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There's an interesting parallel between 1997's "Batman & Robin" and 2002's "Die Another Day." The former almost killed off the Batman cinematic saga before it had even existed for more than a decade, while Pierce Brosnan's swan song as James Bond almost put an end to what had been, ever since 1962's "Dr. No," cinema's most enduring franchise. Then, in 2005, Batman got what became known as a "gritty reboot," with Christopher Nolan reinventing the iconic hero for his "Batman Begins" origin story. The following year, Bond would get the same treatment, with what remains the best Bond movie ever made: "Casino Royale."

Both movies turned around flailing franchises, and both movies took a more grounded approach to their protagonist, ditching much of the traditions that had come to define both franchises in order to introduce something truly fresh. In 007's case, Daniel Craig gave us all a version...

Dan Goozee, the acclaimed artist who created posters for such films as Clash of the Titans, Superman IV and the James Bond movies Moonraker, Octopussy and A View to a Kill, has died. He was 80.

Goozee died April 7 at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center of an age-related condition he had battled for two years, his son, Rob, told The Hollywood Reporter.

The unassuming Goozee spent years as a Walt Disney Imagineering theme park consultant, crafting conceptual artwork for Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneySea, for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder rides, for the Imagination Pavilion and Seas Pavilion at Epcot and for the Tree of Life attraction at Animal Kingdom.

He also handled effects work for Battlestar Galactica (1978) and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979).

Born in 1943 in Astoria, Oregon, Daniel Goozee worked on weekends at movie theaters that his father and uncle owned and operated in nearby Seaside, then graduated...

Regardless of any perceived quality when it comes to individual entries, you have to hand it to the Silent Night, Deadly Night franchise. It kicked off with a demented killer Santa story that created immense controversy, cementing it as a piece of hallowed horror history. Since then, it has produced a series of movies that each stand out for any number of memorable reasons (my personal favorite). You can certainly argue the successful and not-so-successful elements of a Silent Night, Deadly Night entry, but it’s tough to say any one of them is “normal.” They all offer such unique quirks and oddities that it’s hard not to find them attractive from the right angles.

And Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation is the weirdest one of the bunch and so much better for it.

As a franchise entry, we do need to establish some important context. Long story short,...

Pam Grier has lived an incredible life. Her autobiography, "Foxy: A Life in Three Acts" is hopefully going to be turned into a biopic that can finally celebrate her trailblazing career. An entire generation of fans know her as the titular character in "Jackie Brown," Tarantino's follow-up to "Pulp Fiction," based on the crime novel "Rum Punch" by Elmore Leonard. Decades before that, Grier became widely known as the first female action star playing street-savvy, no-nonsense characters in "Coffy" (She'll cream you!), "Foxy Brown", and the more comedic mystery "Friday Foster." 

An undeniable acting force and sought-after sex symbol, it was only a matter of time before more challenging, high-profile roles started to come Grier's way. After essentially owning the 1970s, Grier started off the '80s taking on more character-driven parts, like in the boxing drama "Tough Enough" starring Dennis Quaid, and the classic police procedural "Fort Apache the Bronx" starring Paul Newman.

Pam Grier waits for no man, not even James Bond.

The iconic “Foxy Brown” star revealed she turned down a role in 007 installment “Octopussy” alongside Roger Moore.

“My agents had me meet with [producers] the Broccoli family, and I’m going, ‘I’m not available,'” Grier told Entertainment Weekly. “They looked at me and said, ‘Well, why are you here?’ I go, ‘I don’t know. My agent told me to come meet.'”

Grier continued, “I just felt to be a Bond girl would be: What am I going to do? Am I going to help rescue him? Is he rescuing me? A Bond girl is an afterthought, a CliffsNote, perhaps. I asked, ‘Am I challenging Bond? Am I out to kill him? Will I kill him before he kills me?’ They hadn’t thought of that. I gave them other ideas, which were much more profound and...

The first two Silent Night, Deadly Night films get all the glory — to the point where casual horror fans may be surprised to learn that three more installments were produced in the franchise. The 1984 original generated highly publicized controversy by showing its killer dressed as Santa Claus in advertisements, while the 1987 first sequel gained cult status for its over-the-top campiness and liberal reuse of clips from its predecessor.

The series was then relegated to straight-to-video territory with 1989’s Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out, 1990’s Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation, and 1991’s Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker. While the third installment continues the killer Santa plot, the storyline was abandoned for the latter two installments, which each tell an unrelated tale set during Christmastime.

Diverging from the franchise’s headline-making narrative may have been a death knell — look at how long it took viewers...

