1111 replies to this topic

[tdalton]

Watched Quantum of Solace a couple of nights ago. Excellent movie.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I actually enjoyed DAD immensely, which is usually my least fave film. TWINE just doesn't hold up...even though Maria Grazia is my favorite Bond girl in the PB era.

Despite the poor CGI and other flaws, DAD is unpretentious fun and a glorious throwback to the Lewis Gilbert era style of "Bond as Superman" filmmaking that suits the more comical Bonds like Moore and Brosnan better that the serious ones. TWINE is a half-hearted attempted to be serious yet with a lot of 1970s-style comedy Bond thrown in. Also, the drama in TWINE seems closer to a soap opera than Ian Fleming. TWINE looks really weak post-CR which showed the proper way to attempt a serious Bond film. That stated, both Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Sophie Marceau are two of TWINE's redeeming features.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

I just finished watching The World is not Enough. I don't think it's AS bad as some would make it out to be, but I understand their concerns.

For example, I think that the film slows down a little after M gets kidnapped. Then after that, it about 5 scenes of Renard and Elektra talking.

Also, I think that the Elektra/M scene was too drawn out. Why didn't she just shoot M at the conference room?

I will stick up for Denise Richards. First of all, it's never an actors fault for a bad performance, personally. Ultimately, the director is the one that calls the shots (he/she can make the actor do the scene over again). However, she really doesn't have any reason to be on that submarine at the end. She's okay when she first shows up, and defusing the bomb in the pipeline, but after that, she should have just been a terciary Bond girl.

Renard was an interesting character, just in the not-able-to-feel-pain aspect. But I don't think that it's ever fully realized to its full potential. And Elektra King is a strong villain, I think. It's interesting when Bond has to kill her, and that was a good moment.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's similar to Goldfinger, but it does have that type of plot: destroying the competitors to increase you own stock. So, I think that, overall, it's like a modern retelling of Goldfinger, but done a little differently.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's similar to Goldfinger, but it does have that type of plot: destroying the competitors to increase you own stock. So, I think that, overall, it's like a modern retelling of Goldfinger, but done a little differently.

I'd call TWINE an odd mix of OHMSS and AVTAK, not exactly the most compatible combination. The OHMSS elements are there: reference to the family motto in the title, ski sequence with avalanche, the indirect reference to Tracy when Elektra asks Bond if he ever lost a loved one. Someone said the story of TWINE is Bond thinks he's found Tracy but instead has found Blofeld.

Then, we get a Stacy Sutton-type in Christmas Jones, the end sequence where Bond and his leading lady are found by Q's technology, and as you said the villain's type of scheme(which GF, AVTAK and TWINE) all share.

The problem I have is that something is wrong with Bond acting so gullible and idiotic concerning Elektra in the 1st 1/2 of the film. It's hard to believe that this is the same Bond who survived encounters with the likes of Fiona Volpe, Helga Brandt and May Day. Also, he seems to fall for her after seeing her cry on a computer screen. Huh? In OHMSS, Bond didn't fall for Tracy until after she helped him escape from Blofeld's thugs and they had known each other for at least 3 months so why would the world's most prominent ladies' man fall for a girl he's never even met so quickly? It seems like despite some efforts by Purvis and Wade to connect Bond with his history in some ways in TWINE, they ignored the character's history in other areas. In retrospect, I see TWINE as a "dry run" for what we got in the vastly superior CR. I'm very glad Craig had taken over the role by that point.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

It's hard to believe that this is the same Bond who survived encounters with the likes of Fiona Volpe, Helga Brandt and May Day.

Wouldn't it have been interesting if Brosnan had done something like in Dr. No where he plays her, when she plays him (Miss Taro).
Also, I think that your reference to OHMSS is very interesting (not just the obvious "Orbis non sufficit" and the Tracy reference).

[Safari Suit]

I will stick up for Denise Richards. First of all, it's never an actors fault for a bad performance, personally. Ultimately, the director is the one that calls the shots (he/she can make the actor do the scene over again).

