Back in the early days of the James Bond movies, the criminal organization Spectre was the major nemesis of the British Secret Service. It has not appeared in a Bond movie since 1971’s Diamonds are Forever (except for the “unofficial” 1983 Bond movie Never Say Never Again), mainly due to a copyright dispute that had to do with 1965’s Thunderball (and its remake, the aforementioned Never Say Never Again).
And although 1981’s For Your Eyes Only had an opening sequence that featured a character that looked like Blofeld, the leader of Spectre, he was never referred to by name. Now, 44 years later, Spectre is back and is the title of the 24th Bond outing.
Daniel Craig is back as Britain’s most famous spy who receives a cryptic message from the past that sends him on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organization known as Spectre.
There is a lot of interesting trivia coming out of this outing, but what is most fascinating is how, after four films, Bond is really starting to look like the best of the early movies mixing with what has made the modern movies popular and exciting.
Blue Sky Studios, the creators of Ice Age and Rio, is helping celebrating the 65th anniversary of Charles Schulz’s classic comic strip by making The Peanuts Movie. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the gang appeared on the big screen for the first time in 1969’s A Boy Named Charlie Brown but now a new generation gets to see them like never before—in glorious computer generated 3D.
This is the first big-screen appearance of The Peanuts since 1980’s Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown and Schulz’s death in 2000. And although the family decided not to create any new comic strips after that, the movie’s story was developed by his son Craig Schulz and grandson Bryan Schulz. The story revolves around the world’s most beloved underdog, Charlie Brown, embarking on an epic and heroic quest while his best pal, the loveable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-enemy, the Red Baron.
While it would be impossible to have the original voices of the Peanuts gang, the filmmakers have been able to re-use old recordings of the late Bill Melendez, who was the one and only voice of Snoopy and Woodstock.
Walt Disney’s ambitious masterpiece Fantasia is celebrating its 75th anniversary and fans get a chance to see it again this weekend. Featuring an exclusive introduction and performance by The Philadelphia Orchestra, it’s on screen for one show only at Landmark Cinemas Grand 10 on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 12:55 p.m.
And finally, on Remembrance Day, Elevation Pictures and Landmark Cinemas is giving everyone a chance to see Paul Gross’ Hyena Road for free. On Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m., it will be showing for no charge at the Grand 10 Cinemas, Paramount Theatre and Encore Cinemas.
