Ever get bored/lose interest of Bond?

walther p99

i ask that only because i usually go through a few months of not watching/reading/listening or really talking about Bond,and this goes for my other interests as well,i feel that by doing this i never lose interest and its good to have a prolonged break from something you love in my opinion. im fascinated by the members here who live the totally bond lifestyle, or attempt to anyway as i hope one wouldn't delve to far into this fantasy world.

DrFragment

Totally agree. Im a huge fan, collector of all things 007. Its the main stay of my interests / hobbies, but it sometimes goes on the back burner for a rest. Plus, got to be rested & ready for next year. New film & hopefully plenty of events, merchandise etc to celebrate 50 years of the cinematic Bond !

Lancaster

Yes!

I find that when the interest comes back a few weeks/months later, I end up spending a load of cash as the enthusiasm returns! It can be a pain if you are a collector as you can miss opportunities - I don't mean the cheap book at Tesco's, but say a rare signing or limited edition item for sale.

I don't consciously try to pull back, but equally if I get distracted I'm not honestly too bothered.

However, each to his own!

Enjoy the moment.....

"The unexamined life is not worth living"

Napoleon Plural

100 pages into Carte Blanche, the new James Bond novel, I have to say yes....

SilentSpy

I don't get bored or lose interest in Bond. If you truly love something if never gets old or boring. There is a good quote in the movie Alphaville about love that I can't remember now. Anyway, there is always that spark when you see something you really love. Of course, this isn't true with every Bond film or item...I'm looking specifically at Quantum of Solace and Die Another Day (with small exceptions). But the best example I have is wearing the Omega Seamaster (Brosnan version). How can that get old or boring?

Lancaster

My "yes" is in connection with the taking a break every so often.

I'm not bored in that interim period, just occupied elsewhere. If I was bored or disinterested, I would not come back! As an aside, if I was not flexible with my hobbies, I'd probably be on my own by now!

SilentSpy - I have the same watch and wear it daily. A fine choice....

thesecretagent

I don't get bored of Bond. I do get a bit antsy round about now - but hopefully Bond 23 will put an end to that for a year or so! It's been a long wait, especially as you know it's delayed... I'm bored of the original novels now, and have tried re-reading them recently. I risk a backlash when I say Fleming wasn't really a very good writer. I loved the novels first/second time, but I feel if he were a new author today he wouldn't get a break. He had a great idea at a time when it was needed. After the war and in the middle of an uncertain political time for east and west, his light and easy style of writing whisked the reader away for a while. Likewise, when the films were released they already had a firm fanbase, which grew with ever film and every new generation of fan.
I don't watch the films all that often, but go through spells of liking different actors and may watch one or two a month. When a new film comes out I'll always see it twice at the cinema and get it on its day of dvd release - then watch it to death for a couple of months or so.
I tend to do Bondish things. I drive a fast car and do so on quiet, twisting country roads - imagining I'm chasing down Ford Mustang or Cougars with helpless beauties driving - more often it's some chavy lass in a vauxhall corsa - but you get the drift. I own a speed boat (a fletcher arrowsport 15ft - very similar to the Glastron boat Bond uses in LALD. It's got a 75HP outboard and really shifts, so I race it like an idiot with a theme-tune or two in my silly head... ) And I wear a submariner everyday.

walther p99

interesting responses! maybe you dont get bored or lose interest but you just put Bond "on the back burner" as drfragment put. for myself Bond has been on the back burner for me since January, and my new found love for the film Jaws has been the center of my attention interest wise, especially with the advent of summer, but just recently i listened to the TNDs score at the gym so i think Bond is making its resurgence, and NP is Carte BLanche not holding your attention or you just going through a Bond lull?

Thunderpussy

I might be more easily pleased but so far I'm enjoying Carte Blanche more than Devil May Care.

