Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the movie CRACKERJACK 3, from 2000. Is this third movie in the series worth a watch? Listen to find out what we think!  This is a “No holds barred” episode!  The first two CRACKERJACK movies were not spy movies.  They were closer to DIE HARD than a spy movie.   CRACKERJACK 3, however, is a spy movie, even though there is no train sequence! This one stars Leo Rossi, Amy Weber, Oliver Gruner, and Bo Svenson.  This one has an explosive device, a state-of-the-art cell phone, and a group of old retired spies. These are the things we decode in our look at CRACKERJACK 3: ·         Bo Svenson and the rest of the cast ·         The Pre-Title Sequence ·         The cinematography ·         Special effects? ·         Where's the action? ·         What are the positives? ·         How having children in a movie can be creepy ·         What are the negatives? ·         Garden Gnomes can be helpful! ·         Is this movie worth your time? ·         And more! Tell us what you think about our no-spoiler review of CRACKERJACK 3 So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you heard of CRACKERJACK 3 before this episode?  Did listening to this episode make you want to watch it? If you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our review?  What did you like and what would you have changed about the movie? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you think of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4mxRW7Z

Join Dan, Tom, and Mike Reyes as they review (No Spoilers! ) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING – This movie stars Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames.  Listen to find out what we think! We've seen MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING, and the most recent before this one, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE DEAD RECKONING.   Now we see if they all tie together. In our no-spoiler review,  we dive into the following about MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING: ·         The Pre-Title Sequence ·         Callbacks and flashbacks to previous MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movies, and others ·         The music ·         The cinematography ·         What movies may have influenced this one ·         The sound effects ·         The casting - Do characters from the past show up here? ·         What are the positives ·         What are the negatives ·         Is there more they could have done? ·         What scenes impressed us ·         Deal or No Deal?! ·         Could they have done some things a little differently? ·         And more! Tell us what you think about our no-spoiler review of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE THE FINAL RECKONING.  So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE series?   Will you see MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING? If you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our review?  What did you like and what would you have changed? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/45qE7SP

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1974 spy movie THE TAMARIND SEED. This movie stars Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif.    Listen to find out all the good and perhaps the bad! We've seen Julie Andrews in Torn Curtain with Paul Newman.  Now she is in a romantic spy movie with Omar Sharif.  Does the match work? In this decoding episode we dive into the following about THE TAMARIND SEED: This is a romance/spy movie.  Does that work? What we think of the pace of the movie Who was the director and what was his connection with Julie Andrews? Who did the titles? The cinematography What movies may have influenced this one The amazing cast What are the positives What are the negatives Where realism was used What scenes impressed us In what more modern spy movie have we heard of a Russian named Golitzyn? What James Bond stunt/henchmen appear in this one? Award nominations Some of the great lines An odd Merv Griffin tie-in And More … Tell us what you think about our decoding of THE TAMARIND SEED So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of this romance-based spy movie?  Does the romance work for you?  Are you in agreement with Dan and Tom about Julie Andrews' performance? Was the pacing right for you?  And of course, is Tom's Merv Griffin tie-in crazy or does it make sense? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4kqlK4z

Join Dan and Tom for their Character Spotlight on Fiona Volpe, played by Luciana Paluzzi in THUNDERBALL. Can she handle the harsh spotlight?   We know that Fiona Volpe was a tough, determined, and beautiful villain. She's willing to do whatever it takes to get her job done.  And she wanted to take James Bond out.    In this Character Spotlight we look at the following about this wonderful character:  How was Luciana Paluzzi's performance?  What traits does Fiona Volpe portray in her villainess role?  How important control is for Fiona  What was her relationship like with Largo?  Which is our favorite scene?  What part of this movie made Luciana Paluzzi's husband fall in love with her?  What was in that bottle that James Bond ignited in the car?  Was there some importance of the blue dress Fiona wears to the Junkanoo? What sporting event do Dan and Tom liken the interaction between James Bond and Fiona Volpe?  And More …    Tell us what you think about our shining the light with this Character Spotlight on Fiona Volpe played by Luciana Paluzzi in THUNDERBALL  So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of the character Fiona Volpe? What did you think of Luciana Paluzzi's performance?  Is Fiona your favorite James Bond female baddie?  If not, who is?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4d0gwdA 

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 2020 spy comedy movie SPY INTERVENTION.  It is a spy movie, but how is the comedy? Is it worth a watch? Dan and Tom are in a lively discussion answering that question! Listen to find out why.  SPY INTERVENTION is a comedy starring Drew Van Acker, Poppy Delevingne, and Blake Anderson. There is a strong supporting cast as well. The basic premise is that a spy falls in love with a woman which made him leave the spy business and move to the suburbs.   Can he handle the mundane suburban life after a life of adventure?     This decoding session on SPY INTERVENTION includes a discussion of:  The cast and crew  What movie heavily influenced it?  Does the comedy work?  Which actor does Dan think was the best character?  What's up with the screen resolution?  Whay spy movies influenced SPY INTERVENTION  What does CARMEN SANDIEGO have to do with this?  What worked  What didn't work  And More …  Tell us what you think about our decoding episode on SPY INTERVENTION.  So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you previously heard of this movie? Or even seen it?  Do you agree with Dan and Tom on it?  If you haven't seen it, are you likely to watch it now that you've heard about it?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!     You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/42YUW4E 

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1957 WW II spy movie COUNT FIVE AND DIE.  It has intrigue and espionage. But, is it worth a watch? Listen to find out.  COUNT FIVE AND DIE is based on the true story of how the Allies used deception to try to convince Adolph Hitler that the Allied invasion would be happening anywhere instead of Normandy.  In this movie, the focus is on The Netherlands. This decoding session on COUNT FIVE AND DIE includes talk of: ·         The cast and crew ·         The tight story ·         The realities of the deception campaign ·         How trust and mistrust are key to the story ·         How filming and releasing it in black and white augmented the movie ·         What worked ·         What didn't work ·         The score ·         Did it have a big budget and did it show up in the movie? ·         Does the romantic subplot work? ·         Are there any movies that may have been influenced by this one? ·         Cyanide pills – and how long do they really take to work? ·         And More … You can find COUNT FIVE AND DIE on many streaming sites.  We told you during the episode that we'd give you a link to one of the better YouTube releases of this movie.  Here you go: Count Five and Die (1957).  We have no affiliation with the people who published that version on YouTube. Tell us what you think about our decoding episode on COUNT FIVE AND DIE. So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you previously heard of this movie? Or even seen it?  Do you agree with Dan and Tom on it?  If you haven't seen it, are you likely to watch it now that you've heard about it? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage:  https://bit.ly/44KFUBI

