Top 10 James Bond Movies: Part 2

Spectre is out in theaters, so it is time to wrap up my Top 10 James Bond Movies list with the final six entries.

6: The Spy Who Loved Me

Almost universally considered Roger Moore's strongest outing as Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me hits all the right marks for a fun Bond flick. The opening sequence is thrilling, the Bond girl is genuinely interesting, and the humor is spot on. For those that are not a fan of the more lighthearted Bond flicks, the film might still be too silly for their tastes, but otherwise, it is worthwhile action flick.

5: GoldenEye

Arguably Piece Bronson's only great Bond film, GoldenEye not only gave audiences the best Bond film since the Connery era; it spawned the even more legendary video game of the same name on the Nintendo 64, which revolutionize console shooters. As for the film itself, there are still script issues, but Bronson is an incredibly capable and charming Bond. In fact, he remains one of my favorite actors to play the role. Unfortunately, Bronson was never given the chance to shine in the role again due to lackluster material in later films.

4: From Russia With Love

The second film in the franchise, From Russia With Love remains far and above one of the best in the franchise, even more than 50 years later. Before gadgets and action spectacle left classic espionage to the wayside, From Russia With Love is true a spy/espionage film, and a mighty excellent one at that. If this is your favorite Bond film, you are certainly not wrong, because this one holds up. 

3: Skyfall

While not exactly as flawless as it seemed upon my initial viewing, Skyfall celebrated 50 years of James Bond in spectacular fashion as it delves deep into what makes Bond tick and if a man with a gun is still relevant in the modern era of computers. By the end, Skyfall sets everything in place for the future of the franchise, as it returns to its roots in many respects.

2: Goldfinger

Goldfinger is the epitome of a Bond film. It introduced gadgets, larger-than-life villains, a nefarious plot that Bond must foil, and the now iconic opening credits sequence accompanied by a song. As a film, Goldfinger is still a blast to watch. Connery is at the top of his game with plenty of wit and charm, and the antagonists, Goldfinger and Oddjob, remain two of the franchise's most iconic villains. Everything about the film screams classic Bond, which is why it is one of the best.

1: Casino Royale

Adapting the first novel in the franchise, Casino Royale takes Bond to the beginning as it shows how he developed his cold-hearted demeanor. Casino Royale revived and redefined the dying Bond franchise with a darker and more violent take with a deeper character development than any other Bond film. Believe it or not, upon my first viewing of the film around its release, I disliked the film. It was different than previous Bond films, and as a younger viewer, it was not what I expected. Of course, after rewatching it several times more recently, Casino Royale is not only my favorite Bond film, it is one of my favorite films of all-time. 

What are your favorite Bond films? Do you agree with my review? Please comment below and let me know!

Honorable Mention: You Only Live Twice

P.S. Assuming Spectre will be as good as I hope, I will post an updated version of the list after viewing the film.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 10 James Bond Movies: Part 1

The 24th James Bond film, Spectre, will be in theaters on Friday for US audiences. And celebrate this long running and legendary franchise; it is time to rank the Top 10 Best Movies in the James Bond franchise!

If you are more interested in my rankings of the movies and not in my personal history with the Bond franchise, skip this paragraph and continue reading. My history with the Bond franchise started with my father, who has been watching the Bond films since the 70s. He has always been a fan of the franchise, and thus, as a kid, my brother and I watched many of the movies with him, particularly the early Sean Connery flicks. I have seen all of the Bonds, many of them more than once. Since the TV channel, Spike, would play a marathon of Bond flicks on certain holidays, we would end up watching them. So, while Bond is not as influential as Star Wars or Indiana Jones for me, I have always watched and enjoyed the films, and my father is a fan of the novels, which I will probably read at some point. With that said, the James Bond franchise is incredibly inconsistent in terms of quality with only a handful being of truly "great" quality, although, except for the worst films, many of the movies at least deliver campy action and adventure. 

Lastly, please note that I have not seen many of the Bond flicks in quite some time. Therefore, ranking any of the films that I have not seen since becoming a reviewer is more difficult.

