Nice write up, Bryce. You make the movie sound very intriquing.
I look forward to your thoughts on the film that spawned the Bond craze.
My Midnight Movie Madness
-
cinemalover
- Posts: 1594
- Joined: April 17th, 2007, 10:57 am
- Location: Seattle, Washington
-
Mr. Arkadin
- Posts: 2645
- Joined: April 14th, 2007, 3:00 pm
Ditto on Russia. Clearly the best Bond film ever made. Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice are by my standards, the best of the Connery (and most other Bond) films.
I also love On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). Lazenby is no Connery, but for someone in his acting debut he does well here. The storyline is top notch and Diana Rigg is perhaps the only Bond girl who is a fully developed character. This film also clearly contains the most beautiful camerawork in the Bond series. Sadly, because of its failure, the Bond stories never really evolved beyond this point and they went back to a simple formula style which had already been driven into the ground.
I'm not really a fan of the Roger Moore era, but if there's one film I could reccomend, it would be 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me. Although Bond had grown flashy and garish by this time, Spy is actually romantic and has moments of surprising lucidity and depth. Not a bad film, and better than many of the higher rated Bonds.
Timothy Dalton, in my opinion, was the best Bond character--bar none. His Bond is the most like the original novels: a cultured, wounded man with a maniacal edge. Unfortunately, the films in which he played were trite, formulic, crap. Nothing stands out here, except Dalton's potrayal of the character which, while interesting--could not save two bad films.
I also love On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). Lazenby is no Connery, but for someone in his acting debut he does well here. The storyline is top notch and Diana Rigg is perhaps the only Bond girl who is a fully developed character. This film also clearly contains the most beautiful camerawork in the Bond series. Sadly, because of its failure, the Bond stories never really evolved beyond this point and they went back to a simple formula style which had already been driven into the ground.
I'm not really a fan of the Roger Moore era, but if there's one film I could reccomend, it would be 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me. Although Bond had grown flashy and garish by this time, Spy is actually romantic and has moments of surprising lucidity and depth. Not a bad film, and better than many of the higher rated Bonds.
Timothy Dalton, in my opinion, was the best Bond character--bar none. His Bond is the most like the original novels: a cultured, wounded man with a maniacal edge. Unfortunately, the films in which he played were trite, formulic, crap. Nothing stands out here, except Dalton's potrayal of the character which, while interesting--could not save two bad films.
Last edited by Mr. Arkadin on March 29th, 2008, 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
cinemalover
- Posts: 1594
- Joined: April 17th, 2007, 10:57 am
- Location: Seattle, Washington
Bryce,
I am a HUGE Bond fan. I actually started a Bond thread under the Action and Adventure Forum (007...an Agent for the Ages). It got some responses and then sunk to the bottom of the page.
Goldfinger is my favorite (and one of my all-time top ten films due to its influence on an entire decade of filmmaking), then probably Russia followed by On Her Majesty's. The last time I watched Dr. No (maybe two years ago) I actually came away feeling it had dated a bit by comparison to some of the others. But it still beats anything else in the genre. The music is one of my favorite things about the original Bonds as I could listen to those scores endlessly. Connery is the man, no doubt. I may differ from you on the new Casino Royale though, I thoroughly enjoyed it after not thinking too highly of any of the Bonds released in the last two decades. My favorite part of Casino is the very end when he finally introduces himself as Bond, James Bond and the original music cues for the first one. Wonderful touch and salute to the films that have come before.
I will love to read about your reactions to a new print of Dr. No. Have fun!
I am a HUGE Bond fan. I actually started a Bond thread under the Action and Adventure Forum (007...an Agent for the Ages). It got some responses and then sunk to the bottom of the page.
