Bulletin, The Big Screen Bulletin 11.17.08: Stirred, Shaken, and Smashed

Posted by Chad Webb on 11.17.2008

A complete review of "Quantum of Solace", the box office results, updates on "Twilight" sequels, Emma Thompson's future, Marc Forster's zombie film, new DVD releases, a new sermon, and more trailer ratings!

Quantum of Solace Review

Daniel Craig: James Bond
Mathieu Amalric: Dominic Greene
Olga Kurylenko: Camille Montes
Judi Dench: M
Gemma Arterton: Strawberry Fields
Jeffrey Wright: Felix Leiter
Giancarlo Giannini: René Mathis
Joaquin Cosío: General Medrano
Jesper Christensen: Mr. White
Directed By: Marc Forster
Written By: Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade
Release Date: November 14, 2008
Running Time: 106 minutes







The Quantum of Solace is defined as "a precise figure defining the comfort/humanity/fellow feeling required between any pair of people for love to survive. If the Quantum of Solace is 0, then love is dead."

--From the Ian Fleming short story

For those who crave a double, triple, even quadruple helping of action, Quantum of Solace is the motion picture experience you have been dreaming of. The new James Bond installment, a direct-sequel to Casino Royale, the magnificent reboot of the franchise, is non-stop, wall-to-wall, floor-to-floor action. If you can imagine the scenario in your head, and it involves a chase, an explosion, or a gunshot, QoS has it, and then some. While the new 007 movie is excellent, what does this contemporary approach say for the future?

With Die Another Day over-blowing the series to exhaustion (though it was a box office hit), it was back to the drawing board, and Casino Royale was the refreshing result. Now, a new road lies ahead for the British Secret Service agent. Since QoS contains so much action, the first thought that sprang to mind was, did they put all their eggs into one basket? What will happen with the next film? How could they hope to top the action sequences here? Unless the writers conjure up something extremely inventive, another Bond flick of incessant high-velocity scenes and rapid-fire editing will seem watered down and blasé. My advice is to ease back considerably for the next story. Minimize the action to 3, possibly even 1 or 2 major set pieces. Let the franchise breathe.

The beginning of QoS has James Bond in a car chase, which weaves in and out of traffic, through tunnels, and down dirt paths. Another has him avoiding Bolivian military officers with Camille Montes in a boat chase. Another has the same pair flying over a barren territory that environmentalist Dominic Greene's wishes to acquire. The bulky plane absorbs machine gun fire and dodges mountains before Bond and Camille's flight arrives at a "jerky" conclusion. I haven't even mentioned the action on foot yet, or the ending on that stunning compound design. This is a Bond who enjoys diving into the heart of the skirmish, whereas his predecessors wanted to get the mission done with a.s.a.p. and get some nookie. This is a gritty Bond, who could care less about getting bloodied and bruised and walking right into a luxurious lobby. This is a Bond, who… is appealing more to the Jason Bourne fans.

I am fully expecting the majority of readers to disagree with me since everyone is so gaga over reboots right now, but this needs to be said. While QoS was terrific, the future status of Bond is unclear. I don't mean the next film, or even the one after that. I mean the fate of James Bond. This is his 22nd official film, and the approach of EON productions and Director Marc Forster is risky. It is plainly obvious that James Bond wants to compete directly with Jason Bourne, and that is a mistake. While the two are similar, they have distinct differences, namely style and flair (the 2nd Unit Director Dan Bradley worked on the Bourne films). This new Bond has eliminated a hefty portion of both. Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon are in another league. Not a higher one, but definitely a different one.

One aspect that separates QoS from every other Bond venture is that they were accessible, and this is not. Viewers must be familiar with Casino Royale to fully appreciate the dialogue and events that transpire in this script. True, a handful of the early Connery films had elements which crossed over from picture to picture, but they were minor, and were always laid out again for new viewers to understand immediately. Parts of Quantum will be more than likely confusing to those who have not seen Casino Royale. This is fine, but for 007, it is relatively new terrain, and it could be a gamble.

