing features in the franchise and represented a low point in the series. Christopher Lee's menacing portrayal of the villain Sacarmanga was the only part of the picture that critics universally praised. 

James Bond (Roger Moore) is targeted by the world's most expensive assassin (Christopher Lee) , while he attempts to recover sensitive solar cell technology that is being sold to the highest bidder.

Similar to how Live and Let Die (1973) dabbled with the Blaxploitation genre, Man with the Golden Gun (1974) has a vested interest in the martial arts craze that was sweeping the world at the time. Hong Kong films - most notably those of Bruce Lee (Enter the Dragon) - were huge commercial hits overseas. In order to capitalize on the success of this genre, Bond's villain would have to hail from the orient. 

Man with the Golden Gun also touches on a big political issue in the West; the energy crisis of the 1970's. Essentially there was a conflict between Arab Countries and Israel known as the Yom Kippur War. To punish countries who supported Israel, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries implemented a total embargo of oil. This caused an immediate recession & crippled many countries' economies. The main McGuffin in this film is important because it is supposed to solve this crisis. 

My biggest issue with this film is that I don't think Roger Moore is fully comfortable in his Bond role yet. His approach, especially his aggression towards women,  comes off as too much like he's trying to imitate Sean Connery. Moore would get better and make this Bond unique in future films. 

I enjoyed The Man With the Golden Gun because it's fun, absurd and bombastic. We see Bond get into a fight with sumo wrestlers & chase a wine bottle throwing midget on a boat. Scaramanga is a remarkable, iconic Bond villain. The Bond girl, Goodnight(Britt Ekland), is breathtaking. I also love the cinematography of the beautiful on-set locations. 

Live and Let Die (1973) Review

Title: Live and Let Die
Year: 1973
Director: Guy Hamilton
Country: UK
Language: English

In the early 1970's, the movie industry underwent a boom of films featuring African American leads and stories about their experiences. Starting with Shaft (1971), the era catapulted the careers of newfound stars like Pam Grier, Richard Pryor and Morgan Freeman. Live and Let Die (1973) would maintain the relevancy of the Bond franchise by participating in this change in cinema culture. 

James Bond (Roger Moore) is sent to stop a diabolically brilliant heroin magnate (Yaphet Kotto) armed with a complex organisation and a reliable psychic tarot card reader named Solitaire (Jane Seymour).

Around this time in history, the media popularized the  infamous term "the war on drugs". This was based on American president Richard Nixon's public statement about how drug abuse was "public enemy number one." The main villain's scheme revolving around heroin addiction was essential in bringing the Bond franchise into the 1970's. 

Live and Let Die (1973) is the first Bond film for Roger Moore. The producers initially wanted Burt Reynolds, but he refused, saying that Bond should be played by an English actor. Moore was a great casting decision. I've stated before that he is my favourite Bond. Speaking of casting; Geoffrey Holder steals the show as the evil Baron Samedi. He is full of charisma and has a personality that leaps off the screen. This is easily my favourite henchman of the series. 

Live and Let Die is an incredible entry into the 007 franchise that oughted to be viewed with the same admiration as Goldfinger. There is so much from this film that is imitated and satired; modern films owe a lot to this Moore flick. 

Moonraker (1979) is the Best 007 Film

Title: Moonraker
Year: 1979
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Country: UK
Language: English

First, I must admit that I have not seen every movie in the James Bond Franchise, so my perspective is a little bit limited. I have seen Dr.No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), The Man With the Golden Gun (1974),  License to Kill (1989), Goldeneye (1995),  Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and No Time to Die (2021). 

Dr. Lisa Funnell (author of For His Eyes Only) and Dr. Michael W. Boyce (Geek 4 Podcast) offer a far more comprehensive academic understanding of the James Bond franchise. Seek their work out when you have the time. 

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Plot Synopsis: 

In Moonraker (1979), James Bond (Roger Moore) investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle, and discovers a plot to commit global genocide.

