No Time To Die: Production Diary

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Comments

  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    I'd like to think a director is hired. But, they're keeping it away from the newsflash because it's a selling topic, whereas a production designer isn't. Nowhere near as the topic of a film director. Craig signed on for 25 two months prior to his announcement.
  • Posts: 11,119
    The only reason Skyfall felt good to some (or many) is because of its deep portrait of emotions, melodrama and vulnerability. Too much of the trio, in fact. Sam Mendes is damn good at it. But, these don't make a Bond film good... Far from it. I'd rather not start on the coherence of every character, scene, and planned turnouts that, at times (most of the times), made little to no sense.

    It's all a matter of opinion. And it seems your opinion isn't part of the average opinion....which mostly has "Skyfall" on 5th place (out of 24 official films :-). A good Bond film to me knows the fire of time. Knows how to delicately balance formula with uniqueness. At the time Sam Mendes got that job done....and people loved it. And apparently, still many people love it.

    I call that a basic rule of creating not only a succesful film, but especially a succesful Bond film.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    edited October 2017 Posts: 2,138
    The only reason Skyfall felt good to some (or many) is because of its deep portrait of emotions, melodrama and vulnerability. Too much of the trio, in fact. Sam Mendes is damn good at it. But, these don't make a Bond film good... Far from it. I'd rather not start behind the coherence of every character, scene, and planned turnouts that, at times (most of the times), made little to no sense.

    Oh I agree, he brought Road to Perdition to Bond. Dark, injustice and revenge plot. But building on QOS could have also been a disaster, Skyfall had to be something different and that was going deeper and darker. Mendes was clever he picked up on the snippets of back story like Vesper on the Train in Casino analyzing Bond and his background and picking at that scab or how he ends up an Eton school boy who didn't fit in because he wasn't from real money. Casino and QOS Bond still had that petulant school boy in him. By the time he comes out the water in Skyfall it's gone, his brush with death and realising he's mortal he becomes ice cold, slick and professional. Gone are the struggles to deal with killing (Casino when he kills for the first time in Karachi you can see it's not easy). Skyfall is a phoenix from the flames story but the Bond on the roof at the end is the Bond Connery, Dalton and Brosnan already were without the back story. Why I found Spectre so disappointing, there was no need to traipse over back story any longer..they could have had him back on solo missions now Craig's tenure is tied to this continuing personal story, and he will never get that individual solo mission without the family baggage.

  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited October 2017 Posts: 15,423
    The only reason Skyfall felt good to some (or many) is because of its deep portrait of emotions, melodrama and vulnerability. Too much of the trio, in fact. Sam Mendes is damn good at it. But, these don't make a Bond film good... Far from it. I'd rather not start on the coherence of every character, scene, and planned turnouts that, at times (most of the times), made little to no sense.

    It's all a matter of opinion. And it seems your opinion isn't part of the average opinion....which mostly has "Skyfall" on 5th place (out of 24 official films :-). A good Bond film to me knows the fire of time. Knows how to delicately balance formula with uniqueness. At the time Sam Mendes got that job done....and people loved it. And apparently, still many people love it.

    I call that a basic rule of creating not only a succesful film, but especially a succesful Bond film.
    You mean, on MI6 Community, "most" of people have them on their Top 5. Sure, it has its fans here a lot. But, there are dozens of people out of these forums that saw the film for what it was. A pastiche of drama that pushed all the Bond feel out of the movie and brought something else to the picture. One of the "major" reasons the film was successful was because they gave it hell of an advertisement, associated with the 50th Anniversary element which itself is a big thing. Let the years go by. People will get bored of it, eventually. It's visually the most beautiful looking Bond film. But, that's as good as it gets.
    The only reason Skyfall felt good to some (or many) is because of its deep portrait of emotions, melodrama and vulnerability. Too much of the trio, in fact. Sam Mendes is damn good at it. But, these don't make a Bond film good... Far from it. I'd rather not start behind the coherence of every character, scene, and planned turnouts that, at times (most of the times), made little to no sense.

