The Lucid Nightmare: Mie Hama

Friday, May 13, 2016

Monday, March 21, 2016

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

BOND 5: You Only Live Twice

You Only Live Twice
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Year 1967

You Only Live Twice is another fantastic entry in the ever expanding James Bond series, which once again features the further adventures of Sean Connery in the iconic role of 007. Abundantly tongue and cheek and extremely entertaining, the film features a plethora of traditional Bond gadgets and exploits as the familiar trappings descend upon the unfamiliar setting of Japan. Entirely centralized on its Asian surroundings and aesthetics, You Only Live Twice delights in its exotic locales, interesting characters, and stylized espionage antics. As Bond films go, this fifth entry of the series is a hell of a lot of fun.

The film begins with a space hijacking when a U.S. space shuttle is overtaken by a mysterious spacecraft during a routine mission. With the ship and crew gone without a trace, MI6 assigns super secret agent James Bond to the case. After faking his own death, Bond follows the traces of the unknown spaceship to the Sea of Japan, where he goes undercover as a Japanese man in order to infiltrate an illusive organization that seems to be behind this nefarious plot. Paired up with a beautiful woman named Kissy and lost in an unfamiliar land, the two dive headlong into an intriguing mystery where life and death hang in the balance.

Sean Connery once again takes on the role of James Bond, marking his fifth go at the iconic character. By this point there is no question that Connery is Bond, as he simply embodies the character to perfection. His mannerisms and sarcastic quips are embedded into the fabric of this fictionalized character and Connery just seems to effortlessly bring the agent to life. In this particular instance, Connery is handed the tricky role of disguising as an Asian man, and even though the sheer concept and execution of this is ridiculous in all senses of the word, he still manages to make it entertaining in that silly and over the top sort of way. Possibly a tad too strange for the Bond series, the unusual character switch is ultimately hypnotic as you're not quite sure where else the film will dare to go. In all its absurdity, Connery is still able to make the role of James Bond shine like never before, maintaining that same sense of awe and allure over the ever enduring secret agent.

Mie Hama plays the role of Kissy, Bond's Asian aid and love interest. Hama is astoundingly cute and extremely watchable as the aptly named character, exuding a rather impressive presence in one of her first English speaking break out performances. Having plaid a similar role in two other spy-centric films Key of Keys and Ironfinger, Hama is a natural as Kissy and she just simply gels with the genre. With her beautiful looks and hypnotic screen presence, she makes for a perfect addition to the ever impressive line up of Bond girls. Another one of my favorite spy actresses is Karin Dor, and she makes a brief but memorable appearance as Helga Brandt, a kinky villainess who proves to be a thorn in the side of Bond in more ways then one. Strikingly beautiful, Karin is a vision, and she gives another layer of enjoyment to this already enjoyable Bond entry. As for the main villain of the piece, Donald Pleasence takes on the task as Blofeld, the leader of the illusive organization known as SPECTRE. An iconic character actor in his own right, Pleasence simply nails the role bringing that demented and wholly realized persona that only he can bring to the table. Cold and collective, Pleasence brings another element into the mix which solidifies You Only Live Twice as pure unadulterated and enjoyable entertainment.

As usual for a Bond entry, You Only Live Twice has a fantastic array of beautiful locations and picturesque vistas which perfectly capture the exotic atmosphere which has made the Bond franchise the phenom that it is today. Basking in all the visual wonders that Japan can muster, the film relies heavily on the potent vistas that this extremely breathtaking country has to offer, spending a great deal of effort focusing on the culture shock and diverse differences between Eastern and Western cultures. From sumo wrestling matches, to neon cityscapes, to expansive rolling hills, to pristine coastal shores, the film soaks up all the visuals it can handle as we are swept away in this most awesome of adventures.

