VIDEO REVIEW: Harum Scarum

VIDEO REVIEW: Die, Monster, Die!

VIDEO REVIEW: Invasion of Astro-Monster

VIDEO REVIEW: From The Orient With Fury

VIDEO REVIEW: Mission Bloody Mary

VIDEO REVIEW: OSS 117 - Mission For A Killer

VIDEO REVIEW: Ironfinger

VIDEO REVIEW: The 10th Victim

i SPY EUROSPY: Agent Z55 Mission Hong Kong

Agent Z55: Mission Hong Kong

Director: Roberto Bianchi Montero

Year 1965

Agent Z55: Mission Hong Kong, AKA Desperate Mission, is an entertaining Eurospy flick that benefits from its cocky and hot-tempered lead, and the brutal moments in which come into light during the later third of the film. With a standard premise, an unusually calm and eccentric villain, and an imposing muscle-bound enforcer, this spy movie has a great deal to be appreciative of. Lensed in the familiar Eurospy style and steep in lore of its espionage brethren, Mission Hong Kong is an enjoyable entry in the Eurospy canon and one that will put a smile across your face more then a few times, especially if you like bad guys who keep armadillos as a pets. Say what!?!?!

The film begins with the extraction of a prominent nuclear scientist named Prof. Larsen, from a Chinese prison, by the hands of a clan of judo experts and by the planning of Agent Z51. Unfortunately, before Larsen can be transported back to America, Z51 is murdered, leaving the plans for Larsen's ultimate escape to fall to ruins. Hearing the news of Z51's death, the US Secret Service enlists their top man to the case, Robert Manning, AKA Agent Z55. Landing in Hong Kong, Manning must locate the now hidden Prof. Larsen while dishing out a sweet plate of revenge for his fellow fallen agent, but things aren't as easy as they first appear to be. For one thing there is a suspicious pair of locals, Su Ling and the gargantuan To-go, who have an unusual interest in Manning's presence in Hong Kong. There's also the simple fact that Prof. Larsen could be hidden anywhere and Manning has little to nothing to go on. What's a secret agent to do?

German Cobos takes on the role of Robert Manning, the headstrong agent who knows all the tricks in the book. This is my first Cobos Eurospy and I have to say that he did a good job as the lead in this film. I'm only aware of one other spy movie that he was in, Blueprint for a Massacre, so I'll be hunting that one down soon. In Mission Hong Kong, Cobos' Robert Manning is a cocky and confident agent who almost comes off as an asshole most of the time, if it wasn't for his witty smart remarks and playful manner. Like most Eurospy heroes, Agent Z55 has a tendency to get into some action packed scenarios and Cobos does a wonderful job in delivering the fast-paced goods and keeping in step with the genre. His character even has the tendency to go a little overboard while duking it out, as will come painfully clear after Manning burns the face of one of his combatants and sends him crying to his death. What a badass! All in all, I'm impressed with my first introduction to German Cobos and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

As for the rest of the crazy bunch that inhabit this motion picture, Yoko Tani takes on the role of Su Ling. At first her character is a mystery, as Manning has no idea if she is friend or foe, but eventually she comes to side with Z55 and his mission, revealing that she was just a victim of circumstance. On the other side of the coin is Milton Reid who plays the role of To-go, a muscle-bound strongman who couldn't be anymore different from Su Ling if he tried. While Su Ling is small, timid and forced to be a part of a nefarious organization, To-go is a beast of a man and willfully participates in the organizations affairs. Reid fits this villainous mold to perfection and takes every opportunity he can in being a thorn in Manning's side. He's an intimidating presence and his facial features are just icing on the already memorable cinematic cake. The leader of this rag-tag group of characters is a man by the name of Barrow, played by Gianni Rizzo. While many Bond-type villains are given a pet to impose fear into their agents, Barrow is instead given one of the most peculiar of animal sidekicks in the form of an armadillo. I shit you not! The dastardly bastard has an armadillo as a pet. Be that as it may, I have to say that unfortunately for Rizzo, this is probably the most memorable thing about his character.

With any grand Eurospy film, you have stupendous locations and visuals to back that up and with Mission Hong Kong you get that with the abundance of all the picturesque landscapes that Hong Kong has to offer. From the bustling atmosphere of the city to the maze-like wooden structures floating on the harbor, the film has a nice diversity with its locations and uses them to great effect. Though the tradition for most Eurospy flicks is to showcase a great array of international vistas, Z55 is content with just basing its espionage-filled antics in Hong Kong and for this film it works. The mission on display is a much more subtle version then we are used to in this genre and it makes sense to scale back the global aspects of the production to fit the scenario. Still, director Roberto Bianchi Montero makes adequate use of his sprawling locales, giving the production a much more broader feel then it has any right to have.

