Day 131: Goldeneye

Goldeneye
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen & Judi Dench
Rated: PG-13
Length: 130 min.
Released: November 17, 1995
Trailer & a cool Teaser Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
9 years after infiltrating a chemical weapons facility in Russia, where friend and fellow M:I-6 agent Alec Trevelyan 006 was killed by corrupt Russian military officer General Ourumov. Seductive British secret agent James Bond 007 is assigned by his new boss, a female ‘M’ to recover “GoldenEye” the access key to a top secret space weapon orbiting the Earth which fires a electromagnetic pulse which shuts down all electronic equipment. The “GoldenEye” has been stolen from the Severnya space research station by General Ourumov and the lethal and deadly Xenia Onatopp and slaughtered everyone at Servernya. Helped by Russian computer programmer Natalya Siminova, who was the sole survivor of the Servernya massacre and witnessed Ourumov and Xenia steal the “GoldenEye”, Bond learns Ourumov and Xenia are working for Alec Trevelyan, now a renegade M:I-6, and 006 plans on using GoldenEye to wipe out London. 007 and Natalya set out to Cuba where Bond faces Trevelyan in a thrilling showdown as 007 sets out to save London from destruction.

My Thoughts:
Arguably the BEST Brosnan Bond film of them all. This film got an incredible amount of attention because of the success of the N64 video game by the same title (which is being updated and re-released in November). To this day I still consider it (the movie and the game) one of the best Bond products ever released. Certainly Brosnan’s best Bond film…hands down.

This film revived the Bond series in a huge way. It breathed new life into a dying series and gave it a much needed makeover/update. It really took the series out of the rut it was in.

The acting is spot on sassy sarcastic over confident Bond…with a 90′s attitude. The addition of Judi Dench as M was a particularly nice touch. She’s perfect and a perfect parallel to Brosnan’s Bond.

Also, I think this has one of the best Bond villains of all time…which just makes the film that much better. What better villian is there than a former friend who knows Bond’s every move?

This one gets 5 stars out of 5.

Day 130: Licence to Kill

Licence to Kill
Director: John Glen
Starring: Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell & Robert Davi
Rated: PG-13
Length: 133 min.
Released: July 14, 1989
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
After attending the wedding of friend CIA agent Felix Leiter and his bride Della Churchill, seductive British secret agent James Bond 007 disobeys orders and turns in his license to kill, when ruthless drug lord Franz Sanchez (After helping Feliex and the DEA capture Sanchez) tortures Felix and leaves him for dead and kills Della. James sets off on a personal vendetta against the drug lord, and arrives in Mexico City. Helped by cocky and beautiful CIA agent and pilot Pam Bouvier, Sanchez’s sexy mistress Lupe Lamora and Bond’s friend and fellow quartermaster ‘Q’. Bond plays on both sides of the law, as he infiltrates his organization by bringing Sanchez down. Where 007 embarks in the ultimate confrontation and he will not rest until he kills Sanchez and those responsible for torturing Felix and murdering Della.

My Thoughts:
Posted from my phone while on the road. Ha ha! I love technology!

Probably the better of Dalton’s two Bond films…in my opinion. The reason for that is it`s got an intresting idea for a plot. It`s only one of two Bond films where he goes “rogue” and becomes an “enemy” of the state to get the job done.

Also, the villian is rather sick…and brutal. Probably one of the darkest of all the Bond villians

Still…with all that said it`s still an aweful movie. It really is. It embodies a lot of cleche action movie cheese that`s just hard to except. They reach a new level of unbelievability with this one.

I`m giving it 2.5 stars out of 5.

Day 129: The Living Daylights

The Living Daylights
Director: John Glen
Starring: Timothy Dalton
Rated: PG
Length: 130 min
Released: July 31, 1987
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
After Bond helps Russian officer Georgi Koskov make a daring defection to the West, the intelligence community is shocked when Koskov is abducted from his remote hiding place. Bond leaps into action, following a trail that leads to the gorgeous Kara, who plays Bond as easily as she plays her Stradivari cello. As they unravel a complex weapons scheme with global implications, they are forced into hair-raising chases, a riveting jailbreak and an epic battle in the Afghanistan desert with tanks, airplanes and a legion of freedom fighters on horseback.

My Thoughts:
So most people seem to agree that the Timothy Dalton Bond films are the worst ones ever made…and I would have to agree. They are darker and WAY too over the top. The are so far over the top they are just plain unbelievable…ridiculous…just ridiculous.

The Living Daylights (and the next film Licence To Kill) embody everything that’s wrong with typical pointless styalized action movies…and no real plot. Bad villians and deplorable storyline.

It’s got some awesome action/chase sequences, but for the most part…it’s great for a good laugh, and that’s about it.

