Léon: The Professional — A Review

1st August, 2021.

Right … as it says in the introductory video … ?

It’s a Sunday night.

Although you’re not reading this on the Sunday night that I’ve started writing this.

And it’s a Sunday night where I’ve done something I’ve not seen in a while.

I’ve started a post I’m going to finish the next day: a post about a movie that I last saw many years ago, and felt I should see again.

Yep: you’re right … 

I saw Léon: The Professional.

And going to carry on telling you about it, tomorrow …

~≈Á≈~

The Daily Teaser — 21-3-2015

Oh, well, now … 

I have — wait for it — a new phone … 

… … 

OK, that’s not so much of a big announcement, now is it?

That it isn’t … !

But I’m rather pleased I’ve gotten hold of one.

For starters?   For starters, it now means I can tweet on the go.   Which was the point of the exercise, frankly.

Another thing?   While I’ve not managed to pick up an iPhone — not on my money! — I have managed to pick up a cheap an cheerful Android phone: complete with all the difficulties in syncing to a Mac that implies.

I could well have got one that’s cheaper.

But it would’ve been a Windows phone.   Me being me … ?

I’d rather not, thank you … !

~≈†≈~

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes: Nice … !

27th November, 2014.

You know, I have to thank my Aunty Bella, again, at some point.

No, really.

A while ago, now, she sent me a few quid.   Enough to buy myself an Apple TV.   The little Apple made set-top media box let’s me stream my media content from a computer with iTunes over to whatever TV it’s plugged into.

It’s also let’s me listen to quite a few internet radio stations.   I’ve got one playing now, in fact: Le Chic Day ’n’ Nite, I should add.

No, I’m not that much of a clubber.

But it’s nice to listen to, when I write late night.

And got a bit more oomph to it than some of the Ambient stations on there.

~≈®≈~

The Dark Knight Rises: Hmmm …

3/12/2012.

You know, I’ll happily confess, I’ve started this post with the date: as I’m intent on STARTING this particular post at something of a late hour on a Monday night.

With, frankly, the intention of finishing it off, tomorrow.

And with the EXTRA intention … of something else that’s ACTUALLY slipped my mind, at this point.

Oh, Yes!

The intention of making sure I’d tell you of how impressed I was — comparatively — with a film I’ve rented from iTunes, tonight.

Frankly … ?   I’m willing to bet you’ve had a good guess at what the film actually is.

The 2012 film that is the Christopher directed The Dark Knight Rises.

I’m possibly impressed with this … 

~~~~~

4/12/2012.

And please note I say possibly.   But let me try and explain the film to you.

Set some eight years after The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises opens with a charity event run by the Wayne Foundation: one that the man himself doesn’t attend, as he’s been in seclusion for quite some time.

After both the death of Harvey Dent, AND pulling out of a Wayne Enterprises deal into clean fusion energy, on learning the reactor could’ve been used as a weapon.

That changes.

As a valuable necklace is stolen from a safe owned by Bruce … by a cat burglar called Selina Kyle.

A cat burglar who then sells Bruce’s lifted fingerprints to a Wayne business rival, called John Dagget: a rival who’s hired the terrorist, Bane, to do a lot of dirty work for him.

~~~~~

Hmmm … 

Which is actually simplifying the plot by quite a hell of a lot … 

The Dark Knight Rises is a rich piece of work: possibly too rich for me, although it is a beautifully made piece of work.   Frankly, I think Nolan and co are incapable of making a bad Batman movie.

Personally, though … ?

Personally, I have to admit, I found this a stunner, but not as much of a stunner as The Dark Knight, although that could be just well be Heath Ledger’s death leaving its mark.

Whatever … 

I’ll leaves you seeing stars …

The Dark Knight Rises   

★★★☆

The Daily Teaser - 27-2-2012

There we go …

I’m thinking it’s officially official.

I can persuade Jude to go to sleep!

