Quantum of Solace

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

First Video Surfaces of ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ With Jake Gyllenhaal From Jerry Bruckheimer

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:10:42 -0700

CHICAGO – After the first image of extras surfaced on Oct. 15, 2008 for the movie adaptation “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” we now have the first video footage thanks to Entertainment Tonight’s willingness to go all the way to Morocco to get it.

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” star Jake Gyllenhaal has some decidedly modest and sarcastic fun in his interview with Entertainment Tonight’s Thea Andrews while the camera reveals to us the first live-action shots from the film. You can watch the video segment below now.

“I guess I’ve gotten buff,” Gyllenhaal told Entertainment Tonight. “There’s a lot acrobatics in the movie – a lot of running up walls and jumping on things. It requires muscularity, but it requires a lot of aerobic ability, too.”

Some screenshots from the Entertainment Tonight video segment have been published by Movie Chronicles. Entertainment Tonight describes the plotline for the film, which will come on the heels of the wildly successful video game, with these words:

The story finds Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan: a young, Persian prince who must join forces with the beautiful and feisty princess Tamina (played by “Quantum of Solace” Bond girl Gemma Arterton) to prevent a villainous nobleman (Ben Kingsley) from possessing the Sands of Time.

The Sands of Time is a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” which stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton and Ben Kingsley, comes from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” director Mike Newell and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The film is slated to open on May 28, 2010.

See the first extras image from “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”.

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

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.

‘Star Trek’ Trailer Launch is Imminent; Here’s What to Expect

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:22:16 -0700

CHICAGO – After our exclusive first report on Jan. 15, 2008 of the teaser trailer description for J.J. Abrams’ new “Star Trek” film in 2009, we now have for you confirmed information about what to expect over the next few days during the reveal of the official “Star Trek” trailer.

“Star Trek” in 2009 from director J.J. Abrams.
Image credit: IMDb

Online
The countdown to the “Star Trek” trailer launch has begun online on the film’s official site.

In Movie Theatres
Nov. 14, 2008: “Star Trek” trailer in theatres only with “Quantum of Solace”.

On Air
Nov. 17, 2008: “Star Trek” trailer on “Entertainment Tonight”.

Online
Nov. 17, 2008: “Star Trek” trailer goes up on Apple.com at 10 a.m. PST as an exclusive until Nov. 19, 2008.

“Star Trek,” which is slated to release on May 9, 2008, stars Chris Pine as Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Eric Bana as Nero, Simon Pegg as Scotty, Winona Ryder as Amanda Grayson, Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura, Karl Urban as Leonard “Bones” McCoy and John Cho as Hikaru Sulu.

“Star Trek” also stars Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike, Ben Cross as Sarek, Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov, Leonard Nimoy as the old Spock, Greg Ellis as chief engineer Olsen and Chris Hemsworth as George Kirk.

11:44 p.m. update on Nov. 18, 2008: The new “Star Trek” trailer in HD is now online here.

1:58 a.m. update on Nov. 21, 2008: As first revealed in the new “Star Trek” trailer, we’ve published a new article discussing the decidedly new sex scenes in the film.

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