The thread of Bond lists - LIST 157 - Evaluate the FRWL Opening Titles. (see criteria)

1606163656670

Comments

  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    edited July 2014 Posts: 14,571
    1. CR (epic how the gun barrel segues into it; love the effects and seeing Bond gain 00 status)
    2. GE (love the Cold War references and gun barrel at either end)
    3. SF (superb effects and references, but it's too cluttered for my liking)
    4. TND (love the technology concept and the girl with the diamonds)
    5. DAD (fire and ice elements and scorpions to go with the torture scenes- very clever)
    6. TWINE (the best part is how Bond drops into the sequence)
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    1. SF
    2. CR
    3. TND
    4. GE
    5. TWINE
    6. DAD
  • pachazopachazo Make Your Choice
    edited July 2014 Posts: 7,314
    1) CR - There's a beauty in it's simplicity and yet, right beneath the surface, there is something complex lurking in the shadows.

    2) SF - Incredible and perhaps you might twist my arm that this is the best if you can remove my nostalgia goggles.

    3) TND - Sleek and sophisticated for '97.

    4) GE - I like it just fine but dare I say it might be a little overrated?

    5) TWINE - It seems like they were trying too hard with this one.

    6) DAD - Dared to be different but failed just like every other aspect of this film.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    6. Tomorrow Never Dies - Not bad per se, just a little busy.

    5. The World Is Not Enough - Good. Just not as good as the others.

    4. Die Another Day - Combining the torture with the main titles was very innovative.

    3. GoldenEye - Simply iconic, what with the women destroying the Soviet, Cold War statues.

    2. Skyfall - One of the very best.

    1. Casino Royale - From the ingenious GB to the retro main titles, this is just a joy to behold.
  • Posts: 1,817
    6. DAD
    5. TND
    4. SF
    3. TWINE
    2. GE
    1. CR
  • 6. Tomorrow Never Dies - Meh.
    5. The World is Not Enough - Big gulf between this and the next entry.
    4. Die Another Day - Terrible song, bottom-tier movie, but a very good title sequence incorporating Bond's torture.
    3. Skyfall - Full of references to previous title sequences, as one might expect. I saw something listing the references, but can't find it now. Oh, well.
    2. Casino Royale - Playing cards, Vesper, and a transition to the story? All-time great title sequence.
    1. GoldenEye - This and Casino Royale were in a dead heat, but the Cold War symbolism just edges out the playing card theme.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited July 2014 Posts: 40,968
    1.) CR. It's been stated, but I love the gunbarrel segue into the enemies Bond fights made out of playing card symbols. So creative, and Cornell's tune just amps me up for one great Bond film.

    2.) GE. Gives off an eerie vibe as it showcases the Cold War relics, and of course, women and guns. (Speaking of, the woman in the titles that opens her mouth, has a barrel come out of it, fire, and then retreat, I've always thought she looks like Angelina Jolie.)

    3.) TND. I love the amount of guns throughout and the women comprised of the bits of computer, kind of hinting at Elliot's mass media network. I think it's pretty well done, and I've always loved the weird ending with the girl diving into the glass.

    4.) SF. I love all the references that hint at the moments that are about to come, fits quite well with the song, but it just felt too cluttered for me. Didn't really stand out.

    5.) TWINE. I hate the coloring in the titles, looks way too off and out of place. However, I like what they do with the oil machinery and whatnot.

    6.) DAD. It might be cool that Brosnan's torture is intertwined with the song as a bit of a montage, but those awful looking 'diving/floating' women and the CGI scorpions ruin it for me.
  • Posts: 1,596
    1. Casino Royale tie
    2. GoldenEye tie
    3. Skyfall
    4. Tomorrow Never Dies
    5. Die Another Day
    6. The World Is Not Enough
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    QBranch wrote:
    1. CR (epic how the gun barrel segues into it; love the effects and seeing Bond gain 00 status)
    2. GE (love the Cold War references and gun barrel at either end)
    3. SF (superb effects and references, but it's too cluttered for my liking)
    4. TND (love the technology concept and the girl with the diamonds)
    5. DAD (fire and ice elements and scorpions to go with the torture scenes- very clever)
    6. TWINE (the best part is how Bond drops into the sequence)

    I share the same results. :)
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,571
    @Murdock It appears we share the same passions. Six, anyway.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    @QBranch, I count two. Titling and prop making. ;)
  • Posts: 2,402
    I only have time to write my list. Watch this space for an edit with arguments later today.

