Skyfall (2012)

Is it just me, or is Daniel Craig just a little bit more handsome in each film he does? I'm glad that Sony got over their issues got this movie to us. I think of the three Craig Bond films, this is the most accessible to Bond fans (I mean pre-Craig Bond). Not only was Skyfall packed with allusions to the classic Bond films, but stylistically it was more like them then Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. In no small part this is due to the way Bond is being portrayed. In the first two films, he's shown to be a stonecold killer who is the best of the best. In Skyfall, he's a little off his game for most of the film but more than makes up for it by his patriotism. Bond does what he does, because he's doing the right thing, and he knows it's the right thing because M tells him to do it. He trusts her completely, not only because she is a substitute for his mother, but because he believes she has the welfare of Great Britain at heart.
Ralph Fiennes and Naomi Harris were nice additions to the cast, especially since they were replaying recurring characters. Speaking of which, where as the first two Craig films had the feeling that  they were "the" Bond story, where Skyfall very clearly sets up more adventures at the end.
I think this was the best acted Bond film yet. And numbers two and three are the first two starring Craig. Part of that is due to the fact that this movie takes itself seriously, but I think a larger part is due to the fine actors: Dame Judi Dench, the aforementioned Fiennes and Harris, Daniel Craig of course and the wonderful portrayal of the villain Silva, played by Javier Bardon.
I would remiss if I didn't mention the Oscar winning theme song, written and sung by Adelle. I'm biased because I am a fan of Adelle but I think this is one of the better, say top three at least, James Bond theme songs. I am excited that she got recognized for her work.

Skyfall on IMDb

The Avengers (1998)

I really wished that I had been able to get Joss Whedon's Averngers movie, which I imagine is a tad different from this one. Alas, that movie is not out on DVD yet (well at the time when I wrote this), so I had to do with this Avengers. This movie is based on a television show that aired before I was born so of course the library system doesn't have it for watching. I'm normally not into 60s television shows, but after watching this movie it would love to see if it's even close to what it's based on. Does that make it sound like I don't like this movie? I hope not, because I do like it.
In an effort at achieving full disclosure, I heart Uma. She's purty. She fills out a jumpsuit quite swimmingly.
Ralph Fiennes ain't too bad, either. He looks very at home in a black bowler.
This movie is very punny, particularly the early dialogues between Mr. Steed and Mrs. Peel. Fortunately this doesn't fall over into the action which is taken quite seriously, even though the premise or the setting or both is often quite ridiculous.
You know what this reminds me of? A British version of Get Smart. The romance and the action are quite serious, but the dialogue and premise are absurd. Quite entertaining really. I wonder if they initially planned on doing a series of movies? I thought the same thing when I watched the movie adaptation of Wild, Wild West. You have a movie with instant name recognition. You have witty if not sparkling dialogue. You have some big action sequences. And, you have big name stars attached, ones that are known to do a sequel or two in their time.

The Avengers on IMDb