Miscellaneous Movie Musings

[innerSpaceman]

Children of Men is out on DVD now.


If you missed it in theaters, you've no excuse anymore.

[Snowflake]

Continuing with my, "I did not see it in the theater, so I'm catching up on Netflix" rentals of 2006 films, I just rented and saw Casino Royale. This was my first bond film in years. I missed Timothy Dalton, I missed Pierce Brosnan, alas, I think my last Bond film was a Roger Moore. And I love Sean Connery's Bond. I knew this was going to be a different James Bond film, it was. This Bond was dark, this Bond was a killer, this Bond was absolutely riveting. Of course, I'm talking Daniel Craig. I thought as I was watching, I can see this man grow and evolve into Bond, I actually welcomed the franchise going back to the original Fleming novels, all of them, and remaking them with Craig.

Of course, did I have any caveats? Yeah, I never expect a Bond film to be 100% realistic and allow me to suspend my disbelief, but I did think the opening action sequence, while exciting, it was over the top and over long. And the defibrilator in the glove box, then going back into the Casino and having a drink (after very nearly being believably dead), this was a bit much. And then there was the thing in Venice. Okay, these are minor points and only my little complaints, Bond films do need a lot of splash and action and this one had it, in spades (pun intended). I found the film to be well worth waiting for and am now sorry I did not see it on the big screen. the final moments were, for me, note perfect.

Yes, Daniel Craig is hot, hot HOT. I know I'm last in line in this queue, but just had to say it.

Now, does anyone know what is next in the franchise?

[innerSpaceman]

Nope, but it won't be Fleming novel. Casino Royale was the last of 'em not adapted by EON Productions ... so I think it's back to the made-up stuff, with titles garnered from Fleming's names for his houses or cars or canaries.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Nope, but it won't be Fleming novel. Casino Royale was the last of 'em not adapted by EON Productions ... so I think it's back to the made-up stuff, with titles garnered from Fleming's names for his houses or cars or canaries.

Too bad, I think they deserve to be revisted.

Anyway, count me a convert to the Daniel Craig camp. I will look forward to the next installment.

And, I have to say, I thought he was also riveting in Infamous and in Munich, but for different reasons. he has certainly made some interesting choices.

[katiesue]

I've been catching up as well.

Loved Casino Royale. Like Snowflake I haven't seen many of the more recent ones but this one was great. I may even have to buy it. Daniel Craig is hot.

Children of Men. I liked this one very much as well. I read the book years ago, I'm a huge PD James fan but I can't remember much of what happened in the book, although I'm thinking there are some major differences. I got it out last night so now I can re-read.

Tonight I've got Stranger than Fiction to watch. Maddy watched it last week and liked it.

[innerSpaceman]

Ooooh, let me know what you think of the book after you re-read it; I loved the movie so much, I have a hankering to check out the novel.


Oh, and Daniel Craig was also good in Infamous ... and I would have never noticed him as the same actor in Munich if I hadn't been so hung up on him as Bond. Interesting choices, indeed. But those days may now be over, and he may be stuck with James Bond typecasting for the rest of his career.

I hope not.

[katiesue]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Ooooh, let me know what you think of the book after you re-read it; I loved the movie so much, I have a hankering to check out the novel.

Ok I've finished the book. It's very different from the movie. The basic premise that no children are being born and Theo comes in conctact with a pregnant woman is about all they have in common.

And besides the characters being named Theo, Julian etc that's about it there as well.

That said I very much enjoyed it. Especially as it was so radically different it was easy to not compare it to the movie. Without giving too much away the book is much less 1984ish than the movie. With no younger generation and the population decreasing things are just kind of decaying. Hope is gone. PD James is one of my favorite writers anyway and the book has a bit of her usual mystery.

I'm happy to pass the book along to anyone who wants to read it.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Attended the world premiere of Grindhouse and cannot remember the last time I had that much fun watching a movie with a large audience. Most people were at times laughing, screaming, covering their eyes, delighted or horrified; it was a wonderful experience. I wasn't planning on seeing it again after it's released, because the one time can't be topped, but I think I'm changing my mind.

Also, saw The Lookout. Solid performances and an interesting/sad story. Now I really must see Brick.

And, Blades of Glory. Saw a screener when working on the website and the final cut was pretty similar. Tummy ache after all the laughter.

[Alex]

Everybody I know who has seen it has pretty strongly agreed that the Tarantino half is light years better than the Rodriguez half.

What are your thoughts on the two halves?

I believe they're being released independently in Europe. It'll be interesting to see how they perform.

[flippyshark]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Everybody I know who has seen it has pretty strongly agreed that the Tarantino half is light years better than the Rodriguez half.

Christy Lemire, an AP critic filling in for Roger Ebert on Ebert and Roeper, definitely felt otherwise. she thought the Tarantino half almost killed the joy of the whole outing. Roeper disagreed. You can see their reviews here.

This opens on my birthday (Friday the 6th) and I hope to be there for it.