Iron Man 3

Tony Stark IS ironman.

Ok, there have only been a few minutes after I left the theater with a big smile and a very satisfied comic book freak appetite. Shane Black, as the new head of the project, directs the film wonderfuly. All of the previous online fears the Ironman fandom had, definitely vanished. Changing the director was the right decision as it delivered a fresh new take on the character we all learned to love & worship. 

The storyline pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Friends & lovers.

Enter Mark 42.

Nothing says cool better than "genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist"! After the huge success of The Avengers and the high quality of this film, there's not a hero more at the top of his game than Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man.

By now everyone knows that Tony Stark's powers all come from his suit of armor. That along with his money, genius and unmatched wit are what make him larger than life. Tony's intellect is the key to his super powers and the brilliant foundation for this third movie. Hot on the heels of The Avengers, this was the perfect time to focus on Tony Stark the hero and the man. Seeing Tony interact with Thor, Bruce Banner and Captain America was indeed awesome but this back to the basics and return to Tony's world is just what we needed to see at this juncture. They perfectly remind the audience that his intellect that is really his super power. The amazing armor advancements we see in this film all stem from that fact. Yes, over three other wonderful films we've seen Tony exhibit an unfathomable understanding of technology but nothing like what's on display in this film.

Tell me about the cool gadgets Ironman has!

Yes, there's a great deal of technology and action but it's wonderfully balanced by character and drama. Tony's command of sarcasm and his genuine wit have never been used better than it has been in this movie. RDJ charms the camera in every scene but what really brings out Tony's charm and gives the hero's story that extra interest is the character of Pepper Potts. Their relationship certainly has grown over three movies and in Iron Man 3, Pepper becomes even more important. It's one of the many reasons why this film lands above every other third film in a franchise that I've ever seen. Tony's love for Pepper and his obsession with technology and protecting her with that technology is moving and quite deep. It certainly is unique for a summer blockbuster to deliver those kinds of layers.

Keep chillin' I'm Ironman!

Once War Machine now Iron Patriot!

The stakes are very high as everyone from Pepper to Happy Hogan to the President of the United States is in danger from what will be considered the best bad guy to hit the screen in a long time. The Mandarin is amazing. He's not a jump off the screen kick your butt type of cheesy villain at all. He's crafty, diabolical and truly menacing. Speaking of layers, the ending of the movie will amaze for its plot as much as for its intensity and that's all I'm going to say about that subject. Also, Pepper is not a "damsel in distress" by any means in this film. This is where Iron Man lands above most other characters (Spider-Man for one). Pepper's roll and how she deals with the danger and what she becomes over the course of the film will surprise but please a lot of people.

Every side relationship works here, even the new characters that are introduced. The kid from Tennessee that interacts with Tony will get a LOT of buzz but I was just as impressed with the Rhodey stuff. That relationship is SO much better here than in Iron Man 2. Unlike Iron Man 2, there are incredible new characters that actually mean something to this plot and not to the next film down the line. There's a real focus on Tony's mind, body and spirit and the importance of protecting the most important relationships in life. It offers great balance to go along with great fun. This is NOT a dark brooding film at all which is great. It has many tones and does give us the humor and fun to go with a more complex take on the character. They just nailed it here.

Not your average terrorist.

Remember me? I'm the Memento guy!

In terms of where they go with future movies, who cares at this point? Sure everyone will want more after seeing this movie but that's Avengers 2 problem and something to dream about later. Right now, enjoy this thrill ride because I know my wife & I sure did. 

On a sidenote, the film delivers a critique to the current state of things, specifically a tough critique about the war on terror, and all that involves terrorism as real threat these days. I won't spoil it to you guys but, the film message is that appearances can be deceiving, and that sometimes, terrorism it's only a facade to mask our own inner evil, an evil that will serve the powerful & the corrupt.

Care for an armor?

No wonder why Tony Stark loves Pepper Potts so much!

Overall, a great film that takes some elements from several comic books from Ironman but, adds fresh new ideas that make the film a very enjoyable adventure for those who heart comic books. I'm not really sure if people who haven't watched the prequels will get full enjoyment out of it, although, I'm sure everyone has watched them before, maybe for comic book fans only, or Ironman fans only.

Do yourselves a favour and watch it 3D!

Here's the cool movie trailer:

The Rocketeer

Enter the Green Lantern Ironman Indiana Jones!

