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Quick Cuts: The STAR TREK Edition

Posted in 2013, Classic TV Shows, Quick Cuts, Science Fiction, Star Trek with tags Bones, Deanna Troi, Guinan, Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Spock on May 31, 2013 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: STAR TREK
With Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Daniel Keohane, Paul McMahon, and Colleen Wanglund.

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Welcome, everybody, to another edition of QUICK CUTS. With J.J. Abrams’ STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS in theaters now, we’re going to talk some STAR TREK.

Specifically, I want to know if the original STAR TREK has been surpassed by any of the other series. Have Kirk, Spock, and McCoy ever been bested?

Today L.L. Soares and I are joined on our Cinema Knife Fight panel by Daniel Keohane, Paul McMahon, and Colleen Wanglund.

Here’s our first question. Who’s your favorite starship captain? Kirk? Picard? Or someone else?

Ladies first. We’ll start with you, Colleen. Who’s your favorite starship captain?

COLLEEN WANGLUND: I come from the generation that grew up on the original STAR TREK television show, as well as the films. While I did watch THE NEXT GENERATION and love Patrick Stewart, the original is still the best.

When it comes to the Captain of the Starship Enterprise Kirk is hands down the MAN. Shatner’s overacting is rather endearing. And how do you not love a guy who practically had a girl in every inhabited planet of the universe?

Captain James Tiberius Kirk

ARRUDA: I can’t argue with that line of thinking. (The rest of the panel agrees, except for L.L. SOARES who shakes his head.)

L.L. SOARES: I dunno. While Kirk certainly smooched lots of alien women, I don’t think he had sex with them as often as he should have. He should have taken things to the next level.

ARRUDA: I don’t think Kirk wanted to be responsible for little hybrid alien children following him around on the bridge.

DAN KEOHANE: Though it took a couple of seasons to warm up to him, I have to admit Picard’s character grew on me. Kirk will always have a special place since childhood, and he was a hoot, but Picard brought a Shakespearean charm to the con. So in effect, there’s a tie, Kirk & Picard. The others from the other series were OK, but not to the level of these two.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard

SOARES: A tie? You never make up your mind, Dan. Be a man! Make a decision! Do you even pick out your own clothes?

KEOHANE: I pick out my own clothes—- eventually. (Dons his best “deer in the headlights” expression.) Blue— or black?

ARRUDA: Well, I’m old school, so my favorite starship captain is Kirk.

While I definitely grew to like Picard a lot, too, I’ve always enjoyed Kirk’s off the cuff thinking, his “no lose” attitude, in which he’ll do whatever it takes to protect his ship and crew, and his constant sparring with Spock and McCoy.

MCMAHON: My favorite captain is Benjamin Sisko from DEEP SPACE NINE.

Captain Benjamin Sisko

From the very first episode he doesn’t want the job, he’s put off by the responsibility, but even more than that he can’t stand to shirk his duties when other people need him. Throughout DEEP SPACE NINE he fights as hard as he can against everything that comes up, refusing to quit because that’s what everyone (most of all himself) expects him to do.

SOARES: What the hell is DEEP SPACE NINE?

MCMAHON: Oh come on, you’re not serious are you?

SOARES: Naw, I’m just kidding you.

Look, I grew up on reruns of the original STAR TREK, but it’s not a nostalgia thing. Kirk was the coolest starship captain ever. It’s just a fact. No one could emote like William Shatner. He could break your heart with one of his meaningful speeches. And no captain was as good at using his fists as well as his brain.

ARRUDA: On to our second question. Who’s your favorite starship genius? Spock? Data? Someone else?

KEOHANE: Spock. There can be no comparison.

SOARES: Are you sure it’s not a tie, Dan?

Look, I have to go with Dan on this one. To choose anyone other than Spock is illogical.

Mr. Spock

ARRUDA: Like Dan and LL, I’m going with Spock here, too.

By far, he’s the most interesting character in the entire STAR TREK universe. His half human/half Vulcan self is the perfect embodiment of what STAR TREK is all about, logic vs. emotion, and which one is more effective when confronting the universe.

MCMAHON: Enough with the Spock coronation.

SOARES: Besides, Kirk is the most interesting character in the entire STAR TREK universe. Spock is just his sidekick!

MCMAHON: My favorite genius is Doctor Bashir. Brilliant, genetically enhanced, there isn’t a disease or a puzzle he can’t figure out. His people skills are undeveloped and immature, though, which leads him to constantly make an ass of himself in social situations. This makes him the most fun to watch.

SOARES: Always gotta be different.

WANGLUND: While I liked Data and his whole search for the meaning of being a human, Spock is my favorite genius—because he actually was a genius. Spock was born that way, while Data is an AI machine. He’s a genius because he was made that way. The guy is a walking computer; Spock was flesh and blood.

ARRUDA: Next question. Who’s your favorite starship doctor? McCoy? Beverly Crusher? The Doctor from VOYAGER? Someone else?

MCMAHON: As brilliant as Bashir is, I’d rather have DeForrest Kelley’s McCoy standing over me should I wake up in sick bay. Of all the many doctors, McCoy is the one I’d trust to tell me the exact specifics of my ailment and not pull punches when he came to the prognosis.

Dr. “Bones” McCoy

Besides, he seems like he’d be a great drinking buddy.

ARRUDA: Wouldn’t he though?

KEOHANE: I think Scotty would be a better drinking buddy.

WANGLUND: I’d rather have a drink with Jim Kirk.

SOARES: To hell with those guys! If I’m drinking with anyone it’s Dr. Carol Markus from the new movie! And maybe Uhura, too.

The very professional Dr. Carol Marcus

ARRUDA: I think I asked the wrong question. I should have asked who on STAR TREK would make the best drinking buddy!

Anyway, my pick for the best doctor is McCoy.

While I absolutely love the Doctor from STAR TREK VOYAGER, McCoy as part of the triumvirate with Kirk and Spock is certainly the most important medical man of the entire STAR TREK universe. He’s also the most entertaining, and often represented the rest of us in those debates with Spock. Of course, he’d disagree. “I’m a doctor, not an entertainer!”

WANGLUND: Do I really need to tell you who my favorite ship’s doctor is? “Jim I’m a doctor not a ……” fill in the blank. The repetition of this line by Bones McCoy is cheesy but brilliant!

