Tell us all about your BONDATHON

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  • Posts: 270
    I have always enjoyed TMWTGG. I really like Moore's first 2. Here is my list after TMWTGG.

    Casino Royale
    On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    Licence to Kill
    From Russia With Love
    The Man With The Golden Gun
    For Your Eyes Only
    Quantum of Solace
    The Living Daylights
    The World Is Not Enough
    Diamonds Are Forever
  • Posts: 270
    Just finished TND. It's always been enjoyable for me. I think Pierce is great. Great score also.

    Casino Royale
    On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    Licence to Kill
    From Russia With Love
    The Man With The Golden Gun
    For Your Eyes Only
    Quantum of Solace
    Tomorrow Never Dies
    The Living Daylights
    The World Is Not Enough
    Diamonds Are Forever
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,567
    Following on from the splendid OHMSS is the 'unique' Diamonds Are Forever

    Dr No 1962 ( "Are you looking for shells?" "No. I'm just looking" )

    You Only Live Twice 1967 ( "He wouldn't touch that horrible woman, would you?" "Heaven forbid")

    Octopussy 1983 ("Moneypenny, you become more beautiful every day" "I'm over here" "But of course you are")

    The World Is Not Enough 1999 ( "I've got to get it back, or someone's gonna have my ass" "First things first")

    Moonraker 1979 ("Can you think of a reason why we can't go for a drink after?" "Not immediately, but I'm sure I shall")

    For Your Eyes Only 1981 ( "He thinks I'm still a virgin" " Yes well, get your clothes on..and I'll buy you an ice-cream")

    The Living Daylights 1987 ("We're free" "Kara, we're in a Russian airbase in the middle of Afghanistan" "Well, at least we're together")

    Goldfinger 1964 ("My name is Pussy Galore" "I must be dreaming")

    Licence To Kill 1989 ( "Felix is still in the study and we've got to cut the cake" "I'll do anything for a woman with a knife")

    Live And Let Die 1973 ("Is there time for lesson number 3?" "Absolsutely darling, there's no sense going off half cocked")

    The Man With The Golden Gun 1974 ("I approve" "You do?" " Oh not the wine; the frock! Tight in all the right places and not too many buttons" )

    Spectre 2015 ("You shouldn't stare like that" "Well, you shouldn't look like that")

    Tomorrow Never Dies 1997 ("Every now and then, you get to work with a decadent agent of a corrupt Western power" "And they say Communists don't know how to have fun")

    From Russia With Love 1963 ("Will you make love to me when we are back in England?" "Day and night..now go on about the mechanism")

    Quantum Of Solace 2008 ("Bond, if you could possibly avoid killing every possible lead it would be greatly appreciated" "Yes ma'am..I'll do my best" )

    Thunderball 1965 ("Haven't you had enough exercise for one evening?" "Mm, funny you should say that")

    A View To A Kill 1985 ( "Quiche Des Cabinet" "Sounds interesting. What is it?" "An omelette")

    Skyfall (2012) ( "Can you kill him?" "Yes!" "Will you?" "Someone usually dies")

    Die Another Day (2002) ("You'd better stay here and keep up the charade of being lovers" "Alright. I must say I admire your restraint. You were here a full two hours before anything blew up")

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service 1969 ( "Suppose I were to kill you for a thrill?" "I can think of something more sociable to do")

    Diamonds Are Forever 1971 ( "What can I bring you back from Holland?" "A diamond...in a ring?" "Would you settle for a tulip?" "YES" )


    Only TSWLM, GE and CR left.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,418
    Three classics of the genre. Did you plan it that way @NicNac, I wonder?
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,567
    No, it was quite random actually. :) .
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,418
    A most happy accident!
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Gilbert and Adam seemed to have had a unified vision as to what a Bond film should look like.

