Solace

In June 2020, I watched the movie Solace for the first time on DVD. The thriller movie was opened in 2015. The lead is Anthony Hopkins. 

The outline is like this. The FBI gets stuck in the investigation of a serial murderer, then one of the agents visits his former colleague with second sight and asks him to help them. The former FBI agent, John Clancy, played by Anthony Hopkins cooperates with the FBI and joins the investigation, however, it turns out that the true culprit also has second sight, moreover, his capability is better than Clancy's. 

Although I was fascinated by the acting of Hopkins through, yet as a thriller film it was kind of more boring than The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal. Then I felt that it was ironical that Hopkins acted Dr. Lector, a cannibalistic murderer, in the two old movies but he played a FBI agent in the 2015 movie, though I admired him because he remarkably played the FBI agent as well as Dr. Lector. In terms of having psychic powers, Clancy resembled Ted also played by Hopkins in Hearts in Atlantic which I love as well as the two old films, so I appreciated the newer one with deep emotion. 

Abbie Cornish played well as a female FBI agent, though Jodie Foster and Julianne Moore had played a little bit better as Clarice. 

Known that Collin Farrell costarred, I thought of the FBI agent appearing from the beginning as him and I felt that Farrell had gotten old before I knew it, however, the real Farrell appeared in the middle and I realized that the looking old actor was different from him. I think of myself as a foreign movie fan, nevertheless, I sometimes still cannot tell one of white actors from the other.

ブレイン・ゲーム

2020年６月、映画『ブレイン・ゲーム』をDVDにて初観賞。2015年公開のスリラー映画。主演はアンソニー・ホプキンス。 

連続殺人犯を追っていたFBI捜査官が、捜査に行き詰まり、予知能力を持つ、アンソニー・ホプキンス扮する元同僚ジョン・クランシーに助けを求め、協力して犯人を追跡するものの、その凶悪犯は、実は、クランシーよりもより高い能力を備えていた。そんなお話。 

全体を通してアンソニー・ホプキンスの演技には魅せられたが、スリラー映画としては、『羊たちの沈黙』や『ハンニバル』よりも退屈だった。その２作品でレスター博士を演じていたホプキンスが、本作ではFBI 捜査官を演じていたのはなんだか皮肉だなと思いつつ、その演技には全く違和感が無かったので、流石だなとも思った。そして、特殊な能力を持っているという点が『アトランティスのこころ』のテッド役と同じなので、その３作品を好きな私にとっては、少し感慨深い作品であった。 

FBI 女性捜査官を演じたアビー・コーニッシュは、前述の２作品でクラリスを演じていたジョディ・フォスターやジュリアン・ムーアには僅かに及ばないが、良い演技をしていたと思う。 

また、コリン・ファレルが出演していると聞いていたので、冒頭から出ているFBI捜査官を彼だと思い、知らない間に老けたなぁと感じていたのだが、後半からコリン・ファレル本人が出てきて、違う役者さんだった事に気付いた。洋画ファンのつもりなのだが、未だに白人俳優は時折見分けがつかない。 

Little Women #2

I am still enjoying the afterglow of Little Women which I watched at a theater the other day. 

The story describes four sisters in a family who are all charming. 

Watching the movie, I really envied Laurie who had had a close relationship with all the sisters since they were very young. I also wondered why he fell in love with Jo, who was an unruly girl. I know that when a man has fallen in love with a woman, he tends to lose his reason, but, all the same, I felt that it seemed unnatural that Laurie really loved Jo. It might have been because Florence Pugh as Amy was quite charming and attractive. 

Laura Dern seemed to be the right actress for the role of the mother who raised the four sisters. I was impressed with her in it and I had been impressed that she had showed her presence comparable with Carrie Fisher's in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. 

I felt that the aunt played by Meryl Streep was the rightest in the female characters about how to live happily in those days as a woman. Realistically speaking, women have a slim chance of marring their destined soul mates, so it is wiser for them to focus on seeking a wealthy man. I, however, doubt that the aunt was truly happy. 

I felt comfortable with the old gentleman, the owner of a mansion in the neighborhood, who showed platonic consideration for the third daughter, Beth, who loves music, despite the elderly man looking stubborn and strict. I also felt ashamed that I had regarded his generous offer to permit Beth to freely play the piano in the mansion as his plot to come on to her when they are alone because he has his Lolita complex. I was really impressed with the scene where the gentleman was walking down the stairs near the room where Beth was playing the piano, and then he stopped and slowly sit on the stairs to listen to the beautiful tune that she was playing.

Little Women #1

ストーリー・オブ・マイライフ #2

先日劇場観覧した『ストーリー・オブ・マイライフ/わたしの若草物語』の余韻が未だ残っている。 

それぞれが魅力的な、ある４姉妹の物語。 

そんな彼女達と子供の頃からずっと仲良しの隣人、ローリーが、観てて羨ましくて仕方がなかった。それにしても、彼は、なぜ、あのじゃじゃ馬のジョーに一途になったのだろうか。誰かを物凄く好きになる時の気持ちは理屈では説明出来ないものだが、少し不自然に感じた。それは、四女のエイミーを演じていたフローレンス・ピューがとても魅力的だったせいかもしれない。 

４姉妹の母を演じていたのは、『スター・ウォーズ／エピソード８』でキャリー・フィッシャーに負けない存在感を示していたローラ・ダーン。娘達を立派に育て上げた母親役にはうってつけに感じた。 

そして、メリル・ストリープが演じていた姉妹達の叔母は、登場人物の女性の中では、当時の女性として一番正しい考え方をしていたと思う。運命の人と結ばれる確率なんてかなり低いだろうし、だったらまずは経済力という話になる。ただ、彼女が、心から幸せだったかどうかは別の話だが。 

姉妹達の家の隣にある立派な屋敷に住んでいた老紳士の、三女ベスに対するプラトニックな思いは、彼のような頑固そうな爺さんには似つかわしくないが、本当に微笑ましかった。そして、音楽が好きなベスに自分の屋敷のピアノを自由に弾かせてあげる彼の心優しい計らいを、実はロリコンで、二人きりになった時にいきなり襲いかかる魂胆じゃねーだろうな、と邪推していた事を恥じた。ベスがピアノを弾いている部屋の近くの階段を下りていた老紳士の彼が、途中で立ち止まり、そのまま階段に座り込んで彼女の奏でる音楽に聞き入ってしまうシーンは、強く印象に残った。

ストーリー・オブ・マイライフ　#1

Little Women #1

In June 2020, I watched Little Women for the first time at Toho Cinemas Kinshicho Orinas. The drama movie was released in 2019. It was based on the novel with the same title written by Louisa May Alcott and published in 1868. The story is set around in the 1860s in the United States and follows four sisters in a family. 