As for the action of Mission Hong Kong, they haven't forgot it, in fact there is a great deal of interesting set-pieces to be witnessed in this humble production. Manning finds himself battling it out in some rather impressive locations, which give way to a great deal of visually alluring moments that make for an impressionable battleground. For instance Agent Z55 has a shootout in a movie theater where he battles thugs behind a projection screen, he has a hair-raising close call at a construction site at night, and an even more enthralling man to man brawl with To-go in a tanker where Manning shows his more savage and resourceful side. All in all, it's safe to say that as the movie moves along, Agent Z55 becomes more and more brutal and violent, which is always a plus in my book.

Agent Z55: Mission Hong Kong is a respectable Eurospy entry that may not be the most robust of the genre, but it still maintains all of the factors that make us love these kind of flicks. From the get go, we are presented a espionage-filled world that is sparse with globetrotting aspects, but what is kept intact is the formula which has spawned a plethora of like-minded genre films that know exactly what the fans want from this type of entry. Agent Z55 beds the ladies, beats the baddies, and saves the day, just as it should be, and director Roberto Bianchi Montero does an excellent job in making it all an enjoyable affair.

When it comes to German Cobos' performance as the super spy Robert Manning, he really gives it his all and throws himself in to the role. The fights are frantic and physical, the shootouts are ruthless and succinct, and the flirtatious interactions are a plenty. Mission Hong Kong also benefits from a commendable supporting cast of characters like Yoko Tani's Su Ling, Milton Reid's To-go, and the blandly depicted, but strangely hypnotic, armadillo lover Barrow, played by Gianni Rizzo. Combine all of these various elements together and you have yourself Agent Z55: Mission Hong Kong, an interesting Eurospy effort that has all of the things that we crave; action, adventure, and babes. This is one mission that's.....

Pay attention to the road asshole!

Umm... How do I put this? There's a dead hooker in my room.

Peek a boo Manning. I see you!

Look at me when I'm talking to you, you bald FREAK!

Hello there sexy lady.

Staring contest.... GO!

Hold it right there mister.

I'll be using you tonight.

Check out the rack on that hose hound.

Manning's gas problem made for an awkward moment.

I outta pop you right in the mouth!

Come here and give me a big hug!

Once again Manning's gas ruins the day.

How about we heat this motherfucker up?

Is that weird little man still watching us?

Knock it off you two and learn to share.

REVIEW: The 10th Victim

The 10^th Victim

Director: Elio Petri

Year 1965

The 10^th Victim is a groovy science fiction satire that takes all of the 60’s pop art style of the era and injects it with an over the top futuristic gloss that just screams camp. This Italian gem is a juggernaut of impressive visuals and witty social commentary, as it mixes an interesting story about a deadly game show like club that pits people against each other in order to obtain fame, fortune and glory, and combines it with all kinds of wacky situations and outlandish moments. With its camp approach, wonderfully vivid style, and engaging lead cast, The 10^th Victim is a film you won’t likely forget as you soak up all of the outrageous 60’s fashions and satirical overtones.

The film follows two members of a human hunting organization called The Big Hunt, which is a global game show that pits citizens against each other in order to gain fame and fortune. Caroline Meredith is assigned the task of being the hunter, while Marcello Poletti is unknowingly given the role of the hunted. Cast out into the Italian futuristic landscape, both Caroline and Marcello butt heads in a battle of wit and skill, as they both try to outdo the other in this twisted futuristic game of violence and voyeurism. As the game and stakes begin to heat up, the two find that the greatest challenge of this Big Hunt isn’t surviving, but trying not to fall in love with the other combatant. Caught between a rock and a hard place, will they kill to love or love to kill? What the hell does that mean? Who cares, because this is some entertaining shit right here!

Marcello Mastroianni takes on the role of Marcello Poletti, the professional hunter who finds himself on the other end of the hunt. Mastroianni is a legendary Italian actor who has been in a number of classic films such as La Dolce Vita, 8 ½, and City of Women. With The 10^th Victim he’s able to bring that same esteem and charisma to the production, which results in perfectly mirroring the film’s highly engaging subject matter and fun aesthetics. Mastroianni emphasizes the whimsical nature of the movie as he adds his own trademark cool to the role, simultaneously sprinkling brash amounts of comedy, action and satirical wit into the mix. I’ve still till this day never seen a Marcello Mastroianni movie I didn’t like and this entry is no exception. The man is a cinematic wonder and in The 10^th Victim, he absolutely shines.

