MOVIE REVIEW: No Escape

For our next review, we're going to follow this one up with another unusual thriller. One I said we'd watch for the good Asian representation, and that there would be no bloodshed for this one, given that we had just finished watching a different sharp-looking thriller namely, Fresh.

Are buddy-cop movies still a thing? I mean, this movie kind of flirts with the idea — but it’s way too intense to be called fun. It's a Pierce Brosnan and Owen Wilson-starrer, No Escape!

poster from impawards.com

Like any good Bond film, No Escape opens with a high-stakes, heart-pounding scene that’ll have you gripping your seat. But unlike Bond, this isn’t a fun adventure — it’s chaos. There are knives, gunshots, and bodies everywhere. No gadgets or cool one-liners here.

The story then shifts to Owen Wilson and his family, who’ve just relocated to an unnamed Asian country for his job. Along for the ride is Pierce Brosnan, who claims he's there for vacation. Think of it as an aging James Bond meets an Owen Wilson family-man character. It's an odd but interesting pairing.

Soon, things take a turn when Owen Wilson, trying to get the morning paper, learns there’s been no word from his company since their arrival. What follows is a violent uprising by rebels, and before long, their hotel is under siege. Wilson, as a regular guy with no spy skills or charm, does his best to keep his family safe — and his frantic attempts to protect them are as thrilling as they are nerve-wracking.

There are some standout moments, like the roof-deck escape, which is as satisfying as it is suspenseful. And when Brosnan swoops in to save the family, pulling off a truly Bond-esque escape (with the help of his sidekick, Kenny Rogers — yes, you read that right), it’s one of the film's most enjoyable, witty moments.

One thing that really sticks with you, though, is the mantra Owen Wilson and Lake Bell (his wife) repeat as they race to stay ahead of their captors: "We need to stay ten steps ahead." It’s their guiding principle, and it keeps them moving as one — even with their kids in tow. Every time the children (looking at you, Lucy!) made a move that added to the suspense, we were on the edge of our seats, holding our breath.

The one hiccup, however, comes with the ending. The boat scene and the border crossing felt rushed and left us with more questions than answers. But I guess that's how it goes in life-threatening situations — you just focus on survival and don’t worry about the details.

Still, despite the ending, No Escape is a thrilling ride. We’re probably staying away from thrillers for a while though...

Also, Owen Wilson did say “Wow!” at one point. Glad they kept that in. But not so glad about the travel anxiety it’s now given us. After watching this, flying overseas now feels a little too close to a Final Destination movie. Trauma's real.

The Many Disguises of James Bond in Octopussy

    James Bond, as a secret agent at the disposal of Her Majety’s Secret Service, holds probably the toughest job in the world – to stay unknown and in stealth mode while doing whatever task is at his hands (or lips, *wink*).

    With that, we saw Bond do different disguises and covers throughout the 24 Bond films up until    “Spectre” (2015), the latest as of writing. There was Mr. and Mrs. David Somerset in “From Russia with Love””, Peter Franks in “Diamonds are Forever”, and Sir Hillary Bray in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, among many other covers. Ironically though, these covers often get blown eventually.

    From all he 24 Bond films that we have as of writing, there is one film that boasts the greatest number of disguises and covers, and that is “Octopussy” with Sir Roger Moore as James Bond.

    “Octopussy” was released in 1983 and had the trouble of going up against another 007 movie in the form of Sir Sean Connery’s return to the role with “Never Say Never Again”. However, that would have to be a story for another time. Although it was still campy and there were cringe-worthy moments (*Tarzan yell*), “Octopussy” was one of the better Moore Bond films. From the seven, I would rank it in the middle for “Octopussy” had equal portions of the seriousness of “For Your Eyes Only” and the breathtaking, big-budget stuff that “The Spy Who Loved Me” had. It had neither Sir Paul McCartney nor Duran Duran though.

 

    With that, let’s get on with the list.

 1. Col. Luis Toro

Right from the start, we are graced with Bond’s first disguise – Col. Luis Toro. This was back when pre-title sequence had no significant relation to the actual film’s plot and the introduction had one of my favorite one-liners from the Moore era (even better than the “Fill her up please” moment later on in the pre-title sequence) – “Toro, sounds like a load of bull”.

Bond and Col. Toro, small world

2. Dead Body

While infiltrating Kamal Khan’s castle, Bond had to disguise as a lifeless human in a body bag to not get seen by Kamal’s henchman, Gobinda. During the transport, Bond escaped. Luckily, there were only low-level guards who were easily scared by Bond’s ghost-like scream.

