Bond is in my Blood
I aspire to direct Bond as my behavioral traits are enormously manipulated by the chutzpah of Bond.
October 5, 2021 marks the 54th anniversary of the release of Dr. No, the first James Bond film based on Ian Fleming's novel. Then, the character and the franchise went on to become the longest living franchise in the history of cinema.
The name is Bond. James Bond.
My personal relationship with commander James Bond began when I was five, when I actually watched 'The Living Daylights' at Madurai Mappillai Vinayagar theatre Sri Mappillai Vinayagar in 1988. Even though, I'm not a British, I aspire to direct Bond as my behavioral traits are enormously manipulated by the chutzpah of Bond.
My grandfather Bhavathevar took my father Thangapandian to James Bond's films exhibited in Madurai Parameawari theatre (Karimedu) through 60s and 70s. And, my father took my brother and I to the James Bond's released in Madurai Mappillai Vinayagar and Manicka Vinayagar theatres through 80s and 90s. I grew up watching Bond, 007.
Devotion to soundtrack:
I'm neither an atheist nor a theist, but a regular thinker, like most humans. I never chanted nor recited, texts of religion or literature, but the theme of James Bond, since childhood, originally composed by legendary musician Monty Norman. Even though, I'm not a British, I aspire to direct the character 'James Bond', conceptualized by Ian Fleming, even if not in this incarnation, but in the subsequent ones as I'm greatly fascinated by the inherent trait of Bond, chutzpah, which is sort of innate for me as well.
Even though, I was not born in the 60s, I was introduced to James Bond in the mid 80s. Thanks to Madurai Sri Mappillai Vinayagar (Mappillai Vinayagar and Manicka Vinayagar) theatres. Therefore, I belong to the era of Sean Connery, precisely 'Dr.No'.
James Bond Will Return: The only movie franchise that's been in existence for more than 50 plus years is 007. Of course, it have had its own ups and downs. But, invariably bounced back and reclaimed its undisputable global dominance.
Random Memory!
After a hiatus of 6 plus years, James Bond franchise was revived, and Golden Eye was released world wide for Christmas of 1995, including our theatres Madurai Mappillai and Manicka Vinayagar. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life. I watched it along with my father and brother, on the first day the noon show (Fri Dec 25, 1995, 2 PM). I even vividly remember the seat nos (C15 - C17) And, repeated it several times throughout the weekend, the subsequent weeks as well. Pierce Brosnan was introduced as James Bond by director Martin Campbell. He was the same director, who introduced Daniel Craig as Bond in Casino Royale (2006). The point is, the whole theatre went insane on seeing this opening sequence, when Bond jumps from a Russian dam. Indeed, Golden Eye, quenched the thirst of Bond fans after its devastation in late 80s.
Timeline: 2014 Location: Workplace
According to Cambridge dictionary #Chutzpah means "Unusual and shocking behavior involving taking risks but not feeling guilty "
Why I can't wait for "#NoTimeToDie"?
Because it is the 25th film of the longest existing franchise of 60 years in the history of cinema. Bond is in my blood. And, how?
Why I can't wait for "No Time To Die"?
Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig: The transition of James Bond became a necessity. It had to be done as Bond was drifting away from what Ian Fleming had originally conceived of the British assassin commander James Bond. He was quintessentially brutal, relentless, physical and emotional. While Pierce was exceptional, his outings as Bond became too sophisticated and flamboyant, Daniel precisely matched the traits of Bond thought of by Fleming himself. Thus, not only the character was reinvented, but made more authentic. Moreover, Bond is in my blood. And, how? Answered here:
Two British icons James Bond and Triumph Motorcycles have partnered for 25th Bond film "No Time To Die."
It took a lot of persuasion for producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli to make Daniel Craig accept the role of James Bond. Because Daniel was persistent that he would not recreate any of what other actors played Bond before did, and he would be an integral part of every decision. What he has contributed to the franchise is not only enormous but closer to Ian Fleming's conceptualization of Bond. Daniel sort of rebooted Bond. No Time To Die is incidentally 25th Bond film and the final film for Daniel as James Bond. Moreover, Bond is in my blood. And, here is the reason:
It is a mandate that a James Bond film must maintain the legacy but be different. This applies to sound as well. Moreover, the god of music Hans Zimmer has scored the sound. The "Gun Barrel" score is an epitome of Hans Zimmer's composition for 25th film of James Bond.
https://music.amazon.in/albums/B08JZCFVDH?ref=dm_sh_y73RMLJG5Q7ahNRqGtayBpMOG
"The function of a man is to live, not exist."
Thank you for your service #DanielCraig (2006 - 2021).
And, commander #JAMESBOND WILL RETURN.