Pairing up perfectly with the aforementioned Mastroianni is the beautiful and vivacious Switzerland born actress Ursula Andress. The goddess of cinema, who first graced the silver screen in the James Bond film Dr. No, is a real treat in this special little sci-fi production. She’s cool, sexy and dangerous, and she lights up the screen whenever she appears. This is as to be expected for she made a career out of stealing the limelight from her costars in such films as She, Casino Royale, Safari Express, Africa Express, and The Mountain of the Cannibal God, just to name a few. In the 10^th Victim she plays the role of Caroline Meredith, the hunter, and she nails the character with a playful gusto and a more than sexy approach. The only thing more impressive than Ursula’s presence in this film is her outlandish and wild wardrobe, which super-charges the already over the top style of the 60’s with its shock and awe attempt at fashion.

With two cinematic assets like Marcello Mastroianni and Ursula Andress at the helm, you know you’re in for one hell of a wild ride and the film never wastes a second in celebrating this most entertaining of unions. Right from the start, the two main characters begin to clash as they play a cat and mouse game while under the influence of the The Big Hunt. Replacing violence with flirtatious interactions, the two probe each other, never revealing their true intentions. This coy approach is both enduring and interesting, as it takes the harsh and brutal game of The Big Hunt and turns it into a sort of twisted romantic comedy or Italian sex farce, which was highly popular during this time and frequently starred Marcello Mastroianni in the lead role.

As we watch their sordid relationship unfold and we witness the game unwind, we’re plunged into the weirdness that is this future society. Not only do they glorify a game show that depicts people hunting each other, but there is a whole plethora of weirdness that is slowly revealed to the audience as the courtship between Marcello and Caroline heats up. From a strange religious cult who weeps at the sight of the setting sun, to the psychedelic retro-induced night clubs and locations that liter this movie, to the blatant disregard for life and brutality that the society seems to have as a whole, the film is jam-packed with otherworldly and stimulating visuals. In this vein, the style of the film is top-notch and it allows us to get wholly lost in the world that this movie has set up, no matter how weird and unusual it gets. With imagery as solid as this and two lead stars who match the visuals with their scene-stealing light, you really can’t deny the overall intriguing qualities of this cinematically obscure gem. It’s got just the right amount of attitude and pull to suck you in and the unusual aspect of the story and world that is on display is just so engrossing that you can’t help but lap it up.

The 10^th Victim is a kaleidoscope of style, substance and outstanding concepts, which serve to tell the most cynical and satirical of tales in the most bizarre of ways. Marcello Mastroianni and Ursula Andress are exceptional in their respective roles, and you really can’t refute the appeal of both actors as they literally give it their all and let loose in this most wondrous and absurd of cinema worlds. The decision to peg both Mastroianni and Andress for the two main characters was a stroke of genius, and you can feel the chemistry between the two actors as the film spins wildly out of control on its sex farce journey.

Added upon this already solid foundation is a visual style that is just out of this world campy and simplistically fun. From boob cannons, to mind-boggling architecture, to hypnotic interior designs, to color coordinated assassins, this film literally has it all and in abundance. The surreal atmosphere of this film is energized by its vivid style and expressive color palate, and the audacity of the movie’s cinematic sensibilities is a real treat to visit. If you are a lover of the obscure and you revel in films that play with the notion of reality and bend it to their will, then give this one a go and bask in its strangeness and grandeur. The 10^th Victim is one hell of a.....

It's a booby trap! Lookout!

Shhhhh. I'm hunting people.

Snow-angels in the concrete... Not a good idea.

I have the strange feeling..... We're being watched!

So........ Whatcha reading?

Get that damn camera out of my face you sexy son of a bitch!

Well hello there!

Don't bother me mom! I'm taking her to my room!

Maybe her heartbeat is lower? Easy boys.

Not only is Ursula hypnotic, but so is the room.

Dear sweet lord! That is one fantastic piece of art on that wall!

What the shit is going on here?!?!

For the love of god! Stop the snoring already!

Shot to the heart and your to blame. Ursula, you give love a bad name.

You wouldn't shoot a guy with glasses on would you?

This is my BOOMSTICK!

I can't believe that they don't have salted nuts on this plane. RIDICULOUS!

