Skyfall (film) - James Bond

[darth los]

Seriously, was anyone clamoring for this anyway? :rolleyes:

I think Bassman mentioned the problems the studio was having a little while back. I couldn't find it on the search feature though, so here you go...


Financial woes reportedly aren't the only issues holding up Bond 23.

http://movies.ign.com/articles/111/1111407p1.html

:cool:

[bassman]

Seriously, was anyone clamoring for this anyway? :rolleyes:



*raises hand*

Craig and this new "Reboot/Vesper" trilogy is the best thing to happen to Bond since Goldeneye. Although Quantum of Solace wasn't very good, Casino Royale is my favorite bond film right next to Goldfinger.

And with someone like Mendes attached to direct, I was hoping for a nice closing chapter to the Vesper trilogy...

[darth los]

*raises hand*

Craig and this new "Reboot/Vesper" trilogy is the best thing to happen to Bond since Goldeneye. Although Quantum of Solace wasn't very good, Casino Royale is my favorite bond film right next to Goldfinger.

And with someone like Mendes attached to direct, I was hoping for a nice closing chapter to the Vesper trilogy...

Oh, there's no doubt that Casino Royale is the best bond film in avery long time but it just seems to me that the franchise is in decline, especially after the last offering.

Waiting so long means not having it out there in "pop culture" and when it finally does roll around is anyone going to care? (excluding you of course :D)

I mean 2014? Really?

:cool:

[bassman]

The bond series can never die, man. Think about all the ups and downs its already had in it's 50 year existence. Everyone thought it was dead after Connery's departure, Dalton's two films, Die Another Day, etc. QOS was a let down to most, on that I agree, but it wouldn't qualify as a decline, imo. One way or another, the character will never fade away permanently.

If they can bounce back from Moonraker, they can bounce back from QOS.:p

[EvilNed]

Word. I like having a new bond film coming out every 2 or 3 years. It's a nice, stable thing to look forward too. I thought QoS was pretty cool actually. Not great by any means, but I enjoyed it and I know many who do. Looking forward to the next one.

But Daniel Craig's gonna hit Sweden now and do the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. So Bond's gonna have to wait I guess.

[acealive1]

bond wont be back til they figure out how to not spend money they make on the franchise.

[bassman]

But Daniel Craig's gonna hit Sweden now and do the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. So Bond's gonna have to wait I guess.

And Cowboys vs Aliens with Jon Favreau and Harrison Ford. Looking forward to that one. :D

[bassman]

Looks like 007 may be returning within two years....

http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEMYJDzIPzNLRQ

Now that MGM has the Hobbit up and running, they're looking for another company to partner up with for the third film in the Vesper trilogy.

[MoonSylver]

The bond series can never die, man. Think about all the ups and downs its already had in it's 50 year existence.

Yeah, there are some series that have passed the threshhold where they'll never completely go away. Maybe go on long hiatus. Bond & Godzilla are two for sure. F13th, Halloween, & NOES? Maaayyybeee...I would've said yes, but after the reaction to the remakes, I don't think any of them are going into full on series mode again. Probably going dormant again. Will they make a comeback (again)? Time will tell.


And Cowboys vs Aliens with Jon Favreau and Harrison Ford. Looking forward to that one. :D

:stunned:
I had heard about this movie, but not who was involved...

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/images/%5CAUTOIMAGES%5CVN99058lg.jpg

[bassman]

Yeah, I haven't seen a second of footage, but I'm totally psyched for Cowboys and Aliens. Favreau directing Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde(hawt), Sam Rockwell, and Paul Dano? Script by the guys behind the Star Trek Reboot? High expectations for this one.

http://www.aintitcool.com/images2009/CC10cowboys1big.jpg

Sci fi in a western setting. I'm surprised we haven't seen more of this...

[rongravy]

I'd rather they do a Remo Williams reboot instead of more new crap Bond. Roger Moore was my guy, I didn't like the new Bond movies so far.

[bassman]

I'd rather they do a Remo Williams reboot instead of more new crap Bond. Roger Moore was my guy, I didn't like the new Bond movies so far.

:stunned:

I like the Moore films for what they were, but most of them were WAY too cheesy to work today. They were more of a parody. Casino Royale brought it back to what bond is supposed to be.

[Mitchified]

My only complaint about the Daniel Craig films is that he definitely feels like Bond during the action sequences, but I don't know that I buy him as Bond when he's trying to be suave and smooth. Realistically speaking, no one has been able to pull off both halves of Bond convincingly since Connery, but I thought Brosnan played a better Bond outside of the action scenes and Craig is a better Bond in them.

[Eyebiter]

Until the studio gets it's act together for another film, Bond fans will have books and video games.

James Bond novels go digital, cutting out Penguin
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/8105789/James-Bond-novels-go-digital-cutting-out-Penguin.html

James Bond 007: Blood Stone video game
http://www.bloodstonegame.com/

[bassman]

It's official. MGM announced today (http://www.joblo.com/finally-mgm-sets-start-date-and-november-2012-release-for-bond-23) that Bond 23 will begin filming later this year for a November 9, 2012 release. Sam Mendes still directing.

YES!:hyper: :thumbsup::cool:

[LouCipherr]

I have to agree with you guys - I think Casino Royale was fantastic and one of the best bond films in decades, however, Quantum of Solace was nothing but a big pile of dog shit. :( I was really hoping for better, but... meh.

I hope the next one is as good as CR. Craig's debut as bond was stellar.

[bassman]

I have to agree with you guys - I think Casino Royale was fantastic and one of the best bond films in decades, however, Quantum of Solace was nothing but a big pile of dog shit. :(

A pile of dog shit on it's own terms, or as a follow up to Casino Royale? I can understand if you mean as a follow up because it wasn't as great as CR....but dog shit? Die Another Day is dog shit. QOS, while not as good as CR, is definitely not THAT bad.

I actually quite enjoy it when viewed back to back with CR. Not great, but could have been a LOT worse. I'm looking at you, Die Another Day, Moonraker, Never Say Never Again, and The World Is Not Enough....

[bassman]

Bond's archnemesis, Blofeld to return in the next film? The writer drops a hint that it's very possible:


Rather interestingly, during the talk last night Logan was reminded by an audience member of a quote that he said some ten years ago that, in his opinion, “Bond should always fight Blofeld”. When pressed on this he gave a wry smile and said “Bond should always fight Blofeld”.

