Saturday, October 19, 2013

Thunderball (Two-Disc Ultimate Edition)



This is what Bond is all about! Clearly the best Bond film in the franchise!
I noted that this is the only Bond film of the entire series that, to date, has not received a single 1-star review here on Amazon. That's pretty dang good!

Director Terrence Young had introduced us to Bond in DR. NO and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE. Guy Hamilton then took us down the GOLDFINGER road, and while his attention to action made that the first SMASH Bond film, he also seemed to lose alot of the more down-to-earth flavor that made the first two Bonds so much better.

But, Terrence Young returned for his final Bond film, and somehow managed to provide the perfect mesh of the realistic Bond from the first two films, and the more action-oriented Bond of GOLDFINGER. The result is a very happy marriage indeed - it's just too bad there were very few legitimate children born of it!

THUNDERBALL contains all the great locales, villains, and Bond coolness that we love, without getting into the ridiculous, gadget-filled territory of the later films. It...

The Thunderball Phenomenon: Skip the Special Edition for the 2-Disc Ultimate Edition
In the wake of the enormous success of GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL became one of the most anticipated films in cinema history. "Bondmania" was at a fever pitch in the 1960s and that lended a certain air of confidence to the cast and crew. By Bond's fourth adventure, everyone was assured of success and everything was done on the largest scale possible. THUNDERBALL is often regarded, along with GOLDFINGER, as one of the better Bond films. It contains all of the elements of a good Bond flick at a time when Bond was not tired or clichéd. Bond's fourth adventure finds him taking to the sea, culminating in some of the most spectacular underwater fight footage ever recorded. And with Terence Young once again taking the director's chair after his temporary hiatus, the audience and the film is in good hands.

After the opening "gun barrel" sequence, re-shot for the first time in widescreen format with Sean Connery playing the part, we are greeted with the opening pre-credits...

Thunderball Rocks!
THUNDERBALL (1965) the fourth of the James Bond 007 series is among the best of the films. As a follow-up to the phenomenally successful and definitive GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL is just a shade less satisfying. In terms of tone and composition the two films are of an era in the James Bond mythology.

Sean Connery returns as the inimitable British Secret Agent, this time set against SPECTRE Agent Number Two, Largo (Adolfo Celi). SPECTRE has stolen an atomic bomb and is holding the world hostage.

Largo is a worthy adversary. Strongly-built, silver-haired, wearing an eyepatch, and more physically intimidating than Gert Frobe's plump Goldfinger, Celi's Largo lacks the faintly tongue-in-cheek air which animated Goldfinger's behavior. In fact, the entire film lacks the decidedly humorous undertone of GOLDFINGER. The villains are more vicious, and Connery's Bond, his wit more honed than ever, is playing for keeps.

The theme song (with Tom Jones singing), plot and story...

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For Your Eyes Only [Blu-ray]



One of my all-time favorite Bond movies in a nice package
THE MOVIE
There wasn't much further 007 could go as far as sci-fi wizardry and fantastic characters after the cartoonish MOONRAKER that had seen James Bond propelled into space.
What was called for was a `back to basics' approach that emphasized realism, exotic locations, less gadgetry, down to earth villains and a return to the ruthlessness that Roger Moore had exhibited in movies such as THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME. What better way for the filmakers to return Bond to his roots than to tap into original Fleming source material.
Taking characters and situations from not only the Fleming novel FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, but also the keel-hauling sequence from LIVE AND LET DIE writers Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson wove together a complex and enticing cold war spy drama that included some of the staple setpieces underwater and on the slopes that had served the character so well in the past.
As the late John Brosnan noted in his review of the...

One Of The Best Bond Films
After MOONRAKER's excesses, it was a wise decision to bring Bond back to earth, and back to basics with FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. FYEO features one of the best casts of any of the Bond films, including standout performances from Topol (playing one of the most likeable rogues in all of the Bond films), Julian Glover, and one of the best (and most beautiful) Bond women of all in Carole Bouquet. Lynn-Holly Johnson IS a little annoying as a spoiled young olympic hopeful, but the character is SUPPOSED to be annoying, so she actually was a bit of inspired casting. The story brings Bond back to the style of the films of the 60's, as Bond once again squares off with the Soviets in a race to recover a sensitive piece of computer equipment. Roger Moore gives his best performance as Bond in FYEO, as we finally see him show some toughness as well as his suave sophistication. Humor is present, but not so much as to distract from the film. The pre-credits sequence is a fun bit of...