This article contains No Time to Die spoilers.

The name’s Bond, James Bond. It’s one of the most iconic lines in cinema, said canonically by six actors to date. And each 007 performer has surely offered an interesting and distinctive interpretation of the character, helping to build the franchise’s overall allure decade after decade, and generation after generation. Yet almost as important as these movies’ heroes are their villains; the scheming megalomaniacs who transformed the 60-year-old Bond franchise into a cinematic legend.

Right down to the first Bond film released by Eon Productions in 1962, Dr. No, a mission’s target has been as nearly important as the man in the tux. After all, Dr. No isn’t named after James. Twenty-five movies later that feels still vital, with the most popular entry of Daniel Craig’s tenure, 2012’s Skyfall, being remembered as much for Javier Bardem’s demonic...

Sir Christopher Lee and Vincent Price would both be celebrating their shared birthday today if they were still here, and fans everywhere are paying tribute to the late horror legends. Though Lee's career spanned decades and included many amazing performances, horror fans particularly appreciate his classic portrayals of Count Dracula in the Hammer Horror movies. Meanwhile, Price is best known for his unique look and personality, as seen in a variety of classic horror titles.

Fans outside of the horror genre are also honoring Christopher Lee. Including a photo from the set of a Bond movie, the James Bond Twitter account posted: "Today we remember Christopher Lee on what would have been his 99th birthday. Here he is on the set of The Man With the Golden Gun with co-star Maud Adams."

Today we remember Christopher Lee on what would have been his 99th birthday. Here he is on the...

Cinema Retro has received the following press release:

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In 2017, after ten years of service, MI6 Confidential introduced a new special format: a limited-run 100-page perfect bound issue of the magazine taking a deep dive into one particular facet of the franchise. The fourth release hands the microphone to long-serving Bond director, John Glen taking a look back at his favourite film as helmsman, Octopussy.

The idea for this issue came together as we were finishing work on Peter Lamont's Live And Let Die portfolio. We approached someone who had a equally profound effect on the trajectory of modern Bond. John readily agreed to work with us and we gave him free choice of the film he wished to profile. He chose Octopussy - the colourful, adventurous, flamboyant and darn-right-lucky 13th Bond outing. With help from editor Bill Koenig, John walks us through pre-production,...

Let’s face it: a killer Santa is never not going to look kind of funny. Every entry of the Silent Night, Deadly Night saga knows this (although indignant protestors in 1984 apparently did not). And each opts to deal with this fundamental visual quandary in a markedly different way.

In the original 1984 film, the Santa costume is subverted into a symbol of intrinsic evil, as seen through the eyes of poor Billy Chapman (Robert Brian Wilson). Billy, who looks more like a Patriots linebacker than he does Burl Ives, eventually dons the Santa suit and is subsumed by his own dark thoughts. Try as it might to paint him as a sinister figure by making him muscular and shrouding him in shadow, though, he still looks patently absurd. By Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 3: Better Watch Out! (1989), the homicidal maniac of the second installment, Billy’s little brother Ricky,...

Looking to stay in and watch horror this summer? Scream Factory has you covered with five new Blu-ray announcements for July: Graveyard Shift (based on Stephen King's short story of the same name), the Bruce Dern-starring Tattoo, 1976's The Tenant, the massive monster movie War of the Colossal Beast, and a Collector's Edition of the Hammer horror film Kiss of the Vampire.

Special features for all five releases will be announced in the future, but in the meantime you can check out the announcements and cover art (via Scream Factory's Facebook page) for the upcoming Blu-rays below. Which ones are you planning on adding to your collection?

Graveyard Shift Blu-ray: "A creepy combination of Stephen King and underground terror comes to life in 1990’s horror show Graveyard Shift, clocking in on Blu-ray for the first time in North America.

When an abandoned textile mill is reopened, several employees meet mysterious deaths.

The cinematic canvas is a broad one indeed. On the silver screen worlds and universes are created to enthrall and delight in equal measure. One of the many staples when world building a future on screen are the small details which go to make up a fully-realised world. As well as futuristic costumes, set designs, and even languages, games are often an integral part of what goes to making a coherent and believable verisimilitude.

Some of these games, like Harry Potter’s Quidditch, play an important part in the development of the characters. Others are more central to the film. Whether your preferred games live online, are played in front of a crowd of thousands, or are held in UK casinos, cinema audiences around the world can’t get enough of the thrill of the game.

In this article we are going to look at some films in which new...

A look back at all the lovely allies and femme fatales who’ve crossed paths with 007 over the years.

Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder, “Dr. No” (1962)

Widely regarded as the first Bond Girl, Honey Ryder’s emergence from the ocean clad in a white bikini is considered one of the most iconic moments in 007 franchise history.

Eunice Gayson as Sylvia Trench, “Dr. No” (1962) & “From Russia With Love” (1963)

Sylvia Trench introduced herself to James Bond as “Trench, Sylvia Trench,” which inspired him to reply with his now iconic “Bond, James Bond” phrase. She’s also the first Bond Girl to appear in more than one film.

Daniela Bianchi as Tatiana Romanova, “From Russia With Love” (1963)

Tasked with seducing and killing James Bond, Tatiana falls for the British spy instead, ultimately teaming up with him to take down the deadly Rosa Klebb.

Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore, “Goldfinger” (1964)

Perhaps the most...

Fimmaker Cary Joji Fukunaga has reportedly announced that Spectre actress Lea Seydoux and regular 007 castmembers Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris are returning for Bond 25.

Seydoux played psychiatrist Dr Madeleine Swann in Spectre who works at Austrian clinic and has an affair with Mr. Bond. Of course, her role is more complicated than that: Swann is the daughter of Mr. White, who is connected to Spectre org boss Franz Oberhauser. She is arguably the first Bond girl to reprise a role in a picture since Maud Adams who played different characters (i.e. Andrea Anders in 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun; the title character in 1983’s Octopussy in 1983 and she made a cameo in A View to a Kill.

Fiennes played Bond’s crusty Mi-6 boss, Whishaw the famed tech gadget guru Q, and Harris as 007 sidekick Moneypenny.

The Daily Mail had the news. MGM plans...

He was the suave spy who could seduce women with little more than a shaken martini and the utterance of his name: “Bond, James Bond.”

But Roger Moore, the actor who deftly embodied the iconic character for years, said he never felt as confident as his alter ego when it came to romancing members of the opposite sex.

“No, no, I was not very self-confident with them,” he told U.K.’s The Telegraph last November in one of his final interviews before his death Tuesday at 89.

“I got lucky occasionally,” he added with a twinkle. “But with a lack of confidence.

by Daniel Crooke

After ages of anticipation, Marvel Cinematic Universe fans’ long international nightmare is over: Deadpool 2 has finally cast the coveted role of Cable, the central villain for the sequel.

In one of the more noteworthy examples of franchise double duty since Swedish soap star Maud Adams seduced audiences in two separate James Bond outings (Octopussy and Live and Let Die, for those keeping score at home) Josh Brolin – Thanos, Destroyer of Realms, himself – has landed his second role as a Marvel baddie in the upcoming sequel to the surprise 2015 superhero hit. Beating out Michael Shannon and David Harbour to clinch the part, Brolin now has the distinction of not only playing the McU’s preeminent bad guy, but the antihero’s enemy in the Deadpool offshoot as well; while they share a foundational mythology, the Deadpool films belong to Marvel Entertainment and not the Disney-owned Marvel Studios.

Octopussy

Directed by John Glen

Written by George Macdonald Fraser, Richard Maibaum, and Michael G. Wilson

United Kingdom, 1983

1983 presented a unique challenge for the Bond franchise. For the first time since Ursula Andress strolled out of the water, there were going to be two Bond films in theatres in the same year. As if that wasn’t enough, Never Say Never Again was also going to see Sean Connery, the first man to ever play Bond and who had handed the reigns off to the current incarnation, reprise the role once again, pitting the two men most known for playing Bond, Connery and Roger Moore (George Lazenby’s one-time outing as the agent notwithstanding) against each other. It is against these conditions that Octopussy was made, with the necessity of having to prove itself anew. Fortunately, the movie delivers on several fronts, making for a thrilling film, albeit one with a curious third act.

Following James Bond’s out of this world experience in the financially successful (665 million, adjusted for inflation) if artistically vapid Moonraker, the series’ sole producer, Albert Broccoli, thought it best to venture in a different direction, one that would feel slightly more grounded, all the while still playing on the strengths of his star: cool wit, affable mannerism and charm. A new director in John Glenn was now on board, who would go on to direct every single entry from the 80s, including Timothy Dalton’s two adventures. A new production designer in Peter Lamont was also now in charge of sets. Both had worked their way up in the ‘Bond family business’ so to speak, and, along with the leftover story elements from the far grittier Ian Fleming novels, the 007 films of the early 80s would take on a different tone and feel from the voodoo, space travel and...

