Tag: Bond

New Bond Film Titled ‘Spectre’. There Is Much Rejoicing.

The 24th Bond film will be called Spectre. If you need to know why, this may not be the article for you.

The announcement was made early this morning along with the reveal of the cast which includes Christoph Waltz, Andrew Scott, Dave Bautista, Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci. Daniel Craig (obviously), Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes return. If you are wondering where Dame Judi Dench is, you should have watched Skyfall by now.

Watlz is rumored to be playing the top Bond villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Scott perhaps as an agent of Spectre with Bautista as the muscle, Mr. Hinx.

Bond will be driving around in the brand new Aston Martin DB10.

My thoughts on Skyfall are that it was one of the greatest Bond titles ever (tied with or right behind Goldfinger). I wondered how they could possibly follow that up, and yet, they have assembled what may be the best cast for any Bond movie.

Plus, Monica Bellucci as a Bond girl. You treat her right, James! She’s a lady!

Spectre releases November 6, 2015. Read my review of Skyfall here.

December 4, 2014
Christoph Waltz Will Take On James Bond

If there is one thing Daniel Craig has always had with his run as James Bond is great villains. From Mads Mikkelsen in Casino Royale to Javier Bardem in Skyfall, Craig has had great actors to share screen time with (we will conveniently forget Quantum of Solace).

Let’s add another name to that list.

Christoph Waltz, who has stolen the show in both Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained (winning two Oscars in the process), will be the newest baddie to try and take down 007. He will be joined by the already announced Dave Bautista as Jinx.

Skyfall is tied for the top spot as my favorite Bond movie ever, largely due to Bardem’s performance. Now I am excited as ever for Bond’s return to theaters.

Bond 24 releases November 6 2015.

November 14, 2014
Hollywood In 2015: Something’s Gotta Give

We are all used to big summer movie seasons. It is a part of movie culture and it is one of the few reasons to actually get excited about sweating your balls (or other various parts) off in the baking sun. But is Hollywood headed for a year of heartbreak? Two years from now will be the biggest movie year in history. Not just summer, but for 365 days we will be given a deluge of big-budget extravaganzas like we have never seen before in such a short period.

This would indicate that Hollywood should reach their highest box office total ever, but with so many huge event and franchise movies in such a short time will we get burned out? Chances are that a few of these offerings will either not meet lofty expectations or completely bomb altogether just because of the competition releasing so close together.

So now, let’s look in our crystal ball (which oddly looks like a box of Gobstoppers) and see what franchises are sure things and which ones may be left out to wither and die.

Note: These movies are for the entire calendar year of 2015, not just the summer season.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

As close as you will get to a sure thing to make a billion dollars. Even if the story ends up being weaker than the first, people will show up in droves.

Bomb Factor- 0/10

Batman/Superman

Completely off the radar until last week’s Comic-Con. Zack Snyder returning to direct and Christopher Nolan executive producing. Just don’t screw up the Batman casting and watch the money flow in.

Bomb Factor- 0.5/10

Star Wars: Episode VII

Disney is going to run this franchise into the ground with yearly movies, but this first one by J.J. Abrams should be a massive hit and hopefully set up a new trilogy well.

Bomb Factor- 1/10

Independence Day 2

It will be 19 years between the original and the sequel when this hits. No Will Smith may hurt, but Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman are returning and if they can cast some good new leads this could work. Will people still care after so long?

Bomb Factor- 4/10

Jurassic Park 4

The fourth dino adventure will return to the original island. Jurassic Park 3 made its money back but failed to live up to the first two. Depending on release date, this may get lost in the shuffle.

Bomb Factor- 5/10

Assassin’s Creed

Michael Fassbender is starring in and producing this adaptation of the Ubisoft video game. I am excited about the prospect, but fear that this may fall into the John Carter or Prince of Persia bunch when it releases.

Bomb Factor- 7/10

Fantastic Four Reboot

The first two FF movies made plenty of money against their budgets, but were bashed by critics. Better casting and and early spring release should help the new team reach better heights.

Bomb Factor- 5/10

Pirates of the Caribbean 5

On Stranger Tides was the first Pirates to not break $300 million domestically yet it was a huge hit worldwide being the first one in the franchise to cross $1 billion. Even if some are tired of Jack Sparrow, the rest of the world box office will make him a hit again.

Bomb Factor- 3/10

Terminator 5

Arnold is returning and there are rumors that The Rock may be circling. He revitalizes franchises, of that there is no doubt, but is this one too far gone to rehab?

Bomb Factor- 6/10

The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 2

Mocking Jay is not a large book so making two movies out if it may be a stretch. Let’s hope they don’t sacrifice quality for quantity.