Goldfinger is my favorite (and one of my all-time top ten films due to its influence on an entire decade of filmmaking), then probably Russia followed by On Her Majesty's. The last time I watched Dr. No (maybe two years ago) I actually came away feeling it had dated a bit by comparison to some of the others. But it still beats anything else in the genre. The music is one of my favorite things about the original Bonds as I could listen to those scores endlessly. Connery is the man, no doubt. I may differ from you on the new Casino Royale though, I thoroughly enjoyed it after not thinking too highly of any of the Bonds released in the last two decades. My favorite part of Casino is the very end when he finally introduces himself as Bond, James Bond and the original music cues for the first one. Wonderful touch and salute to the films that have come before.
I will love to read about your reactions to a new print of Dr. No. Have fun!
Chris
The only bad movie is no movie at all.
The only bad movie is no movie at all.
-
movieman1957
- Administrator
- Posts: 5522
- Joined: April 15th, 2007, 3:50 pm
- Location: MD
I'm a Bond fan too. Some are better (much) than others but there are only a few I don't bother watching.
I very much like those you have mentioned. I enjoy "Thunderball" as well. Not as good but fun.
The primary ones I don't really care for are "Moonraker" and "The Man With The Golden Gun."
(Do we have a Bond thread? I'll check.)
Bryce:
Bring it on. We have all kinds of reviews going on. The more the merrier.
P.S. A quick search doesn't turn up a Bond thread. If someone wants to start one try it in the "Action Adventure forum. With several of us we can have a good chat.
I very much like those you have mentioned. I enjoy "Thunderball" as well. Not as good but fun.
The primary ones I don't really care for are "Moonraker" and "The Man With The Golden Gun."
(Do we have a Bond thread? I'll check.)
Bryce:
Bring it on. We have all kinds of reviews going on. The more the merrier.
P.S. A quick search doesn't turn up a Bond thread. If someone wants to start one try it in the "Action Adventure forum. With several of us we can have a good chat.
Chris
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
I'm a HUGE Bond fan. I realize that Roger Moore's tenure was probably a film or two too long but he did a credible job IMO. I think he gets criticized a bit much based on his last 2 films where he was clearly too old for the part.
My favourite Bond film of all time has to be On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Ok, I know it was a little TOO different for audiences back then but I liked Lazenby's portrayal of Bond and how his Bond had some self doubt and didn't rely heavily on gadgets etc etc.
As for the current iteration of Bond. I actually like it. It harkens back to the Connery era IMO and the ruggedness of Craig's Bond is what has been missing for years. His Bond at least felt pain and was a bit of a renegade. As for the sequel Quantum of Solace (BTW what the hell kinda name for a movie is that?!) I think it's going to be quite good. Yeah it's a direct sequel to Casino Royale but that movie ended with a cliffhanger and i've heard they're trying to pit Bond against a major criminal organization in the same vein as SPECTRE. It's a shame that that producer (forget his name) bought the rights to the organization and Blofeld. I'd really love to see Blofeld updated for the 21st century. He was Bond's main villain but he wasn't over the top crazy.
BTW Dr. No was too boring for me.
My favourite Bond film of all time has to be On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Ok, I know it was a little TOO different for audiences back then but I liked Lazenby's portrayal of Bond and how his Bond had some self doubt and didn't rely heavily on gadgets etc etc.
As for the current iteration of Bond. I actually like it. It harkens back to the Connery era IMO and the ruggedness of Craig's Bond is what has been missing for years. His Bond at least felt pain and was a bit of a renegade. As for the sequel Quantum of Solace (BTW what the hell kinda name for a movie is that?!) I think it's going to be quite good. Yeah it's a direct sequel to Casino Royale but that movie ended with a cliffhanger and i've heard they're trying to pit Bond against a major criminal organization in the same vein as SPECTRE. It's a shame that that producer (forget his name) bought the rights to the organization and Blofeld. I'd really love to see Blofeld updated for the 21st century. He was Bond's main villain but he wasn't over the top crazy.
BTW Dr. No was too boring for me.
