Skyfall

A few observations I have made regarding myself involves film/theatre... One is that I find I do not much care for theatre or entertainment... except... I was and remain a huge Monty Python fan, and I am a huge 007 fan, little else do I like, and what makes this ever more odd is I am a very proud American, and though I respect the allies of the US, I have always felt perplexed by Americans interested in the Royal family or the more extreme social welfare programs favored by the Laboure party in British parliament, the ones that are straight up self-proclaimed Marxist and the ones who stand firm against hunting even though the UK does still have a few hunters left, but I feel the only entertainment worth a crap is Monty Python and James Bond. Granted though guns set us free from serfdom, there are still plenty of fine Brits. Many funny Brits. Many smart Brits.A second thing perplexing about me... One of the things I detest about "Hollywood" and "TV" is the fairly broad obsession with "morbid curiosity." I have never understood how humans have a capacity for it, and it seems far more common than what I have ever been comfortable with, making finding good films and shows difficult to find. It seems most that have violent elements are entirely too macabre -- far more macabre than what is necessary to tell the story. Part of what I have liked about the 007 franchise is that even though violence is inherent to the genre, there isn’t a heavy focus on being graphical about it. I find films that get graphic in the portrayals very disturbing, and I have always found that a very disturbing element of humanity that ever since I in college I read Friedrich Nietzsche's famous words, "... if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." (As one translation to English reads.) I always think of that every time when I think of Hollywood productions or TV shows.) as well as the Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry" and basically all of the work of Hobbs. It seems these figures point to this rather dark disturbing nature that can easily consume a culture. I don't like spending much time thinking in a "Lord of the Flies"/Judas Iscariot/Beyond Good and Evil (though yes that's complicated)/Hobbesian vintage point though I understand the relevance and importance of the elements all of these works explore, but the power of "morbid curiosity" and ability to completely disconnect oneself from empathy and sympathy has always been disturbing to me though certainly to the brave men on the beaches of Normandy it becomes clear how the monsters that can live within can wreak havoc on large scales.As such, I like the focus on the heroism in the 007 franchise without embellishment with blood and gore. To this day, it still retains a lot of the old school "bang, bang, bang", move along, and not some focus on gore. It focuses on whit and heroism and toughness. While it does present a seemingly cold and callus nature as we commonly see played out between M (Mission Head) and 007, I like that the films make clear even if subtle the love and the bond and respect between them while communicating they have to be tough to do what they do. I also like that the 007 franchise brings humor, but not black humor, into the action and excitement. For this reason, the 007 franchise is truly the only action/adventure franchise I like, and I have liked it all my life whether bond was portrayed by Connery, Moore, Bronson, Dalton, Daniel Craig or good ole what’s-his-name. At first when I saw Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, it seemed a tougher transition to me than the transition from Connery, Moore or Dalton, but by the end of the film, I realized he was really good, and I always loved Q (Quarter master) so I hated to see the old Q go. It was hard to let him go. He was such a likable fun old man though this new young kid has done well. And for the M we have known and loved for so many years, well... that brings me to another interesting point. I rarely watch movies. I rarely have time for them, and they rarely entertain, but when I do finally have a couple of hours to spare for a movie, I do usually like to make sure I catch up on any Bond film I may have missed. The only ones I saw out of sequence were