I would love to have Blofeld return for this final film in the "Vesper" trilogy. It would be a great way to round it off, while still continuing the franchise into the future. With or without Craig. Bringing in Blofeld would be like showing the Joker card at the end of Batman Begins or having the famous "Space, the final frontier..." quote at the end of the Trek reboot. For that matter...much like Craig finally saying "Bond, James Bond" at the end of Casino Royale. Something to make the nerds jump for joy while leaving the theater.

Hopefully they can make Blofeld cool again, though. Otherwise all the kids will be asking why that bad guy is dressed like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. :rolleyes:

[zombieking]

Well i am excited about the another james bond outing but i think its going to be the last bond movie of Craig

[bassman]

Javier Bardem (http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/10/11/javier-bardem-bond-villain/) confirms that he's the villain in the new film. So no Blofeld? Surely Bardem wouldn't be Blofeld? Or maybe two villains?

Either way, he's a fantastic actor. Can't wait to see him square off with Craig.

[Andy]

Well i am excited about the another james bond outing but i think its going to be the last bond movie of Craig

Not too soon either if you ask me, craig is a absolutly awful bond. His movies are the land-diary-survival of the james bond series.

[bassman]

You guys are f*ckin nuts.:p

Would you have preferred the series stick with the Brosnan Die Another Day crap? That movie was complete garbage. Goldeneye was Brosnan's only good offering as Bond, imo. Craig brought the series back to the epionage thrillers that they should be. The closest thing to Connery's original.

[AcesandEights]

Goldeneye was Brosnan's only good offering as Bond, imo.

I agree, but that was more a failing of the scripts and directors I've always felt. Goldeneye was stellar, in my opinion, and Brosnan was a great actor to work within the archetype of Bond, but good scripts and directing for Bond films in the last 25 years seem to be pretty few and far between, if you ask me.

Though to be fair, I'm not sure I'd disagree with someone who said most Bond scripts in general were crap.

[bassman]

True, it all comes down to the writing and directing but there are so many writers and directors in the series it makes it easier to just go by the actor playing the role. I agree that Brosnan was a great Bond, but his last few films were cringe worthy. Possibly even more so than some of Roger Moore's most facepalm'n moments.

[bassman]

They officially announced the beginning of production on SKYFALL today.


This morning in London, Sony Pictures, MGM Studios and EON Productions held a press conference at Pinewood Studios to announce the start of production on the 23rd James Bond film, which can now formally be called SKYFALL.

Director Sam Mendes and star James Bond were on hand with other members of the cast including Judi Dench, Bond girl Bérénice Marlohe, Naomie Harris and Javier Bardem, who was confirmed as the film's villain. Other cast members confirmed but not in attendance were Ben Whishsaw, Ralph Fiennes
 and Albert Finney.

As for the film itself, the cast and crew weren't talking much but an official synopsis was revealed and may lend some hints towards the film's direction: "Bond's loyalty to M is tested to the full as her past comes back to haunt her. As M16 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."

Mendes also noted that SKYFALL "doesn't connect with the last two films," which means (unless he's bullshitting) we won't continue the saga of QUANTUM (at least not this time around).



They're abandoning the Vesper/Quantum trilogy? Hrm...

[Mike70]

sam mendes as the director is interesting as well. as far as i know, this sort of film is outside of his usual work. hopefully, he'll bring something new to the franchise. there were rumors that mendes wanted a script bereft of the usual "actiony things" that the bond series is noted for. at last look though, it appears some middle ground has been reached on that front.

[bassman]

In a recent interview, Daniel Craig has some bad things to say about Quantum of Solace and some good things to say about the upcoming Skyfall....

On QOS' failures:

"On Quantum, we were fucked. We had the bare bones of a script and then there was the strike and there was nothing we could do. We couldn't employ a writer to finish it. You swear you'll never get involved with shit like that, and then it happens."

Craig even had to write a bit himself with director Mark Foster. "And a writer I am not. It was never meant to be as much of a sequel as it was; it just ended up being one, starting where the last one finished. For me personally, on a level of feeling satisfied, I would want to do better next time. That’s really important to me."

I find it strange that he says it was never meant to be a direct sequel. Sometime during the production of Casino Royale the Bond producers were saying Craig was hired for a "Bond begins" trilogy....



As for Skyfall:

"I really think this one is better even than Casino Royale", Craig enthuses. "[Director] Sam Mendes has lived with Bond all his life, and he grew up with Bond in the same way I did. We have exactly the same reference points, we both like the same Bond movies, and we both like the same bits in the same Bond movies we like. We sat down and we just rabbited for hours about Live And Let Die or From Russia With Love, and talked about little scenes that we knew from them. That’s how we started talking about it. That’s what we tried to instill in the script. He’s been working his arse off to tie all these things together so they make sense... in a Bond way!"

[EvilNed]

I would have liked them to wrap up whatever it is they started with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Although, to be honest, I can't remember what that was. Did we have any loose threads at the end of QoS?

[bassman]

Slightly off topic, but they've finally announced a blu ray collection including all 22 bond films. It can be preordered from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Bond-50-Blu-ray/dp/B006U1J5ZY/joblosmovieempor) for about 100 bucks off the list price, making it about 9 dollars per movie. 130 hours of the existing bonus material, including a full disc of all-new bonus material. Great deal!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81xlXb7RA3L._AA1500_.jpg

Been waiting a long time for this set...

[bassman]

After all the crap Craig received when first hired as Bond, now he's going to be the first Bond with a scruff beard? The guy has balls....

http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/FirstOfficialSkyfallPic.jpg

[AcesandEights]

http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/FirstOfficialSkyfallPic.jpg

Wow, Niko Bellic finally jumps to the big screen :sneaky:

[MinionZombie]

Wow, Niko Bellic finally jumps to the big screen :sneaky:

"Hey, Niko, it's your cousin! Let's go see some big American titeeeees!" :D

[bassman]

Many new pictures here: http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/a-whole-bunch-of-new-official-bond-photos-fall-from-the-sky

Including the return of the greatest Bond vehicle of all time...

http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/Skyfallnew11.jpg


Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes directing, Ralph Feinnes, and Harvier Bardem??? I really hope i'm not setting myself up for a letdown, but damn.....this could be epic....

[MinionZombie]

Yup, definitely up for this! :)

[Neil]

Yup, definitely up for this! :)
Hope it's somewhere near as good as Casino Royale, and not as mediocre as that last one...

[MinionZombie]

Quantum of Solace wasn't terrible by any means, it was just so hard to follow Casino Royale ... and especially with a script that wasn't up-to-snuff.

I've read that they're going to inject more humour into Skyfall, but hopefully it'll be suitable humour that doesn't get in the way. QoS was definitely way too serious, whereas Casino Royale did have a good mix of seriousness, drama, action, romance, and a sly wit.