I’m giving this one 2 stars out of 5.

Day 128: A View To A Kill

A View To A Kill
Director: John Glen
Starring: Roger Moore, Christopher Walken & Tanya Roberts
Rated: PG
Length: 131 min.
Released: May 24, 1985
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
007 returns from the USSR with a new computer chip; one that is invulnerable to the magnetic pulse of a nuclear explosion. The chip is being manufactured by Zorin Industries, headed up by a sociopathic businessman named Max Zorin who is planning to corner the world microchip market by using explosives to cause an earthquake in the San Andreas fault that will wipe out Silicon Valley – and the millions who live and work there! Bond must face not only Zorin himself, but the equally twisted May Day and Scarpine, another one of Zorin’s henchmen. Assisted by San Francisco City employee Stacy, Bond goes after the would-be computer magnate in a series of frightening confrontations – including fire in the SF City Hall, a wild chase through the city with Stacy at the wheel of a fire department ladder truck, and finally in a hand-to-hand fight atop San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

My Thoughts:
This Bond marathon is really taking it’s tole. I’m getting so sick of James Bond…you have no idea. I just need to push through the two crappy Timothy Dalton films and I’ll be on the home stretch. They get much better in the 90s.

So, A View To A Kill. Up until I purchased this movie I had no idea that Christopher Walken had been in a James bond movie! I was so excited!!! This was Roger Moore’s final Bond film and he really goes out with a bang.

There are several parts that seem a bit over the top…typical James Bond style. Like driving half of a car?…yeah right. I want to see that one busted on Mythbusters. Then there’s the henchman..err…henchwoman May Day?…creepy, butch and kind of ugly. Like a female Jaws with ninja skills. I wasn’t a fan, but then again…I find female body builders frightening.

Still, it’s a highly entertaining movie. Not Moore’s best, but certainly not his worst either. Not to mention Duran Duran sings the theme song! Heck yeah!!!

Also, Walken is a fantastic villian! He has such a unique style that makes for an intresting dynamic when it’s contrast against Moore as James Bond. I’m giving this one 4 stars out of 5.

Day 127: Never Say Never Again

Never Say Never Again
Director: Irvin Kershner
Starring: Sean Connery, Max von Sydow & Kim Basinger
Rated: PG
Length: 134 min.
Released: October 7, 1983
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Using an astounding array of weapons, Agent 007 has singlehandedly wiped out an army of Her Majesty’s enemies. But when a lovely captive slips a knife into 007′s ribs, the superspy’s boss decides it’s time his top agent sharpen his lethal edge. So James Bond is off to a health spa. However his “vacation” is cut short by Largo, a power-mad mastermind set on carrying out his plan for worldwide nuclear blackmail. On Largo’s side, the murderous femme fatale Fatima Blush and vile SPECTRE chief Blofeld. But Bond does have an ally though, Largo’s girlfriend, the willowy Domino, who falls for Bond.

My Thoughts:
This film is a major anomaly in the Bond films. It’s a remake of Thunderball that stemed from all the controversy surounding that film and it’s not considered an “official” Bond film. One watch and you can tell why. The title is based on a conversation between Sean Connery and his second wife, Micheline Roquebrune. After initially retiring from the role following Diamonds Are Forever (1971) he told the press he would ‘never’ play James Bond again; her response for him was to never say “never” again. She is credited at the end of the film for her contribution. As a result, it was the first Bond movie to use a non-Ian Fleming originated title.

I would have to say this is the strangest  Bond film of them all. Why is it so strange? For starters it’s Sean Connery’s last film as Bond…and he looks soooo old. It was not released by EON Productions, so it doesn’t have the music, the typical opening credits, the gun barrel looking at bond and then him shooting and the red dropping down on the screen…no Q…nothing! It tries to replace all that stuff, but it just falls short. The gadgets are okay, but the music is horrendous. The opening sequence would have been so much better if it didn’t have that awful song starting out the movie.

It does have some fun moments though. For example, there is a memorable sequence regarding a rather insane idea for a video game and a pretty cool motercycle Bond uses to avaid hs enemy. It’s also intresting to see Connery and Basinger share the screen.

There’s also a small debate over if this film fits into the chronology of the rest of the Bond films. As explained on Wikipedia:

“As a standalone film, it takes place in an alternative timeline compared to previously released films. Specifically, while the portrayal of Connery as Bond is true to the fact Connery played Bond for 6 of the 7 first films, most involving SPECTRE, this film ignores the events of those films, as Blofeld is active and apparently previously unknown to Bond and MI6.

Several fans however, those of whom decide to place the film’s story within the EON Bond series, have speculated that the events depicted show a failed attempt from Blofeld and Largo to bring back SPECTRE from the dead, without obviously counting at Bond’s resurgence from retirement. Even in this scenario, the whereabouts of Blofeld remain unknown.”