BOND 4: Thunderball

Thunderball

Director: Terence Young

Year 1965

Thunderball is an outstanding fourth go at the tremendously entertaining James Bond series, with Sean Connery again taking on the role of the suave and charming secret agent 007. Directed by Terence Young and lambasted with a cool and refreshing series of exotic locations, this Bond entry injects an exuberant amount of style into the formula which helps make it one of the most visually engaging of Connery’s outings. With its larger than life villains, unbelievably sexy femme fatales, and its espionage-edged sequences, Thunderball is an imaginative and thrilling adventure that throws every trick in the spy book at the viewer, as it displays one of the most enjoyable Bond adventures in the series. Lush in visuals and overwhelming in style, you’ll get lost in this classic 007 tale, as you’re drenched in picturesque locations amidst the sun-kissed shores of the Bahamas, all the while getting a front row seat at one of the coolest cats in the biz, Sean Connery as James Bond.

The film is set into motion when two nuclear warheads are stolen by the evil organization known as SPECTRE. Led by their number two man, Emilio Largo, SPECTRE secures the stolen weapons cache in a hidden cove off the coast of Nassau and threatens to unleash hell if their demands are not met. Answering the call to action, James Bond immediately takes on the case as he finds that his current mission is intertwined with SPECTRE’s overall plot. After doing some investigative work, 007 follows an intriguing trail of bread crumbs that lead him to Emilio Largo and his luxury yacht, the Disco Volante, docked in the Bahamas. Hot on his heels is a voluptuous assassin named Fiona, who under Largo’s orders, pursues Bond with a venomous fire and a sensual gaze. Amidst all of the dangers that plague 007, like man-eating sharks and an army of armed scuba divers, there is a ray of light in the form of Domino, a beautiful young woman. Held captive by the ruthless and cunning Largo, Domino might be the only key in finding the location of the stolen warheads and stopping SPECTRE’s diabolical plans. Can James beat the bad guys and get the girl? You bet your ass he can! They don’t call him James Bond for nothing.

Sean Connery, unsurprisingly, does it again as he epitomizes the character of James Bond for the fourth time in a row. In my opinion, this is the most accomplished of his portrayals and the suave nature and charming aspects of his character are on full display this time out. With confidence and swagger, Connery tackles the role with unparalleled skill, making for a viewing experience that is anything less than sublime. His iconic pull as an actor, coupled with the larger than life aspects of Bond, is a combination destined for greatness, and you can see the stride of the heralded character hitting a pivotal pitch within this production. He’s daring, inventive, sarcastic, and wholly watchable, more so then ever, and that is what gives Thunderball its potency. Of course the lavish locations, beautiful cast, and intriguing plot don’t hurt, but it is all held together by the tremendous acting chops and sturdy shoulders of Connery. Normally after an actor has reached the fourth portrayal of a particular character, you begin to see a sort of fatigue set in within their performance, but in this situation, Connery seems reinvigorated by the proceedings as he brings an energy and fun to the film like never before. Needless to say, Sean perfected the formula of “secret agent on a mission”, as he adds his own special flair into the mix to spice things up, making for one hell of an entertaining spectacle that only gets better with repeat viewings.

Feeling the weight of Connery’s performance and seemingly being inspired by it, Adolfo Celi takes on the role of Emilio Largo, the number two of the SPECTRE organization. Celi gives the nefarious man an enhanced severity and wit that perfectly matches Bond’s most celebrated of traits. There is a wonderful scene in this film that captures the genuine one-upmanship between the two, and this occurs when Bond visits Largo on his private estate on the coast. While taking in some target practice, Largo successfully shoots down his clay pigeon and sarcastically asks Bond if he wants to give it a go. Bond sheepishly tells Largo that it looks very difficult and then casually shoots his clay pigeon from the hip only to exclaim, “Why no, it isn’t, is it.” The scene is wonderfully executed and Adolfo Celi’s expression when witnessing Bond’s skills is both playful and apprehensive, which perfectly summarizes their relationship throughout the film. Like a game of cat and mouse, they gauge each other and size each other up, and the tension between each interaction they have is delightfully engaging and always amusing. The choice to bring Celi into the Bond fold was a brilliant one and he makes for a most fabulously memorable villain.