I had hardly known about the outline of the famous novel, so the story was almost new to me, however, I was really touched by how considerately they are concerned with and treat each other, though some of them sometimes started to argue with each other. When it was finished, I felt so lonely that I did not want to see the end-title credit and I liked to keep watching the heart-warming movie forever. 

The main character is the second daughter, Jo, who is as tough as a man and strives to become a professional writer, though most of the women had to depend on men those days. I was really moved by Jo's heart-felt cry against such a society, and then I was fascinated by the acting of Saoirse Ronan as the unruly girl from start to end. 

Jo often quarrels with the youngest daughter, Amy, who has worldly wisdom and hopes to become not independent but a wife in order to live happily at that time. I believe that many men including me tend to prefer Amy to Jo because she is convenient to us, though I think that governments have difficulty in realizing a gender equality society as long as men like us come to be fond of women like Amy who are convenient to us. I might be thinking too much about it, though. 

I think that Emma Watson is better suited for acting the role of a sensible and righteous woman like a class president and the oldest daughter. She also has the feel which makes me imagine that she will retire from acting in the near future and enter politics. I felt comfortable with how the three little sisters adore Meg played by the English actress. In the sisters' conversations I was the most impressed with this one in which the sickly third daughter, Beth, encouraged Jo to keep on writing when Beth was recuperating in the country and was relaxing with Joe at the beach. I was moved by how considerate the two sisters were to each other. The conversation also reminded me of the scene in Stand by Me where Chris, a brat, played by River Phoenix encouraged his best friend, Gordie, to become a writer in the future.

Little Women #2

ストーリー・オブ・マイライフ #1

2020年６月、『ストーリー・オブ・マイライフ/わたしの若草物語』をTOHOシネマズ錦糸町オリナスにて初観覧。2019年に公開されたドラマ映画。原作は、1868年に発表されたルイーザ・メイ・オルコットの小説『若草物語』。舞台は小説が発表された当時のアメリカ。ある４姉妹の物語。 

その有名な小説の粗筋すらもよく知らずに生きてきた。だから、物語はほぼ初見だったが、その４姉妹の、時に喧嘩もするが、お互いを思いやる姿や行動にとても感動し、終幕の際には名残惜しさの余り寂しさを感じた。いつまでも観ていたかった、心温まる物語。 

主人公は、男勝りで作家志望の次女、ジョー。当時の女性達は、男に頼って生きざるを得なかったが、そんな社会に反発するジョーの心の叫びは、とても胸に響いた。そして、彼女を演じたシアーシャ・ローナンには本当に魅せられた。 

そんなジョーがよく喧嘩をしていたのが末っ子のエイミー。自身の自立よりも花嫁になる事を望んでいる、世渡りが上手い女性。私もそうだが、多くの男性はエイミーの方が好きだと思う。だが、こういう、男にとって都合の良い女がモテるうちは、男女平等社会の実現は難しいだろうなとも思う。考え過ぎかな。 

エマ・ワトソンは、長女や学級委員長といった正義感の強いしっかり者の役に向いていると思う。そして、近い将来引退して政治活動を始めかねない雰囲気を漂わせている。彼女が演じた長女のメグが妹達に慕われている様は、とても微笑ましかった。 

姉妹の仲の良さに関して一番印象に残っているのは、病弱な三女のベスが、彼女の療養に付き添っていたジョーに小説を書き続けることを勧める場面。海辺で二人きりの時だったが、お互いがお互いを思いやる気持ちが本当に素敵だった。また、同時に、古い映画『スタンド・バイ・ミー』の中で親友のゴーディに小説家を目指すよう諭すガキ大将のクリスを演じた、リバー・フェニックスを思い出していた。

ストーリー・オブ・マイライフ　#2

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

In June 2020, I watched the movie Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol for the first time on TV. It is the fourth movie in the Mission Impossible series, which follows Ethan Hunt and his colleagues who are agents for the Impossible Missions Force, also known as the IMF, a division of the CIA. It was released in 2011.

Although the prequel was amazing partly thanks to the wonderful performance of Philip Seymour Hoffman, yet Ghost Protocol was fun more than that and as fun as the six movie Fallout which I watched at a theater two years ago, though I has started to forget about the details of the latest installment.

Hunt's two colleagues, Benji Dunn and William Brandt played by Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner respectively, sometimes humorously played in it, which soothed the feel of the movie which tended to become tense and serious, so I could happily watched it. The English actor is also a comedian and played longer in the sequel than in the prequel. His funny acting seemed to relax Hunt who were always in a serious mood. Renner is also a musician, which might be the reason why he looked kind of easy-going even when he was serious. I did not feel gloomy thanks to them when their team had difficulty in carrying out their mission.

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt was excellent in action as the prequels. Then I felt that he looked more mature in a good way than in the prequel released five years before, moreover, he somewhat had a dignified presence. He was 49 years old at the release. I think that men at the age of around fifty do not need to have a quite ambitious look peculiar to young men.

Paula Patton as Jane Carter, one of Hunt's team members, was exotic and beautiful. She played quite well as a attractive lady, though Rebecca Ferguson looks a little more enchanting.

Ving Rhames appeared toward the end with no mustache. He looked tough with a winsome smile, which made me feel happy.

Ｍ：Ｉ／ゴースト・プロトコル

2020年６月、『ミッション・インポッシブル／ゴースト・プロトコル』をDVDにて初観賞。CIAの極秘諜報部隊IMFのエージェント、イーサン・ハントとその仲間達が活躍する、スパイ・アクション映画シリーズの第４作。2011年公開。

前作は、フィリップ・シーモア・ホフマンの好演もあり、かなり面白かったが、本作はその面白さを超えてきた。そして、２年前に劇場観覧した第６作と、その記憶は少し薄れつつあるが、同じくらい面白く感じた。

まず、イーサン・ハントの仲間、ダンとブラントの二人が、時折、軽妙なやり取りでシリアスになりがちな雰囲気を和ませてくれていたので、楽しく視聴出来た。ダン役のサイモン・ペッグは前作も出演していたが、本作では出演時間も長く、元々英国のコメディアンなだけあって、そのコミカルな演技が、常にシリアスなハントの気分をも和ませているようだった。ブラント役のジェレミー・レナーも、ミュージシャンでもあるからなのか、真面目な顔をしていてもどこか飄々としていて、彼等が劣勢な時も、全く暗い気分にさせてくれなかった。

ハント役のトム・クルーズは、今回も素晴らしいアクションを披露していた。また、前作から５年経ったせいか、さらに良い感じに大人びていて、若干風格も出てきた。公開時49歳。もう若さ故の野心に満ちた顔はしなくてもいい年だと思う。

そして、ハントの仲間のエキゾチックな美女を演じたポーラ・パットン。レベッカ・ファーガソンの妖艶さにはギリ敵わないが、それでも、女の色気を感じる素晴らしい演技だった。

最後に、髭を剃ったヴィング・レイムスが、強面と愛嬌が共存する良い笑顔を見せていて、何だか嬉しくなった。

The Wizard of Oz

In June 2020, I watched the movie The Wizard of Oz for the first time on DVD. The American musical fantasy was released in 1939 and it was done 15 years later in Japan.

