Wild Hogs (Widescreen Edition)

Amazon.com

A coming-of-age story starring a bunch of fiftysomething stars rather than teenage actors, Wild Hogs is a well-intentioned comedy starring John Travolta (Woody), Tim Allen (Doug), Martin Lawrence (Bobby), and William H. Macy (Dudley) as a group of Midwesterners facing their own versions of mid-life crises. They decide to escape their frazzled personal lives and rejuvenate themselves by taking a road trip on their slick hogs. But their journey is less Easy Rider than it is Three Amigos (plus one). As individual actors, each lead is a formidable star. But throw them all together into one crammed screenplay full of scatological humor and uncomfortable homosexual gags and it doesn't quite work. The actors spend so much time trying to outdo each other on screen that they aren't believable as friends, much less comrades. Walt Becker (National Lampoon's Van Wilder) offers minimal direction on a film that could've used some reining in, especially during scenes between Macy and Marisa Tomei (as a diner owner who inexplicably falls for him). There are promises of some interesting vignettes when Ray Liotta shows up as Jack, the leader of a real motorcycle gang. When Jack threatens to break Dudley's legs, Dudley counters, "I'm a computer programmer! I don't need my legs." Without missing a beat, Jack says, "Fine, we'll break his hands." It's not that the lines are so funny, but they way Liotta delivers them that adds some life to this flailing comedy. Unfortunately, his scenes with the rest of the cast are all too few. --Jae-Ha Kim

Stills from Wild Hogs (click for larger image)

Description

Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy star in Wild Hogs, the hysterically funny comedy about four weekend-warrior friends who decide to rev up their ho-hum suburban lives with a cross-country motorcycle adventure. They don their leathers, fire up their hogs and throw caution and their cell phones to the wind as they hit the open highway. A lot can happen on the road to nowhere, including a run-in with the bad-to-the-bone Del Fuegos, a real biker gang who don't take kindly to the wannabes. Filled with hilarious misadventures, screwball situations and madcap mayhem, this laugh-out-loud comedy is a movie your whole family will go hog wild over.

Customer Reviews:

Movie fair........2007-09-17

Dvd was ok but no big deal. The stars are what sold this movie.

Wild Hogs.......2007-09-17

Wild Hogs is another movie that I give 5 stars. From the beginning of the movie to the very end you're constantly laughing through out. Each of the main characters (and I do mean characters!) compliment each other - Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William Macy.

How much trouble can 4 middle-age men get into on a biker's road trip? If you have no idea then I suggest you see the movie especially if you are a middle-age biker.

A must see for bikers.......2007-09-17

Wild Hogs is a hilarious look at midlife crisis in a group of 4 friends. A must see for bikers. I laughed throughout the whole movie !!

Funny.......2007-09-17

Wiliam Macy certainly made this movie. without him it would have been a complete dud. All in all, I would recommend watching this movie

Funny!.......2007-09-17

Very funny movie - great actors, cute story, nice ending. Hits pretty close to home for those of us of "that age"...

Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (Two-Disc Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Pirates 3 = great movie!
Writer Commentary??
This Is Why Pirates Suck
Why many people hate this movie
Pirates 3=Worst Movie of ALL TIME!

Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (Two-Disc Limited Edition)
Starring: Johnny Depp , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , Geoffrey Rush , and Jonathan Pryce
Director: Gore Verbinski
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JPFX
Release Date: 2007-12-04

Amazon.com

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is a rollicking voyage in the same spirit of the two earlier Pirates films, yet far darker in spots (and nearly three hours to boot). The action, largely revolving around a pirate alliance against the ruthless East India Trading Company, doesn't disappoint, though the violence is probably too harsh for young children. Through it all, the plucky cast (Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush) are buffeted by battle, maelstroms, betrayal, treachery, a ferocious Caribbean weather goddess, and that gnarly voyage back from the world's end--but with their wit intact. As always, Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow tosses off great lines ; he chastises "a woman scorned, like which hell hath no fury than!" He insults an opponent with a string of epithets, ending in "yeasty codpiece."!

In the previous Dead Man's Chest, Sparrow was killed--sent to Davy Jones' Locker. In the opening scenes, the viewer sees that death has not been kind to Sparrow--but that's not to say he hasn't found endless ways to amuse himself, cavorting with dozens of hallucinated versions of himself on the deck of the Black Pearl. But Sparrow is needed in this world, so a daring rescue brings him back. Keith Richards' much ballyhooed appearance as Jack's dad is little more than a cameo, though he does play a wistful guitar. But the action, as always, is more than satisfying, held together by Depp, who, outsmarting the far-better-armed British yet again, causes a bewigged commander to muse: "Do you think he plans it all out, or just makes it up as he goes along?" As far as fans are concerned, it matters not. --A.T. Hurley

Description

Just when he's needed most, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), that witty and wily charmer of a pirate, is trapped on a sea of sand in Davy Jones' Locker. In an increasingly shaky alliance, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) begin a desperate quest to find and rescue him. Captain Jack's the last of the nine Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court who must come together united in one last stand to preserve the freedom-loving pirates' way of life. From exotic Singapore, to World's End and beyond, from Shipwreck Island, to a titanic battle, this adventure's filled with over-the-edge action, irreverent humor and seafaring myth and magic. Everything has led to this twisting, turning, wild swashbuckling ride in this final chapter of the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy

Customer Reviews:

Pirates 3 = great movie!.......2007-09-11

I have to admit.....when the first Pirates came out I was one of those people saying it would be stupid and I would never watch it, but after some persuasion from my sister-in-law, thought I would give it a chance and you know what....I LOVED IT! I was hooked. I loved Dead Man's Chest and I could not wait until At World's End came out. It turned out to be just as adventurous and fun as the first 2! I am now PIRATES OBSESSED! And I loved that they kept the same characters through all 3 movies. I recommend this movie and the first 2 to everyone!

Writer Commentary??.......2007-09-06

All I have to say is that I sure hope this DVD has feature-length writer commentary from Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio like the previous films did, as it truly turned out to be a MAJOR highlight with those DVDs. I've read that they have not yet recorded any commentary, but they give so much needed insight (needed especially for this film in particular) that their commentary is a MUST. It would be a bit of a disappointment without.