[bassman]

I think QOS suffers the most from following the spectacular Casino Royale. If people could judge it on it's own merits, it's a decent enough Bond film. There have certainly been worse.

But at the same time, I know it's also hard to seperate it from CR because it was considered a connected sequel...

[EvilNed]

Think I'm gonna have to rewatch QoS. I remember liking it, but now that I think back on it, it doesn't seem like a complete film. Seems more like Casino Royale 1.5.

[krisvds]

poster:

http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2012/05/skyfall-poster.jpg

Next monday; trailer

[Neil]

Trailer... The filming looks nice!

xJ4dAY3DW4c

[bassman]

Although it's just a teaser, I would have liked a few hints at the plot. Otherwise, it's a beautiful looking film!

[MinionZombie]

Very much up for seeing this come November! :)

[AcesandEights]

I'll have to check the teaser out tonight. I hope it hooks me, because I'm not too excited for this film. On paper I should be up for some Craig as Bond action, but I can't even recall if I've bothered to watch Quantum of Solace and not really bothered to find out if I did or not.

[shootemindehead]

Think I'm gonna have to rewatch QoS. I remember liking it, but now that I think back on it, it doesn't seem like a complete film. Seems more like Casino Royale 1.5.

That was my exact feeling too. After being VERY surprised by the really rather good 'Casino Royale', I was left with severe "letdownitis" with Quantum Physics ( or whatever) and it was so flippin short. It only felt like the thing got going and it was over.

Not a Bond fan, by any stretch, but I do hope that the next one goes back to the quality of Craig's first go. He jumped to the top of the "Best Bond" queue in a single leap.

[bassman]

Here's our new Q:

http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/whishaw-q-skyfall-sm.jpg

Much younger of course, but i'm just excited to have the character back. Desmond Llewelyn left some mighty big shoes to fill(as John Cleese learned the hard way), so here's hoping this guy can make a character just as memorable and loved.

[bassman]

Olympic Games TV spot:

ITuiX-lBcfQ

:hyper:


There's no doubt that it will be a beautiful looking film....

[MinionZombie]

Olympic Games TV spot:

ITuiX-lBcfQ

:hyper:


There's no doubt that it will be a beautiful looking film....

Looks tip-top to me.

And for anyone who didn't see it, here's the James Bond bit from last night's Olympics opening ceremony:

xW5abat5NEU

[Neil]

Please please let this be as good as Casino Royale!

[bassman]

Full Trailer

vgr2syY_OU4

[CoinReturn]

Was just about to post that, looks incredible! I'm actually excited for a Bond film, feels weird man.

[krisvds]

wow, just wow

[MinionZombie]

Well that looks ruddy great! :hyper:

Looks like it's got a spiffing central idea for the plot, too. QoS was decent, but decidedly flawed (coming down to the rushed script, suffering from circumstances at the time with the strike), so hopefully we get a good compliment to the excellent work started by Casino Royale. Skyfall will be one of the few movies I actually go to the cinema for this year.

[Neil]

Please please let this be as good as Casino Royale!

^^ This again! :)

[bassman]

They've announced that Adele will be singing the theme to Skyfall. I've heard the name but have no idea who she is. From what I've heard, she has a classic style to her music that should be reminiscent of the classic tunes from the Connery/Moore eras.

[MinionZombie]

They've announced that Adele will be singing the theme to Skyfall. I've heard the name but have no idea who she is. From what I've heard, she has a classic style to her music that should be reminiscent of the classic tunes from the Connery/Moore eras.

Hopefully it'll be a good track, and none of that Madonna shite from a few years back for Die Another Day. I have to say Quantum of Solace's theme was a bit iffy. The fast, punchy bit was good, but I didn't like the rest of it. Casino Royale on the other hand, had a pretty spiffing theme (and title sequence).

[Neil]

This...

Looks...

F***ing...

Awesometastical...


SljThtc9PQE

[EvilNed]

Haha, the final shot of him jumping onto the train was brilliant.

[bassman]

I've heard that train sequence was accomplished without the aid of CGI. It will be interesting to see how they pulled that one off...

[LouCipherr]

Please please let this be as good as Casino Royale!


^^ This again! :)

^^ This one more time! :lol:

This one is shaping up to look like a good one. *fingers crossed*

[Neil]

At the very least it does look beautifully shot!

[bassman]

A clip of the theme for Skyfall:

_6p4HervgL0

I love it! The return of the classic Bond theme!

[Neil]

The reviews are coming in... and generally seem very +ve!

http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/skyfall


It all adds up to the 007 adventure we’ve been waiting for: a flawlessly assembled thrill ride with a cast to die for and a nakedly emotional undertow. Happy birthday, Mr Bond.

[MinionZombie]

I'm trying to avoid the reviews generally - but am pleased to hear it's doing very well indeed on that front.

Sky Movies have dedicated a channel just to Bond movies, so it's the idea time for me to catch up with all the Bonds before Goldeneye. I've seen the Brosnan and Craig flicks, but none of those before, so it was about time to rectify that - Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball have all been ticked off the list thus far. :cool:

[bassman]

007 meets Q

AQ9H31z7OqM

:D

[shootemindehead]

I watched 'Casino Royale' and 'Quantum of Solace' back-to-back a few days ago in prep for 'Skyfall'. I have to say, when viewed directly after 'Casino Royale', the sequel is much more enjoyable and although I am still nowhere to being a "Bond fan", I really like what they've done with this itteration. In fact, it's probably the best reboot of a series I've yet encountered, especially when one considers how terribly stale the franchise had become.

In his short time as the character, Craig has become THE Bond for me, which says a lot for him. He inhabits the role completely and makes it his own. I like his no-nonsense approach.
done with this itteration. In fact, it's probably the best reboot of a series I've yet encountered, especially when one considers how terribly stale the franchise had become.

[Neil]

I watched 'Casino Royale' and 'Quantum of Solace' back-to-back a few days ago in prep for 'Skyfall'. I have to say, when viewed directly after 'Casino Royale', the sequel is much more enjoyable and although I am still nowhere to being a "Bond fan", I really like what they've done with this itteration. In fact, it's probably the best reboot of a series I've yet encountered, especially when one considers how terribly stale the franchise had become.

In his short time as the character, Craig has become THE Bond for me, which says a lot for him. He inhabits the role completely and makes it his own. I like his no-nonsense approach.
done with this itteration. In fact, it's probably the best reboot of a series I've yet encountered, especially when one considers how terribly stale the franchise had become.