In this episode, Dan and Tom bring in a special guest.  Join us as Raymond Benson, Bond author, talks his new book on Felix Leiter. Novels are being written about some of the non-James Bond characters from the Ian Fleming James Bond novels.  To that end, Raymond Benson, who was the first American James Bond continuation author, is getting set to release his latest book, “The Hook and the Eye”. This is a book about Felix Leiter after his shark attack.  The book will be released initially as an e-book serial starting on May 27, 2025, with a paper book release in October. This sounds like a fun book and having the Felix Leiter character getting a story of his own sounds very intriguing! Some of the topics we discuss with Raymond include: ·         Raymond's background and how he got started with all of his James Bond work ·         How the James Bond literary world has evolved ·         Why Raymond chose to do a book on Felix Leiter ·         How Felix Leiter is different in the Ian Fleming novels compared to the Eon Productions movies ·         How you will be able to get the book, “The Hook and the Eye” ·         And More … Tell us what you think about our discussion as Raymond Benson, Bond author, talks his new book on Felix Leiter. So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you previously heard of that Raymond was writing this book?  Are you excited to get a novel focused on Felix Leiter? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4ioOAB6

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1951 World War II spy movie DECISION BEFORE DAWN.  It was the first spy movie nominated for the Best Motion Picture Academy Award. And we think it is likely that you never heard of it. So, take a listen and we'll decode this one for you.  There is a lot of realism in the movie, and we will highlight some of the real-world things that they adapted for this movie. DECISION BEFORE DAWN was one of the first post-World War II movies that tried to humanize the regular German citizen, not the NAZI party. In addition, DECISION BEFORE DAWN was the breakout role for the wonderful actor Oskar Werner. Some of the topics we decode from this movie include: ·         Enough of the plot to get you started ·         The cast and their roles ·         How realistic was this movie? ·         How did the battle-worn towns look so accurate? ·         The direction, cinematography, and production design ·         A real-world connection between the movie and Oskar Werner's life ·         Memorable scenes ·         What future spy movies were likely influenced by this one? ·         What line likely inspired a line from M in the James Bond movie SPECTRE? ·         What are the positives and negatives of the movie? ·         And More … Tell us what you think about our decoding of the 1951 movie DECISION BEFORE DAWN. So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you previously heard of this movie or even watched it?  If not, did this episode entice you to watch it? If you have seen it, do you agree with Dan and Tom's opinions?  Dan and Tom disagree a little about this movie.  Who do you agree with? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3G4wIOF

Join Dan and Tom as they give you their no-spoiler review of the just-released spy movie, THE AMATEUR, starring Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne.  Our goal is to give you the information you need to see if watching THE AMATEUR is worth your time and money. Listen to find out what we think. THE AMATEUR is a remake of the 1981 movie which starred John Savage. The cast is excellent with Malek, Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, Julianne Nicholson, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jon Bernthal, Holt McCallany, Adrian Martinez, and more. Some of the topics we discuss include in this review are: ·         Enough of the plot to get you started, without spoilers ·         The cast and their roles ·         Do we think Rami Malek was better in this role than when he played Safin in NO TIME TO DIE? ·         The direction, cinematography, and production design ·         Where is the SKY POOL? ·         Our favorite scenes (while not spoiling anything) ·         The pacing of the movie ·         What worked ·         What didn't ·         Does it work on IMAX? ·         And More … We've also included some comments from other people who watched this movie when we did.  Listen to find out what they say. Tell us what you think about our review of THE AMATEUR (2025) So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you previously heard of this movie or even watched it?  If not, did this episode entice you to watch it? If you have seen it, do you agree with Dan and Tom's opinions?  Dan and Tom disagree a little about this movie.  Who do you agree with? And, have you seen the 1981 original?  Which version do you like best? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/43LNHit

Dan and Tom decode the Timothy Dalton as James Bond.  What was the Good, the Bad, and Unique of his performance?  What worked and didn't work well?Listen to find out. Timothy Dalton only played James Bond movies in two movies, THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and LICENCE TO KILL.  He brought a much different James Bond to the screen than his predecessor. Reactions were mixed as some people didn't want this change.   We break down Timothy Dalton's James Bond movies by looking at: ·         How did Timothy Dalton change the role? ·         How did Dalton taking the role change the writers? ·         What the writers originally wanted to do with Dalton's first Bond movie? ·         How did the villains in Timothy Dalton's movies pan out? ·         How did the Bond women change in Dalton's movies? ·         What is the tie-in to Kara Milovy and Ian Fleming? ·         What was unique about Dario? ·         What was unique about the plot of LICENCE TO KILL? ·         Where does Timothy Dalton rank as James Bond by different types of James Bond movie fans? ·         We rank Moore's James Bond movies and tell you why each is ranked where it is. ·         And More … We found some facts you may not have known before.  Please listen to find out. Tell us what you think about Timothy Dalton as James Bond So, take a listen and let us know what you think. How do you rank the actors who played James Bond?  Where do you have Timothy Dalton's Bond movies ranked? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4j0XfLh

Dan and Tom decode the Good the Bad and Unique of Roger Moore as James Bond.  What worked and didn't work well?  What made him a unique Bond? Listen to find out. Roger Moore helmed seven James Bond movies.  Some were well-received, and others were not. He had a very different style compared to what we saw with Sean Connery and George Lazenby. We break down Roger Moore's James Bond movies by looking at: ·         How did Roger Moore's career before Bond influence how Moore played Bond? ·         What did Roger Moore change about the James Bond character? ·         What did Roger Moore think about guns and violence? ·         How many times did he order a martini “shaken, not stirred”? ·         Cigar or cigarette? ·         How much older was Moore than his lovers in A VIEW TO A KILL? ·         Was Roger Moore too old to play James Bond in A VIEW TO A KILL? ·         Where does Roger Moore rank as James Bond by different types of James Bond movie fans? ·         We rank Moore's James Bond movies and tell you why each is ranked where it is. ·         And more … We had fun putting this one together.  Listen to find out more. Tell us what you think about Roger Moore as James Bond So, take a listen and let us know what you think. How do you rank the actors who played James Bond?  Where do you have Roger Moore's movies? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/42kTr0m

