My Two Cents - Top Grossing Movies

Titanic. The Dark Knight. Star Wars. What do these three movies all have in common? Simple...combined, they grossed over one and a half billion dollars at the United States box offices. One and a half billion. And that was just at movie theaters in this country. A better question is - how? Why? What determines if a movie is going to be a box-office smash, or an absolute bomb? If there was a simple answer to that question, Hollywood would be turning out billion-dollar megablockbusters by the truckload. Since they aren't...here's my take on it:

First and foremost, it doesn't hurt that these were three exceptional films. Often, there is a great deal of hype surrounding them...and most of that hype occurs when the movie is already released (the classic "word of mouth"). Unlike most movies, where the hype machine revs up months in advance. Also...most of these movies transcend simple genre descriptions. There is a little bit of something for everyone.

But, in the end...it's an intangible. Sometimes, a movie comes along...and it is just a smash. Consider that in 1977, "Star Wars" was the highest grossing movie in US box office history. It took twenty years before "Titanic" took the crown. And it was another eleven before "Dark Knight" joined the exclusive club of highest grossing movies. In the history of Hollywood, only eight movies have grossed over four hundred million at the US box office: Titanic, Dark Knight, Star Wars, Shrek 2, E.T., Star Wars Episode One - The Phantom Menace, Pirates Of The Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest, and Spider-Man. Eight movies in over eighty years...that's pretty exclusive company.

Will there ever be a movie that out-grosses Titanic? It's impossible to say for certain. Surely no one ever thought Star Wars would be outgrossed. Not only was it outgrossed...but it was outgrossed by over one hundred and forty million dollars. And eleven years after it was outgrossed by Titanic...Dark Knight outgrossed it by seventy-three million. It will take an extraordinary set of circumstances to break Titanic's stranglehold on the top spot. But if life has taught us nothing else...it is that records are made to be broken.

But, that's just my opinion...

My Two Cents - Summer '07 In Review

Well...I can finally say...it was a good summer for movies. Thankfully...considering what a dud 2006 turned out to be. I will say...there were some disappointments (the most notable of which was "Spider-Man 3"), but I would have to say that the movie as a whole was a good one. There were more hits than misses. And now, to quickly review my earlier post of my most anticipated releases of the summer...and update how I felt about them.
First and foremost, I must say that I did not get a chance to see "1408" or "28 Weeks Later". I do plan to rent "1408" on Netflix...and I will let you know what I thought after that. That being said, let's continue.
"Spider-Man 3"...I already reviewed it...but here it is again. VERY disappointing. Easily the biggest let-down of the entire summer. Should have been WAY better than it actually was.
"Live Free Or Die Hard"...I was expecting it to be good. I was amazed at how awesome it really was!!! Bruce Willis just keeps getting better every time he plays John McClane...and this time out was great! Excellent supporting cast, good story...and loads of action and witty one-liners. In other words, everything we come to expect from a "Die Hard" movie.
"Transformers"...what can I say besides..."When does the sequel come out!!!!!!!!!" Hands down, no contest, the best movie of the summer!!! Everything I anticipated and then some!!!
"Pirates Of The Carribean - At World's End"...I am of the opinion that "Pirates Of The Carribean - Dead Man's Chest" was not a very good movie. So...I went into this one not expecting much. Thankfully...they redeemed themselves. "At World's End" was a perfect third chapter. It tied up all the loose ends from the first two movies...but left the door just wide open enough for the possibility of a fourth movie.
"The Bourne Ultimatum"...Easily as good as the first movie. Robert Ludlum needs to write more Bourne books!!!
"Fantastic Four - Rise Of The Silver Surfer"...I was a little underwhelmed with Galactus...but a small nit to pick. Otherwise, a strong sequel for an under-rated film.
"Ocean's Thirteen"...Like "At World's End", I was disappointed with the second movie of the "Ocean" series. And again...they managed to redeem themselves somewhat. It still wasn't as good as the first one...but this one was better than the second one.
"Resident Evil - Extinction"...Not as good as the first two, but still an entertaining movie.
Of course...that's just my opinion...

