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No Time To Die Reaches The Heights That The Cast And Crew Were Aiming For

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We’ve been expecting you Mr. Bond, and for quite some time now as after countless delays the anticipation has grown higher for Daniel Craig’s final 007 mission. His fifteen years as Bond has created such an impact to this British Icon and to define and describe his tenure throughout these films Craig has given rich and emotional performances. Then you get to his first 007 outing in Casino Royale were they establish that this bond is more edgy and harder than previous incarnations. He’s used as a weapon, murdering people in grayscale bathrooms in an epic opening montage. Three more films followed soon after, Quantum of Solace (which was a hit or miss) , Skyfall (The one that made $1.109 Billion), No Time to Die picks up from the end of Spectre with Bond on holiday with the apparent love of his life Madeleine (Lea Seydoux).  



However there are secrets between them, trust issues especially since Vespa Lynd’s (Eva Green) shadow looms over them, reminding us on how much she truly meant to Bond. Both Madeleine and James are still being haunted by the demons from the past. 

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Retirement doesn’t last long though as his peace in Jamaica is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous technology. 

Nineteen months is certainly a long time to wait for a martini or Heineken, but I’m pleased to say that Craig’s finale or Swan-song if you will was truly worth the wait. It had me shaken, stirred and on the absolute edge of my seat. It’s a breathtaking emotional conclusion to Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond with a very human but eerily timed story. Cary Joji Fukunaga has crafted a Bond film that certainly takes brave, bold and bombastic choices with the character’s narrative arc. It’s a franchise that has spanned for nearly 60 years and has gone through many incarnations but still keeping the familiar themes like action and espionage. Craig’s era as 007 took a risk by shaking things up and No Time To Die, the 25th Bond film is deeply tragic and heartfelt. So prepare yourself to be shocked and unsettled as this labour of love is a hefty 2 hours and 43 minutes. 



Craig truly excels in his final outing as 007, he fully embodies the character with his classic one-liners and vintage gadgets from Q. He gets to show off different sides to his Bond that we’ve never seen before as in No Time To Die he feels more human with a powerful, emotional performance. during his tenure his bond has gone from being reckless and careless, he then takes the journey through Skyfall which I believe makes him mature and he eventually becomes the lethal assassin we see here. Thanks to Daniel’s involvement and input into the franchise he became a producer and has certainly shaken up the Bond formula by writing and having his say in the stories. Craig also gets one of the most standout action sequences, a brutal one-take on a staircase. 

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No Time To Die does not waste a single character as each bring something to the film and to Bond himself. Léa Seydoux returns as Dr. Madeleine Swann, the way she is written in this film is very different from Spectre, expect a totally different side of the character as she brings the heart and innocence. Can she be trusted, who knows, but her return as a lead next to Bond feels just right. It’s important to see bond in love again because he had this relationship with Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale but she betrayed him. Seydoux gives a beautiful and emotional performance and truly has some beautiful moments opposite Craig. 

Lashana Lynch has so much confidence as Nomi another 00 Agent, she is simply here to do her duty and job she does best. Nomi is a dangerous operative for Her Majesty’s Government who carries a license to Kill and let me tell you, she is not afraid at all to use it. 

However it’s Ana De Armas as Paloma who stole my heart. She is criminally underused but with the little time she has, she manages to convey sassy, feistiness, panache and tons of beauty. She has an infectious smile and passion which makes this CIA operative a worthy ally to Bond. Would definitely love to see more of her character whether a movie or a streaming series. 

Jeffrey Wright returns as Felix Leiter, the film is able to continue the partnership that both agents started in 2006. Billy Magnussen also provides a comical performance as another CIA agent. David Dencik as Obruchev, the scientist caught up in all this definitely offered the comic relief and Henchman Dali Benssalah as Primo aka Cyclops brings something new to the role. 

