Tell us all about your BONDATHON

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  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 6,761
    Finished the Daniel Craig part of my Bondathon last night, with QOS.

    Being the first time I watch all the films in such quick succession – and having each era fresh in mind, it's become obvious I have difficulty placing the Craig films high in my rankings. CR currently sits at 12th, being the best of them.

    I have few issues with Craig himself and his portrayal, but I guess his films just don't sit well with me. I just can't seem to enjoy them that much, and there's a quality or factor that's missing which is present in the other films. I can't put my finger on it.

    I think it will be the same here. Many Bond films are of nostalgic value for me. For the old films I close my eyes for many of their flaws, I’m much more severe for the new films. CR might be close to the top 10 though.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Ordered GE again, different version, hopefully my Bondathon will yet be complete.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Birdleson wrote: »
    It is a necessity.

    Absolutely. Otherwise it isn t a Bondathon.
  • Posts: 17,241
    I don't think it's a lack of nostalgia factor that makes the Craig films less enjoyable in comparison with the old films. The Brosnan films and the Dalton films also have this thing about them I can't seem to find in the Craig era.
  • AleanderAleander Kavala, Greece
    Posts: 33
    Ranking the Moore films:

    For Your Eyes Only
    The Spy Who Loved Me
    Live and Let Die
    Octopussy
    Moonraker
    The Man With the Golden Gun
    A View to a Kill
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 6,761
    Entering Rog’s run with Live and Let Die. A step up from Diamonds for sure, though not quite at the same height as the 60’s films. Still though an enjoyable ride with Baron Samedi and Tee Hee as special standouts. Some amazing stunts along the way too and an eerie voodoo atmosphere during the finale.

    There was one part however where I did lose some interest, which was when they first go to San Monique with Rosie, even the bus chase in that section doesn’t quite cut it for me. But from the crocodile farm onwards it’s all good fun again.

    LIVE AND LET DIE
    James Bond: 4
    I think Rog is good in his first outing, but not quite as good as he would become later on. “I suspect the highlight of the tour.”, always cracks me up.
    Bond girls: 3
    Beautiful but quite helpless.
    Villain: 3
    Rather unconvincing as Mr Big. Works pretty good as Kananga though.
    Henchmen/women: 4
    Tee Hee and especially Baron Samedi are brilliant, Rosie however is not. Unsurprisingly she’s an integral part of the movie’s weakest moment.
    Allies: 4
    David Hedison is a fine Felix and Strutter is quite an amusing fellow even though he’s somewhat underused.
    MI6: 3
    “Is that all it does?”: one of my favourite M scenes. Inevitably Desmond’s absence hurts this category however.
    Plot: 3
    Not terrible but not quite impressive either.
    Gunbarrel & title sequence: 4
    Great title sequence with excellent skeleton and fire motifs accentuating the voodoo theme of the film. The gunbarrel is ok.
    Sets & locations: 4
    When we first visit San Monique, it is rather unimpressive, but when we return for the climax it’s masterfully used as a voodoo haven. NY and Louisiana get the job done, with the crocodile farm and the bayous as highlights.
    Cinematography: 4
    Ted Moore returns to form after an uninspired effort for DAF.
    Pre-title sequence: 3
    There has never been a bad PTS, this rather pedestrian one is probably the weakest though.
    Climax: 4
    Loses one point for Kananga’s cringeworthy demise.
    Vehicles & gadgets: 3
    Action: 4
    Great boat chase and crocodile stunt! Also like the short Baron Samedi fight and Tee Hee’s post-climax appearance.
    Dialogue & humour: 4
    Tom Mankiewicz knows how to write witty stuff, that’s for sure.
    Music score: 4
    Original song(s): 4
    Costumes & attire: 4
    Snobbery: 3
    Somewhat lacking here but I love Bond’s coffee machine.
    Ian Fleming: 4
    Surprisingly loyal to the Fleming spirit of the novels even though some things from the original story have been omitted.
    Total: 73%

    Current rankings
    1. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    2. Thunderball
    3. Dr. No
    4. From Russia with Love
    5. Goldfinger
    6. You Only Live Twice
    7. Live and Let Die
    8. Diamonds Are Forever
  • Posts: 1,395
    The Bondathon continued with Thunderball. I'd say it's Connery's defining 007 performance. Terence Young and Connery really went all out to create, I think, the best of 60's Bond.

