Casino Royale

New timeline, new structure, new James Bond

We can see alot of changes in Casino Royale, no Q from the R&D division, no special weapon, no high tech gadgets, no Moneypenny.

The classic James Bond theme only plays in ending credit, not in the movies.

The opening sequence use playing cards and guns, instead of naked girls in silhouette like previous Bond film.

And if I'm not mistaken, this is the first time they use male singer to perform the title song.

Why are there so many changes?
I have to admit, the first time I watched this movie 2years ago in cinema, I really cannot accept all those changes.

But after I watch it over and over again, I start to like Casino Royale...
and one thing that distinguish this movie wih previous Bond film is
~ they put alot of effort to the script and focus on character development~

Despite the criticsm, I think Daniel Craig did a good job.
Some say he looks like a villain, some say he is not good-looking, some say he is too cold.

But if you realize their intention to make a new and fresh Bond, you will understand why Daniel Craig acting in that way.
And I admit, I actually under estimated his performance at the begin.

The new Bond is more brutal and more emotional. He made mistakes.
The new Bond is inmature and innocent. He learn lessons.

Which is why, in my opinion, his character is developed really well in the whole movie.
And you need solid performance to take this role, and it is not easy.

Pierce Brosnan's James Bond perhaps is more cool, and more clever.
But frankly, there is not much of effort put on scriptwriting.

For me, Casino Royale is the best James Bond movie in recent years.

The dialogue and conversation is fantastic.

The location chosen is really good, Madagascar, Bahamas, Montenegro, and Venice....
it brings you back to Roger Moore and Sean Connery era, different costume in different country...
~~the James Bond feel is back~~

Talking about cinematography, the action sequence in Madagascar is one of the best scene I have ever seen in Bond movies.

The ending is so sad, terrific climax!!!

Perhaps some of the fans still cannot accept the new James Bond....
but it needs time....

Casablanca (1942)

Classic film set in unoccupied Africa during World War 2.

Rick Blaine, who owns a nightclub in Casablanca,discover his ex-lover Ilsa Lund is in town with her husband, Victor Laszlo.

Laszlo is a resistance leader, and with Nazis on his tail.

Ilsa knows Rick can get them out of the country.

But will he???



I don't know if writing a review about Casablanca is a suitable act.

This is one of the most prestigious film ever.

Absolutely Classic!!!


I am not a classic movie goers,

I just want to expose myself to other genre,

riding a time machine back to the historical moment that we can see the greatest films of all the time.


Casablanca, a dramatic and romantic war epic film.

Not as sensational as Gone With The Wind, but personally, I like Casablanca more.

A huge signature of Hollywood golden age.


We will all remember Rick and Ilsa, probably the best screen couple ever.

Time goes by, Casablanca still has its charm.


A movie that can survive in history and time.

A movie that will survive for another 100 years.


"We will always have Paris"
Play "As Time Goes By"

Face/Off

In order to trap him, you must find him, face him, and....become him.

It's like looking in a mirror, only not.

Three important people to discuss in this movie~ John Woo, John Travolta, and Nicolas Cage~

Face/Off is considered John Woo's best film in Hollywood, solid directing technique, very cool and stylish...

There is alot of similiarities between Face/Off and The Killer (starring Chow Yun Fatt).

John Woo actually bring his signature image and pioneer heroic bloodshed scene from his earlier HongKong movie.

For those who like action movies, this is a must watch movie!

Following are some of my personal comment, but I think you need to watch the movie first, otherwise you might not get what I meant.

Coz the two main characters and the two actors actually switching each other role in the plot.

The climax part of the movie is the battle in church.

Church, statue of Jesus, Cross, choir, candle light, coffin....and doves....

Doves signify peace, John Woo choose doves as his signature's image.

Next, Mexican-standoff~~ a strategic deadlock of no-win situation.

Multiple opponents with guns aimed at each other.

Neither one of them can take a move.

The destroyed of church artifacts, chair, statue.

Carry a child by your left hand and holding a gun by your right hand, then kick your enemy ass!!!

Slow motion scenes, very stylish, very breathtaking, very beautiful.

We can see all those famous and memorable scenes in his movie!!!

Talking about the story, I think it is ridiculous, and, some people say....it is stupid.....

The movie didnt show us too detailed about the transform of whole body physical appearance, only FACE.

But I think the idea is not bad...just, there would be many weakness in the plot for the story like this.

But who cares?

The starpower of John Travolta and Nicolas Cage rescue all those weakness, with their terrific performance and topclass acting!!!

You can see how Travolta and Cage switching each other role, playing each other character in the movie.

Every single scene. you will definitely reinterpreting their character~ Archer and Troy.

The character name is notable from the Trojan War, the fight between Achilles and Hector.

Face/Off is like a modern Trojan War, where the enemy invade your city by Trojan Horse.

As we can see in Face/Off, the enemy invade your life by the same technique.

How far would you go to kill your enemy?

Put the bullets on his head ??? (wait, that's your face on his head)

It's like pointing the gun at yourself, and yourself are pointing the gun back at you.

I simply love this kind of complex feeling and contradiction shown in this movie.

I like the scene where Archer and Troy face each other in the mirror.

Very brilliant, a superb move!!!

Finally you can see your enemy face, and recognize your enemy once again, to remind yourself who you really are.

That is the only way you can shoot your enemy, pull the fuckin trigger to release all your hatred and anger....

Face/Off~~~ J.T.'s favourite~~~