Contributions from Mark Allison | Little White Lies

Contributor Mark Allison

Two men wearing black suits and bow ties, appearing in a comic book style image.

The remarkable story of 1983’s Battle of the Bonds

by Mark Allison

Forty years ago, Roger Moore and Sean Con­nery duked it out at the box office as Octo­pussy and Nev­er Say Nev­er Again faced off on the big screen.
Four men with distinctive hairstyles and clothing posing in the back of a car, one with his arm raised.
Film Music

How The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour pioneered the visual album

by Mark Allison

In 1967, the Fab Four embarked on an extrav­a­gant, exper­i­men­tal jour­ney that would rede­fine what a pro­mo­tion­al film could be.
Two people relaxing on a yacht, with a scenic view of the ocean in the background.
In Praise Of

Why Timothy Dalton is the best James Bond actor

by Mark Allison

In The Liv­ing Day­lights and Licence to Kill, Dal­ton cre­at­ed the tem­plate for Daniel Craig’s hard-edged 21st cen­tu­ry Bond.
Man in suit holding a gun, man in coat walking by brick wall.
In Praise Of

How Get Carter dispelled the myth of the British gangster

by Mark Allison

In 1971, Michael Caine recast the cheery cock­ney crim as a decid­ed­ly nasty and unglam­orous antihero.
A man in black clothing grappling with a woman in a jungle setting.
In Praise Of

How GoldenEye reinvigorated the James Bond franchise

by Mark Allison

With a new 007 and more pro­gres­sive sex­u­al pol­i­tics, this film brought the series up to speed with the mod­ern world.
Two men in military uniforms, one with an emblem, talking intensely.
In Praise Of

Where Eagles Dare marked a turning point for Hollywood action

by Mark Allison

The film’s rad­i­cal approach to vio­lence and gen­der pol­i­tics was per­fect­ly pitched for the counter-cul­ture generation.
A woman with short, dark hair and makeup, looking contemplative and resting her chin on her hand.
Review

Manifesto

by Mark Allison

Cate Blanchett plays 13 dif­fer­ent char­ac­ters in this bold con­cep­tu­al dra­ma from direc­tor Julian Rosefeldt.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A black and white portrait of a serious-looking man with intense eyes and a focused expression.
In Praise Of

Who’s That Knocking at My Door: How the world met Martin Scorsese

by Mark Allison

It’s 50 years since the direc­tor announced his arrival as a major new force in Amer­i­can cinema.
Two people, a woman in a red coat and a man in a winter jacket, walking outdoors on a pier or boardwalk.
Review

Bushwick

by Mark Allison

New York’s frou-frou sub­urb comes under attack in this less-excit­ing-than-it-sounds emo actioner.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two individuals standing in a desert landscape, a man in a dark suit and a woman in a black dress.
In Praise Of

In defence of Quantum of Solace

by Mark Allison

Is Daniel Craig’s sec­ond Bond out­ing real­ly the worst of the entire series?
Colourful lights against a dark background, with a person lying on a bed wearing a printed dress and boots.
Review

The Untamed

by Mark Allison

A fam­i­ly is torn apart because of their sex­u­al obses­sion with a ten­ta­cled beast in this strange, grim pseudo-horror.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Three armed military personnel in combat gear standing in the dark.
Incoming

Everything we know about Sicario sequel, Soldado

by Mark Allison

Josh Brolin and Benecio Del Toro are set to return in this con­tin­u­a­tion of Denis Vil­leneu­ve’s car­tel land throwdown.