James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Worst Bond Car (Day 10)

Like the gadgets, the cars have also been a significant aspect of the James Bond series. In each film, Bond would drive a new magnificent piece of machinery and most of the time, these would be utilized in the big action scenes.

These cars would have its standard-issue modifications which would help Bond in whatever kind of mishap that would come his way. For example - in case of nagging or annoying partners, there's always the ejector seat!

However, some Bond cars did not live to their potential and were underused. Like the Bond car for the 1995 film "Goldeneye", the BMW Z3.

What made it the worst one for me was the fact that there was such a build up about ut during the Q scene with Desmond Llewellyn. Q spoke about the gadgets and the features it had, the Stinger missiles, a self-destruct system, and the always-handy ejector seat, among others.

The car was seen briefly during Bond and Natalya's drice in Cuba and was then dealt to CIA agent Jack Wade. It was not used in any action scene since the film already had the massive tank chase in Russia.

It had such a good build up, with one of the longest and funniest Q scenes, but had no pay-off. 

Wish I Was

Here goes verses I thought of during one my worst days. Here's another thought though: Why do we call the "end" as the "judgement time" when most of our time in this world are used on judging our fellow inhabitants? 

I sometimes wish I was dead

People only think of the good things

What good things were said

And not the bad that I did

I sometimes wish I was dead

Life was a race, and definitely a waste

'Cause I ain't the one who led 

For I don't got the haste

I sometimes wish I was dead

'Cause it's hard to leave my past mistakes

Of such tragedies, I was always reminded

Like a bootleg recording with lots of takes

I sometimes wish I was dead

For they say I couldn't change my attitude

No matter how I try to bend

I still seem to be up to no good

Will my wish ever be real 

Can I be hopeful instead, and not just wishful

I don't really know what else to feel

I don't have much more to say, I'm a fool

Maybe I shouldn't even rush it

We'd all be going, at present day's rate

I just hope when my time's been hit

I'd take with me all your disgust, anger and hate

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Worst Gadget (Day 9)

With the emergence of Q as the one who would be responsible for the armory and items that Bond would use in the field, the gadgets filled with extreme subtlety in order to blend in everyday items also came into the surface of the James Bond movies. 

Q was first introduced in "Dr. No" wherein he supplied Bond the standard-issue Walther PPK. However, the character developed into a different designation, and actor starting with "From Russia With Love". From then on, it was established that Q would be supplying Bond different weaponry items that he would find conveniently useful for the film's plot. 

For 24 films, and one gadget per film at least, there ought to be the worst and the best ones. And depending on my preference, I'm going to choose my top pick for the Worst Bond Gadget. 

Although this was the main gadget for "Moonraker", I thought it was very risky to carry this around. Q gave Bond the "Wrist Dart Gun". It was very useful for Bond in the two out of three occasions that he fired it. One was when he was spinning endlessly in Drax's simulator and the other one was when he shot Drax into space, surrendering to the void. 

It would be very handy having this just having its downtime in your wrist. However, there would be the risk if firing it accidentally, or what is called unintentional discharge, since it would be fired through nerve impulses from the wrist muscles according to Q. 

That could be very dangerous having that concealed weapon in your wrist, ready-to-fire whenever your wrist muscles would feel the itch to do it, without even aiming at your target. 

I could be wrong about my perception of this. It was fun and very convenient for Bond but I thought it had its downsides. 

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Most Obnoxious Female Character (Day 8)

I understand where the negative reviews for Sir Roger Moore's final Bond outing, but despite those negative reviews,  I love watching "A View To A Kill".

Additionally, I've always believed that "A View To A Kill" was a good old-fashioned spy film that used none of the fancy gadgets similar to those from previous entries. Bond was using his own wits and physical strength to get from point A to point B. See the scene wherein Bond and Stacey escaped from a burning City Hall.

Still, there's this one flaw with the film and that's the character of Bond girl, Stacey Sutton. Aside from seeing Bond's macho side as he was going down the ladder while carrying Stacey, you would also see how helpless Stacey was. She would always be screaming "James!" in whatever critical situation she becomes linked to. 

Another instance of Stacey Sutton's obnoxious personality was when she was kidnapped by Max Zorin and his thugs through a giant blimp. The blimp was lurking behind her, quietly reaching down for her, and there she was grabbed and the annoying part here was that it was a giant vehicle going down to reach her. She must've been so stupid to not notice, or hear, something coming down near her.

During the final confrontation scene with Bond and Zorin, she was again a damsel in distress who was screaming out "James!"

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Most Obnoxious Male Character (Day 7)

For a movie series that is dominated by male characters, there will always be that one guy that annoys you the most. That guy can make you cringe more than any of Roger Moore's obvious stunt doubles can possibly do.

For this entry, I'm going to pick Truman-Lodge from my favorite Bond film, "Licence to Kill".