The Man with the Golden Gun

Written by Richard Maibaum & Tom Mankiewicz

Directed by Guy Hamilton

UK, 1974

One hallmark of the venerable Bond franchise is its willingness to change with the times. Sometimes the changes feel organic, like the shift to a more brutish Daniel Craig after international terrorism took center stage in the early 2000’s. Other times, however, you can smell Bond’s desperation to stay relevant. Such is the case with 1974’s middling entry, The Man with the Golden Gun.

Guy Hamilton’s fourth turn as Bond director (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die) is a study in uncertainty. As Bond, Roger Moore is still searching for the debonair persona he would find in the upcoming classic, The Spy Who Loved Me. Surrounding Moore’s tentative performance are a collection of unfocused action set pieces, a less-than-formidable duo of Bond girls, and the most repugnant character in the series’ history.

Jessica Chastain would like to play a Bond villain, and the more we think about it, the more we want her to play a Bond villain too.

The award-winning Crimson Peak, Interstellar and Zero Dark Thirty veteran would make a fantastic antagonist to 007, so don't go suggesting any Bond Girl roles.

"One of my goals is to play a villain in a Bond film," Chastain told W Magazine.

"People ask me if I want to be a Bond girl, and I say, 'No, I want to be the villain'. I'm waiting for that call!"

She's previously alluded to her Bond bad guy desires back in 2013, when she told The Playlist: "Enough of the graceful characters, I want to get my hands dirty."

Previous female villain roles in the Bond canon include Octopussy's, um, Octopussy (Maud Adams), A View to a Kill's May Day (Grace Jones) and The World Is Not Enough...

The day monster kids have dreaded for some time has arrived. Mournful, nostalgic, and melancholy – it’s the end of an era for more than one generation of horror fans. It seemed like Christopher Lee would live through all eternity, but unlike some of the characters he played, there’s no bringing him back to life this time. He made it to 93 and went out on a high note, appearing in the final Hobbit film just this past winter. He had an amazing career of fantastic performances and remains the greatest villain actor in film history. Rip to the last classic horror star and thank you for all the monster memories.

Christopher Lee was married to his wife Birgit (Gitte) for 54 years.

Here, according to Movie Geeks Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Sam Moffitt, and myself, are Christopher Lee’s ten best roles.

10. Frankenstein

It’s only fitting that The Curse Of Frankenstein,...

We've arrived at Roger Moore's penultimate Bond. But isn't it about time somebody fought Octopussy's corner?

After the comedown of For Your Eyes Only, the series is back on a high. A very good-natured, occasionally thrilling escapade that boasts an impressive roster of villains, a finely developed heroine, unusually meaty roles for series stalwarts General Gogol and Q, a nuclear bomb and a gloriously stupid title. Yes, Roger Moore has aged to the point where counting the wrinkles is a legitimate distraction. And many valid criticisms can be levelled about plot and credibility. But the good outweighs, or certainly overwhelms, the bad in Octopussy. Still, he really should have quit after this one.

The Villain: Kamal Khan got his break by winning the talent competition Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar - and that was just the beginning. 2012 hit Ishk Sufiana launched Khan into stardom and he bagged...

Stars: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn, Pamela Hensley, Barbara Trentham, John Normington, Shane Rimmer, Burt Kwouk | Written by William Harrison | Directed by Norman Jewison

We live in an age where remakes take movies from the past and look to modernise them, sometimes changing them completely. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it ends up in a complete shambles, dumbing down what the original stood for and losing the whole point of what they were trying to replicate. This is the case with Rollerball, a cult classic which suffered the bad remake treatment. Thankfully in this review though I’m looking at the original film which is being released by Arrow Video on Blu-ray, so from this point on we can forget the remake even existed.

In a future controlled by corporations war is a thing of the past and the only conflict is Rollerball. Jonathan E.

Blu-ray Release Date: May 13, 2014

Price: Blu-ray $29.95

Studio: Twilight Time

The 1975 sci-fi-tinged action-sports film Rollerball, one of the Seventies great dystopian future-shock flicks, finally makes its Blu-ray debut courtesy of Twilight Time.

In the future, there will be no war. But there will be Rollerball.

Rollerball posits a future—in this case a not-so-far-away 2018—in which war has been replaced by the titular game, a gladiatorial spectacle of violence that helps keep the global populace entertained and anesthetized. Emerging from this hard-hitting “sport” is a champion, Jonathan E (James Caan, Thief), whose individual expertise defeats the worldwide corporate leadership’s design: to emphasize the futility of individual effort. Corporate big-wigs (icily incarnated by The Fog‘s John Houseman) need Jonathan to retire, but Jonathan begins to have his own dangerous ideas.

