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You're not a real Bond fan unless...

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  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    @TheWizardOfIce, very good points. I, too, consider myself to be a Batman fan, BUT, it lies in the fact that I've seen the older and newer films, and played the games. That's it. I don't know terribly enough about the supporting characters throughout the history, nor have I read any of the comic books. I tried to get into some Batman related discussions on this site, but everyone spoke of the graphic novels and books, and I just didn't even know where to begin. I try to avoid topics I'm clueless on until I can further study up on them.

    I also consider myself to be a real, diehard Bond fan. I've grown up with it, I've been a big fan for nearly fifteen years, I own all of the films - I've seen them all at least ten to twenty times or more - I've played almost all of the games, my room is littered with Bond posters, pictures, and memorabilia, and I've read almost all of the novels, though ashamed to admit I haven't read one in quite some time, so my memory is incredibly fuzzy on the material. I hope to get back to them very soon.

    So yes, a real fan? Since the novels seem to be a touchy subject on here, alongside the fact that some people just aren't fans of reading, thus making it hard to enjoy the novels, I would say to be a real Bond fan, you should have at least seen all of the films, because nobody but a real fan would sit through that many films if they despised the material.
  • imranbecksimranbecks Singapore
    Posts: 984
    Creasy47 wrote:
    I also consider myself to be a real, diehard Bond fan. I've grown up with it, I've been a big fan for nearly fifteen years, I own all of the films - I've seen them all at least ten to twenty times or more - I've played almost all of the games, my room is littered with Bond posters, pictures, and memorabilia, and I've read almost all of the novels, though ashamed to admit I haven't read one in quite some time, so my memory is incredibly fuzzy on the material. I hope to get back to them very soon.

    So yes, a real fan? Since the novels seem to be a touchy subject on here, alongside the fact that some people just aren't fans of reading, thus making it hard to enjoy the novels, I would say to be a real Bond fan, you should have at least seen all of the films, because nobody but a real fan would sit through that many films if they despised the material.

    You just described me right there..hahaha.. I'm very knowledgeable when it comes to Bond on films. But ask me anything about the stuff that goes on in the Bond novels and I'd be lost..haha..

    Some friends that know me as a Bond fan do come up to me and ask me about stuff from the Bond films of the past and I give them a straight answer.. Supposed thats something..
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    @imranbecks, not sure if your last line there was a nod to what Bond says in the PTS of CR, but I like it, haha. Yeah, I usually can fill in whoever asks me about SF, but people rarely do. My girlfriend tends to, and she's really excited for the film, but I think that is her just warming up to my interests.

    She asked me the other day who I thought the sexiest Bond girl was, and I immediately felt like I was cornered into a trap.

    "Uhh, none of them, all I need is, uhh, you, darling...?"
  • X3MSonicXX3MSonicX https://www.behance.net/gallery/86760163/Fa-Posteres-de-007-No-Time-To-Die
    Posts: 2,635
    Creasy47 wrote:
    She asked me the other day who I thought the sexiest Bond girl was, and I immediately felt like I was cornered into a trap.

    "Uhh, none of them, all I need is, uhh, you, darling...?"

    :))
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    edited July 2012 Posts: 9,117
    Creasy47 wrote:
    So yes, a real fan? Since the novels seem to be a touchy subject on here, alongside the fact that some people just aren't fans of reading, thus making it hard to enjoy the novels, I would say to be a real Bond fan, you should have at least seen all of the films, because nobody but a real fan would sit through that many films if they despised the material.

    Your own words show up the inconsistency in your argument.

    You claim that to be a 'real' fan you need to see all the films as 'nobody but a real fan would sit through that many films if they despised the material'. This implies that this is some sort of feat of endurance confirming your dedication to the cause and bestowing the title of 'real' fan upon you.

    But in your previous sentence you claim that reading the novels is hard due to the fact that (and I'm inferring from your comments here so please feel free to correct me) reading isnt as 'fun' as watching a film - I dont know how else to interpret the comment 'some people just arent fans of reading'. Or are you saying that because 'some people just arent fans of reading' thoes who are can be disregarded and the films should be held as the gold standard by which everything is measured and the books are just an optional extra?