Sir Miles

I don't get bored or lose interest...but sometimes it's nice to take a break....and sometimes it's not - Bond23 please

thesecretagent

Thunderpussy wrote:

I might be more easily pleased but so far I'm enjoying Carte Blanche more than Devil May Care.

See there you go. I get on this damn forum every day and didn't even know a new book was out!

UltimateTruth

I don't get sick of Bond because I have the opinion that the character is a desirable model for the modern mature man: He gets the job done without complaining....He is an itellectual without the "girly-man" baggage.....He is cultured and refined....He is sharp in appearance and dress.....Yet he still posesses a toughness and tenacity.....Bond has that best of both worlds quality= He's tough like a barbarian, but he doesn't look, dress, or act like one.
I don't go around acting like I'm a secret agent, but I do drive a sportscar, wear expensive clothes, practice martial arts, enjoy learning foreign languages, and above all else, enjoy the company of a beautiful woman in an exotic locale somewhere in the World. I would enjoy these things regardless, but the fact that there exists a fictional definitive role model for this kind of lifestyle is very cool !

oddjob007

SilentSpy wrote:

I don't get bored or lose interest in Bond. If you truly love something if never gets old or boring. There is a good quote in the movie Alphaville about love that I can't remember now. Anyway, there is always that spark when you see something you really love. Of course, this isn't true with every Bond film or item...I'm looking specifically at Quantum of Solace and Die Another Day (with small exceptions). But the best example I have is wearing the Omega Seamaster (Brosnan version). How can that get old or boring?

I agree with this completely. I own a Kemmner sub homage watch that I thoroughly enjoy wearing. My books, my watches, a good portion of my hobbies are influenced by Bond. There is so much that you can take from Bond. From the watch he wears, to the types of suits and sunglasses. There is always something new and exciting about the man James Bond.

Napoleon Plural

True, on the other hand that Mathis thread on the QoS forum is trying my patience.

DEFIANT 74205

I'm both a Bond fan and (as some of you may guess by my screen name) a Star Trek fan, but I haven't watched much of either series lately. There are periods where your interest doesn't wane, but is rather just stagnant for a little while. Truth is, I've already read all the Ian Fleming Bond novels at least once, and I've seen every James Bond movie (with the exception of Die Another Day) at least once, so the only thing left is to watch re-runs, but even that's a very infrequent occurrence. I think knowing what happens in the movie makes it somewhat less enjoyable, because the suspense is just not there anymore. I'll only watch re-runs if I've forgotten a few things about the movie - most likely not one of my favourites and one that I haven't seen more than twice, for instance.

7289

It's been a long time since I first picked up a Fleming novel, and I have really never lost interest in the original thrillers or their author.

The films are a very mixed bag, other than the first four and the last two, they don't really get me too excited anymore. I am really anxious for Bond 23 though, just got my fingers crossed it's not a flop!

Barry Nelson

Actually I have been unhappy with the latest version of Bond on the screen, so I find myself little interested in what Bond 23 will bring. I still love the early Bond films and never tire of them. As for the novels I have read them all at least two times, once in the order Fleming wrote them, but have not thought about reading them again.

Sir Miles

Napoleon Plural wrote:

True, on the other hand that Mathis thread on the QoS forum is trying my patience.

Then you carry on playing with your Mr Tickle arm, Nap and let the grown ups talk )

zaphod

Sir Miles wrote:

Napoleon Plural wrote:

True, on the other hand that Mathis thread on the QoS forum is trying my patience.

Then you carry on playing with your Mr Tickle arm, Nap and let the grown ups talk )

Despite just having added to (and possibly inadvertently inspired that thread) I agree that enough is probably enough, and we have covered all the areas we can. Positions are polarised and entrenched ( mine in included) and unlikely to change.

Been a really interesting ride though...

Donald Grant

Sir Miles wrote:

I don't get bored or lose interest...but sometimes it's nice to take a break....and sometimes it's not - Bond23 please

Ditto.

