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Tell us all about your BONDATHON

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  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,968
    Agreed, they're some of my favorites. Aki's death is one of the more crushing Bond girl deaths of the series, in my opinion. Then again, I look upon YOLT much more positively and favorably than most do.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,120
    I suppose more than anything else Bold girls are a matter of taste. I, for one, hold both Kara and Pam in high regard and they are also hardly ever in people’s top 10’s either.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,572
    I have them in the lower half too.
    HonestTartGreyhounddog-size_restricted.gif
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    QBranch wrote: »
    I have them in the lower half too.
    HonestTartGreyhounddog-size_restricted.gif

    Well played... well played.
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    On a narrative level though, the plot is thin and there are moments the film drags. An ok Bond film but what came before was better and what will come afterwards should be a step up again too.

    That's how I feel about the Gilbert films. Moonraker is the most technically impressive audio-visually so that is my go-to one of the three.

  • Vinther1991Vinther1991 Denmark
    edited May 2019 Posts: 64
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Next episode in my Bondathon was You Only Live Twice. As expected it’s step down from its predecessor(s). I never really noticed Connery’s lack of enthusiasm but this time it suddenly became much more apparent to me. As has been noted before, Twice excels on sets, music and locations. Freddie Young also provides some fine cinematography and I quite like Tiger and Henderson. On a narrative level though, the plot is thin and there are moments the film drags. An ok Bond film but what came before was better and what will come afterwards should be a step up again too. At least for one film that is.

    YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
    James Bond: 3
    Bond girls: 2
    Never been the biggest fan of either Aki or Kissy.
    Villain: 3
    Pleasence is ok really, but Savalas is more of a thread, Gray is funnier and Dawson is more mysterious. Sure beats the hell out of Waltz though.
    Henchmen/women: 3
    Helga Brandt is no Fiona but she’s a good henchwoman in her own right. Osato isn’t bad either, but boring Hans drags this section down for sure.
    Allies: 4
    Tiger and Henderson!
    MI6: 4
    Not the best of Q scenes in my mind, but M and Moneypenny excel.
    Plot: 3
    The ridiculousness of the plot isn’t the biggest problem, it’s moments like the wedding and disguising Bond as an Ama fisherman that drag the plot along while not adding much to it
    Gunbarrel & title sequence: 5
    Fabulous Maurice Binder work and a nice black-and-white gunbarrel.
    Sets & locations: 5
    Ken Adam sets and Japanese landscapes and castles!
    Cinematography: 4
    Pre-title sequence: 3
    Climax: 4
    Vehicles & gadgets: 5
    A cigarette that can save your life, a useful little safecracker and a stunning Toyota 2000GT
    Action: 4
    Dialogue & humour: 4
    Music score: 4
    Original song(s): 4
    Costumes & attire: 4
    Snobbery: 5
    Russian caviar and Peking duck discussion, Russian wodka politely accepted by 007 even though it is stirred, saké at the right temperature, the obligatory Bollinger and a somewhat disappointing Siamese wodka.
    Ian Fleming: 2
    The snobbery notwithstanding, this is the first one that really breaks away from the pages.
    Total: 75%

    Current rankings
    1. Thunderball
    2. Dr. No
    3. From Russia with Love
    4. Goldfinger
    5. You Only Live Twice

    Good breakdown of You Only Live Twice. I agree with most of it.
    I am not a big fan of the film. My main complaint is that it doesn't have a single character I care about, including Bond himself. Everybody are too one-dimensional and tedious. And the plot is also not that interesting.
    What still makes it enjoyable though is it's sense of scope. It has some amazing sets and larger than life shots.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited May 2019 Posts: 7,120
    Thank you @Vinther1991!

    Now moving on to On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Always been a favourite of mine and it will surely stay that way after this viewing.

    What a film! Excellarating action and a moving story. The hand-to-hand combat is thrilling, the stunts are spectacular and the protagonists are well-written. The film looks gorgeous, the acting is phenomenal, the characters are well-rounded, the story is original without losing that typical Bond feel and then we have that ending. Breaks my heart in a million pieces every time again.

    ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE
    James Bond: 5
    George Lazenby is a fanatastic Bond. He perfectly inhabits the stylish action hero, but he also manages to portray a believable human being. I feel this man’s emotions and he absolutely shines like no other in that final scene. I honestly cannot understand how George ends up last on so many Bond actor rankings, I put him right up there with the Young/Connery performances.
    Bond girls: 5
    Equally brilliant is Diana Rigg. Without hesitation my favourite Bond girl. Intelligent, cultural, stylish, determined and stunning! I can fully understand why Bond falls for this one. It makes her demise even more tragical.
    Villain: 5
    I think Telly Savalas makes the best Blofeld if we’re not counting the unseen version.
    Henchmen/women: 3
    If there is one small flaw, it might be in this section. Can’t say Grunther and Irma would make my top 10 henchmen/women. Still acceptable though.
    Allies: 5
    Gabriele Ferzetti’s charismatic ally is a favourite. Not surprisingly considering this man’s resumé, having worked with cinema giants like Michelangelo Antonioni and Sergio Leone.
    MI6: 5
    Bernard Lee gets more to do than usual, Lois Maxwell has her moment de gloire as Moneypenny and a fatherly Q completes the regular cast with style.
    Plot: 5
    Will there ever be a better one? Unlikely I’d say.
    Gunbarrel & title sequence: 5
    The ease of that walk and turn makes you believe this man can actually surprise you. One of the best gunbarrels. The title sequence is different but beautiful.
    Sets & locations: 5
    Portugal makes me want to go on a summer holiday, Switzerland makes me want to go skiing. Top marks also for Piz Gloria, one of the very best villain lairs .
    Cinematography: 5
    Michael Reed’s fabulous cinematography turns OHMSS in a very atmospherical film.
    Pre-title sequence: 5
    Who’s that mysterious fellow smoking while he drives along in his beautiful Aston? Well it’s 007 saving a beauty from drowning while he also owns some baddies in an excellently choreographed action scene.
    Climax: 5
    Vehicles & gadgets: 4
    Another beautiful Aston Martin for Bond! Tracy, however, should have remained in her stunning Lancia Flaminia Zagato Spider from the books though, suits her European classiness a lot better than an American car.
    Action: 5
    Lazenby is top-notch in the fight scenes and the ski and bobsled action are amongst the most exciting chase scenes in the series.
    Dialogue & humour: 5
    Music score: 5
    One of John Barry’s best!
    Original song(s): 5
    Costumes & attire: 5
    A wide variety of stylish outfits for Lazenby and Rigg make them a very stylish couple.
    Snobbery: 5
    Royal Beluga, North of the Caspian. Lovely hotel and casino setting too in the beginning of the film. Also love how Bond would go for a round of golf when on holiday.
    Ian Fleming: 5
    A rather faithful adaption of one of Fleming's best Bond novels is bound to be a great film.
    Total: 97%

    Current rankings
    1. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    2. Thunderball
    3. Dr. No
    4. From Russia with Love
    5. Goldfinger
    6. You Only Live Twice
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    Basically the perfect Bond film. The big problem is the editing (especially sound) is very jarring at times, and the unnecessary dubbing of Lazenby
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,120
    For me, the editing in the action scenes is masterful.
    Bit indeed, in the early films there are instances the editing or sound might not always be perfect but I think that’s part of the charm of old movies.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    ON HER MAJESTY S SECRET SERVICE

    Eleven films in, this remains my no. 1. Only GF can rival it, sheer brilliance from start to finish without a single weak moment. This was the second Bond film I saw, in the cinema in December 1981. All these years later, and after several rewatches, it hasn t lost any of its appeal. A shame Lazenby and Hunt didn t come back for more.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I always found the line "He had a lot of guts" hilarious. A couple other scenes made me laugh as well this time. When the henchman flies into a tree, and his colleague remarks "Idiot." Also Draco s line "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Humour is otherwise not what makes this film, it has lots of other qualities.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,120
    “Guns make me nervous” and that look he gives the burned out hole in the glass door make me chuckle too. And of course, “Merry Christmas, 007!”.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Birdleson wrote: »
    The "guts" one always seemed tacked on to me. The other two you mention make me chuckle every time. But you have to add the "eh?" at the end of the Draco line.

