Highbrow Magazine - James Bond https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/james-bond en ‘The Other Fellow’ Shows the Ordinary Lives of People Named James Bond https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/23450-other-fellow-shows-ordinary-lives-people-named-james-bond <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 15:20</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/7jamesbond.jpg?itok=roSHQilk"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/7jamesbond.jpg?itok=roSHQilk" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Having a famous name can be a conversation starter or a way to ensure that you will be made fun of as a child. Depending on the name and circumstances, it could be a blessing or a curse, but for most men named James Bond, it’s been a hindrance, and “The Other Fellow” documents this.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The documentary starts by showing the lives of various men around the world who are named James Bond. Many aren’t fans of the movies and have grown to despise their name because of the annoyances it has brought them in life. Things get more interesting when the film focuses on a man in Denmark who has become famous in his community for embracing the character to the point of obsession. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/8jamesbond.jpg" style="height:366px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">As a boy, this man discovered Ian Fleming’s books about Bond’s fictitious escapades and he created a fantasy in his head that the books were about his father who abandoned his family when he was a young boy. He convinced himself that if his father was still around, he would have taught him how to be exactly like James Bond, and so he molded his entire personality and lifestyle after the superspy. He’s the most interesting character in the film, and I wish it focused more on him because the script feels often unfocused.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">It’s hard to nail what the general theme of this documentary is since it hops between different stories often. It’s just an exploration of how having the name James Bond has affected so many different people’s lives. It led to one man being falsely imprisoned for murder, gave a woman the chance to hide her son’s identity from her ex-husband-turned-stalker, and it gave one man the opportunity to be in an online casino ad, even though he hated doing it. Some of the stories are interesting; others are not as much, so the whole film ends up feeling scattershot with its approach.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/11jamesbond.jpg" style="height:349px; width:620px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The use of dramatized reenactments keeps “The Other Fellow” from feeling stale or played out in its second half. The editing and choice of subjects are a mixed bag, and when it all comes together, it doesn’t make for a standout documentary -- which is a shame because there’s a lot of potential in some of the stories that should have been fleshed out more. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Author Bio:</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>Ulises Duenas is a senior writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine</strong>.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>For Highbrow Magazine</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/other-fellow" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the other fellow</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/people-called-james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">people called james bond</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/007" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">007</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond-films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond films</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ian-fleming" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ian Fleming</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/documentaries" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">documentaries</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Ulises Duenas</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">In Slider</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-videos field-type-video-embed-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <div class="embedded-video"> <div class="player"> <iframe class="" width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3k_v-zUNchE?width%3D640%26amp%3Bheight%3D360%26amp%3Bautoplay%3D0%26amp%3Bvq%3Dlarge%26amp%3Brel%3D0%26amp%3Bcontrols%3D1%26amp%3Bautohide%3D2%26amp%3Bshowinfo%3D1%26amp%3Bmodestbranding%3D0%26amp%3Btheme%3Ddark%26amp%3Biv_load_policy%3D1%26amp%3Bwmode%3Dopaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div> </div></div></div> Fri, 24 Feb 2023 20:20:10 +0000 tara 11700 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/23450-other-fellow-shows-ordinary-lives-people-named-james-bond#comments Craig, Daniel Craig: How James Bond Was Reinvented https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/19002-craig-daniel-craig-how-james-bond-was-reinvented <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 12/03/2021 - 12:50</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2jamesbond_0.jpg?itok=mZndO4dE"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2jamesbond_0.jpg?itok=mZndO4dE" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">2002 marked a turning point for the James Bond franchise, as <em>Die Another Day</em> was the last installment to feature Pierce Brosnan as the titular spy. While his performance was well received, the film suffers due to an array of bad special effects and green screen, an invisible car, surfing down a glacier, and unfunny attempts at humor. <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/how-die-another-day-almost-blew-up-the-james-bond-franchise" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">Poorly received by critics and audiences alike, <em>Die Another Day</em> proved to be a financial success grossing $431 million at the box office.</a> Yet, despite its success, audiences believed the studio no longer treated Bond seriously.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">And in came franchises like <em>Mission Impossible</em> and <em>Jason Bourne</em>, capturing the high-octane action and globetrotting espionage without the cliches that plagued the Bond franchise. Ethan Hunt and Jason Bourne felt less sleazy compared with Bond and his womanizing ways, making their characters, and by extension, their movies more likable. Their adventures and technology were grounded, making Bond movies appear cartoonish and unrealistic.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Brosnan’s suave performance as Bond seemed like the relic of a bygone era in spy movies. In rebooting James Bond, Eon Productions chose Daniel Craig to give an edge that the franchise lacked. Craig’s casting as the titular spy left some fans upset. Standing at 5’10” donning close-cropped blonde hair, Craig did not fit the look of the previous tall, dark-haired Bonds. <a href="http://danielcraigisnotbond.com/fansoncraig.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">Websites such as danielcraigisnotbond.com cited Craig’s disdain for guns, his height, and his “odd” facial structure as reasons that he was a bad fit for the role, leading to a petition calling for his firing.</a> Indeed, Craig did not imitate the looks of the traditional Bond, and his demeanor differs as well. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/3jamesbond.jpg" style="height:601px; width:392px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Craig’s performance as James Bond is not outwardly charismatic. He presents himself as a colder, harsher Bond distrustful of the world. While previous installments saw Bond preventing the existential threat of a nuclear holocaust, Craig’s interpretations follow Bond in a post 9/11 world. The terror and feeling of danger are no longer hypothetical. The world is at war causing governments to enforce brutal tactics in the name of national security. Where previous iterations of James Bond depict him as a spy, Craig’s series presents him first and foremost as a weapon utilized by MI6. Bond accepts his role within MI6, never fully trusting the organization, his colleagues, and the world around him. His cynicism makes him see the worst in people. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">In addition, as a physical performer, Craig relies on brute force and athleticism for the fight sequences. His combat style is not as elegant as other Bond iterations. Rather, Craig’s approach is more tactical and intense. Relying far less on gadgets and technology, Craig’s Bond is forced to fight in close combat allowing the action scenes to carry more weight. Throughout Craig’s films, Bond gets seriously injured, constantly getting beaten within an inch of his life. His talent as an assassin matches his demeanor as a person: cold and blunt. Yet beneath his stylish Tom Ford suits lie trauma and pain that make Craig’s Bond memorable.