Directed by Norman Jewison (Fiddler on the Roof) and written by William Harrison, the film also stars Moses Gunn (Wusa...

Feature Michael Reed 21 Feb 2014 - 05:56

We take a look at some potential turning points that could have altered the Bond legacy significantly...

007 lists resurrection amongst his hobbies, but speculation is our game today. Your own ideal fantasy James Bond film probably depends on what sort of Bond you're into. If you like serious Bond, you probably consider it a crying shame that Timothy Dalton didn't get to make at least one more film. A fair proportion of the fandom consider Never Say Never Again to be one of the worst of the series, so for them, rolling the dice on a 1976 production with a different actor and a more exciting script would have been worth it.

Furthermore, a Sony Pictures produced rival film with, say, Liam Neeson in the late 1990s could have been fascinating. How about Connery returning to the role in his 60s? All of these possibilities...

If you missed Part 1 and Part 2 of our Silent Night, Deadly Night retrospective, be sure to check them out before you proceed!

After Silent Night, Deadly Night: Part 2 failed to garner even half the reaction that the original film did, the subsequent installments in the franchise from that point forward all went straight-to-video. It was in 1989 that rights holders Live Entertainment – who had released the first two films on VHS – spearheaded the revival of the series, rushing a second sequel into production.

Independent producer Arthur Gorson was the man put in charge of the third installment, hired for the job in March of 1989 with the mission of having the film finished and released on video in time for that year’s holiday season. Gorson was and still is to this day good friends with veteran filmmaker Monte Hellman (Two-Lane Blacktop), who he suggested as director of the project. Though Gorson...

From Bond girls to plutonium rods, Taryn Simon has photographed all things 007 to scrutinise how the blockbuster franchise taps into our fears and fantasies

As any 007 obsessive will tell you, before there was James Bond, secret agent, there was James Bond, ornithologist. When keen bird-watcher Ian Fleming, who lived on a colonial-style estate in Jamaica, was trawling around for a suitable name – "brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon, and yet very masculine" – for his fictional hero, he settled on the author of one of his favourite non-fiction works, Birds of the West Indies. Published in 1936 by the other James Bond, it detailed the 400-plus bird species on the islands and soon became a classic work of reference.

Sixty years after the first appearance of Fleming's James Bond, photographer Taryn Simon has created a visual taxonomy of all things 007 – Bond girls, gadgets, cars, weapons – but taken Birds of the West Indies, by the other James Bond,...

The Dark Knight Trilogy's upcoming 'Ultimate Collection' Blu-ray release packs in a host of never-before-seen special features. For real film geeks, there's the chance to get a glimpse of Christian Bale and Cillian Murphy's screen tests for Batman Begins.

The sets are a bit wonky, the Batsuit is Val Kilmer's and Amy Adams (!) is Rachel Dawes, but in Bale's performance you can still spot the seeds of his powerful turn as the Caped Crusader.

With millions of dollars on the line, Hollywood have to make absolutely certain they're picking the actor for the job, so elaborate in-costume scenes are frequently filmed to get a sense for the finished performance.

Digital Spy has trawled through the video archives to find 10 screen tests featuring actors trying out for the roles that made them famous, and a few who missed out on a career-changer by a whisker.

Tom Selleck for Raiders of the Lost Ark...

MI6 Confidential, the British James Bond tribute magazine, offers a limited edition of their latest issue, which is a celebration of the 1983 007 film Octopussy. You can get a copy signed by Sir Roger Moore and both of his lovely co-stars, Maud Adams and Kristina Wayborn, or an issue signed by only the ladies. The inventory is limited and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to order ...

Article by Jim Batts, Dana Jung, Sam Moffitt, and Tom Stockman

The film career of legendary English actor Sir Christopher Lee began in 1948 and continues to the present day. Lee is best known for his roles in horror films, especially the string of seven Dracula movies he starred in for Hammer Studios between 1958 and 1974, but be may be best known to younger audiences for his roles in the Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Almost all of the roles that Lee has played have been villains and here, according to We Are Movie Geeks, are his ten best.

10. Frankenstein

It’s only fitting that The Curse Of Frankenstein, the film that truly began England’s Hammer Studios’ theatrical run of full color gothic horror epics, should team (well, they’re both in the 1948 Hamlet, but have no scenes together) their greatest stars, Peter Cushing as Baron Victor Frankenstein...

Once again, Cinema Retro is proud to bring you behind the scenes on a world-class retro movie event.

By Matthew Field

It seemed only appropriate that Octopussy, the only James Bond film with a tenuous link to Wimbledon, should be the theme of BondStars’ summer barbeque on the very day Andy Murray became champion. (Octopussy actor and former tennis player Vijay Amritraj was semi-finalist in the men’s doubles in 1976!)

