Spectre (2015)

Mr. White explains Blofeld's expansive presence in Spectre (2015)

HE’S EVERYWHERE!

Mr. White explains Blofeld's expansive presence in Spectre (2015)

Mr. White explains Blofeld’s expansive presence in Spectre (2015)

James Bond (Daniel Craig) casually walks high above the Day of the Dead parade in the opening sequence of Spectre (2015)

Just another day on the job…

James Bond (Daniel Craig) casually walks high above the Day of the Dead parade in the opening sequence of Spectre (2015)

James Bond (Daniel Craig) casually walks high above the Day of the Dead parade in the opening sequence of Spectre (2015)

Easily one of the top five Bond movie opening sequences ever, am I right?!

James Bond (Daniel Craig) cracks a smile of nostalgia looking at his old family photo in Spectre (2015)

Family Photo

A picture of a young James Bond, his father, and Blofeld (cut off) in Spectre (2015)

A picture of a young James Bond, his father, and Blofeld (cut off) in Spectre (2015)

James Bond (Daniel Craig) cracks a smile of nostalgia looking at his old family photo in Spectre (2015)

James Bond (Daniel Craig) cracks a smile of nostalgia looking at his old family photo in Spectre (2015)

James Bond (Daniel Craig) sarcastically identifies himself as Mickey Mouse in Italian upon entering the Spectre meeting in Rome, Italy.

I’m Mickey Mouse.

James Bond (Daniel Craig) sarcastically identifies himself as Mickey Mouse in Italian upon entering the Spectre meeting in Rome, Italy.

James Bond (Daniel Craig) sarcastically identifies himself as Mickey Mouse in Italian upon entering the Spectre meeting in Rome, Italy.

Hey, look…another Disney reference in the James Bond movies!

Let’s go home

This Guinness record-holding explosion from Spectre (2015) is just great. The filmmakers could have easily glossed over Swann and Bond’s exit or CGI’ed this explosion at Spectre headquarters, but instead they went above and beyond and made an absolutely memorable scene. Imagine the heat felt while filming!

Kudos to them for investing in a long setup process and a one-time payoff shot that continues the awesome legacy of the James Bond movie franchise!

Madeleine Swann and James Bond make their final explosive escape from Spectre headquarters in Spectre (2015)

Madeleine Swann and James Bond make their final explosive escape from Spectre headquarters in Spectre (2015)

Ben Whishaw as Q in Spectre (2015)

Ohhhhhhhh sh*t…

Ben Whishaw as Q in Spectre (2015)At least he left a bottle of champagne for you, Q! 🙂

There’s just one thing I need

I mean…I don’t want to hype up the end of Spectre (2015) too much, but is there *really* a better end to a James Bond movie?

I just love everything about it – starting with a quiet, unassuming, empty downtown London – the shot of the flying, steadfast Union Jack after the madness of the toppling of Blofeld. Bond can take a deep breath.

What will he do next? Where will he go?

Read More»

The Evening Train

The evening train sequence from Spectre (2015) is arguably one of the best sequences of any James Bond movie. It’s often compared to the train sequence in From Russia With Love (1963), but I’d argue this one has it beat.

The look and feel of the start of the evening dinner with Bond (Daniel Craig) and Swann (Lea Seydoux) is visually stunning. Cinematographically, the dim and understated lighting on the dining car gives the scene an authentic, vintage look that would transport any Bond fan to their favorite 1960’s Bond movie.

Read More»
Spectre's opening title card, "The dead are alive"

Was the Spectre title card necessary?

Spectre's opening title card, "The dead are alive"

I get that the opening scene is at the Day of the Dead, but the title card for Spectre (2015) didn’t really add anything and seemed unnecessary to me.

Ryan Reynolds in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)Great Ryan Reynolds GIF from Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

Bond is having none of this nutritional cleanse drink in Spectre (2015)

Cut out the middleman

This exchange from Spectre (2015) elicited a loud laugh from the movie theater audience at my first viewing. The “bar” at Swann’s health clinic wasn’t serving any alcohol, so Bond ordered a drink based on Q’s recommendation. From the sound of it and its dark green looks, Bond was uninterested and sealed its fate with a memorable one liner – a rare occurrence that 007 talks about his bowel habits. Maybe the other time in the series is when Moore’s Bond asks a taxi to go to a pharmacy for aid in the “release” the golden bullet he accidentally swallowed in The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)?

Bond is having none of this nutritional cleanse drink in Spectre (2015)

Bond is having none of this nutritional cleanse drink in Spectre (2015)