The BJMDDS General Discussion Thread......

[English Agent]

What!..........interesting times the 70's, but you dont go around dressed in 70's clothes now do you?

EA

Actually yes....

But many designer labels now look 70's retro. My Diesel jeans are flared, and the denim shirt I wear under the navy v-neck is from Tommy Hilfigher, actually part of a Steve McQueen collection funnily enough. Also, I have many pairs of retro Adidas trainers, including the pair Roger Daltrey wears in the film McVicar (anyone here seen that)? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw1qcqkWaP4

Nothing wrong with that!..............mind you i can't think of anyone who wears flares these days!

I remember 'McVicar' .....good film

EA

[bjmdds]

Another 19 inches of snow last night in NYC.

[katied]

Another 19 inches of snow last night in NYC.

Dang that's a lot of snow.


We're finally supposed to have a chance of rain this weekend. We've had a Santa Ana going on for what seems like forever.

[Kristatos]

Max Von Sydow was great in it vs. his sorry role in Never Say Never Again. He looked like an invalid with a cat.

NSNA is shockingly bad. Connery is actually an embarassment in the film, and was in danger of ruining his legendary status with what he achieved in the 60's with his unreplacable Bond.

This should never have been made.

I'd say the same about DAF.

[The Sweeney]

Max Von Sydow was great in it vs. his sorry role in Never Say Never Again. He looked like an invalid with a cat.

NSNA is shockingly bad. Connery is actually an embarassment in the film, and was in danger of ruining his legendary status with what he achieved in the 60's with his unreplacable Bond.

This should never have been made.

I'd say the same about DAF.

Naaa...DAF has a few redeeming moments - the Hammer Horror creepy 70's feel to it, the strange, unsettling, wierd atmosphere, combined with Barry's eerie score, the Las Vegas setting, and some very witty one-liners.

As much as I hate Bond films to be camp, I make exceptions with DAF, maybe through nostalgia though more than anything.

[Mazer Rackham]

Also agree. Connery mumbled his lines in NSNA ($55million domestic) and the entire casting was putrid, yet it it came close to OP numbers ($67million domestic) in 1983 and actually opened in more USA theatres than OP did. http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1983&p=.htm

Lazenby had liked to say his only Bond outing adjusted for inflation made more than Connery's last. I don't know how much that was Lazenby "liking to say it" as is was the 1990s and he thought there was a chance in hell the potential unofficial Bond series might use him.

Code: Select all

Admission numbers:
OP: 59.5m
NSNA: 50.8m

OHMSS: 62.4m

VTAK: 44.5m

LTK: 39.1m
GE: 81.2m
DAD: 78.6M

Threw a few numbers out there to show how the series had started to slip at the end of Moore era, poor Dalton inherited it then was never able to click with the public. Dalton lost just about 10m from TLD to LTK, CR to Quark/QOS has a similar loss and it is historically difficult get attendance back one they leave, recast almost always brings them back.

[Mazer Rackham]

Max Von Sydow was great in it vs. his sorry role in Never Say Never Again. He looked like an invalid with a cat.

NSNA is shockingly bad. Connery is actually an embarassment in the film, and was in danger of ruining his legendary status with what he achieved in the 60's with his unreplacable Bond.

This should never have been made.

I'd say the same about DAF.

Naaa...DAF has a few redeeming moments - the Hammer Horror creepy 70's feel to it, the strange, unsettling, wierd atmosphere, combined with Barry's eerie score, the Las Vegas setting, and some very witty one-liners.

As much as I hate Bond films to be camp, I make exceptions with DAF, maybe through nostalgia though more than anything.

DAF is where I'd say the series started to come off the rails. I am not sure what the was a reaction too. The Studio was not happy with OHMSS or Lazenby, I wonder if someone thought it was too serious and the next one needed to lighten it up.

NSNA had all kinds of problems day one, everyone involved expected the filming to be stopped long before completion and it is obvious from their work.

[Kristatos]

Naaa...DAF has a few redeeming moments - the Hammer Horror creepy 70's feel to it, the strange, unsettling, wierd atmosphere, combined with Barry's eerie score, the Las Vegas setting, and some very witty one-liners.

As much as I hate Bond films to be camp, I make exceptions with DAF, maybe through nostalgia though more than anything.

