Comments for Bond DVD

Comment on James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set by Ricardo L. Vasallo "Ric Roc"

Ricardo L. Vasallo "Ric Roc" — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:26:24 +0000

92 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

Region 1 is Shortchanged Again, September 4, 2007

Ricardo L. Vasallo "Ric Roc" (Danville, CA USA) -

This review is from: James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set (DVD)

I am deducting 1 star because the packaging is not worthy of the ultimate James Bond set.

While Europe and parts of Asia get the stunning attache case box set, the US and Canada get only a cardboard box. OK. A shiny cardboard box.

Inclusion of Casino Royale, notwitstanding.

Are you listening, MGM?

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Comment on James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set by Yesspaz "Self-Proclaimed Quality Assurance Sp...

Yesspaz "Self-Proclaimed Quality Assurance Sp... — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:57:07 +0000

178 of 184 people found the following review helpful:

Great content, awful packaging, August 25, 2008

Yesspaz "Self-Proclaimed Quality Assurance Sp... (Mississippi, USA) -

This review is from: James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set (DVD)

Yes, it's all 21 movies with 21 bonus discs. All that's phenomenal. But the packaging is awful. That gorgeous box in the picture? It's the flimsiest fold-and-assemble cardboard out there. Inside, the movies are not presented in chronological order. Instead it's vol. 1-4 of the Ultimate Edition, stuck in this flimsy box. They're all thin-line cases with the liner notes stacked to the side in the box. You can't put them in the individual cases with their respective movies. Sure, you could buy 20 blank cases, but then it wouldn't fit in the box they gave you. Now all that's for the first twenty. Then stuck on the end, is the normal 2-DVD package of Casino Royale. It's added on like an after-thought.

This is great product, but with the absolute cheapest way of presenting the material imaginable. It's in no way comparable in quality to the Star Trek ten movie set. Truly, all they did was stick the old, hodge-podge Ultimate Edition sets and the Casino Royale two disc in a flimsy box.

CHEAP.

I'm okay with it because I got lucky and bought in on the $95.99 release day 24-hour super sale (which goes to show you just how much they're marked up). If I'd paid over $200 for this, I'd be livid.

With all that said, the movies themselves look great - digitally remastered, etc. Again, great content, very amatuer presentation.

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Comment on James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set by Mitch Vandelay "Mitch"

Mitch Vandelay "Mitch" — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:33:35 +0000

196 of 202 people found the following review helpful:

Looks like it is just repackaged from the 4 volumes earlier this year., November 6, 2007

Mitch Vandelay "Mitch" (Memphis, TN) -

This review is from: James Bond Ultimate Collector's Set (DVD)

I looked at this set in the store today and it really appears as if the contents actually are the 4 Ultimate Collectors Volumes inside this case with Craig's Casino Royale along side. And by the contents being the 4 Volumes, literally, it looks like they are inside this black box.

I opted for the Ulimate Collector's Bundle for $179, instead of this, since I purchased Casino Royale when it was released, and I am really just looking for all the previous movies from Connery to Brosnan in the remastered 2-disc versions.

Also of note, if you want all the Bond films- you have to order Never Say Never Again as a separate item, that is not part of the MGM/UA library.

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Comment on Devil May Care (The New James Bond Novel ) by Tom S. "filmfan3"

Tom S. "filmfan3" — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:50:53 +0000

38 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

"Come in, 007. It's good to see you back.", May 29, 2008

Tom S. "filmfan3" (New York City) -

This review is from: Devil May Care (The New James Bond Novel ) (Hardcover)

Ian Fleming's immortal spy has continued to thrill us since the author's death in 1964, in the famous film series and in "tribute" novels by a succession of writers, notably the late John Gardner. For the 100th anniversary of Fleming's birth, his estate commissioned noted British author Sebastian Faulks to take up where Fleming left off. And that is precisely what he's done--DEVIL MAY CARE is set in the 1960s, right after the events of Fleming's final works.

The plot is just what I hoped it would be: Bond is saving the world from a nefarious villain, with action and girls and martinis, not to mention "M" and Moneypenny. There are even a few nifty hindsight jokes thrown in for the benefit of readers in 2008. More than any previous "tribute" novels, this one is scrupulously faithful to the style and intent of the original artist. And that's as it should be--after all, this is supposed to be a celebration of Fleming himself.

I'm glad they found a writer of this caliber to carry on the Bond tradition. I hope Faulks intends to continue the series, but I suspect that will depend on how DEVIL MAY CARE is received by the critics and the public. But if you're a lifelong 007 fan like me, you'll feel compelled to read this one. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Recommended.