The exploits of James Bond are as intriguing as the visual delights of the production. Armed with an assortment of gadgets and uncanny abilities, Bond bursts onto the scene in a series of memorable movie moments that will just tickle that espionage itch. One of the high points of the film is the compact helicopter named Little Nellie. One of Bond's outstanding little nifty gadgets, this interesting aerial vehicle is one for the record books and the film gives a great movie moment as it shows Bond scouring the country side, high above the scattered islands along Japan's coast, as he searches for the hidden SPECTRE lair. It's a truly beautifully shot sequence and one that is exceptionally satisfying. Another wonderful aspect of the film is the various locations and sets that the production throws our way. One in particular is the volcanic lair of SPECTRE and Blofeld. The volcano base is extremely outstanding in its sheer grandeur and presence and makes for the perfect location for the final battle which simply closes the film in the most explosive of ways. All in all this Bond entry is one that surely satisfies while proudly maintaining the quality that Bond films are known for.

You Only Live Twice is a ridiculously fun entry in the series, marking the first time that the Bond films embarked in Eastern territory and cultures. Saturated in the customs and visuals of the land, this fifth entry beautifully presents an eye opening experience that surely reflects the grandeur of the series as a whole while never straying from the traditional aspects of the genre.

Filled with wonderfully animated characters and equally energetic set pieces, the film surges with outstanding moments which perfectly match up against the iconic wonder that is Bond. Connery gives his usual outstanding performance, while newcomer Mie Hama does a wonderful job as the beautiful Kissy, an excellent addition to the cast of Bond girls. Donald Pleasence makes for a respectable Blofeld as he gives that off kilter personality to the super villain which only he can generate. Amassed in an array of visual delights and expertly crafted sequences, You Only Live Twice is an extremely enjoyable ride. One that captures the magic of Bond and takes it to another level. This entry.....

Looks like someone had a little accident.

Sean Connery.... Man about town.

Well hello there.

Keep your eyes on the road assholes!

Who wants the first can of whoop ass?

Something kinky is going down.

How would you like to tune in to Tokyo James?

Dear diary.... James Bond is awesome.

Weeeee!

Bang, Bang Sean! Bang, Bang!

You mind paying attention and flying the plane you crazy bitch.

Is this your card?

I think he gets the point.

What the hell happened to your pants?!?!?!

Get off that ceiling you weirdo!

Mr. Wiskers doesn't like you.

It's raining men! Hallelujah it's raining men!

So you aren't going to put out? Get out of my raft!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

i SPY ASIASPY: Ironfinger

Ironfinger
Director: Jun Fukuda
Year 1965

Ironfinger, AKA 100 Shot 100 Killed, is a fantastic Asiaspy entry that showcases all the fun things that make the Bond formula of spy flicks so entertaining while adding a bit of silliness to the proceedings that knock you for a loop. With a tongue-in-cheek attitude that graces every frame of this wildly stunning film, the proof is in the pudding that Toho productions could produce some insanely enjoyable features outside of the kaiju and sci-fi/horror realms. Ironfinger is a whimsical take on the James Bond aesthetic and you really can’t go wrong with this immensely fun outing and its cast of energetic characters.

The film follows an intriguing vacationer named Andrew Hoshino, who crosses paths and identities with a recently murdered Interpol agent and unexpectedly gets caught up in an espionage filled adventure that takes him through the crime ridden streets of Tokyo to the sandy covered beaches of the Philippines. Once Andrew takes on the mission, he finds himself pitted against two rival gangs who are vying for a shipment of firearms that an infamous arms dealer possesses, while at the same time dealing with a mysterious and beautiful explosives expert named Sawada Yumi, a goofy and comical police chief named Tezuka, and a cruel professional killer named Komori who loves to dowse his victims in a thick spray of acid. With action at every turn and danger around every bend, Andrew comes to find that being an Interpol agent is both perilous, but a whole hell of a lot of fun.

Akira Takarada plays the role of Andrew Hoshino, the ambiguous character that isn’t what he seems. The beautiful thing about this role is that you’re never really sure if Andrew is just a strange vacationer swept up in all of these espionage antics, or if he truly is an Interpol agent assigned to take down the bad guys. The uncertainty of the role is quite special and the fact that Andrew is so efficient at killing and escaping insurmountable odds leans heavily on him being an agent, but because of his wild portrayal of the character and his odd behavior, you really can’t peg him down on either side of the fence. Akira does a wonderful job with the role and his style and attitude is what makes the film so enjoyable to watch. His charisma shines in this movie and the playful way in which he showcases all of his agent character’s skill and panache is ridiculously hypnotic. If there is one thing that just works perfectly in this film and encapsulates the overall attitude and energy of the production, it would be Akira’s mesmerizing performance.