SOARES: Who cares who the damn doctor is? I thought you were pushing it by asking who the best “starship genius” was, whatever that means. What are you going to do, Arruda, just go down a list? Who’s your favorite Russian navigator? Who’s your favorite Mechanic Number 5. Who cares? After the captain, everyone else is background noise.

KEOHANE: McCoy is an icon and a great foil to the otherwise uber seriousness of the show, and his lines have always been the best in any episode. So, Bones, hands down.

ARRUDA: And our final question tonight is just for fun. Who’s your least favorite character in the STAR TREK universe?

MCMAHON: My least favorite character in the Star Trek Universe would have to be Deanna Troi.

Deanna Troi

ARRUDA: I agree with you, there.

MCMAHON: I get that they were trying to break up the perception of an all-male future, but Troi just never worked for me. I was disappointed and left wanting with all her featured episodes, and never surprised myself by liking any of them (although the closest I came was the episode “Thine Own Self,” when she orders Geordi to his death… but then she goes and ruins it by whining to Riker about how hard it was).

ARRUDA: Yeah, she whined a lot.

SOARES: Aww, I think she’s sweet.

KEOHANE: In the final series, ENTERPRISE, among the bad “guys” who formed the cadre of alien baddies planning the destruction of.. something. I forget, the storyline got so bogged down, the thing in the fish tank that would sing like Flipper when he talked. I know this is an obscure one but man, that whole gang of villains were an embarrassment to Trekdom everywhere.

ARRUDA: I think I had stopped watching ENTERPRISE by that point.

KEOHANE: You didn’t miss much.

SOARES: Are you kidding? That fish tank guy was my FAVORITE character in the Star Trek Universe! Him and that little weird guy who follows Scotty around in the movies!

WANGLUND: As for my least favorite character? That would have to be Guinan, played by Whoopi Goldberg. Picard was supposed to be the level-headed man of reason. There was also a ship’s counselor, Deanna Troi, who was an empath. Why have yet another voice of reason? I felt Guinan was redundant.

Whoopie Goldberg played the lovable Guinan

Whoopi Goldberg played the lovable Guinan

ARRUDA: Yeah, I can’t say that I liked Guinan either.

However, my least favorite character would have to be Deanna Troi from NEXT GENERATION. I just never really understood the need for a ship’s counselor, and thought her speeches on alien feelings a complete waste of time.

SOARES: My least favorite character was the guy in the red shirt who dies in Episode 42. Aww, who cares? I don’t care enough about the STAR TREK Universe to have a least favorite character. What a bunch of nerds!

But Kirk, that little guy who follows Scotty around in the movies, and Dr. Carol Markus are my favorites.

KEOHANE: Don’t forget the guy in the fish tank.

SOARES: Oh yeah, and him.

ARRUDA: Okay, so we’re done here. It looks like the original series acquitted itself well. It won all the categories, and none of the characters from the original series made it onto our “least favorite” lists.

So, I guess Kirk, Spock, and McCoy haven’t been bested. The original is still the best, at least in terms of tonight’s questions, anyway.

Thanks for joining us everybody! We’ll see you next time on QUICK CUTS!

—-END—.

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Quick Cuts: Special RAY HARRYHAUSEN Edition!

Posted in 1950s Movies, 1960s Horror, 2013, Animated Films, Dinosaurs, Fantasy, Quick Cuts, Science Fiction with tags Cyclops, gwangi, ray harryhausen, stop-motion, ymir on May 17, 2013 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: Ray Harryhausen Favorites
With Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, and William Carl

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Welcome to another edition of QUICK CUTS. Today we remember Ray Harryhausen, who passed away last week at 92. I think we can all agree that when it comes to stop-motion animation in the movies, Harryhausen was a true artist and visionary. No one did it better than him.

Earlier in the week, L.L. Soares and I did a formal tribute to Mr. Harryhausen. To honor him today in a special edition of QUICK CUTS, we look back at some of our favorite Ray Harryhausen movies, monsters, and scenes. Joining us this time is William Carl. Okay, gentlemen, let’s get started.

What’s your favorite Ray Harryhausen movie and why?

WILLIAM CARL: VALLEY OF GWANGI (1969).

Gwangi vs. Elephant in THE VALLEY OF GWANGI (1969)

ARRUDA: One of my favorites

SOARES: Mine, too.

CARL: Not only did this movie have cowboys and circuses, but it also had dinosaurs! This was like a mash-up project created by my pre-pubescent mind at about eight years of age. The women were beautiful, the men were rugged, and the scenes of the monster rampaging were very well executed. I still watch it at least once a year, and I still cheer on the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

L.L. SOARES: T. Rex, yeah! Marc Bolan rocked.

CARL: Not the band. The dinosaur in the movie.

ARRUDA: THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1958) is my favorite. I love the Cyclops, the colorful print, the rousing music score by Bernard Herrmann, Nathan Juran’s brisk direction, and Torin Thatcher’s performance as the evil wizard. I just like the whole package. And of course Harryhausen’s stop-motion effects are some of his best.

SOARES: I think my favorite one is 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH (1957). I’ve just always been a fan of the creature from Venus, the Ymir, and not only does this movie revolve around Harryhausen’s creation, but you really care about the stop-motion monster by the end, unlike some of his other creatures.

Cyclops vs. Dragon in THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD

ARRUDA: Next up: What’s your favorite Harryhausen creature and why?

I have to go with the Ymir from 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH, as well.

CARL: Nice choice

SOARES: Copy cat!

Ymir vs. Elephant in 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH! What did Harryhausen have against elephants, anyway?

ARRUDA: Followed closely by the Cyclops in 7TH VOYAGE and Medusa in CLASH OF THE TITANS (1981).

SOARES: What are you doing picking more than one? This is QUICK CUTS! Our answers are supposed to be brief.

ARRUDA: I know. I just can’t help myself.

But the Ymir is my favorite because it’s a cool monster, an alien from Venus. We don’t see too many of those, which makes him unique. I would have loved to have seen him in more movies. He deserved a better fate!

CARL: I agree with you. This is a tough choice, but like you guys, I would say the Ymir from 20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH (1957). The expressions Harryhausen managed to create on this beastie’s face made it seem all the more terrible when it is killed. You can see all the pain and fear in its eyes. Plus, it was completely unique and not based upon any other existing monster like a dinosaur or a mythical creature. It was a true original.

SOARES: As I stated before, the Ymir is my favorite as well.

I also really like the movies Harryhausen worked on that revolve around mythology, especially JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963) and the SINBAD movies. He created some great creatures for these!

