"DEATH ON THE NILE" (2004) Photo Gallery

Below are images from "DEATH ON THE NILE", the 2004 television adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1937 novel.  The movie starred David Suchet as Hercule Poirot:


"DEATH ON THE NILE" (2004) Photo Gallery

List of Favorite Movie/Television Productions About the AMERICAN REVOLUTION/FOURTH OF JULY

Below is a list of my favorite movie and television productions about the American Revolution and/or the Fourth of July holiday: 


LIST OF FAVORITE MOVIE/TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS ABOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION/FOURTH OF JULY



"John Adams" (2008) - Produced by Tom Hanks and directed by Tom Hooper, this seven-part award winning miniseries about the second U.S. president is set between the eve and during the American Revolution and his death in 1826. The miniseries is based on David McCullough's 2001 biography. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney starred as John and Abigail Adams.





"TURN: Washington's Spies" (2014-Present) - Craig Silverstein created this AMC television series about the Culper Spies ring during the American Revolution. The series stars Jamie Bell as Abe Woodhull.





"National Treasure" (2004) - Jon Turteltaub directed this adventure/heist film about the search for a massive treasure that had been gathered over the centuries and hidden by American Freemasons during the American Revolution. Nicholas Cage starred.





"Live Freed and Die Hard" (2007) - Bruce Willis returned in this fourth "DIE HARD" movie about Detective John McClane's attempt to stop a cyber terrorist from hacking into the Federal government's computers with the help of a computer hacker, during the Fourth of July holiday. Directed by Len Wiseman, the movie co-starred Justin Long and Timothy Olyphant.





"1776" (1972) William Daniels, Howard DaSilva and Ken Howard starred in this entertaining adaptation of the Broadway musical about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Peter H. Hunt directed.





"Independence Day" (1996) - Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith and Bill Pullman starred in this epic science-fiction adventure about a group of people surviving an alien invasion during the Fourth of July holiday. Roland Emmerich directed.





"The Patriot" (2000) - Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger starred in this historical drama about the experiences of a South Carolina farmer and his family during the American Revolution. Roland Emmerich directed.





"Johnny Tremain" (1957) - Robert Stevenson directed this adaptation of Esther Forbes' 1944 novel about the experiences of a young apprentice during the few years before the outbreak of the American Revolution. Hal Stalmaster, Luana Patten and Richard Beymer starred.





"The Crossing" (2000) - Jeff Daniels starred as George Washington in this television drama about the Continental Army's Delaware River crossing and the Battle of Trenton. The movie was directed by Robert Harmon.





"April Morning" (1988) - Chad Lowe, Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Urich starred in this television adaptation of Howard Fast's 1961 novel about the coming-of-age for a Massachusetts adolescent during the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Delbert Mann directed.

"THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN" (1974) Review

"THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN" (1974) Review

What can I say about 1974’s "THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN"? It is not the worst James Bond movie I have ever seen. I can think of at least two or three of which I have a lower opinion. But I do believe that it is the worst Roger Moore film in the franchise. 

Apparently screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz believed the same. He made the decision to bow out of adapting Ian Fleming's 1965 novel, before the script could be finished. The plot for "THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN" focused on the Solex Agitator - a device which can harness the power of the sun. Before Bond could investigate the death of scientist who was thought to be in possession of information crucial to the creation of the Solex Agitator, he has to find out why hitman Francisco Scaramanga had sent a golden bullet to him. 

It turns out that Scaramanga’s long-suffering mistress, Andrea Anders, had sent the bullet to Bond, hoping that he would kill the hitman. Eventually, Bond teams up with MI-6 agents Mary Goodnight and Lieutenant Hip against Francisco Scaramanga - The Man with the Golden Gun and his employer, billionaire Hai Fat. Eventually Scaramanga kills Hai Fat and become the sole possessor of the Solex Agitator. He also kills Andrea and kidnaps Goodnight. Bond tracks Scaramanga to an island of mainland China, where the action finally culminates in a duel between the two men - Bond's Walther PPK against Scaramanga's Golden Gun.

I must admit that the movie’s plot seemed interesting. It certainly did not seem like the disappointment that "LIVE AND LET DIE" turned out to be. I thought it was a lot better than the plot created by Fleming for his 1965 novel. The problem with"THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN" is that it was so poorly executed . . . especially by director Guy Hamilton. There seemed to be a lack of style or substance in how the movie was directed. 

Roger Moore’s performance did not help matters. After his impressive debut in his previous movie, many Bond fans made a fuss over the fact that Moore’s Bond seemed nothing like Connery’s Bond. Which led to Moore being forced to attempt a recapture of Connery’s style. And it did not work. He came off as false and almost wooden. Only two scenes saved Moore’s performance from being a complete bust – his encounter with the Macao gunsmith, Lazar ("Speak now or forever hold your piece.") and the Bond/Scaramanga confrontation during luncheon on the assassin’s island when Bond expresses his dislike of Scaramanga’s suggestion that the British agent is nothing more than a fellow assassin. 

