The November Man (2014)

Peter Devereaux: "He's probably the best friend I've ever had."
Alice Fournier: "Al your friends try to kill you?"
Peter Devereaux: "Eventuallly."

I saw Goldeneye.  I loved Goldeneye. The November Man is like they wanted to make Goldeneye but then half way through said...meh I guess we kinda got a spy thriller.  

How I know this is that Pierce Brosnan aka James Bond from Goldeneye takes on Luke Bracey who stands in for Sean Bean. I honestly thought he was Sean Bean for about half the film. Sean Bean and Pierce Brosnan faced off in Goldeneye.  Additionally, the "babe",Olga Kurylenko, was the Bond girl from Quantum of Solace.

Honestly, November Man was a film that is completely forgettable.  If you have seen one spy thriller there is no need to see this one.

General Pros: Pierce Brosnan, Goldeneye, and that a spy thriller actually wants to talk about Chechnya.
Specific Pro: The foley artist were epic. Combine them with good editing and gooey perfect squish.  

General Cons: The writing, the chase sequences, and serious mood music
Specific Con: Apparently you can email editor@newyorktime.com with classified documents and just poof...information is accepted and distributed to the world. 

On a scale of blackmail to extortion, I give The November Man 2.3 out of 5 stars.     

   

風の谷のナウシカ Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

"Princess!!!" -basically everyone but especially Mito (Edward James Olmos)

I am huge believer in taking bold risks. Don't go back and rehash an old idea. New, bold, exciting, possibly crazy ideas make me want to watch movies, not remakes.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is prime example of a mind-numbingly out there concept that deserves respect and admiration despite existing flaws. Without Nausicaa there would be no Studio Ghibli, a diminished pantheon of Japanese animation, and no Cat Bus.

I am not joking when I say that the total plot of the Nausicaa movie and its expanded universe from the graphic novel set approaches the complexity of Urza's time travel saga. Bizarre doesn't even come close. Big giant ohms are actually defending the planet's miasma creating forests as they cleanse the world of human made toxins.

As for the movie, I usually take the position that the introduction of a new world should be handled in a tactful, subtle, and inviting way. That way the audience's belief remains suspended. Nausicaa just goes the opposite direction. Jumps right into the madness. Explains little. Shows less. But it works, so enjoy.

Pros:  It is pure story genius.  It is also beautiful. Bonus: Patrick Stewart voices Lord Yupa
Cons: If you can't handle a bizzaro story. This one aint for you.

On a scale of one armed princess who lead armies to valiant princess who glides while skirtted, I give Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind 3.78 out of 5 stars.

    

     

The Great Train Robbery (1978)

"Why did you conceive, plan, and execute this dastardly and scandalous crime?" (Judge)
"I wanted the money." (Edward Pierce)

The Great Train Robbery definitely lives up to its name. Spoiler* They rob a train. But there is so much more TGTR than just robbery, its a highly cultured, tawdry,expose on Victorian class structures, wealth and sensibilities. All aboard.

The first thing to understand about the The Great Train Robbery from the perspective of a Millennial is that despite their age and era appropriate-ness, Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland were always old. It's like they had no youth even in their youth.

Second, it is bizarre to look back at a movie that was deliberately mocking the morals of the day, but seem so smutty in comparison to modern releases. I understand that TGTR was released before movie standards like pg-13, R, PG, and the like, but I have no idea what its rating should be now or how Michael Crichton (Yes, Michael Crichton of ER and Jurassic Park) would have changed about his directing or writing.

Third, I have no real data on this, but I wonder if many of our modern directors and writers look back to TGTR as a version 1.3 caper movie.  It has all the hallmarks: the mastermind, the lift, the costumes, the need to assemble a team, the dame for distraction, and more.

The only real flaw I saw in TGTR was the ending.  They escape justice and.....

On a scale of Buster Keaton jumping on a moving train to Sean Connery on the roof of a moving train, I give The Great Train Robbery 3.6 out of 5 stars.    

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

M. Gustave: [Regarding "Boy with Apple"] I'll never part with it. It reminded her of me; it will remind me of her, always. I'll die with this picture above my bed. See the resemblance?
Zero: Oh... oh, yes.
M. Gustave: [Just minutes later] Actually, we should sell it.

Once again Wes Anderson has created an insulated gem. He continues to love the same actors. His cuts are sublime, and his story telling is well-honed like a campfire master. That The Grand Budapest Hotel is not his finest work is of little consequence. We as the audience should just be happy in that his creations get made at all.  They make the world and the art of cinema better. Most films on this blog don't even come close to that.

As to the particulars of The Grand Budapest Hotel, I would say that my favorite scenes were in the dilapidated hotel with F. Murray Abraham: an old man dreaming of yesteryear in the hollow shell of former opulence.  Other high points include the Order of the Crossed Keys, Edward Norton, and any time they have to ride a gondola. As per usual, I love Wes Anderson scripts and those of you who already are fans will get more of what you like.

Sadly, in my opinion, The Grand Budapest Hotel is not quite the masterpieces that were The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Acquatic, or even Moonrise Kingdom.  But, it is totally worth one's time.

On a scale of David Bowie to David Bowie in Portuguese, I give The Grand Budapest Hotel 3.67 out of 5 stars.