Spectre and Skyfall. Since I saw Spectre first, I feared I was in for a heart wrenching moment in Skyfall, and I was right. I grew to love Judi Dench in the previous 6. I hadn't seen news of her departing the franchise so I just suspected that since she wasn't M in Spectre, it is possible she didn't merely retire or get forced into retirement, and sadly it wasn't retirement. She played the role so well, and her stern but respectful and loving and smart and witty character was played so well by her. I also see this is where Penny Money entered the franchise. She does very well. She kicks butt in the opening of the film.The movie starts strong as Bond films do. It doesn't keep you waiting for action. There is never a dull moment. Yes... Bond films do still have oh... a tad of unrealism to them such as heroes surviving impossible hits and impossible odds, but it is action packed and honors a bit of the old school tradition of the movies where Bruce lee or Chuck Norris might kick the butts of an Army of men all by themselves without ever focusing on graphic portrayal of the human suffering inherent to conflict, just as with old "bang, bang" shoot 'em up Westerns, but at the same time, it isn't the low fidelity of Godzilla (though even given the low fidelity of Godzilla, I do understand how and why that movie is special to a culture). These movies (even if metaphorically in Godzilla) represent the real struggles for peace, but I like that it shows the tremendous commitment people make to seek peace and keep peace while not belaboring the terror or horrors, and instead showing more the Roosevelt spirit of pushing on and working together while also trying to find occasional humor even in the midst of it all. I see this as somewhat of a key element in these portrayals as if to say the sense of humor even if slight is a key part to staying sane and not going crazy as the antagonist often do in the films.I look forward to the long awaited released of No Time to Die. I imagine it will be hard to see whomever comes next now that it has been announced that Daniel Craig is retiring from the franchise.I do almost sort of like the Mission Impossible franchise, but Cruise comes off as a prick and he doesn't have any of the whit that the bonds have, and sadly, I couldn’t even make it through a single Bourne film. Sorry Matt Damon. I mean you seem like a great guy, but you just don't make a great entertainer, and I have difficulty seeing you as a tough guy... though honestly, it was difficult to see Sean Connery as a tough guy but his whit made up for his lack of toughness.Interestingly... what I have seen of the Kingsman franchise I have enjoyed too so it does appear I am partial to Brits when it comes to entertainment. I know little of the Kingsman but accidentally saw one of the movies around 20 years ago and was very intrigued. I may need to dive into this franchise and see more of it.)In summary, it is fun. It is action packed. It doesn't haven't anything to repulsive or too not suitable for families. It does have Komodo dragons like one of the bond films had a shark tank, and I may be overlooking a few that had slightly disturbing elements, but they are brief and are not graphic thankfully. There is one small gripe I have with this one bond film. It is so small I will not take away a star for it. I do not like in films when there are long dark scenes. I feel it is "Hollywood" being lazy. Though I watched all of the Prates of the Caribbean movies, I didn't like any of them, and if it were for Johnny Depp's humor and Kiera Knightley's beauty, there'd been no way I could have watched them. Almost the entire Pirates movies were dark. It seems the producer are being lazy so they cannot think or bother with how to portray or shoot the action and just instead provide a few sound bites to make their way through those parts. This bond film has about 15 to 20 minutes in extreme darkness that you can hardly see what is even happening and just have to listen to what it going on. It is still taking me a bit to warm up to Ralph Fiennes but partly because he was intentionally an ambiguous character at first in the franchise, leaving us unsure whose side he was on, or at least me... Whereas I always liked Judi even with her sternness.

