Bond, Just Bond
With the global economy in tailspin, some people are not sure what to do so they may say buy into bonds, just bonds. It is timely that they are releasing the latest 007 James Bond instalment "Skyfall". This is welcome relief even though in real life it has been more like "The Sky Has Fallen". We do need some stylish kick ass action in reel life for the make belief. Bond movies always get started first then they go to the trademark gun barrel Bond Theme. There will also be silhouette of female dancers dancing in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii1tc493bZM (Theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IdDl-pHeDw (Gun Barrel)
In life we need a little fantasy to transport ourselves into another realm so as not to take ourselves too seriously. My dad brought me to my first ever James Bond movie when I was little and thereafter the other Bond movies and I realised that many of my friends were also fans of Bond. We have been hooked ever since. What is it about 007 that made it so special that they could go on for 50 years and counting from 1962 to the present? First credit goes to Ian Fleming for his series of books which later became a British series of spy films based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond code-designated 007.
In case you have missed any Bond movies, here is an easy reference: (1) Sean Connery starred in the first Bond movie - Dr. No at age 32 with his last appearance in Diamonds Are For Ever at age 41 spanning 6 films in total. (2) George Lazenby was 30 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service in just one film. (3) Roger Moore started in Live And Let Die (age 45) and starred in the most films and totalled 7 movies ending with A View To A Kill (at age 57). (4) Timothy Dalton was 41 in The Living Daylights and 43 in Licence To Kill for 2 movies. (5) Pierce Brosnan starred in GoldenEye at 42 and finished with 4 under his belt at 49 ending with Die Another Day. (6) Daniel Craig started with Casino Royale at age 38 and now in his third instalment at age 44 in Skyfall. Sean Connery made one more but not under the same franchise called Never Say Never Again when he was 53.
All actors are British save for George Lazenby who is Australian and Pierce Brosnan who is Irish. Sean Connery is Scottish, Roger Moore is English, Timothy Dalton is Welsh, Pierce Brosnan is Irish and Daniel Craig is English. The Bond movies are Dr. No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Gold Finger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live And Let Die (1973), The Man With The Golden Gun (1974), The SPy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), A View To A Kill (1985), The Living Daylights (1987), Licence To Kill (1989). Then a period of darkness from 1990 to 1995 - GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006), Quantum Of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012).
M, Q and Moneypenny are ever present in Bond. James Bond movies have a wider influence than you could imagine just like Bruce Lee spawning into all kinds of kung fu movies. TV series like The Man From U.N.C.L.E., I Spy, Get Smart, Our Man Flint were examples but among them my favourite was the spoof in Austin Powers where in it you can find parodies of Bond characters. A trademark of a James Bond movie is that he always introduced himself as Bond, James Bond and likes his Martini shaken but not stirred. Who do you think said it best? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raplvZFysjU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUUq5mRCimo
All recurring themes in Bond and what makes it exciting are the high budget, incredible action sequences, high speed car chases, exotic and stunning scenery, spectacular ski chases, explosions, bevy of beauties, unique titles and songs and the extremely distinctive James Bond theme at the beginning of the movie when Bond walks on the screen and fire some shots. Bond is a ladies man, has incredible fighting skills, is sophisticated, has great charisma, has remarkable perseverance and a great survival. He could jump from a helicopter to the top of a car, fight on top of trains, in air planes, cable cars, while riding a motor bike, etc. Ladies want him and guys want to be like him. Some people even named themselves James!
There is always a Grand Master villain who is a megalomaniac who loves to fondle his cat and out to rule the world and he always has an assistant that can give Bond hell in the form of a burly man who could kill by throwing his steel hat or an 8 foot giant with steel teeth (Jaws), etc. and then there is unbelievable gadgetry invented by the genius Q and the alluring Bond girls to whom you will sell state secrets for like Diana Rigg or Ursula Andress who walked out that beach in bikini. Watched by youths with raging hormones you will get Bond Girls Forever. Bond cars are Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Lincoln, Lotus, Range Rover and Rolls Royce.
Who Is The Best Bond?