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Comment on Devil May Care (The New James Bond Novel ) by N. Brett

N. Brett — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:44:15 +0000

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

Fleming's Bond is back, May 29, 2008

N. Brett (Wiltshire, England) -

This review is from: Devil May Care (The New James Bond Novel ) (Hardcover)

Faulks does really capture the essence of Fleming's Bond and the cold war era. I read this in one sitting and it was like going back in time to when I first discovered the written Bond. Having recently re-read the old Fleming novels, this was an exact fit it both style and atmosphere. A gritty but world weary Bond mixed with entertaining bad guys and stunning women. Also nice to see it in the low tech era of the 60's where Bond needs a coin for a phone call!
A nostalgic romp that captures Fleming's work very well. I hope this is not a one off!

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Comment on Devil May Care (The New James Bond Novel ) by Paul Baack

Paul Baack — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:12:59 +0000

49 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

A James Bond Thriller Without Thrills, June 4, 2008

Paul Baack (Bloomingdale, Illinois) -

This review is from: Devil May Care (The New James Bond Novel ) (Hardcover)

If someone had told me that the new James Bond novel had been written by a food and fashion critic rather than a novelist, I would have believed it.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of 007 creator Ian Fleming's birth, a new Bond novel was commissioned by his estate and Ian Fleming Publications (his literary business) and it's the first published in six years. Sebastian Faulks was chosen--a curious choice, as he is known mostly for "literature" and not thrillers. It's now apparent why he appeared to be a good selection, because he has the ability to mimic Fleming's style... but unfortunately he is not able to reproduce Fleming's flair for storytelling. The cover legend "Sebastian Faulks writing as Ian Fleming" turns out to be a joke, really, because DEVIL MAY CARE straddles the fine line between pastiche and parody. It was as if Faulks sat down with a checklist of "Bondian Stuff" and proceeded to make sure every page was full of it--so much so that the work becomes annoying and, frankly, laughable. Fleming was often accused of "sex, sadism, and snobbery," but in Faulks' book, only the snobbery is apparent. There is way too much brand-name-dropping and food description. Fleming did this but he made it an art and used it sparingly. Here, there seems to be a meal or a drink or clothing described in painstaking detail in every sequence--all to the detriment of plot and characterization.

Hardcore Fleming fans will be quick to point out the various errors Faulks has made with regard to the Bond canon, but these are minor and can be forgiven. After all, other continuation authors have made mistakes as well, and even Fleming committed the occasional factual error. What is more problematic is that Faulks has written a by-the-numbers Bond story that feels more like a treatment for an unproduced Roger Moore-style Bond movie. The tone and attitude in the book is too flippant and light. One can feel the author winking at us, as if to say, "See what I'm doing? I'm writing a *James Bond novel*!"

The plot is silly. There is no good reason why M sends 007 out to shadow the villain (who has what the author must have thought was a Fleming-esque deformity--a monkey's paw--but that really is parodic!). Events happen without cause and effect. Bond is suddenly a tennis champ but there is no evidence in the 007 canon that Bond ever played tennis. He walks blindly into suspicious scenarios as if he had the brains of a rookie (he's probably thinking about what he's going to wear and what he's going to have for dinner!). The villain, Dr. Julius Gorner (couldn't the author have come up with a better first name, since we've already had a "Dr. Julius"--Dr. Julius No?), is ineffectual and provides no real threat that we, as readers, can feel. Fleming, known for his "Fleming Effect," could write a story that compelled readers to keep turning the pages. Faulks fails miserably in that regard. There is no suspense whatsoever.

It is sad that this poor excuse of a Bond novel was chosen to celebrate Fleming's centenary. What is more remarkable is the amount of money spent to promote it. The former authors--Kingsley Amis, John Gardner, and Raymond Benson--never benefitted from this kind of promotion. This book is simply not worth the hoopla. Raymond Benson came up with infinitely better plots and villains; John Gardner captured the page-turning sweep of Fleming's storytelling; and Kingsley Amis was a better imitator of Fleming's style. But no one can top Fleming himself.

The worst sin that Faulks has committed, though, is producing a "James Bond thriller" that has no thrills. And that is unforgivable.

