Showing posts with label spectre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spectre. Show all posts

February 17, 2020

NO TIME TO DIE VIDEO

A video was just released for the new 007 theme song, No Time to Die, by Billie Eilish. Set to footage of Eilish and scenes from the film, this new piece does a nice job establishing a continuity of tone between her lyrics and vocal performance and what appears to be the emotional weight of the movie. As I mentioned in my first review of the song, No Time to Die seems to constitute a 'trilogy of hurt' paired with the themes of Skyfall and Spectre. Heard in context with the new imagery, it certainly does suggest Bond is in for a rough ride before he gets to the end of Craig's tenure. And even though I often crave the fantasy elements of classic 007, No Time to Die is looking like a substantial entry to the series and a worthy followup to Skyfall (my review of Skyfall here). Eilish's song is staring to grow on me; and I must admit I feel myself rooting for her because I know how much my students like her. Bond for a new generation? Sounds good to me. Enjoy!


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elected Spy Vibe Posts: Diabolik InterviewNew 007 SongDiabolik FiguresDiabolik SoundsDiabolik Set DesignDiabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik BluCount Arthur StrongHoney West Title CardsBowie DayNew Year CosmonautsNeil Innes R.I.P.Claudine Auger R.I.P.OHMSS at 50Italian Job 50th OSTCharles Schulz ModernPaul DesmondPython 50thRandall Hopkirk 50thThunderbirds DayLazenby Returns to MI6Dr. John R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin IIILupin SkaSpy Vibe PrimeZigomar TranslationThe Village: Part 1Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63ITC SoundtracksSpy Vibe Radio: Public EyeUFO PrimeSpaceship to MarsModesty Blaise CompanionSpy Vibe Radio: FantomasGeorge DayFantomas BluDark Shadows DocBedazzled Blu-rayMary Quant ExhibitLaika CalypsoLost in Space JapanSpy Dust CalypsoAtomic CafeJohn Barry MonoInterview: John Barry BookLand of the Giants ScoreSkyfall ConcertDearest EmmaSpy Vibe Radio: UppersevenOgilvy at ElstreeMabuse PropagandaBond Beatles DaySpy Vibe Radio: LiquidatorDiabolik LPFab DressesEurospy Music CollectionBeetle Bailey in West BerlinWhy Mort Walker?Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!Avengers Critical GuideThe SpotnicksBenny SpiesJames Pond 0017'Satire StonesAnnette Andre BookCat DaySpy Vibe Radio: Get SmartCaine: My GenerationInterview: Ian OgilvyHorror of Party BeachSylvie Vartan RenownRingo At 78Dark Shadows StripsSpy Vibe Radio: FlintArchie Batman 66Paul at 76Beatles Pac-ManSpy Vibe Radio: Jerry CottonThe Invaders007 Horowitz Book TourMcGoohan/Prisoner Event at ElstreeThe Prisoner Interviews Vol 1British Underground PressInterview: Fab4 ManiaBond Cocktail BookBond at BletchleySpy SmasherSpy Vibe Radio: Peter GunnAgent Zero MNew Prisoner ComicDr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger DiabolikDr. No 60thOy-Oy-SevenSpy Vibe Radio (UFO)Cold War Comic StripsThunderball EventMission to IndiaMort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde CelebrationBatman 66 ExhibitPrisoner Fifty EventIan Fleming Publications 2017-2018Interview: Ed Hulse PulpAvengers Audio DramaInterview: Callan At 50Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private EyesTWA ReturnsSpy Vibe Radio 8Interview: Ryan HeshkaMid-Century Modern SchulzAgent WerewolfJohnny Sokko 50thInterview: Trina RobbinsEddie IzzardThe Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50thHugh Hefner R.I.P.Jack Good R.I.P.Interview: Shaken Not StirredCallan 50thSpy Vibe Radio 7The Prisoner 50th EventSpy-Fi EventKaho Aso 007Two MillionBo DiddleyCarnaby PopLe Carre EventsBilly Bragg SkiffleElvis 68Jack Kirby The PrisonerCasino Royale ConcertReview: The Prisoner Vol 2Interview: The Prisoner Essential GuideMaud Russell MottisfontSpy Vibe Radio 4Batman GallantsAdam West R.I.P.Village TriangleRoger Moore R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio 3Sgt Pepper 50thSatanik Kriminal OST60s OverdriveMake Love in LondonSpy Vibe Radio 2Spy Vibe Radio 1James Bond StripsPropaganda MabuseInterview: Police SurgeonXTC Avengers1966 Pep SpiesBatman Book InterviewExclusive Fleming InterviewAvengers Comic StripsRobert Vaughn RIPUNCLE FashionsThunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film GuideLost Avengers FoundThe Callan FileMission Impossible 50thGreen Hornet 50thStar Trek 50thPortmeirion Photography 1Filming the PrisonerGaiman McGinnins ProjectIan Fleming GraveRevolver at 50Karen Romanko InterviewMod Tales 2Umbrella Man: Patrick MacneeNew Beatles FilmThe Curious CameraEsterel Fashion 1966Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview007 Tribute CoversThe Phantom Avon novels returnIan Fleming FestivalArgoman DesignSylvia Anderson R.I.P.Ken Adam R.I.P.George Martin R.I.P.The New Avengers ComicsThe Phantom at 80007 MangaAvengerworld BookDiana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

