James Bond weighs in on the election

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

November is a big month for Daniel Craig. Not just because the latest Bond flick, “Quantum of Solace,” hits theaters Nov. 14, but also because he’s watching U.S. politics very closely.

Although Craig, who's British, can't vote in the U.S. presidential election, he has a strong opinion about it anyway.

“I strongly feel there needs to be a new way forward," Craig tells Playboy magazine in an interview on newsstands today. “Barack Obama is pushing things in the right direction. I’m excited about the election. Unfortunately, things will probably get dirty. I hope Obama can stay above the fray … I’m hopeful for the first time in a long, long while. It’s one of the most exciting elections in my lifetime.”

“Solace” is Craig’s second turn as Bond and he’s rumored to be committed to another two films. True? Craig confirms, but seems cagey.

“I did sign on for four,” he says in the interview, “so a piece of paper says there are two more to do. But let’s see how this one goes. In the film business, everything doesn’t always go according to plan. We’ll wait and see. If it goes wrong, we’ll have to rethink things.”

Speaking of James Bond films, yours truly may be one of the few people left in America who has never seen even one of the popular movies. Which 007 flick should I start with? Cast your vote here, and I'll view the movie that wins the poll and then report back.

Jason Ritter on being Jeb Bush
Star Josh Brolin has been deservedly receiving the lion’s share of attention surrounding Oliver Stone's new film, “W.”

But take a moment to check out what underrated actor Jason Ritter, who has just one scene in the film, has to say about playing George W. Bush’s younger brother Jeb.

“My scene is one of the most well-documented moments in almost all of the books about the family, when George Bush came home and challenged his father to a duel. So I hope Jeb appreciates my work,” Ritter told New York Magazine’s Vulture blog.

Despite Ritter’s scant onscreen time, he developed a strong sense of what it was like to be Jeb Bush.

“He was the black sheep pretty much," Ritter says. "There was one memorable moment at a big governors' dinner, I believe, where there was an exchange between George W. and Jeb, where George W. says, ‘I didn't grow up wanting to be president of the United States,’ and Jeb says, ‘I did.’ And George W. says, ‘Yeah, you did. Anyway…’ Ouch!”

Weekend box office
The good news this week: “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” is not going to be peering down from atop the box office for a third weekend in a row.

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings Chrissie Hynde is a long way from Ohio, friends and family remember Ed McMahon, Kiefer Sutherland takes a New York stroll and more. more photos

Instead, expect Mark Wahlberg’s action/crime film “Max Payne” to come in number one. Wahlberg won’t be talking to animals in the film, but its PG-13 rating, co-star Mila Kunis, and a fairly wide opening (3,200 theaters) will send it to the top of the box office over “W.” “The Secret Life of Bees,” and “Sex Drive.”

If you’re not hitting the theaters this weekend and you’re anywhere near the San Antonio area, come by the Westin La Cantera resort.

That’s where you’ll find Eva Longoria Parker and her annual Eva’s Heroes Celebrity Golf Tournament. Eva’s fellow “Desperate Housewives” co-stars Ricardo Antonio Chavira and Kyle MacLachlan are playing, as are Eva's NBA star husband Tony Parker, Jennifer Morrison from “House,” Sendhil Ramamurthy from “Heroes” and yours truly, who will try not to embarrass herself too badly.

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com.

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