Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Well that was unexpected
A few weeks ago, Ms. Avacado and I saw our first James Bond movie all the way through: Goldeneye. I enjoyed it enough that I decided to give Ian Fleming's books a chance. Let me tell you: at least in Casino Royale (the first in the series and the only one I've read so far), Mr. Bond is unexpectedly round. He does not always have the cool and calm demeanor he is known for, though there is enough that 007 is recognizable. In my opinion, the increased complexity makes him more believable and likeable. I recommend reading the book, even if you don't think you like James Bond. It's a fast reader and highly entertaining.
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3 comments:
I am surrounded by Bond-newbies and they all insist upon watching a non-Sean-Connery film for their first Bond experience. GoldFINGER is so much better than Goldeneye. It is the classic.
That said, the newest Bond film is awesome. But I think it's better if you're acquainted with the old-school versions first.
Avoid On Her Majesty's Secret Service at all costs though.
We once tried to watch the one with Halle Berry, and it was just awful. Torture. I couldn't finish it. Should I give it another shot?
Because I like inflicting my own opinions on others, I'll give you my list, with the best starting at the top:
Goldfinger
Dr. No
You Only Live Twice
From Russia With Love
Diamonds Are Forever
Man with the Golden Gun
The Living Daylights
Thunderball
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker (only because I have a special affinity for Jaws - a bad guy, not the shark)
A View to A Kill
Ones to avoid:
Live And Let Die - it has some truly offensive overtones and is just stupid
On Her Majesty's Secret Service - there's a reason Lazenby only played Bond once
Octopussy - people will disagree with me on this one, but it's just too ridiculous, even for a Bond movie
License to Kill - too violent/angsty for a Bond movie
I don't really have much of an opinion on the Pierce Brosnan ones. I love Judi Dench as M, but the Bond girls often irritate the hell out of me. Tomorrow Never Dies is probably the best of them with Michelle Yeoh, but they followed that with The World Is Not Enough with Denise Richards playing a freaking nuclear physicist or some crap who was named Christmas. Gag me. That one turned me off so much that I don't think I've ever seen the one with Halle Berry all the way through.
Casino Royale restored my faith though, except one 15-20 minute bit where I had to wonder if the writers decided to jot down ideas for a romantic drama in their margins and somehow, it got into the Bond movie. But whatever.
And now that I've proven that I have way too much time on my hands, I'll end this little treatise.
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