James Bond & Friends

Have the recent Daniel Craig films regressed in their representation of women?

This week we tackle the topic of diversity, representation of women and minority characters in Bond films, welcoming a new guest Associate Professor Lisa Funnell. We round out by discussing the curious appearance of an Aston Martin in Norway for Bond 25 and answering some listener questions. Along the way we muse on the times when James Bond’s licence to kill was inappropriately used, the fine distinction between murder and manslaughter, why academics find Bond fascinating, how to lose your tenure, when imitating Bond is a good thing, pitfalls of a choose-your-own Bond adventure, villains you root for, and killing Madeleine Swann.

The recording took place on June 9th, 2019 in the USA, UK, New Zealand, and Spain.

Paul Atkinson and James Page are co-founders of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

Lisa Funnell (@CinemaOnFire) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma

David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019

Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man

Has public opinion of the older films changed during the Daniel Craig years?

After we round up the latest Bond 25 news and tabloid bumblings, we dive into dissecting how public opinion of every film in the James Bond series has changed over the past 15 years - from 2004 to 2019. Using a semi-scientific method, the results were surprising! Along the way, we stumble upon the next Uncle Bond, psych out John Wayne, ponder Dalton's dark prophecy, freeze frame Judi Dench, and downgrade some classics.

The recording took place on May 23rd, 2019 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

James Page is co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com

Calvin Dyson can be found at youtube.com/calvindyson

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command

Mark O'Connell's home base is markoconnell.co.uk

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019

Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man

How much of a Bond film is recycled from unused scripts?

In the first segment, we wrap up some loose ends and dive in to the latest Bond 25 media coverage including Daniel Craig's injury and how Twitter would cover the production of early films. We welcome Ajay Chowdhury to the crew and discuss the reality of screenwriting for big franchises and how unused elements of scripts have popped up years later. Along the way, we trip over divorce Bond films, Connery's time-traveling bookshelf, running out of puff, talking porpoises, and falling snowflakes on ya body.

The recording took place on May 17th, 2019 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

James Page is co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command

Ajay Chowdhury (co-author with Matthew Field) of Some Kind of Hero: The Remarkable Story of the James Bond Films

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019

Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man

What's with all the media negativity over Bond 25?

In the first segment, we cover the latest Bond 25 developments including the wrap in Jamaica. We reveal a few tidbits about the production (no plot spoilers) and then exclusively announce the end of an era for the James Bond universe. Along the way, we trip over a governor's dinner party, Station J, 7777, a homeless MI6, lack of mobile phones, angry tabloids, and 007's social discomfort. Finally, we ponder what's up with the state of the literary continuation series.

The recording took place on May 10th, 2019 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

James Page is co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential
David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com
Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential
Bill Koenig would like to thank Comcast for cutting his cable during the recording
This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019
Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man

Which two Bond films could blend into a new recipe?

In the first segment, we experiment with throwing two less-loved Bond films in a blender to come up with something better. We then cover the latest Bond 25 developments and along the way we trip over Monty's millions, not the James Bond theme, counting clapperboards, vindictive tabloids, Pryce's ham, missing memoriams, sunset dining, 2% survival rates, and selling London flats. Like 'Spectre,' just as you think it's wrapping up, there's another twenty minutes on the end speculating about Kincaid's private life, Skyfall's cow, and those pesky kids.

The recording took place on May 6th, 2019 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

Paul Atkinson and James Page are co-founders of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential
David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com
Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com
Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential
With #askbond questions from @f1daw and @Stingray_travel.

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019
Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man

What can we read into the plot synopsis for Bond 25?

With a little more time – and sleep – to reflect, we examine the plot synopsis that was released after the ‘Bond 25’ reveal event, asking questions about the significance and prominence of Jamaica, Italy and Norway, the mystery scientist, and how Malek’s ‘tech villain’ persona will break or conform to the mold of similar villains gone before. Along the way we discover the comedy stylings of Rory Kinnear, Craig’s USP, an absence of muscle in the Bond 25 supporting cast, SPECTRE’s awkward “fourth act”, wasted opportunities for Mr White, a curmudgeonly Felix Leiter, a bachelor party for Bond, Brosnan’s home automation nightmare, Bond’s retirement hobbies, and Honey Ryder’s Disney Princess routine. 

