Bond is back and better than ever in the terrific SKYFALL

After an extended four year break from cinemas, James Bond returns...with a vengeance. Skyfall is the 23rd Bond film since 1962, so it marks the 50th anniversary of that occasion. And let me tell you something...this film is beyond awesome. Daniel Craig returns for this third time and now he fits very comfortable in the role of the super spy. I mean he fits really good. The film begins in Turkey with Bond being assisted by a field agent named Eve (wonderful performance by Naomie Harris) tracking down a stolen hard drive of deep undercover British agents. This leads to a frenetic chase by car, then motorcycle, then train. Things go south, as the two agents fail and Bond is reported missing, most likely dead. M (played by the always terrific Judi Dench) has to take heat from her superiors about the botched affair while Bond spends his time recovering and drinking trying to get over his own personal demons.

Bond on motorbike in Turkey looking dapper

But once an explosion goes off at MI6 headquarters Bond comes home to do what he can. The banter between him and M is distinctly frosty but also caring. This is probably the best onscreen employer/employee relationship ever. Before Bond can go back into the field he must pass a series of physical and mental tests to deem him fit for duty. His skills are decidedly not up to snuff as he can barely hit a target with his PPK. And is severely out of shape. But pass he does..sort of and M sends him back out, much to the chagrin of Gareth Mallory (played by Ralph Fiennes), a new figure in MI6, who is worried that Bond might mess up again. Bond gets a new personal PPK by the new Q (played cleverly by Ben Whishaw) and they get to have some classic Bond/Q banter that recalls the old Bond films.

Okay Bond, let's get these buggers!

On to the mission which sends Bond to Shanghai after the hard drive to encounter the exotic Severine (played by French actress Berenice Marlohe) who winds up taking Bond to her employer and the villain of this film, Silva (a blonde Javier Bardem). Silva's introduction is a classic one as he meets Bond and tells him of a childhood story involving rats. From the first time you meet Silva, you know this guy is bad news. And once you find out his connection to M, it becomes a more personal film for Bond and M too.

The villain of Skyfall...Silva

Skyfall is amazing. I can't praise it enough. I know some have complained of not enough action and being too long but this film is more than just about action. I think it's a great story about three people (Bond, M, and Silva) who are haunted by their past sins and must confront them and each other. This film is gorgeous to look at. The cinematography is excellent by Roger Deakins. Taut direction by Sam Mendes. A great music score by Thomas Newman, who supplies the Bond theme quite a few times through out the film. Also Craig gets to drop a few more one liners that was sorely missed in his first two outings. But he doesn't get carried away with them, just the right amount. The action scenes when they do come are quite thrilling. From the opening chase sequence to a thrilling fight sequence in a Shanghai skyscraper between Bond and an assassin.
There's also the exciting subway chase/courtroom shoot-out that will get your adrenaline going. And then things end with a standoff at Bond's childhood home between him, M, family friend Kincade (played by wily Albert Finney) and a whole passel of Silva's men. The performances are all top notch, especially Craig, Dench and Bardem. They form quite the fractured trio and you are fully vested in their relationship and how it all will end. I also love the homages to the classic Bond films like the aston Martin Craig keeps in storage and finally gets to drive, the introduction of Q and a new Moneypenny as well. Wait till you see her..she's cool as can be. Oh and the theme song by Adele...heavenly!

Bond going old school on some fools

All in all, Skyfall is one of the best Bond films ever. And one of the best films by far of 2012. It's great having you back James! Can't wait for your next adventure.
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Eve draws down on someone

The exotic Severine

Bond and Severine take a little boat ride

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) is a near masterpiece

Having not read the book or seen the original Swedish film version, I went into this with no previous knowledge and could sit back and just watch this amazing film. Didn't have any preconceived notions of what to expect and having to compare against the original version. Well I was immediately drawn into this film from the very beginning with what has to be one of the best title credit sequences ever. Whoever did this work should have won an Oscar. Just amazing  imagery that grabs hold of your senses and doesn't let go. 

Daniel Craig showing that there is more to him than just being James Bond...

The story has disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist (a solid Daniel Craig in a very good non-Bond role) being summoned by the wealthy Henrik Vanger (the still game Christopher Plummer) to investigate the disappearance of Vanger's niece, who went missing over 40 years ago. Blomkvist recruits computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (an impressive performance by Rooney Mara) to help him to research. They meet resistance from the other family members, who doesn't want the past dredge up or their secrets to come out. Which are of the shocking kind, including incest and rape. 

 Lisbeth is not your typical leading lady type character...and thank god for that!

Be warned this film is not easy to watch as there are several scenes that will have you gasping and recoiling a bit. Take for instance Lisbeth and her dealing with the executor of her recently passed guardian's will. Things get nasty and very violent between the two and Lisbeth does not shy away as she takes matters personally. The scene reaches a brutal climax that had me thinking...whoa! The direction is superb by David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club). As is the stunning cinematography, to make this one of the best looking films I have ever seen. 

Veteran actor Christopher Plummer lends a hand to Daniel Craig...