Continuing with superhero flicks that weren't so super, today we enter year 1991 to fasten our seatbelts in the universe of the graphic novel character The Rocketeer!  The film captures the original Dave Stevens comic book flavours: The spirit of 1930's aviation pulps and then some.

The movie captured the spirit of the comics beautifully. Sure it was disappointing that Doc Savage couldn't be included (scroll down to trivia if you don't know who he is), but Howard Hughes made a sensible substitution. I was a bit annoyed that Disney felt they had to change Betty into Jenny, but with Jennifer Connelly in the role, I was in a forgiving mood. The film was full of action and humor, cliffhangers and character; just like Stevens' creation. If there was anything to criticize, it was the toning down of Betty/Jenny. Yeah, I know, this is Disney, and she was far tamer in the comics than the real Betty/Bettie Page; but, hey, a guy can hope.

The Rocketeer and his Betty Page.

Better than Fast & Furious nitro!

Bill Campbell was perfect for Cliff Secord. He had that All-American look, with an impish twinkle in his eye. Watching the movie, you could see the excitement when he was flying, and that he was head over heels in love with Jenny.

Alan Arkin made a great Peevy, although he was far less cantankerous than his print counterpart (incidentally, Peevy was based on Doug Wildey, creator of Jonny Quest, god I'm old!). He was more of a Connecticut Yankee than grouchy mechanic.

Timothy Dalton made a great pseudo-Errol Flynn. I wasn't too happy that they trotted out that Flynn-as-Nazi Spy nonsense; but, it works beautifully for the story. Paul Sorvino made a great 30's mobster, too. Add Tiny Ron as Lothar, modeled after Rondo Hatton, and you have some pretty fun villains.

Then, there's Jennifer Connelly, one of the most beautiful and talented actresses in Hollywood. As I said, I had hoped for a little sexier character; but, the compromise was still pretty good. Connelly brought both a wholesomeness and sex appeal to the role. She looked great in the period clothing, too.

"In brightest day, in darkest night...sorry! wrong hero!"

"To infinity and beyond"

Everything about this film worked. The period detail was first rate, from the costumes, to he set design, to the slang. The only thing that would have improved this would have been to make more films. This is a great film for the whole family and captures the spirit of Republic and the pulps as well as Indiana Jones did. 

The Rocketeer trivia

1. Disney had a special mechanism built especially for this film. Called the "Shaky-cam", it was designed to be the exact opposite of the "Steady-cam", that is, to introduce vibrations into the picture. This was used in the scenes filmed inside the Zeppelin to give the impression of the power of the engines. When the movie went to video, the effect didn't transfer too well, and was therefore steadied.  

2. Stunt man Jimmy Medearis suffered serious head injuries during a failed stunt. He and fellow stunt man Michael J. Sarna both hit a tree when a truck pulling their harness-rig drove too far. 

3. Johnny Depp was nearly cast as Cliff Secord/The Rocketeer.  

Jennifer "Boobs"

With such a gal I sure can fire rockets to the sky.

4. Billy Campbell, who once studied commercial art, made sure to read the Dave Stevens graphic novel on which this film was based. He got the part after getting a haircut to make himself look identical to the character in the graphic novel. 

5. The original inventor of the rocket pack was thirties pulp novel hero Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze, in the original graphic comic book by Dave Stevens. However, because licensing considerations, Disney did not seek permission from Conde Nast, the copyright holder of Doc Savage, and opted to substitute Doc Savage with the flamboyant billionaire Howard Hughes.  

6. Originally was supposed to be preceded in theaters by a Roger Rabbit cartoon called "Hare in my Soup", unfortunately the cartoon was never made. 

7. In the original graphic novel, Cliff Secord's girlfriend is called Betty Page, not Jenny Blake. Dave Stevens (the creator of the comic novel) based the character "Betty Page" upon his real-life friend, 50's pin-up girl Bettie Page.  

8.  The film had its own videogame adaptation for the Super Nintendo SNES console. However, it wasn't a hit amongst gamers. 

The original SNES artwork for the videogame box.

16 bits entertainment. Respect!

Overall, a very entertaining film that portrays 1930's pulp in a rated for all audiences version. Perhaps, its main flaw is that it is an old fashioned Disney studios movie, so I'm just guessing here but, it won't satisfy those who are expecting to find a darker mood type of superhero movie with a more serious approach  a la Nolan.  Since the film wasn't a big hit in theaters it immediately became a family classic in the rental stores (by the way, R.I.P. Blockbuster video) Anyways, an easy to follow entertaining film that could help you make a rainy weekend a better one. 

