'Who is Michael Ovitz?' by... erm... Michael Ovitz
Who doesn't love a good Hollywood movie? If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to make the magic happen, then 'Who is Michael Ovitz?' might be just the book for you.
Super-agent Michael Ovitz was once one of the biggest Hollywood names you hadn't heard of. As joint owner of innovative creative agency CAA, he worked 24/7 to recruit and package perfect combinations of talented writers, directors and actors to work on films and TV shows in the '70s, '80s and '90s. Thanks to his eye for great talent and an alchemist-like instinct for mixing the right creative ingredients, Ovitz was often at the birth of box office gold. His deals led to hits like 'Rain Man', 'Ghostbusters', 'Jurassic Park', 'Tootsie', 'Schindler's List' and the epic TV mini-series 'Shogun'. Not bad for a kid from the San Fernando Valley whose career began as a Universal Studios tour guide before he talked his way into a post in the William Morris Agency mailroom. But though this story takes place in the City of Angels, Ovitz was no saint, and his hard-nosed work ethic, drive and often blinkered focus on making the deal made friends into enemies and enemies into friends. By the end, his reputation had taken some hard knocks and gossip was rife. In this book, he aims to set out his side of the story.
Showing posts with label agent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label agent. Show all posts
23 September 2019
09 October 2016
Two for the Price of Bond!
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.
As the regular readers among you will know, I've been working my way through the AudioGo 007 Reloaded series of James Bond audiobooks over the past few years. I've now listened to 13 of the 14 unabridged recordings of Ian Fleming's original novels read by different actors. At time of typing, I'm just two CDs away from finishing the whole series, so watch this space!
Back to back, I recently (ahem) finished 'You Only Live Twice' (read by Martin Jarvis) and 'The Man with the Golden Gun' (read by Kenneth Branagh).
In 'You Only Live Twice', Bond is a broken man. His wife is dead, murdered by criminal mastermind Ernst Stavro Blofeld, and Bond's spirit seems to have died with her. But while 007 is ready to give up, M is prepared to give him an opportunity to live again. Sent to Japan, Bond receives his deadliest assignment yet from Tiger Tanaka, head of the country's Secret Service. A suspicious foreigner has created a 'Castle of Death' where too many people have lost their lives in mysterious circumstances. Tanaka charges Bond with infiltrating the castle, but first of all, 007 has to learn how to be Japanese...
'You Only Live Twice' is followed by 'The Man with the Golden Gun'. Missing for over a year following his Japanese adventure, Bond makes a sudden re-appearance in London, brainwashed by the KGB to assassinate M. Fortunately, the attempt fails, but to prove his loyalty, Bond is sent on an impossible mission; to find and kill the notorious hit man 'Pistols' Scaramanga. But does the world-weary spy have what it takes to assassinate the legendary Man with the Golden Gun?
'You Only Live Twice' and 'The Man with the Golden Gun' are the last Bond books written by Ian Fleming before his death at just 56 years old in 1964. They're full of references to previous events, locations and people, so you need to be aware of their predecessors' plots. The events of 'You Only Live Twice', for example, only make sense if you've read 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' (unfortunately, the only one in the series I didn't have!). Don't make my mistake, read Fleming's novels in order!
Of the two, I felt 'You Only Live Twice' was the weaker. I've often got the feeling that Fleming would learn something or meet someone, become fascinated, stew for a bit, then, when the time was right, sit down and write a Bond novel. Unfortunately, this got in the way a bit with this book. The theme here is Japanese culture, but so many pages are devoted to Tanaka teaching Bond how to be Japanese that it dispels the tension in the lead up to the mission itself. Plus, although I know these books are fiction, imagining the bullish Britisher James Bond could masquerade as a Japanese man felt a bit too far fetched. Underground lairs? Yes. Gold smuggled as car parts? Obviously. A bit of make up and some coaching to completely change culture? Hmm, not sure.
Once it did cut to the chase, however, the reader was back on safe ground. The mission in the 'Castle of Death' has all the hallmarks of a classic Fleming thriller and there's a brilliant cliffhanger ending (although there's a loose end connected with the love interest which is never resolved and will torment me forever!).
