23 Days of James Bond Day 4- Thunderball

Dear SPECTRE,

Personally, I'm really getting tired of you. And the bad part is, there's still TWO more movies with you around. Yes, I know you've become rather iconic and quite numerous in the bad guys.

But, after awhile, I've really just gotten burned out with you. Why are there no other bad guys? I know they're out there. And why always Nassau or Jamaica? I want more exotic! We've already been to Russia and Turkey. What about something nice and cold, like Switzerland or Sweden or something? Maybe go skiing or ice skating?

Yeah, that sounds good, I like mountains. And kilts. Kilts are nice.

On the good side, I like the name Derval. That just sounds cool.

And dearest SPECTRE, must you continue to plague our dear 007? And you plagued him so much that it became a national affair with all the double-0's. I know we hardly ever see them, which is sometimes unfair, but it happens. Makes me wonder what the death rate is amongst the other numbers and why 007 has never risen in the ranks. Do they get "promoted" to a higher number or always keep the first one they're assigned? So many questions of this project that may never be answered on screen.

Oh well. Perhaps another day dear SPECTRE, you will die.

As for the song "Thunderball," it was all right. Rather middle of the road. As were the opening credits. There is still much to see.

Thundering on,

BondGirl63

Break Time

I'll be out of the office for the next few days as it's official time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of another fandom of mine, Doctor Who. Later, the good Doctor will make an appearance in this blog in one form or another. But, that won't be for a few more posts. Have a great weekend and we'll reconvene next week!

23 Days of James Bond Day 3- Goldfinger

To me, this is where the series really starts to get its footing. I often hear, in reference to TV shows, that you have to watch at least 3-5 episodes- sometimes at least the first season and some of the second- because that's how long it takes for it to really get its footing.

Pussy Galore. Her names says it all. Probably the most iconic name in this series since Bond. James Bond.

I like this movie, though at times it seems pretty slow. I enjoyed getting to see Felix Leiter (third one and we've still got at least 2 to go). I get having Tilly Masterson, but I could've done without her.

This was, on a good side, a nice break from so much of SPECTRE.

I'd rate Shirley Bassey's opening tune easily in the top 10.
Credits, top half.

Iconic Bits-
Oddjob- The mute "manservant" of Auric Goldfinger. He has amazing skills from being able to crush a golf ball in his bare hands to having a most dangerous hat. Again, Austin Powers spoofted this guy. Actually, Austin Powers spoofed a lot of James Bond, especially with Goldmember. Pretty obvious where they got that name. And, truthfully, I never saw it. I'm not really an Austin Powers fan.

Dead Girl in Gold- This is just really pretty iconic- the dead girl, all painted up in gold. It's later seen in Quantum of Solace but with oil We'll come back to that later.

Pussy Galore- Really, that's all you need to say about her name. Later similarly used for a kids movie as "the rise of Kitty Galore."

Ashton Martin- Again, need I say more? That car is awesome! And it comes back again in Skyfall (hey, that was the 50 year movie; lots of things came back).

23 Days of James Bond Day 2, From Russia with Love

Oh Rosa Klebb. The great ex-SMERSH, SPECTRE No. 3 and probable lesbian. My favourite bad girl of these movies. So sad you had to die in the end. I rather liked you Number 3.

Alright, now down to business. I love this locations in the movie. I already love Russia anyway, so this just added to that. Granted, it wasn't as much as movies today (I'm thinking of particularly Mission Impossible and it's turn at Russia in Ghost Protocol), but I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see these places.

Something I love about this movie is getting to see SPECTRE Island. Getting to see the base of operations and how much they hate Bond was rather nice. Plus, we get to see how they train. You rather get the idea that these guys are hardcore. Now, it's seen in person. It also was a great chance to see the guy they send after Bond in action and know how horrid he- and many of the others on the island- are in real life.