I wrote elsewhere that the James Bond "movies are, while more PC than the books, to the right of most Hollywood productions--a key to their long-standing success." Does Skyfall, the latest Bond movie, validate that thesis or contradict it?The role of the intelligence services has, of course, become highly controversial in our own day and age. We all recall George Tenet's unfortunate assurance to President George W. Bush that finding WMD in Iraq would be a "slam dunk" and the disastrous and tragic consequences of poor intelligence ("Don't worry, it's a slam-dunk" according to Bob Woodward's book,  Plan of Attack: The Definitive Account of the Decision to Invade Iraq ).The Jason Bourne movies, which play off of cynicism aroused by real-life intelligence failures, are essentially "James Bond for liberals". The equivalent(s) of the "M" character in the Bourne films is/are clearly deranged. The intelligence chiefs in these movies have run amok. They are sinister forces who do not merely make mistakes, but have become malignant forces for evil in our midst. The Bourne films suggest that those in the highest levels of the Shadow world of intelligence are utterly corrupt betraying the interest of their nation for their own selfish ends.The Bond movies, on the other hand, suggest an entirely different narrative in regard to the world of intelligence. The principal reason for this has less to do with James Bond who is, after all, a mere policy tool (a "blunt instrument") and much more to do with Bond's boss -- "M".Ian Fleming based the "M" character in his novels on his boss during World War II the Director of Naval Intelligence, Rear Admiral John Henry Godfrey. He was a competent and conscientious public servant. "The Naval Intelligence Division was responsible for collecting analyzing and distributing intelligence for the Admiralty, and providing security and counter-intelligence to the Royal Navy for the war at sea." (For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming + James Bond). At the NID, Fleming essentially played "Bond" to Godfrey's "M" (see earlier post Ian Fleming's Commandos, 10/14/12). Fleming's father Valentine had been killed in the trenches in World War I and Godfrey became something of a father figure for Ian.SkyFall, the most recent addition to the Bond series, places the "M" character, portrayed by Judy Dench at the very center and heart of this film. Is her record perfect? No. Does she and MI6 make mistakes? Unquestionably the answer is, "yes". Nevertheless, she is like Admiral Godfrey -- a conscientious selfless and caring servant of the state. She is, in fact, invaluable in the face of a threatening Shadow world of evil that lurks. Politicians prattle on about "transparency" while the the real world of terrorist threats becomes increasingly opaque. In spite of the influence of technology with its vast array of satellites and cell phone tracking the value of accurate human intelligence has never been greater than today. We desperately need gifted devoted professionals like "M" and, of course James Bond -- because sometimes as Skyfall reminds us "a trigger does need to be pulled" (see earlier post, Yvonne Fletcher RIP and Commander Bond?, 3/6/12).Judy Dench is superlative as "M" or the "Bond-mommy." Just as Admiral Godfrey was a surrogate father for Ian Fleming, she becomes the surrogate parents for the orphaned James Bond.Next year will mark the official "Diamond Jubilee" of James Bond as Ian Fleming's Casino Royale  Casino Royale (James Bond)  was the first published in 1953 sixty years ago. The 2006 film  Casino Royale  introduced Daniel Craig, the blonde Bond, as a new MI6 agent making his very first "licensed" kills in the opening scene. In 2012's Skyfall, Bond is no longer a novice, but rather an aging middle-aged single man with a shaky employment record and severe health challenges. Bond is now "an old dog learning new tricks".Early in the movie, Bond meets his new callow Quartermaster, "Q", in the National Gallery in front of a painting of the most popular painting in England--Turner's the Fighting Temeraire. The choice of this particular painting near Trafalgar square to provide the backdrop for James Bond's own professional challenges is inspired. The full title of Turner's painting is The Fighting Temeraire Tugged To Her Last Berth To Be Broken Up. The Temeraire fought under Nelson in the Royal Navy's decisive victory over the Franco-Spanish fleet at Trafalgar in 1805. Now in 1838, when Turner observed her, she is headed for the scrap heap pulled by a satanic-looking steamboat that is belching black smoke. Is Bond too destined for early retirement? Is the Aston Martin headed for the wrecking yard?It is remarkable to note that Skyfall debuted in the UK the very same week that the President of the United States disparaged the use of "horses and bayonets" in modern warfare -- in spite of the fact that the US Marine Corps still trains with and uses bayonets in the field -- Semper Fi. The demise of Skyfall's villain, played brilliantly by Javier Bardem (the fortunate husband of Penelope Cruz), is a powerful argument for the continued relevance of "cold steel". The traditional, conservative message is clear -- "Old ways (gun, knife, radio) are often the best ways."Ian Fleming famously said, "Everything I write has a precedent in Truth." Does Skyfall remain true to its Fleming heritage by having a "precedent in truth"? I believe that its gritty portrayals of the London Underground, its use of glossy settings in contemporary China (see earlier post, China Today, 9/11/12), its depiction of feckless politicians and even its use of the favorite weapon of the US Marine Corps allows us to answer happily in the affirmative. President Bush and Prime Minister Blair, acting on the best Western intelligence available at the time, "took the bloody shot" on Iraq; we live with the consequences.Skyfall ultimately advances the traditional and, ultimately, Conservative notion that public service undertaken by our military and intelligence forces at great personal risk is 1) necessary in a dangerous world 2) highly honorable and, at times, even 3) heroic."Three Cheers for Skyfall, sailing ships, MI6, the Royal Navy and cold steel!"If you like Skyfall you will also enjoy  America Invades: How We've Invaded or been Militarily Involved with almost Every Country on Earth  by Kelly / Laycock and  Italy Invades

