The James Bond Thread: RIP Robbie Coltrane

[Crazyman]

I've mentioned him a few times already in this thread. But still, holy shit, we agreed on something Bond related.

Except that I still would want Craig to be Bond. Only if they did an "Americanized" version of Bond would I want Hamm.

We've had a Scottish Bond, an Irish Bond, a Welsh Bond, why not an American one? We're basically Britain's forsaken sons anyway. Jon Hamm would've been absolutely fucking perfect. He could've even TOPPED Connery if they'd done it right.

I'm not disagreeing. I feel as though Jon Hamm could pull off any role, to be honest. His performance as Don Draper is nothing short of incredible, and part of the reason why Mad Men is my favorite show on TV.

Oddly enough "Vladimir" Bond also thought that Jon Hamm would be a great Bond.

[Georgy Zhukov]

They broke from the old ways when they cast Roger Moore. Fleming would have had an aneurism if he ever watched a Roger Moore film. I think the only reason he accepted Connery is because the films got people to buy the books.

He seemed to like Connery enough to actually re-write the character to base him around Connery, giving him a Scottish background and a sense of humor. He didn't have to do that.

Yeah he did, so people can buy the books.

[Powerage5]

I really don't think you are. Craig's Bond is like NewGNR; The only similarity is the brand name. It's a dark, gritty, psychological thriller with a blonde Russian KGB agent who happens to be named Bond. It's about legitimate as the 1967 Casino Royale or Never Say Never Again. Those movies featured a guy named James Bond too.

Did you really just imply that neither Georgy, JB, or myself are fans of all eras? No, if we were Craig fanboys then Quantum Of Solace would be our third favorite Bond films, and for all of us it ranks in our bottom third. Not to mention Georgy's favorite film is OHMSS.

But no, you're absolutely right - Diamonds Are Forever is a vastly superior film to OHMSS, Casino Royale, or The Living Daylights. Thanks for showing us the error of our ways.

>I actually like all of the Brosnan themes except for DAD. Goldeneye was particuarly effective, especially with the title (naked girls smashing down statues of L

enin).

Goldeneye ranks in my top 5 title sequences. Very cool, very powerful. Just wish it had less obvious CGI, and was done more like the older title sequences. Perfect example of how Goldeneye can seem so dated.

I just don't accept radical change very well. Craig represents a permanent break from the old ways, and people think he's the best, trumping even the originals. And I don't like overly dark or gritty stuff.

They have tried for an American Bond. Twice.

First was John Gavin who was going to be in DAF, but they got Connery back. Next was James Brolin for Octopussy but they got Roger Moore to come back since Connery was doing the unofficial NSNA.

Clint Eastwood and Burt Renyolds were two actors that were approached and turned down.

You forget we've had an Australian Bond too. OHMSS has a special place in our hearts.

Indiana Jones is practically a gritty, Americanized Bond. Harrison Ford would've been perfect if Bond ever went yankee.

Harrison Ford lacks that certain debonair charm. He's more a Cowboy, more rough and tumble. He can't really pull off sophisticated well.

Didn't say Indy has the charm of Bond. But Indiana Jones is a hardened man who travels the world to exotic locations, always in search of some elusive MacGuffin. He sleeps with almost every woman in sight, all of whom get weak in the knees at the thought of him. The films always have chases, big action stunts, and suffer miserably when CGI is used. The characters aren't identical, but the similarities are pretty strong.

They broke from the old ways when they cast Roger Moore. Fleming would have had an aneurism if he ever watched a Roger Moore film. I think the only reason he accepted Connery is because the films got people to buy the books.

Yup.

[Vincent Vega]

I've mentioned him a few times already in this thread. But still, holy shit, we agreed on something Bond related.

Except that I still would want Craig to be Bond. Only if they did an "Americanized" version of Bond would I want Hamm.

We've had a Scottish Bond, an Irish Bond, a Welsh Bond, why not an American one? We're basically Britain's forsaken sons anyway. Jon Hamm would've been absolutely fucking perfect. He could've even TOPPED Connery if they'd done it right.

I'm not disagreeing. I feel as though Jon Hamm could pull off any role, to be honest. His performance as Don Draper is nothing short of incredible, and part of the reason why Mad Men is my favorite show on TV.

Oddly enough "Vladimir" Bond also thought that Jon Hamm would be a great Bond.

He just has that classic look, and that sort of classical Old Hollywood charm about him. And he has the Bond look--He looks quite like how Fleming invisioned the character looking, as well as a lot of range as an actor. His portrayal of Don Draper shows me that if given the right script, he could literally be THE perfect Bond. He reminds me of a modern day Connery, but of course American.

They broke from the old ways when they cast Roger Moore. Fleming would have had an aneurism if he ever watched a Roger Moore film. I think the only reason he accepted Connery is because the films got people to buy the books.

