Email Print

Film & BooksIssue: Sagittarius 06

Casino Royale

The latest James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, has quite a bit more depth than previous installments. With a female boss and a smarter, more dynamic “Bond Girl” who is actually a true love interest, to a certain degree, this Bond seems to have come down to earth.

Yes, it is still full of the usual cheesy dialogue and the ridiculous feats of physical strength (although fewer gadgets) that we have come to know and love about the James Bond franchise. But, this movie, based on Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, does not jump blindly into the story. It actually gives us some insight into the darkness behind the sophisticated yet cold hearted 007 character.

The movie begins with James’ initiation into the life of a 007, killing for the second time, and then proceeds to his first mission--stopping a banker from winning a casino tournament and using the prize money to fund terrorist activities. Along the way, he is teamed up with the young, lovely Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green. Vesper immediately asserts her equality with James and appears to truly make James vulnerable. The scenes where James falls in love with Vesper actually feel awkward, yet they are somehow easier to take with this new, more complex actor.

It is not surprising that Daniel Craig is such a pleasure to watch as the new James Bond because he has already proved his acting ability in movies like “Munich” and “Sylvia.” And “Casino Royale” is just the kind of vehicle that should propel him to super-stardom for quite some time. The much younger Eva Green starred in Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Dreamers" in 2003, and this would be considered her next big break. However, historically, “Bond Girls” have never gained much fame or furthered their acting careers by playing along side any James Bond, so unless this movie is actually ushering in a new era, this could be just a lateral move for Eva.

Nevertheless, if you are a Bond fan, you will enjoy the repackaged 2006 edition.  dots

 

by Ann JandaSagittarius

Film & Books Archives (total entries: 36)

Aquarius 10

Burma Chronicles

burmachroniclessm_139

Aries 08

Three Cups of Tea

gregmortenson200_200

Cancer 10

A Few Good Reads

Now that school is out and summer is here, I cannot wait to relax in the sunshine and enjoy a few good reads. Here is my summer list:

Sagittarius 09

Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants

This witty, accessible, and concise book will raise the mindfulness of the most stressed out person in mere seconds.

Virgo 09 - The Climate Change Issue

Julie & Julia

Meryl Streep is absolutely mesmerizing in Nora Ephron’s film, Julie & Julia. I was blissfully swept away by her portrayal of Julia Child and the story of her supportive and adoring husband, Paul Child, played by Stanley Tucci.

Taurus 09 - The Garden Issue

Edible Green Mountains

My new favorite food magazine is Edible Green Mountains. Filled with beautiful images and interesting articles about local Vermont growers, retailers, chefs, and food artisans, Edible Green Mountains is a feast for the eyes with plenty of food for thought!

Pisces 2009 - The Movie Issue

Frozen River

A struggling, single mother of two has only one wish for Christmas – to move her family out of a broken-down trailer and into a new double-wide.

Aquarius 09 - The Change Issue

WALL-E

Adorable, funny, and eerily post-apocalyptic, WALL-E is, in short, brilliant, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you must rent this fabulous film made by the Pixar division of Disney.

Capricorn 08 - The Career Issue

Dispatches from the Edge

Though Anderson Cooper has reported on many natural and political disasters across the globe, his response to Hurricane Katrina is what made him famous.

Sagittarius 08 & Honest Self Expression

Rachel Getting Married

Like real life-families who have a member struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, the focus of “Rachel Getting Married” isn’t on Rachel, even though it should be. It is on her narcissistic sister, Kym, who is out of rehab for the weekend to attend Rachel’s wedding.