This is the main film that made me dicide to watch the Bond films in release date order rather than the story’s chronological order. It’s hard to place this one.

At any rate, it was a valient attempt by Connery…but he should have stopped with Dimonds Are Forever. I’m giving this one 3 stars out of 5.

Day 126: Octopussy

Octopussy
Director: John Glen
Starring: Roger Moore & Maud Adams
Rated: PG
Length: 131 min.
Released: June 10, 1983
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Bond must investigate the murder of a fellow agent who was clutching a priceless Faberge egg at the time of his death. The trail leads to the mysterious Octopussy, whose traveling circus features a company of luscious, athletic women. Bond and Octopussy share a passionate affection, but soon 007 discovers that the elegant Kamal Khan is working with a mad Russian officer to hurl mankind into World War III! As Bond tries to stop the nightmarish scheme, his exploits will include a riveting chase through the streets of India, a deadly brawl on top of a speeding train, and a breathtaking midair knife fight on an airplane wing.

My Thoughts:
This one is probably my least favorite Bond Film by Roger Moore. It came out the same year as Never Say Never Again (the last “Bond” film by Connery) which also wasn’t very good. 1983 just wasn’t a good year or Bond (though the films to come would get worse…much worse).

If you can get past the awkwardness of the title it’s an okay film. But there isn’t a whole lot about it that sticks out about it besides the name. There are some entertaining chase sequences, most memorable is the fights/chases on top of a speeding train. Other than that it doesn’t offer much. Typical Russian villain that wants to destroy the world…women seriously objectified, and over the top action one sequence after another.

After following such a good film in For Your Eyes Only…this one just doesn’t measure up at all. It’s getting 3 stars out of 5.

Day 125: For Your Eyes Only

For Your Eyes Only
Director: John Glen
Starring: Roger Moore & Carole Bouquet
Rated: PG
Length:
127 min
Released: June 26th, 1981
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
After disposing of a familiar looking face, Bond is sent to recover a communication device, known as an ATAC, which went down with a British Spy ship as it sunk. Bond must hurry though, as the Russians are also out for this device. On his travels, he also meets Melina Havelock, whose parents were brutally murdered. Bond also encounters both Aristotle Kristatos and Milos Colombo. Each of them are accusing the other of having links with with the Russian’s. Bond must team up with Melina, solve who the true ally is and find the ATAC before it’s too late.

My Thoughts:
This is my absolute favorite Roger Moore Bond film. It’s brutal, action packed, slightly more grounded and a bit darker than all his other films. It starts with one of my favorite sequences in all the Bond films as we finally see Blowfelt get what’s coming to him.

There was a bit of a debate about weather the film should go as dark and grity as it did. I mean sure…Bond has a license to kill, but is he the type of guy that would choose NOT to save a bad guy about to plunge to his death, but rather, kicks the guy over the cliff! That’s dark stuff…that’s intense, and I loved it!

The gadgets are cool as usual, the cars are sweet, the villain is brutal…and the locations are exotic. It’s everything you want in a bond film. I’m giving this one 5 stars out of 5.

Day 124: Moonraker

Moonraker
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale & Richard Kiel
Rated: PG
Length: 126 min
Released: June 29, 1979
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
A space shuttle called the Moonraker, built by Drax Industries, is on its way to the U.K when it is hijacked in mid-air and the crew of the 747 carrying it is killed. Bond immediately is called into action, and starts the investigation with Hugo Drax himself. While at the Drax laboratories, Bond meets the brilliant & stunning Dr. Holly Goodhead, a NASA astronaut & CIA agent who is investigating Drax for the U.S. Government. One of Drax’s thugs, the sinister Chan, attempts to kill 007 at the lab but when that fails, he follows Bond to Venice and tries again there. Bond & Goodhead follow Drax’s trail to Brazil, where they once again run into the 7′ Goliath Jaws, a towering giant with metal teeth. Escaping from him, they discover the existence of a huge space station undetected by U.S. or Soviet radar, and a horrible plot by Drax to employ nerve gas in a genocidal project! Bond & Holly must quickly find a way to stop Hugo Drax before his horrific plans can be put into effect.

My Thoughts:
Okay, I never thought I’d say this…but I’m getting soooo tired of James Bond. This is just crazy. My goodness…marathon in deed.

I also want to apologize (again) for the tardiness of some of these posts. I look like I’m a bit behind, and when it comes to the posting I am. I still don’t have the net at home (I know…I’m working on it) so it’s getting hard to do a post every day…but I’m still watching them.

With that said…thank you to all who have been following me on this journey. I’m sure you are getting tired of all these Bond films, like I am. It will soon be over…and then on to something less misogynistic perhaps? We’ll see.