Truman-Lodge was Franz Sanchez's chief accountant. He was in-charge of Sanchez's finances which was a tall order considering that Sanchez is a drug kingpin a la Gustavo Fring of "Breaking Bad". However, this film was made in 1989 so the inspiration from Sanchez was most likely Pablo Escobar.

What made Truman-Lodge so obnoxious was the fact that there was no proper introduction for the character.  By the time Bond.went to the Casino, we started seeing Truman-Lodge talking about some business/financial matters with Sanchez in the office. No other new information about him was presented. It wasn't even revealed why a young accountant would be handling the finances of a drug kingpin (It was revealed actually but the scene was cut from the final output.)

Like Truman-Lodge, Heller who was Sanchez chief security was also introduced to us. However, unlike Truman-Lodge, Heller was given the spotlight for us to know the character.

By the film's end, Truman-Lodge was killed by Sanchez after giving off a sarcastic remark to the drug kingpin about the spoiled finances because of Bond's interference in the lab.

Much better handling of a character similar to Truman-Lodge would be seen in "Goldeneye" through Boris Grishenko. He had a proper introduction and we got to know his motives and intentions leading to his exit. 

However, it would not be the same case for a similar character (Gustav Graves' technical assistant?) in "Die Another Day". As of today, I still have no recalling of that character even though I have watched that film multiple times.

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Daniel Craig Scene (Day 6)

"Spectre" was the first film I watched in the theater. Other Bond films were watched only on TV presentations or released copies. And how I loved watching "Spectre", especially when the white dots appeared for the gun barrel sequence, the first proper one for a Craig film!

However, my favorite Bond film wouldn't be from that scene. It would have to be from the scene that led to the events of that film, the very last scene of "Skyfall"!

The scene was just perfectly built up. From the reveal of Eve as Moneypenny and Mallory as the new M to the reveal of Bond meeting M in his office. Although it was a kind of a fan service moment, it was subtle and very much not like the fan service moments sprayed all over "Die Another Day" and "Spectre" through the countless references to previous Bond films.

What made it so memorable was the fact that it was the first time we saw Bond and M talking in the traditional office since "The Living Daylights" in 1987.

In "License to Kill", only Moneypenny's office was shown, while in the Brosnan films and Craig's first two, M's office was always redecorated and changed into something new.

This scene helped build up the interaction between Bond and the new M for the coming films, what's left of Craig's contract, at least. They even have the naval painting in the wall above M to match the details making it easy to accept Mallory as the new M.

This scene was the best scene to close for a great Bond film, "Skyfall", while also transitioning it to the next entry in the series, "Spectre" which would have the established MI-6 regulars - Bill Tanner, Moneypenny, Q, and M.

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Pierce Brosnan Scene (Day 5)

Excuse the delay, here's the entry for the fifth day!

I really find the Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan eras very much alike. For the films in these eras, you suspend your disbelief high enough so that there's won't be frequent eyebrow raises. 

There was Sir Roger's "Moonraker". while there was Pierce's "Die Another Day". In terms of the action, there were "Octopussy" and "Tomorrow Never Dies". In terms of villains who were equal to Bond, there was Francisco Scaramanga for Sir Roger while there was Alec Trevelyan for Pierce. 

With that, we should go to my favorite Pierce Brosnan Bond moment and this would definitely be an action scene since the action, gunfights, brawls, and machine guns were commonly seen in this era of movies. 

My favorite would be Bond going up against Gustav Graves in a fencing match. This happened in the film "Die Another Day". Investigating what really happened in the mission in the pre-title sequence, Bond was led to Graves who was dealing counterfeited diamonds. 

Although this scene gave the Madonna cameo, I had to pick this one as my favorite since it was one of the most memorable and watchable moments of the film. "Die Another Day" was not a very good outing but it was very entertaining while having the potential of a good one. One of the reasons for the film having some rare praises would be due to this fight scene. 

Watching the fight, you would be reminded of Bond and Goldfinger's golf match and also the swordfight scene in Moonraker. Very fitting since it was a 40th-anniversary offering. 

The fight choreography was also done superbly. The actors were believable and not suspicious at all with all the stunts. It was really great to see Pierce Brosnan kicking the butt of a much younger villain who was very athletic and as tough as a Robocop. 

Gustav Graves was also good as a villain. Having a villain that could match up Bond physically every once in a while could be really great for the sake of the action scenes. 

James Bond 30-Day Challenge: Favorite Timothy Dalton Scene (Day 4)

Timothy Dalton is my favorite Bond actor. His two Bond films are easily in my Top 5. Needless to say, this pick is going to be an easy one. 

Of his two Bond outings, I liked License to Kill better. During its time, it was the one among the other previous Bonds. It was the first one not to have an Ian Fleming title. There were no megalomaniac villains, humorous reactions, and ultimately, there wasn't any mission at hand. 

