tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post5381207944568084694..comments2024-03-28T18:40:59.101+00:00Comments on CRIVENS! COMICS & STUFF!: SPECTRE - HAVE BOND MOVIES GIVEN UP THE GHOST?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-31396895206343214782021-11-10T11:50:59.475+00:002021-11-10T11:50:59.475+00:00Haven't seen the new Bond film yet, B. It'...Haven't seen the new Bond film yet, B. It's the first one I've not been enthused about, and I may wait 'til it's out on DVD. Even then I'll be in no rush. I'll have to keep a look out for that Endeavour episode as that sort of minor crossover appeals to me. Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-75249577487851241992021-11-10T02:49:50.555+00:002021-11-10T02:49:50.555+00:00Having seen "No Time To Die" recently, I...Having seen "No Time To Die" recently, I thought I'd add my comments here. I must admit that I have a very high regard for "No Time To Die" having spent a few weeks pondering about it. Perhaps I'm swayed by the great score and musical/thematic links to my favourite Bond "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", but I think it is a film with ambition to strive for greatness and break out of the Bond formula. I do think the weak link is what I see as limited chemistry between Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux ; Eva Green in Casino Royale was much more of a match for Bond. So I'd probably still rate my top 5 Bond films as (sequentially) From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, OHMSS, Casino Royale (Craig) and Skyfall. Incidentally, I love that "Endeavour" creator Russell Lewis placing Inspector Morse and Bond in the same shared universe, having Morse visiting the College of Arms in Endeavour episode "Nocturne" only to find Sir Hilary Bray on holiday. baggseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01126205345158158957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-43027328602390155892016-10-03T09:38:37.825+01:002016-10-03T09:38:37.825+01:00I get the impression that the Craig Bonds are supp...I get the impression that the Craig Bonds are supposed to fit in and around previous movies, in a sort of 'untold tales' way. That would mean that the Connery Bonds being set in the '60s, for example, merely reflects a then-topical reference of the times and isn't meant to be taken literally. Or maybe Eon plan on remaking those movies, who knows? Ian Ogilvie was like Roger Moore's less handsome wee brother and wouldn't have worked as Bond, I don't think. It's said that Cubby Broccoli thought Lewis Collins was too 'aggressive-looking' to be Bond, which may have been a factor (surprisingly), but I think it was his not being 6' 2" that lost him the role. (If he ever had a serious chance of it, that is.) Yeah, I thought Brosnan was too young and skinny when he was first spoken of for the role, and was actually glad that he didn't get it. Until I saw the Timothy Dalton movies and saw how far the franchise had slipped. Dalton looked great in the publicity stills, but that didn't translate to the cinema screen, alas. Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-69614059216572152022016-10-03T03:14:23.170+01:002016-10-03T03:14:23.170+01:00And, yeah, in the early-to-mid-1980's, I thoug...And, yeah, in the early-to-mid-1980's, I thought that that Pierce Brosnan was too young and bland-looking to play Bond. (That seems to have also been a common complaint about Lazenby when he did OHMSS.) It's just as well that Brosnan didn't get a chance to play Bond until he was a little older. <br /><br />TChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13686814973788356726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-75291408414953030602016-10-03T02:56:55.269+01:002016-10-03T02:56:55.269+01:00The ending of Spectre looked almost as if it was i...The ending of Spectre looked almost as if it was intended as a finale for the Craig series. If the next Bond film is another reboot, it might be best to cast a new Bond.<br /><br />If the next film is a direct sequel to Spectre, then I kind of expect the opening sequence to be a repeat of the ending of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and the rest of the movie to be an unofficial remake of You Only Live Twice (the novel) or an expanded remake of the pre-credits sequence of Diamonds Are Forever (the movie). <br /><br />I seem to recall some talk of both Lewis Collins and Ian Ogilvie as possible replacements for Roger Moore in the mid-1980's. It was just rumors and speculation, though. (In 1967, there were vague rumors of Richard Burton, Lee Marvin, and even Adam West as replacements for Connery.) Return of the Saint was shown on late night TV in the US sometime around 1980. AFAIK, The Professionals