It follows a girl named Dorothy who is taken by a tornado into a dreamy land in which she makes three friends and struggles to get back to the real world with them singing and dancing so as to encourage her friends and herself. 

Although I first watched it, yet I felt nostalgia maybe because it was produced more than 80 years ago. All of the music sounded comfortable. The melody of "Over the Rainbow" was especially beautiful and was being played in my head for a while after watching it. As for the picture, the tone was at first sepia and changed to color when Dorothy wandered into the dreamy land as if she went over the rainbow, then it returned to sepia again toward the end. The direction was effective and tasteful.

In March 2020, I watched the movie Judy which describes Judy Garland's later days and in which a girl playing the young Garland was far prettier than the real Judy. Garland must be a typical beauty only in the middle of the twentieth century. Or it might be a matter of my personal preference. She was great at singing and dancing, though. Then I felt that Billie Burke was pretty as Glinda the Good Witch of the North. 

It was said that Garland was driven to chemical oblivion by adults around her so that she could keep her slender figure and continue to be awake at work when she was young. I had known about it from Judy, so I felt complicated when I watched her happily acting the lively Dorothy in the old movie. She passed away at the age of 47. Her early death might be due to the adults. 

However, a person's longevity might depend on their own genes because Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and Elton John, who all used to be drug addicts, are all more than seventy years old and still active as musicians. I believe that how you live matters in the end.

オズの魔法使い

2020年６月、『オズの魔法使い』をDVDにて初観賞。1939年公開のファンタジー・ミュージカル映画。日本公開は1954年。

竜巻に巻き込まれて不思議な世界に迷い込んだ女の子ドロシーが、そこで出会った仲間達と共に、歌や踊りで自分達を鼓舞しながら元の世界に戻ろうと奮闘する物語。

80年以上も前の作品だからか、初観賞なのに懐かしく感じた。全ての楽曲が耳に心地良く、特に、「虹の彼方に」の美しい旋律は、鑑賞後、頭の中でしばらく鳴り響いていた。画面が、セピア色から、あたかも虹の彼方に行けたかのごとく、カラフルになり、そして、最後でまたセピア色に戻る演出もお洒落だった。

主演のジュディ・ガーランドの晩年を描いた映画『ジュディ』を観たのは2020年３月。その作品で若い頃のジュディを演じていた女の子はとても可愛かったが、本作のジュディ本人は、それほど綺麗には見えなかった。20世紀中頃の美人顔なのか、ただ単に私の好みではなかっただけなのか。歌や演技は上手かったと思う。「北の良い魔女」を演じたビリー・バークは綺麗だった。

この作品の頃のジュディは、彼女が細身の体型を維持する為に、そして、長時間働けるように、周りの大人達から薬漬けにされていたらしい。その事を『ジュディ』で知ってしまっていたので、『オズの魔法使い』で楽しそうに演技をしている彼女に対しては複雑な気分にもなった。47才で逝去。その早過ぎる死はその大人達の責任であるかもしれない。

しかし、若い頃ドラッグにハマっていた現在70歳代のキース・リチャーズやポール・マッカートニー、そして、エルトン・ジョンが未だ現役で活動しているのを目にすると、人の寿命はその人の遺伝子で決まるのかな、とも思う。大事なのは、死ぬまでにどう生きるか。

Mission: Impossible III

In June 2020, I watched the movie Mission Impossible III for the first time on TV. It is the third movie in the Mission Impossible series, a spy movie series, which describes the activities of Ethan Hunt and his collogues who are agents for the Impossible Missions Force, also known as the IMF, a division of the CIA. It was released in 2006.

The third movie was fun more than the first one and the second one. The director is J. J. Abrams who directed Star Wars Episode VII and Episode IX which are wonderful for science fiction films.

Philip Seymour Hoffman gave a wonderful performance as a villain who is quiet but horrible. The actor acted quite well with a unique atmosphere. When I watched him for the first time, he costarred with Chris O'Donnell in Scent of a Woman. The young Hoffman played a supporting role but wore a distinctive feel. I tended to mix up him with Jack Black for a period but I was fascinated by his acting as the lame yet lovable big brother in The Savages where Laura Linney costarred with him and played his little sister. He is known for winning the Oscar for Best Actor for Capote. I have not watched the movie yet, so I will watch it someday. Sadly, he passed away in 2014. Then Carrie Fisher left this earth two years later. Her friend John Belushi made his exit long time ago when he was just 33. The three actors all died from drug abuse. What a pathetic end to them! I really regret it because I have really liked the three actors. 

As for the lead, I do not like Tom Cruise so much in the first one and second one but I like him in the third one because he looks really nice. He was 44 years old at the release. The evergreen actor had a mature feel which I was fond of. He was also excellent in action as usual.

Although the James Bonds played by Sean Connery and Roger Moore randomly have sex with hot women, yet Ethan Hunt done by Tom Cruise sleeps with only a women who he has fallen in love with. Of course, I prefer Hunt to Bond, however, thinking twice, Hunt just does the natural thing as a man. The 007 series is complete entertainment. You must not expect something romantic.

ミッション：インポッシブル３

2020年６月、『ミッション：インポッシブル３』をTVにて初観賞。CIAの極秘諜報部隊IMFのエージェント、イーサン・ハントとその仲間達が活躍するスパイ映画シリーズの第３作。2006年公開。

作品としては、第１作および第２作よりも面白かった。監督はＪ・Ｊ・エイブラムス。『スター・ウォーズ』シリーズ第７作と第９作の監督でもあり、２作品ともSF映画の割には面白い。

フィリップ・シーモア・ホフマンが、静かだが恐ろしい悪党を好演していた。独特の雰囲気を持った演技の上手い俳優さん。初めて観たのは、クリス・オドネルと共演していた『セント・オブ・ウーマン』。脇役なのに独特の雰囲気を漂わせていた。しばらくの間、ジャック・ブラックと混同しがちになったが、ローラ・リニーと兄妹を演じた『マイ・ライフ、マイ・ファミリー』での、愛すべきダメ兄貴ぶりには魅せられた。世間的には、彼の代表作はオスカーを獲得した『カポーティ』らしい。まだ未観賞なのでいつか観たい。残念ながら、2014年に他界。キャリー・フィッシャーは2016年に、彼女と友達だったジョン・ベルーシはかなり前に36歳で逝去。御三方ともに死因は薬物乱用。悲しい末路だ。好きだった俳優さんたちだっただけに切ない。

そして、前作までそれほど好きではなかったトム・クルーズ。本作の彼は良い感じだった。公開時44歳。青年でありつつも大人の雰囲気が漂っていて、好感が持てた。そして、今回もアクションはハンパなかった。

ショーン・コネリーやロジャー・ムーアが演じていたジェームズ・ボンドは、手当たり次第に美女と寝ていたが、トム・クルーズが演じるハントは、愛する女性とだけ深い関係になる。ハントの方が好きだが、よくよく考えると、彼は男としてごく当たり前の行動を取っているだけだ。007は純粋な娯楽作品。感動を期待してはいけない。

Hustlers #2

The movie Hustlers was released in 2019 and is inspired on a true story. It follows the two ladies who used to be strippers and start to form a gang with their former colleagues so as to swindle rich men some years after the Lehman shock.