    Adam is a legend. Gilbert isn't.....he was actually quite clueless when it came to the 'character' of 007.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,418
    Anyone who gave us Alfie is alright by me. ;)

    Sure, Gilbert didn't give us the most thoughtful of Bond movies - could you blame the director? - but his eye for a shot and his craftmanship is quite superb.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    Alfie is a good film, yes. But in terms of Bond, Young will always be streets a head of any of the Directors. He understood the style and he understood the tone.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    suavejmf wrote: »
    Alfie is a good film, yes. But in terms of Bond, Young will always be streets a head of any of the Directors. He understood the style and he understood the tone.

    Even Hunt?
  • edited June 2016 Posts: 4,622
    I think all of Young Hamilton Gilbert and Hunt were first rate Bond directors. Hamilton is my personal favourite. I like the hybrid danger-camp edge that he brought.
    Hamilton also teamed with fellow Bond alum Chris Wood for the Remo Williams movie which is another big feather in his cap.
    Young and Hunt were probably the best hardcore Fleming interpreters.
    Gilbert of course added a level of spectacle to the proceedings.
    Things kind of leveled off with Glen but I think it's been a bit of a mess since Cubby passed, with the exception of Campbell's two efforts.

    Actually I'd say Spottiswoode andApted were passable adequate. Tamahori was hit and miss.
    While Forster and Mendes fugettaboutit!!
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,567
    And as we near the end we tick off Mr Moore's famous Globe hopping adventure. I did notice that he played it very straight with only the occasional Saintly twinkle in his eye. Shame that his co-star gave the most horrendously wooden performance of any Bond girl in the series. She even bobbled her head like Lady Penelope (although lady P was infinitely more animated).
    The only time she came out of her apparent comatosed state was when she was wet through at the end of the film with water cascading around her and she apparently reacted with genuine shock and surprise.

    Dr No 1962 ( "Are you looking for shells?" "No. I'm just looking" )

    You Only Live Twice 1967 ( "He wouldn't touch that horrible woman, would you?" "Heaven forbid")

    Octopussy 1983 ("Moneypenny, you become more beautiful every day" "I'm over here" "But of course you are")

    The World Is Not Enough 1999 ( "I've got to get it back, or someone's gonna have my ass" "First things first")

    Moonraker 1979 ("Can you think of a reason why we can't go for a drink after?" "Not immediately, but I'm sure I shall")

    For Your Eyes Only 1981 ( "He thinks I'm still a virgin" " Yes well, get your clothes on..and I'll buy you an ice-cream")

    The Living Daylights 1987 ("We're free" "Kara, we're in a Russian airbase in the middle of Afghanistan" "Well, at least we're together")

    Goldfinger 1964 ("My name is Pussy Galore" "I must be dreaming")

    Licence To Kill 1989 ( "Felix is still in the study and we've got to cut the cake" "I'll do anything for a woman with a knife")

    Live And Let Die 1973 ("Is there time for lesson number 3?" "Absolsutely darling, there's no sense going off half cocked")

    The Man With The Golden Gun 1974 ("I approve" "You do?" " Oh not the wine; the frock! Tight in all the right places and not too many buttons" )

    Spectre 2015 ("You shouldn't stare like that" "Well, you shouldn't look like that")

    Tomorrow Never Dies 1997 ("Every now and then, you get to work with a decadent agent of a corrupt Western power" "And they say Communists don't know how to have fun")

    From Russia With Love 1963 ("Will you make love to me when we are back in England?" "Day and night..now go on about the mechanism")

    Quantum Of Solace 2008 ("Bond, if you could possibly avoid killing every possible lead it would be greatly appreciated" "Yes ma'am..I'll do my best" )

    Thunderball 1965 ("Haven't you had enough exercise for one evening?" "Mm, funny you should say that")

    A View To A Kill 1985 ( "Quiche Des Cabinet" "Sounds interesting. What is it?" "An omelette")

    Skyfall (2012) ( "Can you kill him?" "Yes!" "Will you?" "Someone usually dies")