My Two Cents - Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Hey, all y'all!!!

OK...I know I haven't posted in quite some time. I may never grow tired of movies...but I'm afraid I did hit a dry spell for posting to the blog. However...have no fear, for I have returned! And I've got a ton of stuff to talk about, too!!!

My Two Cents - You Might Be A Movie Fanatic If...

Unless you've lived under a rock for the last several years, odds are you know who Jeff Foxworthy is. A stand-up comedian of some dubious talent...Foxworthy is best known for his jokes about whether or not you qualify as a redneck. Well...that's all well and good. But, this blog does not wish to know such things. What concerns me is whether or not you might be a movie fanatic. So...without further adieu...a little test to determine whether or not you are, indeed...a movie fanatic.
If you ever got a job at a movie theater for the free tickets...you might be a movie fanatic.
If your home theater system cost more than the car you are driving...you might be a movie fanatic.
If a friend, family member, or co-worker wonders aloud if a movie is any good, and the first thing anybody says is, "Ask so-and-so"...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you compare movies with other movies...you might be a movie fanatic.
If upon returning from the restroom or concession stand, you have asked a total stranger what happened during the movie...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you have ever planned an entire day around a movie...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you quote movies that nobody else has ever heard of...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you don't go to Blockbuster Video because you've seen everything they have...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you go missing, and the first place anybody looks for you is a movie theater...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you have lost count how many movies you have seen...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you can tell the difference between movie theater popcorn by blindfolded taste...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you've ever spent an entire day inside a movie theater...and don't work there...you might be a movie fanatic.
If you've been nodding for the majority of this list...sorry, you're a movie fanatic.
But that's just my opinion...

My Two Cents - Good Movie VS Great Movie

It could be the age old question - what separates a good movie from a great movie? What's the difference between three stars and four to five stars? How do you bring a movie from "so-so" to having people rave about it to anybody who can stand to listen to them? I'm sure almost everyone has their own opinions on the what and the how. So...in my humble opinion...here are the top five things that I think take a good movie and make it a great one.
1) Character development. It sounds pretty simple. But it can make all the difference in the world. Every movie has characters in it. And granted, you can't learn everything about every single character...you just don't have enough time. But at least take the time to develop SOME of the characters. Character development works in two ways. One...it makes the characters more interesting...and it connects the audience to them more. It's easier to care about somebody you actually know something about. Two...it gives insight into some of their actions. One of the most powerful moments of "Saving Private Ryan" is where Tom Hanks' character tells the squad that he is an English teacher from Pennsylvania. It has absolutely nothing to do with the story...but it makes Hanks' character a little bit more human. You connect with him a little more. And yet so few movies take the time to do this.
2) Special effects in moderation. You've heard it your entire life. Everything in moderation. A little of something can be a wonderful thing. Too much can be horrible. The same goes for making movies. Special effects in the movies have come unbelievably far just in my lifetime. Compare the special effects from "Star Wars" to "Revenge Of The Sith". As I said in an earlier post, it's like comparing a Model T Ford to a Prius. They can do things in movies now that they wouldn't even have imagined doing twenty years ago...simply because there was no way on Earth that they could have done it. BUT...to paraphrase the immortal words of Ian Malcolm from "Jurassic Park"...moviemakers get so preoccupied with whether or not they can do something, they never stop to ask if they should. Special effects can add so much to a story. But too many just distract from the story itself. Good special effects are like sprinkles on a sundae. They shouldn't be the main attraction...they should make the end result that much more amazing.
3) Trying to do too much. Another point of moderation. I've said it before...and I'll say it again. Nothing drops a movie from great to good faster than trying to do too much. Whether it is too many new characters, too many sub-plots, too many twists...too much is NEVER a good thing. Especially in a medium where you only have two hours to tell your story, give or take. The two greatest examples on this point are "Spider-Man 3" and "X-Men: The Last Stand". Both are fine movies. But they could have been great movies...except for one minor detail: They tried to do too much.
4) Waiting for something good. I remember quite well when I went to see "The Hulk." I was so psyched about it. I had bought my ticket a week in advance. I went at eleven o'clock at night. And then...I waited an hour before I actually got to see the title character. I know...I timed it. I know that sometimes, patience is a virtue. When you have to wait sixty minutes out of a two hour and eighteen minute movie to see the main character...that's pushing it.
5) A flat ending. This has happened many times before. You have a great movie. It is astounding. It is incredible. And then...it ends. And the ending just ruins it. Suddenly, what should have been a great movie drops to an OK movie. Classic example - "Lord Of The Rings - Return Of The King." It was a great movie...and then the ending took half an hour. By the time the movie actually ended...I was glad that it had ended! I have seen movie endings where the audience stands and applauds. That is how you want a movie to end.
But, that's just my opinion...

