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Well, that didn't happen. Below is the tiny review I posted on my Letterboxd page.
''The movie isn't perfect despite the five star mark I gave it. Some of the editing is a bit choppy and George Lazenby doesn't pull off all of his scenes with the panache one would hope for, but I can't help what I feel for this film. Lazenby is, I honestly believe, a solid Bond all things considered. Diana Rigg is scintillating as Tracy. Smart, brave, witty, sexy, a woman of action…who else could James Bond possibly fall in love with and marry? No one, I say. Heck, I'd marry her in a heartbeat.
The cinematography is outstanding. This is probably my favourite looking Bond film and one of my favourite looking films ever. They really knock this one out of the park. Also, despite my love for Donald Pleasance, OHMSS actually feature my favourite Blofeld in Telly Savalas.
Plus, the grandaddy of all the Bond ski chases! This one is fantastic. Oh, and that John Barry score. The main theme gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it.
What can I say. I recognize some of its flaws, but by god I love this movie anyways.''
So there you have it. OHMSS is still firmly one of my favourite Bonds.
1-FRWL
2-OHMSS
3-GF
4-TB
5-DN
6-YOLT (of the six, this is the one that I do enjoy but lags behind the top five by a bit of a margin)
I agree that he is a heck of an actor to play a Bond villain. I just find that he's a bright spot in a sea of crap. I'm really not a fan of AVTAK. Then again, who knows what'll happen when I get to it in my own Bondathon.
Yes, that was definitely one of the reviews that didn't take kindly to the film all that much. I think they released that episode recently, too. I recall them giving the film some credit, but overall remaining unconvinced that the movie is all that good.
For the life of me I can't recall the other podcast I listened to that took a huge dump all over the movie. If it comes back to me I'll let you know.
Sorry, it was Her Majesty's Secret Podcast. Bitter irony, having a name like that.
Recently watched OHMSS and DAF. Two films that I generally find to be polar opposites of each other, and whilst DAF has often been a low ranking film for several years, I did enjoy it a lot more, and really quite enjoyed it. A mediocre entry, but not quite as bad as I thought. Majesty's is still near perfect, just a few nuances that let it slip a little.
Rankings so far...
1. From Russia With Love - Near perfect film
2. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Still a classic, very close to being perfect film
2. Doctor No - A stunning debut for OO7.
3. Thunderball - Visually beautiful, and Connery was COOL.
4. Goldfinger - Re-found my appreciation for this classic
5. You Only Live Twice - A new found enjoyment for this OTT film. Better than I thought.
6. Diamonds Are Forever - Much better than I thought, though a little to all over the place to rank higher at present.
That's how I felt when I first saw Skyfall. For me the best "first" time seeing a new Bond film.
For me Halle Berry is a good contender for worst performance in the series. Her constant head tilting, smirks and bad lines really grate on me. Other performances like Toby Stephens are entertaining because they are intentionally OTT. Halle seems to think her character is genuinely equal to Bond.
All together now - "psychedelic light mask!!!"
One of my least favourable viewings of this film to date, the problem with MOONRAKER is that you can take out a lot of the crap and you've got a solid Bond film (unlike DIE ANOTHER DAY, for example, where you can keep hacking away at the film, and you're still left with an abomination)- but for some reason, they decided to laden the film with some of the most cringeworthy scenes in the franchise. It's Jaws and his girlfriend that does the film the most harm, I think- apart from the fact that there is absolutely no reason for Jaws to be in this film, it's rubbish like him and Dolly drinking champagne in the space station that frustrates me most.
Anyway, I could go on for a while which scenes I dislike, so it's easier to talk about the scenes that I do like amongst other elements of the film (and I mean, when the films good, it is very good):
-In one of my least favourite films of the series, you have one of the best individual scenes in the series- Drax's beaucerons chasing Corinne Dufour through the woods, accompanied by a stunning Barry score. I love the transition of this scene to the bells ringing in Venice- a very nice touch.
-The centrifuge scene- very tense and followed by a great performance by Moore.
-The PTS- thrilling and thoroughly entertaining (somewhat marred by Jaws' appearance, but I'm still left in awe at the great stunt work)
-The scenes in space and the space shuttle rendezvous, as well as the marvellous space station set by Ken Adams (bar the laser battle...)
-The death of the scientists in Drax's laboratory- a dark moment in an otherwise light film
-The score (one of Barry's best)
-The cinematography- the best looking film since OHMSS, perhaps on par.
-The scene where the woman leads Bond inside the pyramid, and all of Drax's women appear and look on mysteriously
-The fight with Chang in the Venitian glass museum (until the scene gets to the floor above)
-The first half of the boat chase in the Amazon
-The shooting scene and Bond's subsequent quip, "did I?"
-The Minister of Defence apologising to Hugo Drax, a rather amusing scene
Really, the good scenes make for a good portion of the film now I think about it.