Bomb Factor- 3/10

Finding Dory

Pixar has had a case of sequel-itis for a few years now and I have still not gotten my Incredibles 2. Finding Nemo is one of the most beloved of all the Pixar offerings so I think people will embrace this more than Cars 2 or even Monsters University.

Bomb Factor- 2/10

Ant-Man

As Marvel pulls farther into their hero pool, their gambles get bigger. Guardians of the Galaxy will put their muscle to the test next year. Ant-Man will have the distinction of being the first Marvel movie after Avengers 2 and Edgar Wright will easily make the movie entertaining. Will people embrace it?

Bomb Factor- 5/10

Bond 24

Skyfall was not only the most successful Bond movie ever it was also in talks as being possibly the best movie in the series. Daniel Craig is locked up for at least two more films and Sam Mendes is returning to direct 007’s next adventure. It may not hit the heights of Skyfall, but it will not fall very far.

Bomb Factor- 2/10

Inferno

Ron Howard and Tom Hanks are returning to the Robert Langdon character for a third film from Dan Brown’s book series. Has the Dan Brown craze train left the station? Most likely.

Bomb Factor- 7/10

Warcraft

The long-in-development Warcraft is finally going to make it to the big screen thanks to Moon director Duncan Jones. World of Warcraft has almost 10 million subscribers that pay $15 a month to play so if a good portion of those pony up $10 a ticket it will have a decent opening weekend. The problem comes in convincing the general public to take the trip to Azeroth.

Bomb Factor- 5/10

July 23, 2013
Sam Mendes Likely To Return For Bond 24.

Photo courtesy indiewire.com

[amazon_link id=”B007REV4YI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Skyfall[/amazon_link] has just seen its home release and with 1 billion dollars in box office revenue and sterling reviews the wheels are already in motion for the 24th picture in the Bond franchise. And if you loved Skyfall (as well you should) the news that Sam Mendes may return should excite you.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Mendes is “75% sure” he is returning to the world of 007. He has been in talks with Skyfall and Bond 24 screenwriter John Logan about where to go next and try and followup what may be the greatest Bond movie ever.

I do know that casting the villain role will be damn hard considering that Javier Bardem absolutely knocked it out of the park in Skyfall and should have gotten an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor.

February 15, 2013
Top 10 Movies Of 2012

With the announcement of the Academy Award nominations I figured it would be a good time to post our top ten movie list for the year. Now unlike the Academy, you won’t find Beasts of the Southern Wild or Amour on here. All we can do is go by the movies we have seen this year and whittle that down to the ten that we had the most fun with. What you will find is a whole lot of explosions, bad puns, dwarves and ex-slave bounty hunters. So let’s get started shall we?

10. [amazon_link id=”B005LAIGPU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Chronicle[/amazon_link]

Max Landis, son of film legend John Landis and creator of the hilarious Death and Return of Superman video, wrote this smart found footage film about three teens that discover something in a cave and find themselves developing powers. Please don’t let the tag word “found footage” scare you off. This movie is witty and snap quick in its dialogue and then add to it a believable tale of heroes and villains and you have a winner.

9. [amazon_link id=”B008G33O0G” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Cabin in the Woods[/amazon_link]

I can not reiterate enough that if are planning on seeing this movie do not let someone tell you the ending. Now when the movie begins you think that they are giving away a big piece of it right off the bat but you really have no idea. It takes everything we thought we knew about the rules of a horror movie and turns it on its head. I wish it had been a bigger hit because it should be considered the Scream of this generation. The most unique horror film since the first Saw.

8. [amazon_link id=”B0084IG7KC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Hunger Games[/amazon_link]

Despite the books being in the polarizing “young adult” category, The Hunger Games was filled with unflinching violence. The movie did a great job of taking a concept as off base as children being forced to kill each other to ensure government control and made it work in a PG-13 environment. I hope no one simply did not watch this because of what I call the “Twilight syndrome”, where some movies are lumped into the same category as Twilight when they really should not be. This movie is is visually arresting in places and tense.

7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit can not equal The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I think we should all admit that. The source material is a completely different animal but Peter Jackson crafted a very good and enjoyable return to Middle-Earth this year that set up the return of Smaug and showed that Martin Freeman may have been born to play Bilbo Baggins. It was good to see Ian McKellan as Gandalf again and each of the dwarves were represented well with Richard Armitage stealing the show as Thorin.

