SkyFall news and related tweets

[Sue]

Hi Everyone

Review of Skyfall from NZ's film reviewer Kate Rodger:


Daniel Craig as James Bond in Skyfall

By Kate Rodger

His name is Bond, James Bond, and after 50 years of loyal service to cinema audiences across the globe, Bond is as popular as ever.

Daniel Craig is our 6th 007 and he once again gets us shaken and a little stirred, in Skyfall. It’s the 23rd Bond, and Craig’s third outing as the iconic British secret agent. It’s also his most revealing.

We learn more about 007’s past, and the story unveils some seriously big Bond plot developments. There’s also plenty to ponder post-viewing, as the film throws up some enticingly curious little questions which plague me still.

Of course, you shall hear none of those spoilers from me! You’ll just have to see Skyfall for yourself.

So yes, our first blonde Bond returns after box office hits Casino Royale and the lesser liked Quantum of Solace, loyal at the side of his boss M (the wonderful Dame Judi Dench in her 007th Bond film). But that’s where the familiarity ends.

We have a new Q in the form of young actor Ben Wishaw (Perfume/Bright Star), and a new Moneypenny. Then, of course, the all-important Bond baddie is a fresh new threat, and in the hands of the brilliant Javier Bardem and his spectacularly awful hair, this baddie is like nothing we’ve seen 007 face off with before.

In Skyfall, the MI6 is under attack, Bardem’s Silva, the man whose motives are very murky, holds a stolen list of spies imbedded in terrorist groups across the globe, spies not just working for British Intelligence, but for all their allies. He plans to expose the identity of each one, unless of course, Bond can stop him.

Just as he did to Oscar-winning effect in No Country for Old Men, Bardem brings a special very memorable kind of creepiness to his character, a worthy and relentless adversary who slowly and tantalisingly reveals his intentions. His performance is stand-out.

This is a very British of Bonds, and set against the backdrop of the world’s longest-running cinema franchise as it celebrates its 50th, who better to helm than Brit Oscar-winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty/Revolutionary Road). Given his previous form, hauling in five Oscars for American Beauty being no mean feat, there’s no questioning the director’s credentials. But there were certainly a few Bond fans worried (yours truly included) that directing the pre-requisite action set pieces Bond is so famed for was unchartered territory for Mendes. I can confirm, unequivocally, that worry was needless.

Yes, Skyfall is a tad leaner on action, but it’s certainly incredibly meaty on plot, glued together with the perfectly pitched tone and mood, and delivered with some delectable cinematography.

Key to this tale, and so perfectly suited to the 50th anniversary, is the rewardingly “old versus new” theme running through this film. While a tad over-played on occasion, the opportunity to plunder the rich and nourishing history of James Bond was grasped with both hands by the filmmakers.

For Bond purists, Skyfall must satiate even the most demanding of appetites. I for one, feel very replete indeed.

Four and a half stars.

3 News

Skyfall
:: Director: Sam Mendes
:: Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory
:: Running Time: 144 mins
:: Rating: M - violence
:: Release Date: November 22, 2012

Kate is one of NZ's top film reviewers, for Channel 3 on TV and radio.
Thought it might interest Daniel fans.

Sue xxx

[Sue]

Found another review, less stars than Kate's.

NZ Herald

By Russell Baillie RBaillieNZH
9:00 AM Saturday Nov 17, 2012

Maybe it's the time it spends in train stations or MI6's new premises in old underground London. Maybe it's the venerable British thespians in support. Or that our our hero - orphaned as a child, we discover - must face his tech-wizard nemesis in a crumbling country pile. Maybe it's the bit with the dragons (yes, really).

And maybe, well certainly, I'm flailing about trying to find something vaguely original to say about 007, part XXIII.

It's had so much said about it already and got itself branded the dark, psychological Bond, the reinvented-for-the-21st century-but-origin-story Bond, and, the best Bond since Daniel Radcliffe - whoops, Craig - first got those very nice suits tailored.

But the admittedly lateral thought that this Bond curiously resembles a gun-happy, jet-setting Harry Potter movie took hold while it was still on. And in a Bond movie, you really shouldn't be given time or inspiration for random thoughts about other Brit blockbuster franchises.

