Bond…. James Bond

Barry Nelson, Bob Holness, David Niven, Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Michael Jayston, Cory Burton, Toby Stephens, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. All of these men have one thing in common. They all have the privilege of portraying Ian Fleming’s most celebrated spy James Bond! From Radio to television and straight to the movies. The man who drinks Vodka Martinis “that is shaken, not stirred” never fails to trigger endless adventure, mystery, and romance.

I first saw a James Bond movie at home in our ancient Betamax machine. It was “Octupussy” Starring Roger Moore as the enigmatic spy. The film that would introduced me to Commander James Bond of British Secret Service or MI6. After that first movie I repeatedly asked my mom to go to the video rental store to rent some more films. I found out that the James Bond movie franchise started out with Sean Connery with the movie Dr. No and the producers HArry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli never looked back. It wasn’t the same after that I was determined to watch each and every movie that ever existed. My clear cut favorite is “From Russia with Love” because it’s light on the technology but heavy on the intrigue. Through the years many actors have played the character clearly the actors who portray him in the movies under Eon Productions are the most well known. But what some people doesn’t know that the character also appeared in T.V and heard on Radio. The latest was an adaptation of Dr. No on radio which stars Toby Stephen (the bad guy in “Die Another Day”) as James Bond. But who is James Bond?

James Bond was introduced in 1953 in the Novel “Casino Royale” by Ian Fleming a British Naval Commander in World War 2. A bibliophile who collected a library of books that had, in his opinion, “started something”, and therefore were significant in the history of western civilization. A contest to “Find James Bond” was set up, and Broccoli, Saltzman and Fleming screened test 6 finalist. Peter Anthony won the role, but was unable to cope with it. So Sean Connery was chosen and the rest was history. The following are my favorite bond Movies in order of the lead actor’s appearance:

Sean Connery:

From Russia With Love – As I said earlier, light on the technology and heavy on the intrigue. Rosa Klebb who was portrayed by Lotte Lenya was the most scariest woman that I have ever seen during that time. and the Lead Actress Daniela Bianchi was the anti-thesis of what Lenya’s character is.

You Only Live Twice – The film were Ernst Stavro Blofeld first appeared! (usually it was just his hands and cat) Plus the location shots were really amazing. Did you know that the Lair of Syndrome in the movie “The Incredibles” was based on Blofeld’s headquarters in the movie?

George Lazenby:

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – There was really no choice as this was his first and last Bond flick. I love this movie because Bond didn’t really used much gadgets, except of the copier, and this film followed the plot of the novel where it was based on. Critical response to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service remains sharply divided, affecting estimates of Lazenby’s potential as Bond. It followed the plot of the novel more closely than the other film adaptations of the eponymous source novels, including serious dramatic subject matter pivotal to the development of Bond’s character: Bond’s contemplated resignation from MI6; his comically-botched impersonation of a sexually ascetic genealogist at a mountaintop allergies clinic for beautiful young women; and his brief, tragic marriage to Tracy Draco, American movie reviewer Leonard Maltin has suggested that had Connery held the leading role, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service would have epitomised the series.

Roger Moore:

The Man With A Golden Gun – James Bond being hunted by an assassin! WHo could ask for more, also there was stunt involving a car jumping a gap revolving 360 degrees before landing is one of the most celebrated stunts during that time.

The Spy who Love Me – The movie who introduced Jaws the giant with the stainless teeth. Considered to be the best Bond Movie of Roger Moore.
For Your Eyes Only.

Timothy Dalton:

License to Kill – Bond on a revenge spree. Who could ask for more?

Pierce Brosnan:

GoldenEye - The film that re-launched the franchise. Brosnan’s Bond gave the character a new life and to be honest he’s the best actor to portrayed Bond next to Connery.

Tomorrow Never Dies- Michell Yeoh is the first Bond Girl with an attitude. Need I say more?

Die Another Day – The first film in the franchise that ever showed Bond being captured and tortured. Before seeking the agent that betrayed him.

Daniel Craig – He only had one movie under his belt so far, but very promising. He was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor on January 2006, and won the Best Actor award at the Evening Standard British Film Awards on 2 February 2007, both firsts for an actor in the role of James Bond. Described by critics as the first actor to truly embody the original James Bond from Ian Fleming’s novels: “ironic, brutal, and cold”.

The next installment is set to be released in late October this year, just three more months and the wait is over. I can’t wait to hear the famous introduction again. Bond…. James Bond.

Today a Name; A Star Tomorrow

Ezekiel Joaquin A. Monzon! Remember that name, for that name will be famous one day! Ezekiel Joaquin or “Joaqx” as we call him was born on February 11, 2005. He was a very good baby. I remember he will only cry if either he’s hungry or when he soiled his diapers. He never cried once just because he’s irritated. My wife seeing his potential said that “Someday he will be an actor.”

My Son is three years old now. But he is way too big and way too tall for his age. I’m not a tall person; I only stand 5′5″ but when I stand toe to toe with him he is right about my chest. No shoes! Imagine that. I remember that night when we were having dinner at Glorietta an woman approached us and ask us if we like to see our son in a commercial. My wife and I decided to try it, and took our son to the ad agency. They took his picture and everything, and was told to wait their call. Unfortunately the call didn’t arrive but, we were not disappointed, because we know that someday he will be selected. After months of going to open auditions. Getting more rejections that we can muster….

Finally, our sacrifices paid off. Tomorrow, my son will shoot his first ever commercial! Although he will not be the lead and basically stand in the sidelines, at least it’s a start! The product will be for a bank here that is operating here in the Philippines. after that who knows? This may be the start of something big!