6. [amazon_link id=”B005LAII80″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dredd[/amazon_link]

Movies are a funny business sometimes. The Avengers became the third biggest movie of all time (deservedly so) and Dredd was a certified flop at the box office which is, as I said, a funny thing since people may have overlooked the best straight up action movie of the year and the most faithful comic to film translation ever. Karl Urban’s scowl should get an award by itself. This movie is unapologetic in it’s violence, as it should be, and it should have propelled Dredd into the minds of “normal” moviegoers, but now let’s just hope it becomes a cult hit. For a better idea of what to expect check out our review.

5. Django Unchained

Some people may think that Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction may be Tarantino’s best and it would be hard to argue, but how many film makers could truly say that they are hitting their stride 20 years into their career? Inglourious Basterds and now Django Unchained have brought the director into the rare trifecta of great artists. Where their movies are critically loved, successful at the box office and yet do not compromise the director’s vision. Django is as close to a comedy as I think Tarantino will ever make and is a great look at our country’s bleak past seen through the eyes of a rare director.

4. [amazon_link id=”B0085Z8F4A” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Prometheus[/amazon_link]

Look, the easiest way to explain this is that I am a sucker for Ridley Scott being involved with anything sci-fi. Does the movie have plot holes? Yes, but I am pretty sure most movies do. I appreciate this film for not taking the easy way out for a prequel to my favorite film franchise ever. It seemed like people wanted to be spoon-fed information instead of trying to look for themselves and enjoy the adventure. Sounds a lot like LOST huh? Guess Damon Lindelof will never get away from that.

3. [amazon_link id=”B004LWZWGK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Dark Knight Rises[/amazon_link]

There was really no way that Christopher Nolan could top The Dark Knight. The movie was a cultural phenomenon anchored by the Academy Award winning performance of Heath Ledger. So for The Dark Knight Rises he took the character to the depths of defeat and closed up his Batman story by weaving together the stories of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight in a way that proved Nolan’s point that he set forth in Begins. That Batman should be a symbol, not just a man. Oh and I personally thought Tom Hardy owned the role of Bane.

2. [amazon_link id=”B007REV4YI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Skyfall[/amazon_link]

As I said in my review, Skyfall is the greatest Bond movie ever made so the fact this is almost at the top of this list is a no brainer. Director Sam Mendes brought Bond into the new age and simultaneously took Craig’s version of the character back in time (the classic Aston Martin, Moneypenny, Q). It moves at a quick pace despite being over two hours. And finally, for the first time in his Bond tenure, Craig got to match wits with a villain worthy of the franchise in Javier Bardem’s Silva. The fact Bardem did not get a supporting actor nod is beyond me. Just thinking about Skyfall makes me ecstatic to know that we have Daniel Craig for at least two more movies.

1. [amazon_link id=”B0083SBJXS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Avengers[/amazon_link]

I have to admit I went back and forth for a few days between this and Skyfall for the top spot but in the end it had to be this. While Skyfall may be the best Bond ever, it may someday be surpassed by another Bond movie. The Avengers was something different and only people that grew up tried and true nerds, geeks, fanboys etc. know what I am talking about. When you were growing up reading comics (for me in the 80’s & 90’s) you always imagined what it would be like to have a movie like The Avengers come out but knew it could never be. It wasn’t possible. But then something happened. Comic book movies became popular, raking in heaps upon heaps of cash and now the characters that you grew up loving and getting made fun of for liking became normal in pop culture. It was cool to go see Iron Man. Everyone loved Thor…..THOR! Imagine that internally as your ten year old self. Still seems weird right? Then Marvel did the near impossible. They built a film franchise out of separate movies, gambling that each would be successful enough to warrant them teaming up and making an Avengers movie. And guess what? It paid off. By trusting nerd god Joss Whedon to write and direct, The Avengers gave Marvel a 1.5 billion dollar reward for their risk. And not just that, the movie lived up to a lot of people’s lifetime expectations, mine included.

January 11, 2013
Academy Awards Plans Tribute To James Bond

Last year was James Bond’s 50th anniversary and with Skyfall being the best reviewed and highest grossing Bond film ever the Academy has decided to celebrate the character during the upcoming 85th Academy Awards in February that will include a special sequence. No details were given on what that would include. It could be something as simple as a video montage or perhaps a live on-stage performance of some kind. How wonderful would it be for Bond fans if they were able to have all six Bonds on stage at one time?

The 85th Annual Academy Awards will air on February 24th and Skyfall releases on Blu-Ray February 18th.

January 4, 2013
Review: Skyfall

Celebrating Bond’s 50th With The Best?