Context: 

In the late 70's conservative leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan rose to power. The West was undergoing a resurgence of conservatism after a liberal 60's & early 70's. Nationalism was on the rise as leaders promised to make their countries great again by promising to return to values of the past. Sound familiar? 

In Britain the "Winter of Discontent", a series of labour strikes, brought Britain's economy to a halt. The turmoil evoked Parliament to strike a "no confidence" vote on the present government, which meant an election was to be held. Thatcher's party seized this opportunity and won on  the slogan "Labour isn't Working". 

In times of great despair, audiences seek movies that are escapist fantasy. In between For Your Eyes Only and Moonraker, Star Wars (1977) broke box office records and changed the film industry almost overnight. The latest Bond film would have no choice but to be escapist and incorporate science fiction elements, while also dishing out an anti-Thatcher message. 

Review: 

Often thought of as "James Bond... in Space!", Moonraker is the fourth 007 film to star Roger Moore. The general consensus is that Sean Connery's Bond is the best, but I think Moore is better in his role. I feel like Moore gives the character a little more class and sophistication. The way he observes his surroundings gives him more credibility as a spy. I feel he "earns" his seductive power over women better than Connery, who often "seduces" women by physical force. Connery's Bond ages worse over time, especially post #metoo movement. 

The Bond Girl in Moonraker, and I'm not kidding when I say her name, is Dr. Goodhead (Lois Chiles), A scientist/astronaut/cia agent; she is an intelligent woman who holds her own in a fight and is primarily the reason the villain's plans are foiled. She is treated as an equal to James Bond. If anything, Bond needs her help, which is quite a rare thing to see in the 007 franchise. 

The villain, Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale), is an Elon Musk type- character; he's a wealthy man that is obsessed with going to space. Why? Well he wants to create a super-race of humans on his orgy space station while poisoning every remaining human on earth. Then he will send the babies back to Earth and they will make the Earth perfect. It's a real "make Earth great again" idea that taps into a fascist eugenics mindset. This villain's goal is absolutely nuts, but it is in-line with neo-nazi ideology. As crazy as the plan is, these type of men exist. 

The henchman, Jaws (Richard Kiel), is one of the few Bond villains that has not died by the end of the film. His mindset is changed because he knows that he will not fit with Drax's ideology and that his fate will be sealed if he does not side with Bond. 

Despite Moonraker's legacy as being the "goofy" 007 film, I feel that it has a serious message, serious stakes and is very innovative when it comes to character development and plot. So many action films have been inspired by Moonraker, including Mission Impossible: Fallout. This film does everything right, and couldn't be any different considering the political context, so I think we should consider this the Best Bond. 

Dune: Part Two (2024) Review

Title: Dune Part Two
Year: 2024
Director: Dennis Villeneuve
Country: US
Language: English

When I viewed Dennis Villeneuve's Dune (2021) in theatres I found myself impressed by the epic scope of the visuals, but I also thought some scenes dragged, making the 2hr 35min run-time feel twice as long. For Dune: Part Two I was impressed by how smooth each scene flowed to the next. It is 10 minutes longer than Dune, but feels like a much more compact experience. 

Paul Atreides (Timothy Chalet) unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.

Dune: Part Two is where this series stops feeling like a Star Wars retread and becomes a more complex socio-political commentary about political occupation, genocide, resource struggle, religion as control and the dual nature of power. Paul Atreides' mindset is more complex than "reluctant hero", as his actions feel like well thought out maneuvers to acquire power. 

Dune: Part Two has an epic scale look that others may try to imitate, but won't be able to replicate. Cinematographer Greig Fraser deserves another Oscar win for his ability to make this entry a visual feast; even during more intimate moments. Hans Zimmer's breathtaking score reverberates throughout your chest, adding to an awe-inspiring atmosphere.  

I look forward to watching the third entry to Villeneuve's Dune series. This second entry did a great job at keeping me engaged, and I feel it's the better film out of the two. I felt myself very immersed in this world; I found myself in deep thought about its themes. 

