‘Spectre’ good halfway through film; ‘Crisis’ worth seeing

Spectre***

Like so many in the Daniel Craig James Bond franchises, “Spectre,” the newest, opens with a flourish, a chase, remarkable international cinematography, plenty of Bond showboating and cool spy stuff, and the introduction to an intriguing story. Then about halfway in the film kind of falls apart; not enough to derail it entirely, but enough to keep what could have been a great movie from reaching its mark. These ultra-modern Bond movies expect us to take them seriously, unlike the Bond films of the 70s, 80s and 90s, which had enough comedy and camp that we forgave their lack of logic or continuity. How Daniel Craig’s Bond manages to show up in a white tuxedo after each fiery car crash, or near-death hand-to-hand combat scene becomes problematic after a while. Still, Craig is well-suited for this new Bond (though he says it’s his last), and “Spectre” enjoys the remarkable talents of Ralph “Voldemort” Fiennes as “M,” and Christoph Waltz as Blofeld. Two thumbs way up for the Thomas Newman soundtrack, the sound design from the award-winning team behind “Skyfall,” and for the visitation of old Bond legends. True Bond fans may or may not enjoy new revelations about Bond’s childhood and reasons behind the continual bad luck he has with women who get too close to him.

Our Brand is Crisis ***

Sandra Bullock, as Jane Bodine, plays a troubled, smart political strategist enlisted to help a struggling Bolivian candidate for President win an election among serious political and social unrest. Bullock handles the comedy well, and there’s plenty to laugh at, but she also shines in the drama. The James Carville look-a-like, Billy Bob Thornton, is at his creepy best in this eye-opening film, playing Bullock’s nemesis, Pat Candy. Though these American strategists are at work in faraway Bolivia, it’s obvious that that the same kind of political manipulation takes places (and is currently taking place) right now under our American noses. This film exposes the seediest side of political campaigns, and for that reason alone is worth seeing.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 9:42 AM with the headline "‘Spectre’ good halfway through film; ‘Crisis’ worth seeing."