joshuaking66 Reviews

The Persuaders! (1971–1972)

Cool Guys in Kipper Ties

[10/10 · 24 November 2012]

This show has got to be the one action series that stood out from the rest,of its time.One of the most expensive to make,not just because of its two main stars,but also its exotic locations.The project of the series,was the brainchild of TV/movie MOGUL,SIR LEW GRADE,who saw big money in the idea,but after just 24 episodes,the show was axed,the show ran from 1971 to 1972,was memorable for its haunting catchy theme tune,composed and performed by the late great TV/film composer JOHN BARRY.The performance of its two stars,SIR ROGER MOORE and TONY CURTIS,was pure magic,and reminded me very much of those BING CROSBY and BOB HOPE road films,the plots were simple but often bizarre,fight scenes were always fun to watch,no one ever had a mark left,and SIR ROGER MOORE's hair was never out of place.The show was sold all over the world,since its axe,it has been repeated on TV many times,such as bravo channel,it is available on DVD box set,and corgi even produced a replica of LORD BRET SINCLAIR's car,the famous yellow mustard Aston Martin,but corgi never got round to producing DANNY WILDE's car, TONY CURTIS's Red Ferrari.There was talk at one time of making a big screen version of the show,and many names had been put forward,such as,comic STEVE COOGAN,even GEORGE CLOONEY in the part of DANNY WILDE,but as yet nothing has surfaced,but for now we can only watch the original series,and marvel at its brilliance,its magic of its performers,SIR ROGER MOORE now 85 years old,yet still showing us he's a classy saint,and of course remember with great fondness,the late great TONY CURTIS,to me and to others,THE PERSUADERS will live on in our hearts

Skyfall (2012)

My Review

[10/10 · 29 October 2012]

I have just recently been to see this the 23rd outing in the series of Bond films,and i must say it was a real treat for any true bond fan.The plot was so much different to the past few from Goldeneye onwards,the film harks back to the good old days of Connery,and of course that added treat of seeing the Original Aston Martin DB5 in action just clinched the deal,Daniel Craig super as ever as 007,with an air of Timothy Dalton's role as bond slightly shining through,Dame Judi Dench again superb as M,Javier Bardem excellent as the bad guy Silva,and i have to say great performance by Ralph Fiennes as pompous MI6 boss Gareth Mallory,and was great to see one of this country's finest actors in cameo-role,Albert Finney as Kincade,also have to remark on actor Ben Wishaw as a very young Q.The film is a much darker bond film,showing the vulnerable but also caring side of bond,harking back to Licence To Kill,Overall one of the best,with a lot of twists and turns,and a remarkable ending,Adelle's song is a true winner,one that reminds me of a John Barry hit,so what will be the 24th in the chain,as i sat in the darkened cinema,end credits rolling,i pondered the idea,the idea of seeing a good old fashioned bond ending,remember those far off bond days,when the baddies hidden lair was stormed at the end by hundreds of guys in boiler suits,007 leading the fight,maybe even actor David Hedison reprising his role as the famous Felix Lieter,but as far as bond films go,Skyfall is a winner.

Dr. No (1962)

A Bond classic

[10/10 · 3 September 2012]

What can i say about this film,that has not already been said,this is a true British classic,the first in what we have all come to know as cult viewing with a even bigger cult following.Sean Connery's first outing as Ian Flemings,super-spy,James Bond 007,from its outset to the grand final,we are treated to a roller-coaster of a ride,filled with thrills and excitement,and dare i say a scene that made me cringe.Very strong performances all round,and a very grand sinister performance from Joseph Wisemann,as the evil Dr No,a few years ago,i visited the island that was used for the fictitious,Crab Key Island,and standing on the beach,i could almost see that scene all over again,i was even humming that song "Underneath The Mango Tree",the other performance i would like to add,is actor Jack Lord,to millions always remembered as Steve Magaratt,in TV cop show,Hawaii Five o,but he was here first,as a character who would go on to appear in many more bond outings,played by many different actors,Felix Leiter,C.I.A agent and best friend to bond,22 bond films and this agent is not stopping,22 is about to become 23,with the soon to be released,SKYFALL,actor Daniel Craig again stepping into the bond role,after already treating us to his two other performances as 007,it is truly astounding,to think that whilst watching this first outing,four other actors have taken the role,and now a fifth,but for me and many like me,Bond belongs to Connery.

Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972)

my review of Dracula today 1972

[9/10 · 29 August 2012]

i have been an avid hammer film fan since i care to remember,and although i feel this film was weak in comparison to those Dracula films that came before,one cant help by liking this,from its outset to its finalie,i also have to say i think that michael vickers theme music,is one of sheer brilliance,christopher lee again teaming with the great Peter Cushing,pull out all the stops to make this a classic,which should be on any hammer fans film shelf.May i also add,that another great performance in the movie,is Christopher Neame,a brilliant actor,so very good film and in some ways quite sad,a reminder to the world of cinema,a hark back to the good old days of British cinema.The follow up movie,THE SATANIC RITES OF Dracula,was to be the last Dracula movie made by hammer studios,both these movies deserve their place among the hammer greats,sad to think looking at these movies,how many of its cast and crew are no longer amongst us,but their work lives on.