    I would say someone who has watched all the films ad infinitum can quote them, knows every scene etc etc can be called a real fan.

    But someone who has done the same and also has the same breadth of knowledge about the books has added an extra layer to their fandom and so is surely an even 'realer' fan (if thats a word - which it isnt)?
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited July 2012 Posts: 40,976
    @TheWizardOfIce, I based the 'reading' comment off of a previous user who stated that they can't get into reading, while watching films seems to be a much easier medium. Yes, that is a broad statement, but I've just never even heard a whisper of someone who doesn't like watching a movie, nor seen someone so self-driven to put themselves through the torture of watching over twenty films in a series they would absolutely loathe.

    I guess I contradicted myself the moment I tried to describe the difference between a fan and a real fan, as I initially stated that a fan is a fan, and we can't be the ones to decide who is who. Yes, if I knew the books cover to cover and could quote thousands of lines from all of the films, it's heavily apparent I'm a big James Bond fan. I just don't know where to draw that line without sounding redundant or contradictive.
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    00Beast wrote:
    I do have respect for them (even though they're just books, I don't know why I should have to have respect)

    Because the older you get the more you realise rampant commercialism bleeds the quality out of everything. When you're lucky enough to discover something of true value, a Fleming novel, you give it the respect it deserves. Everything is so disposable now, even the games (of which I've played all and own most) exist purely to satisfy commercial needs. There is zero ingenuity or authorship or originality that comes through. None of the flair of a good Fleming passage or the depth and richness of the content.

  • Monsieur_AubergineMonsieur_Aubergine Top of the Eiffel Tower with a fly in my soup!
    Posts: 642
    ..Unless you correct someone on the year of release of a Bond Movie. On the face of it you are nice as pie,,,inside you are fuelled by pride and an ever so slight smugness!

    My Bond Fan Story;
    I had a massive argument with a woman in a bar one night abroad when, discovering I was a bond nut, she told me that I proabably didnt know that 'Tomorrow Never Dies' was James Bonds family motto...she picked the wrong guy to misquote to...grrrr!

    (whaaaaaaaaat?...the blood boiled and my correction head reared its..head)...you could not hold me down.

    The funny thing was, she was a lot smaller than me and I just turned to her and said
    "I've never killed a midget before" LOL :-)
  • thelivingroyalethelivingroyale
    Posts: 12,837
    TheWizardOfIce wrote:
    I like Batman, both the new films and a bit of Adam West, but I have never read a Batman comic book. I would never dream to be so presumptuous as to say I am on the same level as fans who have read all the comics and know Batman lore inside out. These people have invested much more of their time and effort in the character than me so their point of view is more valid than mine. For all I know, saying you like Adam West in the role might be heresy in the Batman community, hence although I would class myself as a 'casual' fan I would never claim that I am a 'real' fan or that all fans are on an equal footing.

    I'm in the same boat as you here. I've seen the films and played 2 of the video games but I've never read a Batman comic in my life.
  • Suivez_ce_parachuteSuivez_ce_parachute
    Posts: 2,015
    For what's it's worth, I was once quizzed by a colleague with Wiki on his computer, to find out how much a Bond fan I was, and he stopped with "Ok" when I could give the name and the surname of the head of the Japanese secret service in YOLT (in the French version).
  • doubleonothingdoubleonothing Los Angeles
    Posts: 864
    Interestingly, I think this has something to do with intent. So, you haven't read the books or seen all the films...but you intend to, because you like what you've read or seen or heard so far.

    Being a Bond fan only requires that you think the world of James Bond is cool and you are enthusiastic to know more.

    For instance, I'm a fan of Lost. I like the show, but I haven't seen all the episodes. But I will eventually. Do I know every little thing about all the characters and what all the weird stuff means? No, I don't. But I'm sure I'll form an opinion.