This Is Why Pirates Suck.......2007-09-05

Pirates have always made a terrible theme for a movie. You don't see a lot of big hits based on them do you? I enjoyed the first installment of the trilogy. The second took a sharp dive in the wrong direction. Now, if you took someone who had never seen the movies and told them to watch part one and then watch part 3 right after that, they would be disgusted with how awful the acting has gotten and worse how dull and dry the dialog as well as the story-line had gotten. If you watch all 3 in order you would hardly notice this, take out part two and it becomes more evident that the creators were in a rush to finish a story and get their pay checks.

Why many people hate this movie.......2007-09-04

I think that i know the reason that many people say that the 3rd pirates movie was horrible. I think that it is because people don't watch after the credits!!! After the credits in the 1st movie it shows the monkey grabbing a coin from the chest, and becoming immortal, after the second movie it shows the dog on a throne with a crown, and a big bone in his mouth plus all of the island people are worshipping him!! and of course after the 3rd movie it shows Elizabeth walking towards the beach with her nine or 10 year old daughter, and then it shows Will appearing on davy Jone's (sorry if i spelled that wrong!) ship, and meeting Elizabeth and his daughter. SO IT ISN'T A SAD ENDING LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT IT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! also if people couldn't follow the plot then maybe they should pay more attention!!!

Pirates 3=Worst Movie of ALL TIME!.......2007-09-04

After being truly engrossed by the first two Pirates movies I was all set for the third movie but I could never have anticipated the letdown. I was stunned at the utter lack of a story in this truly awful movie. The Pirate Lords???? Hallucinatory Jack seeing multple Jack Sparrows??? Swann as Pirate King???? Keith Richards never looked so uncool and silly. What trash. Don't listen to the people who start their reviews of this movie with "I don't care what people say, I loved this movie" It's a lie. Nobody could love this movie and I was a HUGE fan of the first 2. I have never got up and walked out of a movie but I never came closer than this garbage. I couldn't wait for it to be over it was so stupid. Not only will I not buy this DVD to complete the trilogy, but At World's End was so horrid it actually lowered my opinion of the first two. Stay away and hope Depp & Co. actually try with the next one.

Average customer rating:

Nebulous but Picturesque Look at Irish Struggle for Independence & Identity.
A Powerful movie
Disappointing but Admirable Effort
4.5 Stars. One of the best films of 2007 showing us the high price of freedom.
Brutal but honest and necessary

The Wind That Shakes the Barley
Starring: Cillian Murphy , Padraic Delaney , Liam Cunningham , Gerard Kearney (II) , and William Ruane
Director: Ken Loach
Manufacturer: Ifc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000OCY7JO
Release Date: 2007-09-04

Amazon.com

Winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, this gripping drama by Ken Loach (Raining Stones) is set during the early days of the Irish Republican Army, when British occupation of the Irish radicalized many a citizen and caused some to take up arms. Cillian Murphy plays Damien, a medical student on his way to London when he witnesses a couple of atrocities committed by British troops. Instead of becoming a doctor, he turns into a leading and respected figure in an IRA division led by his brother, Teddy (Padraic Delaney). The film provides some fascinating historical insight into the nascent resistance movement as it was in 1920, and Loach brilliantly conveys the profound emotional transition young men had to make to become saboteurs and killers. Loach's realistic style is absolutely mesmerizing, with many scenes built around the dynamics of large groups: contentious meetings, torture sessions, battles, celebrations, and the like. One has the sense of history as a pool of energy, and one also develops a kind of Renoiresque appreciation for the fact that different people on opposing sides of a life-or-death issue have their reasons for believing what they believe. As the story moves along, subtle shifts in the perspectives of men and women who had once agreed to be absolute in their fight for freedom results in a tragic yet understandable schism among Irish patriots. The final half-hour of The Wind That Shakes the Barley says a lot about how the Irish, including people who had known one another all their lives, turned their wrath on one another for so many decades. This is an outstanding film, featuring the best performance yet by Murphy (Red Eye). --Tom Keogh

Description

Driven by a deep sense of duty and a love for his country, Damien (Cillian Murphy) abandons his burgeoning career as a doctor and joins his brother, Teddy in a dangerous and violent fight for freedom. As the Irish freedom fighters bold tactics bring the British to a breaking point, both sides finally agree to a treaty to end the bloodshed. But, despite the apparent victory, civil war erupts and families who fought side by side, find themselves pitted against one another, putting their loyalties to the ultimate test.

Customer Reviews:

Nebulous but Picturesque Look at Irish Struggle for Independence & Identity. .......2007-09-16

Director Ken Loach trains his signature "social realism" on the Republic of Ireland's turbulent formative years in "The Wind that Shakes the Barley", which follows the Irish War of Independence and subsequent Civil War in the early 1920s through the experiences of two brothers, Damien and Teddy. Damien (Cillian Murphy) is a medical student looking forward to completing his studies in London. Teddy (Padraic Delaney) is committed to the Irish Republican Army's fight for Ireland's independence from British rule. When a young friend is murdered by the brutal "Black and Tan" military police, Damien decides he must stay and fight. He joins Teddy in one of the IRA's flying column guerilla units, immersing himself in a very dirty war.

Barry Ackroyd's photography of the lovely Irish countryside makes a strong impression. The rest of the film is superficial in comparison. It doesn't delve into political complexities. The circumstances are what they are at any given moment, and characters react accordingly. But we never get to know the characters enough to understand their motives. Why does someone give up a comfortable life with a person he loves to oppose the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, when neither he nor his family are personally threatened by it? There must be a reason. These characters are distant and elusive. The script seems insufficient to support the implied gravity. But I think the greater fault lies in a directing style that continually creates separation between the viewer and the characters. "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" isn't a bad film, but it's inconsequential.

The DVD (IFC 2007): There is a theatrical trailer, a featurette about Ken Loach, and an audio commentary. "Carry On Ken: A Look at the Work of Director Ken Loach" (48 min) discusses Ken Loach's directing style, humor, character, and career through interviews with the director himself and many artists who have worked with him. The audio commentary is by Ken Loach and historical advisor Donal O'Driscoll. The commentary is not continuous and does not provide a background or great detail of the Irish-British conflict. But it does add some useful explanations, and Loach contributes his recollections about filming the movie. Subtitles are available for the film in English SDH and Spanish.