There are two types of James Bond women in the movies: those who died and those who survived. Is there a pattern here?  Does it matter if James Bond is romantically involved with them? How about if he is protecting them? We know Bond fails a fair amount trying to keep them alive. In this episode, Dan and Tom examine each of the women that James Bond either was romantic with or protected in the movies.  We answer the question: did they survive or die? Plus, we answer the question, how many died and how many survived across the series? The answers may surprise you. We break down each movie-based James Bond women by looking at the following: Was James Bond her lover? Or was he their protector? Maybe he was both. How many women died and survived for each actor playing James Bond? Who are some of the women you may have missed or forgotten about? And More … Was the death count ratio different between the various actors who played James Bond?  And what does Meatloaf have to do with any of this? This is an intriguing examination of this fascinating topic. Listen to find out more. Tell us what you think about our decoding James Bond Women in the movies. So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Did we miss any women?   Did the number of women who died surprise you? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/james-bond-women-survive-or-die

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1980 spy movie HOPSCOTCH. It has a star-studded cast and is a comedy. But, is it worth a watch? Listen to find out. Walter Matthau plays the spy, Miles Kendig who has a run in with his boss. What happens next helps set up the reason for the name of the movie, HOPSCOTCH.  The other lead actors for the movie include Glenda Jackson, Ned Beatty, and Sam Waterston. Some of the topics we discuss include in this review are: ·         The origin of the big-tent Ocktoberfest halls ·         How the Ocktoberfest scene was filmed ·         The music and its importance to the movie – Why Mozart? ·         Walter Matthau's influence on the script and casting ·         The cast and their roles ·         What movies may have influenced some of the scenes? ·         The director and screenwriter ·         The comedy ·         Who was it that flew the seaplane and why her dialogue with Kendrig was so funny. ·         Positive and negative critiques of HOPSCOTCH ·         The pacing of the movie ·         And More … Tell us what you think about our decoding of HOPSCOTCH So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you previously heard of this movie or even watched it?  If not, did this episode entice you to watch it? If you have seen it, do you agree with Dan and Tom's opinions?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4hGqQYI

Join Dan and Tom as they give you their no-spoiler review of the just-released spy movie: BLACK BAG.  Our goal is to give you the information you need to see if watching BLACK BAG is worth your time and money. Listen to find out what they think. BLACK BAG is a spy movie, not an action movie.  What does that mean?  Well, think of TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY or THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD.   Those were spy movies, not action movies. BLACK BAG is not reminiscent of a James Bond or Ethan Hunt spy movie. The cast is excellent with Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke, Marisa Abela, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris, and Pierce Brosnan. Some of the topics we discuss include in this review are: ·         How this is a different type of spy movie ·         The Cast and their roles ·         What movies may have influenced some of the scenes? ·         The direction, cinematography, and production design ·         What sets looked best ·         Our favorite scenes (while not spoiling anything) ·         The pacing of the movie ·         And More … We've also included some comments from other people who watched this movie when we did.  They don't all have the same opinion of this movie.  Listen to find out what they say. Tell us what you think about our review of BLACK BAG So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you previously heard of this movie or even watched it?  If not, did this episode entice you to watch it? If you have seen it, do you agree with Dan and Tom's opinions?  Dan and Tom disagree a little about this movie.  Who do you agree with? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3R8tSKx

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1943 spy movie BACKGROUND TO DANGER starring George Raft, Brenda Marshall, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet. Is it worth a watch? We decode all that for you! In this black-and-white World War II spy movie, everyone wants to get their hands on an envelope that contains something strategic for the war.  What's in it? What do they want it for? There are some fun twists in this movie that we don't give away. Dan and Tom have a similar opinion on this movie, but don't agree on some of the aspects of the production.  Enhance your viewing experience – take a listen! Some of the topics we discuss include: The basic plot How real-world events are used enhance the story Scenes from other spy movies that may have influenced this one The screenplay The excellent cast The Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet connection The direction The set design (Dan and Tom don't fully agree here) The score The train scenes (this is a spy movie!) And More … Tell us what you think about our decoding of BACKGROUND TO DANGER So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you previously heard of this movie or even watched it?  If not, did this episode entice you to watch it? If you have seen it, do you agree with Dan and Tom's opinions? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/background-to-danger Links to BACKGROUND TO DANGER trailer: https://youtu.be/oa0Cr4a3XEU?si=IxA9aBx1g_IGF8hz

James Bond movie posters are very popular with collectors.  And of course, it all started in the 1960s.  Join Dan and Tom as they welcome the founder and editor of 007 Magazine, Graham Rye to help decode the 1960s James Bond posters.    We are very happy that Graham was able to join us.  His knowledge of 40 years of James Bond that he has acquired by creating 007 Magazine is amazing.  How much about these posters do you REALLY know? This is one of our episodes where we can predict you will hear something you didn't know before.   DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, and ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE all had very distinctive posters, lobby cards, door panels and more created to market each movie.   But, what's behind those posters?   Some of the things we look at include:  The difference between British and American posters  The action portrayed  The composition of the figure of Sean Connery's James Bond on the cover of DR. NO  Who the talented artists were behind these posters    You can find 007 Magazine here: JAMES BOND 007 MAGAZINE - FOR THE JAMES BOND CONNOISSEUR!  The amount of information they have is staggering.  Tell us what you think about our discussion of the 1960s James Bond posters  So, did you learn anything new about the 1960s James Bond movie posters?  Let us know what was new to you.  Also, please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4brh8YQ

Kidnapping Winston Churchill during WW II is the plot of the 1976 movie, THE EAGLE HAS LANDED.  Yes, the plot sounds intriguing, but is it based on a true mission? We know about failed assassination attempts on Churchill, Hitler, and Mussolini.  But what about a kidnapping? Dan and Tom decode this fun spy movie.  What works and what doesn't in this movie? They examine the following from THE EAGLE HAS LANDED: ·         Is THE EAGLE HAS LANDED a spy movie? ·         The stellar cast (Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, and Donald Sutherland are the stars) ·         The Production value ·         The Score (listen to find out who the composer was) ·         What earlier movies may have influenced this movie ·         The good about this movie ·         The bad about this movie ·         What stuntman ended up shooting himself – (you have to listen to realize this isn't what these words appear to say) ·         Who originally landed the lead role of Colonel Steiner? ·         Parallels and differences to the movie INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS ·         And much more … So, with this script, this cast, and the production team, THE EAGLE HAS LANDED must be a fantastic movie, right?  Listen as Dan and Tom give you their thoughts. Tell us what you think about the decoding of THE EAGLE HAS LANDED Have you seen this movie?  If not, does this decoding make you want to watch it? If you have seen it, what things that Dan and Tom talked about do you agree or disagree with?  And, do YOU think it is a spy movie? Also, please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4gVBZoc