Filling up the rest of the cast is Mie Hama as the stunning explosives expert Sawada Yumi, whose allegiance is always hazy with intentions that hover mysteriously over the film. Mie looks amazing in this film and you can tell why she was chosen as a Bond girl a few years later for the entry You Only Live Twice. She has that femme fatale look and feel down to a science and she electrifies the frame whenever she comes onto the screen. She does an amazing job in this film and I only wish that I could hunt down her performance in Key of Keys, the original film that was created from Woody Allen’s dubbed masterpiece What’s Up, Tiger Lily?. Another memorable role in Ironfinger is performed by Ichiro Arishima as the bumbling chief of police, Detective Tezuka. He brings a great deal of physical comedy to the film that meshes exceptionally well with Akira Takarada’s more subtle comedically timed quips and overall smooth delivery. Another standout, yet painfully underused role, is Akihiko Hirata’s take on the professional killer Komori. Cruel to the last and specializing in using acid as his signature murder weapon, Akihiko does a great job in delivering a character that would fit right in with the long line of interesting Bond villains. It’s just too bad that he wasn’t used more intricately within the story.

I mentioned it earlier, but I can’t stress it enough, this film is loads of fun. From the ambiguous nature of the character of Andrew Hoshino, to the fast-paced and comical moments of the film, to the stylish look of the end product, Ironfinger is a cinematic gem that is as equally entertaining as it is enthralling. Without a doubt the movie delivers on all that you would expect from the trailer and the fun of it all is seeing it all play out. From double-crossings, impressive stunts, and hilarious character interactions, the film has it all. As a film from beginning to end, the atmosphere is energetic and quirky, providing a stage where wacky situations occur a mile a minute and do so with great aplomb.

Most of these crazy situations can be attributed to the cast of accomplished actors who really thrive with the eccentricities of their characters. As previously stated, Akira Takarada as Andrew Hoshino is wonderful and his cool and laid back style is hypnotizing to watch. There is a memorable scene during the closing moments of the film that has him gunning down a villain in a very interesting way. Instead of just blowing the guy away, Andrew decides to give the man a sporting chance by throwing a gun out onto the beach and allowing the doomed man a heads start. He agrees to not fire until the man has the gun in his possession and the build-up to this moment is exceptionally crafted, as this life or death situation takes place across this beautiful and idyllic location amidst the Philippines’ gorgeous coastline. Director Jun Fukuda captures the breathtaking splendor of the landscape and juxtaposes this against a rather brutal and savage execution, resulting in one of the most iconic moments of the film and a perfect end to a fantastically pleasurable movie.

Ironfinger encapsulates everything that I love in the genre of 60’s spy cinema and that’s sly wit, ridiculous action, diverse characters, and memorable moments. The movie is packed to the gills with these elements and it’s showcased in such a visually pleasing manor that you’d be hard-pressed in not finding a good time in this flick. With its tendency towards the bizarre and the over the top nature of its cinematic world, Ironfinger has no trouble keeping the attention of the audience glued to the screen.

It also doesn’t hurt that the film has a cast that fits perfectly within the confines of the story as they jump out to entertain us at every turn. Akira Takarada, Mie Hama, and Ichiro Arishima do a wonderful job in melding with this wacky world that director Jun Fukuda has set up and their interactions between each other are priceless in their deliveries. Akira Takarada especially runs with the role of Andrew Hoshino and gives a performance that is simply madcap crazy and enjoyable to the last. Of the number of Asiaspy films that I’ve come across, Ironfinger is definitely the best of the bunch and if you’re looking for a staple of the genre, then I suggest you hunt down this little known gem. It’s absolutely amazing! Ironfinger is…..