Bond theme choice could provide a measure of comfort
As sure as the weather improves every summer, the multiplexes fill up with audiences eager to watch superheroes square off against evil.
"Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," and "Hancock" are already entertaining audiences and "The Dark Knight" arrives July 18, but in my opinion the most exciting big-screen hero arriving this summer doesn't have his own movie out until November.
James Bond is back in theaters in the trailer for "Quantum of Solace," the 22nd adventure in the 007 franchise. The film is the first official Bond sequel, since the story begins shortly after "Casino Royale" ended with Bond pursuing the people responsible for the death of his love, Vesper Lynd.
The trailer begins with Bond interrogating one of the organization's members. As it progresses it becomes clear Bond is on a mission more personal than professional and nothing will stop him in his quest for revenge.
Staples of the Bond franchise, chases, stunts, cars and women are all there as the famous theme music plays, leading to a crescendo in which Bond holds himself upside-down on a rope with one hand, aiming his gun with the other.
While there are a lot of fun movies out this summer, no film dominates my movie conversations like this one. To see my first glimpse of my favorite hero on another mission is to be transported to a state of cinematic euphoria, where I feel the same overwhelming anticipation I did as a child awaiting Christmas morning.
In a recent conversation with co-workers I upheld my belief Daniel Craig is the best 007 since Sean Connery (Matthew Weaver prefers Roger Moore!) and the rest of the casting in "Quantum of Solace" looks splendid.
Gemma Arterton plays Agent Fields and Olga Kurylenko plays Camille, who, like Eva Green in "Casino Royale," appear to bring back more of the classical beauty possessed by earlier Bond girls such as Claudine Auger in 1965's "Thunderball."
Mathieu Amalric, star of the Oscar-nominated "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" stars as nemesis Dominic Greene, a megalomaniac who, according to The Internet Movie Database's plot synopsis, is bent on controlling a country's water supply.
There is one crucial casting of sorts to be determined and that is the role of the opening title song's performer.
Chris Cornell's excellent "You Know My Name" played during the opening credits of "Casino Royale," which sets the bar high and early rumored Amy Winehouse does not appear to be in the running, but I have a few suggestions.
Because I believe in long shots, it would thrill me beyond belief to hear a James Bond title song by Britney Spears, who, thanks to her guest spots on "How I Met Your Mother," is back in the public's fond opinion.
My other long shot is Avril Lavigne, who I feel could convincingly capture the tumult in a secret agent's life with her addictive pop-rock sound.
The most likely candidate is 23-year-old Welsh singer Duffy, whose album almost never leaves my CD player. Not since Lavigne's 2002 debut have I fallen in love so quickly with an artist's music.
The much-maligned title "Quantum of Solace," means a measure of comfort, but starting a Bond film with a song by Duffy, Britney or Avril would make me more than comfortable. It would send me into double-o-heaven.
Chaz Holmes is the Columbia Basin Herald news assistant. He isn't kidding about being in Bond euphoria. The man lives to see the beloved fictional British spy save the world.