DVD Collectors Online

Quantum of Solace, a review by Achim

Title: Quantum of Solace

Year: 2008
Director: Marc Forster
Rating: PG-13
Length: 107 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.40:1
Audio: English: DTS HD Master Audio, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Other

Stars:
Daniel Craig
Olga Kurylenko
Mathieu Amalric
Judi Dench
Giancarlo Giannini

Plot:
On a nonstop quest for justice that crisscrosses the globe, Bond meets the beautiful but feisty Camille (Olge Kurylenko), who leads him to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a ruthless businessman and major force within the mysterious Quantum organisation. When Bond uncovers a conspiracy to take control of one of the world's most important natural resources, he must navigate a minefield of treachery, deception and murder to neutralise Quantum before it's too late!

Extras:
Scene Access
Trailers
Featurettes
Music Videos

The bad news is that this doesn't quite feel like a real Bond film (yes, I know they say it's supposed to build up to the third one, but I thought the first one felt more like Bond than this...). However, The good news is that it's a solid action film with a decent plot to go with it. The villain is not very strong in this one (part of what makes it less Bond-like, I guess) but it's more about Bond getting closure with the things that occured in Casino Royale.

Many people complained about the action scenes. While I agree that they could have used a wide angle shot here and there to clarify a little better what and who was where, I could follow the proceedings sufficiently and had no bigger problems with them. Also the music, or better the lack of the theme, gets a lot of flak. Here, I'll go with the group that says that Bond is not "worthy of the theme" in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace just yet, which they will therefore (hopefully) correct in the next one. We do get the theme with the end credits in both films...

I really liked M in this one, how she could see the "Bond-to-be" behind the rampaging idiot (for lack of words the word filter won't catch). Bond's switch from vigilant to professional field agent was nicely compressed into one short moment within the big fight towards the end. Also Felix Leiter develops very nicely. The reference to Goldfinger feels rather odd.

The ending was very good, that final exchange between Bond and M is very enjoyable.

Now, I keep hearing that this is building up to be a trilogy. But how...? What's missing? I don't see it ; I didn't really find any big loose ends when the credits rolled. What am I missing.


seems I enjoyed it more than I should have...

(From James Bond Marathon on June 22nd, 2009)

The Sorcerer's Apprentice, a review by dfmorgan

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Year: 2010
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina
Overview: A job so great...it's magic

Magic is everywhere in Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice - the fun family adventure from the creators of National Treasure. Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a modern-day sorcerer with his hands full defending Manhattan against dark forces. When a seemingly average kid shows hidden potential, Balthazar takes his reluctant recruit on a crash course in the art and science of magic to become the ultimate sorcerer's apprentice. Experience more extraordinary thrills, heart-stopping action and spectacular special effects than you can imagine as these unlikely partners show us the real world is far more magical than we ever knew!

Watched: 19th. Dec 2010
My Thoughts: An enjoyable park-your-brain actioner. Everyone came over well and I thought Nicolas Cage's acting style suited the character of Balthazar. One squence in the film was a nice little homage to "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" sequence in Fantasia. Pre and post credits sequences point to a possible sequel.

My Rating: A very enjoyable 3

Dave

(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on December 19th, 2010)

[Rerun Marathon] Spaced, a review by Tom

9/10

Brian's mother thinking he is a lawyer was fun. Also the messenger friend standing in the middle of the street because of the traffic light for the blind

(From [Rerun Marathon] Spaced on December 25th, 2007)