    However, I'd say I'm a Bond fan and more besides. The more besides could be politely termed as an "expert" or "aficionado", or more impolitely termed as a "nerd" or a "geek". I often describe myself as a "Bond nerd" because I think the level of knowledge that we generally possess on this site is above simply fandom. It's our go to subject, our Mastermind specialist subject and the point of boredom for many a dinner guest.

    No, you don't need to own all the books and films etc etc to be a fan. But to come on here and talk Bond all day you probably have to be a bit of a nerd.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    @doubleonothing, I've seen every episode of 'Lost,' and even I don't know every little thing about all of the characters and the weird stuff that takes place. That show is just a total mind rape at times. I have it queued up on my Netflix Instant profile, really want to go back and rewatch the series. I posted a link a few months ago that gave a synopsis, trivia listing, hints, and other cool stuff on every episode, so that would be cool to read up on after every episode you watch.
  • doubleonothingdoubleonothing Los Angeles
    Posts: 864
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @doubleonothing, I've seen every episode of 'Lost,' and even I don't know every little thing about all of the characters and the weird stuff that takes place. That show is just a total mind rape at times. I have it queued up on my Netflix Instant profile, really want to go back and rewatch the series. I posted a link a few months ago that gave a synopsis, trivia listing, hints, and other cool stuff on every episode, so that would be cool to read up on after every episode you watch.

    Thanks, I'll take a look at that. I heard Lost is pretty rubbish towards the end, or that the resolution just doesn't ring true, but so far I'm liking it.

    As for Bond fandom, I think it's pretty easy to sit in judgement on other people's level of fandom, but we should all just be happy for any Bond fans at any level. It's our continued fandom and interest that puts bums on seats and ultimately keeps the franchise going.

  • jolearonjolearon
    Posts: 645
    I'm a fan of the Bond films, I would have never heard of James Bond if it weren't on the big screen. I'm a fan of film in general, but the Bond films I grew up on, and I've loved them for most my life.

    I have only read one James Bond book and I wish I hadn't, because it ruined the movie for me, I remember reading "The World is not Enough" while listening to the soundtrack and was super excited to see the film. Then once the film started, I already knew everything, no more excitement, in fact the book had more details which only made me upset to not see in the film. So I understand to read the original Bond film books, which I'll do someday, but I'm not a big fan of reading novels.

    I do own almost every book and several editions and variations or artwork, and several comics and magazines as well. I enjoy the idea of collecting them, not having to consume my life with it all the time or read up abut every little detail. I don't knock the idea of that, it's just not for me, and I consider myself a die hard Bond Fan. I've been called a Bond nerd for years and years.

    I also have almost every video game from any Bond film for every video game system, but that doesn't mean I have to play them or even like the game either.

    So as far as requirements to be a Bond fan, I say you must have struggled to be at the theater for the first night at the movies once, you also need to buy lots of bond movies and watch them at least once (no books required) and you must own some other type of 007 collectables and lastly, you must be interested in the next Bond film and know who the current Bond is.

    I know so many people who say they are Bond fans who think Brosnan still is Bond.
    Even the other day at the beginning of the Olympics, my friend said; "How come they didn't get Pierce Brosnan to do it?" and.... well you see what I mean.
  • 00Beast00Beast
    Posts: 4,762
    @jolearon: That's my take on the novels as well. I'm glad they're there and paved the way for the spectacular movies we've been given, but since I'm not into reading novels as much as I am watching movies, I find it nearly impossible to convince myself to actually sit down and read one.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    If you want to know the real James Bond, you need to reads the novels, if only for that, they're very enjoyable.
  • jolearonjolearon
    Posts: 645
    @Samuel001 right, and I'm not disagreeing with you one bit on that, I do need to.
  • thelivingroyalethelivingroyale
    Posts: 12,837
    I wouldn't have started reading the original Bond novels if CR hadn't been made. Everybody was saying how it was great that it was true to the book, so I decided that maybe I'd better actually read the book. I thought the film was actually pretty different, and I pictured Dalton in the book more than I did Craig, but I still enjoyed it.

