Re: Seamaster and Iago's endless rehashing Bond thread

[Seamaster]

That gets an awesome over here too!

[Iago]

So is this -- I may have to pick this issue up:

http://commanderbond.net/17285/skyfalls-effects-cinfexed-en-detail.html

I used to read Cinefex pretty religiously, but I stopped when digital effects started taking over -- reading about models and other "old-fashioned" technologies is fun, but reading endless paragraphs about what software package the VFX studio is using is seriously dull. However, I am pretty interested in what they have to say about Skyfall; there is a pretty interesting combination of practical and digital effects in the film, and it is not always obvious which is which. (I have read some people criticize things as digital that I am pretty confident were not, while completely missing many of the digital effects that were actually there.)

[Iago]

Argh. I went over to the Cinefex website and ended up ordering that issue plus nine other back issues going back to 1989 (their cover story on The Abyss.) $152 later . . .

[Seamaster]

Well done. Does that include shipping?

I'm going to try and do the Craig trilogy this weekend.

[Iago]

Free shipping, yes. Small mercies.

I hope that you get it done. I am curious what you think in light of our discussions here -- keep the whole QoS thing in mind as you watch.

[Seamaster]

Afraid it didn't happen. My dad came over and wanted to watch some older Bonds. He picked From Russia With Love and You Only Live Twice.

[Iago]

Well, one out of two ain't bad. What did you think of your runthrough with YOLT this time? Like I said, it is still a weak film overall, but I enjoyed it much more this time than I ever have before.

[Iago]

Just found this. Pretty cool:

[Seamaster]

I enjoyed You Only Live Twice. I thought it got weaker toward the end, but overall I was okay with it. I thought Connery did okay in the film as well; certainly not his low point like Diamonds are Forever. And I love the Toyota in this film. That would be a sweet car to have.

I still find the Little Nellie scene silly, and I find it adds nothing to the movie. It felt like an excuse to have Q show up and to have a gadget in the film.

[Iago]

Well, all thing being equal, I agree about Little Nellie and have always agreed about Little Nellie. It was just this last viewing where it bothered me less than before. That could easily change on the next viewing.

Could you play the youtube compilation?

[Iago]

Sigh:

http://www.windingroad.com/articles/reviews/driven-2014-aston-martin-vanquish/

[Iago]

I finally watched the video on that review.


YE GODS, LISTEN TO THAT SON OF A BITCH!!!!!!!!!

[Seamaster]

I feel like I just read an erotic story!

There are only two things I'd want to change in the car:

1. I could do without the blue leather. I'd actually prefer all black or charcoal or something that's one colour.

2. The Bang and Olufsen stereo. Surely Aston could have landed a better agreement with another manufacturer.

But absolutely sublime. Perhaps I'm simply getting older, but I would gladly trade raw horsepower or overall performance for this kind of complete package. I'd be making excuses to go on road trips all the time if I had that car.

RE: the youtube compilation: Afraid I haven't been able to watch it yet, which also goes for the video attached to the review.

[Iago]

I am reasonably confident that blue is not the only available color!

You must -- MUST -- play that video. It is a 12 minute un-narrated road test, on open roads. Any opportunity that they get, they come to a complete stop and floor it. As much as I love my old T-Bird glasspack rumble (the same one as the sound effects used for the idle of the Batmobile in the animated series,) there may be no finer sound on earth than an Aston V12 going through the paces. I realize that many people adore the "Ferrari sound," but this sound trounces it in a heartbeat.

You may be getting to the point that I already did. I would much prefer a slightly larger car with all the trimmings than the last few pound-feet of torque. The Vantage may be a touch faster and more maneuverable, but really, would either of us be able to distinguish the difference? Where we WOULD notice the difference would be on an extended road trip, and the Vaquish would be the winner there.


Not related, but I was trolling Cinefantastiques website to look for their Skyfall review, and I found this interesting article on the so-called "vodka martini." While I read the books in order a year or two ago, and I did notice that Bond drinks a wide variety of beverages, I did NOT notice that he only drinks his "shaken" vodka martini in Casino Royale. He does order a martini in Goldfinger, but Biodrowski makes the argument that it cannot be the same drink, or else it was sloppy continuity on Fleming's part. So all of the people up in arms that he drank Heineken in Skyfall are all wet. Even more interesting, though, is something that I had not noticed: the very specific recipe that Craig gives in Royale is taken nearly word-for-word from the book.

http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2012/11/james-bond-at-50-vesper-lynd-and-vodka-martinis/

[Seamaster]

I remember when the film came out that the Vesper was taken from the book. But I was reading the books leading up to the release of Casino Royale, so that detail was fresh in my mind. And, yes, the books never really focus on one drink. That is just something that fans of the Bond films are latching on to. But I have noticed that there are two kinds of Bond fan: the film fan and the Bond fan who appreciates the world of Bond beyond just the films. Withing the film fan, I've even noticed that there are some who focus on and accept only one actor, which I think really limits their exposure and experience, but each to their own.

Don't worry: I will check out the video. The Ferrari sound is cool, but it's definitely F1-like. I'd be all over an Aston sound.

I still like light, more nimble cars, but a true GT is awesome and more practical for most of us, especially on the open road. If I was in the market for a new Aston, I'd definitely have to check out all of the options. I'm not sure what I'd go for. I might still be tempted by the DB9. Hard to say.

