North by Northwest

 And this week's Friday night movie has been... North By Northwest!

Original image located here. Accessed 12th September 2025

It seems to me that the most famous movies of Alfred Hitchcock are Psycho and The Birds. So who has to take up the somewhat unfortunate role of being no.3? One would think it would be this: Widely regarded as one of The Master's masterworks but, somehow at the same time, not as widely recognised by the outsider.

But what does it matter? This is superb stuff.
Ever seen those thrillers where some hapless guy is mistaken for someone else and has his life disrupted as they are dragged further and further into extraordinary circumstances? Well you can blame this movie for that scenario: For this is pretty much the wellspring that inspired countless other movies. And yet this is still gripping stuff and shows a level of suspense that it's disciples still can't match.

License to Kill

And this week's Friday night movie has been... License to Kill!

Original image located here. Accessed 11th February 2022

Last year I was watching one James Bond movie per month. But this one slipped through the net - so consider this the one that was originally intended for October (before I remembered that that particular month is reserved for horror movies).
Anywho, this was Dalton's second and final stab at the role. I know this movie isn't recognized as one of the best in the franchise - indeed it is often regarded as one of the most dour efforts - but I have to admit: I found a lot to admire here.

As mentioned previously, as the James Bond franchise has a reputation for being formulaic, I will welcome any effort that makes the effort to break it. So we have Bond going on a personal mission, a Bond girl who's packing, Q as a field agent and a second Bond girl who doesn't get killed off. Also special mention just go to the tanker chase - apparently it was the most dangerous stunt the series has ever filmed and i don't doubt it.
So is this as dour as it's reputation suggests? Well again, I welcome the break from formula. But if anything, this is closest we will ever get to what Dalton had in mind for the character - compared to Living Daylights which is more a remnant from the Moore era. So it's a shame he didn't do more

Skyfall

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Skyfall!

Original image located here. Accessed 10th December 2021

Well I did it: I said I will watch a James Bond movie for every month in 2021 and now I have done it (Well there was the exception of October but that was fully booked). It has been quite the journey: I was in two minds whether the new one, No Time to Die, would be included and I was unable to see License to Kill (consider that the October entrant). But I did what I set out to do so yay me.

And I certainly picked a grand >one to go out on. Yes, having seen a lot of James Bond movies this year, I can safely say that this is Bond at his best: Daniel Craig is giving his all in the role, The villain is interesting, the action sequences are top notch, the tension is strung out, and there are some wonderfully shot moments (the climax at the mansion being one such stand out).
And, for a series that is notorious for formula, this movie certainly proves there is life in the old dog yet.
So in the end, did Craig grow on me? I do believe he has.

Casino Royale

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Casino Royale!

Original image located here. Accessed 19th November 2021

After a slight deviation, my yearlong mission to watch more James Bond movies continues.
And now we enter the Daniel Craig era. This does mean we are bypassing the Brosnan era simply because I have seen them all. But in away, going from Dalton directly to Craig does indeed seem like a more natural progression as both actors are drawing heavily from the source material. Furthermore, i will admit I didn't give the Craig era much of a chance (I saw Quantum of Solace when it was originally released in the cinema and I do recall it boring me) so it would be interesting to see it Craig strut his stuff with fresh eyes.

And does he ever.
Clearly doing a reboot was the right call to make given that this series has a terrible reputation for formula. And drawing heavily, like never before, from the source material was also the right move. As a result this a Bond updated, repeating the same trick Goldeneye pulled off years earlier (no surprise that both have the same director).
As always, the action scenes are well choreographed and the drama is well handled. And, as this is an origin story, it is interesting to see Bond's progression into the agent we know. I am well aware some people don't like Craig for his dour/humorless take on the character but give him credit: At least he is taking a tried-and-tested role and taking into unfamiliar territory.
I guess being older and wiser gives me more patience for Craig so it would be interesting to see where we go from here...

The Living Daylights

And this week's Friday night movie has been... The Living Daylights!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd September 2021

The journey through the James Bond series continues as I now enter the Timothy Dalton era.
Oh, Timothy Dalton - history has not been kind to this guy. Connery defined the role, Lazenby has his defenders, Moore has the longevity, Brosnan played the character like it was his life's ambition and Craig breathed new life into franchise. But Dalton? It seems he has been deemed the 'forgotten' Bond. Either that or at least a polarizing figure: Some say his movies were dour, other say he was the closest to the source material.
Personally, this is new territory for me as I have no previous experience with Dalton, so what do I think of his debut?

It's well documented that Dalton was committed on bringing his own spin on the character through having his portrayal be more true to Ian Fleming's books. As such, we have a Bond that is living on the edge, being all too aware that he can be taken out at any moment. It's an interesting take on the character (especially given that Dalton's predecessors never took this angle) and it certainly gives Dalton some credibility - I doubt anyone could make the words "Strawberry jam!" as intimidating as he can.
The problem is that Dalton's intentions don't really match the script. Sure the action sequences are great (this is a James Bond movie after all) but the script is all over the place. it is hard to follow with so many factions working off each other - which is unusual for a Bond film.
Still Dalton's presence and the actions sequences are indeed plenty enough to carry this movie. And this it seem that the 'forgotten' Bond has indeed something of his own to say

For Your Eyes Only

And this week's Friday night movie has been... For Your Eyes Only!