There was big news in the world of James Bond today!  Amazon/MGM get creative control of James Bond movies from EON Productions.  For some of us, it was our biggest fear for the franchise.  For others, it is a welcome change.   And still others just aren't sure.  In this episode, we start by giving you the basics of the announcement, including comments from Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.  Then we give you James Bond fan's unedited comments on this huge change to the franchise.  (And there are a lot of widely varied opinions here.)  So, let us know where you are with this announcement.  Does it hurt.  Are you happy.  Do you just want to wait-and-see?  Please let us know your thoughts.  Tell us what you think about the deal that let Amazon/MGM get creative control of James Bond    Does one of these fan's comments mirror your thoughts?  Do you disagree with anyone?  Let us know!  Also, please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4hN5muj

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the James Bond movie's fan-favorite scenes. We know that different James Bond movie fans have their favorite movies and scenes from these movies.  Not everyone likes them all.  Often, we find that the first James Bond movie you saw heavily influences your reaction to the scenes. In this episode, we go through each Eon Productions James Bond movie and call out the fan favs from each of them. Here is just a sample of the scenes we discuss.  You'll hear the whole list by listening to this episode: ·         DR. NO – the introduction of “Bond, James Bond” ·         FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE – The Gypsy Camp ·         ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE – The attack on Piz Gloria ·         LIVE AND LET DIE – Escaping over the gators ·         OCTOPUSSY – The clown outfit ·         THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS – The cello case escape ·         LICENCE TO KILL – A great use for a gift ·         CASINO ROYALE – Bond's torture by Le Chiffre ·         SKYFALL – M's demise ·         And more …. This list isn't exhaustive and is here to highlight some of the scenes we call out.  There are many more to dive into.  So, take a listen and see what you think.  Do you agree? Tell us what you think about our list of the James Bond movie's fan favorite scenes So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Do you have a favorite scene in a James Bond movie we didn't highlight?    Let us know! Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/41kqJgE

Join Dan and Tom for this Rachel Grant interview. We discuss Rachel's role as “Peaceful Fountains of Desire” in the James Bond movie DIE ANOTHER DAY and more. Rachel Grant is an actress, a mother, a travel expert, and a very high-energy interviewee.  Rachel's most famous role was in DIE ANOTHER DAY and we talk about her experience in the James Bond world.  We also discuss other movies and series in which she has appeared.  Finally, we talk about raising a toddler and some of her charity work. Some of the topics we discuss include: ·         DIE ANOTHER DAY o   Rachel's role as “Peaceful Fountains of Desire” o   What it was like to work with Pierce Brosnan. o   Who's hand pulls the gun from her thigh o   What direction did director Lee Tomahori give her? o   Where did that eye-popping dress come from o   Why did Halle Berry's shooting schedule change? ·         The movie she went blonde with blue eyes ·         Is she a stunt performer? ·         What did she use for nunchucks in the series “Starhyke”? ·         What is the charity she is working on now? ·         And more …. This interview is very high-energy and was a blast to create. There is a lot to decode, so take a listen to enhance your viewing experience as new things are discovered – worth a watch?  Take a listen!  Are you in?  Tell us what you think about our discussion with Tom Whiteman about these OSS weapons  So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you seen Rachel in any of her other movies or TV series?  If so, what did you think of her performance? Were there any other movies you think influenced this one that we didn't mention? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4hoUZfV

Dan and Tom bring back Tom Whiteman from Legacy-Collectibles.com to talk about some of the OSS weapons that were created to help the first U.S. spy agency in WW II. We talked with Mr. Whiteman in an earlier episode where we discussed James Bond's assigned pistol, the Walther PPK. OSS morphed into the CIA!   Tom gives us the background of these weapons, if the weapon was ever used, the pros and cons of the weapon, and a very interesting background on a knife in an OSS Agent's possession.  What spy movies and TV shows can you watch to see some of these weapons?  Take a listen!  Some of the weapons we discuss include:  The Beano grenade  The Liberator pistol  The Colt model 1903 snub nose revolver  A spring-loaded baton  The FitzGerald revolver  The OSS Stiletto (Pancake Flipper)  And more ….   Covert operations weapons offer a lot to decode, so take a listen!   Tell us what you think about our discussion with Tom Whiteman of these OSS weapons  So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you heard of any of these?  If so, have you used one? Which one of these weapons do you think would have been the most effective.   Have you seen any of these weapons in a spy movie, TV show, or streaming series?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3CjZvgE   

Dan and Tom decode the 1979 comedy spy movie THE IN-LAWS.  This movie stars Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. Plus they compare it to the 2003 remake with the same name. The 1979 version of THE IN-LAWS is a classic comedy spy movie. But, the 2003 version is not held in the same high regard.  Why is that? Take a listen to find out more about the 1979 version.  Why does it work?  And, what works and what doesn't work in the 2003 remake. Some of the details we examine include: An overview of the plot The casting The chemistry between the two lead actors and their characters In what other movies have we seen some similar scenes as we see in THE IN-LAWS? How do they mislead the viewer as to Vince's role in the beginning of the movie? What does Michael Lembeck, who played Tommy, have in common with Albert Brooks, other than appearing in a version of THE IN-LAWS. The success and failures of the casting in the 2003 version – Tom and Dan disagree here What was better and what was worse in the 2003 version? And more …. There is a lot to decode, so take a listen to enhance your viewing experience as new things are discovered – worth a watch?  Take a listen!  Are you in?  Tell us what you think about our decoding of THE IN-LAWS So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you seen THE IN-LAWS?  If so, what did you think of it? Were there any other movies you think influenced this one that we didn't mention? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3EcaZD7