Disappointing Special Edition DVD can't mar Moore's best
The new range of special edition DVD versions of the Bond films are being released in groups from 1999-2002, and fortunately this fine effort was in the first batch. Others have remarked on what most fans regard as the very best of the Moore Bonds, and I won't dispute them here. From it's nifty nod to the George Lazenby performance in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" to the fine ensemble acting, to the sheer style of the non-traditional ending, FYEO succeeds because it marks one of the few times the producers took special pains to incorporate Fleming into the script. For that effort, a full five stars are well-deserved.

Where this product fails, however, is in living up to the standards this Special Edition series has set for itself. Like other entrants in this series, FYEO has audio commentaries by the filmmakers. As with all the Special Editions, the Ian Fleming Society, perhaps the most 'serious' of the Bond Fan Clubs, provides a narrator who ties...

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Sold Out: A Threevening With Kevin Smith



Almost as good as the first one
I am a big Kevin Smith fan, and the first Evening with Kevin Smith is my favorite work by the guy by far. I prefer it to his movies (which, have gotten crappier and crappier recently...blasphemy, I know!). I think the second EWKS was a step down, but this one is almost right up there with his first. It's absolutely hilarious and I highly recommend it.

If you're not a Smith fan, I don't know why you would even be reading reviews for this. However, if you somehow are, let me say if you don't mind a lot of profanity and graphic descriptions of sex acts then you will find this hilarious even if you aren't familiar with his work, or if you think he sucks. If you don't like profanity, then again...I don't know what you're doing reading reviews about Kevin Smith material.

I've read some reviews complain that some of the material he goes over they've already heard on his website, or that it just sounds like he's doing a stand up routine. HE IS DOING A STAND UP ROUTINE...

Solid Kevin Smith Q & A; A lot of Smodcast Material Repeated
I am a pretty big fan of Kevin Smith. I listen to his and Scott Mosier's Free Podcast (called Smodcast) fairly regularly. I own the other Q&A DVDs, and I have really enjoyed most of his movies.

When I got "Threevening," I was expecting that it would be a little bit more "manufactured" for DVD than the other DVDs solely based on the fact that it is the third installment and, obviously, now it is more of a money-making venture than the first Q&A DVD that paid off nicely. The first and arguably second DVDs seemed to be much more organic in the sense that the filming was of Smith doing a true Q&A format, actually answering questions (though, in a long and winding way) and conducting the events not to produce, market, and sell a DVD, but to actually answer peoples' questions.

When you watch "Threevening" it is pretty apparent that the events were organized (staged?) for the sole purpose of maximizing the profitability of DVD sales and not to genuinely answer fans'...

Good, but not great
I am probably the world's biggest Kevin Smith fan. I own everything he has released on DVD or in print. Given that, it is with a heavy heart that I say this one is not as good as the two previous incarnations. It's good, especially if you haven't read his books or listened to his smodcast. For the diehard, though, there is precious little new material.
One of the things that made his previous "Evening With..." discs so wonderful was seeing his interactions with the crowd -- beyond just the regular Q and A, such as dealing with hecklers, making phone calls to bosses, etc. There's none of this. No particularly interesting questioners, and not much (in 5 hours)in the way of movie making anecdotes -- most of the good stuff comes in the "special features" on disc 2. There's plenty of "TMI" (too much information) moments, so be warned. It's a decent disc, but if you had to pick, I'd go for Evening 1 and 2, in that order.

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One Crazy Night: The Sequel



One Crazy Night - A Word From The Director
Meet London Hilton, drunken jet setter. This time he's had one too many and ends up married to London Latsis (Adam Cootes) after a drunken celebrity driven party at Club 69 in Berlin. Upon waking Hilton gets some good advice from the Marriott Brothers 'RUN Flee back to the US'. Hilton runs and Latsis is right behind him. Chaos and desperation ensue. Sometimes true love can't be denied.

Director's Note: If you are looking for a Raiders of the Lost Ark or an E.T., this movie is probably not for you. This is more like a very early John Water's Movie where a group of friends got together and made a crazy movie. If you like early John Waters movies (i.e. Mondo Trasho, Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos and/or Female Trouble), I believe you'll enjoy One Crazy Night.

