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What is the most Sir Rog-esque outing that Moore didn't do? ;)
Indeed. I'd also say GF has a slightly Moore-ish vibe sometimes.
Might not have made your top five, but I'll take a top ten spot on any list any day. ;)
Dr. No
My take- While enjoyable, I have always felt that Dr. No got more credit for being the first Bond film then it did for being a good movie. It's obviously more dated then any film in the series but I just find myself bored a lot of the time while watching it. What saves it are the performances. Connery makes a great first impression obviously and the supporting cast (especially Lord as Lighter and Wiseman as Dr. No) are spectacular. Overall, good not great. At least from today's standerds. But I've definitely grown to like it more now than I did as a kid. 7/10
New fan take- He didn't love it. Liked the performances but it was a little too cheesy for him to get really invested in. Loved how Honey was introduced and the spider scene. He gives it a 5/10
Will hopefully be watching both FRWL and GF tonight or tomorrow so stay tuned
Despite everything that happens in YOLT, much of it preposterous, I can't help but feel that DAF is actually the silliest of the films at this stage in the franchise. I think it's because whereas YOLT at least tries to provide a sense of awe in its sets and action set pieces, DAF gives off the impression that everyone involved knows the whole thing is silly. While that tone might work for some films, for me personally it kind of kills the vibe of a Bond film. Yes, for many reasons the Bond films are ridiculous, but when played straight the silliness passes as great escapism. Much of what we get in DAF is like the filmmakers saying 'Yup, this is pretty stupid!'
There are inklings of interesting ideas, such as the gay duo of Wint and Kid, Blofeld cloning himself, the Willard Whyte character, but even than a lot of is covered in a thick layer of cheese. I remembered Connery looking positively bored throughout the film. Honestly, this time around I actually thought he was having somewhat of a good time, which is of course better than being utterly bored, but even so he's given far better, let's say 'dedicated', performances as 007. It's been written and argued many times, but Tiffany Case starts with real potential before that character's legitimacy goes down the crapshoot by the end.
Barry's score is at least pretty good, but then again he couldn't write a bad Bond score if he tried.
1-FRWL
2-OHMSS
3-GF
4-TB
5-DN
6-YOLT
7-DAF (lagging by a significant margin)
I've never hid my dislike for AVTAK. Funnily enough, I've been encountering a few people over the past few years who like it lot. I think I need to get out of my little opinion bubble and understand that any Bond film can be somebody's favourite Bond film.
The lack of audiovisual stimulation gave way to nitpicking details, and most of the film was a mess. What I enjoyed about YOLT is the integration of the score with the action going on screen, and while LALD has a decent score (one of the better non-Barry entries) it didn't flow with the action well. The fights were terrible and Hamilton films have the worst vehicle chases in the series ("I-I can't find the brakes" has gotta be in the running for worst line in a Bond film)
There are a few memorable characters and moments in Teehee, the
alligator/bus/boat stunt/Mrs Bell but I was so bored that they did nothing to peak my interest this time around. I still like those scenes and would watch them in isolation but not as part of the entire movie.
I also felt Moore wasn't in fully in the role, I learnt nothing about him as Bond other than he likes cigars, and haven't got this vibe so far in the previous 7 films.
LALD has never ranked too highly and will be a strong contender for bottom 3. My prediction for TMWTGG is the same...the advantage it holds over LALD is a Barry score.
The ranking thus far. I've added in predicted ranks for the next few films because I have surprised myself thus far with a few films
1. OHMSS
2. FRWL
3. DN
4. DAF
MR
TSWLM
5. GF
6. YOLT
7. TB
TMWTGG
8. LALD
Predicted rank in italics
This one didn't sit too well with me again this time, and sadly, I think it's because it lacks punch. I like the parking garage sequence and the motorcycle chase but that's about it. The dialogue is so forced and awkward most of the time, Carver is way too campy and weak for my tastes to take him or his scheme threatening, and the finale is still a little weak to me. I wish I had more explanation on why I'm not a terribly big fan of it lately, but sadly, that's the case.
2015 Bondathon Ranking:
1.) FYEO
2.) DN
3.) LALD
4.) FRWL
5.) TSWLM
6.) OP
7.) OHMSS
8.) LTK
9.) AVTAK
10.) TB
11.) TLD
12.) GF
13.) TND
14.) DAF
15.) YOLT
16.) TMWTGG
17.) MR
[-(
TND is my No 9 Bond movie.
I can see what you mean by it lacks punch. Where Goldeneye had many, many spectacular sequences that were very diverse, TND seems to flow steadily from one sequence to the other seemingly without any high or low points (except the PTS which is the typical movie in itself and just bloody awesome).
