DVD Collectors Online

Casino Royale, a review by Dragonfire

Casino Royale CASINO ROYALE introduces JAMES BOND before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. "M" (Judi Dench), head of the British Secret Service, sends the newly-promoted 007 on his first mission that takes him to Madagascar, the Bahamas and eventually leads him to Montenegro to face Le Chiffre, a ruthless financier under threat from his terrorist clientele, who is attempting to restore his funds in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. "M" places Bond under the watchful eye of the Treasury official Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together. Le Chiffre's cunning and cruelty come to bear on them both in a way Bond could never imagine, and he learns his most important lesson: Trust no one. My Thoughts I saw this one in the theater when it first came out.  I did have some doubts about Daniel Craig as the new Bond, but I was willing to give him a chance.  I think he does fine with the part, though I'm not as happy with some of the other changes made to the franchise.  Seeing James at the start of his career as a 00 agent is interesting.  James is focused on his mission, but he is a bit unsure of his new status.  He does mess up a few times.  It is odd to see a Bond movie without Q and Miss Moneypenny.  The plot gets slightly complicated and it isn't always clear why some things are happening at first.  The story works, though some scenes do drag out a bit.  The movie was based on the book by Ian Flemming, but since I haven't read it, I don't know how close to the book the movie stays.  I did see at least some of the first movie version and from what I remember, it was more of a spoof.  The story is more serious, and a lot of what happens helps to explain why James is the way he is later in his career.  It seems clear, especially after seeing the movie again this time, that a decision was made to try to make the Bond movies more like the Bourne movies.  While I like the Bourne movies overall - though I hate the jerky camera work - I don't see the need to turn Bond into a Bourne clone.  They are two different types of characters and movies and should stay that way.  Yes some of the Bond movies get a bit silly at times, but overall, they have been really good.  Some of that silliness is part of what makes the other movies more enjoyable for me.  Too much of what makes Bond Bond is missing from this one.  Seeing James at the beginning of his 00 career is fine..I just don't completely like the way things are handled. I do enjoy this movie, but it isn't one of my favorite Bond movies.  I think I actually liked it less after watching it this time than when I first saw it in the theater.  I think I have more appreciation for the other Bond movies now.  When I originally reviewed the movie on Epinions, I gave it 4 stars...I'll stick with that now, though I think my feeling for the rating is closer to 3.5 or even 3 stars now. I did post a review of this one on Epinions after seeing the movie in the theater. Casino Royale

(From James Bond Marathon on July 6th, 2010)

12 Angry Men, a review by Danae Cassandra

12 Angry Men
Year of Release: 1957
Directed By: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E. G. Marshall, Jack Warden
Genre: Drama

Overview:
12 Angry Men, directed by Sidney Lumet, may be the most radical courtroom drama in cinema history. A behind-closed-doors look at the American legal system that is as riveting as it is spare, this iconic adaptation of Reginald Rose's teleplay stars Henry Fonda as the dissenting member on a jury of white men ready to pass judgment on a Puerto Rican teenager charged with murdering his father. The result is a saga of epic proportions that plays out over a tense afternoon in one sweltering room. Lumet's electrifying snapshot of 1950s America on the verge of change is one of the great feature film debuts.

My Thoughts:
This is a powerful film and essential viewing.  Nearly sixty years have passed, and this film has lost none of its strength or relevance.  Listening to Juror #10 opining about how he knows "those people" and how dangerous they are, all I'm hearing in the back of my head are similar voices today, given audience in political campaign.

There's a lot that makes this film great:  excellent cinematography that keeps up with the mounting tensions in the room, a great script, great direction, and of course, spectacular acting, not just by Henry Fonda, but by every man in that room. 


Everyone should see this film.  Absolutely everyone.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 5/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on November 23rd, 2015)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

MEN BEHAVING BADLY - SERIES ONE - INTRUDERS



Gary wants to leave his girlfriend, Dorothy, but she decides to leave him first. Gary owns a flat and needs a lodger to help pay the mortgage. Unfortunately, he's got Dermot as a lodger and he's no help at all. A young woman named Deborah moves into the flat upstairs and Dermot immediately decides he's in love with her. The feeling isn't mutual though!

Winning formula of this popular series starts here, despite the total mis-casting of Harry Enfield as Dermot. Thank god they sorted this for series 2 and ongoing.
This show always makes me laugh and is a personal favourite, a lot of the ridiculous situations, especially after beer, I have found myself in many times. Not sure how the show would be met in Europe, does the humour translate well?
I am totally biased on this show, but I would highly recommend it for those great belly laugh' moments every episode contains.



(From My PILOT Marathon on June 3rd, 2008)