SPECTRE SPOILED?

 SPECTRE

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Well...this certainly bites. The script to the new James Bond has been leaked as a result to the major leakage from Sony Pictures. I was so pissed when I heard this, but I guess I shouldn't really be all that surprised. This was after all, bound to happen. I really hope it was worth Sony to push forward with the release and making of the new mess starring James Franco and Seth Rogen. For those of you not in the know..as I'm sure is quite impossible considering how much information has been released world-wide, Sony Pictures Entertainment had their entire computer system hacked which resulted in the outing of a ton of e-mails, social security numbers, accounts and movie scripts. There's a movie that is set to release on Christmas day called "The Interview" which is about these two American producers that are sent to North Korea to "take out" the leader Kim Jung Un by simply shaking his hand. This is meant to be a comedy. Oh, wow...a duo comedy. My, my...how original is that? Anyway, this blog isn't about The Interview, it's about the new James Bond film being leaked. 

I'm not going to go into much detail about the script, but I did in fact read most of it and from what I have read, I'm not digging it at all. The third act of the movie was noted to be quite lame according to the producers and filming has already begun as of December 8th. Even before the script has been leaked, the third act was a problem for some of the producers and the only difference now is that it is known to the public. So, even if it was a great ending, I'm sure they would have to change it anyway since it was outed, so that might be a good thing after all.

Here's what we do know about the new film that everyone knows about: The movie is called SPECTRE, starring our man Daniel Craig as James Bond for the forth time. Since his last film, Skyfall, which became the highest grossing film in England, the highest grossing Bond film and garnering over $1,000 million worldwide, this new movie has a budget of $300 million and according to Daniel Craig, the script is even expected to be better. Well, from what I have read, I am not all that impressed. I hate to say it. But, in the end, it is the film and the execution that will be what counts. Of course, there are going to be a large share of action, car chases, girls, gadgets, including the debut of the new Aston Martin DB10, made specifically for this film.

James Bond's partner in crime. Aston Martin DB10. The car was made specifically for this film and only 10 have been produced. Unlike the BMW Z3 for GoldenEye, which was also made for that film, it will not be available to the public. I can't wait to see what she can do!

Sony Pictures bailed MGM out of bankruptcy in 2005 and has since been in charge of distributing the James Bond films since Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall. Now...who will help bail out Sony? Well, considering that filming is still underway with SPECTRE, Bond is in good hands. This will be the fourth 007 film since the producers worked with Sony, and thus the first one with an outed script. As of the date this blog is written, December 17th, 2014, the James Bond team is well into filming in England with Daniel Craig (007) and Rory Kinnear (Tanner) filming on the River Thames. Check it out!

No matter what happens, I'm going to see this film. I don't care if anything is leaked or not, this IS a James Bond film and even though this is the first time in the films history of 50+ years where the script has been leaked, this is going to be a great addition to the fabulous collection of James Bond movies. There is always a setback and I'm just going to remain positive and happy about the release of this new film. Once a Bond fan, always a Bond fan. With the amount of money put into these movies, I doubt a group of hackers that compromised Sony will make the Bond producers bring their precious franchise to a close. Yes, everything must close, but we are far, far from the end of Bond movies. 

*Thanks goes out to Daily Videos on YouTube for the video!

The Sean Connery Era

"Bond, James Bond." One of the most famous lines in cinematic history. The first man to utter these words? Sir Sean Connery! Yes, folks! In case you didn't know, this man was the first actor to portray James Bond on the big screen! Starring in seven films over the course of 20 years, Connery himself, a household name known throughout the world, was the man everyone wanted to be.

Now, Sean wasn't always destined to be James Bond. Born in Edinburgh, Scottland in 1930, Sean left school at age 15, Connery did many oddjobs...no pun intended. Starting off as a coffin polisher, Connery later joined Manchester United. After a few years, Connery was a Mr. Universe winning at second place!

After doing a few early film, his first recognized role in the Disney film Darby O'Gill and the a Little People. From here, future James Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli saw his man to play the British agent. When the first movie was a go, Mr. Broccoli had Connery on board to the resentment of James Bond author and creator, Ian Fleming. Fleming didn't want a big, rugged, burly man playing the part of his sophisticated British agent;  he was Scottish!

