Daniel Craig

DVD Review: Take a Bite Out of ‘The Hunger: The Complete First Season’

BrianTT — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0600

CHICAGO – “The Hunger” is one of the more unusual entries in the history of the TV anthology series, a personal favorite sub-genre of this writer raised on “The Twilight Zone,” “The Outer Limits,” “Tales From the Crypt,” and “Amazing Stories”. It has amazing star power, a loose relation to a great ’80s horror movie, and enough thrills to entertain, but has been largely forgotten by TV history.

DVD Rating: 3.0/5.0

“The Hunger” aired in syndicated form from 1997-2000. It is not directly based on the film of the same name but does feature some loose relations - horror theme, David Bowie hosted season two, and the Scott brothers (Ridley and Tony, who directed the film “The Hunger”) produced.

The Hunger: The Complete First Season was released on DVD on June 16th, 2009.
Photo credit: E1 Entertainment

The first season of the show was hosted by Terence Stamp and, while it has some significant storytelling flaws, the pedigree of the cast and crew is remarkable. The first episode was directed by Tony Scott himself and stars Balthazar Getty and the second episode features Daniel Craig, Lena Headey, and Karen Black.

Other directors and stars in season one include Russell Mulcahy (“Highlander”), Jason Scott Lee, Sally Kirkland, Colin Ferguson, Marie-Josee Croze, Margot Kidder, Brooke Smith, Giancarlo Esposito, Bruce Davison, Stephen McHattie, Joanna Cassidy, and Sofia Shinas. It’s a pretty A-list crew for a B- or even C-list show.

The problem with “The Hunger” is that for every stand-out episode, there are three or four that just don’t work for a variety of reasons - poor direction, low-level production values, bad storytelling. One of the biggest problems is that “The Hunger” feels too often constrained by network standards. This is a show that always wants to push the envelope with horror and soft-core erotica, but it’s a 22-minute broadcast standard program that feels like a truncated or censored version of something that originally aired on Showtime. Or at least wished it had.

I’m a huge fan of anthology series, so I had to include “The Hunger” in my collection, but I think only those of you with a similar predilection for the sub-genre should take a look. Not only is the series so-so, but the release by E1 Entertainment is not exactly a grabber (the excellent cover art excepted).

The episodes look merely average in their original full-frame ratio and the dolby digital stereo track falls just below that average line. And there are no season-specific special features with the only bonus being a look at season two.

‘The Hunger: The Complete First Season’ was released by E1 Entertainment and stars Terence Stamp, Daniel Craig, Karen Black, Jason Flemyng, Colin Ferguson, Lena Headey, Timothy Spall, Margot Kidder, and Balthazar Getty. It was executive produced by Ridley & Tony Scott. The show was released on June 16th, 2009. It is not rated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber Shine, But ‘Defiance’ Misses

BrianTT — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:41:47 -0600

CHICAGO – There are many things to like about Edward Zwick’s “Defiance,” including Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber’s excellent performances, a lovely score by James Newton Howard, and, of course, the important subject matter, but the overdone screenplay and Zwick’s typically melodramatic direction just barely sink the film, although a nice Blu-Ray release should help make a few of its flaws easier to overlook.

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.0/5.0

“Defiance” is a story about an amazing human struggle for survival led by the Bielski brothers - the reluctant Tuvia (Craig) and the powerful Zus (Schreiber). The brothers are joined by their younger brother Asael (Jamie Bell), a young man who follows their every move but often gets stuck in the middle.

Defiance was released on Blu-Ray on June 2nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount

The film opens with the mass execution by Nazi soldiers at Novogrudok that killed a large portion of the Bielski’s family and friends. At first, the Bielskis think of only of revenge, which they get, and then they move towards the more long-term concern of survival. Gathering as many survivors as they can, they create a makeshift community in the Naliboki forest. Issues of leadership, violence, and the conflict between merely hiding or actually attacking make for a compelling true story.

Defiance was released on Blu-Ray on June 2nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount

The story itself may be compelling, but it’s not the right fit for the bombastic Edward Zwick. As he has several times in epic films like “Blood Diamond” and “The Last Samurai,” Zwick falls back on the crutches of the standard action movie. There’s so much slow motion, ear-shattering explosions, melodramatic monologues, and other over-used devices that it sinks the true inherent power of the story.

