Last Bond Movie You Watched

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  • Posts: 12,473
    Birdleson wrote: »
    @FoxRox I don't think that I've seen you around in awhile.

    I’m back, so to speak. Probably won’t be posting as frequently though.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited November 2017 Posts: 23,883
    LALD

    I always have a blast with this film, and today was no different. There's so much to enjoy here. The villain roster is superb, George Martin's score is Bond funk personified, Jane Seymour is a vision of loveliness, Yaphet Kotto is suitably creepy and Roger Moore is the embodiment of stylish yet deadly cool in his first outing as 007. Most notably, I just enjoy the 70s style and eccentricity which characterizes these later Hamilton entries.

    I mentioned this after a previous viewing, but it's good to see Leroy Hollis again as a sheriff (although this time as a Louisiana trooper rather than a Vegas one). This is one of those situations where we can speculate whether he's supposed to be the same chap.

    I also wondered today if the film Mr. Big may have been partially modeled on Frank Lucas.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited November 2017 Posts: 23,883
    FYEO

    As I've mentioned previously, this remains my most viewed Bond film on blu ray. I revisit it at least once a year. I'm not sure why that is, because I wasn't much of a fan of it when I was younger, but I think it's got something to do with how lush and beautiful it looks on blu ray. All the locations really pop, but most notably Cortina and Corfu. There's certainly a lot to like here too, including a much more serious and determined Roger Moore as Bond. He is much more reserved in this film, and much less loquacious and jovial than normal. His portrayal suits the style of film EON give us here. Stripped down and simple, it concentrates more on stunts and action rather than large sets. Some of that action is truly first class (including the PTS helicopter sequence, the Citroen chase, the ski chase and jump, keelhauling and final St. Cyrils climb). Some of it in contrast is terribly lacklustre (the ridiculous hockey fight, the Neptune sub clash with the geek & the encounter with the bloke in a JIM suit). Similarly, Bill Conti's uneven score is sometimes excellent and sometimes truly cringeworthy. The humour is also somewhat lacking in comparison to other Bond entries, and what they attempt is a bit cheesy (parrot, Maggie). Nevertheless, I always enjoy this scaled down Bond film which marked a change in approach for EON as it entered the 1980s with John Glen at the helm.
  • edited November 2017 Posts: 11,189
    Diamonds are Forever

    Watched this yesterday afternoon to fill a couple of hours on my lazy Sunday.

    To be honest it's always been one of my least favourites and for a while I genuinely considered it the worst film in the series. However, trying to go in with a more open mind I have to admit I enjoyed DAF more this time round...well I enjoyed the first 45 minutes of it at least, then as usual became a a slog.

    The seedy, darkly comic script sparkles in the first half and - even if he may not be on the level he was previously - Connery is still on good form despite looking poor. He's particularly great in his scenes with Jill St. John and the two have an obvious "conneshion" with one another.

    Unfortunately, as Connery climes into that jeep around the 45-minute mark the film starts to lose momentum and becomes more and more goofy with 2 padding action scenes, Blofeld's diamond lazer plan, laughably poor special effects and Jimmy Dean hamming it up.

    It does pick up a little though towards the very end thanks to Charles Gray, who seems to be enjoying himself and even mananges to upstage Connery. But the climax genuinely feels rather tedious and is only redeemed somewhat by the boat-fight with Wint and KIdd.

    All in all, not as bad this time as I had felt previously, but still doesn't shine with the top Bond films for me. A 5 or 6 out of 10 is a fair score.
  • Posts: 11,189
    I want to hear what @Birdleson thought of TLD.
  • Posts: 11,189
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I enjoyed it very much (I would lose the farcical bits, the car chase and the rooftop chase) until Afghanistan, then, as always, I disliked almost everything. Sometimes that effects the overall experience more than others. This time, not so much.