In February 2020, I watched it for the first time at a Toho Cinemas Kinshicho, however, I kind of had difficulties in watching it because my seat was very close to the big screen, though I could fully enjoy myself only at the stage performance of Jennifer Lopez as a stripper toward the beginning. That was overwhelmingly amazing. I was so captivated by her provocative performance that I followed only her when she was on the screen. Then, after watching it, I kind of regretted that I had not paid close attention to another main character, Destiny, so much.

In May, I watched the movie The Big Short on DVD. It describes the confusion over the United States subprime mortgage crisis causing the Lehman shock. It was wonderful and reminded me Hustlers, then I decided to watch the crime drama film again. Most of the theaters in Japan were closed in March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic but they gradually have reopened since June because the pandemic has started to settle, so I luckily could watch it at a theater again.

In June, I went to Cinema Ikspiari, a cinema multiplex, which is located near the Tokyo Disneyland, and easily could take a seat in the back, my usual and favorite position, because the viewers were just a pair of girls and me. I had looked forward to watching the voluptuous J.Lo as a strip dancer again but I could not get fascinated by the stage so much, unlike the last time, maybe because it was second time from the distant seat and because I was very tired after work the previous time. Anyway, I tried to enjoy the whole story and watch another lead closely.

Constance Wu gave a great performance as Destiny who dedicates herself to her grandmother and daughter. The Asian beauty was charming and attractive, moreover, her acting almost made me cry toward the end. On the other hand, the Latin beauty gave a wonderful performance as Ramona, a bitch, after all. I do not know why she was not even nominated to the Academy Award.

As for the crimes they committed, I wrote this in the first preview. "The former strippers lived desperately in their own way and as a result they deviated from social norms. I cannot approve of what they did but I do not want to criticize them." Now, I want to rewrite it like this. Let's make honest money because life is tough for anybody, though it might be difficult for people who have lead extravagant lives. 

ハスラーズ #2

『ハスラーズ』は2019年に公開された、実話を基にしている映画。かつてストリッパーだった２人の女性が、リーマンショック後に、かつての仲間達とチームを組んで、金持ちの男から金をだまし取るお話。

2020年２月に、TOHOシネマズ錦糸町で初観賞。席が前過ぎたため、とても観にくかったが、その分、早めの時間帯のジェニファー・ロペスのストリップ・ショーにはかなり満足出来た。そのショーが圧巻過ぎた為、彼女の虜になり、最後まで彼女が出るシーンは彼女だけを観てしまっていたが。それ故、観賞後、もう一人の主人公デスティニーにあまり注視していなかった事を悔やんだ。

その後、５月にDVDで観た『マネー・ショート』に深く感銘を受けた。そして、その作品が、リーマンショックを引き起こしたサブプライムローン危機前後の混乱を描いていた為、本作を思い出し、再度観たくなった。日本の映画館のほとんどが、３月以降、新型コロナウィルスの影響で休業していたが、６月以降、騒ぎの収束に伴い徐々に再開し始めた。そのため、幸運にも、また映画館で観る事が出来た。

2020年６月、東京ディズニーランドに隣接するシネマイクスピアリにて観覧。観客は、私以外は女の子２人組だけだった。余裕で、日頃からよく好んで座っている後ろの方の座席を確保。観覧前は、グラマラスなジェニファー・ロペスのストリップ・ショーを心待ちにしていたが、いざ観てみると、前回と違って、さほど魅了されなかった。恐らく、後ろの方の席だったし、２回目だった所為だろう。それに、前回は、仕事帰りでかなり疲れていたし。今回は、物語ともう一人の主人公にも注視しながら観賞した。

祖母と娘の為に懸命に生きたデスティニーを演じたコンスタン・ウーは、とても良い演技をしていたと思う。それに、可愛らしくて魅力的で、終盤の彼女の演技には、もう少しで泣かされそうになった。一方、ジェニファー・ロペスは、ラモーナという悪女役を、やはり、本当に素晴らしく演じていた。彼女がなぜアカデミー賞にノミネートされなかったのか理解に苦しむ。

彼女達の犯した罪に関しては、前回のレビューでは、「彼女達は彼女達なりに必死に生きた。そして、それが社会の規範に反していた。だから、賞賛は出来ない。でも、否定する気にもなれない」と書いたが、今回は、こう思っている。人は正当に稼いだお金で生きるべき。人生は誰にでも厳しいのだから。贅沢な生活を経験した方々には難しい事かもしれないけれど。

Mission: Impossible 2

In June 2020, I watched Mission: Impossible 2 for the first time on the television set. The spy action movie was released in 2000.

It follows the activities of Ethan Hunt who is a crack agent for the Impossible Missions Force, also known as the IMF, a division of the CIA. Hunt and his colleagues fight against their enemies over an artificial deadly virus. Coronavirus has had an overwhelming influence in the real world, so I felt complicated a little. I though that it was fun as well as the previous work but it was more stylish.

Although the lead, Tom Cruise, looked more pleasant than the previous one, yet I did not like him so much. I of course thought that he was an excellent actor especially in action. The scenes especially were picturesque when he was driving a high-powered bike.

Anthony Hopkins appeared in it. I expected him to act an important role like Jon Voight in the first movie, however, he acted just in two scenes. I was kind of disappointed at it but I also thought that it was good because Hopkins would have upstaged Cruise if the veteran actor had played longer time. I believe that anything must not shadow the glamour of Tom Cruise in the spy movie series. 

I did not like Hunt's colleague Luther played by Ving Rhames in it because he had a mustache. For the same reason, I do not like watching Paul Newman in Sting and Hervey Keitel in Pulp Fiction and Irishman, though I love both of the actors. Talking about a tiny personal preference goes on forever, though. Moreover, I like a man with a mustache if it looks good on him, like Charles Bronson.

The Heroin, Thandie Newton, was very attractive, however, I did not think that a woman with a baby face like her was not suitable for Tom Cruise's opposite cast. I think that a bewitching lady like Rebecca Ferguson is a match for the handsome actor. 