May 29, 2017

WHAT IF: MOORE SPECTRE

Mars VFX posted a cool video back in 2015 that has made a comeback in the wake of Roger Moore's passing. The premise of the piece is: what if Roger Moore had starred in Spectre instead of Daniel Craig? It's a pretty interesting experience to watch. Although some Bond fans are reminded of Moore's ultra-light (and often silly) approach to the character, I found myself settling into the trailer like a favorite sweater. It helped that the editors did not include any over-the-top jokes or slapstick. Instead, we are left with a cool juxtaposition between the visceral action and danger of the Craig era and Moore's undeniable charisma and charm on the screen. He was not Fleming's Bond, to be sure, but he had a star quality and sophistication that carried us through the adventures in style. Maybe I return often to his best scenes in The Man With the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, and For Your Eyes Only because of their tiniest examples of edginess. I like that contrast. See what you think, Spy Vibers. Enjoy! Related post: Roger Moore R.I.P.By the way, have you heard my new radio show with Cocktail Nation? Episode #4 is coming up. Here are info links for Episode #1 (Danger Man) and Episode #2 (The 10th Victim), Epsiode #3 (On Her Majesty's Secret Service).


Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Roger Moore R.I.P.Spy Vibe Radio 3Sgt Pepper 50thSatanik Kriminal OST60s OverdriveMake Love in LondonSpy Vibe Radio 2Spy Vibe Radio 1James Bond StripsPropaganda MabuseFahrenheit 451 50thInterview: Police SurgeonXTC Avengers1966 Pep SpiesBatman Book InterviewExclusive Fleming InterviewAvengers Comic StripsRobert Vaughn RIPUNCLE FashionsThunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film GuideLost Avengers FoundThe Callan FileMission Impossible 50thGreen Hornet 50thStar Trek 50thPortmeirion Photography 1Filming the PrisonerGaiman McGinnins ProjectIan Fleming GraveRevolver at 50Karen Romanko InterviewMod Tales 2Umbrella Man: Patrick MacneeNew Beatles FilmThe Curious CameraEsterel Fashion 1966Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview007 Tribute CoversThe Phantom Avon novels returnIan Fleming FestivalArgoman DesignSylvia Anderson R.I.P.Ken Adam R.I.P.George Martin R.I.P.The New Avengers ComicsTrina Robbins InterviewThe Phantom at 80007 MangaAvengerworld BookDiana Rigg Auto ShowThe Prisoner Audio Drama ReviewDavid McCallum novelAndre Courreges R.I.P.Who's Talking on Spy VibeUFO Blu-rayAvengers Pop Art.

