The Sting (1973) = C-
This film seems overrated to me. The sets and make up are horrendous, and it looks like a cheap television production. The style of the opening credits, where they used quick clip shots of the actors from later in the film, reminded me of the opening credits for Love Boat and Fantasy Island. The characters are not very likable and the plot is dragged out with average screen writing. The only thing it really has going for it is the cast. Not as good as I was expecting.
The video transfers, especially the scrubbed “restored” Blu do not do it justice. Only 35mm does. This is a film built entirely around the magic inherent in Newman’s wink at Redford, at their character interplay from Butch Cassidy amidst a time backdrop so far gone and viewed in such nostalgia that perhaps it never existed. You have to take that going in , that the audience is a part of the con, that all life depends on the telling and retelling, in order to really appreciate what they were trying to get at. This is one of those films that always leaves me feeling unsatisfied because it should keep going at the end, and not simply stop.
For me, it wipes the floor with the overrated BCaTSK. And 99% of people today have no idea what it is. Sad. This is one of those movies that reminds you of why we spend our lives plotting false realities.
“Live and Let Die” B-
I like this one. The scene where Bond meets Rosie is one of Moore’s best scenes of his entries in the series. His face expressions are priceless, and his double entendre delivery is top notch. Never boring.
Moore’s confrontation with Rosie in the woods is also one of his best moments, and in fact a small scene that should be used to test any potential 007. Bringing the Walther to bear with the lines “And I’ll kill you if you don’t” --“But you wouldn’t, you couldn’t, not after what we’ve just done.” --“I certainly wouldn’t have killed you before…” is as priceless as Connery glancing at his watch in Miss Taro’s apartment, and further proof again that the masses really should not speak about Bond since they don’t take the time to properly read the character or any actor in the part.
Haven’t posted in a while I think so here’s some catching up.
TFA-two viewings, and extreme disenchantment. Not for me at all, too much like pitiful fanfiction with no detail or any risk taking. Worse than any of the worst EU.
1 ball out of 4 at best. I just didn’t care…just an excuse for the Mouse to print money.
It’s a Wonderful Life-the 35mm prints look exactly like the Criterion CAV. The IP source is a bit contrastier than the DVD/BD which should be recalled as it is terrible. One of the great fables of our time, and a parable for the ages. Further proof that Jimmy Stewart is likely the finest screen actor we will ever see. no one had a greater career range than JS from 1946-1965.
Puggo Grande and Puggo Strikes Back-Pure magic. Waiting fervently for ROTP!!
Die Hard-essential around this time.
Smart Money-fun but slightly stale teaming of Robinson and Cagney right after Little Caesar and Public Enemy. 3 balls out of 4.
Picture Snatcher-Pure fun with Cagney. 3.5 balls out of 4.
Currently watching through Batman the TV series which is stunning on BD via the xbr960, and the Italian set is a steal at around $50-60.