Non Soccer Thoughts

With the 22nd James Bond Movie (Quantum of Solace) in theaters, I decided it was appropriate to make a list of them from worst to best. I have seen all of them at least 3 times (including Quantum) and although I enjoy them all, some are better then others, so here it goes.

22. Die Another Day (2002)- There are two reasons to watch this movie, and they are both on Hallie Berry's chest.
21. Moonraker (1979)- James Bond in space.........REALLY?????
20. Octopussy (1983)- Only better then Moonraker because of the name.
19. A View to a Kill (1985)- Props to 58 year old Roger Moore making out with a playboy centerfold, but that and Christopher Walken are the only good things about this film.
18. The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)- Good plot, good villain (Christopher Lee), but gets a bit out of hand at some times.
17. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)- Does anyone besides mean know who George Lazenby is? Its because of this movie.
16. For Your Eyes Only (1981)- Bond back to the basics. Good solid movie, but still Roger Moore.
15. The World is Not Enough (1999)- Confusing plot and Denise Richards pretending that shes a nuclear physicist, but hey, you do get to enjoy her umm........talents.
14. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)- The return of Connery is good, but still his worst film.
13. License to Kill (1989)- Dalton on a Vendetta, this is a good film, but darker then most of the other Bonds. Lacks humor.
12. Quantum of Solace (2008)- The plot is average, but Craig is amazing.
11. Dr. No (1962)- The first Bond is great, as is Connery, but he spends too much time not doing anything.
10. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)- Jaws is maybe the greatest villain in James Bond history.
9. The Living Daylights (1987)- Dalton starts his career off strong, but fails to make anyone laugh.
8. Live and Let Die (1973)- An amazingly good plot, yet this film is at some times very stereotypical. Moore is actually good in this film.
7. Goldfinger (1964)- The general consensus of the best James Bond film of all time is Goldfinger, yet I find it to be one of Connery's more boring adventures. Still this is the film that introduced us to the Aston Martin.
6. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)- Unique plot with an amazing villain. Brosnan is great and so is this movie.
5. Thunderball (1965)- The film that introduced us to a villain holding the world for ransom. Great plot and Connery is amazing as usual.
4. From Russia With Love (1963)- Slow at times, but the train fight scene is amazing. They just don't make espionage films like this any more.
3. Goldeneye (1995)- Pierce Brosnan pulls out the best performance since the 60's and makes James Bond relavent again after a 6 year hiatus.
2. Casino Royale (2006)- Great reboot to the franchise, taking us to James Bond's origins. Daniel Craig has a true shot at being the best Bond ever.
1. You Only Live Twice (1967)- This had it all. James Bond fakes his own death, travels to Japan, turns Japanese, finally meets his nemesis, and goes into a volcano lair. How can it get any better?

Also, you may be wondering what my favorite non-James Bond films are. I will give you my top 5.



5. Memento (2000)- A clever plot about a man who lost the ability to make new memories. This film uniquely plays in 2 different narratives, one, in color, starting at the end of the plot going backwards chronologically and the other, in black and white, starting at the beginning of the plot going forwards. The two sequences meet and form one color climax. This movie is the most creative film that I have ever seen and one of the most complex as well.




4. Die Hard (1988)- This film is more then just the best action film of all time; it has everything, drama, a believable character, and especially laughs. The plot is simple, 1 cop, 12 terrorists, and over 30 hostages trapped in a building on the 30th floor. This was an amazing film that set the table for other films such as Speed and Cliffhanger.



3. Good Will Hunting (1997)- What an achievement for the then 27 year old Matt Damon and 25 year old Ben Affleck to win an academy award for best original screenplay at that young of an age. Robin Williams also took home best supporting actor for this one. Damon stars as a genius janitor who doesn't feel like living up to his potential. He gets discovered by a brilliant math professor and the rest is well, I can't tell you, go see the movie. When i said that Die Hard had everything, I wasn't lying, but this movie has more then everything and is a must see for anyone who likes dramas.



2. Chinatown (1974)- The movie that made Jack Nicholson a star. He stars as Jake Gittes, a PI in the 1930s investigating corruption in the local government regarding the use of water. This is the most modern version we have of a classic Film Noir in which the main character is just as flawed as the villains, and trust me, there isn't a happy ending. The score in this movie is great, just as the many plot twists are. It may take some time to get over the slow pacing, but once you are you will realize what a masterpiece this film is.




1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)- Easily the best film ever. Tim Robbins stars as Andy Dufresne, a man falsely convicted of killing his wife and her lover. Robbins makes friends with Red (Morgan Freeman) a man also sentenced to life. Along the way the usual prison things happen but the thing that strikes me about this film is its uplifting message. Andy is punished for something he does not do, yet he never cracks, or breaks down, only focuses harder on being the only good man inside the whole prison. While this film is long, the acting and plot has no peer in cinematic history.