    I've been like that with DAF. Enjoyed it enough until it gets to the desert.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I really enjoy DAF these days. It's the film that's made the largest moves in my rankings. For years it was rock bottom but now I get quite a kick out of it, and actually may revisit again shortly.
  • Posts: 11,189
    bondjames wrote: »
    I really enjoy DAF these days. It's the film that's made the largest moves in my rankings. For years it was rock bottom but now I get quite a kick out of it, and actually may revisit again shortly.

    as I said, I enjoyed it more than I did normally on my re-watch yesterday. Despite it's shortcomings, its got a lot of character.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    I really enjoy DAF these days. It's the film that's made the largest moves in my rankings. For years it was rock bottom but now I get quite a kick out of it, and actually may revisit again shortly.

    as I said, I enjoyed it more than I did normally on my re-watch yesterday. Despite it's shortcomings, its got a lot of character.
    Yes, I agree. All the Hamilton films are very colourful and charismatic, even if they are also a little eccentric and quirky. One has to be in a certain frame of mind to really enjoy them.
  • edited November 2017 Posts: 11,189
    I like the dark humour of Diamonds (Mr Slumber, Wint and Kidd, "tell him he's faaarrred"). You can see Fleming coming up with a lot of that stuff - albeit in a slightly more straight faced story.

    Still, there's quite a cheap/tacky feel to all of Hamilton's films bar GF I think. That's something I can't quite ignore - at least compared to the epic films in the decade before.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited November 2017 Posts: 23,883
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    Still, there's quite a cheap/tacky feel to all of Hamilton's films bar GF I think. That's something I can't quite ignore - at least compared to the epic films in the decade before.
    Definitely, but I'm not sure if that can necessarily be blamed on him (especially since he gave us GF which as you note is anything but). I think they were undergoing a transition during the early 70's and tightening budget as a result. The same applies to the films from the mid 80's, which also have a relatively 'cheap' presentation in my view and on top of that also lack that larger than life feel.

    I enjoy the Hamilton films because despite the somewhat tacky flavour, they are distinctively Bond.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    Last night I started a new Bondathon, as it's been about a year since the last one.

    The World Is Not Enough

    I decided to embark with this little doozy as it was my first Bond on the silver screen. Not much to say, without sounding like a broken record. So here's a observation -

    In effect, M created the villain of TWINE by leaving Elektra at the mercy of Renard.

    In SP Bond creates the villain by ousting ol' Frany boy as Hans' favorite child.

    Didn't say it was interesting, just that it was there.

    I will say this however, I haven't enjoyed TWINE quite this much in years. The whole thing - apart from the prosaic direction - was hella on point. (Yes, I'm down with the kids. Innit)

    All besides dear Brosnan, alas. Although good in certain scenes, he was outmatched by the splendid, scene chewing majesty that was Sophie Marceau, from girl with a wing down, to spoilt, entitled, melodramatic little rich princess, she is just priceless.

    Still old Pierce has probably the coolest scene ever - the caviar assault; Bond bursts through a trapdoor, knocking one goon over and shooting the goon upstairs. Lovely stuff.

    Next up is Skyfall, linked with TWINE thus* -

    - Both have the villains going after MI6 and M.
    - Both have subverted Bond Girls - one is a villain, one is M.
    - Explosions at MI6 HQ.
    - Have M heavily involved.
    - Istanbul baby!

    *This Bondathon, I'm going for things that link the Bond together, there has to be a connection, however tenuous it may be.
  • Posts: 12,473
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I enjoyed it very much (I would lose the farcical bits, the car chase and the rooftop chase) until Afghanistan, then, as always, I disliked almost everything. Sometimes that effects the overall experience more than others. This time, not so much.

    I agree most of the Afghanistan scenes are a bit tedious, but I do personally still enjoy the climax once we get to that. If if it weren't for that stretch in Afghanistan in between that and the first two thirds of the film, the film could possibly threaten to be in my Top 10. As things stand now, it is #13 on my list. Probably will stay around there. Lots to like, but I agree a dull final third for the most part.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    TLD would definitely be in my top 10 if not for Afghanistan and the epilogue climax at Whittaker's.
  • Posts: 12,473
    bondjames wrote: »
    TLD would definitely be in my top 10 if not for Afghanistan and the epilogue climax at Whittaker's.

    I have mixed feelings about that epilogue climax. It's kind of odd in placement and execution, but it is sort of amusing too. Anyway, LTK remains my preferred films of Dalton's, but both are good.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    FoxRox wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    TLD would definitely be in my top 10 if not for Afghanistan and the epilogue climax at Whittaker's.