DG

Thunderpussy

I've been thinking about this question alot lately and think as I'm a fan of the old style Bond movies, Big set pieces, Big plots and witty scripts. Which don't seem to be in favour with the producers and indeed with most of the views on this forum.I have to admit my Interest is somewhat waining.
I'd like to point out this is not sour grapes as I do understand times change as do styles. In the 60's everthing was on a Big scale, Apollo moon landings, Computes filling rooms, etc.
So if a villain wanted to scare a city or country he'd need something big, like a Nuclear Bomb or two. Where as today Basiclly a loner in a basement with a laptop and some chemistry knowlage could by himself cause a huge panic. Leading to smaller scale movie making as you don't need the huge set/action pieces with that kind of story, a couple of fights and a few chase scenes will do.
I've found myself having to get the cinematic Kick I used to get from Bond from other movies, I'm not saying their as good but as my kind of Bond ain't being made any more they'll do.
The likes of the Die Hard series, Big spectical, with larger than life villians, and inventive action sequences. The transporter series for the terrific fights and car chases.
I'll always have a soft spot for the Bond movies, but mainly 62 to 02. So far I'm not impressed with the new direction but I'll stay with it to see how it turns out.
I'm sure for every Old timer like me, they loose the producers will pick up some new blood, from the Bourne fans that they seem to be going after. Still it will save me a fortune on buying D.V.D's )

Sir Miles

Thunderpussy wrote:

I'll always have a soft spot for the Bond movies, but mainly 62 to 02. So far I'm not impressed with the new direction but I'll stay with it to see how it turns out.
I'm sure for every Old timer like me, they loose the producers will pick up some new blood, from the Bourne fans that they seem to be going after. Still it will save me a fortune on buying D.V.D's )

I'm probably about your age Thunderpussy.....and I much prefer this 'new' direction....I love the older Bond films for sure....a couple of the Moore films were a little ropey, but still enjoyable....I even enjoyed the Brosnan Bonds - not so much DAD - but the two Craig films have been superb (IMO)....they showed me exactly what I had been missing for some time...
I know that my time will pass though...and that someone else will get the Bond films they long for....I'll still enjoy them (I hope )....but I'll just have to wait until it's my time again....if I live that long )

Mark Hazard

Did not loose interest as such, just wasn't interested as much when The Saint took over the role. Although I still watched each film on its release, I didn't watch the re-runs like I did with the Connery films - Moore just never did it for me.

pyrat

My interest in Bond started with the release of Dr. No, reached a low point with Moonraker and rebounded some with Goldeneye, but unfortunately what I call residual Roger Moore put the Brosnan films still in the "Comic Bond" category. With the release of Casino Royale Bond was back to his roots on the dark side where he belongs. This peaked my interest once again, but only time will tell if the trend continues.

Le Samourai

To a certain extent, yes. I go months at a time without watching any of the films, and years at a time without reading any of the novels. Yet in some ways 007 is always there lurking in the back of my subconscious.

For me, I think part of the reason is that James Bond is better in concept than in execution. I sometimes think I like the idea of Bond more than I like any of the films or books. It's a rather difficult thing to describe.

Another factor is that Bond is just one of many fictional thriller heroes I'm fond of, and to be honest, he doesn't even hold the top position. He's up there, along with John Drake, Harry Palmer, Jason Bourne (film version only--I hate Ludlum) Alexander Scott and Kelly Robinson, Adam Hall's Quiller, Robert Crais's Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, and Barry Eisler's John Rain. In various ways these characters are to some extent more appealing to me than Bond.

Don't get me wrong: I still love James Bond and can't wait until the new film. I am very pleased with the new direction of the movies, and with Craig's performance (thought I'm still a Dalton man). And as I said earlier, the idealized version of 007 I have in my head is always there, and no doubt influencing me in subtle ways.

zaphod

Le Samourai wrote:

To a certain extent, yes. I go months at a time without watching any of the films, and years at a time without reading any of the novels. Yet in some ways 007 is always there lurking in the back of my subconscious.