Bond hidden in a body bag

3. Crocodile

Bond infiltrated Octopussy’s castle disguised in a Crocodile-like submarine. This was Moore’s version of the bird-like disguised used by Connery in the pre-title sequence of ‘Goldfinger” (1964).

Bond swimming his way to Octopussy's castle

4. Circus Worker

While in East Berlin, Bond put on a workers’ uniform for Octopussy’s Circus to investigate further on the anomalies between Kamal Khan, Octopussy and General Orlov (who delivered a SUPERB performance in this film as a secondary villain). 

Bond doing heavy lifting as a Circus worker

5. Mischka

Bond encountered one of the twin knife-throwing acts of the Circus, who were the murderers of 009 as seen in the opening sequence of the movie. After a brief fight, Bond took Mischka’s dress as his own to disguise which led him to his face off with General Orlov who then revealed the true plans of him and Kamal Khan.

Bond and General Orlov at gunpoint, with Bond dressed as the knife-throwing villain

6. Gorilla Suit

The Circus was indeed like a walk-in closet for Bond in this film. He had lots of choices for disguise, which made hiding very convenient for him. In another scene, Kamal, Gobinda, and Grischka were together in the same carriage with Bond and he had no time to move out of the carriage. Thanks to a Gorilla suit large enough to fit him, he had bought time before he could escape.

Promotional still of King Kong doing a cameo role in "Octopussy"

7. Circus Clown

This would have to be the most unexpected out of the bunch. Bond in a clown uniform, complete with makeup. But then again, Sir Roger Moore was able to pull it off without being cringe-worthy. Two notes though, why couldn’t Bond just told the authorities and even Octopussy about the bomb? And last, the more explosive question, how the hell could Bond have prepared the complete clown uniform and makeup within the time left before the bomb would go off? 

News reports placed Christopher Reeve with Sir Roger Moore in the same filming location in Pinewood Studios for Superman 3. Apparently, it was the Joker that had a meet-cute with Clark Kent.

Just James Bond things, I guess.

10 Elton John Songs Playing On Repeat

As I've written a few posts ago, I just watched the Sir Elton John biopic, "Rocket Man" due to the lengthy lockdown we have been having due to the Coronavirus scare.

Not only was I given the chance of viewing the film, I also had the chance of being introduced to other Elton John songs I haven't really given any attention before. 

Here are other Elton John and Bernie Taupin masterpieces I've completely been under the influence of during the past few days. 

1. Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

I first heard this song on Elton John's Live Aid performance with George Michael, and again on the Music for Montserrat concert. 

2. Tiny Dancer

3. Crocodile Rock

4. The Bitch Is Back

5. I Want Love

6. Saturday's Night Alright (For Fighting) 

7. I'm Gonna Love Me Again

8. Rocket Man

9. We All Fall In Love Sometimes

10. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

MOVIE REVIEW: Through Night and Day

As hopeless romantics, we have been yearning for a love that would last a lifetime, one that would go on through days and nights of romance with the one you love. 

"Through Night and Day" promotional poster for Netflix streaming from Twitter.com

Filipino movie, "Through Night and Day", gave us a love story so watchable you could finish it in one sitting. It won't take you a whole day and night to satisfyingly finish the movie, with the tearjerking romance of Ben and Jen.

The film started off smoothly, a typical opening scene for a love story. Ben asked for Jen's hand in marriage after serenading her in front of a huge local bar crowd. Jen gladly accepted the proposal and the marriage planning was on.

Part of the marriage planning was them going to Iceland for both a vacation and a chance for their prenup photo ops. During this stretch of the film, the struggles of dealing with your significant other were shown effectively. There was Ben's annoyance of Jen's indecisiveness, while for Jen, there was Ben's short temper. The film proved to be prophetic when it said that you would really get to know someone when you're just by yourselves, like when you're traveling.

However, the tragedy of the film was only beginning by then. The persistent misunderstandings of the two led to a break up while they were about to head home, during Jen's favorite time of the day on her favorite place.

Years went on and they were apart with new lives. It was revealed that Ben's got a new fiancée, while Jen's got a new problem to deal with - a disease that would eventually get the better of her by the end of the film.

The events of the third part of the film weren't about resolutions but about redemptions instead. Upon knowing about Jen's sickness, Ben reached out to her by making time to make up for lost chances they should've had, had they not broken up. Ultimately, Jen's exit was ushered through a sunset moment with Ben - a much better sunset moment that would take the place of the tragic sunset moment they had back in Iceland. 