A Powerful movie.......2007-09-08

A story description has been written about this movie. I just wanted to add my 2 cents. This movie was recommended to me by an Irish lady while touring Scotland and Ireland. I have waited almost 2 years for it to show up here in the USA. A powerful and strong story of the fight for freedom in Ireland not unlike our own fight for freedom. The landscapes are beautiful and the characters ring true.

Disappointing but Admirable Effort.......2007-09-08

I looked forward to this film as I do to any that attempts to shed light on the struggle of the Irish for freedom from England. The movie is beautiful cinematically and the acting very convincing, although I did think Cillian Murphy somewhat miscast as Damien, the young doctor who is reluctantly converted to the IRA cause by the British brutality he witnesses. However, overall I found the movie disappointing for somewhat the same reasons as reviewer Pouliot. If the viewer does not have a pretty good background in Irish history, especially of the 1910-1922 years, he is likely to have difficulty understanding what is going on and why. The film is narrowed so sharply to one small group of guerilla fighters in Cork County that I don't know how an average viewer could put the action in perspective with the 1916 Easter rebellion, the nationwide struggle going on, the direction and control being exercised by IRA leaders in Dublin and the overall scope of the fight against the British. The biggest plus of this film, to my mind, and it is a very big plus, is that it shows graphically the kind of savagery being engaged in by the British soldiers (the "black and tans" who were sent in to support the regular British forces in Ireland) and the galvanizing effect it had on the Irish populace. It also shows the tragedy that befell Ireland when the independence movement came apart after the Treaty was signed and the die-hard Republicans refused to support the new Irish Free State, feeling that it was a sell-out to accept anything but complete freedom for the whole island. The movie does a good job of showing how the two sides could differ so drastically and still each have legitimate reasons for taking the stance they did. It also drives home how devastating the Civil War was in the final wrenching scenes of what devotion to their beliefs cost the two brothers. This was certainly a singularly Irish story, as another reviewer said, and it leaves you feeling very melancholy to realize what their independence ultimately brought the Irish, i.e., families torn apart forever, scars much deeper than any the British left and a shadow that hangs over the land even today. A haunting if not fully satisfying film.

4.5 Stars. One of the best films of 2007 showing us the high price of freedom........2007-09-07

The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a beautiful looking film made in Ireland by director Ken Loach. It took home the Palme D'Or in 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival and deservedly so.

Loach tells a sympathetic and political tale of war and the birth of the I.R.A through two brothers Damien played by Cillian Murphy who is solid in pretty much every film I have seen him in and Teddy played by Padraic Delaney who equals Murphy's performance with a great one of his own. Damien a med school graduate headed to a London hospital to further his training decides against it after witnessing one to many atrocities on his people at the hands of the British Black and Tan soldiers and joins a guerrilla squad of the Irish Republican Army headed by his brother Teddy to fight and prevent such atrocities.

Above everything I found this to be a political film and doesn't go into the brothers relationship in any detail although there are some powerful and painful moments between them that could bring tears to your eyes. Also there facial expressions and looks in there eyes say a lot which can be attributed to powerful performances and great acting all around.
Even a love interest between Damien and a strong willed Sinead is still a backdrop for there political cause which they share an equally strong if not greater love for, there real passion in this film is the cause they fight for.

A truce is declared but with of course many unacceptable terms as seen by Damien. And seen as a victory and a stepping stone to greater things as seen by Teddy, which inevitably divides the Irish against there own people and brother against brother.

I rented this film from Netflix but will now be purchasing, It is a good add to any film collection at a fair price and highly recommended, this is one of the best of 2007 I have seen so far.
Thanks for reading.

Brutal but honest and necessary.......2007-08-17

anyone who ever said 'gee why do the irish hate the english people so much?' ought to see this film. to those who lived it - some of my relatives - the thuggish behavior by the black and tans and other british soldiers turned loose to "teach the irish a lesson" is a disgrace that's yet to be appreciated over here. it's a stain on british history that the english government treated a proud and free people like this - but then, they did the same to every colony didn't they? american patriots who are proud of OUR revolution against england would do well to watch this and appreciate the irish version of the same thing

Average customer rating:

Here's the show, but where are the Muppet Morsels?
Lots of fun-brings back memories
Who Doesnt Love Muppets
Great, but not as well produced as Season 1
Comedic Art

The Muppet Show - Season Two
Starring: Mia Farrow , Jim Henson , Dave Goelz , Frank Oz , and Jerry Nelson
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000Q6774K
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Amazon.com

Quick wit, slapstick comedy, excellent puppets and puppetry conceived by Jim Henson, an astounding array of guest stars, and a whole lot of backstage chaos made The Muppet Show a favorite family show for a whole generation in the mid to late 1970's and those same ingredients make it equally enjoyable for today's audiences. The 24 episodes of this second 1976 season of The Muppet Show represent the family variety show at its strongest, with familiar characters like host Kermit the Frog, his assistant Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Rolph the piano playing dog, and regular segments like "Pigs in Space," "Veterinarian's Hospital," "Swedish chef," and "At the Dance." Intermingled throughout are silliness, skits, and songs featuring an impressive roster of guest stars including entertainment greats like Judy Collins, Don Knotts, Bernadette Peters, Dom Deluise, George Burns, John Clese, and Bob Hope. The hilarious predicaments of the Muppets and their guest stars are absolutely timeless and the look back in time at the earlier careers of enduring stars like Steve Martin, Julie Andrews and Elton John is equally fascinating. Highlights of this second season are Kermit's emotional ballad "It's Not Easy Being Green," Judy Collins classic rendition of "Send in the Clowns," the two old men's curmudgeonly and witty criticism of every show, Miss Piggy's determined and amorous pursuit of Kermit, and the Swedish Chef's bumbling inability to catch up with the chicken. Bonus features include the rare 1974 Muppets Valentine Special featuring a young Mia Farrow and a host of virtually unknown Muppet characters including the enormous blue monster, Thog. Also included is Muppets' music video of "Keep Fishin'," and interview footage of "The Muppets on the Muppets." Whether reliving childhood evenings spent with family around the television or experiencing The Muppet Show for the first time, viewers of all ages will adore this second season. --Tami Horiuchi

Description

And now a show that needs no introduction, but here's one anyway... Go bonkers with Beaker, goofy with Gonzo and join the brave cast of "Pigs In Space" for one of the most revolutionary and acclaimed shows in the history of television. Garnering an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Program in its hilarious second season, THE MUPPET SHOW redefined prime time and showcased a host of outrageous guest stars, including Steve Martin, Peter Sellers, Elton John, Julie Andrews and more. Experience all 24 episodes from Season Two - digitally remastered and restored - in this special 4-disc DVD set. With hours of bonus features, including THE MUPPETS VALENTINE SPECIAL and rare archival footage, THE MUPPET SHOW is even better than you remember!

