OSS 117 - Lost in Rio

Originally titled "OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus" this French spoof on Bond films is so bad some people might think its good. I didn't. But, if you like very campy, intentionally offensive, but very well told spoof movies, this is a good choice. Clearly in the vein of Pink Panther classics there is even a homage to Marathon Man and Vertigo in the final scenes.

Jean Dujardin is perfect as the flawed but legendary One-Seventeen of the French spy service. He looks enough like Sean Connery to pull off the obvious nods. How he kept a straight face during all this is beyond me, but I would love to see the out-takes.

Louise Monot is stunning as the Israeli agent paired with doofy 117.

The rest of the cast is just plain funny. Some of it is local Rio humor. Some of it is anti-Semitic. some of it is anti-Nazi.

If you choose, watch this movie with somebody who will get the Rio humor and not be offended by the rest of it.

Eastern Promises

This movie is certainly worth a watch again. If did not see it before, for whatever reason, consider any of the following reasons.

Viggo Mortensen did his homework very well. He comes off as a very credible Russian. And why not? He went there and lived among the "Vor" to learn how. We walked the walk AND talked the talk. Chilling portrayal.

Director David Cronenberg always goes for gritty reality in his pictures. He worked with Mortensen on History of Violence which you may also want to see.

Naomi Watts is the pivotal character of the story as a Labor and Delivery Nurse in a London hospital.

Armin Mueller-Stahl is perfect as the head of the crime family operating just below the radar in London. Vincent Cassel is his loser son. Great casting with a strong international group.

Yes, it is violent. Yes, Mortensen's character bares all in a steam room scene. That adds a level of reality that we don't usually get in crime movies.

While not for everyone, this movie is certainly a must-see for anyone who likes gangster stories, crime thrillers, or naked kings.

Watch this with someone with a high tolerance of cut-throat bad guys.