Sweeping Strings

I'm actually reminded of the first SPECTRE trailer ... it was pretty low-key and sombre. And then in terms of tone, the film turned out to be Craig's most 'traditional' Bond to date.

They must be saving sight of Murray, Akyroyd, Hudson and Potts for the next trailer, presumably.

Die Hard - one of my Christmas viewing traditions. An absolute action classic.

I meant the 4 years between QOS and Skyfall ... as I said, he goes from new 00 agent to Mallory saying 'There's no shame in admitting you've lost a step, why not go and live quietly somewhere?'.

I can only surmise the 'unseen' missions between Quantum Of Solace and Skyfall REALLY took their toll on Bond, because he goes from being a 'freshly minted' 00 agent in QOS to people hinting that he's 'past it' in Skyfall . Maybe the point is that he always proves them wrong?

Well, yes. Let's face it, burning soy lattes isn't going to provide much heat. I thang yew.

Bond is at least still a heterosexual white man who loves his country and kills in its defence, probably drinks too much, has a sardonic sense of humour and any stability in his personal life is usually short-lived. And thank Christ for that.

It's looking pretty damn good.

War Of The Worlds - felt the need to cleanse my palate of the recent, disappointing BBC adaptation with a well-done version. Spielberg conveys the panic, terror and destruction brilliantly (there's little of his traditional 'uplift' here) and Cruise is great as the ordinary guy caught up in extraordinary events. JW's score is ... pretty low-key.

Drink Colt 45, end up gender fluid!

I am looking forward to his and Gatiss' take on Dracula, coming soon to the BBC. Moffat saying that after the likes of Twilight they wanted to put the creepiness back into vampires and Gatiss saying that it's essentially about the 'attractiveness of the Devil' are promising signs.

This is what the show can mean to people. Honestly makes me well up.

Well said, Richard. I take comfort in our enduring heroes (new Who trailers, No Time To Die trailer debuting tomorrow) because by God we need them more than ever.

Doctor Who returns on New Year's Day (a Wednesday, after which it will revert to Sunday evenings) with an episode entitled 'Spyfall'. Trailer with some new bits -

The DB5's machine-guns look like they've had an upgrade!