Casino Royale – Bond is Back!

Craig Daniel’s interpretation of James Bond finally brought the movie franchise back to it’s origin. The Bond character is a professional, ruthless killer that seduces women to find pleasure and achieve his goals. I believe that was Ian Fleming’s idea when he created the character, very much inspired by his own life and the dreams he had about that life.

“Bartender: Shaken or stirred?
James Bond: Does it look like I give a damn?”

Daniel Craig’s Bond is still cool as ice but adds a drive and a passion that I’ve never seen in any of the other Bond movies. The character has rougher edges and feels much more real. I believe this Bond movie is the first where Bond actually bleeds, have scars and gets his ass kicked.

“Vesper Lynd: Am I going to have a problem with you, Bond?
James Bond: No, dont worry. You’re not my type.
Vesper Lynd: Smart?
James Bond: Single.”

The new Bond will definitely transcend generations of movie-goers and most importantly, speak to the younger audience. This is probably the first Bond that the Generation X and later can identify with. Gone is the poshness and arrogant Playboy style of Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig’s performance is up there with Sean Connery’s Dr. No and Goldfinger.

“Vesper Lynd: It doesn’t bother you, killing those people…
James Bond: Well, I wouldn’t be very good at my job if it did.”

This is a classic and I’ll be true to my tradition and watch it a few more times before it arrives on DVD next year!

Pink Panther – A Shot in the Dark

The Pink Panther movies are among my favorites. I especially appreciate them after my time living in London. The Brits have this love-hate relationship with the French which is one of the key themes of the movie. Peter Sellers, often regarded as one of the best British comedians, is superb in the role of the French police detective Jacques Clouseau. Well, without him you wouldn’t have a movie. In addition you the soundtrack is made by Henri Mancini, a musical genius that together with Burt Bacharach invented lounge.

There are only five original Pink Panther movies: The Pink Panther (1963), A Shot in the Dark (1964), Return of the Pink Panther (1975), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) and The Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978). There are a few more movies made, including Steve Martin’s awful try in 2006, but none of them real Pink Panthers. I’m a fan of Steve Martin’s earlier work but his try to to revive Clouseau is painful, pathetic and very unconvincing.

But back to A Shot in the Dark. It’s the second movie and Clouseau’s special character is starting to take shape. The movie also introduces Dreyfus and Cato as the Commissioner and as the servant. The humor is daring and hilarious, very often what we be considered rascist in today’s blockbuster world. It’s silly, repetitive but utterly charming.