ARRUDA: See, it’s not easy picking just one, is it?

Last question. What’s your favorite Harryhausen movie scene and why?

SOARES: The obvious one is the battle between Jason and the skeletons in JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. But that might be a little too obvious. I also liked scenes in the Sinbad movies where creatures fought each other, like the Centaur vs. the Griffin in THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1973), or the Cyclops vs. the Dragon in THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD.

CARL: Oh, my favorite scene was definitely the scene in VALLEY OF GWANGI, where the cowboys rope and capture the dinosaur.

Cowboys lasso a dinosaur in THE VALLEY OF GWANGI (1969)

ARRUDA: Yep, this is a very exciting scene.

CARL: It’s a scene that is still thrilling today in its weird mixture of action, western, horror, and sci-fi elements. Come on, we have rodeo cowboys roping a huge monster like it was a calf. Plus, for sheer expertise, this scene is flawless in its animation execution and its combination with the live footage. Those lassos are animated in half and real in half, but it all flows so seamlessly you really buy into the ridiculous notion that these guys are roping a dino! I think I need to go watch this again right now.

SOARES: Sit back down. We’re not finished yet!

CARL: But I can hear dino roaring already!

ARRUDA: We’re almost done.

Well, obvious or not, my favorite scene is the sword fight between Jason and his men and the skeletons in JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. It’s probably the most ambitious scene Harryhausen ever created. It’s fascinating to watch, and intense to boot.

Second would be—.

SOARES: Second? Who said anything about second?

ARRUDA: — the Medusa scene from CLASH OF THE TITANS. I really don’t like this movie all that much, but this scene is one of Harryhausen’s best. Eerily lit, with an ultra-creepy Medusa slithering about, it makes me pine for an all-out Harryhausen horror film, of which, sadly, there is none.

And third—-.

SOARES: Third? You’re cheating!

ARRUDA: — is the giant crab scene in MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1961), which is a riveting sequence.

Sorry, I couldn’t limit myself. There are just too many Harryhausen gems.

SOARES: Are you through now?

ARRUDA: Yep, I’m done. Hey, where did Bill go?

(William Carl’s seat is empty)

SOARES: Looks like he left early for his T-Rex date.

ARRUDA: Hmm. I just thought of another question. Which Harryhausen creation would you most want to have lunch with?

SOARES: A better question would be which Harryhausen creation would most want to have you for lunch!

ARRUDA: True. On that note, let’s grab some food. I’m hungry. I’m in the mood for a giant crab salad sandwich.

SOARES: I’m on a diet. I’ll just have soup and Krakens.

—END—

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Quick Cuts Plays “WHAT’S MORE LIKELY?”

Posted in 2013, Based on Comic Book, Comic Book Movies, DC Comics, Quick Cuts, Sam Raimi, Twilight, Vampires, Zombies with tags batman, christian bale, Iron Man, Marvel, Quick Cuts, Robert Downey Jr., twilight, What's More Likely, Zombies on May 10, 2013 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: WHAT’S MORE LIKELY?
With Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Nick Cato, Daniel Keohane, Paul McMahon, and Jenny Orosel

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Welcome to another edition of QUICK CUTS. Tonight we’ll be playing a little game.

IRON MAN 3 opened in theaters last Friday, May 3rd. The Marvel superhero movies have enjoyed a nice run going back to X-MEN (2000) and Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man movie, SPIDER-MAN (2002). Here we are in 2013 and they’re still going strong.

So, tonight we’re going to play a little game called “What’s More Likely?”

Our panel of Cinema Knife Fighters includes, in addition to L.L. Soares and myself, Nick Cato, Daniel Keohane, Paul McMahon, and Jenny Orosel. Thank you all for coming.

So, tonight’s game, “What’s More Likely?” works like this. Looking ahead to the next ten years and answer the following questions.

First question: What’s more likely? That there will be more Marvel movies in the next ten years, or more zombie movies?

NICK CATO: I think there will always be both, but superhero films seem to be more lucrative.

ARRUDA: So, more Marvel movies then?

CATO: Yes.

JENNY OROSEL: Seeing as they’re now owned by Disney, we’re going to see more Marvel movies than ever. I fully expect they’ll do two direct-to-video sequels or prequels for every one they have in the theater.

ARRUDA: I hope not. There’s nothing like a direct-to-video release to kill off a movie series. Ugh!

L.L. SOARES: Oh, what do you know!

Turning to the zombie genre for a moment, hopefully, oversaturation will result in a dwindling of zombie movies.

Marvel, however, has a nice variety of characters they can draw from (including many who have never been in a movie before), and should go strong for many years.

ARRUDA: I agree.

PAUL MCMAHON: With the success of THE AVENGERS (2012), there will definitely be more Marvel movies. I won’t be sure about zombie movies until we see how much money WORLD WAR Z (2013) makes. With all the buzz about production problems, it could either bring about a reanimation of the zombie sub-genre or put a bullet through its head.

SOARES: I’m sick of zombies. I wouldn’t mind putting a bullet through the head of the genre.

DANIEL KEOHANE: I’m going with Marvel movies, without a doubt.

Zombie movies are popular right now, but the superhero movies have a much wider reach and end up making more money, overall. And there are so many characters and teams to choose from, whereas zombies pretty much lumber along the same way each time.

ARRUDA: I’m going with Marvel movies as well.

Okay, on to our second question:

What’s more likely? That we’ll still be seeing Marvel movies in ten years, or that we’ll still be seeing movies based on books by Stephenie Meyer?

Dan, why don’t you start us off this time?

KEOHANE: Marvel movies.

(The panel cheers.)

KEOHANE: Thank you, thank you.

SOARES: We’re not cheering you. We’re cheering your pick.

KEOHANE: Don’t ruin my moment.

Where was I? Marvel movies. Because as good a writer for her age group as Stephenie Meyer is, she can only crank out so much content. Marvel not only has a slew of new comics coming out every month, they have half a century of classic stories already in the can ready to become movie-ized. Even the Avengers movie was loosely based on one of the first Avengers comics (I think). Not to mention DC’s Superman movies. They’ll keep making the same origin story over and over ad infinitum.

SOARES: What are you bringing up DC comics for? This question is about Marvel movies! Pay attention, Dan!

ARRUDA: But he makes a good point. Not only does Marvel have more stories to choose from, but they can remake their own origin stories. Heck, they just did it with their latest SPIDER-MAN movie.

Let’s move on. I don’t want to give Meyer any ideas. The last thing I want is a TWILIGHT remake!

