Today in Movie History...

Now for those that know me well, you know that I am huge fan of the James Bond franchise!! And on today October 6th in 1962 Dr. No was released. 

This would be the film that launched the James Bond film franchise and stars Sean Connery as the charismatic spy (who I think is the best James Bond to date, Daniel Craig is a close second). Dr. No introduced the many recurring themes and features associated with the suave and sophisticated secret agent: the distinctive "James Bond Theme", the gun barrel sequence, his initial mission briefing with M, "Bond girls", and so much more.

"James Bond" is the second-longest-running film franchise, following "Godzilla," spanning more than 40 years.

Could James Bond be gone for good?

Many criminal masterminds have tried to stop James Bond day after day, year after year, but never could stand a chance. But maybe a secret weapon has surfaced in the likes of MGM Studios. The financially troubled studio has done what all the bad guys could not even come close to accomplishing...pulling the plug on 007's upcoming adventure.

The film, known for now as "Bond 23," was scheduled to hit theaters by 2012 and be directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty). Well...Not anymore. The U.K.'s Mirror newspaper, announced the movie "has been axed -- and it could be years before the secret agent with a license to kill is back on the big screen." According to the Mirror, the studio, which has released every official James Bond adventure thus far, is searching for a buyer. But that quest has been understandably hampered by the studio's £2.4 billion debt.

Now hold on before the anger truly ignites and consider this...the last two films, which both starred Daniel Craig, earned hundreds of millions of dollars ($1.180 billion to be exact, worldwide). It may take a few more years, but as Screen Rant puts it, the franchise is "simply too popular (and too big of a moneymaker) to disappear completely."

Basically in other words, you can probably wipe the tears away, as we doubt this will be the last the we see of Mr. Suave' Bond...James Bond that is.

And the Black Bond Search continues....maybe Idris Elba...hmmm

This ought to be interesting. Rumors are flying now that Idris Elba actually may be tapped to be the first black James Bond. (Now that would make a must-go see for me). And sooner than we think. Folks are saying he’s already in talks and he’s a perfect fit with the looks–and the fact that he’s British, as pretty much all James Bonds are.

Now this next part I had to put on here...just too hilarious!!

Check out what my fellow blogger "Remarkable Fashion" (http://remarkablefashion.blogspot.com/) had to say:

Bond,....Diddy Bond
It takes a lot of work to sit on your ass, be held by world class models, and wear fly suits.....Of course, Diddy should be considered for the next bond role. Forget, being able to take direction rather than giving it, have an ability to do most of your own stunts, like say the current Bond Daniel Craig and --god forbid-- be able to ACT!!

WHO SHOULD PLAY THE FIRST BLACK BOND?

It appears that both Jamie Foxx and Diddy have taken a STRONG interest in playing the historical role of ......James Bond.
Current star Daniel Craig recently suggested it could be time for the first black Bond in the wake of Barack Obama’s election as the first African-American president in U.S. history. Asked by U.S. news show Access Hollywood whether he would like to play Bond, he says, “Of course! I’d put a little swing in it. A little hip-hop, you know. Maybe not drinking martinis, but drinking some Hennessey maybe. Bond would drink dark liquor.” And Foxx admits he has already received backing to take on the coveted role. He adds, “I was in London and I had to give an award to Daniel Craig? and I went up and said, ‘Bond. Black Bond.’ And everybody just lost it… Black Bond would be cool.”

Interesting, considering back in 2006 at the MTV Europe Music Awards Diddy also put in his bid for the role. "One day the time will come for a black Bond and hopefully I can audition for it. It’s a dream of mine to play a great role like that.” Hmmmmm I guess since we have a new black president-elect and Beyonce wants to be Wonder Woman, Bond had to be next. We shall see what the credits roll in for the movie goers.

But who do you think should be the first black Bond?

Bond Seeks revenge in Quantum of Solace (2008)

So we pick up where we left off in Casino Royale, with Bond (Daniel Craig) seeking revenge for the killing of his beloved Vesper Lynd. In this latest installment of the James Bond series we get to see a harder side to the James Bond character, not really typically seen from previous films. After Bond's betrayal, he and M (Judi Dench) are determined to uncover the truth about Vesper and the organization which blackmailed her. However, as the story begins to unravel they realize this situation is a bit more complicated than anticipated.

In Quantum of Soalce, the audience is able to see the reuniting of old friends who team up with Bond to help uncover this mystery. Bond must stay one step of everyone including the terrorists, M, and even the CIA so that he can uncover what is really going down. Now in your typical Bond fashion, we have an enemy and a mission to solve, in this one Bond battles Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) who is a member of the Quantum organization as well as posing as an environmentalist staging to take control of Bolivia's water supply. One might say that this villain was not your typical grotesque villian, but the modern day corporate villain.

Now it has all the ingredients for a classic Bond film, but I think it takes a left turn somewhere and the focus seems to shift. One thing I will say is that I missed the gadgets that Bond would always get, it kinda of would have given me a little nostalgia for the soul (lol). With this movie, Bond was seen more as an action hero versus the cool, suave M16 agent that we are used to seeing. For a little bit of the movie I thought I was watching Jason Bourne, but then I snapped back and said this is James Bond, even though throughout the whole movie he really did not come off as charming or the suave Bond that we are used to seeing. Even when interviewed Craig emphasized that Quantum required a different performance for him since it was a revenge film versus the love story in Casino Royale (Spy Harder, John Naughton, GQ). However, I was pleased to see the continuation of Jeffrey Wright's character CIA agent Felix Leiter (even though his character seems a bit far-fetched in certain moments).

Now just in case you missed this scene or did not conncet the dots there was a little tribute connection with Quantum and a previous Bond film Goldfinger (1964). It is not unusual for us to see the Bond women go out in some interesting ways, but this was quite interesting to see 44 years later bringing back the wicked ways!! Producers were hoping that the image would be as memorable as the sixties scene that inspired it. One might say it was quite an iconic part of the film.

Goldfinger (1964)
Quantum of Solace (2008)

Overall, I will say that the film was action-filled and definitely kept my eyes glued to the screen. And just like with all great movies there is trial and error, but sooner rather than later I am sure it will be back to its original form. Quantum (like the Lord of Rings series) was a continuation of a bigger story with a bigger plot. One might say it was a film of character development, starting a new so to speak. Many may predict the future Bond films will re-introduce the gadgets and a more suave, polished Bond (Shout out to Mr. Thompson). One can't help but miss the charming and refined, yet still full of action M16 agent. I have no worries that Craig will be back, and I will be looking forward to his reprise of... Bond...James Bond.


Grade: B+