Customer Reviews:

Here's the show, but where are the Muppet Morsels?.......2007-09-14

Our family eagerly awaited the second season of The Muppet Show, and when it finally arrived, we sat the kids down to watch. The show is great. It always is. Honestly, I haven't kept up with what numbers they have and haven't kept, because it's been so long since I've last seen these shows that it doesn't fully matter. However, something I felt they did really right with the first season's release was the inclusion of the Muppet Morsels - tidbits of trivia about the crew, the numbers, the guests, the production of each episode and the Muppets themselves. It was a silent little running commentary that made us feel a bit closer to the Muppets. I mean, the Muppets are old friends to just about everybody, but now we know a little more about them. With the second release, the Morsels are gone. The show is great, the DVD is nicely put together, and if you got the first season, the second is definitely a gotta have. I just found myself really disappointed with that the absence of the Muppet Morsels, since I enjoyed it so much.

Lots of fun-brings back memories.......2007-09-12

So wonderful to see these performances again. Cleaver, creative stars in a different setting (!), and good , clean fun! (missing from alot of today's TV!)

Who Doesnt Love Muppets.......2007-09-10

seriously this is better than the first season compilation. love the extras and the episodes. cant go wrong if your a muppet fan. only thing i miss from the first season dvds is the option to turn on interesting facts about the episode. really likes that feature.

Great, but not as well produced as Season 1.......2007-09-09

I love the Muppet Show and bought the first season the day it was released. I was pleasantly surprised to find that all the songs were subtitled. I was quite distraught, therefore, when I received Season 2 and turned on the subtitled and got the [[Music]] subtitle when they started singing. This wouldn't be so bad if, you know, the show wasn't 50% or more just PEOPLE (and muppets) SINGING.

The show is great and hits new strides. Pigs in Space shows up for the first time and that is certainly the bit that I remember most specifically from my childhood.

All in all, this is a great show, but the DVD's were not produced to the standard I expected after waiting two years since the release of the first season.

Comedic Art.......2007-09-09

As with most of the parents buying this DVD, they experienced something beautiful in the late 70's when watching the Muppets. Jim Henson and Frank Oz were visionaries, and it shows when my 3-year-old relates to characters that are more than 30 years old (Swedish Chef). It's awesome to see the evolution of a Global phenomenon. It's a shame that creators' of kids shows today can't tap into this beauty.

Average customer rating:

This isn't my idea of Bond
Great
Bond on bluray!
Blu-ray is the way to watch this great film!
Great Movie

Casino Royale [Blu-ray]
Starring: Daniel Craig , Jesper Christensen , Isaach de Bankolé , Judi Dench , and Jeffrey Wright
Director: Martin Campbell
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000MRA5NS
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Amazon.com

The most successful invigoration of a cinematic franchise since Batman Begins, Casino Royale offers a new Bond identity. Based on the Ian Fleming novel that introduced Agent 007 into a Cold War world, Casino Royale is the most brutal and viscerally exciting James Bond film since Sean Connery left Her Majesty's Secret Service. Meet the new Bond; not the same as the old Bond. Daniel Craig gives a galvanizing performance as the freshly minted double-0 agent. Suave, yes, but also a "blunt instrument," reckless, and possessed with an ego that compromises his judgment during his first mission to root out the mastermind behind an operation that funds international terrorists. In classic Bond film tradition, his global itinerary takes him to far-flung locales, including Uganda, Madagascar, the Bahamas (that's more like it), and Montenegro, where he is pitted against his nemesis in a poker game, with hundreds of millions in the pot. The stakes get even higher when Bond lets down his "armor" and falls in love with Vesper (Eva Green), the ravishing banker's representative fronting him the money.

For longtime fans of the franchise, Casino Royale offers some retro kicks. Bond wins his iconic Astin-Martin at the gaming table, and when a bartender asks if he wants his martini "shaken or stirred," he disdainfully replies, "Do I look like I give a damn?" There's no Moneypenny or "Q," but Dame Judi Dench is back as the exasperated M, who one senses, admires Bond's "bloody cheek." A Bond film is only as good as its villain, and Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre, who weeps blood, is a sinister dandy. From its punishing violence and virtuoso action sequences to its romance, Casino Royale is a Bond film that, in the words of one character, makes you feel it, particularly during an excruciating torture sequence. Double-0s, Bond observes early on, "have a short life expectancy." But with Craig, there is new life in the old franchise yet, as well as genuine anticipation for the next one when, at last, the signature James Bond theme kicks in following the best last line ever in any Bond film. To quote Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, now I know what I've been faking all these years. --Donald Liebenson

Stills from Casino Royale (click for larger image)

Beyond Casino Royale on Amazon.com

On Blu-ray
CD Soundtrack
Why We Love Daniel Craig

The Amazon.com James Bond Store
Where Have I Seen Daniel Craig?
Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale Book

Product Description

Casino Royale introduces James BOond before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. "M" (Judi Dench), head of the British Secret Service, sends the newly-promoted 007 on his first mission that takes him to Madagascar, the Bahamas and eventually leads him to Montenegro to face Le Chiffre, a ruthless financier under threat from his terrorist clientele, who is attempting to restore his funds in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. "M" places Bond under the watchful eye of the Treasury official Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together. Le Chiffre's cunning and cruelty come to bear on them both in a way Bond could never imagine, and he learns his most important lesson: Trust no one.

Customer Reviews:

This isn't my idea of Bond.......2007-09-12

When I got this blu-ray disk I had very high expectations. It delivered when it comes to special effects and the outstanding clarity that blu-ray delivers.