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Credit must be given to Craig for bringing new life to an already established icon of popular culture. Craig’s performances paint the portrait of a man psychologically scarred by violence. Craig’s gruffness and intensity modernize the character, while his snarky humor allows Bond to maintain moments of levity. A classically trained thespian, Craig’s acting skills elevate the performances of critically acclaimed actors such as Judi Dench, Mads Mikkelsen, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, and Christoph Waltz, while never overshadowing Bond’s character.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/4jamesbond.jpg" style="height:338px; width:600px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">To modernize James Bond, Eon Productions and Craig focus on the psyche of 007. Craig’s first installment, <em>Casino Royale, </em>explores James Bond’s beginnings as a 00 agent for MI6. Craig’s Bond is not refined. He is stubborn and unruly. The suave lifestyle does not suit him; however, <em>Casino Royale </em>showcases the transformation into the more traditional Bond.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">At its core, <em>Casino Royale </em>is a romantic tragedy. Bond falls in love with Vesper Lynd for whom he is willing to give up his life as a spy to settle down. Eva Green’s portrayal of Lynd is pitch perfect. Sporting a ferocious wit and mysterious allure, she matches Bond in his skills of seduction. So much so, that her ultimate betrayal of Bond is unexpected. Bond becomes an emotional wreck after being forced to watch the love of his life drown. He feels exploited and insignificant, leading to him developing a misogynistic attitude. At the end of <em>Casino Royale</em>, Bond utters, “The job’s done; the bitch is dead” masking his heartbreak with brazen chauvinism. At this moment, he isolates himself and pledges loyalty to only his country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Craig’s portrayal of Bond examines the burden of possessing a license to kill. Haunted by the death of his lover, Bond seeks revenge. In <em>Quantum of Solace,</em> he is reckless and jeopardizes MI6’s missions, yet he denies his trauma. Ultimately, he realizes the unfulfilling nature of revenge. <em>Quantum of Solace</em>’s<em> </em>plot reflects Bond’s arc: meandering and unsatisfactory. Yet despite its failures, it captures the darkest portrayal of Bond in the series. Here, Bond forces away his trauma and pain in favor of the fleeting pleasures that come with sex, alcohol, and violence. Yet, in the final moment of the film, Bond drops his former lover’s necklace in the snow, symbolizing his acceptance of his life as a spy. Vesper Lynd’s death is merely the price of being 007. In accepting this, it leads to our usual Bond archetype.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/5jamesbond.jpg" style="height:440px; width:460px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Director Sam Mendes’ <em>Skyfall </em>and <em>Spectre </em>capture the maturation of Daniel Craig into that of Ian Fleming’s classic character. While <em>Casino Royale </em>and <em>Quantum of Solace </em>showcase a more brutal and relentless Bond, Mendes’s direction depicts a more physically restrained Bond. The action sequences are breezier. As Craig ages, so does Bond, and thus there is a reliance on more guns, gadgets, and intelligence behind his fighting style. The opening scene of <em>Spectre </em>showcases the evolution of Bond’s combat. Mendes makes it a point to film Craig walking for the first few minutes of the action sequence. Juxtaposed with the parkour opening sequence in <em>Casino Royale, </em>we see Bond’s experience as his movements are more elegant and purposeful in comparison. He takes out multiple of his targets at long range; he uses vehicles instead of running to preserve energy for hand-to-hand combat. As such, Bond transforms into a David-like figure. Despite age slowing him down, Bond’s cleverness allows him to battle Goliath-like threats such as Dave Bautista’s Hinx.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Mendes’s installments blend the brutality of the previous two Craig films with the tropes of the classical interpretation of Bond. Along with his reliance on gadgets, his charm is prevalent. He seduces and beds multiple women in these two installments, yet how Mendes frames these sequences stands in contrast to previous Bond films. Craig’s performance is more predatory by design. For example, Severine, the Bond girl<em> </em>in <em>Skyfall, </em>is a victim of sexual enslavement. Despite knowing this, Bond enters her shower without consent and the two have sex. The direction of this scene echoes a similar scene in <em>Casino Royale</em>, where Bond enters a shower to comfort a visibly shaken Vesper Lynd. While Lynd and Severine both become Bond’s lovers, their initial heartfelt moments with Bond play out differently. Bond forms a connection with Vesper Lynd, whereas Severine is merely his latest fling. Severine, like Lynd, dies in front of Bond, but her death has no emotional impact on him. He simply responds by saying, “a waste of a good scotch.” In doing so Mendes illustrates that Bond is not a hero, but a severely flawed and damaged individual. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Yet, while Mendes brilliantly showcases an aging and callous Bond, it often feels as if his sequels learned the wrong lessons from Craig’s first outing. Both Mendes’s films explore the origins of James Bond, making the story beats feel repetitive to that of <em>Casino Royale. </em>Taking Ernst Blofeld, one of the most notorious villains in Bond’s lexicon, and making him James’s adoptive brother feels like a bridge too far. Suddenly, it takes this globetrotting franchise with a massive scale and makes it far too central to the main character. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/6jamesbond.jpg" style="height:403px; width:611px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">As Craig’s tenure comes to an end, <em>No Time to Die </em>marks a turning point in the character of James Bond. With his career behind him, Bond is reclusive, but finds himself brought back to MI6 due to a mysterious villain threatening to destroy the world. Craig’s finale, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, explores Bond at his most vulnerable. Lea Seydoux returns as Dr. Madeleine Swann, Bond’s love interest in the previous installment. Following the events of <em>Spectre</em>, Bond’s insecurities lead him to abandon Swann. Five years later, their paths once again cross, forcing Bond to explore the unresolved trauma that led him to make that decision. Craig’s performance exudes feelings of regret and remorse for his actions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Yet, within the grimness of <em>No Time to Die, </em>the humor comes as greater relief. The final installment feature’s the franchise’s best use of humor. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a featured screenwriter for the film. English comedian, writer, and creator of the hit comedy series <em>Fleabag, </em>she brings her comedic sensibilities to the writing of the film. Paired with <em>Knives Out</em> actress Ana de Armas as a clumsy but capable CIA agent, the two add much needed comedic levity to the story. <a href="https://www.avclub.com/with-one-thrilling-sequence-ana-de-armas-steals-bond-s-1847817882" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">The sequence in Cuba featuring Armas’s character is a great example of merging the grittiness of Craig’s iterations, with the lighthearted, campiness of the traditional Bond films.</a> The hiring of Waller-Bridge could indicate a change in tone for the future installments with a greater emphasis on adventure espionage mixed with a more upbeat tone.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The classical Bond movies in comparison to Craig’s iterations seem like products of their time. The suave promiscuous heroes presented in the previous installments feel outdated. In modernizing Bond, filmmakers were chosen for their ability to tell human-centric stories. The directors for Craig’s outings: Campbell, Forster, Mendes, and Fukunaga come from indie-drama backgrounds. This allowed them to craft emotionally centered dramas amid the big action set pieces. In doing so, they allowed Bond to feel more grounded and relatable. For the first time in 50 years, James Bond did not just appear like the world’s greatest and coolest super spy, but he actually felt human. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Author Bio:</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>Ben Friedman is a freelance film journalist and a contributing writer at </em>Highbrow Magazine<em>. For more of his reviews visit bentothemovies.com, his podcast Ben and Bran See a Movie, or follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube: The Beniverse.