Movie Review
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Q
Quantum of Solace - Sony - Rated PG-13
I really like Daniel Craig and the new amped up Bond. But Craig and Bond deserve better than Quantum of Solace. After a promising re-tooling of the Bond series with Casino Royale, this second try doesn't fare quite so well. It seems we have a bad case of sequel-itis. It opens with a horrible, screetchy song, called "Another Way to Die," sung by Jack White and Alicia Keys, maybe the worst Bond song ever, and then the action starts right out of the gate beginning immediately after Casino Royale left off - making it the first true sequel. But there is a new director this time, Marc Forster who made Monsters Ball and The Kite Runner. Here he seems intimidated by the stunts and action work. It is so badly edited and shot it is incomprehensible. It is a furiously paced, choppy, jumpy, confusing, hyperactive, Bourne Identity wannabe. The story is also a step down, with a silly, unintimidating villain who wants to take over the Bolivian water supply! OH NO! He masquerades as an environmentalist and has the name Greene. Oh…yeah…I get it, irony. Solace isn't nearly as good as Casino Royale…not terrible, but the solace isn't up to the promise. 3 Stars Out of 5
Quarantined - Sony - Rated R
More than a little bit of Quarantine's film technique is borrowed from The Blair Witch Project. We're watching the tape after the events take place. It might have worked better with total unknowns. Since we're familiar with several of the lead actors, we know it's just a movie. Putting aside that small quibble, Jennifer Carpenter is very good. After she gets done on Dexter, she has a career in films ahead. The film is effective, spooky and pulse pounding, though it does stretch the limits of credibility. 3 Stars Out of 5
The Queen
Go to The Queen to bask in the glory of a great performance. Helen Mirren is nothing short of amazing. She is a lock for an academy award nomination. Sometimes comic, sometimes moving, The Queen is an absolute joy to behold. 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Quiet American
Michael Caine's performance is the highlight of this love triangle murder mystery. His take on a burned out opium addicted reporter is played in the perfect key. The disquieting sub-plot of the film is a bit heavy handed, and has anti-American leanings. Brenden Fraser also displays a formidable acting ability that he is rarely given the opportunity to.
4 Stars out of 5
Archive
Q
Quantum of Solace - Sony - Rated PG-13
I really like Daniel Craig and the new amped up Bond. But Craig and Bond deserve better than Quantum of Solace. After a promising re-tooling of the Bond series with Casino Royale, this second try doesn't fare quite so well. It seems we have a bad case of sequel-itis. It opens with a horrible, screetchy song, called "Another Way to Die," sung by Jack White and Alicia Keys, maybe the worst Bond song ever, and then the action starts right out of the gate beginning immediately after Casino Royale left off - making it the first true sequel. But there is a new director this time, Marc Forster who made Monsters Ball and The Kite Runner. Here he seems intimidated by the stunts and action work. It is so badly edited and shot it is incomprehensible. It is a furiously paced, choppy, jumpy, confusing, hyperactive, Bourne Identity wannabe. The story is also a step down, with a silly, unintimidating villain who wants to take over the Bolivian water supply! OH NO! He masquerades as an environmentalist and has the name Greene. Oh…yeah…I get it, irony. Solace isn't nearly as good as Casino Royale…not terrible, but the solace isn't up to the promise. 3 Stars Out of 5
Quarantined - Sony - Rated R
More than a little bit of Quarantine's film technique is borrowed from The Blair Witch Project. We're watching the tape after the events take place. It might have worked better with total unknowns. Since we're familiar with several of the lead actors, we know it's just a movie. Putting aside that small quibble, Jennifer Carpenter is very good. After she gets done on Dexter, she has a career in films ahead. The film is effective, spooky and pulse pounding, though it does stretch the limits of credibility. 3 Stars Out of 5
The Queen
Go to The Queen to bask in the glory of a great performance. Helen Mirren is nothing short of amazing. She is a lock for an academy award nomination. Sometimes comic, sometimes moving, The Queen is an absolute joy to behold. 4 ½ Stars Out of 5
The Quiet American
Michael Caine's performance is the highlight of this love triangle murder mystery. His take on a burned out opium addicted reporter is played in the perfect key. The disquieting sub-plot of the film is a bit heavy handed, and has anti-American leanings. Brenden Fraser also displays a formidable acting ability that he is rarely given the opportunity to.
4 Stars out of 5