SOARES: I predict that Stephenie Meyer will find a way to continue the Twilight series.

ARRUDA: No!

SOARES: You just don’t put a cash cow like that out to pasture.

However, the future for Meyer-related projects is iffy – especially if something new grabs the public’s interest. Meanwhile, I think Marvel movies will be going strong in 10 years.

CATO: Ten years from now? Hopefully Meyer will be retired by then.

ARRUDA: I’m with you. I hope she’s retired. I’ll be happy if I never have to see another movie based on a Stephenie Meyer book ever again.

KEOHANE: I think Meyer is a very talented writer, and you’re not giving her enough credit.

ARRUDA: Maybe so, but the TWILIGHT movies were awful, and they killed any interest I might have had in seeing THE HOST (2013).

SOARES: I think you secretly like the TWILIGHT movies. You talk about them so much.

ARRUDA: Yeah, right!

MCMAHON: Marvel movies, no question. They have new ideas and maybe some new-to-the-screen heroes as well.

And sorry, Michael, but it’s entirely possible, though, that in ten years they’ll be remaking the TWILIGHT movies. We can hope not.

ARRUDA: That’s a horrible thought, though I agree with you. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that it’s bound to happen. If film history has taught us anything, it’s that remakes are always with us.

What about you, Jenny? In ten years, Marvel movies or Stephenie Meyer movies?

OROSEL: Ooh, that’s a tough one, since I fully expect Disney to eventually buy Stephenie Meyer, and turn Bella into a Disney Princess.

ARRUDA: This panel is getting more painful by the minute.

OROSEL: I call it a tie.

ARRUDA: Okay, it’s time for the third and final question of the night.

What’s more likely? Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark/Iron Man again, or Christian Bale plays Batman again?

Robert Downey Jr. in IRON MAN 3, and still going strong.

MCMAHON: Downey is already going to play Tony Stark in THE AVENGERS 2. There will probably be an IRON MAN 4. I can’t see him ditching that cash cow while the iron is hot. Ahem.

(Someone in the audience groans.)

MCMAHON: I don’t think Christopher Nolan intends to do another Batman movie, and I can’t see Christian Bale playing that character under another director

ARRUDA: Good point. And I agree with you.

I say Robert Downey Jr. plays Iron Man again. Between THE AVENGERS movies and the IRON MAN series, you’d think that he’d at least be back one more time as Iron Man if not more.

From what I’ve read, Bale is done as Batman. You never know about these things, but I don’t expect him to play Batman again.

Christian Bale is Batman in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.

OROSEL: It’s going to be hard for Bale to keep it going as Batman as he ages, while even if Downey looks ragged and worn, it fits the Stark character. Unless he ends up in rehab again. Then all bets are off.

KEOHANE: Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man without a doubt. This is just a guess–.

SOARES: Really, Dan, it’s a guess? You mean you don’t know?

KEOHANE: Sorry. I left my crystal ball at home.

So, this is just a guess, but Downey seems to be enjoying himself immensely up there on the screen, whereas Christian Bale puts so much angst into his characters, his doctors will probably have him committed if he even thinks about doing another one of those.

CATO: It may be too early to tell, but hopefully Downey will continue to play Stark…he’s perfect in the role, whereas we have yet to find a Batman everyone seems to agree on.

SOARES: That’s for sure. It’s all about the mask anyway. Anyone can play Batman.

Both Downey and Bale probably want to focus on more artistic movies. That said, I think Batman is replaceable, as we’ve seen several people play him over the years, while Downey remains the definitive Tony Stark. I think it’s more likely Downey will be convinced to play Stark again.

ARRUDA: Okay, there you have it. It seems the general consensus is that Marvel movies will be around for a while.

That’s all the time we have for tonight. Thanks for joining us everybody, and we’ll see you next time on QUICK CUTS.

—END—

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QUICK CUTS: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SAM RAIMI MOVIE?

Posted in 1980s Horror, 2013, Classic Films, Crime Films, Demonic Possession, Demons, Drive-in Movies, Fun Stuff!, Horror, Indie Horror, Marvel Comics, Quick Cuts, Sam Raimi, Superheroes with tags A Simple Plan, EVIL DEAD, sam raimi, Spider-Man on March 15, 2013 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SAM RAIMI MOVIE?
With Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Daniel Keohane, Kelly Laymon, and Paul McMahon

MICHAEL ARRUDA: With Sam Raimi’s latest movie OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL (2013) now in theaters, we’ve decided to celebrate the occasion by asking our panel of Cinema Knife Fighters to name their favorite Sam Raimi film.

Okay Cinema Knife Fighters, What’s your favorite Sam Raimi movie, and why?

*****

DANIEL KEOHANE: I’d have to say SPIDER-MAN (2002), being a major web-slinger fan as a kid. Granted, ARMY OF DARKNESS (1992) was a hoot when I saw it at 2:00 am during a 24-hour film festival… but overall, his first SPIDER-MAN is on top of the list.

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Yeah, I have to agree with you. My favorite has to be the first SPIDER-MAN (2002), as well. True, SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004) might be the better movie, but I remember being so blown away and impressed by the first one, for me, it remains my favorite Raimi picture.

Sure, there are his EVIL DEAD movies, and his thrillers like THE GIFT (2000), and the current OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL is pretty amazing, but personally, I prefer Spidey over the Wizard and a bunch of munchkins any day of the week.

KELLY LAYMON: I have zero interest in the new OZ flick. Partly because I thought it was released four weeks ago when they had the giant premiere by my old apartment and I had to see James Franco, Mila Kunis, and Michelle Williams in a true giant hot air balloon above my apartment.

But as much as I enjoy the EVIL DEAD films and the SPIDER-MAN flicks, I might have to go A SIMPLE PLAN (1998) on this one. (And I’m overlooking his baseball flick, which people know kills me!) But I just love a good crime movie where money and some dead bodies muddy the entire situation. I love stories about people who are presented with an opportunity and act drastically.

PAUL MCMAHON: THE EVIL DEAD (1981) is my favorite Raimi film. I had a co-worker hand me a VHS tape of it.

“This is the worst-looking movie you’ll ever love,” he said.

I watched it twice in a row that night and ordered my first copy the next morning. The rest of his work is pretty good (with the possible exception of SPIDER-MAN 3 (2007), but I can’t imagine living in a world where THE EVIL DEAD doesn’t exist.

