The James Bond Complex

Because it wasn't enough to do two episodes in 2019 on the subject, we had to go one more. Since it closed in 1969 most of what happened at Special Training School 103, also know as Camp X, remained secret. But thanks to Lynn Philip Hodgson, author and historian, some of those details have come to light. I spoke with him months ago and now its time to share some of that knowledge along with recent developments on Camp X. 

Welcome back to Jamaica!  With film producer, director and uber James Bond fan Simon Drake, we'll take you through caribbean Island Crab Key. Not only will you get to learn about poisonous caterpillar, giant octopuses and guano production! We discuss fascinating characters such as Honey Ryder, Quarell and of course the title character; the sadistic and lethal Dr. No! 

What's this? More "No Time To Die" chit-chat?!?  Yes of course! Come on, the world has waited 6 years for a new Bond Movie. We are going to talk about it more than once. This Week Matt is joined by the intrepid Emery Cormier @intrepid_007 on instagram for a detailed and spoilerific discussion of the 25th Bond film. So if you haven't had the opportunity to watch the film yet. DO NOT listen to this. But if you have. You are welcome to listen in and listen to us unpack the final Daniel Craig James Bond film!

The Intrepid 007 is here to take you to the Cascapedia river to fish wild atlantic salmon. Why? Because James Bond! Duh! No the connection is far from obvious, what do Goldfinger, Ian Fleming's grandfather and Emery's third cousin have to do with 007? More than you think. Tune in now!

Hello dear listeners! Suffice to say that the "NO TIME TO DIE" party is just getting started. After a non-spoiler review, it's time to get into the juicy details the film has to offer. From the action, the sets, the special effects, to the many controversial elements.  Scheduling conflicts among the hosts have led to a potentially interesting strategy with which all 4 can have their say. In this first spoiler filled discussion, Jason and Edgar cover hosting duties, whereas Matt and Emery will review NTTD with a finely toothed comb in the next episode.  What sort of delightful and delirious topics does NTTD inspire for this week's hosts? Oh my: Chris Corbould the English gentleman, showing military issued government ID to get into the premiere, the technical marvels of SUVs, using Coca-Cola as traction, impromptu interviews while taking the tube, all the Bond fan content creators getting fired, correctly guessing plot points from trailers, a film adaptation of the "Everything or Nothing" video game, and Jason singing if you can believe it.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's episode of The James Bond Complex.  Yes, yes, the podcast will return. That much we can promise.

Hello dear listeners, The time has finally come. The very first episodes of the podcast were recorded in the autumn of 2017, before anyone had any clue what form "Bond 25" would take. After rumours of Russian actor casting calls, Danny Boyle being hired, a change of directors due to creative differences, Daniel Craig puttering off to start another franchise (Knives Out) and, well, we don't need to talk about the OTHER reason we've had to wait to so long. That's right, this week Matt and Edgar really, truly, actually sit down to discuss "No Time to Die." It feels a bit surreal! This episode is a non-spoiler review. While most have seen the film, certain territories have not at the time of this episode's release.  But dancing around plot details and the excitement of finally talking about a shiny new Bond film didn't stop the lads from coming up with the usual brilliant topics, such as: Fu-gee-la, the hosts not going to bed together, quoting "Spectre" because why not, changing the temperature in a movie theatre auditorium during a film, staying until the end of the credits, finding Matt's future wife, "Highlander: Engame", and apes castrating people.  So sit back, relax, and by all means enjoy this latest episode of The James Bond Podcast!* *this episode has been tested as cruelty free against Australian, New Zealand, China, and Malaysian Bond fans.

Hello dear listeners! To attend a Royal Premiere it takes one negative test, but to be absolutely certain it takes...two! We're back this week with a very special episode of the show. Jason Kim, the International Man of Mystery, reports from London, England! He shares his thoughts and describes the experience of gracing the No Time to Die Royal Premiere on September 28th.  The trip and premiere were so exciting they inspire a plentiful array of topics such as: a special Shrublands Session, impressing Chris Corbould, mingling with the stars, the Sir Roger Moore soundstage, rain never souring special events, and above all else the importance of cherishing meetups with fellow Bond fans and enjoying the moment.  So sit back, relax, and let Jason take you to the No Time to Die red carpet. A very special thanks to James Davies for inviting Jason to attend the event and Kerim Bey-ing him. James Davies can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/doyouexpectmetotalk/

The finish line is in sight! This week marks the run up to the film premiere we've been waiting months (years even) for! Jason Kim, our man in the field saw the film just yesterday, but Matt, Edgar and Emery are still in their final sprint. Global James Bond day event taking place in Québec City, Jason's report from the red carpet, exclusive photos from London, all culminating with Operation Finish line. Stay tuned for all the action!