QoS picks up approximately 20 minutes to an hour after Casino Royale left off with Bond (Daniel Craig) being betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved. This mission has become personal, and Bond wants it that way. He pursues and captures Mr. White (Jesper Christensen), who is then interrogated by Bond and M (Judi Dench). He reveals that the organization he belongs to has "people everywhere" and is almost entirely unknown to authorities. Shortly thereafter, forensic intelligence links an MI6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where Bond encounters Camille (Olga Kurylenko). She has some revenge of her own to dish out, and she leads Bond to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a businessman who is in talks with Bolivia's exiled General Medrano to control a major natural resource. Bond finds that he must step beyond the rules to discover the secrets of the Quantum group, and resolve his vendetta.

Bond has fallen in love before. On Her Majesty's Secret Service had the agent marrying Tracy, but it led to a devastating conclusion. That in turn, led to Diamonds are Forever, a film where 007 sets out for vengeance. Quantum is certainly more of a continuance than Diamonds though. Daniel Craig is a conglomeration of all the best qualities in a Bond character. He has subtle shades of humor reminiscent of Moore, the charisma of Connery, the emotion of Lazenby, the attitude of Dalton, and…as far as Brosnan goes, Craig still has Judi Dench as M. Craig's performance is fabulous because he is such a talented actor. He knows how to evoke Bond's feelings, yet is also competent during confrontations. Craig says nothing about martinis, does not utter the famous "Bond, James Bond", and does not have the gadgets, but that is ok. Craig is still a riveting Bond who is noticeably less low-key and more refined this time around.

Many of the mainstream critics have made complaints which almost all stem from the same core: clinging to the roots. Some have mentioned the lack of wickedness of the villain Dominic Greene, and/or the disappointing names of the Bond girls. As a reminder to fans of the old days, this is a reboot, or a re-imagining (call it what you will) of the Bond series, so of course not everything will be the same. It is not meant to be an exact replica. Mathieu Amalric, a superlative actor, who handed in the turn of his life in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is top-notch as a bad guy who exudes no clichés. He is deceitful and ruthless, but in a realistic way, not a cartoonish one. Along side him is General Medrano (played by Joaquin Cosío), who proves to be a mean SOB in his own right.

Olga Kurylenko has displayed her abilities as the central Bond girl Camille, who yes, does not have a flashy name. Get over it. I do not pay for a ticket based on the names. I prefer Bond girls to be more than just eye candy, and both Camille and Strawberry Fields accomplish this. Camille's backstory is intriguing, and we connect with her dilemma almost as much as 007's. Kurylenko is not on par withy Eva Green, Honor Blackman, or Diana Rigg, but she is more than satisfactory. Gemma Arterton is Strawberry Fields, even though the Strawberry is not unveiled until the credits. I enjoyed how her fashion sense matched the red hair, and her nod to Goldfinger was memorable.

Director Marc Forster seems afraid to let the camera linger at all, much like a hyper-active child on Red Bull. This is effective for the most part, but occasionally difficult to follow in terms of whom is alive at the end of a fight. The rate of movement is so constant that it sacrifices the drama which made Casino Royale so engrossing. On the contrary, his sense of atmosphere, and the manner in which he captures the casual conversations between Bond and other characters is fascinating and marvelous. Each exchange between Judi Dench's always masterful M (thankfully she has more to do here) and Bond is mesmerizing. The audience believes that this SPECTRE-esque Quantum organization is a threat. Despite the absence of gadgetry from Q branch, Forster and his army of special effects crew members have inserted computer technology that makes up for desiring any fancy new invention. This is technology that Tony Stark made famous.

The insertion of the gun barrel sequence at the end was nifty, but the teaser sequence and the creative main titles are still present at beginning. These are particularly striking as the outstanding theme song "Another Way to Die" is sung by Jack White & Alicia Keys, two genius musicians from divergent genres that establish a unique type of chemistry on the track. Sadly, the score from David Arnold is basic, unimposing, and forgettable. An enhanced score would have elevated the bombardment of action sequences. Monty Norman's iconic theme can be heard, but just barely. The title, Quantum of Solace, has been almost unanimously bashed, but I don't mind it. It might not roll off the tongue, but it sounds neat.

Taking into account the quantity of action and the accessibility factors that lower the rating, the screenplay from Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis, and Robert Wade is extraordinary, albeit a tad ambiguous. This is not about Quantum. It serves as an introduction to them. The focus is on Bond's internal suffering that is expressed as wrath. The dialogue is sharp, enthralling, and so natural that they could easily craft a Bond film with more talking and less action. I do wish they would have afforded more lines to Jeffrey Wright's wonderful work as CIA agent Felix Leiter, now tied with David Hedsion as the only two who depicted the character more than once. It should also be noted that Quantum of Solace has taken only the title from the Ian Fleming short story, nothing else.