was never shown over here, but I could be wrong. (A lot of the British detective and spy shows were syndicated in the US, and distribution was spotty.) Some Americans might remember the late Mr. Collins as the SAS officer in Who Dares Wins, which was shown in America as The Final Option.TChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13686814973788356726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-58568898464846270362016-10-03T02:07:50.014+01:002016-10-03T02:07:50.014+01:00On your last point, TC, I think Catherine's pr...On your last point, TC, I think Catherine's probably too old these days for any of those roles. On the issue of Cap, Spidey, and Thor being black or female, I don't mind that so much because it's different people who have assumed the roles, rather than Steve Rogers and Peter Parker being turned black, or Don Blake being made female, and it's probably only a temporary thing in two out of three of those changes.<br /><br />As far as Bond goes, if Craig does another one, let's hope they turn out a classic 007 film, as it may well be his last one.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-17074647525300123592016-10-03T01:41:33.396+01:002016-10-03T01:41:33.396+01:00If I understand correctly, the Craig movies are a ...If I understand correctly, the Craig movies are a reboot, so YOLT and OHMSS would not necessarily be relevant. But then, the slate wasn't really wiped clean, so stuff from the original series (like the Aston Martin) has creeped into the Craig films. It's as if they can't make up their minds what to delete, and what to retain. <br /><br />Either way, the Bond-Blofeld connection was not only out of left field, it seemed imitative of Austin Powers. Which is a parody of James Bond. It's as if a Tarzan movie swiped an idea from a George of the Jungle cartoon, or if Daredevil borrowed a plot device from the Ninja Turtles. <br /><br />And the idea that Blofeld created that vast international criminal network just to get at Bond is too crazy even for a Bond villain. <br /><br />I have no problem with ethnic or female action heroes, but I'm annoyed by radical changes to existing characters. Rather than make Captain America or Spider-Man black, or Thor female, Marvel should build up Luke Cage, the Falcon, Valkyrie, and Sif. And instead of a female Doctor Who, how about a spin-off series starring Leela or Romana? <br /><br />Maybe Catherine Zeta-Jones could play Modesty Blaise, Emma Peel, or Honey West.TChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13686814973788356726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-80926796763519598312016-03-23T13:44:33.174+00:002016-03-23T13:44:33.174+00:00I hope these issues were more interesting than the...I hope these issues were more interesting than they sound, CJ. Let's hope they don't introduce a rainbow Hulk at some point.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-84586531198689509992016-03-23T13:28:58.231+00:002016-03-23T13:28:58.231+00:00Kid, General Thunderbolt Ross was the Red Hulk and...Kid, General Thunderbolt Ross was the Red Hulk and Betty Ross was the Red She-Hulk. Both have recently been cured by Doctor Green (a super-duper-intelligent Hulk). But Doctor Green is now no more and, as things are rarely permanent in comicdom, perhaps the Red Hulk and Red She-Hulk will return at some point. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-1443813709296673282016-03-22T22:33:34.187+00:002016-03-22T22:33:34.187+00:00There was a red She-Hulk? Gasp!There was a red She-Hulk? Gasp!Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-29784972606439533012016-03-22T22:16:41.692+00:002016-03-22T22:16:41.692+00:00And Betty Ross was the Red She-Hulk.And Betty Ross was the Red She-Hulk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-69454607236478976032016-03-22T19:49:01.939+00:002016-03-22T19:49:01.939+00:00Eh? Bruce Banner not the Hulk! That's it, it&#...Eh? Bruce Banner not the Hulk! That's it, it's clobberin' time! (Oops! Wrong monster.) Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-30305624582017609932016-03-22T16:25:18.186+00:002016-03-22T16:25:18.186+00:00I dont mind the Red Hulk that was someone else - a...I dont mind the Red Hulk that was someone else - actually I think they did change the the Hulk as Staz says to an Asian character via Totally Awesome Hulk I trhought that was a side proejct but seemingly they have ditched Banner and this is now the Hulk - aeghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Paul smash!!!paul Mcscottyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02982725171182221096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-42607135574127198462016-03-22T15:09:43.052+00:002016-03-22T15:09:43.052+00:00Dunno, Staz, but I wouldn't have a problem wit...Dunno, Staz, but I wouldn't have a problem with that as long as it's not Bruce Banner's Hulk.