'The Man with the Golden Gun' is far more tense and arresting throughout. Once the initial hurdle of Bond's brainwashing is out of the way, we find ourselves in what would otherwise be a great standalone Bond story. This is thanks to Scaramanga, a mysterious and unpredictable villain who seems much like a wire that could snap at any time. Throughout the book, it feels like it's the baddie who has the upper hand and Bond could be unmasked at any moment. Even when you think it's all over... well, it isn't... quite!
One unexpected negative to 'The Man with the Golden Gun' was its narrator, Kenneth Branagh. He's such an amazing actor and director and I was really excited to be listening to a Bond book read by him. Unfortunately, the performance felt really rushed, almost as though he'd squeezed it in between two of his other many projects. It was such a shame, especially as many of the other 007 Reloaded readers have added so much to the books with their recordings.
'You Only Live Twice' and 'The Man with the Golden Gun' both feature great characters, old and new. I'm sure Dikko Henderson, Bond's Australian Secret Service contact in Japan, must be based on someone Fleming knew. The guy just leaps off the page! Felix Leiter and Mary Goodnight also make welcome re-appearances and we find out what happened to a number of other characters too.
Interestingly, the man we find out most about is probably James Bond himself. When he goes missing in 'You Only Live Twice', Bond's obituary is published - a great read for trivia addicts!
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'Live and Let Die'
'Moonraker'
'Diamonds are Forever'
'Goldfinger'
'From Russia with Love'
'Dr No'
'For Your Eyes Only'
'Thunderball'
'The Spy who Loved Me'
'Octopussy, the Living Daylights and Other Stories'
As the regular readers among you will know, I've been working my way through the AudioGo 007 Reloaded series of James Bond audiobooks over the past few years. I've now listened to 13 of the 14 unabridged recordings of Ian Fleming's original novels read by different actors. At time of typing, I'm just two CDs away from finishing the whole series, so watch this space!
Back to back, I recently (ahem) finished 'You Only Live Twice' (read by Martin Jarvis) and 'The Man with the Golden Gun' (read by Kenneth Branagh).
 |
| 'You Only Live Twice' by Ian Fleming and read by Martin Jarvis (AudioGo 2012) |
'You Only Live Twice' is followed by 'The Man with the Golden Gun'. Missing for over a year following his Japanese adventure, Bond makes a sudden re-appearance in London, brainwashed by the KGB to assassinate M. Fortunately, the attempt fails, but to prove his loyalty, Bond is sent on an impossible mission; to find and kill the notorious hit man 'Pistols' Scaramanga. But does the world-weary spy have what it takes to assassinate the legendary Man with the Golden Gun?
 |
| 'You Only Live Twice' by Ian Fleming (Penguin Modern Classics, 2004) |
Of the two, I felt 'You Only Live Twice' was the weaker. I've often got the feeling that Fleming would learn something or meet someone, become fascinated, stew for a bit, then, when the time was right, sit down and write a Bond novel. Unfortunately, this got in the way a bit with this book. The theme here is Japanese culture, but so many pages are devoted to Tanaka teaching Bond how to be Japanese that it dispels the tension in the lead up to the mission itself. Plus, although I know these books are fiction, imagining the bullish Britisher James Bond could masquerade as a Japanese man felt a bit too far fetched. Underground lairs? Yes. Gold smuggled as car parts? Obviously. A bit of make up and some coaching to completely change culture? Hmm, not sure.
Once it did cut to the chase, however, the reader was back on safe ground. The mission in the 'Castle of Death' has all the hallmarks of a classic Fleming thriller and there's a brilliant cliffhanger ending (although there's a loose end connected with the love interest which is never resolved and will torment me forever!).
 |
| 'The Man with the Golden Gun' by Ian Fleming and read by Kenneth Branagh. (AudioGo, 2012) |
One unexpected negative to 'The Man with the Golden Gun' was its narrator, Kenneth Branagh. He's such an amazing actor and director and I was really excited to be listening to a Bond book read by him. Unfortunately, the performance felt really rushed, almost as though he'd squeezed it in between two of his other many projects. It was such a shame, especially as many of the other 007 Reloaded readers have added so much to the books with their recordings.
 |
| 'The Man with the Golden Gun' by Ian Fleming. (Vintage, 2012) |
Interestingly, the man we find out most about is probably James Bond himself. When he goes missing in 'You Only Live Twice', Bond's obituary is published - a great read for trivia addicts!