The race for No Time To Die is in it's final lap with Operation Finish Line happening October 9th in Montreal. To get us in the mood, The James Bond Complex has arrived fashionably late to the Being James Bond Party with two reviews and a light roasting of the recently released Daniel Craig Documentary. Matt, Jason and Emery discuss the film, its accessibility and its perceived faults (from our resident pessimist, The Intrepid 007). Join us in the final leg of No Time To Die hype!

*First and foremost, we apologize for Edgar's audio. Although reasonable, it's a step down from usual. He's mic was not properly plugged in. He therefore spoke into his computer mic. Oops. Hello dear listeners! It's September and the kids and teenagers are back at school, hitting the books hard. It felt appropriate that the big kids do the same and continue the Fleming Second Edition series. That's right, Matt and Edgar are back at it. This time it's Fleming's 5th novel, From Russia With Love. Our tradition of having guests on continues with friend of show Melanie, who operates online under the persona of Birb, James Birb. Birb? Birbs? Bird? Forgive us, it's the accent.  It is only fitting that Melanie takes us to school with thought provoking, astute commentary on one of her favourite Fleming books. Too intellectual for your tastes? Fear not, Matt and Edgar balance the scale. Among the wide breath of topics: S&M (ooh!), the origin of characters names, blowing your mind about Kerim Bey, the house always winning, the importance of roses, and our favourite hobby: resurrection. So sit back, relax, and pour yourself either a Turkish coffee or some Russian vodka (it's 5pm somewhere) and enjoy the latest episode of The James Bond Complex.  We promise the episode doesn't end on a cliffhanger.  Melanie can be found at https://www.instagram.com/birb.jamesbirb/

Do you smeeeelllllll what The Smoke is cooking? That's right, the one and only Eric "The Smoke" Moran joins Emery and Matt to talk about his career as a wrestler, actor, writer, producer and cosplayer. You'll recognize him as being the only person to manhandle David Zaritsky on camera, but he is much more than that. You may not think you can cosplay James Bond but we do it everyday! When we put ourselves in his clothes we become 007, and Eric takes it to the next level with his creativity and his talent. Puppet Rick even makes an apperance!

Hello dear listeners, After years of belittling, besmirching, and bemoaning the official 007 online store, Matt and Edgar have decided to play nice. Naturally it helps a great deal when the kind folks at EON provide each host with a $2,000.00 gift card. That’s not actually true, but it would be fun. This week on the show we take a closer look at the 007 online store and, equipped with (sigh) a fictious gift card, go on a SHHHHHOPING SPREEEEEEEE!!!!!!! In a little game of “spend all your money” the boys explore each category and pick one of two items they would indeed purchase if they had the cash. But that’s not all. Originally the episode was supposed to include Emery, but due to a flub Matt and Edgar went head alone. To make up for the error, they gave the original audio recording to Emery, who tags along in a running commentary of his own. So sit back, relax, pretend you have a few grand to burn on 007 licenced products and join us as we go giddy whilst filling our virtual carts.

Hello dear listeners, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially when you kill said woman's father figure. Martin Campbell understands the concept so well that he opted to make a movie about it. That's right, this week Matt, Edgar, and the International Man of Mystery Jason Kim discuss the Bond alumni's latest effort, "The Protégé", playing in theatres at the time of this episode's release. It stars Maggie Q, Michael Keaton, and Samuel L. Jackson. While no one will argue that Campbell's new picture breaks new ground, it proves to be more than enough to inspire such diverse and high brow topics of conversation such as: running after Edward Furlong, the Mac n' cheese of movie entertainment, free Green Lantern bashing, Jackie CHAIN as The Protégé, audacious standing ovations, Hanna, Anna, and Ana, and much more! So sit back, relax and enjoy the latest episode of The James Bond Complex. Hold on a second. Are you on Maggie Q's good side? Hmm, maybe forget what we said about relaxing!