Sean Connery - Was the first Bond so he can be looked up as original but he is more than that. Besides Bond, Connery starred in Highlander, The Name of The Rose, The Untouchables, Indiana Jones, Medicine Man, The Rock, First Knight, Entrapment, etc. I would readily put him at the level of Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. His portrayal of Bond was cold, steely, tough and really a licence to kill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Rm18p8Rl0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii1tc493bZM (Theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IdDl-pHeDw (Gun Barrel)
In life we need a little fantasy to transport ourselves into another realm so as not to take ourselves too seriously. My dad brought me to my first ever James Bond movie when I was little and thereafter the other Bond movies and I realised that many of my friends were also fans of Bond. We have been hooked ever since. What is it about 007 that made it so special that they could go on for 50 years and counting from 1962 to the present? First credit goes to Ian Fleming for his series of books which later became a British series of spy films based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond code-designated 007.
In case you have missed any Bond movies, here is an easy reference: (1) Sean Connery starred in the first Bond movie - Dr. No at age 32 with his last appearance in Diamonds Are For Ever at age 41 spanning 6 films in total. (2) George Lazenby was 30 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service in just one film. (3) Roger Moore started in Live And Let Die (age 45) and starred in the most films and totalled 7 movies ending with A View To A Kill (at age 57). (4) Timothy Dalton was 41 in The Living Daylights and 43 in Licence To Kill for 2 movies. (5) Pierce Brosnan starred in GoldenEye at 42 and finished with 4 under his belt at 49 ending with Die Another Day. (6) Daniel Craig started with Casino Royale at age 38 and now in his third instalment at age 44 in Skyfall. Sean Connery made one more but not under the same franchise called Never Say Never Again when he was 53.
All actors are British save for George Lazenby who is Australian and Pierce Brosnan who is Irish. Sean Connery is Scottish, Roger Moore is English, Timothy Dalton is Welsh, Pierce Brosnan is Irish and Daniel Craig is English. The Bond movies are Dr. No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Gold Finger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live And Let Die (1973), The Man With The Golden Gun (1974), The SPy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), A View To A Kill (1985), The Living Daylights (1987), Licence To Kill (1989). Then a period of darkness from 1990 to 1995 - GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006), Quantum Of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012).
M, Q and Moneypenny are ever present in Bond. James Bond movies have a wider influence than you could imagine just like Bruce Lee spawning into all kinds of kung fu movies. TV series like The Man From U.N.C.L.E., I Spy, Get Smart, Our Man Flint were examples but among them my favourite was the spoof in Austin Powers where in it you can find parodies of Bond characters. A trademark of a James Bond movie is that he always introduced himself as Bond, James Bond and likes his Martini shaken but not stirred. Who do you think said it best? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raplvZFysjU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUUq5mRCimo
All recurring themes in Bond and what makes it exciting are the high budget, incredible action sequences, high speed car chases, exotic and stunning scenery, spectacular ski chases, explosions, bevy of beauties, unique titles and songs and the extremely distinctive James Bond theme at the beginning of the movie when Bond walks on the screen and fire some shots. Bond is a ladies man, has incredible fighting skills, is sophisticated, has great charisma, has remarkable perseverance and a great survival. He could jump from a helicopter to the top of a car, fight on top of trains, in air planes, cable cars, while riding a motor bike, etc. Ladies want him and guys want to be like him. Some people even named themselves James!
There is always a Grand Master villain who is a megalomaniac who loves to fondle his cat and out to rule the world and he always has an assistant that can give Bond hell in the form of a burly man who could kill by throwing his steel hat or an 8 foot giant with steel teeth (Jaws), etc. and then there is unbelievable gadgetry invented by the genius Q and the alluring Bond girls to whom you will sell state secrets for like Diana Rigg or Ursula Andress who walked out that beach in bikini. Watched by youths with raging hormones you will get Bond Girls Forever. Bond cars are Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Lincoln, Lotus, Range Rover and Rolls Royce.
Who Is The Best Bond?
Sean Connery - Was the first Bond so he can be looked up as original but he is more than that. Besides Bond, Connery starred in Highlander, The Name of The Rose, The Untouchables, Indiana Jones, Medicine Man, The Rock, First Knight, Entrapment, etc. I would readily put him at the level of Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. His portrayal of Bond was cold, steely, tough and really a licence to kill.
