Super Secret, Super Silly Sunday

[Cold Warrior]

Gonna be another beautiful day here in the Megalopolis -- sunny, bright, with a high of 65F, highlighted by the brilliant fall foliage of the Connecticut Valley. Have to do a bit of work today, as I've got a presentation to a client in NJ on Tuesday, but the Gunners are at West Ham at noon ET, so priorities must be maintained.

I've recently had a bit of an odd conversation with another poster here who brought up the fact that in the distant past I'd done work for the CIA. I'm still not sure what the poster's point was, as I've only mentioned that in passing or in response to topics wherein it was relevant. To me and thousands of other contractors, it was simply another client, albeit one that was a bit more of a pain in the a** than others, owing to the additional security constraints one was under when performing the work.

Yesterday, also, I watched (for the second time) Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5WHj0bZ2Q

Watching the movie I was struck by a couple of things. First, Craig's version of Bond was much closer to Fleming's original conception of a ruthless, well-appointed thug than recent Bonds, hearkening back to Connery's early work as the character. In fact, it seems like the character vacillates between sophisticated with a hint of femininity -- Moore, Brosnan -- to ruthlessness -- Dalton, Craig. Second, Bond is becoming more like John McClane in that he seems to bounce off of concrete floors and steel girders without much damage.

For many of us Baby Boomers, Bond has been a part of our lives, always there in the background with iconic images such as the white bikini in Dr. No

and the "golden girl" death in Goldfinger

So, instead of discussing serious sorts of stuff -- you know, life, the universe, and all the fish -- with the likes of Estragon and Vladimir this Sunday...

and as a tribute to all the Junior G Men out there, let's do a super secret, super silly ...

TOTD: Who's your favorite Bond and why? (Poll to follow)

And, of course, there's the Bond girls, including the exquisitely beautiful and exquisitely French Sophie Marceau...

[Shannon]

You're in the election forum, dummy.:p


MODS, please move to the Lounge.

[Cold Warrior]

You're in the election forum, dummy.:p


MODS, please move to the Lounge.

Too much scotch yesterday and too little coffee this morning. Mods?

[DarkScribe]

In the mid to upper 50's this morning and a great day to be outside...or watching football! ;)

Cool topic, CW. I consider myself to be a 007 connoisseur as I grew up watching those movies with my Dad. And of course I continue to enjoy them. Although as a kid I liked the Roger Moore version of Bond, my favorite Bond has been and will always be Sean Connery. I thought Dalton did an okay version of 007 and Pierce brought back that cool suave sexiness to the role. But I think after a few movies you could sense the actor was tiring of the role. The last Brosnan Bond flick seemed almost a ridiculous, special FX-laden caricature of past films, kinda like Matrix meets James Bond. That ain't Bond!

Sean Connery's Bond was cool and sexy, tough and ruthless, and while he relied on his Q gadgets to get out of a tough situation, it was his wits that ultimately won him over whatever villain he was pitted against.

I REALLY liked Daniel Craig's Jame Bond in Casino Royale. I think bringing in someone new and fresh, someone who didn't LOOK like the previous Bonds, was a HUGE factor. Plus, Craig brings a certain raw intensity that has breathed new life into 007. Yes, there are the typical 007 gadgets, but not anything that isn't believable...and like you said, CW, Craig's Bond is more like action-heroes of today--John McClane of Die Hard is a good comparison--and I think Daniel Craig will be donning the tuxedo and carrying the "license to kill" for a very long time. And I'm happy to see that happen.

By the way, my favorite Bond films are Dr. No, You Only Live Twice, and Thunderball. Goldfinger is in that mix as well.

[Sonnabend]

Connery, because his depiction of a Cold War agent was dead on. Never ceases to surprise me how many people think SMERSH was made-up. Dalton because he was again, the closest.

Brosnan a close second.

[DarkScribe]

Being a big book reader I am ashamed to admit I've never read the Ian Fleming novels...but I would love to do so, especially since all the books have been re-published a few years ago.

[Shannon]

Moore was Bond when I first started watching the movies. I know he's no Connery but nostalgia doesn't care. I was very impressed with Craig's performance and look forward to his next Bond film. I didn't really like Dalton. I'm not sure why.

[Bubba Dawg]

Sean Connery was my first Bond and is still my favorite. I have enjoyed all the actors portraying the character. Daniel Craig is really moving up and with this next film may approach Sean Connery's status. I think it will take one more film by Craig to surpass the master, but who knows.

As far as Bond Girls, I love them all but I can't get enough of Pussy Galore and her Fly Girls...:o

[Shannon]

I can't even believe that was a character's name.

[Bubba Dawg]

Too much scotch yesterday and too little coffee this morning. Mods?

Hey, we're voting on the Best Bond so I can see the Election Forum.

I had too much cheap tequila last night. It goes so well with cheap Mexican cigars. Miz Bubba made me quit when I started talking about the Alamo. Out in the night I could hear the heartbeat of General Antoinio Lopez de Santa Anna in the darkness....titty rump...titty rump...titty rump.....