OK, granted, he’d just had some milk, and watched a whole episode of In The Night Garden.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, let’s … !

‹‹•››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with bagging 5 out of 6, ALSO showing us a clip of the ’67 original version of Casino Royale, AND wishing Gary Oldman well at the Oscars*.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 27th February, 1900, saw the founding of the British Labour party: who’s the current party leader … ?

Q2) 27th February, 2007, saw which stock market drop by 9%: the Shanghai, the FTSE 100, or the Dow Jones?

Q3) 27th February, 1940, saw Martin Kamen and Sam Reuben discover which radioactive isotope … ?

Q4) More to the point, that isotope is used for which well known test … ?

Q5) 27th February, 1973, saw members of the American Indian Movement occupy which small town?

Q6) 27th February, 1963, saw Antoine Argoud charged over an assassination attempt: on whom … ?

Q7) And finally … 27th February, 1844, saw the Dominican Republic gain its independence … from where … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th February, 1946, saw the first of many ghost rocket sightings:in which European country … ?

A1) Finland.

Q2) 26th February, 1815, saw who escape from prison?

A2) Napoleon Bonaparte.

Q3) More to the point, where was that prison … ?

A3) Elba.

Q4) 26th February, 747 BCE, was the start of the reign of King Nabonassar … of where … ?

A4) Babylon.

Q5) 26th February, 1829, saw the birth of Jeans designer, Levi Strauss:name either of the European towns that jeans take their name from.

A5) Nîmes, in France and Genoa, in Italy: the two towns were sources for the fabric.

Q6) And finally … 26th February, 1936, saw an attempted military coup take place in which country … ?

A6) Japan.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with a tune from birthday girl — and former TLC member — Chilli.

Oh … And this clip about Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy …

Oh, and here’s Jude, having a swinging good time …

* He lost it, Debbi: in the general stampede towards ‘The Artist’. Which I’m told is a fantastic film, and is also the first silent movieº to win since 1929. All well and good, but I’m personally thinking Gary Oldmanª — and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy — has been done over like a kipper … !

º There’s been a joke doing the rounds about the film for a while. “I’ve been had, I got a really bad pirate copy of The Artist: black and white, and the sound had gone!”

ª That’s actually the first time I’ve heard Gary Oldman speak. Usually, when I’ve seen him in a film, it’s someone else’s voice doing the talking …

Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy: Blood … Guts … And Spymastery …

Phew …

Now THERE’s a how-de-do …

Or at least, there WILL have been a how-de-do: when I finish this post off in the morning.

Suffice to say, I’ve just come back — FAIRLY late — from Basildon, where I’ve been to see Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

And I’m thinking I’ve certainly seen something …

Interesting …

»»»·«««

22/10/2011: 15:53

Yes, definitely very interesting …

You see, last night saw me, my mum — would you believe — and a couple of old family friends, heading off to Basildon to catch Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Directed by Tomas Alfredson — of Let The Right One In fame — and based on the John Le Carré novel of the same name, and set in the early 1970s, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy follows the activities of semi-retired MI6 officer, George Smiley*, as he’s recalled to Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, to help dig up the mole that seems to have worked it’s way into the service.

A mole that seems only to have come to light after an operation in Hungary goes badly wrong: and sees the (apparent) killing of officer Jim Prideauxº and another — Ricky Tarrª — seemingly defecting.

And a mole that seems to possibly one of at least five different people …

»»»·«««

Now …

Here’s the question you’d probably be asking me if you were sitting next to me, right at the moment.

“Paul … ? Is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy any good?”

And I’ve got to admit, I‘d have to stare thoughtfully at the wall^, frown slightly, and say “Hmmm … ”

I do know that — off bat — Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy isn’t: it isn’t a James Bond style spy thriller, so don’t buy a ticket for it, expecting to see one‡.

I do know it’s a very dry, psychological thriller, that focuses very much — as Le Carré himself has said — on the isolation and frustrations suffered by those in the spy trade.