    1: Casino Royale
    2: GoldenEye
    3: The World is Not Enough
    4: Skyfall
    5: Tomorrow Never Dies
    6: Die Another Day
    7: Quantum of Solace Oh that's right! Marc Forster is a dick!
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    CR
    SF
    GE
    TWINE
    TND
    DAD
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    I only have time to write my list. Watch this space for an edit with arguments later today.
    7: Quantum of Solace Oh that's right! Marc Forster is a dick!
    What's that got to do with anything? So he didn't bring back Kleinman for QoS. I thought MK12's titles were good. Forster wanted to try something new. How does that make him a dick?

  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,571
    Murdock wrote:
    I thought MK12's titles were good.
    I like the QOS title sequence too. It gets a bad wrap because of its ties to the song.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    QBranch wrote:
    Murdock wrote:
    I thought MK12's titles were good.
    I like the QOS title sequence too. It gets a bad wrap because of its ties to the song.
    The song isn't that bad either. It's a generic rock song with some great riffs. I love the brass parts of it. The instrumental version is better though.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    I like the song too, but the main titles are rather bland, IMHO
  • Posts: 53
    1. Casino Royale
    2. GoldenEye
    3. Skyfall
    4. Tomorrow Never Dies
    5. Die Another Day
    6. The World Is Not Enough
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    edited July 2014 Posts: 24,179
    LIST 1: The 007 most intelligent Bond girls
    LIST 2: Your 007 favourite OT sequences by Maurice Binder
    LIST 3: Your 007 most annoying moments in a Bond film
    LIST 4: Rank the Aston Martin cars from the Bonds
    LIST 5: 007's 007 coolest moments
    LIST 6: Rank the non-Barry/Arnold scores
    LIST 7: Your 007 most sexy moments in the Bonds
    LIST 8: The 6 best moments of Bond in London
    LIST 9: The 007 best uses of the Bond Theme
    LIST 10: The 5 worst faces made by the Bonds
    LIST 11: Your top 10 PTS
    LIST 12: The 6 best scenes in OHMSS
    LIST 13: David Arnold's 6 finest moments in the Bonds
    LIST 14: The five nicest folks who ever played a part in a Bond film.
    LIST 15: Ranking the Glen directed Bonds.
    LIST 16: Rank the Blofelds (including NSNA and FYEO)
    LIST 17-65: The 5 worst moments in DN - The 5 best moments in SF.
    LIST 66-71: The 5 best things about Connery's Bond.- The 5 best things about Craig's Bond.
    LIST 72: The 5 best non-Bond roles for Sean Connery.
    LIST 73: Name 7 still living directors you want to do a Bond film.
    LIST 74: Five favourite franchises inspired by Bond.
    LIST 75-80: Five things the Moore Bond did that you never would. - Brosnan - Connery - Dalton - Craig - Lazenby
    LIST 81-85: Your 5 favourite one night stands from the 60s. - 2000s including SF.
    LIST 86: Six things NSNA did better than TB.
    LIST 87: Six Bonds that were significantly weaker than their predecessor.
    LIST 88: Six Bonds that were significantly stronger than their predecessor.
    LIST 89: Rank Arnold's Bond scores.
    LIST 90-114: The five most conspicuous characters (not Bond!) of DN-SF: coolest, prettiest, dumbest, funniest, most tragic.
    LIST 115: Rank your six favourite establishing shots.
    LIST 116: Five 'funny' moments you regret are in a Bond film.
    LIST 117: Rank your 6 favourite 007 moments in America.
    LIST 118: Who are the 7 dumbest Bond girls?
    LIST 119: Rank the John Barry scores
    LIST 120: Which six Bond girls have the loveliest face?
    LIST 121: Rank the M's (including NSNA and CR67)
    LIST 122: Your six favourite 'random' gadgets in Q's lab.
    LIST 123: Your six favourite conditions under which to watch a Bond film.
    LIST 124: Six moments when Bond came closest to defeat.
    LIST 125: 5 most amazing stunts ever performed in a Bond film.
    LIST 126: Six characters you wish had never been in a Bond film.
    LIST 127: Six locations from the Bond films that were totally underused.
    LIST 128: Your top 7 of male actors who have passed away but should have been in a Bond film.
    LIST 129: Your top 7 of actresses of 50 or older who should be cast in a Bond film.
    LIST 130: 7 crew members whose (temporary or permanent) absence can/could be felt most.
    LIST 131: Six favourite scenes with animals in the Bond films.
    LIST 132: Seven mistakes they have made in the Bonds.
    LIST 133: Six things you do a few hours before watching a new Bond film.
    LIST 134: Seven reasons why you are a Bond fan.
    LIST 135: Rank Guy Hamilton's Bond films.
    LIST 136: Your 007 favourite Bond - M conversations.
    LIST 137: Six things your favourite Bond spoofs actually did better than the Bond films themselves.
    LIST 138: Rank the decades of Bond movies.
    LIST 139: List your 6 favourite parties / fun events in the Bond films.
    LIST 142: 6 Best musical moments in DN - GF
    LIST 143: 7 visually most beautiful moments in the Craig films.
    LIST 144: Rank the Kleinman OT sequences.

