Short Reviews #32

Quantum of Solace (2008)
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Wow! What a change in director makes to a Bond film. After reinvigorating (again) the never-ending franchise with Casino Royale, established action director Martin Campbell decided to skip on directing the direct sequel, Quantum of Solace (probably because he wanted to go out with another high) with the powers that be handing over the reins to a more art-house director Marc Forster. Forster has relatively little experience with complicated action pictures (after all his filmography includes Monsters Ball, Finding Neverland and Stranger Than Fiction) but I guess if any director was offered a Bond film, it would be an incredible opportunity to pass up. So with limited experience in action pictures, what happens to the one thing that is an essential Bond ingredient? That’s right. It doesn’t quite deliver. In the Quantum of Solace, the action is fast but it isn’t unique or thrilling enough to step up to the quality of Casino Royale for example. So with the action scenes not quite up to par, what else could be missing? Well we also lose the Bond trademark sense of style and humour, not to mention a truly memorable villain. However will all that said, it’s still a reasonably fun way to spend 106 minutes and Daniel Craig continues to fill the Bond shoes perfectly. Let’s hope with the new film, they get a more established action director in and give Bond back some of his personality.

Thursday, December 4 2008

Film Review

Entourage Film Review Oz Quantum of Solace Sex Drive The Incredible Hulk

Ramblings from the Hooverdust Laboratories

Random Crap

World of Music

Really digging the following releases:

Fuck Stereogum! Devendra Banhart’s new album ‘Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon’ is quite excellent if you’re in the mood for it.
Liam Finn ‘I’ll Be Lightning’. Saw him perform most of the songs from his solo release before it’ was released. Now that it is, it’s a solid effort from the bearded little man who can.
Whitley ‘The Submarine’. The 22 year old from my hometown is playing around the country this month and is well worth the $13 or so for the gig. ‘The Submarine’ has that indie country/great laid back feel to it that should garner him a new well deserved audience.
Josh Ritter ‘The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter’. His 2006 record ‘The Animal Years’ is one of my favourite albums of the last five years so naturally the expectations were quite high. This one doesn’t quite reach the greatness but there’s still moments of genius throughout.

Upcoming Gigs:

The Bamboos @ The Epsy (w/ Jackson Jackson, Labjacd, Bluejuice & heaps more apparently) (7th Sep). Tonight should bring some serious funk!
Silversun Pickups @ Ding Dong (16th Sep). The album is great, the gig sold out extremely fast and it’s at Ding Dong so it should be a very, very awesome night.
Parklife @ Birrarung Marr (22nd Sep). International DJ’s galore and I’m shooting this one for a mag. Bring it!
Built to Spill @ The Corner (29th Dec). Falls sideshow brilliance to be expected. I’m sure more gigs will pop up before this one but I wanna get my tickets early (on sale 21st Sep).

Friday, September 7 2007

Daily Life, Film General, Music General

Built To Spill Enough Rope Entourage Facebook Flight Of The Conchords Get This Halloween Inland Empire Josh Ritter Liam Finn Silversun Pickups Stereogum Sunshine The Bamboos The IT Crowd Whitley

Medellin Trailer

The 4th season of Entourage started a few weeks back, the first episode freakin’ greatness with a behind-the-scenes look at the shooting of Vince’s passion project ‘Medellin’. Watching Billy Walsh go insane was almost as good as seeing Coppola during his ‘Hearts of Darkness’ filmmaking phase. Walsh is currently pissed at the trailer being leaked onto youTube and wouldn’t you know it, it’s actually on there! Gotta give the Entourage team kudos for fantastic Internet marketing. God I love this show!