Sean made his first appearance as James Bond in Dr. No. Now this film was void of the cars and gadgets we all came to know and love. It was really more of a detective story. James Bond is sent to Jamaica when a fellow British agent is killed when investigating a mysterious island run by Dr. No off of Crab Key. Bond is nearly killed himself numerous times when getting closer to the source of the danger. Arriving off the coast, Bond teams up with Honey Rider (Ursula Andress) to stop and infiltrate the evil Dr. No from disrupting the U.S. space program in Cape Canaveral by sending it's rockets off course. Bond defeats the Doctor and rescues Honey as credits roll. This was the end of the beginning for Sean Connery. More films are yet to come!

Sean Connery's debut as James Bond in Dr. No (1962).

In Connery's second outing, we finally see the first Bond film with the pre-titles sequence. For those unaware of what the pre-titles sequence is, it's a Bond tradition to have a small action sequence that sometimes is a standalone mini-movie before the actual main story line begins. After the credits, we then get started on our movie. Sometimes a pre-title sequence can have something to do with the rest of the story, and sometimes it can have nothing to do with it. Either way, it is a way to get the audience pulled-in to the movie and tell us, we are in for a wild ride and it will only get better as we watch the entire movie. Dealing with SPECTRE, the Special Executive for Counterintelligence Revenge and Extortion, James Bond is sent to Istanbul to uncover a Lektor decoding machine in order for it not to fall into the hands of SPECTRE.

Connery's return as 007 in From Russia With Love (1963).

Now, we get to what is probably the most popular James Bond film in cinema history. This is the one that made James Bond a household name. I'm talking about Goldfinger! Now that Sean Connery is settled in as the infamous James Bond, you know this is going to be a wild ride! While on a vacation in Miami Beach, James Bond is sent to investigate Auric Goldfinger, a millionaire who has a soft spot for gold and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. His ultimate goal is to raid Fort Knox, Kentucky and contaminate the gold there for the next 50 years. As Bond and Goldfinger first meet during a game of golf, Bond wins the game to the chagrin of Goldfinger. Warning him to stay away and leave it be, Goldfinger has a edge on 007. Before Bond's assignment, he is sent to Q-Branch-the military and equipment division of MI6-where he is given the most famous car in movie history: the Aston Martin DB5. Now, this car is equipped with the coolest of gadgets for his mission. Who wouldn't want a car with bullet proof windows, an ejector seat, revolving license plates and left and right machine guns hidden behind the turn signals? I certainly would! In any event, this movie also featured probably the most famous henchman in cinema history: Oddjob. Oddjob was played by Hawaiian actor Harold Sakata, who intern was playing a North Korean. Having a the ability to kill with a hat was a ridiculous and unique way for being a henchman. The end fight with Sean Connery and Harold in the Fort Knox gold vault is one for the ages.

What made James Bond a household name: Goldfinger (1964).

Sean's forth outing as James Bond, Thunderball, was meant to be the first Bond film, but due to a legal dispute between co-author Kevin McClory and Ian Fleming, the film wasn't made until 1965. In 1958, Fleming, McClory and a fellow by the name of Jack Whittingham, created a screenplay which was intended to be a movie. All of a sudden, in 1960, Ian Fleming decided to pull the idea of making a screenplay and turn it into a book taking all the credit as author. This, obviously, infuriated McClory. How on Earth could a good friend ask me for help on a movie only to disband the idea and take all the credit? When Kevin McClory sent out to sue Mr. Fleming, he was offered 2 million pounds to pay him off. This did not end well. Now, Fleming had an issue on his hands. So, by the time Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman created the first Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962, Mr. Fleming was dealing with the High Courts in England to get this situation settled. In the end, Fleming lost the case and Kevin McClory was given the rights to SPECTRE and the Blofeld character. In 10 years time, he could then make his own 007 movie with the character. By 1965, the only way for the Bond producers to make the film Thunderball, was if they could somehow get Kevin McClory involved. After making a deal, McClory was the sole producer of the film. Now, to clear the water, Ian Fleming was indeed the creater of James Bond. Kevin McClory was the creater of his arch nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld. So, after the success of Thunderball on the big screen, Kevin McClory could then have the ultimate revenge on Ian Fleming and have his own James Bond film. But, this movie could only be based on the Thunderball screenplay and nothing else.

