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Last Bond Movie You Watched

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  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,980
    I was a big fan of Manson and Garbage; while the song is very good I think the band was not used to it's full potential. Did they write the song or did Arnold?
  • ThighsOfXeniaThighsOfXenia
    Posts: 1,595
    Okay so first things first I swapped LIVE AND LET DIE and A VIEW TO A KILL. Honestly, those 5 movies (LALD - MOONRAKER) are all effectively tied in my book. The same with OCTOPUSSY and SKYFALL. When it gets super close I can't really decide. So don't take the # too seriously.

    Anyways: THUNDERBALL

    Always been one of my favorite Bond films but lately I think it might just be my favorite. It's weird, for the longest time GOLDENEYE was my favorite but ever since then it has just sort of flip flopped around depending on my mood or whatever I saw last. I think more often than not now though that top spot belongs to THUNDERBALL. I love it immensely. I won't really go on too long since I have two movies to cover but I'll just bullet point my favorite aspects:

    - Sean Connery. As I've mentioned before I love his performance which feels like a mix of the magnetism and charisma from GOLDFINGER with the Fleming lethality and danger from the first two films. Here he is at his most virile which makes it perfect because...

    - The ladies. Fiona Volpe is Bond's sexual antithesis (if you will). She is pure magnetic dangerous sexuality and easily one of the best characters in all 24 films. Easily. Paluzzi gives a splendid performance and matches Bond's virility and charisma in every scene they share, making for truly remarkable viewing. Also not to be out done is Domino who I consider to be one of the series most underrated Bond girls. There are lots of little subtleties and nuances to her character. She becomes the classic Fleming wounded Bond girl and on top of it all she's absolutely gorgeous (as all the ladies in the film are). Also worth mentioning: Patricia Fearing is one of my favorite "minor" Bond girls. I just like her spunky attitude.

    - The cinematography / atmosphere / music. I think this might be my favorite John Barry score simply because of how effective it is at building atmosphere. It is so evocative and atmospheric and matches the grandeur and underwater vibe the film has. The cinematography is lush, earthy, and above all vibrant, matching the colorful film perfectly. The setting of Nassau is my favorite James Bond location and becomes a character in and of itself. It's exotic and beautiful much like the film itself.

    Other things worth mentioning - I love the underwater action, I love the witty and sharp dialogue, I love Young's classy and slick direction, I love Largo. Etc. I love everything about the movie really. Epic as hell without feeling overblown.

    OCTOPUSSY

    - My favorite Roger Moore performance I think. He nails both the levity and the Fleming here perfectly and gets to show off more nuances to the character than usual.

    - Sure, no one likes the Tarzan yell or the "boo" bit or the "sssssit!" bit. I can get over that. It's a total of 25 seconds or so and doesn't hamper my experience. Also worth noting: I really legitimately LOVE the "hiss off" line. Classic. Hilarious. And in the middle of a tense sequence an expertly timed comedic moment.

    - It features probably the best written girls of the Moore era, an era I think struggled in that department more than once. Both Magda and Octopussy are really great characters, brought to life with really great performances (Octopussy is my favorite Moore Bond Girl). She's also old enough to be with Moore's aging Bond believably.

    - I love the locations here. I love the mix from the exotic and escapist India to the dangerous and lethal Germany. I like the shift in tone as well. It's deliberate and effective.

    - John Barry nails it again with a score that is once again extremely evocative.

    So yeah, pretty well tied with SKYFALL. In a week I may switch them around again.

    Updated Rankings:

    1. THUNDERBALL
    2. DR. NO
    3. OCTOPUSSY
    4. SKYFALL
    5. LIVE AND LET DIE
    6. A VIEW TO A KILL
    7. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
    8. YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
    9. MOONRAKER
    10. FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
    11. TOMORROW NEVER DIES
    12. LICENCE TO KILL
    13. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
    14. DIE ANOTHER DAY
    15. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
    16. NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN
    17. QUANTUM OF SOLACE
    18. THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,691
    ThighsOfXenia wrote: »
    - Sure, no one likes .... the "sssssit!" bit.
    I like it!!!
    \m/
  • ThighsOfXeniaThighsOfXenia
    Posts: 1,595
    @Birdleson - Yeah, I know it's one we really disagree on. That's the great thing about being a Bond fan though. Thanks. Looking forward to reading CR. Always been one of my favorites. Haters gonna' hate.