Because it just might indicate that Skyfall, with the energy generated by real-world seriousness rubbing up against the formulaic preposterousness, can actually get a bit boring. Especially as it heads into the last half-hour of a film which matches Craig's debut, Casino Royale, for duration as the longest Bondflicks.

That 2006 one humanised the old trooper by having him fall in love in between high stakes card games and getting tortured.

This one attempts to do the same by showing his rehab efforts after coming back from the dead - his downtime having been spent somewhere sunny, mostly contemplating the bottom of bottles from the product placement dept - so he can then chase this episode's Euro-baddie (Bardem's Raoul Silva), a cyber-terrorist threatening to expose an international spy who's who on the web.

That involves stop-offs in Shanghai and Macau via two Bond gals - curiously, Berenice Lim Marlohe's Severine spends more time on the poster than she does in the movie - before dragging Silva back to London where, after a Silence of the Lambs bit, it's all on.

And that's where Skyfall starts to drag. While trying to be the aforementioned dark, psychological reboot of 007, it also wants to be the bob-each-way Bond.

Its story wants to say something about being a spy in a precarious post-WikiLeaks/Anonymous world while still being the high-action aftershave advert of old.

Just not sure it does either particularly well.

But if director Sam Mendes and his writers over-reach, it still offers plenty of set-piece thrills and their leading man, Craig, is still really good.

Opposite him, Bardem's Silva might be a gay cover version of his creepier killer, Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men, but he sure has his moments, whether he's inspecting 007's inside leg measurement or showing a remarkable inability to delegate in his fiendish plans. Which is very Voldemort of him, really.

Stars: 3.5/5
Cast: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem
Director: Sam Mendes
Rating: M (violence)
Running time: 143 mins
Verdict: Best Bond yet? Hmmm ...


All I can say is I'll know how I feel when I see the film this Tuesday, 2 more sleeps!!!


On first viewing does anyone have advice on what or who to watch???Thanks.

[Germangirl]

Thanks Sue.

On what or who to watch?

[Germangirl]

Good interview

http://www.wisconsingazette.com/film/da ... older.html

[SilverDragon]

You can pre order Skyfall on Blu ray and dvd in HMV and play.com but the release date hasnt been decided yet.

[SmittenDramaKitten]

You can pre order Skyfall on Blu ray and dvd in HMV and play.com but the release date hasnt been decided yet.

I wasn't even going to start watching for that date until the New Year! Already counting the days for that though... I'm hoping we won't have to wait too long past March...

[Dunda]

Good interview

http://www.wisconsingazette.com/film/da ... older.html

But the headline is somewahat shitty I first thought this is a review from one of the Anti-Craig brigade

[Germangirl]

Good interview

http://www.wisconsingazette.com/film/da ... older.html

But the headline is somewahat shitty I first thought this is a review from one of the Anti-Craig brigade

Yeah, I know, but I never post shit.

[sf2la]

Good interview

http://www.wisconsingazette.com/film/da ... older.html

But the headline is somewahat shitty I first thought this is a review from one of the Anti-Craig brigade

Yeah, I know, but I never post shit.

That was a really good interview.

Can SOMEONE print a truth about DC that makes him unattractive???Pleeeeeeeeze. Can any man be this perfect inside and outside?

[Germangirl]

GP: What did you teach Daniel Craig in Skyfall?

RY: Daniel has had his own personal trainer, I guess, from the first Bond. I didn’t work with him in terms of body shaping. What I did with him was a lot of yoga to loosen him up, a lot of focused moves for boxing, kickboxing, Thai elbows and knees, basically any type of martial arts movements. At the same time, the way that he portrays Bond is much more of a physical, smart, street fighter — a brawler — as opposed to a stylish martial artist. So the way I would hold focus mitts for him and have him throw the punches is more like a boxer, someone who is very good and reactive and has the martial arts skills, but isn’t attuned to any one style. This opens him up to do what Bond does. He can be anything and everything. Bond is sound, effective, vicious and lethal. He needs to get the job done

http://gearpatrol.com/2012/11/10/guts-a ... s-bravado/


As for Bond's fighting style, its Krav Maga, Boxing and some Muay Thai all into one.

