Sadly, it seems tragedies are the order of the day.
Yesterday it was revealed that director Zach Snyder, best known -and made the object of much internet loathing for his Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice film- announced he would be stepping away from completing the Justice League film because his 20 year old daughter had committed suicide and he felt he and his family needed to take the time off to deal with this tragedy (you can read a little more about this here).
As I’ve mentioned far too many times before, I very much liked BvS and, frankly, found myself at a loss as to why so many on the internet were so negative both about the film and, especially, Mr. Snyder. The loathing, anger, and snipping he got were, in my opinion, way disproportionate to the film -whether you liked it or not- he delivered.
My deepest condolences and its a damn shame all that internet blather forced him to break his silence and announce the reason he was leaving the JL movie. Unfortunately, had he simply walked away and dealt with this tragedy in private, there’s little doubt many of the more nasty people on the internet would have openly speculated he was fired from the JL film or worse because of course it has to be a disaster.
To them, I can only hope they get over themselves.
Even if BvS were the worst film -much less superhero film- ever released, Mr. Snyder didn’t deserve half the crap he got for it.
Again, my condolences.
Next up, the passing of Roger Moore…
The first Bond film I ever saw -I think!- happened to be the first Bond film featuring Sir Roger Moore. Released in 1973, Live and Let Die is, to my eyes still, a fantastic piece of action escapism.
In time I got to see not only all of Mr. Moore’s Bond films, but also all the Sean Connery features. Overall I felt Mr. Connery’s films were stronger, but Roger Moore’s works, though far more tongue in cheek, were nonetheless quite good as well.
To me the biggest problem with Mr. Moore’s Bonds versus Connery’s is that it seemed every really good Bond film was followed by a far… lesser… one.
In order, Mr. Moore appeared in these seven Bond films:
Live And Let Die
The Man With The Golden Gun
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
For Your Eyes Only
Octopussy
A View To A Kill
It’s interesting, to me, how I love Live and Let Die and disliked The Man With The Golden Gun. I love The Spy Who Loved Me (many feel, and with good reason, that this is one of Mr. Moore’s all time best Bond films) and disliked Moonraker. I love For Your Eyes Only (my own personal favorite Moore Bond film) and love Octopussy (hey, two in a row!) but found A View To A Kill a sad finale to his Bond role.
Of course, Mr. Moore didn’t just do James Bond films. He was active in TV and movies and was equally well known for playing Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint.
He was also very capable of making fun of himself as evidenced from this scene from the film Cannonball Run. Easily the film’s funniest scene, where Mr. Moore plays spoiled rich brat Seymour, a man who thinks he’s the super-suave Roger Moore…
Rest in Peace, Mr. Moore. I can’t help but appreciate all the hours of great entertainment you’ve provided me.