The best bit of the film for me was when they were both lectured about love and long-term relationships from their parents. Compromise, patience, and respect should always be important elements of a relationship. Love alone couldn't do the trick. 

MOVIE REVIEW: Rocketman

Due to the extensive community quarantine, we have been having, I finally had the chance to watch "Rocketman", the Elton John biopic, on a Saturday night. 

"Rocketman" movie poster starring Taron Egerton as Sir Elton John from Forbes.com

After "Bohemian Rhapsody", the Freddie Mercury biopic, received mostly positive reviews from critics and fans, came another biopic of a music legend. This time it was the biopic of Sir Elton John, a world-renowned musician responsible for hits such as "Your Song", "Skyline Pigeon", and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" among many other songs that he and composer Bernie Taupin have contributed to the music industry for more than half of a century.

The film was not exactly what I expected it would be. It was more of a (A) musical film rather than a (B) film filled with musical numbers. I don't know how to better distinguish the two other than explaining what differentiates A from B.

Take for example the movie "Sing Street". This movie featured an up-and-coming band in the era of the New Wave trying to make their entry in the music scene. The musical numbers were stitched into the narrative and the band was shown playing their instruments that accompanied the songs. To cut it short, there were no multiple narratives in one song number, no characters were dancing to the songs as if they were in a musical play. That would be B.

Otherwise, it would be A, which was what "Rocketman" was. And I thought it helped in telling a complicated story easier and it also helped to squeeze in storylines in the time allotted for the movie.

What differs "Rocketman" from "Bohemian Rhapsody" was the timeline considered for the main characters, Elton John and Freddie Mercury respectively. "Bohemian Rhapsody" opted to have the Live Aid performance as the conclusion of the film. That made it hard to squeeze in 15 years, more or less, worth of backstory to cover the rise of Queen. This also created the solution of stating a false story with regards to the timeline of Freddie Mercury's illness, just to make up for a good comeback story of the band via Live Aid.

As for "Rocketman", it had a good set up for the conclusion right from the start. We already knew Elton John was seeking the help of a support group, making the conflict present already in the beginning. What we didn't know were his reasons for reaching out to the support group. And these reasons were presented afterward. It was also a good choice not to make the conclusion in any way linked to Elton John's Live Aid performance, which was also one of the best performances from the event.

As for the accuracy of the movie's events, I couldn't react to the matter because I haven't checked about it. Although I have been listening to Elton John since I was a kid, I had not been into the details of his life outside his music.

With regard to the acting, Taron Egerton made a very good job of playing Elton John. What made viewers convinced that he was playing Elton John was the acting primarily. The looks and outside appearance were just confirmations that he was indeed Reggie Dwight.

With all these biopic films being made, especially with the rumors for the David Bowie one, I'd really be expecting a Live Aid documentary/film someday. Tall order though.

On an additional note, it was really inspiring to see the songwriting relationship between Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was amazing to know that the song's words and music were written separately but were still a perfect fit when bound together. 

The best day of the week to watch this film? How about Saturday night? Why so? 

"Saturday's night alright for fighting, get a little action in!" 

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Worst Gadget (Day 9)

With the emergence of Q as the one who would be responsible for the armory and items that Bond would use in the field, the gadgets filled with extreme subtlety in order to blend in everyday items also came into the surface of the James Bond movies. 

Q was first introduced in "Dr. No" wherein he supplied Bond the standard-issue Walther PPK. However, the character developed into a different designation, and actor starting with "From Russia With Love". From then on, it was established that Q would be supplying Bond different weaponry items that he would find conveniently useful for the film's plot. 

For 24 films, and one gadget per film at least, there ought to be the worst and the best ones. And depending on my preference, I'm going to choose my top pick for the Worst Bond Gadget. 

Although this was the main gadget for "Moonraker", I thought it was very risky to carry this around. Q gave Bond the "Wrist Dart Gun". It was very useful for Bond in the two out of three occasions that he fired it. One was when he was spinning endlessly in Drax's simulator and the other one was when he shot Drax into space, surrendering to the void. 

It would be very handy having this just having its downtime in your wrist. However, there would be the risk if firing it accidentally, or what is called unintentional discharge, since it would be fired through nerve impulses from the wrist muscles according to Q. 

That could be very dangerous having that concealed weapon in your wrist, ready-to-fire whenever your wrist muscles would feel the itch to do it, without even aiming at your target. 