The Mi6 team have returned also slightly underused and many have now become background characters to the story, listening in from HQ. Though I feel without them, Bond would be helpless. Naomie Harris as Moneypenny and Rory Kinnear as Tanner are both great talents. You also get to see more of Ben Whishaw’s Q who outfits the 00 agents with equipment for use in the field. Q being openly queer is a fleeting moment when we get to see more of his personal life as bond and Moneypenny visit him which is seen in the trailers. this truly gives hope for more queer representation in the future. 

Ralph Finnes is at the centre of MI6 as M, it’s a challenging role since his introduction in Skyfall but he brings the power and enthusiasm in every scene as that what a leader is all about. 

Finally we have Rami Malek as the evil Lyutsifer Safin, who certainly was quite unnerving. He is one creepy and disturbed villain who has little few words, so he’s definitely a silent killer. Though not having much screen time as a bond villain his actions loom over certain characters even when he’s not on screen. Malek gives a haunting and chilling performance which is reminiscent of classic monster performances such as Claude Rains’s Phantom of the Opera and Bela Lugosi’s Dracula. Safin is up there alongside Mad’s Mikkelesen’s Le Chiffre and Javier Bardem’s Silva. Though out of the Craig era villains, Safin is probably the most dangerous man Bond has faced. 

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Christoph Waltz returns as SPECTRE leader Ernst Stavro Blofeld, he truly gets under Bond’s skin with his manipulation and after the explosive confrontation between the two in Spectre, Blofeld is now confined to a chair in a high-security prison. The interrogation scene is such a highlight but it’s the fact that Spectre is somehow still one step ahead of bond, which made me wonder what is Blofeld up too. Another favourite sequence of mine is a glamorous party in Cuba that goes horribly wrong. 

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Fukunaga’s direction and style are certainly unique as he brings the camera up close and personal. my favourite has to be the opening titles and the uniqueness of the iconic gun barrel. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren gives Bond a genuinely modern feel, such as the rustic Italian villa, neon nightclub, haunting forests and the minimalistic concrete style of the villains lair. 



Hans Zimmer’s score is packed full of thrills, Bond references and jam-packed full of emotion. His score sits perfectly well with the likes of John Barry and David Arnold. Its huge with full on orchestra and featured soloists as Zimmer goes one step further by incorporating Monty Norman’s iconic Bond theme in phenomenal new ways. 

Overall No Time To Die reaches the heights that the cast and crew were aiming for and it ultimately does exactly what it was intended to do, which is to round off and draw the curtains on Daniel Craig’s era with tremendous gratitude.

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Five Reasons To Love ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ 

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Back in 2014, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened into theaters with a mixed reception from critics and audiences and has been deemed as the least desirable of the Spidey movies. In the film, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) must face off against another villain who has been given the name Electro. Moreover, our brave hero uncovers some bizarre mysteries surrounding his parents.

Many fans of the series view the film as an overcrowded mess, but I think it might be the most entertaining of all the Spidey films, until No Way Home arrived, and here are five reasons why that remains true.

Andrew Garfield

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]

First and foremost, Garfield is always a delight to have in the Spidey outfit. His charisma and witty banter is almost what makes the film truly great. I have always said that he was the best Spider-Man and this movie proves it with his ability to elevate any scene from dull slog to a comedic venture. 

Spidey, in this particular movie, embodies the hero in the original comics with his incessant need to make a fast-talking quip to one of his enemies. There is nothing better than a comic-book character sticking true to his essence and spirit of its source material.

Electro

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]

Despite what many people say about the villains, Jamie Foxx as the supercharged baddie Electro proves to be a formidable opponent for the web-head, with his omnipotent powers and overly-powered nature. More than that, Max Dillon is depicted as a quiet, shy loner who is invisible to other people. He is essentially a nobody, until he falls into a vat of electrically-charged eels and becomes the sinister villain Electro. 

To better understand a villain, you must understand their plight and Electro’s plight is that of a rags-to-riches success story and the visual effects are certainly something to marvel at. 