    I've read 4 Bond books now. CR, MR, GF and TB. OHMSS is in my amazon basket so hopefully I'll read that soon.

    But really I consider the films more important than the books.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,217
    I think the importance of the films and books in comparison with each other has changed very much over the years. The influence of social media has undoubtedly been pivotal in that regard, and has resulted in people like @00Beast who has his own standpoint on the Bond universe - that of the new generation which doesn't really enjoy the literary side of things (Not pointing you out @00Beast, just speaking generally) and who prefer the spectacular movie event of the Bond films when compared with the Bond books.

    From what I've read though, the release of a Fleming Bond novel was quite a big event back in the day. Is there anyone who was around at that time that can confirm that?

    Anyway, as long as the newer generations acknowledge the importance of the books to the character of James Bond, then there's no problem with preferring the (maybe) easier fix of entertainment the films provide. Especially considering that the Bond of the films is not like his literary counterpart in most cases, it's just a sign of the changing times. Moonraker is my favourite Fleming novel, but the film is my least favourite Bond film.

    I'm probably coming across as a little incoherent, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that people like @00Beast are just different fans to those who prefer the books. There shouldn't be an "us and them" attitude towards it. Everyone's different.
  • fassbonder007fassbonder007
    Posts: 126
    you still have copies of when you taped the movies on ABC network television on Sunday nights-with the commericals still in them..I cant throw them away even though I have the dvds.
  • Baltimore_007Baltimore_007
    Posts: 5,634
    You can name the (theme) artists for each and every release since Doctor No, or Directors, even for that matter. But really, we shouldn't make judgments of who can and cannot follow Bond. If you're a novice or an expert on the character, novels and movies, or something in between, it all seems well and good
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    I would like to say that you're a real fan if you lend or have lent helping hand in keeping this series thriving for 50 years.
  • jolearonjolearon
    Posts: 645
    Now that I had a couple days to think, I would say, if you would name all the Bond films, then you are a true Bond fan. Anything else is moving into the extreme and obsessed, which I'm sure most of us are, including me.
  • Baltimore_007Baltimore_007
    Posts: 5,634
    That would seem sufficient enough

    but for good measure, and to show your credentials, list Bond actors for each release, theme artists, name of lead adversary i.e Hugo Drax, Aris Kristatos etc, name of lead Bond girl even. Most of us are able of course, but that seems a true, or fair, test of Bond worthiness
  • fassbonder007fassbonder007
    Posts: 126
    you have looked for someone attacking you in the reflection of your girlfriend's eyes..
  • doubleonothingdoubleonothing Los Angeles
    Posts: 864
    fassbonder007 wrote:
    you have looked for someone attacking you in the reflection of your girlfriend's eyes..

    I've looked for someone attacking me in the reflection of someone else's girlfriend's eyes. ;)
  • largo2largo2
    Posts: 469
    When you name the film, characters year is was made the director the story the locations and put some of your merchandise in your work office for all to see. My colleagues think I am mad, I know I have a great escape from this world.
    And lastly when you organise a lads night out to the cinema on day of release where you all dress up in a tux !
  • 00Beast00Beast
    Posts: 4,762
    largo2 wrote:
    When you name the film, characters year is was made the director the story the locations and put some of your merchandise in your work office for all to see. My colleagues think I am mad, I know I have a great escape from this world.
    And lastly when you organise a lads night out to the cinema on day of release where you all dress up in a tux !

    Now that's cool, that last one! Wish I had the chance to do something like that. Seems like a riot of fun!
  • AnonAnon
    Posts: 246
    jolearon wrote:
    So as far as requirements to be a Bond fan, I say you must have struggled to be at the theater for the first night at the movies once...

    A real Bond fan would have blagged his way into a press screening well before opening night.
  • Cdr_BondCdr_Bond
    Posts: 53
    You're not a bond fan unless the clothes you wear were in the movies, or as near as one can afford.
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