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.

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