New book- James Bond In Our Sights: A Close Look At 'A View To A Kill'

2

Comments

  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    ke02eww wrote:
    Don't mind them, we don't get many strangers around these parts.. 8-)

    Seriously,

    Welcome to ajb..... Anyone brave enough to write about Bond is indeed very welcome here...

    My copy arrived today... I'll give it a decent look over the weekend but suffice to say I'm intrigued..

    I liked the early use of quotes from micheal Wilson ("every two years we're up for re-election" - surely the most poignant explanation of the challenges Eon face? ) And others....this wins over the typical bond fan.

    And I liked the design of the thesis.... Are there shades of "a kill" littered throughout the franchise?....

    Well be sure some will and many won't agree, but literature should be about debate and challenge...and in that sense you have achieved something.

    Oh and your reference to QoS, taking it's "snuff" editing to task, will win over many on here 8-)

    As to the use of Connery as the face of bond, well it's forgivable but as the book purports to be about a single film (Though i suspect it's really about Bond) an AVTAK image would have made more sense and kept the purists from spitting their ovaltine....

    Oh and compleat is actually an appropriate term for a publisher to use...

    compleat [kəmˈpliːt]
    adj
    an archaic spelling of complete used in the titles of handbooks, in imitation of The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton
    Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

    Semper fi

    On the occasions where I’ve heard someone has purchased a copy of the book I feel the compulsion to offer to scrub their floors, or something.

    Thanks anyway: I sincerely hope you like it, and find much of interest. Thanks for your initial thoughts, too. Always interesting to hear what people respond to, and, gulp, what they don't. (And yes, agree, a great – and strangely poignant - quote of Wilson’s.)
  • 7700777007 Posts: 502MI6 Agent
    Worst Bond film there is. I'd rather watch NSNA. :#
  • James SuzukiJames Suzuki New ZealandPosts: 2,406MI6 Agent
    AVTAK isn't the worst. Great tune, Great villians, great landscapes, great sidekick- maybe the plot is a little tired but i would rather watch this then DAD, NSNA, QS, DAF or even OHMSS
    “The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
    -Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
  • jeffchjeffch Posts: 163MI6 Agent
    77007 wrote:
    Worst Bond film there is. I'd rather watch NSNA. :#

    I wouldnt go that far....lol
    xboy614 wrote:
    AVTAK isn't the worst. Great tune, Great villians, great landscapes, great sidekick- maybe the plot is a little tired but i would rather watch this then DAD, NSNA, QS, DAF or even OHMSS


    Its funny how people rank OHMSS as one of the best or one of the worst. Theres no middle ground with that one.
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I would!
    jeffch wrote:
    77007 wrote:
    Worst Bond film there is. I'd rather watch NSNA. :#

    I wouldnt go that far....lol
    xboy614 wrote:
    AVTAK isn't the worst. Great tune, Great villians, great landscapes, great sidekick- maybe the plot is a little tired but i would rather watch this then DAD, NSNA, QS, DAF or even OHMSS


    Its funny how people rank OHMSS as one of the best or one of the worst. Theres no middle ground with that one.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    Re. book’s writing style … I scanned the pages of the first chapter and, for anyone interested, they can be accessed at the book’s facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Bond-In-Our-Sights-A-Close-Look-At-A-View-To-A-Kill/200481546702153?ref=ts
    (Certainly the book preview of the first chapter will appear at amazon, barnes and noble, etc. at some point in the not-too-distant future, but for the time being, the scans are at facebook.) Cheers.
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    Looks crap. Clearly the guy posting this works in the publishing house - that is if it's not a self-pub/vanity project. Probably an amateur effort - if posting a book in the film section is anything to go by... 8-)

    Read this and felt a bit of a dick.

    I do that every time stand at a urinal.

    I caught my girlfriend reading He's Just Not That Into You - turned out she wasn't worried about my commitment issues.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    Oh btw, there is a good book about the making of NSNA, that Robert Sellers one about the Thunderball history (The Making of Bond) has some real eye opening stuff about it, though it is riddled with bad grammar. So if you don't like a film, a book on it can be interesting anyway.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    John Drake wrote:
    I wouldn't mind reading this but not at the price it's selling for. The author would do better publishing this as an ebook.
    JB-returns wrote:
    (Certainly the book preview of the first chapter will appear at amazon, barnes and noble, etc. at some point in the not-too-distant future, but for the time being, the scans are at facebook.)

