Motion Picture Podcast

In this week's podcast I look at the eighth James Bond film, "The Man with the Golden Gun". It stars Roger Moore, the third actor to play Bond in the official series but only the second to go beyond a solo venture. Released in 1974 and the last to be co-produced by Harry Saltzman, is it a glittering classic or a poor dud? We shall see.It also stars Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland and Maud Adams. Directed by Guy Hamilton.

James Bond sees an oddity in the series, an enjoyable Blaxploitation-horror-comedywith action thrown in. It also happened to be my Grandmother's favourite 007 film. Released in 1973, starring Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto and Jane Seymour. Directed by Guy Hamilton.

This week I discuss the 2008 highly topical and acclaimed film "Tokyo Sonata". Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and starring Teruyuki Kagawa, Kyoko Koizumi, Yu Koyanagi, Kai Inowaki, Haruka Igawa, Kanji Tsuda and Koji Yakusho.

In this podcast I try and do justice to the 2007 Hong Kong film "Mad Detective".

This week I review the delightful romantic comedy drama from 1927, directed by the famous director Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau and staring Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien.

Starring Sean Connery, Trevor Howard, Vivien Merchant and Ian Bannen this Sydney Lumet directed dark psychological crime drama from 1972 is powerhouse of superb performances. This week I discuss "The Offence".

Having now reviewed the James Bond films from the Sean Connery/George Lazenby era I now give an overview of that period and rank the first 7 Bond films from least-favourite to favourite.

Who said James Bond films have to be cool? Why can't they be grubby, weird, camp and enjoy some black humour and violence? Well "Diamonds Are Forever" shows us why whilst giving us the best damn Bond song. Released in 1971, starring Sean Connery, Jill St. John and Charles Grey. Directed by Guy Hamilton.

1969 saw the first film to recast Bond with George Lazenby who decided to only do the one, but if you're going to play 007 just the once it's a good decision to appear in one of the very best in the series. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" also starred Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas and was directed by Peter Hunt. This is a great film and one which continues to shine and grow in one's appreciation over the years.