Action Sequences

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]

This article wouldn’t be complete if I decided not to talk about the exhilarating action that embodied the film. Whether we see Spidey chasing down a truck with Oscorp’s product or a massive fight inside a grid that seems like a colossal feat for any Marvel film, the film can take a lot of pride in its action sequences. 

One can also never forget the massive and iconic battle sequence between Electro and Spidey in Time Square that seems impossible to be made. 

Green Goblin

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]

While he remains a secondary villain, Dane Dehaan’s Green Goblin is still noteworthy. Dehaan portrays Harry Osborne who is left with his dead father Norman’s life work and stumbles upon a Goblin serum that enhances his speed, strength, and intelligence. 

His little spat with Spider-Man is certainly befitting for the dark, moody tone of the film and entertaining for plenty of comic fans with zippy action and certified intensity. In the end, he is also responsible for the death of Spidey’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy. 

Gwen Stacy Death

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [Credit: Sony Pictures]

Speaking of Gwen Stacy, this is the only Spidey film that features his love interest dying. As he battles the Green Goblin, Spidey attempts to hold on to Stacy, literally, by a thread in the clocktower. However, when the thread snaps, Spidey is able to snag her in mid-air but the whiplash of the fall snaps her neck, killing her. 

What might be the saddest moment in any Spider-Man film, was brought to life in this extraordinary scene that silenced an entire generation of Spider-Man fans. 

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Anthony Hopkins to Lead Peacock Gladiator Drama ‘Those About to Die’

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Peacock is one of the streamers that has yet to break through in terms of their original content getting recognized for awards contention. One such series that might change that fate for the streaming service is Those About to Die and it’s starting to build out its cast. According to Variety, 2-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Father) is the first to join the drama series which comes from Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow). Saving Private Ryan screenwriter Robert Rodat will script the series.

Hopkins will play the character known as Emperor Vespasian in the series which is set in the world of gladiatorial battle. It will be an ensemble drama following many different Roman characters that will set forth for violent affairs in the arena among other complexities such as political power and corruption so expect a starry cast for this Peacock drama. Hopkins’ character is described as “despised by the Patricians jockeying for position in the Empire and looking to supplant his heirs to the throne the first chance they get. Vespasian became the Roman emperor after a ten-year civil war. We expect to get more casting news soon as the show will begin filming in Rome in March.

Anthony Hopkins is coming off a terrific performance in James Gray’s Armageddon Time in 2022 after winning his second Academy Award for his role in The Father the year prior. He’ll next voice a character in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon for Netflix and also will star in British drama One Life alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Jonathan Pryce. Emmerich is coming off directing the sci-fi disaster film, Moonfall in 2022.

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‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Adds Oscar-Nominee William H. Macy

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The Planet of the Apes trilogy headlined by Andy Serkis from the 2010s can be argued as one of the best trilogies of all-time. The technological advances made from motion capture helped actors completely transform into the apes with their interactions with human characters making the story rawer and more emotional. Now, 20th Century Studios will jump back into the world of apes with their latest, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Deadline reports that William H. Macy (Shameless, Fargo) will round out the cast for the newest chapter of the franchise.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place many years after the conclusion of War for the Planet of the Apes being led by an entirely new cast that includes Owen Teague, Freya Allan and Peter Macon. Details are currently unknown on whether Macy will be playing a human character or an ape. The film series has grossed almost $2 billion dollars for the studio so it’s no surprise that they’re aiming to make more Apes fims. 

Macy is coming off his biggest role ever in Showtime’s series, Shameless for which he played Frank Gallagher and was nominated for 6 Emmy Awards for his performance over 11 seasons. Macy is also a former Oscar-nominee for his lead role in the Coen Brothers classic, Fargo. Since then, he’s amassed tons of parts including most recently in Hulu’s The Dropout and a guest spot on the ABC sitcom, The Conners. Macy will next appear in the film, Maybe I Do with Emma Roberts, Diane Keaton, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. 

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