I could be wrong about my perception of this. It was fun and very convenient for Bond but I thought it had its downsides. 

How Johnny English Referenced James Bond More Than Ever

After announcing that Bond 25 would be released on February 14, 2020, the producers moved it further for an April 2020 release date. Since Bond 25 has been delayed again, I think it would be just right that we feast our eyes with other films from the spy genre, films that are referencing, or spoofing, the James Bond franchise.

Johnny English Strikes Again movie poster from imdb.com

The third installment of the Johnny English movie series, "Johnny English Strikes Again" came seven years after the second one. As for me, I think this movie made reference to the James Bond franchise more than its predecessors ever did. That is maybe is an influence rubbing off from Spectre (2015) wherein there were references from all previous 23 Bond films, from Dr. No to Skyfall.

1. Plot

The film starts with someone hacking information about the British Secret Service agents, revealing their true identities, exposing their covers. This was the same plot used in Skyfall wherein Silva, a former MI-6 agent did the same cyber attacks on the British Secret Service.

Agents' cover being exposed in Johnny English Strikes Again

The list of agents in Skyfall

2. Theme

The film has the "Old versus New" theme, with Johnny English representing the "Old" and Jason Volta representing the new. Much like in Skyfall, where a very experienced James Bond tried dealing with his digital villain in an old-fashioned way.

Johnny English choosing the Aston Martin over the hybrid ones in Johnny English Strikes Again

Q and Bond in Skyfall

3. Pre-Title Sequence

A tradition set by the James Bond movies, this movie has its own Pre-Title Sequence.

4. From Russia with Love Pre-Title Sequence

That pre-title sequence is lifted from From Russia with Love's (1963). Seemingly, Johnny English is in a mission with his colleagues until it was revealed that it is only a training conducted by English to his students, just like when Red Grant was training with a SPECTRE agent with Bond's face in the start of From Russia with Love.

Johnny English training his students in Johnny English Strikes Again

Red Grant in a training with SPECTRE in From Russia With  Love

5. "Moneypenny"

This film has its Pegasus. This means that it is only right to have this film's version of Moneypenny. Named Lesley, Pegasus' secretary was played by Pippa Bennett- Warner.

Lesley in Pegasus' office in Johnny English Strikes Again

Eve Moneypenny in Skyfall

6. Pegasus' office

Bernard Lee's M was known to be an Admiral before he was the head of MI-6. That explains the painting of ships present in the office of Ralph Fiennes' M in Skyfall. For this film, Pegasus' office also has a ship painting present.

Pegasus in Johnny English Strikes Again

M and Bond in Skyfall

7. Dance, Fox, Gambon

These three older agents that returned as requested by the British Secret Service all have their own links to the James Bond franchise. Charles Dance was a henchman of the villain, Aris Kristatos (played by Julian Glover), in For Your Eyes Only (1981). Edward Fox played M in Never Say Never Again (1983) wherein Rowan Atkinson played a small role alongside Sean Connery, while Michael Gambon was offered the role of James Bond for Diamonds are Forever (1971).

Edward Fox in Johnny English Strikes Again

Edward Fox as M with Sean Connery as Bond in Never Say Never Again

Charles Dance in Johnny English Strikes Again

Charles Dance as a henchman in For Your Eyes Only

Michael Gambon in Johnny English Strikes Again

8. Exploding Pen

Q mocked Bond for wanting a more extravagant item in Skyfall (2012) by saying "Were you expecting an exploding pen?". Another reference of this was from Goldenye (1995) where Bond was given an exploding pen but with a shorter countdown timer of five seconds.

Exploding pen in Goldeneye

Exploding pen in Johnny English Strikes Again

9. P Scene

This movie also has its own Q Branch scene, which was also lifted from Skyfall. The gadgets are now some futuristic technology and not the traditional spy stuff seen in earlier spy films. To keep up with the theme of the movie, Johnny English still picks to be old-fashioned and asked for a gun, and a vintage Aston Martin, instead of asking for a hybrid vehicle.

P scene with Bond in Skyfall

P scene in Johnny English Strikes Again

10. Aston Martin

James Bond drives an Aston Martin, so does Johnny English.

Bond's Aston Martin DB5 in Skyfall

English's Aston Martin V8 in Johnny English Strikes Again

11. Chase scene

Most spy films have their own chase scenes. However, the car chase scene in Johnny English Strikes Again between Johnny English and Ophelia Bhuletova looks similar to the initial chase scene between James Bond and Xenia Onattop in Goldeneye. The location seems similar. Also, it was a chase between Bond and Bond girl, although she is a henchwoman. Notice the color schemes of the cars used in both chase scenes.