    @chrisisall - Honestly it's the least of the evils of that scene. The Tarzan and dad-man-walking bits are more cringeworthy, but it's still not the film's most shining moment.

    Also, everyone jokes about the clown scene but I think people who have really watched the movie understand just how intense that scene is. There's a real sense of urgency from the fight on the train to the defuse of the bomb. Never bothered me.
  • pachazopachazo Make Your Choice
    edited October 2014 Posts: 7,314
    "Rik wrote:
    Also I'm glad I'm not the only one who's a fan of the song.
    I like it although it's far from my favorite title song. I didn't mean to give the impression that I thought it was garbage. ;)
  • ThighsOfXeniaThighsOfXenia
    Posts: 1,595
    Excellent review. I adore Casino Royale.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,270
    @Birdleson and thank you for going through my list! I enjoyed your reviews and thoughts over the Bond films, and it seems we could get along for the most part on the series. Great ranking!
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,500
    Yes, it's been enjoyable following your Bondathon, @Birdleson! But it does put me off to see that FRWL has dropped so many places! Luckily you seem to do these Bondathons pretty often, so the new list won't last too long ;)
  • Crazysoul95Crazysoul95
    Posts: 3,336
    Update on my Bondathon

    1. On her majesty’s secret service
    2. From russia with love
    3. Goldfinger
    4. Thunderball
    5. Dr No
    6. Live and let die
    7. The man with the golden gun
    8. You only live twice
    9. Diamonds are forever
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    edited October 2014 Posts: 4,422
    "Birdleson wrote:
    CASINO ROYALE (2006).
    I also felt, and this stuck with me for several years, basically up until SKYFALL, that Craig (or a least his portrayal of the character) was too much of a thug. Fleming's Bond was a cultured man, who abhorred the violent aspects of his work. We never get a sense, in this original writings, that Bond had to be groomed and tamed. He wasn't a brute. I have since come to accept and appreciate this incarnation of the character as I have all the others, but at the time he caused a level of discomfort. Things as simple as his breaking into M's flat and going through her computer files; I thought "Who the Hell does this guy think he is?" So that was eating at me all through that first watch.

    And of course we get the best ending in the entire series as Mr. White, bullet in the leg, crawls up the stone stairs the Bond theme slowly comes in. And there's Craig, looking the part, cool as Hell, fully formed, with the classic line. It took the events of the film to transform him into the James Bond 007 that we know. That I appreciated right away. I do feel that we backtracked somewhat in QUANTUM OF SOLACE, regrettably.

    Sorry I'm rather late to the party. Just wanted to say thanks for your reviews @Birdleson, and just a quick comment of the above paragraphs;

    I've always had a problem with this, breaking into M's flat. I assume this Bond was in the military? Well one does not get far in the military (or other aspects of ones life thinking about it), breaking into your boss's house. I suppose he could be leaving her a trail via her laptop. But it still grinds my gears.

    When I saw CR ending for the first time, I was really stoked. Bond has completed his journey, from arrogant rookie agent, to the composed, sophisticated agent, that we know and love.

    Therefore, I was expecting QoS's Bond to be fully formed. But he wasn't. Instead we got Bond learning what it's like to be Bond.

    I was about to write up my latest viewing of AVTAK, but @Benny has already said my thoughts, verbatim!


    Keep up the good work gentlemen!
  • Dalton12Dalton12
    Posts: 1,107
    Just watched The Man with the Golden Gun: Moore's attempt at a serious Bond portrayal is a bit erratic, but Christopher Lee is an outright terrific villain. Typically, you need two of three things to make a Bond film work: a good Bond, a good villain, and a good Bond girl, in that order. We get a solid Bond, a terrific villain, and while Mary Goodnight falls down, we DO get Maud Adams' exponentially better performance as a Bond girl. Sheriff Pepper and Nick-Nack honestly hurt the film for me, but for a while, you had this one showing up dead last. Honestly, Lee is so good and Moore is actually serious enough for a change that I think it worked as a middle of the pack Bond film; far from a terrible one.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I will defend Mary Goodnight until it is good night, Thunderfinger. All three are excellent in my book.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,691
    Always have a good time with that one...
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,331
    My condolences @Dalton12. Nobody should have to suffer through that mess. :))
  • Dalton12Dalton12
    Posts: 1,107
    Murdock wrote: »
    My condolences @Dalton12. Nobody should have to suffer through that mess. :))

    Thankfully, I survived :D
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,331
    Dalton12 wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    My condolences @Dalton12. Nobody should have to suffer through that mess. :))