In true Bond fashion, Thunderball is never lacking in the beautiful female department as we are gifted two stunners in the form of Claudine Auger and Luciana Paluzzi. Each of these stellar actresses’ characters could be no more different from each other if they tried and against this picturesque tropical setting, the two just look absolutely unbelievable. Claudine Auger takes on the role of Domino, the naive associate of Emilio Largo who quickly becomes a prisoner when stumbling onto the truth of whom Largo really is. Auger is as captivating as they come, projecting an infectious innocence that you can’t help but get behind. With her natural beauty and sympathetic story, it’s hard to not root for her and hope she’s saved by Bond. On the other side of the coin is Luciana Paluzzi as she takes on the role of Fiona, the venomous sexpot who is as alluring as she is deadly. With drop dead gorgeous looks and a body to match, the woman requires a warning label in the form of a curves ahead street sign, and she uses these assets to great use in seducing Bond and any man that she comes into contact with in this film. Not only is she nice to look at, but Paluzzi is a stupendous actress who is famous for bringing an uncontrollable amount of passion and fire to her roles which not many can match, or handle. Her inclusion in this film is a definite plus in my book and her role is damn near unforgettable.

Speaking of unforgettable visuals, this film is jam-packed full of them thanks to the wondrous globetrotting imagery that is rampantly on display in Thunderball. From a stupendous opening scene set in a chateau in France, to some homey depictions of a Health Retreat in England, to some fabulously captured sequences off the coast of Miami, this film is quite a visual smorgasbord. Aside from all of these fantastic locations, the film mainly focuses its eye-catching efforts in the Bahamas where the main bulk of the story takes place. Crystal clear waters, sandy beaches, and lush coastal breezes are all that can be scene within this stunner of a film. Combined with its mid 60’s style and vibrant color tones, Thunderball is a true feast for the eyes.

When it comes to gadgets, the film takes out the big guns right from the on set as it introduces us to a jet-pack wearing James Bond. This out of control scene lets us know right from the gate that we are in for one hell of a wild ride. Taking the baton after that inventive sequence is a more subdued but equally engaging set of gadgets and gizmos that make up the inventions of Q Branch and aid Bond on his most perilous mission. From Bond’s Aston Martin DB5, to homing pills, to tiny breathing apparatuses, to underwater Jet packs and cameras, to the glorious Skyhook which closes the film, Thunderball makes good use of its aquatic locations. The gadgets and spectacle of the climactic underwater scuba battle is a thing of beauty and the filmmakers turn this violent opus into a poetic aquatic ballet filled with death and mayhem across every inch of the frame. The film is indeed a glorious demonstration of the stylistic quality in which can spring from the Bond universe at any given moment, and we are drenched with this heightened sensibility at every turn. Needless to say, Thunderball is a Bond entry that escalates the stakes in the most visually pleasing of ways and that’s a staple of a true great Bond film.

Thunderball is an unrelenting barrage of everything that the Bond universe has to offer, which is shot in a stylistic manner that only enhances the appeal of this long standing series. It has the iconic villains, the beautiful women, the wild gadgets, and the amazing locations, yet it is the way that they are all portrayed that really aid in making this entry a memorable experience. Sean Connery is pitch-perfect in the role that made him a household name, and the same grandeur and sensibility that he brought to the role three years ago in Dr. No, is present here only more succinct in its confidence.

Likewise are the performances by the rest of the cast. Adolfo Celi, Luciana Paluzzi, and Claudine Auger are as captivating as they come and their inclusion in this espionage yarn is a thing of beauty. What I think most captivates me about this entry in the series, is the fact that everything just seems to gel so well together. From the locations, to the cast, to the overall story in general, the film just feels like a completely realized Bond world. Over the top and genuinely engaging at every turn, Thunderball is a perfect visual definition of what a Bond movie truly is. I admire the film for its combined and ambitious efforts, and I treasure the execution by Terence Young as this is one of the most enjoyable productions you’ll find in all of 007’s most accomplished of missions. This flick is like a…..

Weeeeee!

Damn Bond! You're so dang sneaky!

That better be one hell of a phone call! Unplug it you dumb shit!

The ladies love Bond's furry mittens.

Check out these two cool cats.

Largo's day dreaming about that new eye surgery.

Everyone's all smiles in the Bahamas.

Go fish.

This guy wasn't a fan of Bond's fancy fedora.

You better move your ass or you're shark food buddy.

Room for one more? Maybe? Dear god say yes!

It's sexy time!

My word! Your foot is exquisite!

Yeah that's right James. Do your thing.

The most violent synchronized swimming performance.... EVER!

This boat is so cool.... It's smoking!

Take that you son of a bitch!

James Bond... where do you get these wonderful toys?