Bond's chase scene with Onattop, featuring the cyclists, in Goldeneye

Bond's chase scene with Bhuetova, featuring the cyclists, in Johnny English Strikes Again

12. Bar scene

The bar scene where Ophelia Bhuletova meets Johnny English is very alike with most of Bond's meeting with his Bond girl. One of those seemingly similar scenes is the bar scene in Skyfall. Another one is the scene where Bond meets Anya Amasova, also a Russian agent, in the Egyptian gathering in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).

Bond and Severine in Skyfall

Bond and Bhuletova in Johnny English Strikes Again

13. Dance Floor, Curtain, Gun

The scene wherein Johnny English is highly energized by a drug and is then seen dancing in the dance floor while Ophelia Bhuletova was trying to kill him was one of the hilarious moments of the film. The part where Bhuletova hides behind a curtain and aims at Johnny English looks like the one from Thunderball (1965).

Gun pointed at Bond in Thunderball 

Gun pointed at English in Johnny English Strikes Again

14. Garrote Watch
Red Grant of From Russia with Love has the garrote watch as his choice of weapons. So does Russian agent Ophelia Bhuletova.

Grant's garrote watch in the train fight scene in From Russia With Love

Bhuletova's garrote watch in the dance floor scene in Johnny English Strikes Again

15. VR

Although it is not used well in Die Another Day (2002), the idea of having a Virtual Reality concept in a spy film started in that said movie. Pierce Brosnan's James Bond was shown in a shooting training using VR, while Moneypenny used it to fantasize Bond. Johnny English Strikes Again upgraded the use of the VR in a highly hilarious scene. VR and Rowan Atkinson seemed to be a good combination.

Bond and Q's VR in Die Another Day

English and P's VR in Johnny English Strikes Again

16. Student Driver

This has to be my most favorite among all other references made. After escaping Jason Volta's lair, Johnny English has to take over a vehicle for him to continue escaping. However, the vehicle he managed to get was occupied by a student lady driver accompanied by its instructor. Hilariously, English continued the driving lesson even when they were being chased by Volta.

Do you remember Mrs. Bell from Live and Let Die (1973) as she was getting her plane driving lessons from Roger Moore?

Mrs. Bell in Live and Let Die

The student driver in Johnny English Strikes Again

17. Crane chase

That previously stated chase scene ends when a crane blocks their way leaving only a little space enough for Johnny English and the student lady driver's car to pass through. Since Jason Volta's car is larger, he cannot pass through and continue chasing English. This very scene is reminiscent of how the very first car chase action scene of the James Bond series concluded.

As Sean Connery was driving, the Three Blind Mice follows him until they were blocked by a crane. Since they were in a hearse, they were not able to pass through and fell off the narrow road.

The obstructed funeral car in Dr. No

Volta's obstructed car in Johnny English Strikes Again

18. Six Bullets

During the final showdown with Jason Volta, Johnny English in a knight's armor is being shot at by Volta using his 3D-Printed gun. English remarks, 'Don't worry, he's only got six bullets in that thing!" Sean Connery also has the same remark before he shoots Professor Dent, played by Anthony Dawson, in Dr. No. "It's a Smith & Wesson, and you've had your six."

Bond and Professor Dent in Dr. No

English and Volta in Johnny English Strikes Again

19. Villain fight

The final showdown with Jason Volta involves a very unexpected weapon of choice for Johnny English. As English manages to be in possession of Volta's tablet, he tries to stop Volta's chopper. However, since English is not very good with computer and modern tech stuff, he throws the tablet to Volta which made him fall onto his head, just like when Bond throws a knife into Raoul Silva's back in Skyfall.

Javier Bardem (left) and Dame Judi Dench in Skyfall

English throwing the tablet at Volta in Johnny English Strikes Again

20. Main Girl

The main English girl (as opposed to Bond girl) of this film is Olga Kurylenko, playing a Russian spy working undercover against Jason Volta. Kurylenko also played the main Bond girl Camille Montes in Quantum of Solace (2008) and in another spy film with former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan in  The November Man (2014).

Olga Kurylenko (left) and Daniel Craig (right) in Quantum of Solace from supposedlyfun.com

Pierce Brosnan (left) and Olga Kurylenko (right) in The November Man from variety.com

Olga Kurylenko (left) and Rowan Atkinson (right) in Johnny English Strikes Again from entertainment.inquirer.net