Dan and Tom give you their no-spoiler review of the just released Netflix spy movie BACK IN ACTION.  And they don't agree on this one.  Listen to hear why. This is the movie where Cameron Diaz returns to acting after a 10-year hiatus.   So, she's now back in action. And like in her last movie, she's teaming up with Jaimie Foxx. So, without giving away the movie, we talkthrough what we thought worked and didn't work. Some of the details we examine include: ·         What worked ·         What didn't work ·         The marketing tagline ·         The cast ·         The soundtrack ·         The chemistry between the two lead actors and their characters ·         Some of the good lines of dialogue in the movie ·         In what other movies have we seen some similar scenes to the ones we see in BACK IN ACTION? ·         Areas of disagreement between Dan and Tom as to if we thought this was worth your time. ·         And more ….   There is a lot to examine, so take a listen to enhance your viewing experience as you watch this new spy movie. Is it worth a watch? Are you in? Tell us what you think about our review of BACK IN ACTION. So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you seen BACK IN ACTION?  If so, what did you think of it? Do you agree with Dan or Tom?   Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4jn4nC2

Join Dan for our Spy Movie News January 14 2025 edition. First, a mystery we've mentioned in the last couple of Spy Movie News briefings about the upcoming Christopher Nolan Project is resolved!  Then we talk about some issues between EON Productions and Amazon, take a look at spy series that have been cancelled or renewed, some upcoming spy movies and series, and then wrap with a tip of the hat to some industry workers who have passed in the last month. Some of the shows we discuss include: ·         “The Old Man” ·         “A Man on the Inside” ·         “The Day of the Jackal” ·         “Mr. And Mrs. Smith” ·         “Black Doves ·         "The Night Agent” ·         "The Agency” ·         “Citadel” ·         “The Recruit” ·         BLACK BAG ·         "The Secret World of James Bond” ·         And more … Tell us what you think about the January 14 2025 edition of SPY MOVIE NEWS. Do any of these upcoming shows excite you?   If so, let us know which ones.  Also, if you have any thoughts about the format of Spy Movie News, we'd love to hear those thoughts. Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4gTtB9w

Dan and Tom give us their 2024 year in review for SpyMovieNavigator.com and their podcast Cracking the Code of Spy Movies.  They talk about some of the spy movies they decoded last year.  In some cases, they give a synopsis of the movie.   You may discover an episode that decoded a movie you are interested in, or didn't know you were interested in until you heard this episode. Remember their goal is to provide you with information that will enhance your movie viewing experience. Some of the items they discuss in the 2024 year in review include: ·       How many spy movies they decoded in 2024 and since they started ·       Who some of the people they interviewed are ·       Some of the spy movies of which Dan and Tom had differing opinions ·       The episodes they call out about specific movies a spy movie fan should see ·       What is a character spotlight, and which ones have they done ·       What Luciana Paluzzi told Dan and Tom about their interview after it was over ·       What old TV series they decoded ·       What's new on the website ·       Events they attended ·       And much more ... Tell us what you think about our 2024 Year in Review What did you think of this episode?  Did you hear about any episodes you missed that you now want to listen to? Are there other spy movies you'd like us to decode? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3PvY1m5

Netflix released the series “A Man on the Inside” which was based on the Oscar Nominated Chilean documentary “The Mole Agent”. In this episode, Dan and Tom decode these two shows. In both of these shows a “spy” is on a mission in a retirement community. Besides discussing the shows themselves, they also break down the similarities and differences between them. In this episode we discuss: What was real in the documentary? What wasn't? Who Sergio is in real life? How the documentary was filmed The spy gadgets used in both shows The role of the family in both shows The actors in “A Man on the Inside” Some of the emotional impact of the story How the cinematography differed And More … Dan and Tom disagree about whether this is a spy story.   Take a listen to find out why. Tell us what you think. Have you watched A Man on the Inside or The Mole Agent? If you've seen either or both of these shows, what are your thoughts? Do you think this a spy story?  Should Dan and Tom release similar decoding episodes?  Which order did you watch them? Did you like the documentary or the series better? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4frZ8xP

Dan and Tom decode what makes James Bond the best MI6 Agent. We've heard M refer to James Bond as the best agent, but what are the reasons he is the best?  Is it his training? Loyalty? Survival skills? Or is it something else? Listen to find out!   We cover it all, with examples from the James Bond movies where the attributes discussed are displayed!   From:  James Bond's combat proficiency  His marksmanship   Driving expertise  Technical skills  Survival skills   Bond's resourcefulness   His loyalty and patriotism   And much more …  We touch on some of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as well.  Find out what makes Bond best!  Tell us what you think. What makes James Bond the Best MI6 Agent?  We gave you our list.  Did we miss any?  Are there any on our list that you disagree with? What's your list?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3BlEQIA

Luciana Paluzzi joins Dan and Tom for a wide-ranging interview. This is an interview we've been working to arrange for a while, and we are honored Luciana spent this time with us. And we're happy to be able to share this discussion with you. Luciana's acting career spanned 3 decades. Although she appeared in multiple spy movies and TV shows, her performance as Fiona Volpe in THUNDERBALL – a stand-out James Bond villain - is her most famous role in the eyes of spy movie fans. Die-hard Paluzzi fans will know that she retired from acting at the age of 41 when she married her husband, Michael Jay Solomon, Did you know that they have been married for 46 years? What's the original spelling of her last name? Why did she change it? How has Barbara Broccoli been to her? How many grandchildren does she have and what do they call her? In this episode, we discuss: Her amazing career Much about her experience filming her role as Fiona Volpe The “good news” and “bad news” that Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman relayed to her after her audition for THUNDERBALL Some of the James Bond actors she acted with in other movies and TV series What actor from THUNDERBALL she liked working with Conversely, what actor from THUNDERBALL that she didn't How she got her first acting role How important Terence Young was to her life, not just her career Her family And more …. So, take a listen to this interview.  Even if you thought you knew Luciana Paluzzi, you will learn something new in this interview. As she tells us: "I think you're analyzing this to obsession". That's our goal, learn something new about this wonderful actor. Tell us what you think about our discussion with Luciana Paluzzi As always, let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage:  https://bit.ly/41nO9C4