Overall, despite having my disbelief suspended a bit higher than normal, I did enjoy both these stories and they are great additions to the Bond canon. On the whole, I think it's a case of if you enjoyed one, you'll probably enjoy them all.
Now I've nearly finished them all, I'm actually feeling quite sad that there weren't more. I know other writers have picked up the pen and continued where Fleming left off, but there is a big part of me that can't help thinking that nobody does it better.
Now, what next...?
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'Live and Let Die'
'Moonraker'
'Diamonds are Forever'
'Goldfinger'
'From Russia with Love'
'Dr No'
'For Your Eyes Only'
'Thunderball'
'The Spy who Loved Me'
'Octopussy, the Living Daylights and Other Stories'
28 July 2015
Diamond Geezer, Hard Case
After several months, I've finally finished listening to AudioGo's 007 Reloaded recording of 'Diamonds are Forever' by Ian Fleming, read by Damian Lewis. Yay!
Millions of pounds worth of diamonds are being smuggled from West Africa to the United States via London and MI6 is investigating. Suspicion has fallen on the anglo-American Diamond Corporation, but the authorities need to know the pipeline's route so they can close it down. It's a tough job that needs a skilled agent, so M sends James Bond undercover to track who is handling the illegal gems. But as Bond penetrates deeper into the organisation, he encounters harder and more brutal adversaries, until he's face-to-face with the Spangled Mob gangsters behind the Corporation and their psychopathic heavies Mr Wint and Mr Kidd. Is Bond in too deep this time? Can he convince the gang of his false identity? Or will Britain's greatest spy end up in a desert shallow grave?
Like a number of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, 'Diamonds are Forever' suddenly gets going quite a way in, in this case about 100 pages from the end. It starts well, with an intense description of the first link in the smuggling chain, then the initial investigations in the UK followed by Bond's first moves undercover and his introduction to the damaged Tiffany Case. Then it all goes flat for a bit while there's some stuff about fixed horse races and gambling before Bond upsets his paymasters and finds himself in trouble. To be honest, it almost felt like Fleming had suddenly developed an interest in equestrian events that he really wanted to (horse) shoe in, but I'm probably being a bit harsh.
As in 'Goldfinger', the gangsters are as repulsive a group as you could ever imagine, while Wint and Casino Royale'. They are truly terrifying villains, prevented from becoming cartoonish by Fleming's tactile descriptions, which mean you can't stop yourself imagining them in three dimensions, conjured through every one of the five senses.
Kidd take sadistic torture to levels not read since '
For me, the books often hang on how I feel about the heroine and I must admit that I grew to like Tiffany Case. She's tough with a heartbreaking back story, but had humour, playfulness and ambition. She made her own decisions and made her own mistakes.
Overall, this was a pretty good Bond book, although it's not for the faint hearted. If you like the others, you're going to like 'Diamonds are Forever', but I wouldn't recommended it as an introduction to the series.
Now, what next...
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'Live and Let Die'
'Moonraker'
'Goldfinger'
'From Russia with Love'
'Dr No'
'For Your Eyes Only'
'Thunderball'
'Octopussy, the Living Daylights and Other Stories'
 |
| 'Diamonds are Forever' by Ian Fleming Read by Damian Lewis (AudioGo, 2012) |
Like a number of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, 'Diamonds are Forever' suddenly gets going quite a way in, in this case about 100 pages from the end. It starts well, with an intense description of the first link in the smuggling chain, then the initial investigations in the UK followed by Bond's first moves undercover and his introduction to the damaged Tiffany Case. Then it all goes flat for a bit while there's some stuff about fixed horse races and gambling before Bond upsets his paymasters and finds himself in trouble. To be honest, it almost felt like Fleming had suddenly developed an interest in equestrian events that he really wanted to (horse) shoe in, but I'm probably being a bit harsh.