</em></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>For Highbrow Magazine</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/daniel-craig" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">daniel craig</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/no-time-die" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">No Time to Die</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/skyfall" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">skyfall</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/casino-royale" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Casino Royale</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/vesper-lynd" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Vesper Lynd</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/sam-mendes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">sam mendes</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/pierce-brosnan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">pierce brosnan</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond-films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond films</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/007" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">007</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Ben Friedman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:50:58 +0000 tara 10776 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/19002-craig-daniel-craig-how-james-bond-was-reinvented#comments 'No Time to Die' Is James Bond at His Best https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/17017-no-time-die-james-bond-his-best <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 14:41</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2jamesbond.jpg?itok=vzyQO11u"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2jamesbond.jpg?itok=vzyQO11u" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>In a new video, <em>Highbrow Magazine </em>writer and film critic Forrest Hartman discusses Daniel Craig's last turn as James Bond in 'No Time to Die,' and gives the film 3 1/2 stars (out of four).</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Watch the video below.</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em><strong>(Movie stills courtesy of EPK.tv).</strong></em></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/no-time-die" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">No Time to Die</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/007" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">007</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/daniel-craig" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">daniel craig</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/rami-malek" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Rami Malek</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/new-films" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new films</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/ian-fleming" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ian Fleming</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Movie stills courtesy of EPK.tv</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-videos field-type-video-embed-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <div class="embedded-video"> <div class="player"> <iframe class="" width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fu90Ugi5yhI?width%3D640%26amp%3Bheight%3D360%26amp%3Bautoplay%3D0%26amp%3Bvq%3Dlarge%26amp%3Brel%3D0%26amp%3Bcontrols%3D1%26amp%3Bautohide%3D2%26amp%3Bshowinfo%3D1%26amp%3Bmodestbranding%3D0%26amp%3Btheme%3Ddark%26amp%3Biv_load_policy%3D1%26amp%3Bwmode%3Dopaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div> </div></div></div> Fri, 15 Oct 2021 18:41:16 +0000 tara 10685 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/17017-no-time-die-james-bond-his-best#comments 007 Shaken, Not Stirred, in William Boyd’s ‘Solo’ https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3356-shaken-not-stirred-william-boyd-s-solo <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/books-fiction" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Books &amp; Fiction</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 12/13/2013 - 09:51</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/solobook.jpg?itok=4zW8rutw"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/solobook.jpg?itok=4zW8rutw" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><strong>Solo</strong></p> <p><strong>By William Boyd</strong></p> <p><strong>Harper</strong></p> <p><strong>322 pages</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><em>Solo, </em>a “James Bond Novel,” is the latest in a series of post-Ian Fleming books written by different authors (Kingsley Amis, Jeffrey Deaver, Sebastian Faulks, etc.). Now it’s William Boyd’s turn. Boyd, <a href="http://highbrowmagazine.com/1175-william-boyd-s-new-literary-thriller-traverses-vienna-and-london-circa-wwi">the hugely gifted author</a> of <em>Any Human Heart </em>and the accomplished thrillers <em>Restless </em>and <em>Ordinary Thunderstorms, </em>certainly seems on paper like a great fit to extend Fleming’s legacy, breathing new life into this decades-old franchise.</p> <p> </p> <p>From the start of <em>Solo, </em>the tone feels different. The secret agent encountered here—in sharp contrast to the flamboyant movie versions—is reflective and genteel (as well as stylish and hedonistic). He’s also a considerate seducer of women and prey to ordinary mortal afflictions like the common cold.</p> <p> </p> <p>But, true to form, James Bond likes very fast cars:</p> <p> </p> <p>“Bond felt he was in a low-flying plane rather than an automobile as he accelerated the Jensen down the A316 towards Twickenham. The wide curved sweep of the windscreen filled the car with light and the powerful rumble of the engine sounded like the roar of jet propulsion. The four-wheel drive means the tightest corner could be negotiated with hardly any diminution of speed. When he stopped at traffic lights pedestrians openly gaped at the car as it idled throatily, heads turning, fingers pointing. If you needed a car to boost your ego, Bond thought, then the Jensen FF would do the job admirably. Not that he needed an ego boost, Bond reminded himself as he accelerated away, the speed forcing him back in the sea, cutting up and leaving a Series V Sunbeam Alpine for dead, its driver gesticulating in frustration.”</p> <p> </p> <p>In <em>Solo</em>, James Bond is sent to the fictional West African country of Zanzarim, presently engulfed in a two-year-old civil war.  His assignment: “neutralize” the rebel army’s commander, thus hastening an end to conflict in this oil-rich region.</p> <p> </p> <p>Traveling as a stringer for Agence Presse Libre – a cover that gets blown rather easily not long into the assignment—Bond encounters Kobus Breed, a bloodthirsty Rhodesian mercenary. The well-spoken psychopath is fond of driving meat hooks through the jaws of his victims and hanging their corpses from trees. A string of such killings leads to Bond’s decision to go rogue and hunt the man down, together with his villainous employers.</p> <p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2jamesbond.jpg" style="height:373px; width:650px" /></p> <p>But long before <em>Solo </em>ends, the narrative pace falters. Just when the story should be hurtling towards a suspenseful climax, there’s an inexplicable break in the action, so Bond and his CIA colleague can sit around drinking Gordon’s gin and hashing out the details of what’s transpired earlier. Few thrillers can survive this sort of leisurely interlude, let alone one that aspires to wear the mantle of James Bond Novel.</p> <p> </p> <p>Not to mention that readers will wait a frustratingly long time before Bond exercises his legendary license to kill.</p> <p> </p> <p>William Boyd remains a master of the action set-piece (though there aren’t enough of them here to satisfy many Bond fans). During a firefight in the African bush, chaos and confusion are rendered with bone-chilling efficiency:</p> <p> </p> <p>“Bond saw the tracer looping a split second before he heard the detonations. There was the usual sensory delay – the lazy flow of glowing light-flashes picking up speed – and then the road surface disintegrated under the impact of the heavy-calibre machine-gun bullets … One of the soldiers seemed literally torn apart, shredded by the impact of a dozen rounds, while the other was spun around in a mad pirouette before Bond saw one of his arms flail off and go tumbling into the undergrowth end over end.”</p> <p> </p> <p><em>Solo </em>offers glimpses of what’s made James Bond such an enduring series, but there’s also the sense of a missed opportunity. More could have been done to vividly extend the life and times of 007.