    <font color=orange size=5><b>LIST 145</b></font>

    <font color=green size=6> <b>Rank the Moneypenny's.</b></font>

    A quick overview:

    - Lois Maxwell

    - Caroline Bliss
    - Samantha Bond
    - Naomie Harris

    and for those who feel compelled to include these two:
    - Barbara Bouchet (CR67)
    - Pamela Salem (NSNA)


  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    edited July 2014 Posts: 24,179
    7 - Pamela Salem. Her reaction to the free radicals remark was funny but the poor girl suffers from the film she's in. Not entirely fair, I know, but that's the nature of the beast called Kevin McClory.

    6 - Caroline Bliss. I'm a Dalton fan and I love what they did with TLD and LTK. However, MP was a let-down for me in both films. She looks like a nice girl but has trouble convincing me otherwise. Sorry my dear. That Barry Manilow collection will have to help you though the lonely nights.

    5 - Barbara Bouchet. Whatever people may think of CR67, this is one extremely hot girl. If not the script itself, at least she's got some things working in her favour. ;-)

    4 - Lois Maxwell post OHMSS. I love that they kept Lois on board as long as they did. I think it's a sign of respect for her. And of course it helps that while she aged, so did Moore. But age isn't even my biggest issue; it's the fact that apart from perhaps the Miss Smallbone thing, she really had very little spunk and so very little to do after '69. Her Fluke exclamations were too late. The vigour they gave her in the 60s, and which puts 60s Lois at the top of my list, was suddenly washed away like a stain of chocolate on a plate.

    3 - Naomie Harris. This MP may very well end up higher on my list but I need to see more of her - not like that, boys and girls - before passing final judgement. The introduction was impressive to say the least. Let's see where we go from here.

    2 - Samantha Bond. Her first dialogue with Bond, in GE, put me on the edge of my seat in 1995. Such a well written, well executed, well performed moment in the Bonds, probably my very favourite Bond - MP interaction to date. Unfortunately, we move from brilliant MP to very funny MP to good MP to ... virtual reality sex with Bond. I still can't believe the dump DAD took on our beloved formula. Even poor MP gets flushed down the toilet in this film. Neither a good line nor a great moment... just another OMG MULDER AND SCULLY KISS! moment, but then not for real. Vomit inducing.

    1 - Lois Maxwell pre DAF. Iconic, very amusing, spunky. Flattery will get me nowhere? We'll see about that. But you can't fool the old man. What a secretary!
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    1. Lois Maxwell
    2. Samantha Bond







    3. Naomi Harris
    4. Caroline Bliss
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    1. Lois Maxwell
    2. Naomi Harris
    3. Samantha Bond







    4. Caroline Bliss
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,571
    It's about time the Moneypennies got a good ranking.

