I’ve been reading (and thoroughly enjoying) a recent Christmas gift to my husband from our oldest daughter. It’s a big, gorgeous gold book titled, James Bond: The Secret World of 007.

Thanks, in large part, to this great book – James Bond movies are occupying a great deal of my thoughts lately!

I thought I’d just run with that and start a series of posts about the actors and actresses who have appeared in James Bond movies.

I’ve already done quite a few posts about many of these stars – but, what the heck, can you really have too much Ursula Andress, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, or (my favorite Bond) Pierce Brosnan?

No, I didn’t think so.

Ursula Andress lead a pretty interesting life. Not only was she married to John Derek (until an affair she was having broke up the marriage), she had a relationship with Harry Hamlin. They met while making “Clash of the Titans.” Our girl Ursula was a cougar before the term was even born – she was 43 and Harry was 27.

She was also very involved with James Dean and was rumored to be with him when he picked out the car that he would later wreck (and die in).

Ursula Andress was, of course, Honey Ryder in Dr. No (1962).  This movie marked Sean Connery’s first appearance as James Bond.

Dr. No is actually an enjoyable movie.   In the film,  James Bond’s investigation of a missing colleague in Jamaica leads him to the island of the mysterious Dr. No and a scheme to end the US space program.

Author Ian Fleming actually wanted his cousin Christopher Lee to play Dr. No. (Lee would later appear as Scaramanga in the 007 flick The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), and would play the character that inspired Fleming to create Dr. No, Dr. Fu Manchu, in several films.)

Fleming also asked Noel Coward to play the part of Dr. No. Coward turned down the part by replying with a telegram that read, “Dr. No? No! No! No!” One of Coward’s objections was having to wear metal hands. Max von Sydow turned down the part in order to play Jesus Christ in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), and would finally play a Bond villain in Never Say Never Again (1983).

In the end, the role of Dr. No went to Joseph Wiseman, the only early Bond villain not to have his voice dubbed by another actor.

All in all, however, Ursula pretty much emerged as the star of Dr. No and will forever be remembered as the original Bond Girl.

Related posts:

1. Ursula Andress What better sex symbol to start this category off with...
2. Izabella Scorupco – Golden Eye’s Bond Girl GoldenEye Poster Buy at AllPosters.com Between Christmas and anniversary...
3. James Bond Trivia Faces of the Secret Service Art Print Buy at...
4. Pierce Brosnan – The Smoothest James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies Poster Buy at AllPosters.com Pierce Brosnan...
5. Bond Bloopers In keeping with the James Bond theme we have going...

James Bond – Quantum of Solace Framed Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

I have officially lost faith in professional movie critics. It was on shaky ground anyway, but after Quantum of Solace, there isn’t any trace of faith left. I read that the stars didn’t have any chemistry, that the opening song wasn’t “true” to the James Bond dynasty, that the lead actress was too tan (what?!?!) that the story was weak, and so on.

I have no explanation for what others get or somehow fail to get, but it’s a shame to think that people are paid to do this for a living and can’t even get in the ballpark!

First of all: The theme. Alicia Keys and Jack White do an outstanding job with the theme song. I honestly didn’t know what to expect out of such a collaboration, but it was incredible. The entire opening was dead-on what you’d expect from a James Bond movie. Sexy, stylish, breathtaking… What’s not to love?

Second of all: The leads – Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko – imo, had a very, very special chemistry. Generally speaking, whenever I’ve seen a Bond film, I walk away from it wondering who the next “Bond girl” will be. However, for the first time EVER, I walked away wondering if I begged hard enough and petitioned as though my life depended on it – would they, somehow, bring Olga back? She was, by far, my favorite Bond girl ever. In fact, she’s one of my favorite action female characters of all time. The character was a perfect blend of vulnerability and toughness – with just the right amount of each.

Olga Kurylenko actress is as talented as she is beautiful and I’ve loved every movie I’ve seen her in (Hitman, Max Payne, Quantum of Solace). Even so, I had no idea she’d be able to pull off being a Bond girl so effortlessly. I certainly didn’t see her becoming my favorite one ever!

Daniel Craig is perfect in the role as James Bond. As I’ve said on this blog a gazillion times, Pierce Brosnan has always been my favorite Bond. After seeing Quantum of Solace, however, I can say something I never thought I’d ever hear myself saying, “Pierce Brosnan is one of my favorite two James Bonds.” I love Daniel Craig in the role just as much. Never. Saw. That. Coming.

