Re: Quantum of Solace
 

I saw this over the weekend as well, on the strength of Casino Royale, which I agree was an excellent Bond movie and probably gave the franchise a new lease on life for as long as Daniel Craig can avoid looking implausibly wrinkly.

And I have seen CR many times, in bits and pieces, because it is re-run endlessly on HBOtimeMaxStarz or whatever those five thousand channels are that all have the same movies on five times a day.

BUT, even having seen various bits of CR, including the end, many times, I am still not totally completely entirely clear on something and I will include here a bracketed ellipsis (ha!) in lieu of SPOILER SPACE [...]

Who was that jackass that Craig spent the whole movie tracking down, only to NOT KILL (I think) in his dreary soviet-era apartment? He was Vesper's boyfriend? She was protecting him by giving money to the guys who like opera? Had we ever seen him before? Was he in CR? Canadian Intelligence? What the fuck?

After a long string of very satisfying car chases and explosions, I thought it was a little unfair to spring plot on us at the point at which, in most Bond movies, Bond would be floating away on an inner tube with Marjorie Meatflaps or whoever. Yes, I feel cheated.

Re: Quantum of Solace
 

He worked for the organization that had people everywhere, but who the CIA and MI6 (or whatever) knew nothing about. He was Vesper's boyfriend until he was able to flip her and use her against the british secret service. He did the same thing to the Canadian secret agent we saw in the last scene. But you knew all this already.

I think he was mentioned in Casino Royale. And Bond pocketed the photo of him with Vesper when being briefed by M earlier in Quantum. I thought it was stupid that he was able to confirm Vesper's love for him. I thought the whole point was that he never really knew for sure whether she was buying his life or just flat-out betraying him, and this was why he turned into the Bond we know and love--womanizing, cold-blooded killer whose only love is the job. So, adding that scene wrapped up the Vesper story nicely (although the one guy who he had in his trunk and who was smart enough to not stand up during that stupid fucking opera remains alive) but really fucks up the back story on Bond they worked so hard on.

TM

Re: madagascar 2
 

I bet you do! Righteous!

I saw the first one before on dvd before going to see the second this weekend.

To be honest, I have to say that while I enjoy those crazy anthromorphically correct jungle critters moving it, their song/dance versions of that song are nowhere near as good as the Sponge Bob piece on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwhRn...eature=related ).

And I'm going to go out on a limb--I've seen that clip probably thirty times now and I think it's the best cartoon video rendition of "I Like to Move it" ever.

Re: madagascar 2
 

Seconded.

Re: madagascar 2
 

Oooh, that one is good.

I instructed my boyfriend last night to download the song and add it to his DJing catalog. I'm not sure he'll ever play it at a gig, but I'm happy knowing it's there.

Re: madagascar 2
 

Indeed. I especially liked Patrick in the fish nets. He has some set of gams, for a starfish.....

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

I dissent.

Mr. White is the face of Quantum, and he will continue to show up in a couple more films. He doesn't fuck up the back story, he foreshadows the future.

The whole point of the boyfriend wasn't to kill him and avenge Vesper's death. Bond always was the cold-blooded agent we know and love. He was after the boyfriend because the boyfriend was the easist way into Quantum. Hence the meaning behind the last line of the film.

But enough of this shit. What was the fucking watch?

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Omega Sea Master Planet Ocean? http://www.bacario.com/Details.asp?ProductID=7406

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Tying the threads together, that sound like a watch Sponge Bob could endourse!

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

That's Bond's watch. I was talking about Mathis's watch. I think it's this one with a brown strap, but I'm not sure.

Layoff Lunch
 

My firm did layoffs last week. It sucks long and hard. One associate I am extremely fond of was affected. I have never been at a firm that did layoffs before but it strikes me that a goodbye lunch (with partners in attendance) for a laid-off associate would be not only awkward, but kind of weird. Amirite? I just got an invite (from the partner in charge of the group) for a goodbye lunch for an associate I like a lot. I imagine the lunch is just going to be a big downer. I kind of feel obliged to go, but also very weird about it.

If PLF gives me a yellow card for this post, I am going to jump through the internet all the way to Minnesota and pinch him. Hard.

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

We haven't had layoffs, but usually when people around here leave (whether completely voluntary or not) folks are pretty gracious so that a last meal isn't all that horrible. I think the partnership tends to see departing people are potential future clients. But dinner is preferable as alochol always helps for these things.

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

This is why my firm emphasized drinking over eating. It's much less of a downer when the laid-off one is getting hammered and making out with random now-former colleagues.

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

Can't one drink at lunch?

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

One can, and I certainly would if I was the one leaving, but others are probably less likely too. At least around here.

ETA: Which reminds me of the tragedy that was the farewell meal for a friend who left the firm. This guy was the summer associate from his class most known to enjoy a few spirited beverages, and a bit of a nonconformist. Yet the fact that he was also very smart, motivated and a good associate led him to come into the high regard of the least popular junior partner, who took it upon himself to arrange a dry, awkward and early (have to beat the rush) going away lunch. Lament for the many glasses of firm-sponsored 20 year old single malt that were left unconsumed.