Really enjoyed Casino Royale, but found Quantum a little bit tedious. Especially the daft shaky cam nonsense!

[shootemindehead]

Yeh, I was very meh about 'Quantum of Solace' when I first saw it, especially after 'Casino Royale' turned out to be so good. Hopefully 'Skyfall' will up the game a bit. It'll be a shame to see it die.

[MinionZombie]

Sky Movies have been showing all the Bond movies on a dedicated channel this month, so it was the ideal opportunity to see about catching up with all the Bond movies I'd not yet seen (everything pre-dating Goldeneye - which was the first Bond movie I saw, back in the cinema in 1995 with my Dad - I had seen all the ones after, and including, Goldeneye).

Anyway - currently in the midst of The Spy Who Loved Me - I'm rather enjoying getting to see them in such quick succession. It's cool to see changing styles in social attitudes as well as filmmaking techniques, and the franchise in general as the movies tick along. There's been some not-so-good ones along the way, but there's also been some spiffing ones too. Even the iffy ones have good bits to them.

As for Skyfall - I'm really looking forward to it.

Casino Royale was the dog's bollocks. It was officially the tits. I love that flick - it's so damned cool. It's one of those movies where if it's on, it's so easy to start watching it and find yourself getting wrapped up in it.

Quantum of Solace - CR was a hard act to follow, and yes the shaky cam was decidedly over-done, the script was (as they've admitted) unfinished (Craig has said he didn't really understand where he was half the time, but with Skyfall he's very happy), and the pacing was really weird (shedloads of action up front, then a big flabby mid-section, then more action to finish it off). There were some nice nods to previous flicks, some good bits of style, some nice action beats, Bond moments etc, and I would like them to finish the Quantum arc after Skyfall - just with a script akin to CR, and with a director akin to Martin Campbell (who directed Goldeneye and Casino Royale).

[Neil]

Anyway - currently in the midst of The Spy Who Loved Me - I'm rather enjoying getting to see them in such quick succession.
I love TSWLM! It's a great "Glam" bond! ie: Over the top, with lots of silly gizmo's and baddies... But does it perfectly. In fact, no body does it better!

[MinionZombie]

I love TSWLM! It's a great "Glam" bond! ie: Over the top, with lots of silly gizmo's and baddies... But does it perfectly. In fact, no body does it better!

One of the best Bond themes, I'd have to say.

Thoroughly enjoying it, so I am. The Man With The Golden Gun was a really good Moore flick, and TSWLM is shaping up likewise (will finish it off tonight). There's definitely a shift in tone, and as you say, it's one of the more exuberant Bond films, but I suppose each new Bond defines a new era. Moore's are unlike Connery's, and Craig's are unlike Brosnan's etc.

Connery is perhaps a little bit more severe - under the surface at least - compared to Moore's sheer suavity. Connery's did feel more like the thug in a good suit with good education. Brosnan was very much a suave Bond too, in-line with Moore in some regards, and I feel that Craig is perhaps more in-line with Connery. Craig has that brooding danger to him, someone who has had a bit of a struggle up the ladder compared to some of his cohorts. Lazenby was only around for one flick - he did a decent job, mind - so his impact wasn't much by comparison, but it was a difficult position to be in if you think of the time (he was the first guy to take over from Connery, even though Connery came back for Diamonds Are Forever before Moore took over), but again I think Lazenby was going for an increased sauvity, which Moore gave rise to himself.

We'll see about Dalton when I get to his flicks in-due-course.

"Baby, you're the best..." :D

[bassman]

Dalton was basically a failed attempt at what they inevitably accomplished with Craig. He was a more down to earth Bond, not afraid to get his hands dirty. Especially in License to Kill. Dalton, even in only two films, was a very underrated Bond, imo.

[MinionZombie]

Dalton was basically a failed attempt at what they inevitably accomplished with Craig. He was a more down to earth Bond, not afraid to get his hands dirty. Especially in License to Kill. Dalton, even in only two films, was a very underrated Bond, imo.

I'm looking forward to seeing License To Kill - it was finally released uncut in the UK recently (and is showing as such on Sky) - uncut it's rated 15, which is highly unusual for a Bond movie. Before Brosnan they were basically all PG rated, after Brosnan the 12 (and now 12A) became the standard rating for these flicks, but License To Kill stands out as a 15 due to it being (from what I've heard) noticeably more violent in certain regards than the other flicks.

[bassman]

Yeah, LTK is a pretty violent movie. Especially by earlier Bond movie standards.

It was funny revisiting that movie several years back. I had never noticed that a young Benicio Del Toro is the Baddie's second in command....

[AcesandEights]

I don't think I was ever able to sit through a single Timothy Dalton Bond film. Weren't they all phoned in?

[bassman]

I don't think I was ever able to sit through a single Timothy Dalton Bond film. Weren't they all phoned in?

License to Kill is an awesome bond film, imo. Probably one of my top ten. The Living Daylights has more of an 80's light hearted flare to it, but still an enjoyable entry in the vein of Roger Moore's later films. I think if Dalton was given more time and the proper writers/directors, he could now be considered one of the greatest bonds by the majority of fans.

[rongravy]

I don't think I was ever able to sit through a single Timothy Dalton Bond film. Weren't they all phoned in?
I can't believe a recent article said Moore was the worst Bond. I would've given that title to Dalton.
I'm still butthurt over that.
I'll try to give the new guy another chance, maybe I'll give the last two another look see. If my opinion changes, then I'll see the new one.

[Neil]

I can't believe a recent article said Moore was the worst Bond. I would've given that title to Dalton.
I'm still butthurt over that.
I'll try to give the new guy another chance, maybe I'll give the last two another look see. If my opinion changes, then I'll see the new one.

Dalton's last film (Licence to Kill), I though was very good.

[bassman]

Considering all of his films, I would probably give Moore the title of worst Bond. Live and Let Die is amazing and For Your Eyes Only was pretty good, but Moore generally just took the franchise into spoof territory. Those two mentioned before are really his only two good entires, imo.

Moore films had their charm, there's no denying that, but when compared to the other actors' entires Moore looks like a fool...

[Neil]

Considering all of his films, I would probably give Moore the title of worst Bond. Live and Let Die is amazing and For Your Eyes Only was pretty good, but Moore generally just took the franchise into spoof territory. Those two mentioned before are really his only two good entires, imo.

Moore films had their charm, there's no denying that, but when compared to the other actors' entires Moore looks like a fool...

I'd have to give that award to Brosnan, if only because of the lackluster films... Just didn't work very well and certainly never found his footing as well as Moore did.