ミッション：インポッシブル２

2020年６月、『ミッション・インポッシブル２』をTVにて観賞。2000年公開のスパイ・アクション映画。 

CIAの極秘諜報部隊IMFのエージェント、イーサン・ハントとその仲間たちの活躍が描かれている。今回は人工的に開発された殺人ウィルスを巡る攻防戦。現実世界でコロナウィルスに翻弄される日々を送っているので、若干複雑な気分になった。面白さは前作と同じくらいに感じたが、よりスタイリッシュになった気もした。 

主演のトム・クルーズは、前回より良い感じの好青年になっていたが、それほど好きにはなれなかった。良い俳優さんだとは思う。アクションも半端無かった。特にバイクで疾走するシーンは絵になっていた。 

アンソニー・ホプキンスも出演。前作のジョン・ボイド並みの活躍を期待したが、出演は２シーンだけ。少し残念だったが、彼のシーンが増えるとトム・クルーズが食われてしまう可能性があるので、あれで良かったとも思う。このシリーズでは、トム・クルーズの輝きを陰らしてはいけない。 

ハントの仲間としてお馴染みのルーサー役のヴィング・レイムスが口髭を生やしていた。生理的に口髭は好きにはなれない。『スティング』のポール・ニューマンや、『パルプ・フィクション』と『アイリッシュマン』でのハーヴェイ・カイテルは、二人ともとても好きな俳優さんではあるが、あの風貌だけは好きになれない。こんな個人的過ぎる嗜好を言いだしたらキリがないが、チャールズ・ブロンソンのような髭が似合う男だったらケチはつけない。 

ヒロインのタンディ・ニュートンはとても魅力的な女性だが、トム・クルーズの相手役には、彼女のような童顔の女性はあまり似合わない気がする。レベッカ・ファーガソンのような妖艶な美女の方が適役だと感じた。

The Blues Brothers

In June 2020, I watched The Blues Brothers, a revival, at Toho Cinemas Kinshicho. That was the first time for me to watch the movie on a big screen. It was wonderful time. The movie was released in 1980. I had watched it for the first time on the television set when I was a boy. I remembered that it was fun. Then I bought the cheap used DVD of it in the early 2000s and I have watched it several times since then.

The movie is a good old American slapstick musical. All of the songs and back ground music were so fantastic that I was never bored and fully enjoyed myself through. 

The story follows the Blues brothers. The brothers know that the orphanage, which had raised them, cannot pay its huge real property tax by the due day, so they reunite their band to earn money enough to pay the huge tax and they start to struggle.

I had watched John Belushi as Jake Blues several times and I first watched him as Jake on a big screen. Every time I saw the short and heavy guy, he looked very cool in spite of his figure. His unique actions and motions were sophisticated and amusing. He was laconic and hardly got upset no matter what happened, and then he pretended to calm until the last moment when crunches came, which was cool and funny. He really amused me. I could not stop chuckling especially at the scenes where the brothers were silently standing in the elevator that took forever to arrive at their destination floor.

Elwood Blues acted by Dan Aykroyd was a good performer on stage and he always stood by his big brother. The brotherhood was heart-warming. Twiggy played a chic girl who was asked out by Elwood but ended up being stood up. The cut in which the chic girl are waiting for Elwood is inserted in the middle of the scenes where the brothers are desperately running from the police. The edition was impeccable and stylish, which really impressed and amused me. Carrie Fisher gave a good performance as a mysterious and crazy girl. She acted in it just after she did in Star Wars and became famous as the role of Leia Organa.

The movie is known for the gorgeous cast members. As for the performers, however, I could recognize only James Brown, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. It is said that the other performers and actors were also popular in those days. The viewers can feel the vivid atmosphere in the days when the blockbuster entertainment was released. 

ブルース・ブラザーズ

2020年６月、『ブルース・ブラザーズ』をTOHOシネマズ錦糸町にて観覧。1980年公開作のリバイバル上映。子供の頃、ＴＶで初観賞。面白かった記憶があったので、大人になって安価だった中古DVDを購入。これまでにそれで何度か観ているが、劇場観覧は初めて。最高に楽しかった。

古き良きアメリカのドタバタコメディ・ミュージカル作品。歌およびBGMが本当に素晴らしくて、最後まで飽きる事無く楽しめた。

ブルース兄弟が、かつて育ててくれた孤児院が税金の支払いに困っている事を知り、その孤児院を助ける為に、昔彼らが組んでいたバンドを再結成してその税金分を稼ごうと奮闘する物語。

兄のジェイク・ブルースを演じたずんぐりむっくりのジョン・ベルーシが、何故か毎回カッコよく見える。彼独特の動きや仕草が洒落ていて、小気味良い。そして、無駄口を叩かず、どんな目に遭っても徒に慌てず、いざという時もギリギリまでクールを装っている様が本当に可笑しかった。特に、最後の方で、中々目的階に到着しないエレベーターの中で弟のエルウッドと一緒に黙って突っ立っている姿が、可笑しくてしょうがなかった。

ダン・エイクロイドが演じたエルウッドは、歌やダンスが上手くて、ジェイクの良い相棒。兄弟愛が微笑ましい。そのエルウッドが口説いていた女の子を演じていたのがツィギー。ブルース兄弟が警察に追われているシーンの最中に、彼女が待ちぼうけを食らっているカットが挿入されているが、そのタイミングが絶妙でオシャレだ。キャリー・フィッシャーも出演。『スター・ウォーズ』のレイア姫役でスターになったばかりの頃で、イカレた女を好演していた。

共演者がとにかく豪華な事でも有名な映画。私自身は、ジェームス・ブラウンとアレサ・フランクリン、そして、レイ・チャールズしか分からなかったが、他のミュージシャン・役者も相当な大物らしい。公開当時の時代の雰囲気が感じられる超娯楽大作だ。

Mission: Impossible

In June 2020, I watched the spy action movie Mission: Impossible for the first time on my television set. It was released in 1996. The first installment of the Mission: Impossible series. Tom Cruise is well-known as the lead in the series. 

The movie follows the activities of Ethan Hunt who is a young agent for the Impossible Missions Forces, also known as the IMF, a division of the CIA.

The movie was just good. 

Although Sean Connery and Roger Moore as James Bond are cool and completely matured men who are good at joking, yet Tom Cruise as Hunt was a passionate and vigorous man who was better in action than the two great actors as Bond. By the way, Cruise in the movie looked similar to Charlie Sheen.

I had not liked Cruise for a long time but I thought of him as a young and handsome actor playing well when I watched The Color of Money and Rain Man. In the two movies he costarred with my favorite actors Paul Newman and Dustin Hoffman respectively. I just had not been fond of the young Cruise because he looked impudent. I, however, have been a fan of him since I watched Fallout, the sixth installment of the series at a theater in 2018. Cruise in his fifties looked nice and matured. He has been a world-wide superstar since Top Gun, so he must have continued to make efforts without getting arrogant and being proud of his good-looking. What a great actor.