Honorable Mention: On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Despite George Lazenby torpedoing his chances of returning for future Bond films with his off screen actions, the plot of On Her Majesty's Secret Service is one of the franchise's stronger entries. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to watch the film in several years, and thus I do not remember it well enough to rank, despite being considered one of the most underrated entries in the franchise.

10: Live and Let Die

Live and Let Die is on the list for two reasons: Paul McCartney's theme song, "Live and Let Die," and the epic boat chase during the climax of the film. Live and Let Die is Roger Moore's first time as Bond, and while his run as a whole gave us some of the worst Bond films, his more comical and cheeky take on the character is rather fun to watch. He might not have the outrageously cool factor of Sean Connery but he handles many of the absurd lines with a surprising degree of class, and the movie as a whole is a fun watch.

9: The Living Daylights

Timothy Dalton's first film as Bond, The Living Daylights proved to be a more serious take on the franchise, which would not be seen again until Daniel Craig's films. Dalton's Bond is decidedly darker and even troubled at times. At first, the darker Bond felt strange compared to the campy adventures of previous years. However, after watching it again as a critic, the film a solidly written and directed film, which is even more accurate to the tone of the novels (according to a personal source of mine). 

8: Thunderball

My favorite Bond flick to watch as a kid, Thunderball began the franchise's heavy reliance on cool gadgets and spectacle over espionage. From the underwater battles to the jetpack escape, Thunderball is an all around fun film to watch. The plot might lack in terms of complexity, but again, this is very much a nostalgic pick for me.  

7: Dr. No

The one that started it all, Dr. No is the first James Bond film produced in the official series (there was a Casino Royale TV movie).  Compared to the explosive action-packed adventures later in the franchise, Dr. No is more methodically paced as it builds up the confrontation with Dr. No. Some modern viewers might find it too slow, but it is worth the watch, especially if you are a fan of the recent films.

What are some of your favorites? How many Bond movies have you seen? Please comment below and let know! And check back tomorrow for the second and final part.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 6

The Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies list now comes to an end! These are the 5 Sci-Fi films that rise up all others. These are the best of the best! Now, let's get started!

5: Aliens

James Cameron’s Aliens is one of the most thrilling and pulse-pounding film experiences ever made. While the first Alien film created the Xenomorph creature and established the concept, Cameron's Aliens exceeded the original film by combining the thrills of the original with incredible special effects and edge-of-your-seat action sequences. Aliens also established Ellen Ripley as one of film's greatest female protagonists of all-time. How could Aliens not be among the best sci-fi films of all-time!?

Aliens (1986) Review.

4: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Before Titanic and Avatar, James Cameron actually made a few freaking awesome sci-fi films and there are none better T2. Deciding between Aliens and T2 for my favorite Cameron flick was not easy, but after some deliberation, T2 came out on top, partially due to the fact that it has been one of my favorite movies ever since I was a kid. Despite T2 being known for its revolutionary CGI, it is the heavy use of practical effects during the action sequences that make it hold up so well today. Few action films today can match the level of action direction of T2, and yet it never forgets the characters by including a healthy dosage of heart.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Review.

3: The Matrix

The Matrix blew my mind with its combination of sci-fi philosophy and sequences that remain unmatched in western films. Despite being more than 15 years old, everything holds up in the Matrix today as well it did years ago, and many of themes are all the more relevant to today's increasingly technological society. Unfortunately, the Wachowskis were never able to recapture the Matrix's greatest in the sequels or any other film.

2: Inception

Yet another mind-blowing and mind-bending experience on my list, Inception is the film that literally launched my film critiquing hobby. Christopher Nolan is at his unquestionable best with Inception in all aspects. For the first time in his films, he manages to craft characters that you genuinely care that get caught up in a plot with more twists and turns than one can count. While not everything about the concept and plot is the most original, the way Nolan used the concept of dreams to move the plot forward is unique and inventive. Will Nolan ever be able to top his masterpiece? That remains to be seen.

Inception Review.