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-71094382156657781192016-03-22T14:38:18.505+00:002016-03-22T14:38:18.505+00:00Didn't Frank Cho do an Asian Hulk recently? I ...Didn't Frank Cho do an Asian Hulk recently? I could be wrong about that, but I seem to remember reading something about it.Staz Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17289490295901245918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-49754977564907849352016-03-22T14:25:49.896+00:002016-03-22T14:25:49.896+00:00You're too late, McS. The Hulk's been grey...You're too late, McS. The Hulk's been grey, green, and red - and who knows what other colours in the last few years. He'll be the gay Hulk next, never mind the grey Hulk. Where will it all end?Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-54415922882594402432016-03-22T14:21:42.639+00:002016-03-22T14:21:42.639+00:00I based my idea that the Bond character could be a...I based my idea that the Bond character could be any race/sex based on the new "concept" for Bond who in that scenario would not be the 60s Bond character. (but I think that is just to get folk talking). I agree with you in most cases why change a characters race/sex for the sake of it (I can see the point if he was no longer popular) I would certainly make it more PC in places (PC is not always a bad word) ie have more female and racially diverse characters added to Bonds allies etc to reflect the times etc. Im not vested inalot of these characters for example Icould really case if Dr Who is changed to a woman (it wont be) or Bond is black / female but dont mess with the Hulk !paul Mcscottyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02982725171182221096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-27643651117365148712016-03-22T14:02:47.705+00:002016-03-22T14:02:47.705+00:00I think that what prompts calls for a black or fem...I think that what prompts calls for a black or female (a woman called James? Really?) James Bond (or any other character) is the idea that there are too many white guys being the heroes, McS. However, it's only natural that white, heterosexual (presumably) males like Ian Fleming would write about a character that reflects themselves (with a large dollop of wishful thinking of course). If people object to heroes being white and male most of the time, then that suggests to me a prejudice against white males, which is a sort of racism and sexism. Are you female? Then write your own character. Are you black? Then write your own character. However, don't insist that I should be obliged to cater to your tastes just because you don't like mine. Calls for a black or female James Bond (or Dr. Who) are just a lot of PC sh*t by a few disgruntled (but vocal) individuals with a chip on their shoulder. I wouldn't look at Shaft and think "He should be white" so I don't know why anybody would look at Bond and say "He should be black". Nobody's preventing anybody from creating black or female equivalents of Bond, so what's stopping them? Instead of calls that Bond should be black, female, or bisexual. Next, it'll be calls for him to be transgendered. Strewth! Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-39856650278851187552016-03-22T13:30:23.672+00:002016-03-22T13:30:23.672+00:00Ach well I'll never be Bond at 5ft 9 then dar...Ach well I'll never be Bond at 5ft 9 then darn it ! I actually don’t think it is racist to have (or not have) a black James Bond (unless it’s for racist reasons of course ). To me the films are based on the books. so why not have him Scots /English (I think that’s what he was) . The concept of James Bond is pretty silly anyway he based on a stereotypical male fantasy role of what “ man “ should be, I mean how can you be a secret agent when everyone knows who you are, in reality if he wasn’t shot he would have cirrhosis of the liver and STDs galore. But I quite like that role as it’s so dated (in a good way) within a great story – the 60s Bond isn’t too far at times, off the Austin Powers character.<br /><br />I read the reasons for possibly having a different race / sex playing the Bond role was that the original (in the books) was now dead / retired and the Bond name and number was now just a generic name given to their top spy - so it could be anyone of any race or any sex – moving the character on for the 21st century (or not depending on your viewpoint)<br /><br /><br />paul Mcscottyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02982725171182221096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-78288088601097346902016-03-22T01:34:32.600+00:002016-03-22T01:34:32.600+00:00You probably are taller once you've got your s...You probably are taller once you've got your shoes on, CJ. The heels will give you an extra inch or inch and a half. Barry Norman probably meant that Connery was the only British movie star of superstar proportions, but even then I'd say he was selling the others a bit short. (No height pun intended.)Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-62751154858060802612016-03-22T01:21:21.885+00:002016-03-22T01:21:21.885+00:00As I mentioned above, I'm 6' 1" but p...As I mentioned above, I'm 6' 1" but people have often assumed that I'm taller - 6' 3" or even 6' 4" so maybe it's just difficult to tell above a certain height ? I agree that Barry Norman thinking Connery was Britain's only movie star is a bit strange...perhaps he was just a big fan of Connery.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-81284360372345459222016-03-22T00:58:46.082+00:002016-03-22T00:58:46.082+00:00I've seen Deadpool, CJ - wasn't a bad litt...I've seen Deadpool, CJ - wasn't a bad little movie, but I suspect that a series of them will soon begin to wear thin on the audience. Breaking the fourth wall can be amusing at first, but it can become tiresome after a while when it's done constantly.<br />I think Connery probably was/is imposing in real life, but whether that's inherent or bestowed by fame is unclear in some cases. I remember Bob Monkhouse saying that Bob Hope was well over six feet tall when he first met him, but he was actually only around 5' 10" or 10" and a half. I think Barry was wrong in saying that Connery was Britain's only movie star; he was conveniently forgetting James Mason, David Niven, Richard Burton, and a whole host of others. Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-38163837661200912552016-03-22T00:36:31.934+00:002016-03-22T00:36:31.934+00:00Kid, the recent Deadpool film was an "R"...Kid, the recent Deadpool film was an "R" rated film and so far it's made more than $300 million which is apparently the highest grossing R movie ever - Marvel films can do no wrong at the moment. Talking of James Bond's height - Barry Norman once said that Sean Connery was "Britain's only movie star" and that Connery was the only actor he's ever met who was as imposing in real life as he appeared on screen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-23600657706731173642016-03-21T23:59:55.258+00:002016-03-21T23:59:55.258+00:00Well, I agree with most of what you say there; whe...Well, I agree with most of what you say there; whether it's racism or not it's certainly stupid. I don't know much about the new Tarzan movie, but I've never thought of Tarzan as anything more than a writer's romanticised notion of what would happen if an orphaned human baby was brought up by apes. Once people start reading in racial or social subtexts that didn't exist in the writer's mind, then I'd say they're taking things too far. Thanks for contributing to an interesting discussion. (Well, I thought it was.)Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07224781868125924337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3740495193314269367.post-71603475575714720832016-03-21T23:47:59.731+00:002016-03-21T23:47:59.731+00:00My description of a black Bond being inevitable is...My description of a black Bond being inevitable is based on two factors. Firstly, the Bond franchise shows no signs of slowing down, despite a couple of hiccups along the way, the latest two have been the biggest ever, so I suspect the producers will be making more of them for a good few years to come. Combine that fact with the creep toward inclusivity in all things, it does seem inevitable to me that someday, some money guy in Hollywood will see a black/mixed race Bond will bring in even more Dollars at the box office.<br /><br />I'm not sure I'd call that racism, I'd just call it stupid. The character is what the character is.. if you don't like it, or if you'd prefer it to be black, create your own black super-spy. I think retrofitting a fictional character to pander to modern sensibilities is pointless. If there comes a time that Bond or Batman or whoever needs to be changed so radically to make them relevant to a modern audience, then maybe it is time to retire them completely.And yes, that works both ways, Luke Cage or any other fictional black character should ALWAYS be black.<br /><br />I read somewhere recently that there had been some online furor over the new Tarzan movie. You know the sort of thing 'white man saves black Africa from itself'. And maybe it IS time to retire that early 20th century notion that a white English Lord (even one raised by apes) will always triumph, rather than try to fit within our modern standards. Staz Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17289490295901245918noreply@blogger.com