A superb supporting cast that includes Stellan Skarsgard, Joely Richardson, Robin Wright, Steven Berkoff, and Geraldine James. But the standout is Rooney Mara as Lisbeth. Now since I haven't seen the original version and Naomi Rapace's performance but I can honestly say Mara is truly amazing as Lisbeth. She's smart, physical, sexual, intriguing, and definitely has a unique persona. Lisbeth and Mikael don't meet until about an hour in the film but when they do, there is an immediate attraction. And they make quite the pair.

Lisbeth meeting Mikael for the first time...

And like I said earlier, this is not a feel good movie. But a very interesting one. And it's never boring. In fact I think it's one of the best films I have ever seen.
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Bond daily quote...QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008)

M: If you could avoid killing every possible lead, it would be deeply appreciated. 
James Bond: I'll do my best. 
M: I've heard that before.

SKYFALL, the newest Bond film is underway

Finally after some legal and money issues, the 23rd James Bond film, Skyfall, went into production a few weeks ago. Bond fans can now rejoice as we will have a new Bond film for next Thanksgiving. Joining Daniel Craig and Judi Dench is one of the more impressive Bond film casts ever. Javier Bardem has been cast as the villian. Ralph Fiennes is on hand. I think is some official M16 capacity. Naomie Harris is a fellow agent helping Bond. Albert Finney was just added to the cast, which is another plus. And french actress Berenice Marlohe is the latest Bond Girl. The story has something to do with M's past now coming back to haunt her and Bond caught in the middle. Sound very intriguing. Can't wait for next November. Due to hit theaters symbolically on November 007, 2012.

Bond daily quote...CASINO ROYALE

Vesper Lynd: It doesn't bother you? Killing all those people?

James Bond: Well I wouldn't be very good at my job if it did.

Ranking my favorite Bonds...

So I since I'm doing this James Bond marathon posting all this month, I should begin with ranking my favorite Bonds right? Thought so..here we go.

1. Sean Connery - Even though I didn't start watching Sean's films until after seeing Roger first, he is Bond. Nobody played him better. The right mix of humor and ruthlessness and witty charm made Sean the total Bond package.

2. Roger Moore - Now I grew up when Roger was Bond and I thought he was so cool. With the one-liners and his smoothness with the ladies. Towards the end of his run, he lost a little of his edge but watch his early Bond films and you will see why I thought he was the second best Bond ever.

3. Pierce Brosnan - When it was announced that Pierce was taking over as Bond, I was like hell yeah. Finally Remington Steele gets to play Bond. And he did a damn good job. His Goldeneye is my favorite Bond film ever and that's saying a lot.

4. Daniel Craig - is off to a good start but he needs to lighten up just a bit. His Casino Royale takes Bond in a new direction and he was quite good.

5. Timonty Dalton - not as bad as everyone remembers. In fact, he did what Daniel Craig is doing now, only Tim did it 20 years ago.

6. George Lazenby - Not fair that George only got to do one Bond film. And not it's fault that he had to follow in the footsteps of Sean. His one film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is actually one of the best Bond films ever made. And George acquits himself quite nicely.

COWBOYS & ALIENS: A fun summertime movie....

When it was first announced that Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford would be teaming up for a sci-fi/western bybrid film, I was in geek heaven. I mean James Bond and Indiana Jones in the same movie. Hell Yeah! My expectations were high for this movie, and I was not disappointed. The movie opens in Arizona circa 1873 with Daniel Craig as a man named Jake Lonergan, who wakes up in the middle of the desert with no boots, hat, or horse. And no clue as to who he is. After being stumbled upon by three nefarious men, Jake quickly dispatches the trio and heads to the nearest town, which is called Absolution. Once there he meets a mysterious woman named Ella (played by Olivia Wilde) who may have a clue to his loss of memory. Jake also runs afoul of a drunk young man named Percy (played by Paul Dano) who happens to be the son of Colonel Dolarhyde (played by Harrison Ford). Jake slaps Percy around and both men are arrested by the sheriff (Keith Carradine). The Colonel gets wind of this and rides into town to get his boy and also get his revenge on Jake, who evidently stole money from him a while back.

Once in town, some commotion occurs and lights fill up the skies. The lights turn out to be alien spaceships which attack the town and start snatching up the local townsfolk. Jake happens to have some type of alien weapon on his wrist and learns how to use it. This leads to a spectacular 15 minute sequence of cool and frenetic action. The town bands together to track down the ships that took their fellow townspeople. Lonergan and Dolarhyde put aside their differences to work together.

This movie worked on several levels and the sci fi meets western angle worked pretty good. It got kind of too much sci-fi mumbo jumbo toward the end but things turn back to the western side and everything ends nicely. The cast is top notch. Daniel Craig once again shows he is a strong actor and even a stronger action star as he has several key scenes where he gets to flex his muscle. Harrison Ford is good too as Dolarhyde and gets a few emotional scenes that let us know why he is such a hardened man. And Olivia Wilde is more than just eye candy to look at. She is very pivotal in this movie and does not disappoint in her scenes where she to explain a lot to everyone else.

So all in all Cowboys and Aliens is a cool movie. Perfect for summertime viewing. From the director of Iron Man, Jon Favreau.
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