Category: Reviews

While I enjoyed Casino Royale, I accompanied my wife to our local megaplex with a sense of melancholy to see Quantum of Solace. Daniel Craig was lukewarm on The Tonight Show a few weeks ago, in his patented underspoken style, and I candidly not know what to suspect. Within the first few seconds of the film, I was enthralled. My hope that the automotive chase/shoot-em-up sequence which we had seen in the teasers was used as effectively in the final cut. I was not disappointed. In fact, the numerous action sequences provide for a pace right up there with The Bourne Ultimatum.

It’s impossible to be a fan of contemporary cinema without at least respecting Spike Lee. Just as I enjoy the works of John Singleton, I have nothing but good things to say about the directorial efforts of Spike Lee, both on their own merits and for the uncharted waters which Spike navigates. The recent progression of his work behind the camera from He Got Game to 25th Hour to Inside Man has led him to another first, a war film, Miracle At St. Anna.

Superb films such as Righteous Kill and The Women are capturing most of the press oxygen. Hence, it is a sad reality that Traitor starring Don Cheadle is escaping much-deserved attention. It is a superb film! Once again, Mr. Cheadle has found the means of incorporating the devastation taking place in Sudan as a vehicle for communicating a uniquely American story.

I am not crazy about remakes. There have been a few exceptions of films which I enjoyed and were tributes are adaptations of earlier works. In the case of Bangkok Dangerous, I did not see the original so I figured, let’s give it a try. Besides, I really like Nicolas Cage.

Woody Allen has done it again! The quality of his work fluctuates every few years but Vicky Cristina Barcelona hits the bullseye. Just as he did in Match Point, Woody evokes from Scarlett Johansson the performance of a lifetime.

I have enjoyed Mario Bello’s acting greatly ever since she entered the Cook County Emergency Room several seasons into the NBC hit series ER. Yes, she is that good.

The casting is a bit off here and there but overall, Mamma Mia is a powerful film based on strong musical themes and belongs on everyone’s must-see list.

When Christopher Nolan took charge of the floundering Batman film franchise, his initial results were overwhelmingly positive. I love George Clooney as much as the next movie buff but his Batman film was poor.