The best moment in Quantum of Solace occurs when James Bond is watching members of the organization meet and converse subtly in an opera crowd. His interruption is priceless. It then shifts to an action sequence which transitions from no sound at all to blending the operatic music with the fight. Producer Barbara Broccoli has hinted that the 23rd installment will be the conclusion of a trilogy. Now that QoS has rocked and is under our belts, we know that James Bond will return, but what will the title be? The remaining ones unused from Fleming's work are Risico, The Property of a Lady, The Hildebrand Rarity, 007 in New York and the unfinished Ian Fleming novel he was working on (at the time of his death) which was completed by Kingsley Amis (a.k.a Robert Markham), Colonel Sun. All we can do is hope they have Bond's best interests at heart.

Final Rating = 8.0/10.0

On a side note, I have updated my "Best of Bond" list from last week to fit Quantum of Solace. Click here to see where it placed!

The News Bulletin

Bond's Best Opening
Tomorrow never does die for James Bond. In a historic victory for a film franchise that's nearly half a century old, Sony/MGM's "Quantum of Solace" secured the biggest domestic opening ever for a Bond pic, grossing an estimated $70.4 million from 3,451 runs--74% more than "Casino Royale." Previous record-holder for best Bond opening was "Die Another Day" ($47 million). "Solace's" win at the domestic B.O. continues the film's worldwide domination. Through Sunday, the 22nd official Bond pic had earned an estimated $251.6 million at the international B.O. for a worldwide total of $322 million. "Solace"--Daniel Craig's second outing as Agent 007--began rolling out internationally over the Oct. 31-Nov. 2 weekend. Even competing studios applauded "Solace's" performance as a sign that movie going can withstand the current economic crisis. Domestic box office was up by as much as 50% over the same weekend last year.

Also contributing to the surge was DreamWorks Animation/Paramount's family title "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" as it easily jumped the $100 million mark in its second sesh. Toon declined 43% in its second sesh to an estimated $36.1 million from 3,451 runs for a cume of $118 million. Universal's sleeper hit "Role Models" declined 39% in its second weekend to an estimated $11.7 million from 2,798 theaters for a cume of $38.1 million. The specialty side showed also saw strong results as Fox Searchlight's "Slumdog Millionaire" scored the best per theater average of the year for a specialty title. "Slumdog," from filmmaker Danny Boyle," grossed an estimated $350,434 from 10 theaters for a per location average of $35,043 and a cume of $418,131. (Film opened last Wednesday.)

"Solace," directed by Marc Forster, was the only new wide release of the frame as other studios steered clear of the "Royale" follow-up Released on the same weekend in 2006, "Royale" opened to roughly $40 million on its way to cuming $167 domestically, the best ever for a Bond title. Heading into the weekend, Sony tried to downplay expectations, as other box office observers predicted, based on tracking, that "Solace" would finish the weekend in the 60s, and perhaps even hit $70 million.
--From Variety

I was way off here, but I don't feel as bad because a lot of people did not expect QoS to have this spectacular an outing. I'm glad for the franchise, but my above comments on the future of it still stand. I thought Madagascar 2 would have given it a run for the position, but apparently not. Otherwise the money intake from #5 - #10 are very close with Zack and Miri at #6, Saw V holding on at #9, and even Soul Men staying alive at #7. I need to see Role Models. I had no idea a film with Sean William Scott would get such solid reviews and box office results. Changeling and HSM3 are still sticking in the middle of the top 10. Next week is hard to predict because the buzz for Twilight is so huge right now, yet Disney is releasing a family movie, Bolt. My money is on Twilight to surprise everyone.






The Future Holds Many Twilights
Summit Entertainment has acquired rights to the next three novels in Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" vampire series just one week before the first film's release says The Hollywood Reporter. "Twilight" scribe Melissa Rosenberg will also adapt the scripts for films based on second and third books "New Moon" and "Eclipse". No-one is yet attached to adapt the fourth novel "Breaking Dawn."