    For anyone who may be interested, there IS a kindle-ebook version of "A Close Look at 'A View to a Kill'" now available. There is also a preview of the first 10 or so pages at Amazon.com...
    http://www.amazon.com/JAMES-BOND-OUR-SIGHTS-ebook/dp/B007LES4NS/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=A24IB90LPZJ0BS
  • dickiebartdickiebart Posts: 220MI6 Agent
    I read some of teh Amazon stuff. Seems like a University thesis more than anything. Could be a good read, and AVTAK does have some great moments, especially the re-hash of the OHMSS theme.
    http://www.007collection.blogspot.com check it! All my 007 autographs, toys, cars, books and more!
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    dickiebart wrote:
    I read some of teh Amazon stuff. Seems like a University thesis more than anything. Could be a good read, and AVTAK does have some great moments, especially the re-hash of the OHMSS theme.

    Thanks for having a squizz. While the book is certainly a close analysis of AVTAK, I hope it’s not as dry as (and a tad more engaging than) a university thesis. The problem with introductions is you always have to set everything up!

    Probably this 3-page passage that I posted on the book’s facebook page is a better indication of the style the book settles into. (This subsection looks at the scene where Zorin and Scarpine murder their poor, unsuspecting workers.) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.292983404118633.70199.200481546702153&type=1
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    That's well written. Not too far off our very own ChrisNo.1

    If you're not one and the same.

    I'd still go with a different cover though.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • chrisno1chrisno1 LondonPosts: 3,601MI6 Agent
    Not sure I could write 100+ pages on any Bond film - and certainly not AVTAK.

    That's an interesting extract mind.
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    That's well written. Not too far off our very own ChrisNo.1

    If you're not one and the same.

    I'd still go with a different cover though.

    Thanks. That's a nice compliment indeed, re. referencing chrisno1's terrific, detailed reviews.

    Alas, yes, not one and the same.

    (chrisno1, followed your link to your earlier reviews, and yeah, there won't be too much identity confusion in relation to AVTAK! Unless of course you've had a very agreeable change of heart. :) )
  • dickiebartdickiebart Posts: 220MI6 Agent
    JB-returns wrote:
    dickiebart wrote:
    I read some of teh Amazon stuff. Seems like a University thesis more than anything. Could be a good read, and AVTAK does have some great moments, especially the re-hash of the OHMSS theme.

    Thanks for having a squizz. While the book is certainly a close analysis of AVTAK, I hope it’s not as dry as (and a tad more engaging than) a university thesis. The problem with introductions is you always have to set everything up!

    Probably this 3-page passage that I posted on the book’s facebook page is a better indication of the style the book settles into. (This subsection looks at the scene where Zorin and Scarpine murder their poor, unsuspecting workers.) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.292983404118633.70199.200481546702153&type=1

    I bought it. Can't wait to read it now!
    http://www.007collection.blogspot.com check it! All my 007 autographs, toys, cars, books and more!
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    dickiebart wrote:
    I bought it. Can't wait to read it now!
    Great...thanks! I sincerely hope you find it an interesting and engaging read. And please feel free to provide any feedback.
    btw, was checking out the link to your excellent Bond collection the other day - and reminded/inspired me to purchase a copy of Bond Back in Action 2 cd, which has the unreleased fanfare theme from AVTAK (a.k.a. Bond carries Stacey to safety from burning City Hall), not to mention John Altman's Bond theme music from GE. So, in a roundabout way, thanks for the "head's up"!
    Cheers!
  • dickiebartdickiebart Posts: 220MI6 Agent
    JB-returns wrote:
    dickiebart wrote:
    I bought it. Can't wait to read it now!
    Great...thanks! I sincerely hope you find it an interesting and engaging read. And please feel free to provide any feedback.
    btw, was checking out the link to your excellent Bond collection the other day - and reminded/inspired me to purchase a copy of Bond Back in Action 2 cd, which has the unreleased fanfare theme from AVTAK (a.k.a. Bond carries Stacey to safety from burning City Hall), not to mention John Altman's Bond theme music from GE. So, in a roundabout way, thanks for the "head's up"!
    Cheers!