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><em>Lee Polevoi, author of </em>The Moon in Deep Winter, <em>is completing a new novel, </em><a href="http://www.highbrowmagazine.com/new-fiction-death-threat">The Confessions of Gabriel Ash.</a></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/solo" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">solo</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/william-boyd" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">William Boyd</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/007" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">007</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/books-about-james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">books about james bond</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/books" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">books</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/authors" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">authors</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/literature" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">literature</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/publishing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">publishing</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Lee Polevoi</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Fri, 13 Dec 2013 14:51:22 +0000 tara 3957 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/3356-shaken-not-stirred-william-boyd-s-solo#comments ‘Skyfall,’ ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ Arrive on DVD, Blu-ray https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/2129-skyfall-perks-being-wallflower-arrive-dvd-blu-ray <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/news-features" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News &amp; Features</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 10:31</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumSkyfall%20-%20Horizontal.JPG?itok=T7AN_aVS"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumSkyfall%20-%20Horizontal.JPG?itok=T7AN_aVS" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>  </p> <p> Hollywood studios are releasing a host of home video titles this week, including an Oscar-nominated animated film and the 23<sup>rd</sup> entry in the James Bond movie franchise.  </p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Skyfall</strong></p> <p> <strong>4 stars (out of four)<br /> Rated PG-13<br /> MGM<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> When director Martin Campbell rebooted the James Bond franchise in 2006 with “Casino Royale,” fans were delighted. The series received a superior new Bond in actor Daniel Craig, and the plot was fresh and exciting. It seemed as though producers had come up with a reasonable plan to keep secret agent 007 alive for years to come.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Then, “Quantum of Solace” undid much of the magic. When that film moved into theaters in 2008, it was disappointing not only because of the so-so execution but because it seemed that the Daniel Craig era might burn out before really taking hold.</p> <p>  </p> <p> If time has proven anything, however, it’s that James Bond is resilient. The movie franchise celebrated its 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary in 2012 with a massive Blu-ray boxed set and the theatrical release of “Skyfall,” a film that is arguably the best in series history. Directed by Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” “Revolutionary Road”), “Skyfall” embraces Craig’s new reading of Bond while offering plenty of nods to the franchise’s iconic trappings. The movie has Bond girls, booze and a dangerous villain, but it also has a plot that is exciting and emotionally compelling.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Craig’s reading of Bond was great from day one, but he’s at his best when the character is allowed to show vulnerability. There are plenty of opportunities for this in “Skyfall” because the movie starts with an astonishing action sequence where Bond is seemingly betrayed by M (Judi Dench), the leader of MI6. Then MI6 comes under direct attack, and the aging spy must decide whether to put the past behind and return to action. When he does, he finds himself pitted against an adversary (Javier Bardem) who seems to know the British Secret Service better than he does. Bardem makes an excellent villain, and the scenes where he and Craig face off are particularly strong.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Mendes takes every opportunity to pay homage to James Bond history by creatively incorporating everything from music and props to beloved characters, but “Skyfall” avoids falling into the nostalgia trap. Longtime fans will appreciate the references to earlier movies, but they are subtle enough that newcomers should let them slip by unnoticed. “Skyfall” would be a great espionage film even if James Bond weren’t involved. The fact that he is – and that he’s played by Daniel Craig – makes it a classic.</p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include an audio commentary by Mendes.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/wreckitralph.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 300px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Wreck-It Ralph</strong></p> <p> <strong>3 stars<br /> Rated PG<br /> Disney<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and digital download</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Filmmakers produced such a standout crop of animated movies in 2012 that the Oscar race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable in years. Five movies are competing for best animated feature on Feb. 24, and most of them – including “Wreck It Ralph” – have landed major pre-Oscar honors.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Although “Ralph” lost the best animated feature Golden Globe to Pixar’s “Brave,” it took the top prize from the National Board of Review and the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association, and it’s still very much in contention for an Academy Award. Ultimately, awards don’t mean much to anyone but the filmmakers, but they are useful in underscoring the quality of a movie, and “Wreck it Ralph” is one of the most inventive animated efforts in recent memory.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The story is set in the land of video games and focuses on the fictitious title character (voiced by John C. Reilly). Despite being the star of a long-running game, Ralph is dissatisfied because he’s tired of being the bad guy. During the day, his job is to smash a tall building and destroy the contents. In the meantime, the hero of the day, Fix it Felix, makes repairs and earns medals. The work wouldn’t be so bad except that the other characters in the game treat Ralph like a pariah even once the arcade is closed.</p> <p>  </p> <p> In an effort to prove that he can do more than wreck things, Ralph leaves his game intent on earning a hero’s medal elsewhere, but he does so at great personal risk. Although a character can regenerate if killed within his or her own game, death in any other environment is fatal.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Co-writer and director Rich Moore makes countless references to real-life video games, particularly old-school gems like Pac-Man and Q*Bert, and that’s part of the fun. Parents may not be fully engaged in Ralph’s plight, but they’re sure to enjoy reminiscing about games they played as a child. Youngsters, in the meantime, should have a blast with the gorgeous computer-animated visuals.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “Wreck it Ralph” moves slower than some of this year’s other animated Oscar contenders, but it’s among the most original in terms of plotting and characterization. Because of that, it’s worth a look whether or not Oscar voters give it top honors.</p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include the animated theatrical short “Paperman.”</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/wallflower.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 418px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>The Perks of Being a Wallflower</strong></p> <p> <strong>3½ stars<br /> Rated PG-13 </strong></p> <p> <strong>Summit</strong><strong> Entertainment<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, on demand and pay-per-view</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Few coming-of-age films are as thoughtful, poignant and carefully crafted as writer-director Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Adapting the movie from his own epistolary novel, Chbosky brings his characters to brilliant life, fully involving the audience in their emotional upheavals.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The primary focus is on Charlie (Logan Lerman), a withdrawn high school freshman who has no friends. That changes when he meets Sam (Emma Watson) and her step-brother Patrick (Ezra Miller), two seniors who are proud to call themselves outsiders. Sensing that Charlie needs companionship, they initiate the underclassman into their unique group, and the three become tight.