The Bond film with the most controversy: Thunderball (1965).

Now, by the time of Sean Connery's fifth outing as James Bond, You Only Live Twice, in 1967, you can see the actor is the only one not having the best time in the performance. Filming in Japan, which was a drastic change of the norm for the James Bond producers, was found to be quite a bit of a pain for Mr. Connery. At one point, Connery was taking a break from shooting and was in the bathroom when a crazed fan came up to him and started harassing him. This, along with other incidents during the filming, drove him mad. He was unable to enjoy his time on set when there were so many onlookers and crazed fans and photographers around. At one point, Connery was seen a big haggard and not looking as spiffy as Mr. Bond would look with baggy shorts and flip flops when someone came up to him questioning him if he was really James Bond. Connery replied, "Fuck off." This upset several of the people in Japan. While filming was in production, Sean said that it was time to move on from James Bond. The stories have become to fantastical with a lack of "character development." Announcing his departure from the role, EON Productions was now in search for a new 007.

Connery goes to Japan in You Only Live Twice (1967).

Three years later, in 1971, Sean Connery was lured back to play Agent 007 in Diamonds Are Forever. The only way to get him to come back and resume playing James Bond, was for the then-unheard of sum of 1.25 millions dollars specifically for the Scottish Educational Trust. Connery was given a deal by United Artists for a two-picture deal. One for the 007 film and the other for any film of his choice, whether it be 007 or something else. Even though Connery was onkly 41 years old, he looked quite a bit out of shape, even more so than he did three years earlier in You Only Live Twice. After his final film as James Bond, Sean Connery publicly announced that he would "never again" play James Bond. Or would he?

Sean enters the 70s in Diamonds Are Forever (1971).

Come 12 years later, during the years of Sir Roger Moore as James Bond, Sean Connery came back for one more go around as 007. In 1983, the co-author of the novel Thunderball finally was able to use the rights to his character Blofeld and SPECTRE and come back with a remake of Thunderball. This rival 007 film could not use any of the Bond elements that made James Bond famous. Under no circumstances could he use the iconic James Bond theme, gun barrel or the 007 logo. The only real selling point for the film was that they got Sean Connery to return in a tuxedo. Kevin McClory was finally about to make his rival James Bond film, and this was also Sean Connery's final turn at playing James Bond. James Bond swore he would never again play James Bond after filming wrapped in Diamonds Are Forever. Now, credit must be due to his wife Micheline for coming up with the title. Even though Connery is about 53 in this movie, he looks in the best of shape, especially compared to how he looked in his previous two outings. This is a Bond who is in shape. As I had mentioned before, Kevin McClory was not allowed to make a totally original film. It had to be one that followed the Thunderball scipt he wrote. Yet, in all honesty, this movie paces better than Thunderball and it has it's own touches that make it stand our from it. This is why I consider this to be as worth of a Bond film as any other.

Sean Connery's seventh and final shot as James Bond in Never Say Never Again (1983).

Well, there you have it folks! All seven films starring the one and only Sean Connery as James Bond 007! Indeed, Sean Connery would return once more as the voice of 007 in the 2005 PlayStation 2 game From Russia With Love. I've never played it myself, but you know as they say...never say never again.

THE MAN...THE LEGEND...THE UNDERRATED...TIMOTHY DALTON as 007

For most people, the name Timothy Dalton is foreign to fans of James Bond, or just people in general. Dalton, whom had just made two James Bond film, was sadly short lived between Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan but the mark he left behind was a unique one. In 1987, Tim made his debut as the new James Bond. His immediate predecessor was Sir Roger Moore, who had made a total of seven films as 007 from 1973 through 1985. During Moore's tenure, the Bond character turned into a slapstick, pretty boy, play-it-safe kind of Bond. Gone was the sense of danger, espionage and suspense of what Ian Fleming's original idea of Bond was. James Bond films turned into family entertainment for all. This was a 12 year experience. Now, Timothy Dalton's 1987 film, The Living Daylights took all this away and brought Bond back to his roots as a ruthless British agent with a license to kill. Now, mind you audiences were not expecting such a drastic 360 degree turn after Moore. Gone was the pretty boy style and the jokes and back was the ruthlessness that Connery brought to the role, and more! Timothy Dalton gave the world his own interpretation of Bond and brought the character from the written page of Fleming's books. A Shakespearean trained actor, Dalton took the role of 007 most seriously. His first film didn't show Bond as a ladies man, but rather a "one lady" man. He was badass and you would totally buy him as a killer. He wasn't one to mess around. Even his tagline for a teaser poster for The Living Daylights read, "The most dangerous Bond. Ever." It was true! Daylights was an instant hit and made $191 million at the box office beating the last two previous Roger Moore outings. It also beat out Die Hard and Lethal Weapon. Dalton was the new Bond and despite what some of the critics and fans said, he brought Bond back to his roots.

