Casino Royale

Directed by Martin Campbell
Starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, Eva Green and Mads Mikkelsen.

Review by Junior.

I agree wholeheartedly with my esteemed colleague that Sean Connery was the best bond, B.C. B.C., of course stands for "before Craig," Daniel Craig that is. For years this once daring series had become more and more dated, jokey and unable to keep up with the action films which have supplanted it. This bold attempt at a reboot gets every note right, jettisoning what was holding Bond back and keeping enough of the flavor, the flair, the style and the sex to make this not just a Bond film, but a great Bond film.

Whereas Dr. No was the first Bond movie, Casino Royale is an adaptation of the first Bond novel, and details Bond's attainment of "double-oh" status and his first mission. He is described by M, played with fiery intellect here by Judi Dench, as a "blunt instrument," and at times he does seem to be. Young proto-Bond is arrogant, brash and impulsive, without the cool reserve one has come to expect from this character. This Bond is as likely to beat someone to death on a bathroom sink as shoot them, and often gets himself as beat up as John McClane in the process.

After the pre-title sequence, we are quickly treated to the best action scene in the film, an exciting foot chase of a suspect with incredible rabbit-like agility through jungle, a construction site, the streets of Uganda, and finally into an embassy. This kind of action you've never seen in a Bond film before and signals the kind of visceral intensity to which the creative team behind this new incarnation of the series obviously aspires. Some have criticized this level of action as unbecoming of a Bond film, but my feeling is that if they were adapting Fleming's books today, without the long filmic history, Bond would indeed be an action hero like this.

And the film does have enough traditional Bond elements to satisfy me, at least. Although he does run through the dirty streets of Uganda and beat bad guy butt in bathrooms, he also goes to swanky Casino Royale, playing cards with the best of them, and looking very suave in an excellently tailored tuxedo. He sleeps with a couple of fabulous women, maintaining his reputation as a world-class womanizer. He discovers a really good martini and finally finds that it's cool to announce his presence as "Bond, James Bond."

It is worth noting the nod here to Ursula Andress' emergence from the surf in Dr. No. Here the ladies get a treat (twice) of Bond in a form-fitting swimsuit. His body is also on display in a very brutal and inventive torture scene, a torture, BTW, that is in the original novel and could probably not have been portrayed on film in more conservative times.

The creative team also manages to have their cake and eat it too---a splashy, dramatic, destructive climax without having Bond infiltrate the bad guy's giant evil installation hidden inside a volcano and blowing it up.

Finally, the supporting cast is great. In addition to Judi Dench whom I've already mentioned, there is Geoffrey Wright as CIA agent Felix Lighter, black (again) and with legs---if you've seen Felix from previous films you'll know what I mean. Mads Mikkelsen as bad guy Le Chiffre is also appropriately slimy.

If this Bond reboot can maintain this impressive balance of style, action, sex and good acting we lapsed Bond fans will have something to truly cheer about: a Bond series we can look forward to for many years to come.

Story---8
Acting---7.5
Look ---7
Overall---8

Retro Review - Dr. No

Dr. No is the first installment of the James Bond flicks. Starring Sean Connery (the best Bond ever) with an assortment of Bond Girls, including Urusla Andress.
Released 1962. Directed by Terence Young, from the novel by Ian Fleming.

Review by CINEMAGIRL:

Dr. No sets the stage for an entire genre of suave, sexy spy movies. Although this first film in the 007 enterprise is fairly campy, due mainly to its age, it takes the viewer on a fun adventure lined with palm trees, bikini-clad bombshells, and a hairy Scotsman starring as Bond, James Bond.

Dr. No is hardly a serious film, but an entertaining adventure. Connery is dapper and sly as our favorite British spy. His dialogue is well written. The character of Bond makes a believable spy. When Bond arrives at the airport in Kingston, Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of an agent, he is offered a ride by chauffeur. But he immediately recognizes this as a ploy from the bad guys to catch him and kill him. As a smart spy, he rides along with the guy, attempts to get information out of him and then kills him, taking the body along to HQ for examination and removal.

In other, crappily made action-suspense movies the so-called spy would've gladly accepted the ride and been shocked and amazed that the driver was actually an evil henchman ready to nab him. Oooh! Surprise! Then he would've killed the henchman and left his body to rot in the sun, as if no one will stumble upon it on a populated island like Jamaica. Events like this in crappy movies always leave me with questions. What happened to the dead guy? Who found him? Surely he's not still there? (I'm a stickler for details.)

