No Time To Die: Production Diary

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  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Now, had they cast Jared Harris and made Blofeld formidable enough for Bond to be afraid of, we would've gotten something great there. We didn't want another Donald Pleasance or Charles Gray.

    We already had one Moriarty in Spectre - we didn't need two...
    Not the right one. ;)
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,511
    Unless Bond gets sold to a larger studio, with writing rooms in constant sequel-mode, potential spin offs and all that jazz, EoN, a family-run independent film company will pace themselves between films.

    I could only imagine in Cubby’s day one film would be wrapped, and with a little break in between, they would start cranking out the next film.

    With the production costs today, the complexities of shooting big budget tent pole films, the flooded marketplace, and being an indie company, I can’t see EoN having the man power to churn out a film every other year (unless they planned back to back shoots, or as close to that model as would be acceptable to cast/crew).
  • Major_BoothroydMajor_Boothroyd Republic of Isthmus
    Posts: 2,722
    Waltz was sold down the river by the script and dare I say it - direction from Sam Mendes. I find it unfathomable how a director of Mendes abilities with actors could not get Blofeld right. I think Mendes is barely an action director but with dramatic scenes, layered performances and attention to detail with character work - he is gifted. I thought his work on Revolutionary Road was perfect so I was ready for him to nail the introduction of Bond's nemesis but he didn't. The Spectre meeting was great and I love the look of shock and uncertainty on Bond's face when he looks down. That should have continued.

    In fairness I think my view of the character is coloured by the FRWL and TB interpretations. That cold, detached, methodical and calculating villain. Much like DN. Blofeld should have been curious about Bond and much like DN became dismissive when they finally met. 'Unfortunately I misjudged you - you are just stupid policeman.' It's a perfect dismissive attitude and one you know the villain believes.

    There is a chance for Waltz to redeem the character - but only if he approaches it differently and the script deals with the character appropriately. Bond has always been the fly in Blofeld's ointment - not the other way around (except for the brief splash of revenge at the end of OHMSS). So I'd prefer to see Blofeld go about his merry business and Bond force himself back into his world rather than the reverse.
  • Posts: 1,162
    TripAces wrote: »
    I rewatched Spectre and Skyfall.

    I will never understand why people love Skyfall so much. What a boring and un bond like film.. No adventure. Quantum of Solace had its ending in the desert along with an axe fight in Greene’s eccentric lair. Totally badass.

    Skyfall is Bond’s run down family home and they play home alone.. So boring.

    Spectre felt like a classic Bond film.
    You have a modern Blofeld, blofelds super cool lair and that escape scene was one of my favorite scenes in the entire franchise. Seeing Craig gun down all of those henchmen..... Spectre will always be in my top 5-8 Bond favorites. It never disappoints!

    I don’t have a problem with Craig having a producer role or helping write but I wish they would stop with the backstory. We don’t care about a backstory. I just want small talk/one liners, action, Bond girls, exotic locations and a crazy good soundtrack.
    Pretty simple. Hopefully they don’t screw up the story. I am getting really anxious though.

    OK, @CASINOROYALE I'll bite LOL, even though this is better suited for the SF appreciation thread.

    I thought SF worked on many different levels.

    1, Theme. SF is the first and only Bond film to present deeper themes. After fifty years and 22 films, we finally had a Bond film with serious depth. I liked that a lot. And we’re talking about many different themes, too: young vs aging / new vs old fashioned / physical vs cerebral (see #5) / clear vs opaque / self vs shadow (duality). And it all worked so well.

    2. Acting.DC and JB were tremendous in this film. The break-in scene at M’s house, the meeting in M’s makeshift office, the meeting with Q, the shaving scene, Bond and Silva, even Silva’s look of exasperation when Bond shoots up the frozen pond and falls in…all superbly acted scenes. Top notch.

    3. Direction. Not a single shot in this film is superfluous or out of place. It is a master craftsman (Mendes) in top form. Notice how Mendes uses symmetry throughout: perpendicular angles, setups, and framing of the actors. The shot behind M, looking out the office window in the rain; the tracking shot of Bond in the pool; the shot where Bond raises his glass in the casino. It looks clean. The contrasts between London and Shanghai are striking (the new/old fashioned thing).

    4. Music. The theme song is classic. Plus, I have always loved Newman's scores, and this one does not disappoint. There are gorgeous tracks in here.