The chase scenes, action, fight scenes, emotional undertows, acting, chemistry, GORGEOUS scenery, sex appeal, Dame Judi Dench, the music…. it all gets straight A+s from me.

No action film fan could walk away from this movie without feeling pumped with excitement. That’s part of the beauty of the film, actually. It’s a movie that stands on it’s own two legs – whether or not the name James Bond was involved or not. It didn’t need “Bond. James Bond.” to stand and it didn’t need “…shaken, not stirred…”

Quantum of Solace is action film-making at its best. It just so happens to also be James Bond at his best as well. To be perfectly honest, Casino Royale wasn’t one of my favorite movies – Bond or otherwise. I didn’t like the relationships whatsoever. I hated the Bond/M relationship (or lack thereof) most of all. (I also wasn’t the least bit impressed with the Bond girl in that film. When she met with her fate, my face did more of a grin than a grimace.)

I’ve actually given Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko my ultimate nod of approval after seeing Quantum of Solace. See the Categories in the sidebar? Only a certain amount of names/subjects will fit. I have to make certain that I only include the stars, shows, etc. that absolutely send me over the moon. You’ll now find their names there.

Quantum of Solace is, in my opinion, a thousand times better than Casino Royale. It’s a mind-blowing movie that’s just beautiful front to back. Ignore the newspaper critics and see the movie. You won’t be sorry.

If, somehow you find something to hate about this fantastic movie, I only have one piece of advice. Quit your day job, you missed your calling. You were meant to be a professional movie critic. ;/

You may also be interested in: Trying to Make Sense of These Quantum of Solace Reviews

Related posts:

1. Daniel Craig Comments About Quantum of Solace Daniel Craig PhotoBuy at AllPosters.com Okay, I admit it,...
2. Mark Wahlberg and Max Payne Have Vaulted into My Top Favorites – Critics Be Danged I dunno. Sometimes I’m utterly convinced that something’s fishy...
3. The First Bond Girl: Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in Dr. No I’ve been reading (and thoroughly enjoying) a recent Christmas...
4. James Bond Trivia Faces of the Secret Service Art Print Buy at...
5. Johnny Depp and George Clooney Top Off One Sexy List According to a new survey in Britain’s Cosmopolitan Magazine,...

Daniel Craig Photo
Buy at AllPosters.com

Okay, I admit it, I was getting a little peeved that the newest James Bond movie wasn’t including the “Bond. James Bond” line or the “Shaken, not stirred” martini. I mean, I’m nothing if not a traditionalist and I HATE to have my traditions messed with.

It was honestly even getting in the way of my excitement for the movie.

Fortunately, USA Today ran an interview with Daniel Craig (this will be his second movie as James Bond) and he addressed these very things. I feel 100 percent better have resumed a fever anticipation for what looks to be an amazing movie.

Have I told you yet that during an early screening of Quantum Solace, the audience actually broke out in applause during a chase scene, and then again at the end of the film as the credits rolled? You don’t hear about that happening too often.

Below are the quotes by Daniel Craig taken from the USA Today article that ran last Monday:

“Everybody says to me, ‘Is Bond going to be Bond now?’ And I’ve been like, ‘Yeah, well, kind of.’ But he’s got a way to go yet.”

“He’s supposed to be this superspy, suave and sophisticated. But I didn’t want to start by copying what came before, but to get to that point by making it a real journey.”

Daniel Craig has signed to do at least two more James Bond films and says that eventually all of the familiar characteristics (my beloved traditions) will reveal themselves. He told USA Today that he hopes they will be more satisfying since they aren’t being delivered just because they have to be.

“I’m as big a fan as anybody of all his catchphrases and the martini,” he says, “But I want to find a new way of doing them.”

Fair enough.

Quantum Solace opens in theaters November 14.

So how do you feel, do you think Craig’s reasoning justifies it or should they have kept the characteristics in the movie rather than break with a tradition Bond fans love so much?

Related posts:

1. Quantum of Solace Review and An Open Handed Slap to Critics Who Didn’t Like It James Bond – Quantum of Solace Framed Art Print...
2. James Bond Trivia Faces of the Secret Service Art Print Buy at...
3. The First Bond Girl: Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in Dr. No I’ve been reading (and thoroughly enjoying) a recent Christmas...
4. Johnny Depp and George Clooney Top Off One Sexy List According to a new survey in Britain’s Cosmopolitan Magazine,...
5. Pierce Brosnan – The Smoothest James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies Poster Buy at AllPosters.com Pierce Brosnan...

