Saw Anthropoid, the climatic gun battle was indeed masterfully done and very visceral, just wish Ellis didn't shoot in close-ups for most of the film.
I noticed that also. It was a different use of the wide 'scope frame; kind of put you in the room with them, but sometimes a little less is more. Anthropoid was actually shot on 16mm film. The grainier image gave it more of a documentary look like old color footage taken during the war. The question that always comes up with these directors who produce very well crafted smaller films is can they handle a huge scale production like a Bond film.
Comments in another thread made me think it's really time a woman had a chance to direct a Bond film. The men in large part, especially if they're Gen-X, seem to think Bond is all about the big set pieces, with some thin and cliched emotional padding to bring sentimentality to the film. I wonder if there might be better insight into the emotional ramifications if a woman directed the film, the same way Barbara Broccoli saw something in Craig that so many -- seeming all or mostly men -- completely missed.
Comments in another thread made me think it's really time a woman had a chance to direct a Bond film. The men in large part, especially if they're Gen-X, seem to think Bond is all about the big set pieces, with some thin and cliched emotional padding to bring sentimentality to the film. I wonder if there might be better insight into the emotional ramifications if a woman directed the film, the same way Barbara Broccoli saw something in Craig that so many -- seeming all or mostly men -- completely missed.
Katherine Bigelow, despite being American, would be a perfect choice not just for a woman but a perfect choice period. She is a great action director, but even more importantly, she directs action "thrillers" which are filled with suspense. It doesn't get much better than "The Hurt Locker" and "Zero Dark Thirty". She is also known for being able to create films that look much bigger than their relatively modest budgets.
If we're going for female directors, I'd like to see Susanne Bier direct a Bond film. Of course, this is off the back of her work on The Night Manager, which was nothing short of excellent.
Film: Tomorrow Never Dies | Girl: Teresa di Vicenzo | Villain: Max Zorin | Car: Aston Martin Volante | Novel: You Only Live Twice | Bond: Sir Sean Connery
If we're going for female directors, I'd like to see Susanne Bier direct a Bond film. Of course, this is off the back of her work on The Night Manager, which was nothing short of excellent.
The Night Manager was the closest thing to a Fleming novel I've ever seen filmed, with the possible exception of Notorious.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,749Chief of Staff
I see Guy Ritchie has been heavily linked (in the press) as the next director...
I think the tradition of using British (and Australian/NZ) directors should continue. There are after all many directors who are more than capable.
I think it's a rather outdated and silly tradition that only serves to sideline a wealth of talent that could really bring in fresh and innovative ideas and techniques the Bond films are in desperate need of. Someone like Alfonso Cuaron, a Mexican who's a brilliant film maker and incidentally made the best Harry Potter film would be a brilliant choice to direct a Bond film but knowing EoN, they're likely going to stay within their comfort zone and give us yet another subpar movie.
More often than not, I imagine a white, heterosexual, male, British director will be the best man for the job, but every now and then, someone will pop up who doesn't fit that category who will deserve to direct a Bond film, and do a damn good job of it. So it shouldn't be a set in stone tradition, but it shouldn't be ignored, either.
And I still think Susanne Bier would do a superb job.
Film: Tomorrow Never Dies | Girl: Teresa di Vicenzo | Villain: Max Zorin | Car: Aston Martin Volante | Novel: You Only Live Twice | Bond: Sir Sean Connery
IMO, the nationality, gender, etc of the director in this modern era is not really as important. Back in the 60's, societies were more insular and not as educated or aware of other cultures....and of course gender roles are not as defined as they once were. I just want a very good director. If it came down to a gifted non-Commonwealth director vs a hack who happened to be British, I'd go with the talent. As far as a non-British Bond actor is concerned, I would like to see the role continue in the hands of a British, Australian, etc but there's no reason to believe that an actor of another background (provided they can pull off a Meryl Streep quality Brit accent) couldn't get the job done if they possesed all the right Bond qualities.
Considering he has recently wrapped shooting an action comedy at the moment with Brosnan and Jackie Chan, I don't think he's too old.
I'd welcome Martin Campbell's return if the film is akin to GE in look and feel. Out of GE and CR, the former curiously reflects Bond as Fleming intended, though in a modern age. It looks like a European thriller and Eric Serra's score accentuates post-Cold War Europe with its industrial sound.
