Skyfall - Grading & Discussion - Page 17

teacake · November 18 2012, 11:23 AM

It's like a female Dr. Who. With every passing year it seems more likely as an old franchise looks about for something fresh. Not that either of these aren't fresh in their own way right now but we know they worry they won't stay that way.

I'm not saying it is in any way inevitable, just that as a possibility it's there. So might as well hang out with the idea for a while and have some fun.

Lonemagpie · November 18 2012, 11:44 AM

Ghost Bones wrote:

We've gone from "it will happen" to "why not" in two posts. Some prophecy. Fact is, James Bond's a white fella. If we're going to be all PC about it, at least have the next one be a black, Muslim, pregnant, disabled, lesbian, Welsh woman.

"Fact" is he has a father who was a UK (Scottish) citizen and a mother who was a Swiss citizen. That's it.

Though by inference in the novel Live And Let Die, he's not black, but it's never stated as an explicit fact

Mister Fandango · November 18 2012, 11:46 AM

I'm honestly shocked by the amount of praise this movie is receiving. I found it incredibly dull and very non-Bondian despite all the references to other Bond films. It felt more like something from Burn Notice or one of the Bourne movies, and Silva was easily one of the most irritating, annoying, and insipid villains of recent films. His master plan relied entirely on the stupidity of the screenwriters, as did Bond's. "Herp a derp, I'm the most geniusest of computer geniuses!" decrees Q as he plugs MI6's entire network directly into the computer system of a crazy superhacker.

And I'm not kidding about the Burn Notice reference. I'm almost positive that I've seen most of those "ingenious" traps Bond and M set up in the mansion on the show. Nevermind that the whole thing was so completely non-Bondish in and of itself. And why the Hell didn't M smack the everliving fuck out of the groundskeeper if he was waving that flashlight around after they got out of the tunnel? Hell, I'm not even sure what kind of sanctuary they expected to have at the church seeing the only reason to have left the tunnels in the first place was because they knew Silva and his crew would go hunting for them once they discovered there were no bodies inside the mansion itse...

You know what, there's just too much to rant about this movie. When I go to see a Bond movie, I expect to see a Bond movie. A smooth superspy with cool gadgets, over the top action scenes, and lots of womanizing complete with hot chicks with ridiculous names. If I want to watch a cheap knock-off of a Bourne movie, I'll watch something else.

JarodRussell · November 18 2012, 11:56 AM

Mister Fandango wrote:

You know what, there's just too much to rant about this movie. When I go to see a Bond movie, I expect to see a Bond movie. A smooth superspy with cool gadgets, over the top action scenes, and lots of womanizing complete with hot chicks with ridiculous names. If I want to watch a cheap knock-off of a Bourne movie, I'll watch something else.

But... but this film had all that.

lurok · November 18 2012, 12:07 PM

As does Austin Powers.

lurok · November 18 2012, 12:45 PM

teacake wrote:

In it lots you say, well I may just have to actually watch the thing.

I wouldn't say she's in it lots; but she is memorable. Take some kleenex.

teacake · November 18 2012, 01:03 PM

Now wait a minute..

Kai "the spy" · November 18 2012, 01:23 PM

Lonemagpie wrote:

"Fact" is he has a father who was a UK (Scottish) citizen and a mother who was a Swiss citizen. That's it.

Though by inference in the novel Live And Let Die, he's not black, but it's never stated as an explicit fact

Vesper Lynd in the CR novel: "Bond reminds me rather of Hoagy Carmichael, but there is something cold and ruthless."

Hoagy Carmichael:

And I hope nobody's suggesting "something cold and ruthless" means "black".

Mister Fandango · November 18 2012, 02:14 PM

JarodRussell wrote:

Mister Fandango wrote:

You know what, there's just too much to rant about this movie. When I go to see a Bond movie, I expect to see a Bond movie. A smooth superspy with cool gadgets, over the top action scenes, and lots of womanizing complete with hot chicks with ridiculous names. If I want to watch a cheap knock-off of a Bourne movie, I'll watch something else.

But... but this film had all that.

If you say so. A car with a red button and an implied ejector seat does not a cool Bond gadget make. Especially when the guy who dishes out the cool gadgets specifically states that they don't do that sort of thing anymore.