"Twilight" revolves around the relationship between an average teenage girl, Bella, and a vampire, Edward. In "New Moon," Edward leaves Bella, sending Bella into a depression and a friendship with another vampire. In the third book, "Eclipse," that relationship triangle evolves, while evil empires begin to pursue Bella. "Breaking Dawn" pushes the plot further with a marriage between Bella and Edward.
--From Dark Horizons

SPOILER ALERT! I've been reading a lot about this franchise lately, yet I have little to zero interest in it so figure that one out. Anyway, the cast and crew have stated that they have nowhere near the popularity of Harry Potter, but I still maintain that the buzz of the films and the book popularity is reminiscent of that series. I rated the trailers low because it does look lame, despite everyone claiming the contrary. Steph has been reading the books, and she told me what happens in New Moon. One guy turns out to be a werewolf (I realize this is not a huge spoiler). I'm sorry, but how on Earth did these stories become so sought after? What about them is so innovative and different in terms of the vampire genre? I know, Chad, you haven't actually read the books, so you should keep your mouth shut. That is true, but from what I have seen and heard, I'm not missing anything. That being said, I will see the film with an open mind. To get back on topic, Director Catherine Hardwicke says they need around $150 million to greenlight a sequel. I'm sure they'll meet that.






The Knight has Been Snubbeth
The music for "The Dark Knight" won't be eligible for an Oscar, according to Variety. The Academy committee will inform principle composers -- Hans Zimmer and James Newton -- that their score for the movie will be disqualified because too many other people were also listed as composers. Besides Zimmer and Newton, three others are officially on the credits as "composers" -- music editor Alex Gibson, ambient music designer Mel Wesson and composer Lorne Balfe. For a score to be considered by the academy, over 70-percent has to be attributable to the principle composers. All involved reportedly signed a document saying this was the case, but the Academy committee was unmoved. This will disappoint "The Dark Knight's" legion of fans, who would doubtless like to see the movie's superb, cutting edge score receive some recognition.
--From IGN

I discussed this on the podcast, but wanted to display my comments here as well. My question to Will, Erik, George, and Leonard was, is this a sign of things to come? I said that it is certainly not positive news, or a good way to start off, but it does not slam the door shut completely on other noms (Evidently the Academy argued for hours). If internet fanboys think that The Dark Knight will get nominated and win easily, they have another thing coming. I will say, and others on the podcast echoed these comments, that the Academy's policy on approving scores is very strange and very dumb. Remember that the Batman Begins score was similarly disqualified, but then again, it wasn't as brilliant as TDK. Johnny Greenwood from Radiohead was also denied for There Will Be Blood because not all of it was totally original. They need to adjust the policy, but that is neither here nor there.

Will and Leonard agreed that they think this will not affect the chances of other noms. They said it is all up to the Academy now. I must disagree. Little Miss Sunshine was nominated for so many categories not just because it was good, but because the crew campaigned heavily and actually handed out screeners to voters. Christopher Nolan and Warner Brothers will have to do the same thing if they hope to receive proper recognition (Ledger is obviously a lock). The quality alone will not cut it. Why not? Because the film came out during the summer for starters, and we all know how much more difficult it is to keep the hype up in the midst of other fall contenders. Nolan will have a boost with the DVD release and the re-release in IMAX though. Also, even though we all understand that TDK is beyond a mere comic book movie, the source is still a comic, and even though The Lord of the Rings (for fantasy) and Carrie (for horror) made great strides for the genres, it will not be easy, and they still need to fight tooth and nail. It is still the best film of the year, and I want it to receive awards as much as anyone, but that path is not a smooth one.






The Freeloading Super Troopers Beerfest
The Broken Lizard boys ("Super Troopers, "Beerfest") are coming back with their new big screen comedy "Freeloaders" reports Variety. The story revolves around five guys and a girl who live in the lap of luxury in a rock star's mansion. But their sweet situation is threatened when the rock star decides to sell the home. Dan Rosen will direct and co-wrote the screenplay with Gigolo Aunts lead singer Dave Gibbs. Counting Crows lead singer Adam Duritz will produce. Shooting is scheduled to begin in mid-January.
--From Dark Horizons

In the middle of Seth Rogen, Ricky Gervais, and the rest of the Apatow clan owning the comedy realm, I still have a soft spot for my Super Trooper clan. The Broken Lizard guys are always hilarious in my book, and although their style is not for all audiences, their films are persistently good with repeated viewings. Beerfest is my personal favorite. This new plot strikes me as Entourage in the music business mixed with a Broken Lizard approach. Dan Rosen will be a rookie director for this. He has previously done visual effects for many blockbusters, including The Matrix Trilogy, which will not help at all for these guys. And Adam Duritz is producing. A Broken Lizard comedy with Counting Crows soft tunes intertwined? Odd.






