DVD OF THE WEEK

QUANTUM OF SOLACE ***
Starring: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric
Dir: Marc Foster

OK. It's a Bond film. It's not the best Bond film in the world but as the second entry into the new era it's pretty essential viewing.
And, funnily enough, it's actually easier to list the things that are wrong with it than what makes it good. On the downside: Jack White's theme song is pretty naff; the opening credits – long a Bond standout – are kinda dull; the plot, though based on an interesting concept, is very basic; and the move to a Jason Bourne style of fast close editing is irritating.
On the bright side, Daniel Craig, world-wearing and slugging back six martinis to keep functioning, is still a great Bond, imbuing the character with both charm, arrogance, and a touch of vulnerability behind the cold-blooded exterior. His problem here is that there isn't a villain with similar charisma - Bond is set against a mysterious worldwide conspiracy and his main adversary is merely an underling.
This is an interesting development, in that it goes back to early Bond films and the continuing battle against SPECTRE, but, in line with modern times the conspiracy has stretched to the heart of the British government. And where there isn't conspiracy there's cynicism, as both the Americans and the Brits deal with the enemy and are not adverse to selling out Bond.
But, engaging though the changing philosophy is, you don't go to Bond movies for that. Elsewhere there is a car chase, a speedboat chase, two or three foot chases with fighting, and some big explosions at the end. And none of them seem quite as thrilling as they should. Nothing matches the crane sequence that started Casino Royale, for which this is a direct follow-up.
Yes ,it's a unique Bond film, in that it starts just moments after the previous one. And perhaps that's how it will be remembered – a competent sequel, getting us ready for next time's full monty.

88 Minutes (***) comes with such negative critical baggage that I was expecting a real turkey. Al Pacino stars as a 'forensic psychiatrist”. A serial killer who was put away by Al's testimony is due to be executed just as more murders occur in the same vein. And Al gets a phone call telling him he has 88 minutes to live. This is a completely nutso thriller, which I'm sure made little sense in retrospect, but it's entertaining and has more than a few twists and turns, and a killer that I couldn't guess until the finale. Al is cruising, but he's still more fun than most to watch, so – almost against my better judgement – I'm happy to recommend it.

On the other hand, Donkey Punch (**) is a sleazy thriller with few redeeming features. Three holidaying girls get on a millionaire boat with four young guys for a night of drinks drugs and sex. One of them dies and with paranoia running rife things go rapidly downhill. Despite the odd moment of tension, this is one where you get to the end of and wonder why you wasted your time.

Fay Grim (****) is maverick director Hal Hartley's latest, sort of a sequel to his wonderful Henry Fool, and a quirkily entertaining ride it is too. The previous film involved the (probably pornographic) journals of the title character, who disappeared at the end. No need to see that one though as this runs in a totally different direction, positing that the diaries were actually the work of a 'superspy” and wife Parker Posey is soon engulfed in a spiralling international espionage plot. It's very funny (in a deadpan way) and the eccentric supporting cast, particularly Jeff Goldblum, are a treat.

Odder still is 13 Game of Death (***), a strange Thai thriller wherein a man gets a call on his mobile asking him to play a 'reality game”. Kinda like an individual version of Fear Factor. The more alarming the things he does, the more money he gets. This soon involves people dying. It's a peculiar film, including as it does weird moments of comedy and a completely barmy ending. But it's oddly enjoyable, and will please lovers of eccentric Asian cinema.