    Die Another Day (2002) ("You'd better stay here and keep up the charade of being lovers" "Alright. I must say I admire your restraint. You were here a full two hours before anything blew up")

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service 1969 ( "Suppose I were to kill you for a thrill?" "I can think of something more sociable to do")

    Diamonds Are Forever 1971 ( "What can I bring you back from Holland?" "A diamond...in a ring?" "Would you settle for a tulip?" "YES" )

    The Spy Who Loved Me 1977 ("You're not taking advantage of me, are you?" "Why the thought never crossed my mind" )



  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    edited June 2016 Posts: 5,080
    Now that the exam period is over, I can now do a proper Bondathon. I'll be watching them in order this time around, as I do at least once a year, and viewings will be accompanied by the "Inside" Patrick Macnee documentaries. I'll throw in EVERYTHING OR NOTHING at the end, but I won't be including CR'67 and NSNA...

    So kicking things off with DR. NO

    Although I don't quite enjoy it as much as some, there's no denying that DR. NO has unparalleled style and charm. It's always refreshing to watch this film after watching succeeding entries as it the 'purest' Bond film, one with very little action: it's refined and succinct. The cast is terrific; Connery performance is definitive Bond (although I prefer him in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE), Wiseman is excellent as the calm yet unnerving titular villain and Andress is stunning as Honey Rider. The score is where the film falters and it goes without saying that it would have benefitted greatly from having Barry do the score rather than Norman's dated even for the time and frankly blaring effort.

    MayDay's Summer 2016 Bondathon:-

    -Dr. No (1962)
    Inside Dr. No

    Next up- FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

    Eternally in my top five. A sensational effort. Whereas DR. NO is a little rough around the edges, FRWL is the closest to the perfect Bond film we'll get (along with OHMSS), although I think I personally prefer the latter and a couple other entries over FRWL (this could change, however, as the top five usually fight it out). Everything is on form, from Barry's debut score, to Connery's superlative performance; from Bianchi's sensual performance as Tania, to the trio of excellent villains in Grant, Klebb and Blofeld. No complaints from me apart from a few quibbles- the strange oscillating Bond theme while Bond is checking his hotel room for bugs and the unnecessary helicopter chase.

    Next up- Gooooooooooldfingah

    MayDay's Summer 2016 Bondathon:-

    -Dr. No (1962)
    Inside Dr. No
    -From Russia with Love (1963)
    Inside From Russia with Love
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Birdleson wrote: »
    So depressing when you get to GE

    Yep. I don t have that one or the next three.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited June 2016 Posts: 40,371
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Those "Inside"s are great. So depressing when you get to GE and it just becomes your generic behind the scenes footage from then on, if even that.

    Indeed they are, those made for a nice add-on after the movie. Been trying to check out some of the special features after certain Bond movies lately, mostly by watching those.
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Those "Inside"s are great. So depressing when you get to GE and it just becomes your generic behind the scenes footage from then on, if even that.

    Yes, it's a damned shame. Most of Eon's output these days in terms of bonus features and content is risible.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,418
    That always causes a disconnect between the first, classic 16, and the other 8. They don't feel like proper Bond movies without the superb "inside's".

    Ah well.

    Looking forward to the rest of your Bondathon @MayDayDiVicenzo
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    I'd love to see the screen tests for GE and CR. Shame.
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    GOLDFINGER

    This film is so damn cool. In fact, I think only THE SPY WHO LOVED ME rivals GOLDFINGER in terms of the coolness factor. Whether it's Connery's suave and assured performance as Bond, Barry's metallic and brassy score, Adam's inspired sets or the countless iconic scenes that are present throughout, GOLDFINGER oozes confidence (it knows what it is and doesn't try to be anything else- a wonderful piece of nonsense, in the words of Guy Hamilton) in every element and it still holds up incredibly well today. I prefer FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, but both GF and FRWL remain my favourites of Connery's era; they're both legendary and are likely to maintain their position in my top five.