I was thinking more of Connery himself. He was starting to look his age by that point, and coupled with the fact that he was really just going through the motions with his performance, it kind of diminished his stock as Bond a little bit. People say he looked bored in YOLT, but at least he still had his charisma intact. He looked old and tired in DAF - possibly even more so that he did in NSNA, bizarrely enough, though the latter was made over a decade after it.

[Mazer Rackham]

Yes, I can see your point. Oddly he had only been gone a few short years, less than Craig if he comes back. Although he famous gave his salary to charity Connery made more than that with his cut of the proceeds (close to $7m).

If Connery hadn't been so sick of Bond he could have made CR, and if Cubby hadn't been too greedy he could have made it himself. Connery could have made $1m for CR long before DAF.

[The Sweeney]

Yes, I can see your point. Oddly he had only been gone a few short years, less than Craig if he comes back..

I agree.

Connery aged really badly between YOLT and DAF. You could say that is the one thing he certainly does have in common with Craig....

[English Agent]

Yes, I can see your point. Oddly he had only been gone a few short years, less than Craig if he comes back..

I agree.

Connery aged really badly between YOLT and DAF. You could say that is the one thing he certainly does have in common with Craig....

True after 67 until 71 Connery put on quite a bit of weight! Maybe he didn't have time to get in shape for DAF after his appointment for the role (or he just wasn't interested). Maybe he had become disalusioned with the response to his films in this period such as 'Shalako' and the 'Molly Maquires' which few people saw.

One thing that people often say to me about 'Connery's' career, is that he really picked some naff films to star in, in regards to how they were received critically or commercially.

EA

[Mazer Rackham]

True after 67 until 71 Connery put on quite a bit of weight! Maybe he didn't have time to get in shape for DAF after his appointment for the role (or he just wasn't interested). Maybe he had become disalusioned with the response to his films in this period such as 'Shalako' and the 'Molly Maquires' which few people saw.

One thing that people often say to me about 'Connery's' career, is that he really picked some naff films to star in, in regards to how they were received critically or commercially.

EA

Well I can say Craig hasn't gained weight, if anything he looks almost sickly.

Connery was only 41 in DAF, he looks better as an older man at this point over the young guy image he had in the 1960s. He took almost every role he could get because too many in Hollywood saw him as typecast. Eventually he made his mark as an actor, he would have anyway, being Bond probably was a set back far as his career was concerned. Although he would have to admit Bond made him plenty of money, making him wealthy enough to afford to do all the acting jobs that didn't pay enough so he could make his mark.

[Alessandra]

What!..........interesting times the 70's, but you dont go around dressed in 70's clothes now do you?

EA

Actually yes....

But many designer labels now look 70's retro. My Diesel jeans are flared, and the denim shirt I wear under the navy v-neck is from Tommy Hilfigher, actually part of a Steve McQueen collection funnily enough. Also, I have many pairs of retro Adidas trainers, including the pair Roger Daltrey wears in the film McVicar (anyone here seen that)? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw1qcqkWaP4

Ha! Hilfiger has McQueen and Grace Kelly collections but it's just really the name they pick to advertise, not that you literally dress like McQueen or Grace Kelly.. It's very classic-style v neck sweaters, turtlenecks and polos/shirts.. much like all the rest Hilfiger does. Hilfiger has good, classic style. I prefer Ralph Lauren, but Hilfiger is certainly good anyway. They had a full section of those McQueen/Kelly items even at the Rinascente (similar to Saks Fifth Avenue in the US, but much smaller) in Milan when I went there around Christmas.

I tend to prefer bootcut jeans but FLARE? Bit much for me! Diesel makes some incredibly odd stuff anyway, they never had a particularly modern look, so if one likes the retro look, that's the place to look at. And they like the hippie style way too much for my taste I also don't like Renzo Rosso, the owner, so that doesn't help. He's made public statements that I really didn't appreciate here, so in general if I can avoid buying Diesel stuff, I do. It's not much of an effort anyway since I prefer a more modern, sleek style The stuff they make for men is better than the women's stuff anyway. I have one pair of Diesel jeans from the years when they had much more reasonable collections (that means around 6 years ago). They're absolutely fine, but never nearly as good/stylish as 7 for all mankind Problem is 7 for all mankind jeans are extremely expensive here, so I need to buy them in the US (where of course they are made thus cost at the very least 30% less than here).

