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Erik-132
Reviews
Quantum of Solace (2008)
A Bond that does not touch
The 22nd official Bond is a big disappointment. Before I saw "Casino Royal" I was very skeptical about Craig playing Bond, but after watching the movie I was convinced! The new Bond seemed to be a perfect recapture of the Connery days combined with modern aspects. "Casino Royale" dealt with a lot of the old ingredients and set them up to our current world. Yes, there was less humor in it and a popular character like Q was dropped. Nevertheless the first Craig-Bond just hit the bulls eye.
But with "Quantum" the writers/producers and the director took the wrong way. It's all too confusing and this is mainly not due to the very fast editing of many sequences. Of course, sometimes the viewer gets lost and it is not easy to make out who is doing what (not to speak of the why). But what strikes me most is the lack of interest in character. Yes, the action is done fine, some of the locations are great. But who cares if the story is almost nil? Yes, it is said, that Bond cares about the loss of Vesper Lynd as shown in "Casino Royale". But it is just that: it is said. But it is hard to believe Bond his feelings. And the villain? Well, for me Daniel Greene is the most boring antagonist ever in a Bond movie.
The producers follow in style movies like the "Bourne"-trilogy. That's okay. But it is no need to avoid almost everything a Bond should have: some witty remarks, believable characters and a story that has really some points of interest. And can we please have in the 23rd Bond back the main music theme, incorporated more into the movie? That famous tune is almost not present during the "Quantum"-film till the end credits.
Altogether, this is a too cold and fishy Bond movie.
Buster Keaton Rides Again (1965)
This documentary is a fine way to get to know Keaton
It's a little wonder, that this rare documentary made its way onto the german television screen. But it happened a few years ago and since then it is one of my taped treasures that I keep in my private collection.
I started to love Keaton films when I was a child, and I still do. "Buster Keaton Rides Again" catches a lot of the wonderful skills of this master of comedy. Along with "Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow" Spottons film is the best way to get to know The Great Stone Face from a more personal side. And, of course, never forget to watch the master pieces Keaton made in the twenties.
The Bullfighters (1945)
No "Way Out West", but still worth watching
Of course, this Laurel & Hardy feature is not another "Way Out West" (1937), but it's still worth watching. Their final Hollywood picture is far better than the other Fox and MGM products that the Boys did in the forties. Despite some boring sequences there is much more room for comedy - and Laurel & Hardy know to use it. Even Stan's make-up, which he was forced to change in the former Fox movies and that made him look much older, resembles his appearance in the old Roach days. One may wonder why producers in the forties after this movie did not realize, that these two genuine clowns had still the power to carry a whole picture. It's always sad to think of the fact, that there was only one more Laurel & Hardy film to be done after "The Bullfighters".