    Currently:

    1. TB
    2. Dr. No
    3. GF
    4. FRWL
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 6,761
    I’d agree with that if not for the brilliant OHMSS. Nevertheless, with only NSNA to go in my own Bondathon I can safely say TB is my favourite Connery Bond.
  • Posts: 1,395
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    I’d agree with that if not for the brilliant OHMSS. Nevertheless, with only NSNA to go in my own Bondathon I can safely say TB is my favourite Connery Bond.

    Can't argue there too much! I like OHMSS, yet it's usually middle of my rankings. But I'll see how it shakes out this time out, haven't watched in a few years.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 6,761
    I always had a soft spot for The Man with the Golden Gun, hence my nickname. Admittedly, there is some silly humour and not-so-great writing in places.
    Nevertheless, TMWTGG boasts one of the very best, if not the best villain of the series. It also features some of the most atmospherical locations and sets. Furthermore I always liked Goodnight and Miss Anders despite the former being quite helpless at times.

    After this rewatch I found it to be as enjoyable as it always has been for me.

    THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
    James Bond: 5
    Arguably Roger’s most Flemingesque performance. He’s in fact quite ruthless in this film, though he never seems to lose his typical charm either.
    Bond girls: 4
    As already pointed out, I always loved both Goodnight and Miss Anders, although the former’s ineptness and Saïda prevent this category to take maximum points.
    Villain: 5
    Note to the villains yet to come: it will be hard to beat Sir Christopher Lee’s absolutely magnificent turn as Scaramanga.
    Henchmen/women: 4
    Nick Nack is great, but Kra is creepy and uninteresting however.
    Allies: 3
    Always liked Hip and JW never bothered me all that much even though he’s not a great addition by any means.
    MI6: 4
    M and Q can be quite funny in this film: jealous husbands, outraged chefs, humiliated tailors and the chap who made the bullet.
    Plot: 3
    I like the premise of Bond v Scaramanga and solar power seems relevant even today but some illogical writing brings this category down.
    Gunbarrel & title sequence: 4
    Never understood why some Binder work get so many complaints. It’s not as good as the previous entries but oriental motifs and the golden gun get the job done. I like this gunbarrel a tad better than the one from LALD.
    Sets & locations: 5
    A small Arab contribution in Lebanon before going 100% Far East. Macau, Hong Kong and that spectacular island group. Furthermore, there is the Peninsula Hotel, Hai Fat’s residence and one of my favourite sets of the series: Scaramanga’s fun palace! House of Wax meets Dr Caligari meets Mario Bava! Thank you, Mr Peter Murton!
    Cinematography: 5
    Ted Moore and Oswald Morris combine efforts to do the great locations justice while also provide some nice atmospherical colour patterns. In the fun palace that colour pattern seems inspired by Italian giallo films, which I am also a big fan of.
    Pre-title sequence: 5
    Given how much I like the fun palace, this is one of my favourites too.
    Climax: 4
    Same as for the PTS, though a little bit tainted by the obvious twist.
    Vehicles & gadgets: 5
    Not much for 007, but Colibri’s work on the golden gun is nothing short of brilliant!
    Action: 3
    In all honesty not the film’s strongest suit. The boat chase is a serious letdown in comparison with the one from LALD. The car stunt on the other hand is a masterpiece.
    Dialogue & humour: 4
    Excellent dialogue with witty lines performed by excellent actors, slightly ruined by childish humour like an elephant pushing someone in a canal for comic relief.
    Music score: 4
    An underrated but excellent score by John Barry with only one moment of madness: the slide whistle.
    Original song(s): 3
    Neither the best nor the worst.
    Costumes & attire: 5
    Roger sports some fine suits and the Swedish duo have some stunning swimming outfits.
    Snobbery: 5
    The only question that puzzles me: does Phuyuck beat a bag of peanuts?
    Ian Fleming: 4
    Minus a few instances of childish humour and poor writing, this one feels quite true to the spirit of the books.
    Total: 84%