Step Aside for the Nanny, Trelawney!
Emma Thompson will not be returning as Professor Sybil Trelawney for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" says MTV News. The actress has opted instead to make a sequel to "Nanny McPhee", the 2005 family fantasy movie which she wrote and produced. Why turn down Potter? "The Harry Potters are great big franchises that are something I'm not emotionally attached to or necessarily particularly creatively attached to. That's more like doing a turn, whereas the Nanny McPhees are something I've written. The art is in those films, they're very handmade, they're something that's very close to me. Those are the ones I really care about."

As for the new McPhee film, entitled "Nanny McPhee and The Big Bang", the story is set one hundred years later during wartime and follows two families of evacuees - one from the country, the other from the city."This time, the lone parent is the mother. That's what it's about: The big war, and a war between these two sets of extremely different children...It's not a sequel, actually, it's a new story. The only thing that is the same is Nanny McPhee" says Thompson.
--From Dark Horizons

I reviewed Nanny McPhee back in 2006, and was unimpressed. I do admire her reasoning for backing out. Doing what we care about is important, but this decision does seem at least slightly foolish. Emma Thompson is a superb, award winning actress, who will be revered for years, but in the hearts of children, she could be forever known as the one and only Professor Trelawney. With only the two-part adaptation of the final book to go, how much more time would she need to spend at the role? It certainly is not too long that a Nanny McPhee sequel would be any less urgent by Potter's completion. Why not just finish the franchise, and then move on to your pet projects? On a side note, this new storyline sounds worlds better than the first one.






Zombies vs. The World
Marc Forster is moving from action spy territory to an apocalypse of the undead. The "Quantum of Solace" director is set to helm "World War Z", the film adaptation of Max Brooks's best-selling and politically charged novel about a worldwide infestation of flesh-eating zombies reports Variety. The book is a collection of first person accounts of various survivors from around the globe a decade after a zombie pandemic first emerged from the Three Gorges Dam area in China in the 2010s and proceeded to decimate the globe. The accounts involve not just some diverse stories of battles for survival, but the religious, geo-political, and environmental implications that came with the plague. "Changeling" scribe and "Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski is writing the screenplay, and Brad Pitt's Plan B is producing.
--From IGN

Marc Forster, a director with a mixed resume, has just released another solid effort in Quantum of Solace, but he seems like a filmmaker who strives to explore as many genres as he can. Sort of like Danny Boyle. On the surface, World War Z has a lot going for it: cool title, proficient director, talented screenwriter, and Brad Pitt's production company. However, it is about zombies. In the name of all that is holy, can we not give the damn undead/infected/terminally ill/whatever else, a rest? How many films do we need seriously? This is almost as bad as the endless remakes. Regardless of how great a read the book may be, the zombies need a break. Hollywood is flooding the genre, and General Romero says he is the only person allowed to make zombie movies.

The 20 Second Sermon

Clint Eastwood is in talks to direct Hereafter, a supernatural thriller in the vein of The Sixth Sense, but the story details are being kept under wraps. I love Eastwood's films, but I envision this film as being nothing special. Apparently Producer Avi Lerner spoke too soon in regards to Brett Ratner helming the new Conan. Honestly, who gives a shi*? Arnold was Conan, and without him, all we have is an impersonator. Plus how will Ratner ressurect the character? Leonardo DiCaprio's Apian Way company is still developing live-action adaptations of Akira and Ninja Scroll, but he will not star in either. He's just a fan of anime. Sadly we will not see Leo riding motorbikes. Akira is going to be immensely difficult to pull off. Michael Moore's next doc will cover the financial crisis, not foreign policy as a sequel to Fahrenheit 9/11 as rumored. Some wonder if audiences will still care about Moore with Obama in office. This doc is being rushed for the Spring. I say he is a bit too late with this now.

What's Coming to DVD….Buy or Avoid?

