Tuesday, May 11, 2010

quantum of boredom


Being totally outnumbered by guys this weekend, I ended up watching the 2008 James Bond film, Quantum of Solace. Other than the fact that it has absolutely no plot, I didn't particularly appreciate the fact that Bond was on a cold blooded personal revenge mission. In my book, this movie doesn't even qualify to be a Bond film. Whatever happened to that suave Flemingesque Bond elegance?

Okay, that said, there were two teensy redeemable features. One, being the fabulous chunky gold fish necklace worn by Olga Kurylenko. Talk about something being worth its weight in gold, this is one magnificent piece of bling. I would wear it in a heartbeat. Second, is the marvelous Dame Judi Dench, as the imitable "M", who always presents an excellent piece of acting, regardless of the script. And I might add, she looked stunning in every scene.

If you haven't seen the movie, don't bother. I've already filled you in on the important highlights. And, since it was cold enough over the weekend to pull my woollies out of mothballs, this film gets two woolly socks down.

55 comments:

  1. Well, heck, I thought that was a photo of you wearing the bling.

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  2. yeah, this one was not good at all...i miss the old Bond films...some of my favs...

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  3. Heehee, yeah, I should have said it was me, but Olga might have something to say about that.

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  4. Dreadful movie! Loud and in your face with no logical point. Bond films lost their way a long time ago and I now prefer Bourne films if I'm going to watch action/spy adventures. Bond = Goldfinger. I want suave, action, and most especially humor. Agree with you completely...except for the socks. Beyond sock weather here.

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  5. We watched that as well, I can't find my wooley socks, so I'll just settle for yours.

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  6. I actually haven't seen this film & not sure I want to now. But I do like the bling..not sure I would wear it though...a bit too chunky for me!
    After having suffered a serious neck injury a few years ago am not sure the old neck could handle it!

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  7. they're ok, but mostly forgettable. and who notices bling when there's so much more to look at?

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  8. I've seen it. I don't care much for Bond films. Too misogynistic. So slow to sink in...surrounded by guys.

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  9. Ah, to have been a "Bond Girl" but I was too young to for Sean Connery, too old (alas) for Daniel Craig. As for the others - naaaah, they just weren't sexy enough for Moi.

    So, on that "note of personal interest", I agree with you, for the most part,regarding the lastest two Bond films - especially "Quantum"...

    Love, love Judi Dench.... she is always perfect! Love Daniel Craig.... such a sexy blonde...(and in the beginning, I didn't think he would work) and love Olga's gold necklace - but I would lose the charm and just wear it
    plain".

    The biggest problems with these films - poor screenplays....it's pathetic. My criteria: IF I can predict a line of dialogue before it is said, the movie is poorly written. (And often, I can predict 5 or 6 lines......waaaaaah!)

    Anyway, it's cold and rainy here....wooly socks are definitely in order!

    Hugs from a fellow "Critic",

    ♥ Robin ♥ aka: 007 2/3

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  10. I don't think I've seen that Bond film because I would have remembered that awesome necklace! I totally examined it before I read your post. I'm in love and might start looking for something similar to make my own.

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  11. A dud of a film, indeed...I confess to loving the old Bond films, though. Of course, no one but Connery will do for me.

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  12. Oh, and how I agree with you! Don't know why I let myself be talked into going to see it. I thought it was just mindless cold-blooded violence, made just to show off the special effects and even they didn't impress me. Came away wondering how Dame Judi allowed herself to appear in it. And I didn't even notice the bling, shows how turned off I was.

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  13. Oh, OK, I'll give it the flick then. Love Dame Judi; wish I could wear my hair that short!

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  14. I haven't seen it and now I don't have to. Thanks, Willow!

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  15. Ditto!
    The necklace and Dench are amazing...
    Bond NEVER did it for me to begin with...I only watch to make the other half happy!
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  16. Dame Judi Dench is amazing in EVERYTHING. Even in mediocre movies like this one.

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  17. Haven't seen it and won't based on your lack of recommendation. I love Dame Judi Dench, too. Great actor.

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  18. I liked the last one, actually. But I haven't felt any desire to see this one...

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  19. I do wish I could wear my hair like Ms. Dench does. She looks marvelous. But I would look dreadful.

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  20. I haven't seen a Bond show since Sean Connery, but I do love Densch or Dench. Nevertheless, I did forget to mention on your previous post how much I liked it and your poem.

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  21. I am not familiar with it, but appreciate your information!
    Happy Tuesday Ahead!

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  22. I welcome any opportunity to see Daniel Craig. hubba hubba! Still, I must agree that the quality of film was lacking.

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  23. bring back pierce brosnan...sean could do an older version but I am sorry Roger is just too creaky...I agree Daniel Craig is a cold fish

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  24. General opinion is in agreement with you Willow. Thank goodness this one was the LAST. They've run their course!

    Bisou, Cro.

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  25. Love Judi Dench, always. Netflix sent me Murder by Death and I will watch it tomorrow. Thanks for the tip, Willow.

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  26. I agree. QoS was not a Bond film... it felt like the producers wanted to make a Jason Bourne movie.

    Definitely one of the worst 5 of the series... Odd that it followed one of the best 5. Ah, well.

