'Casino Royale' and 'Happy Feet'

Daniel Craig is a very good actor. In fact, he may be too good to play James Bond or, at least, the version of 007 we're offered in "Casino Royale."

Bond is out to stop a ruthless criminal who uses the casino to bankroll international terrorism. Craig offers a Bond who's all sharp and dangerous angles who (the movie proposes) is growing into the smoother parts of his persona. You might believe that with a younger actor, but Craig looks a bit too world-weary to pull that off. While there are solid thrills and some sly, dry moments of humor in the movie, a smaller than usual bad guy and the lack of at least a few gadgets makes "Casino Royale" a solid thriller that fails to break the bank. It's rated PG-13 for profanity, violence and sexual content.

"Happy Feet," the new animated film from "Babe" and "Mad Max" director George Miller, is a delightful combination of "Moulin Rouge" and "March of the Penguins."

Elijah Wood voices Mumble, a penguin who dances when he's happy. His unusual habit leads him on a journey of self-discovery that also tries to save his flock and other Artic animals from starvation. Robin Williams provides plenty of laughs in two roles and the movie's music score features some of the best songs of the last 25 years. Also included is a new song by Prince. Get "Happy" and move your "Feet" to see it. It's rated PG, but contains no offensive material.

This is the closing weekends for several shows on area stages.

"The Bluest Eye," presented by the Theatre Alliance at the District's H Street Playhouse, the Keegan Theater's "Agnes of God" at the Church Street Theatre and the Actors' Theatre of Washington's "Never the Sinner" at Source Theatre on 14th Street all end Sunday.

Two current shows have extended their runs: The Washington Stage Guild will continue performances of "An Inspector Call" through Dec. 3. Also extending to Dec. 3 is the Folger's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Arena Stage has begun previews of "She Loves Me." This high-spirited musical of romance will be Arena's holiday offering this year and continues through Dec. 31.

With a number of traditional Christmas and family-oriented shows currently on stage in the area, you might want to check out an alternative vision of the holidays.

The Church Street Theatre in the District's Dupont Circle neighborhood offers "A Christmas Carol . . . Alternative." This edgy satire opens Dec. 7 and runs through New Year's Eve. Another show with a slightly twisted sense of family and togetherness is "Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis." It runs through Dec. 10.

The documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?" does a fascinating and compelling job of putting together the jigsaw puzzle of decisions and miscalculations that snuffed out this promising vehicle in its infancy. This terrific film is rated PG for profanity.

Even though the Thanksgiving holiday wil cool things down a bit, there's plenty of music to hear the next several days.

Smokey Robinson is at Constitution Hall Saturday night, while the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson performs at the Warner Theatre.

The Reverend Horton Heat is on stage at the 9:30 Club and Jewel performs at the Hippodrome in Baltimore.

Gospel star Yolanda Adams is the headliner at the Music Center at Strathmore Hall Sunday night, while the 1960's group Hot Tuna is at the Birchmere.

Sax man David Sanborn plays Blues Alley through Sunday, as does comedian Robert Schimmel at the Improv in the District.

In the Week Ahead, watch for:

• the David Grishman Quartet, at the Birchmere, on Friday
• the vocal group Fertile Ground plays Blues Alley, also on Monday;
• singer/songwriter Donovan makes a rare appearance at the 9:30 Club, on Tuesday
• Robert Randolph and the Family Band are at the 9:30 Club, on Friday
• keyboard player Alex Bugnon begins a weekend stand at Blues Alley, also on Friday
• comic Joe Recca performs through Sunday at The Improv, starting Friday