As in 'Goldfinger', the gangsters are as repulsive a group as you could ever imagine, while Wint and Casino Royale'. They are truly terrifying villains, prevented from becoming cartoonish by Fleming's tactile descriptions, which mean you can't stop yourself imagining them in three dimensions, conjured through every one of the five senses.
 |
| 'Diamonds are Forever' by Ian Fleming (Penguin Modern Classics, 2004) |
For me, the books often hang on how I feel about the heroine and I must admit that I grew to like Tiffany Case. She's tough with a heartbreaking back story, but had humour, playfulness and ambition. She made her own decisions and made her own mistakes.
Overall, this was a pretty good Bond book, although it's not for the faint hearted. If you like the others, you're going to like 'Diamonds are Forever', but I wouldn't recommended it as an introduction to the series.
Now, what next...
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'Live and Let Die'
'Moonraker'
'Goldfinger'
'From Russia with Love'
'Dr No'
'For Your Eyes Only'
'Thunderball'
'Octopussy, the Living Daylights and Other Stories'
23 September 2014
Thunderstruck
I recently finished listening to AudioGo's 007 Reloaded version of 'Thunderball' by Ian Fleming, read by Jason Isaacs. Talk about thunderstruck!
Arch-conspirator and head of SPECTRE Ernst Stavro Blofeld has engineered the capture of two atomic weapons and has his sights set on extortion. The UK and US governments must pay up £100 million, otherwise two unidentified locations will be destroyed and chaos will ensue. With just one week to find the bombs and prevent worldwide disaster, M sends his top secret agent, James Bond, into battle once more...
I absolutely loved this audiobook. It amazes me, but Fleming seems to do something different with every Bond story, as though he's constantly trying different styles and structures. Here, for example, he juggles a lot of seemingly unconnected plotlines that are, of course, very much entwined, skillfully drip feeding their relevance to the reader at just the right moment. So pay attention, 007!
This book is also interesting from a Bond mythos perspective. It has a lot of background information about 007's arch-nemesis Blofeld and we get some glimpses into the more everyday life led by the jobbing secret agent.
There is, of course, also all the standard items you'd expect in any Bond book worthy of the name; exotic location (Bahamas), feisty female lead (Domino), a villain to defeat (Emilio Largo), rich living (the super-yacht the Disco Volante). There's also the usual sex and violence and, perhaps surprisingly, humour. There were parts of the first few chapters that actually made me laugh aloud, not something I would've predicted!
Jason Isaacs did a fantastic job of reading 'Thunderball' and I think his contribution to how much I enjoyed this audiobook shouldn't be ignored. I shall definitely be looking out for other work read by him in the future.
As you might be able to tell, I thoroughly enjoyed 'Thunderball' and can't wait to read/hear it again. That will have to wait, though, as I still have a few (ahem!) more books to read first. However, I've no doubt that this James Bond will return.
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'Live and Let Die'
'Dr No'
'For Your Eyes Only'
'Octopussy, the Living Daylights and Other Stories'
 |
| 'Thunderball' by Ian Fleming Read by Jason Isaacs (AudioGO, 2012) |
I absolutely loved this audiobook. It amazes me, but Fleming seems to do something different with every Bond story, as though he's constantly trying different styles and structures. Here, for example, he juggles a lot of seemingly unconnected plotlines that are, of course, very much entwined, skillfully drip feeding their relevance to the reader at just the right moment. So pay attention, 007!
This book is also interesting from a Bond mythos perspective. It has a lot of background information about 007's arch-nemesis Blofeld and we get some glimpses into the more everyday life led by the jobbing secret agent.
 |
| 'Thunderball' by Ian Fleming (Penguin Modern Classics, 2004) |
Jason Isaacs did a fantastic job of reading 'Thunderball' and I think his contribution to how much I enjoyed this audiobook shouldn't be ignored. I shall definitely be looking out for other work read by him in the future.
As you might be able to tell, I thoroughly enjoyed 'Thunderball' and can't wait to read/hear it again. That will have to wait, though, as I still have a few (ahem!) more books to read first. However, I've no doubt that this James Bond will return.
