MOVIE REVIEW - Casino Royale (2006)

This Bond movie came out last year, with a new Bond (Daniel Craig) and a new feel. The genre needed a change, and this is a great one. I wish I could say I was a Bond fan - it's almost a rite of passage for guys who like movies. And while I mildly enjoy the prior Bond movies, I've never really caught any obsession for them. Especially the Pierce Brosnan editions - the old Bonds were special, because they were groundbreaking - spy/action/thriller movies before Hollywood caught on to how to really do action. And thanks to Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and a host of other great movies in the '80s and '90s, the Brosnan Bond movies seemed just like another ho-hum action movie.

Then the franchise decides to wipe the slate clean, throw in a blond Bond (the horror!), darken him up, and make a great movie. The first 15 minutes consist of possibly the best chase scene ever, with Bond and a presumed bad guy climbing a skyscraper construction site like monkeys, hopping between ladders and building tops and back down like Spiderman (truly, they looked like a non-CGI Spidey - awesome), running through traffic, getting hit by cars and bouncing off them while not even losing stride. The tone is set for a great thrill ride.

But it's not just about action. Craig's Bond has been newly promoted to double-O status, so he makes mistakes along the way. He is over-confident, at times too trusting, traits that we can relate to as mere humans. He is rugged, vicious, dedicated to his job, and yet he knows as well as Connery how to seduce the women and charm the audience. Gadgets, yes; Judi Dench as M, yes; bad guys you love to hate, yes; babes to ogle, well, of course. Plot twists, but not too twisty. Because Casino Royale is all about the new Bond, Mr. Daniel Craig, who has found the role of a lifetime and has instantly become the best of the Bonds.

MOVIE REVIEW - 28 Weeks Later (2007)

The sequel to 28 Days Later, the intelligent British horror flick from 2002. Part sci-fi, part horror, part zombie flick, the premise of the first is a virus that sends people into such extreme rage that they eat flesh. In the original, all of Britain was wiped out. In the sequel, Britain is now free of the virus, and 28 weeks later, authorities are just beginning to let people back into the cities. And while you know the virus is coming back (else, why have a sequel), it was clever how the writers got the horror going again. Wow, it is intense, and even seemed realistic. As the virus gets loose again and the raging zombies begin their rampage, a military guy profoundly says, "We've lost control." And boy, have they ever. Great storytelling, great action, extreme (and yet appropriate?) measures taken by the authorities. Heroes in the story, who you get to know along the way, get killed halfway through - great writing choices. This is a terrific sequel.

MOVIE REVIEW - Knocked Up (2007)

From the makers of 40-Year Old Virgin, a raunchy comedy that has more heart and worthy humor than most in this genre. Kathryn Heigl is delightful, even if her character made unrealistic choices. But mostly, this is Seth Rogan's movie. He wrote and starred, his first lead role in a major movie, and he did a great job. The values are mostly bad - guys should do whatever they want, women should let them, one-night stands are great, bongs are acceptable nightly activities. But the laughs are consistent and from the gut.

MOVIE REVIEW - Mr. Brooks (2007)

Kevin Costner in his first bad-guy role picked a good one. Costner stars as Mr. Brooks, a wealthy, brilliant, respected businessman who has a secret life as an addict - he's addicted to killing. He has killed for his entire life; and several years ago, he opted for a serial-killer persona, which attracted Demi Moore's detective to his case. Costner deals with his addiction by going to AA, by creating an imaginary partner played with gusto by William Hurt, and by performing his kills like an orgasmic dance. He loves the kill, he hates the mental torture, and the conflict makes for a great character. Who knew Costner could pull off such a complicated character? Dane Cook co-stars as a guy who wants in on Mr. Brooks' addiction and adds a near-comic twist to the twisted hobby. Mr. Brooks is a character I'd like to get to know in sequels.

MOVIE REVIEW - Saw II (2005)

Gore/horror, part 2. Same unknown bad guy, who we get to know a bit more. Different lead (Donnie Wahlberg instead of Elwes) does a good job, adding some acting chops to the gore scene. The twists were pretty interesting. This is still not my genre, but this one was ok.

MOVIE REVIEW - Saw (2004)

Gore/horror with an attempt at a story. Not bad, nice to see Cary Elwes in a good, hip role. But it's just fair. I'm surprised they have sequels.