I was kind of surprised when Ving Rhames appeared with Jean Reno because I had seen him in the sixth movie. After watching the first one, I checked and knew that he had played the same role in all of the installments in the series. Cruise and he must be a good match. Rhames also played well as a crime boss in Pulp Fiction released in 1994. I was impressed with him in the scene where the boss is saying goodbye to an old boxer played by Bruce Wills. Rhame is a good actor who looks tough but has a winsome smile.

ミッション：インポッシブル

2020年６月、『ミッション：インポッシブル』をTVにて初観賞。1996年公開。スパイ・アクション映画『ミッション：インポッシブル』シリーズの第１作。主演は言わずと知れたトム・クルーズ。

CIAの極秘諜報部隊IMFの若きエージェント、イーサン・ハントの活躍を描いている。

まあまあ面白かった。

ジェームズ・ボンドは、十分に成熟した大人で落ち着き払っていたが、ハントは情熱的で血気盛んな青年。ボンドを演じたショーン・コネリーやロジャー・ムーアは洒落たジョークが得意だったが、ハント役のトム・クルーズはアクションが素晴らしかった。この頃のクルーズは、マイケル・シーンに似ている。

長い間、トム・クルーズは好きではなかった。ポール・ニューマン目当てで観た『ハスラー２』やダスティン・ホフマン目当てで観た『レイン・マン』にそれぞれ出演していた彼には、演技が上手いハンサムな若手俳優という印象は持てたが、彼の若い頃の生意気な感じは虫が好かなかった。だが、2018年に劇場観覧したシリーズ第６作の『フォールアウト』で、遅まきながら彼のファンになった。50代半ばの彼は、良い感じの大人になっていた。『トップガン』以来、世界のトップ・スターとして長年君臨し続けている彼。ルックスの良さに驕ることなく精進し続けていたんだろうな。偉大な俳優さん。

第６作に出ていたヴィング・レイムスが、ジャン・レノと一緒に現れた時は少し驚いた。彼はこのシリーズ全てに出演しているらしい。トム・クルーズとの相性が良いのだろう。『パルプ・フィクション』ではギャングのボス役を演じていたが、ボクサー役のブルース・ウィルスとの別れのシーンが印象に残っている。強面だが愛嬌がある良い役者さん。

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot

In June 2019, I watched the movie Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot for the first time at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho. It was released in 2018 in the U.S.

I had heard that the movie follows a late cartoonist, so I had expected that it was like a comedy. It, however, was unexpectedly serious. I went to the theater after work, so I was kind of tired before watching it and I became more tired after doing so. The story was very good, anyway, so I was really looking forward to the release of it on DVD.

In June 2020, I finally watched it again on DVD.

The story describes the late Mr. John Callahan. He has been an alcoholic and met a car accident that makes him live out of a wheelchair in the rest of his life. After that, he overcomes the addiction, find meaning in life and positively lives as a newspaper cartoonist.

Joaquin Phoenix gave a wonderful performance as Callahan who got through the distressful times. He won the Oscar for Best Actor in Joker in the next year, which seemed to be natural to me because I believed that his acting in the 2018 film had already deserved the award.

Rooney Mara as Annu, John's girlfriend, was very charming. She was really attractive especially after she met John for the first time in a few years. Although I was thinking that American women are generally strong and kind of arrogant, yet her gentle and elegant smile totally fascinated me.

Jack Black played Dexter who caused the car accident disabling Callahan. His acting was brilliant when Callahan finally visited him. Then I smiled in spite of myself when I watched Dexter singing "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by Billy Joel in an easygoing way just before they met. I felt that Jack might usually sing the song that way in his private life, so I was pleased because the number has been my favorite one for a long time. 

ドント・ウォーリー

2019年６月、ヒューマントラストシネマ有楽町にて『ドント・ウォーリー』を初観覧。2018年に全米公開された作品。

実在した風刺漫画家のお話とのことで、コメディっぽい作品だろうと想像していたが、意外とシリアスだったので、仕事帰りで疲れていた私には少しキツかった。だが内容は素晴らしかったので、DVD化されたら絶対観ようと思っていた。

そして、2020年６月、DVDにて再観賞。

アルコール依存症に陥り、交通事故で身体障碍者になって車椅子生活を余儀なくされるが、その後、依存症を克服し、風刺漫画を描くことを生き甲斐にして前向きに生きたジョン・キャラハンの物語。

苦悩に満ちた人生を歩んだキャラハンを演じた、ホアキン・フェニックスの演技は素晴らしかった。翌年の『ジョーカー』のジョーカー役でアカデミー賞主演男優賞を受賞したが、その受賞は、時間の問題だったんだなと思える演技だった。そのキャラハンの彼女アンヌを演じたルーニー・マーラも、とても可愛らしかった。特に、キャラハンと再会して恋人同士になってからのアンヌは神がかりの愛らしさだった。アメリカの女性には自己中で高飛車なイメージが若干あったが、彼女の柔らかな笑顔には本当に魅せられた。

そして、ジャック・ブラック。キャラハンを障碍者にした男デクスターを演じていたが、キャラハンとの再会シーンの演技は流石の一言。そして、その再会直前にビリー・ジョエルの「ロックンロールが最高さ」を能天気に歌っていた姿には思わず笑ってしまった。普段からあんな風に口ずさんでいるように思えて、私も未だに聴いているお気に入りの曲なので、嬉しくもなった。

The Mummy

In June 2020, I watched The Mummy for the first time on my television set. The movie was released in 2017 and stars Tom Cruise.

It follows two men and a woman who are at the mercy of an ancient civilization.

The CGI was great. Tom Cruise was cool for his age. However, it was not fun and made me realize that I am not interested in movies with ancient civilizations. I used to watch the Indiana Jones series but I did not eventually get intrigued in it. I have also never been interested in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns staring Brendan Fraser.

I get interested in films set in the medieval era if they are based on true stories, though I like films set in the modern civilization, the present and the near future, moreover, I like utterly fictional ones, such as Star Wars. Ancient civilizations are very old but are dreamy, so I think that documentaries about them at least are worth watching. All the same, I prefer films set around in the present and completely fictional ones.

Russell Crowe was stout, so for the first few seconds I did not notice that the guy is him. Then I chuckled when I did. Although he could not help getting old, yet Tom Cruise who is senior to him by two years could show off his athletic build in the movie. Mr. Cruise is a great actor who has kept his figure. I think that he played well in it but I prefer him as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - Fallout released in 2018. I watched it at a theater and I was amazed that the 56-year-old Tom Cruise was running and running in it. The sequels, the seventh and eighth movies in the Mission: Impossible series, are being filmed and both of them will be released in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Cruise will also appear in the sequel to Top Gun which will be released in 2020. All of the sequels will be hugely profitable for Cruise as not only an actor but a producer, so maybe his status as a celebrity will be secured for the next several years.