    Yeah the BBIA cds are great! And they look cool too. Thanks :)
    http://www.007collection.blogspot.com check it! All my 007 autographs, toys, cars, books and more!
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    dickiebart wrote:
    JB-returns wrote:
    dickiebart wrote:
    I bought it. Can't wait to read it now!
    Great...thanks! I sincerely hope you find it an interesting and engaging read. And please feel free to provide any feedback.
    btw, was checking out the link to your excellent Bond collection the other day - and reminded/inspired me to purchase a copy of Bond Back in Action 2 cd, which has the unreleased fanfare theme from AVTAK (a.k.a. Bond carries Stacey to safety from burning City Hall), not to mention John Altman's Bond theme music from GE. So, in a roundabout way, thanks for the "head's up"!
    Cheers!

    Yeah the BBIA cds are great! And they look cool too. Thanks :)

    Going ever-so-slightly off-topic, but it's still AVTAK. I felt inspired by the stirring AVTAK Fanfare music (from the Bond Back In Action 2 CD) to put together a short montage...it's just over a minute in length, so the agony shouldn't be too prolonged. ;)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ749UpBMWI
  • JamesbondjrJamesbondjr Posts: 462MI6 Agent
    There is no Bond film that I don't like, even if I only like certain parts, and I would rank AVTAK in the bottom few films on my list. That said, reading someone else appreciation of the film sounds very intriguing. I will certainly get this to read through.
    1- On Her Majesty's Secret Service 2- Casino Royale 3- Licence To Kill 4- Goldeneye 5- From Russia With Love
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    AVTAK - it had a great score, I'll give it that.
    JB-returns wrote:
    dickiebart wrote:
    JB-returns wrote:
    Great...thanks! I sincerely hope you find it an interesting and engaging read. And please feel free to provide any feedback.
    btw, was checking out the link to your excellent Bond collection the other day - and reminded/inspired me to purchase a copy of Bond Back in Action 2 cd, which has the unreleased fanfare theme from AVTAK (a.k.a. Bond carries Stacey to safety from burning City Hall), not to mention John Altman's Bond theme music from GE. So, in a roundabout way, thanks for the "head's up"!
    Cheers!

    Yeah the BBIA cds are great! And they look cool too. Thanks :)

    Going ever-so-slightly off-topic, but it's still AVTAK. I felt inspired by the stirring AVTAK Fanfare music (from the Bond Back In Action 2 CD) to put together a short montage...it's just over a minute in length, so the agony shouldn't be too prolonged. ;)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ749UpBMWI
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    There is no Bond film that I don't like, even if I only like certain parts, and I would rank AVTAK in the bottom few films on my list. That said, reading someone else appreciation of the film sounds very intriguing. I will certainly get this to read through.

    Yes, AVTAK may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I hope the appraisal is of interest. Cheers!
    AVTAK - it had a great score, I'll give it that.

    And - to join the chorus of many - it's crying out for an expanded soundtrack CD!
  • JarvioJarvio EnglandPosts: 4,241MI6 Agent
    Well, if this is true, I am glad AVTAK is getting some praise/recognition. To this day I still can't see why people hate it - it has great locations, a brilliant villain, and many memorable moments.

    Some reasons people hate it are apparant in other bond films. For example, the cheesy humour is just as much of an issue (if not more) in OP, DAF, LALD, and did I mention TMWTGG?
    Roger's age - he looks about the same as he did in OP for me.
    Girls - Well, Stacey is about the same as Mary Goodnight for me (TMWTGG) and MUCH better than Jinx (DAD).

    Zorin is just about the best villain they've had. And I'm sure everyone remembers the fantastic golden gate bridge fight - much more memorable than many other climaxes in the bond franchise *cough*QOS*cough*

    I say let them have the book, and screw the AVTAK haters :D

    PS - Connery being on the front is insanely stupid however :#
    1 - LALD, 2 - AVTAK, 3 - LTK, 4 - OP, 5 - NTTD, 6 - FYEO, 7 - SF, 8 - DN, 9 - DAF, 10 - TSWLM, 11 - OHMSS, 12 - TMWTGG, 13 - GE, 14 - MR, 15 - TLD, 16 - YOLT, 17 - GF, 18 - DAD, 19 - TWINE, 20 - SP, 21 - TND, 22 - FRWL, 23 - TB, 24 - CR, 25 - QOS

    1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
  • Moore ThanMoore Than EnglandPosts: 3,173MI6 Agent
    Jarvio wrote:
    Well, if this is true, I am glad AVTAK is getting some praise/recognition. To this day I still can't see why people hate it - it has great locations, a brilliant villain, and many memorable moments.

