007… James Bond. Anything and everything Bond is up for grabs. The books, the movies, the legacy. Let’s talk about it.
For my money you can’t beat Goldfinger
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Would you coin it the gold standard? To me, it’s the blueprint. The essence of the formula onscreen. The opening sequence, the suit inside the swimming gear, “Shocking, positively shocking”, the title sequence, Shirley Bassey, the golden lady on the bed, Oddjob, Ms. Galore, Fort Knox. No Bond film could ever top it and many have tried.
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Agreed.
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The first Bond movie I ever saw was Octopussy.
I do not know why my parents thought they should take a nine year old to a movie called Octopussy.
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I’ve got one better for you. I saw Octopussy in the theater too, but I was only six.
I don’t remember it at all.
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Never been big into Bond, but have seen a number of them, and one of my best friends is a huge fan of all things 007.
That said I love the theory that John Mason in The Rock is Connery’s Bond.
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I started watching Bond way back when it was one of the few things HBO had to offer. My first Bond movie in the theater is what I will always describe as the “Rocky IV of Bond films”, Moonraker.
Never had I seen so much money spent on comedy, action, spectacle, and general goofiness. Roger Moore’s Bond at its best.
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My favorite Bond is Roger Moore. Personal favorite theme song is ‘Live and Let Die’. Movie would probably be The Spy Who Loved Me, but do really love Goldfinger, License to Kill, Casino Royale, and Skyfall.
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First Bond I saw in the theater was Goldeneye.
Craig’s my favorite Bond, but I also love Dalton. Fight me. Brosnan was a very good Bond, but his scripts were TERRIBLE. I see why Connery’s the archetype, but, “eh.”
Favorite movie is probably Skyfall. Least favorite is Moonraker.
I’ve read all the Fleming novels / short stories, and damn, Bond is not a good dude in those things. Thunderball and Goldfinger are especially cringeworthy.
Favorite Bond themes are “Goldeneye,” “Thunderball,” “A View To A Kill,” “Skyfall,” and “Live and Let Die.”
Did I miss any hot takes?
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I don’t remember which Fleming book it is, but in one of them Bond deduces a man is homosexual because he’s unable to whistle.
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The bug bit me renting Dr. No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), and Goldfinger (1964) one night and I watched them back-to-back. I was 11 and everything about them floored me. They were flawless adventures and from then I became a fan for life.
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I happen to enjoy the 1967 Casino Royale. Yes, it’s a mess, but it’s a funny mess. And Herb Alpert’s soundtrack is terrific!
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Guilty pleasure or does it work despite itself?
I have no idea if it works. Probably not. But I really like it anyway. I can’t deny it’s a complete mess though. I dare anyone to explain the plot.
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I suppose he’s also your favorite “Maverick”. 
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I was just looking at the IMDB trivia page for the 1967 Casino Royale. This will give you an idea of the level of mess it was:
Val Guest directed additional sequences, scenes with Woody Allen, and additional scenes with David Niven. Ken Hughes directed the Berlin scenes. John Huston directed scenes at Sir James Bond’s house and scenes at Scottish castle. Joseph McGrath directed scenes with Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, and Orson Welles. Robert Parrish directed some casino scenes.
Val Guest found himself finishing the work started by several other directors. Guest said the producer offered him a unique “Co-ordinating Director” credit, but he refused.
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It’s nonsense but it’s fun nonsense
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My favourite Bond is the Goldeneye game on the N64. That game was so immersive and really made you feel like you were 007 with its authentic presentation and mix of action and stealth gameplay. Shooting guards (and the occasional scientist) in the ass and watching then dance around in pain never gets old.
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