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Dr. No, a review by Rich

Dr. No



Released in 1962, this first James Bond movie remains one of the best and serves as an entertaining reminder that the Bond series began (in keeping with Ian Fleming's novels) with a surprising lack of gadgetry and big-budget fireworks. Sean Connery was just 32 years old when he won the role of Agent 007. In his first adventure James Bond is called to Jamaica where a colleague and secretary have been mysteriously killed. With an American CIA agent (Jack Lord, pre-Hawaii Five-O), they discover that the nefarious Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman) is scheming to blackmail the US government with a device capable of deflecting and destroying US rockets launched from Cape Canaveral. Of course, Bond takes time off from his exploits to enjoy the company of a few gorgeous women, including the bikini-clad Ursula Andress. She gloriously kicks off the long-standing tradition of Bond women who know how to please their favourite secret agent. A sexist anachronism? Maybe, but this is Bond at his purest

A great start, and a perfect formula to what was going to be such a successful run of films. Bond is edgy in Dr No, faithful to the book, and maybe a little less camp than he became. Sean Connery for me will always be 'The Bond' and his introduction to the audience is masterful, remember that sweeping pan around the card table in the casino, and Connery drawling those immortal words "Bond, James Bond"
On the critical side, it is obviously more primitive than later outings, the ending is a bit of an anti-climax, and it is relatively low budget.
However, the lack of gadgetry and explosives works for me, I find Dr No more intimate, gritty, a deeper sense of danger, providing a more gripping thriller laced with heady intrigue. The villains from here became the norm in later outings, megalomaniacs, normally with a deformity, high tech base etc etc.
And Ursula Andress' arrival on the beach mmmm
I hope everyone has seen this film, I remember my kids watching it on video when they were younger and absolutely loving it also. It is a must-see.
 



(From Riches Random Reviews on January 27th, 2009)

Shock Treatment, a review by Jimmy

Shock Treatment (1981)

Overview
In the continuing adventure of Brad and Janet Majors (Cliff De Young and Jessica Harper), their suburban hometown, Denton, U.S.A., has been transformed into a giant TV studio, where the brainwashed citizens remain happily glued to an endless series of soap operas, variety acts and game shows. But before you can say, "We'll be right back after this," the station's unscrupulous sponsor has locked Brad up in a mental hospital and recruited Janet to be the sexy star of her own hit show. Stay tuned for a shocking lineup of maniacal characters, biting satire and all-out fun!

My Thoughts
To be honest the reason why I've bought this movie is because of Jessica Harper who is an actress that I've really appreciated in Suspiria and Phantom of the Paradise (the reason I know she had a beautifull voice). This is the sequel of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and many peoples hate it because of that. But, I couldn't care less about this. I've bought TRHPS after this one and quite frankly I can't understand the cult following : the story is boring, the acting is medium, the songs are not really good, ...

This one is not perfect either, but most of the song are good and particullary Me of Me what a great hymn to the narcissism. Jessica Harper unsurprisingly does a great job, Cliff De Young is correct too in a double role, but the rest of the cast is not really bad or good just ok. What I really like is the anticipation of the reality tv phenomena : the tv channel make a big star of Janet and her personallity is completly change since everyone wants to see her (she's the taste of the month).

Not necessary my genre of musical : I like the music in it, but the story is to silly for me

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-xRAvVWp5w
Rating :    

(From Musical Marathon on September 22nd, 2008)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Family Guy: Season One (1999/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (United Kingdom) Length: 315 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Subtitles: English

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Plot:
Meet the Griffins and find out what in the name of Quonoohontaug, Rhode Island is going on in their heads!

Peter Griffin is a big, lovable oaf who always says what's on his mind (even if it's at the wrong time and in the wrong place!) Domiciled in Rhode Island with wife Lois and three kids - Chris, Meg and Stewie - Peter would do anything for them, just as long as it didn't get in the way of his favourite TV shows... Lois Griffin is a modern housewife and (before she fell for Peter) a Rhode Island heiress. She gave up all hope of the Pewterschmidt millions when she fell in love with the good 'ol boy she's been with ever since. Lois is complex, but as yet, she's been unable to work out why baby Stewie, always seems as though he's about to kill her...

Sweet sixteen-year-old Meg Griffin leads a difficult life. Constantly trying to gain acceptance among the "in" crowd (or any crowd for that matter), she just can't help being a drama queen. Like most girls of her age, Meg is highly embarrassed by her father. But then again, most girls don't have Peter Griffin as their dad! Meet Chris Griffin. Overgrown, sweet-hearted, at the difficult age of 13 - Chris wouldn't hurt a fly ... unless it landed on his favourite hotdog! Still, Chris does have some hidden talents, especially his ability to draw. These days, he wastes too much time with Dad in front of the tube, looking at boobs!

Stewie Griffin is a one-year-old baby with a single goal: total world domination. He has the voice and manner of an evil Rex Harrison and were it not for his lack of muscle tone, toilet training and need for parentally-provided sustenance, Stewie would already have gained control over most of mankind! finally Brian Griffin is more than just the family dog. He is a gentleman, a scholar, and undeniably the most balanced member of the family. But the sarcastic barbs that Brian doles out can be as dry as a martini (and Brian has had more than a few of those in his time!).


Family Guy
1.01 Death Has A Shadow
Writer: Seth MacFarlane (Writer)
Director: Peter Shin
Cast: Seth MacFarlane (Peter Griffin / Stewie Griffin / Brian (voice)), Seth MacFarlane (Glen Quagmire / Tom Tucker / Additional (voice)), Alex Borstein (Lois Griffin / Loretta / Tricia Takanawa (voice)), Alex Borstein (Barbara Pewterschmidt / Additional (voice)), Seth Green (Chris Griffin (voice)), Lori Alan (Diane Simmons (voice)), Butch Hartman (Various (voice)), Phil LaMarr (Judge (voice)), Joey Slotnick (Dick Clark (voice)), Fred Tatasciore (Various (voice)), Wally Wingert (Various (voice)), Billy West (Various (voice)), Carlos Alazraqui (Mr. Weed (voice)), Lacey Chabert (Meg Griffin (voice, uncredited)), Pat Summerall (Himself (voice, uncredited))

Family Guy is a show I enjoyed from the beginning. Although I didn't seem to get around watching the new episodes the last few years. The first episode was okay. Not one of the better ones. I remember that Stewie was the one who won me over the first time I saw the first episode.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on April 12th, 2011)