    MayDay's Summer 2016 Bondathon:-

    -Dr. No (1962)

    Inside Dr. No
    -From Russia with Love (1963)
    Inside From Russia with Love
    -Goldfinger (1964)
    The Making of Goldfinger
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    I forgot to say that I think Pussy Galore is a pretty underrated Bond girl, often overshadowed by Honey, Tracy and even Tania when it comes to 60s Bond girls. She's my favourite of the 60s Bond girls behind only Tracy, and I think Blackman's performance is much more animated than Andress, Bianchi, Auger (to be honest, that's not hard) and Hama, heck most of the 70s Bond girls.

    I still love this exchange:

    "You know, he kills little girls like you"

    "Little boys, too"
  • Posts: 3,336
    Blackman and Connery have great chemistry
  • BennyBenny In the shadowsAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 14,811
    After a brief hiatus I'm happy to be able to continue my present Bondathon.
    And with three of my favourite Bond films recently viewed, I'm sure my ranking's are likely to change. The three films being, Casino Royale, The Living Daylights and On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
    Casino Royale continues to please. Not only is it a great debut from Daniel Craig, it's also a very good Bond film. Excellent story, great villain and leading lady. Probably Martin Campbell's best Bond film. Even though GE was good, I think CR trumps it. I still don't really like the sinking house finale, but it's certainly not terrible. Very good ending with the capture of Mr.White and the "Bond. James Bond." line as the Bond theme plays us out.
    The Living Daylights has been one of my firm favourites since I first saw it back in 1987.
    Timothy Dalton is an excellent OO7, and like Lazenby, it's a pity he didn't make a few more. His debut is a standout as far as I'm concerned. For me it's got the right blend of spy thriller, and action adventure. The weakest link coming from the rather bland villains. Though Necros is at least menacing. A lovely score from John Barry and a superb supporting cast, keep this film in the top five for me.
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service continues to amaze me. From the first time I saw it on my 11th birthday to this most recent viewing, it's a film that captivates me, and I'm totally taken along for the wonderful ride. George Lazenby might not quite have the acting prowess of Connery, Dalton or Craig. But his also not as bad as some would have you believe. If anything his human and vulnerable side help this film. It also helps when one of Ian Fleming's best stories is filmed almost as written, and with an excellent leading lady and imo the best Blofeld we've had in Telly Savalas, you're on the right foot.
    The action is still impressive. I have no idea how that stuntman ski's on one ski. And then there's the killer ending. Still gets me even though I know what happens. I just can't help feeling emotion as Bond cradles Tracy in his arms as his voice conveys his pain. Full credit to Lazenby for this most impressive scene.
    And so now there are only three films left to be viewed...

    Spectre, Octopussy and Dr.No.

    Current ranking's
    1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    2. From Russia With Love
    3. The Living Daylights
    4. Casino Royale
    5. Goldfinger
    6. The Spy Who Loved Me
    7. Thunderball
    8. For Your Eyes Only
    9. GoldenEye
    10. Live And Let Die
    11. Licence To Kill
    12. You Only Live Twice
    13. Skyfall
    14. Diamonds Are Forever
    15. The Man With The Golden Gun
    16. Moonraker
    17. Die Another Day
    18. Tomorrow Never Dies
    19. A View To A Kill
    20. Quantum Of Solace
    21. The World Is Not Enough
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,418
    Good job @Benny! All in my top 5-6ish as well.
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    Quantum is far too low for me. It's an average Bond film, but by no means the worst.
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    THUNDERBALL

