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I think he's an extreme case of "if I like the movie, I don't care."
Good for him, but he's not a reliable critic, IMO.
Ah fair enough - I don’t really look to Calvin as a reliable critic so much as a passionate fan whose enthusiasm I find quite palpable, and Calvin himself can recognize when he has an opinion that others will disagree with. He knows Moonraker isn’t the best Bond film but he’ll still defend it and proclaim his love for it and I admire that. I’ve always been a fan of Bond, but I can remember coming to his channel for the first time and his love of the character was so passionate that it took my love and appreciation of these films to the next level. This would’ve been around 2014.
I'd say Dyson's MR review is quite good. He acknowledges in his video that the film's plot is a bit flimsy and doesn't always hold up on close examination, but he says that when he's watching the film it's not something he thinks of. I agree, and it actually shows a pretty good insight into how the film works and what he gets out of it. He acknowledges what he sees as its flaws, but also explains what he likes about it. That's all anyone can do. I don't know about 'reliable critic' (that's subjective and at the end of the day he's a fan making his own videos, although I think he's rather good at it) but I don't see anything wrong with what he's put out.
Yeah I would say that NTTD is just not a bad film at all: it all functions, there's good stakes, good drama, exciting action, decent gags etc. I'd say the pace keeps up and the whole thing pays off much better than, say, Spectre does.
Now personally I prefer Spectre: it feels more Bondy, I like the texture of it; but there is something wrong with it structurally and NTTD doesn't have that. It's a good solid film. To be honest I can't remember seeing any major criticisms of it, beyond just fans complaining that he dies at the end, or YouTube weirdos complaining that there's a black lady in it.
I certainly couldn't call NTTD a bad film, no. As much as I think it has flaws and things I don't like about it as a Bond film (insofar as the latter is relevant for everyone - and trust me, it's really not and is very subjective anyway) I can't deny a lot of people I know alone got something out of it on various emotional levels.
I will say, one of the things that made me revaluate the film was putting aside my thoughts on Bond dying. I would have said at one time that I didn't get anything emotionally out of Bond's final scene (I can actually admit now this probably wasn't fully the truth!) Again, I think there's plenty I'm not as keen on with the film, but there's something to it that works overall.
That’s where I’m at with both Goldfinger and OHMSS right now. I recognize both films are extremely flawed and aren’t to everyone’s taste. But I can’t quite bring myself to agree with people’s complaints, and in the case of Goldfinger - I never dreamt of the day where it would dethrone FRWL for title of my favorite Connery Bond - yet I feel pretty secure in saying that I think Goldfinger edges it out.
Personally I prefer NTTD to Spectre. I just felt NTTD embraced some of the more outlandish elements than Spectre - I loved the Cuba scene (very Brosnan-esque) - and while I have an issue with some of the big plot developments of Spectre - mainly the relationship between Bond and Madeline - I found that their chemistry in NTTD had greatly improved and I loved the scenes of “The Bond Family” - those moments genuinely tugged my heart strings.
I absolutely agree @DEKE_RIVERS (first time for everything, 😂). He just didn't have the talent. It's not as if Lazenby was the type of guy to go back to school and start learning the steps to being a decent actor. And quite honestly, when he appeared in other films and TV, even a couple decades after OHMSS, he still hadn't improved (uncomfortable, clunky, a charming blank behind the eyes).
And I say this as a big fan of OHMSS.
Yeah, but it doesn't matter because if he likes the movie he doesn't care about the flaws.
It all depends on whether he slept well that day. ;)
Sure, it's fun but a bit pointless.
For example, one of my friends saw it despite not being all that enamored with Craig in the part of Bond. But with NTTD she actually cried at the end and kept singing its high praises.
As long as any of us sleep well at night I guess that's the main thing...
I get that. I love OHMSS but I feel it has its flaws when watching the film. I'll still go out of my way to watch and enjoy it. Same with any other film.
That's totally fair enough and I can understand that; as I say, I do think NTTD is the better film. I probably prefer Spectre, but that's just because of the bits which appeal to me, much like I love AVTAK despite knowing it's actually not terribly good: I think NTTD is more successful at being a film. My niggles are that I just wish it felt a bit Bondier- it's lacking the 007 feel that the previous two had for my money, and yet there's still stuff like Matera, and Bond living in Jamaica, which is almost the most Flemingy, Bondy thing in any of the films, despite not coming from any of the books.
I think Craig made two of the very, very best Bond films, NTTD was a very good entry; Sp and QoS probably on the weaker end of things but still plenty to enjoy. But having two of the best ones under your belt is nothing to be ashamed of.
Yeah I think that's absolutely right. I reckon most just pretty much enjoyed it without it being top of the pile necessarily, but don't feel the need to repeat it as much as those who keep complaining that he died.
I get that and I appreciate your views on the film. I very much felt that the Cuba scene just ticked everything I wanted out of a Bond film and watching it for the first time felt like I was being transported back to being a child and watching the Brosnan flicks for the first time. I loved the chemistry between Craig and Ana De Armas - loved the competitive undercurrent between Bond and Nomi - loved Blofeld’s eyeball being carried around on a sliver platter - loved Primo getting the edge on SPECTRE and poisoning them all. For me I was waiting for the Craig era to return to the OTT nature of the Bond films I grew up watching and NTTD did not disappoint in that regard.
B25? I think you have it wrong - it’s B52’s.
B-52 - one of the best alcoholic shots I've ever had. Recommended.
I also now have Rock Lobster stuck in my head!
I don’t do shots these days - last one I was given was an “Irish Car Bomb” and it did a number on me that night.
Lethal :)) Definitely been there.
Anyway, sorry, derailed that conversation slightly. We were moaning about Bond 52 I believe?