I watched my first Bond movie when I was nine years old. The movie was Goldfinger and although I did not understand any of the sexual innuendo what I did get was that this James Bond guy was one smooth customer. He always had the answers and the way out of any situation, even when that situation involved a laser beam moving towards your junk. And thus began my longtime love of agent 007.

Enter 2012. The Bond film franchise is now 23 films in and celebrating its 50th anniversary. It has been four years since Quantum of Solace was released and mostly looked down on by fans that said the movie had no real emotion attached to it. Now Skyfall is here and not only makes up for the missteps of its predecessor but does something that no one really saw coming. It is the best Bond film ever made.

After a chase scene that involves motorcycling on rooftops and fisticuffs on top of a train that rivals Casino Royale’s parkour inspired opening, Bond is shot and left floating down a river. But we know this is not the end. Even though Bond is off as he puts it “enjoying death”, MI6 and more specifically M are under attack by someone from her past that has gained access to NATO’s list of undercover agents implanted throughout the world. He is slowly releasing the names of the agents and this has the British government questioning whether M is losing a step and should be forced to retire.

When a bomb goes off from within MI6 Bond returns to help find who is leading this attack. But like M, Bond’s usefulness is brought into question and must go through agent testing and through a little fudging on M’s part gets him back in the field. He tracks down a former agent of M’s named Silva, played with perfect insanity by Javier Bardem. He is back to exact revenge on M for what he calls “past sins” but she just sees as doing her job.

While the plot may sound small for a Bond flick this movie is anything but. Make no mistake about it, Skyfall is big. Never before has a 007 film opened up so much past story on its hero or for that matter, M. This is as much her story as it is Bond’s and we all should be thankful for that because it gives Judi Dench a chance to really show the internal conflict of a person in authority when her job is watching over a country’s safety and looking out for the things that go bump in the night yet remaining responsible for the consequences of her choices.

It would be easy to say that she steals this movie away from the men but I really can’t when every major performance is just so damn good.

Daniel Craig looks to have found a new swagger for the role. The kind of Bond you knew he was going to be in Casino Royale. He is not just a suave womanizer or a pun spouting machine (I love Roger Moore’s Bond btw) but he is a character with depth. Watching him in the last half of the movie as his past is revealed shows that Bond is more than just a killing machine but a man with different layers of personality that have been molded by a life less ordinary. It is the quintessential 007 performance by which all future actors should be judged. It is that good.

The one thing that Craig’s Bond has been lacking is that defining villain. While Le Chiffre in Casino Royale was good you never really felt he would be remembered in the pantheon of great villains for the franchise like Auric Goldfinger, Red Grant or Karl Stromburg. And try and name me the villain from Quantum of Solace without scratching your head for a second (it was Dominic Greene). But Oscar winner Javier Bardem changes all that. He is a game changer. The first Bond villain which I felt a true sense of dread for everyone involved with the movie. Silva is all the best traits from previous villains mixed in with a little Heath Ledger from The Dark Knight. He is that in control, always two steps ahead. I have no problem saying I think Bardem should get his second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor from this movie.

The Bond women are more of an afterthought in this movie which is OK with me considering how much of a personal story this is for Bond and M. Berenice Marlohe’s Severine is servicable for her part. She plays Silva’s “woman acquaintance” who is basically a segue to get Bond to meet with Silva for the first time. If you are any kind of fan of this series you know her fate is sealed without surprise. Naomie Harris as MI6 agent Eve is a different story. A field agent at the beginning of the movie but is put on desk duty, she carries her own when bantering with Bond which is essential when something is revealed near the end of the film.

Every role in this movie is an important part no matter how small it may seem. Ben Wishaw plays Bond’s new Q with a wit and confidence about him that truly makes me excited for the future of his role. Not just relegated to giving Bond exploding pens or suitcases that spit out knives, this Q is the future agent of this new technological world of espionage. Ralph Fiennes role while filming was always kept under a little bit of secrecy and for good reason. I won’t go any farther into it but know that he is very good and will be around for awhile.

I really can’t remember the last time a Bond movie was this beautiful. From Singapore to Macau to the misty fogs of Scotland, this movie’s backdrops are a cinematographer’s dream. If you have a chance I would suggest you see this in IMAX to truly see the beauty of the world that it conveys.

Skyfall brings into question Bond’s usefulness in this new computer driven world of good and bad guys. When criminals can rob banks and destroy economies from the comfort of their home is there really a need for a trigger man? With this movie franchise now in its 50th year these are questions that must be answered. Luckily for us the answer is a resounding yes. Skyfall shows how Bond is needed not just in his world of spy vs. spy but how important he remains in the world of pop culture. And as I watched Bond movies and think back to when I was nine and was entranced with suave secret agents with Walther PPK’s and 1963 Aston Martin DB5’s (which makes a comeback here) I felt that same sense of awe when I watched Skyfall. And to me, that is a special kind of movie.