1: Star Wars Saga

How could there be any other? Without Star Wars, half of the films on this list would have never been possible for technological, inspirational, and financial reasons. Star Wars showed Hollywood that science fiction is a viable genre. It elevated the Science Fiction genre to new heights never seen before! Not since the early days of film has a movie or franchise made such an impact on the culture of the world than Star Wars.

Since the Original Trilogy would have taken up the Top 3 spots on the list, I opted to include the franchise as a whole so that more sci-fi films could make the list. Of course, The Empires Strikes Back would top the list with the original Star Wars not far behind. With the new Star Wars films on the horizon, let us all hope that Star Wars will rise yet again to its former glory!

Well, that concludes my list of the Top 25 Sci-Fi films of all-time! At a later date, I will write up something about the 25+ Honorable Mentions that almost made the list. So, what do you think of my list? Please comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading everyone and if you missed one of the previous parts, click on the links below.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 5

Finally, we have reached the Top 10; the best of the best. These are the films that go down in history as the pinnacle of the science fiction genre. At this point, everyone should have seen these films, and if you have not, you probably should go watch them.

10: The Terminator

James Cameron's breakout film as a director, The Terminator is responsible for both Cameron's later success as well as the "Governator," aka Arnold Schwarzenegger, becoming a household name. As for the film itself, The Terminator set the standard for the killer robot movie. Despite being more than three decades old, the film is every bit as hard hitting and thrilling as it was all those years ago. Just be sure not to think about the time-travel aspect too long; your brain will start to hurt. On a personal note, along with Star Wars and a few other sci-fi films, The Terminator is one of the films that inspired my interest in computers as a kid, which led to my current career path in IT.

9: Serenity

A sequel film to Joss Whedon's unjustly cancelled cult-classic Firefly, Serenity might not have been the second season that we all wanted, but Whedon gave us just enough conclusion to satisfy the fans. While Serenity can be enjoyed as a standalone film, without watching the series much of the emotional impact and callbacks are missed, so be sure to watch the series first. To quote the opening song, “You can burn the land and boil the sea, but there's no place I can’t be since I've found Serenity.”

8: Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park changed filmmaking forever with its revolutionary CGI effects, and yet, thanks to Spielberg's superb direction, the effects never overshadow the rest of the movie. In addition to the CGI, Jurassic Park used many brilliant practical effects, all of which hold up better than almost anything today. Special Effects aside, Jurassic Park is a fun film full of thrills, excitement, and breathtaking sequences that are as awe-inspiring today as they were 20 years ago. The film is the near perfection of the Summer Blockbuster!

7: Blade Runner

Ever since watching Blade Runner three years ago, the film continues to climb my favorites list for one simple reason: I am still thinking about the film. Every so often, I find myself considering the mysteries of the film and its depiction of Artificial Intelligence. Sure, at first, the movie might have seemed slow, but after watching the original cut and the Final Cut, it is a film that is the definition of "Staying Power." Anytime that I reference "Staying Power" in my reviews, Blade Runner is the one that sets the bar, because no other film has been able to change my opinion without a second viewing than Blade Runner. Often times, when you think about a film in-depth, it starts to fall apart, unless it is a truly great film, and thus Blade Runner is truly among the greats.

6: Back to the Future

From the clever script to the witty dialogue to the quirky sense of humor, Back to the Future is the definition of a classic. Few films pack so much pure entertainment into 116 minutes than Back to the Future! Even though its time-travel logic is a little contradicting at times, where else can you find a film that is just so much fun to watch!

What do you think of this part of the list? Please comment below and check out the previous parts in the links below.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 4

After taking a quick detour to the Wild West, we are ready to go "Back to the Future!" with more of the best Sci-Fi films!

13: Edge of Tomorrow: Live Die Repeat

Oddly retitled Live Die Repeat, Edge of Tomorrow is a film that takes the basic concept of Groundhog Day and utilizes it in a fashion that makes the film unlike any other. Edge of Tomorrow is based on a Japanese light novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, titled “All You Need Is Kill,” which was adapted into a manga (comic book) in 2014, and then into the film.