He seemed to like Connery enough to actually re-write the character to base him around Connery, giving him a Scottish background and a sense of humor. He didn't have to do that.

Yeah he did, so people can buy the books.

The books already had had a massive surge in sales even before the films were a concept, in 1961 when JFK listed From Russia With Love as one of his favorite books.

[Georgy Zhukov]

Indiana Jones is basically Spielberg's Bond films. Not saying they are the same, Spielberg has always wanted to do one but after Jaws, Cubby wanted not so established directors.

The stunt sequences are similar, very real stuff. Just more supernatural and escapist.

What I loved about Skyfall that it offers more escapism. Silva was that over the top villain with tricks up his sleeve, the armed to the teeth Aston Martin is back. Bond blasts away two dudes armed with HK416's with nothing but a 19th century era hunting rifle.

I won't say more because Izzygirl has to watch the film first.

Correction Miser, JFK listed FRWL as his favorite but the film didn't do as well as they hoped. Goldfinger was the breakout film and Fleming had to incoperate Connery's Scottish heritage in Bond's family tree in OHMSS.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Georgy Zhukov

[Vincent Vega]

Correction Miser, JFK listed FRWL as his favorite but the film didn't do as well as they hoped. Goldfinger was the breakout film and Fleming had to incoperate Connery's Scottish heritage in Bond's family tree in OHMSS.

"Fleming's books had always sold well, but in 1961 sales increased dramatically. On 17 March 1961, four years after its publication and three years after the heavy criticism of Dr. No, an article in Life Magazine listed From Russia, with Love as one of US President John F. Kennedy's ten favourite books. Kennedy and Fleming had previously met in Washington. This accolade and the associated publicity led to a surge in sales that made Fleming the biggest-selling crime writer in the US."

[Georgy Zhukov]

Throwing quotes at me eh? Well Fleming still put the Scottish crap in there to sell more books. Maybe it was a nod to Connery. But he didn't like Connery at first. He just gave in.

[Vincent Vega]

Throwing quotes at me eh? Well Fleming still put the Scottish crap in there to sell more books. Maybe it was a nod to Connery. But he didn't like Connery at first. He just gave in.

You can dislike someone at first and then actually reconsider. And why are we considering this stodgy old British guy's opinion when 99% of the films in the whole series are only loosely based on his books? It's not like the ghost of Fleming appeared on set and gave Craig the official thumbs up from beyond the grave.

[Georgy Zhukov]

It is really EON's bond

Richard Madden would make a good Bond when he's old enough.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Georgy Zhukov

[dalsh327]

It is really EON's bond

Richard Madden would make a good Bond when he's old enough.

I was going to say they're prob. going to pick someone from a show like Game of Thrones..

[Georgy Zhukov]

Madden would be the best choice from Game of Thrones. But he's too young.

[DieselDaisy]

You are demanding an American Bond yet Bond is a British character. Presumably if an American actor would play Bond he would have to assume a British accent! It is a complete mute point you are making.

[Powerage5]

Throwing quotes at me eh? Well Fleming still put the Scottish crap in there to sell more books. Maybe it was a nod to Connery. But he didn't like Connery at first. He just gave in.

You can dislike someone at first and then actually reconsider. And why are we considering this stodgy old British guy's opinion when 99% of the films in the whole series are only loosely based on his books? It's not like the ghost of Fleming appeared on set and gave Craig the official thumbs up from beyond the grave.

Because without Fleming, there would have been no Bond, period.

[Georgy Zhukov]

American actors are usually terrible when they do English accents. Just look at Natalie Portman for V for Vendetta.

[James Bond]

Throwing quotes at me eh? Well Fleming still put the Scottish crap in there to sell more books. Maybe it was a nod to Connery. But he didn't like Connery at first. He just gave in.

You can dislike someone at first and then actually reconsider.

So you mean once we get Bond 7 you'll be longing for the Craig era.

I still think you must have watched a different Casino Royale and Skyfall than the rest of us. Casino Royale was dark and gritty? It was a toned down Brosnan film with a better story and script. The FYEO to DAD's Moonraker if you will. It wasn't particularly dark. Skyfall had more one-liners than the average Schwarzenegger film and had probably the most simplistic plot ever featured in a Bond film. Typical revenge plot but with excellent execution - also not very dark in tone. The only downer part was M's death scene, but that was no different than a Tracy or a Vesper.

The only Craig film that is all dark and gritty is Quantum, which is also the weakest.

You said earlier that you're not a fan of Bond's back story/personal issues on screen because you believe its always been implied, but the reason it's exciting to see it on screen is because its different. You seem to hate this difference and change which is fine, but like it or not that's why the series has survived. They could easily just keep pumping out films following Goldfinger's formula but after 40 years of that they decided to try something new. That's why it's so exciting right now. Maybe in ten years we'll be looking back at the Craig era and complaining about it, but for now, it's a welcome change.