My Two Cents - What To Look Forward To In Theaters This Year

Ah, it approaches. The summer movies. I don't know about any of you...but in my opinion, last summer was one of the worst for movies in I can't remember when. But isn't that how it always works? You get your hopes built up...and then, they get dashed into the rocks by the promise of a great movie that should have been, but wasn't. Well...get your hopes up, true believers, because here are the movies I'm getting ready for this summer.
1) "Spider-Man 3". FINALLY...we get Venom! Three bad guys (we also get Sandman and the New Goblin), and we get not only Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane...but we also get Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy. The rumor mill claims that this will be Tobey Maguire's final turn as Spidey...or will money talk?
2) "Live Free Or Die Hard". Yippi-ki-yay, mother...well, you know. Bruce Willis rides again in his most famous movie role, this time battling Internet terrorists. We also get John McClane's daughter, Kevin Smith, and what looks to be some incredible action sequences.
3) "Transformers". One of the great cartoons of the 1980's gets the big-movie, live action treatment. Big-budget CGI and Michael Bay (who made a career out of blowing stuff up)...so, will this be "Armageddon" or "Bad Boys"...or "The Island"?
4) "Pirates Of The Carribean - At World's End". OK, I'll be the one who says it. I did not think "Dead Man's Chest" was that good of a movie. It certainly wasn't better than the first one. So, can they make up for it with the final installment? The previews look promising...but, they did for "DMC" as well.
5) "The Bourne Ultimatum". Matt Damon lucked out by latching onto this series...and if "Ultimatum" is even half as good as the first two, then this will be an entertaining film.
6) "Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer". Wow...Marvel sure has a lot of characters. The Silver Surfer gets his turn on the big-screen in the sequel to one of the more under-rated Marvel adaptations.
7) "28 Weeks Later". "28 Days Later" was a horror classic. The trailer for the sequel looked good...can lightning strike twice?
8) "Ocean's Thirteen". See "Pirates Of The Carribean". The last one wasn't that good, after a spectacular first movie. Can the third installment make up for it, or just make us wish we had stayed away?
9) "Resident Evil: Extinction". I am of the opinion that the "Resident Evil" series has been an under-rated gem. Can "Extinction" continue to keep it rolling?
10) "1408". Anything based off of Stephen King's work has a 50/50 chance of being great or a disaster. The trailers for "1408" give it promise...and anything with John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson can't be all bad. Right?
But that's just my opinion...

