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A Euro-AICN Reporter looks to James Bond's future

Bond by Solid_Snake	May 31st, 2000 01:12:21 PM
I grew watching Bond films. I think every young males should watch all the classic bonds. Where he can sleep with 3 different women and say "Pussy Galore" without laughing
Bond and Beyond by Mills Somerset	May 31st, 2000 01:21:22 PM
I really liked the way Bond was represented in "TWINE," and thought Pierce nailed what I remember as Fleming's Bond, when I read all the books as a kid (back when I had time to read'n stuff). I think if they could combine the attention to dramatic detail (in and around Bond, I'm not talking with the overall film "TWINE", in other words, send him back to the Diana Rigg days of "OHMSS") with the strong storytelling (and that's storytelling, not action-scene-writing, i.e., Bruce Fierstein-ness) of a really crackerjack screewriter, and NOT try to outdo "MI" or "Die Hard" or whatever Michael Bay is doing these days w/action scenes and just stick to the solid action Bond films do best, and create a cool villain (like Carlyle's in "TWINE") but then DO something with him, rather than just taking for granted he's "the villain," a one would take for granted the hottie actress being "the Bond girl du jour"....there might be a couple good films left in the series. But then, I just asked for a miracle formula, now, didn't I?
Am I The Only Sane Person? by dannyocean	May 31st, 2000 01:24:56 PM
I still don't get the voluminous backlash against Brosnan's Bond. Sure "TND" wasn't as good as "Goldeneye" or "TWINE" but it was still better than any Moore Bond! Brosnan is trying to put '60's Bond grit into the series. Read any interview he does about Bond, and it's the first thing he talks about. Blaming him is silly.
by Kurg1	May 31st, 2000 01:30:49 PM
Harry, what is your issue with Bond and why do you think yoursis the opinion on Bond that exists. I respect your opinion on a lot of films but on modern Bond you are frankly talking rubbish. You think TND is the best Brosnan Bond (my nomination for 2nd worst Bond film after Moonraker - it is a Die Hard film with Bond in) and you think TWINE is the worst Bond ever? Goldeneye and TWINE, as well as LTK represent IMHO and many others some of the best that Bond has ever been.
The Future by AZMoviez	May 31st, 2000 01:32:19 PM
I agree that TND and TWINE were crap, yet I still have confidence in the future of the Bond franchise. When Brosnan's contract is up they WILL renew it and give him more control of the direction of the movies. From articles I've read, I like Brosnan's vision for the future of this series.
This guy equates "Renny Harlin" with "genius"? by The Grin	May 31st, 2000 01:32:27 PM
"MGM has McTiernan and John Woo on contract so they could use their genius to revive the series." I am dumbfounded by this statement. McTiernan's record hasn't been very impressive of late, and Harlin... well... words fail me. The Grin
I'll give that Bond such a headache! by Sal*Paradise	May 31st, 2000 01:35:39 PM
These lugheads never learn. We don't want some pansy, candy licking, dress wearing superspy! Now get on with it! Make the movie we all want to see... Bond kicking some gold toothed, robotic eyed, mad henchmen employing, world domination seeking, villian straight in the back of the head! Enough of this crap, ooohh 'the world is not enough'... gimme a break. Hurry up, before I really lose my temper!
Remington Bond by abulafia24	May 31st, 2000 01:36:01 PM
Wow, such venonmous contempt for Brosnan. Personally, I like him. He's got the Connery coldness that I think Bond should have. Reading the books, Bond didn't have that much charisma. To say the least, he was a bit of a bitch, kinda like Brosnan. But, the movies and books are so different now, I guess that's a moot point. I thought TND was quite good, actually, especially after the muddled plot of GoldenEye. TWINE was enjoyable also. I think that Bond should remain British. God knows there are enough great British actors to pull it off. I don't think that there will ever be another Goldfinger or From Russia With Love, but then again, how many people in today's movie-going climate would sit through FRWL other than the Bond fans? When the Bond movies first came out, they were lambasted for being brainless entertainment with way too much violence, too little plot, and only being stunt set pieces. That's all I want from Bond, quite frankly. McTiernan would be a fantastic director, granted. Clooney as Bond? It'd be like Sinatra playing Bond. Clooney just looks too friendly to be James Bond. This entire article seems to be one person's opinion so I don't know how fair that is to the franchise, especially if an exec reads it and takes it to heart. Most of the people I know would agree with me. It'd be interesting to do a poll or something to get some idea of how Bond is seen.
Bond went downhill AFTER Dalton by Darth Fart	May 31st, 2000 01:36:58 PM
Being a huge fan of Dalton's Bond, I must say that Bond has turned GENERIC since Brosnan became Bond. They need to go back to the SPYING, the sex, cold-blooded killing, that IS Bond. This is what made Connery and Dalton so good. I loved Moore, but it was refreshing to have Dalton in 1987. Someone SAVE Bond, let's get back to why Bond captured the imagination. I want Bond smacking a woman's butt, I want him to friggin SPY!!!! I want M to be Edward Woodward! Or Woodward to be M. Brosnan could be a terrific Bond, he needs a script and a director who KNOWS Bond. I'm glad I BOYCOTTED TWINE, we need more people boycotting bad films.
Danjaq-they won't listen... by Uncapie	May 31st, 2000 01:45:59 PM
Everything has to be Michael G. Wilson's idea or it won't fly. He's the guy that insists with the stupid quips and jokes such as the "CE3K" code in "Mooraker". I know, because I wrote a FUCKING GREAT BOND SCRIPT that makes Bond a MAN! Its more true to Fleming's idea of Bond. Hard drinking, smoking, womanizing, but also relies on his cunning and ability to outsmart the villian rather than some cheesy gadget. Danjaq's bus dicking around and they won't do anything with Bond for the next two years! When I pitched the script to my agent I said to him, Imagine Sean Connery as the bad guy." He said, "Write The script and I can sell it!" Now, its over there collecting dust. Fucking idiots! Harry, if you want a copt of it to put up on AICN for the fans, let me know, because I'm sure it'll never be made because its TOO FUCKING GOOD!
What Bond needs to do IMHO... by mephisto666	May 31st, 2000 01:52:33 PM
First, drop Brosnan. He has no charm, only smarm (sorry above talkbackers). Then replace with Rupert Everett. M should be Terence Stamp, or possibly John Thaw if desperate. We want an enemy who wants to rule the world in a really stupid yet weird way, and a sidekick with a weird and memorable fetish. Bond should kill and shag his way through the film, with plenty of double entendres. It should be clear that while he is single minded, and will kill if necessary, he can turn on the charm if need be. Women should be capable but ultimately only there to hold up the plot (and anything else that needs holding!). Many set pieces in which Bond nearly bites it, but is allowed to escape by the villain, finishing with a fight to the finish as the fate of the world (free or otherwise) hangs in the balance due to a digital timer display. Oh, and a funky singalong theme song about sex and death!
It's not Brosnan's fault Bond is dull by The_Tooth	May 31st, 2000 01:56:47 PM
I think Pierce Brosnan does an excellent job, and his Bond is more appealing than Sean Connery's OR Roger Moore's interpretation although the Connery movies had the best scripts (good thing I have a vitriol-proof monitor). The problem clearly lies with the scripts; they're dull. Bond finds baddie; baddie escapes; Bond tracks him, but gets caught; Bond is freed by BondWench; Bond gets laid; Bond uses contacts to find baddie; Bond just about catches baddie, but is betrayed by the aforementioned BondWench. Bond turns BondWench around by sleeping with BondWench again, just in time to chase the baddie; Bond and baddie fight (henchman are optional), baddie just about wins, but ends up losing. Bond gets laid. The rest is like a Star Trek script: "I'll TECH the TECH with my TECH." What happens within the bounds of the formula is sometimes interesting, a la "For Your Eyes Only", but for the most part, if you've seen one, you've seen them all. Add some mystery, PTB's! Don't tell us who stole it, let us find out as Bond finds out. Have Bond start off working undercover for some reason that we discover along the way, rather than having it explained back at HQ. The Bond franchise is stale, and will be until the writers show some imagination, regardless of who wears the waterproof tuxedo.
Bug...Ambush Bug by Ambush Bug	May 31st, 2000 01:56:48 PM
I think Brosnan has done a pretty good job so far. I can't say that I am the biggest Bond fan, but I think I have seen them all through the years. To everyone riding Russell Crowe's jock---Yes he is a great actor. Yes he kicks ass. But for the love of God, please stop rallying for him to play every role that comes down the path. He is becoming the new Bruce Campbell in fanboy circles. George Clooney? Are you kidding me? I can just hear John Cleese explaining the new weaponry to him now: "Okay, James. Wobble your head to the left and a laser will sprout directly from your left cufflink. Wobble to the right? A lockpick." There are plenty of good English actors that can play Bond. Ralph Finnes, Joseph Finnes, Rufus Sewell, Jude Law (personal fave). Even that Ben-something guy from "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" (god I hated that film) and "The Thin Red Line" would be good. If they don't go back to Connery with an older Bond, there is a whole new crop of good young British actors who could breath new life into the Bond franchise.
I can't repsect the opinions of someone who insults Minghella an by All Thumbs	May 31st, 2000 02:04:09 PM
WTF?! Renny Harlin doing a Bond movie? Clooney as Bond (I like Clooney, don't get me wrong, but it just won't work and it has nothing to do with him being American)? And let's not forget this person's insults against Minghella and his wonderful film, "The Talented Mr.Ripley." Your credibility is hot, sorry.***I have to agree that all Brosnan needs is a good script and I also think that TWINE was not the worst of the Brosnan Bonds. That goes to TND. TWINE had potential, if only they had kept that energy the begining had and if they would have played up the dehumanization of Bond into a cold, killing machine. Elektra was one of the best Bond Girls in years and I consider her the TRUE villain in TWINE. They really ruined a good twist by naming her Elektra, though. Carlyle was misused as a villain and the climactic scene sucked. Also, Denise Richards was TERRIBLE! The worst Bond Girl ever, I'm sure. She's a plastic Barbie Doll whose lines might as well been dubbed in so they would sound slightly real instead of like she was reading them off a teleprompter.