L.L. SOARES: Yeah, I have to agree with Paul. I remember seeing THE EVIL DEAD the first time at a drive-in theater. It was the second feature after George A. Romero’s DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978), which I had seen about 10 times by then. I’d heard about EVIL DEAD but hadn’t seen it, and it was a real treat. It was just gory and insane and Bruce Campbell was amazing as Ash. While I’ve enjoyed Raimi’s work since then, including his often-overlooked slapstick flick CRIME WAVE (1985) and the underrated DRAG ME TO HELL (2009), nothing comes close to the original EVIL DEAD for me.

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Well that’s it for this edition of QUICK CUTS. See you again next week with reviews of more new movies.

—END—

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Quick Cuts: Fun With the Oscars

Posted in 2013, Best Of Lists, Oscar-Worthy, Quick Cuts, Special Columns with tags Action, Avengers, Cabin in the Woods, Django Unchained, horror, John Carter, Kill List, Oscars, Science Fiction on February 23, 2013 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: Fun with the Oscars
With Michael Arruda & L.L. Soares

MICHAEL ARRUDA: It’s Academy Awards time. I thought we’d have some fun and do our own Cinema Knife Fight version of the Oscars, picking from familiar Academy Award categories, but staying within specific genres.

Here’s my take on the Best of 2012 Horror movies and the Best of 2012 Action movies:

Best of HORROR movies 2012:

-Best Supporting Actress- Alice Eve, THE RAVEN

-Best Supporting Actor- Richard Jenkins, CABIN IN THE WOODS

-Best Actor- Ethan Hawke, SINISTER

-Best Actress –Kathryn Newton, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4

-Best Screenplay- Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, CABIN IN THE WOODS

-Best Director- Timur Bekmambetov, ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER

-Best Picture – CABIN IN THE WOODS

*****

Best of ACTION movies 2012:

-Best Supporting Actress-Kate Beckinsale, CONTRABAND

-Best Supporting Actor- Leonardo DiCaprio, DJANGO UNCHAINED

-Best Actor – Tom Cruise, JACK REACHER

-Best Actress- Scarlett Johansson, THE AVENGERS

-Best Screenplay- Joss Whedon, THE AVENGERS

-Best Director- Quentin Tarantino, DJANGO UNCHAINED

-Best Picture- THE AVENGERS

*****

L.L. SOARES: And I’ve decided to do three list, for Horror, Action/Drama and Science Fiction.

Best of HORROR movies 2012:

-Best Supporting Actress- Hannah Fierman, V/H/S (segment “Amateur Night”)

-Best Supporting Actor- Fran Kranz, CABIN IN THE WOODS

-Best Actor- Neil Maskell, KILL LIST/Ethan Hawke, SINISTER (tie)

-Best Actress –Sarah Bolger, THE MOTH DIARIES

-Best Screenplay- Amy Jump and Bean Wheatley, KILL LIST

-Best Director- Ben Wheatley, KILL LIST

-Best Picture –KILL LIST

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Best of ACTION movies 2012:

Is DJANGO UNCHAINED really an action movie? If so:

-Best Supporting Actress-Salma Hayek, SAVAGES

-Best Supporting Actor- Leonardo DiCaprio/Samuel L. Jackson (tie) DJANGO UNCHAINED

-Best Actor – Christoph Waltz/Jamie Foxx (tie) DJANGO UNCHAINED

-Best Actress- Anne Hathaway, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

-Best Screenplay- Quentin Tarantino, DJANGO UNCHAINED

-Best Director- Quentin Tarantino, DJANGO UNCHAINED

-Best Picture- DJANGO UNCHAINED

-Best Fight Choreography – THE RAID

*****

Best of SCIENCE FICTION movies of 2012:

-Best Supporting Actress- Emily Blunt, LOOPER/ Charlize Theron, PROMETHEUS (tie)

-Best Supporting Actor- Pierce Gagnon, LOOPER

-Best Actor – Taylor Kitsch, JOHN CARTER

-Best Actress-Noomi Rapace, PROMETHEUS

-Best Screenplay- Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon, JOHN CARTER /Rian Johnson, LOOPER (tie)

-Best Director- Andrew Stanton, JOHN CARTER

-Best Picture- JOHN CARTER

*****

ARRUDA: Have fun this weekend watching the real thing! Thanks for joining us!

—END—

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QUICK CUTS: FAIRY TALE MOVIES WE WANT TO SEE

Posted in 2013, Adult Fairy Tales, Daniel Keohane Reviews, Jenny Orosel Columns, LL Soares Reviews, Michael Arruda Reviews, Quick Cuts, Uncategorized with tags Adult Fairy Tales, Bluebeard, Little Match Girl, Mother Goose, Quick Cuts, Rumplestilskin, Wee Willie Winie on February 8, 2013 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: Fairy Tale Movies We Want to See
With Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Daniel Keohane, and Jenny Orosel

MICHAEL ARRUDA: With the recent the release of HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS (2103) and the upcoming JACK THE GIANT SLAYER, a re-working of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale, due out on March 1, the “fairy tale re-imaginings” are out in full force.

Let’s see, we’ve already had RED RIDING HOOD (2011) and SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (2012). I don’t know about you, but enough is enough!

But since this new take on the fairy tale genre doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, it’s time for the Cinema Knife Fighters to get in on the action.

Today’s QUICK CUTS question: Which fairy tale would you like to see turned into a movie!

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DANIEL KEOHANE: I’d go with THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL.

Sent away from her home and left to die but saved from death by a long retired CIA operative Max Samaritan, Lillie devotes herself to stopping evil whenever – and wherever – it appears. She leaves the arcane world of wooden matches behind in favor of a stylish Zippo, which proves invaluable when all seems lost and she finds herself near a constant supply of combustible materials.

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JENNY OROSEL: I would like to see BLUEBEARD done, this time starring either Larry King or Rush Limbaugh.

A new version of Bluebeard?

MICHAEL ARRUDA: I’ve always liked RUMPELSTILTSKIN. In my movie version, entitled KNOW MY NAME OR PAY UP YOU LOSER! Jim Carrey in full make-up with CGI effects added plays Rumpelstiltskin, and Chloe Grace Moretz plays the poor miller’s daughter. In this movie version, rather than just guess his name, Moretz kicks the crap out of Carrey’s Rumpelstiltskin to the point where he’s a mass of pulpy flesh.

She then travels the countryside in search of demonic dwarves who terrorize young women.

Also starring Robert Downey Jr. as the King.

