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12:08 East of Bucharest, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are: Romania
wikipedia

What We Watched:


A fost sau n-a fost? (12:08 East of Bucharest)
Year of Release: 2006
Directed By: Corneliu Porumboiu
Starring: Mircea Andreescu, Teodor Corban, Ion Sapdaru
Genre: Comedy?, Drama

Overview:
ON THE SIXTEENTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the fall of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, a local anchorman of a nearby provincial town invites two of his acquaintances to share their moments of revolutionary glory on his talk show. One is an impish, insightful retiree who sometimes poses as Santa Claus, the other a henpecked, hard-drinking teacher who has just devoted his entire salary to his drinking debts. Together they will remember the day when they stormed their town hall calling "down with Ceausescu." Or did they?

My Thoughts:
Maybe this is a film that plays better in it's home country, because this was the most boring film I've seen in several years. At a mere 85 minutes, this film was tediously long and we debated shutting it off. Nothing happens in this dreary little movie except to establish that the revolution may, or may not, have happened in this little town. If this is a comedy, it's an awfully bleak one with few moments of humor. The characters are reasonably fleshed out and the actors do a good job, but the only likeable character was Mr. Piscoci, and he didn't have nearly enough dialog.

I wouldn't mind seeing Mr. Piscoci in another film, as that character was interesting and amusing and is responsible for all the 1 and a half stars I'm giving the film. Recommended for no one and I wouldn't watch it again.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 1.5/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on January 7th, 2014)

On Her Majesty's Secret Service, a review by Dragonfire

James Bond goes undercover in the treacherous Swiss Alps in this action-packed epic filled with artillery-laden ski pursuits, incredible stunts and nonstop thrills! George Lazenby leaps into the role of Agent 007 with supreme confidence and undeniable charisma, even finding love with the beautiful and seductive Tracy Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg). But first Bond must stop evil genius Blofeld (Telly Savalas) from releasing a germ warfare plot that could kill millions!

My Thoughts

Well I finally watched this one.  This was probably the Bond movie I was least wanting to watch and I'm still not completely sure why.  I put off watching this one since like...September or October when I had started the others.  It wasn't horrible....but I didn't love it either.  Lazenby was ok, but just didn't seem right as Bond to me..and that frilly shirt he was wearing with the kilt at one point was just ridiculous.  The plot was somewhat interesting, but it just moved too slow.  I actually had to watch it in two sittings.  There were some decent action scenes, but too much of the other stuff just moved too slow.  It didn't work for me how Bond went undercover and came face to face with Blofeld...Bond didn't do that much to change how he looked and the men had met before - going on the order the movies were made instead of the original books.  The big chase in the bobsleds just seemed ridiculous to me. 

The relationship between Bond and Tracey was alright, though I don't think it was given enough time to develop for it to be believable.  The fact that he jumped into bed with her so fast fit his character...then when he was undercover he got with those other women...yet right after that when he was with Tracey again, he declares his love and proposes.  It was just a bit too fast.  There was emotion to what was going on, especially late in the movie.  I don't really like how everything worked out there either, even though I knew it was coming and things for the movie series really wouldn't worked that well otherwise. 

I did like the movie overall...but I had issues with it.  It was mostly entertaining, though the pace could have been handled better.  I have started a draft of a review that I'll post on Epinions.  I want to watch the extras from the second disc of my DVD and talk about those for the review as well.  I just haven't gotten myself motivated to watch them yet.  lol  I might do that yet tonight..or wait until tomorrow.  I do know I'm ready to return to Connery and then move on to Moore.

 

(From James Bond Marathon on March 9th, 2009)

Miracles Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

4. Little Girl Lost
A little girl keeps appearing to Paul Callan just before several disasters occur, causing him to wonder if she is responsible for them and, if so, why?

Guest Stars:
Gloria Stuart
Allisyn Ashley Arm
James Greene
Melinda Page Hamilton

My Thoughts:
This is one of my favorite episodes. I was glued to the screen watching this episode. There is something extra eerie about a ghost story when it is about the ghost of a young child. And I must admit... they got a good effect with little effort. just a little bit of a couple different shades of gray makeup on the face of a good child actress. This kid must of been good at taking direction as you could just see the pain and sorrow in her face. I just loved this episode... everyone did an excellent job!

My Rating:

(From Miracles Marathon on December 23rd, 2009)