That's Bond Guy...
****Blogger is damaging my calm & won't attach any f'n pictures, sorry****
I'll be the first to admit that I am not a 'Bond' guy. I've enjoyed a couple of the flicks, but the series as a whole never interested me. Every movie just feels like it's the same formula, only with different sets/actors/gadgets etc. The only real joy I've had w/Bond has been in the form of video games (Goldeneye is still a KILLER game).
However...lately I've been finding myself more and more interested in 'Casino Royale'. I think this may finally be the Bond flick that breaks convention (a move that is 20 some years overdue).
The first thing that really got my psyched, was I sat down & watched a film called Layer Cake. This was the film Daniel Craig starred in right before getting the role of James Bond, and it is fantastic! Before seeing it I only really knew 3 things:
1. It was about drugs.
2. It was directed by the guy who walked away from X-men 3.
3. This was supposed to be Daniel Craig's best performance.
The film is about a cocaine dealer (Craig), planning on getting out of the business & retiring w/his million pounds. His boss asks him to take care of one last drug deal that goes terribly wrong. Sound cliche'? It's not. The basic premise of the film has been done a million times, but the way it is pulled off is very fresh & exciting to watch (There's a beat down scene set to a cheesy Duran Duran song that is particularly funny/brutal)
Previous to this film, director Matthew Vaughn was known as Guy Ritchies producer. And you can see some of that flair that Ritchies films have, but Vaughn takes amps up the pace and at times it's as if he's channeling director Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Princess & The Warrior) as well. And I'd be doing the film no justice if I didn't at least acknowledge the killer soundtrack for the film. I'd put this soundtrack right up there with Pulp Fiction.
As for Craig. He owns this movie. I'd read multiple times that he reminds a lot of people of Steve McQueen, and in this film I can see it. But the great thing about him is the way he is able to switch between that tough guy machismo-cool, to flat out comedy. Often within the same line of dialogue.
Anyway...back to Bond. The other thing that's got me jazzed is that reviews from test screenings are starting to leak out. And they're pretty unanimously great. The most recent one I've seen showed up on Rotten Tomatoes here. The great thing I love reading is that this film is a real reinvention of the series. The series needs it, and I'm glad someone has the balls to do it. The other thing that caught my eye in this particular review is the fact that there isn't "a single “fancy gadget scene" in the movie". I love this. I love that they're trying to go for a realistic Bond. I want this guy to be the coolest of the cool, but I don't want to see him running around taking out badguys like they're nothing. This guy's got a license to kill. There should be some weight behind that notion. And it looks like this film may actually deliver on that notion.
I'll be the first to admit that I am not a 'Bond' guy. I've enjoyed a couple of the flicks, but the series as a whole never interested me. Every movie just feels like it's the same formula, only with different sets/actors/gadgets etc. The only real joy I've had w/Bond has been in the form of video games (Goldeneye is still a KILLER game).
However...lately I've been finding myself more and more interested in 'Casino Royale'. I think this may finally be the Bond flick that breaks convention (a move that is 20 some years overdue).
The first thing that really got my psyched, was I sat down & watched a film called Layer Cake. This was the film Daniel Craig starred in right before getting the role of James Bond, and it is fantastic! Before seeing it I only really knew 3 things:
1. It was about drugs.
2. It was directed by the guy who walked away from X-men 3.
3. This was supposed to be Daniel Craig's best performance.
The film is about a cocaine dealer (Craig), planning on getting out of the business & retiring w/his million pounds. His boss asks him to take care of one last drug deal that goes terribly wrong. Sound cliche'? It's not. The basic premise of the film has been done a million times, but the way it is pulled off is very fresh & exciting to watch (There's a beat down scene set to a cheesy Duran Duran song that is particularly funny/brutal)
Previous to this film, director Matthew Vaughn was known as Guy Ritchies producer. And you can see some of that flair that Ritchies films have, but Vaughn takes amps up the pace and at times it's as if he's channeling director Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Princess & The Warrior) as well. And I'd be doing the film no justice if I didn't at least acknowledge the killer soundtrack for the film. I'd put this soundtrack right up there with Pulp Fiction.
As for Craig. He owns this movie. I'd read multiple times that he reminds a lot of people of Steve McQueen, and in this film I can see it. But the great thing about him is the way he is able to switch between that tough guy machismo-cool, to flat out comedy. Often within the same line of dialogue.
Anyway...back to Bond. The other thing that's got me jazzed is that reviews from test screenings are starting to leak out. And they're pretty unanimously great. The most recent one I've seen showed up on Rotten Tomatoes here. The great thing I love reading is that this film is a real reinvention of the series. The series needs it, and I'm glad someone has the balls to do it. The other thing that caught my eye in this particular review is the fact that there isn't "a single “fancy gadget scene" in the movie". I love this. I love that they're trying to go for a realistic Bond. I want this guy to be the coolest of the cool, but I don't want to see him running around taking out badguys like they're nothing. This guy's got a license to kill. There should be some weight behind that notion. And it looks like this film may actually deliver on that notion.
posted by Casey at 11:22 AM
26 Comments:
Layer Cake was refreshing...with an especially great role for Colm Meaney...although I can't believe that you mentioned it and didn't mention how unbelievably hot Sienna Miller is in this film...the combination of the good writing, good tempo and a through-the-roof Miller score makes it one of the best British films of the past decade...
On to Bond...I'm going to wait and see...Martin Campbell (dir) doesn't have the greatest resume for films...and has already done a Bond film in "Goldeneye"...Neal Purvis (writer) is working on his third bond film...with 'The World is Not Enough' and 'Die Another Day' to his credit...
