No More Bond – Well Maybe?

We’ve heard this before from Daniel Craig. He said he wouldn’t want to do another movie, after his success in portraying, Bond – James – Bond in Skyfall. He came back swinging and blowing things up in Spectre. Now, according to the Daily Mail, he’s turning down a two picture reprise of the role for somewhere in the vicinity of $100 million. That’s a very nice vicinity to be in.

Daniel Craig – Spectre

Daniel Craig may be tired of playing the part, but as good as he is as an actor, it’s difficult to get the roles which allow you continuing success or anywhere near the perks.

He might want to look back to the first Bond, played by Sean Connery. He too was dissatisfied with the roles he was given, even more than playing Bond, and came back to play him one last time in, Never Say Never Again. That unofficial Bond, was a less than stellar outing, it didn’t have near the behind the scenes support or the authorization to use the theme music or opening of the Eon Productions films.

As a reminder, how many went to see the film Cowboys and Aliens with the two big A listers of Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford? How many viewers want their money back?

For some unexplainable reason IGN gave this movie 3.5 stars out of 5. That’ being generous.

Idris Elba

There’s always a flurry of guesses of the next actor, when someone has brought this much success to a movie role. It’s an interesting idea to speculate who might land the role. Idris Elba might be a good choice, if you’ve seen his acting in film and television, especially Luther, the crime drama TV series, you will know he has to be considered.

Tom Hiddleston – Jaguar Ad

 

 

 

Tom Hiddleston is also under consideration, and for those who have seen him play Loki, in the Thor and Avengers movies, you realize, this is someone with screen presence.

 

 

 

 

So what do you think? Is it time for Daniel Craig to hang up those tuxedo’s or as many may remember, his swim trunks? He’s certainly given a huge boost to ticket sales of a movie franchise more than 50 years old.

Daniel Craig as James Bond with Aston Martin DB5

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Last Evening Television

So many of us now have better image and audio in our homes than what you can experience in a theatre. This has pushed the envelope for better set & sound design as well as image quality. Clearly each of us has our own opinion on what we find interesting or entertaining.

Lets review last nights Oscars. What did you like about the show?

Did the issues about diversity get addressed, or is this an attempt by the pampered elite to stay culturally relevant? How do they make sure the right films or people get recognized based on a proportional contribution?

How do you think Chris Rock did in hosting the Oscars? Did he also fall into the stereotype of racial slur?

Highest paid actors of 2105.

What did you think about the environmental message Leonardo DiCaprio gave in his acceptance speech?

Actor Mark Ruffalo has declared certain questions off limits to the media, regarding the sincerity of the actors who advocate a low carbon footprint. Ruffalo was asked in a one-on-one interview with Climate Depot if celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, who boasts that he will fly around the world to fight global warming and former VP Al Gore, are the best spokesmen for global warming, given their huge carbon footprints.

Last nights Oscars amassed a 15-block-radius of limos; “.. chauffers are captains of a sleek, passing fleet of more than 1,200 cars and SUVs that will navigate police perimeters, barricades, bomb squads, helicopter searchlights, hundreds, maybe thousands of fans and probably a few stalkers lingering beyond the paparazzi flash.”

Many attendees were moved by Lady Gagas song from Spotlight. After her musical presentation, many former victims stood hand in hand with the entertainers, but in light of all the revelations about actors, producers, directors and agents who have been accused of numerous sexual abuse crimes, do you think this was another of Hollywood’s attempt to be perceived on the right side of this issue?

High profile Hollywood power players accused of being paedophiles, include Bryan Singer.

Stephen Collins’ Wife Calls Him a ‘Pedophile’.

Molestation Scandal: Hollywood’s Child Sex Abuse Coverup.

Bill Cosby’s accusers tell their stories.

In a recent (2016) movie role, “Dirty Grandpa“, Robert De Niro plays a lecherous former Army Lieutenant-Colonel, a despicable grandfather, for comedic effect. Quite a different message than that of the Academy award winner, Spotlight.

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

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I Am Not What Happened to Me. I Am What I Choose to Become ~ Carl Jung

 

 

Have you been Bonded?

License to thrill

Bond, James Bond. One of the most iconic names in cinema. Why has this series lasted for over 50 years? What sets it apart as a franchise that can almost always be counted on to be a box office success?

Here are the top movie franchise numbers:

Franchise	No. of Movies	Total Domestic Box Office	Total Worldwide Box Office	First Year	Last Year	No. of Years
Marvel Cinematic Universe	21	$3,593,035,726	$9,064,124,991	2008	2019	11
Harry Potter	10	$2,389,091,642	$7,726,174,542	2001	2018	17
James Bond	25	$1,995,428,818	$6,502,989,456	1963	2015	52
Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings	6	$1,852,429,850	$5,895,819,745	2001	2014	13
Star Wars	12	$2,252,377,758	$4,486,158,822	1977	2019	42
Spider-Man	7	$1,578,645,759	$3,963,173,282	2002	2017	15
Fast and the Furious	8	$1,288,761,483	$3,899,849,616	2001	2017	16
Transformers	5	$1,324,862,942	$3,778,297,170	1986	2014	28
Pirates of the Caribbean	4	$1,279,211,336	$3,710,254,215	2003	2011	8
Batman	16	$1,895,558,266	$3,702,844,521	1989	2016	27
Jurassic Park	5	$1,458,040,584	$3,692,144,312	1993	2018	25
Shrek	7	$1,412,794,900	$3,540,580,419	2001	2018	17

Early graphic of James Bond, commissioned by Fleming.

