Easily the best Bond film in the last thirty years. I don’t remember the last time I cared about the characters in one of these movies– probably in From Russia with Love and that’s going way back. Daniel Craig is probably the best actor ever to play the part. He has the same ruthlessness as Connery, but he’s got, I daresay, more going on in the thespian department than the first J.B. I could have done with a little less card playing and I think front-loading the picture with its best action scene was a mistake, but these are quibbles really. This reboot of the franchise is off to a fine start in my opinion. If they’re going to continue to flesh out Bond with each new entry then I’m fully on-board.
Casino Royale
Martin Campell, director.
**** (out of five)
I joined ASIFA just prior to moving for my new job. As a result I haven’t been able to attend any of their awesome screenings (hey, if you’re listening guys, stop holding those screenings on weekdays at 7 pm– try and think about us workin’ guys). On the other hand, it looks as though I get to vote on the annual Annie Awards– the animation industry’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. To that end, I’ve gotten a few screener DVDs from the studios who would apparently like my vote. The wife and kids’re outta town this week so I started my day by watching my copy of Over the Hedge. Cynics among you are just going to say that the freebie disc is going to influence the character of my review. Think what you will, but I thought “Hedge” was probably the best of the DreamWorks films so far. This may sound like a left-handed compliment, but I found the film to be the most “Pixar-like” of the DWA films to date. It’s got heart, some decent dialogue, good characters and fine pacing overall. It didn’t resonate as strongly with me as the finest of the Pixar films, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. (Anyway, I liked it better than Cars). I’d like to see more of this kind of thing from Katzenberg and the boys.
Over the Hedge
Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick, directors
Len Blum et al, writers
***1/2 (out of five)
I just installed a little photo gallery plug-in to the ol’ Crabapple Cove. My first gallery of photos is of my sons Luke and Kenny! Check ‘em out! (My family, Beth, and Jeremy, I’m looking at you.)
Photo Gallery
[Update: Sadly, the plug-in no longer works.]
(Look into the eyes of evil! Evil, I tell you!)
I had a lot of fun with Borat. Not only was it very funny (which is sometimes a novelty in a comedy) it wasn’t quite like anything I’ve ever seen before. I realize I’m being a little vague, but what I’m trying to get across is hard to quantify. If you see the film, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Borat also happens to be one of the crassest movies I’ve seen in years. That’s not a problem for me because I dig me some crass; just know that this one’s not for everybody.
I have a feeling this flick’s going to go on to be a bit of a cult film. It’ll be too much for some people, but those who embrace it will embrace it hard.
Borat
Larry Charles, director
Sacha Baron Cohen, writer
***1/2 (out of five)
For almost twenty years, the Walt Disney Company spun its wheels asking themselves “What would Walt do?”. They almost invariably got the answer to that question wrong until The Little Mermaid was released in 1989. The script is a text book example in pacing, the songs are letter perfect, and the film features some outstanding animation (the “Part of Your World” sequence animated by Glen Keane is a particular stand-out). I was really happy to add this one to my collection.
The Little Mermaid
John Musker and Ron Clements, writers and directors
***** (out of five)
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