    5. Alas, the plot. Many have bemoaned SF as boring or full of plot holes. I disagree on both counts. SF’s pacing reminds me a lot of TB, another film in my Top 5. And the plot holes are simply not there, because the script and set up is “hole proof” if there is such a thing. Because of Silva’s ability to just “point and click,” to instill fear (enough to get people to abandon an entire island), he has the ability to do anything…even get newbie Q and movie audiences to think he set up everything. Well, he didn’t. The joke’s on us and Q (who’s not such a “clever boy” after all). Problem is, Silva has a dilemma: to show how smart he is but also making a killing personal (which requires him to run around, his knees killing him). Being out “in the field” is not where Silva wants to be…and yet that is where he finds himself, in London and, even worse, at Skyfall. Silva’s critical character flaw, to stubbornly try to kill M, in person, after showing MI6 how “brilliant” he is, leads to his doom. With a knife, of all things.

    It is a truly magnificent film.



    5) You are of course completely allowed to your opinion, but you are kidding yourself with these theories of yours. SF is and will remain the bond movie in which truly nothing fits together. SP isn't far behind though. The Mendes touch, if you will.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    TripAces wrote: »
    I rewatched Spectre and Skyfall.

    I will never understand why people love Skyfall so much. What a boring and un bond like film.. No adventure. Quantum of Solace had its ending in the desert along with an axe fight in Greene’s eccentric lair. Totally badass.

    Skyfall is Bond’s run down family home and they play home alone.. So boring.

    Spectre felt like a classic Bond film.
    You have a modern Blofeld, blofelds super cool lair and that escape scene was one of my favorite scenes in the entire franchise. Seeing Craig gun down all of those henchmen..... Spectre will always be in my top 5-8 Bond favorites. It never disappoints!

    I don’t have a problem with Craig having a producer role or helping write but I wish they would stop with the backstory. We don’t care about a backstory. I just want small talk/one liners, action, Bond girls, exotic locations and a crazy good soundtrack.
    Pretty simple. Hopefully they don’t screw up the story. I am getting really anxious though.

    OK, @CASINOROYALE I'll bite LOL, even though this is better suited for the SF appreciation thread.

    I thought SF worked on many different levels.

    1, Theme. SF is the first and only Bond film to present deeper themes. After fifty years and 22 films, we finally had a Bond film with serious depth. I liked that a lot. And we’re talking about many different themes, too: young vs aging / new vs old fashioned / physical vs cerebral (see #5) / clear vs opaque / self vs shadow (duality). And it all worked so well.

    2. Acting.DC and JB were tremendous in this film. The break-in scene at M’s house, the meeting in M’s makeshift office, the meeting with Q, the shaving scene, Bond and Silva, even Silva’s look of exasperation when Bond shoots up the frozen pond and falls in…all superbly acted scenes. Top notch.

    3. Direction. Not a single shot in this film is superfluous or out of place. It is a master craftsman (Mendes) in top form. Notice how Mendes uses symmetry throughout: perpendicular angles, setups, and framing of the actors. The shot behind M, looking out the office window in the rain; the tracking shot of Bond in the pool; the shot where Bond raises his glass in the casino. It looks clean. The contrasts between London and Shanghai are striking (the new/old fashioned thing).

    4. Music. The theme song is classic. Plus, I have always loved Newman's scores, and this one does not disappoint. There are gorgeous tracks in here.

    5. Alas, the plot. Many have bemoaned SF as boring or full of plot holes. I disagree on both counts. SF’s pacing reminds me a lot of TB, another film in my Top 5. And the plot holes are simply not there, because the script and set up is “hole proof” if there is such a thing. Because of Silva’s ability to just “point and click,” to instill fear (enough to get people to abandon an entire island), he has the ability to do anything…even get newbie Q and movie audiences to think he set up everything. Well, he didn’t. The joke’s on us and Q (who’s not such a “clever boy” after all). Problem is, Silva has a dilemma: to show how smart he is but also making a killing personal (which requires him to run around, his knees killing him). Being out “in the field” is not where Silva wants to be…and yet that is where he finds himself, in London and, even worse, at Skyfall. Silva’s critical character flaw, to stubbornly try to kill M, in person, after showing MI6 how “brilliant” he is, leads to his doom. With a knife, of all things.

    It is a truly magnificent film.