    Thankfully, I survived :D
    I drink like Fleming's Bond after watching The Man with the golden dud. :))
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Murdock wrote: »
    Dalton12 wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    My condolences @Dalton12. Nobody should have to suffer through that mess. :))

    Thankfully, I survived :D
    I drink like Fleming's Bond after watching The Man with the golden dud. :))

    I just read your post, so Cheers!
  • Dalton12Dalton12
    Posts: 1,107
    Murdock wrote: »
    Dalton12 wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    My condolences @Dalton12. Nobody should have to suffer through that mess. :))

    Thankfully, I survived :D
    I drink like Fleming's Bond after watching The Man with the golden dud. :))

    I was drinking while watching it :))
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Dalton12 wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    Dalton12 wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    My condolences @Dalton12. Nobody should have to suffer through that mess. :))

    Thankfully, I survived :D
    I drink like Fleming's Bond after watching The Man with the golden dud. :))

    I was drinking while watching it :))

    I was drinking while reading your reply. :))
  • doubleohdaddoubleohdad
    Posts: 1,146
    Just watched the opening to Goldeneye the other night.

    Awesome opening for the Brosnan era. This is clearly the highlight of the series.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    doubleohdad wrote: »
    Just watched the opening to Goldeneye the other night.

    Awesome opening for the Brosnan era. This is clearly the highlight of the series.

    This deserves another :))
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,459
    Goodnight is irritating as all get out - but her character is written that way. Britt is lovely and I don't really fault her acting; just hate the bimbo role.

    TND is the best Brosnan Bond, in my opinion, definitely stronger than GE. I so enjoy Brosnan in this one. And I rank the film itself close to GE. TND has some better moments and also some weaker moments. GE is the better film all around, though, and Natalya is part of that. She was excellently played by Isabella Scorupco. TND just has some wonderful, gritter scenes (Dr. Kaufman) and I really enjoy Pierce with Michelle Yeoh. It's the Brosnan film I watch the most.

    I watched TND and TSWLM recently. :) I never tire of either of those. TSWLM is a gem. I like Bach just fine in it, including her acting. She is not a major actress, no; but that wasn't called for. I personally find her to be understated but not wooden. I think there is nothing about TSWLM that irritates me. It is just a pure fun ride with Bond, and a breath of fresh air after TMWTGG. I think Roger came fully into his own portrayal at last with TSWLM.

    Next up for me is FYEO, another favorite and I think Roger's very best portrayal of Bond.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Oh yes, FYEO. Our common love interest. There are things that annoy in both Spy and Eyes. The Liparus finale in TSWLM and the hockey match in FYEO. But none of them ruin the films.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    edited October 2014 Posts: 12,459
    At least we agree, or for the most part agree, on a few films, @Thunderfinger. :)

    Skål! (however, it's spelled; I tried to look it up ...)

    16739d03e9547b0c2f9f382af44f8bd3.jpg

    OK, back to my fav. Norwegian beer picture (don't know if this is good beer, but I so love the packaging!)
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Grans is the cheapest, yukkiest beer you can find in Norway, but Skål nonetheless, @¤EverWonderful.. I am drinking cider today as it is Halloween.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Anything from DAD beats everything else.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,459
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Actually, the firing squad bit form DAD beats that.
    There are moments, especially in the first third of DAD, that were fine.
  • doubleohdaddoubleohdad
    Posts: 1,146
    Birdleson wrote: »
    doubleohdad wrote: »
    Just watched the opening to Goldeneye the other night.

    Awesome opening for the Brosnan era. This is clearly the highlight of the series.

    In all seriousness, it probably is the greatest moment form the Brosnan years.


    Agreed, the other Brosnan Bond films have their moments, but none of them collectively rise to the level of GE.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,459
    Well, TND is quite close to the overall quality. It has a stronger and better portrayal of Bond. But the overall storytelling, the smoothness of the film, and the whole Bond package is I think a bit better with GE. Campbell - what a great Bond director, and aren't we lucky that he gave us two really outstanding Bond films! I love CR, too.
  • doubleohdaddoubleohdad
    Posts: 1,146
    TND is okay until the second act, then just falls apart. It also looks like Pierce never went to china. This could have been the YOLT of that decade, but nope.

    SOme of the stunt work in that film just flat-out stinks.

    GE just towers over the other Bros films, to me.

    Martin Campbell proved how good he was in CR after GE, and makes the other directors of the Bros era look amateurish, in my opinion.
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