A script that blends a Moses allegory with long, boring speeches doesn’t help draw in the audience. I never once felt like I was in the woods with the Bielskis. They were merely heroes in an action movie and the true emotion of the piece is never allowed to register.

“Defiance” is far from a complete disaster. Despite Zwick’s penchant to over-direct and the cold screenplay, Craig and Schreiber find ways to break through the action and develop three-dimensional characters.

The film is vastly helped by a very good Blu-Ray release with a commentary, featurettes, and striking video and audio.

“Defiance” is presented in 1080p High Definition and Eduardo Serra’s cinematography looks great in HD. The picture is excellently mixed, not overly vibrant or polished (you wouldn’t want the Bielskis fight for survival to look too plastic) but perfect in its line detail. The audio mix is even better. Ed Zwick does nothing subtly and his action sequences will rattle the silverware in 5.1 HD audio.

The special features for “Defiance” include a commentary by Zwick, a 26-minute featurettes called “Defiance: Return to the Forest,” a 13-minute historical featurette called “Children of the Otriad: The Families Speak,” the 7-minute self-explanatory “Scoring Defiance,” and two minutes of photos of living survivors called “Bielski Partison Survivors”. Two trailers make up the “And More!” advertised on the back of the case.

The featurettes and commentary expertly balance just enough information about the making of the film with details about the true story that inspired it.

‘Defiance’ is released by Paramount Home Video and stars Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Allan Corduner, Mark Feuerstein, and Iben Hjejle. It was written by Clayton Frohman & Edward Zwick and directed by Zwick. The Blu-Ray and DVD were released on June 2nd, 2009. It is rated R.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Quantum of Solace’ Offers Action Ride, Average Blu-Ray

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:38:56 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “Quantum of Solace,” the second Daniel Craig 007 movie after the earthquake to the franchise that was the brilliant “Casino Royale,” didn’t make quite the same waves in the action genre and left a few viewers dissatisfied but it still makes for a better-than-average action movie rental. Sadly, MGM continues to struggle a bit in the HD revolution, releasing a so-so Blu-Ray that won’t help the viewers who felt let down by the film in theaters.

If “Casino Royale” was the rock ‘n’ roll set that we knew this classic character was still capable of producing with the right star, script, and production team, “Quantum of Solace” is the encore. It may not be as purely satisfying, but it still rocks in its own way.

Quantum of Solace will be released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: MGM/Fox

“Quantum” is the first James Bond film to pick up immediately after the end of the film that came before it. Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) has died and James (Daniel Craig) is following the trail she left behind. It leads her to another sexy woman looking for vengeance named Camille (Olga Kurylenko) and into the path of the nefarious Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), the head of the Quantum organization.

The villain and the Bond girl aren’t as interesting as “Casino” and director Marc Forster doesn’t know how to handle this material as deftly as Martin Campbell, but is it fair to compare “Quantum of Solace” to arguably the best Bond film ever made (and, by extension, one of the best action movies overall)? No, “Quantum” isn’t as good as “Casino Royale,” but neither are most action movies.

Quantum of Solace will be released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: MGM/Fox

And “Quantum of Solace” IS better than at least three Pierce Brosnan Bond movies, both Timothy Dalton movies, and most of the Roger Moore missions. It’s a brutal action-fest that is missing something because it’s naturally all final act - being a continuation of the last film - but it’s still incredibly well-made. The first fifteen minutes alone make it worth a rental. For anyone who calls themselves a serious Bond fan, they make it worth a purchase.

As for the Blu-Ray, I’ve reviewed many in recent days - this is a crowded time of year - and MGM/Fox keep producing titles that look a little flatter than some of their competitors. There’s no problem with the detail, but the gorgeous scenery of “Quantum of Solace” doesn’t pop like you hope it would.

The audio is okay, but not as mind-blowing as it should be. Just before watching the opening scene of “Quantum of Solace,” I watched the “action” opening of “Bolt”. It sounded better mixed than this English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. That’s not right. It’s not that “QoS” sounds bad. It doesn’t. But it’s not going to blow you away like it should.

And the same “good enough” judgment extends to the special features. There’s a cool music video and two great featurettes - one on the locations and one about often-unheralded crew members - but no commentary and no deleted scenes. It reeks of material being held back for a special edition timed to the next theatrical Bond. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Special features

Music Video: “Another Way to Die” by Jack White & Alicia Keys (4:30)

Hey, look, a music video. Are there any channels that still play these things? This is actually a great clip blending the style of the opening with Alicia and Jack kicking rock and roll ass. I know the theme song has been divisive. Personally, I dig the attempt to blend bluesy lyrics, solid guitar riffs, the classic Bond theme, and one of the best voices in soul. Unlike most music videos on Blu-Ray, I’ll probably watch this one again. If a channel like, oh I don’t know, MTV had actually played it, the song might have been a bigger hit.