Speaking of Scaramanga, EON Productions had the good fortune to cast Christopher Lee (the future Count Dooku and Sarauman) as the movie’s main villain, expert assassin Francisco Scaramanga. The scene that featured Scaramanga's recollection of a pet elephant produced a very poignant performance from Lee. In fact, only Lee and South Korean actor, Soon-Tek-Oh (who portrayed MI-6 agent Lieutenant Hip) seemed to be the only two cast members who gave consistently excellent performances throughout the entire film. 

I certainly cannot say the same about the other supporting cast members. Herve Villachaise (four years before "FANTASY ISLAND") simply annoyed me. Maud Adams seemed to be her usual wooden self. Britt Ekland, although a good actress, had the bad luck to portray the annoyingly clumsy Mary Goodnight. Bernard Lee seemed a bit over-the-top in his constant annoyance toward Bond and Hip. Even worse, I never understood M's willingness to blame an innocent Bond for the death of government scientist Dr. Gibson. Desmond Llewellyn's portrayal of Q struck me as equally annoying as M seemed to find him. I do not even recall the quality of Lois Maxwell’s brief performance as Moneypenny.

I must admit that cinematographers Ted Moore and Oswald Morris beautifully captured the exotic allure of Southeast Asia. It seemed a pity that John Barry could not produce a memorable score and that Don Black wrote what I consider to be the second worst Bond theme song (performed by Lulu) in the franchise’s history. Oh well. Nothing is perfect. Unfortunately for"THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN", it was far from perfect.  But it was still entertaining.

R.I.P. Sir Christopher Lee (1922-2015)

"Breath of the Undead" [PG-13] - 15/15

"BREATH OF THE UNDEAD"

Epilogue

Saundra Gilroy, also known as Dhea of the Khand Order, disconnected her cell phone and smiled to herself. She then reached for her desk telephone and dialed another number. Seconds later, a familiar voice answered, "Arthur Winslow, speaking." 

"Artemus? This is Dhea. Of the Khand Order. I have some news for you."

The other daemon's voice radiated anticipation. "Alonzo Giovanni?"

Dhea replied, "I had just received a call from him. He's interested in borrowing money from the Twenty-Two Group."

Artemus smugly continued, "Good. It seems that my little blackmail scheme has worked. When you had told me about your deal with Mr. Decker and his connections with the Giovanni family, I knew that an opportunity had presented itself. When will you see him?"

"Tomorrow." Dhea paused, as she contemplated her next question. "When would you like for me to sell Mr. Giovanni's contract to you?"

A pause followed before Artemus answered, "As soon as he signs it. Mr. Giovanni's contract might come in handy . . . in case a plan of mine doesn't work. Good day, Dhea. And thank you."

"It's always a pleasure to help you, Artemus. I look forward to the day when you become the new Source." The two daemons bid each other good-bye.

----------- 

Inside his private study, William Bourgh's cell phone rang. The judge picked it up and answered it. "Hello?"

"Judge Bourgh," a familiar voice replied. "It's me, Cedric Lloyd. I called to find out if you had learned the news."

Bourgh's mind went momentarily blank. "The news?"

"Come now, Your Honor," Lloyd chided. "I'm sure that you know of whom I speak. His body was found inside a dumpster, in San Mateo. It was on the news, this afternoon."

Oh yes. Ronald Wong. Two FBI agents had informed him of Wong's death, this morning. They had also reported Curt Decker's death. "Yes, I had heard."

"The offer still stands, Your Honor," Lloyd continued. "And Wong is no longer in a position to pose as a threat to you."

Bourgh sighed. He had already destroyed the material that arrived in that large, yellow envelope several days ago. However, Bourgh felt certain that Cedric Lloyd's client possessed copies. Along with the promise of shares in the Magan Corporation, the judge had come to a final decision. "I'll be more than happy to help your client, Mr. Lloyd. What do I need to do?"

The attorney's voice radiated triumph. "Good! I understand that you'll be free, tomorrow afternoon. I suggest that you come by my office at the Winslow Building around two o'clock. It is located on the 11th Floor. We'll draw up papers for your employment . . . and your shares. Until tomorrow, Your Honor."

"Right." Bourgh immediately hung up. Then he sunk his head into his hands and sighed. Despite his past affairs and shady dealings, he felt as if he had finally sunk into an abyss.


THE END

"TOMORROWLAND" (2015) Photo Gallery

Below are images from the new Disney science-fiction adventure, "TOMORROWLAND". Directed by Brad Bird, the movie starred George Clooney, Britt Robertson and Hugh Laurie: 


"TOMORROWLAND" (2015) Photo Gallery