Do your homework, fool by juggygales	May 31st, 2000 02:05:33 PM
You spend three pages blaming MGM for all the Bond/007 troubles when you don't stop for a moment to realize that even though MGM distributes the Bond films, THE CUBBY BROCCOLI FAMILY HAS FULL CREATIIVE CONTROL AND FINAL SAY ON ALL THINGS BOND!!!! You should direct your gripes at them, not MGM you JACKASS!
I'm sick of "sensitive" Bond... by Killer Kane	May 31st, 2000 02:05:50 PM
In TWINE, he practically wept after shooting the villain! I kept expecting M to cuddle him in her arms while he opened the floddgates like a simpering chicken. I fully expect the next film's teaser sequence to show Bond in an apron desperately trying to get to the oven before his cookies burn. Bond in the books was a heartless, cold-blooded killer who put nothing before the mission. For God's sake, in the "Goldfinger" novel, he kills Goldfinger by blowing up a train full of people!!! All for Queen and country. Dammit, I want Bond boozing, gambling, smoking, and smacking the ample buttocks of giggling birds all while putting the mission before everything. Sadly, I know this will never happen. Instead, we'll get a weepy, maudlin, sad-clown Bond who should trade in his tux for a DRESS!
Bond losing his edge.. by Phaelon	May 31st, 2000 02:13:55 PM
Come on, Bond has lost all of the English flair he used to have. They even let a girl save his ass. Next movie they'll probably change Bond into a woman. Not that I don't think a woman could make a cool agent, but James should be the very essence of a man. Noone would allow Dirty Harry to be anything but a womanizing, chain smoking, gun toting loonie. And don't we love him. It's really a shame that it was decided that Connery shouldn't do any more Bonds, especially after seing him play an amazing character in The Rock. Even at his age, he has a 100 times more character than Pierce.
get your facts straight europe... by MGTHEDJ	May 31st, 2000 02:14:10 PM
1) brosnon did NOT CHOOSE to go back to tv, he did not have the money to buy out his contract when NBC decided to renew steele to capitalize on his casting in 1986. 2) renny harlan is a no good scum and only his second unit teams make him bankable. trust us in the states, YOU DO NOT WANT THIS GUY DIRECTING 007. 3)the problem with 007 is the lawsuit with saltsman. jeez guys, please remember wilson and broc. DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHTS TO US SPECTRE OR THE NAME BLOFELD! as i posted this winter, sophie marceau's character in TWINE is the daughter of BLOFELD, and that is the name she keeps referring to in her big scene in the 3rd act. it had to be cut because saltsman will sue. remember, in OCTOPUSSY blofeld is never mentioned by name. and saltsman (or the one he sold the rights to) has the deal with sony/columbia for 007 pics. get SPECTRE back, and bond will be back. later m
Hard to take by Media Fiend	May 31st, 2000 02:15:03 PM
It's hard to believe someone as a serious Bond fan when they're still perpetuating the, since proven false, rumor that Dame Dench is being replaced.
Rupert Everett! by gilmour	May 31st, 2000 02:17:00 PM
Yes he would make the perfect james Bond. Personally i've always like Moore best of the Bonds.
Yes! Get a real shooter... Ridley Scott, Marco Brambilla, Tsui by Wesley Snipes	May 31st, 2000 02:45:54 PM
He's dead-on about Goldeneye being lifted due to the stylish work of director Martin Campbell. The scripts (stories) will never change that much. MGM makes a SHITLOAD of money in other territories by adhering to PG13 and minimal blood and no nudity. What businessman would threaten their bottomline by changing it? Just to get some critics to like it? Not going to happen. But they CAN hire a shooter who knows his stuff without rocking the boat. A good director can boost any movie regardless of the script. The reverse is not really true. I'm not sure about Harlin, but here are some guys I'd like to see work on Bond: RIDLEY SCOTT (the ultimate "shooter" type), TSUI HARK (brilliant choice, dude. When he's on, he's like a combo of Scott & Spielberg), MARCO BRAMBILLA (he did a really nice job on Demolition Man and hasn't done much else, so he'd be good and cheap), and Wachowski Bros. I'd say Woo and Cameron, but they've already done the spy BBQ and it tasted good.
Bug...Ambush Bug Part II by Ambush Bug	May 31st, 2000 02:53:36 PM
I almost forgot about Christian Bale. He would make a great younger Bond. As for directors, how about Tony Scott or the guy who did Run Lola Run? How about an Aronovsky helmed spy flick?
Bond, James Bond by The Avenger	May 31st, 2000 02:53:44 PM
James Bond is something that I hold very dear to my heart. I was a bit disapointed in TWINE. I just thought that it was a bit weak, and had a wasted villian in Renard. Not to mention poor directing on behalf of Apted. And of course that nucklehead as a NUCLEAR SCIENTIST? Yeah right, are you kidding? As, for Brosnan? Brosnan is the best actor to play Bond (taking into account that Connery IS Bond). To attack Brosnan's Bond is a ridiculous notion. It is because of Brosnan that Bond is as popular today as he was in the 60's. Every guy that I know agrees that Brosnan is their favorite (After Sean of course). To the world, Brosnan is Bond. Hell, he's been Bond to the world since his days of Remington Steele. He features all of the aspects of the Bond character to life; his eternal cool, his sly wit, charm, grace, and ruthlessness. And Judi Dench as M has been one of the most brilliant casting decsions in the history of movies. While Russell Crowe is one of the most BRILLIANT actors working today, I'd bet he'd be the first to tell you that he isn't Bond. Clooney? You're kidding right? Shame on you Harry for wasting space with the air-headed ramblings of an obvious escaped mental patient (although the Fourth Protocol is wonderful- but even the sun shines on a dog's ass somedays). Renny Harlin? Shane Black? Dima what the hell is wrong with you? Have you ever even seen a Bond movie? I suggest you run out and pick yourself up the Bond DVD collection and study it closely, get off the ritalin, and take your head out of your ass. I don't mean to sound like a jerk or a majority of these talk backers... But for God sakes; if you're going to write a Journalistic Editorial, then know your subject. AND KNOW YOUR FACTS! Judi Dench WILL be back for Bond 20. The whole notion that The Equalizer will replace the Dame is just down right silly and FALSE. MGM and EON have gone on RECORD stating that Dame Judi Dench is on board for BOND 20, and that the story was just a stupid rumor, started by someone like you. It would be a silly notion for the Bond movies to ape MI... After all they are Bond movies; and since they are on NUMBER 20- they must be doing something right. Do your goddam homework.
FIRST of all. . . by Sith Lord Jesus	May 31st, 2000 02:55:55 PM
. . .IMONSHO GOLDENEYE rocked all ass! I saw that thing three times I liked it so much. I know I'm probably gonna get flamed by Stainless and others for this but y'know what? I COULD GIVE A RATS ASS!!! THAT was classic Bond to me: charisma, guns, spying, explosions; a bit of angst and above all a friggin' PLOT. That is the movie that convinced me that Brosnan was the best Bond since Connery, and WAY fuggin' better then Moore by a mile. Tomorrow Never Dies I loved for the exotic locales, the martial arts and Michelle Yeoh, though Jonathan Pryce's "Elliot Carver" was a bit of a cartoon. Still, I found the idea of an insane media mogul planning to start a war in order to boost ratings way cool--it harkens back to William Randolph Hearst and the Spanish-American War! I like a flick that can rip ideas from real life. That's why I'm opposed to Father Geek's idea of setting Bond back in the past. May I be the first to say ENOUGH WITH ALL THE RETRO CRAP ALREADY!! The 50's, the 60's, the 70's, the 80's--WHO CARES! It's OVER! DEAL!! There are all sorts of people out there who could write an ass-kicking Bond flick for the 21st Century. What about Tom Clancy, for example? Or how about John Dahl (RED ROCK WEST; KILL ME AGAIN; THE LAST SEDUCTION; etc.) or Elmore Leonard? Why not give Tarantino or Woo or Ridley Scott a shot at the director's chair? Laugh all you want, but as long as you play it safe, don't take risks and continue to insist upon the same old tired, hackneyed formula things will just get worse. That last one--THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH--was one of the most boring films I've ever seen! Comeon, Bond deserves more then that, and so do his fans. Oh, and by the way, Uncapie, about that script--email it to me! I've love to read it.
EWAN MCGREGOR AS BOND, AND ALL OF THAT SHIET by kiosk	May 31st, 2000 02:59:42 PM
Come on, give him a go. We've seen him fuck, run from the cops, run from the bad guys, drink, take drugs,. . .the question is, can he fly a helicopter and shoot a machine gun at the same time. It would be great if he could give us one of those meniacal laughs he has while mowing down a baddie. Hey, if not Bond, then an upcoming nemesis.
Let's get to the heart of the matter... by Killer Kane	May 31st, 2000 03:01:41 PM
Let's face facts: James Bond is now wearing lacy pink PANTIES underneath his tux! Remember in Goldeneye? Bond's first appearance? He coldcocks a guard who's lighting a smoke, looks right at the camera and says "Filthy habit!" WHAAAAAT? The old Bond lived in a cloud of Lucky smoke! Wait and see! When the next Bond film: "In Her Majesty's Wardrobe" arrives in theaters, we'll see Bond saunter up to the bar and say "Shirley Temple, shaken not stirred."