</p> <p>  </p> <p> As the movie plays out, each of the major characters faces ups and downs related to relationships, bullying and other traditional high school struggles. There are also subplots related to less typical problems, including sexual abuse and teen suicide.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Perhaps because of his familiarity with and love for the material, Chbosky’s cinematic adaptation is remarkable. Too often, film adaptations of books leave well-drawn literary characters feeling like empty shells, but that’s never a problem here. Charlie, Sam and Patrick have oodles of depth, and the youthful-but-seasoned cast assures that the characters are easily relatable.</p> <p>  </p> <p> It would be easy to write “Wallflower” off as one more teen film in an ever-growing and overpopulated genre, but it would be a mistake.  Like Cameron Crowe’s “Say Anything,” this is a teen drama with staying power, and audiences should enjoy it for years to come. </p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, a making-of featurette and two audio commentaries.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/sessionsfilm.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 365px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>The Sessions</strong></p> <p> <strong>3½ stars<br /> Rated </strong></p> <p> <strong>20<sup>th</sup> Century Fox<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Actress Helen Hunt earned her second Oscar nomination for her supporting role in “The Sessions,” a movie based on real-life polio survivor Mark O’Brien’s quest to experience sex. Although the material is graphic, it isn’t particularly lurid because the movie is actually an argument that severely disabled people can lead rich and rewarding lives.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Hunt plays sexual surrogate Cheryl Cohen-Green (Helen Hunt), a woman hired to help O’Brien (John Hawkes) lose his virginity and realize that he is capable of having an enjoyable sex life. Much of the movie’s press has focused on her frank and fearless portrayal (nudity included) of a sex professional, but Hawkes is also astounding in the lead role. Because polio left O’Brien confined to an iron lung for much of his life, most of Hawkes’ acting involves only his face and voice, yet his performance is one of the most memorable of 2012. Also strong is William H. Macy as Father Brendan, a kind priest who supports O’Brien’s decision to see Cohen-Green even though her work is strictly against church policy.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The story doesn’t lend itself to movement, yet director Ben Lewin (a polio survivor himself) manages to maintain a brisk pace. In fact, a scene where O’Brien’s iron lung temporarily shuts down is among the most suspenseful and terrifying you’ll find on film.    </p> <p>  </p> <p> Obviously, “The Sessions” is not intended for children because of the graphic sexual nature of the material, but the film is recommended viewing for all adults. The acting is tremendous, Lewin’s direction is smart, and the story is one of hope, inspiration and enlightenment.</p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include several making-of featurettes.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/robotandfrank.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Robot &amp; Frank</strong></p> <p> <strong>2 ½ stars<br /> Rated PG-13<br /> Sony<br /> Available on: DVD and on demand</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Director Jake Schreier’s first feature film is a clever, if not entirely successful, project about an elderly man who develops an unexpected bond with a mechanical being.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The movie is set in the near future and focuses on Frank (Frank Langella), an aging jewel thief whose memory is rapidly fading. One day, his son, Hunter (James Marsden), arrives with a caretaker robot designed to assist with household chores and keep Frank as healthy as possible. At first, Frank is resistant, but when he learns that the robot has no moral code, he trains it in the art of thievery.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Schreier and writer Christopher Ford obviously want viewers to think about big ideas like the roles that memory and friendship play in our lives, and they present these issues in an appealing manner. It helps, too, that Langella – who commands most of the screen time – is a brilliant actor and that the robot is voiced by the likable Peter Saarsgard. Marsden is also solid, as are Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon in small supporting parts.</p> <p>  </p> <p> As original and well-acted as “Robot &amp; Frank” is, it suffers from a lethargic narrative that bogs down. Had Schreier given the project a little more pep, it would have been a delight. As is, the clever premise wears thin, leading to an amusing but dissatisfying experience.    </p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD extras include a robot poster gallery and a commentary by Schreier and Ford.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“The Man With the Iron Fists”:</strong> Martial arts film starring RZA as a blacksmith who attempts to defend his village against an onslaught. RZA also co-wrote and directed the film, which features performances by Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Cung Le, Byron Mann, Rick Yune, David Bautista and Jamie Chung.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Bully”:</strong> Documentary film that follows five bullied kids through a year of school. The well-regarded picture has received numerous honors, including a best documentary nomination for the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and best documentary awards from the Las Vegas Film Critics Society and Washington DC Area Film Critics Association. Directed by Lee Hirsch.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“The Kid With a Bike”:</strong> Belgian film about a 12-year-old boy (Thomas Doret) who is living in foster care but refuses to accept that his single father has abandoned him. Written and directed by brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. Presented by the Criterion Collection in French with English subtitles.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Weeds” – The Final Season: </strong>This dramedy about a widowed-mother-turned-drug-dealer (Mary-Louise Parker) had a remarkably successful run on Showtime, but it finally ended in September. Now fans can relive the last 12 episodes on video.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Gossip Girl” – The Complete Sixth and Final Season:</strong> Last 10 episodes of the CW drama about wealthy young people living in New York City. Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick star.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Nurse Jackie” – Season Four:</strong> Ten most recent episodes of the Showtime drama about a drug-addled emergency room nurse (Edie Falco).</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Family Matters” – The Complete Third Season: </strong>This sitcom – featuring the classic character Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) – ran for nine seasons on network television. This release features 25 early episodes.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> <em>Forrest Hartman, a</em> Highbrow Magazine <em>contributor, is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a>.</em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/perks-being-wallflower" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the perks of being a wallflower</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/daniel-craig" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">daniel craig</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/skyfall" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">skyfall</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/sessions" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the sessions</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/helen-hunt" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">helen hunt</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/robot-and-frank" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">robot and frank</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/nurse-jackie" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">nurse jackie</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/edie-falco" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">edie falco</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/bully" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">bully</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">MGM</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:31:24 +0000 tara 2343 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/2129-skyfall-perks-being-wallflower-arrive-dvd-blu-ray#comments From Alfred Hitchcock to ‘The Dark Knight’: The Best DVD Collections of 2012 https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1934-alfred-hitchcock-dark-knight-best-dvd-collections-2012 <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 11:33</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2mediumHitchcockFilm.jpg?itok=iNLobIJD"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2mediumHitchcockFilm.jpg?itok=iNLobIJD" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>  </p> <p> By most accounts, 2012 was a good year for movies. Not only were there more quality theatrical releases than normal, the home video offerings were very impressive.