January 5, 2016

SPECTRE BLU-RAY

New release: MGM and 20th Century Fox have announced they will release a Blu-ray edition of Spectre on February 9th. The 24th James Bond film hit theaters last fall. Although the project saw the return of most of the dream-team who created Skyfall, an artistic height for the series, Spectre seemed to come and go without any weight or memorable elements. After the screening I found I had little to say about the film, other than the story seemed uneven and the style inconsistent. There was a kind of return to the happy ending days of Bond-past, but the ending seemed unearned and clumsily tacked on. An awkward balm to Skyfall's weighty emotions? If I could re-edit the movie, I would certainly sow seeds early in the story that 007 longs for a break from his path so that his final actions have emotional pay-off (ala pre-wedding On Her Majesty's Secret Service). With all of the depth and thematic richness masterfully woven into Skyfall, it was astonishing to see the missed opportunities in Spectre. If I could keep revising, I'd also nix that theme song, which seemed filled with an odd longing that wasn't present in the actual film. I did enjoy the fashion and set design, which tended toward urban elegance throughout. There was also some interesting comparisons between Bond and White as assassins, but again, the weight of that comparison was not fully explored. Despite my criticisms, I do look forward to seeing Spectre again- if only because I often enjoy movies more the second time around. I'm hoping this one will grow on me. The Blu-ray edition will include video blogs about the director, female stars, cars, action sequences, music, as well as an image gallery. Perhaps a later edition will include additional features. Let's all check it out and see if it gets better with age! Available for pre-order from Amazon and AmazonUK. UK Steelbook edition here. Spy Vibers can re-visit my review of Skyfall here


Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Who's Talking on Spy VibeUFO Blu-rayAvengers Pop Art InterviewFritz Lang SpiesFergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes InterviewJaz Wiseman Interview, 007 SPECTRE ComicsCasino Royale FolioNew James Bond ComicDiana Rigg BFI InterviewCallan Documentary and SetCasino Royale Interview: Mike RichardsonEarly Saint Box SetLost Diana Rigg InterviewDiana Rigg EventIan Fleming LettersNew Gillette 007 CoversPirate RadioSpectre Advanced PosterHonor Blackman at 90UNCLE SchoolIan Fleming MemorialRadiophonic ExhibitPortmeirion PhotosDoctor Who ExhibitFarewell SteedPussy Galore ReturnsDiana Rigg birthdaySherlock at 221BInvisible AgentSaint Interview: Ian DickersonSaint DoppelgängerFleming's TypewriterRare FlemingFleming's MusicIan Fleming's JapanJim Wilson Corgi InterviewFantomas DesignJeremy Duns on BondJohn Buss interviewAvengers Season 5 TitlesSaint VolvoMod Tales InterviewAgente Secreto ComicsDanger Man Comics 2Danger Man ComicsJohn Drake ComicsDer Mann Von UNCLEGolden Margaret NolanMan From UNCLE RocksteadyPussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P.Edward Mann FashionLeonard Nimoy TributeShatner at 84Bob Morane seriesThai Bond DesignBond vs ModernismArt of ModestyTokyo Beat 1964Feraud Mod FashionGreen Hornet MangaNo 6 FestivalAvengers Interview: Michael RichardsonIan Fleming: Wicked GrinJane Bond Hong Kong RecordsRyan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.Comics Week: ArchieComics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

November 10, 2015

007 SPECTRE COMICS

New release: With the return of the evil organization, SPECTRE, in the new James Bond film (stay tuned for our review), a number of new book collections have been released to help viewers catch up on 007's missions against these notorious baddies. Vintage recently released The SPECTRE Trilogy, an omnibus of Ian Fleming novels featuring Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and You Only Live Twice. Thomas and Mercer, an Amazon imprint, published The SPECTRE Trilogy as an eBook on October 6th in the US. Titan has also joined the celebration with a new hardcover edition of classic comic strip adaptations drawn by John McLusky and Yaroslav Horak. From Titan: "The daring James Bond is back, this time in a lavishly put together collection celebrating the iconic SPECTRE storylines. Featuring ThunderballOn Her Majesty’s Secret ServiceYou Only Live TwiceThe Spy Who Loved MeThese fully restored and thrilling stories are based on the original Ian Fleming James Bond novels." Titan's cover design is an interesting collage of elements taken from a few different strips: Bond (SWLM panel #696 by Horak), Viv dressing (SWLM inverted panel #808 by Horak), and the car (OHMSS panel #272 by McLusky). Although I prefer McLusky's artwork, I imagine the publisher was going for the slightly modern look of Horak's work for the main image, with McLusky adding a classic vibe to the motorcar. The release date for James Bond: SPECTRE: The Complete Comic Strip Collection is November 6th (UK) and January 19th (US). More info on Amazon and AmazonUKLearn more about the history of 007 comics with Alan J. Porter's excellent book hereEnjoy!


Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Casino Royale FolioNew James Bond ComicDiana Rigg BFI InterviewCallan Documentary and SetCasino Royale Interview: Mike RichardsonEarly Saint Box SetLost Diana Rigg InterviewDiana Rigg EventIan Fleming LettersNew Gillette 007 CoversPirate RadioSpectre Advanced PosterHonor Blackman at 90UNCLE SchoolIan Fleming MemorialRadiophonic ExhibitPortmeirion PhotosDoctor Who ExhibitFarewell SteedPussy Galore ReturnsDiana Rigg birthdaySherlock at 221BInvisible AgentSaint Interview: Ian DickersonSaint DoppelgängerFleming's TypewriterRare FlemingFleming's MusicIan Fleming's JapanJim Wilson Corgi InterviewFantomas DesignJeremy Duns on BondJohn Buss interviewAvengers Season 5 TitlesSaint VolvoMod Tales InterviewAgente Secreto ComicsDanger Man Comics 2Danger Man ComicsJohn Drake ComicsDer Mann Von UNCLEGolden Margaret NolanMan From UNCLE RocksteadyPussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P.Edward Mann FashionLeonard Nimoy TributeShatner at 84Bob Morane seriesThai Bond DesignBond vs ModernismArt of ModestyTokyo Beat 1964Feraud Mod FashionGreen Hornet MangaNo 6 FestivalAvengers Interview: Michael RichardsonIan Fleming: Wicked GrinJane Bond Hong Kong RecordsRyan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.Comics Week: ArchieComics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

November 1, 2015

JAMES BOND DEALS

Deal alert: Spy Vibers who are interested in collecting the limited-edition James Bond Blu-ray steelbooks can now pick them up at a bargain price. Best Buy is currently selling nine 007 titles (From Russia With Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, For Your Eyes Only, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall) for $12.99ea (and $9.99ea on-line). As seen in steelbook releases in Europe, the cases feature designs from the opening title sequences from each film. And if readers are interested in collecting the recent DVD Bond releases, featuring stills from the movies (white borders), Best Buy has them in-store for $3.99ea. With less than a week to go before our US debut of SPECTRE, now is a great time to re-explore Bond's past missions. Sample box art below. Enjoy!



Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Callan Documentary and SetCasino Royale Interview: Mike RichardsonEarly Saint Box SetLost Diana Rigg InterviewDiana Rigg EventIan Fleming LettersNew Gillette 007 CoversPirate RadioSpectre Advanced PosterHonor Blackman at 90UNCLE SchoolIan Fleming MemorialRadiophonic ExhibitPortmeirion PhotosDoctor Who ExhibitFarewell SteedPussy Galore ReturnsDiana Rigg birthdaySherlock at 221BInvisible AgentSaint Interview: Ian DickersonSaint DoppelgängerFleming's TypewriterRare FlemingFleming's MusicIan Fleming's JapanJim Wilson Corgi InterviewFantomas DesignJeremy Duns on BondJohn Buss interviewAvengers Season 5 TitlesSaint VolvoMod Tales InterviewAgente Secreto ComicsDanger Man Comics 2Danger Man ComicsJohn Drake ComicsDer Mann Von UNCLEGolden Margaret NolanMan From UNCLE RocksteadyPussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P.Edward Mann FashionLeonard Nimoy TributeShatner at 84Bob Morane seriesThai Bond DesignBond vs ModernismArt of ModestyTokyo Beat 1964Feraud Mod FashionGreen Hornet MangaNo 6 FestivalAvengers Interview: Michael RichardsonIan Fleming: Wicked GrinJane Bond Hong Kong RecordsRyan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.Comics Week: ArchieComics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMANComics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana RiggShakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny InterviewThe 10th Victim Japanese and KindleU.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins InterviewCatsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.