DVD Headline of the Week



Encounters at the End of the World - If Werner Herzog travels there, it becomes more interesting than it was before, and in this case, that place is Antarctica. This is a beautiful documentary, the best I've witnessed this year, and I am a hardcore Herzog follower, so this is a must Blu-Ray purchase. Preorderable

Wall-E - It is unquestionably one of the best films of the year, and would have been the headline, but more people have heard of this. Pixar keeps their string of masterpieces going. This is available in a 1 disc, 3 disc, and Blu-Ray. Preorderable

Tropic Thunder (Unrated Director's Cut) - This was a hilarious comedy, definitely one of the better of the genre in 2008. The performances were first-rate all around, the concept was fascinating, and all was well executed except the fact that the ending favored excessive explosions. Buyable

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 - I have nothing against watching a story geared towards females, but this was released during my vacation, so I missed it, and I haven't seen the first one either. To be honest, I doubt I will see either in the near future.

Gonzo: the Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson - This documentary comes from Director Alex Gibney, who did Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and Taxi to the Dark Side, so he knows the territory. I wouldn't mind seeing this sometime.

The Clique Read the summary on Amazon and tell me this is not a Mean Girls rip-off.

Monty Python Holy Trinity - This contains the three big films: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life. Chances are most of you already own the ones you want, and will pass on this. By the way, wasn't Romero's original "dead" trilogy called the Holy Trinity?

The Zombie Diaries - The quotes from various horror websites I haven't heard of label this as good, but you never know how reliable they are.

David Lynch the Lime Green Set - This is described as 32 deleted scenes from Wild at Heart. Why wouldn't that be in the title? It is David Lynch, so you never know.

300 (Limited Collector's Edition) - This set is packed with a brand new documentary, the graphic novel, a digital copy, a 52 page hardcover art book, a Lucite display with motion film clip, and I could go on. This is only while supplies last. I definitely liked the movie enough to splurge on this. Buyable

Priceless - This French film is incredibly funny and sweet. It is in many ways a re-imagining of Breakfast at Tiffany's. Audrey Tatou is brilliant. Buyable

Forgotten Crime & Noir, Vol. 4 - This includes approximately 8 movies in the set, all of which have neat titles. I must give this a look down the road.

Griffith Masterworks 2 - Kino has really amped up their game lately. This is Griffith's second set. The best titles were in the first one, but if you're a fan of silent films, this is worth checking out. This is a 5 disc set.

Cannibal! The Musical (13th Anniversary) -A 13th anniversary edition? Leave to a Trey Parker directed film from Troma to do that. Seriously though, this is hilarious, gory, and if you have the stomach, a worthy experience. Buyable

The Critic's Quickee

I'm slacking this week, mainly because of a Bond obsession, but also because the new release titles had a "wait a week" vibe. I'll probably have a Role Models quickee next week for you.

What Have I Done?

Monday - I saw online that The Real Ghostbusters complete series box set is available from Time Life in a mammoth 25 disc package (in the shape of the firehouse from the show). I was a huge fan as a kid, and even had the firehouse as a toy. It came with a plastic canister of slime, which I accidentally broke. Unfortunately this occurred in my Dad's (at the time) brand new Ford Mustang convertible. He was not happy.






Tuesday - I finally gave in and bought the Sonic Youth CD Daydream Nation because I had never heard any material from them before, and wanted to. It seems like something that gets better the more you listen to it. Right now all I can say is that it was ok, but I can understand Juno declaring that "it was nothing but noise!"







Wednesday - Here is a friendly reminder to spend an extra dollar on Andy Capp's Hot Fries, a regular convenient store snack in basically any state. I go through them quickly, much like I did on this day. The other flavors aren't as good, but if you enjoy hot snacks, this is worth a shot.







Thursday - I finished the Sin City graphic novel Family Values in one day. I haven't heard about this tale being adapted for the first sequel to the film, but it was excellent nonetheless. That deadly little Miho always has creative ways of killing people.






The Weekend - As my gradual watching of more Bond continued, so did my Blu-Ray purchases, which this time consisted of the new Collector's Edition of Casino Royale. My downstairs neighbor can attest to the sound being top-notch as I received a stern letter to turn down the volume after 11pm.