My thoughts... by BIC	May 31st, 2000 03:23:46 PM
Ok, I'm just going to do this in list form. 1.I like Pierce. I think he COULD do a wonderful job as Bond. I do not, however, believe that MGM is letting him. An above poster mentioned the filthy habit line and I couldn't agree with him more. 2.I like the use of gadgets in the movies and cool NEW stuff, but I don't like silly guns and missiles. Bond should be using his pistol as often as possible. 3.MORE VILLAIN DEVELOPMENT. I liked the idea of the villain in TWINE but they didn't develop him at all. I mean, this guy DOESN'T FEEL PAIN! For Christ's sake, couldn't they have made him a little scarier instead of turning the whole thing into a Beauty and the Beast soap opera. Sophie wasn't that great a bad girl either. 4.The puns are going downhill. I LOVE cheesy Bond puns. There have, however, only been two really good ones in the Brosnan series. The first was when Mony Poney (spelling?) said to Bond "Oh James, you're such a cunning linguist." while he was fucking his language tutor. The second was the ULTIMATE cheese line at the end of TWINE "I thought Christmas only came once a year." We need more of that stuff in the movies. Finally I'd like to say that I do like Ralph Fines as a possible replacement and I don't like to hear about John Woo directing the movies... it wouldn't be right. Over and Out Bic.
This is a stretch, by Francie	May 31st, 2000 03:33:30 PM
but what about Greg Wise, the guy that played Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility? I think it would be wrong to have a yank play Bond. But, first and foremost, MGM need to get Brosnan outta there. Wise is older now, he has a certain amount of charisma, he's English and he's got the build. Just a thought.
GOLDENEYE SUCKS, TND RULEs by Robertblood	May 31st, 2000 03:36:43 PM
What's this guy on? Goldeneye was an abomination with a plot that made no sense, TND was probably the best bond film since 'You only Live Twice' with a great plot, great villan, great female spy, and even better action sequences, proving the Brosnan is best bond since Connery.
Bond r.i.PC by johnnyboy	May 31st, 2000 03:40:47 PM
Roger Moore has a lot to answer for. Every Bond has been different, but Moore plumbed new depths, where his ad-libs and oh-so-witty one liners took the piss out of the fact that the man is a killer. And a pretty good one at that. Ok, so all the movies made have drifted slightly from the tones of the books in one way or another (Bond feels pain, Bond smokes and drinks too much) but this line of sanitizing a brutal, intelligent, occasional gentleman and womaniser is taking it too far. I actually enjoyed TWINE more than Daylights, simply because Bond had the balls to shoot the bad lady and not think twice about it. Exactly as he did in Casino Royale (Mmmm, surely some parallel). Bond needs to get back to his roots. Not dispensing with all mod cons and going 60`s retro chic, but being the hard man he is supposed to be.
Bond is a Killer, Not a Model by SpoilerMan	May 31st, 2000 03:47:10 PM
I couldn't believe that knock against Dalton as Bond, saying he had the face of a villain! James Bond is an ice-cold killer not a male model! He is a paid killer, doing his government's bidding. The problem is that too many so-called "Bond fans" have never actually read Ian Fleming's novels and only know 007 from the screen. If you'd bother to do your reading, you'd know that Bond was no pretty boy---in fact, Ian Fleming said that musician Hoagy Carmichael was his mental image of Bond when he wrote! Save me from these amateur Bond "experts" who no doubt think that prissy fop Roger Moore was "the" Bond! GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK!
Yes TND's did Rule! by gilmour	May 31st, 2000 03:50:50 PM
I can't believe people didn't like it, without question the best Bond in a long time. I didn't care much for Goldeneye or TWINE however, very boring and predictable. And could Carlyle have been wasted anymore? They gave him an ultra cool villian and his scenes were all boring as hell. And Moore rocked damnit! so what if he was a more comedic Bond? He never took himself too seriously and had fun with the role. Not every actor has to try to copy Connery y'know! Rupert Everett needs to be the next Bond!
Bond.....James Bond by MoodMan	May 31st, 2000 04:16:57 PM
Now this is a subject that I like to talk about... Personaly I can't see past Connery years Bond, Dalton was the closest to the Fleming idea of Bond since the Connery years, but no-one seems to notice that. I think that Jude Law would be a good choice for playing Bond, but what about Jason Connery?? - the original Bond's son - now that would be cool. I notice a couple of people have mentioned Directors and Writers for this - why not Singer and the guy that writes with him (I can't remember his exact name right now!!) - we would then get that kind of Bond we all crave.. And talking of ideas for a Bond movie - I had an idea about 10 years ago that I thought would have been classic... it starts with all the 00 agents being murdered including the latest 007. An agent is sent out to locate the only remaining Bond - James Bond is just a name that someone adopts when they take on the 007 role. The only remaining Bond is Connery... it turns out that the list of agents has been stolen - with their real names and locations (yeh, I know a few a few of you will say Mission Impossible - but remember this idea is 10 years old) and he is likely to be next. When Connery's Bond finds out who is behind the killings - it becomes a personal vendetta - as it is Blofeld who didn't die as was suspected, but unknown to everyone is actually dying and doesn't care who he takes with him to the grave - and is planning to destroy the Earth regardless - Bond takes on the assignment again only if he is allowed to do it his way and only if his Licence to Kill means exactly that... he can KILL!!! When he finally comes face to face with Blofeld again and finally kills him he whispers to Blofeld that he has at last managed to get vengeance for Blofeld killing his wife.... Now it might sound like a simple story but it had all the nice Bond touches and I liked that fact that he could finally get his vengeance on Blofeld for killing Tracy in ONHMS.... Just a little idea..
The next Bond by Lazlo	May 31st, 2000 04:18:11 PM
Remember the original Bond? Swanky and stylish but fallible. Living by wits and getting by on luck and charm. Skillful with cards and the ladies. Who can fill these shoes? K.D. Lang!
McTiernan, Harlin, Rambo IV, Commando II, True Lies 2... by ABking	May 31st, 2000 04:23:31 PM
John McTiernan, John Woo and Renny Harlin are super great choices to direct the next BOND film. They would bring huge action set pieces along with some great cinematogrphy. While we're talking about sequels to action hero characters, Miramax should get RAMBO IV off the ground with Stallone and 20th Century Fox should get COMMANDO II made for a new audience. John Rambo and John Matrix could go on any high tech mission that would make Ethan Hunt shit his pants. Who wouldn't want to see a grown up Alyssa Milano in a wet T-Shirt as Arnold's daughter in C2. Harlin could direct RAMBO IV and McTiernan could direct COMMANDO II. Once Cameron makes TRUE LIES 2, watch for his trade mark techniques of new stunts and over-the-top action scenes to elevate spy movies.
blech by ellid	May 31st, 2000 04:52:41 PM
Leaving aside the fact that "Dima" can't even get his/her movies straight (Goldeneye was the first Brosnan Bond film), this has to be the stupidest critique of the Bond series I've seen in ages. Not to mention that George Clooney has all the charisma of a wet sponge - ! All this yipping about how "Bond sucks" comes down to one thing: Sean Connery doesn't play Bond anymore, and there are still a lot of people who are upset about this. Here's my proposal: ask Connery if he's willing to be cloned. Have the clone raised to do nothing but play James Bond in remake after remake. Maybe have Gus Van Sant do an update version of, say, "From Russia with Love," just the way he did "Psycho." Will everybody be happy then?
The Long Kiss Goodnight = BOND by ABking	May 31st, 2000 05:12:29 PM
Did you people not see the AMAZING THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT!!! Renny Harlin would make a KICK ASS James Bond movie. THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT is one of the best spy/action movies to grace the big screen with all the violence and wit intact. Harlin would make BOND the cold blooded killer Charlie Baltimore (Geena Davis) was. He would make BOND ultra violent like all his spectacular action movies are. He would cast his pal Samuel L. Jackson as a Bond villain (wouldn't that be COOL). He would blow things up really big. In short, James Bond would be the James Bond you all want. CLIFFHANGER was kinda like a James Bondian adventure. Imagine Bond in those locals. After next summers CHAMPS, you people who dislike Harlin will be praising. Count on it...
And Renny Harlin can't direct traffic by renofloyd	May 31st, 2000 05:28:51 PM
Fuck, Renny Harlin. Sheesh man! Talk some fucking sense. Ans since when in the history of EVER should a fucking Yank get to play Bond?!
Bond & Brosnan by lmwong1977	May 31st, 2000 05:33:54 PM
I think a majority of Bond Fans (in regard of Brosnan's) are either in the TND rules or the GE/Twine Rules camp. I happen to fall into the GE/TWINE camp and prefer Connery to Roger. TND just had too much machine guns and bordered on a Martial arts movie. It had some promising aspects but overall it was very weak. Probably because of the numerous rewrites. GE at least Bond was dealing with the Russian Army. Twine, I enjoyed and was a great improvement from TND (except for Denise Richards, she needs to stick to killing giant bugs or doing soft porn. I almost gagged when she & PB kissed. She looked like his daughter than lover. Please no more talking boobs). On Brosnan, I think he's doing a splendid job despite the scripts. It seems alot of fans forgot back in the early 80s everyone was begging for him to be Bond. Poll after poll from magazines and newspapers had him as the #1 choice. Anyway, I think alot of people, fans and studios, can't look beyond his looks to give him anything substantial to work on. (Same problem Tom Cruise seems to have, but his boxoff prowess gives him the opportunity.) I think if EON invested into better writers (Wade & Purvis was a great improvement, IMO) and gave a little more control to the directors, it would greatly improve the franchise. I can't believe some of the people suggested, I think EON (when Brosnan decides to quit) would choose someone who is now around his late 20s, early 30s and british. I like George Clooney, but he looks too much like an American. Adrian Paul has his own franchise and is too old for the future. Rupert has the looks and the humor but I don't know if he can project menance and his talks of a spoof probably threw him out of the running. Ewan has the Star Wars thing and would have to dye his hair (he also looks a bit short). Jude Law has a rather severe look, receeding hairline, blond hair and too expensive for MGM. Haven't seen too much of Greg Wise, but in Emma, he looked a bit pudgy and he's bordering on too old. I like Christian Bale, but I don't think he'd take it, cause he likes his privacy too much. Crowe probably could kick some ass, but he's been known to be a bit of a hardass. EON doesn't like people who rock the boat. I think it's too early to be looking for replacements. Side note: It's only rumor Brosnan wants to do 7 films - it was only reported in Empire and nowhere else. Also more rumors the DB5 & DB7 will appear in Bond 20 were reported by News of the World. As another poster said, I can't believe "Dima" actually believed The Mirror! I'm not from England, but even I know that is the worst place to find 'facts'.