I’d also like to see WEE WILLIE WINKIE made into a horror movie where Mr. Winkie is a sinister gent who goes around terrorizing young children, whisking them away from their beds at night, taking them to some uncertain dark future, perhaps to a castle where a cannibalistic witch lives who loves children in her stews. Rated R, with Sacha Baron Cohen as Wee Willie Winkie, Sigourney Weaver as the Witch, and Mark Wahlberg as the parent of a missing child who’s had enough and decides to step up and take justice into his own hands.

*****

L.L. SOARES: That’s easy. I’d like to see a movie version of THE WORLD OF MOTHER GOOSE starring Andrew Dice Clay.

“Hickory Dickory Dock…”

MICHAEL ARRUDA: And there you have it, fairy tale movies we’d like to see.

Thanks for joining us, and we’ll see you next time on QUICK CUTS!

—END—

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QUICK CUTS: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE GANGSTER?

Posted in 1930s Movies, 1970s Movies, 1980s Movies, 2013, Asian Gangster Films, Classic Films, Colleen Wanglund Reviews, Crime Films, Cult Movies, Fugitives, Gangsters!, Garrett Cook Articles, Jenny Orosel Columns, LL Soares Reviews, Michael Arruda Reviews, Movie History, Nick Cato Reviews, Quick Cuts, Tough Guys!, Yakuza Films with tags Cagney, Godfather, Ichi, Little Caesar, Pacino, Public Enemy, Quick Cuts, Scarface on January 18, 2013 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: FAVORITE MOVIE GANGSTERS
Featuring: Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Nick Cato, Garrett Cook, Jenny Orosel, and Colleen Wanglund

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Welcome everyone to another edition of QUICK CUTS.

Last Friday, January 11, the slick looking gangster movie GANGSTER SQUAD opened in theaters, starring Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Sean Penn. So, for today ‘s QUICK CUTS column, we asked our panel of Cinema Knife Fighters the all-important question: Who’s your favorite movie gangster?

GARRETT COOK: My favorite is one of the first and the best: Edward G. Robinson as Rico in LITTLE CAESAR (1931), an angry but vulnerable man constantly overcompensating. He’s both ruthless and heartbreaking.

Edward G. Robinson in the role that made him a star – Rico in LITTLE CAESAR (1931).

L.L. SOARES: Good one, Garrett. I like LITTLE CAESAR a lot, too. A really underrated movie.

My two favorite movie gangsters were both played by James Cagney.

The first is Tom Powers from THE PUBLIC ENEMY (1931). Whether he’s pushing grapefruit halves in dame’s faces or starting a gang war, he’s still the gold standard everyone else should be compared to. And the movie still has one of the most haunting endings ever. Boy, they sure knew how to create spooky images back in the 1930s.

The notorious “grapefruit in the kisser” scene from PUBLIC ENEMY (1931). Another gangster classic.

The other one is Cody Jarrett, the mother-obsessed psychopath gangster from 1949′s WHITE HEAT. “Made it, Ma. Top of the world!” Everyone remember that one. My choices showcase Cagney’s earliest gangster with a later one.

JENNY OROSEL: I’ve never been a big gangster movie fan, but the one I do remember liking was BUGSY MALONE (1976). Sure, looking back, it was pretty horrible. But it had the most epic pie fight ever committed to film!

A scene from the pie fight in BUGSY MALONE (1976).

NICK CATO: My fave gangster is Paulie in GOODFELLAS (1990), played by Paul Sorvino. As the head of his clan, he got to sit back, fry sausages, slice garlic, and sip the best wine while his men did all the dirty work. And no one made a better ” sangwich” than him. He was THE MAN.

Paul Sorvino as Paulie in GOODFELLAS (1990).

L.L. SOARES: I’m a big fan of GOODFELLAS, too. One of the best gangster movies ever. But I prefer Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci (as Jenry Hill and Tommy DeVito, respectively). I’ve never been a big Paul Sorvino fan for some reason. DeNiro is really good in this one, too.

COLLEEN WANGLUND: Okay here’s my answer:

So I figure the first names that would come to mind are from American gangster films. Well since I am the Geisha, my favorite gangsters all come from Asian films.

1. Kakihara (Tadanobu Asano) from ICHI THE KILLER (2001) directed by Takashi Miike. Kakihara is seriously one of the sickest gangsters I’ve ever seen on film.

So crazy he’s scary – Kikihara from ICHI THE KILLER (2001).

2. Matsunaga (Toshiro Mifune) from the film DRUNKEN ANGEL (1948) directed by Akira Kurosawa. He is somewhat sympathetic character but a hardened gangster just the same.

3. Lau Kin-ming (Andy Lau) from INFERNAL AFFAIRS (2002) directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. Lau’s character manages to infiltrate the police department in Hong Kong for YEARS without ever getting caught. That’s pretty awesome.

L.L. SOARES: Excellent choices! I forgot how great a long of Japanese and Hong Kong gangstgers are. I would also add Takeshi Kitano (also known as Beat Takeshi), who has played several Japanese gangsters over the years, in films he directed and films by others. My favorite gangster/Yakuza role of his was probably in his 1993 film, SONATINE.

“Beat” Takeshi in SONATINE (1993).

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Wow, you’re really into the topic this time around!

L.L. SOARES: I sure am. I love classic gangster movies. They haven’t made a good one in awhile.

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Well, my favorite movie gangster would be Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in THE GODFATHER movies, specifically Parts 1 & 2. Sure, his most famous scene is the “Fredo, you broke my heart” scene, but my favorite comes in Part 1, where he’s confronted by his wife Kay (Diane Keaton) and she wants to know if he had his brother–in-law killed, and he says he won’t discuss the family business with her. He then stops and says, “Just this once. You can ask me just this once.” So she asks him again, and he says, “No, I didn’t have him killed,” and of course, he’s lying through his teeth. Great scene.

Not the most violent gangster on screen, but Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone is one of the coldest gangsters on screen. Ice runs through his veins.

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in THE GODFATHER.

L.L. SOARES: Another excellent choice. Everyone in the first two GODFATHER films is pretty terrific, but you’re right, Pacino might be the best one of all. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention Pacino’s other iconic gangster role, as Tony Montana in 1983’s SCARFACE. Some people have complained Pacino is too over-the-top in the role, but I still say it’s another iconic role that most movie gangster movies these days will be compared to. Besides, I really love SCARFACE.

Al Pacino’s other iconic gangster role – Tony Montana in SCARFACE (1983).