Skyfall takes Bond (and M) to the past and in doing so has secured the future of the franchise. It is the most ambitious and risk taking of all of 007’s adventures and it pays off in every way. Skyfall should be talked about in the Best Picture category this year (no kidding) and is not only the best film of 2012 (so far) but is the best Bond movie ever made.

NERD RATING- 9.5/10

November 12, 2012
New Game Releases. October 16, 2012

007 Is Back, Doom 3 Still Looks Great and Silent Hill Does Not.

[amazon_link id=”B008E6ZXRM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Doom 3: BFG Edition[/amazon_link] (360, PS3, PC) $39.99

Id’s legendary shooter is back to take you to hell. Completely re-mastered in high def the BFG edition of Doom will come with the main campaign and The Resurrection of Evil add-on as well as seven new levels titled “The Lost Mission”. Fans will also get Doom 1 & 2 with full trophy and achievement support. If this is the company’s apology for Rage’s ending , then I accept.

[amazon_link id=”B006476318″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Silent Hill: Book of Memories[/amazon_link] (PS Vita) $39.99

The Vita’s first Silent Hill experience is a far cry away from the survival horror games of our nightmares. The game is shown from a top-down perspective like Diablo giving it a dungeon crawler feel even down to the new co-op gameplay. It may not be the Silent Hill we are used to but we Vita owners at least have a new game to play.

[amazon_link id=”B007V9NHMQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]007 Legends[/amazon_link] (360, PS3) $59.99

What better way to celebrate James Bond’s 50th anniversary than taking on five missions based on previous Bond films. Daniel Craig plays the role of 007 while going through levels based on Goldfinger, Moonraker, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, License to Kill and Die Another Day. A sixth mission will be available as free DLC based on the upcoming movie Skyfall and will be released after the movie comes out on November 9.

[amazon_link id=”B002I0K3Z2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Dance Central 3[/amazon_link] (360) $49.99

The “other” dance game releases this week. Harmonix keeps music games alive somehow with this Kinect only sequel. Flail like an idiot to the music of Cobra Starship, 50 Cent, New Kids on the Block and Lil Jon. Yeah.

Next week is pretty slim pickings with Medal of Honor: Warfighter being the only major release. Just the calm before the storm.

Happy gaming!!!

October 15, 2012
Listen To Adele’s Theme For Skyfall

Bringing Bond Themes Back To The Good Old Days.

For months Grammy winning artist Adele has been dropping hints that she had something big in the works and most assumed that it would be the theme for the 23rd James Bond adventure Skyfall. That news was confirmed a few weeks back and last night the song was released for all the masses. So how does the song stack up with other Bond themes? Have a listen and let us know what you think.

As far as this Bond fan(atic) is concerned it hits all the right notes. Our generation of Bond movies have been very hit and miss with their opening themes with the likes of Tina Turner and Chris Cornell giving us some memorable themes and some songs like Madonna’s “Die Another Day” and Jack White and Alicia Key’s “Another Way To Die” bringing hot garbage to the table. Skyfall sounds Bond-ish bringing back thoughts of Shirley Bassey belting out Goldfinger or her more subdued Diamonds Are Forever.

What are your thoughts on Adele’s offering? What are your all time favorites?

October 5, 2012
Take It Home Tuesday- 9/25/12

I Said Goodbye To My Wallet Today.

The Avengers

I know a lot of you missed this small indie flick in theaters due to its limited release in only a few cities. It is really well crafted and amazing considering the small budget it had…………….

Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection

You will find no better time to get these films on Blu Ray than right now. Amazon has the set for only $150 bucks (hit the link below) which is just under 7 bucks per movie. Take it from me, the packaging is quality and even comes with a slot for when Skyfall is released on Blu Ray next year.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1

DC Animated has put out some good Batman titles over the past five years so let’s hope they haven’t bitten off more than they can chew by taking on Frank Miller’s graphic novel which is considered by a lot of people the greatest Batman graphic novel written.

American Horror Story: Season One

My favorite new show of last year. Maybe that says a lot about me considering how disturbing and depraved this show was. Still, if you haven’t experienced this weird ride you need to hop on before season two starts in a few weeks.

[amazon_enhanced asin=”B001KVZ6HK” /][amazon_enhanced asin=”B006U1J5ZY” /][amazon_enhanced asin=”B008RV5K5E” /][amazon_enhanced asin=”B005LAJ1PE” /]

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September 25, 2012