Dan and Tom are joined by board members from James Bond Club Ireland.  They discuss the club, its inception, activities, James Bond insights, and more. It's a fun listen. Many locales have James Bond Clubs.   For example, in Ireland, there has been the James Bond Club Ireland for four years. In their discussion, Dan and Tom talk with Club President Paul Lally, Joint Vice-Presidents Kevin O'Callahan and Sean O'Hare, and Treasurer Andy Watson. In this episode, we discuss: ·         How James Bond Club Ireland was founded.  (We think that the way they did it is a good blueprint for other nascent clubs). ·         The varied activities the Club delivers ·         The coverage of Ireland (and Northern Ireland) ·         Club discussion hot-topics like: NO TIME TO DIE, what should be the criteria for the next James Bond, where EON Productions should take the series ·         Ian Fleming's James Bond novels ·         Other spy movies that a James Bond fan may enjoy ·         And more …. So, take a listen to find out more about this group and find out what a James Bond club is all about. You can find more information about this group on Facebook, YouTube, Bluesky, TikTok, and Instagram. Just search for "James Bond Club Ireland". Tell us what you think about our discussion with James Bond Club Ireland So, are you a member of the James Bond Club Ireland? Can you give us your input on the club?  If not, are you a member of a James Bond club anywhere else?  If so, what group?  What would you like to see your group do differently? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/49kA6PC

Join Dan for our November 26, 2024, edition of Spy Movie News.  We start this episode talking about some news on two existing spy series, some upcoming spy movies and series, some movies that aren't likely to be getting sequels, and then wrap with a tip of the hat to some industry workers who have passed in the last month. Some of the shows we discuss include: “The Night Agent” “The Day of the Jackal" BONHOEFFER: PASTOR. SPY. ASSASSIN. “The Agency” “Paris Has Fallen” HARBIN BACK IN ACTION Jack Ryan movie “Ponies” BY ANY MEANS “The Spy Coast” BADH Two untitled projects, including a Christopher Nolan movie And more … Tell us what you think about the November 26 2024 edition of SPY MOVIE NEWS. Do any of these upcoming shows excite you?   If so, let us know which ones.  Also, if you have any thoughts about the format of Spy Movie News, we'd love to hear those thoughts. Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3CGdYD8

Johnson and Kevin Hart.  CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE is a comedy/spy movie.  As we've talked about in the past, that is a combination that often falls short.  It is rare to get an AUSTIN POWERS, THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO LITTLE, or UNDERCOVER BROTHER and you often end up with a wreck like ARGYLLE or NO 1 OF THE SECRET SERVICE. So take a listen to find out which CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE is.  Does it work? Here's the intelligence we decode in CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE: ·         A high-level look at the plot without giving too much away ·         Bob Stone's fanny pack ·         How earlier movies influenced CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE ·         Bob Stone's watch ·         Why the movie is called CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE ·         How they were able to give us Dwayne Johnson's character as a much heavier and 20-year younger version of himself ·         What works in the movie ·         What doesn't work ·         And more …. There is a lot to decode, so take a listen to enhance your viewing experience as new things are discovered – worth a watch?  Take a listen!  Are you in?  Tell us what you think about our CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE decoding episode So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you seen CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE?  If so, what did you think of it? Were there any other movies you think influenced this one that we didn't mention? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3CLCPFy

Can we be defending Denise Richards' performance in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH? Denise Richard's performance has garnered a very wide range of opinions.  There are some people who loved her in the role of Dr. Christmas Jones.  Others have problems with her casting and her performance. So, Dan and Tom decode her performance in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH and look at what worked and what didn't. Some of the areas we examine include: Her character's complexity Was she a believable nuclear physicist? Was she the right age for the role? Did the script and direction work for her role? Was her character fully developed? What is the correct pronunciation of “nuclear” Did her previous movie and TV roles hinder the public's acceptance of her in TWINE? How did she do in her action sequences? What did Denise Richards think of the role of Christmas Jones? And more… Tell us what you think: How were we at defending Denise Richards' performance in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH. So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What are your thoughts on Richards' performance in TWINE? Do you agree with Dan and Tom? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4hUO5zQ  

Amazon recently released the spy movie CANARY BLACK.  This movie stars Kate Beckinsale, Rupert Friend, and Ray Stevenson. Is it worth a watch?  Join Dan and Tom as they decode CANARY BLACK.  It carries an “R” rating here in the U.S., and we think it is earned with the quantity of violence. Dan and Tom disagree with the impact of this violence. For those of you who want to find out what earlier movies may have influenced scenes in this movie, we drill into these scenes. As usual, there are some strong positives as well as some negatives to this movie. In this episode, we discuss: A high-level look at the plot without giving too much away The violence The actors and their characters How earlier spy movies influenced CANARY BLACK The company name of the main character's cover company The sets A watch A bottle of wine The use of a Double Pursuit And more …. There is a lot to decode, so take a listen to find out why this movie gets mixed reviews and what we think. Tell us what you think about our decoding of CANARY BLACK So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you seen CANARY BLACK?  If so, what did you think of it?  If not, did we give you enough information to help you decide if you want to watch it? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4fB0l6F