    Yes, that is what makes it funny, along with the expression on his face.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    The only issue for me with OHMSS has always been some of those scenes early on at Piz Gloria. It feels like an otherwise high level film being interrupted with some tacky, low budget, late night comedy show which you are obliged to watch before the second part of the film can commence. This section drags so much and always makes me cringe a bit. It hampers my overall enjoyment of the film. It is still always somewhere in my top five though.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Got hold of NSNA and TND at a secondhand shop today, so the only films missing still for me to have a complete Bondathon are GE and TWINE. Will be on the lookout.

    Maybe I will see NSNA next. It has been a good while.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,120
    jobo wrote: »
    The only issue for me with OHMSS has always been some of those scenes early on at Piz Gloria. It feels like an otherwise high level film being interrupted with some tacky, low budget, late night comedy show which you are obliged to watch before the second part of the film can commence. This section drags so much and always makes me cringe a bit. It hampers my overall enjoyment of the film. It is still always somewhere in my top five though.

    I disagree, I like every single moment in OHMSS. As a fan of Italian horror flicks of the era I quite like the bizarreness of the brainwashing. It’s a scene that makes brilliant use of colours and atmosphere.
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    The only issue for me with OHMSS has always been some of those scenes early on at Piz Gloria. It feels like an otherwise high level film being interrupted with some tacky, low budget, late night comedy show which you are obliged to watch before the second part of the film can commence. This section drags so much and always makes me cringe a bit. It hampers my overall enjoyment of the film. It is still always somewhere in my top five though.

    I disagree, I like every single moment in OHMSS. As a fan of Italian horror flicks of the era I quite like the bizarreness of the brainwashing. It’s a scene that makes brilliant use of colours and atmosphere.

    Agree with this. I wonder if the bizarreness of the brainwashing was a way to tap into late 60's counterculture (and its visuals).
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited May 2019 Posts: 7,120
    Finishing Connery’s EON run with Diamonds Are Forever. Never considered it a masterpiece but try watching it after OHMSS. In every single way it is nowhere near the highs of its predecessor. Perhaps the music is an exception but even that isn’t quite as brilliant as the OHMSS score. It says a lot my favourite part might be the title sequence, though I will give Bond’s wine knowledge and Bambi & Thumper special mentions.

    DIAMOND ARE FOREVER
    James Bond: 3
    Sir Sean is back but he’s pretty much on autopilot. It’s also because we know how good an actor he is, because we know how brilliant his Bond used to be in the early sixties that it kind of disappoints seeing him a bit disinterested at times.
    Bond girls: 2
    Vulgar and quite stupid. Fleming’s Bond would never fall for these women, blown-up pants or not.
    Villain: 4
    Charles Gray’s Blofeld is never a thread but fun to watch nevertheless.
    Henchmen/women: 3
    Wint & Kidd are fine but couldn’t they have been used a bit more? The rest of the gang are not my cup of tea.
    Allies: 3
    Willard Whyte is ok and his sidekicks Bambi and Thumper are great. A rather poor Leiter incarnation though so only 3 points here.
    MI6: 4
    Plot: 2
    Gunbarrel & title sequence: 5
    I’m a cat person so combine one of my feline friends with diamond jewelry and beautiful ladies and you’ve got a winner.
    Sets & locations: 3
    As an inhabitant of that other part of the Low Countries I can only applaud the inclusion of Amsterdam. Fine penthouse set later on too. Las Vegas is too crass and too kitch for Bond though and that oil rig must be the most boring Bond villain lair ever.
    Cinematography: 3
    Where is the Ted Moore of DN, FRWL and TB?
    Pre-title sequence: 3
    Climax: 1
    Boring location, sleep-inducing action and terrible special effects.
    Vehicles & gadgets: 4
    The Triumph Stag is a nice looking car and I love the Bath-O-Sub. I guess an American car is a necessary evil considering the location and it is admittedly one of the better looking vehicles coming from the US. The Moon Buggy is truly absurd however.
    Action: 3
    The elevator struggle saves this category.
    Dialogue & humour: 4
    One of the better aspects of the film.
    Music score: 4
    One of the better aspects of the film, part 2.
    Original song(s): 5
    I consider this Shirley Bassey’s best contribution to the series. Great song.
    Costumes & attire: 4
    I don’t mind a pink tie.
    Snobbery: 5
    Bond unmasks a couple of henchmen with his wine knowledge, now that’s a master stroke. Can’t see that being done by any other action hero. Love it.
    Ian Fleming: 2
    Total: 66%

    Current rankings
    1. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    2. Thunderball
    3. Dr. No
    4. From Russia with Love
    5. Goldfinger
    6. You Only Live Twice
    7. Diamonds Are Forever
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    What irks me is if I compare the Franks elevator fight to his pathetic skills with Bambi and Thumper. He didn't even try in the latter
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Just ordered GE and TWINE, so now I am in for a complete Bondathon.
  • Crazysoul95Crazysoul95
    Posts: 3,336
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    Just ordered GE and TWINE, so now I am in for a complete Bondathon.

