LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
I'm probably alone here, but I wouldn't mind Kate...at all :x Don't expect it, though. Look for another nubile young unknown...
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Don't have a problem with Mendes. "Road To Perdition" is a good film with some good action scenes. Having a great actress like Winslett in a film couldn't hurt...but she's probably not "Bond Girl" material ...maybe a villain or another agent or even a reimagined Money Penny (instead of a secretary, she could be more of an assistant or second in command and more directly involved with the field agents). Truth be told I think we'd be jumping the gun to even assume she would be in the film. Now if Mendes could get Kevin Spacey.....he would make a great villain or double crossing agent, politition, etc.
I have seen two of Mendez's films, American Beauty and Road to Perdition, and I loved both of them. So why do I have a small amount of concern? Because the style I saw in those two films would not translate to a Bond film.
American Beauty had a very smart script and visually we saw moments of fantasy and dreaming as the lead character, Kevin Spacey dreams of a different life. Not exactly Bond like.
Road has an assassin and other bad guys, which may seems like a Bond movie, and visually we get some gorgeous scenes thanks to cinematographer Conrad Hall. But, once again we get those fantasy dream like scenes and we also get some slow heavy atmosphere scenes which are not Bond. At least not for me.
The Bond movies work best when they flow like the Fleming novels flowed. Pacing in a Bond movie is important and I fear Mendez will really slow the film down. Bond films should be gorgeous, which hopefully Mendez can capture. But, they shouldn't be slow.
I'm probably alone here, but I wouldn't mind Kate...at all :x Don't expect it, though. Look for another nubile young unknown...
You're not alone. I've always liked Winslet and never really understood the criticism she gets. She's attractive, a good actress, likes to take off her clothes...actually sounds like a good fit to me.
As for Mendes, I've never seen any of his movies as the subject matter he's tackled to this point really doesn't interest me. But that doesn't disqualify him or anyone else from being able to make a good movie in a different style from he's known for. The past few years have had plenty of examples of directors tackling projects which at first blush didn't seem suited to them, only to deliver some quality entertainment.
Personally, regardless of who directs or stars, I just hope a few more elements of the classic Bond formula work their way into the movie. There's nothing wrong with an outlandish stunt or a novel gadget, it's part of what gave Bond such longevity in the first place and I'm sure it could be shoehorned even into a more character oriented film.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Personally, regardless of who directs or stars, I just hope a few more elements of the classic Bond formula work their way into the movie. There's nothing wrong with an outlandish stunt or a novel gadget, it's part of what gave Bond such longevity in the first place and I'm sure it could be shoehorned even into a more character oriented film.
With you there, Tony. This next one seems especially important, and I hope they can manage to center the bubble.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
One thing about Mendes' work is that it does give itself 'room to breathe,' from a pacing perspective, which is what QoS sorely lacked (I'm a fan of QoS, mind you, but its flaws are well-known).
...concerns about another 'art house' director are quite valid, though. One can only hope that Eon took some of the criticism of the last one to heart.
Nah, just ignore 'em. Doubt 23 has a "shot like a bullet" approach, so rest easy on that front.
Mendes is a character man; we need time to savour the presence of Bond and the development of the plot---for me, that's job one for this film...that and pulling back the camera and running takes longer than .5 seconds each during the action sequences.
Choices, choices. It all worked for me, QOS version 2.0 would be very welcome, though I expect 23 to be a Bond of a slightly different color, and if it's in line with CR/QOS I'm there!
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
One thing about Mendes' work is that it does give itself 'room to breathe,' from a pacing perspective, which is what QoS sorely lacked (I'm a fan of QoS, mind you, but its flaws are well-known).
...concerns about another 'art house' director are quite valid, though. One can only hope that Eon took some of the criticism of the last one to heart.
Nah, just ignore 'em. Doubt 23 has a "shot like a bullet" approach, so rest easy on that front.
I'd very much like to...as I've said, fears that Mendes might be 'too slow' or 'languid' are lost on me. I think Bond needs to slow down a bit---at least at the proper moments.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
With Mendes and Morgan on board, I think we're in for exactly that. -{ No complaints from me, as much as I like bullet-Bond I also like the more dramarific OHMSS/CR Bond just fine. Good times ahead, more of a very good Bond era IMO.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
I'm clinging to the phrase 'fast track' {[]
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
This could be posturing (by either MGM or Eon) to try to get a sale of the studio going. Ted Turner already cleaned house years ago when he bought up much of MGM's library. So, what does the studio have to offer? Keeping the Bond franchise going could help land a potential suitor.
Yup. I'm sure the bidding will jump a bit with news of this sort, will likely help that "fast-track" to get a-going!
Hmm interesting
Bond 23 (2011) (pre-production) (in negotiations)
Director:
Revolutionary Road (2008) - This is on HBO currently, I'll have to watch it.