On a sweltering summer’s day, Octopussy At 30, re-united cast and crew from the 13th James Bond movie at Pinewood Studios where the movie was made back in 1982/83.

The day kicked off with a screening of the Blu-ray master (kindly lent by Eon Productions) in Theatre 7. Director John Glen, assistant director Anthony Waye and stars Maud Adams and Kristina Wayborn, were on hand to introduce the film to fans at the sold out event. Glen told the audience that Octopussy...

 

Sean Connery and Lana Wood in Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Throughout the month of April, the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California will be presenting big screen showings of classic James Bond movies including On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Live and Let Die, Octopussy, Licence to Kill and Diamonds Are Forever. Each screening will feature appearances and discussions with a star or stars of a specific film including George Lazenby, Benicio del Toro, David Hedison, Trina Parks, Lana Wood, Kristina Wayborne, Maud Adams and Gloria Hendry. Click here for info and to view original theatrical trailers. ...

"Double-0 Seven on an island populated exclusively by women? We won't see him till dawn!"

Thirty years ago, moviegoers were treated to not one, but two new James Bond movies in theaters: the non-canon Never Say Never Again starring Sean Connery, and tonight's feature, Octopussy, starring Roger Moore. Moore managed to best Connery at the box office battle of the Bonds that year, but the debate over which actor was the better Bond will never end for those who grew up watching their movies in the '60s, '70s and '80s.

Octopussy borrows its name and title character from a short story by James Bond creator Ian Fleming, but the plot is original. When MI6 agent 009 (Andy Bradford) is found dead at the British embassy in East Berlin dressed as a circus clown, 007 (Moore) is dispatched to investigate. The trail leads Bond to Octopussy (Maud Adams), a wealthy...

Though we've really just begun our Year in Review of 2012 no such survey would be feel complete without at least a perfunctory visit to the shadowy world of super spy Bond, James Bond. Skyfall, the 23rd official James Bond feature released to coincide with the franchise's 50th anniversary is already the top grossing Bond of all time with $1 billion at the global box office. That's enough cash to get any Bond Villain (or Bond Villain parody) rubbing his fingers together with greed "one beeeeeeeiiiillion dollars"

Bérénice Marlowe as "Severine" in Skyfall

Just before Skyfall came out I asked readers to submit their own rankings of the Bond films. It's such a big tallying project that I think I'll have to save the main results for the Skyfall DVD release (so if you still want to submit your ballot email it to me with "Bond Rank" in the title line and...

Octopussy

Directed by John Glen

Written by George Macdonald Fraser, Richard Maibaum, and Michael G. Wilson

United Kingdom, 1983

1983 presented a unique challenge for the Bond franchise. For the first time since Ursula Andress strolled out of the water, there were going to be two Bond films in theatres in the same year. As if that wasn’t enough, Never Say Never Again was also going to see Sean Connery, the first man to ever play Bond and who had handed the reigns off to the current incarnation, reprise the role once again, pitting the two men most known for playing Bond, Connery and Roger Moore (George Lazenby’s one-time outing as the agent notwithstanding) against each other. It is against these conditions that Octopussy was made, with the necessity of having to prove itself anew. Fortunately, the movie delivers on several fronts, making for a thrilling film, albeit one with a curious third act.

Following James Bond’s out of this world experience in the financially successful (665 million, adjusted for inflation) if artistically vapid Moonraker, the series’ sole producer, Albert Broccoli, thought it best to venture in a different direction, one that would feel slightly more grounded, all the while still playing on the strengths of his star: cool wit, affable mannerism and charm. A new director in John Glenn was now on board, who would go on to direct every single entry from the 80s, including Timothy Dalton’s two adventures. A new production designer in Peter Lamont was also now in charge of sets. Both had worked their way up in the ‘Bond family business’ so to speak, and, along with the leftover story elements from the far grittier Ian Fleming novels, the 007 films of the early 80s would take on a different tone and feel from the voodoo, space travel and...

James Bond movies are always packed with action, gadgets and, yes, beautiful costars. As Skyfall opens today, new leading ladies Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe join the exclusive Bond Girls club, which already includes Halle Berry, Ursula Andress, Jane Seymour, Maud Adams and Honor Blackman. While they may not sport names like Pussy Galore and Honey Ryder any more, Daniel Craig's new costars are more than a match for his spy swagger and British bravado. Check out some of the highlights from the first 50 years of the 007 film franchise. Are you excited to see these new leading ladies in Skyfall? Sound off in the comments! Take a look at...