I better not get into this further because I could talk for hours, I'm a GIRL and I am ITALIAN, my family's things are textile industry, high cuisine and music, so fashion is huuuuge for me Let's leave it at: "the 70s were possibly one of the worst eras ever for clothing for everyone and, even worse, hairstyle and make up for women". And Giorgio Armani said this, so it's validated by one of the most stylish and important fashion designers ever! But even in the 70s, the classic style that came from the 60s remained in some stuff (like the sweaters or the jackets) so that's fine. The pants are horrid really, bell bottoms are obscene! . The bell bottom shape is extremely unflattering to both men and women, I'm just glad it was back into fashion at the beginning of the 90s and now it's finally gone and it's the exact opposite, everything super straight. I think bootcut is fine if one likes stuff a bit more loose at the bottom... it doesn't overdo it!

Sweeney, while I certainly think the Robert Redford look in Three Days of the Condor (MINUS the pants) is excellent (so kudos for copying that! ), what is back in fashion now is the 60s, not the 70s! (thank God may I add, a far more elegant era). And thankfully for us women, from this spring on (actually Prada started this winter already) they're going to CUT on those horrible, nasty, high platform 70s looking shoes. It's back to elegant stilettos and/or only minimal platform. I blame freaking Louboutin for this. Stupid celebrities go crazy over those shoes and while some are nice, most are hideous and SO d**n inelegant! Not to mention, thick platforms are AWFUL for one's back and feet.. how they even walk on some of that stuff is beyond me they make a woman look inelegant/vulgar and they sure do nothing good for the legs... I'm just finally thankful I'll be able to enjoy shoe shopping again!

Ahem, fashion parentheses over, sorry.

About Connery: I think he looked WAY better when he was in Dr No and Goldfinger than he did afterward... especially at the end. He had gained weight, his hair was going and he just didn't have that charm anymore IMO. I think he's better now as an old man than he was in his 40s. He looked older than he was and wanted to look younger at that point, and IMO that didn't just go down well. Instead once he accepted he was an old man, and stopped trying to look younger, things got way better IMO.

Craig sure didn't gain weight, but he too doesn't age well in that he already looks way older than his age as is, and passing time doesn't do him a favor. But the fact he's very slim at least helps him not look like someone whose age weighs on him He was wrong for the part at first and remains wrong for me, but in terms of aging I think Connery may have been worse.

[FormerBondFan]

Sean's weight gain isn't as bad as Fat Seagal.

[Alessandra]

Sean's weight gain isn't as bad as Fat Seagal.

LOL no! Nobody beats Fat Seagal, he is I think establishing a celebrity record for it!

In other news, allow me to GLOAT as my protégé Minka Kelly whom I have been promoting for the role from the start HAS INDEED been cast as one of the new Charlie's Angels! PERFECT. She would make a terrific Bond girl too in my opinion, but with a younger Bond, not with Craig. (Hello Henry? Yes you can thank me later. Reminder she is engaged to Derek Jeter, and the guy sure knows how to use a bat )

For those of you who have never seen Friday Night Lights (a truly superb TV show), and may not be familiar with her:

[bjmdds]

No Jeter girl will be in a Bond film. Why? It's too simple a choice so Broccoli will comb the rest of Hollywood's C-list and come up with some loser to be opposite the 'egg'. My friend works for the Jeter foundation and as of now has not met her at meetings. He volunteers to be close to the Yankees.

[bjmdds]

Sean's weight gain isn't as bad as Fat Seagal.

What's the Bilbo Baggins update FBF? There seems to be a rather calm atmosphere here lately as well. Have you noticed?

[Kristatos]

Sean's weight gain isn't as bad as Fat Seagal.

That's setting the bar pretty low.

[The Sweeney]

About Connery: I think he looked WAY better when he was in Dr No and Goldfinger than he did afterward... especially at the end. He had gained weight, his hair was going and he just didn't have that charm anymore IMO. I think he's better now as an old man than he was in his 40s. He looked older than he was and wanted to look younger at that point, and IMO that didn't just go down well. Instead once he accepted he was an old man, and stopped trying to look younger, things got way better IMO.

Wow! Nice lengthy fashion advice there, Ale. Your Italian tastes are showing through. I knew you would be one person who would comment in length over my admission to copying a 70's Redford.....

I think a lot of 70's stuff looked naff, but some stuff looked cool too. A lot of 80's stuff looks naff now, although I'd still love to own a flying jacket like the Cruiser wore in Top Gun....I already own the Ray Ban shades....