MICHAEL ARRUDA: And that’s it for tonight’s QUICK CUTS. Thanks for joining us everybody!

—END—

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Quick Cuts Presents: BEST TARANTINO MOMENTS

Posted in 2013, Colleen Wanglund Reviews, LL Soares Reviews, Martial Arts, Michael Arruda Reviews, Quick Cuts, Tarantino Films with tags Calvin Candie, Gimp, Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Quick Cuts, tarantino on January 5, 2013 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: Quentin Tarantino’s Finest Moments
With MICHAEL ARRUDA, L.L. SOARES, and COLLEEN WANGLUND

MICHAEL ARRUDA: With the release of Quentin Tarantino’s DJANGO UNCHAINED (2012) on December 25, we’re asking our panel of Cinema Knife Fighters to name their favorite Quentin Tarantino moment.

Is it a specific scene? A line of dialogue? A scene he appeared in? Or an entire movie? In other words, when you think of Tarantino, what image/scene/linecomes to mind?

Okay Cinema Knife Fighters, what’s your favorite Quentin Tarantino moment(s)?

COLLEEN WANGLUND: I love Quentin Tarantino’s films, even if they are outright remakes.

My favorite scenes both come from KILL BILL VOL 1 (2003). The first is the awesome fight scene between The Bride (Uma Thurman) and the Crazy Eighty-Eights in the nightclub in Japan. The extreme nature of the fighting and blood spray is glorious in its recreation of fights from Hong Kong martial arts and Japanese chanbara films of the 1960s and 70s.

Kill Bill Volume 1

The second is the final battle between The Bride and O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu) on the roof in the snow. The music is incredible and the fight between the two ladies and their katanas is a beautiful homage (or an outright copy?) of the Japanese chanbara/rape revenge film LADY SNOWBLOOD (1973) directed by Toshiya Fujita.

ARRUDA: It’s pretty straightforward for me. Whenever I think of Tarantino, I always think of PULP FICTION (1994) which was the first film of his I saw. I don’t know if it’s my favorite, but since it was the first one I saw, it’s the one I always think of when I think of Tarantino.

But whenever I picture him, I see him as the weirdo rapist bank robber Richard Gecko in the Robert Rodriquez vampire flick FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1996). Sure, this is a vampire movie, but it’s Tarantino’s performance as George Clooney’s insane brother that always stays with me after watching it. He gets under my skin, far deeper than any of the vampires in this one.

L.L. SOARES: Tarantino wrote the screenplay to FROM DUST TILL DAWN as well.

For me, every Tarantino movie has a “punch to the gut” moment. Many movies have more than one. Usually, these include some killer dialogue, as well. Here are just some of my favorite Tarantino moments, but I could list a few from each of his movies:

RESERVOIR DOGS (1992):The discussion of Madonna’s song “Like a Virgin: at the beginning of the movie, and of course the “Stuck in the Middle with You” scene with Michael Madsen cutting off a cop’s ear.

PULP FICTION (1994): The scene towards the end where Sam Jackson gives a long speech that revolves around a quote from the Bible. Also, the scene where they have to plunge a needle of adrenaline into Uma Thurman’s heart to save her from an overdose, and of course the “Gimp” sequence.

It’s the GIMP from PULP FICTION!

KILL BILL VOLUME 2 (2004): The scene where David Carradine gives his explanation why he believes Superman despised mankind. Brilliant dialogue!

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (2009): The beginning sequence where Christoph Waltz, as a Nazi officer, interrogates a family in a farmhouse.

DJANGO UNCHAINED (2012) The scene where Leonardo DiCaprio, as Calvin Candie, gives a scary speech involving a skull and a hammer.

ARRUDA: And that wraps things up for another edition of QUICK CUTS. Thanks for joining us everybody! Good night!

—END—

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Quick Cuts Presents: THE GREAT TWILIGHT SEND-OFF!

Posted in 2012, Quick Cuts, Twilight, Vampires, Werewolves with tags Breaking Dawn, kristen stewart, Quick Cuts, robert pattinson, Sparkles, taylor lautner, twilight, Vampires on November 16, 2012 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: THE GREAT TWILIGHT SEND-OFF!
Featuring Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Jenny Orosel, Mark Onspaugh and Paul McMahon

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Well, this Friday, November 16, the final installment of the TWILIGHT series opens in theaters, TWILIGHT BREAKING DAWN PART II. Don’t everybody cry at once!

So, here’s this week’s QUICK CUTS question: if you could devise an appropriate send-off for the TWILIGHT series, what would it be?

Our panel responds:

JENNY OROSEL: The whole vampire sparkly family takes a vacation to New York just in time to meet up with the giant tentacled alien from the end of the WATCHMEN comic book. That would be sweet.

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Very sweet!

MARK ONSPAUGH: Anyone directly responsible for the movies and all the die-hard, crying on their vlog, Sparkle-Vamp-worshipping fans would be locked in a warehouse-turned-theater and strapped to “old school” wooden seats. The Twilight series would play round the clock – IV’s of stage blood and popcorn “butter” for sustenance and astronaut diapers all around… The rest of the world would celebrate as every book and DVD is recycled into clean fertilizer to feed a starving world.

MICHAEL ARRUDA: Ouch! But oh-so-appropriate!

PAUL MCMAHON: I’m going to quietly watch the TWILIGHT SAGA sail away. I will celebrate by visiting a large cathedral and lighting a prayer request candle. While it burns, I’m going to kneel and bow my head and say a novena that the Hollywood Gods Who Develop Book Series Into Movie Series seize the opportunity to create an awesome string of kick-ass films based on Jonathan Maberry’s JOE LEDGER books. Anyone want to join me?

The Joe Ledger series

MICHAEL ARRUDA: We’ll meet you at the door.

As for me, really, in all seriousness, there is no better send-off than the knowledge that I will never have to sit through one of these movies again. This in itself is a celebration. When I walk out of the theater after the end credits roll, I might even cry, I’ll be so happy!

L.L. SOARES: Don’t go celebrating just yet. I heard a rumor that Stephenie Meyer, creator of the Twilight series, was in discussions to figure out a way to keep the franchise going…More sequels? A spin-off? I have no idea – but you know the studios aren’t going to put this cash cow to pasture any sooner than they have to.

(Pops open a bottle of champagne) So we may not have to say good-bye after all! I know Michael will be so relieved…

MICHAEL ARRUDA (ignores him): Did you say something, LL? I’m having trouble hearing you!

