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Amazing criticism of Casino Royale from Warren Ellis:

In Casino Royale, James Bond is the Bond girl. Look at the way they even show him emerging from the ocean like Ursula Andress. Sexual torture, too, if less creepy-glam than being stripped and painted gold. Vesper Lynd is Bond: never not in control, never without a plan, seducing to further her goals. She has to die so Bond can become her.

I think I need to re-watch it now!

Also worth mentioning is this quote from my friend Scott after reading the above: “Too bad there isn’t a take on Quantum of Solace that makes it not suck.”

Too true.

(Via Kottke)

Two of my favorite movies of 2010 are due to be released on DVD/BD on February 1st. If this was the latest summer action flick it wouldn’t bear mentioning, but these films happen to be fairly unknown.

The first, ‘Monsters’ (Trailer, IMDb, Netflix, Amazon), a shows the everyday human side to an alien occupation. It’s a beautiful movie that was made for a shoestring budget (it looks much better than its cost would normally indicate).

Second is ‘Never Let Me Go’ (Trailer, IMDB, Netflix, Amazon), which explores the side effects of an alternate history where human life can be extended to average lifespans well over 100 years.  It has an amazing cast and is based on the award-winning book of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Do yourself a favor and rent/buy/borrow/beg your way to see these films as soon as you can.

Ratings:
Monsters – 5 out of 5
Never Let Me Go – 5 out of 5

If you like comic book movies here’s the latest and greatest eye candy: a trailer for Thor!

Here’s the setup: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Sam Rockwell are cowboys who have to fight off an alien invasion.

Sold.

Trailer/IMDb

The Decemberists have finished up another record, titled ‘The King is Dead’, which is due out on January 18th, 2011.

You can download the first single, ‘Down by the Water’, in exchange for your email address on their site right now. It’s kind of country and folksy but with that unique Decemberists quality.