Re: Seamaster and Iago's endless rehashing Bond thread

**Iago** Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:03 am

We did Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston, Zion National Park, the Valley of Fire and Lake Mead recreation area (just a drive-though in the latter case, as we blew ourselves out at the Valley of Fire in 95 degree heat.) Plus "slack" days for movies and the spa treatment/massages. The only casino that we have set foot in is the Palms, because of the movie theatre. The only shows that we have seen were the movies. Eve has spent abundant time out at the pool in the hotel. And we are having a great time!

**Seamaster** Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:17 am

The Cirque shows are worth a look. You might like Love (in the Mirage), if you're looking to fill an evening.

**Iago** Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:38 pm

I thought that I posted it earlier, but we ended up skipping Love. The hotel where we are staying (The Tahiti on Tropicana) is also a timeshare, and we could get tickets for both of us for $40, which was a massive savings, if we sat through a timeshare sales pitch. It seemed worth wasting the time on the pitch, but when we showed up for it they wanted us to fill out a questionnaire that among other things asked for income level. I told them that they did not need that kind of information, and they insisted that they had to have it, so I told them to forget it. We were not applying for credit, so I do not give out even that kind of minor personal information. So we just let the whole thing go, and had fun in the great outdoors instead.

We did get to Firefly tonight, but that was an adventure as well. We saw Oblivion in the Brandon Theatre in the Palms, then headed East to the closest Firefly on Paradise, on the other side of the Strip. We got there, and there was a sign outside saying that it was closed for the day, but that the other branches were still open. So we drove back across town (across the Strip and 15 again, dammit) out to the eastern end of Sahara. But it was worth it. Monta Noodle house was still my favorite meal of the trip, but Firefly was mighty good.

Any luck with the video?

**Seamaster** Fri May 03, 2013 2:03 pm

Ah, yes, I remember the timeshare pitch. I don't blame you for walking out. I hate divulging that kind of information as well, as there is no point to them having the information.

Glad you enjoyed the meal as well.

Video is on queue for this weekend (it has been a busy week).

**Iago** Sun May 05, 2013 6:25 am

Potential bad news -- thought the headline is actually a bit deceptive:

http://jalopnik.com/the-aston-martin-v12-vantage-is-reportedly-no-more-490632576

In reality, it just means that a new model is on its way. In the meantime, here is Jalopnik's video review of the Vanquish:

http://hooniverse.kinja.com/video-review-2013-aston-martin-vanquish-is-it-the-be-473521324

**Iago** Sun May 05, 2013 6:36 am

Actually, the latter link is a bit of a cheat, as it is a link to a Jalopnik story linking to a Hooniverse review of the Vanquish. Here is the direct link:

http://hooniverse.com/2013/04/16/video-review-aston-martin-vanquishis-it-the-best-aston-ever-assembled/

And, while we are at it, a bit of aural porn from the same site:

http://hooniverse.com/2012/12/10/hooniverse-quick-take-2014-aston-martin-vanquish-exhaust-note/

**Seamaster** Mon May 06, 2013 12:30 pm

We should change the thread title to porn. That was delightful.

**Iago** Mon May 06, 2013 1:20 pm

I do agree with one of the commenters on the video review that they really appreciated his obvious love for the gear, despite his nitpicks. While the video review does lack detail, they also have a full written review, with a video sample of the "launch control":

http://hooniverse.com/2012/12/17/first-drive-2014-aston-martin-vanquish/

I was not familiar with the Hooniverse site, but it looks like some fun fanboys over there.

Any luck with the Red Letter Media Skyfall review? I enjoyed it quite a bit, especially the ironic parts at the beginning before they admit that they are just kidding.

**Seamaster** Tue May 07, 2013 11:23 am

Dammit, I forgot about the Red Letter Media skit! Will do tonight.

**Iago** Wed May 08, 2013 7:04 am

I am curious what you think. They did make some legitimately good points, even if their general tone is obviously a lighter one. But the first half is hilarious.

**Seamaster** Fri May 17, 2013 3:05 pm

It was pretty funny. I ended up resorting to watching on my phone, so I need to go back and check it out on a larger screen.

**Iago** Sat May 18, 2013 5:38 pm

Not Bond related, but here is a special edition that they did analyzing the trailer for The Zookeeper. At seven minutes, it is much shorter, but the punchline is even better:

**Iago** Wed May 29, 2013 3:08 am

So just like that, it sounds like Mendes is indeed back for Bond 24. Variety reported that Eon was looking at a fairly diverse group of new directors, including David Yates, Shane Black, Ang Lee, Tom Hooper and Nicholas Winding Refn. However, no sooner did the story go up than another story went up on Deadline claiming that Mendes had agreed to return, and Showbiz411 added that Craig had persuaded Mendes to return. Deadline quotes Eon as saying that they resolved the conflict that Mendes had with his theatre committments by delaying the start of filming to wait for him -- which is actually probably a good thing, as the extra time to polish the script certainly paid off for Skyfall.

**Seamaster** Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:53 pm

That is good news, indeed. And I will happily wait for another solid entry.

**Iago** Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:06 pm

The rumors have expanded to say that Mendes has agreed to direct both 24 and 25. Craig has two more films to go on his contract, and he has been Mendes's biggest booster; in fact, the original idea to hire him for 23 was Craig's, so they may be sticking together as a pair. Which brings things back full circle to the original rumors that John Logan had written a two-film arc. That one ended up getting a lackluster denial from Eon, but if Mendes has indeed signed on to direct both, and if the latter one is indeed Craig's last Bond film, there may be truth to it after all.

Did you ever get the OHMSS book? I still await your review. If it gets your stamp of approval, I think that I will order it along with the book on The Living Daylights.

**Seamaster** Fri Jun 14, 2013 3:47 pm

That would be very cool if Mendes directed the next two Bonds.

I have the book, but have yet to read. Sorry. I'm struggling to find free time for leisure these days.

**Iago** Mon Jun 17, 2013 10:35 am

You need a vacation.

**Iago** Thu Jul 11, 2013 7:33 pm

Official, it is:

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/sam-mendes-confirmed-to-direct-next-james-bond-film-set-for-2015-release/

**Seamaster** Fri Jul 12, 2013 11:49 am

Very cool.

**Iago** Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:32 pm

Did you ever watch the "Half in the Bag" episode?

**Seamaster** Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:52 pm

I did, and didn't we discuss it, or am I thinking of something else?

**Iago** Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:35 am

No, I should have stated that more clearly. I meant the one a few posts above about the trailer for The Zookeeper. Not Bond related, but very funny (and it is in a similar vein to the first half of the Skyfall review.)

**Seamaster** Tue Jul 16, 2013 5:29 pm

I forgot about that one . . .

**Iago** Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:48 pm

I only thought about it because I was watching their episode on Man of Steel. I only watched half of that (not in the bag, either) and it was fitfully amusing, but they definitely hated that film. I loved it, and have been involved in multiple discussions about the film, with me on the defensive side, so I am starting to ignore the haters. Though I will definitely watch if they hit Pacific Rim . . .

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