Jarhead (2005) - Terrible film
Road to Perdition (2002) - Great movie, I enjoyed it. Hard to fail with that cast.
American Beauty (1999) - Big fan, but that has more to do with Alan Ball and his work than the director, another great cast as well. Hard to mess up a movie with the talent that was involved. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005222/
Seems to be very busy
In Development: What's this?
1. Netherland (details only on IMDbPro)
2. Lost in Austen (details only on IMDbPro)
3. Middlemarch (details only on IMDbPro)
4. Butcher's Crossing (details only on IMDbPro)
5. Preacher (details only on IMDbPro)
Well, if this Mendes thing does nothing else, it's revived Highhopes and that should count for something.
Hello Loeff, TonyDP, Blueman, Barry, Lady Rose, Napoleon Plural, Mrs Dalloway, and John Drake. And Dan Same, wherever you are. Longtime no blog. I see the elite of Bond fandom still gathers at AJB007.
Although I liked Quantum of Solace , I didn't see it -- I don't know, 27 times or so -- like I did Casino Royale. I had hoped Foster would stay the course set by his predecessor and deliver a more serious, character-driven Bond. It was serious, all right, but something of a missed opportunity to get a little more into Bond's head. I would have preferred a quieter, less frantic film.
Which is what I hope Mendes, if he takes the job, will do. No -- we don't need a dead Bond recalling the mission in flashback, or lusting for some teenage cheerleader. Just put the camera on a tripod, deepen the color palette and offer up a character. Just 'cause he has license to kill doesn't mean he has to. Maybe he could actually do a little spying this time.
But I like the idea. And I like Kate Winslet. I think she's ballsy and one hell of an actress. So if he wants to put his better half in there somewhere, it's OK with me.
Well, if this Mendes thing does nothing else, it's revived Highhopes and that should count for something.
Hello Loeff, TonyDP, Blueman, Barry, Lady Rose, Napoleon Plural, Mrs Dalloway. And Dan Same, wherever you are. Longtime no blog. I see the elite of Bond fandom still gathers at AJB007.
Welcome back HH; we were wondering where you'd gone to; I think somebody even started a "Whatever happened to Highhopes" thread a while ago.
Kind of ancillary to Mendes and Bond 23 but since there now seems to be movement on that front, I also hope MGM and Fox Home Video will get off their collective duffs and release the remaining Bond films on BluRay. The last batch was released in May and they can all be had for short money from online outlets like Amazon.com but I yearn to see the remaining films, especially TSWLM and GE, in glorious hi-def.
Thanks, Tony and Nape. I dunno. I don't think electronic interaction comes naturally to me. I still don't get things like Facebook and Tweeter and texting. This site and another involving motorcycles are the only two blogs I participate in, and I tend to do so intensely for a while, then drop out for a while.
But I'm back and I like the idea of Mendes. I loved American Beauty and Revolution Road. Road to Perdition somewhat less, but only because the Hanks character didn't ring true to me. I'm not sure you can be both a genuine, quiet family man and a genuine mob enforcer. And if the movie says you can, it needed to explain how. The Hanks character was kind of a cipher to me. But Newman and Craig were sensational, I thought. But those problems had more to do with the script than the direction. Mendes certainly does know how to create atmosphere. And that's one of the things I liked about Casino Royale. It was a recognizably Bondian world, but stripped of the by-the-numbers feel that had infected the series for a lot of years.
I do think it says volumes about the continued vitality of the series that "hot" young directors like Mendes and Foster are even interested in doing a Bond film, especially after nearly half a century and more than 20 films. But I guess that's always been true to some degree. I'm thinking of Spielberg and his desire to direct one some years back.
Yeah, well alright highhopes, don't spoil us... We'll see you again in another two years.
Okay, okay... what films have taken your fancy since you last popped in? Watchman? Not that there's been much this last year.
Two years? It hasn't been that long.
Let's see. I really liked Revolutionary Road, maybe because I was already familiar with the novel. I'm not generally a fan of superhero movies, so I haven't seen Watchmen, but I'm told it's really good. I thought Taken was a fine action movie and a well-deserved hit for Liam Neeson (terrible about Natasha Richardson). Duplicity was pretty good.
But you're right about last year. I had to Google "2009 movies" to even remember what came out last year. I guess the highlight for me would have to be The Jonas Brothers: the 3D Concert Experience. But you have to see it at an IMAX theater to truly appreciate the greatness.
Actually Sherlock Holmes is the only one to float my boat, otherwise I've heard Up! is very good though I've not seen it, same with Avatar. I am working my way thru my rented copy of Watchman since New Year's Eve, it feels more like a serial than a movie in that it's an ensemble piece and you don't automatically identify with any one character unlike say with Spiderman. It's good and dark, darker than The Dark Knight paired with Donnie Darko and watched by Mr and Mrs Dark of Dark City... you get the picture.
