This post is in honor of the upcoming James Bond event coming up on Saturday. Heather at Movie Mobsters and Andy at Fandago Groovers have made this a week-long event with all-things-Bond lists … definitely a must for every Bond fan and amusing for everyone else (after all, who hasn’t watched at least one Bond film?).
Now, you probably already know who my favorite Bond is and who would be good as the next super spy), but just for fun, I figure why not do three 007-related lists in one. Please keep in mind that I deliberately exclude movies of the Connery era as I haven’t seen them all and my memory are pretty hazy on those. So these three list are only from Bond movies from Roger Moore all the way to Daniel Craig. Here goes, the lists are in no particular order:
TOP FIVE BOND GIRLS:
- Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) – Casino Royale
- Octopussy (Maud Adams) – Octopussy
- Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) – Tomorrow Never Dies
- Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell) – License to Kill
- Melina Havelock (Carole Bouquet) – For Your Eyes Only
Honorable Mentions: The Spy Who Loved Me – Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach), The World is Not Enough – Elektra King (Sophie Marceau),
Least Favorite: Christmas Jones (Denise Richards)
Obviously Bond girls are mainly for eye candy, but these girls are definitely no bimbos. In fact, they’re each a force to be reckoned with and in some cases, they’re equal if not better than Bond himself (Wai Lin definitely comes to mind). One thing for sure, all five of these beautiful women not only get Bond weak in the knees, but they also command his respect for their power, intelligence and/or fighting skills.
Btw, I just realized that four different Bond actors have their girl represented in this list, well two for Roger Moore, lucky bloke 🙂
…
TOP FIVE BOND VILLAINS:
- Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) — Moonraker
- Aristotle Kristatos (Julian Glover) — For Your Eyes Only
- Kamal Khan (Louis Jordan) – Octopussy
- Jaws(Richard Kiel)
- Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi) – License to Kill
Honorable Mentions: Goldeneye – Alec Travelian (Sean Bean) & Xenia Onnatop (Famke Janssen), Casino Royale –LeChiffre (Mads Mikkelsen)
Least Favorite: Goldeneye – Boris Grishenko (Alan Cummings)
What makes a great Bond villain? Well, according to this Independent article for Ian Fleming, it was all in the names, hence we’ve got monikers like Scaramanga, Blofeld, and perhaps everyone’s favorite, Goldfinger. Now, to me, a good villain is one that brings a cool menace with a sense of humor, or those with a with somewhat classy, elegant persona to contrast their big, preposterous, evil schemes. I agree with that same article that says ‘Bond himself has many of the qualities of the traditional movie villain … cold-hearted, violent and cynical…’
Moonraker might be a Star Wars rip-off, but the piano-playing, cultured and elegant Hugo Drax possesses a certain mystique about him that makes for an interesting villain. Now, Jaws is more of a henchman, not the main villain, but I grew up watching him with his indestructible metal teeth (he could even bite a shark to death with ’em, for crying out loud!) so I have a soft-spot for the 7’2″ creature. His fight scenes with Bond are fun to watch as they’re quite funny as Bond has to be extra creative to survive, and he’s the only adversary Bond can’t seem manage to kill which ends up becoming his ally in Moonraker.
…
TOP FIVE BOND SONGS:
- You Know My Name (Chris Cornell) – Casino Royale
Also count as my favorite Bond opening title sequence… refreshingly free of the scantily-clad silhouetted dancing women, replaced by a cool casino-theme animation that feels modern and innovative.
….
…. - Nobody Does It Better (Carly Simon) – The Spy Who Loved Me
- For Your Eyes Only (Sheena Easton)
- Tomorrow Never Dies (Sheryl Crowe)
- The World Is Not Enough (Garbage)
Honorable Mentions: All Time High (Rita Coolidge), The Living Daylights (a-ha), Live and Let Die (Paul McCartney)
Music is such a personal taste, so I’m not saying these are the BEST Bond songs ever, they’re just my favorite. I must have had nearly half a dozen Bond soundtrack CDs and there are a whole lot from the Connery era that I love as well (We Have All the Time in the World and From Russia with Love, among others), but to be consistent with the other list, I’m only listing the movies from Moore era and on. I love four out of five of these the first time I heard it, but initially I didn’t care for Tomorrow Never Dies as I’m not into Sheryl Crowe’s music, but it grew on me.Part of what makes Bond songs great is the lyrics, and Nobody Does It Better definitely has one of the best 🙂
TOP FIVE BOND FILMS from five different Bond actors:
- Sean Connery: From Russia with Love
- Roger Moore: For Your Eyes Only
- Timothy Dalton: Licence to Kill
- Pierce Brosnan: Goldeneye
- Daniel Craig: Casino Royale
Ok, now your turn… pick a top-five list or do all three. While you’re at it, tell me, who is your favorite Bond?
