My Favorite Movies

One of the most ourageous comedies I had ever seen, it always puts a smile on my face. Best highlights in the film include the Roscoes Chicken & Waffle rap, a cameo of Jello Biafra (of The Dead Kennedys) as an FBI agent, "ninja bitches", and tons of more insanity. Originally backed by DEG in the late 80's, it was shelved for a few years when that company went under. Picked up by Avenue Releasing in 1989, it acheived a cult following, The film was Michael Nesmith's second producer credit.

The writing of the character arcs in this film are top notch. I would kill to get my paws on a copy of this script. Bookstore hunting I will will soon go. In the meantime, Joaquin Phoenix was on his game in this film, which he re-unites with his "Yards" co-star Wahlberg and director James Gray. I never had a dull moment in this movie, but the big surprises for me here was Eva Mendes, who is smoking hot as usual, but her character has something to offer than just an arm trophy. But that second surprise? Remember this name: Joaquin Baca-Asay. He's not an actor- he's the cinematographer. I *loved* the way the film was shot. I repeat. I **loved** the way the film was shot. Great stuff. Great writing. All the actors were on thier A game. I loved this film. It's going in my DVD collection. Now.

There have been an absurd amount of die hard James Bond ?fans? who did not like the choice of Daniel Craig as 007, and all what it adds up to is a curiousity about how well the new Bond stacks up to other actors who have been Bond, specifically Pierce Brosnan, whose last outing was Die Another Day. After seeing ?Casino Royale?, I?m convinced that the color of hair or eyes do not a Bond make. It is the way the actor protrays him. As far as Craig as Bond goes, I?m going to have to tick off a few purists. Nobody did it better. And I thought Pierce Brosnan was great in the previous Bonds.

Despite the wonderful presence by Judi Dench as M,Casino strips away all leftover baggage, and injects life into a new Bond franchise. Not just the gadgets, but in the opening credits too. Gone are the dancing silhouettes of women, in is a vector based Craig making various undercover ?kills?. The style of animation has a colorful nostalgic feel to it; the opening black and white sequence also sets the mood.

While much will be made about the long action sequences, including a footchase where the target is an expert at the martial art of parkour and another involving a countdown to stop a terrorist bomber, the biggest thrill of the film to me was the poker game itself. This is the first Bond film I know of where the characters aren?t always in high tech shootouts, but rather allows the actors time to breathe and flesh out their respected characters.