The latter Moore films did seem to slide down, but his early ones were great fun! And as I said, my favourite Moore bond film is The Spy Who Loved Me! :)

[AcesandEights]

I'd have to give that award to Brosnan, if only because of the lackluster films... Just didn't work very well and certainly never found his footing as well as Moore did.

He was horribly served by scripts (though don't most Bond scripts suck?), but Goldeneye was excellent.

[bassman]

Yeah, I give Brosnan an easier time because Goldeneye is one of my top three favorites. His Bond films got worse as they progressed. His last time in the role, Die Another Day was a horrid POS....

[Neil]

Yeah, I give Brosnan an easier time because Goldeneye is one of my top three favorites. His Bond films got worse as they progressed. His last time in the role, Die Another Day was a horrid POS....

Didn't overly enjoy Goldeneye... Maybe I need to give it another go...

[EvilNed]

Roger Moore too is my least favorite. I can't recall George Lazenby's outing, but I like all others. But Roger Moore's definetly my least favorite.

I like Brosnan a lot. GoldenEye was great, the remaining three are average. Die Another Day, while being universally recognized as shit, is a guilty pleasure of mine.

[LouCipherr]

Not to derail the thread from the current discussion (even though this is indeed Skyfall related) - I haven't seen anyone mention Adele's title track for the movie yet. Has anyone heard it?

If you ask me, "Skyfall" is the best Bond song in at least a decade, if not more. It sounds like one of the "classic" Bond movie songs from many years ago.

Not that I am a fan of Adele, but damn, she hit a home-run for this tune.



....we now return you to your regularly scheduled program already in progress...

[bassman]

I mentioned the Skyfall theme and posted a clip a page or two back. It is indeed a great return to the classic Bond themes.

[MinionZombie]

Lou - I agree, Adele's song sounds great. A classic style one - a good match for the 50th Anniversary.

I really dug "You Know My Name" for Casino Royale by Chris Cornell. Not the classic style by any means, but I really dig that track. Before that I'd have to retreat to Goldeneye, which was a really good one ... before that, well, I've not finished catching up but...

Goldfinger is a classic, natch. I really enjoyed Live & Let Die (I've heard the GnR cover numerous times over the years too), the track for The Spy Who Loved Me (which I really enjoyed as a flick too, Moore's best that I've seen thus far, plus I dug the disco-vibe score) was really good too.

Anyway - currently most of the way through Moonraker right now. It's definitely moved into sillier territory (there were three puns in quick succession right off the bat :p), but I do consider it to be within it's own era. It's okay that it's a different vibe generally to Connery's era, it's better to shift into different territory to keep things a bit more fresh while continuing to hit all the main beats (gadgets, M, Moneypenny, fast cars, exotic locations, "Bond, James Bond", plenty of dirty-named strumpet getting their fill of double-oh-and-seven, etc :lol:).

I do agree that Brosnan was let down by dodgy ideas - mainly the villains of the piece - Goldeneye rocked, mind - but Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough (that one had a good track by Shirley Manson, btw) didn't live up to it in terms of the bad guy (a preposterous version of Rupert Murdoch in the former, and Robert Carlyle's weird mash-up of various Bond villains who can't feel pain in the latter) ... ... and then Die Another Day took the mick, for one thing it had fucking Madonna all over it. Piss off Madonna, you aren't British, STOP pretending to be (the track was pish for that flick, as well).

[LouCipherr]

I mentioned the Skyfall theme and posted a clip a page or two back. It is indeed a great return to the classic Bond themes.

Ah, so you did. Sorry 'bout that bass, I must've missed it first time through.

*smacks self with rolled up newspaper*


Lou - I agree, Adele's song sounds great. A classic style one - a good match for the 50th Anniversary.

I really dug "You Know My Name" for Casino Royale by Chris Cornell. Not the classic style by any means, but I really dig that track.

I liked that song too, but for me (and like you said too) it didn't capture the "classic bond theme" like this new Adele song does. I'm a fan of Cornell, and while I still liked that song, it felt out of place in a bond movie. To me, anyway.

"Skyfall" is great though - really like the track even though I'm not a fan of hers per se.

[bassman]

As many feature film directors have done ever since Christopher Nolan started it with The Dark Knight, Skyfall was filmed in IMAX and the studios behind the film want you to know why....


"The filmmakers worked with the IMAX team in the post-production process to increase the aspect ratio of the film and designed the IMAX presentation of Skyfall to allow audiences to see up to 26% more of the originally captured image. The technical term for the proportional relationship between an image’s width and its height is called aspect ratio. A film made for CinemaScope 2.41:1, the standard in the industry, is cropped and uses only part of the image the movie camera captures. Like with SKYFALL, we provide filmmakers with the ability to optimize their film’s aspect ratio for an IMAX screen during production by shooting with the extremely high-resolution IMAX camera (capable of up to IMAX® 1.43:1—up to 40% more of the picture) or in post-production (capable of up to IMAX® 1.90:1—up to 26% more of the picture). So what does this mean for moviegoers? You get to see much more of the original image, resulting in a full panoramic view that makes you feel part of the action."

http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/Imax-footage-comparison.jpg

If you have the option of seeing this in IMAX, don't miss out on it.

Everyone probably knows this info by now, but as a huge supporter of IMAX I figured I would pass it along. I'm loving that more directors are switching to IMAX cameras instead of 3D. JJ Abrams is also filming Star Trek 2 in IMAX. As Gordon told Batman at the end of Begins, he could also tell Nolan, "you've really started something". Hopefully this trend continues and more people move away from 3D.

[Neil]

IMAX - I'd have to get all the way into London to see something in IMax, which is just too painful for a film!

[bassman]

That's a shame. It used to be the same here in the States but they've been popping up everywhere in the last several years. Mostly LIEMAX screens, which aren't the same as traditional IMAX, but they're still better than nothing.

Hopefully one day you'll be able to see a flick in IMAX. It really is quite amazing. The first time I saw TDK is something i'll likely never forget. The opening helicopter shot over the city literally made me uneasy like I was scared of heights. ha...

[shootemindehead]

So, saw this yesterday.

First off, it's not as good as 'Casino Royale', but considerably better than 'Quantum of Solace'.

It made the mistake of chucking in a few throwbacks to older Bond films and that didn't sit well with me. Though, they were subtle enough.

Javier Bardem is excellent in his role and in one scene does something that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Creepy.

However, I didn't like the ending, but not because it was crap. M dies and that's taking Judy Dench out of the series, which is a HUGE loss IMHO

Overall, well worth the trip to the cinema. The opening chase scene alone is worth the price of admission.