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'Live and Let Die'
'Dr No'
'For Your Eyes Only'
'Octopussy, the Living Daylights and Other Stories'
12 August 2014
Double Oh Zzzzzzz...
As a mini-project within a project, I'm still working my way through all of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and I have now finished 'Octopussy, the Living Daylights and Other Stories'. It was another AudioGo audiobook, this time read by Loki himself, Tom Hiddleston.
This short collection includes four stories. In 'Octopussy', a psychopathic Major finally gets his just rewards courtesy of the local wildlife, while 'The Property of a Lady' appealed to my love of shiny things as the plot revolves around the auction of a rare jewelled Fabergé sphere. Bond takes on an unlikely Russian sniper in 'The Living Daylights'. Finally, the collection concludes with '007 in New York', about... erm... James Bond in New York. This is read by the author's niece, Lucy Fleming,
Unfortunately, things didn't go well between me and this book from the start. I fell asleep while listening to 'Octopussy' and had to replay it again from the beginning to catch up. In retrospect, I'm not surprised, because it's not really a James Bond story (it just happens to have James Bond in it) nor is it a great short story. It's plodding and predictable and I've come to expect more now I've encountered so much great work from Mr Fleming.
'The Property of a Lady' left me surprised and disappointed as the complex set up didn't deliver the plot twist I expected, while '007 in New York' felt a bit like a fan-focussed Easter Egg, a secret extra for the eyes of real obsessives only.
The best of the four was definitely 'The Living Daylights', a story which draws the reader into the working life of a jobbing double-0. It opens up the the events leading up to the assassin's gunshot, the tedium of waiting, the meticulous planning, the risk of getting caught. It had tension and provided insight into a character that we all think we know.
I felt a bit sorry for Tom Hiddleston really. He didn't have as much to work with as some of the other actors who have narrated CDs in the 007 Reloaded series, but that didn't stop him trying. He clearly had a lot of fun voicing Major Dexter Smythe in 'Octopussy', although it did make me smile a couple of times. I couldn't help being reminded of Kulvinder Ghir in the 'Goodness Gracious Me' Coopers/Kapoors and Robinsons/Rabindranaths sketches. Both probably had the same inspiration.
Overall, I would recommend this as a curiosity, something to read so you can say 'I've read all the James Bond books'. It's not got the energy of the other stories I've listened to so far, so in a way, here, Mr Fleming is a victim of his own success. I'm hoping it's just a blip and that Bond will be back on form for 'Thunderball'. After all, James Bond will return...
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'Live and Let Die'
'Dr No'
'For Your Eyes Only'
 |
| 'Octopussy and The Living Daylights' by Ian Fleming (Vintage, 2012) |
Unfortunately, things didn't go well between me and this book from the start. I fell asleep while listening to 'Octopussy' and had to replay it again from the beginning to catch up. In retrospect, I'm not surprised, because it's not really a James Bond story (it just happens to have James Bond in it) nor is it a great short story. It's plodding and predictable and I've come to expect more now I've encountered so much great work from Mr Fleming.
'The Property of a Lady' left me surprised and disappointed as the complex set up didn't deliver the plot twist I expected, while '007 in New York' felt a bit like a fan-focussed Easter Egg, a secret extra for the eyes of real obsessives only.
The best of the four was definitely 'The Living Daylights', a story which draws the reader into the working life of a jobbing double-0. It opens up the the events leading up to the assassin's gunshot, the tedium of waiting, the meticulous planning, the risk of getting caught. It had tension and provided insight into a character that we all think we know.
 |
| 'Octopussy and the Living Daylights and Other Stories' by Ian Fleming. (AudioGo, 2012) |
Overall, I would recommend this as a curiosity, something to read so you can say 'I've read all the James Bond books'. It's not got the energy of the other stories I've listened to so far, so in a way, here, Mr Fleming is a victim of his own success. I'm hoping it's just a blip and that Bond will be back on form for 'Thunderball'. After all, James Bond will return...
Related Posts
'Casino Royale'
'Live and Let Die'
'Dr No'
'For Your Eyes Only'
28 February 2014
Bond, but Not as we Know Him
Cue the theme music! I've just finished an audiobook of 'For Your Eyes Only' by Ian Fleming, part of AudioGo's 007 Reloaded series and read by Samuel West.
