Good Night, and Good Luck

Good Night, and Good Luck is the story of how Edward R. Murrow and Fred Friendly (played by David Strathairn and George Clooney, respectively) agonize over and finally decide to take on Senator Joe McCarthy and his reign of paranoia on Capitol Hill. The acting, pacing, shooting, and direction of the movie are all top notch. Strathairn plays the roll of chain-smoking Murrow excellently as he performs powder-puff profile interviews to pay the bills so that he can provide what he considers to be worthwhile and important news coverage.
While we know the general outcome of the story, as we see the costs mount with threats of loyalty oaths, witch hunts against colleagues with radical pasts (or even spouses with radical pasts), lost sponsors, and threats to air time, there is some real dramatic tension in the air. It all makes one lament the state of today's media and its tendencies to latch on to unimportant distractions (like Britney Spears's lack of underwear) and roll over on important issues (like illegal wiretaps).
I give the movie an A for making me feel great that there have been people in this country who stand up for their principles in the face of personal attacks and slander.

Casino Royale (2006)

Not to be confused with the spy spoof version, the current version of Casino Royale is serious Bond, far more serious than any of the Bond movies of the last several years. Gone are most quips, gone is the suave patrician unflappability, gone are most bizarre gadgets (much to the disappointment of John Cleese who wanted to continue on as 'R' as I understand).
But hello new Bond with a military-SAS demeanor, determined seriousness, and emotional depth.
Despite early nay-sayers' ire about Daniel Craig being picked as the new Bond, the actor does an excellent job. His Bond has a cruel, cold outer shell but one that can be pierced. He's a tough as nails spy, sharp at assessing people and situations, but also hides the vulnerabilities he has behind a wall of tough bravado.
The plot is a little convoluted but what isn't in today's world of spies and terrorists? There's no villain seeking world domination, just sinister men trying to make a buck while funding terrorist movements and guerillas.
I thoroughly enjoyed Casino Royale. It's far and away the best Bond movie in many years. I'd even consider saying it's the best Bond since Goldfinger. And that's a damn long time.

I give this movie an A.