[Georgy Zhukov]

In b4 yet another JFK or LBJ reference.

[arnold layne]

The only worthwhile Bond themes, IMO:

1) Goldfinger

2) You Only Live Twice

3) Kingston Calypso

4) Live and Let Die

5) Thunderball

lol

It's blasphemous not to have We Have All The Time In The World and A View To A Kill on there at the very least

None of Brosnan's movies had good themes.

Same with Craig and Dalton.

I think Adele's introduction was the highlight of the whole movie, and I am 100% being honest.

[Georgy Zhukov]

Miser has never seen a Bond film before hearing You Only Live Twice.

[Facekicker]

goldeneye was a decent theme

thunderball is the best.

[DieselDaisy]

Throwing quotes at me eh? Well Fleming still put the Scottish crap in there to sell more books. Maybe it was a nod to Connery. But he didn't like Connery at first. He just gave in.

You can dislike someone at first and then actually reconsider.

So you mean once we get Bond 7 you'll be longing for the Craig era.

I still think you must have watched a different Casino Royale and Skyfall than the rest of us. Casino Royale was dark and gritty? It was a toned down Brosnan film with a better story and script. The FYEO to DAD's Moonraker if you will. It wasn't particularly dark. Skyfall had more one-liners than the average Schwarzenegger film and had probably the most simplistic plot ever featured in a Bond film. Typical revenge plot but with excellent execution - also not very dark in tone. The only downer part was M's death scene, but that was no different than a Tracy or a Vesper.

The only Craig film that is all dark and gritty is Quantum, which is also the weakest.

You said earlier that you're not a fan of Bond's back story/personal issues on screen because you believe its always been implied, but the reason it's exciting to see it on screen is because its different. You seem to hate this difference and change which is fine, but like it or not that's why the series has survived. They could easily just keep pumping out films following Goldfinger's formula but after 40 years of that they decided to try something new. That's why it's so exciting right now. Maybe in ten years we'll be looking back at the Craig era and complaining about it, but for now, it's a welcome change.

I do not know. I am on your side here but I do find the Craig era, dark.

[Powerage5]

Throwing quotes at me eh? Well Fleming still put the Scottish crap in there to sell more books. Maybe it was a nod to Connery. But he didn't like Connery at first. He just gave in.

You can dislike someone at first and then actually reconsider.

So you mean once we get Bond 7 you'll be longing for the Craig era.

I still think you must have watched a different Casino Royale and Skyfall than the rest of us. Casino Royale was dark and gritty? It was a toned down Brosnan film with a better story and script. The FYEO to DAD's Moonraker if you will. It wasn't particularly dark. Skyfall had more one-liners than the average Schwarzenegger film and had probably the most simplistic plot ever featured in a Bond film. Typical revenge plot but with excellent execution - also not very dark in tone. The only downer part was M's death scene, but that was no different than a Tracy or a Vesper.

The only Craig film that is all dark and gritty is Quantum, which is also the weakest.

You said earlier that you're not a fan of Bond's back story/personal issues on screen because you believe its always been implied, but the reason it's exciting to see it on screen is because its different. You seem to hate this difference and change which is fine, but like it or not that's why the series has survived. They could easily just keep pumping out films following Goldfinger's formula but after 40 years of that they decided to try something new. That's why it's so exciting right now. Maybe in ten years we'll be looking back at the Craig era and complaining about it, but for now, it's a welcome change.

I do not know. I am on your side here but I do find the Craig era, dark.

It's dark, but I don't find it depressing-dark. Other than a couple cheese-factor moments in TLD and LTK, I find Dalton darker.

[Georgy Zhukov]

Can't get any darker than Licence to Kill.

[Facekicker]

Whenever Craig steps aside, I'd love to see Michael Fassbender take over and for them to remake On Her Majesty's Secret Service. I say keep We Have All The Time In The World and the Theme by John Barry.

I know Brosnan wanted to do this and I think it is a great idea but I think Fassbender would be better than Craig.

Also, imagine the ski chase filmed with today's technology and THAT music. It would be epic!

Edited March 20, 2013 by TheDiceMan

[Powerage5]

Fassbender is my leading choice as a Craig successor also. And he's really young, isn't he? Something in the back of my mind says he's only like 29 or something...

EDIT: Nope, 37. Depending on when Craig hangs it up though, they could still get a few movies out of Fassbender.

[Facekicker]

He'd actually 35. If we get a new Bond movie with Craig in 2015 and then one more in 2017, he could take over and be around 40 while filming. Same as Craig when he started more or less.