This week Emery brings us on a Fleming detour. With the recent release of the documentary Roadrunner and the reading of Ian Fleming's Thrilling Cities, The Intrepid 007 began to think of the similarities between the book and Anthony Bourdain's body of television work. Invited along for the ride is British ex-pat, Bond fan and writer Roland Hulme.

Are you ready to take a trip with James Bond? From the busy streets of New York City to the horseraces of Saratoga and the noisy casinos of Las Vegas. 007 follows the action. Wherever it may take him and whomever it may put him in conflict with! Those Spangle Brothers and the pair of Hitman trailing him. No need to worry. Tiffany Case as Bond's back. Join us on this episode as we discuss Ian Fleming's fourth 007 novel. Diamonds Are Forever with Super Bond fan Joey Horist (@joedog93).

Join Matt and Emery on an exciting underwater adventure! We review (sort of) the independent documentary film My Octopus Teacher (On Netflix!) and compare it to the eloquent words of Ian Fleming. How does the real thing compare to the description in the novels? How real is the short story Octopussy? Tune in to find out!

Hello dear listeners! We have a confession to make. Back in 2017 when the opportunity came up to create a James Bond themed podcast our collective thought was: we’re not podcasters, but we want that job! Ahem. That’s enough insider George Lazenby jokes for one week. More seriously (but barely) it seems rather ludicrous that it’s only after 3 ½ years of releasing episodes that Matt, Edgar, and Jason discuss the film about the very actor that brought them together in Québec City back in September 2017. Yes, on this week’s show they review the Lazenby documentary “Becoming Bond.” Just as Josh Greenbaum’s endeavour takes a tongue in cheek look at the former Bond’s life, so to do the trio of hosts. They broach topics as broad as: making a movie within a movie, how to pronounce Lazenby’s name (not an issue when typing it!), the James Bond Complex’s origin story, tennis lessons, restraining orders, meeting the wife of Bond actors, and, most shockingly, Jason’s non-Kerri Russell crush. So sit back, relax, try not to be a larrikin, and enjoy this week’s episode all about the Bond actor who to this day deserves more love than he receives.

Привет! It's no secret that we love our action-spy movies, in any and all shapes and forms. In a cinematic landscape filled with Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and humungous comic book movies, the spy film is akin to a breath of fresh air. But what if the latest spy film IS a humungous comic book movie?!? Suspense! That's right, this week Matt, Edgar, Jason and friend of the show Mike Reyes of Cinema Blend discuss the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe endeavour, "Black Widow", directed by Cate Shortland.  Natasha Romanoff is a character fans have long hoped would get her own film after spending a decade as a supporting character (albeit often a very strong one). After 2 years with no Marvel movies, does this one deliver? The quartet of hosts get into the thick of things, leaving no vodka shot glass empty: the film's place in the MCU, the risk of hiring auteur filmmakers for projects such as this, magic red dust, "The Americans" starring Kerri Russell (because of course), buying action figures, Olga Kurylenko's "co-starring" role, human actors passing the baton to their CGI counterparts, and most important of all: directly quoting "Moonraker". So sit back, relax, and enjoy this latest discussion of the James Bond Complex. While you do that we'll see if we still fit into our costumes. Excuse us. Follow Mike Reyes on Twitter at @MrControversy83 Follow Cinema Blend on Twitter at @CinemaBlend and of course read their work at cinemablend.com

Wow! What an episode we have in store for you! We brought back former guest Mike Reyes of Cinema Blend to discuss Fleming's third novel "Moonraker". This episode goes all over the place from  Tobey Stephens having played Bond probably more times than any actor to this day to a potential new show where we would cover No Time To Die minute by minute (whenever it comes out). Mike is a fantastic guest with a unique perspective and he really shines in this episode as we cover Hugo Drax, Willy Krebs, Gala Brand, The Moonraker rocket and of course James Bond 007

Birb, James Birb joins Emery for what we can only describe as a quick and insightful read. Based on Ian Fleming's Seven DEADLIER Sins of the 1960s and elaborated as both a religious study of James Bond by Benjamin Pratt (not the hunky cop from NYPD Blue) and a short collection of essays presented by Literary 007.com, this episode focuses on the sinful inspiration for the book Bond. Grab your copy of the bible and follow along!