Quantum of Solace: A modern idea with a classical feel
Filmed by EON Productions, Quantum of Solace (2008) is James Bond’s 22nd movie and the second for Daniel Craig in the lead role as James Bond. The movie is due to release in UK on October 31, 2008 and it will hit the theaters across North America on November 14. Sequel to Casino Royale (2006), Marc Forster has also directed this movie.
In Quantum of Solace, Bond is pitted against Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), who is a member of Quantum organization. He poses as an environmentalist, but intends to plot a coup d’état in Bolivia for taking control of the nation’s water supply. James Bond is looking to seek revenge for Vesper Lynd’s death. In his journey, he is assisted by the beautiful Camille (Olga Kurylenko). Camille is also looking to kill Greene.
Michael G. Wilson, who also produced Casino Royale, created the plot for Quantum of Solace while they were shooting the first in the series involving Daniel Craig. Neal Purvis, Paul Haggis, Joshua Zetumer and Robert Wade have contributed to the movie’s script.
Idea of Quantum of Solace was taken from a short story of Ian Fleming, For Your Eyes Only, which was released in 1960. However, the Daniel Craig version not expected of containing any elements connected to the original story. Location of the filming has taken place in Italy, Austria, Chile and Panama, while its sets were built in Pinewood Studios. Director Marc Forster aimed for making the film modern and at the same time having a classic feel. There have been fight sequences where antique planes are used. Set Desings of Dennis Gassner seems reminiscent of the work done by Ken Adams’ in early Bond films. However, Forster has rejected the Greene’s grotesque appearance for commenting on hidden nature of corporate villains in this flick.
So, get ready for another thrilling experience with James Bond in Quantum of Solace!
Starring: Daniel Craig, Mathieu Amalric, Olga Kurylenko, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton
Director: Marc Forster
Body of Lies: Finally, a success for Warner Bros in movies based on 'War against Terrorism'
Body of Lies, a thriller flick, hit the theaters across United States on October 10, 2008. Ridley Scott, director of Black Hawk Down and American Gangster, has directed the movie. Its story is written by William Monahan and stars Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Golshifteh Farahani (who is from Iran) and Vince Colosimo. Production of the movie has taken place in Morocco and Washington D.C.
The film is based on a David Ignatius’ novel of the same name. It is about a CIA operative Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio), who moves to Jordan for tracking a high-ranking terrorist, AJ Salim. Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe), manipulative boss of CIA, keeps a tab on Ferris, while Ferris is giving everything to catch his nemesis before it gets too late.
Body of Lies was unsuccessful in its first weekend of release and pulled up only $12.9 million, which is 40% lesser than what was expected. The movie has reportedly cost around $70 million. In its first week with a star-studded cast, analyst expected Body of Lies to be a sure bet in capturing the No. 1 spot in the box office. Instead, it turned up No. 3 behind Beverly Hills Chihuahua from Disney (No. 1 with $17.5 million) and Quarantine from Sony / Screen Gems (No. 2 with $14.2 million). Quarantine made around $2 million more than what was actually spent on the whole venture.
Despite the result, ‘Body of Lies’ has opened better than previous films that were based on war against terrorism, which include the likes of In the Valley of Elah, Lions for Lambs and Rendition, which did well below what was expected by Warner Bros (who has distributed the movie). However, outside United States, the movie has opened reasonably. In Australia, it has landed first with a whooping $2,104,319. Here, it toppled Wall-E from Pixar animation (No. 2) and Beverly Hills Chihuahua (No. 3).
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani, Oscar Isaac, Simon McBurney
Director: Ridley Scott