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Post by Michele on Nov 10, 2008 21:33:40 GMT -5
forgot to post
Thanks Rosefern7 over at Special ops for the link.
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Post by dzero on Nov 11, 2008 1:04:02 GMT -5
Finally It's been months since I've seen a good movie but it finally happened. Rock n Rolla is cool as hell. I could definitely go for seeing it again in the theater as Mr. Clark did. I am going to disagree with Mr. Clark a little though, I don't really see this film as any great leap forward in Ritchie's filmaking. To me it was very much on par with his his previous gangster comedies or however you want to label them. But for me that is ok since I enjoyed both those on multiple viewings. Am going to agree though that the highlight is the chase with the Russians. So cool. But my god man, how can you write a review of this and not mention Thandie Newton? Well I guess I should save my outrage for Ritchie and ask him how he can give her only a 2 second love scene? I hope they do shoot a sequel. The Rock Star was my favorite character, can't wait to see more of him. Mr. Clark have you seen Layer Cake? or Sexy Beast? Any thoughts? While I do enjoy Ritchie's films I think both those have more nuanced characters and plots while still providing the same laughs and thrills as Ritchie's films. If you haven't seen Long Good Friday then check it out. it's much older ( 1980 ) and not as stylish as these newer ones but set the standard for British gangster films.
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Post by Mr.Clark on Nov 11, 2008 1:32:03 GMT -5
For starters I should qualify what I said about it being 'Richties best', He is the first to admit this film is no stretch from his previous works, this is totally in his comfort zone. I do however think its his most complete film yet. The characters, pacing and composition in this are all better than Snatch and Lock Stock and its just a more sound, if less experimental, film than Revolver. While I was a fan of the casts in Snatch and Lock stock, the group he pulled together here was much much better. I loved Butler's One Two, Mark Strong's Archie, Kebbel's Johny Quid (the scene where he stabbed the bouncer was my second favorite of the film, followed by the elevator scene where he gets slapped), in fact I don't think theres a single character in the hole piece that I didn't like. But Toby Kebbel stole every scene he was in no matter who was in there with him.
I think Ritchie is kind of in the same boat as Kevin Smith. Kevin Smith is a terrific director in his comfort zone which is these sort of East Coast blue collar comedies. He's very good at getting the essence of that kind of person, Ritchie really has a handle on making great British films that really get the essence of London and the kinds of characters that roam around there. Sherlock Holmes is going to be his big test to see if he can make something that will be dangerously close to a tent pole or box office money machine type film, I personally can't wait to see how it turns out.
As for Thandie Newton, I've only thought she was all that hot in MI:2. She was good in this and hot but she wasn't my favorite part of it. As far as the love scene I'm fairly certain that this was actually the first love scene Ritchie's ever filmed, when I realised that it amused me that his first love scene would be quick, awkward and unfulfilling.
I am a HUGE Layer Cake fan, I absolutely loved that film its probably my second favorite gangster film of all time. I love the styling, I loved the story, I loved the characters and Mathew Vaughn (who produced Lock Stock and Snatch for Ritchie) is a very very talented director. It was the film that had me excited to see Daniel Craig's Bond. Ever since I saw Layer Cake I've felt that Daniel Craig was Steve McQueen reincarnate, the man is almost that cool. I haven't seen Sexy Beast but I'll check it out. The long Good Friday has been on my Netflix list for ages but I might bump it up as I've been meaning to see it for a while now.
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Post by AngelZ on Nov 11, 2008 17:41:59 GMT -5
Loved Sexy Beast. It's not a film for the feint hearted, but if you can get past everyone swearing like a trooper it's a great character story.
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Post by dzero on Nov 11, 2008 19:31:38 GMT -5
Loved Sexy Beast. It's not a film for the feint hearted, but if you can get past everyone swearing like a trooper it's a great character story. LOL I'm pretty sure it holds the record for using one particular word the most. ;D Must be a British thing .
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Post by dzero on Nov 11, 2008 19:43:12 GMT -5
But Toby Kebbel stole every scene he was in no matter who was in there with him. Yes he did. It's weird because afterwards I could barely remember what he looked like but during the film he was mesmerizing. I think Ritchie is kind of in the same boat as Kevin Smith. Kevin Smith is a terrific director in his comfort zone which is these sort of East Coast blue collar comedies. He's very good at getting the essence of that kind of person, I also saw Smiths latest film, Zack and Miri Make a Porno. I enjoyed it and it's got some laughs but it's not up there with the Clerks movies or Chasing Amy ( his best IMO ). As far as the love scene I'm fairly certain that this was actually the first love scene Ritchie's ever filmed, when I realized that it amused me that his first love scene would be quick, awkward and unfulfilling. LOL
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Post by Mr.Clark on Nov 14, 2008 19:29:38 GMT -5
Saw Quantum of Solace this afternoon and while I was considering writing a hole narrative on the greatness of the Bond franchise, I think I'll everyone the bother and just keep it relatively short and simple.
For the most part this film has gotten rather luke warm reviews which I think is due more to expectations than the actual result. Casino Royale was essentially a one off, it was the (re)launching point for the hole franchise but structural, narrative focus and in terms of character I don't think we'll ever see another one quite like it. In that film we got a much more raw and elemental Bond that had yet to be hardened emotionally by the nature of his work. QoS is another step in that directions hes much more hardened to the way of the world but at the same time theres a lot simmering beneath the surface that would probably go completely missed if not for Craig's skill, he almost has you convinced that he has hardened himself but his actions speak far louder.