Original image located here. Accessed 6th August 2021

As stated previously, one reason i have been watching more James Bond movies this year is that I have seen many of them in bits and pieces but few of them all the way through. And For Your Eyes Only was one of the former. True i have been saying I've seen it but it wasn't in it's entirety - and that struck me is being very dishonest. So time to rectify such a situation.

So what can i say about this one? Well, it's well and truly one of the highpoints of the Moore era. Roger is in suburb form with his quips and the action sequences are excellent. The Greek scenery is great and the final assault on Kristatos' (Pycelle!!!) lair.
It is well documented that this was intended to bring Bond down to earth after some truly fantastical adventures and to that end, it was a successful one. And it certainly is proof that the sensibilities of the Connery era can indeed work in the early eighties.

Live and Let Die

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Live and Let Die!

Original image located here. Accessed 2th July 2021

The goal of watching more James Bond movies continues as we now enter the Roger Moore era. For many people, this era gave us one of the more recognizable Bonds (with Moore doing seven of them). However at the same time, this is the point where Bond started taking deviations into the silly and preposterous. And a cynic would say this is the point where the threat of formula truly takes root.

Apparently prior to this movie the James Bond franchise hit something of a slump - that was until Moore stepped in turned things around. And who can argue? He hits the ground running, showing the debonair class and witty one-liners that one would associate with the character (perhaps moreso than Connery did). Also of note is his astonishing ability to be completely unflappable in any situation (was that why this series eventually descended into nonsense?). Throw in some decent gags, some great action sequences, a terrific boat chase, one of the best Bond themes and Solitaire, and it becomes clear that Moore has come out with gun blazing.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

And this week's Friday night movie has been... On Her Majesty's Secret Service!

Original image located here. Accessed 4th June 2021

Behold George Lazenby. The first successor to the role Sean Connery made his own and the least of the actors to play James Bond.
I can't say i was looking forward to this one: For many years Lazenby has borne the brunt of a lot of hate, being the worst of the six Bond actors, a one-hit wonder and the weak link in a chain of excellence.
But in more recent years, he's gone under something of a rehabilitation: many people are now pointing to On Her Majesty's Secret Service as the best Bond movie and citing that the movie represents an evolution in the character of Bond - which wouldn't have worked with the self-assurance that Connery used to define the role.

Well I do agree: This does indeed show Bond in a different light in that he's allowed to be vulnerable: he is frequently shown to be in danger (and certainly shown to be afraid for his life) and he has some great scenes with Tracey. It may be easy to dismiss Lazenby for his limited acting skills but it's not to the detriment of the movie - his scenes with Tracey sparkle with chemistry and you can't say he doesn't nail the final, gut-punching scene.
Other than that, everything here shows a Bond movie firing on all cylinders: Tracey is a compelling character played by Diana Rigg (Olenna Tyrell!). The Swiss alps make for a beautiful setting. The action sequences are existing and fast paced. Telly Savalas makes an engaging Blofeld. And Peter R. Hunt makes for a great director (shame he didn't do any more Bond movies).
So is On Her Majesty's Secret Service the blemish on the series that is often made out to be? I don't think so. If anything, there's a lot going for it - which makes stand proudly amongst the best.
And damn, that final gut-punching scene....

You Only Live Twice

And this week's Friday night movie has been... You Only Live Twice!

Original image located here. Accessed 7th May 2021

The plan to watch more James Bond movies continues.
I hadn't planned on seeing this. That was until i realised that this movie was written by one of my literacy heroes: Mr Roald Dahl. Roald Dahl writing James Bond? That seems like a combination that's too good to be true!

As it happens, this movie is not well liked by some Bond fans. Not sure why because there is a lot going for this movie. The location footage in Japan is great. The Little Nellie is fantastic. The set design is extraordinary (particularly the lair at the film's climax). The Final fight scene is one of the finest action sequences ever conceived. We have a face reveal of Blofeld and Tiger Tanaka is a great character. So what's the problem?
Okay sure the formula is clearly setting in, sure Connery may be phoning his performance in and Bond's Japanese disguise makes him look like a Romulan but are those enough to be a deal-breaker? I don't think so.
And in the terms of this series, You Only Live Twice does indeed serve as a good way to farewell the Connery era. Which means starting next month, we start taking a look at his successors.

Thunderball

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Thunderball!

Original image located here. Accessed 2nd April 2021

That title is misleading: perhaps I should start using the phrasing: 'This Month's James Bond Movie has been..'. Only that idea sounds completely dumb.