My Two Cents - Great Questions Of The Movies

Throughout movie history...we have been left with many questions. Some have been easy, some have been hard, some have been downright unanswerable. I'm not here to provide answers...I'd have a much better paying job if I was that smart. Instead, I will just leave you with them...and let you have as much fun pondering them as I have.
1) What is in the briefcase in "Pulp Fiction"?
2) What happened to Charlie Sheen and Patrick Swayze in the end of "Red Dawn"?
3) What happened to MacReady and Childs in "The Thing"?
4) Why was Lex Luthor the bad guy in almost every single "Superman" movie?
5) Why did Clint Eastwood throw his badge away at the end of "Dirty Harry"?
6) Whose bright idea is it to keep making sequels to movies that should have been stopped after the first one?
7) Why did the ending change from the 1956 version of "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" to the 1978 version?
8) Why did Blondie let Tuco live in the end of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"?
9) How many people actually believed that "The Blair Witch Project" was a real movie?
10) Does it make any sense to buy a movie with a surprise ending, after you've seen it?
But that's just my two cents...

My Two Cents - What The Movies Have Taught Us

Who would have thought it? All this time...I could have saved money and time and effort! I didn't need school! Everything I ever needed to know...the movies taught me.
I've learned that not even death can stop true love...it can only slow it down for a while. That life moves pretty fast...and if you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it. Snappy one-liners and a shaken vodka martini can get you far in this world. There are monsters in the world...even if your parents tell you that there aren't. Do...or do not, there is no try. Women and children can be careless...but not men. Nothing is over as long as it is still night.
I've learned that wisdom often comes from the most unlikely of sources. That the hero doesn't always win...and the good guy doesn't always get the girl. That sometimes, it's all right to cheer for the bad guy. That human liver goes well with fava beans and a nice Chianti. That we all go a little mad sometimes. That the power to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force. When there is a lot of excitement, it's easy to forget if you fired six shots...or only five.
I've learned that there's no place like home. That two people who despise each other can eventually fall in love. That sometimes, what you went looking for...you had all along. That there are few things fetching as a bruised ego on a beautiful angel. That with great power comes great responsibility. That you never rat on your friends and you always keep your mouth shut. That the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist. That a man can convince anyone he's somebody else...but never himself. That the future is not set...there is no fate but what we make for ourselves. That a rumor isn't a rumor that doesn't die. That an offer you can't refuse is usually just that.
I've learned that you never tell me the odds. That no reward is worth some things. That with enough courage, you can do without a reputation. That some people need to be kissed and often...and by someone who knows how. That during any crisis in your life, you should have a handkerchief. That sometimes...you just don't give a damn.
And that tomorrow is another day.
But that is just my two cents...

My Two Cents - Remakes & Sequels

In all of movies, fewer things are more vilified than a remake and a sequel. Which is not to say that every remake or sequel is a bad one. You could spend a great deal of time and energy arguing about what sequels were worth making...and which ones were an absolute waste of everyone's time and energy. Look no further than a scene from...a sequel. The classroom argument on sequels in "Scream 2"...where Jamie Kennedy, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Timothy Olyphant banter on sequels that bettered the original film.
Sometimes, a sequel or a remake can be a good thing. The story couldn't be told in one shot...or there were loose ends that needed to be carried over. Most likely, in the grand world of Hollywood...the first movie made so much money, they decided "why stop with just one?" As far as remakes go, some stories are actually told better the second time around. Or maybe there were limitations with the filmaking of that time.
I will be the first one to admit...there are a great deal of sequels that pretty much aren't worth the film they are printed on. They could have quit the "Elm Street" series after "Dream Warriors". They should have stopped with the "Halloween" series after the second one (don't even get me started on "Halloween 3 - Season Of The Witch"). And how many times have there been sequels to movies that shouldn't have been made in the first place? Most people would probably argue that "Friday The 13th" should have stopped after "Friday The 13th."
Likewise, there are remakes that were completely needless. Rob Zombie's upcoming remake of "Halloween" springs instantly to mind. Come on, Rob...like you're going to outdo John Carpenter? I think not. Zombie's version will be gorier...I'm envisioning buckets of blood a-plenty. But how could it possibly come close to the masterpiece that was Carpenter's original?
And while we're on the topic of sequels...how come they could never do another bad guy in any of the "Superman" movies, other than Lex Luthor? Come on...one time, you could have given us Bizarro. Or Brainiac. Heck...you could have done Solomon Grundy for all I cared.
So, what do you think, faithful reader? Got a sequel or a remake that you loved? One that should never even have seen the light of day? One that needs to be done? Let's hear it!