[Iago]

I honestly would be willing to check out the entire line, even the larger Rapide S. That would be a much more comfortable car, and for a larger 4 door model it still posts 0-60mph times of 4.9 seconds -- only .3 seconds behind the DB9. Aston seems to realize that they need to sell the performance to potential customers who might otherwise ignore that class of vehicle; it is the only page on their website where the engine section includes an audio clip, just to make sure that you know that it still sounds like an Aston!

http://www.astonmartin.com/cars/rapide-s

But overall, the Vanquish seems to offer the most balanced package, and would probably be my choice.


Dammit all to hell, now I think that I am going to have to shell out the money to take that V8 Vantage S out for a spin in Vegas next week. I had pretty much talked myself out of spending the money, but then again I keep tempting myself with this thread.


The brouhaha over the Heineken really baffles me. Granted, part of it is due to the fact that it was a paid product placement, but while Bond in the films is not as "broad" a drinker as he is in the novels, nonetheless he has drank more than martinis, even dating back to the Connery films.

[Seamaster]

Well, I checked out the current lineup online and I think it might come down to the Vantage V12 or Vanquish for me. I like the outward styling of both cars. The DB9 is delightful and would still be an option. Ah, to dream.

If you take the Vantage for a spin in Sin City, let me know what you think.

Part of the Heineken backlash might be to do with that lager. It's not a beer many connoisseurs would turn to, and so I think it doesn't fit the image of Bond (particularly in the movies and in this reboot) where we see Bond donning Tom Ford suits, wearing Omega watches and driving Aston Martins. Personally, I think Bond should drink Innis and Gunn, and that would never have appeared in any of the books, but I think it'd be a perfect fit for the character.

[Iago]

You could be right, but most of what I read was focusing on the fact that it was not a shaken martini. But like I said, that betrays ignorance of the movies, let alone the books. Though I must say, in the spirit of being completely judgmental, that anyone who claims to be a "Bond fan" but is unfamiliar with the books is nothing of the sort. Even if they have not read all of them like we have, you cannot be a fan of the character without at least knowing a bit more about him.

And, incidentally, Omega or not, I think that Craig fits the Tom Ford suits quite nicely, no matter what he drinks.

[Seamaster]

Absolutely nothing wrong with Tom Ford. Wouldn't mind one myself.

[Iago]

Sitting in the hotel in Vegas relaxing. You will be pleased to find out that I got ****ed on the Aston. I wavered back and forth on spending the money, and finally decided Sunday to not just do it but to pay the $449 for ten laps, but when I went to book it, the Aston was listed as sold out through mid-May. No other cars were, just the Aston. I figured that it must just be popular, but Eve went behind my back (in a good way) and called to see if there was a wait list for cancellations. It turns out that the problem was a literal one; namely, mechanical problems. The Vantage is out of commission. Crap. None of the other cars interest me that much, either. We did drive by a combined Aston, Bentley and Rolls-Royce dealership about an hour ago that nearly made me cry.

[Seamaster]

That doesn't please me one bit. I was hoping that if you were comfortable spending the money that you'd enjoy the drive. I'm actually really sorry to hear that you missed out.

Yes, Vegas is one of those places where you can pretty much buy whatever you want. Crazy to think how much money exchanges hands down there.

How is the weather? I imagine it's pushing mid-90s this time of year, and perhaps higher?

I know Eve booked most of your meals, but if you have an opening, do try FireFly. It's inexpensive and I think the two of you will enjoy your meal. It's pretty casual too, so easy to relax. But I do find the tables a little close together.

[Iago]

Funnily enough, the Groupon that Eve got for Marabella Tapas bar is a bust, because it looks like the restaurant has closed. So last night we were at an Italian restaurant, Mezzo Bistro (quite good) and were talking to the waiter about how that restaurant had closed, and he recommended Firefly. It sound like that was meant to be!

The Vietnamese restaurant that we went to was first-rate, so I am very happy with where we have gone so far. We will probably hit that one again, too. By the way, there are a ton of El Pollo Locos out here, and looking at the design it is pretty clear that is what the creators of Breaking Bad borrowed for Los Pollos Hermanos.

It has been between eighty and ninety every day so far. We went up to Mt. Charleston yesterday, and of course it was much cooler up there, but the weather overall has been spectacular.


We like where we are staying and may do this again, so the Aston will be a no-questions asked requirement next time!

[Seamaster]

Cool. Well, let me know what you think of Firefly, if you go.

In all the times that I've been to Vegas, I've never noticed El Pollo Locos. That's cool that you made the connection.

[Iago]

We had a pretty involved day today, at least for Eve, as I took her to Aveda for a spa treatment and haircut followed by a lengthy foot massage at a place in Chinatown. I went and caught a movie (the remake of Evil Dead, which was truly awful.) Since we were in Chinatown at dinnertime, we hit Monta Noodle House, which was stunning. I got the tonkatsu-shoyu ramen with gyoza, and it was the best meal that I have had in Vegas so far.


Not sure if you can watch this or not, but it is worth the effort. Red Letter Media took on Skyfall. The first half is hilarious as they complain about how horribly unbelievable the movie was, saying that they prefer the older, more realistic films, while intercutting that with scenes from Roger Moore movies (like Kananga inflating and blowing up.) Once they get that out of the way, they admit that they actually did enjoy the film, but even while they are still tongue-in-cheek they still have a pretty interesting discussion.

[Seamaster]

I will check out the video this evening.

Sounds like you had a pretty good trip all around. Funny how a trip to Sin City need not be filled with debauchery after all (not that there's anything wrong with that).

[Sponsored content]