Hey John Drake. I had to go back and edit my first post to include your name. All I could remember was your old Patrick McGoohan icon (or is it an avatar?) and I couldn't remember the name of the character in Secret Agent. There's a couple others like that, so if I missed you, it's only because I can't remember the user name, not because I don't remember you. As you may recall, I'm an old fart.
Edit -- Here's three more: Hardyboy, Alex, Darenhat
Actually Sherlock Holmes is the only one to float my boat, otherwise I've heard Up! is very good though I've not seen it, same with Avatar. I am working my way thru my rented copy of Watchman since New Year's Eve, it feels more like a serial than a movie in that it's an ensemble piece and you don't automatically identify with any one character unlike say with Spiderman. It's good and dark, darker than The Dark Knight paired with Donnie Darko and watched by Mr and Mrs Dark of Dark City... you get the picture.
Sherlock Holmes? That's interesting. I haven't heard too much word-of-mouth, but I've read good and bad about it from the pundits. I may be a little too Basil Rathbone/Jeremy Brett-centric to accept a Sherlock Holmes with abs and fists of fury, but as one writer said, a lot of the things we commonly associate with the character are inventions of the movies, not Sir Arthur. I'll check it out, though. I like Robert Downey and I am a fan of the character.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Great to see you around, HH. I've missed you in the trenches -{
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Yeah, well alright highhopes, don't spoil us... We'll see you again in another two years.
Okay, okay... what films have taken your fancy since you last popped in? Watchman? Not that there's been much this last year.
OK -- actually I think this was late 2008, but The Wrestler was a terrific movie.
As a fan of both Michael Mann and Johnny Depp, a big disappointment for me was Public Enemies. Gimme Warren Oates and Roger Corman any day. Another was Inglorious Basterds. I get tired of "homage" flics, and Brad Pitt's performance wasn't jolie (see? I can write snappy dialogue, too). We get it, Quentin. You used to work in a video store. You have an encyclopedic knowledge of B pictures. But enough already.
Comments
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Roger Moore 1927-2017
American Beauty had a very smart script and visually we saw moments of fantasy and dreaming as the lead character, Kevin Spacey dreams of a different life. Not exactly Bond like.
Road has an assassin and other bad guys, which may seems like a Bond movie, and visually we get some gorgeous scenes thanks to cinematographer Conrad Hall. But, once again we get those fantasy dream like scenes and we also get some slow heavy atmosphere scenes which are not Bond. At least not for me.
The Bond movies work best when they flow like the Fleming novels flowed. Pacing in a Bond movie is important and I fear Mendez will really slow the film down. Bond films should be gorgeous, which hopefully Mendez can capture. But, they shouldn't be slow.
So overall, color me concerned, but with hope.
A compelling thought indeed.
You're not alone. I've always liked Winslet and never really understood the criticism she gets. She's attractive, a good actress, likes to take off her clothes...actually sounds like a good fit to me.
As for Mendes, I've never seen any of his movies as the subject matter he's tackled to this point really doesn't interest me. But that doesn't disqualify him or anyone else from being able to make a good movie in a different style from he's known for. The past few years have had plenty of examples of directors tackling projects which at first blush didn't seem suited to them, only to deliver some quality entertainment.
Personally, regardless of who directs or stars, I just hope a few more elements of the classic Bond formula work their way into the movie. There's nothing wrong with an outlandish stunt or a novel gadget, it's part of what gave Bond such longevity in the first place and I'm sure it could be shoehorned even into a more character oriented film.
With you there, Tony. This next one seems especially important, and I hope they can manage to center the bubble.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I prefer to think of them as choices, not flaws.
Like the one on the plane with Mathis? Or the scene in the sinkhole with Camille?
Nah, just ignore 'em. Doubt 23 has a "shot like a bullet" approach, so rest easy on that front.
Choices, choices. It all worked for me, QOS version 2.0 would be very welcome, though I expect 23 to be a Bond of a slightly different color, and if it's in line with CR/QOS I'm there!
Choices, to be sure. Not always the proper ones.
Those moments were fleeting, and rushed. Each of them should have been (at least) twice as long as they were
I'd very much like to...as I've said, fears that Mendes might be 'too slow' or 'languid' are lost on me. I think Bond needs to slow down a bit---at least at the proper moments.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
"Your contact?" "Not well."
Bond 23 (2011) (pre-production) (in negotiations)
Director:
Revolutionary Road (2008) - This is on HBO currently, I'll have to watch it.
Jarhead (2005) - Terrible film
Road to Perdition (2002) - Great movie, I enjoyed it. Hard to fail with that cast.