[bassman]

I've just seen that Skyfall writer John Logan has been hired to write the next Bond adventure that is story arc taking place over two films. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace are tied together, but they weren't intended to be that way from the start, apparently. So this will be the first Bond story to take place over multiple films.

Also, the producers have acknowleged Christopher Nolan's obsession with the Bond film series and say that they'll likely have discussions with him about future films.

Even further, and this one sounds like a rumor to me, they've said that they're already eyeing replacements for Daniel Craig and Idris Elba is at the top of the list? I love Elba and have no problem with Bond being black, but it just doesn't seem to fit with me....

[EvilNed]

Idris Elba is only slightly younger than Daniel Craig so what would be the point of replacing DC with him?

I'd say that DC has another film or two in him, if they follow this one up closely enough, but these days it takes longer for a film to materialize than it used to back in Brosnan's days. Pierce Brosnan did 4 Bond films in 7 years, but DC has just now squirted out his third film after 6 years of active Bondiness and I doubt the next one's gonna come on soon.

[bassman]

Actually, they say they're aiming for a 2014 release for the next film. Apparently the writer has been at work on the script since about the middle of filming on Skyfall.

Also, the Elba rumor isn't for the very next film. Craig is still signed on to play the character for two more films, iirc. Maybe even more...

[MinionZombie]

My thoughts on Skyfall, which I saw at the cinema yesterday afternoon...

http://deadshed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/triple-bill-minicine-musings-bond-loves.html


Skyfall:
What's it about?
23rd entry in the long-running spy action series arriving during the 50th anniversary of Bond on the silver screen. A hard-drive detailing the information of undercover operatives is stolen by the blonde-haired baddie Silva, who has a personal grudge to settle that goes straight to the heart of MI6. Naturally, it's up to Bond, James Bond, to get things sorted.
Who would I recognise in it?
Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite:
Casino Royale (Craig's first Bond) was superb and brought about a tougher, more hard-edged Bond (building on work first established by Timothy Dalton during his two-Bond-run in the 1980s) - it combined arse kicking with traditional Bond glamour and a great script. The follow-up Quantum of Solace was a bit iffy in some respects - the camerawork during action scenes was shaky-to-the-point-of-frustration and (as a result of the writer's strike at the time) the script was unbalanced, lacking in tension, and failed to really grab the viewer - that said, it wasn't a write-off by any stretch of the imagination. We'd come to expect something greater though with Casino Royale and now, delivered by Sam Mendes, Bond's 50th Anniversary is an enjoyable knock-about triumph.

Like 1989's Licence To Kill, Skyfall dispatches the traditional mission structure in favour of a far more personal journey for Bond - indeed, things get more personal than we've ever seen before, bringing a heart-felt glimpse of the inner turmoils of this orphaned-child-turned-super-spy. Bardem's big bad Silva will go down as one of the great villains - he's commanding, creepy, and has a disturbing physical affliction, and what's more, his backstory is tied directly to the dark narrative thrust of the entire film. Skyfall is as much about assessing what's come before, as it is about new beginnings. There is 50 years of history on show here, but this is far from a greatest hits re-heat, instead it looks sternly into the future, albeit with time for a few crowd-pleasing nods and winks (the DB5, a new Q, some name drops, familiar music cues etc).

Craig's performance is all-at-once steely-eyed and vulnerable, and it never fails in a film that's got a surprisingly brisk pace for a flick clocking in at 143 minutes. Mark Kermode made intriguing allusions to Straw Dogs come the big show down, and after seeing it, that makes a lot of sense - we get plenty of bang for our buck, but rather than escalate the action to ludicrous size, Mendes wisely keeps things claustrophobic and personal. Glamour and brooding darkness are both rendered beautifully thanks to lensing duties being fulfilled by Roger Deakins - the gorgeous sights of Shanghai ultimately giving way to the rugged and cold Scottish countryside.

It's exactly everything you want a great Bond movie to be - and more - packing in as much retrospection as introspection. The pace is masterful, the performances strong, and the script is packed with plenty of moral drama, exoticism, and head-banging action. Great.

What was annoying though, was there were so many people at the screening - with so many single and double seat gaps throughout the main seating area (we were in a group of three) - that we had to go to the 2nd row. Right at the front. Mere feet from the screen. That's annoying as hell. Gazing up at a screen and getting a weird angle on the image is rubbish - they shouldn't have seats that close to the screen, and if you must insist on having a "seat gap" between you and some strangers, keep it to one seat for crying out loud.

A definite Blu-Ray pre-order for me - it'll be nice to see the film head-on, when the time comes. :p

I remember when I went to see Goldeneye in the cinema back in 1995 with my dad, back in the days when visiting the cinema was a rare treat (not like kids today, who are never out of the cinema ... when I was a kid in 1993, we went to see Jurassic Park, and that was the only movie we saw in the cinema that entire year ... these kids today don't know they're born, etc :sneaky::p:lol::p:sneaky:) ... ... anyway, when we went I wasn't even a teenager yet and thought that sitting in the front row was the best way to see a movie (I've since changed my stance :D), but even still, in that cinema there was a good 20-25ft between the front row and the screen, meanwhile at the Cineworld we go to you've got about 10ft.

Bloody good film, mind. The entire audience was really into it - I think there's a real celebratory mood in the nation with Bond this year (well, we have had the Jubilee, and then the Olympics, and now Bond's 50th - so a good year for the UK :)) - everyone chuckled and laughed at the right moments, and it was rather enjoyable. Some people over to our left could have done with SHUTTING THE FUCK UP WITH THEIR CRINKLY POPCORN BAG AND THEIR EMPTY COKE CAN GETTING KNOCKED OVER ALL THE TIME though. :D

[bassman]

Saw it today and loved every second of it. Can't add much more than what's been said above, but I just hope this level of quality is maintained in future films. I loved the mix of Craig's new hard edged Bond and the classic staples of the series. Without spoiling it, when he walked into a certain room near the end of the movie I nearly pissed myself with joy. Or maybe that had something to do with refusing to take a bathroom break throughout the flick....

Hopefully Mendes will return for the next entry or more.

[MinionZombie]

Saw it today and loved every second of it. Can't add much more than what's been said above, but I just hope this level of quality is maintained in future films. I loved the mix of Craig's new hard edged Bond and the classic staples of the series. Without spoiling it, when he walked into a certain room near the end of the movie I nearly pissed myself with joy. Or maybe that had something to do with refusing to take a bathroom break throughout the flick....

