http://www.last.fm/music/Rainbow/_/Since+You+Been+Gone

Who doesn't like a good bit of '80s rock?!

Hello everyone! That's right, it's that guy who keeps disappearing! I'm really genuinely sorry for not being here much, but school has been crazy and exam season is looming

Basically, the purpose of this blog is just to say *sorry* and that I will try and be back up properly soon! Also, here's a couple of links to where I am around the web, in case I / when I go MIA again...

E-Mail - A little '90s, I know, but I'm still a fan of it!

Facebook - That's right, I've entered the social networking arena! 've got a couple of TV.Commers already added and I find it's a great way to get to know people better and keep in touch. If anyone feels like adding me (and I'd love to add you!), just send me an email / PM!

Frasier Online - No prizes for guessing what this site's about! I'm the forum a bit and it's good a great community (but nowhere near as good as TV.Com ). You can also see what I've been watching in this thread

Last.FM - Spy on my listening and see my musical taste here (and then call me an idiot for listening to X )

MI6 Forums: Keeping the British End Up - Not half as kinky as it sounds, this is simply a great James Bond forum I discovered recently. If you're a Bond fan, come and have a browse around!

...and that's about it, to be honest! I promise to try and get back online soon and I'll try and get around as many blogs as I possibly can.

Tom.

Sorry for not being here too much lately, but things have just been crazy and my workload has just seems to be getting bigger by the hour. Truth be told, I really shouldn't be writing this blog! Anyways, let's get on with it!

Bondathon (12)

At the start of this week, I got through the final 3 Bonds (with the exception of "Quantum of Solace")...

7.5/10

This film really does try to be good, but at times it just can't make it. The plot isn't particularly exciting and the villain is just a little too "comic booky" after the excellent realistic portrayals in the previous 5 films (AVTAK, TLD, LTK, GE and TND). Sophie Macraeu's Bond Girl is a little more interesting, injecting a bit of mystery into the story, however I found her "twist" to be a bit obvious and overdone. It certainly has some good points, however, the PTS is brilliant as is the Q scene, as well as the part at the Caviar factory where Brosnan gets to deliver a great line: "Q's not gonna like this!"

Certainly not the best Bond film, but there are worse.

4.5/10

Yowzer, and I thought TWINE was bad! This contribution to the Bond canon has been slated by fans and critis for years now and, I must admit, it is rather unfair. The whole part in Cuba is brilliant, especially Bond breaking in (and subsequently escaping) from the hospital. The PTS in Korea is interesting but, like so many other things in this movie, feels like it's been created to simply fit in with what other films are doing (and not even good films). This is about all this film has to offer: Jinx is a dumb character and all the references to previous Bonds just fall flat on their face (I mean, which scene do you think was better: Bond "driving" out of the back of plane in the TLD or here?), the whole part in Iceland is just ridiculous!

In summary: avoid this Bond!

9/10

It's amazing that after how poor DAD was, that CR can come along next. This film, almost literally, breathed new life into the franchise and Craig (while a controversial choice) plays the role perfectly, a lot better than Brosnan ever did. The story is incredibly engrosing, the villains are portrayed brilliantly and, as for the girls, well...!

One of the best additions to the series and I hope Craig continues the role for quite a few more years!

The Ranking

And here it is folks: the final ranking of the first 21 Bond movies! TWINE slides in about 3/4 of the way down, DAD gaines place number 19 (only spared from the bottom by DAF and TMWTGG), while in contrast, CR jumps up to the number 5 spot!

001 - From Russia with Love
002 - Licence to Kill
003 - Goldfinger
004 - The Living Daylights
005 - Casino Royale
006 - Dr. No
007 - On Her Majesty's Secret Service
008 - Tomorrow Never Dies
009 - Goldeneye
010 - A View to a Kill
011 - Thunderball
012 - For Your Eyes Only
013 - Octopu$$y
014 - The World is Not Enough
015 - The Spy Who Loved Me
016 - You Only Live Twice
017 - Moonraker
018 - Live and Let Die
019 - Die Another Day
020 - Diamonds are Forever
021 - The Man with the Golden Gun



And there it is: the Bondathon is complete! After watching this, I still believe that Mr. Dalton is the finest Bond: I mean, both of his films are in my top 4! I'll grab a copy of the QoS DVD some point next week and subsequently add it to the list and leave my thoughts!

Tom.

Bondathon (11)

Ol' Father Time was not on my side last night and so I only got through the one Bond:

7.5/10

It's depressing to say this, but this is the best Bond film of the '70s, which really shows how dire the other installments were! The plot line of this is a welcome change from the three previous Bonds, as we are now dealing with the Cold War topic again and we manage to see the introduction of General Gogol! Moore's into the role by now and seems a lot more confident than previously and he manages to deliver his trademark quips with ease. The PTS is iconic, I'll give you that, but I just can't shake off the self depracting feel to it: the music puts the film firmly in '77!

All in all, definetly not one of the best Bonds, but certainly a fun one. If, for some reason, you want to watch a '70s Bond (compelte with flares ), then this should do just fine!

Tonight, it's...

The Ranking

TSWLM slides in 3/4 of the way down.

- From Russia with Love
- Licence to Kill
- Goldfinger
- The Living Daylights
- Dr. No
- On Her Majesty's Secret Service
- Tomorrow Never Dies
- Goldeneye
- A View to a Kill
- Thunderball
- For Your Eyes Only
- Octopu$$y
- The Spy Who Loved Me
- You Only Live Twice
- Moonraker
- Live and Let Die
- Diamonds are Forever
- The Man with the Golden Gun