And, of course, there's the women. Tatiana is, of course, gorgeous and more modelesque than her predecessor. At least a little more high fashion. She's loyal to her country. And falls in love with Bond like so many women. Next, the two Roma women who are fighting over a man. And letting Bond decide? Really, like he's going to make a decision about this. I think he'd really choose both of them.

As for the theme, I'd have to rate it somewhere in the middle.
Opening credits, same.
Both were really rather blah, boring, and forgetful.

Iconic Bits-
Looking down the barrel of a gun- This is the first time we see this iconic bit that just gets better with age.
The Man in a Chair with a Cat- seen later in the Austin Powers movies.
Calling operatives by a number- Again, Austin Powers did this.
Q- This is the first appearance of Desmond Llewellyn as Q. He would continue this role in every Bond movie until his death during the Pierce Brosnan era. And on a side note, I never consider John Cleese as Q. He's always R to me. A Q discussion will resume with Skyfall and the reappearance of Q after Desmond's death.

23 Days of James Bond- Day 1, Dr. No

It was 1962. The Cold War was hot. As was the Space Race. Kennedy was president. And a British WW II Vet and writer had one of his books made into a little movie called Dr. No.

To me, this set the franchise off right. Though the book was later in the series - the first was actually Casino Royale- they did a great job in the initial introduction of the hero. Playing cards- as he does often- and flirting with a beautiful woman- something he does even more.

I enjoyed the locations for this movie. Ian Fleming himself spent time in Jamaica, hence James Bond visiting there often. The views are great. I love all the islands and the water, even the minnows who think they're sharks.

This movie also introduces SPECTRE, who shows up in several other movies. Dr. No was a decent first villain. The villaisn have gotten bigger, badder, and more advanced over time and technological advancements. His cover base seemed almost lacking. However, the living quarters were nice. Also, Dr. No didn't look as Asian as I thought he could have been. But, he's an interesting character nonetheless. A little crazy. A little maniacal in various forms.

And now, Ursula Andress, the first Bond girl. Personally, I thought she was very pretty. And she didn't have the "ooh, I"m a supermodel" hotness, which was rather nice. She did, though, seem to have a bit of naivete.

This movie, as far as it goes in comparison with the rest of the collection thus far, ranks as:
In the top 10 for moives
In the top 5 for title songs
In the middle half for opening title sequences
(Note: at some point I will rank these things and give an actual list)

Iconic bits:
The James Bond Theme- Every movie is known for it's opening credits and distinct song. Many are still played on the radio today and, in fact, I did a major squee one afternoon last year when that great brassy sound and hint of this song came on during an Adele number and I relised that I was hearing Skyfall for the first time. Though in this movie the credits are more low key compare to the others, they are still wonderful to watch and speak about the movie.

Banter with Moneypenny- The famed secretary has been played by, as of 2013, only about three people I can count off hand.

23 Days of James Bond: Prologue

I admit it. I'm a Bond Girl.

Well, okay, not that kind of Bond Girl but I'm one just the same as I'm a fan of the Bond films. I own 22 of the 23 out, most of them are from the Ultimate James Bond collection. The movies were all mixed in together but, being me, I had to put them in film order. The Daniel Craigs are afterwards and I've yet to actually own Skyfall. But I will. I've also read Casino Royale, amongst others.

Last year was a big year for this particular fandom of mine- 50 years of movie magic. In honour of seeing Skyfall in the theatres,  I watched all the movies in November. I finished Quantum of Solace on a Saturday morning, went to work, and then went to see Skyfall that evening.

Yeah, I'm that kind of fan.

So when November rolled around again, I decided it was time to watch the Bond films again, especially since it's two years before another one comes out. On the good side, Daniel Craig and Ralph Fiennes  have both signed on. Woot!

I've decided to review all the movies between now and, well, when I finish. There's 23. It'll take awhile. I'll be looking at some of the things that have become iconic things about these movies and have been seen in other movies. I'll look at why Austin Powers exists.

And I don't count Peter Sellers's movie one of cannon.

So, pop some corn. Make yourself a dry vodka martini, shaken not stirred. Put on your tux. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.