60 Years Ago Today

Perhaps the most successful movie franchise in history was kicked off with the best Bond of them all - Sir Sean Connery.

The Real Dangers of Being James Bond

A comprehensive review of James Bond's exposure to infectious diseases. A review of all Bond's travels in 25 films and how they would expose him to real-world dangers is examined with the exception of "a single journey to outer space which was excluded from the analysis because travel advice for this region is currently unavailable."

The authors agree that one of the main dangers to Bond is his "above-average sexual activity, often without sufficient time for an exchange of sexual history." The researchers found evidence for 59 "liaisons" (an average of 2.4 per film). They do not indicate if this also included his trip to space. Shamefully there was no evidence of condom use in any of the 25 films.

Though the article deals mostly with infectious diseases the authors also delve into some practical advice for frequent world travelers like James Bond. They observe that "an often-overlooked health concern for Bond is his level of hydration. Alcoholic beverages, shaken or stirred, do not prevent dehydration." I can attest to that. On only 3 occasions in the 25 films is Bond observed drinking non-alcoholic beverages.

It is also observed that Bond is never observed applying sunscreen (though he frequently wears sun glasses). What kind of role model for the children is James Bond trying to be?

How Daniel Craig Got His James Bond Bod

Interesting look at how Daniel Craig made a commitment to have the best "James Bond" body of all-time (sorry Sean Connery). 

It came down to commitment, a good trainer and proper diet. Those are three things everyone could access - maybe not to the same degree but then again most people are just trying to live a healthier life not look spectacular on film.

Still haven't seen the latest Bond movie (and not sure if I'll end up seeing it in the theaters). 

James Bond Theory

The Daniel Craig James Bond movies were always about Vesper Lynd. I would agree with this theory. 

It needs to be remembered that Ian Fleming's "cold hearted bastard" Bond only truly emerged after the death of his wife in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Was going to see the new Bond film this weekend but we opted for dinner and shooting pool with another couple instead. 

Is The Rock a James Bond Movie?

 

Actually a pretty convincing argument.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- The Failures that Made Ian Fleming. I admit to enjoying Fleming's Bond novels in high school and college but I've never felt the desire to re-read any of them. (HT Daddy Pundit)

- When Jimi Hendrix quit as the opening act for The Monkeys.

- This made me laugh

- 52-years ago yesterday was a big day in world history 

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

WTF? China is our enemy and should be a pariah among all civilized nations. And why do I have to read about this in a foreign newspaper?... Prediction; the winner of the 2024 Presidential election will be the candidate (Democrat or Republican) that pushes the harshest tariffs or punishments on China for creating the Wuhan virus. I think that's an issue that will resonate with so much of the country as to be overwhelming... Think an added benefit to the Celtics hiring Ime Udoka as their new head coach is it actually weakens the New Jersey Nets at the same time. Doubtful if Brooklyn will be able to easily replace Udoka's presence and contributions... Would like to see Owen Wilson as the new James Bond. "Bond, Jim Bond. Wow!"... Is Elon Musk really living in a tiny house?  Boxabl looks like an interesting company... 

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

You know what would blow people's minds? Chris Evans as the new James Bond. Seriously - Captain America as the new Bond would have people talking more than any other choice as Daniel Craig's replacement... Interesting - as a crop cannabis has an enormous carbon footprint. Amusing to think opposition to Green New Deals may soon silently be coming from potheads and Bitcoin miners who rely on coal generated electricity.... Think it is pretty safe to assume that anyone you see wearing double-masks voted Democrat... The real anti-feminist issue about Pepe Le Pew was that Warner Brothers basically made the poor cat he was harassing nameless. Think about it - you knew Pepe's name right?...  After speaking with a number of friends who are going through rough divorces I'm surprised that there isn't some sort of Strangers on a Train type "support groups"...  

No Time To Die - Billie Eillish

The new James Bond theme song. I like it.

Linky Links

 Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Tom Hardy as the next James Bond?

- Matt Taibbi: The revenge of the money launderers

- VDH: Civilization requires collective common sense. If I were to run for office my slogan would be "Common Sense and Fairness" because that's the low bar every voter is hoping for.

- This would be awesome!

- If I was to tell you what I'd really like to see as punishment for these two doctors you would call me barbaric.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Heh Heh

- Apple to pay up to $500 million in settlement over battery-related iPhone slowdown.

- Heh Heh - AOC shuts down Ted Cruz by making baking soda volcano

- Japanese James Bond posters. I know art when I see it.

- A step-by-step guide to Beethoven's nine symphonies. A good primer for a Philistine like me. HT Stephen Landry

- Elon Musk on the US Space Force

Idris Elba as James Bond

There's a report circulating that Idris Elba is the favorite to replace Daniel Craig as Jame Bond.

