ccjameshenry

We've all been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Casino Royale, the first James Bond movie after a four year gap since Die Another Day, especially without Pierce Brosnan and the excitement of a new 007.

The creators behind the film have tried so hard to make this Bond film different they have effectively removed what we all loved about Bond in the first place; the way he says "Shaken not stirred", the car chases, the theme tune and the girls (there simply aren't enough).

Firstly, the plot is a mess; it is over complicated and unclear; names are not properly presented so by the end of the film I found myself unsure as to who Vesper really was (luckily the credits cleared that up). The villain is not properly developed and the beloved theme tune is not used until the end credits? Furthermore, where is our beloved Q and his gadgets? Where is Moneypenny? Nowhere to be seen is the answer.

However, some credit must go to Daniel Craig who does give a far better performance as Bond than Pierce Brosnan could ever have hoped to. He is more sinister, more mysterious and arrogant; quite frankly better and more entertaining. There are gripping action sequences as well as some impressive stunts but I could not help feeling that I had been short-changed: yes it's a good spy film but it's not the Bond we have all grown to love.

The OC is definitely one of the best drama-shows on television at the moment. It is tense and exciting if (at times) a little predictable and totally over-dramatised, - but that's what makes the show so great! It was unfourtunate that everything went back to normal so quickly in Season 2 and one can't help feeling sad at the fact that Ryan and Marissa & Seth and Summer are no longer couples, - I doubt the OC will ever be what it was if Marissa and Ryan & Seth and Summer remain as "Just Friends" for the whole of season 2. Regardless of what some idiots might say, the introduction of Oliver was exciting, if a little scary - and the ending was touching bringing tears to my friends' eyes. Buy season 1 - or at least watch it on E4 or Fox (depending on where you live) and you will feel for the characters, cry when they do and be ecstatic when they are. The OC is fantastic - don't let it pass you by.

Spooks is, without doubt, the tensest and most dramatic (for better or for worse) drama on TV at the moment, season III is especially brilliant and with season IV scheduled to start next year i am itching with anticipation. However, there is something for everything as the story line also focuses on the relationships within spooks meaning that there is an ongoing story as well as a story per episode. SHEER BRILLIANCE The actors are brilliant and i am sure spooks will go down in history as one of the best dramas, kiss BOND goodbye a more realistic, better story is here. Enjoy one of the most memorable security-service dramas ever!