10 Best Films of 2023

10 Best Films of 2023

In 2023 we saw the power of the Barbie/Oppenheimer double feature, dubbed Barbenheimer. These two films were so different thematically that a social media phenomenon emerged, which enticed audiences to see both movies on the same day. We heard Barbie (Margot Robbie) asking "Do you ever think about death?" and on the same day see Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) claim "I am become death."

We saw Tom Cruise do an incredible over-the-top jump over a mountain for Mission: Dead Reckoning. We saw Godzilla become a creature of chaos & destruction in Godzilla: Minus One, which might not just be my favourite film of this year, but of the last 24 years. Flowers of the Killer Moon proved grandpa Scorsese still has the power to make captivating movies. 

This list is a celebration, and admiration, of the artists who made 2023 an incredible year for artistic expression. This year has been a testament to the fact that great movies are still being made. 

1. Godzilla: Minus One 

2. The Holdovers

3. The Zone of Interest

4. Killers of the Flower Moon

5. Anatomy of a Fall

6. May December

7. Oppenheimer

8. American Fiction

9. Bottoms

10. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning

Anatomy of a Fall (2023) Review

Title: Anatomy of a Fall 
Year: 2023
Director: Justine Triet
Country: France
Language(s): French, English

Justine Triet's Anatomy of a Fall won the Palm D'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The 2022 winner, Triangle of Sadness, was my favourite film of that year, so I trusted Cannes to curate a film that would keep me engaged throughout the run-time. Triet's picture is fascinating; it's a film that subverts expectations regarding courtroom drams and feels more like Marriage Story than Basic Instinct. 

Sandra Voyter (Sandra Huller)  is suspected of murder after her husband's death, and their partially sighted son (Milo Graner) faces a moral dilemma as the main witness.

Hollywood has made us accustomed to suspenseful pictures trying to sweep the run under us with an over-the-top twist, but Anatomy of a Fall's screenplay is more complex & has more on its mind than boring tropes and clichés. This film is psychological and sociological deep dive into the anatomy of a marriage. It is also about gender roles, disability, ambition and depression. 

Sandra Huller's performance is remarkable, playing a complex character who you can simultaneously empathize with and doubt. The directing and cinematography are remarkable, each shot is delivered in an effective, deliberate way that adds to the suspense of the drama. 

Anatomy of a Fall is a very well made film about the nature of truth and the difficulty of finding justice. The film refuses to give decisive answers and examines how people justify their own narratives based on information they are given. It's a great movie that deserved its Palm D'Or. 

Ashes and Diamonds (1958) Review

Title: Ashes and Diamonds
Year: 1958
Director: Andzreg Wajda
Country: Poland
Language: Polish 

In the mid fifties a group of Polish filmmakers sought to depict their country onscreen, attempting to understand the political reforms caused by the outcome of World War Two. Andzrej Wajda's Ashes and Diamonds was considered the best of these pictures, but it was a tricky film to make. It had to depict the Polish resistance army, while also not upsetting the communist censors. 

As World War II and the German occupation ends, the Polish resistance and the Soviet forces turn on each other in an attempt to take over leadership in Communist Poland.

In Ashes and Diamonds, Poland is in near ruin. Buildings are in such shambles that even light rain causes indoor flooding. Our main character, Maciek (Zbigniew Cybulski), looks disheveled, mimicking the environment around him. The communist Hotel Monopol, where leaders are celebrating the war's end, is bathed in glamour. It suggests that in the upcoming years there will be an even bigger power imbalance between the working and ruling class. 

Maciek looks, and behaves like, an outsider in this post-war Poland. This is a country that has become quite different from what he had been accustomed to. The cinematography and set design make this setting feel uncomfortable and alienating. We are immersed a somewhat surreal, nightmarish atmosphere that invites questions about Poland's position on the world stage. 