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Comments (2)

Comment on Day Break by Daniel B. Clendenin

Daniel B. Clendenin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:37:14 +0000

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

retribution, fate or forgiveness?, September 17, 2008

Daniel B. Clendenin (www.journeywithjesus.net) -

This review is from: Day Break (DVD)

Mansour murdered his boss, that much is clear, and for his crime he sits on death row in Tehran's Ghasr Prison awaiting execution. What's not clear is why the family of the victim has remained absent on three execution dates. Is this mere coincidence? A form of deliberate torture? An act of forgiveness? In Islamic law the family of the victim must attend the execution of the convicted, and in their hands rests both retribution and pardon. Mansour's father begs for mercy. His pregnant wife gives birth while he's in prison. His fellow prisoners are carted to their own executions while inmates make bets on the outcome. Mansour is haunted by memory, nightmares, and, most of all, the tedium of waiting for his fourth execution date. That's forty long days, the period of mourning the victim's family must observe for a death in their own family. This film was an official selection at the Tribeca and Toronto festivals. In Farsi with English subtitles.

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Comment on Day Break by Lee Armstrong

Lee Armstrong — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:15:42 +0000

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Touching Emotional Wallop, March 9, 2007

Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) -

This review is from: Day Break (DVD)

Film Movement's DVD "Day Break" brings the Iranian film by director Hamid Rahmanian to Western audiences. The film is riveting as Mansour gets angry at his boss and picks up a big rock. The offscreen action results in a murder. Through flashbacks, we learn the backstory that Mansour moved his family to Tehran from their little village in northern Iran. The boss apparently breaks a promise and tells Mansour not to call and insultingly calls him "a villager," similar to a being called a hick or a hillbilly in the U.S. Hossein Yari does a masterful job in the lead role. We see in flashback his courtship with his wife and their tender loving relationship. When his wife gives birth, he brings the baby a pair of slippers. The intense regret he feels for the murder and its potential sacrifice of his life is prolonged when the family of the murdered victim who must be present cancels three times. Each time the execution is stayed. The film was shot inside Tehran's century-old prison and gives an interesting perspective on a very different justice system. The film is touching and has a great emotional wallop.

The short film of 17-year old drummer Anders Erickson is amazing for its sonic and visual pyrotechnics. Canadian director Deco Dawson does an excellent job with this 9-minute documentary. Together, this is an excellent DVD! Bravo!

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Comment on Day Break by M. LaFreniere

M. LaFreniere — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:29:06 +0000

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

amazing film, August 20, 2006

M. LaFreniere -

This review is from: Day Break (DVD)

an amazing film. it gives the feel of a documentary in the beginning, sucking you into the reality and showing a different justice system -- one that emphasizes religion and the right of the family of the victim to decides the fate of the murderer, deciding whether the murderer will be executed or serve a long sentence -- the length of the sentence is decided by law. In an early scene, the protagonist and another inmate come to their execution. The victim's family of the protagonist is not there so the decision of his execution is put off for 40 days. The family's presence is mandatory. The other inmate begs the victim's family for forgiveness. The muslim priest lectures them on the importance of forgiveness even as he outlines their right to decide on the execution. Will the family decide to execute? If they do, the man will be hanged but one family member must pull the trolley out from under the man to hang him. You feel that this is a system that does not put the state above the feelings of the person/family. Yet can an average person follow through on killing a killer? In an amazing piece of acting, the father faces his son's killer set on vengeance, but then must face killing the killer. You feel that father's grief, anger and morality. Killing, even killing a killer, is a moral decision. The movie follows the other man in limbo when his victim's family doesn't show. We witness the relationship between the inmates, his despair and his reflections on his life and his relationship with his parents and pregnant wife while he waits. We don't see the actual murder, which is a fault as it is too easy to sympathize with the murderer. I don't know if the movie reflects the reality of the prison system there but if so it is much more humane than here int he U.S. as the prisoners bond in a community trying to give hope to each other. The guards treat them as human although they do what they have to to quell problems, using solitary confinement as punishment. You feel some of these men are salvageable and that this is a system that gives them a chance to join society while giving the victim's family justice. A very good movie. The acting is very good. Framing as a documentary and sliding into a film is a very good move, allowing the filmmakers to ask questions about justice while exploring one man's mind. A+

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Comment on James Bond 007: Blood Stone Reviews by S. Stanley

S. Stanley — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:33:47 +0000

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Short, mindless, fun, January 3, 2011

S. Stanley -

= Fun:

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: James Bond 007: Blood Stone (Video Game)

I like third person games. I enjoy playing as a character I recognize. This game is excellent on both those fronts. The story is simple, the decision making is minimal, the variety between the shooting and driving is good. For occasional or novice gamers, this is an excellent game. For those who play seriously, this game may be too short and simplistic.

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