It appears that the studio wants to re-engergize the franchise but not revitalize...I would've liked seeing a completely different approach...I'll hold judgement until after the showing...but based on the main elements of the story...I don't expect much of a change...
I agree it would have been awesome to see something totally fresh. The fact that MGM declined to let Tarintino to a Bond flick breaks my heart.
That would have been something truly special.
Yea right, everybody knows Colm Meaney was his best on Star Trek: DS9. I'm excited for this film though, ... no gadgets... I guess in our age of technology and Star Trek series, we can no longer be amazed by gizmo trickery. Unless its like a device that can make you go so fast you reverse time.
"I'm Batman. It's what I do."
"Well until you get a thing on your belt that lets you travel back in time I dont want to hear it"
I love that you qualified your post by admitting that you are not a Bond guy (basically the equivalent of saying your gay). Then, you are talking about Layer Cake, Craig & Casino Royale, all of which we discussed 6 months ago right here in the Lodge.
Janye, did your date at Neighbours slip you some ruffies in your cosmo last night and make you forget the last year?
Since you obviously have the memory of a toddler, let me catch you up on the past year in the Lodge... Jayne1138, you are an uber-geek that posts something about a comicbook once a week, you are obsessed with an average film called Serenity that Goose hates, you go by the names Jayne and Casey (both girls names) and you haven't shown up to a Lodge event (besides the Lodge Draft, where you picked a kicker in the 5th round and than another kicker later in the draft).
I remember the previous discussions...I re-brought it up for 2 reasons:
1. I'm starting to actually be excited about the series &
2. Sony/MGM has begun screening the film, so reviews are starting to pour in...which apparently I incorrectly thought would be post worthy.
....Ass.
Why don't you go to your malls and drink Zimas and Shmirnoff ices! Ja!
hmmm...mildly ammusing back and forth?...hmmm...survey says-->no
It's funny, when I get the "so expected it's tiring" smack talk from Joe & Goose, I'm ready to roll. But then when Jimbo does it, my reactions always:
"Oh yeah?!?!?! Wait...was that Jimbo? Huh. That was wierd."
I only rip on you when you say something stupid.........Ok. I get it. So I do it all the time. I see.
yeah...sometimes I get tired of trashing on Train's GOP tendencies and I'm forced to move on to other members of the Lodge...and I've already exhausted myself on any Dutch-related joke...
I did like the Zimas and Shmirnoff ices comment. Add in a good "Bandwagon" or ""Dutch" insult and you have taken then next step to full blown 2.0 Bashing
I just couldn't let the irony pass of a guy that doesn't drink Beer calling me gay.
Because drinking beer is equivalent with being straight? Hmm... can I borrow your gay handbook, Casey? I need to look something up.
You know what I love about you Joe? You're fearless when it comes to being a hypocrite. At least it explains the whole bandwagon thing.
"I love that you qualified your post by admitting that you are not a Bond guy (basically the equivalent of saying your gay)."
That's just awesome.
although the Flying Dutchman has many faults...I will never speak of his preference for non-beer related products after his generosity in Golden, CO in making sure that my belly was full with his beer samples...hmmmmm...Coors Golden...
Admit it Joe, you Macraméd yourself a pair of jean shorts didn't you?
So I guess they haven't given you your gay handbook yet. Probably only members that have come out get them. I guess we'll just have to wait.
C'mon. You can do better than that. I'm actually a little hurt. Sure, you were never really funny, but at least I could tell you were trying.
What's next, are you gonna call me a stupid head?
Do you need help?
Maybe you can work Firefly into my Gayness? I own Neil Diamond albums on Vinyl. Maybe you can work that in...
Ooo! How about that I actually OWN "Love, Actually" on DVD!
There...that should get you started.
How about the directors cut DVD of "Beaches"?
Or maybe an Autographed copy of "Savannah Smiles"?
Just trying to help
See...now that's quality bull@#$%.
Dude...I totally remember watching Savannah Smiles as a kid.
Did you know the girl in that movie dies of a heroin overdose like 10 years ago?
Seriously though, I am glad that you are finally excited about the Bond series. I agree that Craig did a great job in Layer Cake and that the series needed a change.
And I agree that Tarantino writing the script would have been a refreshing change, and I think he would have respected the series enough not to mess with it too much. But there has to be trust involved in handing the series over and Quentin has apparently made just enough crazy choices in the past to give him a "wildcard" label and the Brits passed on him.
That being said, I do own every Bond film and am a big fan of the series. Crap, when they are doing Bond marathons on AMC, TBS or Spike I'll even stop my channel surfing and watch the rest of the movie even though I've seen them each multiple times. And I'm as pumped as you. I just saw that you basically made every point that we discussed 6 months ago and added a "reviews from test screenings" paragraph and link for good measure. Well, just write the reviews from test screenings and link the old discussions, why don't you. That was my point. The gay thing was easy, because like Goose said, you make it so easy. I don't think you are gay, Casey.
And I second the Lodge viewing request of Jimbo for the short film you are editing. Can we set up a pre-screening date in the Lodge?
Joe...I'm just giving you @#$%. It's all good.
The post was to be about only Layer Cake...I just decided to Book End it with Bond stuff, after reading some of the pre-screening reviews. (btw, here's another pre-screening review: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/24436 )
As for a Lodge viewing of the short, I'm sure that can be arranged. My deadline is September 28th, so we can arrange something after that.
It's only a little 3 minute job...nothing big.
That was an awesome review off AICN. My favorite part of it by FAR was this:
"Sheeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiit neeegrrrro, you Double O Seven out this muthafucker!!!! (I'm black, but if I was white, the words would be unchanged!!!!)"
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