Here's the cool movie trailer:

Kick-Ass

Shut up! kick ass!

Speaking of great superhero flicks, is there any film that makes the statement "we can be heroes" an undeniable truth as Kick Ass does? maybe, maybe not. 

In a movie industry cluttered with own-grown hype, gimmicks and lack of idea, "Kick Ass" bursts onto the screen and shatters all expectations in it's wake. You're on this page because you think it's gonna be good? Wrong. Or you're here because you think it looks a decent or a good superhero movie to join the ranks of the ones you already love? DEAD wrong. Reason being, is "Kick Ass"doesn't want to be good or above average, "Kick Ass" wants to be great and it has the balls to want to be original too. Seemingly impossible in a done to death genre where we've already glimpsed Mark Millar's signature style in "Wanted", but "Kick Ass" is all about the unexpected.

a bunch of comic book freaks, aren't we all?

Make no mistake, nothing you believe of this movie compares to what Vaughn and co. serve up for you. Mainly because everyone involved seems determined to honour the comic and redefine a genre. Most movies entertain, but this one? It wants to BLOW YOU AWAY! Less smarter movies have done that but "Kick Ass" ain't giving that up either. It's script is razor-sharp, dumping the pretension of "the burden of heroism" crippling even the better superhero films, showing this in actions rather than long drawn out emoting. Matthew Vaughn has finally solved the hurdle that all superhero movies suffer, namely how to get to know and love your characters without long drawn out scenes. He does it by keeping them moving. The more they do, the more they try, the more you know and love them. And make the narrative interesting and most of all relatable so we're with Dave 100% of the way, it doesn't just have to functional.

We're here to save the day!

The real visual joy of "Kick Ass" is it's desire to keep it simple but not at the expense of wowing us. Make characters do cool things, instead of Michael Bay-esquire things happening to them. That's why they exude coolness, despite Dave's almost humdrum existence. This is the everyman doing the things we could do if wanted to; not a guy from another reality or possessed with great drive and ambition. Dave wants to get laid. He wants to be hip. Even your bad guy in this is believable. Watching the whirlwind that is Hit Girl perform a routine almost straight out of Jackie Chan's Hong Kong days stuns us in a way no big screen chase ever could. Visually the film takes all the thing we DID love from the movies that ultimately didn't zing and churns them into a finely balanced flawless brew.

Batman & Robin?

Better than a batmobile a GTO Mustang!

Did I mention it's feel good? From it's inspired use of music (again utterly relatable) right down to it's outstanding score, like "Get Carter" for superheroes; I could say more but there's surprises in store.

In a movie this stunning, acting is usually secondary (as any James Cameron film shows). Not a bit of it. In a cast as eclectic as the styles the film embraces you have performances that set a benchmark for all concerned. Can Mark Strong already better his stellar work? See his menacing and humorous turn as D'Amico, a career best. Christopher Mintz Plasse follows "Role Models" by breaking out of McLovin mode. His guy has layers and he can show them. Nicolas Cage as expected returns to his past glories playing larger than life eccentric characters but not without a little sadness too. Joining him is Chloe Moretz forever destined to be remembered for her first major role. She idolised Angelina Jolie apparently. Guess what, you trounced any action movie she has ever made! Moretz dominates any scenes she's in, no easy task considering her fellow cast! Aaron Johnson has the most difficult job of all. Being an original uber-geek after Michael Cera set the standard (anyone who's seen "Zombieland" knows it's hard to write an original geek even in a great movie). He shakes it, redefines it and OWNS it. He leads the movie like he wrote it, joined by a cast where even the smallest roles are fully fleshed out. It's quite an ensemble. A renegade band of acting styles forming a perfect one and complementing the film's fun style.

Go Go Yubaris' Nemesis!

Wow! I could definitely do that!

Watching "Kick Ass" is ultimately like being on a thrill-ride, it doesn't just want to dazzle you, it's wants to draw you in, ride the wave and leave the cinema on a high. And it doesn't do that with gimmicks or tried and tested formula's, it breaks the mold, shakes conventions and wants you to be surprised while complementing all the movies you already love. It's not just a movie, it's a standard, one that promises to prove movies like this can be written with great heart and brain.

Ok, Ok, quit the cocksucking and tell me what is it about?

Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan with a few friends and who lives alone with his father. His life is not very difficult and his personal trials not that overwhelming. However, one day he makes the simple decision to become a super-hero even though he has no powers or training.  Early on he discovers that society could care less about the evils that be, and he takes it upon himself to do something about it. But of course none of the "super heroes" in the movie actually have powers, because it's about real people kicking real ass. Early on you'll find the protagonist, Dave, is a pushover and even as his costumed alter-ego, Kick-Ass, he can't succeed in anything he does. He comes off as an extremely unlikable character, but as the story unfolds and he gets mixed up with other costumed heroes who really do kick ass, he slowly becomes the perfect anti-hero and a character which will most likely be a new icon in popular culture. 

Even a MILF teacher joins the fun in Kick Ass!

Oral examination has never been clearer!

The script for the film is remarkably well written and it managed to combine hilarious comedy with incredibly graphic, stylized violence. Never have I seen a movie that combined the two so well. One moment, you'll be crying from laughter and the next you'll be squinching at a little girl slaughtering grown men with the slightest of ease.

The directing was top-notch and this is the first film i've seen from Matthew Vaughn. If Kick-Ass doesn't put him on the map as one of the most sought after directors in Hollywood then I don't know what will.

Kick Ass girlfriend! what a lucky punk!

Heroes need some sexual energy from time to time.

The acting was superb from the entire cast, especially from veteran Nicolas Cage. He played his part perfectly and I couldn't see any one else as Big Daddy. As impressed as I was with Cage's performance, I was blown away with how well Chloe Moretz, Hit-Girl, played her part. She definitely stole the show.

 Here's the cool movie trailer and let's hope the sequel continues the legacy with pride!

The Crow

Before Sin City, before the Dark Knight there was The Crow!

Comic book movies have always fascinated me. I don't know whether it's their visual style, the special effects, the performances of the actors as compared to the comic itself or the interpretation of the graphic novel's storyline by the filmmakers that interests me the most, but I've always been enthralled by a bleak story that places a tragic hero in the midst of a towering city, whose choices and actions determine the fate of himself and those around him. Often a comic book can provide the bare essentials for an excellent story, but more often, the filmmakers or producers scrap the idea of a storyline and aim primarily for the explotation of special effects. In the case of "The Crow," this is not true: this is the only film that has ever captured the true essence of the comic book it's based on, expanded upon its virtues and added its own style to complement the base storyline of the film.

What the Crow is it about?

On October 30th, a night that has come to be known as "Devil's Night," in reference to the hundreds of fires set by dangerous gangs, Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas) are brutally attacked in their downtown apartment. Shelly is raped by the gang and Eric is thrown out of a five-story window, dying almost instantly. They leave behind a close friend and younger-sister figure, Sarah (Rochelle Davis), endless rainy nights in the city, and infinite sorrow on those who knew them.

I'm coming after you douchebags.

Lonely girl meets lonely cop.

Their deaths left a score unsettled, and as a result, an ancient legend becomes reality, as a mystical crow descends from the Heavens who normally carries souls to the land of the dead, brings Eric Draven's soul back to life so he can exact revenge on the men who killed him and his fiance. He dresses himself in torn black clothing, boots, and paints his face like a sad clown. He is invincible, for he is already dead, and sets out on a quest for retribution, seeking out each one of his murderers one by one. He is helped along the way by two people, Sarah and Officer Albrecht (Ernie Hudson), who stayed with Shelly until she died, against an army of arsonist gangsters led by the mysteriously incestuous Top Dollar (Michael Wincott), who is the orchestrator of Devil's Night, and inspires his troops with quotes and dialogue from Dante's "Inferno" and "Paradise Lost." With the crow leading the way, Eric Draven sets out to redeem his soul and regain his justice in a city that has never stopped raining since his death (a reference to Seattle, the rainy city?)