Remember Alcohol is Not Included and a Three Drink Minimum is Recommended Prior to Viewing

Not Rated

An Alcohol Not Included Release of a London Hilton Film

Really Dreadful
I'm all for DIY film making -- unfortunately this falls way short. Poorly acted, poorly written. It's called a comedy -- but it's not at all funny. I didn't care about any of the characters except for wondering how long I would have to endure them. I can't recommend this film. Save your money.



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Blood +: Volume 3



Love It
I love the series of Blood+. It does not drag on and it keeps you interested the entire time. It is also relatively easy to follow.

Superb
I love the series and its music. Thank you for sharing such a good show with the world. Blood+ is awesome!

blood vol.3
why i have choose this rating? the why is that everything was great and i have no dislikes and i will recommend to everybody. it's a great cartoon it's a must see thank you.

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Dr. No [Blu-ray]



The Bond That Started It All
A landmark film, "Dr. No" (1962) introduced Ian Fleming's 007 to cinema audiences. Despite the author's initial objections, Sean Connery defined the character of James Bond with his remarkably self-assured performance. Ursula Andress' iconic beauty and Joseph Wiseman's restrained villainy were equally memorable. Thanks to the contributions of director Terence Young, set designer Ken Adam, editor Peter Hunt and composer John Barry, the 007 style was immediately established in this Jamaican adventure. Producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli should be applauded for getting the most out of their limited budget. "Dr. No" succeeds as an unpretentious spy thriller - minus the gadgetry and gimmicks in later Bond outings. The film's impact on popular culture cannot be underestimated.

Bond on Blu.....at last!!!
My comments apply only to the newly released Blu Ray version.
I will not review the film it's self since everyone has no doubt seen it at least once.
I have waited 2 years for the Bond films to be released in a HD format, and the waite was worth it.
The picture quality of this old film is simply awesome. The color saturation, the "depth" and contrast are very film-like.
I felt like I was discovering the film for the very first time.
Watching it on my 60'' display, it looked like I was seeing a brand new, fresh from the lab, film print in my own living room.
And it gets better, I am told (but havent viewed my copy yet) that Thunderball looks even better.
If you are a Connery James Bond fan, and own Blu Ray, this is a no-brainer.
Highest possible recommendation, and Amazon has it for a good price.

Great first EON outing for legendary spy
Outside of Bond fandom very few people know that Sean Connery was actually the second actor to play the character of James Bond. In the 1950s there had been a television production based around Ian Fleming's first spy novel "Casino Royale" in which American actor Barry Nelson had played 007 as a US spy with Clarence Leiter as his British counterpart. Fast forward to the early 1960s and work is once again getting underway to bring the fictional spy to the screen. Cast in the lead role is what one UA executive referred to as a "lorry driver" and with a small budget (a measly $1 million) there seems to be little hope for the fledgling franchise. Yet when Doctor No (the final choice for the first of the series) hits screens it changes the film industry, sending reverberations the likes of which are still being felt today. Staying largely faithful to the Fleming book of the same name (something that was not to last) the rather modest movie set screens afire, helped enormously by the...

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Alien - Predator Total Destruction Collection



Pretty great little package
Depends on how much you like the movies included. I actually enjoyed both Alien Vs. Predator movies movies as time has passed. At first I thought they were both horrible travesties, but now when I watch them I am oddly entertained. The other six movies are classics (well, except for the 4th Alien movie), and the transfer is decent enough.

Great set minus one star for "Predator" transfer/recording
Ok, so this sets rocks period. 8 nights of Alien/Predator movies and your hooked. Now Im buying posters, toys, masks, video games, comics, and novels as much as I can from now on. All the transfers and quality was right on except the only downside, the "Predator" 1 DVD transfer/recording seems like it was made from a VHS tape. Now Ive heard that the only "Predator" DVD and Blu-Ray transfer was done this way so you cant complain because thats how all of them are. Also, my tv is stuck at 1080i (its from 2006) and I watched the Predator DVD on a 480p tv and it looks fine. I bought the Matrix 4 movie collection and it came on two disc double sided, this set every disc is stand alone with a cool sticker/graphic on it. Plus all the disc have special features so it is loaded with extra content. This set rocks!

Alien-Predator total destruction
8 movies for less then forty bucks how can you go wrong! the discs come in slim cases, and the package looks great on the shelf

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