Bond's investigation leads him and an island native to Crab Key, home of the oddly Caucasian-looking "Chinese" Dr. No - and also the place where he meets Honey, the tanned Urusla Andress clad in her infamous white bikini, collecting seashells for sale in gift shops. Yes, that's actually what she claims to be doing.

Of course, the two get caught, have a meeting with Dr. No, some action and suspense ensues and they have to attempt an escape. You know the drill.

Interesting side note: Dr. No is the basis for Dr. Evil in the silly Austin Powers series.

Dr. No is a fun ride and a classic 007 movie. Some like the new movies better, with their high action, fancier gadgets and huge budgets, but I'm a fan of the retro '60s flicks, with all their style.

For an evening of mindless entertainment, rent Dr. No. Or, for an entire weekend, rent all Connery movies and sack out on the couch.

STORY: 6
LOOK: 8
OVERALL: 8 ...Come on, it's fun.

SPECIAL EVENT: We spent "An Evening With Don Hertzfeldt"

I'm sorry if you missed out on the show, but man, was it great. This show at 19th Street Theatre included animated films that have already become Hertzfeldt classics (he's only 33), like "Billy's Balloon" and "Rejected Film". The night's special event was "I'm so proud of you", the sequel to "Everything will be OK".

Hertzfeldt is really showing a lot of narrative maturity with these two films (part three of this trilogy is still to come). He touches on the subtle nuances of being human. From those awkward moments when you spit out your gum in conversation, to those deep personal reflections on your own existence...or the existence of a manatee staring at you from your calendar. The film really takes you on a ride that's a psychological reflection of life, death and family. But somehow, as deep as this sounds, you never feel like you're diving into a place you don't want to be. Hertzfeldt does such a good job at gently taking us through an emotional cycle, that, inevitably, you feel like you have spent half the night laughing.

Now, as if all these wonderful animations were not enough, the cherry on top of the evening was a Q&A session with the man himself, Don Hertzfeldt. Questions ranged from the techincal process and narrative procedures to what has internet video done for his films and why doens't Hertzfeldt take on corporate gigs. Mr. Hertzfeldt was wonderfully well spoken and, which is all ways a pleasant surprise, very unpretentious and down to earth. There was no claim from himself of being someone special, or ridiculously talented. Instead, his only self-credit was that he worked very hard to make these films. And, knowing the process of traditional animation, he really does work tirelessly.

Bottom line is, if you missed hearing the man speak, you probably missed out on something special that won't return to the Lehigh Valley for a long time (although I hope that's not the case). But, please take the time to watch any Don Hertzfeldt film you can. All will make you laugh, and some will even make you reflect.

Upcoming Event: An Evening with Don Hertzfeldt at 19th Street Theatre

The darkly funny animator Don Hertzfeldt will be at 19th Street Theatre on Thursday, Nov. 13 for a special screening of his bizarre and hilarious short films and Q&A session with the audience.

Hertzfeldt is known for his very traditional-yet-simply drawn pencil-on-paper animations that, while seeming innocent and cute at first, take you on a short trip down the path of the weird and disturbing. One such short film is "Billy's Balloon," a story about a little boy whose happy red balloon turns on him. It's hilarious for teens and adults, but probably a bit terrifying for children to imagine their balloon whacking them over the head or carrying them high above the city.

You can check out "Billy's Balloon" on YouTube.

Hertzfeldt and his films are currently touring cities across America, like NY, Chicago, LA, and.....Allentown, Pennsylvania? Actually, Allentown is his only stop in PA, so be sure to check out this special event.

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Members pay $7.

www.civictheatre.com

Who's That Knocking At My Door

Directed by Martin Scorsese. Released 1969.
Starring: Harvey Keitel, in his first leading role, as J.R. and Zina Bethune as his unnamed girlfriend.

SYNOPSIS: J.R. is just a paesan from the block. He meets a sweet, intellectual girl on the Staten Island Ferry and they fall in love. But J.R. is a very strict Catholic and he loses his grip when he discovers the reality of his girlfriend's past.