Quantum of Solace will be released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: MGM/Fox

“Bond On Location” (24:45)

That shots of Bond in the suit with the gun that became so associated with the film and is featured as its cover was actually shot in a Chilean desert. Bond movies, especially lately, don’t do much on-set. “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace” have gorgeous photography around the world. Location is essential to this piece and this is a great featurette detailing why and the decisions that were made in picking them.

“Start of Shooting” (2:54)

A brief piece about pre-production, concept, and the start of shooting for “Quantum” in early 2008.

“On Location” (3:14)

Overkill after the “Bond On Location” featurette about moving locations in March.

“Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase” (2:14)

A self-explanatory look at one of the most crucial scenes in the film that was shot in April. It’s here that you realize that these mini-featurettes are merely chronological, brief, behind-the-scenes pieces that should have just been incorporated into one longer piece. Typical Fox/MGM in that there’s no Play All and they’re all too brief.

“Director Marc Forster” (2:45)

About bringing on the new guy. They’re all real proud of him.

“The Music” (2:36)

Self-explanatory bit about recording and conceiving the score with composer David Arnold.

“Crew Files” (45:30)

A stunning amount of material profiling individual crew members and their role on the film one at a time. Profiles include Michael G. Wilson, James Grant (Location Manager), Ana Endara (Extras Casting), Ben Cooke (Stuntman), and many, many more. This is actually a great feature that allows access to people who don’t often get the credit they deserve but are just as much a part of the fabric of the piece as those who do.

The set is rounded out by two trailers but no commentary or deleted scenes.

‘Quantum of Solace’ is released by Sony Pictures Home Video and stars Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Giancarlo Giannini, Jeffrey Wright, and Judi Dench. It was written by Paul Haggis and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and directed by Marc Forster. It will be released on March 24th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Edward Zwick’s ‘Defiance’ Drains Strength From Powerful True Story

BrianTT — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 07:26:23 -0700

CHICAGO – Ed Zwick’s “Defiance” is a dramatically inert film that misses the mark by allowing its director to play up his notable weaknesses as a filmmaker. Neither satisfying as the action-driven entertainment that Zwick likes to make nor as an emotional historical epic, “Defiance” is flat and dull, only mildly redeemed by two strong lead performances and the inherent power of its subject matter.

Rating: 2.5/5.0

Zwick continues his pattern of falling back on the crutches of the typical action movie - slow motion, rising strings, bombastic explosions, melodramatic monologues - but, once again, he uses them to hold up a plot with inherent dramatic power, thinking that the importance of his subject matter will give his film a weight that he can not. “Blood Diamond,” “The Siege,” “The Last Samurai” - Zwick values epic scope over all else and misses what needed to be a human story to be effective.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Defiance” in our reviews section.

Only his work with his lead actors, his true strength proven by Oscar wins and nominations he directed his stars to in films like “Glory,” “The Last Samurai,” and “Blood Diamond,” saves “Defiance” from being a complete disaster. “Defiance” is a so-so action movie and just because it’s subject matter is about truly heroic people facing unspeakable horrors doesn’t change the quality of the filmmaking.

“Defiance” tells the true story of the Bielski brothers, led by the reluctant Tuvia (Daniel Craig) and the powerful Zus (Liev Schreiber). Tuvia and Zus are joined by their younger brother Asael, who follows their every move but is sometimes caught between the more proactive Zus and the more reactive Tuvia.

‘Defiance’ stars Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Allan Corduner, Mark Feuerstein, and Iben Hjejle. ‘Defiance,’ which was written by Clayton Frohman and Edward Zwick and directed by Zwick, opened in Chicago on January 16, 2009.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Defiance” review.

Daniel Craig as “Tuvia Bielski” and Liev Schreiber as “Zus Bielski” star in Defiance.
Photo credit: Karen Ballard

List of Top Seven James Bond Gadgets

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:59:26 -0700

CHICAGO – With “Quantum of Solace” opening today starring Daniel Craig, Gemma Arterton, Judi Dench and Olga Kurylenko, Jeff Bayer’s The Scorecard Review (a partner with HollywoodChicago.com) has published its list of the top seven James Bond gadgets.