In the meantime, go forth all you moviegoers and do your duty by seeing something else!

Thanks for joining us. Have a good night, everybody!

—END—

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Quick Cuts: Best Bond Villains and “Bond Girls”

Posted in 2012, Bond Girls, James Bond, Quick Cuts, Spy Films, Villains with tags Blofeld, Bond Girls, Bond Villains, Britt Ekland, Emilio Largo, Honey Rider, James Bond, Pussy Galore on November 9, 2012 by knifefighter

QUICK CUTS: James Bond 007
With Michael Arruda, L.L. Soares, Colleen Wanglund, Garrett Cook, Daniel Keohane, and Nick Cato.

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MICHAEL ARRUDA: SKYFALL (2012), the latest Daniel Craig James Bond movie opened this week (our review is coming on Monday).

Today on QUICK CUTS we’re talking a little Bond. James Bond. We ask our panel of Cinema Knife Fighters to name their top 3 favorite Bond villains, as well as their top 3 favorite Bond girls.

Here’s what they had to say:

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COLLEEN WANGLUND:

I’m quite old school when it comes to 007.

My top three Bond villains are:

1. Blofeld (specifically from YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, 1967)

2. Dr. No

3. Goldfinger

Donald Pleasance as Blofeld in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.

My top Bond girls are:

1. Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) from DR. NO (1962)

2. Andrea Anders (Maude Adams) from THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974)

3. Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) from GOLDFINGER (1964)

Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore in GOLDFINGER.

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GARRETT COOK:

Three favorite villains:

1. Blofeld

2. Scaramanga

3. Donovan “Red” Grant (Robert Shaw in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, 1963)

Three favorite girls:

1. Honeychile Ryder

The amazing Ursula Andress as Miss Honey Rider in DR. NO

2. Pussy Galore

3. Tatiana Romanova (FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE).

Daniela Bianchi as Tatiana Romanova in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE.

****

DANIEL KEOHANE:

Well, easily #1 would be Bernard Madoff and his famous Ponzi schemes. Close to a tie of course are the entire Enron board of directors. These latter weren’t exactly selling bonds, but the idea is still the same.

The only bond girl I can think of along these lines is Martha Stewart.

…and Octopussy, simply for having the most disturbing character name in cinema history.

Maud Adams is Octopussy.

****

NICK CATO:

Bond Villains:

1) Blofeld (as played by Donald Pleasance in 1967′s YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE) After all, not only the coolest Bond villain, but he also had the iconic look that Mike Myers borrowed for his AUSTIN POWERS parodies.

2) Largo (as played by Adolfo Celi in 1965′s THUNDERBALL) Easily the most suave megalomaniac of all time, complete with eye patch, spear gun, and pet sharks in his backyard pool.

Adolfo Celi as Emlio Largo in THUNDERBALL.

3) Jaws (as played by Richard Kiel in 1977′s THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and 1979′s MOONRAKER). Kiel was so loved in this role he became the first henchman to make two appearances in the series.

Jaws doing what he does best.

Bond Girls:

1) Goodnight (as played by Britt Ekland in 1974′s THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN). Just a year after dazzling audiences with her sexy performance in THE WICKER MAN (1973), Ekland became THE hottest Bond girl, running around a deranged madman’s island with Roger Moore in nothing but a bikini. The 70s were a good time.

2) Vesper Lynd (as played by Eva Green in 2006′s CASINO ROYALE). While it’s true this reboot featured the best and most current 007 (Daniel Craig) since Sean Connery, it was the exotic looks of the mysterious Vesper Lynd that held my attention more than almost any other Bond girl.

Eva Green as Vesper Lynd in CASINO ROYALE.

3) Naomi (as played by Caroline Munro in 1977′s THE SPY WHO LOVED ME). Munro’s hard-to-decipher facial expressions (coupled with her skimpy outfits) helped to make this one of the most successful Bond films of all time. We young geeks (at the time) all yelled “It’s that girl from the Sinbad movies!” when her beautiful face first appeared across the screen.

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MICHAEL ARRUDA:

My top 3 Bond villains? I’ve got to go with:

3. Largo (Adolfo Celi) from THUNDERBALL (1965) – love that eye patch!

2. Goldfinger (Gert Frobe)

And at #1 - no surprise here – Christopher Lee as Scaramanga in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974).

Christopher Lee as THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN.

And for my top three Bond girls:

3. Vesper Lynd from CASINO ROYALE (2006)

2. Tiffany Case (Jill St. John) from DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)

And at #1, also from THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974), Britt Ekland as Goodnight. As Nick said, she’s the hottest Bond girl.

The beautiful Britt Ekland was one of the more memorable Bond girls in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN.

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L.L. SOARES

I’m not much of a Bond fan, so I’ll just skip the villains. The only thing I ever liked about the series was the “Bond Girls.” My top 3 would be:

1. Britt Ekland – Goodnight – THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974) – if you want to know why, just check out what Nick and Michael said. She was just the hottest Bond girl.

2. Caroline Munro – Naomi – THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977) – because I’ve always been a huge fan of Ms. Munro.

The always beautiful Caroline Munro as Naomi in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME.

3. Diana Rigg – Tracy Bond – ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE (1969) – because I always had a thing for Diana Rigg too. Although I think she was hotter as Emma Peel in THE AVENGERS (1965 – 1967) (the British TV series, not the Marvel superheroes)

Diana Rigg actually got to play Mrs. James Bond in ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE.

HONORABLE MENTION: Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore in GOLDFINGER (1964), because she had the best character name. Blackman was also in THE AVENGERS from 1962 – 1964 as Cathy Gale, prior to Diana Rigg joining the show. Funny how both of these women from THE AVENGERS were also Bond girls.

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Archive for the Quick Cuts Category

Quick Cuts: The STAR TREK Edition

Quick Cuts: Special RAY HARRYHAUSEN Edition!

Quick Cuts Plays “WHAT’S MORE LIKELY?”

QUICK CUTS: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SAM RAIMI MOVIE?

Quick Cuts: Fun With the Oscars

QUICK CUTS: FAIRY TALE MOVIES WE WANT TO SEE

QUICK CUTS: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE GANGSTER?

Quick Cuts Presents: BEST TARANTINO MOMENTS

Quick Cuts Presents: THE GREAT TWILIGHT SEND-OFF!

Quick Cuts: Best Bond Villains and “Bond Girls”

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