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Ah, you have anticipated me. As soon as we’re done watching them all, I will be recapping in this style. 🙂
Looking forward to it, Sam. Curious to see who your fave Bond is 🙂
Awk Ruth, you missed out Daniela Bianchi from From Russia With Love – the best Bond movie in my opinion.
Though can’t argue with Eva Green. Love her.
You’re not paying attention Andrew dearest… I’m excluding Connery’s era in this list 🙂 But glad you agree on Eva.
Opps. Don’t I feel sheepish, many apologies… well…go watch them now! Well Dr No, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger. The only Bond films (besides Goldeneye and Casino Royale) you’ll ever need! 🙂
He..he.. no biggie, I had to put it out there or else I’d be scolded by Connery fans. I did enjoy From Russia With Love, one of the few Connery Bonds I like, I just haven’t watched them all to properly judge each one, hence the exclusion. Well, I’d have to disagree that those two are the only essential Bond movies—though yes, both are good indeed—as my fave Bond isn’t even in them!
To be honest, I don’t remember most of the James Bond movie I saw (a mixture of being too young and being uninterested) so the whole Bonds universe is passing completely over my head if it involves any of the movies before Goldeneye.
Oh, you’re missing out Castor! Just kidding 🙂 Yeah, that’s kinda how I feel about Connery’s Bonds, I was too young when I watched them, only a few that I manage to rewatched again.
Everybody knows I generally can’t stand Eva Green, but I do agree with you about Carey Lowel. I also liked Isabella Scorupco. I think most people forget about Bond Girls as soon as the film finishes 🙂
GOLDENEYE is by far my favourite 007 song, it’s just unbeatable, the lyrics, the video, the music, the amazing Tina, but I also love Chris Cornell’s song and I often quote the lyrics of the song from Garbage 🙂
I’ve always thought Madonna’s and Alicia Keys’ songs were the worst ones, artistically and musically totally insignificant.
I must’ve missed the memo Dez, no I didn’t know you can’t stand Eva. Well you’re right that a lot of Bond girls are forgettable, but the ones on this list are pretty memorable, to me anyways.
I totally agree that Madonna’s and Key’s songs are the worst… I didn’t care for those at all.
yes. I didn’t know about Dez’s distaste for Eva either. 😉 But, Dez, I must agree. I didn’t enjoy Dreamers OR Eva’s performance in the film…at all.
glad you agree with me, Scarlet 🙂 How come I haven’t seen you around HOLLYWOOD SPY so far? 🙂
that would probably be because I didn’t know about it until right this second! 😉 Plan to see me there often! Thanks for the heads up!
Can’t stand Eva Green? Check out Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Dreamers
I did, her performance in THE DREAMERS is one of the reasons I think she’s a bad actress.
Oh Dezmond… what shall we do with you? Your anti Eva Green attitude breaks my heart each time. You need to rent Cracks, it’s her best performance.
ah, Answer, if I knew you were lurking around you know I wouldn’t mention the absence of love for Eva in my heart 🙂
I don’t like her because she always ruins the films I would generally like if it weren’t for her performances – KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, THE DREAMERS, GOLDEN COMPASS… I’m even afraid she might do it in CAMELOT as well, and I just couldn’t survive that …. you know how I love me some Arthurian legends …
For me she makes every film better. As for Golden Compass I think that film ruins itself, I watched it for about an hour and gave up on it due to it being completely boring, and Green didn’t show up till about the time I gave up, she was on screen for a minute! So don’t blame that film on her, she’s barely in it!
yes, she had a small role, but you know how my favourite beings are elves and fairies, so that’s why I was disappointed by her getting the role, since that character does bring a magical atmosphere to the whole film. Or in this case doesn’t.
Like Dez, I actually enjoy Goldeneye very much! It’s probably my favorite. Plus, who doesn’t like the Nintendo 64 game?!?!
It’s funny because your least favorite villain and your least favorite Bond girl were also my choices! Denise Richards’ performance was painful to watch.
What a fun post! Did you see that the reorganizers of MGM have thrown out a release date for Bond23? Nov2012. With plans to release a Bond movie every two years. Do you think (1) that will happen? and (2) Craig will return?
and, while we are at it, Connery aside, Craig and then Brosnan are my favorite Bonds.
Goldeneye is my fave of the Brosnan versions, I like Sean Bean so that’s probably one of the reasons 🙂 I’m not a gamer, T, so I wouldn’t know what the Nintendo 64 game is like.
Denise Richards really gives Bond girl a bad rep… I mean her name is Christmas Jones and a nuclear physicist with an affinity for tank top and shorts shorts… don’t even get me started!
Yeah I heard about Bond 23 for 2012… well I guess I’ll believe it when I see it. There has been so many Bond rumors lately I don’t know if they can be trusted. As for your 2nd question, well it depends. I think Craig’s still willing to return, but just like Dalton, if it takes too long he might lose interest.
