The Property Of A Lady
Posted on | November 23, 2008 at 5:35 pm | 2 Comments
Movie Mention Sunday!
Saw my first first-run theater movie in awhile today. The Hugh-man and I went to see the latest 007 flick Quantum Of Solace at the Continental Big Screen. This was also my first movie at the Continental since they remodeled the big screen theater to make it stadium seating. I dunno – I think I prefer the old way. Even though it wasn’t stadium seating, the layout was such that you could still see all of the screen no matter where you were sitting, even if there was someone in front of you. And the seats were big and luxurious with lots of leg room. I used to love just sinking down into them. And I think the screen is a bit smaller now, but that may be an illusion due to the floor remodel. (Back in the old days, the Continental was by far the biggest screen in the Denver area. Since then, I think some of the megaplexes have screens that are close. Not to mention IMAX.)
But I digress. QoS is a zippy little movie, especially compared to the first James Bond reboot movie Casino Royale. It seemed like the first half an hour or so was all action sequences. Not only is there a car chase and a foot chase, but also a boat chase and goldang plane chase. What is this, Iron Man? It was also shorter than CR and had less of a story. The action sequences, though intense, didn’t seem to be as well done as in the first movie. So, yeah, I didn’t enjoy it as much as CR, but it was definitely a worthy Bond entry. I still like Daniel Craig’s no-nonsense Bond (although I did wish for a bit more humor) and Judi Densch’s M had an expanded part in this one, which added some depth. Parts of the story were a tad confusing. Exposition comes out fast and furious and you have to really be paying attention. The plot had something to do with evil organization Quantum and the attempts of one of their agents to bogart the water supply in Bolivia. Or something like that. And Bond gets involved with a woman out for revenge against the man who killed her parents. Revenge and the toll it takes is the theme in general, since Bond is trying to avenge the death of his lover from the previous movie. Or is he?
The movie was fun and I recommend it, especially for Bond fans. Though it will never happen, I really think it’s time to have an R-rated 007 movie. I’m getting a little tired of the watered-down sex (which was all but absent from this flick anyway except for one brief scene) and violence. And just once I’d like to hear Bond use the F word when he’s in jam. Casino Royale seemed to be hinting toward a new direction in that respect, but I think this one backslides a bit. Also, just once, I’d like to see Bond get into a fight wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and athletic shoes instead of a suit. But then I guess he wouldn’t be Bond, right?
Latre.
Pet Peeve of the Day: We were awakened this morning by what sounded like an animal, probably a squirrel, caught inside the drainspout next to my bedroom window. I got up on the roof this afternoon and poked around in there, but couldn’t find anything. I hope whatever it is escaped. I don’t want to think about the alternative.
Comments
2 Responses to “The Property Of A Lady”
November 23rd, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
Aren’t there enough other movies with guys in dungarees, having rough sex and using language the Queen wouldn’t approve of? I think Bond movies stopped being Bond movies a long time ago, when they became action movies instead. Where’s the exotic casino scenes full of evening gowns and dangerous games of brinksmanship? Where’s the cartoonish villian with the preposterous schemes? Where the hell are the ludicrously impractical yet cool gadgets? (to be fair, I haven’t seen the last few movies, but I saw where they were headed once Dalton took over and by the time Brosnan showed up it was all but too late for anything but a last gasp or two)
Stuff that goes fast and blows up is fine, but there doesn’t need to be another addition to the genre if it’s at the cost of something which used to be its own distinctive thing. From what I see of the recent Bond films, he’s become Jason Bourne with a home address.
November 23rd, 2008 @ 11:39 pm
Where’s the exotic casino scenes full of evening gowns and dangerous games of brinksmanship?
You’re not lying when you said you haven’t seen Casino Royale…