By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com
Thread…. Bond Thread
As Bond is breaking out this week, I figured it might be a good idea to give y’all someplace to spout off on the topic.
Here are my comments…
May 5, 2024
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It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?
So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.
And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it — I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.
There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.
I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.
So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.
But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy named—” “Yeah, sure — you want his phone number?”
My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher
“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that I’m on the phone with you now, after all that’s been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didn’t seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. There’s not a case of that. He wasn’t using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had — if that were what the accusation involved — the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. I’m not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, “You know, it’s not this, it’s that”? Because — let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. Times piece, that’s what it lacked. That’s what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.
~ David Simon
I have my ticket: 3:15 on Friday.
I think “Happy Feet” will take no. 1 spot. It’s in hundreds of more theaters. What’d be considered a “bad” opening #?? $30M, $40M?? I can’t wait to see it, but to say it’s better than the previous Bond movies isn’t much of a compliment. is it better than the “Bourne” movies??
This looks great, but I think it should be illegal for anything that’s not in the awards race, except for G rated movies, to open now — it’s just not fair. I’ve never been so tired in my life, some of us have to work and have lives, it can’t just be movies all the time. Let them go back and fix Bond and pull 20 minutes from the poker game and run it in March, when there won’t be anything good to see.
What, you’re not stoked for “300”? Personally, I can’t wait to see if it’s as awful as it looks, and to find out how much the makers sucked up to the Spartans.
Besides Bond, I’m eagerly awaiting the “Order of the Phoenix” trailer, which also debuts Friday.
Is Order of the Phoenix the sequel to Flight of the Phoenix? The one where Johmmy Stewart and Dennis Quaid have to build a plane for a group of Franciscans?
I think they’re Benedictines, Wreck, not Franciscans.
Hiltons, not Lohans. Who invited them to the London premiere?
Hilton trying out to be the next Bond Girl. muahaha
http://showbiz.sky.com/showbiz/article/0,,50001-1240882,00.html
Lohan, the commentary is ruthless, but deserved.
http://movies.go.com/carpetburn/index
Wait, a horrible thought just came to me: I’ve disliked several of DP’s faves this year (POTC2, Vendetta, Monster House). Does this mean I’ll dislike Bond? I sure hope not.
Hey I dig Bourne and all but I like my Bond completely overdone and obscene. I like the big set pieces, the crazy production design. Hell I think the Ice Hotel thing was pretty cool. While I admit the franchise was ailing, “The World is Not Enough” is barely watchable, it is possible that by taking away the bells and whistles they’ll be taking some of the fun out of the whole deal.
Gotta go see The Fountain, hope the pass out drugs.
Can’t wait to see it again! (Probably will pay for it too!)
Just came out of a screening of this – and it rocks. It runs a little long (though I wasn’t squirming), but the multiple false endings pay off. No LOTR3-syndrome here at all. And Daniel Craig was letter-perfect. Here’s hoping he enjoys a well-deserved champagne toast while the nay-saying geeks choke on their crows.
Wow, turns out Playboy is hosting a premiere party here tomorrow, complete with free martinis. I’ll likely never have to pay to see this flick.
Even better, a free showing of Goldfinger on the big screen is showing beforehand.
Again, this movie is a bit deeper than many are likely expecting, and all of this talk about the last act being a bit rubbish is… Well, a bit rubbish. David did however have it right on what makes these movies so special… Location, location, location. Glad I was wearing sunglasses during the viewing, because some of these settings are pure Indian Summer goodness.
No matter how gritty they say this is… it’s still Bond so should be a lot of fun!!! And will make a nice change of pace from all the “serious” movies out this season!
In Europe that “dead zone” for movies you have in Feb-April in the US isn’t as bad… since we don’t get many of the Oscar-nominated flics until February anyway! So I still have a few months of good movies to look forward to!
Wreck, you’re joking, right? Please! Phoenix as in the next Harry Potter (5). And I too am looking forward to both the preview and (even more!) the movie! 🙂
crazycris, I’ve got a bridge I might be able to sell you, if the price is right.
Can’t wait for Bond. I’m there with the masses on Saturday night.
The Fountain is… I don’t know. I showed up to the wrong screening room and my name was on the list for a movie I didn’t RSVP to, but I didn’t know that, so I sat down on time, waited the obligatory 10 minutes, and the movie opens with a scene from a classic movie I think I should know the name of and Catherine O’Hara is reciting the lines, and I’m thinking, ok, it’s a trailer, but it doesn’t look like a trailer. “For Your Consideration” was hilarious and has great performances which I probably wouldn’t have seen for a while that I’m still thinking and smiling about. Happy Accident.
a bridge MarkVH? it would have to be a big one to cross the Atlantic! 🙂
Bond on opening Wednesday next week for me! fun, fun! (i hope!)
“Craig’s Bond not only has to prove himself to Q & Co”
I think you mean he has to prove himself to M, Dave. Q has passed to the magical science lab in the sky.
Camel, I’m pretty sure John Cleese was promoted to Q last time out. They’ve left him out because he’s not in the book, but I’m sure they can bring him back next time.
Cleese was formerly R, but Q is far more catchy.
Cleese was Q in Die Another Day. He was R in The World is Not Enough because the late, great Desmond Llewelyn was still with us.
Cleese was definitely left out because Q hasn’t been “introduced” yet. The presumption is he’ll be re-introduced in a future installment (Q, I mean).
Just got back from my 3:15 showing. It was (nearly) sold out, and the line outside the theater was already twenty deep when we got out.
That was AWESOME. The movie is too long, but it’s not the end that’s too long; it’s the poker game. That has has three acts, which is one too many. Lots of great dialogue, and the action is really good. Bottom line is that it’s the best 007 in a long, long time. Definitely since “The Living Daylights,” and probably since “For Your Eyes Only” and “The Spy Who Loved Me.” Bond is back!
Saw the evening show here. It was packed, and it was damn good fun. I found myself clapping a couple of times. Especially during that first chase through the construction site, which was something else! Anyhow, I do agree that it was a tad long, but at the same time, it didn’t feel as long as it really was. I appreciated the fact that MI6 was not perfect – that they didn’t always do their proper homework etc. Loved that Bond was not so slick. I hope that they bring this level of artistry to the next few films that star Craig. I haven’t seen every Bond film by any means, but he’s definitely better than Brosnan and Moore…and maybe even Connery (haven’t seen Dalton or Lazenby…yet). I’m an admirer of Bond films in general, but I’m a fan of this Bond.
Almost as fun was the Eragon trailer that they ran upside down and backwards! Everyone clapped for that.