Would you rather watch OHMSS (81%) OR GE (80%)? Rotten Tomato Ranking battles!

1174175176177178180»

Comments

  • AnotherZorinStoogeAnotherZorinStooge Bramhall (Irish)
    edited May 17 Posts: 309
    007HallY wrote: »
    Yes, I must admit the first few times I watched TSWLM the webbed hands went over my head too!

    I suppose Stromberg's functional, and I do really like the fact that he has these little 'tricks' set up in his lair that Bond has to navigate. But I'd say Safin's more memorable. His motives become a little too cerebral by the last third of the film (ie. vague) but there's a lot going on that's compelling and quite dark.

    Too much has been made of his 'deformity'. It's being used to distract from the actual character. Stromberg actually works insofar he's functional. With him out of the picture, we can concentrate on having some actual fun but upon return there's enough bite to sting.

    NTTD has three primary villains and none of them work. I had to count them just then, so forgettable they all are. A major problem with the Craig era is the quality of villain. Mute, demure, deformed and or clownish, but crucially never enough.

  • Posts: 5,224
    007HallY wrote: »
    Yes, I must admit the first few times I watched TSWLM the webbed hands went over my head too!

    I suppose Stromberg's functional, and I do really like the fact that he has these little 'tricks' set up in his lair that Bond has to navigate. But I'd say Safin's more memorable. His motives become a little too cerebral by the last third of the film (ie. vague) but there's a lot going on that's compelling and quite dark.

    Too much has been made of his 'deformity'. It's being used to distract from the actual character. Stromberg actually works insofar he's functional. With him out of the picture, we can concentrate on having some actual fun.

    The film is smart enough to have villains like Jaws and Naomi to keep us tittillated.

    NTTD has three primary villains and none of them work. I had to count them just then, so forgettable they all are. SF has many issues but was smart enough to have one major villain (I don't credit the pts assassin because he's a mute plot ticket), even if that villain was a clown.

    I do agree that Jaws makes up for Stromberg's shortcomings. I find both characters quite menacing and even scary at times (less so Stromberg, but the scene with him feeding his secretary to the sharks is pretty dark and I like it a lot). It would have been nice if he'd been a bit stronger as a character though, and I don't think it's fully a virtue that he's more functional than great.

    Again, I find Safin flawed, but there's something quite compelling about him.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,706
    NTTD. Only because I have seen it a lot less than TSWLM, which I think is great in its own way.
  • Posts: 15,640
    NTTD. Both lay far too heavily on sci-fi for my taste, but for I appreciate how daring NTTD was.
  • edited May 17 Posts: 8,162
    NTTD for pretty much the same reason as @echo
    I've seen TSWLM lots of times and it is entertaining, but it's not as good as its made out to be, frequently quoted as Rogers best Bond movie, and I disagree with that!
  • DwayneDwayne New York City
    Posts: 2,965
    TSWLM.

    I don't dislike NTTD and TSWLM isn't the unqualified success that I once thought (Ms. Bach "acting" is a sore point) but I still find it very rewatchable. I have to be in certain mood for NTTD.
  • Posts: 1,959
    007HallY wrote: »
    j_w_pepper wrote: »
    TSWLM is incredibly dated, Curd Jürgens sleepwalks through his Stromberg role, Jaws isn't menacing at all because he is being played for laughs about his real-life deformity and artificial bumbling, and need we mention Barbara Bach's acting proficiency? The only thing outstanding is once again Ken Adam's work. Give me several more viewings of NTTD instead, which I consider to be a brilliant Bond movie, in spite of the ending.

    I don't necessarily agree with all that, but it does show TSWLM isn't going to be viewed as a perfect film by everyone who watches it (even I'd agree that Stromberg is a weak villain, and I'm sure if the film were done today Anya's character would be different and arguably a bit more interesting. Some of the disco music is a bit dated too, for sure). It also shows that NTTD isn't seen as a failure of a Bond film by everyone who watches it.

    I don't think it's as much a case of 'NTTD is a better film than a Bond film' either. To some extent I think that's a way of fans trying to cope with the idea that a majority of audiences enjoyed something they didn't as much (it's probably more reflective on us if anything and what we believe a Bond film needs to do ultimately, which often can become contradictory and debatable when looking at the entire series). Anyway, everyone who watches it goes in with the understanding it's a Bond film, and particularly one from the Craig era.

    I don't think NTTD really works. I have the feeling that there's a lot of footage that was cut, and it's the longest film in the franchise!

