Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2007 January 12

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January 12

Incubus

Does anyone know how many copies Incubus' new cd, Light Grenades, has sold?

Not sure in re up to this date, but according to Billboard on 6 December, it had sold 165000 units. The RIAA has yet to issue anything, but it's probably very premature for that. Keep an eye on the billboard page; presumably an update is on the way. Wolfgangus 00:40, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Hannibal Lecter and Mason Verger

I read the trilogy and watch the movies often, but it's not clear from the movies, and if it's in the books I either forgot or never paid attention to how Verger could have survived Lecter's attack (as his fourth victim), yet Dr Lecter remained at large to kill several more times and retain the respect and cooperation of the FBI until his eventual capture by Will Graham. I've looked thru some fansites but I haven't found an explanation. Anchoress 04:46, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Because Verger never pressed charges (due to embarrassment about how it happened?) Proto::► 14:43, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Hmm, yeah that's the impression I got from the WP article, but does that mean he never even told anyone who did it? If so, when did he tell? Anchoress 20:12, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

It prompted me to re-read the book, and there's no reason given, so you are free to draw your own conclusions (I have decided aliens did it :p ). Proto::► 12:39, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

James Bond

I’m totally new to James Bond. Which Bond movie is generally considered to be the best based on plot and acting? Also, which would be best for a newcomer too the movies to see first? I already looked at the chart on the James Bond page, but all that really tells me is that James Bond’s press coverage has gotten progressively better. Thanks for your help. S.dedalus 06:36, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

You might find some of the results of this GOOGLE SEARCH of use in your quest. In particular check the Rotten Tomatoes and Amazon.com Listmania results. IMDb might also have a poll or 'best of' page on it. Good luck! Anchoress 06:56, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Sean Connery is generally considered the best Bond, except by a few heretics :) Many feel the best of the films to be From Russia With Love and Goldfinger. They were the second and third to be made, and show the franchise in a very sure-footed way, before the cliches started to set in. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 08:55, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

I like Roger Moore, myself. I like the silly stunts and the irony from his period... 惑乱 分からん 17:47, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Hmmm, James Bond movie with good plot/acting... I haven't seen that much Bond, although the two ;) Casino Royale movies might be good places to start... 惑乱 分からん 17:50, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

My interpretation of the general consensus is that Connery is considered best among the purists, with From Russia With Love and Goldfinger considered standouts (though I prefer You Only Live Twice personally, as Bond as a ninja is just brilliant!). George Lazenby was an anomaly at the time, though his performance stands up pretty well in retrospect. Roger Moore is considered the most kitsch Bond, with the plots rather ridiculous and the acting extremely campy. The older he got the more wooden and ironic his delivery became, with his final movies are almost parodies. They are among the most "fun" movies, in a self-knowing way, but if you come to them without fully appreciating the franchise you may well find youself wondering what all the fuss is about. Timothy Dalton is considered the darkest Bond (and some say closest to Fleming's original creation). His movies are "very much of the 80s" with Cold War themes very apparent. The Living Daylights is interesting from a current perspective, considering the the Mujahideen are Bond's allies. How times change.

Brosnan's movies were originally hailed as a return the the glory days of Connery. Certainly GoldenEye reinvigorated the franchise and it is very much classic Bond with a modern twist. However, critics were less impressed with the formulaic plots and out of control product placement the plagued his later films. That brings us to Craig's Casino Royale. I personally thought this is the best "film" of the bunch, though probably not the best "Bond film". Since it is set before all the other films - and is such a departure anyway - you could start with start this, or go for some of the early-to-middle Connery films first. Then go for the Brosnan films. Wait until you are familiar with the franchise before you savour the Moore films, it will be worth the wait. Rockpocket 00:55, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Casino Royale and The Living Daylights impressed me the most. Die Another Day was one of the worst. However, if you're up to it, the James Bond video games are some pretty good stuff if you choose the right ones. Goldeneye 007 for the N64 was the best, especially with multiplayer, even though the graphics are bad by today's standards. bibliomaniac15 01:37, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Personally, I'm partial to any 007 movies which contain Richard Kiel as "Jaws", AKA "Metal mouth". StuRat 05:05, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

This isn't a vote - but my vote goes to Timothy Dalton anyway :-). He gave the character a real edge, and a touch of passion (good and bad). Of course, Sean Connery's Bond is the one everyone else's version is compared to, so that might be the best place to start watching. Quack 688 16:54, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Meredith Vieira's publicist

I work for the Westchester County Office for Women. We are having a conference May 12, 2007. We would like to ask Meredith Vieira to keynote at the conference. Thank you, Thea DuBow —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 163.151.2.10 (talk) 14:17, 12 January 2007 (UTC).

Being British, I had never heard of her. However, our article says that she works for NBC. Perhaps there is a contact email address for general publicity queries on their website? --Richardrj ^{talk email} 14:30, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

If you go to http://imdb.com/name/nm0896680/contact and sign up for a free trial of ImdbPro, they might have the information you're looking for. User:Zoe|(talk) 17:40, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Who Would Win In A FIght James Bond Or Superman

I know iam not supposed be asking this question this is a refrence desk but it`s just beating on my chest who would win a fight James Bond or Superman. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Clancy60 (talk • contribs) 23:48, 12 January 2007 (UTC).

I suppose I'm not supposed to be answering this either, but in lieu of the question above, I would argue that Superman is next-to-impossible to defeat ... unless he came upon Roger Moore's superlative Bond, who is smooth enough to keep a bit of Kryptonite around for just such an occasion. Wolfgangus 00:25, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Superman :) Arjun 01:39, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Superman would be well-nigh hard to defeat. Any guy who can lift two skyscrapers in each hand like a pizza boy or reverse the rotation of the Earth would be pretty tough. But Bond's pretty sly, though... bibliomaniac15 01:41, 13 January 2007 (UTC) PS: In the comics, a mere mortal was about to kill Superman, when Lex Luthor, S-man's archnemesis intervened and killed the guy with the kryptonite gun. I think Bond would be a match with intervention.

(edit conflict) Batman has had a few tries at killing Superman and nearly succeded. The only advantage him and Bond have over the The Last Son of Krypton is that he's very naive and pure hearted (you might say dumb) and that he's vulnerable to Kryptonite. Then again the only place you could have them fight is in fiction so whoever wins is up to the writer so ... YOU decide. Keria 01:43, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Bond would have weapons all made outta Kryptonite. When did he ever go into a mission without full knowledge of the enemy's weaknesses and sweet gadgets to match? But then of course you know Superman will see it coming and laser them to oblivion... Then they'd see the error of their ways and share a bundt cake together. Because, frankly, they're both good guys. They wouldn't fight each other for long! Of course, this distraction would probably be enough for Lex Luthor to take a sucker punch. Oh yeah, can't forget my tribute to Google. V-Man737 01:55, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

The answer to end all answers on this sort of question is surely here (question 4). —Steve Summit (talk) 02:51, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

LOL! Some great stuff there. Thanks. Carcharoth 04:29, 13 January 2007 (UTC)