    Current rankings
    1. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
    2. Thunderball
    3. The Man with the Golden Gun
    4. Dr. No
    5. From Russia with Love
    6. Goldfinger
    7. You Only Live Twice
    8. Live and Let Die
    9. Diamonds Are Forever
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited May 2019 Posts: 6,761
    Some other things that I really like about TMWTGG that I forgot:

    - Marne Maitland as Lazar. The man is utterly enjoyable. “Squeeze it.”
    - Scaramanga’s modes of transport. A traditional Chinese junk, with a fine looking bar I must add, and the car plane. This film the villain really does have the gadgets and he knows how to use them.
    - Quite like the sword fight in the kung fu school, such ruthless display. An almost random fight to the death. Rather well-choreographed too, unlike some other fight scenes in the film.
    - the Queen Elizabeth boat set with its tilted rooms that look like they are inspired by the camera work of The Third Man. Wasn’t Guy Hamilton the assistant director of that film?
    - The gratuitous but very much appreciated appearance of Chew-Me.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,418
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    Some other things that I really like about TMWTGG that I forgot:

    - Marne Maitland as Lazar. The man is utterly enjoyable. “Squeeze it.”
    - Scaramanga’s modes of transport. A traditional Chinese junk, with a fine looking bar I must add, and the car plane. This film the villain really does have the gadgets and he knows how to use them.
    - Quite like the sword fight in the kung fu school, such ruthless display. An almost random fight to the death. Rather well-choreographed too, unlike some other fight scenes in the film.
    - the Queen Elizabeth boat set with its tilted rooms that look like they are inspired by the camera work of The Third Man. Wasn’t Guy Hamilton the assistant director of that film?
    - The gratuitous but very much appreciated appearance of Chew-Me.

    Yes he was, along with a host of Bondian alumni - John Glen, Orson Welles, Bernard Lee, Robert Brown, Geoffrey Keen and Eric Pohlmann.
  • 007Blofeld007Blofeld In the freedom of the West.
    Posts: 3,126
    how does Bond know every detail of what happened to plenty o tool's murder in diamonds its almost like he did it?
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN

    When this came out, it was a huge deal that Connery was back as Bond. I had only seen him in GF, and I think this was just the fifth Bond film I saw at all. It looked great in the cinema, less so on dvd.

    The first half hour is terrific, after that it is a bit up and down. The Shrublands fight is fantastic, both exciting and fun. It got some laughs in the theatre. Makes more sense for Bond to be sent there at 53 than at 35, too. The shark scene is very well done.

    When Fatima tells Bond to write, how does she know he has a pen in his pocket? I only knew Barbara Carrera as the meek and sympathetic indian woman Clay Basket in Centennial before, so seeing her as this Cruella de Vil wannabe was quite the turnaround. Gavan O Herlihy I recognized from Superman III. Has he ever played anything other than pathetic characters? Max Von Sydow is great as Blofeld.

    Best line:
    "It certainly does."

    The score always annoyed me, but it is really just some of the slow, jazzy stuff that is bad.

    In 83 I thought it was fun to see Atkinson in a Bond. Now I just found it cringy.

    Sad to see Bond, CIA and SPECTRE blasting away with guns and explosives among those ancient monuments. Cultural vandalism of the worst kind. Reminds me of the IS. And speaking of which: Allah isn t the name of the prophet.

