Quantum of Solace, Not Quite Bondish

I finally got a chance to see Quantum of Solace over the weekend, and even though I liked it, this film didn't quite seem to be the quintessential Bond film.  The direction that Casino Royale took with the Bond franchise was new and I really enjoyed it.  The dark and gritty feel to it, along with Daniel Craig as the new Bond, took a different step to what we normally see with Bond films.  Quantum of Solace is still a dark film and follows up quite nicely with Casino Royale, but I felt like something was missing.  Perhaps we needed to see what new and exciting gadgets were up Bond's sleeve.  With Bond films, it seems as though gadgets go hand-in-hand and is somewhat of a necessity, but this film was lacking that.  This was more of a classic revenge tale more than anything.  The music in between certain sequences reminded me that it was, indeed, a Bond film that I was watching.  

I also felt that the villain wasn't as sinister as the previous villains.  Don't get me wrong with the performance by Mathieu Amalric.  Having seen The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, I think that he's a great actor, and he did play the part well, but he didn't feel evil enough.  

We'll have to wait and see what's in store for the next Bond film.  I'm sure they'll go back on track with the usual Bond that audiences are so used to seeing and continue to mix it up with the dark and gritty, which I always love to see.  Oh, and do they always HAVE to wreck the exotic cars?  It was sad to see the Maserati ruined.  Well I guess they kept that Bond tradition going.

Steven Spielberg to Direct Oldboy... OH BOY...

Yes, you have read right.  There is no flaw in the title.  According to a recent internet article,  Steven Spielberg will direct a new version of Oldboy.  While banging my head on the desk in frustration and questioning why, I have no doubt in my mind that this film will be ruined.  I am not a fan of Steven Speilberg.  I think his best work was Duel and the cartoons that he presented and produced in the 90's (Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain).  That said, why, and I stress that question of WHY, touch what Chan-wook Park made a masterpiece of in 2003 with his adaptation of the Japanese manga of Oldboy?  From what I've read, this will not be a remake of Chan-wook Park's film, but rather from the manga.  This doesn't make the slightest sense because Chan-wook Park also adapted from the manga. 

But wait, it gets even better.  Will Smith will star in it.  Yes... Will Smith, and according to him, there will be a twist.  More head banging ensues.  Yeah, let me guess as to what the twist will be... ALIENS??  Steven Spielberg has this fascination with aliens in his films and it is starting to get ridiculous and annoying.  Indiana Jones 4 ring a bell? As for Will Smith, don't get me wrong, I like him and I think he's a great actor, but I CANNOT see him in this role.  If you have seen Oldboy, and I highly recommend it to anyone that hasn't, you can also say that Will Smith is not a good choice.    

I absolutely loved Chan-wook Park's Oldboy and I still do.  Everything is great about it, from the acting, cinematography, script, and the music.  It just ticks me to hear that it is being RE-DONE, yes... Re-done, and by a director that I think is highly overrated.  And I  hate to say this, but I think that the Fresh Prince will finally let me down if and when this film gets released.    

The Spurt That Hurt The NJ Devils

The New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils met for the second time this season, and boy what a game!  Things weren't looking good for the Rangers in the first period as they trailed 1-0, but whatever Tom Renney had to say in the locker room after the slow start gave the needed spark for the team to bounce back.    

The second period was all Rangers as they scored three goals within a matter of two minutes.  Two minutes and eight seconds to be exact.  They later went on to win the game with a score of 5-2.  

Click here for a full recap of the game. 

With that said, I want to know what happened to all the Devils fans?  Honestly?  I don't know if the Prudential Center was a good thing or a bad thing for the team, but ever since they've moved their stadium to Newark, I've been seeing a lot of empty seats.  I also love the fact that there are more Rangers fans than Devils fans whenever the two meet at the Prudential Center.  It's like the Rangers' second home.  

I really enjoy watching these two teams play.  I really have a grudge against the Devils, as all you fellow Rangers fans know, and watching the Rangers playing a strong game in their second home (Prudential Center) is like winning a playoff game.

The Rangers are 2-o with the Devils in the season so far, and I'm sure they'll win the series, if not sweep them.  And I don't want to jinx it or anything, and it's too soon to say it, but I could just smell Lord Stanley's Cup making a trip to New York at the end of the season.  Only time will tell.

Until next time, this is The Nevras signing off.