Regarding Connery, he actually looked far better in The Man Who Would Be King, and A Bridge Too Far, than he did in DAF, made several years after 1971. I guess he was one person who suited the thinning hair on top and moustache, rather than trying to look clean shaven and wear a wig. He obviously knew this too, because facial hair would stay with him from the 70's onwards (minus the role in NSNA).

It's also amazing to think Moore was OLDER than Connery when he played Bond. Comparing the two actors, from DAF to LALD, and its like we have a far younger actor in the role.

[Alessandra]

About Connery: I think he looked WAY better when he was in Dr No and Goldfinger than he did afterward... especially at the end. He had gained weight, his hair was going and he just didn't have that charm anymore IMO. I think he's better now as an old man than he was in his 40s. He looked older than he was and wanted to look younger at that point, and IMO that didn't just go down well. Instead once he accepted he was an old man, and stopped trying to look younger, things got way better IMO.

Wow! Nice lengthy fashion advice there, Ale. Your Italian tastes are showing through. I knew you would be one person who would comment in length over my admission to copying a 70's Redford.....

But of course! 70s Redford rocked! Well Redford rocks, period. But the specifics of the sweater and the shirt, love it.

I think a lot of 70's stuff looked naff, but some stuff looked cool too. A lot of 80's stuff looks naff now, although I'd still love to own a flying jacket like the Cruiser wore in Top Gun....I already own the Ray Ban shades....

Hell yes to the Top Gun stuff! Did you know the Wayfahrer Ray Bans are WAY back into fashion this season? As well as the Top Gun (the Aviator) Ray Bans, too? Fact: I watched Top Gun... FORTY FIVE times (COUNTED) when it was released on VHS here. Yeah, it's an embarrassing confession. That's what being in love with Tom Cruise as a VERY young girl will do to you. I basically know every line of Top Gun (to the day) BOTH in Italian AND in English It's embarrassing I know, but what can I do. I loved it, and I STILL do! I recently re-watched it because a friend of mine had never seen it (I KNOW! I told her "you haven't lived yet. You're missing out on half the jokes in movies and series!" ) and I really, REALLY enjoyed it. Amazing the number of actors who became big Hollywood names after that movie. Basically every single one of the main stars had a big career in movies and/or TV. How young and unknown was Meg Ryan back then? Sad to think what she did to herself and how she is now.

And, it's true that every fashion time has bad stuff but also some good stuff, the ability lies in picking the right pieces and combining them with the more contemporary stuff.. that's what makes a "timeless" look!

Regarding Connery, he actually looked far better in The Man Who Would Be King, and A Bridge Too Far, than he did in DAF, made several years after 1971. I guess he was one person who suited the thinning hair on top and moustache, rather than trying to look clean shaven and wear a wig. He obviously knew this too, because facial hair would stay with him from the 70's onwards (minus the role in NSNA).

It's also amazing to think Moore was OLDER than Connery when he played Bond. Comparing the two actors, from DAF to LALD, and its like we have a far younger actor in the role.

I know, right? I think some people age really well and always look great, some others, well they need to figure out a way to accept they won't look nearly the same when aging, but they can still be charming. That was the case with Sir Sean. Agree he looked far better in The Man Who Would Be King and A Bridge Too Far. And, agreed about the facial hair. It's just really a matter of finding the best style when age shows. Clearly Sir Roger never had that problem. Heck, he's really old now yet you CAN still tell he is attractive.. and he basically never changed his look.

No Jeter girl will be in a Bond film. Why? It's too simple a choice so Broccoli will comb the rest of Hollywood's C-list and come up with some loser to be opposite the 'egg'. My friend works for the Jeter foundation and as of now has not met her at meetings. He volunteers to be close to the Yankees.

I would too if I were a man and someone like Minka Kelly was around! Top professional sports plus babe, can't go wrong! I think she steers clear of the big events when he's not around. But I'm sure your friend will meet her sooner or later. They will film Charlie's Angels in Miami, so she will probably be over to NYC only at the weekend once that starts off.

You are, sadly, probably right about Babs not picking her for Bond. BUT after Bond 23, it may happen. Man, Henry as Bond and Minka as Bond girl... I'd think a solid 90% of the women and men population would go see it if only to look at them

How's it going with the snow? I heard it's bad and there's more coming... just spoke to a couple of friends in NYC. Ugh, this weather is insane.