D.C. MOVIE GUYS

Just because James Bond has been revised far from his 1962 to 2002 (“Dr. No” to “Die Another Day”) versions doesn’t mean he can’t hit the villains or the box office with a nasty punch. Daniel Craig’s Bond is more visceral, coarse and perhaps a little more sadistic than any previous Bond and this edge is sharpened in “Quantum of Solace”. First time Bond director, Marc Forster (“The Kite Runner”), helps make the follow up story to 2006’s “Casino Royale” a reason to spend money at the Movies. Screenwriters Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade prove James Bond still has action hero blood in his veins to pump him beyond their “Casino Royale” adventure. (continue reading…)

Science-Fiction is at its best when it takes elements of current society and stretches them to unlikely but logical extremes.  The fantastic events that occur don’t always have to be believable, but the metaphor does.  “Babylon A.D.” plays at painting a future in which religion and corporations struggle to control government but this background never seems to impact the story in a compelling way.  Director, Mathieu Kassovitz, does seem to pay a lot of attention to the look and feel of the film, but it is not enough to carry the story.  No doubt, a director’s cut DVD is in the future for this movie, but that doesn’t help theater goers. (continue reading…)

A terrific send up of “White teacher connects with troubled minority high school students” movies. Horrifically offensive in the funniest of ways. Even if you think this movie will leave you unsettled, see it anyway and get over yourself.

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“The Incredible Hulk” benefits from Ang Lee’s “Hulk” bomb by comparison, but director Louis Leterrier and writers Zack Penn and Edward Norton don’t deliver a Hulk smash either. The best of the latest Hulk movie is in the human element it pulls and updates from the T.V. series of late 70’s, the worst is failing to include much of that humanity in the Hulk character. The movie also suffers from bad villain development. Tim Roth as the power hungry soldier who becomes the evil Abomination has no more motivation than a simple case of penis envy. Despite these flaws, Edward Norton performs admirably as the cursed Dr. Bruce Banner running from the government as he tries to rid himself of his giant green anger driven alter-ego. “The Incredible Hulk” does not live up to the new “Iron Man” standard of Marvel Super Hero movies, but remains an enjoyable diversion. (continue reading…)

Movies in 2007 provide plenty of laughs at the expense of unintended pregnancy. June’s “Knocked Up” from Judd Apatow finds humor in the pregnancy resulting from a one night stand. December’s “Juno” brings even more fun to a situation seemingly unsuited for humor, but perhaps in most need of it, unwanted teenage pregnancy. “Juno” from first time screenwriter Diablo Cody under Jason Reitman’s (“Thank You for Smoking”) direction is hilarious and heart-warming. (continue reading…)