As for Carver, he is my favourite villain. I have always like Jonathan Pryce's ability in overacting in a believable way. His Elliot Carver is so fun, every word he speaks is quotable.
I can't see where the finale is weak. We get one hell of a fight with Bond and Stamper in the midst of explosions everywhere.
The stealth ship is fabulous too and has a typical villain's lair feel to it.
"lacks...punch...don't you think?"
That is exactly what I was thinking.
This is the film I usually say I'd like to live in - if one could jump into a Bond film and really experience it. I was overwhelmingly thrilled with it because it really saved the series for me, in a way. I had been truly disappointed with TMWTGG (disappointed and annoyed with it, for several reasons). The whole atmosphere, attitude, spectacle and adventure that is TSWLM was like a strong breath of fresh air for this series. Everything abuot it makes this stay as one of my very favorites.
To this day, I love it. I also love the theme song. I love Roger's humor in this, and he was never more handsome or winning. Only FYEO comes close to it out of the Moore era (which I appreciate for other reasons, including a more dramatic turn by Roger). It did hit me hard, in every positive way, when I saw it in the theater. Just so beautiful to watch and so much fun! And I saw it as many times as I could (which back then, was either 3 or 4). I loved it, my friends who were not Bond fans loved it, and it became a classic Bond film for sure.
***
And I see you will soon watch another Bond I truly love, Tomorrow Never Dies. I love Pierce in that, and Michele Yeoh, and its flaws just do not drop it down much for me. I like it almost as much as Goldeneye and Brosnan's Bond is perfect in TND, his best turn. So I'll tune in to see what you think of that later ... :>
MURDOCK'S BONDATHON RANKING.
GoldenEye.
For Your Eyes Only.
The Spy Who Loved Me.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Casino Royale.
The World is Not Enough.
Thunderball.
Dr. No.
Live and Let Die.
From Russia With Love.
Quantum of Solace.
Tomorrow Never Dies.
Licence To Kill.
Moonraker.
Octopussy.
Goldfinger.
Diamonds Are Forever.
Die Another Day.
The Living Daylights.
A View To A Kill.
The Man With The Golden Gun.
You Only Live Twice.
Dalton is a great actor and delivers several scenes excellently (I loved when he tried to hide his anger after Saunder's death, one of the most Flemingian moments of the series).
Movies ranking:
01. OHMSS
02. FRWL
03. TLD
04. DN
05. FYEO
06. TMWTGG
07. TSWLM
08. GF
09. MR
10. OP
11. DAF
12. TB
13. LALD
14. AVTAK
15. CR '54
16. NSNA
17. YOLT
18. CR '67
Actors ranking:
1. Roger Moore
2. George Lazenby
3. Sean Connery
You also make some excellent points about those scenes indicating Stromberg was meant to be Blofeld, @Birdleson. Never thought about a couple of those.
MURDOCK'S BONDATHON RANKING.
1.GoldenEye.
2.For Your Eyes Only.
3.The Spy Who Loved Me.
4.On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
5.Casino Royale.
6.The World is Not Enough.
7.Thunderball.
8.Dr. No.
9.Skyfall.
10.Live and Let Die.
11.From Russia With Love.
12.Quantum of Solace.
13.Tomorrow Never Dies.
14.Licence To Kill.
15.Moonraker.
16.Octopussy.
17.Goldfinger.
18.Diamonds Are Forever.
19.Die Another Day.
20.The Living Daylights.
21.A View To A Kill.
22.The Man With The Golden Gun.
23.You Only Live Twice.
Your ranking is one of the most interesting I've seen yet. You have 5 actors in your Top 10 (I have all 6 in it).
It shows you clearly judge the movies unprejudiced without pushing your favourite actor a few ranks up. (If you have a favourite actor...just saying)
Skyfall seems a little high, in this list I'd place it No 11 (it just can't be before FRWL :)) )
What I care about is a fun movie that entertains me. For example, many hate Moonraker for being very very derivative of Bond. Which is understandable. However, as a lover of film and fun cheesy romps from time to time, I find the film very charming and entertaining, Even if it would drive Fleming bonkers.
Same with SKYFALL. It's not perfect by any means but it's not terrible either. I like Craig's performance as well as Bardem's. Perhaps he's a bit off the rails in London, but there's just something about Silva that makes me chuckle. He's mad yet scary at the same time. Perhaps he should have visited with Dr. Hall first.
As for From Russia With Love. I think it's slightly weaker than Dr. No. It's a good film don't get me wrong but Something about it just didn't feel right. Perhaps it was the lack of color but in terms of entertainment, LALD just beat it to #10.