    Oh I agree, he brought Road to Perdition to Bond. Dark, injustice and revenge plot. But building on QOS could have also been a disaster, Skyfall had to be something different and that was going deeper and darker. Mendes was clever he picked up on the snippets of back story like Vesper on the Train in Casino analyzing Bond and his background and picking at that scab or how he ends up an Eton school boy who didn't fit in because he wasn't from real money. Casino and QOS Bond still had that petulant school boy in him. By the time he comes out the water in Skyfall it's gone, his brush with death and realising he's mortal he becomes ice cold, slick and professional. Gone are the struggles to deal with killing (Casino when he kills for the first time in Karachi you can see it's not easy). Skyfall is a phoenix from the flames story but the Bond on the roof at the end is the Bond Connery, Dalton and Brosnan already were without the back story. Why I found Specter so disappointing, there was no need to traipse over back story any longer..they could have had him back on solo missions now Craig's tenure is tied to this continuing personal story, and he will never get that individual solo mission without the family baggage.
    I like your analysis, @SirHilaryBray. It's a positive way of seeing the film. I wish I could see like that, but I can't, really. The turnouts don't sit well with me at all. Satisfactory for Bond tropes-wise, I loved Spectre, but plot-wise, even weaker than Skyfall. The plot and the elements don't hold it together in the slightest. Just a bunch of good scenes poorly tied to, together. The lines were very pedestrian, as well. The endgame was weaker than Silva's "little" revenge plot. The reason I rate Skyfall the lowest and find it cringeworthy because it was exactly the Road of Perdition but with every character taking the wrong turn on purpose (seeming as if they do so as such) and with Bond set up to fail from the beginning screams to my face whenever I watch it with the attempt to feel it anew. I can hardly tolerate Skyfall. It is to me what Die Another Day is to the majority here.
  • Posts: 1,162
    The only reason Skyfall felt good to some (or many) is because of its deep portrait of emotions, melodrama and vulnerability. Too much of the trio, in fact. Sam Mendes is damn good at it. But, these don't make a Bond film good... Far from it. I'd rather not start behind the coherence of every character, scene, and planned turnouts that, at times (most of the times), made little to no sense.

    Oh I agree, he brought Road to Perdition to Bond. Dark, injustice and revenge plot. But building on QOS could have also been a disaster, Skyfall had to be something different and that was going deeper and darker. Mendes was clever he picked up on the snippets of back story like Vesper on the Train in Casino analyzing Bond and his background and picking at that scab or how he ends up an Eton school boy who didn't fit in because he wasn't from real money. Casino and QOS Bond still had that petulant school boy in him. By the time he comes out the water in Skyfall it's gone, his brush with death and realising he's mortal he becomes ice cold, slick and professional. Gone are the struggles to deal with killing (Casino when he kills for the first time in Karachi you can see it's not easy). Skyfall is a phoenix from the flames story but the Bond on the roof at the end is the Bond Connery, Dalton and Brosnan already were without the back story. Why I found Spectre so disappointing, there was no need to traipse over back story any longer..they could have had him back on solo missions now Craig's tenure is tied to this continuing personal story, and he will never get that individual solo mission without the family baggage.

    Does the Bond on the end of Skyfall really feels anyhow like the Connery Bond to you?
    You know, that relaxed and suave cat always ready for fun, always ready to work, always ready to combine both. Nah
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    Be careful @ClarkDevlin, the thought police are after you. ;)
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited October 2017 Posts: 15,423
    Murdock wrote: »
    Be careful @ClarkDevlin, the thought police are after you. ;)
    Don't you just miss Communism? :))

  • Posts: 11,119
    Murdock wrote: »
    Be careful @ClarkDevlin, the thought police are after you. ;)

    Be careful @Murdock? Nah, boring. Let's take risks every now and then ;-)
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    Murdock wrote: »
    Be careful @ClarkDevlin, the thought police are after you. ;)

    Be careful @Murdock? Nah, boring. Let's take risks every now and then ;-)

    A fifth drama in a row doesn't sound very risky @Gustav_Graves. In fact it sounds safe.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Let logic speak.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 23,102
    Skyfall firmly in my bottom five always has been, the 50th anniversary helped this film enormously IMO
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Skyfall firmly in my bottom five always has been, the 50th anniversary helped this film enormously IMO
    Thank you!
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    I enjoyed Skyfall but I don't want another film like it for a long time. Not every Bond film needs to leave me feeling depressed.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 23,102
    I keep repeating this though I want Bond 25 to be a fun one off mission not linked in a contrived manner to previous DC films.
  • Posts: 11,119
    Murdock wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    Be careful @ClarkDevlin, the thought police are after you. ;)

    Be careful @Murdock? Nah, boring. Let's take risks every now and then ;-)

    A fifth drama in a row doesn't sound very risky @Gustav_Graves. In fact it sounds safe.

    What makes you believe/assume all that. I also find it pretty short-sighted to name all previous four Bond films in retrospect "drama" films.