I'm sorry, but I've always found the notion that directors can/should take full responsibility for an actor's bad peformance the height of absurdity. She was a grown woman hired to do a job; i.e. act. I'm not saying the director is totally blameless, but if an actor's performance rests mostly on a director, why bother hiring multi-million dollar actors when you can just get anyone off the street to do what the director guides them to do?

Reminds me of this quote from Repo Man; "I know a life of crime has led me to this sorry fate, and yet, I blame society"

[Double-0-7]

I was in the mood for some solid action and watched Casino Royale last night. 3 years since this film was released and I enjoy it every bit as much as I did when it was shiny and new.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Watched Goldeneye last night, and I'm ashamed to say I fell asleep halfway through In my defence, I'd just had a skinful in town and it was about 3am when I started the DVd!

[volante]

I sat down with a beer and a curry, and watched CASINO ROYALE

I almost cheered when Daniel got his "00" status

The film is fantastic.

roll on Bond 23, Craig is the man

[DaveBond21]

I sat down with a beer and a curry, and watched CASINO ROYALE

I almost cheered when Daniel got his "00" status

The film is fantastic.

roll on Bond 23, Craig is the man

It's a great moment when Bond's new status flashes up on the screen during the titles sequence...

[MrKidd]

I caught a bit of DAF on tv the other day. Funny, but when I catch the odd bits now again, I'm struck by how dated they all are. I grew up with Bond (as well as Tottenham Hotspur!), but/and definitely feel old when I watch them now! Like the old comfy blanket that's seen better days! Only CR (yaayy!) and QOS (meh!) stand up to modern movie standards. Its just a little bit embarrassing watching the old ones now - as much as, or maybe because, I love them! Incidentally, and for fair disclosure purposes, those of you who (can) watch the Brosnan Bonds have the advantage on me

Edited by MrKidd, 07 December 2009 - 12:33 AM.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Just finished Casino Royale. No matter how good that film is, it still doesn't justify staying up until 2am as I have to be up in 5 and a half hours!

[elizabeth]

let's see...we had all those bond movies on thanksgiving and black friday...i think it was TND.

[Safari Suit]

Live and Let Die, which was the first Bond movie I've watched in about half a year. I was very tired and wanted to watch one of the shorter and fluffier Bond films that for which I wouldn't be too bothered about turning off and going to sleep at some point, and also one I hadn't seen as recently as some of the others. It fit the bill nicely.

[AMC Hornet]

I've been having a pre-Christmas orgy of Bond films lately. So far this month I've watched NSNA, DAF, TMWTGG and DAD. Friday I'll be watching OHMSS on my son's 32" widescreen while we slurp champagne and caviar (from the north of the Caspian!). My girlfriend, who's seen them all with me at least twice, enjoys these evenings too. Now that's what I call a keeper!

[Eric Stromberg]

There's really nothing like a good pre-Christmas orgy is there? Gets me in the mood give more than I receive.

I'm going to give TLD another try before the holidays. I haven't seen it in years and never really cared much for it (unless I compare it to LTK), but there are so many enthusiastic proponents on CBn that I feel compelled to give it another chance.

[Judo chop]

DIE ANOTHER DAY

Like MOONRAKER, it gets an undeserved boot-stomping for a few particularly obnoxiously horrendously badly scripted moments.

However, unlike MOONRAKER, director and cast are not able to make good of those particularly obnoxiously horrendously badly scripted moments, and so they sit and fester and tend to stink up the joint, if you’ll allow them.

Ok, so a few ringers across the jaw may be called for, but put the steel-toed, spurred boots away for heaven’s sake! This is quite close to the best we’ve had in Bond since John Glen first took the director’s chair!

The bird-watching conversation between Bond and Jinx are THE most uncomfortable 3 minutes in all of Bondom. So bad I laugh. Unfortunately here I have to laugh at as opposed to with (as MOONRAKER would have me do), but the point is that it’s only 3 minutes. The rest of it I’ll take over the constricted fun of GE and the dull action and horrible dramatics of TND and TWINE.