And something that I personally feel that both the book and the original TV series do a lot better: after all, they after a lot more time to tell the same story in.

As to good … ?

Hmmm …

As you’ve probably already worked out, the posters are calling it a masterpiece. I’m not too sure I’d go that far, frankly.

While I think it’s a competently made film, with an incredible performance by Oldman™ as George Smiley, I think the very complexity of the story does hinder it.

So good … ?

Good, I couldn’t tell you, I really couldn’t.

I will leave you with both the trailer … and stars …

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

★★★☆

* Played by Gary Oldman, in this interpretation of the novel, but famously by Alec Guinness in the 1979 BBC television version.

º Mark Strong in the film, and Ian Bannen in the series.

ª The movie version’s played by Tom Hardy: possibly the only person I’ve seen outdo Hywel Bennett, who played the character in the original series.

^ Which need repainting, I think …

‡ Actually, talking of tickets, there’s something of a story to tell, there. Last night, as we were watching Tinker, Tailor, it was stopped, about ten minutes into the film. Just when Gary Oldman’s having a swim in the Serpentine. Seemingly, somebody complained about the quality of the film stock. I can’t say I could complain, frankly: personally, I believed that the graininess — that I’d subconsciously ignored, until it was pointed out — was a deliberate addition, to enhance the retro 1970s feel of the movie. I’m not moaning too much, as we all got a free ticket. But the people who were complaining … ? Did seem to be complaining a little too much to the manageress who’d given them free tickets, AND refunded their money.

™ I’m thinking here, that some of Gary Oldman’s performances — or, at least, the ones I’ve seen, over the years — have deserved assorted gongs: his performance as Jim Gordon in the Batman movies, and as the villain in Leon, in particular. His performance as George Smiley … ? I don’t know if it’s worth an Oscar … But, much like Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight, I think it’s certainly worth a nomination†.

† There’s something else, as well. Oldman always seems to hang his performances in a given part on the voice: his interpretation of Dracula being a good example. As Smiley … ? As Smiley, Oldman’s turned in a work of very subtle genius. I don’t think I’ve heard an Received Pronunciation accent like the one he uses in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy for some twenty or so years.

The Fifth Element: Blood, Guts, and Art Deco Decoration …

That was fun … !!

No, seriously … !

That was fun … !

Hmmm …

That’s a lot of exclamation marks, isn’t it … ?

Just a touch … !

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, I think I should, shouldn’t I … ?

At any rate, you’re probably aware by now that — usually on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but occasionally on other days, as well — I’ll have some friends over to catch a film.

Which is something that happened, last night.

Bless ’em, I had both Kevin D and his wife, Tootles Sarah over.

And the film we were watching … ?

Was something Kevin was keen to share: the Franco-US funded, Luc Besson directed, The Fifth Element.

And I’ve got to admit, I’m thinking The Fifth Element isn’t exactly serious hard core sci-fi.

But I don’t think it’s supposed to be.

Let me explain, if I can …

»»·««

Léon: Or, 101 Things to Do With A Potted Plant … !

You know, just every so often — just every-so often, mind — when the Saturday night Movie Gang gets together, we talk about films.

Well, obviously: it’d be pointless calling it it a movie night, otherwise, now, wouldn’t it?

And when Allison, Kevin D, Sarah, Dr Kevin, Movie-Night Adrian and I all get together to natter about what we’re gonna watch of a Saturday night, I always think we’ll be going in one direction.

Which turns out not be where we end up heading.

If that makes sense?

To give you an example, I know I, Kevin D, and Adrian, wouldn’t’ve have minded catching the Duncan Jones directed Moon, tonight.

However, blessing her little purple hairdo, Sarah managed to totter along with a copy of the 1994, Luc Besson directed film, Léon.

A film I definitely think — as did the rest of the gang — is worth catching.