From its opening shot right to its final seconds, "The Crow" is a depressingly gripping film. A truly fantastic and faithful adaptation of James O'Barr's comic book series, this film draws its inspiration from both the comic book and earlier films such as Fritz Lang's "Metropolis." The story is set against the backdrop of a broken city ruled by an underground society of arsonists, where the police can do nothing to stop them and the children run wild in the streets. The buildings tower high over the urban streets, overlooking a sad foundation without law, justice or order - you know everything about this world with one shot. The production design and cinematography combines to create an atmosphere in a society without hope, accentuated only further by a Middle-East inspired score by Graeme Revell, and choicy tunes by Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Stone Temple Pilots and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. Of course, the soundtrack didn't happen by chance, it was 1994 and the alternative music lead by Grunge bands,  and Riot Grrl bands did have some major influence over the film, although, there were no actual Seattle bands in the soundtrack most of the ones that did make it in the soundtrack performed songs that resembled the famous alternative rock from those days. Even Eric Draven's character used to play the guitar in an apparently alternative rock band (there are pictures of him and his band in the film in several scenes, besides he recovers his electric guitar at a pawn shop, not to mention a couple of club scenes with alt rock bands playing)

Justice to a comic book hero.

Mind if I drop in?

Director Alex Proyas claims he has never seen a sequel to his film on the basis that no one could do justice to the main character like Brandon Lee... I agree with him. Lee's performance as the vengeful soul is one of the greatest I have ever seen on film. He exhibits confidence, cunning and menace, while at the same time communicating just enough pain and depression to stay true to his character. You know what he's capable of, and at the same time his emotional weaknesses. If I can think of any flaw to this film I would mention the incestuous relationship between Funboy and his sister. It was not a subplot, thankfully, but it didn't seem necessary in a film that was already disturbing enough.

Made with passion, performed with intensity, designed with precision and influence, "The Crow" is an unheralded masterpiece of the 20th Century. It is heartbreaking to think that this film almost dodged release - if that had happened, no one would ever have known the degree of Brandon Lee's acting capabilities. The man had a fiery presence and was articulate and powerful with his delivery - indeed, with one great film, he has become a martyr for the exposition of this character. 4 1/2 stars on a five star scale. 

 

Heath Ledger with long hair??

Even greater than the batsignal!

The Crow did you know trivia 

1. Blonde bombshell Cameron Diaz was offered the role of Shelly, but turned it down because she didn't like the script (?)

2. The following scenes were completed after Brandon Lee's death:

• Draven first enters the apartment after digging himself out of his grave: footage of Lee walking through an alley in the rain was digitally composited into the scene where he walks through the doorway. Computer technology added drops of water to the door frame to make the water on his back not seem out of place.
• The shot of Draven falling from the window was made by digitally compositing Lee's face (complete with simulated blood) onto a body double.
• The scene where Draven puts on his make-up was filmed using a double. The face in the smashed mirror was Lee's, computer-altered to fit the shards. The image of Draven walking towards the window with the crow on his shoulder was a double with Lee's face added during lightning flashes.
• When Sarah visits the apartment, we never see Draven's face as it is a double.

3. According to the biography of Bruce Lee, Brandon Lee's death was predicted by his father Bruce Lee after awaking from his coma. His death was foreseen before Brandon even considered taking up acting as a career.Can you believe it?

Bail Ling plays Top Dollar's mistress.

Sofia Shinas plays Draven's late wife.

4. Although the tone of the film is very similar to the comic, there were many changes. In the comics, Top Dollar is a member of T-Bird's gang as opposed to heading up crime in the city. Myca and Grange were also not present in the comic and there was never any mention about the crow being a power source. Also in the comic, Skank was not involved in the murders of Eric and Shelly, instead a character named Tom-Tom was. Sarah also served a minor role, first meeting Eric after his death and Albrecht as he appears in the movie is a combination of a street officer named Albrecht in the comics and Police Captain Hook. Another major change is Eric is a mechanic in the comic and his last name was never mentioned. He was changed to a musician as an homage to all the music references James O'Barr had in the comic. In the comic, the murders are actually a twist of bad luck with T-Bird's gang while high on drugs ambushing Eric and Shelly when their car breaks down. And in the comic, Eric is actually the one who lasts for thirty hours of intensive care with most of the events implied as possibly being a revenge fantasy as he lies in a coma.  

5. According to James O'Barr, he didn't like casting Brandon Lee as the main lead for his comic-book adaptation. At that time he had only seen him in Little Tokyo. Ataque frontal and fearing that it would end up like a Kung Fu movie and go straight to video. But he was thrilled when he first met Brandon on the set with the makeups and Crow outfit. He was amazed by Brandon's take on the character when he spoke the exact lines from the comics. 

Timeless tribute, a McFarlane's action figure.