    It's what I said before in here: we assume too much in this overpopulated topic. Actually, to annoy certain people in here, I wouldn't mind to continue this so called 'formula of drama movies', just like we had this 'formula of comedy cheese' in another era. And then again, you can't make all people happy :-).

    PS: Hence I create the new betting odds game/topic ;-)
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    "Comedy Cheese". That's what I call short-sighted.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    Murdock wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    Be careful @ClarkDevlin, the thought police are after you. ;)

    Be careful @Murdock? Nah, boring. Let's take risks every now and then ;-)

    A fifth drama in a row doesn't sound very risky @Gustav_Graves. In fact it sounds safe.

    What makes you believe/assume all that. I also find it pretty short-sighted to name all previous four Bond films in retrospect "drama" films.

    It's what I said before in here: we assume too much in this overpopulated topic. Actually, to annoy certain people in here, I wouldn't mind to continue this so called 'formula of drama movies', just like we had this 'formula of comedy cheese' in another era. And then again, you can't make all people happy :-).

    PS: Hence I create the new betting odds game/topic ;-)

    The last for films have been dramas. 2 less so than the others. I don't mind Dramas, I'm just tired of the boring melodrama and delving into Bond's past and these nonsensical connections to make Bond and Blofeld related through childhood.

    Your opinions are quite known. Which era had comedy cheese because in the entire 50+ years this franchise has existed no Bond film has ever stuped to having Comedy cheese as you say. And you assume I haven't been happy well you're wrong on that mark. I've enjoyed all of Craig's films. I just want his fifth to steer away from the melodrama and contrived plot twists Mendes thought were clever.
  • Posts: 4,619
    I keep repeating this though I want Bond 25 to be a fun one off mission not linked in a contrived manner to previous DC films.
    One off? Yes, absolutely! Fun? Noooo! I want a deadly serious thriller. Not drama, thriller.
  • jake24jake24 Sitting at your desk, kissing your lover, eating supper with your familyModerator
    Posts: 10,586
    I keep repeating this though I want Bond 25 to be a fun one off mission not linked in a contrived manner to previous DC films.
    It won't happen this time.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    I keep repeating this though I want Bond 25 to be a fun one off mission not linked in a contrived manner to previous DC films.
    One off? Yes, absolutely! Fun? Noooo! I want a deadly serious thriller. Not drama, thriller.
    I actually won't mind this. While I don't lead a crusade against fun as you do (the contrary, in fact), I won't be against a spy thriller with suspense.

    @PanchitoPistoles, the type you seek can be found in Dynamite's first two installments in the James Bond comics. Give those a try.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 23,102
    I keep repeating this though I want Bond 25 to be a fun one off mission not linked in a contrived manner to previous DC films.
    One off? Yes, absolutely! Fun? Noooo! I want a deadly serious thriller. Not drama, thriller.

    A deadly serious thriller can also be fun
    jake24 wrote: »
    I keep repeating this though I want Bond 25 to be a fun one off mission not linked in a contrived manner to previous DC films.
    It won't happen this time.

    I suspect you are right based on the previous four movies, they have arguably backed themselves into a corner with DC
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited October 2017 Posts: 23,883
    The so called 'cheese era' was put out of its misery (thankfully for many) after 7 years. Perhaps it's time for the 'pretentious drama era' to meet a siimilar fate. Unfortunately however, it seems that it will linger for 13 years.

    As I said a few days back, it's the length of this era without tonal change which is a legitimate concern. And no, the Bond at the end of SF is not the same cool, suave, carefree one from the early years and can never be. We know too much about this version's troubles, backgound and history for him to ever be credible in that capacity. He is no longer an enigma.
  • jake24jake24 Sitting at your desk, kissing your lover, eating supper with your familyModerator
    Posts: 10,586
    A serious thriller would be ideal!
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Maybe they should hire Warren Ellis as a writer.
  • Posts: 11,119
    Murdock wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    Be careful @ClarkDevlin, the thought police are after you. ;)

    Be careful @Murdock? Nah, boring. Let's take risks every now and then ;-)

    A fifth drama in a row doesn't sound very risky @Gustav_Graves. In fact it sounds safe.

    What makes you believe/assume all that. I also find it pretty short-sighted to name all previous four Bond films in retrospect "drama" films.

    It's what I said before in here: we assume too much in this overpopulated topic. Actually, to annoy certain people in here, I wouldn't mind to continue this so called 'formula of drama movies', just like we had this 'formula of comedy cheese' in another era. And then again, you can't make all people happy :-).

