Picturenose

Quantum leaps

So, that’s it then. With this movie review, Picturenose lays its cards on the table. Long live the new king - Daniel Craig, in just two portrayals, has wrested the ‘Best James Bond Ever’ title from one Sir Sean Connery (remember him?) and, in Quantum of Solace (2008), director Marc Forster and writers Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have delivered the first direct Bond sequel. Boy, have they delivered…

Read more »

Bellisima!

As part of Picturenose’s ongoing commitment to the cream of European cinema, a passion that we share with our sister site European Film Awards Reviews, Colin offers his thoughts on a modern Italian classic…

Read more »

It’s that magical time again - since star Daniel Craig and director Martin Campbell blew their genuinely Ian Fleming-style Bond into the 21st century, with the simply marvellous franchise reboot that was Casino Royale (2006), 007-ites the world over have been waiting, with expectations understandably heightened, for Quantum of Solace (2008), the first Bond sequel ever (and it’s also the shortest film in the series to date, at a mere one hour 46 minutes).

Read more »

And, guess what? Our man James got it wrong, of course, a fact that will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever read any of his Oscars predictions…

Read more »

Vive Mesrine!

Let’s face it – no one does Real McCoy, well-’ard gangster flicks like we Europeans. Of course, Stateside, you can cite Scorsese’s Goodfellas (1990) or Casino (1995) and, at a pinch, Coppolla’s The Godfather (1972) but sorry, when it comes to what violence, fear of violence and callous characterizations are really all about, we have (among many others) Get Carter (1971). We’ve got The Long Good Friday (1980). Frankly, you’ve never really had a glass smashed into your face unless you’ve had it this side of the Atlantic, and there is a gritty, seamy, downright dirty side to the 70s gangster look and feel that only European pubs, bars, clubs and strip-joints can effectively convey.

Read more »

Worst remake ever?

A disclaimer to start with - if you haven’t seen the original version of this, you’d do well not to read on. I can’t find a way of expressing my feelings about this remake without giving away at least one plot twist. You may also want to look away if you’re of a nervous disposition or don’t like bad language.

Read more »

Following the victory of Barack Obama in the 2008 US Presidential Elections, Cillian Donnelly (author of what was Picturenose’s most popular post, 100 Movies To Be Seen Before You Die, until James’s Quantum of Solace review blew it away, ha-ha) returns with a look at how America’s Chief Executive has been portrayed on the silver screen. So, another list of films, eh Cillian? Nice one…

Read more »

It’s a hard life in the European Parliament, Brussels, enjoying the very reasonably priced bar and canteen, free access to internet/printer/phone/fax and, most important, the chance to watch the three contenders for the European Parliament LUX Cinema Prize 2008 in an auditorium specially constructed for that very purpose. Our man thinks he’s found the winner…

Read more »