Who is your favourite villain from a James Bond movie?

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James Bond

With the upcoming release of Skyfall, I thought I do another post about another aspect of the enduring Bond series. The question now is who is your favourite villain? In his lengthy spying career, Bond has come up against some of the most diabolical masterminds that the screen has ever known. So have a think which villain is the one who you remember most or which leaves an indelible mark after the credits have finished rolling?

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Who is your favourite Bond Girl?

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Bond girls, James Bond

As I’m a huge fan of James Bond, I thought I’d do another post about another aspects of the films. This time it is on the many women who have graced the screen during the series, they are collectively the Bond Girls. A vast array of beautiful women have either romanced, aided and sometimes turned against Bond throughout the films. So have a think, who is your favourite Bond girl from the series?

What is your favourite horror movie and why?

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horror movies, scary movies

Horror movies are one of my all time favourite genres. Whether it’s gory or more psychological, I usually like it( although there are a few exceptions). Anyway, I’m writing this post to find out which horror movies people love and the reasons behind them. So go ahead and think, which movie creeps me out the most or which movie sends shivers down my spine?

What is your favourite song from a James Bond movie?

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James Bond, Madonna, movie soundtrack

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last fifty years, you will have least heard of the James Bond movies. One aspect of them that I always enjoy is the music and especially the title song. Over the years there has been a vast array of different singers who have sung the Bond songs, from crooner Matt Monro to pop star Madonna. So have a thing out of the many songs, which one do you like the most or do you think just epitomizes the Bond series?

Melancholia

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2010's, Alexander Skarsgård, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Charlotte Rampling, Drama, John Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, Kirsten Dunst, Lars Von Trier, Melancholia, Science Fiction, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier

Movie Title

Melancholia

Director

Lars Von Trier

Cast

• Kirsten Dunst as Justine
• Charlotte Gainsbourg as Claire
• Kiefer Sutherland as John
• Alexander Skarsgård as Michael
• Stellan Skarsgård as Jack
• Charlotte Rampling as Gaby
• John Hurt as Dexter
• Udo Kier as Wedding Planner

The Melancholia of the title refers to two things; a rogue planet that has been hiding behind the sun and is heading towards the Earth and the frequent bouts of depression that Justine, one of the main characters suffers from as the movie progresses. As with most of Von Trier’s films, this one will polarize viewers. People seem to either think of him as an artistic genius or violent sadist, there never seems to be a middle ground when it comes to people’s opinions on the controversial director. Although the film’s pace maybe too slow for some viewers tp watch, I personally enjoyed the film for many reasons that I will go into further detail in this review.

The plot revolves around young bride Justine on her wedding night and the events that follow on from it. At her lavish wedding to groom Michael and the ensuring reception organised by her sister , various incidents begin to take a detrimental effect on Justine.  Her mother and father bicker during the speeches, her mother tells her  “Enjoy it while it lasts” words that take on a bigger meaning and resonance as the film unravels. During these scenes, the up close camera work clearly captures the characters off guard, especially Justine whose face reveals hurt and pain as she tries to smile.  It also helps create a sense of confusion and isolation within her character. Her relationship with her sister Claire is explored and reveals a distant feeling between the two of them.  With all the feelings of melancholy beginning to engulf her, the rogue planet of the title begins to emerge ominously and seems destined to strike the Earth.

Split into two parts named after the sisters, the film explores the frail relationship between the two and how they react the impending planet.  I thought that each half was remarkably different, the first half is more slow-moving whereas the second half gains momentum and becomes more dramatic as it goes on to reach its climax. If there is one thing that kept me engaged when watching the film it was the performances, especially from Dunst, who I believe gives one of the best performances in her career. She is a revelation as Justine, giving an emotionally raw and bruised portrayal of a woman close to breaking point. Even when she isn’t speaking her intensity is felt, as her eyes reveal the deep sadness and emotional bruises inside her. In other word she is the embodiment of melancholy. Also giving a great performance is Gainsbourg, who returns for her second venture in a Von Trier movie after her harrowing role in the highly controversial and much discussed Antichrist. Even though she scolds her sister for her despondency, she is equally troubled and becomes highly strung as the thought of Melancholia begins to get to her. Sutherland does well in his role as Claire’s amateur astronomer husband who tries to convince her that there is nothing to worry about but fails. Also the cameos of Charlotte Rampling and John Hurt add to the acting honours, as well as Von Trier regular Udo Kier as an impatient and extremely surly wedding planner.Stellan Skarsgård and his son Alexander Skarsgård appear as Justine’s boss and her new husband in the first part of the film.

Aside from the acting, the stunning visuals are amazing to behold. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an apocalypse look so strangely and hauntingly beautiful before. Especially, the aesthetically and visually outstanding opening sequence, filmed in extreme slow motion to the strains of an epic Wagner score. The movie itself is full of so many bold symbolism and imagery that you will find it hard to forget them long after the credits have began to roll, they are that haunting. Although the film seems to follow some of the conventions of the sci-fi and disaster movie genre, it is essentially a drama about the depths of loneliness within a person and how it can take a hold over you and your whole existence.

As I have mentioned earlier, this is a film that will definitely divide opinion sharply down the middle. But if you are looking for a visually enthralling and well-acted hybrid between disaster movie and intense drama, Melancholia is a film that I would vocally advise you to give a look and judge for yourself.

Which director do you think brings out the best performances from actresses?

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Actresses, Directors, George Cukor

I’m enjoying writing this question posts as I have been getting really positive feedback from fellow  bloggers. So here is another one.I recently asked myself this question and wondered long and hard about it. From what I’ve read, George Cukor was a leading candidate for this as he was known as a women’s director. I’m sure there are many others out there. So have a think about which directors bring out the best of  the actresses that they work with.

What is your favourite movie with an ensemble cast?

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Ensemble, Movie cast, Robert Altman

Movies with ensemble casts tend to have a number of high profiled stars who each get as much screen time as each other. Robet Altman was one of the most acclaimed directors, who employed ensemble casts to flesh out various stories populated by characters whose lives intertwine in some way.  So have a think about your favourite movie featuring an ensemble cast? Is it an Altman film or something else by another director?  The photos below are examples of ensemble films but you can choose any ensemble film.