Based on the Trailer…

Newest Trailers

Cadillac Records - I like movies about the music industry, so this is a must see, but it appears that everyone desperately wants an Oscar nom. Hopefully this is isn't one big cliché. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The Reader - Another glorious looking film starring Kate Winslet, who has Ralph Fiennes helping her. It involves Nazi's, so heads up Academy, but it looks outstanding anyway. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Crossing Over - At long last, Harrison Ford returns to expressing his acting talents, not his popularity in the action genre. This has a great cast, a good director (Wayne Kramer), and a fascinating premise. I'm definitely in. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Fanboys - This has to be one of the funniest trailers I have EVER seen. I will be seeing this for sure. Just look at the title, and watch it. I will spoil nothing. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Bedtime Stories - This looks like harmless and cute Disney fun. I have no doubt it will be an eye-rolling experience, but Sandler should provide some laughs. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Monsters vs. Aliens - Wow, another terrific trailer, and this is a CGI flick from Dreamworks, who is stepping up their game past Shrek thankfully. This looks hysterical. Trailer Rating =9.5/10.0

November Releases

Transporter 3 - I know George's buddy is looking forward to anything Statham, but this franchise has never been all that outstanding to me. Statham is hit or miss. I'll see this I guess, but only out of curiosity. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Australia - The new epic from filmmaker Baz Luhrman seems to have left out his usual exaggerated flair. Kidman and Jackman will make a fine team. I think this looks rather good, and the trailer has a splendid piece of music accompanying it. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Bolt - It takes exactly two seconds to decipher the Disney CGI to the Pixar Disney CGI. This has John Travolta as the lead voice. The hamster seems funny, but the rest doesn't impress me. Trailer Rating = 5.5/10.0

Milk - Sean Penn as a gay man. At least we know he wants an Oscar. I love Gus Van Sant, so this should be fabulous no matter how many Oscars they want. The cast has some outstanding young guys in it, so I'm there. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Four Christmases - Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon in a holiday comedy. Yippee. I generally dislike modern Christmas movie because they all go way overboard on the slapstick. This appears to be up that same alley with typical Vaughn shtick. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

Twilight - I realize this is a bit of a cheat since the link goes to all the trailers, but I did watch all of them. My conclusion is that a lot of Matrix like action and a lame romance angle will produce a mediocre vampire flick no matter how unique it may seem. Sorry for those who enjoy the books, but this cannot be what you wanted. Trailer Rating = 5.5/10.0

December Releases

Doubt - A great looking drama with great performers. This trailer was riveting. I'm looking forward to it. How can you go wrong with Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman going toe to toe? Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Frost/Nixon - Wow. I was glued to my seat. This is an amazing trailer that shows right away how brilliant the performances are. Ron Howard is a superb director, and I really hope this is a hit for him. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Yes Man - A new Jim Carrey comedy where he must say yes to everything. Sounds a bit like Liar Liar, but this is the Carrey humor I have missed for years. It looks pretty funny to me. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Delgo - I've seen this one twice now, and it amazes me how studios think. If we stack as many stars that are willing to join, it will be a hit right? No. The animation looks sloppy, and the story sounds forgettable. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

Defiance - This new Edward Zwick film looks outstanding with Daniel Craig leading the cast in World War II story. This gave me chills. I can't wait. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Seven Pounds - I'm not quite sure what to make of this yet, but it looks compelling, and it also looks like Mr. Smith is aiming for another Oscar nom. We'll see, but this is worth a ticket price. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Punisher: War Zone - This is only a teaser, but I get the impression I have seen all I need to. This sequel (or whatever is in relation to the previous film) looks like an comic action nightmare with cliches up the wazoo. I'm not a fan of the Punishers movies thus far, and this does not look to change that. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

Gran Torino - Clint's second release looks good primarily because he is in it. Otherwise, the plot would seem average at best. But since he is the star and the director, my interest goes up considerably. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - This film looks amazing. David Fincher is the man, I will be waiting to purchase my ticket. A plot about someone who ages backwards has all sorts of possibilities. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

The Spirit - This is the new adaptation from Frank Miller. I'm anxious to see this, but from this teaser, it looks a bit too similar to Sin City. Oh well. I loved that film, so maybe this will be just as entertaining. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Spirit (2) - This revealed a lot more than the teaser, and while this film looks like a blast, I have some doubts, and they start with Samuel L. Jackson. Can Frank Miller hit a homerun for a third time? Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Day the Earth Stood Still - This teaser illustrates how a classic sci-fi film will probably not update well for this era. I am curious because Keanu Reeves is a suitable choices, but I noticed too much CGI just from this, so that's not a good sign. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

The Tale of Despereaux - This new Universal CGI film has some cute lines and some exquisite animation, but the plot strikes me as dull. You never know, at least it isn't filled with poop jokes. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