Review by CINEMAGIRL:

Welcome to the Old School Catholic meathead attitude of 1969. The rest of the youth across the country are listening to psychedelic rock and experimenting with drugs but J.R. is hanging out with his goombas, listening to earlier '60s soul music, wearing polished black shoes and going to church.

The film begins by immediately introducing us to a time and a place and a mindset. We see an older Italian woman hand-rolling dough, making a stromboli, and then serving it to a table full of children in a crowded New York apartment.

This film was released in 1969 when many films were being made in color, yet Marty shot this one in black and white. Maybe it was a budgetary decision for the young director, or an intentionally motivated creative decision, but either way, the B&W worked well. It transports the viewer to another, more old-fashioned time, which, despite it being the progressive sixties, is the kind of time that Italian Catholic J.R. is living in.

J.R. says there's a difference between girls and broads. Girls, you marry, but broads, you fool around with. Any girl worth marrying is not a broad. J.R. believes and even practices this double-standard. There is a great flashback sequence between J.R. and some naked bohemian chicks in an old factory building, featuring the song "The End" by The Doors. The scene abruptly ends with a jarring cut from the mystical, psychedelic sounds of Jim Morrison and company to the safe, clean, teeny-bopper soul music of the earlier 1960's, accompanied by footage of J.R. and his Girl walking down the street, dressed respectably.

J.R. loves his girlfriend and will not sleep with her because they aren't married. But his old-fashioned sexism places him in a Catch-22 when his Girl confesses that she was raped by a former boyfriend. Actually, she doesn't really confess it, in the sense that these words are never spoken. Instead, Scorsese cuts away from the Girl and J.R. having a serious chat in the kitchen to a shot of a big car turning off onto a dark, snowy country road in the woods. The entire scene takes place with only music as sound. There is no noise as she tries to run away or as the boyfriend smacks her around, until one final pealing scream. The scene cuts and takes us back to the Girl and J.R. in the kitchen. Still images from the haunting attack are used later on in different scenes as J.R. quietly recalls the story to himself.

J.R.'s reaction to learning that his girlfriend in "unpure" is a further part of the drama that I will not spoil for you.

The film ends with an incredible scene of religious zeal. Gyrating sixties soul music blares over the footage of dramatic crucifixes and Mary statues, adding a creepy, almost sexual fervor to J.R.'s obsession and passion with his religion.

This film definitely shows that Marty Scorsese developed his style early. The emotionally-driven usage of popular music along with slow-motion, dreamy dolly shots of characters engaging in real action are Marty-movie staples. The film also evokes the French New Wave films of the 1960's - from the black and white footage to the handheld camera movement, the flashbacks, plus the quiet reflection and deep and moody looks from the actors.

I highly recommend renting this virtually unknown film. The story was well-crafted, acted, directed and edited. Harvey Keitel plays a convincing lughead Italian chap, but this is probably one of his least creepy roles of all time.

STORY: 8.5
ACTING: 9
LOOK: 8

The small screen is (right now) mightier than the big screen...

Once again, we've been sucked into the magic of television. It's election time and high sports season, so between the presidential debates and watching the Phillies kick ass on their way to the World Series, this blog, again, has gone on unofficial hiatus.

However, we're willing to take some public involvement in our next poll:

Who is your favorite director and why?

It sounds like the topic for a term paper, but try to keep your answers succinct. I know many of you cannot possibly choose one director, so it's OK if you list several. We will return when we have the time to watch movies!

Thanks for participating in our last poll. There was overwhelming support for Will Smith to play Obama and a surprising tie between Dennis Hopper and The Rock (you smart asses!) to play McCain. Let's hope that film NEVER gets made!

Chen Arts Show - 16 And A Movie

We're using our space here at this blog to promote the Chen Arts Group Show happening Sat. and Sun. (Oct. 4-5) at 445-447 N. Seventh Street in A-town.

Some of the reviewers at this blog are loyal Chen Arts members who will also be exhibiting their work at the show. Please come out and SEE LOCAL ART! It is free, it is fabulous and it's good for you. What do you have to lose? The show features the original work, like paintings, sculpture and photography, of 16 area artists and a movie by two filmmakers...actually, not A movie, but three shorts. There will be snacks, drinks and music. Come mingle with the artists!

The rundown: 10-4 Sat. Oct. 4 and 12-2:30 Sun. Oct. 5 at 445-447 N. Seventh Street. Entrance is the big gray door on Liberty Street side.