Well since you said we can’t include the ladies from the Connery Bond flms, although there were a couple of girls from his films that I love. My favorite ones were Ursula Andress from Dr. No and Claudine Auger from Thunderball, they’re way before my time but wow there were quite beautiful in those days.
I like both Carey Lowell and Carole Bouquet and also Izabella Scorupco from GoldeneEye. Michelle Yeoh definitely deserves to be on the list, I mean come on she can kick ass and shoots machine guns.
Favorite songs? I don’t really pay attention to them, although I enjoyed A-Ha’s song for The Living Daylights, I know a lot of people called it the worst Bond theme song ever. I can name the worst one though, Quantum of Solace’s theme song was awful!
I feel the same way about the villains, most of them were quite forgettable. If I have to name one, I’ll go with Elliot Carver from Tomorrow Never Dies. Why? Because he wasn’t a Russian or any agent from Spectre. He was sort of like Ted Turner gone mad and all he wanted was more people to tune in his network, guess he’s a lot like Turner after all. 🙂
Hey Ted, well every boy love Ursula… no surprise there.
Izabella was all right, but she kind of became boring after a while. Yeoh totally kicked ass… I kinda think Maggie Q would make a fine Bond girl, too.
No, A-Ha’s song is far from the worst IMO. I think it’s quite catchy… I agree that the last Bond theme song is terrible!
Y’know, the villain concept for Tomorrow Never Dies is great. I just don’t like the way Pryce portrayed him. He comes across kinda weak and sans charisma.
I agree on the list of girls! Love the bond chicks that kick ass. The villains list is also a big thumbs up! But I am a bit biased about the music..i’m in love with Shirley Bassey and the ol Sean Connery tunes! John Barry is one of the best! Good list though!
Hi Brooke! Yep, as a girl I’m sick of seeing the bimbo type as Bond girls… these girls are definitely more than a pretty face + a hot body!
You know, I love Shirley Bassey too… her two Bond songs were great… I just want to be consistent and include the Bond stuff after Connery era. And yes, John Barry always delivers.
I just found this post of yours, Ruth! It’s a great one (and timely since I have a Bond post out this Friday). I pretty much agree on your TOP FIVE BOND FILMS from five different Bond actors (I can go ‘Goldfinger’ or ‘From Russia With Love’ for my favorite Sean Connery, so we’re pretty much in sync). Here’s the rest:
Bond Girls
1. Diana Rigg (Tracy Di Vicenzo) – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
2. Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore) – Goldfinger
3. Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) – Casino Royale
4. Akiko Wakabayashi (Aki) – You Only Live Twice
5. Michelle Yeoh (Wai Lin) – Tomorrow Never Dies
Bond Villains
1. Gert Fröbe (Goldfinger) – Goldfinger
2. Michael Lonsdale (Drax) – Moonraker
3. Louis Jourdan (Kamal Khan) – Octopussy
4. Charles Gray (Ernst Stavro Blofled) – Diamonds Are Forever
5. Sean Bean (Alex Trevelyan) – Goldeneye
(below is my Top Ten for theme song as I’d like to get it down somewhere so I can link back to it; and it’s all based purely on what I enjoy listening to)
Bond Theme Songs
1. Diamonds Are Forever (Shirley Bassey)
2. Goldfinger (Shirley Bassey)
3. You Only Live Twice (Nancy Sinatra)
4. Live and Let Die (Paul McCartney & Wings)
5. Nobody Does It Better for ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ (Carly Simon)
6. Thunderball (Tom Jones)
7. For Your Eyes Only (Sheena Easton)
8. Goldeneye (Tina Turner)
9. A View To A Kill (Duran Duran) – and the only friggin’ thing I like in the movie!
10. Moonraker (Shirley Bassey)
Thanks.
Hi Michael, wow that’s cool that you agree on the TOP FIVE BOND FILMS from five different Bond actors, high five! 😀 Glad you also like Drax, Kamal Khan, AND Alex, I mean Sean Bean is cool enough to be Bond himself IMO.
I LOVE all your picks for Bond songs. Heck I listen to Bond soundtrack a lot and there are only a few I don’t like, especially the newer one like that one w/ Alicia Keys + Jack White, blech! The classic ones, esp with Shirley Bassey are just top notch.
Oooh, I look forward to your Bond post on Friday!
Pingback: In Praise of Her Bond Groove: Shirley Bassey | It Rains… You Get Wet
Pingback: The Bond Month Blog-A-Thon: Week 4! « Fogs' Movie Reviews
Pingback: Reprise – Friday Forgotten Song: You Only Live Twice | It Rains… You Get Wet
Pingback: One Place for All the Assorted Thoughts on Bond | It Rains… You Get Wet
Pingback: Music Break: Casino Royale Score (City of Lovers) |
Pingback: Music Break: Top 10 Favorite Bond Songs