January Releases

Paul Blart: Mall Cop - Kevin James stars in a Happy Madison production about a mall security guard. This looks like it will provide a few chuckles, but not much more. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Bride Wars - Kate Hudson has gone downhill as much as possible after her great role in Almost Famous. This looks dreadful, and not because it is targeted at women. I'm sure it will be #1. Trailer Rating = 2.5/10.0

Notorious - You can access both trailers from here. The newest offers a larger glimpse. This movie looks ok with inspired casting decisions, but my question is how sugarcoated will it be? Even those a little familiar with Biggie will see through the phony scenes. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Uninvited - A crappy looking horror film with some sort of lame twist at the end. Yay. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - I have never been a big fan of this franchise. The first film was ok, but the second was weak. I like Rhona Mitra, she's hot, and has talent, but needs to pick some dramas. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

February, TBD, and Beyond Releases

Che - Granted, this is in Spanish, which I do not speak fluently, but this trailer looks amazing nevertheless. Soderbergh's epic should be fantastic. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

The Escapist - A British prison break film starring Brian Cox. This is my favorite genre, so I can't wait for this, but in order for this to make a splash, it will have to be something special. The critic quotes being from random guys worries me. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Friday the 13th - This looks about as bad as any Michael Bay produced remake, but the mother voice over was eerie. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

Terminator Salvation - I love Christian Bale, and the Terminator franchise, but I have serious doubts about this. I believe it will be terrible, but I must admit, this teaser was well constructed. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Watchmen - This was the best trailer attached to my Dark Knight screening. Hopefully Zack Snyder can continue to improve his skills after 300. I must read this graphic novel soon. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Star Trek XI - The teaser was superbly placed before Cloverfield, and this causes me to be amped for the next installment despite my doubts about the cast. I hope it's as good as we deserve. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Wolverine - Not the finest quality of trailers, but you can still see and understand it. Gavin Hood is directing, so that is intriguing. The preview is ok, and I am still unsure. Can the character carry a whole film on his own? Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The Perfect Game - Though I'm not a baseball fan, I always enjoy watching the Little League World Series. The problem with this film, despite a bad title, is that the preview reveals way too much, so hopefully it has more going for it besides the story, which I'm sure is inspirational. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Outlander - Hmm, I'm not sure about this, but the cast alone is enough for me to buy a ticket. James Caviezel is so talented, but his script choices continue to boggle me (not in a bad way mind you). The idea is shaky, but the effects and acting look good, so I'm in. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The International - Sadly, this will be released early in 2009, which is not a good time of the year. Still, I like both Owen and Watts, and since Tom Tykwer is helming, it should be at least halfway decent. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Fast & Furious - Is that the best title they could come up with? Well, I hate this franchise, and everything it stands for, but I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a step up from the previous installment. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

The Soloist - Atonement' Joe Wright changes his British period drama material for something new. This looks a bit like Resurrecting the Champ, only with better actors. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Knowing - This has Number 23 sort of approach, which is fine, but why is Nicolas Cage doing all these mediocre thrillers? He's a great actor, and should be showing that more. Anyway, this looks ok. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

New York, I Love You - The first film, Paris, Je T'aime was one of the best films in recent memory that few knew about. So I am very excited about this second installment. The cast and directors look amazing. It should be a terrific experience. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

The Pink Panther 2 - This has a great cast, but I did not like the first remake, so I probably won't be rushing to the theater for this either. Not my cup of tea. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - This was a great book, the darkest of the set, and this trailer rocks. I'm anxious to see this. The franchise has not decreased in quality, and here's hoping this continues that trend. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2) - Yes, I am a bit skeptical of the director, but this looks very good. This teaser gave me hope that Yates knows what he's doing. The comedy part at the end was terrific. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Angels & Demons - The Da Vinci Code was a superb thriller, and this looks to be outstanding as well. This teaser has me amped for Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon again! Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Other Stuff to Read

The Best Movies of the Alphabet
411 October Roundtable - This month Owain J. Brimfield continues as roundtable host and compiles the thoughts of the movie zone staff on the releases for October!
The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks - Thanks again to John Meehan for providing my banner here, and for the Alphabet feature.

Also, keep an eye out for more comic book character timelines in the future. Here are the first two:

The Ultimate Batman Timeline
The Ultimate Daredevil Timeline



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