    All in all, this was a pretty good watch. Not great. Of the 12 films I have seen so far in this Bondathon, I think I rank it as no 9.



    Next up: Probably TWINE.

  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    I hadn t seen OP yet when I saw NSNA. I caught it at a rerun the following year, and when I did I agreed with a review I heard on the radio that said it was miles and miles better than OP. For a long time later I ranked them close together, which one had the edge switched around a bit. Now I vastly prefer OP.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I go back and forth. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but such different strengths and weaknesses.

    Yes, absolutely. NSNA has less childish cringe, but OP flows better from start to finish.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Positive news: I got confirmation that GE and DAD are on their way, making my Bondathon and Bond collection complete.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Birdleson wrote: »
    About time!

    It happens at the perfect time.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited May 2019 Posts: 12,916
    Never Say Never Again is worth watching with the commentary of the director and others if it's on your disc. Interesting insight into the filming.

    I watched both in theaters when they came out, Octopussy is a much better film production. And Bond film. They're both great fun , of course.

    Minus Never Say Never Again, would Octopussy have been a little more along the lines of For Your Eyes Only I wonder.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    edited June 2019 Posts: 45,489

    Minus Never Say Never Again, would Octopussy have been a little more along the lines of For Your Eyes Only I wonder.

    Interesting question. I believe that the competition made them give it their all.

    Going into a three weeks summer vacation where I am staying at home for the most of the time, and with my Bond collection soon to be completed, I have decided to speed up my Bondathon to get more up to date, so popped in

    THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH

    This is a film I did not watch in the cinema, but caught on video the following year. There were some rumours in the press beforehand that Bond would have to attend Qs funeral in this, and needed psychological help thereafter. Glad that didn t happen .Strangely prophetic, though.

    Always loved the opening in Bilbao. Brosnan was great here. The rest of the pts is a bit tedious and too long, only saved by the lovely and alluring Maria Crazya Coconutta.

    Always loved the main titles and theme song, too.

    Too bad the rest of the film is such a bad and boring experience, despite some great locations and good performances from Robert Carlyle and Denise Richards.

    I enjoyed DAD this time, and thought Brosnan was great in it. This one however, reaffirmed my opinion of him as the weakest Bond. Not sure if it was that Tamahori gelled with him more, if the script for DAD was more suited to him or if he had finally grown into the role by then. Probably a combination of it all.

    The score is a mixed bag. The action score is horrible, and seems just randomly inserted, but the slower parts are excellent.

    The only scene that made me laugh was the torture chair, but only because it is so hideously ridiculous and bad.

    I did like the end scene, minus the bad puns. They are all over this film. Cannot think of a single good one. Of the thirteen films I saw so far in this Bondathon, this is at the bottom.



    Next up: TND.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    TOMORROW NEVER DIES

    First saw this with a friend in the cinema when it came out. Thought it was all right, but rather forgettable and unimpressive. It has been a bottom three for as long as I remember.

    This viewing went much better. The pts is good, does the job well. The main titles are very fine, but the theme song is not among my favourites. Not bad, but bland and uninteresting. I suddenly find myself on board with those who would have liked Surrender as the main theme instead.

    Brosnan is a good Bond here. Why was he so horrible in TWINE? Must be the direction and the script. Most things are better here, the score, the story, the action, the villains. Dr Kaufman is hilarious and Carver is also deliciously evil.

    Wai Lin is one who actually lives up to the cliched phrase Bond s equal.

    The one thing that pulls this down a few notches is the last fifteen minutes. The so called climax is exceedingly boring, just plain bad.

    Of the fourteen films I have seen so far in this Bondathon, this comes in at the no 9 spot.

    Now I am really curious to see where GE lands and how Brosnan fares there.