Hopefully Mendes will return for the next entry or more.

Glad you enjoyed it bassman. Aye, said room made me very happy too, even though it's just been in recent weeks that I caught up on Dr. No through Licence To Kill, I devoured them all hungrily. In a way it was quite good, because the familiar tropes of the series were reinforced in a short period of time, and it was cool to see the evolution of the series over a few weeks.

Skyfall is easily one of the best films of the year ... it could even be the best film I've seen this year. :) Mendes & Co hit the nail on the head with this one. Fantastic. :cool:

[bassman]

The only minor complaint I have with Skyfall is....well...Christopher Nolan. Mendes stated during production that Nolan's The Dark Knight was a big influence on him and I think that may shine through a bit too much. Of course he used IMAX cameras(those scenes looked PHENOMENAL, btw), but there are also scenes similar to TDK, and the score often reminded me of TDK. Like I said, a minor complaint but I did notice it.

I remember reading an interview with Mendes(who once said he would not do a 007 film) in which he said TDK changed his opinion that it could be done. Might have influenced him a bit too much in some areas...

[MinionZombie]

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/skyfall-becomes-the-most-successful-british-film-ever-075909335.html

Skyfall has become the most successful film at the UK box office ever apparently.


So far it's made £94,277,612 in its 40 days on release, beating the previous highest-grosser, James Cameron's 'Avatar', which made £94,025,632 over 11 months.

Now that's quite something, isn't it?! :cool:

Plus by the looks of it, it's going great guns world wide!


So far, the film has made $248,219,280 (£154,288,388) in the US, and a huge $871,219,280 (£541466,267) worldwide, according to movie stats site Box Office Mojo, making it the highest grossing Bond film of all time.

Fantastic news. It certainly was a belter of a flick. :)

[rongravy]

Just saw it. It was better than I expected, but I'm still finding it hard to understand why people were shitting their pants over it.
Javier Bardem is definitely creepy alright. He was giving off some weird albino vibes, and talking about rats eating each other...
Still, not bad, just a little long. Kind of meant to get around to re-seeing the last two, but I'm a lazy bastard.

And please GAWD no to the Idris Elba rumours. Either way, I'd be happier with a Remo Williams revival instead. Chiun like a mofo.

[Neil]

Just saw it. It was better than I expected, but I'm still finding it hard to understand why people were shitting their pants over it.
Javier Bardem is definitely creepy alright. He was giving off some weird albino vibes, and talking about rats eating each other...
Still, not bad, just a little long. Kind of meant to get around to re-seeing the last two, but I'm a lazy bastard.

And please GAWD no to the Idris Elba rumours. Either way, I'd be happier with a Remo Williams revival instead. Chiun like a mofo.

The script was pretty appalling TBH, but somehow it managed to survive it to be a reasonable good Bond film IMHO.

Better than a Quantum of Solace but no where near as good as Casino Royale...

[MinionZombie]

"Appalling script"?! :confused::rockbrow::|

What planet are you people on? Skyfall was great. Casino Royale is still drop-dead fantastic, and Quantum of Solace is definitely better as a sort of fourth act for CR ... QoS was nowhere near as good as CR, but having recently re-watched both of those flicks, QoS isn't anywhere near as bad as some folks bang on about out there in the land of the interwebtubes. There's some pretty ropey Bond movies in decades past that it's easily better than - it just wasn't CR, but it was decent all-the-same.

Skyfall was so entertaining though. I felt it struck the perfect balance between action spectacle and the eye of an artist (DoP Roger Deakins), as well as moving forward with the franchise, but also paying tribute to 50 years of Bond movie history. It has purpose, it has depth, it has arresting drama, balls-out-and-swinging action, and great performances.

[shootemindehead]

Yeh, sort of agree with Neil here. The script could have done with a bit of pruning here and there. While 'Quantum of Solace' was probably too short, 'Skyfall' is definitely too long.

[bassman]

I love Skyfall and a lot of this is just silly nitpicking, but I still had a good laugh with it...

5FWfg__wKSY

[Neil]

"Appalling script"?! :confused::rockbrow::|

What planet are you people on? Skyfall was great. Casino Royale is still drop-dead fantastic, and Quantum of Solace is definitely better as a sort of fourth act for CR ... QoS was nowhere near as good as CR, but having recently re-watched both of those flicks, QoS isn't anywhere near as bad as some folks bang on about out there in the land of the interwebtubes. There's some pretty ropey Bond movies in decades past that it's easily better than - it just wasn't CR, but it was decent all-the-same.

Skyfall was so entertaining though. I felt it struck the perfect balance between action spectacle and the eye of an artist (DoP Roger Deakins), as well as moving forward with the franchise, but also paying tribute to 50 years of Bond movie history. It has purpose, it has depth, it has arresting drama, balls-out-and-swinging action, and great performances.

The script was terrible - The most contrived rediculous unecessarily over the top way to try and kill someone ever... Why didn't he just go to London and shoot her? :) Or blow up her car? Instead the whole nonsense to get caught on purpose, to then escape again, and then have the escape route ready to get to the hearing she just happened to be at that particular day? Pah! Daft!

But as I said, the quality of the style in the film somehow gets away with it...

[bassman]

At least it didn't have Bond wind surfing a Tsunami....

[MinionZombie]

I'm with bassman, although you already knew that anyway I guess, but just to further establish my position, yes, I don't get this complaining about the script at all.

As for the "Honest Trailer" - a couple of chucklesome bits in there, but I've noticed some of their recent output have been for movies that really don't deserve the Honest Trailer treatment. They should be for movies that you can legitimately find a lot at fault with it, or for movies that you can really take the mick out of (like Twilight), but they were really struggling to come up with stuff for that Skyfall Honest Trailer to be perfectly honest.

Like with Prometheus, I'm sure certain complaints - certain "but why this?" comments from around the web - can easily be answered with a second viewing. I've seen a few Honest Trailers, or other web parodies, complain about something in a movie that is easily explained (or excused) - or something which doesn't need explaining because it isn't of any importance to moving the plot forward - such as "how did Batman get back to Gotham in TDKR?" - it doesn't actually, honestly matter. We don't need three minutes of travelling shots. He thumbed a lift, end of. Batman sat on a bus for a few minutes of precious screentime isn't required viewing. /rant :sneaky:

Anyway, I've got the Blu-Ray pre-ordered, so I'll be eagerly re-watching this later on this month.