'For Your Eyes Only' is a collection of five short stories featuring nigh legendary British Secret Service agent James Bond. The book includes familiar and unfamiliar titles 'From a View to a Kill', 'Quantum of Solace', 'Risico', 'The Hildebrand Rarity' and, of course 'For Your Eyes Only'. Telling tales of mysterious murders and personal vendettas, double-crossers and drug barons, exotic locations and discrete offices, these stories take you into a world you thought you knew, then shows you there is so much to Bond, James Bond.
I love short stories and this collection is one of my favourites so far. The stand out piece is definitely 'Quantum of Solace'. Forget the awful film, if you read no other work by Ian Fleming, read this. It's subtle, it's heartbreaking and has a twist in the tail that tied the whole thing up beautifully. As a result, I'm really looking forward to reading more by Mr Fleming and have high hopes for his other books.
I'm a great fan of Bond films and was a bit worried that the character of the novels would be so hard and impenetrable that I would be put off completely. I knew that the film plots bear little, if any, resemblance to the books that share their titles, so that difference didn't come as a surprise. To be honest, in some instances it was a relief, but if you wanted reviews of Bond films, you'd be reading a different blog!
The stories and the films will always draw comparisons, but I'm glad to say that the things that define a Bond film are all present and correct; exotic locations, beautiful women, rich living, vile villains and, of course, our savoir faire secret agent.
Far from a character assassination that put me off Bond, this book has made me more interested in him. The great strength of these stories (and, I hope, the books I have yet to read) is that they let you get inside the head of the character. We hear his thought processes and get a glimpse of the cold and analytical outlook he has on the world. It's fascinating. Suddenly Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is more than just a bored, vain, playboy assassin.
I enjoyed listening to 'For Your Eyes Only' as an audiobook and the interview given by the reader, Samuel West, at the end was quite interesting, although it would perhaps be more useful to trainee actors than readers. Some may dislike the lack of music and sound effects, but this appealed to me as really all I wanted was the book read to me. That's what I got and it meant I could use my own imagination, just as though I was reading it for myself.
So, if you're a reader and a fan of escapist action-adventure stories like the James Bond series, I think you'll enjoy this book in either format. Like many a Bond girl, 'For Your Eyes Only' has certainly left me wanting more and I can't wait to read/listen to more by Ian Fleming.
Now, what next?
 |
| 'For Your Eyes Only' by Ian Fleming Read by Samuel West (AudioGo, 2013) |
I love short stories and this collection is one of my favourites so far. The stand out piece is definitely 'Quantum of Solace'. Forget the awful film, if you read no other work by Ian Fleming, read this. It's subtle, it's heartbreaking and has a twist in the tail that tied the whole thing up beautifully. As a result, I'm really looking forward to reading more by Mr Fleming and have high hopes for his other books.
I'm a great fan of Bond films and was a bit worried that the character of the novels would be so hard and impenetrable that I would be put off completely. I knew that the film plots bear little, if any, resemblance to the books that share their titles, so that difference didn't come as a surprise. To be honest, in some instances it was a relief, but if you wanted reviews of Bond films, you'd be reading a different blog!
The stories and the films will always draw comparisons, but I'm glad to say that the things that define a Bond film are all present and correct; exotic locations, beautiful women, rich living, vile villains and, of course, our savoir faire secret agent.
Far from a character assassination that put me off Bond, this book has made me more interested in him. The great strength of these stories (and, I hope, the books I have yet to read) is that they let you get inside the head of the character. We hear his thought processes and get a glimpse of the cold and analytical outlook he has on the world. It's fascinating. Suddenly Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is more than just a bored, vain, playboy assassin.
 |
| 'For Your Eyes Only' by Ian Fleming (Vintage, 2012) |
So, if you're a reader and a fan of escapist action-adventure stories like the James Bond series, I think you'll enjoy this book in either format. Like many a Bond girl, 'For Your Eyes Only' has certainly left me wanting more and I can't wait to read/listen to more by Ian Fleming.
Now, what next?
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