    1. Lois Maxwell
    2. Samantha Bond
    3. Naomie Harris
    4. Caroline Bliss

    (Don't really remember the other two to rate)

    No contest. As far as Moneypennies go, Maxwell was a dime.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    1. Lois Maxwell (a gem! I agree with DarthDimi's perceptions of her time as MP)
    2. Samantha Bond (sharp, great rapport with Pierce, first 3 films esp. wonderful)
    3. Naomie Harris (but I expect her to rise in my rankings; I really like this MP!)
    4. Caroline Bliss (pretty but what a stupid, cliched character; yuk)

    (I don't count the other two)

    I am almost tempted to put Naomie as #2 now, such a great beginning! But Samantha was an excellent MP and had more films. So she is #2 for now.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    1 Lois
    2 Naomie
    3 It is a tie.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    1. Lois Maxwell - is there anyone else?
    2. Samantha Bond - I agree with @4EverBonded, such a great chemistry with Brozz.
    3. Caroline Bliss - Good first entry, but anonymous second. Q, Bond and Moneypenny have a real family "bond" in TLD, at MI6, researching assassins.

    * Naomie Harris - her line reading was a little off, but I'm reserving judgement on her.
  • Posts: 2,402
    5: Caroline Bliss, obviously. Dalton is my favourite Bond, TLD and LTK two of my favourite Bond films and films, period, but... good god they turned Moneypenny into a horrible character here, and while I blame a lot of the writing, I also blame Bliss.

    4: Naomie Harris. Very wooden, very bland, lacking chemistry between her and Craig, yet I feel like she might do well the more she gets to portray the character. If they make her more "action-y" though, she's going right to the bottom.

    3: Lois Maxwell, LALD - AVTAK. Like Calvin Dyson and DarthDimi, I too feel Lois Maxwell's tenure should be divided. I don't feel she had very good chemistry with Moore despite it being very well known that they were extremely close friends, and I also feel like the writing and general use of her character wasn't as strong as it was with Connery and Lazenby. However, it's still Lois Maxwell, and she's still wonderful, so I can't put her lower than this.

    2: Samantha Bond. Admittedly, I could almost put her third because of DAD (and, to a lesser extent, TND), but GoldenEye and TWINE feature some of the best Moneypenny scenes in the entire series. I think Bond is a fine actress if not exactly a RADA-class thespian, she has the right look - I especially like her TWINE haircut - and it's all the subtle moments like her bitchiness towards Warmflash that really let her shine.

    1: Lois Maxwell, Dr. No - DAF. This is the top and you're wrong if you put someone else in this spot. Thankfully nobody has as of yet and I hope it stays that way. Every single time Maxwell is on the screen in these seven films, it's impeccable. Right from Dr. No she had her craft honed perfectly, what with her and Connery swaying together in the chair. However, her shining moment - and the best Moneypenny film without question - is in OHMSS. Despite only sharing one film with him, I'm of the opinion that Lazenby-Maxwell is the all-time best Bond-Moneypenny interaction. The modification of Bond's retirement request to two weeks' leave, the wedding... oh, their chemistry is just so goddamn good!

    Also, for fun, a ranking of the Bond-Moneypenny interactions:

    6: Dalton-Bliss (thanks a lot, writers, the best Bond has the worst interactions with Moneypenny)
    5: Moore-Maxwell
    4: Craig-Harris
    3: Brosnan-Bond
    2: Connery-Maxwell
    1: Lazenby-Maxwell
  • Posts: 4,762
    1. Lois Maxwell (DN-LALD)
    2. Samantha Bond
    3. Caroline Bliss
    4. Lois Maxwell (TMWTGG-AVTAK)
    5. Naomie Harris
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    1. Bliss
    2. Maxwell
    3. Salem
    4. Harris
    5. Bond


    It's been so long since I watched Casino Royale '67, I can't remember Bouchet's Moneypenny.
  • Posts: 7,653
    - Lois Maxwell

    - Caroline Bliss
    - Samantha Bond
    - Naomie Harris
Sign In or Register to comment.