So, Moonraker. The villain with a plot that winks at Hitler’s idea of the “superior” race and the dark days of eugenics in the world of science/medicine. It’s one of the more memorable Bond films with Roger Moore…and probably my least favorite. All the master race, space battles…and so on. It just doesn’t work for me. Space battles don’t belong to James Bond. I know it’s based on a book…but come on. It seemed like they were really stretching for some new exotic place to have a battle. They’ve done just about everywhere on the planet, so they just took it outside.

It kind of has a throw back feel to it, though. Some parts seem like a little wink back at the older Connery bond films that have elaborate futuristic sets and every villain seemed to have the same interior designer that was way to obsessed with “space age” technology.

On an up note…laser guns are sweet and Jaws gets a girlfriend!!! So hey…it’s not all bad. I’m giving this one 3 stars out of 5.

Day 123: The Spy Who Loved Me

The Spy Who Loved Me
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Roger Moore, Barbara Bach & Richard Kiel
Rated: PG
Length: 125 min.
Released: August 3, 1977
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Both the British and Russians are amazed when a submarine from each country disappears and the only link is a microfilm detailing the movements of the British submarine meaning that somehow a submarine can be tracked via it’s “wake”. The British sends agent James Bond and the Russians send Major Anya Amasova, otherwise known as “Triple-X”. After first fighting against each other over the microfilm, the two agents are ordered to work together against the real enemy, mad shipping billionaire Carl Stromberg who plans to use the submarines to destroy the world via nuclear missiles so that any survivors are forced to live in Stromberg’s dream world beneath the sea. However James must also defend himself against Anya as she finds out that James had killed her lover on a previous mission.

My Thoughts:
Arguably the best Roger Moore Bond film of them all. This one is just so perfect! The pace, the acting, the story, the special effects and the villains…all excellent!!!

The part of the film that stands out to me the most is the fact that the leading lady is portrayed as a strong woman who can hold her own against Bond. In most roles thus far any “strong” female roles have been villains…but not this time. The back and forth power struggle between Bond and his soviet counterpart is a lot of fun to watch. It’s about time Bond ran into a girl that’s able to stand up to him.

Another interesting aspect of this movie is the “teamwork” between the Russians and the British. It was released during the Cold War and the concept of having bond work WITH a communist…that was just crazy. There are several conversations between Soviet and British leaders hinting at the “evils” of capitalism and communism. It’s an interesting thing to watch in hindsight.

And let’s not leave out the submarine car!!! Stinkin’ cool!!! Not sure how plausible…but it’s cool none the less.

It wouldn’t be a solid review of this film lest we forget the best part of all…JAWS!!! No, not the shark (some of you people need to read up on you Bond villains a little more). This film introduces the metal fanged, bar bending, car lifting, 7 feet 1.5 inch tower of terror that relentlessly goes after Bond and seemingly can not (or will not) die. Easily the most memorable Bond villain of them all (and the last guy you want to pick when playing multiplayer in the N64 video game Goldeneye…I’m just saying). Every time Jaws is on screen he steals the show.

I’m giving this on 4.5 stars out of 5.

Day 122: The Man with the Golden Gun

The Man with the Golden Gun
Director: Guy Hamilton
Starring: Roger Moore & Christopher Lee
Rated: PG
Length: 125 min.
Released: December 20, 1974
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Scaramanga, a hit man who is known as “the man with the golden gun”, because of the golden gun he carries and the gold bullets he uses on his targets. Bond receives a message supposedly from Scaramanga saying that Bond is his next target. So M decides to relieve Bond of his duties till the danger has been neutralized. But Bond feeling that the mission he was on is of the utmost urgency decides to go and find Scaramanga himself. And he thinks he found him but discovers that Scaramanga is not after him when he had a clear shot at him and missed, which he doesn’t do. But the man who was killed is the man he was originally looking for. A scientist working on a device that can make harnessing the sun’s energy possible. So he must now find the device.

My Thoughts:
What a strange thing to see Christopher Lee so young! Ha ha…any way, the argument could be made this film is loosely based on the short story of “The Most Dangerous Game“, which is a short story by Richard Connell published in Collier’s Weekly on January 19, 1924.

The “man hunt” is the most interesting part of this film. Christopher Lee does a great job portraying a rather twisted villain with a very unique weapon choice. I’m still waiting for the Mythbusters to put the golden gun to the test, but it makes for an interesting “gadget” if you will. The short “little person” henchman was a strange one. Not sure why…but then again, why the heck not?

It’s probably one of the more memorable Bond films because of the “golden gun” but the plot itself to harness the suns energy and all that…totally forgotten. The main reason people remember this is the “hunt” at the end of the film between Bond and Scaramanga. I’m giving it 4 stars out of 5.