However, I was sorely disappointed by the new "Bond". Instead of the incredible charm displayed by previous Bond characters, this guy seems to be more of a cold-hearted killer. I found it hard to care much about what came of him. In my opinion, this is the worst Bond movie I have ever seen.

Perhaps I would have liked it better if the movie had been titled something like "Agent X" since that way I wouldn't have been trying to imagine this guy as being in the same role as the classics starring Sean Connery or Roger Moore.

In a nutshell, I found this to be heartless and generally lacking in class.

Great.......2007-09-10

Great picture quality, and a good movie to boot. The movie has a bit of a dark cast, so still not the optimal test disc for a new system, but still quite good. People say "wow" when they see it.

Bond on bluray!.......2007-09-07

Casino Royale is definitely one of the better Bond films. Part of the wow affect comes from it's awesome bluray video quality. A solid choice for all you Bond fans out there.

Blu-ray is the way to watch this great film!.......2007-08-12

I first watched the 2006 release Casino Royale in the theater. I was very impressed. The movie was unlike any Bond film I had seen before. In fact, the movie is gritty in a way that resembles the very well made Bourne movies. I recently watched the movie again, and found that it was even more enjoyable the second time around. The changes, in my opinion are for the better. I was a fan of Pierce Brosnan in the role of James Bond. I thought that he had been the best Bond since Sean Connery. I thought Roger Moore was okay, while timothy Dalton did nothing for me. Craig made for a very compelling and very human Bond.

The visuals in this film are stunning. The usual opening scenes are - true to form - pretty spectacular. Bond shows little mercy when it comes to resorting to violence. He also gets hurt and bleeds on numerous occasions. He seems ill at ease in a tuxedo, but seems to adapt to the role. The primary setting for the movie is an incredibly picturesque Venice. The film features really stunning scenes with some excellent stunt work. The Blu-ray version is without a dount the version to watch. Clocking in at 144 minutes, the movie seems to fly by with its fast paced story. The only downside to the film is that the villain came across as pretty tame for the most part. There probably could have been a bit more done to make him really evil and dislikable.

Overall this is a strong 4 star movie that is well-worth the price of the movie.

Great Movie.......2007-08-07

This is how you keep a movie franchise going. Great story, great acting and a fast paced movie that almost never slows down(except when James is with the ladies!!)

I have watched it several times now and the more I watch the more I like.

Knocked Up - Unrated (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Details on the different versions of this DVD release
Many guys would run a mile
Big Disappointment
Dire
When Homer met Marge, for adults

Knocked Up - Unrated (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Seth Rogen , Katherine Heigl , Joanna Kerns , Loudon Wainwright III , and Harold Ramis
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000TZJBQ0
Release Date: 2007-09-25

Customer Reviews:

Details on the different versions of this DVD release.......2007-09-12

Loved the movie. That said, I was confused on what the differences were on the 3 DVD versions, but found some details that I've posted below. As for me, I'm going with this two-disc unrated version.

Basic extras -- available on all (both R-rated and Unrated Editions):

- Deleted and Extended Scenes
- Gag Reel
-"Directing the Director" (Capote director Bennett Miller stops by to help Apatow get the job done)
- Line-O-Rama (Tons of alternate takes)
- Audio commentary with Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen and Bill Hader
- Roller Coaster Featurette

Goodies available only on the Unrated releases:

- MORE Deleted and Extended Scenes (some pretty raunchy ones, reportedly)
- Topless Scene: "Web Design"

And finally, extras available only on this 2-disc Unrated version:

- Judd Apatow's Video Diaries
- Finding Ben Stone (A mock casting session)
- Stripper Confidential (Rogen and Paul Rudd wade through some Sin City salaciousness)
- Even MORE Deleted and Extended Scenes / Gag Reel Footage!
- Another topless Scene: "Restaurant"
- Katherine Hiegl's Audition Tape
.. "and more" (I'm really hoping for another "You know how I know you're gay?" extended scene like in 40-year-old Virgin)

Many guys would run a mile.......2007-09-10

There are too many children being born into the world at the moment, where the mother, barely out of school herself, can't remember the name of the father. There are children being born who will never know their father, cos their mother had too much to drink to ask him to wear some protection. Or take her pill. Many boyfriends would run a mile and then keep running if their girlfriend turned round and said they were pregnant. Imagine what they would do if it was a one night stand who said they were pregnant?!

Here's a film that turns all that on its head. The girl who should have been out of his league, has a few too many and sleeps with the guy who has 'moobs' and a mop of curly hair. He thinks he's scored, they part ways. She discovers she's pregnant eight weeks later, just as she gets a promotion at work, hunts him down to tell him, and he agrees to stick by her, thankfully without asking the question that would get him a slap: "Is it mine?"

That's the basic premise of the movie, starring Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen in the lead roles. It's an absolutely brilliant movie, dealing with various relationship problems, sometimes a bit too much, as I found some scenes difficult to deal with. Maybe I was feeling a bit insecure that night, who knows? The bit where she threw him out the car in the middle of nowhere gave me shivers up my spine. A lot of the jokes about the roommate with the beard, and ever growing hair went straight over my head.

I never got into The 40 Year Old Virgin, so I can't really comment on the comparisons to that. I think I switched it off as I couldn't concentrate on it. But this definitely kept my attention, although it could have been cut down slightly, as it was overly long for a comedy, but only by about 15 minutes or so.

The supporting cast are absolutely terrific, and the cameos are also funny too. Look out for Ryan Seacrest playing a totally different 'character' to the one he plays on American Idol! Steve Carrell also makes a cameo, along with Jessica Simpson & Jessica Alba.

An 18 year old guy I work with also went to see this movie the same night I did, and we were discussing it the next day, and he admitted to being scared stiff at the birth scene at the end. Oh dear, that's the wool been lifted from his eyes! You do see EVERYTHING unfortunately, including a reflection in a mirror of a baby's head crowning. It's a fleeting glimpse, but enough to make me want to cross my legs!

Knocked Up is an excellent movie, about a true to life topic, and has a happy ending when it all works out. I think I was close to tears. I'll definitely pick up the DVD of this, and see if there's any good extras on it.