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The past year was particularly strong when it came to DVD and Blu-ray boxed sets. That’s important because it’s these collections that stand apart and have the potential to convince consumers that DVDs and Blu-rays still have advantages over the increasingly popular digital download. Following are five 2012 boxed sets that rank among the best of the best.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Alfred Hitchcock – The Masterpiece Collection (on Blu-ray):</strong> Alfred Hitchcock is universally lauded as one of the greatest directors of all time, and it’s reason to celebrate any time a studio lavishes attention on his work. The Masterpiece Collection from Universal Studios collects 15 of Hitchcock’s greatest films on high-definition Blu-ray. Making this release even more delicious is the fact that all the movies were digitally restored and packaged alongside more than 12 hours of bonus material. The 15 included films are: “Psycho,” “The Birds,” “Rear Window,” “North by Northwest,” “Vertigo,” “Family Plot,” “Frenzy,” “Topaz,” “Torn Curtain,” “Marnie,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” “The Trouble With Harry,” “Rope,” “Shadow of a Doubt” and “Saboteur.”</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/HitchcockDVD.JPG" style="width: 487px; height: 600px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Bond 50 – The Complete 22 Film Collection:</strong> The new James Bond movie, “Skyfall,” is being heralded as one of the best in the franchise’s history. If that movie prompts anyone to revisit the series’ proud past, this 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary set is a great starting place. It includes almost every Bond film produced. In fact, the only missing pieces are “Skyfall” (not yet available on video), Sean Connery’s “Never Say Never Again” and David Nivens’ 1967 spoof, “Casino Royale.”</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumskyfall.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 316px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection: </strong>Few movie franchises boast the consistency of quality seen throughout the Harry Potter releases, and this set collects them all on Blu-ray, DVD and UltraViolet. There’s no reason for anyone who already owns the individual Blu-rays to buy this set, but it’s a great entry point for fans who are yet to complete their collections.</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/MediumHarryPotter.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 480px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>The Dark Knight Trilogy:</strong> This three-film set is low-key compared to the other collections on this list, but it belongs here because the movies are so good. When director Christopher Nolan introduced “Batman Begins” in 2005, his vision of the Caped Crusader immediately became the best put to screen. His 2008 sequel, “The Dark Knight,” was equally solid. Then, Nolan brought his superhero trilogy to an exciting and fitting climax with 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” reminding moviegoers that it’s possible to make an action film that’s as smart as it is action-packed.</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2mediumdarkknightrises_0.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 600px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Lord of the Rings – The Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition (on Blu-ray):</strong> Director Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” movies are incredible works of drama, creativity and technical virtuosity. Because fans can’t seem to get enough of the material, Jackson’s extended cuts have become the ones that many people turn to first. In May, New Line Home Video brought the extended versions to high-definition Blu-ray, making this release the ultimate offering for devotees.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumlordoftherings.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 407px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> <em>Forrest Hartman, a</em> Highbrow Magazine <em>contributor, is an independent film critic. For more of his work, visit <a href="http://www.forresthartman.com/">www.forresthartman.com</a>.</em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/alfred-hitchcock" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">alfred hitchcock</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/bond-50" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">bond 50</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/lord-rings" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Lord of the Rings</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/harry-potter-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Harry Potter</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/dark-knight-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the Dark Knight</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/dark-knight-trilogy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the dark knight trilogy</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:33:13 +0000 tara 2172 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1934-alfred-hitchcock-dark-knight-best-dvd-collections-2012#comments Skyfall: Anglophilia in the Age of Globalization https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1774-skyfall-anglophilia-age-globalization <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 11/09/2012 - 08:59</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumskyfall.jpg?itok=uzLTtDGN"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumskyfall.jpg?itok=uzLTtDGN" width="480" height="253" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>  </p> <p> The latest Bond film <em>Skyfall</em> fills viewer’s heads with delectable, admirable views of what it means to be British. There are plenty of other explanations as to why Bond films are adored by American audiences. But some of that success must be credited to the long tradition of Anglophilia in America. The American expansionist impulse has a connection to the love of Englishness, as the United States inherited, more or less, the role of the great imperial power from Britain. As Britain’s position as a global power has decreased since the end of World War II, it is unfathomable that it could possess such a well-funded spy agency, like Mi6 in the Bond franchise. But the myth continues to live on.</p> <p>  </p> <p> For American bibliophiles, the motherland of the language will always be a place of interest. Yet, even though the average American only reads a few books a year, the attraction of United States citizens to the old Empire is more complex. America’s Anglican origins may be the foundation for the love of British culture, but it does not explain the phenomenon’s pervasive presence in America’s psyche. As Christopher Hitchens chronicles in his book about Anglo-American relations titled <em>Blood, Class &amp; Nostalgia</em>, strains of Anglophilia and Anglophobia have fluctuated in America’s conscious since its inception as a nation. Amongst ordinary Americans, a strain of Anglophilia persists strongly. There’s no better example of this than in popular culture, with British cultural exports like Harry Potter and The Beatles becoming ingrained into America’s conscious. Tabloid obsessions with British royalty, and, more recently, the Olympics, are other manifestations of Yankee love for the English. But any discussion of British cultural exports, and how they reflect Anglo-American relations, is void without James Bond.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The pleasures of the empire are experienced through Bond. The promises of capitalism are embodied in the lifestyle of Bond; travel to exotic locations across the globe, sex with beautiful women, luxurious accommodations, high-end cuisine and expensive booze. The fact that Bond is British gives him an edge that is appealing to Americans. That is edge is superiority. Hitchens writes, “The ideology of ‘Anglo-Saxondom,’ based as it was on blood, could infuse the meanest in station with a sense of superiority.”  