    I have mixed feelings about that epilogue climax. It's kind of odd in placement and execution, but it is sort of amusing too. Anyway, LTK remains my preferred films of Dalton's, but both are good.
    I prefer LTK as well. I think it's more consistent and fits in better with Dalton's generally intense portrayal and demeanour, but I agree that they are both decent Bond films.
  • Posts: 16,169
    Funny enough the Afghanistan section of TLD is my favorite. I love the jailbreak sequence followed by the ride to Kamran's abode. The sunrise shot, with Kamran, Bond, Kara and crew heading out to the rendezvous. The whole battle isn't bad, though I do miss a Ken Adam set for such a sequence. Barry's music throughout is superb, IMO.
  • Posts: 12,473
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    Funny enough the Afghanistan section of TLD is my favorite. I love the jailbreak sequence followed by the ride to Kamran's abode. The sunrise shot, with Kamran, Bond, Kara and crew heading out to the rendezvous. The whole battle isn't bad, though I do miss a Ken Adam set for such a sequence. Barry's music throughout is superb, IMO.

    I'll agree with you, throughout, this is one of Barry's best-ever Bond soundtracks. OHMSS is my #1, but TLD might be #2 for me.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    Funny enough the Afghanistan section of TLD is my favorite. I love the jailbreak sequence followed by the ride to Kamran's abode. The sunrise shot, with Kamran, Bond, Kara and crew heading out to the rendezvous. The whole battle isn't bad, though I do miss a Ken Adam set for such a sequence. Barry's music throughout is superb, IMO.

    The plane fight is superb, the rest not so much.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    The whole sequence is a bit too 'Indy' for my tastes. I would have preferred a more confined locale.
  • CASINOROYALECASINOROYALE Somewhere hot
    Posts: 1,003
    Gearing up to watch “Never Say Never Again”, tonight. I have watched it before but that was 5 years ago. Does anyone remember how bad this movie is? I remember Sean Connery looking incredibly old in this film. Too old to be playing Bond at least.. Part of me wishes they cast someone else for the film. Nice nod bringing him back but would’ve given them a chance to cast their own Bond. I don’t know why Connery even did it besides maybe the money?
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited November 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Gearing up to watch “Never Say Never Again”, tonight. I have watched it before but that was 5 years ago. Does anyone remember how bad this movie is? I remember Sean Connery looking incredibly old in this film. Too old to be playing Bond at least.. Part of me wishes they cast someone else for the film. Nice nod bringing him back but would’ve given them a chance to cast their own Bond. I don’t know why Connery even did it besides maybe the money?
    He looked just as good as Craig does now in my view. Sure, he was noticeably older that he was in his prime, but he was playing an older agent in the film as well. NSNA an acquired taste perhaps, but it's not entirely a bad film. There are some great moments in it.
  • edited November 2017 Posts: 11,189
    I find him a bit too letchy in NSNA as well as too flippant.
  • CASINOROYALECASINOROYALE Somewhere hot
    Posts: 1,003
    bondjames wrote: »
    Gearing up to watch “Never Say Never Again”, tonight. I have watched it before but that was 5 years ago. Does anyone remember how bad this movie is? I remember Sean Connery looking incredibly old in this film. Too old to be playing Bond at least.. Part of me wishes they cast someone else for the film. Nice nod bringing him back but would’ve given them a chance to cast their own Bond. I don’t know why Connery even did it besides maybe the money?
    He looked just as good as Craig does now in my view. Sure, he was noticeably older that he was in his prime, but he was playing an older agent in the film as well. NSNA an acquired taste perhaps, but it's not entirely a bad film. There are some great moments in it.

    The Bond girls are a good reason to watch it... ;)

  • Posts: 16,169
    bondjames wrote: »
    Gearing up to watch “Never Say Never Again”, tonight. I have watched it before but that was 5 years ago. Does anyone remember how bad this movie is? I remember Sean Connery looking incredibly old in this film. Too old to be playing Bond at least.. Part of me wishes they cast someone else for the film. Nice nod bringing him back but would’ve given them a chance to cast their own Bond. I don’t know why Connery even did it besides maybe the money?
    He looked just as good as Craig does now in my view. Sure, he was noticeably older that he was in his prime, but he was playing an older agent in the film as well. NSNA an acquired taste perhaps, but it's not entirely a bad film. There are some great moments in it.