Big Disappointment.......2007-09-02

Perhaps I'm too old for movies like this. Perhaps I should have known better - I gave up on 40 year virgin after 15 minutes. But the reviews were good so I watched it. The movie (to me) was utterly boring. I found little to laugh at, but perhaps the jokes belonged to a different culture. The characters were amiably pleasant but a bad situation was made worse by the continuous stream of bad language. Is this how young people talk nowadays - I doubt it.

Dire .......2007-08-28

This aint no comedy. A foul mouthed tepid load of rubbish. Lazy drugged up slob impregnates drunken beauty queen. She obviously traumatised by the experience tries to bond with her childs father. But he is a lazy useless monosyllabic bore.

There is no chemistry between the leads, the main male character is particularly reprehensible, an introverted immature layabout. The script is terrible, not a single person laughed in the theatre I was in watching this dribble.

How any one could call this a comedy is beyond me, movie making at its worst, one of the most horrible theatre experiences of my life.

When Homer met Marge, for adults.......2007-08-27

I thought the movie had some hilarious moments...but you have to remember one thing: It's only a movie!!!

In real life there would probably be some ugly consequences involved for constantly smoking pot, not having a job and sleeping with any bloke you meet in a club. Ie. you can end up a nutcase,get AIDS,become homeless on the street, etc.

But if you just watch it for what it is (a movie) then it can be really hilarious at times.

Hope this review helped.

Average customer rating:

A great show from the golden age of Drama
It sure is great to be able to go back to wacky Rome, Wisconsin once more
Stands the test of time
One of the greatest shows finally on DVD
Great show...a classic

Picket Fences - Season 1
Starring: Zelda Rubinstein , Don Cheadle , Denis Arndt , Roy Dotrice , and Leigh Taylor-Young
Director: Michael Pressman , Dennie Gordon , Martin Davidson , Jeremy Kagan , and Arvin Brown
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000K7VHJ6
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Amazon.com

While Ally McBeal garnered more attention, Picket Fences garnered more acclaim. It was justified. Set in Wisconsin, the Emmy-winning drama plays like The Andy Griffith Show by way of The Commish. The focus is on small-town life from a law and order perspective. The action revolves around Sheriff Jimmy Brock (Tom Skerritt), his physician wife Jill (Kathy Baker), and their children, Kimberly (Holly Marie Combs), Matthew (Justin Shenkarow), and Zack (Adam Wylie). Storylines alternate between personal issues, like puberty and pre-marital sex, and criminal cases. As Matthew quips, "Things happen around here." At city hall, Jimmy works with officers Kenny (Costas Mandylor) and Max (Lauren Holly), dispatcher Ginny (Zelda Rubinstein), and coroner Carter Pike (Kelly Connell), who likes to exclaim, "Let me exhume the body!" Judge Henry Bone (Ray Walston) and attorney Douglas Wambaugh (Fyvush Finkel) dominate the courthouse. Cases include such tragi-comic crimes as a serial bather ("Frank, the Potato Man") and a cupid killer ("Be My Valentine"), but serious issues also come into play, such as assisted suicide ("Sacred Hearts") and incest ("Nuclear Meltdowns"). Unlike Twin Peaks, to which it was sometimes compared, Picket Fences could be heavy-handed, but piety never trumped entertainment, and Baker, Skerritt, Walston, and Finkel all won Emmys for their work.

Notable guests are a hallmark of every David E. Kelley production, from Chicago Hope to Boston Legal (and beyond). The first season attracted Carnivále's Michael J. Anderson ("Mr. Dreeb Comes to Town"), Evening Shade's Michael Jeter ("Frog Man"), and Man of La Mancha's Richard Kiley ("Thanksgiving"). The series also features one of the last of the old-fashioned orchestral scores, Stewart Levin's distinctive piano theme. Picket Fences ran for four seasons on CBS (when Kelley left between seasons three and four, ratings took a nosedive). Afterwards, Combs joined Charmed, Baker joined Kelley's Boston Public, and Holly joined NCIS. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

PICKET FENCES Season 1 is the first season of the critically acclaimed series from creator David E. Kelly ("Ally McBeal", "Boston Legal") starring Tom Skerrit and Kathy Baker, in the story of a sherriff and his family in Rome, Wisconsin, a town where things never seem to be business as usual. This long-awaited fan favorite is available on 6 discs.

Customer Reviews:

A great show from the golden age of Drama.......2007-09-12

Prior to the rise of reality TV, America watched shows that had scripts. ok seriously, this show is great. i have been waiting for it to come on DVD for years. Lauren Holly, Holly Marie Combs and an great task, perfectly cast for each roll make Rome Wisconsin come alive as they address the political concerns of the day, which oddly enough 15 years later are still the same concerns. this is a well worth purchase.

It sure is great to be able to go back to wacky Rome, Wisconsin once more.......2007-08-30

It is amazing in watching Season 1 of David E. Kelley's "Picket Fences" how much I remember about most of these episodes. But then who could ever forget the Tin Man dropping dead during the town of Rome, Wisconsin's production of "The Wizard of Oz"? On the other hand, this time around I was shocked to realized that it was a very young Elisabeth Moss (later Zoey Barlet on "The West Wing") who turned to Zack after the family had caught Kimberly in bed and utters the immortal words: "Yes, that was sex. Naked nude sex" ("High Tidings"). Those words stuck with us for some time. Nobody was ever just naked or just nude, they were always naked nude, and as for sex, it was never just sex it had to be "naked nude sex." Talk about your walk down memory lane, finally having this show out on DVD provides one of the best examples of that particular experience in quite some time.

I love dramedies and "Picket Fences" certainly counts as one. Time and time again Douglas Wambaugh (Fyvush Finkel) shows up for the defense of everybody from "the serial bather" ("Frank the Potato Man") to "the polygamist bride" ("Nuclear Meltdowns") and just when you think he is a complete clown he turns and levels somebody with a scowl and a pointed remark. It always seems to be the latter I remember better. I find nothing much has changed when I watch these episodes again. Carter Pike drives me crazy with his incessant demands to be deputized or dig up a corpse, but then his lousy love life ("Sightings," the only episode in Season 1 that does not have Kelly as at least a co-writer) renders him human again. Deputy Maxine Steart (Lauren Holly) is almost as bad as she sees serial killers around every corner, except she was right about "The Green Bay Chopper" and Cupid ("Be My Valentine"). Then there is her partner Kenny Lacos (Costas Mandylor) dating those twins ("The Body Politic"). And these are just the supporting characters.

