Urbis/Bond

Woke up a bit later than I expected, and missed the train to Newcastle. Grimethorpe lost (they had won the previous 5 years, but this year they lost by 2 points, the equivalent of 1%) In lieu of this, I caught the new bond film (a bit of a requirement over here), and walked around the Christmas shopping area, and explored Urbis.

Urbis is a fantastic museum/art space dedicated to urban development and renewal. the current exhibits were focused on China's expansion and continued alteration. Up one level was the NOISEFestival, productions from an (almost) entirely online exhibition. Finally, on the top floor, there was a section dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the bombing of Arndale. In 1996, Manchester was the victim of a large IRA bomb. No one died, but there were about 200 injured, and a large section of the shopping district was ruined. As a result, Manchester rebuilt the area in a spectacular fashion, building the first new road in about 100 years.

Bond was a bit elusive, in my eyes. I cannot claim to be a Bond aficionado, but the new film seems to have odd segments. I don't want to delve too far (I won't write spoilers, but keep a wary eye if you want to judge for yourself). There seems to be a deconstruction going on, and overall the movie is grittier and, despite your usual cartwheeling acrobatics, more realistic. We see visual/plot-based discussions of control, misogyny, and the degradation of tradition (SPOILER!!! - Bond:"I'll have a martini" Bartender:"Shaken or stirred?" Bond:"Does it look like I care?") Of course, the observation that is begging to be seen is how these elements are being used to change the Bond image, or if they are permanent. Bond 22, the current name for the next film, is rumored to be an actual sequel. Just what is Craig thinking?!?!

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