Film: Tomorrow Never Dies | Girl: Teresa di Vicenzo | Villain: Max Zorin | Car: Aston Martin Volante | Novel: You Only Live Twice | Bond: Sir Sean Connery
PPK 7.65mmSaratoga Springs NY USAPosts: 1,253MI6 Agent
I would be very happy if Joss Whedon got the job. I really enjoy Buffy The Vampire Slayer and I think that he is a really creative writer and director. As for Martin Campbell coming back again, I recall an interview with him around the time Skyfall was hitting cinemas and he said that he felt that two movies was enough for him. He said that amount of time and resources that the James Bond series takes to make a movie is a little overwhelming at times and this point in his life he feels like does have anything new to offer in the creative department.
I admire a lot of Joss Whedon's work, but I don't think he's the right man for the job. Directing Bond requires a certain world weary elegance and style that Whedon doesn't have. Also, I think he'd approach a lot of the formulaic material with too much of a wink at the audience.
Clearly quite a few of us don't approve of Whedon to direct Bond...but IF you had to pick an American director, who would it be?
Clint flippin' Eastwood {:) Ron Howard. Tarantino. Spielberg. De Palma. Me
Seriously...that said, I agree that Brits really should do it. Find a promising young talent, and push him to brilliance. Ultimately, I think a marquee Brit will helm #25.
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
Clearly quite a few of us don't approve of Whedon to direct Bond...but IF you had to pick an American director, who would it be?
Clint flippin' Eastwood {:)
Good choice, though I think we're sure B-) out of luck there. Still, it would make my day if that could be enforced. (I could make a fistful more good, bad and ugly puns but I think I'd be unforgiven).
Clearly quite a few of us don't approve of Whedon to direct Bond...but IF you had to pick an American director, who would it be?
Clint flippin' Eastwood {:)
Good choice, though I think we're sure B-) out of luck there. Still, it would make my day if that could be enforced. (I could make a fistful more good, bad and ugly puns but I think I'd be unforgiven).
Eastwood has said he has no interest in the spy genre and only made The Eiger Sanction in order to get out of his contract with Universal, who he felt had mishandled the marketing of his first two films.
I'd like to suggest Frank Darabont as director of a future Bond film. I think his direction of The Shawshank Redemption is masterful and he does a great job on the pilot episode of The Walking Dead.
Let me be the first to say this to you after your return: you're wrong.
The Bond directors should be British (or at a stretch Commonwealth), but not American. It's tradition.
Comments
I noticed that also. It was a different use of the wide 'scope frame; kind of put you in the room with them, but sometimes a little less is more. Anthropoid was actually shot on 16mm film. The grainier image gave it more of a documentary look like old color footage taken during the war. The question that always comes up with these directors who produce very well crafted smaller films is can they handle a huge scale production like a Bond film.
Australian? :v
"Better make that two."
Katherine Bigelow, despite being American, would be a perfect choice not just for a woman but a perfect choice period. She is a great action director, but even more importantly, she directs action "thrillers" which are filled with suspense. It doesn't get much better than "The Hurt Locker" and "Zero Dark Thirty". She is also known for being able to create films that look much bigger than their relatively modest budgets.
I think it's a rather outdated and silly tradition that only serves to sideline a wealth of talent that could really bring in fresh and innovative ideas and techniques the Bond films are in desperate need of. Someone like Alfonso Cuaron, a Mexican who's a brilliant film maker and incidentally made the best Harry Potter film would be a brilliant choice to direct a Bond film but knowing EoN, they're likely going to stay within their comfort zone and give us yet another subpar movie.
"- That is something to be afraid of."
And I still think Susanne Bier would do a superb job.
I believe so and hope so.
I'd welcome Martin Campbell's return if the film is akin to GE in look and feel. Out of GE and CR, the former curiously reflects Bond as Fleming intended, though in a modern age. It looks like a European thriller and Eric Serra's score accentuates post-Cold War Europe with its industrial sound.
http://uk.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/10/joss-whedon-interview
I'm a huge fan of Whedon's, but I can't picture a Bond movie directed by him...and especially not written by him. Return of the quip for sure!
Twitter: @mybudgetbond1
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wish-i-was-at-disneyland/id1202780413?mt=2
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wish-i-was-at-disneyland/id1202780413?mt=2
Clint flippin' Eastwood {:) Ron Howard. Tarantino. Spielberg. De Palma. Me
Seriously...that said, I agree that Brits really should do it. Find a promising young talent, and push him to brilliance. Ultimately, I think a marquee Brit will helm #25.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Good choice, though I think we're sure B-) out of luck there. Still, it would make my day if that could be enforced. (I could make a fistful more good, bad and ugly puns but I think I'd be unforgiven).
Eastwood has said he has no interest in the spy genre and only made The Eiger Sanction in order to get out of his contract with Universal, who he felt had mishandled the marketing of his first two films.
The Bond directors should be British (or at a stretch Commonwealth), but not American. It's tradition.