Olga Kurylenko in “Quantum of Solace”.
Image credit: Susie Allnutt

Who would James Bond be without his cool gadgets? Sure, he would still be a great spy with a license to kill, but would there be 22 movies about the man?

Bond fans remember the old films when Q would introduce some new gadgets with each new installment. While Q may be missing in the latest films, Bond still has some slick tools. While even some of Bond’s adversaries dabble in gadgetry, this list will be strictly MI6.

Bond (Daniel Craig) shields Camille (Olga Kurylenko) in “Quantum of Solace” and fires at a fuel cell as flames engulf Medrano’s suite at Perla De Las Dunas.
Image credit: Karen Ballard

With “Quantum of Solace” opening today, it’s a great time to look back at some of the past Bond films and the gadgets he uses to dispose of henchmen, save himself and ultimately save the world.

Read The Scorecard Review’s top seven James Bond gadgets.

Principal Photography For Untitled James Bond Film No. 22 to Begin on Jan. 3, 2008

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:26:40 -0700

Principal photography for untitled James Bond film No. 22 will begin in the United Kingdom on Jan. 3, 2008 at Pinewood Studios, according to the comprehensive James Bond Web site MI6.

Daniel Craig for the 22nd James Bond film.
Photo credit: MI6
In its Dec. 30 report, MI6 cites an interview with James Bond film No. 22 director Marc Forster as published with Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung. The Jan. 3 start date for the film is one day earlier than previously stated by star Daniel Craig.

You don’t have to dig too far back through the HollywoodChicago.com archives to find a few local hits on this director. Forster’s 2007 film “The Kite Runner” was a 2007 hit at the Chicago International Film Festival and we photographed him on Oct. 4, 2007.

“The Kite Runner” director Marc Forster at the
Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 4, 2007.
Photo by Evan O’Donnell/HollywoodChicago.com
Though an official title for the film hasn’t yet been announced, IMDb lists the film under the generic title “Bond 22” while various reports cite the rumored title “007”.

Marc Forster is the director of the 22nd James Bond film.
Photo credit: MI6
Indeed, Forster in this interview delves into how the next film in the massive franchise is a quest into 007’s inner self. He said:

When [James] Bond began in the [Sean] Connery days, travel was a luxury not everyone could afford. Today, the world has become smaller.

If Bond goes to a beach with palm trees, it’s almost banal now. The only interesting trip remains the journey inward deep into the psyche.

As for the business of Bond, Forster goes on to admit:

Financially, there are limits – even on a Bond film.

As for additional casting beyond Craig, MI6 says “British actress Gemma Arterton may have indeed secured a role” in the film. MI6 says it is unlikely, though, that her role will be as the major Bond girl.

Gemma Arterton “may have indeed landed” a role
in the 22nd James Bond film, according to MI6.
Photo credit: Sarah Dunn

Gemma Arterton
Photo credit: Gemma-Arterton.net
Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, the film is slated to hit theaters on Nov. 7, 2008.

Marc Forster is the director of the 22nd James Bond film.
Photo credit: MI6
For background, MI6 adds:

Foreign [filming locations will include] Italy, Panama, Austria and Bolivia. Paul Haggis completed the script based on a first-draft screenplay developed by regular scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

The story will be a direct continuation of the events of “Casino Royale”. It is British actor Daniel Craig’s second outing as James Bond following his debut [James Bond] film “Casino Royale,” [which was released on] Nov. 16, 2006.

Dame Judi Dench and Giancarlo Giannini will also reprise their roles. Mathieu Amalric and Anatole Taubman will play villains.

8:49 p.m. update on Jan. 24, 2008: The film now has its official title: “Quantum of Solace,” which Variety says is derived from a short story published as part of a collection by Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1960.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

‘The Golden Compass’ to Release National Sneak One Week Early on Dec. 1

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:32:17 -0700

I just learned that “The Golden Compass,” which opens nationwide on Dec. 8, will have a national sneak in approximatley 800 theaters across the U.S. on Dec. 1.

Nicole Kidman in “The Golden Compass”.
Photo credit: IMDb
The high-profile film stars Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Freddie Highmore, Kristin Scott Thomas and Kathy Bates. To check if “The Golden Compass” is showing on Dec. 1 in a theater near you, click this link.