James Bond movies are always packed with action, gadgets and, yes, beautiful costars. Joining the ranks of Halle Berry, Ursula Andress, Jane Seymour, Maud Adams, Honor Blackman and many more, Skyfall's leading ladies Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe are ready to join some notably named company. While they may not sport names like Pussy Galore and Honey Ryder any more, today's Bond costars are more than a match for his spy swagger and British bravado. Check out some of the highlights from the first 50 years of the 007 film franchise. Are you excited to see these new leading ladies in Skyfall? Sound off in the comments! Take a look at the Bond babes!

The first unit of the Blu-ray boxed set was packaged in gold and featured a timing device to measure the hours until it arrived in London.

In September, all stops were pulled out to promote the UK release of the James Bond Blu-ray boxed set, the first unit of which traveled from Scotland to London, "escorted" along the way by various 007 dignitaries. Cinema Retro photographer Mark Mawston provides photos and coverage of its arrival at the final destination.

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The Journey of the Bond 50 Blu-ray box reached its final destination of HMV Oxford Street, London.

The ever glamorous Britt Ekland, resplendent in gold herself, pulled up outside the London flagship store in a celebratory Bond 50 Aston Martin holding the famed golden attache case holding the collection of 007 Blu-ray discs. After posing on the rain-drenched street, she was interviewed inside by many media outlets. Asked...

By Lee Pfeiffer 

As a political junkie, I didn't think anything would tempt me to miss last night's much-anticipated first debate between President Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney, but an invitation from Eon Productions to attend the New York premiere of the acclaimed documentary Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of James Bond proved too tempting to resist. The film is a triumph for director Stevan Riley and his team, who worked for over a year and a half to put together the most unique look at the longest-running series in cinema history. The event took place at the Museum of Modern Art. The screening itself, in digital format, was enthusiastically received by all including some people who profess not to be particularly enamored of the films themselves but who felt the angle of covering the human side of the producer's stories was successful and engrossing on all levels.

James Bond 007 Declassified File #9: "The Man With The Golden Gun" This series will trace the cinema history of James Bond, while also examining Ian Fleming's original novels as source material and examining how faithful (or not) the films have been to his work. Directed by Guy Hamilton Screenplay by Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz Produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman Characters / Cast James Bond / Roger Moore Scaramanga / Christopher Lee Mary Goodnight / Britt Ekland Andrea Anders / Maud Adams Nick Nack / Herve Villechaize Hai Fat / Richard Loo Hip / Soon-Tek Oh Chew...

MTV Movies Blog is currently running what we call the Bond-a-Thond. Every Wednesday we're taking a look back at a single (official) Bond film, giving you the vitals and seeing how it holds up, right up until the release of "Skyfall" on November 9. Feel free to watch along with us and share your thoughts or just kick back and enjoy the Bond.

Octopussy (1983)

Plot: An MI6 agent's death sets off a chain of events that leads to Bond uncovering a nuclear plot disguised as a diamond smuggling scheme.

Title Meaning: It is the name of entrepreneur and circus owner at the center of the story. It was the nickname her father gave to her. Her father.

Song: "All Time High" by Rita Coolidge (one of the worst)

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Bond: Roger Moore

Villain: Kamal Khan, an exiled Afghan prince, played by Frenchman Louis Jourdan

Bond Girl: Octopussy, leader of the Octopus cult,...

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Whenever a new James Bond film approaches its release date you can be sure that book stores will be brimming with endless tomes retreading the history of the series with exclusive new chapters covering the latest film. With the long running franchise celebrating its 50th anniversary this year there are literally dozens of new Bond books hitting the shelves covering all aspects of the series but one book stands out from the rest offering a totally different take on the series from a completely new perspective, Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan by Mark O’Connell is published by Splendid Books on September 3rd and is reviewed below.

Catching Bullets is O’Connell’s autobiographical tale of how the Bond series has become an integral part of his life since seeing his first Bond film in 1983 aged seven years old. O’Connell has a unique...

MTV Movies Blog is currently running what we call the Bond-a-Thond. Every Wednesday we're taking a look back at a single (official) Bond film, giving you the vitals and seeing how it holds up, right up until the release of "Skyfall" on November 9. Feel free to watch along with us and share your thoughts or just kick back and enjoy the Bond.

The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)

Plot: The world's greatest assassin has apparently set his golden sights on taking out his only worthy opponent, 007.

Title Meaning: It is the moniker of Francisco Scaramanga, the assassin at the heart of the plot, who uses a literal golden gun to kill his targets.