    I think he looks great in NSNA. Instead of unsuccessfully trying to make him look 35, he wears a graying/thinning hairpiece and plays Bond in his '50's. His clothes are appropriate for his age and Bond, IMO. NSNA is a fond favorite of mine in-spite of it's lack of Eon traditions. Great villains, Bond women, and many themes and ideas later recycled by Eon for Pierce and Craig.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited November 2017 Posts: 23,883
    bondjames wrote: »
    Gearing up to watch “Never Say Never Again”, tonight. I have watched it before but that was 5 years ago. Does anyone remember how bad this movie is? I remember Sean Connery looking incredibly old in this film. Too old to be playing Bond at least.. Part of me wishes they cast someone else for the film. Nice nod bringing him back but would’ve given them a chance to cast their own Bond. I don’t know why Connery even did it besides maybe the money?
    He looked just as good as Craig does now in my view. Sure, he was noticeably older that he was in his prime, but he was playing an older agent in the film as well. NSNA an acquired taste perhaps, but it's not entirely a bad film. There are some great moments in it.

    The Bond girls are a good reason to watch it... ;)
    Definitely.

    When you view it see if you can spot the little moments that recollect scenes in later films, including DAD, SF & GE.
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    Gearing up to watch “Never Say Never Again”, tonight. I have watched it before but that was 5 years ago. Does anyone remember how bad this movie is? I remember Sean Connery looking incredibly old in this film. Too old to be playing Bond at least.. Part of me wishes they cast someone else for the film. Nice nod bringing him back but would’ve given them a chance to cast their own Bond. I don’t know why Connery even did it besides maybe the money?
    He looked just as good as Craig does now in my view. Sure, he was noticeably older that he was in his prime, but he was playing an older agent in the film as well. NSNA an acquired taste perhaps, but it's not entirely a bad film. There are some great moments in it.

    I think he looks great in NSNA. Instead of unsuccessfully trying to make him look 35, he wears a graying/thinning hairpiece and plays Bond in his '50's. His clothes are appropriate for his age and Bond, IMO. NSNA is a fond favorite of mine in-spite of it's lack of Eon traditions. Great villains, Bond women, and many themes and ideas later recycled by Eon for Pierce and Craig.
    I fully agree. Over the years I've noticed ideas from that film find their way into the EON entries and that has made me appreciate it much more. I must give it a viewing again soon too.
  • Posts: 16,169
    I must say, though that the DVD releases of NSNA are a bit lacking. Even the 2008 remastered version looks washed out. I recall the colors looking fairly rich in the cinemas and on previous home video formats.
    I haven't seen the Blu-ray so I don't know how that looks.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    I must say, though that the DVD releases of NSNA are a bit lacking. Even the 2008 remastered version looks washed out. I recall the colors looking fairly rich in the cinemas and on previous home video formats.
    I haven't seen the Blu-ray so I don't know how that looks.
    I have the blu ray and it looks really good, although I've never owned it in any other format so don't know how much of an improvement it is. The colours pop nicely but perhaps it's not quite up to the standards of EON's Lowry remasters.
  • Posts: 16,169
    bondjames wrote: »
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    I must say, though that the DVD releases of NSNA are a bit lacking. Even the 2008 remastered version looks washed out. I recall the colors looking fairly rich in the cinemas and on previous home video formats.
    I haven't seen the Blu-ray so I don't know how that looks.
    I have the blu ray and it looks really good, although I've never owned it in any other format so don't know how much of an improvement it is. The colours pop nicely but perhaps it's not quite up to the standards of EON's Lowry remasters.

    I'll have to look for the Blu-ray. I remember reading that some early copies of the DVD were flawed in that a good chunk of the film was missing. The casino sequence I believe was gone.
  • CASINOROYALECASINOROYALE Somewhere hot
    Posts: 1,003
    Wow I turned on the tv and “Moonraker” just started!
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