Dalton as James Bond in his motion picture debut The Living Daylights (1987).

TWO FILMS STARRING TIMOTHY DALTON AS JAMES BOND AGENT 007

The Living Daylights (1987) saw the awaited return of James Bond's darker side after 12 years and seven years of slapstick humor and silliness with Roger Moore. Timothy Dalton brought the seriousness and toughness that Sean had 25 years earlier.

And the return of our Aston Martin in the form of a Voltane and Vantage.

Timothy Dalton's second and final turn as James Bond in Licence to Kill (1989). This film not only marked the final appearance of Tim as Bond, but also of Robert Brown as M, Caroline Bliss as Miss Moneypenny, John Glen as director (after five films in a row), Richard Maibaum, Maurice Binder (title designer) and Albert R. Broccoli as producer. Albert Broccoli was a consultant producer for GoldenEye, however, before his death. It will be 6 years until the next Bond was to hit theaters starring Pierce Brosnan.

Two years later, in 1989, Dalton returned as 007. This time, it was a mission for Her Majesty's Secret Service, but rather, a revenge story. The new movie Licence to Kill really brought out Dalton's strong side as James Bond. Bond was on his own and out to avenge he maiming of his best friend and death of his wife. Bond this time would anything and everything to kill the man responsible. Roger Moore, or any other actor that played Bond would not have been able to sell that film the way Tim did. This was meant for Timothy Dalton in mind. Any weak spots Dalton had in The Living Daylights would be eliminated and all his strength would come to play. The reception for Licence to Kill was unfortunately quite poor. The violence factor in this film was so dark it became the first ever James Bond filmed with a PG-13 rating. The Bond series was no longer a family event and the drastic change came too soon for some. Dalton was and is the most badass 007 in terms of how he portrayed the character and his style. I think he even out beats Daniel Craig. Dalton had originally been signed on for three films, but after Licence to Kill, there was a lawsuit between distributor MGM and 007 production company EON which lead to a six year hiatus before there next film would come out. During this long gap (1989 to 1995), Dalton decided to step down from the character and the role was given to Pierce Brosnan who continued on the legacy of 007. The film GoldenEye--which was Brosnan's first role as Bond--previously known as The Propery of a Lady, was written with Timothy in mind since he was still signed onto play Bond at the time. Timothy Dalton stands out as the more ruthless James Bond ever, and he is a precursor to the current James Bond, Daniel Craig. The world today accepts Craig as an action killer and less of a spy, because it is much more accepted...well highly praised for that matter these days; especially after the influence of the Jason Bourne films. Dalton certainly came before his time and if he were James Bond today, odds are he would be far more accepted. Long live 007 #4! 

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog, and please join my blog on Facebook dedicated to Timothy Dalton's portrayal of James Bond, aptly named, Timothy Dalton 007 Appreciation Group. It's an open group and as of now we have 400+ members! Join great discussions, posted pictures, and a fun time! New pictures are posted by me everyday! Please join! 

"I thought I saw a SPECTRE on your shoulder."

The next James Bond has finally been announced a few days ago! The forth film starring Daniel Craig is to be called SPECTRE. Starring as the main baddie will be Christophe Waltz, whom, like Javier Bardem did before him, is sure to blow us all away in his performance. Joining the cast will of course be the regulars from the previous films: Naomi Harris as Miss Moneypenny; Rory Kinnear as Tanner; Ralph Fiennes as M and Ben Wishaw as Q. The new Bond Girls will be Monica Bellucci--who has been trying to be a Bond Girl as far back as 1997--and Lea Seydoux. This will be the first James Bond in a few years to start production exactly two years after the last one. Skyfall, came out four years after Quantum of Solace due to a legal issues with MGM. Director Sam Mendes will be returning to direct the film after Skyfall.