The Wormhole · November 18 2012, 04:23 PM

Obviously the invisible car in Die Another Day has made quite the impact on the Bond Franchise. Ten years later and the most "out there" gadget we get is a DNA encoded pistol.

Agent Richard07 · November 18 2012, 07:14 PM

Ghost Bones wrote:

We've gone from "it will happen" to "why not" in two posts. Some prophecy. Fact is, James Bond's a white fella. If we're going to be all PC about it, at least have the next one be a black, Muslim, pregnant, disabled, lesbian, Welsh woman.

I actually had a dream last night where a female friend of mine was cast as Bond.

Mister Fandango wrote:

And why the Hell didn't M smack the everliving fuck out of the groundskeeper if he was waving that flashlight around after they got out of the tunnel? Hell, I'm not even sure what kind of sanctuary they expected to have at the church seeing the only reason to have left the tunnels in the first place was because they knew Silva and his crew would go hunting for them once they discovered there were no bodies inside the mansion itse...

Yeah, escaping into the dark and waving a flashlight around was pretty dumb. Someone said earlier that it was too dark, but still...

Is there a TV trope for when people do stuff like that?

lurok · November 18 2012, 07:32 PM

Stupid Is As Stupid Does. Or Too Dumb To Live.

Though having a flashlight crossing an ice-covered whatever at night doesn't seem particularly dumb. Waving it around or pointing it in direction of pursuer(s) might.

Ghost Bones · November 18 2012, 11:23 PM

Agent Richard07 wrote:

Mister Fandango wrote:

And why the Hell didn't M smack the everliving fuck out of the groundskeeper if he was waving that flashlight around after they got out of the tunnel? Hell, I'm not even sure what kind of sanctuary they expected to have at the church seeing the only reason to have left the tunnels in the first place was because they knew Silva and his crew would go hunting for them once they discovered there were no bodies inside the mansion itse...

Yeah, escaping into the dark and waving a flashlight around was pretty dumb. Someone said earlier that it was too dark, but still...

Is there a TV trope for when people do stuff like that?

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...ingAStupidCunt

Mr. Adventure · November 19 2012, 05:11 AM

One silly thing that bothered me is that Bond didn't take at least one more shot at Silva when he did his bit with the subway.

There were some parts of this that were definitely silly and credibility straining but then again this is Bond after all so I don't hold that too much against it.

Was some truly beautiful shots in this, this will be one to watch again just for the sights.

It will be interesting to see where they go with the next movie having set up so many of the more traditional Bond trappings. Perhaps we'll get a less introspective adventure next time out.

Joel_Kirk wrote:

I understand that Idris Elba has been in talks with Barbara Broccoli to take over someday; I wouldn't mind seeing that. (I'm watching the BBC series, "Luther," and Elba definitely has the acting/action chops).

As I've said before I think Idris Elba's name is bandied about in consideration for all roles. I don't know how he'll find time to be Bond until he's done being Doctor Who.

CorporalClegg · November 19 2012, 08:39 AM

I was teetering on A-/B+, but gave it the benefit of the doubt.

Skyfall is an excellent case of a mediocre script saved by an outstanding director. The plot (as others have alluded to) was a silly and pointless copycat, and the dialog was pretty much by-the-numbers. Most of the humor was flat and forced.

But the acting was good to excellent all around, the cinematography was artful, and the suspense held-up through the pacing.

I do have to say the film was absolutely breathtaking. Deakins out did himself (which is saying a lot). One could argue that it is the most beautiful Bond film to date.

The score, however, left something to be desired. It's definitely the weakest in recent memory--at least since Goldeneye, wich I liked more than most. Adele's song was a bland and generic and it just recycled the refrain from the Cornell song. Not to mention, the only memorable cue in the whole film was the classic guitar riff during the Aston Martin scene.