George Lazenby - The Australian was a model who studied martial arts under Bruce Lee. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was underrated and Lazenby quit after one Bond movie. I don't quite recall him but could he give Timothy Dalton a run for his money? I think he was the worst Bond.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYFCl9qJGSQ
Roger Moore - He was the most prolific as he made 7 films. He was also the most effortless like taking a stroll. As a child I remember watching him on TV series like Ivanhoe and The Saint (as Simon Templar).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RswoQJUGI6Q (Ivanhoe)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvLgFpbdn4k (The Saint)
(Highlight the link, right click, go to if you can't access at first).
I felt Moore brought a different kind of Bond to us. He was actually charming and gave a lighter touch in most situation. Even having funny moments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXO8wWDf2EA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RswoQJUGI6Q (Ivanhoe)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvLgFpbdn4k (The Saint)
(Highlight the link, right click, go to if you can't access at first).
I felt Moore brought a different kind of Bond to us. He was actually charming and gave a lighter touch in most situation. Even having funny moments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXO8wWDf2EA
Timothy Dalton - Dalton looked like the slimmest Bond. He was a TV and stage actor and perhaps ill suited to be Bond. He does not looked ruthless like Connery nor smile like Moore. Perhaps coming in to fill the wings of both was unfair.
Pierce Brosnan - He was famous for his role as Remington Steele on TV.
If anything, Brosnan was the most handsome Bond. The Bond films he starred in wasn't the most exciting and Brosnan does not looked like the guy who would get dirtied. Even when shaken he never stirred.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6C9jHic2xE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8z6cnzv61E
If anything, Brosnan was the most handsome Bond. The Bond films he starred in wasn't the most exciting and Brosnan does not looked like the guy who would get dirtied. Even when shaken he never stirred.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6C9jHic2xE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8z6cnzv61E
(Highlight the link, right click, go to if you can't access)
Daniel Craig - When the news was out that Craig was to be the next Bond, newspapers cried horrors over it. Most people didn't like him. Craig was the first blond Bond. I am actually growing to like him the more I watched him. He is quite compelling to watch. Craig's Bond is a very complex one. Not only does he has the best physique as Bond he portrays a rough edge to the character and he could go on to one day be the toughest and best Bond. He is a nonchalant killer! His Bond can be hurting physically and emotionally. That is re-Bonding.
Picking the best is sometimes like choosing between Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. What I can tell you is that nothing beats the original even though Cary Grant was the original first choice but Sean Connery takes the cake. You may not agree with me...yet but Daniel Craig could one day be the best Bond ever, not just yet. He is the closest thing to Connery or more. Next would be the charming Roger Moore and then Pierce Brosnan with Timothy Dalton slightly better than George Lazenby. Do you agree? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McHrA9itZJI
Best Bond Film
Dr. No must be included here because it was the very first instalment. Ian Fleming did not like it but it was here that the very first "gun-barrel" sequence James Bond theme with the quote "Bond, James Bond" originated. The best Bond girl in Ursula Andress (pronounced Usually Undressed) and the great villain.
Sean Connery's personal favourite was From Russia With Love. It has a female double agent, the most prolific Bond villain in "Blofeld". Goldfinger has the best of many things - Sean Connery as Bond, Auric Goldfinger the villain, a fearsome bad guy henchman in "Oddjob", solid theme song by Shirley Bassey, a Bond girl called "Pussy Galore". While Goldfinger was kind of iconic, Thunderball was the highest grossing. I thought Thunderball was spectacular.
The Spy Who Loved Me has the best ski action and a great song by the great Carly Simon who sang about me when she cooed "Nobody Does It Better" plus it has a shark and it was Roger Moore at his best. Casino Royale resurrected Bond and it was like a prequel showing us who Bond was. The most ridiculous scene from a Bond movie was in Live And Let Die where a trapped Bond walked across a row of crocodiles in the water. You Only Live Twice was memorable as the face of Ernst Stavro Blofeld was finally revealed.
Who Is Your Favourite Bond Girl?
All Bond girls are not only supposed to be stunning. There are actually two each movie where one will die and the other live. They have very colourful and sexy, no make that sexual names like Domino Derval (Claudine Auger) who was popular and deliciously liked in Thunderball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pdmR2znKu4I#!
Then there was Pussy Galore in Goldfinger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1pUXH1Bye88#!
Then there was the sultry Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale. How about Babara Bach as Triple X in The Spy Who Loved Me? My favourite has to be Ursula Andress as "Honey Ryder" in Dr. No making a grand entrance by emerging from the sea in white bikini.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lAjyUUS1g
Who Is The Best Bond Villain?
