The Last 10 Movies – November 2024 Edition 

Well, that was quick. TEN movies already... That might (partially) explain why my book review pile is at rock bottom. I have been trying to watch the James Bond films that dropped recently on Prime, but it looks like a bunch of them are going soon. Presumably they’ll be back at some point so I can continue. As previously I’ve also been dipping into OLD SF movies to feed a small bit of my ongoing desire to launch back into Sci-Fi reading. Hopefully that’ll be happening a bit more NEXT year. Anyway – MOVIES: 

Stargate: The Ark of Truth (2008) 

One of the movies used to finish the run of the TV series. I’d seen parts of it before on YouTube and wasn’t overly impressed overall. One more movie to come (I think). 

Dr No (1962) 

The first Bond film (although not the first book) with Sean Connery [my 2nd fave Bond I think]. Set the tone for all subsequent films with womanising secret agent beating back the forces of chaos with fists, guns and quips. Reasonable. 

Dark Star (1974) 

This definitely had the feel of a student project – except the student was John Carpenter. Based around a spaceship crew tasked with destroying rogue planets who have been away from civilisation for FAR too long and are seriously in need of relief. Had a real Vietnam war vibe. STRANGE but fun in places. 

From Russia With Love (1963) 

The second Bond film. This time (mostly) based in Turkey and on a train. Involved rather a convoluted plot to kill Bond. Some nice set pieces. Reasonable. 

Total Recall (1990) 

One of my favourite Arnie flics of the period. This stands up quite well despite its age. Being a PK Dick story it's both weird and philosophically interesting. Is it real or is it Memorex? Oh, and Rachel Ticotin really reminded me of my Uni ‘girlfriend’ - it was probably the hairdo... 

Goldfinger (1964) 

The third Bond film and, I think, one of the best of the early ones. A decently tight plot with some good ideas. Plus, it had the laser scene and the classic line ‘No, I expect you to die...’. 

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) 

Arguably the best of the Terminator franchise with Arnie sent back in time to PROTECT John Connor this time whilst fighting off the liquid alloy upgrade. Some very nice set-pieces and LOTS of fun explosions. 

Thunderball (1965) 

The fourth Bond film based around the theft of a British nuclear bomber (complete with two nukes). A slow start but reasonable once it got going. It did make me realise just how many women tend to DIE around Bond though... 

Dark Angel (1990) - AKA ‘I Come In Peace’. 

Cop buddy film with Dolph Lundgren hunting down an alien drug-dealer on the streets of Houston. I’d actually forgotten just how BAD this movie was. Terrible acting and very silly plot.  

The Secret Life of Pets (2016) 

By the numbers animation about a group of pets from an apartment block who go on a quest to rescue two of their friends. Some nice/funny moments but uninspired overall.