The recording took place on April 26th, 2019 in the USA, UK, and New Zealand.

Paul Atkinson and James Page are co-founders of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential
Calvin Dyson can be found at youtube.com/calvindyson
Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential
This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019
Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man

Dissecting the Bond 25 reveal event.

In this special extended episode, we take apart the Bond 25 live reveal event. How did it all go down? What was expected and was surprising? Along the way we trip over a forgetful producer, the fate of an audio guy, fake tweets, a younger looking cast, why Naomie Harris was in Jamaica, the absence of Blofeld, Rami Malek's stare, Felix Leiter's precarious fate, the meaning of treachery, and why you should wear socks to avoid suspicion.

The recording took place on April 25th, 2019 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential
David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com
Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com
Mark O'Connell's home base is markoconnell.co.uk
Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential
This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019
Music credit 'Underneath The Mango Tree' cover by Cibelle

What were Bond's drinking habits across the books and how do they differ in the films?

We discuss aspects of James Bond's drinks and along the way we mull over the loss of local flavour, drinks missing from the films, Bond's salad dressing recipe, chaining carte blanche's, following 007's trail in NYC, substitutions for illusive Kina Lillet (and how they blew a big marketing opportunity), how to mix a perfect Vesper, shaking versus stirring, brandless bourbon, Ian Fleming's gin, and when eleven is too many. We round out by discussing our favourite real-world Bond locations we've visited.

Grab your free copy of 'The James Bond Cocktail Bar' e-book here.

David's paperback book 'The Complete Guide to the Drinks of James Bond' can be found on Amazon US, UK, and France.

The recording took place on April 19th, 2019 in the USA and Spain.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential
David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com
Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com
#askbond speed round had questions from @Stingray_travel
This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019
Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man

What films are most indicative of each actor's run at Bond?

This episode of 'James Bond & Friends' is hosted by Paul Atkinson with guests David Leigh, Bill Koenig and James Page.

With all quiet on the Bond 25 front, we assemble a panel to discuss a few timeless topics. Along the way we stumble on baby powder blue romper suits, film franchise formulas, MGM's 40-year financial slump, more licenced clothing suggestions, ageing 80s tech, clown suits, dated visual effects, drinking on the job, CGI meddling, the Moonrakerization of John Gardner, and a plan to bankrupt the New Zealand government.

The recording took place on April 12th, 2019 in the USA, New Zealand and Spain.

James Page and Paul Atkinson are co-founders of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential
David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com
Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com
#askbond speed round had questions from @tommycomelately, @danielrisk and @Anoopsri
This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019
Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man

What's the deal with the 'traditional' Bond production press conference?

This episode of 'James Bond & Friends' is hosted by Paul Atkinson with guests Mark O'Connell, David Leigh, Bill Koenig and James Page.

We discuss the kind of Bond film we are hoping for from Craig and Fukunaga, and expectations of a kick-off press conference any day now. Along the way we spoil the plot to several classics, uncover 'stealth writers' in our midst, curse local papers' photo editors, highlight the dangers of impersonating the PM, run into a drag-queen doorman, muse on the leaky nature of past productions, banish Tarantino from the Bondverse and stumble on a machine learning Bond film.

The recording took place on April 5th, 2019 in the USA, UK, New Zealand and Spain.

James Page and Paul Atkinson are co-founders of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential
Mark O'Connell's home base is markoconnell.co.uk
David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com
Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com
#askbond speed round had questions from @Mark_woodroffe, @danielrisk, @tommycomelately, and @DrawnOutDad
This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2019
Music credit 'Spy & Die' by Jay Man