I think you're all forgetting something by The Nemesis	May 31st, 2000 05:34:04 PM
You're all forgetting the fact that the first one to play the character is always the best. Not counting that guy that did that one bond film, Connery was the first. And Connery may have well been the best. But you are forgetting that Connery is 99 years old now and can't play Bond anymore. I understand your dilema. For example I can't stand that freaking show Batman Beyond because Bruce Wayne is no longer Batman. And here too, Connery can't be Bond no more. I think Brosnan was the second best Bond. I happened to like Goldeneye the best too out of the bond flicks he did. If you really want to know what I think, I think the characters of Bond and BAtman for the next installments should get the George Lucas make-over. Has everybody noticed now with star wars episodes 1 and 2 that the person to play Anakin is choosen so carefully? Is any of big name character picked like how Anakin is picked? I dont' think so. I think these two characters should be as thought out as Anakind gets. After seeing and barfing over MI:2, I personally think that Russel Crowe should replace Tom Cruise and John Woo should not be conected to the next MI. They should go back to espianoge and not full blown action. Russel Crowe would make a great MI spy, but not Bond. Bond is too flashy of a spy. As for Batman, If Mel Gibson was a bit younger and he played the part like Braveheart(cold, dark, and barbaric)he'd make a great Batman.
A New Name For The Next Bond Girl: Cherry Hymen As Played By Jes by RightWing Dude	May 31st, 2000 05:43:54 PM
First off, I liked Goldeneye, disliked TMD, and actually believe that TWINE was a decent film(how can you say that Golden Gun was better???). You shouldn't really blame Brosnan for all of what you complain about-he demanded a rewrite of the initial script for TWINE. Who knows, maybe they should discontinue making the movies-they used up Fleming's last title with The Living Daylights. Think about it: James Bond is supposed to be about 70 years old now....Also, Hell will freeze over before I accept a bus-station queer like Rupert Everett as James Bond. No one can ever truly replace Connery, but as far as I'm concerned Brosnan is the MAN, and is the second best Bond.
this guy doesn't know shit by devil0509	May 31st, 2000 06:09:24 PM
I don't know what this is...it sounds like a fanboy spouting off about what he'd like to see. But one line in here tells you that this guy doesn't know shit. If MGM wants to go cheap, they can hire Russell Crowe. Uh, dude, Crowe's pricetag after Gladiator just went up to 15 million per flick. That's not cheap. Period. Crowe would be wonderful in whatever role you had for him, make no mistake. I love Crowe. Everyone loves Crowe. My wife just told me she'd nail Russell Crowe and all I could say was, cool, can I have him next? But I digress. Point is, whoever is writing this piece knows nothing at all what's going on in Bond's future.
Color by Numbers: a Renny Harlin Masterpiece by MrKearns	May 31st, 2000 06:27:53 PM
...Renny Harlin? Seriously... Bond's problem doesn't lie in Brosnan's personality. He can be much more commanding and cunning as Bond, I know he has it in him, but so far MGM only lets him get away with toothy grins and carelessly waving around AK-47's. Bond needs to get back to the basics; no sub-machine guns, only the bad guys use them. Bond was never about Woo-style bullets popping off like firecrackers every two seconds. He uses a cold, steel, heavy handgun. The little things like that make a difference. Second, he needs women who have more personality than mammary goodness. Bond girls these days are very wooden, or maybe silicone is the right word... Pussy Galore wasn't just a waif with big tits. Sure, she put out quick, but that's besides the point. No techno music. None. I like it in other action movies, not Bond. A locale that has depth and culture, yet gets little exposure; I liked when Moore's Bond visited the Middle East, but I could care less if Bond visits Paris, or Venice... people have seen that before. Too Euro-centralized, I'd like to see the non-jungle parts of Africa, maybe. Something out of National Geographic. He needs to show that he's not a grinning p*ssy. He needs to show that dark, brooding brow of his once in a while, sumthin that gives you the feeling that his veins are full of piss and vinegar, and he's very upset. He relies on laptops and cell phones too much; I never thought of Bond as a yuppie. The lethal gadgets are ok, but does he really need a Palm Pilot? There's more but... the stuff I say has no bearing on the franchise. It's there to make money. Too bad.
The reply from author by dima	May 31st, 2000 07:14:38 PM
I wrote the article so I`ll answer the most of your disses and opinions and I am ready to answer you again if needed.First of all I WANTED to believe that M won`t be played by Dame Judi Dench anymore sice I can`t stand the old lady after TWINE.Why?Well,if I have to explain then I`ll first say that her M showed `maternal instincts`.Nuff said.Second of all her character should be male since only a man can order Bond.Third of all remember the scene when she pulls the clock through the cell?Ho-ho-ho bet you never expected to see that kind of diletantisme in a major release. Enter Renny Harlin.Renny Harlin is the disciple of the `Die Hard` school which means that he plays by certain rules.What are those rules is irrelevant right now.Only one rule matters-his action scenes are coherent with the plot.Each one of his action set-pieces has something to do with the characters` intentions.The accomplishment of efforts takes the audience to catharsis and catharsis is what the movies are all about.Remember `Die Hard 2`? Remember `Long Kiss Goodnight`?Remember `Cliffhanger`? These movies were sheer cinema joy.I think that his editing techniques are something that half of `Propaganda` directors can`t get even close to.So your disrespect for Renny has something to do with your private feelings not his knowledge as an author. Enter Minghella.This guy does Jew gay flicks.This guy did `Mr.Wonderful`.This guy did `English Patient` that won all those `Oscars` just because of `Miramax` masonic connections and that movie was a fatal bore (that (should`ve been funded by US Army as a weapon that kills with boredom).This guy turned Patricia Highsmith`s most potent novel into a bore.This guy has absolutely no sense of direction and he can be compared only to Paul Thomas Anderson,because the two of them are too major Hollywood players that don`t know a single damn thing about movies.He scares me and I don`t want him to lay hands on Bond. Enter Clooney.Well Clooney is American but he is also an actor.His job is to act and he can talk in whatever accent you want him to. Enter Brosnan.Poor Pierce.He is a man in a wrong place.I mean be real,if someone asked you to play Bond you wouldn`t say `I`d skip it.I`m not good enough.`You`d roll with it lik he did.So this criticism isn`t personal.Let`s to put it this way...Do you feel Brosnan`s cool enough for Bond?Do you feel Brosnan`s noble enough for Bond?If you do then you and I have unavoidable cultural differences. Enter Crowe.Well,I`m not joining the bandwagon of `Hail Crowe`.I`m just saying that he might be a new Hollywood hero and that he might set up a franchise home at MGM.I pesonally hope that he won`t start playing retards and chasing `Oscars`and that he`ll do some action flicks from time to time.Look what Cruise did,he set up his franchise at Paramount and now whatever art-house flop he makes he`ll have a commercial hideaway there.Crowe should do the same. Enter TWINE.TWINE is a movie made by a person that hasn`t seen an action movie in his entire life.If Apted has seen an action movie in his life than he must`ve directed it in his sleep.Movies have patterns.This one doesn`t.It`s direction isn`t just bad,it is wrong. Enter TWINE script.First of all none of you noticed that the bullet in Renard`s head subplot was taken a)from John Woo`s masterpiece `Bullet in the Head`b)from Daniel Lee`s Jet Li-starrer `Black Mask` that was released in the US by Artisan.This is the illegal part of the script.Things that weren`t stolen were just bad while the things that were stolen never made sense.For example there is no display of Renard`s superhuman power in the movie... Enter `sex,zen and bullet in the head` e.g.ratings.Well 007 series never provided us with carnage or explicit sex.Action scenes are traditionally bloodless.Even though sex and violence should be shown in implicit ways so we could feel pleasure,pain and suspense. This is the first answer.Answer me with your counter measures I am ready to explain and defend my attitude. God bless Dima P.S.try to put some system in your accusations so I could have an easier time answering.
as i said, harlin films work because of second unit teams, hir by MGTHEDJ	May 31st, 2000 07:59:07 PM
and we did notice the woo homages. what about SPECTRE??
by Bond1138	May 31st, 2000 08:20:29 PM
Hey buddy, have you ever even seen a Bond movie? TWINE was very good and Brosnan is an excellent Bond. I'm a hardcore fan and i know James Bond. Granted, Goldeneye was kinda lame and TND was a hack job, but Twine vastly improves on these films. It is not without flaws but it's a good effort. I agree that someone like McTiernan would be good, but it's no guarantee that the film will be excellent, anyone remember Last Action Hero? Harlin is a hack who ripps off McTiernan constantly and has no eye for character developpment. Woo would be fantastic. Infact Chow Yun-Fat should be brought in as the villain, althought he would easily dwarf any onscreen actor. P.S- If Mgm had their way, Bond would be played by Sharon Stone as Jane Bond.
RE: Dima by SpoilerMan	May 31st, 2000 08:27:56 PM
Dima, you've already proven you don't know jack shit about James Bond. Now with your "jew fag" and "masonic" comments regarding Minghella, you've also shown yourself to be an anti-semitic asshole. Euro-AICN should file your reports in the dustbin from now on and save us the trouble, you bigoted moron.
Bond...what else? by acebandage	May 31st, 2000 08:37:46 PM
I'll try to state this quickly. Connery was THE Bond. SPECTRE needs to return. Connery would make an awesome villain as the new head of SPECTRE. Dalton was not the problem, it was the PC 80's scripts. In my opinion, Brosnon is the WORST Bond since Lazenby. If I wanted to see Bond played by a tongue in cheek TV Bond knock off (like Remington Steele was) I would rather see Don Adams take over the role. Don't get me wrong, from what I know of Pierce Brosnan he is a really decent fellow and I really do respect him, but he plays Bond as an effeminate, uncharasmatic plank of wood. The real problem is that the movies have drifted too far from their origins. You cannot be a SECRET agent if you are jumping a motorcycle over an exploding helecopter in the middle of a busy downtown Hong Kong street while firing of an endless stream of automatic rifle fire. To tell the truth, the Austin Powers series is more in touch with the old Bond films than the new Bond films do. Get a new Bond, get a new director, get permission to use SPECTRE and get back in touch with the older, BETTER Bond flicks of the past.