My Two Cents - Really Bad Movies

Have you ever noticed that there are certain things in life that just stick out? Like, for example...a REALLY bad movie?
We all remember the great movies. The ones that we talk about endlessly. The ones that when we merely mention it around friends, you can see their eyes glazing over...because they know they have at least two hours of misery awaiting them. But, we also remember the bad ones too. Especially the big bombs.
Now...every now and again...there is a movie that is so bad, it's actually kind of good. I have to admit, I didn't think "Showgirls" was as bad as everyone made it out to be. Granted, you are never going to see that on any classics list...but it wasn't THAT bad.
And then...there are the true bombs. I'm talking Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Elvis couldn't save this picture. Movies so freaking bad, you couldn't even finish watching it. For example..."In Dreams", with Annette Bening and Robert Downey Jr. I made it about half an hour into the movie...and quit. All the while, I was shaking my head in disgust that I wasted thirty minutes of my life and three bucks renting that stink bomb.
So...what do you all have to add? Got a movie that you disowned someone over? Ever left a movie theater and asked for your money back? Let's hear about them...

My Two Cents - Movie Watching Essentials

Everyone watches a movie differently. Some people like to sit all the way in the back...others prefer the front row. Some like the aisle seats...some right in the middle of the row. Popcorn, soda, candy, nachos...some or all of the above...and some just prefer to smuggle their own refreshments in from the outside. So, here's the way I prefer to see a movie:
Where to sit...I prefer a back corner. In the old days, you needed to sit towards the center of the theater to hear it best. However, in today's world of digital surround sound, seating placement is pretty much an irrelevant point. The advantage to me of sitting in the back row is that you don't have to worry about anybody sitting behind you to bother you. And unless a person in front of me is about eight feet tall sitting down, I have nothing to worry about there, either.
Refreshments. A general "must-have" for movie viewing. However, nobody is enthused about paying $9.50 for a bag of popcorn and a soda. If I have the time, I generally prefer to smuggle my own refreshment in to the theater. Besides...not many theaters serve my beverage of choice (Mountain Dew...what were you thinking?). There are rare examples here and there (in my area, the Showcase Cinemas serve Pepsi products). If I do smuggle something in, I seem to lean towards either Burger King or Chik-Fil-A. No particular reason...just the way I roll. If I'm feeling saucy and decide to splurge on the over-priced movie theater food...I'll go with popcorn (just plain...I have no desire to coat my fingers in greasy fake butter) and a drink (Mountain Dew if it's an option, root beer if it's available, Coke if I must). At home, my refreshments of choice are Orville Redenbacher's Movie Theater Butter popcorn (or home-popped, depending on the mood), Mountain Dew, and peanut M&M's.
Another big preference becomes when to go to the theater. The local theaters here have bargain Tuesdays ($5 for any show, all day long). They also have bargain matinees on other days of the week...but that will still run you around $6.50 a ticket. I have Wednesdays and Thursdays off...so those usually work best, but if I get off work early enough...I have no problem with going to a later show on Tuesday night.
So...Tuesday night. Save me the back corner seat...and if I'm wearing a big coat with a lot of pockets...you know what I brought.

