James Bond – Quantum of Solace Framed Art Print
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I have officially lost faith in professional movie critics. It was on shaky ground anyway, but after Quantum of Solace, there isn’t any trace of faith left. I read that the stars didn’t have any chemistry, that the opening song wasn’t “true” to the James Bond dynasty, that the lead actress was too tan (what?!?!) that the story was weak, and so on.

I have no explanation for what others get or somehow fail to get, but it’s a shame to think that people are paid to do this for a living and can’t even get in the ballpark!

First of all: The theme. Alicia Keys and Jack White do an outstanding job with the theme song. I honestly didn’t know what to expect out of such a collaboration, but it was incredible. The entire opening was dead-on what you’d expect from a James Bond movie. Sexy, stylish, breathtaking… What’s not to love?

Second of all: The leads – Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko – imo, had a very, very special chemistry. Generally speaking, whenever I’ve seen a Bond film, I walk away from it wondering who the next “Bond girl” will be. However, for the first time EVER, I walked away wondering if I begged hard enough and petitioned as though my life depended on it – would they, somehow, bring Olga back? She was, by far, my favorite Bond girl ever. In fact, she’s one of my favorite action female characters of all time. The character was a perfect blend of vulnerability and toughness – with just the right amount of each.

Olga Kurylenko actress is as talented as she is beautiful and I’ve loved every movie I’ve seen her in (Hitman, Max Payne, Quantum of Solace). Even so, I had no idea she’d be able to pull off being a Bond girl so effortlessly. I certainly didn’t see her becoming my favorite one ever!

Daniel Craig is perfect in the role as James Bond. As I’ve said on this blog a gazillion times, Pierce Brosnan has always been my favorite Bond. After seeing Quantum of Solace, however, I can say something I never thought I’d ever hear myself saying, “Pierce Brosnan is one of my favorite two James Bonds.” I love Daniel Craig in the role just as much. Never. Saw. That. Coming.

The chase scenes, action, fight scenes, emotional undertows, acting, chemistry, GORGEOUS scenery, sex appeal, Dame Judi Dench, the music…. it all gets straight A+s from me.

No action film fan could walk away from this movie without feeling pumped with excitement. That’s part of the beauty of the film, actually. It’s a movie that stands on it’s own two legs – whether or not the name James Bond was involved or not. It didn’t need “Bond. James Bond.” to stand and it didn’t need “…shaken, not stirred…”

Quantum of Solace is action film-making at its best. It just so happens to also be James Bond at his best as well. To be perfectly honest, Casino Royale wasn’t one of my favorite movies – Bond or otherwise. I didn’t like the relationships whatsoever. I hated the Bond/M relationship (or lack thereof) most of all. (I also wasn’t the least bit impressed with the Bond girl in that film. When she met with her fate, my face did more of a grin than a grimace.)

I’ve actually given Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko my ultimate nod of approval after seeing Quantum of Solace. See the Categories in the sidebar? Only a certain amount of names/subjects will fit. I have to make certain that I only include the stars, shows, etc. that absolutely send me over the moon. You’ll now find their names there.

Quantum of Solace is, in my opinion, a thousand times better than Casino Royale. It’s a mind-blowing movie that’s just beautiful front to back. Ignore the newspaper critics and see the movie. You won’t be sorry.

If, somehow you find something to hate about this fantastic movie, I only have one piece of advice. Quit your day job, you missed your calling. You were meant to be a professional movie critic. ;/

You may also be interested in: Trying to Make Sense of These Quantum of Solace Reviews

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I dunno. Sometimes I’m utterly convinced that something’s fishy with major movie critics – as in those who are paid to give their opinions, as opposed to me and my price free words. I realize that two people can see the same movie and one come away thinking they’d just seen a winner and the other laughing at just how bad they thought it was.

For example, my husband and I often disagree on movies. He hated Wanted and Burn After Reading and I absolutely loved them. Wanted’s one of my favorite movies of all-time and B.A.R. was hilarious, with performances by Brad Pitt and George Clooney that I’ll never forget.