Join Dan for our October 29, 2024, edition of Spy Movie News.  If you prefer to read your news instead of listen, click here to read the article We start this episode talking about spy entertainment in development, then move on to some industry news, and then wrap with a tip of the hat to some industry workers who have passed in the last month. Then we will look at upcoming, yet-to-be-released movies and shows.  Some of the shows we discuss include: THE TRAITOR Two untitled projects, including a Christopher Nolan movie GHOST TRAIL CLASSIFIED SCORPION JASON BOURNE DILEMA INTO THE LION'S MOUTH AGENT 86 A LINE OF FIRE RED ONE KINGSMAN: BLUE BLOOD “The Agency” “Black Doves” “The Day of the Jackal” “Slow Horses” “The Old Man” And more … Tell us what you think about the October 29, 2024 edition of SPY MOVIE NEWS. Do any of these upcoming shows excite you?   If so, let us know which ones.  Also, if you have any thoughts about the format of Spy Movie News, we'd love to hear those thoughts. Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3AoMv8c URLS Here are the URLs we either mentioned in the episode or used to develop this episode.  These links can provide more background information. Michael Fassbender Returns to TV With Richard Gere in First Look at The Agency Paramount Plus just teased Michael Fassbender's new spy thriller show — this looks tense | Tom's Guide https://deadline.com/2024/10/showtime-the-agency-cast-reza-brojerdi-1236110269/ Michael Krummenacher's 'The Traitor' Recounts World War II Spy Story Melissa Barrera, Brian d'Arcy James Cast in Simu Liu Thriller Series Cannes' Critics Week Film 'Ghost Trail' Lands U.S. Distribution Deal https://movieweb.com/christopher-nolan-next-movie-not-sci-fi-espionage-thriller/ Classified Review | Another Day, Another Aaron Eckhart CIA Thriller Aaron Eckhart To Star In CIA Action Thriller 'Scorpion' https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/eddie-redmayne-the-day-of-the-jackal-nbcu-1236188839/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/day-of-the-jackal-trailer-lashana-lynch-eddie-redmayne-1236028488/ https://movieweb.com/jason-bourne-6-sequel-gets-title-director/ 'Into The Lion's Mouth' Movie In Works; Harald Zwart Directing https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/keira-knightley-black-doves-christmas-spy-thriller-netflix-1236031276/ 'Agent 86,' China-Tunisia Action Film, Heads for Theatrical Release Kathryn Bigelow and Jason Clarke Reunite On Her Next Film At Netflix Cuba Gooding Jr., David A.R.White, Katrina Bowden In 'A Line Of Fire' New Predator Movie, Alien Romulus Sequel and Speed 3 Updates Revealed https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/slow-horses-renewed-season-6-apple-tv-gary-oldman-1236178258/ https://movieweb.com/slow-horses-season-6-renewal-apple-tv/ https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-diplomat-renewed-season-3-netflix-1236174440/ The Night Agent Renewed for Season 3 at Netflix Ahead of Season 2 https://movieweb.com/netflix-the-night-agent-season-3-renewal/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/reacher-renewed-season-4-amazon-1236028247/ https://deadline.com/2024/10/mr-mrs-smith-season-2-casting-jane-billie-eilish-1236118525/ https://movieweb.com/mr-mrs-smith-season-2-casting-new-leads-billie-eilish/ Varun Dhawan, Samantha's 'Citadel: Honey Bunny' Unveils Trailer https://movieweb.com/citadel-diana-original-series-connection-explained/ https://deadline.com/2024/10/citadel-diana-amazon-ratings-record-italy-1236117367/ https://deadline.com/2024/10/anthony-russo-citadel-diana-honey-bunny-1236107616/ https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/citadel-india-italy-spinoffs-1236178266/ https://variety.com/2024/film/news/prince-william-paul-greengrass-jason-bourne-movie-request-1236174148/ Chris Hemsworth & Sam Rockwell Guest Star In First Stuntnuts Movie Alvin Rakoff Dead: 'A Voyage Round My Father' Director Was 97 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alvin-rakoff-dead-voyage-round-my-father-director-1236034059/ Beverly Hills Cop And Midnight Run Star John Ashton Is Dead At 76 | Cinemablend https://variety.com/2024/film/obituaries-people-news/kris-kristofferson-dead-country-music-legend-actor-1236159472/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/john-lasell-dead-dark-shadows-twilight-zone-1236030980/ John Lasell Dead: 'Dark Shadows,' 'The Twilight Zone' Actor Was 95 https://variety.com/2024/film/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-risky-business-1236172341/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/nicholas-pryor-dead-risky-business-beverly-hills-90210-1236027800/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bob-yerkes-dead-stuntman-back-to-the-future-remo-williams-1236023595/ Robert Watts Dead: ‘Star Wars,' ‘Indiana Jones' Producer Was 86 –

ARABESQUE is a 1966 spy movie starring Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, and Alan Badel. Is it worth a watch? Dan and Tom decode ARABESQUE to enhance your viewing experience – is it worth a watch? There are some very strong positives as well as some negatives to this movie In this episode, we discuss: Why is this movie titled ARABESQUE? Did the cinematography help or hinder the movie? Which role might have been miscast? Was there chemistry between Sophia Loren and her leading male actors? What movies may have influenced ARABESQUE? What movies have ARABESQUE influenced? Was the shower scene funny enough? What did director Stanley Donen think of the script? Sophia Loren's wardrobe What article of clothing is important to the plot? What famous stunt performer/coordinator had his first role in this movie? The benefit of disavowing a spy And more … As you can see, there is a lot to decode, so take a listen to find out why this movie gets mixed reviews.  Some people like it and some don't. Tell us what you think about our decoding of ARABESQUE So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you seen ARABESQUE?  If so, what did you think of it?  If not, did we give you enough information to help you decide if you want to watch it? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4dTya1i

What are some of the pet peeves of spy movie fans? Particularly, are there specific things that show up in spy movies that drive fans nuts?  Dan and Tom are joined by fans from their Facebook group to try to find out.  The members of this group are very devoted spy movie fans, and they don't hold back on their opinions.  And occasionally they don't agree. We're joined by Bill Kanas, Morgan Lisney, Pietro Rossi and Eric Seabury.  So, listen to what they have to say about:  Release Timing The Use of Tropes The Use of Technology (real and unreal) Does the villain matter? Dark vs. Light Plot Twists Romance Subplots CGI And More …  Hey spy movie producers: take a listen to find out what spy movie fans REALLY think.   Tell us what you think about the Pet Peeves of Spy Movie Fans  Now that you've heard from some other spy movie fans, let us know what you think.  Do you agree or disagree with any of the points made by us and our fans?  Did we miss any pet peeves you have about spy movies?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3BAIj5C 

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the Netflix spy movie THE UNION. Is this movie starring Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg any good? Listen to find out what we think. THE UNION has an amazing cast, including 2 Oscar winners, 4 Oscar nominations, Tony Award winners, and Primetime Emmy Award nominees and winners. So, with this star-studded cast this has to be a great movie, right? In this episode, we look at: The extremely talented cast The writing The high kill count The action sequences How other movies have influenced it The initial title for the movie before it was changed to THE UNION and why that matters Some of the nods to the actors' earlier works What Matilda the Musical has to do with this one And more ... Tell us what you think about THE UNION. Have you watched THE UNION?  What did you think?  Are Dan and Tom right with their analysis? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4gXMkkI

Does the next James Bond actor matter? Dan and Tom decode the answer to this question: Dan and Tom decode the answer to this question: Why the Next James Bond Actor Doesn't Matter?  The debate over who should be the next James Bond and the future of James Bond often stirs up a lot of excitement and opinions.   But, we don't think it matters who the next James Bond is because we think James Bond can go on indefinitely – Listen to find out why! What really matters?  Is the character consistent? Where does the “brand” stand?  James Bond actors have delivered some fresh perspectives, but could Bond grow stale? The supporting elements and cultural impact of the franchise have kept it strong.  Can EON Productions continue to enjoy a very strong franchise following and strength? As crazy as this may sound, we think who the next James Bond actor doesn't matter! Tell us what you think What do you think?  Do you agree with us that the next James Bond actor doesn't matter?  Why or why not?     Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3XLjqeP