In reality, an American spy, albeit one who leads a less glamorous, martini-soaked life, would possess more power than a British contemporary. A British spy has the attractive quality of foreignness, and is from a country so closely entangled with the history of the United States that his foreignness seems familiar and therefore, appealing. Besides, though he works with Americans at times, he still represents the West. He fights all the same villains as America. There is not a possibility of betrayal and he can be seen as a “good guy.”</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumanglophile%20%28Dave%20Gates%20Flickr%29.jpg" style="width: 445px; height: 600px; " /></p> <p>  </p> <p> The Bond narrative is often contrived, exaggerated and apparently fictitious, but it still offers glimpses of reality. The plot might be schematic, but the enemy is real. It’s not Lord Voldemort; it’s the Soviet Union or a rogue internal “terrorist.”  As the power of the nation-state declines, patriotism becomes lauded more ardently by the new right. This renders Anglophilia, and more importantly, national identities, a new face that is unrecognizable, that is always changing. M’s incantation of Tennyson’s Ulysses, during a trial attempting to prosecute her for her inadequacy as the head of Mi6, attempts to demonstrate the tenacity of Britain in face of its new enemies who are brought about by globalization. Just as globalization unifies the world while projecting misleading images of diverse, ethnic multiculturalism, pop-culture icons, like Bond, will adapt to these processes so they can remain relevant and realistic to the audience.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Skyfall’s Englishness is, nevertheless, ubiquitous. From M’s famous aloofness, to the subtle shots of the Thames glistening - and the not so subtle shots of London’s cavernous tube stations - there’s plenty for Anglophiles to feast on. Of course, the accents provide ample doses of Englishness as well.</p> <p>  </p> <p> M and Bond’s relationship is explored further than any previous film in the franchise. This is perhaps a testament to the need to solidify Bond as a true, faithful emblem of Englishness. A new villain is always around the corner, and the future of Britain seems unclear - with enemies who are now “opaque”- there is a sense of security offered by watching Bond. He has always triumphed in the past, so he could not fail now.</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2mediumskyfall.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></p> <p>  </p> <p> As the insular past of the nation begins to dissipate, those who wish to hold on to their national identities most become radicalized. Look no further than this year’s election. The GOP does not want to accept the changes that are happening to the world. Evoking traditional, conservative, family values is an attempt to rewrite the circumstances of the modern world. M’s Great Britain represents a variant of this conservatism. It reminds us of a world where nations seem more cohesive, where national identity was easier to formulate, with the Soviet Union around to demonize and simplify the nation’s moral compass, the nation’s worldview. M’s eloquent rebuttal at her trial doesn’t acknowledge this epoch shift directly, but it does point at the issue of identity. It is the dilemma that all art, in its essence, deals with or confronts. That is, the question of identity.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Most of the world does not have the luxury of traveling. Even for those can afford it, days or weeks abroad will not often be sufficient enough to subdue a person’s romanticized views of a culture. Enough travel and education will likely change this, but that is a further demand of luxury that requires wealth. Just as America’s influence on the world through soft power has the ability to create a deceptive image of American life and culture, Britain has the same effect on the U.S. It would be troublesome to negate the idiosyncratic differences between the two cultures. There are many that exist and could be elaborated on at length. But in order to understand Anglophilia, it is best to focus on the similarities, rather than the differences.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> <em>John McGovern is a contributing writer at</em> Highbrow Magazine.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <em><strong>Anglophile photo: Dave Gates (Flickr, Creative Commons).</strong></em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/skyfall" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">skyfall</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/m" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">m</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/007" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">007</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/anglophiles" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">anglophiles</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/anglophilia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">anglophilia</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/great-britain" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">great britain</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/united-kingdom" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">united kingdom</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">John McGovern</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:59:45 +0000 tara 1888 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1774-skyfall-anglophilia-age-globalization#comments ‘Avengers,’ ‘Alfred Hitchcock - Masterpiece Collection’ Arrive on DVD, Blu-ray https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1599-avengers-alfred-hitchcock-masterpiece-collection-arrive-dvd-blu-ray <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Wed, 09/26/2012 - 17:04</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumAvengers%20-%20Horizontal.jpg?itok=BApfw4cL"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/mediumAvengers%20-%20Horizontal.jpg?itok=BApfw4cL" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>  </p> <p> Only one major theatrical release is making its way to home video this week, but that’s just as well because it’s one of the biggest hits of 2012. </p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>The Avengers</strong></p> <p> <strong>3½ stars (out of four)<br /> Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference<br /> Disney<br /> Available on: DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, digital download and on demand </strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Creating a movie with a half-dozen key protagonists is a daunting feat. It means developing multiple characters to a reasonable depth and balancing the screen time and egos of several stars, all while telling a story that viewers actually care about.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Anyone who thinks this is simple will do well to remember “Batman &amp; Robin,” director Joel Schumacher’s 1997 take on the Caped Crusader. That film not only relates the adventures of the title characters, but two supervillains (Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy) as well as Batgirl. By most accounts, the film was a failure, and one of the problems is that it has way too much going on.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Surely writer-director Joss Whedon found himself thinking about “Batman &amp; Robin” and similar efforts when charged with bringing the Marvel Comics superhero group The Avengers to the screen. Success would mean merging characters from several previous Marvel movies – “Iron Man,” “Captain America,” “Thor” and “The Incredible Hulk” – and introducing them to even more players. The potential for failure was immense, making it rather astonishing that Whedon not only succeeded but produced one of the best films of 2012 so far.</p> <p>  </p> <p> “The Avengers” gathers the previously mentioned superheroes under the banner of S.H.I.E.L.D., a powerful government military organization dedicated to protecting the United States from all threats. This time around, it’s not just America that’s in trouble, however. Thor’s god-like adopted brother, Loki, has amassed an army powerful enough to take over all of Earth, so things look dire.     </p> <p>  </p> <p> Realizing that Loki can’t be stopped using normal military channels, S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) activates the “Avengers Initiative,” a program designed to bring uniquely powerful individuals together in the interest of fighting a common enemy.</p> <p>  </p> <p> As promising as the program seems, it has drawbacks. Most notable is the fact that the heroes that Fury assembles not only have egos but decidedly different outlooks on the world.  Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), who moonlights as Iron Man, is a maverick. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), also known as Captain America, is an all-American soldier. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is torn by the fact that his brother is the enemy. And Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is horrified by the knowledge that he can’t control the Hulk lurking within him.