[caramel]

GP: What did you teach Daniel Craig in Skyfall?

RY: Daniel has had his own personal trainer, I guess, from the first Bond. I didn’t work with him in terms of body shaping. What I did with him was a lot of yoga to loosen him up, a lot of focused moves for boxing, kickboxing, Thai elbows and knees, basically any type of martial arts movements. At the same time, the way that he portrays Bond is much more of a physical, smart, street fighter — a brawler — as opposed to a stylish martial artist. So the way I would hold focus mitts for him and have him throw the punches is more like a boxer, someone who is very good and reactive and has the martial arts skills, but isn’t attuned to any one style. This opens him up to do what Bond does. He can be anything and everything. Bond is sound, effective, vicious and lethal. He needs to get the job done

http://gearpatrol.com/2012/11/10/guts-a ... s-bravado/


As for Bond's fighting style, its Krav Maga, Boxing and some Muay Thai all into one.

There should seriously be a section in the dvd where we get to see Daniel in the training mode. See him learn and do all these sexy mofo fight moves.
Oh please!! I want to see him being all intense and focused , just UNF!!
I will marry such a dvd if it becomes a reality

[Germangirl]

GP: What did you teach Daniel Craig in Skyfall?

RY: Daniel has had his own personal trainer, I guess, from the first Bond. I didn’t work with him in terms of body shaping. What I did with him was a lot of yoga to loosen him up, a lot of focused moves for boxing, kickboxing, Thai elbows and knees, basically any type of martial arts movements. At the same time, the way that he portrays Bond is much more of a physical, smart, street fighter — a brawler — as opposed to a stylish martial artist. So the way I would hold focus mitts for him and have him throw the punches is more like a boxer, someone who is very good and reactive and has the martial arts skills, but isn’t attuned to any one style. This opens him up to do what Bond does. He can be anything and everything. Bond is sound, effective, vicious and lethal. He needs to get the job done

http://gearpatrol.com/2012/11/10/guts-a ... s-bravado/


As for Bond's fighting style, its Krav Maga, Boxing and some Muay Thai all into one.

There should seriously be a section in the dvd where we get to see Daniel in the training mode. See him learn and do all these sexy mofo fight moves.
Oh please!! I want to see him being all intense and focused , just UNF!!
I will marry such a dvd if it becomes a reality :thud:

and I will be Brides maid, if that helps. We all will be
But NOT in a pink dress

[sf2la]

Caramel LOLOLOLOLOL!!!! You're a hoot. Marry the DVD
I agree. Along with same-sex marriage, one should be able to marry the DVD of their choice!! But Blockbusters are all closed. Would marriages take place at the Redbox kiosks at the grocery store??

[tbossmc2000]

Caramel LOLOLOLOLOL!!!! You're a hoot. Marry the DVD
I agree. Along win same-sex marriage, one should be able to marry the DVD of their choice!! But Blockbusters are all closed. Would marriages take place at the Redbox kiosks at the grocery store??

You two are cracking me up. Yeah, I think the wedding should take place at the Redbox, the grocery store could cater it. Do you think she will register???

[Sue]

Hey Germangirl out of interest did you see Skyfall in English or subtitled in German or is it dubbed in German? Hope you get my drift!

On watching Skyfall for first time tomorrow late afternoon, Tuesday, I shall definitely be taking all and I mean all, of Daniel in my conscious and subconscious and trying to concentrate on the storyline at the same time. I just gathered there is a lot in this movie to take in, so to speak, so two or three viewings may be necessary!!!
Got the tickets an hour ago so only 1 more sleep to go! I'm getting excited now so I may have to have a few cold showers before 3pm screening time tomorrow. Thank goodness it's quite hot here in Auckland!!! Meanwhile Wellington, capital of NZ, is going crazy over the World Premiere of The Hobbit this Wednesday - Hobbit week - tourists from all over the world here on tours, etc seeing gorgeous scenery where the movie was shot and on red carpet Wednesday!!! Quite exciting for little ol' NZ. Feel proud!

Maybe we could all have a joint wedding marrying the DVD That would be cool, especially when all taking our vows together in various languages