ザ・マミー／呪われた砂漠の王女

2020年６月、『ザ・マミー／呪われた砂漠の王女』 をTVにて初観賞。2017年公開。トム・クルーズ主演。

２人の男と１人の女がある古代文明に翻弄される物語。

CGIは普通に凄かった。公開時55歳のトム・クルーズも恰好良かった。だが、正直、映画自体はあまり面白くなかった。そして、この作品で、私が古代文明絡みの作品に興味が無い事に気付いてしまった。以前観た『インディ・ジョーンズ』シリーズにも、結局ハマらなかった事を思い出す。『ハムナプトラ』シリーズに全く興味が湧かないのも、それ故だろう。

史実を基にしている作品だったら中世でも興味は湧く。だが、好きなのは近代から現代におけるお話、または、近未来物、もしくは、『スター・ウォーズ』のような宇宙を舞台にした全く嘘っぱちな虚構の世界。古代文明は昔過ぎる。ロマンがあるので、ドキュメンタリーなら観る価値はあると思うが、映画では、現代と繋がるお話か、全くのファンタジーを楽しみたい。

ラッセル・クロウが太り過ぎていて最初分からなかった。そして、気付いた時には笑ってしまった。彼も歳には勝てないのかなと思ったが、実際には、トム・クルーズより２歳若い。そのクルーズは、劇中で自身の肉体美を披露している。体形をキープし続けている本当に偉大な俳優さん。本作でも好演していたとは思うが、翌年主演した『フォールアウト』のスパイ、イーサン・ハント役の方が合っている。その公開時に観覧した際、走り回る56歳の彼の姿に感嘆した。続編の『ミッション：インポッシブル』シリーズ７作目と８作目も製作中でそれぞれ2021年、2022年に公開予定のようだ。『トップガン』の続編にも主演予定で、2020年公開予定。莫大な収益を見込める作品が目白押しで、製作にも参加しているクルーズのセレブリティの地位は、当分安泰のようだ。

Akira

I watched the animated movie Akira for the first time around in 2005 on DVD. The movie was quite shocking. I am relaxing and doing something easy every time I watch a movie in my room, however, at that time I was deeply absorbed from the middle to the end. Then after watching it, I did it again twice on the same day. The film is filled with mysterious energy and power. I watched it again more than a couple of times after that day on DVD. I also bought the graphic novel with the same title in six volumes and read it many times. The story comic has different elements, so it is more intriguing. I hope that another Akira will be filmed based on the manga.

The animation film describes the incomplete both younger and older people at the mercy of a gigantic power that each human being could possess and a boy has obtained by chance.

I have little strength and do not like even to argue but as a man I understand the feelings of the main character Tetsuo who awakened and intoxicated with his own incredible power. Thugs with terrible strength and violent nature might stride in back streets and run wild with the feelings of a Tetsuo. Education is essential. Kaneda had been a close friend of and like a big brother of Tetuso's but he could not control Tetsuo who got awake, impudent and arrogant. All the same, Kanada confronted the arrogant boy. Friendship is beautiful in youth without reason.

I wonder how I would become if I got something like a supernatural power. I am already an old man, so I would not get too excited and parade it, unlike Tetsuo. I would stealthily do wrong, though. I would not stand up for something like world peace because I would end up being manipulated by cunning plotters after all if I did. I am quite ashamed that I am a coward like that.  

In August 2018, I watched the movie at a theater for the first time. It was amazing on a big screen, though the quality of the pictures was not so good at the theater, Meguro Cinema.

In June 2020, the novel coronavirus pandemic has gradually been settled in Japan, so I could watch the film at United Cinemas Terrace Mall Matsudo. The pictures were amazing because they were on IMAX. That was a fantastic experience. 

AKIRA

アニメ映画『AKIRA』を初めて観たのは、2005年頃。DVDにて。衝撃だった。大体部屋では、何かをしながらリラックスして観賞するが、この作品は、途中から最後まで画面から目を離せなかった。観賞後も、その日のうちに２回観た記憶がある。得体の知れないエネルギーやパワーに満ちた作品。その後もDVDにて数回観た。そして、漫画本も全６巻を購入し何度も読んだ。映画版よりも色々な要素が入っていて実に興味深い別の作品。あの漫画版を基にして新たに映画化して欲しいものだ。

人の秘めたるパワーに翻弄される、まだ不完全な若者達と大人達の物語。

覚醒して自分のパワーに酔いしれる少年、鉄男の気持ちは、私自身は非力で口喧嘩も嫌いだが、男としては理解出来る。腕力や暴力衝動が半端無い輩達は、あの鉄男のような気分で街に繰り出して暴れているのだろうか。教育って大事だと思う。鉄男の長年の友人で兄貴的な存在の金田は、覚醒した鉄男の前では無力だったが、それでも、暴走する鉄男に立ち向かう。若者の友情は、理屈抜きに美しい。

自分が鉄男のようなパワーを手に入れたらどうなるだろうか。もうオッサンだから、彼のような自己顕示欲に憑りつかれることは無いだろうが、バレない程度に悪い事をしそうな気がする。世界平和の為に立ち上がったところで、狡賢くて腹黒い輩達に操られるのがオチだろうし……我ながら情けない人間だ。

2018年８月に目黒シネマで観覧。初めての劇場鑑賞。映像の質が悪かったが、大スクリーンの『AKIRA』は格別だった。

そして、コロナ騒動が収まり始めた2020年６月、ユナイテッド・シネマ テラスモール松戸にてIMAXで観覧。映像が素晴らし過ぎた。最高の体験だった。

Borg McEnroe #2

The movie Borg McEnroe has intrigued me in a relationship between the legend tennis players.

McEnroe seemed to have been just a hot-tempered player who sometimes took out his anger on the umpires during games until I watched it. On the other hand, Borg seemed to have been just a serious person.

However, thanks to the film and their information on the internet, their images have changed a little, especially Borg's. Although I had known that the Swedish player was a model professional player, did not express his emotions and was so cool that he was called Ice Man, yet, actually, he sometimes shouted abusive language during practices and matches like McEnroe before making his professional debut. The episode was totally unexpected to me and showed how human he was, so I came to like him. He was always burning inside but at the same time he followed his coach's advice to calm down and focus on every play during matches. Then he held up on his end until his retirement. He must have felt tremendous stress and pressure during his playing days. Such his personal stories must be handed down from generation to generation in addition to his great achievements in tennis history. The movie has a scene where in a hotel room Borg and his wife are watching McEnroe spitting out curses on the umpire in a match. He seemed to envy the American player who does not stop to reveal his emotions. He also seemed to remember his amateur days and feel nostalgia. Borg's wife then says that McEnroe does not concentrate on the match. Her husband quickly retorts that he completely does implying that he is too concentrate to forgive misjudges. At the minute Borg must have been the person who was deeply understanding the controversial player the most in the world.