    PS: Hence I create the new betting odds game/topic ;-)

    The last for films have been dramas. 2 less so than the others. I don't mind Dramas, I'm just tired of the boring melodrama and delving into Bond's past and these nonsensical connections to make Bond and Blofeld related through childhood.

    Your opinions are quite known. Which era had comedy cheese because in the entire 50+ years this franchise has existed no Bond film has ever stuped to having Comedy cheese as you say. And you assume I haven't been happy well you're wrong on that mark. I've enjoyed all of Craig's films. I just want his fifth to steer away from the melodrama and contrived plot twists Mendes thought were clever.

    God. But me too. Why would I go into great lengths to write a story treatment that exactly has that fun. Have you actually.....read it?

    But I also know very well that we probably won't get such a film. I can't be bothered so much. Let the new Bond film surprise us a bit more, instead of already turning the Bond 25 event into a lousy negative tour-de-force, further enhanced by comparisons with other franchises that supposedly know it better. Ughhh, so easy to say.....especially when you're not a 55 year old franchise.

    I'm a bit fed up with the 'I am a director as well' mentality over here. It's not something personal pointed at you @Murdock. And I know you're a happy chap. Seeing you in that mustard yellow Starfleet pullover makes me happy :-).
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    Murdock wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    Be careful @ClarkDevlin, the thought police are after you. ;)

    Be careful @Murdock? Nah, boring. Let's take risks every now and then ;-)

    A fifth drama in a row doesn't sound very risky @Gustav_Graves. In fact it sounds safe.

    What makes you believe/assume all that. I also find it pretty short-sighted to name all previous four Bond films in retrospect "drama" films.

    It's what I said before in here: we assume too much in this overpopulated topic. Actually, to annoy certain people in here, I wouldn't mind to continue this so called 'formula of drama movies', just like we had this 'formula of comedy cheese' in another era. And then again, you can't make all people happy :-).

    PS: Hence I create the new betting odds game/topic ;-)

    The last for films have been dramas. 2 less so than the others. I don't mind Dramas, I'm just tired of the boring melodrama and delving into Bond's past and these nonsensical connections to make Bond and Blofeld related through childhood.

    Your opinions are quite known. Which era had comedy cheese because in the entire 50+ years this franchise has existed no Bond film has ever stuped to having Comedy cheese as you say. And you assume I haven't been happy well you're wrong on that mark. I've enjoyed all of Craig's films. I just want his fifth to steer away from the melodrama and contrived plot twists Mendes thought were clever.

    God. But me too. Why would I go into great lengths to write a story treatment that exactly has that fun. Have you actually.....read it?

    But I also know very well that we probably won't get such a film. I can't be bothered so much. Let the new Bond film surprise us a bit more, instead of already turning the Bond 25 event into a lousy negative tour-de-force, further enhanced by comparisons with other franchises that supposedly know it better. Ughhh, so easy to say.....especially when you're not a 55 year old franchise.

    I'm a bit fed up with the 'I am a director as well' mentality over here. It's not something personal pointed at you @Murdock. And I know you're a happy chap. Seeing you in that mustard yellow Starfleet pullover makes me happy :-).

    I haven't had the time to get around to reading your treatment. Been much too busy lately. I've also got a backlog of Early draft scripts of Bond films I need to get to as well. So much content, so little time. :))

    But I'm positive Bond 25 will be a step in the right direction. Craig is back, that's one thing I wanted. To have it end with the death of Blofeld and the collapse of Spectre would be a nice shiny red bow.
    XxvZf3Jl.jpg
  • Posts: 1,680
    I really would rather not see DV helm Craigs final film. Prisoners was the only decent film IMO, the rest are pretentious with some good scenes in them.

    He cant bring his style of filmaking to Bond, even EON wont let it happen, Villenueve's films are too much of a slog to sit through.

    Ill be suprised if he is hired, I think Mendes was asked repeatedly again & EON are scrambling.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,250
    @Murdock -- great poster. Honestly, my man, I can see the movie in the poster. Or at least feeding me the expectation of what's in the movie.

    Well done. Always love your creativity.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    Thanks, @peter. :-bd
  • edited October 2017 Posts: 352
    Rumors floating around online that Elon Musk has been pitching script/plot ideas to EON for Bond 25, and includes some sort of space rocket, or even outer space as a location. Apparently our new Moonraker?

    Also, DC wants Monica Bellucci back in the next film to have a fuller, longer role.
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