007 - the Harry Potter of British intelligence - is brooding and dark

“Quantum of Solace,” a phrase never uttered in the course of this film (though it has something to do with Greene’s diabolical scheme, itself never fully explained), means something like a measure of comfort. Perhaps that describes what Bond is looking for, or maybe it is what this kind of entertainment tries to provide a fretful audience. If so, I prefer mine with a dash of mischief.

NVDL: It's fascinating to see to what extent the 'grimness' and 'darkness' and 'violence' - the dystopian views in movies reflect a growing angst in the real world. People also only seem capable of facing these fears in fiction. Reality has become too horrible to contemplate.

clipped from movies.nytimes.com Is revenge the only possible motive for large-scale movie heroism these days? Does every hero, whether Batman or Jason Bourne, need to be so sad? I know grief has always been part of the Dark Knight’s baggage, but the same can hardly be said of James Bond, Her Majesty’s suave, cynical cold war paladin. His wit was part of his — of our — arsenal, and he countered the totalitarian humorlessness of his foes with a wink and a bon mot.