Movie #397 - The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
2003 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Stephen Norrington
Starring: Sean Connery, Naseeruddin Shah, Peta Wilson, Tony Curran, Stuart Townsend, Shane West, Jason Flemyng, Richard Roxburgh, Max Ryan

One of the first in a wave of Alan Moore comics to go to the movies, this one's not the best of the bunch.  It's not awful, but it does get a bit campy at times.  Ooh.... all these characters from fiction fight crime together!

But honestly, why is Tom Sawyer fighting crime?

United by Connery's Alan Quartermaine, the troupe is formidable... but also a bit twisted.  Deception and betrayal runs amok and soon, it all falls apart.

As adventure movies go, there's much that's pleasing to the eye and much to rev up that adrenaline level.  As plots go.... meh.  Connery's the best thing about this one, if you ask me.

Movie #379 - First Knight

First Knight
1995 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 14 min
Director: Jerry Zucker
Starring: Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond, Ben Cross, Liam Cunningham

Another post deleted by Blogger.  Here we go again...

Yay for gritty retellings of the King Arthur legend, with much less fantastical fairytale and a lot more of the actual climate of the time period. I especially like the shattered illusion that Arthur and Gueniviere were this perfect, handsome couple. He's older than her, their marriage is negotiated like a contract, she's in love with someone else.  It's very accurate for the time and it gives a realness to the story that I think most other tellings miss out on. 

Of course, my favorite scene is the "discovery" and Sean Connery's brilliant performance.  The heartache captured in his expression has always rung true to me and has stuck with me throughout the years since my first viewing. It's powerful and beautiful.... and now I'm gushing again.

Anyway, I love this one for its anti-romance romance :)

Movie #310 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
1989 - Rated PG - 2 hr 7 min
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davies, River Phoenix

Raise your hand if this is your favorite Indiana Jones movie.  That's what I thought.

All around, this has the most engaging plot, the best cast (sorry, Karen Allen) and the coolest "prize."  Especially considering the awesome, ancient knight that's guarding it.  Yes, the Nazis are back, but this time Indiana's dad is involved. And his dad is Sean Connery, so it's pretty rad.

Maybe it's because I came into the series late, once all three were already made that I like this best.  I'm sure some of those who watched each come out on its own have differing opinions. I know others who prefer Raiders. Still, Crusade has lots of great lines, some great comedic moments, and the iconic "No ticket" line (which I already mentioned in my review of Air Force One.)

If you like adventure and haven't seen these movies, first of all, what's wrong with you?  Second of all, put them in your Netflix queue already.  Enjoy.

Movie #267 - Highlander

Highlander
1986 - Rated R - 1 hr 56 min
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Starring: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, Roxanne Hart

I have to admit something embarassing.  I had never seen this movie before.  I knew it was about a Scottish Highlander, but then I saw the picture to the right here --->

and I got confused.

Now, I've seen it.  I feel like I've received admission to a special club or something.  And I gotta tell you, this movie is pretty frickin' cool.  We don't own any of the rest of them -- or the TV show, which my husband swears is even better -- but I want to watch them now.  I'm glad they don't explain the whole Immortals thing - where they come from, why, and why the heck they're duking it out.  But the idea of a battle royale as old as mankind is pretty cool.  Maybe we'll pick up the other ones one of these days.

Movie #185 - Entrapment

Entrapment
1999 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 53 min
Director: Joan Amiel
Starring: Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ving Rhames

Once again, I'm falling behind on posts, so I'm going as quick as I can here, folks.  Believe it or not, I'm quicker at watching them than I am at reviewing them.

Sometimes I just don't have much to say... like with this movie.  It is what it is. Complicated series of heists, an odd partnership between two mismatched thieves, and the story of how this relationship develops.  Connery and Zeta-Jones are both good, but it's neither of their best works.  It does, however, explain her attraction to old men (and subsequent marriage to Michael Douglas), but whatever.  And Ving Rhames looks really young in this. I almost didn't recognize him at first.

Basically, this movie exists for two things: the fun heist sequences where Zeta-Jones winds around invisible laser beams and the twist with a twist ending.  Wait... who's on who's side? That part's the most fun of the entire movie.  But then it's over. Tada!