6. The recent Blu Ray edition of the film states "before Sin City, before the Dark Knight..." Implying that the Crow was the first movie that depicted a hero with such dark characteristics, which may or may not be true depending on points of views of course. For instance, Tim Burton's take on Batman was thought to be "darker" by the beginning of the 90's however, it was the Crow film the one that graphically depicted what a dark hero does for a living. 

Overall, a great 90's film that must not be forgotten. Not only due to Lee's unexpected death but also because the film is definitely ahead of its time portraying what in the future would become rule number 1: Comic book stories can be serious and well portrayed.

Here's the cool movie trailer, make sure you get yourself a Blu Ray edition copy of the film as it looks & sounds pristine.

Chi Trova un Amico, Trova un Tesoro

A friend is a treasure!

As usual for Hill and Spencer movies, they are two self centered and greedy characters, who basically care only for themselves, but still manage to do the right thing when the time comes,  you know after all, their films can be recommended for youngsters to find family values shaped under very entertaining adventures. Hill & Spencer don't waste time teaching values the old school way, they rely on their fists to fight all sorts of sinful temptations to become a couple that saves the day doing the right thing.

Hill and Spencer could easily be the modern day equivalent of everymen. The only thing that has them motivated (in any of their movies) is greed for money, because they don't have it and are prepared to do many things to get it (although they would never really cross the border of the law).

In this case there's an old uncle with a treasure map and his nephew (Hill), who doesn't really believe him, but once he gambled away all of the mafia's money, the treasure seems to be the only way out for him. So he hides away on a sailboat as a last possible way to get away from the pursuers. The captain (Spencer) is only doing this trip with the sailboat to get the money from the sponsor Puffin (making a product he hates himself). And after they loose the boat (as usual Hill dragged Spencer in the middle of it all) they have nothing left but the treasure to search for.

Outta ma' boat landluber!

As with other similar movies like "Go For It", "Crime Busters", "Double Trouble" or "Odds and Evens" Spencer is a grouchy leave-me-alone character and Hill the happy-go-lucky character. The first half an hour is a way to bring these two everymen in a situation where the slapstick comedy occurs. Although always shallow, the plot is plausible enough to let you settle in it and the opening part of the movie, when they are just getting to the point, is as always the funniest, for it doesn't rely on slaps and punches.

After the landing on the island with the treasure the slapstick comedy gets on the way. So expect punches, kicks, slaps and many hurt bad guys. And as usual there is the reward to be had, so they find the treasure - still they can't get rich off it. It's never that easy, so just like the real modern everyman they are left more or less empty handed in the end.

All in all a very amusing and simple movie, that would fall in the category of upbeat movies that will brighten your day, even though when you really think about it, you'll see it has a lot more to offer than it first seems. 

From up here I can see the nude natives taking sunbaths.

I humbly ask you to go on a diet mama.

The Unofficial Terence Hill & Bud Spencer Trivia

1. "Who finds a friend, finds a treasure" is the fourteenth movie collaboration of Italian comedy duo Terence Hilland Bud Spencer.
 The name of the island was "Pongo Pongo". It was also know as "Chow Key". Both were fictional names. One of the track's on the film's soundtrack is called "Corbucci's Island", the name of the movie's director being Sergio Corbucci.
 
2. It is mentioned during the movie that it is thirty-six years after the Second World War. As such, this sets the movie taking place around 1981 which is the year the film was first released. The World War II Japanese tank seen was not a real life WWII Jap tank nor replica nor was it based on either. The tank was especially built for the film and was designed as some kind of generic tank but without any actual specific historical design.   

3. Terence Hill says the line "He who finds a friend finds a treasure" in the earlier Terence Hill-Bud Spencer movie "Miami Supercops".  Ironically, a line spoken at the end of this film by Terence Hill was not "Who finds a friend finds a treasure" but "Who loses a treasure finds a friend". 

That's a whole lot of outdated benjamins you got there sr.

So here's where you've been fapping all these years my jap friend.

4. The amount of treasure money there was on the island amounted to $3,470,923.
 
5. The name of Charlie O'Brien (Bud Spencer)'s boat was "Puffin" whilst the name of the bikie-pirate gang's catamaran was "Trick".
 
6. The birth names of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer are Mario Girotti and Carlo Pedersoli respectively.
 
7. The movie's joke closing statement read: "The director and the entire production sincerely thank the people and authorities of "The Island" for their courteous and generous collaboration during the shooting of this film, and they solemnly promise never to return nor to reveal to anyone the location of this last unspoiled paradise". "The Island" the movie was actually shot at was Key Biscayne in Florida, USA.
 