At the heart of the show is the family Brock, where Sheriff Jimmy Brock (Tom Skerrit) give voice to Kelley's conservative impulses and his wife Dr. Jill Brock (Kathy Baker) usually gets the liberal positions (both Skerrit and Baker won Emmys for that first season, as did the series for Best Drama). The contrastive viewpoints are necessary because Kelley clearly scanned the headlines for controversial issues to write about, from mercy killing ("Sacred Hearts") and transsexuals ("Pageantry"), to menopause ("Bad Moons Rising"), an HIV-positive dentist ("The Body Politics"), and using fetal tissue to treat Parkinson's Disease ("Fetel Attraction"). Actually, I was surprised that although the issue episodes stand out, there were more dealing with solving crimes, from a 10-year-old suicide ("Remembering Rosemary") to a more recent one ("The Snake Lady"), and all the other weird cases involving "Frank the Potato Man," "The Frog Man," and the Chippewas who take over the courthouse because the city wants to put the 18th hole of the golf course over an ancient burial ground ("Rights of Passage"). Seeing Kenny in the lockeroom after the standout talking about the man he killed was just as powerful the second time, as was the whole bit with Max adopting a baby ("The Lullaby League"), and who can forget guest star Dellas Reese calling Zach (Adam Wylie) "little bittie thang" in that one? Which reminds me, Jimmy and Jill should trust Kimberly (Holly Marie Combs) and not freak out everytime she kisses a girl ("Sugar and Spice") or whatever. The kid has a good head on her shoulder and the Brocks should be open to the idea that maybe they were good parents in raising her.

There are some regrets with this DVD in that the cast does not have more of a hand in the extras found on "Picket Fences: Season 1," like with some nice commentary tracks. In the featurette on the final DVD, David E. Kelly does most of the talk but all of the other principles chime in during an all too short look at how the show came together. The show's creator expresses surprise that Judge Henry Bone became the voice of the town, but that seems absolutely inevitable given Ray Walston's virtuoso performance. Sometimes the actor is so damn good that what they are doing so effortlessly does not constitute scene stealing. Judge Bone simply commanded your attention every time he opened his mouth in his courtroom. Which reminds me: not only is there a reference to "Jimmy Berluti" early on in Season 1 ("Remembering Rosemary"), in the pilot episode I swear that Costas Mandylor as Kenny Lacos sounds just like Michael Badalucco on "The Practice." So I have the feeling that there really is a Jimmy Berluti out there in the world that Kelly is channeling through these characters.

Stands the test of time.......2007-08-29

Put in the first show/disc and within the first 60 seconds a person playing the Tim Man in the towns version of the Wizard of Oz is found dead back stage, someone leans over him and says...maybe it is his heart.

If you can't find the humor in that then you will miss the best parts of Picket Fences. There are so many huge issues taken on but also so many small gems that you can watch each show over and over and find something new.

Wonderful show, great package, bring on the next season. Soon please!

One of the greatest shows finally on DVD.......2007-08-27

Picket fences is one of the best shows ever on TV. Full of quirky yet lovable characters and some very offbeat stories that manage to force you to deal with some very important social issues. The DVD transfers are superb except for the first episode. Incidentally I'm never "Pre-Ordering" anything ever again. Shelled out $40 bucks for this and now it's going for $25.... Sigh. Can't wait for the rest of the seasons.....

Great show...a classic.......2007-08-26

I loved this show when it was in its original run on TV, and I'm finding I am enjoying it even more now that it's out on DVD. It's quirky sometimes, funny sometimes, serious sometimes...overall it's well worth the price. I'd recommend "Picket Fences" to anyone who wants to watch something a little different from the boring norm of most of today's TV shows.

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

Buy the DVD version instead - until Disney re-release it.
Buyer beware! Heads lopped off!
Misframed for 10 min
Big framing problem on Blu-ray version
Problems with Playback

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]
Starring: Lee Arenberg , Johnny Depp , Trevor Goddard , Kevin McNally , and Jonathan Pryce
Director: Gore Verbinski
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Action & Adventure | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Comedy | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Kids & Family | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Science Fiction & Fantasy | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000N6UERA
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Product Description

Disney Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (Blu-ray)
From producer Jerry Bruckheimer("Pearl Harbor") comes "Pirates Of The Caribbean:The Curse Of The Black Pearl," the thrilling high-seas adventure with a mysterious twist. The roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow's (Academy Award(R) Nominee Johnny Depp) idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the governor's beautiful daughter Elizabeth (Keira Knightley). In a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl, Elizabeth's childhood friend Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) joins forces with Jack. What Will doesn't know is that a cursed treasure has doomed Barbossa and his crew tolive forever as the undead. Rich in suspense-filled adventure, sword-clashing action, mystery, humor, unforgettable characters, and never-before-seenspecial effects, "Pirates" is a must-have epic onthe grandest scale ever.

Customer Reviews:

Buy the DVD version instead - until Disney re-release it........2007-09-08

Disney will be re-releasing this version as it contains 9 minutes of incorrectly framed footage. In this Blu-ray version people are being decapitated, and not by pirates! For those 9 minutes, the framing is about 12% lower than it should be.

The DVD version is framed 100% correctly - so buy that one until Disney issues a new Blu-ray release of this title.

Buyer beware! Heads lopped off!.......2007-09-05

There is a serious framing problem for 9 minutes of the movie, where the frame is lower than it should be. So you will be looking at groins and torsos instead of full faces.

Misframed for 10 min.......2007-09-03

About 9 or 10 min of this film is framed incorrectly. The sequence in question is the sword fight between Jack Sparrow and Will Turner in the blacksmith's shop. The image is shifted down so at some points the actors are actually delivering dialog with their heads cut off. I would avoid ordering this title until Disney issues a corrected version.

Big framing problem on Blu-ray version.......2007-08-30

Disney made some mistakes on the Blu-ray release and some scenes are misframed. The original film was shot using the Super 35 process (1.85:1) and cut to a 2:35:1 ratio for theaters and home release. Some scenes that required framing at the top of the film image were center cut instead, so heads are cut off, and there are numerous revealing mistakes such as exposed floorboards when they should be fighting on rafters 10 ft off the ground! I would wait for a corrected version.