Ashes and Diamonds is a very cynical film that is hard to engage with in present day. Its an important time capsule, a window into what life looked like in Poland at the time, but I wonder if the Poles would admire it in contemporary times. It is a very well-made film, just not one that I'd rewatch. 

Le Corbeau (1943) Review

Title: Le Corbeau
Year: 1943
Director: Henri Georges Clouzot
Country: France
Language: French

The French "Master of Suspense", Henri Georges Clouzot, caused controversy in Vichy France when his film Le Corbeau hit theatres. It proved to be a popular commercial success, but the occupied government was infuriated with the onscreen parable about a society torn apart by mistrust and informants. The authorities decided to blacklist Clouzot. 

A French village doctor (Pierre Fresnay) becomes the target of poison-pen letters sent to village leaders, accusing him of affairs and practicing abortion.

Le Corbeau is a relevant film, even decades later. It warns us about the dangers of bureaucracy and authoritarianism. It tells us about how mistrust can harm a society. We can see this in present day with our political divisions, and how create an "other" sides that don't align with our views. 

Clouzot's picture hits us hard with the cynical truth, much like how the best of George Orwell's works do. Nowadays the "town with many secrets" idea is a trope, and much of this film has dated narrative ideas that feel cliche in contemporary times,  but its themes are popular in fiction and that make it more accessible than other art from that era. 

I enjoyed Clouzot's other works, Wages of Fear & Diaboliques, much more than Le Corbeau, but I must acknowledge that his film does have important themes and is an intriguing window into life during the Vichy government. 

American Fiction (2023) Review

Title: American Fiction
Year: 2023
Director: Cord Jefferson
Country: US
Language: English

I was surprised when I heard that American Fiction (2023) had won the People's Choice Award at Toronto International Film Festival. I was considering going to the festival & I didn't think the film stood out to me when it was announced. After viewing it for the first time, I must admit that I am impressed. 

A novelist (Jeffrey Wright) who's fed up with the establishment profiting from Black entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him into the heart of the hypocrisy and madness he claims to disdain.

American Fiction is a smart satire that dissects racial stereotypes while taking storytelling risks. It mocks the system around Black art and dives into the shady ways its advertised, consumed and created. It asks if we actually want authentic black stories or if we want to keep seeing media like Boyz in the Hood.

The picture is also an excellent family drama. This part helps mold our main character & give us a more well rounded artist who we can empathize with.  Jeffery Wright, as well as the other actors involved, help give life to a charming, witty and fun script. 

American Fiction made me laugh plenty of times. It is incredibly effective as a comedy, and the heartfelt moments also hit hard. It's a worthwhile viewing that deserves the Oscar buzz that it's getting. 

The Zone of Interest (2023) Review

Title: The Zone of Interest
Year: 2023
Director: Jonathon Glazer
Country: Germany
Language: German

Jonathon Glazer's newest feature film, The Zone of Interest, is a confronting dissection of evil; a deconstruction of what participation in evil looks like. It's quite different from most pictures on this subject matter, because it doesn't allow its audience to distance themselves from the characters. 

Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Huller) strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden beside the camp.

Many reviewers like talk about "the banality of evil", but The Zone of Interest is more about the sin of comfort. This is the main motivation of Rudolf Hoss and his wife. Their families' comfort drowns out the screams of those beyond their wall, just like our comfort drowns out those in Ukraine and Palestine. Our phones act as a barrier, removing ourselves from a harsh reality. 

The Zone of Interest doesn't fetishize the time period the film takes place in. It's crisp, clean and digital; it looks like the events took place in present time. This is intentional, as it removes the feeling of "well this happened a long time ago."  The sound design also makes a statement as it presents atrocity as ambience, We, like Rudolph and Hedwig, often hear violence but choose to ignore it as part of the background. 

The Zone of Interest is a very smart film that utilizes its cinematography, sound design and editing in very innovative ways that add to the overall narrative. I was very impressed by this unsettling film.