The James Bond series were authored, beginning in 1953 by Ian Fleming, who wrote twelve novels and two short-stories, featuring this now world known spy. The first film release in 1962, Dr. No, introduced the character by simply uttering his name in a reoccurring setting, the casino. Although James Bond wasn’t hugely different from the standard American western, pitting a hero against great odds, exotic locations, beautiful women, elegance in fashion, all established a popular theme. The franchise repeats a formula, often imitated or spoofed, but largely successful in spite of some overly dramatic acting, relying on gadgets to save Bond, and the bevy of Bond women with sexually suggestive names. Although chase scenes have always been a feature, the placement of unrelated action sequences in the beginning of each film, set these movies apart from other movies in the 1950’s and 60’s.

So much of todays modern adaptations of heroes vs. villains borrow heavily from these ingrained cinematic motifs. These include, dangerous stunts, high speed chases (usually involving but not exclusively cars), exotic locations, beautiful fashionable women, expensive high tech gadgets, firearms, explosions, and at some point Bond is required to wear a tuxedo. He always dresses in expensive fashions, while enjoying fine dining and signature alcoholic beverages. Lastly, don’t most of us know the theme music? Title music was almost always a hit with the public, but the James Bond theme is part of the memorable moments in any of the films.

Inevitably, there’s a final confrontation between Bond and the villain du jour. The villains are compelled to confess their master plan to Bond as if he were their priest. The dialog follows this formula with slightly different words; “this is the end of the world, this is the end of civilization as you know it, Mr. Bond!” The timing of this confession couldn’t be better because, even though there’s usually not a backup rescue group, Bond has managed to find a way to escape the clever capture / trap of this evil genius. Evidently none of them have figured out, just kill him and monologue after.

Despite the predictability of the plots, and the various actors who have portrayed him, people continue to flock to the theaters rather than wait for the Blue Ray or DVD to be released.

George Baker preferred by Fleming to be Bond before Connery. Played 2 different roles – ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ & ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’

1. Barry Nelson played Bond in a 1954 television production of Casino Royale
2. Sean Connery – 7 Movies
3. David Niven in the 1967 spoof of Casino Royale
4. George Lazenby – 1 Movie
5. Roger Moore – 7 Movies
6. Timothy Dalton – 2 Movies
7. Pierce Brosnan – 4 Movies
8. Daniel Craig – 4 Movies to date

An unknown actor played Bond in the earliest film sequences. James Bond, played by stuntman Bob Simmons, casually walks along a white backdrop and is seen through a gun barrel. Aware that he is being watched, Bond quickly turns and shoots the assassin which dissolves the backdrop into red. This sequence became a trademark of the series. 

Speaking of Trademarks.

Trademarks and copyright laws vary by country. Some of those rights are about to or have expired.

Should you bother to go see the current bond film, SPECTRE?

Of course you should, if you’ve read this much of this blog, you’re likely a fan. I will say this much about this latest film, Daniel Craig is Bond. In my opinion, he’s the best one so far. I know there are thousands of critics of any film, but Craig moves, looks like a tough protagonist, and can act with the appropriate emotional context for any of the films he’s played this role. Roger Moore, when questioned about Daniel Craig after seeing ‘Casino Royale’ said, “he did more action in the first 30 seconds of the film than I did in 14 years of playing Bond.”

This film isn’t all that different when you consider my description of Bond films. This movie plays well in context of our time, something which doesn’t hold up well when you go back and look at movies such as Dr. No. They may have fit well for that era, but Craig, along with the writing and cinematography, work very well now. For long time fans, there’s nothing that will really surprise you but the villainy is good, the set pieces are shot beautifully, action is excellent, and the story line holds together, despite some people who love to criticize. SPECTRE brings together all of the elements found in the first 3 films, packages them neatly with adequate explanation, set against the changes in spy craft forced by government austerity and modern tools. Maybe it’s not riveting, if you want to compare it to the pageantry of a Marvel or Harry Potter film, but it’s certainly closer to some of the reality in a modern world, 50+ years after Dr. No.

As Marvin Hamlisch once wrote, in the Bond theme for the “Spy Who Loved Me”, sung by Carly Simon, “Nobody Does It Better.”

If you’re familiar with all of the Bond films, compare your ranking to that of someone else.
(Not mine, I disagree with the order)

Every James Bond Film Ranked.

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