So did Sarah, actually: it was the copy she bought, online, last week, whilst her and Kevin were here.

Which is telling you something for starters: somebody thinks Léon is worth spending money on.

Oh, my word, isn’t it just?

It’s a film that is emotionally very strange …

Strange and riveting to watch: Léon starts by showing us Jean Renoir playing the eponymous Italian hit-man, doing a little job for his boss, Tony, played by Tony Aiello.

And, when he gets home from that, witness the murder of his next door neighbours, by corrupt DEA officer, Stansfield.

All credit to Gary Oldman, there, the guy is seriously underrated!

But here’s the thing, though.

Oldman’s character misses a member of the family: the youngest daughter, Matilda, played by Natalie Portman.

And, my word, it’s hard to belief she did Léon when she was 12, and then ended up in the Star Wars prequels, it really is!

Now, I’ll not go into to many details, here.

Sufficient to say that Leon is an incredibly rich film, with more undertones than you can shake a tree at.

Exactly what is the exact relationship between Léon and Matilda? (I had heard all sorts of stuff about the original French novel that this is based on.)

How much of an examination of things like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is it? (Or possibly even psychosis: I know both Dr Kevin mentioned something that Allison agreed with: that Léon’s inability to feel seemed to help with his profession as a hit-man, and that meeting Matilda definitely affected him and his job performance.)

Is Luc Besson trying to give us more insight to character’s like Léon? (Or Victor, the Cleaner, played by Jean Reno in the Luc Besson directed original version of La Femme, Nikita. Tell me there isn’t a theme, there … )

Who knows.

But I do know one thing.

Léon will definitely catch you attention.

A quiet knight in: The Dark Knight — A Review

Saturday nights can be quiet, if your on a budget. But that doesn’t have to be a problem, with a branch of Blockbusters nearby …

Oh, and company. Company’s good, as well. It‘s just a shame we couldn’t head over to another friend’s place, but I was semi-expecting more people to turn up.

That’s countered, though, if you’ve got good company, and if you’ve managed to get your hands on a reasonably good movie: as it turns out, The Dark Knight is definitely a good movie.

I know it’s had a lot of hype —it’s hard not to be cynical and not define the death of one of the leading actors as a tragic, but very convenient, free advert— but Dark Knight deserves at least some of the positive comments I’ve seen in the media about it.

It’s beautifully shot, tightly scripted and nicely directed by Christopher Nolan. The actors give an all round great job, and I think I’ll put in a good word here, for three people.

I was very impressed by the late Heath Ledger, as the Joker.

Usually, I’m rather fond of Jack Nicholson: and his cut of the Joker has stuck in my mind for years, as being a standard to aim at. Admittedly, a comic book Byron to aim for, but none the less, the standard to aim for.

As Adrian and Paul both agreed, last night, Heath did a very good psychopath. I don’t know if he’d read Alan Moore’s “The Kiling Joke”, but I certainly felt that his interpretation had hints of it, but that could well be the scripting. I don’t know if he’ll get a posthumous Oscar for the role, but it’d be a strange universe if he didn’t get a posthumous Oscar nomination for it.*

Another standout, for me, was Aaron Eckhart, as Harvey Dent. Two Face, in other words, long a recurring villain in the comics themselves. And wonderfully portrayed, in this film, as a tragic figure, rather than the very cartoony villain played by Tommy Lee Jones, back in the day.

It must have been hard to keep up with the Heath Ledger post-mortem hype, but I feel that Aaron Eckhart, and Gary Oldman as Commissioner Jim Gordonº, both did.

I’m just hoping Paul and myself can persuade Adrian to not grow a ’tache — that would just be strange …

* I’ll be honest, I don’t know if I care for the idea of a posthumous Oscar, however deserving … but a posthumous Oscar nomination, now …

º I’m also going to mention Michæl Caine, as Alfred: rivetting stuff, but this is Michæl Caine we’re talking about.