My Two Cents - What Could Have Been

It's the movie-goer's lament...what could have been. How many times have you been lured to the movie theater by incredible trailers and word-of-mouth...only to walk out an hour and a half later shaking your head, muttering, "What in the heck did I just see?"
There is an old Italian proverb that says, "There is no worse thief than a bad book." It's fairly safe to argue that a bad movie could be a second cousin to that thief. And sad to say...but it happens more times than we care to admit.
A great example that comes to mind is "Hulk", Ang Lee's version of the classic Marvel comics character. The hype surrounding this movie was unbelievable. Every person I knew was dying for it to come out. I actually bought my movie ticket three days in advance. And then...I went. Two hours and eighteen minutes later, I was walking out of a movie theater, shaking my head, and muttering to myself, "What in the heck did I just see?"
The depressing part is that this movie could have been great. The potential was there. It had a good cast. Ang Lee is an excellent director. The Hulk is one of the classic superheroes ever...and should have made an incredible leap to the big screen. So, what happened? For starters, it was over an hour into the movie before you even see the Hulk for the first time. When it takes almost half the movie before the title character actually shows up...that is not a good sign. Many people were put off by the CGI Hulk, who in my humble opinion, resembled Shrek on steroids. The lack of a clear-cut bad guy (the weirdly mutated Hulk's dad) didn't help matters, either. And so...a number of little things gang up, take what should have been an awesome movie...and turn it into a so-so movie (at best).
Video store shelves are littered with movies exactly like this...and almost every movie-goers has that one film etched into their memory...a "should have been great". All we, the audience, can hope for is more good movies...and fewer mutterings.

My Two Cents - Which Were Better?

It is one of the oldest arguments among movie buffs. Are movies from Hollywood's "Golden Era" better than the movies made today? It makes for an intriguing discussion for certain. So, let's analyze it a little.
First and foremost, comparing a movie made in 1936 to a movie made in 2006 is something like comparing a Model T Ford to a Toyota Prius. While they are essentially the same thing...the differences between the two is like night and day. Moviemakers of the older films didn't have computer-generated images, digital sound, or the benefit of hundred-million dollar budgets. For the most part, older movies had to rely on character development and a strong storyline.
This is not to say that modern movies don't have well-developed characters or an interesting plot. Special effects shouldn't be the entire movie...they should take an already strong movie and enhance it further. But sometimes, it's just easier to let special effects take over a movie. How often has a movie been made, where you walk out of the theater thinking, "If only they had done this", or "Why didn't they do that?"
Also...I am not trying to imply that every movie made before 1970 was a classic that should be revered and used as the pinnacle of movie-making. Let's face it...the old time moviemakers turned out just as many clunkers as today's filmmakers. It would be interesting to see how many of the "Golden Era" films would have been straight-to-video releases in today's marketing.
In many cases, it boils down to preference and individual tastes. For example, my wife loves Hollywood's classic films. She enjoys films like "Mrs. Miniver" and "The Uninvited". Granted, she likes newer movies as well. The films she stays away from are some of the ones I seem to prefer, such as action/adventures, horror, and science fiction/fantasy. I enjoy some of the classics as well...and have actually watched more of them since I met my wife. But, I still get a kick out of shoot-'em-up action and gory, B-grade horror films, too. We "agree to disagree", as the old saying goes. When she wants to watch "The Big Chill", and I want to watch "Mortal Kombat"...we simply make our popcorn, give each other a kiss, tell each other "Enjoy your movie"...and head to different rooms.
So...I guess the simplest answer to the question is this: Movies have always had classics and classic bombs. It just depends on what you feel like sitting down and enjoying on that particular night.