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

I would imagine some way for the departing guy to say goodbye would be nice for him. Everywhere else you see a guy get shown the door with fifteen minutes to clear out his desk.

I'm sure those people would like the opportunity to have a bit more dignified farewell. Although having the partners that made the decision there would be weird.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Speaking of watches, mine finally crapped out. It wasn't anything fancy, but I liked it. So, I'm in the market. I need something that I can beat the hell out of. At least 200 meters of water resistance. Scratch resistant sapphire crystal. I want to swim anywhere (salt or fresh) and not worry about it. I don't need a Rolex or something fancy like that. Just something that can take lots of abuse.

The jeweler was telling me that this Tissot (after showing me the TAGs) will last me my whole life:

http://www.jomashop.com/tissot-t17-1-586-52.html

Any recommendations? I don't want to spend more than $1k.

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

At my firm, if work people go out to lunch, there is almost always at least a beer or two consumed.

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

No kidding. In that situation, I'm ordering from the top of the wine list. Plus Beluga caviar (just two portions), lobster thermador, a steak sandwich and a steak sandwich.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

I didn't say Mr. White (if he's the guy who was in Bond's trunk) fucked up the back story. And I'm all for his slippery ass being the face of the mysterious Quantum.

I disagree. Other Bond films have implied that he is the way he is because of a woman. This Bond film spent a lot of time on whether Vesper did or did not betray him. And even though Bond says and acts like he doesn't care and wasn't out for vengeance (and that he never left M), I think we all know better. He loved Vesper. He found out she loved him and was trying to protect him, not betray him. But now he has nothing but the job. Maybe he's got that anger in him from losing everything. Who knows?

Anyway, you're right about one thing. Enough of this shit.

TM

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

Not the porterhouse for two?

Re: Layoff Lunch
 

I split a bottle of red last Thursday at lunch with a quasi-client (a board member of a non-profit I rep pro bono, npi), an 01 Fontanafredda Barolo. It was good.

I try not to talk to anyone in my office, so the odds are good that a little alcohol on the breath will go unnoticed.

Re: madagascar 2
 

I am very old. I had no idea what any of this refers to until I saw that video.
I feel like Lather.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Sorry to continue this, but isn't Bond the way he is because he allowed himself to feel love once, and his wife (Diana Rigg) was shot and died in his arms? And he cried, which killed his (George Lazenby's) career as an actor, and his ability to love ever again? So he's cold as ice now.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Hamilton has a few similar watches that are a couple hundred more and will probably perfomr better than the Tissot over the long haul. That being said, in the lower-price market, Tissot is a fine watch.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

That one doesn't count.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Sure it does. Not as a movie, but the book explains a lot about Bond.

Ah -- but Casino Royale comes before On her majesty's secret service, so Vesper is before Tracy. Hmm. So he loved again after Vesper.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

I know that my taste in watches is suspect to many on the board, but I think that the Swiss Army brand men's watches are damn fine looking and would certainly meet your specs.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

What do you mean by "perform better"? I like Hamiltons; I just need some assurance that I can bash it against something, swim with it, and/or potentially stick it up my ass to save for my son if I'm ever imprisoned in a POW camp.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

is the chronology based upon order of publication?

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

I like them. Are they tough enough for a manly man like me, though?

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Good question. The Swiss likely don't contingency plan for POW scenarios.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Yes.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

That is their new marketing slogan:

Swiss Army -- tough enough for Coltrane's Anus.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

that's how I got my Grandfather's watch.

Seriously, Hamiltons tend to be built more sturdily and they run reliably longer. The Tissot may live for 50 years, but by the time it's 20 years old, it will lose a couple minutes a month. The Hamilton will live that same 50 years, but it will be as accurate the whole time as it was the day you bought it. Hamilton's are less prone to scratches and broken crystals, too.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

I thought that whole movie didn't count. Like it's some sort of unrecognized alternate Bond universe.

TM

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

I have this one:

http://www.swissarmy.com/images/Prod...44_sol_a02.jpg

... and like it just fine. It keeps time, also, which is nice. I have not subjected it to the Coltrane Manliness Test, though, in significant part because it never occurred to me to do so.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

See, you understand.

Re: Quantum of Solace - Spoiler Alert
 

Don't know about swimming, but my Hamiltons have held up very well--altho one of the automatics needed some non-standard maintenance. They are owned by Swatch (also makes Tissot, Omega*, and a raft of more and less high-end brands), and likely made in the same factory as some of the other Swatch brands.

I would recommend strongly against Tag. Had recurring problems with one and their customer service sucked.


*Wonk--this makes me think that your question about the non-Bond watch from QoS is another Swatch product--I can't imagine a marketing company like Swatch letting that get away when they are an "official sponsor".

Re: Congratulations Slave and Catrin!!!
 

The poker scene was totally stupid.