Bond-type actors in Hollywood... by Uncapie	May 31st, 2000 09:03:24 PM
Men who would kick your ass in a bar fight that have a Bond-type attitude on the screen: Michael Madsen, Russell Crowe, George Clooney, Samuel L. Jackson, Lawrence Fishburne. Men who don't have a tough guy look but, who are suave like Bond and will kick your ass anyway: Chow Yun Fat, Kurt Russell. Old timers, none to be fucked with: Sean Connery(Obviously.), Clint Eastwood, Terrance Stamp, Sam Elliot, Chuck Heston, Jack Nicholson and the ever-lovin', Lawrence Tierney. I know the list is very short, but each of these guys has the spark that is missing in the Bond series. They have the charisma that needs to be reinjected into the James Bond character by the actor that portrays him. For a Bond replacement, my choice would be Russell Crowe.
Feirstein, Period Pieces, and Brosnan's Preferences by RogerOThornhill	May 31st, 2000 09:31:44 PM
The problem with all the Brosnan Bonds has been the screenplays. Let me be in the minority here and say that TWINE was actually the best of the last three because of (a) the use of Dench as M and (b) the truly twisted relationship of the villains. (Those two points let me forget Christmas.) TWINE's initial screenplay was by other authors but then Feirstein came in to "punch it up"--i.e., give it lame and tacky dialogue. I agree with the period piece notion if they go back to Fleming and the 1950s. The 1960s Bond cannot be recreated precisely because it's already been done. But the grim, faceless, semi-inexperienced Bond of "Casino Royale" might be interesting. But who are we kidding? And if we have to go with supervillains, "Tomorrow Never Dies" gave us one of the most plausible in our own environment. BTW, Brosnan didn't choose to do Steele instead of Bond--he was forced to contractually and it killed him. NBC revived a cancelled series for three TV movies, specifically because of the publicity they got from the Bond signing. Otherwise, Brosnan would have (ecstatically) been Bond a decade earlier.
I like brosnon, but if you wanna add some zip by Entilzha Proph	May 31st, 2000 09:47:59 PM
make bond female. Thats right - make it Jamie Bond. To go one better, make her a lesbian. Okay, I admit, it would be a hard sell, but think about it ; A Jamie Bond lesbain character would be PC, and at the same time womanizing. Common, think about it
ADRIAN PAUL (Highlander)would be the greatest Bond by GreekmanX	May 31st, 2000 09:52:01 PM
James Bond cannot be played by an established film star(so Clooney and Crowe are out) but by an established TV star (just like Moore,Brosnan,etc.). Anyone who has seen the Highlander Tv show knows that Adrian Paul has the charisma, the looks, the martial arts moves, sword fighting skills, and he looks like Sean Connery (and that'd be a nice change since Brosnan is more Moore-ish) does anyone agree?
Coupla Random Thoughts by Pierrot	May 31st, 2000 10:06:27 PM
Briefly, then (as if these folk'll actually read this...still and all and still again...): Dima: As I recall, Brosnan was set and ready to do Bond, but NBC exercised an option in his contract to continue with Remington Steele. That rendered Brosnan unable to be Bond, and they scrambled for 2nd choices and hit upon Dalton. NBC then filmed, I think it was 2, more episodes of Steele and axed it. I've always blamed NBC, if anybody, for not getting a Brosnan Bond when he was at his peak of popularity. Kurg1: Um...that wasn't Harry's opinion you were reading after the 1st paragraph; you did note the 3 different (counting Harry) views/authors there, clearly marked with different fonts, even? Darth Fart: How is it possible to be a "huge fan of Dalton's Bond" and claim that "...the sex, the cold-blooded killing, that IS Bond...is what made...Dalton so good", given that Dalton suffered from being the PC Bond who didn't get to have sex, and who killed pretty emotionally? Quitting the service and going on the run to avenge his dead friend isn't cold-blooded to me, neither is grimly taking out the bad guys with that great jaw of his set. Don't get me wrong, I like Dalton, but not as Bond. juggygales: Not full control, unless they wrangled back that piece that allowed us Octopussy and Never Say Never together in theaters...maybe I should do my own homework and find out, neh? Anywho, loved the Fleming novels, thought Gardner's were worthy continuations, like the new guy, too. Wossname was right - when Matt Helm was "in", Bond rocked. Successive iterations have alternately watered down and enriched the mythos, in approximately equal parts (For every Wayne Newton you have an Oddjob, for every Grace Jones bit part there's a Blofeld performance). Overall, Brosnan's portrayal I feel has more respectability (he has mastered that "I know a joke you don't know" glint in his eyes), and the scripts have certainly been better than those in the 80's (remember when a female M was a controversial new move? I do. Dame Judy Dench is the only good addition to the mythos really to come from that decade, and it's almost as if she was brought in to try and converge the books and the movies somewhat, as Gardner's Bond novels treated us to an older Bond reporting to a lady M.) Maybe if they went back to the movie-every-3 years instead of the every-2 schedule...they could certainly use the time for scripting. And plotting. And casting. And I'm outta here.
Thoughts Errata correction by Pierrot	May 31st, 2000 10:12:53 PM
Okay, so it was Father Geek's opinion and not Harry's that made up the 3rd in this article. I'm admitting it now and claiming that any points I may have made in the previous message still hold. I'm also still outta here (it's just a damn loooong hallway, it is).
Hey prickearn, jerk wad, James Bond uses a Walther PPK, they are by Malchizedik	May 31st, 2000 10:25:26 PM
Oh, and yeah, Bond is resourcefull as fuck, and if he needs to spray lead with an AK-47, by jove, he will. He's an 80's spy, so he's used to excess. Renny Harlin could very well deliver with Brosnan, only get a real screenwriter, actually fucking Bond should be played by Antonio Banderas and goddamn Millius should direct. Chris Columbus would be better than the prick fuck who directed the latest catastrophe.
Are you people watching the same Bond series as me? by Orange Bat	May 31st, 2000 10:58:39 PM
I am a professed HUGE Bond fan. I think he is the GREATEST movie hero of ALL TIME!! The one thing you have to understand to be a true Bond fan and understand the Bond style is that Bond is time-less. He is hip no matter the year. Watch the very first Bond, Dr. No, and you'll see it OOZING with 50's style. That's why Roger Moore movies were so watchable. You watch Moore's Bond and you are instantly transported to the 1970's british culture. Brosnan's Bond works for the same reason. 1990's hipness and style. He's sleek and smooth, yet brooding and emotional. Perfect for the nineties disaffected feeling. The movies are also a lot more personal and we are now seeing a Bond we haven't seen since the Lazenby movie (which is a good story, but, c'mon, Telly Savalas as Blofeld!! Dear lord!! And, fer Christ's sake, Blofeld didn't recognize Bond, yet he saw Bond in You Only Live Twice!! Give me a break!!). I thought the World is not Enough was pretty good. It really wraped Bond in a personal mystery, much like some of the less recognized Fleming books. Oh, and please remember, Bond is BRITISH!! These movies need to retain a defined BRITISH feel to them!! Stop trying to make Bond AMERICAN!! And, for God's sake, no JOHN WOO!! Mission: Impossible 2 SUCKED!! He should never try another sequal, unless he directed the first one. Finally, who should be the next Bond? Somebody British and who really defines the current cultural style. And not RUSSEL CROWE!!!! Not sleek enough. Oh, and by the way, I think Timothy Dalton was the closest actor to Fleming's description of HIS Bond. The movies just weren't that great.
Re-cast 007! by floob	May 31st, 2000 11:15:34 PM
Brosnan's had three attempts to be James Bond, but he STILL has not impressed me. Double-O-Seven needs less gentlemanly polish and more grit-and-guts!!! I don't have any suggestions as to who should replace Brosnan, but find some BRITISH actor who can kick ass, guzzle martinis, romp in the sack with the sex kittens, and be a CONVINCING cold-hearted bastard when necessary, eh?
Fiennes is 007 by Bond7	May 31st, 2000 11:26:28 PM
The Broccoli's and MGM could go on making mediocre flicks forever and make a bundle. To win back the die-hards, they have two choices. The softer version: hire a real director (I agree with Woo and McTiernan), make the scripts more focused and less complicated. Give Bond a clear set of goals and give him a formidable adversary (haven't had that since Robert Davi in LTK). Make Bond tougher and stop being so damn PC about the sex scenes!! Make them more racy. I'm thinking the action, look and flair of MI:2 with the wit, style and sexiness of Thomas Crown Affair. The radical version: Cut the budgets in half. Go all the way back to Fleming, with hardly any action and more atmosphere. Much more emphasis on characterization, with more colorful characters and villians. Instead of action epics, make them tough spy thrillers. As for Bond, Brosnan is OK and shows hints that he could be a tougher Bond. I preferred Dalton, since he left audiences on edge and had an aura of danger and violence about him. Ralph Fiennes would be a good replacement when Brosnan splits.
Finnes was perfect as a young John Steed, but the "Avengers" suc by Uncapie	Jun 1st, 2000 12:50:36 AM
Fleming's creation of Bond was designed with cruel, good looks and a scar down his cheek. More or less, a thug, but an intelligent thug. He designed him after world famous pianist/actor, Hoagy Carmichel. Hard drinking, smoking, womanizing and a man who lived life on the edge. George Lazenby was Autralian and did one of the best, if not the best, Bond stories. Crowe(Australian as well.) could fit Bond's shoes. Imagine Finnes fighting to the death with Red Grant. Grant would break him in two. Crowe would put up a brutal fight. Crowe would fit the look of Bond beause he has the muscle and that "I'll kill you." stare of his when he gets pissed. Just watch "L.A. Confidential" or "Gladiator".