American Beauty (1999) - Big fan, but that has more to do with Alan Ball and his work than the director, another great cast as well. Hard to mess up a movie with the talent that was involved.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005222/
Seems to be very busy
In Development: What's this?
1. Netherland (details only on IMDbPro)
2. Lost in Austen (details only on IMDbPro)
3. Middlemarch (details only on IMDbPro)
4. Butcher's Crossing (details only on IMDbPro)
5. Preacher (details only on IMDbPro)
Hello Loeff, TonyDP, Blueman, Barry, Lady Rose, Napoleon Plural, Mrs Dalloway, and John Drake. And Dan Same, wherever you are. Longtime no blog. I see the elite of Bond fandom still gathers at AJB007.
Although I liked Quantum of Solace , I didn't see it -- I don't know, 27 times or so -- like I did Casino Royale. I had hoped Foster would stay the course set by his predecessor and deliver a more serious, character-driven Bond. It was serious, all right, but something of a missed opportunity to get a little more into Bond's head. I would have preferred a quieter, less frantic film.
Which is what I hope Mendes, if he takes the job, will do. No -- we don't need a dead Bond recalling the mission in flashback, or lusting for some teenage cheerleader. Just put the camera on a tripod, deepen the color palette and offer up a character. Just 'cause he has license to kill doesn't mean he has to. Maybe he could actually do a little spying this time.
But I like the idea. And I like Kate Winslet. I think she's ballsy and one hell of an actress. So if he wants to put his better half in there somewhere, it's OK with me.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Welcome back HH; we were wondering where you'd gone to; I think somebody even started a "Whatever happened to Highhopes" thread a while ago.
Kind of ancillary to Mendes and Bond 23 but since there now seems to be movement on that front, I also hope MGM and Fox Home Video will get off their collective duffs and release the remaining Bond films on BluRay. The last batch was released in May and they can all be had for short money from online outlets like Amazon.com but I yearn to see the remaining films, especially TSWLM and GE, in glorious hi-def.
But I'm back and I like the idea of Mendes. I loved American Beauty and Revolution Road. Road to Perdition somewhat less, but only because the Hanks character didn't ring true to me. I'm not sure you can be both a genuine, quiet family man and a genuine mob enforcer. And if the movie says you can, it needed to explain how. The Hanks character was kind of a cipher to me. But Newman and Craig were sensational, I thought. But those problems had more to do with the script than the direction. Mendes certainly does know how to create atmosphere. And that's one of the things I liked about Casino Royale. It was a recognizably Bondian world, but stripped of the by-the-numbers feel that had infected the series for a lot of years.
I do think it says volumes about the continued vitality of the series that "hot" young directors like Mendes and Foster are even interested in doing a Bond film, especially after nearly half a century and more than 20 films. But I guess that's always been true to some degree. I'm thinking of Spielberg and his desire to direct one some years back.
Okay, okay... what films have taken your fancy since you last popped in? Watchman?
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Two years? It hasn't been that long.
Let's see. I really liked Revolutionary Road, maybe because I was already familiar with the novel. I'm not generally a fan of superhero movies, so I haven't seen Watchmen, but I'm told it's really good. I thought Taken was a fine action movie and a well-deserved hit for Liam Neeson (terrible about Natasha Richardson). Duplicity was pretty good.
But you're right about last year. I had to Google "2009 movies" to even remember what came out last year. I guess the highlight for me would have to be The Jonas Brothers: the 3D Concert Experience. But you have to see it at an IMAX theater to truly appreciate the greatness.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Hey John Drake. I had to go back and edit my first post to include your name. All I could remember was your old Patrick McGoohan icon (or is it an avatar?) and I couldn't remember the name of the character in Secret Agent. There's a couple others like that, so if I missed you, it's only because I can't remember the user name, not because I don't remember you. As you may recall, I'm an old fart.
Edit -- Here's three more: Hardyboy, Alex, Darenhat
Sherlock Holmes? That's interesting. I haven't heard too much word-of-mouth, but I've read good and bad about it from the pundits. I may be a little too Basil Rathbone/Jeremy Brett-centric to accept a Sherlock Holmes with abs and fists of fury, but as one writer said, a lot of the things we commonly associate with the character are inventions of the movies, not Sir Arthur. I'll check it out, though. I like Robert Downey and I am a fan of the character.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
OK -- actually I think this was late 2008, but The Wrestler was a terrific movie.
As a fan of both Michael Mann and Johnny Depp, a big disappointment for me was Public Enemies. Gimme Warren Oates and Roger Corman any day. Another was Inglorious Basterds. I get tired of "homage" flics, and Brad Pitt's performance wasn't jolie (see? I can write snappy dialogue, too). We get it, Quentin. You used to work in a video store. You have an encyclopedic knowledge of B pictures. But enough already.