GET OFF THE LEDGE, 007 IS COMING BACK!

For a while I thought that only one of MGM's billion dollar franchises would get a green light. That's a relief. I'd hate for something as trivial as financial troubles impede a fragile series like James fucking Bond.

 

Of course it would get the go ahead at the first possible moment. 

This actually means a great deal to me, Nick. Craig is my favorite Bond, and the fact he will get another chance to shine in the role is awesome. As a long time Bond fan, I will never understand the QOS hate either. It's not CR, but it's damn good compared to some entries in the series

 

Sorry I have to wait to 2012 but this is just about the best news I've heard in my life in a long time (though I already knew it was coming eventually because CHUD reported they'd figured out the financing ETC a few months ago)

 

You win this time, Nunziata. I'll keep going for one more day...

 

Well, that's certainly encouraging news. Four years, does seem a long time. 2 fucking Transformers would have come and gone! God damn. Looking forward to seeing a) how Mendes does the story and b) who he hires to choreograph and shoot the damn thing. I liked the limited gun stuff in Jarhead and think with his sensibilities and a good team, this has potential for a really special Bond movie.

 

That, or it could be James Bond bemoaning his million dollar car and the beautiful women he gets to bang for two hours, could go either way.

Great news indeed. 

 

As an aside to the Broccolis: you've got just shy of two years to finish the damned thing.  Spend some time making a decent theme song, please.

Nick Nunziata, I am in...007TH Heaven, at the news.  I...Love, seeing more entries in my favorite franchises.  Daniel Craig is a, good Bond, but is no...Roger Moore.

 

See, now I want Jeff Goldblum as the villain.  Not cool, Nunz.  I shall be disappointed I wager.

Glad there's a date but I'm not sold on Mendes. These arty directors never work well. Bond works best when directed by craftsmen who know how to integrate the action with sharp, snappy dialogue scenes, like Campbell, Young and even John Glen (only THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS though).

Same here.  I was a little lukewarm on Solace when I saw it in the theater, but watching it again at home really made me a fan.  It's actually pretty great.  Also, I think Mendes is a perfect fit.  He'll keep it from spiraling out of control, which is a legitimate fear, especially after such a long hiatus.  We don't need another Moonraker or Die Another Day on our hands (note: I dig both for what they are, but those styles have no place in the new Bond aesthetic).

Yeah, QoS is actually so much better on video it's odd. The manic editing works on the small screen. And I think arty Marc Forster was great, the dialogue was sharp and the quiet scenes had some great qualities to them (still love the plane bar scene). The action was aaaaalmost there as a complement, but he needed someone who could tell him when to tone it the hell down. Hope Mendes can find that guy, or the Broccoli's can put someone on him.

 

I just hope it's Katy Perry singing the song...

Great news. Can't wait for a new Bond.

 

That said, QoS wasn't bad, it was short and such an extension of the previous film as to nearly lose its own sense of self. It isn't its own movie and is way too beholden to CR.

This news makes me very happy. I have been having a crummy day and this was needed. My offer still stands: I will work for free on a Bond film.

The first time I saw it in theaters I liked it, because Craig is dashing and hard as hell, but still, something didn't quite click for me. Then I went back with a friend after a good smoke, and the opening car chase left my jaw on the floor. In that heightened state, it felt propulsive and kenetic in all the right ways. As for it being an extension of CR.. not really. Really only the first 10 and the last 5 minutes are directly connected. And, as a long time Bond fan, I think the fact the film was actually (sort of) picking up the story from where the last one left off is incredibly cool. I guess Mr White/Jasper Christiansen has burned his bridges with Eon and won't be coming back, but still I think it was awesome to have him out there in two separate films. 99% of Bond films ever made were stand alone adventures. I am glad we got to see a story that was told across two films. Bond poached the Dee Bradley stunt guy from Bourne for QOS, and if he sticks around for BOND 23 I'd expect the action to be top knotch. The Sienna foot chase, the hotel room scuffle, even the crazy plane stuff all met my definition of breathless and badass.I was under the impression that except for that opera stuff*, Foster didn't really have much say in how those action scenes were shot. He was hired for his name and for the quiet moments (which were great), and second unit handled the action (correct me if I am wrong). I'd expect it to be the same for Mendes. Eon is not going to risk letting a guy with little to no action experience potentially ruin the action in a Bond film

 

Anyway, Craig has been my Dream Bond since late July 2004 when I saw LAYER CAKE in a theater, and I can only hope he gets to remain in the role till he grows old and frail. The guy is incredible

 

As long as they don't abandon the new gritty asthetic, I think it's almost impossible I won't go head over heels for Craig's next outing too

 

 

PS I saw Craig in A STEADY RAIN and was only a few feet away from him when he got out of his car to go to the theater!:)

 

*I liked the impressionistic cutting, but it was too choppy and became slightly confusing rather than cool

 

 

EDIT: Re: Bond songs

 

I love every Brosnan Bond song. Even DIE ANOTHER DAY. I think they are all catchy and singable and work quite well. Especially fond of TOMORROW NEVER DIES (with GE and TWINE a close tie for second). Anyway, while QOS's theme has grown on me quite a bit (I no longer dislike it, I think it's perfectly fine), I still can't stand YOU KNOW MY NAME. That song is just lame (IMHO)

I also think QOS is awesome. My only problem is the way the action scenes are shot.

 

 My choice for theme song singers are Brandon Flowers or Lady GaGa. GaGa could cameo as a crazy Bond villain.

