| Friday, November 17, 2006 |
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 Batman Begins heartily displayed the virtues of taking a moribund series back to basics by ditching the camp and placing its titular superhero in a more plausible, real-world context. With Casino Royale, the Bond series has taken a similar no-nonsense approach, and critics say the result is a triumph. Casino Royale delves into the 007 creation myth; the early days of the suave secret agent find him a lot more haunted -- and casually cruel -- in ways only vaguely suggested in the previous 20 Bond pictures. But scribes also note the film is hardly morose, with enough exciting action and in-jokes to please the diehards. Some even go so far as to say that Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Sean Connery.
For those of you whose cinematic appetite for flightless fowl was left unsatiated by March of the Penguins, we've got good news. Happy Feet tells the story of a young penguin named Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood) who's gotta dance when all the others Emperors gotta sing. Featuring motion-capture dancing by Savion Glover and an eco-friendly message, Happy Feet is winning praise from critics for its sharp animation and rousing soundtrack.
Let's Go to Prison was not screened for critics, which means it's unlikely to join the list of timeless jailhouse classics that includes Cool Hand Luke, The Shawshank Redemption, and Caged Heat II: Stripped of Freedom. Find out what else is playing this week. |
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IN THEATERS
STRANGER THAN FICTION (76%)
 Starring Will Ferrell & Emma Thompson, directed by Marc ForsterConsensus
A fun, whimsical tale about about an office drone trying to save his life from his narrator. The cast obviously is having a blast with the script, but Stranger Than Fiction's tidy lessons make this metaphysical movie feel like Charlie Kaufman-lite.
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ON VIDEO/DVD
SOPHIE SCHOLL: THE FINAL DAYS (89%)
 Starring Julia Jentsch, directed by Marc RothemundConsensus
A film that begs the audience to reflect upon their own courage and strength of character in light of this young heroine's daring story.
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This Week's Quote
"East, West, just points of the compass, each as stupid as the other."Know the answer? Post it here.
Last Week's Quote
"Liberty's too precious a thing to be buried in books."
Last Week's Answer
James Stewart as Jefferson Smith in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
(First to answer correctly: "leales")
Have more movie quotes? Post them here.
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