8. The picture had three English language titles. They are: "A Friend Is a Treasure", "Keep your hands off the island" and "Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure" which is the more accurate translation from the original italian title.

Overall, Who Finds  a Friend, Finds a Treasure  is a very entertaining sunday afternoon type of film. What it lacks in originality is highly compensated by the gags & action scenes. Perhaps it is a film that not every regular enthusiast would enjoy as much as a Hill/Spencer connoisseur would but,  who isn't a Spencer/Hill connoisseur anyways?

Next entries will be about a couple of very interesting Bud Spencer's solo flicks.

PS: the recently introduced Trivia section was inspired by the suggestion of Ruta Flashback, a good blogger friend. Thanks for all the comments you make!

Here's the cool movie trailer:

Alright, you deserve it! here is the entire film courtesy of YouTube:

Pari e Dispari

An original film poster from 1979.

 

Odds & Evens (Par e Impari) It's an amusing film with Hill and Spencer posing as card gamblers in the sunny Miami and full of abundant kicks, punches, leaps and bounds . The pic deals with ours intimate friends , Terence Hill and Bud Spencer and they both find out that are half brothers taking on numerous adventures...

So, what is Odds & Evens about?

It starts with Hill as expert player at a Rugby championship between the Navy and Army , and after that in a motorboat competition . This time both of whom fight against a crooked band , as Terence Hill is a navy Leiutenant named Johnny Firpo who is assigned by his superior to stop a gang of swindlers. He needs the help of an ex-gambler named Charlie who now is a trucker transporting dolphins . Spencer won't help Terence Hill , Hill robs Charlies truck and he then agrees to help him and both of them join forces . Hill convinces Spencer that their daddy is blind and urges to raise a lot of money for his cure . So Charlie turns a card player again just to obtain the money. Later on, the pair become involved in several adventures, and rare situations full of risks , dangers and fun.

Two serious 70's hipsters.

The big time duo from Spahetti Western wrapped in humor as ¨They call me Trinity ¨ and its following as ¨Trinity is still my name¨ and ¨Trouble makers¨ were run out and then they're transfered to Police and action genre . As they played the Miami series which are set in Florida , such as ¨Miami Supercops¨, ¨Crime Busters¨, and ¨Superfuzz¨ . As the picture shows typical images from Miami as the usual Florida swamps with the ordinary motorboats , the Acuarium with Orcas , and various habitual sports as , the Pelotari play , old race cars , paddock with rider races , among others . 

In Europe these movies are shown on TV very frequently and are part of growing up on children and adolescents , however in USA are quite unknown . They're plenty of humor and based on diverse personality and physical differences among them . This one packs silly comedy , tongue in cheek, slapstick and the habitual struggles neither blood , nor violence, besides including some pursuits . Average cinematography and lousy musical score composed by synthesizer is made by the usuals Guido and Mauricio De Angelis.

Heroes must eat before saving the day.

One Man Ocean's Eleven.

The motion picture is regularly directed by Sergio Corbucci who was an expert on Spaghetti Western, such as he proved in ¨Django¨,¨The Mercenarios¨,¨Compañeros¨,¨Minessota Clay¨,¨Ringo and the golden gun¨,¨Hellbenders¨, among them. Furthermore he realized Hill and Spencer vehicles as ¨Who finds a friend has a treasure¨ with Salvatore Borghese who also plays in ¨Gambling for high stakes¨ as a mobster , and ¨Superfuzz¨ . The film is absolutely hilarious for Hill and Spencer enthusiasts and ranks among their less famous but most representative ones ; a must see for all their fans. 
Rating: a must watch for the italian duo connoisseurs and a fair enterntainment for the average enthusiast.

Trivia

Par e Impari is the twelfth movie collaboration of the legendary Italian comedy duo Terence Hill and Bud Spencer.

The production imported a company of fifty Italian crew to shoot this picture in America.

 

The picture was shot in the USA which had become the norm of the Hill-Spencer comedy movies of the then recent times such as Miami Supercops.

 

The movie won the Golden Screen Award alongside with Superman and Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1979. 

The Videotape copy of the film!

One of a number of films that the comedy team of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer made with director Sergio Corbucci. The films include "Odds and Evens" and "Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure" . Hill also made The Shortest Day and "Supersnooper" aka "Super Fuzz"  with Corbucci. 

 Here's the original movie trailer: