Author Topic: Help a guy get further into Bond films (Read 2409 times)

Himu · « **on:** March 18, 2007, 12:13:16 AM »

I've seen the majority of Bond movies (I think?). I'm watching Casino Royale for the second time today, and I'm in the mood.

Any good Bond websites and resources for me that goes over the history of the franchise, the differences between the books and the movies, all the different Bond actors;etc.?

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:17:52 AM »

wiki I would think would have all this. Just watch them from the start to the end.

Solo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:24:39 AM »

www.mi6.co.uk has always been my Bond site.

Cheebs · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:27:13 AM »

Watch OHMSS next since you loved Royale OHMSS and Casino Royale are more or less companion pieces in the franchise

Solo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:27:34 AM »

Also, I highly recommend checking out the Fleming novels. I love them, and they make you se just how much of a travesty the film series has been in many ways, by throwing away many of Fleming's stories.

Just watch the films in order, Himu. Start with Dr. No and end with a repeat viewing of CR.

Cheebs · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:35:07 AM »

Watching in order is smart but if he wants to pick and choose after getting into it becaus of Royale I would go with the more "serious" bond films which are:

All The Connery films(other than diamonds are forever and you only live twice)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
For Your Eyes Only
The Living Daylights
Licence To Kill

Solo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:52:17 AM »

Without witnessing the bad, you can't fully appreciate the good. Besides, even the stinkers usually have SOME redeeming factors. LIke the entire campy vibe of DAF, or the amazing Duran Duran song in AVTAK, etc.

Just dont go thinking you'll find other films like CR in the series, Himu, or you will be disappointed.

Cheebs · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2007, 10:03:23 AM »

None are like CR exactly but you get as close as you can with the Dalton & Connery films and OHMSS.

But yes watching all 20 is the best thing to do.

Cheebs · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2007, 10:26:04 AM »

Solo I can't find your ranking of the 21 films? Can you do your list again? I am curious what yours was. Mine:

1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (10/10)
2. Casino Royale (10/10)
3. From Russia With Love (10/10)
4. Goldfinger (10/10)
5. The Living Daylights (9.5/10)
6. Thunderball (9.5/10)
7. GoldenEye (9/10)
8. The Spy Who Loved Me (9/10)
9. Dr. No (9/10)
10. For Your Eyes Only (9/10)
11. Licence To Kill (8.5/10)
12. Live And Let Die (7.5/10)
13. The World Is Not Enough (7.5/10)
14. Octopussy (7/10)
15. Diamonds Are Forever (7/10)
16. Tomorrow Never Dies (7/10)
17. The Man With The Golden Gun (6.5/10)
18. You Only Live Twice (6.5/10)
19. Moonraker (6/10)
20. Die Another Day (5.5/10)
21. A View To A Kill (5/10)

Solo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2007, 10:36:50 AM »

Off the top of my head:

21. Moonraker

20. Die Another Day
19. A View To A Kill
18. Octopussy
17. You Only Live Twice
16. Tomorrow Never Dies

15. The Man With The Golden Gun
14. Diamonds Are Forever
13. The World Is Not Enough
12. License To Kill
11. Live And Let Die

10. Goldeneye
09. The Spy Who Loved Me
08. Dr. No
07. For Your Eyes Only
06. Goldfinger

05. The Living Daylights
04. Thunderball
03. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
02. Casino Royale
01. From Russia With Love

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:29:23 PM »

The only problem I have with your lists is that A View To a Kill is not that bad - it's underrated in my opinion. Also, Tomorrow Never Dies is in the same boat, and they're both in the middle-of-the-pack. And From Russia With Love is severely overrated.

Cheebs · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:31:25 PM »

Quote from: Willco on March 18, 2007, 12:29:23 PM

The only problem I have with your lists is that A View To a Kill is not that bad - it's underrated in my opinion. Also, Tomorrow Never Dies is in the same boat, and they're both in the middle-of-the-pack. And From Russia With Love is severely overrated.

But JFK loved From Russia With Love $:-\$

Solo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:35:37 PM »

FRWL is about as close to perfect as Bond will get in my eyes. Based on an excellent book, a grounded story (a decoder device, thats it, no moronic world domination schemes), one of the best Bond girls ever, one of the great Bond allies in Kerim Bey, THE best henchman ever in Red Grant, a fantastic John Barry score, great pacing, Sean Connery at his absolute peak, etc. To me its the film where all the elements came together perfectly. The quintessential Cold War thriller to me.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:40:42 PM »

I like the movie a lot, but I wouldn't make it my first, second or third pick. Also, you guys give movies like The World is Not Enough, which I contend is one of the worst Bond films, the kind of ranking that Tomorrow Never Dies deserves instead.

Solo · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:43:24 PM »

TND to me is the LEAST Bond-ish movie of them all. Its like it was another movie altogther, then in the final draft, they changed the character from John Smith to James Bond. Its a pretty good actioner, but something about as always struck me as feeling off, a bit too Hollywood. TWINE is also mediocre, but it actually feels like a Bond movie to me, albeit a shitty one.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:44:48 PM »

The World is Not Enough is horrible!

Yeti · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:46:41 PM »

Yeah, The World is Not Enough is probably my least favorite Brosnan Bond.

Solo · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:50:17 PM »

Quote from: Willco on March 18, 2007, 12:44:48 PM

The World is Not Enough is horrible!

Didn't I just say that? Its a testament to just how shitty Pierce Brosnan and his Bond movies were that I still rank it his #2. Thats how I'll always remember Brosnan - as the most bland Bond ever (never brought anything new to the table, instead modelled himself as a mixture of Moore and Connery), who starred in 1 overrated, yet pretty good flick, and 3 dreadful ones.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:50:32 PM »

DENISE RICHARDS IS A NUCLEAR PHYSICIST!

She couldn't act her way out of a paper bag, and furthermore, I'm supposed to believe she's a scientist? Excuse me, I blew my suspension of disbelief on her "all natural" breasts, so I can't buy the rest.

Solo · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:51:37 PM »

Thankfully she was counterbalanced by Sophie Marceau, who was the best Bond girl of the Brosnan era.

Bloodwake · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:52:17 PM »

TWINE was okay. Die Another Day was a floating piece of fucking goat shit.

Just watch them in order. It makes more sense why the Moore ones are how they are if you do. At least it did for me, and it made me a tad more forgiving.

Which is more than I can say for Die Another Day. What a fucking piece of asswaste.

Solo · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:54:51 PM »

The reason the Moore ones are how they are is twofold: first they realized that Moore was as threatening as a carrot, and they couldnt stick him into Sean Connery Bond scripts. LALD was basically a Connery Bond movie, and thats why Moore stunk in that one trying to be a hard-ass. The second reason is a combination of Moore being a great comedian and the times being the 70's, when everything was cheesey.

Cheebs · « **Reply #22 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:57:47 PM »

Quote from: Solo on March 18, 2007, 12:54:51 PM

The reason the Moore ones are how they are is twofold: first they realized that Moore was as threatening as a carrot, and they couldnt stick him into Sean Connery Bond scripts. LALD was basically a Connery Bond movie, and thats why Moore stunk in that one trying to be a hard-ass. The second reason is a combination of Moore being a great comedian and the times being the 70's, when everything was cheesey.

For Your Eyes Only was pretty damn gritty and tough for a Roger Moore film don't forget.

Bloodwake · « **Reply #23 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:00:22 PM »

Quote from: Solo on March 18, 2007, 12:54:51 PM

The reason the Moore ones are how they are is twofold: first they realized that Moore was as threatening as a carrot, and they couldnt stick him into Sean Connery Bond scripts. LALD was basically a Connery Bond movie, and thats why Moore stunk in that one trying to be a hard-ass. The second reason is a combination of Moore being a great comedian and the times being the 70's, when everything was cheesey.

Live and Let Die had JW Pepper in it... definitely not a hard ass film IMO.

Solo · « **Reply #24 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:02:26 PM »

Im not talking about the movies, Im talking about the way they wrote Bond. Moore's first 2 movies were written like they would be written for Connery, and both sucked, and both tanked. Then for The Spy Who Loved Me, they decided to finally make use of Moore's comedic gifts, and we got a lighter, breezier Bond which ended up being a pretty good movie, and the movie did huge business.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #25 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:05:46 PM »

Hey, what's the deal with Never Say Never Again?

Cheebs · « **Reply #26 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:06:38 PM »

Quote from: Solo on March 18, 2007, 01:02:26 PM

Im not talking about the movies, Im talking about the way they wrote Bond. Moore's first 2 movies were written like they would be written for Connery, and both sucked, and both tanked. Then for The Spy Who Loved Me, they decided to finally make use of Moore's comedic gifts, and we got a lighter, breezier Bond which ended up being a pretty good movie, and the movie did huge business.

I really loved the spy who loved me. It was comedic and silly bond but it was done to the point it remained a good film enjoyable film.

Solo · « **Reply #27 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:07:55 PM »

Its a Thunderball remake made by Sony, not MGM. It has to do with the whole Kevin McClory lawsuit and no more Blofeld, SMERSH, SPECTRE, etc stuff that Ive mentioned before.

Cheebs · « **Reply #28 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:09:31 PM »

Quote from: Willco on March 18, 2007, 01:05:46 PM

Hey, what's the deal with Never Say Never Again?

Well imagine that WB and not Lucasfilm or Fox decided to do A REMAKE of The Empire Strikes Back with Mark Hamill playing a 50+ aged Luke Skywalker. But without the trademarks such as the opening scroll and the music did not resemble John Williams AT ALL.

Also no other actors returned, but the other characters did. However they didn't at all match. Such as Han Solo being a black man in his 20's yet still had a 50+ year old Mark Hamill running around as Luke Skywalker.

Would you consider that a star wars movie? Because it describes what NSNA is to Bond.

Solo · « **Reply #29 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:11:35 PM »

The gambling scenes in NSNA take place in a casino called Casino Royale too

Connery still was awesome though.

Bloodwake · « **Reply #30 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:12:17 PM »

Quote from: Cheebs on March 18, 2007, 01:09:31 PM

Quote from: Willco on March 18, 2007, 01:05:46 PM
Hey, what's the deal with Never Say Never Again?
Well imagine that WB and not Lucasfilm or Fox decided to do A REMAKE of The Empire Strikes Back with Mark Hamill playing a 50+ aged Luke Skywalker. But without the trademarks such as the opening scroll and the music did not resemble John Williams AT ALL.

Also no other actors returned, but the other characters did. However they didn't at all match. Such as Han Solo being a black man in his 20's yet still had a 50+ year old Mark Hamill running around as Luke Skywalker.

Would you consider that a star wars movie? Because it describes what NSNA is to Bond.

Very accurate description.

Cheebs · « **Reply #31 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:13:33 PM »

Sadly it is! That is exactly what NSNA is.

Solo · « **Reply #32 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:15:01 PM »

NSNA is still somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me. I mean, Ive always been a vocal Connery man, Thunderball is one of my favorites, and the cast is pretty good.

Cheebs · « **Reply #33 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:18:52 PM »

Quote from: Solo on March 18, 2007, 01:15:01 PM

NSNA is still somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me. I mean, Ive always been a vocal Connery man, Thunderball is one of my favorites, and the cast is pretty good.

agreed I like it enough to nearly buy it on dvd recently.

Though you gotta admit my description of my "star wars" film matches to a tee what NSNA is.

Solo · « **Reply #34 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:20:49 PM »

Yeah, Ive never disagreed on that. NSNA is a bastard Bond movie, but with some value as a campy footnote to the canon series. I mean, Max Von Sydow as Blofeld? Awesome.

Cheebs · « **Reply #35 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:22:05 PM »

What about the 60's Casino Royale with WOODY ALLEN as Jimmy Bond?

Solo · « **Reply #36 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:23:35 PM »

Never have seen either of the older CR (TV and spoof) movies.

Cheebs · « **Reply #37 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:24:19 PM »

Roger Moore played a spoof James Bond in the 60's on a tv show one as well.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #38 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:24:39 PM »

Just be sure you watch From Russia with Love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Best Bond films evarr.

Quote

Roger Moore played a spoof James Bond in the 60's on a tv show one as well.

One could argue he did the same all through the 70s and part of the 80s as well.

Solo · « **Reply #39 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:26:44 PM »

Quote from: Cheebs on March 18, 2007, 01:24:19 PM

Roger Moore played a spoof James Bond in the 60's on a tv show one as well.

Yeah, I watched that on the UE. Pretty funny, actually.

Cheebs · « **Reply #40 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:27:47 PM »

The UEs and the SE's had such damn good 1+ hour long documentaries on each of the films it is so sad CR didn't get one.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #41 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:28:36 PM »

It was really Peter Sellers playing James Bond in the 60s Casino Royale.

Solo · « **Reply #42 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:29:55 PM »

Quote from: Cheebs on March 18, 2007, 01:27:47 PM

The UEs and the SE's had such damn good 1+ hour long documentaries on each of the films it is so sad CR didn't get one.

Saving it for the inevitable re-release of the series around the time of Craig's third movie.

Cheebs · « **Reply #43 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:31:15 PM »

Quote from: Willco on March 18, 2007, 01:28:36 PM

It was really Peter Sellers playing James Bond in the 60s Casino Royale.

A bunch of actors played "James Bond" in that movie.

Quote

   Peter Sellers   ...    Evelyn Tremble/James Bond/007

   Ursula Andress   ...    Vesper Lynd/007

   David Niven   ...    Sir James Bond

   Orson Welles   ...    Le Chiffre

   Daliah Lavi    ...    The Detainer/007

   Woody Allen   ...    Dr. Noah/Jimmy Bond

   Terence Cooper    ...    Cooper/James Bond/007

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #44 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:36:54 PM »

Have you ever watched the movie? Peter Sellers is the main character.

Cheebs · « **Reply #45 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:37:41 PM »

Quote from: Willco on March 18, 2007, 01:36:54 PM

Have you ever watched the movie? Peter Sellers is the main character.

I know, I am just saying.

Orson Welles as Le Chiffre...

Bloodwake · « **Reply #46 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:37:57 PM »

Quote from: Solo on March 18, 2007, 01:29:55 PM

Quote from: Cheebs on March 18, 2007, 01:27:47 PM
The UEs and the SE's had such damn good 1+ hour long documentaries on each of the films it is so sad CR didn't get one.

Saving it for the inevitable re-release of the series around the time of Craig's third movie.

That sounds about right.... on Blu-Ray, of course.

Cheebs · « **Reply #47 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:43:18 PM »

DVD will still be the dominate force in 3 years. It wasn't untill 2006. Fucking 2006 that DVD finally was in more homes than VHS.

Himu · « **Reply #48 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:50:07 PM »

Quote from: Solo on March 18, 2007, 09:27:34 AM

Also, I highly recommend checking out the Fleming novels. I love them, and they make you se just how much of a travesty the film series has been in many ways, by throwing away many of Fleming's stories.

Just watch the films in order, Himu. Start with Dr. No and end with a repeat viewing of CR.

Yeah, I'll check them out. I wonder if Barnes and Noble has them.

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #49 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:53:49 PM »

Quote from: Cheebs on March 18, 2007, 01:43:18 PM

DVD will still be the dominate force in 3 years. It wasn't untill 2006. Fucking 2006 that DVD finally was in more homes than VHS.

Go VHS!

Cheebs · « **Reply #50 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:56:59 PM »

Quote from: In Limbo on March 18, 2007, 01:50:07 PM

Quote from: Solo on March 18, 2007, 09:27:34 AM
Also, I highly recommend checking out the Fleming novels. I love them, and they make you se just how much of a travesty the film series has been in many ways, by throwing away many of Fleming's stories.

Just watch the films in order, Himu. Start with Dr. No and end with a repeat viewing of CR.

Yeah, I'll check them out. I wonder if Barnes and Noble has them.

The entire series is at borders and barnes and noble around me. The movies that follow the books the closest are OHMSS and CR. Suprise, suprise.

Bloodwake · « **Reply #51 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:58:00 PM »

Quote from: Father_Mike on March 18, 2007, 01:53:49 PM

Quote from: Cheebs on March 18, 2007, 01:43:18 PM
DVD will still be the dominate force in 3 years. It wasn't untill 2006. Fucking 2006 that DVD finally was in more homes than VHS.

Go VHS!

That's actually amazing on so many levels that DVD didn't overtake VHS until 2006.

Cheebs · « **Reply #52 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:59:53 PM »

People getting into this blu-ray/hd-dvd race tend to use video game marketplace mindset when looking at sales and release dates...etc

It is such a different monster that it can't be compared. Which is why 99% of the people in those threads at gaf make a fool of themselves masturbating to amazon sales charts.

Himu · « **Reply #53 on:** March 18, 2007, 02:00:24 PM »

Quote from: Solo on March 18, 2007, 09:52:17 AM

Without witnessing the bad, you can't fully appreciate the good. Besides, even the stinkers usually have SOME redeeming factors. LIke the entire campy vibe of DAF, or the amazing Duran Duran song in AVTAK, etc.

Just dont go thinking you'll find other films like CR in the series, Himu, or you will be disappointed.

I won't be. CR isn't my first Bond film. I've seen at least a quarter of the films. 6-7 or so.

Ichirou · « **Reply #54 on:** March 18, 2007, 07:43:08 PM »

The Dalton films are the closest in tone to Casino Royale. My favorite five Bond films, in no particular order:

Casino Royale
The Living Daylights
Licence to Kill
Goldfinger
On Her Majesty's Secret Service

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Author Topic: Help a guy get further into Bond films (Read 2409 times)