mdhutchins Reviews

Quantum of Solace (2008)

If you liked "Casino Royale"...

[8/10 · 15 November 2008]

Then odds are you will like "Quantum of Solace".

The fact is that these two movies are a complete re imagining of the Bond franchise. They focus on the character and the development thereof. They aren't as much about the villains and their huge world altering plots, as they are about the man and the job. It seems to me that this new Bond is young and just starting out. The focus of the opening of the first movie was on his completion of his 00 status. Young Bond, trying to figure out how to be a MI6 hitter and still be a human, a problem that anyone who has ever taken life in combat can sympathize with. This isn't Bond the super hero, it is Bond the broken, seeking redemption. A far more realistic Bond for a era of hyper-real media. And as long as the writing holds to the standard that they have set for it, I will continue to watch and enjoy.

Now, lest you think that I believe this movie to be perfect, a couple of issues. I think I speak for most film goers here when I say, ENOUGH WITH THE SHAKY CAM FIGHT SCENES!!!!! Sorry to shout, but I HATE those things. As a long time student of martial arts, I REALLY appreciate a well choreographed and executed scene, and the shaky cam makes it nearly impossible to follow the action. This leads me to believe that you are filming inferior product in a way to mask it. This is unacceptable, and I nearly left the theater fifteen minutes in, I was so put off. Daniel Craig has the best physicality of any Bond, and it is a shame to hamper him with sub par camera work.

Thankfully once the story began to roll, the characterizations took over and I found myself enjoying it. Second, what the **** is up with the PPK? We now show a freaking holographic display in M's office that shows phone calls, pictures, and the queens own porn collection for all we know, and Bond has stepped back to a gun with half the ammo capacity, and a less powerful cartridge? This makes no sense. His suits get more modern, his car certainly gets more modern (I love Aston, and who in the world thinks there is a Vauxhall out there that could even keep up in that race), but his gun goes the other way.

For those who miss Money penny and Q branch I do to, but this is not your fathers Bond. You don't have to like it or watch it. I enjoy it for some different resons than the earlier films. As for the Bond babes, how does Strawberry Fields not count?

Those are really my major beefs. Otherwise, a well done film and deserving of the high rating.

If you hated Casino Royale don't see it. If you liked it do.

Night Watch (2004)

Exceptional.

[10/10 · 10 May 2005]

I saw the trailer for Night Watch in the Theater before Kung Fu Hustle, and found the visuals to be so unique and interesting that it caused me to want to see the movie for them alone. I will first state that the visuals did not disappoint. Visually fascinating, if somewhat dark, and with a sense of lushness, even in the stark urban settings, there are small touches that bring the shots together visually. But what stole my heart on this film was the story. ALL of the characters are fully realized, even the minor ones. Those few seconds they spend on camera still convey their quirks and their attitudes so as to allow you to find them believable. Unfortunately, the same things that make it superb, will hurt it for an American audience. Most movies about the supernatural tend to create a delineation between the supernatural and the common world, they set it up so that while the monsters may move through, and interact with, our world, they live in their own. Not so with Night Watch. The two world have been seamlessly integrated in a way that makes you feel almost voyeuristic while you watch it. The problem with this is that I can see it throwing many viewers off. Making them uncomfortable, making the possibilities TOO real. Second is the narrative. This is about a fully developed world with laws of cause and effect all to itself. But these laws are never explained. They are never stated. You must simply infer from the interactions of various characters how the world works for them. I love it, but for most Americans I'm afraid too many of them will leave the theater scratching their heads and wondering how that stuff worked. Third the beautiful and realistic ambiguity of the characters. Many of the characters are shown to have feeling that pull them in many directions at the same time. This increases the realism of the characters to a delicious level, but it also increases the complexity of the film beyond the simple level most people enjoy. For me, it was an incredible experience. I will watch it again and again, and I await the second and third with baited breath. For most of America, I'm afraid we just won't understand it.

Raven (1992–1994)

A well rounded contribution

[3 September 2002]

This was probably the finest martial arts serial on modern TV. I would compare it favorably with the Green Hornet. The cast was excellent, both playing their parts well and displaying admirable chemistry. I wish this show was available to buy, but no such luck.

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

My favorite WW2

[3 September 2002]

This movie stands out as my favorite WW2 film. It not only explores the nature of honor, but also male female relations and faith in such things. I give it my highest marks with the caveat that it is NOT an action film. This is primarily a drama.