</p> <p>  </p> <p> This is a dysfunctional group to say the least, and much of the screen time focuses on the characters getting to know one another and learning to work together. That may sound dull, but Whedon – who directed the film based on a screenplay he co-wrote with Zak Penn – does a fine job balancing these character exchanges with action sequences, creating a film that delivers a pleasant mix of plot, drama and spectacle.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Really, that’s all one can ask of a big-budget superhero film. This sort of movie isn’t meant to win Oscars or inspire late-night discussions on the meaning of the universe. The goal is to relate a winning story in a fashion that is exciting, entertaining and just plain fun, and “The Avengers” does all that.      </p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include a making-of feature and an audio commentary by Whedon.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/2mediumHitchcockFilm_0.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 450px; " /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Alfred Hitchcock – The Masterpiece Collection:</strong> Few directors have impacted the world of movies like Alfred Hitchcock, and this set collects 15 of his most noteworthy movies into one Blu-ray boxed set. Perhaps most noteworthy is the fact that this marks the Blu-ray debut of 13 of the 15 titles. Included are: “Saboteur” (1942), “Shadow of a Doubt” (1943), “Rope” (1948), “Rear Window” (1954), “The Trouble with Harry” (1955), “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956), “Vertigo” (1958), “North by Northwest” (1959), “Psycho” (1960), “The Birds” (1963), “Marnie” (1964), “Torn Curtain” (1966), “Topaz” (1969), “Frenzy” (1972) and “Family Plot” (1976).</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Bond 50”:</strong> It’s time for 007 fans to rejoice. This release collects all 22 James Bond movies into one impressive boxed set. The movies are available on either DVD or Blu-ray, and the only negative is the rather expensive list price. Because so many movies are included, the Blu-ray collection has a suggested retail price of $299.99, and the DVD set has a suggested price of $199.98. The good news is you can find both sets significantly cheaper if you shop around.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“American Horror Story” – Season 1:</strong> This horror drama is a critical and commercial success for FX. The first season tells the story of a Boston family that moves across the country into a haunted Los Angeles mansion. Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, Jessica Lange and Taissa Farmiga star. Season two is set to debut Oct. 5, and it will focus on new characters and a new location.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Resident Evil – Damnation”:</strong> With “Resident Evil: Retribution” making its way through theaters, this seems like the ideal time for Sony to release this animated movie based on the same franchise. The story is a sequel to the 2008 animated film “Resident Evil: Degeneration,” and it tells the story of a U.S. federal agent who travels to a European battle zone to investigate claims that Bio-Organic Weapons are being used.</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumraoulmovie.jpg" style="width: 413px; height: 600px; " /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Eating Raoul”:</strong> Criterion Collection release of director Paul Bartel’s 1982 comedy about a New York couple who hatch a horrific plan for ridding themselves of bad neighbors and acquiring funding for a restaurant they’ve dreamed of opening.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“The Game”:</strong> David Fincher is one of the finest director’s working in Hollywood today, and this Criterion Collection release of his 1997 hit is a reminder of how special he is. The film stars Michael Douglas as a wealthy man whose brother (Sean Penn) gives him the opportunity to play a life-changing game for his 48<sup>th</sup> birthday. Criterion’s release features not only the film but an audio commentary by the filmmakers and an hour of behind-the-scenes footage.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Delicacy”:</strong> French romance about a young widow (Audrey Tautou) who learns to live again thanks to an unexpected romance. Francois Damiens also stars. Directed by brothers David and Stephane Foenkinos. Presented in French with English subtitles.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“The Man From Beijing”:</strong> German drama about a Swedish judge (Suzanne von Borsody) who mounts a private investigation into the brutal murder of 19 people. Presented in German with English subtitles.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Snowman’s Land”:</strong> German thriller about two hit men who find trouble when the wife of a crime boss is accidentally killed while under their protection. Written and directed by Tomasz Thomson. Presented in German with English subtitles. </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Desperate Housewives” – The Complete Eighth and Final Season:</strong> ABC concluded this astonishingly successful primetime soap opera in May. Now fans can relive all the Wisteria Lane drama. Bonus features include cast recollections about the show’s entire eight-year run. Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria and Vanessa Williams star.</p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/manfrombeijingfilm.jpg" style="width: 366px; height: 527px; " /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“CSI”:</strong> Several incarnations of the popular “CSI” TV franchise are making their way to video this week. Fans can choose from the 12<sup>th</sup> season of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” the 10<sup>th</sup> and final season of “CSI: Miami” and the eighth season of “CSI: New York.” </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Gossip Girl” – The Complete Fifth Season:</strong> The sixth and final season of “Gossip Girl” is slated to kick off Oct. 8 on the CW. Fans who can’t wait, will find plenty of teen drama in the 24 episodes on this set.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“The Carol Burnett Show”:</strong> Time Life is rolling the popular Carol Burnett comedy show onto DVD, and fans have four different purchasing options. Folks who want the deluxe package can buy the 22-DVD “Ultimate Collection,” which features 50 episodes of the show plus more than 20 hours of bonus features. Since that set is massive and pricey, Time Life is also delivering the six-DVD “Carol’s Favorites” collection, a two-DVD “Best Of” release and a single-DVD “Best Of” option. The main difference between sets is pricing and the number of episodes included.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Key &amp; Peele – Season 1:</strong> This sketch comedy series starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele is entering its second season, and the episodes presented here are a reminder of how it started.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Klown”:</strong> Danish comedy detailing the adventures of two friends (Frank Hvam and Caspar Christensen) who have no idea how to blend into proper society. Directed by Mikkel Norgaard. Presented in Danish with English subtitles.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Touched by an Angel” – The Sixth Season:</strong> Twenty-six episodes of the long-running CBS drama about angels who help humans through difficult periods in their lives. Della Reese, Roma Downey and John Dye star.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> <em>Forrest Hartman, a contributor at</em> Highbrow Magazine, <em>is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a>. </em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/avengers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">The Avengers</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/alfred-hitchcock" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">alfred hitchcock</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/desperate-housewives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Desperate Housewives</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/eating-raoul" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Eating Raoul</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/james-bond" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Bond</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/american-horror-story" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">American Horror Story</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/resident-evil" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Resident Evil</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:04:28 +0000 tara 1621 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1599-avengers-alfred-hitchcock-masterpiece-collection-arrive-dvd-blu-ray#comments