Heck, we don’t even agree on who the best James Bond is. B is for Brosnan and B is for Best – I’m just saying…

We completely agreed on Max Payne, though. We both thought it was one of the best movies of the year. Mark Wahlberg has always been one of my husband’s favorite actors, but I’d really never seen him in anything so I didn’t really even have an opinion about him one way or antoher. After Max Payne, though, I more than see what all the fuss is about. This actor has an intensity about him that puts him in a very special league with very special actors.

Normally I don’t read critic’s thoughts before going to a movie – because I don’t want to be swayed one way or another. However, there were several movies I wanted to see this past weekend, so I thought a little homework wouldn’t hurt. After reading about 4 bad reviews, I tried to convince Mr. “If Wahlberg’s in it, I must see it” that Max Payne might be a good one to miss.

He was having none of it.

So, off we went. I honestly was sort of looking forward to a bad movie and a bad review. I hadn’t taken my wrath out on a movie since The Love Guru and I was anxious to give the guru a little company. After some really cool looking trailers, the movie started. By the 10 minute mark, I knew that (as is the case so often) the critics had missed the boat. And the point.

This is an incredible movie with stunts and effects that I’d put on par with any movie EVER. There were about 6 different times when I thought, “That’s one of the coolest stunts I’ve ever seen.” In fact, the character of Max Payne is one of the coolest characters I’ve seen. He’s the sort of character (played by the sort of actor) that you want to see more of.

A few of the critics seemed unable to get past the darkness of the movie. One said that it was a good thing no one had to go to the restroom during the movie, because there wasn’t enough light on the screen to see. Frankly, I don’t care if a movie is dark – I don’t go there to read, I go to see a movie. And as for restroom visits, I learned several years back that going to the potty before a movie starts is the best way to fly.

The darkness set the tone. I mean, this isn’t Kung Fu Panda. The story is an intense storyline – dealing with life, death, revenge, violence… Just where would the lightness come in?

Without being unkind, I think maybe some critics (not all, of course) just didn’t “get” it. That, or, let’s be honest, Mark Wahlberg is somewhat of a controversial actor (from where I sit, he’s just outspoken, but some think that’s a negative). Maybe some critics simply have a closed mind when it comes to him.

Or, maybe they felt the need to chase a little movie ranting around the page. Maybe their “Love Guru” column was getting left out, too.

I don’t know – but I DO know that Max Payne is a darned good movie – one that I can’t imagine an action movie fan not loving. It stormed its way into being one of my favorite movies – not just this year, but ever. As I’ve said before, I often judge a movie by asking myself if I’d ever see it again. I loved Wanted and Iron Man so much that I made return trips. I most certainly would do the same with Max Payne… In fact I’d love to see it again. When there’s so much action, I think a second time would be a great idea.

Not only was Mark Wahlberg sensational as Max Payne, the rest of the cast was superb as well. Mila Kunis has secured herself future leading lady roles and I’ll line up to see anything she’s in. Beau Bridges was also perfect as were Ludacris. Yes, that Ludacris, the rapper – although I now think of him as an actor who happens to sing rather than a singer who happens to act. He more than held his own and I hope to see him in a lot of future films as well.

Chris O’Donnell has fought off the “Robin” curse and turned in a wonderfully tortured performance. He did a great job losing himself in his character. I wish he’d been on the screen more. Someone else I wish had been on the screen more was Olga Kurylenko. I really love this lovely actress. You may remember her as the leading lady in Hitman. She’ll also be in the new James Bond movie.

Nelly Furtado turned in a fantastic performance – albeit she was just in one scene. But, WOW. She has some serious natural talent that I’m certain will be explored in future movies.

Finally, Amaury Nolasco – a 30-something year old actor from Puerto Rico did a great job as a menacing, scowling villain. He was actually on a 2004 list by USA Today of the 26 guys to watch, alongside Justin Timberlake, Ashton Kutcher, Josh Harnett and Jake Gyllenhaal, to name a few.

I honestly have nothing bad to say about this movie. Like all movies, some will like it, some will love it, some will hate it – but as for me, I’ve got nothing but love for it.

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