Dougray Scott by Harami	Jun 1st, 2000 01:13:07 AM
How about Dougray Scott? He looks the part (of a tough but handsome guy), can obviously play a badass, plus he is SCOTTISH! Remind you of someone else?
Speechless........... by RobinP	Jun 1st, 2000 01:34:07 AM
TWINE the worst Bond of the series ? Jeez, I loved that movie ! You mean worst in the series since Jolly Roger left though right ? I mean they couldn't pull another turd like Moonraker out of their asses even if they tried (and who'd want to ?)In my humble little opinion, Brosnan is the best Bond since Connery, and even outBonds him in certain respects.....man when he killed Electra......that was PURE early sadistic badass Bond !!!!!
Where are all the heroes? by Woodby	Jun 1st, 2000 02:08:00 AM
It is (amongst others') Brosnan's fault Bond has turned all pish. It was him who wanted Bond vulnerable in TWINE - the (vomit) broken collar-bone. That isn't Bond. Bond is a comic-book hero writ large. Bond fights a dozen baddies, turns his jacket inside out to reveal a tuxedo and then saunters into the Casino. It's the pish "realism" that dewey eyed egomaniacs are trying to inject into the series that is the problem. I mean, the head of MI6 flying out to an oil pipe-line in the middle of no-where?? Didn't everyone realise that that was the time to leave the cinema? That said, ironically, (I'll explain that concept to you Yankees another time), I still think Brosnan could be up there with Connery if he just got back to the core of what the series is about: suave, slick, tongue-in-cheek action. (And Ian Fleming devotees, get over it - his books were dull pish.) -Woodby-
Denise Richards is the ultimate Bond! by honeys dead	Jun 1st, 2000 02:32:31 AM
Siad it once and now again; DENISE RULES! Bronsan is great, stick to your Classis Bond videos and such and let another great Bond flick, brosnan style, be born. Goldeneye & TWINE I think are the best. No I am not a huge Bond fan which is the reason you hardcore Bond fans will mock me and mumble or even scream I dont know my arse from the hole in "your" head left by the bile of hollywood today. I am the first to agree that the movie biz aint nothin what it used to be but at least give us those one in one hundred that are great.
Dalton PART 2 by Darth Fart	Jun 1st, 2000 02:58:52 AM
Sorry, Bond didn't go PC in the Dalton films! Okay, SEX was thrown out, I grant you that, but the other Bond traits are still there. Yes, Bond was still a cold spy in License To Kill, how can you say he wasn't? He went out to avenge his friends mauling. I'm glad Bond didn't have to sleep with a girl in the Living Daylights, that doesn't make it PC, just refreshing. I'm half expecting John Glen to return one more time!
Reply from author on his alleged anti-semitism by dima	Jun 1st, 2000 03:24:33 AM
Gays and Jews...Well,I didn`t mean no disrespect for either social group,I just wanted to say that these two fractions help Minghella to do his movies.His career isn`t built on his talent but on the support he gets from groups that rule in Hollywood,ergo Jews and gays.I have a lot of Jew friends so don`t call me anti-semitic since I have a high opinion of Jews. God bless Dima
Megalomaniac Wanted - Inquire Within by KRaid20264	Jun 1st, 2000 03:57:07 AM
Wanted: Asshole with an attitude and a novel scheme to extort billions of dollars from the major countries of the world. Must possess personal charisma and great fortune and flaunt it like a jerk. Must lie, cheat and steal despite having everything the world has to offer. Must have the calm, countenance of a person in control, but the temper of a child. Pluses: Henchperson of impeccable and singular skill, but stupid enough to be bested by superspy. Caper that kicks off the conspiracy, which unfolds into the real endgame. No six pack villains need apply.
THE FINAL WORD by The Stinger	Jun 1st, 2000 04:43:22 AM
I, THE STINGER, WILL NOW OFFICIALLY STATE THE FACTS. THESE ARE NOT DEBATABLE. (1) ANY JAMES BOND ACTOR WHO CARES ABOUT THE CHARACTER ENOUGH TO PURCHASE IAN FLEMING'S GOLD TYPEWRITER, ON WHICH THE JAMES BOND NOVELS WERE WRITTEN - AS BROSNAN DID - MUST BE RESPECTED, WHETHER YOU LIKE HIM OR NOT. THAT HAVING BEEN SAID, HE IS NOT A VERY GOOD JAMES BOND. BUT AT LEAST HE TRIES. (2) "THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH", THOUGH WELL-INTENTIONED, WAS THE ONE THING A JAMES BOND FILM SHOULD NEVER, EVER BE: BORING. IT WAS STRUCTURALLY FLAWED (KILLING OFF SOPHIE MARCEAU'S CHARACTER - THE ONLY CHARACTER IN THE FILM THAT BOND HAD AN EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN - BEFORE THE CLIMAX WAS A BIG MISTAKE) AND POORLY RESOLVED ("THE AVENGER" WAS CORRECT IN HIS ASSESMENT OF RENARD AS A `WASTED VILLAIN'. SCREENWRITING 101: IF YOU HAVE A VILLAIN WHO CANNOT FEEL PAIN, YOU PAY* THAT OFF* SOMEHOW AT THE END DURING THE BIG FIGHT SCENE, PREFERABLY WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED VILLAIN NOT* FEELING* PAIN. COULD THIS BE ANY MORE CLEAR? INSTEAD WHAT DO WE GET? QUOTH RENARD (UPONG BEING HIT BY BOND): "OOF!") - IN SHORT IT WAS A SHITTY MOVIE, ONE OF THE WORST BONDS EVER. (3) DALTON WAS AN INTERESTING BOND, VERY CLOSE TO IAN FLEMING'S CONCEPTION OF THE CHARACTER. MAYBE A LITTLE LACKING IN HUMOR, YES, BUT STILL BETTER THAN FUCKING ROGER MOORE. CHRIST! (4) "ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE" IS THE BEST BOND FILM, REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT LAZENBY. PERSONALLY I THINK HE IS BOMBASS. (5) EWAN MACGREGOR, RALPH FIENNES, RUPERT EVERETT, JOHNNY "GOODBOY" TYLER, RUSSELL CROWE - JESUS ARE THOSE AWFUL CHOICES FOR BOND. (6) DITTO JOHN WOO, MCTIERNAN, RENNY HARLIN, ETC. FOR DIRECTORS. (7) "ELLID", ALTHOUGH YOUR TALKBACK DID HIT CLOSE TO HOME, IT WAS VERY FUNNY. (8) DID I MENTION HOW BAD AN IDEA IT WOULD BE FOR RENNY HARLIN TO DIRECT A BOND FILM? (9) JAMES BOND - WHOEVER PLAYS HIM, WHATEVER ASPECT OF HIS CHARACTER YOU GUYS WANT TO DEBATE - IS A KILLER WHO HAPPENS TO WEAR A SUIT. NOT SOMEONE WHO WEARS A SUIT WHO HAPPENS TO BE A KILLER. THINK ABOUT THAT THE NEXT TIME YOU SUGGEST JUDE LAW OR GEORGE CLOONEY FOR THE ROLE. OKAY, PEACE OUT, THE STINGER.
Reply from author by dima	Jun 1st, 2000 05:42:31 AM
First of all I`d like to apologize again to all Jews and gays who got insulted by my article.My only idea was to criticize masonic protege Minghella. Enter locations.Bond mustn`t go `National Geographic` since he is an urban character.He ain`t no Discovery Channel franchise.He wears suits,drives cars and uses 9mm handgun (since his PPK was brutally taken away)so he is an urban character.But he can go to exotic cities and do his routines there. Enter Crowe`s price.People,I know that Crowe isn`t coming in cheap but he could sign a `back-end` deal and take the share out of the profits.Of course Crowe isn`t the only actor that can fill 007`s shoes but I must say that I am pretty sceptical about the new generation of the hip Brit actors.A year ago I`d root for Ewan McGregor but he signed to do `Star Wars` and thus he got engaged in an exhausting franchise work.A man who works for Lucas and does big PG-13 grossers (note-I have no issue with the first trilogy but I am not a die-hard fan of it) isn`t the right man for 007 because if Bond is going to get any good it`ll have to get edgy and I am not sure that `Star Wars` actors can do edgy stuff because of their overall PR.The Fiennes brothers are as one `talk-backer` said too soft and I agree.The rest of the hip Brit crew are too young.From the purely aestetic point of view Denzel Washington could be a great choice but the only problem is that he`s black so he can`t be a member of British aristocracy. I apologize again for the trouble my mistaken statement on gays and Jews made.I hope that we cleared the dilemma now about my anti-semitism. Thanks for the talk back and please hit as hard as you can since I`d like to hear more opinions and maybe learn something. God bless Dima P.S.To all Tom Clancy fans-I like Clancy but I think that his style isn`t hip enough for 007.
What a load of bollocks by hull	Jun 1st, 2000 08:26:35 AM
I disagree fundamentally with almost everything you say in the above article. George Clooney???? Russell Crowe???? How you can say in your above comment that Ewan McGregor is a no-hoper for Bond because of his role in Episode 1, I really don't know. Perhaps you need to see that his own production company, Natural Nylon is dedicated to releasing many 'indie' type films. Just because he (like most of us)loves Star Wars, that's no reason to discredit him. We have, however, seen the inevitable Hollywood-isation (new word!!) of the Bond ideal (Harry, I agree with you - they should be set in the era they were written for, ie the Cold War period - not the present.) Give the role to Christian Bale. American Psycho may not have been the best film in the world but he sowed a good range of emotions and the 'killer touch' not seen in a Bond since Connery. By the way, I didn't think Brosnan was that bad, just the material he had to work with. Bond has never been better since Connery left the role. Moore was far too camp. Feel free to talk bollocks, but only if it's informed bollocks. Otherwise just don't bother... A concerned Brit.