As for McEnroe, he respected Borg. In the 1980 Wimbledon Men's Singles finals, he used abusive language like always expect for the final against Borg in which he was focusing on playing his tennis without violent language. Then the match became one of the most hard-fought games in Tennis history. The movie has a scene where McEnroe is watching Borg calmly speaking in an interview on TV and McEnroe says that he has wanted to be like him. I wonder if McEnroe had met a coach like Borg's coach Lennart Bergelin. He might have been like Ice Man, though I do not want to see the cold and quiet McEnroe.

The two great players became close friends after each retired. Both of them have a similar mind, so they must have easily gotten along with each other.

ボルグ／マッケンロー #2

映画『ボルグ／マッケンロー 氷の男と炎の男』を観て、改めて２人の名選手に興味が湧いた。

鑑賞前は、マッケンローの印象は、短気で、試合中に審判に暴言を吐く選手、ボルグは、生真面目な男だった。

だが、映画のおかげで、特にボルグの印象が変わった。それまでの印象は、アイス・マンと呼ばれるほどクールであまり喜怒哀楽を表に出さない優等生のプロテニスプレーヤーだったが、実は、若い頃は、マッケンロー同様短気で、練習中や試合中に暴言を吐いていたらしい。その事実は本当に意外だったし、人間らしい面があったんだな、と少し好感が持てた。ハートは常に熱く燃えているが、コーチの教えを守り、試合中は冷静に、そして一球一球に集中し、引退するまでひたすら忍耐強く頑張り通してきた彼が感じていたストレスやプレッシャーは、相当なものだっただろう。テニス界に様々な記録と記憶を残してきた彼の、人としての物語も後世に語り継がれるべきだと思う。映画には、彼が、マッケンローが暴言を吐いている映像を見詰めているシーンがあった。感情を表に出しているマッケンローが羨ましかったのか、昔の自分を見ているようで懐かしかったのか。マッケンローは集中出来ていない、と一緒に観ていた彼の妻が言うと、ボルグは即座に反論。集中し過ぎている故のブチ切れだと。あの瞬間、マッケンローの一番の理解者はボルグだったに違いない。

一方のマッケンローは、そんなボルグを尊敬していたようだ。1980年の全英オープンでは、準決勝までは暴言を吐きまくっていたが、ボルグとの決勝戦では、キレることなく自分のテニスに集中し、二人でテニス史に残る激戦を繰り広げた。映画では、ボルグが冷静にインタビューに答える映像を見ながら、ああなりたかったんだ、とマッケンローがつぶやくシーンがあった。マッケンローにもボルグのコーチのような方がいたら、彼もボルグのようになっていたのだろうか。そんなマッケンローは見たくもないが。

引退後、２人は親友になったらしい。似た者同士だからすぐに気が合っただろうな。

Roger Moore as James Bond

In May 2020, I watched the eighth movie to the fourteenth one in the 007 series on TV. The movies were released between 1973 and 1985. All of them star Roger Moore who was 46 to 58 years old.

The movie series depicts the activities of James Bond, an intelligence officer in the Secret Intelligence Service. I do not feel comfortable when he never changes color even just after he killed someone, but I think that I had better take it easy because it is just an entertainment.

As well as Sean Connery as Bond, Roger Moore as Bond frequently gets laid but he does not appear wilder. He looks to be a handsome, dandy, humorous and sophisticated English gentleman who makes witty jokes many time. I want to be a nice joker like him, however, my jokes only make people around me smile wryly always. He is three years senior to the Scottish actor. When I knew it, I was surprised. Handsome guys look younger. I like Moore as Bond better than the first and second James Bonds.

I felt that the tenth movie and the following four ones were not so old-fashioned, though many people might feel that they are still outdated. Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me was 50 years old but he looked in his thirties. The tenth movie was released in 1977. I still love the first one in the Star Wars series released in the same year. Action movies released in the late 1970s and later seem to be able to entertain me. In terms of car action, the Wild Speed series is far more exciting, which is natural because it has been produced since 2001. I also felt that Roger Moore in the thirteenth and fourteenth movies lost his youth, which could not be helped because the English actor was 56 years old in Octopussy. By the way, Tom Cruise was at the same age in Mission: Impossible – Fallout and he was running, running and running in it. He was super physical for his age.

As for the Bond girls, I loved to watch the three beauties, Jane Seymour in Live and Let Die, Lois Chiles in Moonraker and Carole Bouquet in Your Eyes Only. 

ロジャー・ムーアの007

2020年５月、ロジャー・ムーア主演の『007』シリーズをTV観賞した。第８作から第14作まで。公開は1973年から1985年にかけて。ロジャーは46歳から58歳になった。

イギリスの諜報機関の工作員ジェームズ・ボンドの活躍を描く映画シリーズ。人を殺めても顔色一つ変えないボンドには若干抵抗があるが、娯楽映画なので気楽に楽しむべきだとも思う。

女とセックスしまくるのはショーン・コネリーのボンドと同じだが、ワイルドさはショーン・コネリーほどではない。ハンサムでダンディでユーモアがある洗練された英国紳士という感じだ。そして、洒落たジョークを多く飛ばしている。こんなオッサンになりたかったが、私が飛ばすジョークは周りから苦笑いされるばかり。それにしても、彼がショー・コネリーよりも３歳年上である事を知った時は驚いた。ハンサムな男は本当に若く見える。ジェームズ・ボンドは、ロジャー・ムーアが一番好きだ。

1977年公開の第10作『私を愛したスパイ』から、前作までに感じていた古臭さが和らぎ始めた。私の感性ではそう感じるだけで、多くの方にはまだ昔の古臭い映画かもしれない。ロジャーが50歳の時の作品だが、彼はまだ30代に見える。奇しくも未だに好きな『スター・ウォーズ』の第１作目が公開された年。1970年代後半以降が、アクション映画における私の許容範囲なのだろう。だが、カーアクションに関しては、当たり前の事だが、『ワイルド・スピード』の方が凄い。1983年公開の『オクトバシー』から、ボンドに青年っぽさが無くなった。公開時ロジャーは56歳だから無理も無い。逆に、『ミッション：インポッシブル/フォールアウト』で走りまくっていた公開時56歳のトム・クルーズの体力は、驚異的だと思う。

ボンド・ガールに関しては、『死ぬのは奴らだ』のジェーン・シーモア、『ムーンレイカー』のロイス・チャイルズ、そして『ユア・アイズ・オンリー』のキャロル・ブーケの美しさが印象に残っている。

ティモシー・ダルトンの007

ショーン・コネリーの007