LETS TAKE A LITTLE TURN NOW DEALING WITH WHY THIS IS CALLED SPECTRE...

Now, for all of those Bond fans out there, you guys know the whole controversy with the name SPECTRE and Ernst Stavro Blofeld and the character. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, wrote a screenplay by the name of Thunderball with Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham in around 1958. Now, a few years later, Ian Fleming decided to turn the screenplay into a novel and when he did, he published it without the permission of his two co-writers. In other words, he took the credit for himself. Now, this naturally upset McClory, who sued Fleming after what he did. McClory won the case, and what was originally to be the first James Bond film, became the forth James Bond film with McClory as producer. The aftermath of these events still allowed Kevin to make his own James Bond movie 10 years later. The only setback was that it had to be based off of Thunderball and nothing else. During those 10 years, the Bond producers were able to use the character and organization of Blofeld for the next three movies. By the end of Sean Connery's run as James Bond, SPECTRE and Blofeld were not to be seen again, as the rights to the character were still owned and controlled by Kevin McClory.

Finally, in 1983, McClory was able to make his rival 007 movie by the name of Never Say Never Again. The title was in recognition to Sean Connery swearing he would "never again" play James Bond after filming Diamonds Are Forever in 1971. Now, the film Never Say Never Again was not allowed to use any elements already established by Eon Productions/MGM. In other words, this film would not be able to have the opening gun barrel scene, the James Bond theme, or any other element. The fact that Sean Connery returned to the role that made him big was really the only selling factor that they had. And boy...did they take it! The film was a massive success.

1983 marked the return of Sean Connery as James Bond.

It would not be until 2013, that James Bond producers (MGM, Eon Productions, Danjaq L.L.C.) would be allowed to use SPECTRE or Blofeld again. But now that they now have the rights to the chracter, they are now able to use the character. In all honesty, I hope they modernize the chracter. You shouldn't have a villain from the 60s that was parodied in the 90s with those Austin Power movies. They should make him dark, contemporary and please...no bald head with a white cat. Maybe have a...I dunno....pet tiger? Haha!  He are all the actors that played Blofeld in the past.

 The Many Faces of Blofeld

Anthony Dawson played Blofeld in From Russia with Love (1963) and Thunderball (1965). Both appearances of the character did not have their face seen. The voice of the character was performed by Eric Pohlmann.

Donald Pleasence played Blofeld in You Only Live Twice (1967). This film features the first time his face is revealed.

Telly Savalas played our favorite Bond villian here in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). Blofeld is bald, but what happened to the scar?

Blofeld in the form of Charles Grey in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). This would be his last appearance in the role until 1983.

Max von Sydow played Blofeld in Sean Connery's last outing as 007 in Never Say Never Again (1983). As you can see, there's the kitty and his portrayal of the role was back to the days of Blofeld in his first appearance.

 And there you have it folks! Here are all the Blofelds throughout the years. Oh, I almost forgot...Roger Moore had his brief ordeal with "bald man with cat" in For Your Eyes Only. Since it was past the 10 year mark and Eon Productions were unable to use the Blofeld character, this appearance was a final "f*ck you" to Kevin McClory telling the audience that the James Bond films would go forward with or without his character that he deprived for so long.

John Hollis played Bl--"man with white cat" villain in For Your Eyes Only (1981) alongside Roger Moore. Voiced by Robert Rietty. 

So, there you have it. All of the Blofelds in the series. Now that we have SPECTRE set to hit theaters next year, we can only guess if he will indeed be Christoph or not. We will just have to wait and see. 

                                                                               Blofeld 2015?

Daniel Craig (James Bond) and new baddy Christoph Waltz star in next year's SPECTRE. I highly doubt they will be this close in the film. Only the total opposite.

During an interview for the film, Daniel Craig said, "I think we've got a better script this time around." We will just have to wait and find out next year! SPECTRE, the forth film starring Daniel Craig, is set to hit movie screens next November next year! Are you excited?!!!