Clueless by dunsurfin	Jun 1st, 2000 08:32:17 AM
From the profound insights that the writer of this article gives us I am sure that they must be one of the producers of the upcoming Dr. Who movie. That same gritty analysis of the situation. If George Clooney is such a great actor why does he play the same role in everything he is in? Yup. Get Renny Harlin to direct it, George is Bond, he discovers M is his father and Blofeld is his mother whilst on a island teeming with prehistoric dinosaurs on the trail of the largest shark known to man as a meteor heads towards earth. To be honest, I think Minghella (spelling????) would do a great job. Anyone who makes Matt Damon look that good on screen must be a god. Good with glamorous locations, violence seems real, tells a good story and is not tied to a particular genre. I think he would be one of the few people to build on the previous work.
Bond Isn't As Bad as He Used to BE by Dingo Wrangler	Jun 1st, 2000 08:42:47 AM
Wanna see a bad Bond movie? Go back to the days of "Man with the Golden Gun" and "Live and Let Die". Those were the absolute nadir. I didn't think "World" was all that great, but it was much better than those two. And, personally, I thought "Tomorrow Never Dies" worked marvelously. It was entertaining, it had a good plot and some very good action, and Bond was as cool as he ever has been. Brosnan is the second best Bond ever, in my opinion. He does the job better than anyone else out there could. I would like to see Crowe try it, but I think Brosnan does a superb job. Besides, the Bond movies haven't been truly great every time since "Thunderball", if you want to get right down to it. There have been shining examples of excellence here and there: "For Your Eyes Only", "on Her Majesty's Secret Service", "License to Kill". But they have never been absolutely perfect. The first two Indiana Jones movies were better than any of the Bond flicks, actually. So let's not get too technical now, shall we.
More Bond by joseok	Jun 1st, 2000 08:51:36 AM
I treated myself to a Bond movie fest the other night. I saw both Dr. No and Tomorrow Never Dies on video, and, well.. there was no comparison. Connery was Bond, will always be Bond, period. The "other" Bonds have all done their best to define the role, but none have come close to Connery, so let's move on people. Brosnan should be given a chance to prove himself- same as Roger Moore. One talkbacker said that Bond movies shouldn't be made to please the critics- I agree. These movies should be made for the fans! They owe us that much after the last film. Who are the hardcore Bond fans out there? Male, probably over 30. So, the rating issue is a moot point here. Unless you cast Britney Spears as Moneypenny, most teenagers could care less about James Bond! So, please forget the action hero stuff and give us a grown up Bond movie next time?
whine whine whine by Kurlac	Jun 1st, 2000 09:00:49 AM
Fuck me, I used to enjoy going to the movies, loved Goldeneye, had a good time with Batman 1 & 2, thought Pi was really cool, love checking out the news/rumours on this free AICN website etc etc etc - but now, having read all the Talkbacks over the past year or so, I realise I'm wrong. All movies and everything is shit, and I didn't like any of them, ever, in my entire life. Teenage geeks who can't spell know far more than my movie heros and idols. Everything sucks, nothing will ever be good, but dammit, I'm still going to go to a site I despise and leave long, rambling posts about why I hate coming here so much... ya whining bunch of fucks...
ugh by Nooch	Jun 1st, 2000 09:07:51 AM
dima, could you please stop using phrases like "enter directors" or "enter Brosnan". You sound like a fucking idiot.
Bond by CCC	Jun 1st, 2000 11:20:16 AM
The answer is so easy. If MGM wants to rejuvinate the Bond franchise, they need only to cast the one British actor on the cusp of superstardom. He's good looking, suave and can act his balls off. He is..........Jude Law. He may be a little "pretty" for the part but he could certainly muscle up. And besides, they could completely reinvent the franchise by skewing in so much younger.
Why hasn't anyone suggested... by HollyMartins	Jun 1st, 2000 11:50:51 AM
CHRISTIAN BALE? Slick, smooth, dark-haired, very comfortable with killing people, great at one-liners after a killing, and most importantly of all BRITISH. He'll take some work to fully get the role but think about it... Oh, and file the Renny Harlin concept under BAD ideas along with Turbulence 3.
This Guy is really DULL!!! by Nebel	Jun 1st, 2000 02:38:58 PM
Please don't let him write again!
Sorry, I don't agree... by brokentusk	Jun 1st, 2000 02:56:20 PM
The World is not Enough was not the worst Bond movie. It wasn't. Pierce Brosnan is very good as a nintie's Bond. Yes he is. Goldeneye was actually VERY good. Yes it really was. Bond needs a better screenplay and less Denise Richards type characters. A bullet in the head that leaves someone with no senses? Ummm... Aside form script I think that Bond is fine. Now that Judi Dench has left and some other British actor is playing 'M' in the new movie, maybe things will change. (Even though I think that Judi Dench was a very good 'M'). Bond is fine...
I want the bastard back... by Vicconius	Jun 1st, 2000 04:40:54 PM
To me, the reason Connery, some Moore, and Lazenby (yes Lazenby)were great Bonds was the Bastard Effect. Bond was a bastard, in the very best sense. He mouthed off, not only to villans, but also to superiors. He also used people, took advantage of people, smoked, drank, screwed, with total disregard for everything except his focus on the mission. When's the last time Bond turned a woman into the path of a thug or a bullet, shoved her in the face, etc. Now I'm not for brutality against women, but it was this "I don't give a shit" attitude of Connery mainly that gave Bond character. Brosnan is a snore, more cardboard than human now. I agree, Russell Crowe would bring back the Bastard Bond. Rugged, charming, funny, and actually looks like he could beat up 5 guys singlehandedly.
YAWN by not_a_jedi_yet	Jun 1st, 2000 05:37:04 PM
I can't believe I just wasted my time reading this. Boooooring. I'm so sick of every Tom, Dick, and Harriet who feels they have the "solution" to the Bond franchise "crisis." What's worse is when they try to sound eloquent and erudite. Just accept the fact that Connery was the only real Bond, then sit back and enjoy the ride. TWINE may not be the ultimate Bond film, but it's a helluva lot better than that dreck MI:2.
Why did my comments get deleted? Pigfuckers by renofloyd	Jun 1st, 2000 06:01:36 PM

I state again, for those of you who like to delete free speech:9 by renofloyd	Jun 1st, 2000 06:06:34 PM

Renny Harlin Can't direct traffic by renofloyd	Jun 1st, 2000 06:07:06 PM

And Die Hard 2 was the BIGGEST pile shit since that scene in Jur by renofloyd	Jun 1st, 2000 06:07:49 PM

Just think about it before you scoff by Alexandria	Jun 1st, 2000 06:10:25 PM
BILLY ZANE!!! He can be cool and bad ass, sexier than most, and he can fill out a tux way better than that anorexic saggy skin Bronson.
I'm smarter than all of you. by TheShavenMonkey	Jun 1st, 2000 06:20:31 PM
Okay, most of you suck. Brosnan isn't horrible although, he is nothing compared to Connery and Dalton (that's right, Dalton ruled). I think if they are going to replace Brosnan, they should get Dalton back for one or two more. He's not bald yet. If he wouldn't come back, then Dougray Scott would be the best choice, as someone already said. He isn't too famous for the role and he has an accent and he's a pretty good actor. They need to bring back the smoking. Remember in OHMSS, Lazenby lit up like every 5 minutes. Now 007 quit? What the hell? Off the subject of Bond 20: Yes TWINE and Goldeneye were pretty bad, but TND is one of the best. Jonathan Pryce ruled, Brosnan was pretty good, the script was good and the action was spectacular. Why didn't anyone like it? I think they need to make up a new henchman that will rank with Jaws and Oddjob. They haven't had a memorable henchman since...the deadly yo-yo in Octopussy, and that doesn't count, anyway. For directors, bring back Glenn or Spottiswoode, and if MGM must have a new director, McTiernan or Woo would be good. Just stay away from Tarantino and Scorsese. Also, get some Oscar winning bad guys like Christopher Walken. And Metallica for the theme song. (Yeah, Metallica.)
by jefcon4	Jun 1st, 2000 07:00:06 PM

Sean Bean by jefcon4	Jun 1st, 2000 07:10:43 PM
When I first saw Goldeneye I realized that they missed the boat when they cast Brosnan as Bond. Since the early 80's people with no imagination were saying that Brosnan should be 007 because of that stupid caricature he did on that boring series he was on, Reamington Steelballs or whatever. Sean Bean had that intelligence combined with a rough quality that made Sean Connery work in the role. Lets face it, Connery's appeal was that he could be a prick. Guys wish they could be that rude to women and still get anyone they wanted. That's part of the fantasy. Bond movies are supposed to be for guys, but with sensitive Pierce in the role, they are mainly a chick scene. Let's forget Bean played the villain 006 and bring him back as 007.
Next Bond Villain by _Kayser_	Jun 1st, 2000 07:30:59 PM
I think they should get Chow Yun-Fat to be the next Bond villain. Not only is he awesome in action scenes, but he can also act as well! I bet he could be the cold-hearted power-hungry villain we've been wanting for the past years to show back up in the franchise. On a side note, I think Sanchez was the last great Bond villain. Sure he was just a drug dealer but he was a HELL of a drug dealer. Also, I don't understand the whole anti-Dalton thing. Even though he did only two movies, i liked Timothy Dalton's grittier take on Bond more than some of the others (especially more than Brosnan's Bond). Growing up the son of a huge Ian Fleming fan, I had the priveledge to read (and thoroughly enjoyed) most of the original stories of the world's greatest super-spy in Fleming's definitive vision. Fleming's Bond has gentleman-like qualities but he is not the guy that blows up the villain's secret base without scuffing his cuffs. This man gets his fingernails dirty. He was also an emotional tortured soul. Sometimes the job got to him. In other words, he was human. That is why I like Dalton's Bond. It stayed closer to Fleming's Bond than the others have.