    And you get the feeling they didn't know how to kill Bond.
  • Posts: 5,224
    007HallY wrote: »
    j_w_pepper wrote: »
    TSWLM is incredibly dated, Curd Jürgens sleepwalks through his Stromberg role, Jaws isn't menacing at all because he is being played for laughs about his real-life deformity and artificial bumbling, and need we mention Barbara Bach's acting proficiency? The only thing outstanding is once again Ken Adam's work. Give me several more viewings of NTTD instead, which I consider to be a brilliant Bond movie, in spite of the ending.

    I don't necessarily agree with all that, but it does show TSWLM isn't going to be viewed as a perfect film by everyone who watches it (even I'd agree that Stromberg is a weak villain, and I'm sure if the film were done today Anya's character would be different and arguably a bit more interesting. Some of the disco music is a bit dated too, for sure). It also shows that NTTD isn't seen as a failure of a Bond film by everyone who watches it.

    I don't think it's as much a case of 'NTTD is a better film than a Bond film' either. To some extent I think that's a way of fans trying to cope with the idea that a majority of audiences enjoyed something they didn't as much (it's probably more reflective on us if anything and what we believe a Bond film needs to do ultimately, which often can become contradictory and debatable when looking at the entire series). Anyway, everyone who watches it goes in with the understanding it's a Bond film, and particularly one from the Craig era.

    I don't think NTTD really works. I have the feeling that there's a lot of footage that was cut, and it's the longest film in the franchise!

    And you get the feeling they didn't know how to kill Bond.

    Ok 🤷‍♂️ I don’t fully disagree but to each their own.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 18,029
    I prefer Spy but it depends what mood I’m in, might do NTTD. Like everyone above I’ve seen it less so may way well go for it!
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 5,799
    007HallY wrote: »
    Yes, I must admit the first few times I watched TSWLM the webbed hands went over my head too!

    I suppose Stromberg's functional, and I do really like the fact that he has these little 'tricks' set up in his lair that Bond has to navigate. But I'd say Safin's more memorable. His motives become a little too cerebral by the last third of the film (ie. vague) but there's a lot going on that's compelling and quite dark.

    Too much has been made of his 'deformity'. It's being used to distract from the actual character. Stromberg actually works insofar he's functional. With him out of the picture, we can concentrate on having some actual fun but upon return there's enough bite to sting.

    NTTD has three primary villains and none of them work. I had to count them just then, so forgettable they all are. A major problem with the Craig era is the quality of villain. Mute, demure, deformed and or clownish, but crucially never enough.

    My point was why give him webbed hands and then never do anything or make anything of it, other than not wanting to shake hands. It plays to the old trope that a deformity is evil. Same with Largo having an eye patch. It is there to reinforce the villainy. Instead of doing a better job of making him villainous.
  • Posts: 1,959
    thedove wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    Yes, I must admit the first few times I watched TSWLM the webbed hands went over my head too!

    I suppose Stromberg's functional, and I do really like the fact that he has these little 'tricks' set up in his lair that Bond has to navigate. But I'd say Safin's more memorable. His motives become a little too cerebral by the last third of the film (ie. vague) but there's a lot going on that's compelling and quite dark.

    Too much has been made of his 'deformity'. It's being used to distract from the actual character. Stromberg actually works insofar he's functional. With him out of the picture, we can concentrate on having some actual fun but upon return there's enough bite to sting.

    NTTD has three primary villains and none of them work. I had to count them just then, so forgettable they all are. A major problem with the Craig era is the quality of villain. Mute, demure, deformed and or clownish, but crucially never enough.

    My point was why give him webbed hands and then never do anything or make anything of it, other than not wanting to shake hands. It plays to the old trope that a deformity is evil. Same with Largo having an eye patch. It is there to reinforce the villainy. Instead of doing a better job of making him villainous.

    They thought it was part of the formula. Nobody noticed it so it doesn't really matter.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited May 17 Posts: 18,029
    thedove wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    Yes, I must admit the first few times I watched TSWLM the webbed hands went over my head too!

    I suppose Stromberg's functional, and I do really like the fact that he has these little 'tricks' set up in his lair that Bond has to navigate. But I'd say Safin's more memorable. His motives become a little too cerebral by the last third of the film (ie. vague) but there's a lot going on that's compelling and quite dark.