Love a bond movie - now I have them all.

Película aparte (personalmente la considero la mejor de Bond), la edición ya contaba con que sería buena, pero encima me llevé la sorpresa de que la edición *alemana* trae audio y subtítulos en castellano entre muchos otros (yo ya había asumido que tendría esta edición para ver la película solamente en inglés con subtítulos en inglés).

When you like limited editions, this is it :-)the steelbook is beautifulI'm a Bond fan like forever, all though I don't know it after the Daniel Craig era, LOLSkyfall is on of the best Bond movies, because it goes deepI buy the french edition Skyfall (édition Limitée + 8 Cartes Postales)Many Subtitles also in Dutch , so that was a pleasant supriseThe movie is a Blu Raythe other disc is a DVD

ダニエルグレイグ主演の００７では一番好き

En un mots skyfall et un pur chef d'œuvre. Avec casino royale daniel Craig un donner un second souffle à la saga interprétation très différente de c'est prédécesseur jeu plus brutale plus sensible plus sombre et un bond blond au yeux rien à voir avec la description du personnage créer par Ian fleming, pari risque mais réussi avec les honneurs pour les producteurs. Pour en revenir avec skyfall l'attente c'est sentir pendant 4 ans le temps que mgm sorte de c'est déboire financiers, avec une tel attente j'avais peur d'être déçu sachant que le précédent épisode quantum of solace m'avez quelque peu déplus. A l'annonce de la mise en chantier officielle du 23 bond avec comme pour nouveau réalisateur sam mendes au commande j'ai été soulager réalisateur de grand talent (american beauty, jarhead, les noces rebelles, les sentiers de la perdition......) le film a pris une tournure complètement différente un M sur le banc de touche, un bond qui n'est que le reflets de lui même, un méchant magnifiquement interprété par Javier bardem qui me r'appelle un peu heath ledger dans le rôle du joker dans dark knight ne serais que pour la scène ou il et en cellule, et la réintroduction des personnage comme miss monepenny et Q. Le plus intéressant dans ce 23 eme episode c'est la relation entre M et Bond un peu comme le fils et ça mère, son passer d'où il viens la demeure familliale d'ou le nom skyfall et tirer, et le passer de M qui resurgi d'un sombre passer. Le film commence sous les meilleurs ospice course poursuite efreiner à Istanbul avec les magnifique course en moto sur les toits du grand bazar et la chute vertigineuse du pont d'où bond tombe à pic et passer pour mort. Sans suis avec le generique stylée avec la musique interprète avec maestro par la sublime Adèle difficile de faire mieux après ça même sam smith n'a pas su relever le niveau avec spectre. Le film poursuis avec la réapparition de 007 revenu d'entre les morts, recaler au tir, sur le plan psychologique en bref un agent quelque peu obselete, mes qui regagne c'est galon, un méchant revenu aussi d'entre les morts, qui été avant bond le petit protéger de M au gros 2 fils de substitution l'un bon l'autre mauvais. Le mauvais veux se venger de M de l'avoir abandonner et livrer en autorité chinoise. Le film s'en suit avec une bond girl que joue magnifiquement berenice malorhe cantonnée à des rôles dans des série française, je trouve juste dommage quel ne soit pas trop présenté à l'écran environ un quart d'heure, alors qu'on se laisser séduire par ça beauté et son jeu quand même une des meilleur bond girl. Et le finale sur les terres d'écosse ou à grandi bond un lieu sinistre sombre et triste qui rappelle la sensibilité et la noirceur de bond, lieu qui finie par être détruit de façon spectaculaire sur fond de musique rock dont bond ne regrettera rien du tout. Le film s'achève sur la mort de M que la délicieuse judi dench aura interpréter 7 fois, dont la dernière apparition se finira dans les bras de daniel Craig attrister de perdre la personne qui aimer le plus exepter vesper lynd dans casino royale. Se bond comme je le dit reste pour moi le meilleur de la saga avec un coter christopher nolan, étant donner qui a dépassé le milliard de dollars au box office mondiale une première dans la saga bond, pas étonner le film et un nouvel élans et un renouveau dans la saga atypique se que le nouveau bond spectre hélas n'a su faire à voir et revoir sans modération.