    5) You are of course completely allowed to your opinion, but you are kidding yourself with these theories of yours. SF is and will remain the bond movie in which truly nothing fits together. SP isn't far behind though. The Mendes touch, if you will.
    +1
  • edited October 2017 Posts: 4,619
    SF is and will remain the bond movie in which truly nothing fits together.
    Yikes. What on earth are you smoking? In Skyfall, everything fits together.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    SF is and will remain the bond movie in which truly nothing fits together.
    Yikes. What on earth are you smoking? In Skyfall, everything fits together.
    Sorry, but he's right. SF is an absolute convolution that tries to be clever but everything falls flat when you analyze the plot on a superficial matter alone.
  • Major_BoothroydMajor_Boothroyd Republic of Isthmus
    edited October 2017 Posts: 2,722
    In which nothing fits together? That is an exaggeration I'm happy to take on with almost every other bond film as an example. They're all full of plot holes, conveniences and contradictions - to isolate SF as an example of that is just bias confirmation.
  • Major_BoothroydMajor_Boothroyd Republic of Isthmus
    Posts: 2,722
    also happy to sit down TDKR fans and compare SF favourably to it as far as plot convolution goes.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    I think the lesser is said about TDKR the better.
  • Major_BoothroydMajor_Boothroyd Republic of Isthmus
    edited October 2017 Posts: 2,722
    Besides - I prefer SF to SP because I preferred the villain, the themes and the execution. While on reflection the story may disintegrate it didn't disintegrate in first viewing the way SP did for me. Perhaps my expectations were too high for SP but I remember the ending of SF had me pumped and the ending of SP was flat. Ultimately we can argue plot mechanics all we like - but if someone loves SP then good on them. SF has more entertainment for me on rewatching - i think Bardem is great and has particularly good chemistry with both Craig and Dench. I'm glad it exists in the form it does - was hoping for SP to start a fresh - and it didn't and now at least SP has tempered my expectations nicely for B25. I'm expecting a wrap up of the Craig era - and I'm curious to discover what EON (writers, producers and star particularly) think that looks like.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    edited October 2017 Posts: 2,138
    Besides - I prefer SF to SP because I preferred the villain, the themes and the execution. While on reflection the story may disintegrate it didn't disintegrate in first viewing the way SP did for me. Perhaps my expectations were too high for SP but I remember the ending of SF had me pumped and the ending of SP was flat. Ultimately we can argue plot mechanics all we like - but if someone loves SP then good on them. SF has more entertainment for me on rewatching - i think Bardem is great and has particularly good chemistry with both Craig and Dench. I'm glad it exists in the form it does - was hoping for SP to start a fresh - and it didn't and now at least SP has tempered my expectations nicely for B25. I'm expecting a wrap up of the Craig era - and I'm curious to discover what EON (writers, producers and star particularly) think that looks like.

    How I felt. That Spectre final act is dreadful, everything is fine until they reach Blofeld's lair in the desert. Waltz only comes alive in the final scenes. The rushed love story between Bond and Swan was mental.
  • WalecsWalecs On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    Posts: 3,157
    Besides - I prefer SF to SP because I preferred the villain, the themes and the execution. While on reflection the story may disintegrate it didn't disintegrate in first viewing the way SP did for me. Perhaps my expectations were too high for SP but I remember the ending of SF had me pumped and the ending of SP was flat. Ultimately we can argue plot mechanics all we like - but if someone loves SP then good on them. SF has more entertainment for me on rewatching - i think Bardem is great and has particularly good chemistry with both Craig and Dench. I'm glad it exists in the form it does - was hoping for SP to start a fresh - and it didn't and now at least SP has tempered my expectations nicely for B25. I'm expecting a wrap up of the Craig era - and I'm curious to discover what EON (writers, producers and star particularly) think that looks like.
    Agreed. SPECTRE pretty much made all the villains in CR, QoS and SF feel cheaper, because now when I watch them I can't help but think they all were just working for a spoiled brat crying because his dad had loved Bond more than him, and all he aimed to, the "big picture" as M put it in CR, is not even clear.

    Moreover, if Blofeld is to return in B25, we will have to deal with this stuff again. Hopefully they will write a better and more threatening character and will forget the "step-brother" angle, but it will be hard to watch the movie all the while ignoring that Blofeld was "the author of Bond's pain" because of jealousy.
  • Posts: 4,619
    I think the lesser is said about TDKR the better.
    It's miles above TDK. TDK had a very messy third act, with an awful secondary villain (Two-Face).
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    I think the lesser is said about TDKR the better.
    It's miles above TDK. TDK had a very messy third act, with an awful secondary villain (Two-Face).
    Can't say I'm a fan of TDK, either. I agree its third act was messy. Two-Face didn't leave much of an impression on me, either. I'd rather Harvey Dent stayed a hero.

    Out of the trilogy, I only like Batman Begins.
  • Posts: 12,526
    Nice to see Babs looking so well at the premiere the other night. I can't help but take her comments with a huge pinch of salt regarding Director for Bond 25. I believe they have decided who they want? But have to put certain things into place first.
  • Posts: 1,499
    RogueAgent wrote: »
    Nice to see Babs looking so well at the premiere the other night. I can't help but take her comments with a huge pinch of salt regarding Director for Bond 25. I believe they have decided who they want? But have to put certain things into place first.