I enjoyed RUN LOLA RUN because of its experimental "student homework project" feel to it. Sort of like SLIDING DOORS of the same time-frame, they are both interesting ways to tell a basic story with 2 or 3 questions which can alter the entire set of events. I enjoyed both of those films for that reason.
I've always enjoyed ON HER MAJESTY'S, but then I discover I've liked just about every First-Time-Performance by a new Bond. When I've heard males criticize Lazenby, I dismiss them quickly - "What guy looks at HIM when Diana Rigg's in the film?" Good grief... to me, it's a shame Bond wasn't killed and I'd have loved being stuck with 20 more Diana Rigg-Saves-The-Empire films!!
I've always enjoyed ON HER MAJESTY'S, but then I discover I've liked just about every First-Time-Performance by a new Bond. When I've heard males criticize Lazenby, I dismiss them quickly - "What guy looks at HIM when Diana Rigg's in the film?" Good grief... to me, it's a shame Bond wasn't killed and I'd have loved being stuck with 20 more Diana Rigg-Saves-The-Empire films!!
-
charliechaplinfan
- Posts: 9040
- Joined: January 15th, 2008, 9:49 am
Alleluljah Mr Arkadin, someone else who can see Timothy Dalton's merits as Bond. I thought he was perfect in the role, much like Daniel Craig. If the producers had taken Bond in that direction with Timothy Dalton his films would have a better reputation.
My husband needles me about how bad he was everytime Bond comes on TV. I'm glad at least one other person in this world agrees with me.
My husband needles me about how bad he was everytime Bond comes on TV. I'm glad at least one other person in this world agrees with me.
Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself - Charlie Chaplin
-
Mr. Arkadin
- Posts: 2645
- Joined: April 14th, 2007, 3:00 pm
Dalton was originally tapped to replace Connery in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Unfortunately, he was under contract for another film at that time. Although Lazenby did a decent job for his first outing, Dalton as I said, was the complete package.
One wonders if his performance in that film might have shifted the whole Bond series. OHMSS was a much more complex film and had deeper characters than any previous Bond film. If Dalton's performance could have won the fans over, I think the Bond series would have continued to grow and evolve instead of stagnating and receeding during much of the Moore era.
One wonders if his performance in that film might have shifted the whole Bond series. OHMSS was a much more complex film and had deeper characters than any previous Bond film. If Dalton's performance could have won the fans over, I think the Bond series would have continued to grow and evolve instead of stagnating and receeding during much of the Moore era.
-
movieman1957
- Administrator
- Posts: 5522
- Joined: April 15th, 2007, 3:50 pm
- Location: MD
CCFan:
I liked Dalton very much too. I would have liked him to continue but I don't think he was happy. If "License To Kill" would have Wayne Newton on the cutting room floor it would have been better.
There is a Bond thread in the Action and Adventure forum where we were talking about this too.
I liked Dalton very much too. I would have liked him to continue but I don't think he was happy. If "License To Kill" would have Wayne Newton on the cutting room floor it would have been better.
There is a Bond thread in the Action and Adventure forum where we were talking about this too.
Chris
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
Hi Bryce,
Should I be embarrassed to admit that the only time I've ever intentionally taken in a midnight showing of a movie (other than "The Exorcist," where the lines were so long we actually waited outdoors through two showings before we could get in) was when my college sweetheart took me to see "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on our first date? I had never even heard of it, and there she was with all kinds of props for audience participation! It was such a trip that I don't think any other midnight movie could ever take it's place in my mind!
As always,
Hollis
Should I be embarrassed to admit that the only time I've ever intentionally taken in a midnight showing of a movie (other than "The Exorcist," where the lines were so long we actually waited outdoors through two showings before we could get in) was when my college sweetheart took me to see "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on our first date? I had never even heard of it, and there she was with all kinds of props for audience participation! It was such a trip that I don't think any other midnight movie could ever take it's place in my mind!
As always,
Hollis