    Some reasons people hate it are apparant in other bond films. For example, the cheesy humour is just as much of an issue (if not more) in OP, DAF, LALD, and did I mention TMWTGG?
    Roger's age - he looks about the same as he did in OP for me.
    Girls - Well, Stacey is about the same as Mary Goodnight for me (TMWTGG) and MUCH better than Jinx (DAD).

    Zorin is just about the best villain they've had. And I'm sure everyone remembers the fantastic golden gate bridge fight - much more memorable than many other climaxes in the bond franchise *cough*QOS*cough*

    I say let them have the book, and screw the AVTAK haters :D

    PS - Connery being on the front is insanely stupid however :#


    Pretty much agree with you, Jarvio.

    I will add that I really enjoy the contributions of Patrick MacNee (Tibbett) and Fiona Fullerton (Pola Ivanova). They both share good chemistry with Roger. Fullerton would have been more suitable as Stacey Sutton, in my opinion. Also, the sequence at the water pumping station is a particular highlight that doesn't get mentioned very often.
    Moore Not Less 4371 posts (2002 - 2007) Moore Than (2012 - 2016)
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Sorry, but Stacey is not MUCH better than anybody! Not even slightly better. Say what you will about the rest of AVTAK, but in my opinion Stacey is hands-down the worst Bond girl ever (followed closely by Rosie Carver).
    Jarvio wrote:
    Well, if this is true, I am glad AVTAK is getting some praise/recognition. To this day I still can't see why people hate it - it has great locations, a brilliant villain, and many memorable moments.

    Some reasons people hate it are apparant in other bond films. For example, the cheesy humour is just as much of an issue (if not more) in OP, DAF, LALD, and did I mention TMWTGG?
    Roger's age - he looks about the same as he did in OP for me.
    Girls - Well, Stacey is about the same as Mary Goodnight for me (TMWTGG) and MUCH better than Jinx (DAD).

    Zorin is just about the best villain they've had. And I'm sure everyone remembers the fantastic golden gate bridge fight - much more memorable than many other climaxes in the bond franchise *cough*QOS*cough*

    I say let them have the book, and screw the AVTAK haters :D

    PS - Connery being on the front is insanely stupid however :#
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • JamesbondjrJamesbondjr Posts: 462MI6 Agent
    Personally I'd say Stacey is much better than a few Bond girls:

    Jinx
    Christmas Jones
    Mary Goodnight
    Wai Lin
    Rosie Carver


    It's all subjective though, each to their own :)
    1- On Her Majesty's Secret Service 2- Casino Royale 3- Licence To Kill 4- Goldeneye 5- From Russia With Love
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    I think Americans take against Stacey cos it has associations, having grown up with those airhead blonde girls at high school. To Brits they might be still a bit exotic, I mean I like Tiffany Case, but I think a lot of Yanks don't.

    Similarly I don't like Miranda Frost, though many US fans do, cos she's the sort of upper middle class snot nose who just wouldn't talk to the likes of me, it's a no go.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Maybe there's something to your theory, but personally my dislike of Stacey Sutton is simple - her constant screeching was extremely irritating and there was nothing interesting about her. I also don't think Tanya Roberts is much of an actress, although admittedly she wasn't given much to work with.
    I think Americans take against Stacey cos it has associations, having grown up with those airhead blonde girls at high school. To Brits they might be still a bit exotic, I mean I like Tiffany Case, but I think a lot of Yanks don't.

    Similarly I don't like Miranda Frost, though many US fans do, cos she's the sort of upper middle class snot nose who just wouldn't talk to the likes of me, it's a no go.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Her screaming "James" every five seconds did become annoying.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • JarvioJarvio EnglandPosts: 4,241MI6 Agent
    Well, as much as I love AVTAK, I do admit that stacey isn't a strong point (although I don't mind her either).... however, I still stick by my opinion that she is a lot better than Jinx. This isn't complimenting stacey though - but instead I'm belittling Jinx. I thought Jinx was just awful, but to each their own
    1 - LALD, 2 - AVTAK, 3 - LTK, 4 - OP, 5 - NTTD, 6 - FYEO, 7 - SF, 8 - DN, 9 - DAF, 10 - TSWLM, 11 - OHMSS, 12 - TMWTGG, 13 - GE, 14 - MR, 15 - TLD, 16 - YOLT, 17 - GF, 18 - DAD, 19 - TWINE, 20 - SP, 21 - TND, 22 - FRWL, 23 - TB, 24 - CR, 25 - QOS

    1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    pfdiner.jpg

    "Okay, but on that rationale, would you consider Fay Wray off King Kong to be annoying?"
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
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