    She's just being professional and not revealing anything because a deal has not been locked down yet, but her, "Watch this space," comment strongly suggests to me that a deal is very close.

  • TripAcesTripAces Universal Exports
    Posts: 4,589
    SF is and will remain the bond movie in which truly nothing fits together.
    Yikes. What on earth are you smoking? In Skyfall, everything fits together.
    Sorry, but he's right. SF is an absolute convolution that tries to be clever but everything falls flat when you analyze the plot on a superficial matter alone.

    Why would you want to analyze it on a superficial level? SF is the one Bond film in which you need to pay close attention to the dialogue. In particular, pay close attention to everything that is said on the island and then, as Robert Plant once sang, "All will be revealed."

    Trust me, the holes that SF's critics think are there are not there...or can be easily explained based on what is actually IN the film.



  • Posts: 1,162
    In which nothing fits together? That is an exaggeration I'm happy to take on with almost every other bond film as an example. They're all full of plot holes, conveniences and contradictions - to isolate SF as an example of that is just bias confirmation.

    I have read lines like this many times on this forum, but if you are brave enough to face the truth I'm willing to prove you otherwise. Just write down anything you think fits together in SF on a logical basis and I will tell you why it doesn't. Just for the sake of not derailing this thread I would suggest either using the Skyfall thread or just mailing me privately. Also, to compare Skyfalls logic with Bond's of the past is simply not fair. Not because the new Bonds are trying to be more realistic but most of all because those old movies might have had the logic problems but most of the time if you were willing to just accept their premises (like a lair in a hollowed out vulcano for example ) they for large parts where quite logically in themselves. For instance, you might consider that a movie like DAD has actually only one real plot hole and that is how Graves manages a) to get recognized by the royals and - most of all - how he manages to qualify for a knighthood in that short time.
  • Posts: 19,339
    I would like to hear both of your viewpoints chaps, so go ahead and use the Skyfall thread I created ..its what its there for.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    TripAces wrote: »
    SF is and will remain the bond movie in which truly nothing fits together.
    Yikes. What on earth are you smoking? In Skyfall, everything fits together.
    Sorry, but he's right. SF is an absolute convolution that tries to be clever but everything falls flat when you analyze the plot on a superficial matter alone.

    Why would you want to analyze it on a superficial level? SF is the one Bond film in which you need to pay close attention to the dialogue. In particular, pay close attention to everything that is said on the island and then, as Robert Plant once sang, "All will be revealed."

    Trust me, the holes that SF's critics think are there are not there...or can be easily explained based on what is actually IN the film.


    Like what? Taking the head of a major world-leading country's head of the foreign intelligence agency into a deathtrap with no backup or even proper weaponry? Yes, that explains a lot how masterfully it was thought of.
  • edited October 2017 Posts: 1,162
    TripAces wrote: »
    SF is and will remain the bond movie in which truly nothing fits together.
    Yikes. What on earth are you smoking? In Skyfall, everything fits together.
    Sorry, but he's right. SF is an absolute convolution that tries to be clever but everything falls flat when you analyze the plot on a superficial matter alone.

    Why would you want to analyze it on a superficial level? SF is the one Bond film in which you need to pay close attention to the dialogue. In particular, pay close attention to everything that is said on the island and then, as Robert Plant once sang, "All will be revealed."

    Trust me, the holes that SF's critics think are there are not there...or can be easily explained based on what is actually IN the film.



    Somehow I really find it amusing how you Skyfall fans keep clinging on your delusions ( especially by considering anyone, who doesn't share your opinions simply not being able to get that intellectual wonder that Skyfall supposedly is). On the other hand, as a lover of storylines and development I find it quite depressing, since the message you are giving to the industry is: " hey guys, don't bother with story development or trifles like that. Just give us melodrama, tears and bleakness and we are happy."
  • Posts: 19,339
    Back on track peeps..USE THE SKYFALL thread.
    Its interesting points you are all making,so make it in the right place.
  • TripAcesTripAces Universal Exports
    Posts: 4,589
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Back on track peeps..USE THE SKYFALL thread.
    Its interesting points you are all making,so make it in the right place.

    I agree. Thanks...
  • DoctorNoDoctorNo USA-Maryland
    Posts: 755
    Interesting insights on Villeneuve. Though may cause distress for some Bond fans...

  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    Holy hell, I have been butchering this man's name for years. My apologies, Mr. Villeneuve.
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    I always thought it was "Dennis Vill-uh-newve". We both were.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,511
    Dr. Madeleine Wan??

    Take with a pinch of salt, gargle, spit.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    peter wrote: »
    Dr. Madeleine Wan??

    Take with a pinch of salt, gargle, spit.
    Suddenly she's Chinese? ;)
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