Tom Cruise plays a character that departs from his usual cool, calm, and collected protagonist with Major William Cage, who knows very little of actual combat, thus he progresses in both skill and character as the loop repeats continually. However, the film does falter towards end with the final Act being lackluster in comparison. What puzzles me is why has this concept not already been used before!? It is ingenious for a sci-fi action flick! 

12: Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

In many ways Cowboy Bebop is the original Firefly/Serenity, as it contains certain story elements that Whedon uses in Firefly. The series is an animated television series, which had a spinoff film produced. Since the movie takes place within the series continuity and not afterwards, it can serve as an entertaining introduction to the Cowboy Bebop universe for newcomers, although watching the series first is preferable.

The film retains the style and memorable characters of the Cowboy Bebop series except with a movie scale plot, improved animation, and even better action sequences than the series. If you want to watch some stylized action and well developed characters, Cowboy Bebop is most definitely worth checking out.

11: Interstellar

Interstellar exemplifies one of my favorite aspects of science fiction: the exploration of scientific concepts in ambitious and thought-provoking ways. Christopher Nolan explores the outer reaches of space by utilizing real scientific hypotheses about time relativity, wormholes, and a variety of other ideas and concepts. Nolan's use of practical effects provided the film with a sense of realism reminiscent of the classics such as Star Wars and Alien that is often lost in contemporary science fiction in favor of CGI. Unfortunately, Nolan failed to execute characters and script writing nearly as well. Despite this, Interstellar's ambition is what makes it among the best of science fiction in my mind. If you want to know more about Interstellar, click here to read my full review.

I apologist for this extra short section of the Top 25 list, but I wanted to dedicate two posts to the Top 10 Sci-Fi films, which you can read about more soon! So, what do you think of these three picks? Please comment below and let me know!

Previous Parts:

• Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 3
• Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 2
• Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies: Part 1

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

6 Unconventional Westerns

Westerns do not have to be set in the mid-to-late 1800s America. Sometimes, a story set in the distant future or other lands can still contain elements of a classic western. Those are the type of movies and TV shows that I highlight today. Also, this is not a list, but rather a collection of fiction that portrays a different take on the western genre.

Firefly / Serenity

Firefly and Serenity are an obvious pick for an unconventional western. Taking place in the distant future where humanity has spread across the stars, space is like a wild frontier with outlaws and smugglers. Everyone knows Firefly as the TV show that ended well before its time. While its short run is unfortunate, we will always have Joss Whedon and company's brilliant first season of television and the feature film, Serenity.

Back to the Future Part III

The third and final part of the madcap time-travel classic, Back to the Future Part III is a fun adventure through the old west with Doc Brown and Marty McFly. It might not be a stellar film by any stretch of the imagination, but it is full of classic western references and witty humor.

The Good, the Bad, the Weird

A South Korean film set in 1800s Korea, The Good, the Bad, the Weird is inspired by Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Much like the original film, it features a memorable cast of cool and zany characters, with Song Kang-ho as the "Weird" being the standout. This South Korean take adds an eastern action flare with lengthy action sequences with practical stunts and superb direction. If you enjoy westerns, foreign films, or entertaining action comedy, give this one a watch!

Trigun

Yes, I know what you are thinking: "An anime? Who would watch that weird Japanese stuff?" But hear me out. Trigun is a sci-fi action comedy set on a new plant that humanity colonizes, and it is a barren wasteland, just like the Wild West. The series follows Vash the Stampede, a man with a 60 billion "double dollar" bounty on his head. What makes Trigun unique is that it starts out as an action comedy with wacky characters and fun action, and then shifts gears to a serious series with complex themes of heroism. Interestingly, the writer of the original comic (manga) that the anime was based on is a Christian, which is evident by the themes expressed. It explores the consequences of a hero that refuses to kill, like Batman, and how that can lead to even more deaths of innocents.