View Poll Results: Grade the movie...
A+	44	25.58%
A	47	27.33%
A-	29	16.86%
B+	14	8.14%
B	8	4.65%
B-	10	5.81%
C+	4	2.33%
C	4	2.33%
C-	7	4.07%
D+	2	1.16%
D	1	0.58%
D-	0	0%
F	2	1.16%
Voters: 172. You may not vote on this poll

November 18 2012, 11:23 AM	#241
teacake Admiral Location: Militant Janeway True Path Devotees Compound. With Sehlats.	Re: Skyfall - Grading & Discussion It's like a female Dr. Who. With every passing year it seems more likely as an old franchise looks about for something fresh. Not that either of these aren't fresh in their own way right now but we know they worry they won't stay that way. I'm not saying it is in any way inevitable, just that as a possibility it's there. So might as well hang out with the idea for a while and have some fun. __________________ Rider: I can't believe you'd kill me for a field of empty holes. J'onn: It's all I have. ■ ■ ■ Janeway does Melbourne

November 18 2012, 11:46 AM	#243
Mister Fandango Commander	Re: Skyfall - Grading & Discussion I'm honestly shocked by the amount of praise this movie is receiving. I found it incredibly dull and very non-Bondian despite all the references to other Bond films. It felt more like something from Burn Notice or one of the Bourne movies, and Silva was easily one of the most irritating, annoying, and insipid villains of recent films. His master plan relied entirely on the stupidity of the screenwriters, as did Bond's. "Herp a derp, I'm the most geniusest of computer geniuses!" decrees Q as he plugs MI6's entire network directly into the computer system of a crazy superhacker. And I'm not kidding about the Burn Notice reference. I'm almost positive that I've seen most of those "ingenious" traps Bond and M set up in the mansion on the show. Nevermind that the whole thing was so completely non-Bondish in and of itself. And why the Hell didn't M smack the everliving fuck out of the groundskeeper if he was waving that flashlight around after they got out of the tunnel? Hell, I'm not even sure what kind of sanctuary they expected to have at the church seeing the only reason to have left the tunnels in the first place was because they knew Silva and his crew would go hunting for them once they discovered there were no bodies inside the mansion itse... You know what, there's just too much to rant about this movie. When I go to see a Bond movie, I expect to see a Bond movie. A smooth superspy with cool gadgets, over the top action scenes, and lots of womanizing complete with hot chicks with ridiculous names. If I want to watch a cheap knock-off of a Bourne movie, I'll watch something else.

November 18 2012, 12:07 PM	#245
lurok Commodore Location: Lost In The EU Expanse	Re: Skyfall - Grading & Discussion As does Austin Powers. __________________ “Between ennui and ecstasy unwinds our whole experience of time.”

November 18 2012, 01:03 PM	#247
teacake Admiral Location: Militant Janeway True Path Devotees Compound. With Sehlats.	Re: Skyfall - Grading & Discussion Now wait a minute.. __________________ Rider: I can't believe you'd kill me for a field of empty holes. J'onn: It's all I have. ■ ■ ■ Janeway does Melbourne

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November 18 2012, 04:23 PM	#250
The Wormhole Admiral	Re: Skyfall - Grading & Discussion Obviously the invisible car in Die Another Day has made quite the impact on the Bond Franchise. Ten years later and the most "out there" gadget we get is a DNA encoded pistol. __________________ "Internet message boards aren't as funny today as they were ten years ago. I've stopped reading new posts." -The Simpsons 20th anniversary special.

November 18 2012, 07:32 PM	#252
lurok Commodore Location: Lost In The EU Expanse	Re: Skyfall - Grading & Discussion Stupid Is As Stupid Does. Or Too Dumb To Live. Though having a flashlight crossing an ice-covered whatever at night doesn't seem particularly dumb. Waving it around or pointing it in direction of pursuer(s) might. __________________ “Between ennui and ecstasy unwinds our whole experience of time.”

November 19 2012, 08:39 AM	#255
CorporalClegg Vice Admiral Location: Nuevo México	Re: Skyfall - Grading & Discussion I was teetering on A-/B+, but gave it the benefit of the doubt. Skyfall is an excellent case of a mediocre script saved by an outstanding director. The plot (as others have alluded to) was a silly and pointless copycat, and the dialog was pretty much by-the-numbers. Most of the humor was flat and forced. But the acting was good to excellent all around, the cinematography was artful, and the suspense held-up through the pacing. I do have to say the film was absolutely breathtaking. Deakins out did himself (which is saying a lot). One could argue that it is the most beautiful Bond film to date. The score, however, left something to be desired. It's definitely the weakest in recent memory--at least since Goldeneye, wich I liked more than most. Adele's song was a bland and generic and it just recycled the refrain from the Cornell song. Not to mention, the only memorable cue in the whole film was the classic guitar riff during the Aston Martin scene.