My Two Cents - The Moviegoing Experience

There are those who do not like going to the movies. Why is a complete mystery to me...but, that's just my opinion. Some people don't like the idea of paying $9 for a movie ticket. Others balk at the travesty that is the concession stand. Still others hate the concept of being crammed into a small, dark room packed with complete strangers for an hour and a half. Whatever the personal prejudice may be...some people just prefer to watch a movie from the comfort of their own home. And don't get me wrong...I enjoy that as well. I like nothing better than to kick back on the sectional sofa, toss a DVD into the player, grab a Mountain Dew and a bowl of popcorn, and have at it.
But, let's face it. There's just something magical about the theater.
Granted...if you have the space and the bucks...you can bring that same experience home to you. I've seen shows on HGTV where people have movie theaters installed in their homes. And that's all well and good...if you have a couple hundred thousand bucks lying around burning a hole in your pocket. Even if you have a home theater on a budget...with a big-screen TV, surround sound system, and a top-line DVD player...as well as excellent seating...it's still not the same.
I've touched on this in a previous post...and here it is again: Some movies are just meant to be seen in a theater. Find me one person who saw "Star Wars" in the theater...and I will bet money they remember the opening scene when the Star Destroyer passes by...and takes up the entire screen. I saw that for the first time when I was four years old...and at thirty-three, I still remember it well.
Sometimes, it isn't just the movie itself...but a moment shared by the audience. I vividly remember seeing "Aliens"...and the scene where Sigourney Weaver utters the infamous line, "Get away from her, you b***h!". And the next thing I remember was the crowd going wild. Or the absolute, utter silence during "The Blair Witch Project". I even have the mental image of grown men crying when the Enterprise was blown up in "Star Trek III".
I'm not saying that movies aren't overpriced...and that we are not getting hosed when we are asked to pay $4.50 for a bag of popcorn that cost fifty cents to make. Theaters will always have gummy floors, uncomfortable seats, and you will inevitably be forced to sit behind a couple who wore too much perfume, puts their feet up on the seats, and talks through half the show.
But...the magic and the allure is what brings us back. Even if it is only for an hour and a half...we can be four years old again.

My Two Cents - James Bond

It is one of the classic discussions of action movie fans...and that is, who was the best James Bond? To date, there have been seven actors to don the tuxedo of the world's most famous super spy - Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton, David Niven, George Lazenby, and Daniel Craig. So...in this post, I will give you my answer as to whom I believe were the top three James Bonds.
I'm pretty much eliminating Lazenby and Niven right off the bat. Mostly because they were each one-shot Bond players...and Niven especially, since his version of "Casino Royale" was more of a spoof than a serious Bond movie. That takes us down to five contenders.
This is probably personal prejudice more than anything...but I was never a fan of the Roger Moore Bond. I always felt that the Moore Bond movies were too light-hearted...it almost seemed like more of a parody than anything else. And I also think some of the worst Bond movies came under Moore's tenure (Live and Let Die and Moonraker come immediately to mind).
Finally, I think you can eliminate Timothy Dalton. Remember that this was when they wanted Pierce Brosnan to take over as Bond (after Moore's retirement from the part), except that Brosnan was still under contract for "Remington Steele". You almost get the feeling that Dalton was an alternate...and he was gone after two turns as Bond.
Which leads us to our final three - Connery, Brosnan, and Craig. So...in order:
3 - Pierce Brosnan. It would probably stun many to see Brosnan as the third pick. But, realistically...Brosnan had one really good Bond movie (GoldenEye) and a decent one (Die Another Day). I wasn't impressed with either "Tomorrow Never Dies" or "The World Is Not Enough". Plus...Brosnan's Bond was almost upstaged by two of his "Bond Girls" in two of these movies (Michelle Yeoh in "Tomorrow Never Dies" and Halle Berry in "Die Another Day"). NOBODY is supposed to upstage Bond.
2 - Daniel Craig. Craig has one thing working to his advantage - This is more or less a prequel to the Bond series. He also adds a blunt, gritty edge to Bond...less humor and more of a "kick butt now and take names later" approach. He is doing another Bond movie...and it will be interesting to see what they do with it.
1 - Sean Connery. Connery's main advantage is a simple one - He was the first person to play Bond. That automatically makes you the measuring stick for the franchise. Plus, some of the best films of the Bond series came during Connery's tenure as 007 (Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice immediately come to mind). Granted, Connery wasn't immune to a stinker (two, actually...Diamonds Are Forever and Never Say Never Again). It is interesting to note that the two weakest Connery Bond movies were also the last two (and remember...there were four years between "You Only Live Twice" and "Diamonds Are Forever"). Also consider...Roger Moore had played Bond five times when Connery did "Never Say Never Again" (Connery was in his early fifties when he donned the tuxedo one last time).
So there you have it...my two cents on James Bond.