Book Review: The Films of Sam Mendes - Under One Hour

'The Films of Sam Mendes - Under One Hour' by Michael Jolls

Review by Bob Ignizio

There are some directors whose style and recurring themes make it easy to label them as "auteurs". Even casual film fans have some understanding of the techniques Hitchcock uses to be the "Master of Suspense", the particular voice they can expect from a Spike Lee joint, the witty (and often profane) dialogue and hip musical soundtrack that make a Tarantino film, the visual style and complex themes to be found in a Kubrick movie.

But there are other filmmakers who, even though they are consistent in the quality of their work, don't immediately stand out. Directors who, despite a strong body of work, we can sometimes take for granted. For me, one such filmmaker is Sam Mendes.

Skyfall

Review by Pete Roche

Everyone has a favorite 007 actor and film, but James Bond movies are typically only as good as their villains (Stavro Blofeld, Karl Stromberg, Max Zorin), henchmen (Jaws, Nick Nack, Odd Job), and incendiary set pieces.  If a film’s bad guy isn’t memorable (DIE ANOTHER DAY) or the action in the climax doesn’t match or surpass the excitement of its pre-title gambit (GOLDENEYE), then it’s probably regarded a mediocre entry in the half-century old franchise.

SKYFALL boasts a delicious villain in Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), but there aren’t any other distinguishable thugs. And its dénouement pales to its pulse-pumping opening sequence, which has Bond race a motorcycle over rooftops in Turkey before brawling on a speeding train.  There are two remarkable hand-to-hand fights—including a snazzy-looking fisticuffs silhouetted against a neon skyline, but neither pits Bond (Daniel Craig) against Silva.