[bassman]

So i've given the blu ray a look over. Of course the image and sound quality is absolutely stunning. There's a documentary called "Shooting Bond" that thankfully can be viewed as a whole 60 minute documentary or in smaller featurettes if you like. I personally hate it when they have a complete documentary but you have to select each chapter, so it's nice that there's the "play all" feature. This covers the production from the announcement of Mendes and cast, writing, filming, editing, scoring, release, the whole shebang.

I haven't had a chance to listen to the producer and writer commentary track, but Mendes' commentary track is a good listen. He stays on point and gives good information throughout. If you've heard past Mendes commentaries like American Beauty or Road to Perdition, you have a good idea of how his tracks usually play out.

There's also a small feature on the premiere at Albert hall with the Royal Family and all that, but it's nothing special. Theatrical trailer, and trailers for other films like the new Die Hard and the Bond 50 collection.

My only complaint with this release is that it's only in the full widescreen format. I would have preferred the option to see it in the IMAX perspective, but I suppose that may be available in a future release.

All things considered I'd say this blu ray is a must. The film is great, it looks amazing, the special features are pleasing for those that enjoy them, etc. If it only had the option for the IMAX format I would have given it a perfect score. 9/10

[MinionZombie]

Glad to hear the Blu-Ray is good - it's released here on Monday (I'm surprised that we Brits didn't get it first, seeing as it's a British institution, but anyway...) - so I'll have mine sometime next week. Really looking forward to seeing it again - and this time at a proper angle, not with my nose practically shoved up against the cinema screen.

[MinionZombie]

Re-watched it last night - still top drawer stuff. :)

Now, something that was criticised in that "Honest Trailer" as posted below (and decidedly not up to the usual snuff of that particular channel), was the apparent forgetting about the hard-drive ... although, as I'd postulated earlier, these sort of queries are often explained easily once the film gets a second viewing:


The hard-drive is a bit of a macguffin in a way - it gets the plot rolling, but ultimately it isn't important. Silva has his men get the hard-drive, then he uses it and posts the first five names - he'll post the next five the following week - at this point MI6 and Bond have to kick into action and stop Silva, so they track him down and capture him (which is what Silva wanted so he could launch an attack inside MI6, and then try and kill M) - after that Bond and M go rogue and lead Silva and his men up to Scotland and they do battle and Silva dies.

Now, Silva won't have given access to the hard-drive to anyone else, it was merely a tool for him to get MI6's attention, and with no Silva left - nor his underlings - the hard-drive is now meaningless. Indeed, it's probably been recovered from his island after the choppers turned up to rescue Bond and capture Silva.


A simple explanation for a one-viewing query. Some of these sort of simple misunderstandings/missed pieces of plot/information were constantly levelled at Prometheus by smug sorts out there in the webtubes, and many of the questions/smug assertions could easily be explained with a second viewing ... it does irk me a little bit when some folks out there in the Interwebtube ether make such a big deal out of very small questions, which ultimately only exist because you can't possibly remember the entire plot of a 2 hour plus movie after one single viewing. Look out for it the second time and bingo - answered.

Anyway, after seeing that "Honest Trailer" parody (which had funny bits, but frankly Skyfall is far too good a film to actually deserve/require the HT treatment), and that one question sticking in my mind to look out for on my second viewing, I paid attention to it last night and found the answer readily - now reporting back to anyone that happens to care. :D

[Neil]

^^ And of course your description in your spoiler tags states my biggest issues with the film...

"so they track him down and capture him (which is what Silva wanted so he could launch an attack inside MI6, and then try and kill M)"

This just hits me as Scooby Doo territory. Silva could have done everything he did, the bombings, the embarrassing of MI6 and M, with no need to risk capture. He could simply have waited outside her house and kidnapped her... or done a hit and run on her car? The notion of risking capture, being shot, his escape not working, all just to kill M is just balmy when he could have just accomplished it infinitely easier with infinitely less risk...
And yes, I know it's a Bond film... but it's just a step too far in believability for me.

That said, the film is beautifully put together and I'll still happily watch it and forgive it its sins!

[MinionZombie]

I'd hardly call them "sins". :p

As Bond says though, about Silva, the man has to make an entrance - he's a theatrical type of bad guy, he has to make grand gestures. I'm fine with his methods personally, however looking back on 2012 entertainment I did notice this:


The Avengers - Loki deliberately gets himself caught to help enact his plan.
Skyfall - Silva deliberately gets himself caught to help enact his plan.
Call of Duty Black Ops II - Menendez deliberately gets himself caught to help enact his plan.


:lol::lol::lol:

Twice is a coincidence, but three times across three major franchises? The villainous theme of the year. :D

[MinionZombie]

I was doing some more thinking about Silva vs M, and not only would you have no film if he just ran her over, but it wouldn't be the revenge he wants. Silva wants - needs - to confront her face-to-face. He wants to speak to her, show off what his suffering has done to him - that his suffering was caused by her actions. Plus, as they say in the making of doc, when coming up with Silva they looked back at the more theatrical Bond baddies of old - Dr No, Goldfinger, Blofeld - it's far easier to criticise Goldfinger, in my view, because you think "well why would he really allow Bond to stroll around his compound for days on end?" - you wouldn't get away with that in a film these days, but it worked back then.

He also intended to kill her in public in a grand execution - at the hearing - in front of cameras, but Bond foiled that, and that of course leads to the Straw Dogs style finale, where the personal link between Silva and M becomes ever-present. M is like a surrogate mother (or indeed, in the past, like a surrogate father) to these orphaned agents, so the relationship is very personal.

[EvilNed]

Twice is a coincidence, but three times across three major franchises? The villainous theme of the year. :D

Was the Joker of The Dark Knight the original "get caught intentionally" mastermind?

[bassman]

Sam Mendes officially not returning to direct the next film: http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2013/03/06/sam-mendes-is-officially-not-returning-to-direct-bond-24/

:(

Well I at least hope they can get someone as confident as Mendes or Campbell. Fingers crossed for Nolan....

[Neil]

Fingers crossed for Nolan....
That would be interesting!

[Trin]

I really thought Skyfall was awful. I am not a Bond guy in general so I'm likely less forgiving.

But really, the plot was a shambles of implausibility.

The guy gets intentionally caught and his plan hinges on his leaving some carefully orchestrated something in the computer system to free him from their underground backup facility? The chances of that working given months of planning, careful implementation, testing, and having literally everyone in the facility on board... I still think it's dicey.

And did Bond actually win? Didn't everyone he tried to protect end up dead? I could be wrong on this but I left thinking he lost in every conceivable way. I actually thought that was the most endearing and plausible aspect of the movie... he had a stupid plan and it failed... as it should.