Adam-95

Caught this at the film's world premier at Cinepocalypse. Now that it's getting released, I still can't shake it off. Knew very little going in and I was blown away. An incredible performance by Azura Skye as Holly, a mom, wife, daughter, sister and English teacher as you follow her on a downward spiral of madness and death.

Acting, cast and direction are top-notch. The cinematography draws you in and takes hold. The music is by the guy who did "The Witch" and "The Lighthouse" and it's gorgeous. This film is a bleak, but cathartic, beautiful and unforgettable study of mental illness. A real gut punch. Don't miss it!

I had my doubts about this film going in but coming out I was genuinely shaken and moved to tears. I learned things I had not known and it changed my

perception. The manner in which the film is constructed is brilliant--funny, moving, and so unexpectedly powerful it's like getting a kidney punch from your best friend. It's success is rightly deserved. Michael Moore is a daring, fearless artist and that's what great art is all about--to challenge, conflict, provoke, illuminate--precisely what this film accomplishes.

"Die Another Day" is a refreshing sigh of relief from at least the 2 previous Bonds. Sure, the familiar Bondisms and cartoonish set-ups, wit and violence are still present but there's a also a welcome momentum to the pacing and plot that I suspect is largely due to Lee Tamahori's muscular direction. The cast is solid. Halle Berry holds her own and seems to be having a blast, John Cleese is hilariously dry as Q, and Judi Dench's M is practically Bond's adversary. Best of all, Brosnan has never been more comfortable in the role.

Also, the action sequences are often stunning with my favorite being a witty country club sword fight and a car chase along a frozen Icelandic lake. The credits sequence is particularly stylish and well tied to the plot and even Madonna's cameo is fine.

Cheers to Bond on his 40th anniversary!