Problems with Playback.......2007-08-25

I have a Samsung BDP 1000 - in the BD package from Disney you get 2 disks, one special features and the game and the movie itself. The movie is unplayable even with the latest firmware update for the player but strangely the Special features disk is fine. Unfortunately I am returning these 2 disney Pirates BD's

Casino Royale (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

a new bond
"Quite the body count you are stacking up"
No a Cartoon but a good thriller
Daniel Craig made a believer out of me!
Sean, move over

Casino Royale (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Daniel Craig , Eva Green , Mads Mikkelsen , Judi Dench , and Jeffrey Wright
Director: Martin Campbell
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Espionage | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000MNP2KI
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Amazon.com

Stills from Casino Royale (click for larger image)

Beyond Casino Royale on Amazon.com

On Blu-ray
CD Soundtrack
Why We Love Daniel Craig

The Amazon.com James Bond Store
Where Have I Seen Daniel Craig?
Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale Book

Product Description

Casino Royale introduces James Bond before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. "M" (Judi Dench), head of the British Secret Service, sends the newly-promoted 007 on his first mission that takes him to Madagascar, the Bahamas and eventually leads him to Montenegro to face Le Chiffre, a ruthless financier under threat from his terrorist clientele, who is attempting to restore his funds in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. "M" places Bond under the watchful eye of the Treasury official Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together. Le Chiffre's cunning and cruelty come to bear on them both in a way Bond could never imagine, and he learns his most important lesson: Trust no one.

Customer Reviews:

a new bond.......2007-09-15

the latest in the bond series. this one is about the beginnings of 007. i didn't think Craig would be a good bond, but i was totally wrong. it's certainly the best bond since goldeneye. the story was great, the action was great...i hope to see craig in more bond films! the special features were nice too as they talk about the history of bond

"Quite the body count you are stacking up".......2007-09-15

If you are going to introduce a new Bond, what better way to do it than go back to the beginning? This is exactly what Martin Cambell did in Daniel's Craig first movie as the beloved 007. We find a Bond at the start of his career, having recently attained the 00 status, and showing a personality that differs from what we are used to seeing from this character. I am not going to lie to you, Sean Connery still is, and probably will always be, my favorite Bond, but Craig comes pretty close to the Master. And he is undoubtedly better than the last couple of actors that attempted the feat of portraying one of the most charismatic secret agents ever.

This time around, the plot takes us from Madagascar to the Bahamas. In the process we find bankers stealing money from Freedom Fighters, bomb-makers with clear and important targets in mind, a fair amount of poker playing, and of course, attractive women. The most interesting aspect of the movie is the differences in Bond's personality compared to the other movies. Here we can see how his attitude towards women changed and the reasons behind this. Also, there are many details that if you have watched the previous Bond productions you will not see in this one. Even though one of these shows up towards the end, you will miss several Bond traits that are always present. It is fun to go through the movie spotting these absences.

The action scenes are exciting and even though they are unrealistic, as is usually the case with Bond movies, this aspect was toned down from the latest efforts. The high speed chase on foot in Madagascar is remarkable and very well filmed, and even though it runs for a fair amount of time, we do not get bored in the least. As I already mentioned, there is also quite a bit of poker playing. This is only natural, seeing the popularity this game has gained lately. The good news is that they managed to keep these scenes interesting and they fit well with the rest of the plot.

Just when I was ready to accept that there will never be a James Bond that will make me want to see these movies again, I was pleasantly surprised by Craig. I am looking forward to his next effort and hope that we get many more at this level.

No a Cartoon but a good thriller.......2007-09-13

Casino gets back to the original roots of a Bond with a nearly psychotic rage who kills without compunction. It also explains more of how he becomes the detached spy and shuns real personal ties. The stunts are traditional stuntmen based ones, not computer graphic generated ones so it adds to the realism. There are enough cartoonish movies so it's good to see a real old fashioned thriller.

Daniel Craig made a believer out of me!.......2007-09-11

I must first say that I was "extremely reluctant" to accept Daniel Craig into my heart as the infamous, sexy and dangerous 007. I was very upset when they decided that Pierce Brosnan would not be back. A little history....I was a BIG Sean Connery fan, and could not stand Roger Moore or the other Bonds until Brosnan. He had most of the qualities that I feel Sean Connery has......he is suave, charming, handsome and a little mysterious/dangerous...and James Bond use to be Remindton Steele. So, needless to say I didn't want another 007, just when I got use to this one. So imagine my attitude when I went to see this movie.......Daniel Craig was going to be critiqued harshly. Now with all that in mind, I must say I was pleasantly pleased. Although Daniel Craig's was 007, his spin on the character was completely different. And although he was not as suave as Sean Connery, he is just as romantic (Vesper love story crucial to the story), more so because he only tried to get with two women, versus a ton (each critical to the story). And more than anything, he was more believable than past Bonds. He would bleed, he got hurt, he was sensitive and completely human.

This movie was great....the plot is well written, you love to hate the bad guy, you feel sorry for the hero, and I found myself beginning to embrace him as 007. I no longer view 007 as a "single" person, while for some reason in the past it seemed like writers wanted us to think of Connery, Moore, and Brosnan, as the same person. But now, I have come to see the title of 007 as a classification, similar to the position of Inspector and Detective. And I really found myself appreciating the fact that this Bond was so human. Casino Royale is worth watching, and I would love to see Craig in the role again, in the near future.

Sean, move over.......2007-09-10

I have been a James Bond fan for a long time. Though the original Sean Connery movies were before my time, and I was a kid when Roger Moore was making them, I have still enjoyed them. I always thought Sean would be the best. (I generally rated Sean as the best and Roger the worst with all others sorted variously in between.)

However, this is without a doubt the best bond and bond movie ever. I think this is the way the character was meant to be portrayed. I hope that this is the beginning of restarting the bond franchise. I would love to see more bond stories with this type of protrayal.

On Blu-ray	CD Soundtrack	Why We Love Daniel Craig
The Amazon.com James Bond Store	Where Have I Seen Daniel Craig?	Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale Book