James... James Bond(!)

Those of you who don't like Bond, don't read any further. Normal politics service will be resumed tomorrow.

I was lucky enough to get to see the new Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, yesterday. And while it was pretty good, I was left a wee bit underwhelmed.

It certainly wasn't as good as Casino Royale - of which it is set immediately after. Bond, you are led to believe, is now a loose cannon, hitting out at anything which will lead him to the man that killed his love interest, Vesper, in the previous installment. Which is all well and good - and it explains a why in previous Bond movies (which are set AFTER these two - keep up!) Bond is cast as chauvinistic, almost misogynistic in his treatment of women (Moneypenny and M aside) and with little regard for his own safety - but it gets a bit tiresome when in every scene you are wondering which of the goons Bond is going to beat up next.

Saying that, it is still a decent flick, and worth seeing. However, with Bond as a different character (ie, the sensitive, smouldering... etc) the film doesn't stay true to the classic Bond story (less cars, gadgets, Martini, women - and no catchphrases) so if that is what you are looking for you'll be disappointed.

But still... miles better than Matt Damon's Jason Bourne (opens can of worms...).

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Something different

I'm not usually the type that enjoys a "serious" film - preferring my entertainment to take the form of lighthearted humour. However, I was dragged out to the cinema on Saturday evening to take in the terrifically sad "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas".

I won't spoil it by telling you what happens, suffice to say that the film is based on a young boy's experience living near Auschwitz during the Holocaust - and the girl along the row from me spent the entire film in floods of tears.

I am man enough to admit having a lump in my throat leaving the theatre. I guess the advice is this: If you are going to see it, take a packet of hankies. Even if it just so you can pass them along to the girl next to you crying her eyes out.

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