No Time To Die (2021) - Bond 25...

[shootemindehead]

What was "woke" about 'Censor'?

[MinionZombie]

What was "woke" about 'Censor'? Exactly. That was what I was saying. I was reading reviews about the film, and in particular Total Film made a little fuss about there being 'MeToo relevance' in it - as if it was a major plot point - in their main article about it, but when I actually watched the movie there was actually very little of that in there. Coining as many Twitter trendy buzzwords as possible seems to be an actual marketing technique now and it's asinine. Indeed, beyond the typically sleazy producer guy (played by Michael Smiley) - who wasn't even anywhere near Weinstein in terms of sleaziness, and was a mere subplot side character in the film - there wasn't anything that I would describe as falling into "woke" pandering and the sort of stuff that staff writers at publications like Total Film fall all over themselves to reference at any given opportunity (seriously, every single issue since the Weinstein scandal broke has included at least one reference to MeToo or TimesUp - it's like a 'spot the cliche' now, and it's more often than not a male writer jackhammering it in there). I was trying to read an article about Marvel's Eternals earlier but packed it in for two reasons: 1) I realised I have fuck all interest in the movie and very little interest in Phase 4 in general, and 2) the eye rolling amount of times "diversity" was coined by the journo and the interviewees ... like chill the fudge out, yeah? ... Anyway - it's a more and more common thread that I'm noticing in movie advertising now. They're under this illusion that this stuff sells tickets - when it doesn't. It might make you 'trend well' on Twitter, but Twitter has never been an accurate depiction of society at large. The majority don't spout off on Twitter. The majority are bumbling about in the political middle ground somewhere, chunks leaning one way or another but still within middle ground reach. This sort of pandering identity politics stuff just makes the middle ground roll their eyes as they can see through the cynical marketing illusion. It's like major corporations hopping on social justice bandwagons: they're only doing it to appear nice and make more money and get a better rating from some made up 'woke ratings' company in order to get better access to more investor pools in order to make more money and boost share prices. It's a totally cynical ploy. In the end all that's important is simple (as a concept): make a good movie. Too many 'woke approved' movies fail at basic storytelling and feature bland characters who pull others down to pick themselves up. The majority don't want that shit, but the minority of Twitter twirps shout and scream the loudest and make it seem as if that's what people want. However, any sensible industry outsider could tell you the real deal pronto. Well written story, complex characters, no pandering (either in the flick or in the advertising) - just make a good thing. "Wonder Woman 1984"? Absolute fuck up riddled with terrible writing and eye roll inducing pandering (e.g. that dreadfully pointless opening sequence that they almost cut out of the actual movie!). "Kate"? Fucking awesome action revenge flick that just so happens to feature a female lead who you actually buy in the role and truly invest in. I know which one I prefer. I was speaking to a fellow filmmaking friend and colleague a little bit ago and she had the same reaction: WW84 shite, Kate great.

[Neil]

If MGM is trying to "woke-ize" Bond then they've seriously misunderstood who the target audience is. I'm sure the next Bond will correct that. Hopefully she will

[MinionZombie]

Hopefully she will Fortunately Broccoli has stated that James Bond is indeed a male character (amazing that this is the world we're now living in, isn't it?) I'd imagine with the future looking like the 007 franchise will be teaming up with Amazon (a 50/50 share, with Bond movies continuing to be theatrical) we'll see spin-offs - so in the 007 world but with another character either new or established. I mean, yeah, fine, but don't be surprised if the core (and quite broad) audience for James Bond doesn't really like it and just wants to have a normal Bond movie every few years, you know? Does everything need a 'universe' now? Who knows, whatever they do might turn out cool, but it could just as easily be kinda pointless. ... As an aside, I see the reviews are quite polarising. Headlines are saying it's either boring shite or a superb send-off for Craig. I mean, totally diametrically opposed headline reviews. I'm just generally avoiding as much chit-chat online about it (aside from here, natch) so I can go into it as fresh as possible on Blu-Ray. I didn't even watch the most recent trailer as they so often give away too many highlights (*cough* the Halloween Kills trailer *cough*)...

[Neil]

Reviews I've seen thusfar seem to vary from positive to glowing... Unless I hear significant to the contrary I'll go along and see it now

[JDP]

Next Bond film: Woketopussy

[MinionZombie]

Reviews I've seen thusfar seem to vary from positive to glowing... Unless I hear significant to the contrary I'll go along and see it now If you do, please let us know what you think (in a spoiler free way, of course). - - - Updated - - - Next Bond film: Woketopussy Dr No Means No From Russia With Consent Ethically-sourced Goldfinger The Spy Who Acted Inappropriately The Person With The Golden Placard

[Neil]

Dr No Means No Lol!!

[Neil]

I skimmed through the Mark Kermode review as I didn't want any spoilers at all. I generally like his reviews and he seemed to like this bond film

[EvilNed]

I wanna go see this but I know I won't have time until next weekend And only then I'll have to catch a midday showing.

[MinionZombie]

Neil - the Kermode review is totally spoiler free. I watched the whole thing a few days ago and he specifically avoided digging into any real plot details or suchlike, but yeah, he seemed to be quite taken with it. I'm trying to avoid reading/hearing too much about it. I want to get to the Blu-Ray release and be able to see it without having it spoiled hopefully.

[shootemindehead]

Neil - the Kermode review is totally spoiler free. I watched the whole thing a few days ago and he specifically avoided digging into any real plot details or suchlike, but yeah, he seemed to be quite taken with it. I'm trying to avoid reading/hearing too much about it. I want to get to the Blu-Ray release and be able to see it without having it spoiled hopefully. Kermode was also taken with 'Spectre', which was pants. So I would take what he says about a Bond movie with a vodka Martini, shaken not stirred.

[Neil]

Critical Drinker has good and bad things to say - Minor spoilers...

[MinionZombie]

Kermode was also taken with 'Spectre', which was pants. So I would take what he says about a Bond movie with a vodka Martini, shaken not stirred. While Spectre wasn't up to the standards of Casino Royale or Skyfall (how could they ever live up to that?), and while it did have some flaws, I still really enjoyed it.

[paranoid101]

Another video from Mark Kermode, really good replies to some of the criticisms of the film.