Short Takes: Skyfall

Chick 2 says:

Overall Concept: A The Bond series has been renewed ever since Daniel came along, but this is its freshest take yet. Combine Craig with Sam Mendes, Roger Deakins, and Thomas Newman, and that’s a formula for a great movie regardless of it’s past. Add in Ben Whishaw as the new Q, and this installment is off to a good start.*

Acting: B It’s a Bond movie – acting not required. But brilliant turn by Javier Bardem.

Script: B It’s a Bond movie – script not required.

Cinematography: A++ Roger Deakins – top notch, brilliant, one of my favs

Hotness of Cast: A+ It’s a Bond movie – hot actors required.

Wardrobe: A

Location/Setting: A Beautiful locations, also beautifully enhanced by great cinematography

Climax: B

Special Effects: A

*See Chick 1’s review to read more about the drawbacks of being still just another Bond movie. Spoiler warning.

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Chick 1 in Reviews, The 2010s 143 Comments

Review: Skyfall

Chick 1 says:

Yay! It’s holiday movie season and we get to start with a treat for the boys AND the girls. Bond is back and he’s 50 years old. And he’s in top form, considering his age.

There’s plenty of action including a great pre-credits sequence. I didn’t find it quite as non-stop as Quantum of Solace but still good fun. It does get a little slow in the last half of the second act and I didn’t think the climax quite lived up to the hype. But it’s still a solid Bond. Read more

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Chick 1 in Reviews, The 2010s 139 Comments

Trailer Trash: Skyfall

Chick 1 says:

Yippee! And yummy!

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Chick 1 in Trailer Trash 122 Comments

Casting Notes: Bond to Fight Aliens

Chick 1 says:

A few days ago I reported that Robert Downey Jr had dropped out of the scifi-western Cowboys & Aliens due to a scheduling conflict with the Sherlock Holmes sequel. His replacement has been announced and it is…. (drum roll)… Daniel Craig. I’m a fan of Daniel Craig’s. I had never been a huge fan of the James Bond series but Craig & director Martin Campbell won me over when they rebooted with Casino Royale &, in my opinion, Quantum of Solace was even better. But I’m not sure how this will work with Cowboys & Aliens. Craig always seems very stern & broody, which has worked for him but it seems that this project might require a sense of humor that is more in line with Downey’s persona. I’m certainly willing to give Craig the benefit of the doubt and see what he turns out. Also, I’m willing to trust Jon Favreau who has proved himself a capable director. Cowboys & Aliens is due to be released in 2011.

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Chick 1 in Casting Notes 1,270 Comments

Randomness: Oscar Notes

Chick 1 says:

I wasn’t going to start this rundown of the telecast until it actually started at 7:30 CST. But after what just happened on the red carpet, it’s time to start.

5:50 pm: All six children from the cast of Slumdog Millionaire being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest. Was that not the most adorable thing ever?! I could have eaten them all for dessert. Closely followed by the other cast members from Slumdog, all humble, excited, and a little giddy. And they seem to handling the whirlwind surrounding their film quite well. I hope this movie wins Best Picture! Read more

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Chick 1 in Randomness 2,254 Comments

I Can’t Wait: The Long Cold Winter

Let’s face it. January and February are the nuclear waste dump of Hollywood. A period when movies whose releases have been pushed further and further back because they couldn’t compete with whatever else was being released, movies that have disappointed studio execs, movies that studios don’t know what to do with, and movies that just have no one to believe in them find themselves finally showing to audiences.

Add to this the romantic comedy season leading up Valentine’s (a genre I’ll talk about in an upcoming blog) and choices at the theater can seem kind of bleak. Read more

Posted on January 6, 2009 by Chick 1 in I Can't Wait! 74 Comments

Review: Quantum of Solace

Chick 1 says:

Yummy Daniel Craig follows his debut as James Bond in Casino Royale. Did I notice anything in the movie besides the ludicrously attractive Craig? Surprisingly, yes!

What I Liked: The movie goes straight to the action, and it doesn’t let up. Director Marc Forster employs the increasingly popular handheld camera to capture the fights & it really gets you inside the action. The plot is driven in quick terse scenes, barely giving you time to catch your breath before you’re pulled into the next sequence of bone crunching stunts. Things move fast & the ride is awesome. The cast does a fine job & there are some very nice cinematic storytelling moments from both director & cinematographer. Read more

Posted on November 15, 2008 by wj11 in Reviews, The 2000s 70 Comments

I Can’t Wait!: Australia, The Soloist, & Quantum of Solace

Fall is here & that means – Oscar season! Yes, a few inspirational films scattered throughout a bunch of movies to slit-your-wrists-by. Guess which ones I prefer.

On the heels of Oscar season comes the holiday movie season. Blockbuster tentpole releases, family films (some crappy, some fun), & a few Oscar stragglers.

Here are a few upcoming releases that I’m excited about. Hmmm… they all come out within 5 days of each other.

Posted on September 28, 2008 by Chick 1 in I Can't Wait! 113 Comments

daniel craig