PICK OF THE WEEK
“Quantum of Solace” — Daniel Craig returns as superspy James Bond in this sequel to “Casino Royale.” The film picks up right after the events at the end of the previous movie, and we get a glimpse into 007’s past and a key to who he is as a man. The movie then kicks into gear concerning a plot to control the water rights of a Third World country. OK, not the most intriguing plot for a Bond flick, but they can’t all be about defusing nuclear bombs in underground lairs.
“Quantum” is a much darker and moodier film than “Casino Royale,” and some critics and Bond fans thought it didn’t live up to its predecessor. I think it worked well as the second act of a much longer film — a kind of “Casino Royale Part Deux.” So, if you liked “Casino Royale,” then I think you’ll enjoy “Quantum,” if you think of it as a continuation of the previous film and not as a stand-alone adventure.
FOR THE COMICS GEEK
“Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter and Under the Hood” — This is a tie-in DVD release to the “Watchmen” theatrical film. This DVD set is basically two major set-pieces that were made for the film but had to be cut for time. “Tales of the Black Freighter” is an “animated comic book” of a story-within-a-story element of the original Watchmen graphic novel. It’s a comic book about the adventures of a pirate (voiced by Gerard Butler of “300”), and his story mirrors the plot of the Watchmen movie/graphic novel. “Under The Hood” is a live-action film that provides the backstory to how The Nite Owl and the other heroes from the film came together as a team for the first time.
TV SERIES
“Andy Richter Controls the Universe: The Complete Series” — Holy Moly. I feel like an angel has been sent down from heaven to give me a puppy. I LOVED this show when it originally aired in 2002, and I never thought it would ever be released on DVD. Fox didn’t know how to market a show this original, so it kept changing its time slot from week to week. Then, after 19 episodes, it pulled the plug. “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” is one of those smart, funny, well-written shows like “Arrested Development” and “30 Rock” that you simply look forward to watching again and again. To try and describe this quirky, delightful show is almost impossible. Just watch it — because you probably missed it the first time around.
MORE TV SERIES
“The Very Best of Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan”
“Star Wars: The Clone Wars — A Galaxy Divided”
“The Venture Bros.” Season Three
“The Riches” Season Two
“Room 222” Season One
“Voltron” Volume 7
“Runaway” The Complete Series
© 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.