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  27. That Other Husband was a besotted Bond fan. In fact in the mid-80's he began to think he was JB, even though he only pushed 5'6" standing on tippy-toes. The final straw came when he got personalized licence plates for an old Aston Martin he owned. They read ***007 - I knew at that moment the marriage was doomed & I should find a good divorce lawyer!! Nothing in this world could ever persuade me to watch a Bond movie -too much bad karma!! I admire your bravery dear Willow.
    Millie ^_^

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  28. Olga, Shmolga — I had the same reaction as Catalyst, and first thought that was a photo of you. Then I realized it was all an elaborate subliminal pitch for Steven's "the golden fish" blog ;)

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  29. Oh, yes, agreed. Except I do love Daniel Craig -- or at least his eyes...

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  30. I decided to skip Quantum of Solace when it came out. The series is moving to far away from the character.

    I remember having to drive into the city from the suburbs and lining up for two or three previous showings before we could get in to see a Bond feature

    Now there was devotion.

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  31. It was cursedly cold here too this weekend and I had to get my long undees out. I may have seen a bit of this as I recall seeing Judi as "M." Otherwise, I found it lacking in interest and am pretty sure I stopped watching.

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  32. Lorenzo, I KNEW there was some psychological reason I was drawn to the necklace. It was screaming "Golden Fish"!!

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  33. I would be eager to see anything with Judi Dench in it. I have been a fan of hers for many years. I think she is multi talented. And beautiful.

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  34. yes, love the blingbling - who wouldn't!!! fabulous, dahling!!! and yes, too, on the "new" bond not bonding with me - prefer the original when bond really bonded and more recently the bournes - lady dench the grand dame of them all - as for the woolieboolies last week here was 95 and this morning awoke to frost on the ground - no rhyme or reason to the weather of late - as usual, ladywillow, fantabulous post!

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  35. Hello Wilow,

    Perhaps Ms. Olga is sufficient interest for male viewers, with or without her bling?!

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  36. That necklace is so hot, wow!
    I love the chunky ones, too bad I can't wear them when I have a camera around my neck.

    Dame Judi Dench is always such a joy to watch!

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  37. Popping back by to say I made your rhubarb dessert last night -- except that I used mangoes and pecans instead of rhubarb and walnuts. It was excellent -- oh, yeah, and a topping of blended vanilla whipped cream and plain yoghurt. (I'm making myself hungry here...)

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  38. I half watched it on DVD and half read the paper at the same time. The paper was more entertaining.

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  39. ha! you are the cutest siskel and eibert i've come across ;) thanks so much for the heads up on the bond film, you're right in saying that there just isn't enough sauve and debonair out there any more. but miss judi, she is worth watching any day of the week!
    such a wonderful post, thanks willow :)

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  40. Too funny--I haven't seen it and now that I've benefited from your description of it here, I'll pass. I do love Dame Judy, though. She's wonderful.

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  41. I've never seen this movie, I'm not a big fan of the Bond films anyway. I would watch them for this reason - I adore Dame Judi Dench, you're right, every scene she acts amazingly and looks equally as good :)

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  42. My favorite Bond movie is Goldeneye - because for once I felt like the female lead was a match for him.

    Dr. M was trolling around Youtube the other day & came across Dame Judi singing Send in the Clowns - FABULOUS! I just love her.

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  43. I thought that was you also. You ae so beautiful, it could be. I won't bother to watch that but I do love Judi. I know what is wrong with me now. I have no wooley socks and it is blackberry winter here in the south, mid south.
    QMM

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  44. I didn't like it either. It was relentless revenge and almost nothing else. But I did think Dame Judy was marvelous.

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  45. QMM, I just read the term "blackberry winter" for the first time this morning on Vicki Lane's blog. It's so very charming!

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  46. Bug, I ADORE Judi Dench. I'm off to find her rendition of Send in the Clowns.....

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  47. Thanks willow. There is only one Bond, though I have to say I did enjoy "Live and Let Die" very much.

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  48. hey willow, thanks for the shout-out! that's some bling hangin' round that girl's neck! steven

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  49. Yes, that's some awesome bling, Willow. Last night on Netflix, I watched Judi Dench in an older film I'm sure you've seen. It was 84 Charing Cross Road.
    (Thanks for the heads up on this movie).

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  50. This was a terrible let-down - I can hardly remember a scene. Casino Royale was so good.

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  51. Well, Willow, be super glad you were not watching this in a theater. That's what I did the weekend it came out as we had visitors from out of the country and they all wanted to watch it, claiming they were related to the actress. Which by the way, they are. Still. I had to pretend enjoyment.

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  52. I concur. I do, however, love the new Bond. He's added a whole new dimension to the character, rugged, vulnerable, wounded. I'm a sucker for those blue eyes, too!

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  53. I thought Casino Royale was excellent. This one - you hit it on the head with the personal-revenge angle, Willow. It was practically a remake of License to Kill, wherein Dalton's Bond gets all up close and personal-vendetta on some drug trafficker. Seriously. A drug trafficker? James Bond?

    But compared to this one, though...here, what even was the bad guy - a water trafficker?

    I admit, I didn't dislike the film as much as many of you here. I enjoyed it as it was going on. But I kept expecting it to pull together and make at least a lick or two of sense, or at least muster a game attempt. So as it started wrapping itself up in serene disregard of doing do, I frowned a bit, and I was a bit miffed on the way out.

    Fave Bond film: From Russia with Love.

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  54. I had to come back for one more look at that fabulous necklace, and comment this time.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)