    I usually don't care for Thunderball. Coming after the exemplary first three films, it is with Thunderball where the flab starts to creep in. However, I found myself having good fun with it this time around owed largely to the witty dialogue, Connery's stellar performance (my opinion of his performance in this film has made a complete U-turn- he is just as good in this film as he is in the first three, imo) and the many classic scenes dotted throughout the film (the SPECTRE meeting, the Shrublands scenes, any scene with Fiona Volpe, the underwater finale, the fight with Bouvar...) Barry's score really elevates the film, too, his scoring of the underwater sequences is superb.
    I still think the film is a little bloated, however. I think a good deal could have been shaved off, mainly the unecessary underwater sequences in the first half (hiding the Vulcan, for example), as well as that awful climax on the Disco Volante (shame, because the fight is really quite excellent). The other weak elements are the lead villain in Largo and lead Bond girl in Domino, both of whom are incredibly bland. The only time I think Largo gets to shine is the Baccarat game with Bond and his attempted torture of Domino.

    Ultimately, I think it is a upper-middle of the pack entry- lots of fun to be had, but overlong.

    MayDay's Summer 2016 Bondathon:-

    -Dr. No (1962)

    Inside Dr. No
    -From Russia with Love (1963)
    Inside From Russia with Love
    -Goldfinger (1964)
    The Making of Goldfinger
    -Thunderball (1965)
    The Making of Thunderball

    Rank order-
    -FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
    -GOLDFINGER
    -THUNDERBALL
    -DR. NO
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE

    You Only Live Twice, along with the other Gilbert entries, is technically perfect. The three elements that make this film are Ken Adam's sets (the best in cinema history, imo), Barry's exotic and beautiful score and Young's lush cinematography. For these reasons alone, You Only Live Twice is elevated above the bottom dwellers of the series. The film's main problem lies in its script (the film stalls when it gets to the ninja training school, not to mention that the training is inconsequential in the scheme of things, as well as the disguise) and Connery's uninterested performance (I've detailed specifics in a past review of YOLT). Pleasance is serviceable as Blofeld (but is perhaps the weakest incarnation of the character along with Waltz), and the lead Bond girls in Aki and Kissy are charming, if a little bland. Nonetheless, You Only Live Twice is laden with wonderful visuals and is ceaselessly inventive and innovative, and its always a joy to revisit this film.

    MayDay's Summer 2016 Bondathon:-

    -Dr. No (1962)

    Inside Dr. No
    -From Russia with Love (1963)
    Inside From Russia with Love
    -Goldfinger (1964)
    The Making of Goldfinger
    -Thunderball (1965)
    The Making of Thunderball
    -You Only Live Twice
    Inside You Only Live Twice

    Rank order-
    -FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
    -GOLDFINGER
    -THUNDERBALL
    -YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
    -DR. NO
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    edited June 2016 Posts: 7,889
    Friday I'm leaving for a week in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. To get in the mood for sun and sand I'm watching the Bonds that evoke that atmosphere, Dr. No, Thunderball, License to Kill and Casino Royale. Ocean club sequence really puts me in the right frame of mind, minus the dead woman that is.

    I watched them in order of release. Casino Royale remains my all time favorite Bond film. The remainder are so close together it's a toss up. I love all in this group.
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE

    Still my favourite after maintaining first position for nearly 4 years now. The only thing that has changed is that I think my favourite Connery and Moore entries (FRWL/GF and TSWLM/FYEO respectively) are starting to catch up with it (it's not a case of OHMSS "worsening", just the latter films improving). There's nothing to be said that I haven't said already about this superlative film. It's always a pleasure to sit down and spend two and a bit hours with this film.

    MayDay's Summer 2016 Bondathon:-

    -Dr. No (1962)
    Inside Dr. No
    -From Russia with Love (1963)
    Inside From Russia with Love
    -Goldfinger (1964)
    The Making of Goldfinger
    -Thunderball (1965)
    The Making of Thunderball
    -You Only Live Twice (1967)
    Inside You Only Live Twice
    -On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
    Inside On Her Majesty's Secret Service

    Rank order-
    -ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
    -FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
    -GOLDFINGER
    -THUNDERBALL
    -YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
    -DR. NO
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Yes, fun to read.
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