The biggest complaint leveled against this film from a technical level is the big action scenes. I personally loved every scene in there but they weren't perfect. Dan Bradley has reached near god like status as a master of the inventive and intense action set piece, his work on the Bourne films was exceptionally and his work here is of the same caliber. The problem is that when you have someone creating things so brilliant but there being filmed by an art house director who really is out of his comfort zone with such an immense budget and herculean task, things don't quite fit together properly. But Bradley's work here is first rate and I sincerely hope that he stays with the Bond franchise for future installments because with the right director he'd make a truly incredible action film.
The thing I love most about this is Craig's Bond, its a truly incredible incarnation of the character. He is quite simply the unstoppable force. All the other Bonds would get a little rough but never really looked as though they were in peril, Craig jumps off roofs, slams into walls and while he comes out battered and cut all over the place he still looks like he could run through 3 feet of concrete.
All in all its a very good film as much a throw back to the classic Bond films as it is the dawn of a new era of what promises to be more top quality Bond films.
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Post by Aerie on Nov 20, 2008 15:57:39 GMT -5
I hated Quantum - the only solace was the popcorn and milkduds. ;D This James Bond might be more like the books, I have them all and have read them, but they are old and the movies are todays world. My world is full of wonderful looking James Bond men. What a pud. To me there is no chemistry in anything Daniel Craig does, especially with females. His role in Tomb Raider wasn't as bad because he was in the background. Next to Angelina Jolie he looked like a little skinny slug. I'm glad I moved on to Jason Bourne. I will go to see Daniel Craig's movie Defiance, coming out next month, because the first love of my life, Joshua Bell, is playing the score. I'll just close my eyes throughout the film, even though I've ordered the sound track. www.vantageguilds.com/ParamountVantage.html?n=1&m=DEFIANCE
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Post by AngelZ on Nov 20, 2008 18:05:43 GMT -5
Agreed. Personally I think he's trying too hard to be tough. Bond is supposed to be charismatic, but I find Craig completely devoid of personality. Interestingly this topic came up over a family lunch last weekend (ie 3 generations) and NONE of the females thought he was attractive...all the guys however thought he was a great Bond and couldn't understand why we didn't go weak at the knees seeing Craig doing an Ursula Andress beach scene. While I haven't read any of the books, I recently listened to the BBC reading of Casino Royale and enjoyed that so much more than the film.
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Post by Michele on Nov 20, 2008 20:06:40 GMT -5
I have not yet seen Craig as bond yet. the next Bond? we had a chat about MW being bond in the NCIS chat room years ago.
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Post by Mr.Clark on Nov 20, 2008 21:06:58 GMT -5
Even I would be hugely upset to see an American play Bond its just not cool and it will never ever happen. If you want to suggest Michael for Felix Leiter I'm all ears but no way he should ever play Bond. Well Aerie if you really don't like the current Bond then maybe you can look forward to the next one which will more than likely be Henry Cavill best known for his work on the Tudors. He was supposedly the only other guy that actually stood a chance to beat out Craig despite the fact that he was at least 10-12 years too young for the role. Craig will probably do 2 more movies then Cavill will take the reigns.
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Post by dzero on Nov 21, 2008 0:55:06 GMT -5
Craig rocks as Bond. Simple as that. Having said that count me in among those disappointed in this latest film. Or I should say disappointed in the first half hour or so. I thought the first couple of action scenes were dreadful. I seriously thought of leaving. Who would have thought that the director of Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland and Stranger Than Fiction wouldn't know how to shoot action scenes. But for me the film picked up once they got to the opera. When they kept it on the characters and the mystery I was hooked. Just a little disappointed after Casino Royal which was so excellent.
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Post by Michele on Nov 21, 2008 1:31:42 GMT -5
sorry that I upset you Mr Clack.
the new bond movie comes to New Zealand on the 27th Nov, do you need to see the last one to watch the new one?
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Post by Mr.Clark on Nov 21, 2008 2:00:41 GMT -5
Craig rocks as Bond. Simple as that. Having said that count me in among those disappointed in this latest film. Or I should say disappointed in the first half hour or so. I thought the first couple of action scenes were dreadful. I seriously thought of leaving. Who would have thought that the director of Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland and Stranger Than Fiction wouldn't know how to shoot action scenes. But for me the film picked up once they got to the opera. When they kept it on the characters and the mystery I was hooked. Just a little disappointed after Casino Royal which was so excellent. That was the frustrating part for me, you could tell the action scenes were brilliantly staged just poorly filmed, or rather poorly edited. sorry that I upset you Mr Clack. the new bond movie comes to New Zealand on the 27th Nov, do you need to see the last one to watch the new one? You haven't upset me, I just don't think it will ever happen nor should it. There were actually several Americans considered for the role at different times, I know Tom Selleck was one, but non were offered it so far as I know.
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Post by dzero on Nov 21, 2008 12:44:17 GMT -5
You haven't upset me, I just don't think it will ever happen nor should it. There were actually several Americans considered for the role at different times, I know Tom Selleck was one, but non were offered it so far as I know. I also vote NO on the idea of an american playing Bond.
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