Hugo Drax isn't anything special as this films villain, but he does have some great dialogue.
Holly Goodhead is serviceable, but not particularly interesting. Lois Chiles reminds me of Carrie Fisher.
Moore is on form, a little "smiley smiley" in some scenes, but I don't think that can be helped with everything going on around him.
My least favourite film so far, but I've still got one or two films to come that I think are far worse than Moonraker.
Next up: one of my favourite films of the series, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
Mayday's Bondathon Summer 2015: The run-up to SPECTRE
-ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969)
-THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)
-FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
-GOLDFINGER (1964)
-LIVE AND LET DIE (1973)
-DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)
-THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974)
-THUNDERBALL (1965)
-YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
-DR. NO (1962)
-MOONRAKER (1979)
Dalton's first performance as Bond is a good one - not great, but not bad. A lot of his one liners, especially his first 'Bond, James Bond.' in the PTS, feel a bit forced and awkward to me. But, he nails the action and urbane look, which is good enough for me. Some scenes in this are great, and others tend to drag. As for the villains/henchmen, I find Necros to be very intimidating, but the rest are rather dull. I was real put off by Whitaker this time around, there's something childish about him that I don't care for, and not in the way you're supposed to hate a villain. So again, good movie, but not great.
2015 Bondathon Ranking:
1.) FYEO
2.) DN
3.) LALD
4.) FRWL
5.) TSWLM
6.) OP
7.) OHMSS
8.) TB
9.) AVTAK
10.) TLD
11.) GF
12.) DAF
13.) YOLT
14.) TMWTGG
15.) MR
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.
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.
Gosh, what a difference coming off the back of MOONRAKER.
This film is so very close to becoming my absolute favourite, but just prevented from being so because of a few moments in FYEO that are bit jarring. OHMSS is still sat safe and sound in it's throne.
But I love almost everything about this film- the "back to basics" plot, Moore's fantastic performance that shows he is more than just a charming chap, Carole Bouquet as one of my favourite Bond girls (Bonds equal, but not to the extent where it is thrown in your face a la Jinx and Wai Lin), the villains (this film didn't need a high and mighty villain, so Kristatos makes for a cunning adversary to Bond- I like the moment where he says "oh, leave him!" when his henchman is getting savaged by a shark), the score (I'll discuss this a bit more below), the locations (Cortina is a nice return to the skiing scene), the action is some of the best in the franchise (the ski chase, car chase, climbing scene, keelhauling scene) and Columbo is one the very best of Bond's allies (his on screen chemistry with Moore's Bond is great to watch).
Well, what stops the film from unseating OHMSS for top spot?
Bibi, although I can't help but smile when she's turned down by Bond and gets slapped (twice) in the climax.
In regards to the score, I can't imagine FYEO without Conti's contribution. Of course, it has dated since the films release in 1981, but I don't think this should be held against the film (one of the reasons I stopped short of calling DR. NO's score dated and horrible). Even then, one can still enjoy it, as it's a matter of taste. For my two cents, this is one of the most enjoyable and fun scores of the series- Barry is a genius and no one will ever match him, but Conti still brings his own sound to the Bond series and for a one time contribution, I'm happy that he did score the film. Some of the tracks that I think are particularly good; "A Drive in the Country" (incorporating a fantastic rendition of the Bond theme), "Runaway" (elevates the already brilliant ski chase), "Submarine", the lovely instrumental version of "For Your Eyes Only", "Flowers for Teresa" and "Ski...Shoot...Jump". Also, let's not forget one of the very best gunbarrels, too. Christopher Walken will be happy to hear that it makes good use of cowbells.
A bloody fantastic Bond film, and, deservedly, currently in second position.
Next up: yet another favourite, OCTOPUSSY
Mayday's Bondathon Summer 2015: The run-up to SPECTRE
-ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969)
-FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981)
-THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)
-FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
-GOLDFINGER (1964)
-LIVE AND LET DIE (1973)
-DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)
-THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974)
-THUNDERBALL (1965)
-YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
-DR. NO (1962)
-MOONRAKER (1979)
I know it won t last, but feels good to see FYEO on top so far.
I'm about to enter the Craig-era with my Bondathon!
Casino Royale
Quantum Of Solace
Skyfall
(as if the correct order was not clear... :-j )
Within some months I've watched 21 Bond movies so far in chronological order. NSNA included. And all of the marvelous documentaries on the Blu Rays. Takes some time I tell you.
It will be the first time that I watch all 3 Craig movies on Blu Ray within a few days.
I've seen CR the most as it is my No 4 Bond movie and I consider it near perfect.
But QOS and especially Skyfall I haven't seen that much. Skyfall two times at the cinema and once after the Blu Ray was released.
I'm pretty sure, my view on QOS and Skyfall will change, maybe just a little maybe more.
I have read soooo much about those movies and Bond movies in general during the last couple of weeks on this site. So my horizon has been broaden I think (hope).
As you do in this thread I will contribute my feelings and thoughts about the Craig movies once I've seen them:)
Dalton's second outing is much more impressive to me. Right off the bat, we're given a hard-driven revenge angle for Bond (and Dalton plays it quite nicely), and after that, it's a cat-and-mouse game with a druglord. Simple stuff, I think that's what makes this work so well (also given that it fits the 80's oh so well, a time of 'Miami Vice.') Davi and a young Benicio del Toro make a wonderful pairing, and both Bond girls are beautiful sights to see throughout. It all leads up to one explosive finale that I still feel is one of my favorites.
EDIT: Switched around AVTAK and TB.
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.) DAF
14.) YOLT
15.) TMWTGG
16.) MR
Just broke open my new GE steelbook. Here we go...
:))
Till this day I wrack my head at how so many of us were weary about Craig being hired as Bond. I'm including myself in that bunch too, mind you. In hindsight it's like 'Of course he can be Bond. Just look at his other performances!' Back in the day though we were so off.
The casting of Craig in the role has taught me a lesson I will keep in mind until the day I die. I'm still pretty young so I guess I'll witness a fair amount of other actors don the tux. With that in mind:
Whoever the heck the producers cast, I'll keep an open mind and wait for that actor's first film to actually come out.
Another wonderful entry to the Bond canon. Octopussy is a melange of a great ensemble of villains (Kamal Khan is brilliantly portrayed by the late Louis Jourdan, Berkoff as General Orlov is oh so entertaining to watch and he goes out with a great line in "tomorrow, I will be the hero of the Soviet Union", and Kabir Bedi is great as the threatening Gobinda), a fantastic Bond girl in Octopussy (Adams has great chemistry with Moore- as with Blackman and Connery, I see Adams as the perfect match for Moore), impressive action sequences (the PTS, the entire segment in Germany, the three finales including the plane stunt) and most importantly, an absolute cracker of a plot. It also contains snippets of a Cold War thriller, which adds a nice juxtaposition to the proceedings. The film is let down somewhat in the first half with some ridiculous scenes which we all know about by now, and the pace is a little slow, but the first half of the film also contains some classic scenes- the auction at Sotheby's, the Backgammon game with Kamal, the twins chase 009 through the woods...
Another effortless performance by Moore, perhaps my favourite of his after his two exemplary performances in TSWLM and FYEO. Some highlights of his performance include him winning the backgammon game (I love the fact that he doesn't even look down when he rolls the double six- great stuff), his confrontation with Orlov in the train carriage and him diffusing the bomb whilst in a clown costume (this brings me to the last twenty minutes or so of the film, which I want to focus on).
The climax in the circus, as well as the preceding scenes on the train and Bond's killing of the other knife throwing twin ("and that's for 009!" is also another great MooreBond moment), is perhaps my favourite segment in a Bond film. The tension when Bond exclaims that "there's a bomb in there!" as he gets pulled back only for Octopussy to shoot open the crate to reveal the bomb to gasps by the audience, is truly palpable. John Glen does a fantastic job here. It's accompanied by Barry's score too, which further elevates the tension.
The film looks gorgeous, probably due the palette being a kaleidoscope of colours, particularly the scenes in India. It's very pleasing to the eye. Love the score, too, perhaps one of Barry's most underrated.
If Live and Let Die is Moore's Dr No, For Your Eyes Only is Moore's From Russia With Love, then I think Octopussy is Moore's Goldfinger (there are some similarities, such as him outwitting the film's villain at a game (gin and backgammon), Bond seducing a morally dubious woman, both of which have very similar names (Pussy in the barn, and Octopussy when she lambasts Bond for judging her because of her smuggling activities and so he kisses her passionately, with a bit of restraint, I might add), the smuggling subplots, the henchman crushing something in his hand (a golfball and die, respectively), the finale takes place on an aeroplane and the use of a bomb for the villain's scheme, both of which are supplied by a foreign entity.
Now where to rank it. I think some of the silly scenes in India drag the film down a little, so it doesn't quite make it into the prestigious top 5.
Mayday's Bondathon Summer 2015: The run-up to SPECTRE
-ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969)
-FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981)
-THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)
-FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
-GOLDFINGER (1964)
-OCTOPUSSY (1983)
-LIVE AND LET DIE (1973)
-DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)
-THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1974)
-THUNDERBALL (1965)
-YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
-DR. NO (1962)
-MOONRAKER (1979)
He has impeccable taste!
Mostly. He wanted John McEnroe to succeed him as Bond at one point.
The only bit where I disagree, but I love this movie (6th atm), gorilla suit and all
I've only watched up to YOLT in my Bondathon...that's a film that looks and sounds wonderful, good enough to elevate it from bottom spot. But OP is better in every other way
And his FAVOURITE Bond film out the ones he didn't do is apparently DAF.
I can understand people enjoy and like the film but favourite?