    Great!
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    w2bond wrote: »
    What irks me is if I compare the Franks elevator fight to his pathetic skills with Bambi and Thumper. He didn't even try in the latter

    He was enjoying it too much.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    The only issue for me with OHMSS has always been some of those scenes early on at Piz Gloria. It feels like an otherwise high level film being interrupted with some tacky, low budget, late night comedy show which you are obliged to watch before the second part of the film can commence. This section drags so much and always makes me cringe a bit. It hampers my overall enjoyment of the film. It is still always somewhere in my top five though.

    I disagree, I like every single moment in OHMSS. As a fan of Italian horror flicks of the era I quite like the bizarreness of the brainwashing. It’s a scene that makes brilliant use of colours and atmosphere.


    The brainwashing is not so bad. The dinner with those flimsy girls, the black woman eating bananas, the "slight stiffness" however... yuck...
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    edited May 2019 Posts: 17,756
    jobo wrote: »
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    The only issue for me with OHMSS has always been some of those scenes early on at Piz Gloria. It feels like an otherwise high level film being interrupted with some tacky, low budget, late night comedy show which you are obliged to watch before the second part of the film can commence. This section drags so much and always makes me cringe a bit. It hampers my overall enjoyment of the film. It is still always somewhere in my top five though.

    I disagree, I like every single moment in OHMSS. As a fan of Italian horror flicks of the era I quite like the bizarreness of the brainwashing. It’s a scene that makes brilliant use of colours and atmosphere.


    The brainwashing is not so bad. The dinner with those flimsy girls, the black woman eating bananas, the "slight stiffness" however... yuck...

    The "slight stiffness" is one of my favourite minor moments from the film. Always make me laugh!
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    I like the dinner scene but don't care much for any of the girls, which brings down that part of the film for me. As a positive though, I'd point out I like the sexed-up feel of those scenes. It's different from other Bond films. More intense, perhaps.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Crazysoul95 wrote: »
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    Just ordered GE and TWINE, so now I am in for a complete Bondathon.

    Great!

    Only half great. GE was out of stock. At least that is the only one left I have to track down. Will check a local second hand market.
  • ShakenNotStirredShakenNotStirred
    Posts: 1,397
    The Bondathon continued with Goldfinger. Always a favourite, however it may be one of the Bond's I've watched the most and things start getting a little.. dull by the time we get to Kentucky. I love it up to that point anyway, the DB5 chase around Auric Enterprises and the golf game against Mr. Goldfinger a few more high points for me. Overall it might go down a few spots on the ranking, I think I'd rank Dr. No above it now.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,120
    I agree about the Kentucky scenes. Maybe it has something to do with the overall feel of the location. If there are moments that are narratively a bit on the slow side, it’s the atmosphere that keeps it an interesting place to stick around. Whether it’s exotic Jamaica or The Bahamas, snowy Swiss Alps or Iron Curtain spying in East Germany or Czechoslovakia, it’s all about atmosphere. Kentucky just doesn’t do that for me.
  • ShakenNotStirredShakenNotStirred
    Posts: 1,397
    Definitely! @GoldenGun Another mention from GF is the mob bosses when Goldfinger is explaining Operation Grandslam, the 'acting' is really over the top here!
  • TorgeirtrapTorgeirtrap
    Posts: 17,756
    Finished the Daniel Craig part of my Bondathon last night, with QOS.

    Being the first time I watch all the films in such quick succession – and having each era fresh in mind, it's become obvious I have difficulty placing the Craig films high in my rankings. CR currently sits at 12th, being the best of them.

    I have few issues with Craig himself and his portrayal, but I guess his films just don't sit well with me. I just can't seem to enjoy them that much, and there's a quality or factor that's missing which is present in the other films. I can't put my finger on it.
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