Bond & Beyond

Dossier #93: First Light by Lana Del Rey

Alex and James share their first impressions of First Light, the new title song for the upcoming 007 video game of the same name. Composed by David Arnold and performed by Lana Del Rey, this song should on paper be one of the greatest additions to the musical library of Bond, but how well do we think it stands up? You can email your own thoughts to bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com [bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com], or via the Facebook group (just search for 'Bond & Beyond')

Dossier #92: Ranking the Pre-Titles Sequences

Alex and James are once again joined by friend of the show (and unofficial/semi-official third host) Sam for the latest ranking episode. This time, we're ranking the pre-title sequences. The criteria is simple: This applies to any scenes that appear before the opening title sequence, so that discounts Dr No but includes the gunbarrel-less openings from Casino, Quantum, and Skyfall. There are plenty of other considerations, such as whether they handle Bond's intro well (if he appears at all), whether they stand up well as a sequence on their own, and whether they get you hooked for the full move. We discuss what makes for a good pre-title sequence, how long it took for EON Productions to find the right formula, and (of course) rank all 24 openings in terms of how good we believe they are. Reckon we've got it wrong? Email bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com [bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com], or comment under this episode's post at the Bond & Beyond Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/bondandbeyondpod/].

Dossier #91: Bond Reskinned

Alex and James cast their eyes outwards from the established Bond casts and try to imagine other actors, actresses, directors and composers in a Bond role. Not just potential other 007s, but Ms, Qs, Moneypennys, villains, and more. For this exercise, we each chose two films and tried to imagine who would be involved with them if they were made in a different time. What would a 1980s Goldfinger look like? A Guy Ritchie-directed Live & Let Die? And, inevitably, a Christopher Nolan Bond film? Listen to our choices, and then have a go yourself: email your reskinned Bond film choices to bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com [bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com] or comment under this episode's post on our Bond & Beyond Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/bondandbeyondpod/].

Dossier #90: The Bond Connection

In this bumper-sized episode, Alex and James guide you through the history of every Bond adventure and the impact they had on the careers of their stars. From major villains to Bond girls to bit parts and cameos, we explore every notable name that appears throughout the series, whether it was at the height of their fame or the beginning of the decline. You'll be amazed at how many other series, films and TV shows are connected to Bond in more ways that one. Think we've missed something? Let us know! Email bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com [bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com] or comment under this episode's post on our Bond & Beyond Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/bondandbeyondpod/].

Dossier #89: The Visual Language of Bond

James and Alex are joined by Josh Trett of Trett Films, a filmmaker and fellow Bond fan, to discuss the visual language of Bond. Josh and his brother were contracted by Ian Fleming Publications to create a trailer promoting Charlie Higson's excellent Bond novella On His Majesty's Secret Service [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PltSHM5CpQ] - but without the usual iconography and familiar elements many fans will know from the films. We discuss this challenge with Josh, ponder what images instantly conjure the idea of Bond in a reader's or viewer's mind, and (of course) we put him through the Desert Island Bond test. If you want to email us, you can do so via bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com [bondandbeyondpod@gmail.com]. You can find us on Facebook (just search 'Bond & Beyond') and all our episodes are at bondbeyondpod.tumblr.com [https://bondbeyondpod.tumblr.com/].