Bond: Roger Moore

Villain: Christopher Lee proves a worthy opponent for Bond as Scaramanga, the tri-nippled hit man who demands $1 million per kill.

Bond Girls: Andrea Anders, Scaramanga's newest pre-kill lover, played by Maud Adams, and Mary Goodnight,...

There's only one guy who can save the world, get the girl and look good doing it and his name is Bond, James Bond. The American Cinematheque in association with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles will present all 22 James Bond films over the course of 10 nights on two screens. The action kicks off tonight at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood with Dr. No and From Russia with Love and is followed on Saturday night by Goldfinger and Thunderball at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica. The June 15 triple feature of The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker also features an introduction by actress Maud Adams, the only actress to appear as two different Bond Girl characters, Andrea Anders in Golden Gun and the title character of Octopussy....

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To mark the 50th Anniversary of one of the most successful movie franchises of all time and with filming almost complete on James Bond’s 23rd official outing in Skyfall due for release later this year, I have been tasked with taking a retrospective look at the films that turned author Ian Fleming’s creation into one of the most recognised and iconic characters in film history.

For Octopussy, the thirteenth official James Bond film, 1983 proved to be rather unlucky. After a lengthy court battle with the co-writer of Thunderball, Kevin McClory, Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions had lost the right to use Bond’s nemesis Blofeld and his organisation Spectre in any of their films. McClory had been trying since 1974 to get his own rival Bond film made but due to a lack of financial backing and legal action from United Artists and the Fleming Trustees his project...

Maud Adams is unhappy James Bond is going to be seen drinking a beer in new movie 'Skyfall'. The 67-year-old Swedish actress starred opposite Roger Moore in two Bond films, 'The Man with the Golden Gun' and 'Octopussy', and she is unimpressed that current 007 Daniel Craig will be seen supping a Heineken instead of his trademark Vodka Martin cocktail after Heineken USA agreed a deal to be featured in the movie. Maud thinks the change of drink will make the suave British spy appear less elegant. She told Swedish entertainment magazine Extra: 'Even though it's a good beer, this has gone too far. 'Martini was something elegant when I served Roger Moore and it is elegant to...

Latest Additions Include Star-Studded Appearances, Noted Film Historians,

An Opening-Night Poolside Screening of High Society (1956)

And a Vanity Fair Showcase of Architecture in Film

Complete Schedule for 2012 TCM Classic Film Festival

Now Available at http://www.tcm.com/festival

With just over two weeks left before opening day, the 2012 TCM Classic Film Festival continues to expand its already-packed slate with new events and live appearances:

On opening night of the festival, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will be the site of a poolside screening of the lavish Cole Porter musical High Society (1956), starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Actresses Maud Adams and Eunice Gayson will attend a 50th Anniversary screening of the James Bond classic Dr. No (1962) and participate in a conversation about being “Bond Girls.” Filmmaker Mel Brooks will be on hand to introduce his brilliant parody Young Frankenstein (1974). Filmmaker John Carpenter will introduce his favorite film, the...

To mark the 50th Anniversary of one of the most successful movie franchises of all time and with filming well underway on James Bond’s 23rd official outing in Skyfall due for release later this year, I have been tasked with taking a retrospective look at the films that turned author Ian Fleming’s creation into one of the most recognised and iconic characters in film history.

With Roger Moore well and truly established in the lead role after just one film, work began on a follow-up to Live And Let Die almost as soon as it was released into cinemas. Keen to capitalise on the renewed success of the character, producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman chose Fleming’s final Bond novel, The Man With The Golden Gun as their ninth film featuring the British secret agent.

With the novel taking place largely in Jamaica, it was felt...

Written by: John Goff

Directed by: Nigel Dick

Starring: Lisa Eilbacher, Steve Railsback, Maud Adams, Fred Williamson, Persis Khambatta, Lance Henrikson, David Dukes, Solly Marx, Pamela Guest

Okay, you see a DVD cover (or read about a film on the web) with Maud Adams, Fred Williamson, Persis Khambatta and Lance Henrikson in the cast and you figure it has to be a decent bit of cheese. Well, check your expectations at the door, because Deadly Intent is intent on being a deadly dull cinematic experience.

Released on video in 1989, the story focuses on the trials of Laura Keaton (Lisa Eilbacher). She’s married to Raymond (Lance Henrikson), an adventurer who collects rare artifacts and is not above screwing over his partners. When the film opens, we see him beat a member of his most recent expedition (Harley, played by Solly Marx) senseless in order to walk out of the jungle with a massive diamond.