    Too much has been made of his 'deformity'. It's being used to distract from the actual character. Stromberg actually works insofar he's functional. With him out of the picture, we can concentrate on having some actual fun but upon return there's enough bite to sting.

    NTTD has three primary villains and none of them work. I had to count them just then, so forgettable they all are. A major problem with the Craig era is the quality of villain. Mute, demure, deformed and or clownish, but crucially never enough.

    My point was why give him webbed hands and then never do anything or make anything of it, other than not wanting to shake hands. It plays to the old trope that a deformity is evil. Same with Largo having an eye patch. It is there to reinforce the villainy. Instead of doing a better job of making him villainous.

    Can’t disagree, the webbed hands thing is entirely superfluous, and even if you think it’s okay to associate deformity with evil not enough is made of it. It feels like it goes nowhere. I love the film though, but that bit feels like it’s been added rather half-heartedly.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,592
    NTTD took over my number one spot, and has stayed there...so, although I have great fun with TSWLM, I'll go for Craig-Bond and all his missing pieces, Madeleine, Mathilde, Safin and Blofeld and a new 007, any day of the week (my next viewing will be on Father's Day)....
  • j_w_pepperj_w_pepper Born on the bayou, but I now hear a new dog barkin'
    Posts: 9,240
    peter wrote: »
    NTTD took over my number one spot, and has stayed there...so, although I have great fun with TSWLM, I'll go for Craig-Bond and all his missing pieces, Madeleine, Mathilde, Safin and Blofeld and a new 007, any day of the week (my next viewing will be on Father's Day)....
    I'm always surprised how much we are aligned on these issues, @peter... I hesitate to put NTTD at no. 1, but I never made a major distinction among my top 5, of which NTTD is one. Best wishes to the 51st state the great province of Ontario!
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    edited 12:56am Posts: 5,799
    Good stuff with those two films.

    Now for something completely different...my gut tells me this is a no-brainer but these are two well liked films.

    Would you rather watch OHMSS (81%) OR GE (80%)?

    We have the one starring the "other fella". A true anomaly in a film series that has actors playing the role multiple times. This one is truly a one-off as George would only play the role once. We have a jam packed film that has both emotion and action and blends it together well.

    Rotten Tomatoes says George Lazenby's only appearance as 007 is a fine entry in the series, featuring one of the most intriguing Bond girls in Tracy di Vincenzo (Diana Rigg), breathtaking visuals, and some great ski chases.

    OR

    A other new fella starring in the first of four films! GE saved the franchise as it was not a given that audiences would accept James Bond in the 90's especially after a 6 year hiatus. GE brought Bond back in a big way and spawned a video game that changed the world of gaming.

    Rotten Tomatoes says The first and best Pierce Brosnan Bond film, GoldenEye brings the series into a more modern context, and the result is a 007 entry that's high-tech, action-packed, and urbane.

    So which one of these films would you rather watch?
  • Posts: 2,530
    I’d have to pick GE to watch but as a film I prefer OHMSS.
  • edited 5:54am Posts: 16,496
    As much as I love OHMSS, I'll go with GOLDENEYE.
  • Posts: 5,224
    OHMSS is a great Bond film, but I have found its shortcomings lower it for me somewhat. I can honestly say I prefer GE and find it a better film in many ways. But both are great!
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 15,064
    Bit difficult, both great entries. But I only watched Maj last year on its 55th and this is a year to celebrate GE, so gotta pop that one in the player.
  • Posts: 12,673
    OHMSS, but I love both.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited 6:26am Posts: 14,409
    I love TSWLM. Between the two, I'd choose to watch NTTD. It's that good.

    I'd watch OHMSS up front. And eventually watch GE.

  • AnotherZorinStoogeAnotherZorinStooge Bramhall (Irish)
    Posts: 309
    Skyfall 92% with GoldenEye and OHMSS in the 80s?

    Proof rotten tomatoes shouldn't be referenced as a serious source.

    Anyway, to answer: GoldenEye. It's tight, but OHMSS has more intrusive product placement.
  • Posts: 15,640
    It really depends of the time of year. Round Christmastime, definitely OHMSS. But from say April until and including November, GE.
  • AnotherZorinStoogeAnotherZorinStooge Bramhall (Irish)
    Posts: 309
    Ludovico wrote: »
    It really depends of the time of year. Round Christmastime, definitely OHMSS. But from say April until and including November, GE.

    Aye, is OHMSS the real Bond Xmas film?
Sign In or Register to comment.