Dalton was a fag! by James_O'Nasty	Jun 1st, 2000 07:48:43 PM
Dalton sucked, worse and harder than George Lazenby!
anyone still reading? by Malbec	Jun 1st, 2000 07:57:44 PM
Seems like there are two distinct types of Bond fans emerging here: those who like TND and incidently Moore and Dalton; and those who prefer Goldeneye and (perhaps) TWINE, and think Brosnon is the best thing since sliced Connery. Put me in the latter camp (although I have a lot of issues with TWINE). One reason Goldeneye rocked - Aston Martin DB5. 'nuff said. Am quietly praying that rumours of Aston's return in Bond 20 are true - this is something Brosnon's been pushing for for a long time. I also liked how he had the balls to publicly bitch about BMW's overt product placing. And by the way Dima, apology not accepted. Instead of bolstering your original article, you came across as a complete fuck. And while Minghella would be the wrong director for a Bond flick (which no-one ever suggested in the first place) the guy is incredibly talented. Have you even seen "Truly Madly Deeply" you ignorant (insert gratuitous fanboy insult here).
CLOONEY?!?!? by Bjmmn	Jun 1st, 2000 10:19:50 PM
Uhh, no. The fact that he is American bugs me less than the fact that he simply couldn't convince me as an acceptable Bond, fake accent or not. James Bond IS BRITISH, and they need a briton to play him. No American can pull that off convincingly. Brosnan is perfect for the role; he has been for over ten years. He just needs a good script to work with.
TWINE: A Step in the Right Direction by Bond Fan	Jun 2nd, 2000 01:37:22 AM
I didn't think TWINE was the perfect Bond film, but it made several important steps in the right direction, IMHO. (1) Elektra: her turn from Bond girl to Bond villain was a masterstroke. Sophie Marceau gave the best female lead performance in a Bond film since Diana Rigg. The film lost considerable momentum when she was killed--and the moment where Bond killed her in cold blood was a bit too abrupt (sandwiched between the stair chase and the dive to the submarine). (2) Zukovsky: how nice to see Bond films have some continuity of character (and not forced like Leiter's return in LTK). I especially liked how he "shot" Bond in the leg, the same way Bond shot him, as described in Goldeneye. (3) Emphasis on writing: I liked that more attention was paid to character development, and it heartens me to hear that Purvis and Wade might be back for the next. This movie didn't need wall-to-wall action, and some of it (the ski chase) really was superfluous. Bond as a series of action set pieces strung together really became tired with Moore. TWINE was an improvement over TND in the sense that events actually happened in the story. However, TWINE missed on a few points: (1) Christmas Jones: enough said already. Her character added absolutely nothing to the story. (2) Renard: as someone else already pointed out, why take pains to establish that he can feel no pain if the lame payoff is the fight in the submarine? They should have made Bond really fight for his survival rather than being locked beneath a drain. (3) Feirstein's "witty" dialogue: is it just me or are the Bond quips lamer than ever? We don't want stupid, dated political quips about cigars (TWINE) or don't ask, don't tell policies (TND). We especially don't want the utterly stupid last line of TWINE. I don't know why they insist upon using him as a script polisher. His sense of humor is juvenile at best. Spare us this on the next one.
George Clooney as Bond... by not_a_jedi_yet	Jun 2nd, 2000 09:36:53 AM
"My name?" (lower head, look at toes, glance upward while head is still down) "Bond," (smile like a dumbf**k) "James Bond."
Russell Crowe would be great by gingeracrockford	Jun 2nd, 2000 12:44:46 PM
OK, first of all I think that Brosnan is not a bad Bond.I also think he is improving and TWINE saw him more at home with the role than ever before.I do not think however that he has the charisma of either Connery or Moore (and I'm not sure Dalton did either) and after his 4th he should stop and give someone who might breathe new life into the franchise a go.I do not think that TWINE was the worst Bond film ever, in fact in my opinion it was the best one since Octopussy in 1983 but that isn't saying much.I don't like the way Bond keeps getting all emotional (remember George Lazenby, despite being crap for the rest of the film, didn't cry when his wife was killed) I don't think Bond is a role for acomplished thesps. It is a role that requires a big hard dude who is also suave, witty, clever and extremely dangerous (ie exactly the sort of person every male in the audience wants to be)I like the idea of putting it back in the 60s because the 60s films had real villains.We haven't seen a really decent villain since Scaramanga in 1974.Jonathan Pryce was along the right lines but he didnt carry menace because he was a journalist.My god, scary!The next villain will be a public lavatory attendant.And in TWINE they sacrificed a really promising villain in order to get the emotional side of things across.Feels no pain.A terrorist.Played by Robert Carlyle.He should have been great, but he was the worst villain ever. Bond is becoming no different from all the other action heroes. He is no longer special. We need a good Bond.Russell Crowe, or more likely Adrian Paul, and a really great villain (Terence Stamp, Malcolm McDowell)The producers ought to watch the Connery films again and see what they are doing wrong
FRANKENHEIMER or McTIERNAN by JACK TORRANCE	Jun 2nd, 2000 01:34:15 PM
JOHN FRANKENHEIMER did a great job on RONIN (aslo an MGM film).In fact besides the ROCK it is probably the best action film since DIE HARD. Even though it was not as over the top as those "one man against an army of heavily armed terrorists" movies.It was a suspensful spy business movie and it was closer to the older 007 films like From Russia with Love or Thunderball. Which reminds me what is great about the Bond films from Dr. No to Octopussy is that they still hold up against todays action films. Now that is pretty impressive. If FRANKENHEIMER had directed The World is Not Enough then it would have been great. He would have made the Boat and Ski chases amazing and he would have made the villian much stronger. John McTiernan would aslo be great I liked The THomas Crown Affair more than the last 3 007 films and he directed DIE HARD and Predator so he would be a goood choice. I love John Woo but only when he directs R-rated films so 007 in a PG-13 would trim his magical symphony of violence too much.
James Bond by Andrew	Jun 2nd, 2000 04:48:02 PM
I agree with MoodMan, the thing we all need is a James Bond screenplay written by the very talented Chris McQuarrie and directed by the very brillant Bryan Singer. If we could get the style and mood of THE USUAL SUSPECTS with the wit, charm, and chrisma of an early Connery Bond film, then we would be on track for a great, low-key (in regards to action), Cold-War type spy thriller which is more like the recent THOMAS CROWNE AFFAIR than any other recent Brosnan outting. In regards to the best Bond issue, my vote is Connery, followed closely by Brosnan, then Lazenby, Dalton, and Moore. Some of you say (strangly) that Moore is the best. I mean, come on, Moore was such a horrable Bond. The only thing he could do was comedy (and he was not too good at that either.) With Connery and Brosnan the comedy was more of an afterthought, Roger Moore depended on sight-gags and throw-aways. Still...I'm a huge Bond fan and if MGM keeps making them, I'll keep seeing them.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?? by Orange Bat	Jun 2nd, 2000 09:20:03 PM
Why do you people keep saying that the Bond franchise needs to be "Re-tooled" or "rejuvinated"? There's NOTHING wrong with it!! Bond films are making more money now than ever!! You people just aren't Bond fans. The World Is Not Enough was pretty damn good, I think. Brosnan's the best Bond since Connery. So, what's wrong with the films? They already re-tooled Bond in the nineties when they hired Brosnan. Letting John Woo direct Russel Crowe in a spy flick does not make James Bond. If you people want Woo and Crowe then call the character a different name and let us Bond fans enjoy our Bond movies!!
Bond Is A Genre by Antigone	Jun 3rd, 2000 08:02:35 PM
The thing to rember here is that Bond Movies are a genre unto themselves, and like any genre, there are rules -- warped villians, bond babes, set pieces, lame puns, gadgets, etc. The general audience will bristle at the prospect of these rules being ignored or transgressed. Timothy Dalton may have played Bond closer to Flemming's prototype, but that's beside the point. The contract with the audience had already been established with Connery... the Dalton movies weren't what we paid to see. As far as storyline goes, we expect few plot twists, simple motivations, cool barriers, ridiculous killing contraptions, no quarter to political correctness, and comic-book violence. I mean, just what the hell is with the action genre body count in TWINE. Brosnan sprayed enough lead to contaminate Azerbaijan's water supply. There is plenty of room for creativity and surprise within these rules. Any problems with the series (not that there are any if these suckers are pulling in so much green) arise when the writers and producers get cute and try to get creative with the rules themselves. The problem is not that the Bond franchise needs to be fixed, but that it needs to go back to it's roots. I think Brosnan is good. He has the dash and wit and poise and a wry, knowing glint in his eye. And he sure as hell gives it everything he's got, even when it's completely hopeless (e.g. Xmass Jones). All things considered, the Brosnan films have probably come closest to recapturing the magic of Connery. The main problem, and it's by no means a showstopper, is that he just doesn't fill up the screen with physical charisma the way Connery did (nor does he ooze the primal sexuality). Maybe no one will. Sure, Crowe does the charisma thing, but he's a beer swilling blue collar bruiser, and that's why we love him. Can anyone actually visualize him asking for a 'martini, shaken not stuhhed'. The closest I have seen anyone come to Connery on the charisma/sexuality scale is Jeremy Northam in
WHAT A CROCK OF CRAP!!! by boozles	Jun 4th, 2000 11:35:47 PM
That's right...what a crock of crap! I liked The World Is Not Enough. We want to be entertained and preferences vary. I personally cannot stand to watch the old Bond movies...they make me want to pull out my own fingernails! I tried to watch Bond but couldn't until BRONSON took on the role. I don't want the script to be disected, I want to immerse myself in a movie for the 1 1/2 + hours and not THINK! I do agree that Bond is probably a "period" piece...I mean, the guy would be WAY OLD by now. But if you want to see old special effects...go rent the old Bond movies. I can also understand the old Bond's faithful following though, I think it will suck if someone else does Bond after Bronson...its like not having Christopher Reeve as Superman. will not watch

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