Was it Christopher Lee as Scaramanga in The Man With The Golden Gun? What about LeChiffre frightening torture of Bond going for his family's crown jewel in Casino Royale? How about the ever present in the most Bond films Ernst Stavro Blofeld? Then there was Auric Goldfinger with his twisted fetish of painting his famel victims gold in colour. He was so advanced he was using a laser to cut Bond at a place where the sun don't shine.
The spoof on Mini Me in Austin Powers was a parody of The Man With The Golden Gun. There was "Jaws" in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker who could kill you with one bite. He even bit the shark!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64yHgoQMQVM
One of the toughest has to be Oddjob in Goldfinger. He has a killer hat and built like a bull.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=JDDjxa7RsKg&feature=endscreen
The scariest Bond villain's sidekick to me has to be Grace Jones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mooqxgOf3Z4
The best spoof and parody on Bond has to be the hilarious Austin Powers. First "Goldmember" then "The Spy Who Shagged Me".There was Dr. Evil instead of Dr. No. "Oddjob" became "Random Task" (haha), "Pussy Galore" became "Ivana Humpalot" (I wanna hump a lot). Then there was a female fatale in "Alotta Fagina" and Felicity Shagwell (use your imagination, I don't want to go there). A great theme "Soul Bossa Nova' by Quincy Jones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrOITkvDV5Y (Theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F8CQp9pP7o (Goldmember)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZCkksmJ0YI (Spy Who Shagged Me)
Was it Christopher Lee as Scaramanga in The Man With The Golden Gun? What about LeChiffre frightening torture of Bond going for his family's crown jewel in Casino Royale? How about the ever present in the most Bond films Ernst Stavro Blofeld? Then there was Auric Goldfinger with his twisted fetish of painting his famel victims gold in colour. He was so advanced he was using a laser to cut Bond at a place where the sun don't shine.
The spoof on Mini Me in Austin Powers was a parody of The Man With The Golden Gun. There was "Jaws" in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker who could kill you with one bite. He even bit the shark!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64yHgoQMQVM
One of the toughest has to be Oddjob in Goldfinger. He has a killer hat and built like a bull.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=JDDjxa7RsKg&feature=endscreen
The scariest Bond villain's sidekick to me has to be Grace Jones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mooqxgOf3Z4
The best spoof and parody on Bond has to be the hilarious Austin Powers. First "Goldmember" then "The Spy Who Shagged Me".There was Dr. Evil instead of Dr. No. "Oddjob" became "Random Task" (haha), "Pussy Galore" became "Ivana Humpalot" (I wanna hump a lot). Then there was a female fatale in "Alotta Fagina" and Felicity Shagwell (use your imagination, I don't want to go there). A great theme "Soul Bossa Nova' by Quincy Jones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrOITkvDV5Y (Theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F8CQp9pP7o (Goldmember)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZCkksmJ0YI (Spy Who Shagged Me)
Best Bond Theme Songs
Shirley Bassey is the queen of Bond theme songs. She had two wonderful songs in her fluid rendition of "Diamonds Are Forever" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qPeSPB68i2c#! and Goldfinger was as legendary as Shirely. Nobody should forget Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better" in The Spy Who Loved Me.
Paul McCartney's "Live And Let Die" was No. 2 on the US Billboard. Duran Duran did one better to become the only Bond theme to reach No. 1 on the US Billboard with "A View To A Kill". http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0ResNDwq_5k
Then the audiophile quality voice of Rita Coolidge with "All Time High" from Octopussy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1xRPCiczNM
The stunning Sheena Easton with "For Your Eyes Only" (you will not find a Bond film with the lead singer featured in the intro).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGrptJTswNg
50 years of Bond compressed into this page just for you! Well, I haven't caught "Skyfall" though. From the trailer it looks great! And Adele's rendition of Skyfall reminds me of the old Bond and Shirley Bassey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kw1UVovByw (Skyfall)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeumyOzKqgI (Adele)
Now that Mr. Obama is now President Obama again for another four years, I wonder when are we going to get a non-white Bond? So who is your favourite Bond (Hamid Bond? Austin Powers?), which do you think is the best Bond film, who is the greatest villain and your favourite Bond girl?
I am Bond-again.
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