If Mendes gets his JARHEAD and REVOLUTIONARY ROAD Cinematographer Roger Deakins in on this I think I might have what one calls a *nerdgasm*
 

Can't be any worse than Madonna

I suggest they give a listen to Caro Emerald's Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor. Either that, or let Shirley Bassey have another go.

Old news, but David Arnold collaborated with Bassey on a theme song for QoS and it was rejected:

 

 

The tune occurs throughout the film, much like the "You Know My Name" refrain was used in Casino Royale.

I think that version is great. The problem is it sounds very retro and no way is the studio going to go for it when they're trying reach a younger audience/generation.  

I agree with you that they'll think that, but when has the song ever been a draw? Did Jack White or Chris Cornell really put asses into seats? I never understood that.

 

Don't release the thing and hit them with it in the theater. As for retro, people complained the Casino Royale title sequence was too retro but it was fucking awesome.

 Really, Phil? I am not a fan of the CR title sequence. Individual moments and design elements are cool, but there is some seriously goofy, silly stuff going on that is more giggle inducing than anything else. Case in point, cards being thrown at bond which he tries to dodge. They slice him up, only then his chest melts back together and he does this little ninja pose. The awfulness of that song (awful IMHO) plays a big part role in that though no doubt. It just makes everything seem that much more heightened and over earnest. Also, the card imagery kind of rubs me the wrong way. I am still annoyed that they changed it from baccarat  to the lower class game of poker just because of that dumb poker craze

 

Much prefer the QOS titles, they are more closely aligned with the Brosnan era title sequences of which I'm a huge fan

 

I find it odd that starting with Royale they ditched all of the (some would say) tired old Bond movie traditions except for the opening credit sequences.  They kinda stick out like a sore thumb.  The Quantum of Solace one isn't the worst of the bunch (in fact it might be the least annoying), but yeah... Casino Royale's opening is borderline embarrassing.  I think I would have liked the song better if I hadn't experienced it for the first time tied to that stuff.

 

Anyway, I'm just nitpicking.  It's just the opening credits, after all.  Royale & Solace still rock.

I like that the Bond films are still holding onto the title sequences, especially when films these days hardly do that anymore opting to just flash the title then jump straight to the story method that THE GODFATHER and STAR WARS sort of popularized. I'm a big fan of the title sequence in CASINO ROYALE which I consider one of the top title sequences of the series.

Cotello,

 

I think the title sequences are part of what makes Bond Bond. I love them and wouldn't want to see them discarded. IMHO the Brosnan ones are the best of the series. Everything about them is pure class. I especially love how they're introduced, like the jet after burner in TND shattering the glass leading to the song, or the fade out on Bond and his injured shoulder in TWINE. I do agree though that the CR title sequence is very silly and kind of embarrassing to watch though IMHO

If you like Brosnan's title sequences best, it would stand to reason you wouldn't like any of the good title sequences in the series. Playing cards used as weapons rubs you the wrong way, but loading a card's suit into a gun and shooting it at dudes (who then explode into a billion other poker suits) isn't worth mentioning. Check.

 

Stockslivevan knows what's up; the rest of you are enemies of fun. When you speak, fun things die. When you walk into a room, a woman can feel the fun leave.

What is this foolishness? If you don't like CR's title sequence your license to watch Bond films is officialy revoked.

As it said, just nitpicking.  I think I'll still exercise my right to watch Bond films.

I get that.  But I also remember when people thought that ditching the crazy Q gadgets was going to kill Bond... and then Casino Royale's end credits were rolling before anybody realized they were gone.

 

In any case, I'm not saying ditch the opening credits.  I'm simply saying they stand out as a throwback.  Which, for some, is cool.  Obviously.  Personally, I could take 'em or leave 'em.  They stand out, then I forget about them because the movies are so damned good.  It wasn't until the 3rd or 4th viewing of Royale that I really noticed how silly they were.

Phil for the record I actually like when he loads the spades into the clip. It's everything else in that opening I dislike

 

The Brosnan openings are great. I thought that was understood to be a matter of objective fact. I'm shocked to discover that it's just MHO. Do you at least like the Brosnan songs?

Princess Kate, The...one Brosnan Bond film I enjoy is...Tomorrow Never Dies.  My favorite  Bonds are...

1) Roger Moore

2) Timothy Dalton

3) Sean Connery

4) Daniel Craig

5) Pierce Brosnan

That Shirley Bassey theme song is MUCH better than the Jack White crap that was in the release version.

 

The main titles to Casino Royale are awesome. Plus the Chris Cornell song has grown on me.

 

Looking forward to Craig's 3rd entry, and hope it's not his last.

That Chris Cornell song sounds like a rejected Mike Post theme song.

 

Never understood why the John Barry-ish duo Goldfrapp weren't drafted to record for CR & QoS. They were certainly big enough in England at the time.

GOLDENEYE's title sequence is great, I just love everything about it because of its simplicity and that it sets the tone of the film brilliantly. It's the other three efforts of Kleinman that I found pretty crass, image overkill especially with the incredibly cheesy movements those women would make even worse when they're made entirely of CGI (TWINE's oil girl orgies).

PULP recorded a great alternative track for TND, called TOMORROW NEVER LIES. Much better than the official one.

Kate, all the Brosnan songs are mediocre at best. Like all his movies apart from GOLDENEYE. Even he recently admitted that's the only one he likes.

I'll just leave this here...