Faces of the Secret Service Art Print

Buy at AllPosters.com

• Cary Grant was Bond producer Albert Broccoli’s friend and even best man at his wedding, but still declined the role of James Bond in “Dr. No.” Although many studio executives objected to the decision, Sean Connery was given the role. Even creator Ian Fleming said Connery “wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.” He later stated that Connery made a perfect James Bond.
• Sean Connery wears a toupee in all the James Bond movies.
• Sean Connery was said to be one of James Bond’s favorite actors in the novel “Scorpius.”
• Sean Connery was paid a huge sum to return as James Bond for Diamonds Are Forever in 1971. It was donated to his Scottish charity.
• Sean Connery’s favorite James Bond Movie is From Russia With Love (1963).
• Roger Moore succeeded Audrey Hepburn as goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.
• Roger Moore’s father was a policeman.
• Roger Moore was the oldest actor to debut as James Bond. He was 45 when Live and Let Die was filmed in 1973.
• Roger Moore was also older than any other actor to play James Bond when he portrayed him at the age of 57 in A View to a Kill (1985). Sean Connery was 52 when he last played Bond in Never Say Never Again. (1983).
• Roger Moore quit smoking cigarettes in 1971 following a lecture from Tony Curtis on the set of “The Persuaders!”.
• Roger Moore hated doing scenes that involved him shooting firearms.  This fact caused him to ruin countless 007 takes!
• Roger Moore played James Bond in seven movies of the official EON series, the most of any actor to date. Sean Connery also played Bond in seven films, but one of them, Never Say Never Again (1983), was unofficial.
• Roger Moore drives or rides in a motor-powered boat in every James Bond movie he was in.
• Every scene in which Roger Moore’s Bond is running in his 7 movies was performed by doubles. Roger Moore felt that he looked awkward running.
• Roger Moore names The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) as his favorite Bond movie (of the ones he starred in), and A View to a Kill (1985) as his least favorite.
• Roger Moore suffers from hoplophobia , a fear of firearms.
• Ironically, though critics often accused him of not looking tough enough to play James Bond, Roger Moore once beat up tough guy Lee Marvin while they were filming Shout at the Devil (1976). Marvin recalled, “The guy is built like granite. Nobody will ever underestimate him again.”
• Roger Moore once gave the following explanation for his comedic approach to Bond, “To me, the Bond situations are so ridiculous, so outrageous. I mean, this man is supposed to be a spy and yet, everybody knows he’s a spy. Every bartender in the world offers him martinis that are shaken, not stirred. What kind of serious spy is recognized everywhere he goes? It’s outrageous. So you have to treat the humor outrageously as well. My personality is entirely different than previous Bonds. I’m not that cold-blooded killer type. Which is why I play it mostly for laughs.”
• After seeing Pierce Brosnan playing James Bond on the set of the film GoldenEye in 1995, Roger Moore said, “Both Sean and I will be forgotten after everybody sees Pierce.” (Great quote! Great Quote! – signed, the Hollywood Yesterday writer aka huge Pierce Brosnan fan)
• For Pierce Brosnan trivia, click HERE!
• Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny) is second only to Desmond Llewelyn (Q) for the number of appearances in James Bond movies. She was in 14 and he was in 18.
• Lois Maxwell was born in Canada in 1927. She died in 2007 from cancer.
• Desmond Llewelyn (Q) personally detested gadgets!
• Desmond Llewelyn died shortly after the release of The World Is Not Enough (1999).

A few more Roger Moore Quotes:
Today I am completely opposed to small arms and what they can do to children. I played every role tongue-in-cheek because I don’t really believe in that sort of hero. I don’t like guns.

I’m delighted to hear that Daniel Craig has been appointed the new 007. It’s a very exciting time and I would like to wish everyone at Eon much success, and welcome Daniel to the family.

My acting range? Left eyebrow raised, right eyebrow raised.

I’m working on a post dedicated to Daniel Craig and the newest Bond film, which from what I’ve been reading is an absolute beast among beasts!

Related posts:

1. Pierce Brosnan – The Smoothest James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies Poster Buy at AllPosters.com Pierce Brosnan...
2. The First Bond Girl: Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in Dr. No I’ve been reading (and thoroughly enjoying) a recent Christmas...
3. Quantum of Solace Review and An Open Handed Slap to Critics Who Didn’t Like It James Bond – Quantum of Solace Framed Art Print...
4. Daniel Craig Comments About Quantum of Solace Daniel Craig PhotoBuy at AllPosters.com Okay, I admit it,...
5. Izabella Scorupco – Golden Eye’s Bond Girl GoldenEye Poster Buy at AllPosters.com Between Christmas and anniversary...