And guess what? The titles-sequence, yes indeed coupled with Madonna’s tune, is among the best in the series. Conservatively a top-5. If I were forced to pick a top-3 I wouldn’t be terribly surprised to find it there as well alongside CR’s and a token classic from Binder.

Zencat, I’m coming over this Christmas. As a guest I’m a little picky about my liquor, but I’ll eat anything.

(I realize how wide I’ve open the door with that last statement, but my soul is ready. Bring it on.)

[DR76]

I'm watching "ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE" now, which I haven't seen in two years. And I'm loving every minute of it.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

In honor of the 40th Anniversary this weekend, I watched On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in Spanish with Spanish subtitles, thanks to the wonders of modern DVDs. The voice actor who dubbed Lazenby did an excellent job IMHO.

[hilly]

I spent a very nice Sunday afternoon wrapping Christmas presents and watching Casino Royale. The wrapping took longer than expected as I kept getting engrossed in the film.... I hadn't seen it for 12 months or so and loved it all over again. Last year I tried the same thing with A View To A Kill, but it wasn't quite the same...

[Doctor No]

OHMSS One of my favorites and since I've had it on DVD I've always watched it on or around Christmas.

[double o ego]

I'll be watching OHMSS tonight.

[jrcjohnny99]

Watching OHMSS right now!

[Lebowski951]

I stumbled upon a boxing day marathon on tv, caught goldeneye halfway, then QoS.

[00Twelve]

TMWTGG

Funny, after having just finished the novel the other day, I was prepared for even worse disappointment in the face of infidelity to the source material. It's been a year or more since I last saw the movie.

To my pleasant surprise, however, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute! As funny as it sounds, the film positively reeks of Flemingesque oddities that are often thought to be maligned but instead were fascinating to me this time. Also, Moore is right on top of his game in a performance that was written to echo the more violent Connery incarnation, but instead taken to a different and welcome level by Moore's unflappable charm. Lee is just, well, there's not much to say that's not already been said. Lee makes Scaramanga one of the most engaging villains of the series with his instantly intimidating presence. Ekland is...well, she ably does exactly what is asked of her, though she's not really asked to do very much that I could call interesting. She's eye candy, and at that she excels. The only intrusion upon the otherwise zany Flemingesque atmosphere is Sheriff Pepper, who isn't entirely unwelcome, but who immediately feels shoehorned in to get that bit of the audience that guffawed at his antics in the previous movie. Altogether, I thought the movie deserved a higher spot than it previously held in my rankings, and I've adjusted them accordingly.

[sharpshooter]

Diamonds are Forever.

I unashamedly love this film to pieces. Aesthetically it’s great. Connery is absolutely hilarious and the dialogue is sharp. It’s camp and that’s it’s objective, and I find it very endearing and watchable. I try not to view it as the direct follow up to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and instead more as the spiritual successor to You Only Live Twice. Only elevated to another level.

[DamnCoffee]

Do you know something, as much as I rank Diamonds Are Forever as a poor Bond film, I can't help but agree with you. It's fun, just like Die Another Day. I can sit down and enjoy it. So good on you for having the balls to post that. It's a great film in it's own right.

[bondrules]

Thunderball!

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Diamonds are Forever.

I unashamedly love this film to pieces. Aesthetically it’s great. Connery is absolutely hilarious and the dialogue is sharp. It’s camp and that’s it’s objective, and I find it very endearing and watchable. I try not to view it as the direct follow up to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and instead more as the spiritual successor to You Only Live Twice. Only elevated to another level.

That's the proper way to see DAF and the entire 1971-1974 Bond period, i.e. a sequel to the events of YOLT, not OHMSS. The true sequels to OHMSS would be the FYEO PTS, LTK, TWINE and probably TSWLM since it provides us with the first direct reference to Tracy's death post-OHMSS. I also see CR as a prequel to OHMSS even though it was 37 years after the fact.

[Marketto007]

I've watched TWINE last Sunday with my girl.

xxx