Goldfinger (1964)

Posted on September 22, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Starring Sean Connery as Ian Fleming’s character James Bond, Agent 007, this installment has him facing off with Goldfinger. After an entertaining opening sequence, Bond is given the assignment of keeping an eye on Auric Goldfinger, a powerful man with a insatiable desire for gold. Along the way he crosses paths with beautiful women, Goldfinger’s deadly chauffeur Odd Job, the highly trained pilot Pussy Galore, and of course the criminal mastermind himself. Bond and Goldfinger battle back and forth, first with wits and then everything becomes much more sinister. Bond is taken captive as Goldfinger tries to implement his dastardly plan revolving around a vault full of gold. Needless to say, in the end 007 is victorious and he gets the girl. With Bond’s modified Ashton Martin, great action, good characters, and a memorable theme, this film is “shocking, positively shocking.”

4.5/5 Stars

From Russia with Love (1963)

Posted on May 20, 2014 by 4 Star Films

This James Bond film starring Sean Connery as 007, finds Bond being thrown together with a beautiful Russian agent in an attempt to steal a Lektor coding device which the woman is willing to take from the Soviets. It began as an obvious trap for Bond but he gathers his briefcase and heads to Istanbul. There he is assisted by Kerim Bey who helps him spy on the Russians, hides him with a group of gypsies, and after escaping he knocks off a Russian agent. There is a small mishap at the hagia Sophia but the infiltration goes as planned and they escape with the Lektor aboard a train. Little do they know what danger they are in and all too soon Bond is fighting for his life against a trained assassin. Only then does he realize the British and Soviets had been manipulated by SPECTRE. Before they can get away completely Bond must stave off a helicopter and a fleet of SPECTRE speed boats. Finally in Venice it looks like Romanova has gotten the best of 007 and yet together they fend off a foe with deadly kicks. All that is left to do is a romantic gondola ride after a job well done. This film has the combo of action and romance that has become the expectation for Bond movies. The supporting cast includes Daniela Bianchi, Robert Shaw, and Pedro Armendariz.

4/5 Stars

Charade (1963)

Posted on January 13, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Starring the romantic pair of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, with Walter Matthau, James Coburn, and George Kennedy, this film is considered the best “Hitchcock film” which the director did not make. While on vacation, Grant and Hepburn first meet briefly and then she returns to her home Paris. Hepburn goes there only to find out her husband, who she wanted to divorce, has been murdered. When meeting with a CIA man (Matthau), she learns that her husband and three buddies stole some money during a war but the three chums never got their shares. Upon meeting Grant again, he agrees to help Regina (Hepburn) and also says he is looking for the money. Through a series of events the three other men are all killed and everything seems to point to Grant. Hepburn runs for her life with Grant close behind and winds up meeting the CIA man. However, everything is not as it seems and after a shoot out Hepburn finally realizes the truth. Along with the thrills this movie has a nice score and a touch of playful comedy (including Grant’s many aliases including Peter Joshua, Alexander Dyle, Adam Canfield, etc.). Cary Grant was hesitant of playing opposite Hepburn since he was quite a bit older, but that is used nicely in the film as a source of even more comedy. Furthermore, Mancini’s score gives the film a 1960s spy vibe or I guess I should say agent… Hope you enjoy Stanley Donen‘s Charade.

4/5 Stars

Skyfall (2012)

Posted on April 8, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond and Judi Dench as M, this was the 50 anniversary installment of the franchise. The film opens as Bond is on assignment to track down a mercenary who stole a vital computer hard drive. However, before he can complete his assignment Bond is wounded and seemingly falls to his death. Meanwhile M is under political pressure and she also receives a threatening message that culminates in a giant explosion. Bond comes back from the dead and must struggle to pass his examinations to be cleared for duty. Finally, he goes out again to track down the mercenary and his investigation leads him to a shady casino. He helps out a women in trouble and accompanies her to a remote island. However,, they are captured and Bond comes face to face with the mastermind behind all the chaos. Bond is able to save himself while capturing Silva to take back to England. But Silva has one last trick up his sleeve allowing himself to escape. Realizing M is in danger, Bond rescues her and heads for his childhood home. There he prepares for the final showdown with Silva and his henchmen. Although he prevails it was not without sacrifice. This film was intriguing because both Bond and M had to set out and prove they were not washed up. Also, Adele’s title song is probably the most memorable Bond theme in quite sometime.