    But I am saving that for later. Next up-the Lewis Gilbert films.
  • Posts: 12,243
    @Thunderfinger I agree with pretty much everything. TND used to be one of my absolute least favorites, but it’s managed to jump up several spots over time and is easily my second favorite Brosnan Bond film after GE (TWINE and DAD have their moments, but are pretty stuck in the bottom section for me).
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    So far I have DAD just one spot above it, mainly because the climax there isn t boring.
  • Posts: 6,682
    You're younger than I thought.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    mattjoes wrote: »
    You're younger than I thought.

    @calvindyson used to be on here. Must have been scared off.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE

    First saw this in the cinema in 1987, when there was a 25th anniversary Bondathon going on, at least in Bergen which was the closest town to my naval base. This was the last I got to see there before we went out on a mission again. I have always liked it, but this was the best viewing I ever had.

    The pts is so-so, but the main titles are good, and the theme song maybe the most beautiful in the whole series.

    The score is outstanding, as is the cinematography. The sets are also superb, and I really enjoy the time colorite of that period.

    The girls are both among the sweetest, but Pleasence is a rather poor Blofeld.

    Connery has a commanding presence more so than any other Bond actors. It falls really natural for him to order people around when required.

    The only boring bits are the ninja stuff, but those scenes don t last long enough to bring the film down as a whole.

  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    THE SPY WHO LOVED ME

    I first saw this on video in the 80s with a pal. We used to rent videos together, and watch them in his room. He had a colour tv, while I only had a b/w one. I was well aware of this in 1977, as just about everyone went to see it, and I followed a production documentary series on tv. Not until SF have I seen such a Bond craze in my lifetime.

    This viewing is the least impressive so far for me.

    Pts is kind of boring, but the climax is deserevedly iconic. Main titles are ok, nothing great, but I do like the deep colours and contrasts. Theme song doesn t do it for me, but I like the interplay towards the end between violin and trumpet.

    Moore doesn t have his best performance here. He is very good in the more serious scenes, but for most of the film he is very smug and almost unlikable, with some exaggerated expressions and mannerisms.

    Bach is good casting, and Stromberg is a terrific villain. Icy cold and with great taste in decor thanks to Ken Adam. His lair is the most tasteful of all bar Dr No.

    Sandor is a great henchman.(Frank Miller based Kingpin on him.) The rooftop fight is one of the highlights. Jaws is just a buffoon, except for in the Mujaba Club scene, another highlight. That sequence is masterful with its photo, editing and score. The whole score is rather good, or at least very suited to this particular film. I think it could only work as well in a 70s Moore film.

  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    MOONRAKER

    Another film I first saw on video in the 80s with the same pal. I have always ranked this towards the bottom, but I appreciated it a lot more this time. The stupid gags aren t as many as I remembered, no more than in any other film from that era.

    Pts has some fantastic stuntwork. Outstanding, even if you see it isn t Moore and Kiel and the parachutes are visible.

    Main title sequence-nothing special, but the song is beautiful, maybe only matched by YOLT as far as title songs go.

    Moore is very good here. I only find him somewhat lacking and unsympathetic in LALD and TSWLM. Dr Goodhead, what a name. Great stuff. Drax is a terrific villain, quite similar to Stromberg.

    Best lines:

    "Only my tailor s heart."
    and
    "Even in death my munificence is boundless."

    Most of this film is quite fantastic, but the last half hour is unfortunately horrible enough to bring the whole film down several notches.


    New Lewis Gilbert ranking:

    1 YOLT (+1)
    2 MR (+1)
    3 TSWLM (-2)

    Next-the Martin Campbell films.

  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 6,761
    @Thunderfinger, some surprising twists there. TSWLM and MR are also next on my list. I had great viewing of TMWTGG, I wonder how the much better received TSWLM will compare.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    GoldenGun wrote: »
    @Thunderfinger, some surprising twists there. TSWLM and MR are also next on my list. I had great viewing of TMWTGG, I wonder how the much better received TSWLM will compare.

    Looking forward to see what you think. I put TMWTGG above them both.
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