I'm of two minds on this. I love Elba as an actor. His role as DCI John Luther makes him one of the top cops in TV history while his role as Stringer Bell simultaneously places him as one of the top criminals in TV history. That's quite an acting daily-double.

The reason I'm not sure on this is not because he's black. That doesn't make a difference. The reason I'm not sure is his age.

Daniel Craig is 50-years old and he last played Bond in 2015 when he was 47. Craig looked old and tired in Spectre. Craig's first Bond film came out when he was 38 but was shot when he was 36-years old.

Elba is about to turn 46-years old on September 6th which is why I think this rumor of him as Bond is just a ruse. Timothy Dalton was 41 when he took over as Bond in The Living Daylights. And Dalton looked too old - at 41! Elba probably would be 48 by the time a film was actually made.

If I were a betting man - I'd bet against Idris Elba being named the next James Bond. He's just too old. 

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- The Tao of Mookie

- Heh heh (and reminder my Twitter handle is @ALargeRegular)

- New England Patriots take on rest of AFC East and Roger Goodell

- Interesting read on the relationship between Jimmy Johnson and Bill Belichick

- A message from the children of Johnny Cash

- In case you missed it - the Red Sox ceremonial first pitch to the nuts

- Daniel Craig on board to play Bond one more time

Roger Moore RIP

The always classy Roger Moore has passed away at age 89. To me Moore will always first and foremost be Beau Maverick. As James Bond? In hindsight Moore might have said it best, "Daniel Craig looks like a killer. Whereas I look like a decrepit lover." That wasn't true of course. Moore's Bond was a suave, man of humor and class - just like Moore in real life.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

The best Twitter reactions to Joe Biden not running for President... If  you polled Star Wars geeks waiting in line for the new movie - how many would be able to tell you exactly what NASA stands for? Greater then 50% or less than 50%?... Heh heh... OK I'll say it! Those Louisville dancers / whores really weren't that great looking! No wonder Kentucky has been beating the Cardinals in recruiting... For Massachusetts residents looking to honor veterans this November... BTW - NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (but you knew that didn't you)... Heh heh... OK I'll say it! I feel bad for the ESPN employees who have been let go but I'm disappointed the layoffs didn't include any on-air "talent"! There are quite a few I was hoping I'd never have to watch again... What will be the larger amount - the amount the NFL ends up fining Cam Heywood for honoring his dad who died of cancer or the amount the NFL will actually donate to cancer charities via their Pink October BS?...

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- The Leonys Martin kidnapping story would make a great book.

- Eddie Vedder and Jean Tripplehorn (as Julie Andrews) sing the Stones Shattered. Very cool!

- Save the Elves! Save the Elves?

- Michael Gee with good perspective about what make a good sports columnist.

- A scientific look at James Bond's alcohol problem. I can believe him saving the world several times a month but never having whiskey dick after all those martinis? That's stretching it too far.

Red Sox Managers as James Bond Actors

I was thinking the other day that if Terry Francona was a James Bond actor he'd be Sean Connery. He's the bar for which all subsequent Boston managers will be measured. Red Sox fans are waiting to see if John Farrell can handle the role as Boston manager as well as a Roger Moore or a Pierce Brosnan or a Daniel Craig handled the Bond role. Everyone hopes he's not going to be a Timothy Dalton (though to be fair to Dalton - I've liked him in everything he's done except Bond movies).

Of course there's no question that Bobby Valentine was the George Lazenby of Red Sox managers. A one year mistake that is best left forgotten.

Which Bond Villain Plan Would Have Worked?

Interesting look by an economist (and Bond fan) regarding which Bond villain plan would have actually worked in the real world.

One quibble - they didn't include the plot from Thunderball. I think hijacking a nuclear weapon and using to to extort a huge sum may be too realistically possible.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

Newt Gingrich's campaign's check to get on Utah ballot bounces. Talk about your metaphors.

Gas prices will be President Obama's soft underbelly. He can't spin the story he's been telling and when / if he caves on the Keystone XL pipeline then he will have to answer for why he waited so long.

Shamefully enjoyable collection of people simulating masturbation at sport events. Sometimes I'm as mature as  a 12-year old.

Speaking of masturbation - the size of Internet porn sites is just staggering. Consider that YouPorn is six times larger than the networks owned Hulu. 

$45 million later - James Bond now drinks skunky beer

10 Famous actors who have advanced degrees

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

- Our foreign aid policies do not pass the common sense test. Not by a long shot.

- Very cool explanation on how Ian Fleming ended up giving James Bond his trademark Walther PPK

- I agree with Aaron Gleeman - Willy Aybar: Mediocre baseball player, world-class scumbag

- Seriously cool bookshelves

- David Mamet, America's foremost dramatist, turns conservative, and tells the world why.

- I seriously would hang a print of this in my front room