I'm required to keep myself abreast of global geopolitical tension as I aspire to direct not only an espionage thriller but James Bond. As a part of this quest, a couple of weeks back, I was listening to a podcast on North Korea's formative years and I learnt that while its economy is isolated from nations and people deprived of essentials, it is one of the global leaders in illegal trade including cyber warfare and drugs. Ironically, one of the world's poorest nations is abundant in hackers, who are capable of bringing a technology based economy to a standstill.
Considering the fact that Madurai is still a tier II city, imagine what it would have been in the 1960s. It was kind of a trading hub for the villages in its vicinity. But for some unknown reason, perhaps it is legacy that the people of Madurai were versatile. Even though, Madras was/is the capital of Tamil Nadu, Madurai remained the political and cinema capital of Tamilnadu, until the so-called liberalization democratized everything. What became a success at Madurai, was more likely to become a success story across Tamilnadu. Now that i have set the context. Let me jump to Dr. No.
When Dr. No was released at Madurai Parameswai theatre (located at Karimedu) in the middle or the late 1960s, our grandfather Bhava Thevar took my father. Reportedly, Parameswai theatre released all of the Bond films till 1980s and some hindi films apart from regional releases. That's is how my father was introduced to Sean Connery as Ian Fleming's James Bond. In the late 1980s, our father rented the video cassatte (VHS) of Dr No, and we sibling brothers and sisters watched at home. Then, the journey of James Bond began with the first release of the new James Bond films and the second release of the old Bond films in Madurai Mappillai Vinayagar and Manicka Vinayagar theatres. That's how we were introduced to James Bond.
Synopsis
Arriving in Jamaica to investigate the suspected murder of a fellow agent and his secretary, James Bond eludes several attempts on his life. With the help of CIA agent Felix Leiter and local fisherman Quarrel, Bond follows the sinister trail of Dr. No to his island Crab Key. Shortly after landing on the beach with Quarrel, Bond encounters alluring shell collector Honey Ryder. The three uninvited visitors are hunted down by Dr. No’s private army, who kill Quarrel and take Bond and Honey to Dr. No’s magnificent lair. Their megalomaniac host, Dr. No tells Bond that by utilising the nuclear laboratory on site, he plans to destroy the US Space program as his first move towards world domination. Bond outwits Dr. No who falls victim to his own scheme and dies. Rescuing Honey Ryder, Bond commandeers a motorboat and together they escape from Crab Key, seconds before it explodes, leaving the final devastation of Dr. No’s laboratory behind.
Cast
Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman, Bernard Lee, Jack Lord, Anthony Dawson, Lois Maxwell, John Kitzmiller, Zena Marshall, Eunice Gayson, Peter Burton, Yvonne Shima, Michel Mok, Marguerite LeWars
Producers
Harry Saltzman
Albert R. Broccoli
Director
Terence Young
Release Date
6 October 1962 (UK)
8 May 1963 (USA)
World Premiere
5 October 1962, London Pavilion Cinema, London
Locations
Jamaica; Pinewood Studios, Bucks, UK
Music
“James Bond Theme” – written by Monty Norman, played and arranged by the John Barry Orchestra
Vehicles
Bond arrives in Jamaica in a Pan Am Boeing 707; Bond’s Sunbeam Alpine, Strangways’ Ford Anglia 105E, hitman’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible; Dent’s Vauxhall PA Cresta sedan, Leiter’s 1961 Chevrolet Impala sedan; 3 Blind Mice’s LaSalle hearse
Gadgets/Weapons/Technology
Bond’s Walther PPK 7.65mm
Bond’s Berretta
Tarantula
Dent’s Smith & Wesson
Nuclear reactor
Dragon Tank’s flame-throwers
Cigarette laced with cyanide
Geiger counter activator
Trivia
Vodka Martini is Bond’s first cinematic drink in Dr. No
We get a rare glimpse of the interior of Bond’s London townhouse. The only other films that show Bond’s living space are Live And Let Die and Spectre
The only Bond film not to have a pre-title sequence
Norman Wanstall created the muffled sound for the silenced gun that Bond uses which is not like the real sound of a silenced gun. His cinematic sound has been copied so often many people believe this is what a silenced gun really sounds like
Production Designer Ken Adam incorporated many moving parts on his sets. In the decontamination scene Bond and Honey are transported through showers on a ‘moving walkway’ now known as travelators
source: 007.com
17th February 2024
Denise Richards is certainly a Bond Girl with whom I fell in love with instantly. This love actually began with her erotic thriller Wild Things, which was supposed to be released in our temple Madurai Manicka Vinayagar theatre but it never did. We ended up watching it renting VHS, and in browsing centers. Birthday wishes my love who turns 53 years young today.
Authored by Balaji Thangapandian aka #BT - a spacefarer, who is also curious about film-making, connectivity technologies and military history.
To be continued:
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