Knights & Knaves Alehouse

I’ve seen Dr. No and Live and Let Die both relatively recently, so, something else. Though if everyone agrees I will rewatch even one of those.

Goldfinger or From Russia With Love

- Wheggi

I think Casino Royale, although "updated" in some respects, is actually more true to the book than most Bond movies, even the classics.

Man with the Golden Gun has the best musical soundtrack, IMO.

Goldfinger is *always* a fun one to watch.

(Back in the 80's I loved the 1st Timothy Dalton (View to a Kill, I think). I rewatched it a few years ago, and while it held it's own, it wasn't as good as I remembered it. --Mostly good clean fun, but that's not necessarily a good thing for a Bond movie. )

Wheggi wrote:Goldfinger or From Russia With Love

QFT.

For what it’s worth, I like the Craig Bond movies. But they’re really a different beast from the previous movies. Much more standard action movie faire, with a lot fewer of the trademark Bond-isms. So if you’re looking for quality 21st C action movies in the vein of the MI and Bourne movies, you can go there.

If you want an updated take on the early Bind movies, you can’t go wrong with the first Kingsmen movie. (I haven’t seen the second yet.)

rogatny wrote:

Wheggi wrote:Goldfinger or From Russia With Love

QFT.

Yup. That.

I'll throw in You Only Live Twice as well, because Evil Genius Volcano Lair!*

Heck, just watch them all, in order, but maybe not go as far as Diamonds Are Forever.

* It's not on account Sinatra's ghost threatened to have my legs broken if I didn't.

And, Matthew Goode should be the next Bond.

What they said. The Sean Connery Bonds capture the character the best, and Goldfinger and From Russia With Love are among the better ones from his run. (Although I also have a soft spot for On Her Majesty's Secret Service with George Lazenvy, which does not get much love.)

However, for something completely out of left field, I will recommend Golgo 13 (1973), the first movie adaptation of Takao Saito's violent Bond knockoff. It is the distilled essence of the things which make Connery-era Bond great, down to the fact that the title character is a monumental jerk. Preview, screens:

For sheer lunacy, I'll also recommend the original, insane Casino Royal with a star cast of millions, and What's Up Tiger Lily. Wouldn't watch them until after finishing off a few of the real Bond films.

I grew up on James Bond films, as my mom was/is a huge fan. In the late 70s/early 80s, ABC aired them very often (along with a ton of commericals and some unfortunate TV editing).

In addition to the other Connery Bond films mentioned, Thunderball is a very good one, too. IMO, it has the top Bond villainess of all time.

The Man with the Golden Gun, Moore's 2nd Bond film, is not as good as the rest mentioned. But it is worth seeing with Christopher Lee as the arch-villain.

I initially hated the idea of Pierce Brosnan as Bond. But, I really liked his performance in his first Bond film, Golden Eye, which is one of my favorites. I don't like any of his other Bond films very much.

Are you just trying to stick with Moore or Connery ones? Or expand to include those of Brosnan?

Live and Let Die. That is the answer.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It gets tons of bad press, but it is a solid Bond movie. If the ending doesn't give you the feels, you're dead inside.

garhkal wrote:Are you just trying to stick with Moore or Connery ones? Or expand to include those of Brosnan?

Pre-Brosnan, I think.

I think I’ll do From Russia With Love and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service soon.