"The Man with the Golden Gun" had the chance of having Bond go out on something that was not a mission. He was out to go after Scaramanga whom he thought was paid to kill him. However, there was also the conflict concerning the Solex Agitator and guess what, the man behind that conflict was also Scaramanga. 

As for "License to Kill", this film had no sub-plots. Bond was out to seek the killing of Felix Leiter's wife and Leiter's own casualty. Plain and simple. No missions, for now, M. Not until I avenge my best buddy, Felix Leiter. 

That made it stand out among the other entries. 

During the middle part of the film, Bond was in the fictional location, Isthmus City, in Franz Sanchez's casino. He posed as a very able player to catch Sanchez's attention and he was right. He was then about to meet Sanchez.

And this next scene would definitely be my favorite. Bond and Sanchez having a conversation. They even threw a very subtle "Bond. James Bond." introduction, although it was left unattended b Sanchez. 

Sanchez wanted to know what Bond does for a living, and asked if he was a "problem solver". Bond, gathering his wits, replied that he was a "problem eliminator". Timothy Dalton's delivery of that scene really caught my attention because it seemed that every aspect needed to make that scene perfectly aligned. The grit was present, the dedication to play the part too, but most of all, the hair was so overly done, it made the scene shine brightly. 

It was also during this meeting that Bond displayed some good spy stuff when he took a glimpse at Sanchez's window to gauge how much of a trouble it would be for him. 

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite Roger Moore Moment (Day 3)

My favorite Roger Moore moment as 007 would have to be the final showdown with Francisco Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun".

Although there were lots of massive Bond moments during the Roger Moore era, which gave seven films, this has to be the one for me. 

Options included the Crocodile Jump in "Live and Let Die", the meeting with Lazar in "Golden Gun", and the Union Jack moment in "The Spy Who Loved Me." Amazingly, those were just from Roger Moore's first  three Bond films. 

Ever since the Bond movies blew up big time during the Sean Connery era, fans had toyed with the idea 9f Bond being matched up with someone who could be his equal. After numerous extravagant villains from Dr. No to Blofeld, and Dr. Kana nga, it was time for Bond to face Scaramanga.

Scaramanga was Bond's equal in the sense that they were both the best in their field (an assassin versus a secret agent), their towering physique, and their ability to fight for what they'd think would be the best for them. 

Roger Moore inside Scaramanga's fun house in "The Man with the Golden Gun" from onenewspage.com

Scaramanga tried to trick Bond by giving him the advantage of having the Walther's six bullets against his Golden Gun's one. With the help of his fun house, Bond was down to his last possible shot. Thankfully, he thought of making the environment work to his advantage.

I won't spoil that for you anymore. You'd be doing yourself a favor watching that final battle between the two assassins. 

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite George Lazenby Moment (Day 2)

George Lazenby was Bond for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" after Sean Connery chose not to star as the secret agent.

My favorite moment on that film was when Bond called Draco, Tracy's father, after having some disagreements with M for the rescue of Tracy.

The conversation was set in Bond's office which was already shown earlier in the film when he has packed his spy stuff memento from previous missions. Once again, the setting was used as a place for Bond to cool down and clear his mind after a heated conversation with his boss.

George Lazenby as James Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

Bond dropped the line "Bond. James Bond." in this scene as he was talking to Draco. It was such a cool macho moment for Lazenby's Bond because, for the second time in the film, he has shown that he can go rogue and be against M's orders.

Not that going rogue is highly recommended for subordinates, however, this proves that having a license to kill is also having the license not to kill, as M would say In Spectre. With that, it sends the message that we can still stay true to our duties and responsibilities while being discerning of which things are of high importance.

James Bond 30 Day Challenge: Favorite Sean Connery Bond Moment (Day 1)

While everybody is in quarantine and on lockdown, I thought of giving this challenge a go.

First up is Favorite Sean Connery Scene. With 7 films to choose from, there's definitely a lot to choose from.

Among all the explosive action scenes and pun-filled remarks, my favorite had to be the Moneypenny scene in From Russia With Love.

From Russia With Love started with the new threat from SPECTRE and the defector, Tatiana Romanova, that had been known to M. M.asked for 007's presence through Moneypenny.

Unaware of the tension due to the situation and of M's presence, Bond enters the room playfully.

Moneypenny (left), M (center), and Bond (right) in From Russia with Love from bamfstyle.com

"Now for my next miracle...".as he tossed his hat to the hat stand, completely shocked and quite embarassed seeing M witness his mischievous side.

The scene had nothing more than that fun entry of Bond into the mission. It showed the personality of Bond when he has not yet been handed his mission. I think I like that because it gave us a chance of humanizing Bond and not think of him as an emotionless blunt instrument for MI6.