Cowboy Bebop

Another anime, Cowboy Bebop, a classic that everyone should have at least heard of by now, is set in the future where humanity is spread across the stars where bounty hunters, referred to as "Cowboys," roam the galaxy in search of their targets. That's the premise of Cowboy Bebop, but that is only the beginning. The series is heavily influenced by American filmmakers, and the soundtrack varies from smooth jazz to classic rock with each episode being titled after a style of music. Once you get past the slow start, Cowboy Bebop is an unforgettable classic that should be watched by all; I even own the Blu-Ray set! If you are not sold on it after episode 1, skip to Episode 5; that should sell the show to you.

Rango

An animated film starring Johnny Depp, Rango is one of the funniest animated films of the last few years. The plot is a fun twist on classic western stories with animals and shockingly detailed 3D animation.

What are some of your favorite Unconventional Westerns? Have you seen any of the films on this list? Please let me know in the comments, and do not forget to check out my Top 10 Westerns list in the following links: Part 1 & Part 2.

Unless I think of one final post tomorrow for Emma, Plain and Tall's Legends of Western Cinema week on A Lantern in Her Hand & Meanwhile, in the River...., this is the end of my western posts. Thanks everyone for reading, and I hope you have found a few new westerns to watch. My Top 25 Sci-Fi Movies list continues next week, so be sure to check back for that!

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 10 Westerns: Part 2

My Top 10 Westerns list concludes today with my Top 5! And here is Part 1 if you missed it.

5: The Magnificent Seven

As you may know from my recent Versus post, The Magnificent Seven is based on the Japanese film Seven Samurai, and if you want to read a comparison of the films, click here. For the film itself, it tells the classic story of seven gunmen hired to protect a village from bandits, and of all the remakes, this is, undoubtedly, the finest. From the all-star cast to the fun action and adventure, The Magnificent Seven is a classic that should never be forgotten.

4: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Arguably Humphrey Bogart's best film, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is an enduring tale of greed and gold and how it can turn friends against one another. Unlike the other westerns on the list, the film does not have gunfights, traditional cowboys, or the other tropes, but it a film about the thing that drove people to go west: gold! John Huston's direction creates a sense of tension as the characters begin to distrust each other and Bogart's role as Fred Dobbs is one of his most layered and complex. If you have yet to see this classic, what are you doing!? Go watch it!

3: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is not like other westerns. In fact, it is almost similar to many modern day flicks with its witty script and chemistry between the leads. Paul Newman and Robert Redford played one of film’s first "Bromances," although I don't like that term. If the old fashion westerns in John Wayne's error do not appeal to you, check out Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; you just might enjoy it.

2: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

After watching Sergio Leone's other Spaghetti Westerns, which, while good, were a little disappointing, my expectations for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly were rather low. To my surprise, however, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly turned out to be one of the best westerns and films of all-time. Sergio Leone used his unique directorial style to great effect throughout the film by creating the sense of tension between these witty outlaws. Clint Eastwood’s cool demeanor and humorous wit added to the film as well. 

1: The Outlaw Josey Wales

One of Clint Eastwood’s earliest directorial efforts, The Outlaw Josey Wales is my favorite western of all-time. Following a Confederate soldier directly after the end of the Civil War, The Outlaw Josey Wales is the pinnacle of revenge flicks, and a unique spin on the western genre. Sure, it might not be everyone’s favorite, and that’s fine, because there are so many fantastic westerns. Unfortunately, they are rarely watched by today’s audiences. 

*Warning: Despite the PG rating, it would be R by today's standards.*

What are your favorite westerns? Please comment below and let me know!

Honorable Mentions: Unforgiven, Hondo, The Westerner, Destry Rides Again, High Noon, The Naked Spur, Pale Rider, Rooster Cogburn, True Grit (2010), 3:10 to Yuma, A Fistful of Dollars, Dances with Wolves

While this list concludes today, my westerns posts are not over! A "5 Unconventional Westerns" is on the way to continue Emma, Plain and Tall's Legends of Western Cinema week on her blog A Lantern in Her Hand & Meanwhile, in the River....

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.