For me, I think part of the reason is that James Bond is better in concept than in execution. I sometimes think I like the idea of Bond more than I like any of the films or books. It's a rather difficult thing to describe.

Another factor is that Bond is just one of many fictional thriller heroes I'm fond of, and to be honest, he doesn't even hold the top position. He's up there, along with John Drake, Harry Palmer, Jason Bourne (film version only--I hate Ludlum) Alexander Scott and Kelly Robinson, Adam Hall's Quiller, Robert Crais's Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, and Barry Eisler's John Rain. In various ways these characters are to some extent more appealing to
Don't get me wrong: I still love James Bond and can't wait until the new film. I am very pleased with the new direction of the movies, and with Craig's performance (thought I'm still a Dalton man). And as I said earlier, the idealized version of 007 I have in my head is always there, and no doubt influencing me in subtle ways.

Like you I am a 'Dalton man' and I really get the 'better in concept' thing. Where we differ is that for me Bond is at the top of the tree, despite some truly lamentable films, and some under par books. It's as if the character is greater than his depictions in either the movies or the novels, that he transcends both, it's weird and hard to describe. I often feel that Fleming didn't really 'get' him. In literary theory this makes Bond a 'readerly' text, as we participate in creating him. This may go some way towards explaining how we can disagree and have such divergent opinions about him. The only other character that comes close to me is Holmes.Another troubled and somewhat dysfunctional character. Bond for me has the stronger moral compass, and therefore the greater conflict.

Hardyboy

Le Samourai wrote:

To a certain extent, yes. I go months at a time without watching any of the films, and years at a time without reading any of the novels. Yet in some ways 007 is always there lurking in the back of my subconscious.

This is true of me, too, Le Samourai, though as far as the rest of your post goes, you're on your own. To me, Bond exists most fully in the Ian Fleming novels and in many of the films--but I agree that as an IDEA Bond is a great one.

Le Samourai

Zaphod wrote:
Like you I am a 'Dalton man' and I really get the 'better in concept' thing. Where we differ is that for me Bond is at the top of the tree, despite some truly lamentable films, and some under par books. It's as if the character is greater than his depictions in either the movies or the novels, that he transcends both, it's weird and hard to describe. I often feel that Fleming didn't really 'get' him. In literary theory this makes Bond a 'readerly' text, as we participate in creating him. This may go some way towards explaining how we can disagree and have such divergent opinions about him. The only other character that comes close to me is Holmes.Another troubled and somewhat dysfunctional character. Bond for me has the stronger moral compass, and therefore the greater conflict.

Zaphod, I think you really hit on something when you say "Fleming didn't really 'get' him." Based on the interviews I've read, I don't think Fleming set out to create the character he did, and Bond sort of grew past his creator. It's as if Fleming were Frankenstein and James Bond was his monster. I don't think Fleming ever planned to invent such a complex, nuanced, and multifaceted character. And I think you're correct in saying that Sherlock Holmes is the next closest point of comparison.

To me, our varied ideas about James Bond bring to mind the old fable about a bunch of blind men trying to describe an elephant. We see in the character what we want to see. For example, part of my fondness for Timothy Dalton's portrayal of 007 is that he is most in keeping with what I personally like about the character. This actually loops back to what I wrote earlier about liking other thriller heroes: I'm a big fan of Patrick MacGoohan's John Drake, and Dalton's Bond strikes me as the most Drake-like. Surely not a coincidence.

Napoleon Plural

Yes. I mean, I really like Robert Donat in The 39 Steps, and his humour is very much like Bond's (Connery's, Moore's) when he's up against the delectable Blonde.

Thunderpussy

Luckily I've had my Interest Renewed, I've been dancing around all day with my Tamborine )
Oh happy day.

Thunderpussy

Now here is a boring train Journey.
http://youtu.be/wPP06gijzt8