Anywho, one reason why i am watching more James Bond movies in 2021, is that I have seen bits and pieces of some but not all the way through. Therefore, watching a complete James Bond movie presents an opportunity to address some unfinished business. And Thunderball is indeed such a movie.
During the late eighties i came home from school one day to find my father who had stayed home from work on the account of being unwell. And he was watching a movie which featured some divers engaged in underwater combat. At the time, I had no idea what i was watching but i distinctly remember being mesmerized by the action taking place before me. It was exciting, gripping and was able to draw tension from a seemingly harmless situation. I also recall seeing the escape via jetpack at the start of the movie.
Of course, I would eventually find out that this was indeed a James Bond movie. So to watch Thunderball now is to revisit something that made a significant impression on me.

Unfortunately, this has so far proven to be the weakest of the Connery era. Many of the characters are dull & inconsequential, the plot is meandering & boring, the climax suffers from some bad editing decisions and the moments of gold are few and far between. Still Connery continues to be in fine form - as he no doubt has the character down pat by now - and the underwater sections are still impressive.
At least now i can say that I know which movie had those underwater combat scenes

Goldfinger

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Goldfinger!

Original image located here. Accessed 5th March 2021

This may surprise a lot of you but I have never seen the most famous Bond movie of them all. I mean, i started it during my college years but I never got around the finishing it.
Well, I vowed to watch more Bond movies all the way through this year so now is a good time to address this oversight (with more to come I can assure you).

Much has been said that as this as the most successful 007 movie of all time with many of its successors have been trying to replicate the formula that made it such a hit. But having come from seeing Goldfinger's predecessors (Dr No and From Russia with Love), it seems to me that that the formula was already in place. All Goldfinger had to do was refine it.
But really there's not much i can say about Goldfinger that hasn't been said before. It is exciting, properly defines James Bond and never takes a misstep.
All i can say is that clearly this is the highest regarded of the James Bond movies for a very good reason.

From Russia With Love

And this week's Friday night movie has been... From Russia With Love!

Original image located here. Accessed 5th February 2021

Given that i will be talking about more James Bond movies over the course of this year, lets get it out of the way: Formula.
The James Bond series has a nasty reputation for being formulaic. It's a reputation that has been built up over the years and is known to both fans of the series and those who aren't. And this reputation is so entrenched, it has proven difficult to shake off: There have been numerous attempts but none of them have been successful (with the possible exception of the Daniel Craig era).
That being said, it is interesting to see this early entrant in the series- the second to be precise - before the formula began to solidify. As such: this movie is effectively it's own thing.

And boy is it ever: Looking at From Russia From Love I am surprised just how it plays differently from it's successors. Sure there's the usual - gadgets, action, exotic locales, secret agent shenanigans and bikinis - but there is no climax in some super huge villains lair. In fact, it is fair to say that this plays out less like a James Bond movie and more like a Cold War thriller. It would be easy to say that this is the most grounded of the James Bond movies but here it works - and from a series known for moments of going over the top that's saying a lot
It may not adhere to the formula but in doing so, From Russia With Love stands proudly on it's own two feet.

Dr No

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Dr No!

Original image located here. Accessed 8th January 2021

I have a goal for this year and that is to watch more James Bond movies.
Now I have enjoyed the James Bond movies but the amount I have seen all the way through is surprisingly few. Sure I have seen bits and pieces of some but that doesn't really count to this ongoing series.
So I plan to rectify this in 2021 by watching a James Bond movie every month and playing catch up. After all, with a new movie on the way, I couldn't ask for a better time.

And so what better place to start than at the very beginning.
It may be easy to dismiss Dr No as being the starting point of the franchise and thereby trying to figure itself out. But already some familiar elements are in place: John Barry's unmistakable theme, the gun barrel introduction, how Bond introduces himself, Car chases, Bond's tendency to quip upon defeating a foe, exotic locales, Bond's choice of martinis, a final showdown in a grandiose enemy lair and bikinis.
Of particular note is that this Bond comes across as a different one than his future incarnations: he is less suave and more thuggish. And as there are no gadgets, he is more dependent on his own ingenuity. I have to wonder: is this James Bond more in line with that from the source material?
Still, this movie was enjoyable: the series hits the ground running. And it can only go up from there....

Hunt for the Red October

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Hunt for the Red October!

Original image located here. Accessed 6th October 2017

It's been said that this movie is the last of the Cold War thrillers - largely because this came out the same year that the Cold War...y'know.....ended. So yes it's a given that this movie is a product of it's time but does it hold up nearly three decades later?

Actually yes. It's gripping, it's suspenseful and Connery is as a commanding presence as ever (even if his accent is puzzling - but then again all the Russian accents in this movie are all over the place). Sam Neill is also awesome in this but then again he's always awesome.
But the real MVP goes to the soundtrack: It's nothing short of epic. In fact, next time i charge into battle in some RPG, i want a full Russian choir going with me every step of the way XD