James Bond is a Psychopath? Is James Bond a psychopath?   Well, despite the obvious fact that he is a fictional character who has had many authors, actors, and screenwriters involved in defining this character, just . . . maybe! In this episode, Dan and Tom bring in Dr. Stephen McWilliams, author of the book “Psychopath? Why We Are Charmed by the Anti-Hero” to discuss this topic. We're getting deep into the mind of James Bond and with Stephen's help, we define what a psychopath really is, then examine the known mind of James Bond to determine if he can be considered a psychopath.  (Hint, Bond doesn't score 100 on the test).  We use the famed professor, Robert D. Hare's psychology checklist as our driver for the analysis.  Hare's checklist includes breakdowns of the following categories: Interpersonal Traits, Affective Traits, Lifestyle Traits, and Anti-Social traits. How many of those apply to the agent with the OO designation we know as James Bond?  Can you be a spy with a license to kill without some psychopathic traits?  Can you be a great spy and still be a psychopath?  Listen to find out. Stephen is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Saint John of God Hospital, Dublin, and an Associate Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin.  In addition to talking about James Bond, McWilliams's book talks about other fictional characters such as Hannibal Lecter, Frank Underwood, Amy Elliott Dunne, and more. He has also authored the book “Fiction & Physicians – Medicine through the Eyes of Writers”. Tell us what you think So, before listening to this episode, do you think James Bond was a psychopath?  After, listening, did your opinion change? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3XA1xQe

SPY MOVIE NEWS IS BACK!!! Join Dan for our September 17 2024 edition of Spy Movie News.  We're bringing the news back due to listener demand.  This is the only place to listen to a breakdown of what's happening with spy movies, TV shows, and streaming shows. We start this episode by looking at some of the TV and streaming spy movie shows that were released in the recent past but are still available.   We also let you know if a new season is forthcoming or even in process, in some cases. Then we will look at upcoming, yet-to-be-released movies and shows.  Some of the shows we discuss include: “The Last Spy” THE ORDER “Tempest” The Joe Ledger Novels streaming decision KINGSMAN 3 THE UNION MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY “Slow Horses” “The Old Man” HARBIN “Lioness” OCEANS 14? MUTINY And more … Tell us what you think about the September 17, 2024 edition of SPY MOVIE NEWS Do any of these upcoming shows excite you?   If so, let us know which ones.  Also, if you have any thoughts about the format of Spy Movie News, we'd love to hear those thoughts. Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3zxHZ6S URLS Here are the URLs we either mentioned in the episode, or used to develop this episode.  These links can provide more background information. https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a864035/kingsman-3-cast-release-date-trailer-plot-spoilers/ https://bgr.com/entertainment/7-must-watch-spy-series-on-netflix-hulu-prime-video-sundance-now-and-apple-tv-plus/ Chad Stahelski To Develop Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger As TV Series (deadline.com) Korean Spy Thriller 'Harbin' Picked up for North American Release (variety.com) Dogwoof Boards World Sales on CIA Spymaster Documentary 'The Last Spy' (variety.com) Jude Law Pic ‘The Order' To Open Zurich As Actor Feted With Golden Eye (deadline.com) https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-announce-new-korean-drama-tempest/ 'Lioness' Sets Season 2 Premiere Date At Paramount+; First Photos (deadline.com) The Diplomat: Alison Janney Is Latest Adversary In Season 2 Teaser (deadline.com) 'Oceans 14'? Director Edward Berger Courted To Join Clooney & Pitt (deadline.com) 'Peaky Blinders' Star Annabelle Wallis Joins Jason Statham In 'Mutiny' (deadline.com) Vijay's 'GOAT' Roars: AGS Entertainment on Its Biggest Venture Yet (variety.com) Why Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry Never Kiss in 'The Union' on Netflix (variety.com) James Bond Producer Barbara Broccoli Attends Qatari Dinner In Venice (deadline.com) Star Wars and Lion King's James Earl Jones receives tributes after death at age 93 (digitalspy.com) https://deadline.com/2024/09/j-richard-munro-dead-timewarner-ceo-obituary-1236078291/ https://deadline.com/2024/09/sergio-mendes-dead-1236080086/ https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-darren-dead-gidget-actor-singer-1236076023/ https://deadline.com/2024/08/tony-mcfarr-cause-of-death-chris-pratt-stunt-double-1236046203/ https://deadline.com/2024/08/robert-weatherwax-dies-second-generation-lassie-trainer-83-1236042834/

Decoding UNDERCOVER GRANDPA In this episode, Dan and Tom decode the 2017 spy movie, UNDERCOVER GRANDPA.  This is one of our episodes that has Dan and Tom disagreeing as to whether they thought it was a good movie or not.  One of them thought it was ok.  The other didn't like it at all. The basic plot involves a teenager named Jake Bouchard (Dylan Everett) who is smitten by a girl in his high school class.  His Grandpa (James Caan) has a background in special operations and tells Jake about some of his missions. But Jake thought this was just crazy talk until his girlfriend Angie (Greta Onieogou) gets kidnapped. So, in this episode, we look at: The plot The cast The treatment/positioning of old people The plausibility of Grandpa's stories Could Grandpa really know Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame? The Pros and Cons of the Movie Aspic Other movies starring older actors Some tie-ins to other movies This movie has a star-studded cast of octogenarians, or near octogenarians, including James Caan, Louis Gossett Jr, Jessica Walter, Paul Sorvino, Lawrence Dane, and Kenneth Walsh.  With this cast, and it being a spy movie, you can bet that the theme of the age of the characters is a main plot point.  And, you would win that bet. Tell us what you think Have you seen UNDERCOVER GRANDPA?  If not, has this episode encouraged you to watch it?   If you have seen it, who's opinion do you agree with more: Dan's or Tom's? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/47pe2T5

Pierce Brosnan's final two James Bond movies, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH and DIE ANOTHER DAY had some very cool gadgets. How many of the gadgets do you remember from those movies? In this episode, Dan and Tom decode about 30 of them. Are these gadgets believable?  Realistic?  Based on any real science?  If you are a fan of this show, you probably know that DIE ANOTHER DAY is one of Tom's bottom two James Bond movies. Yet, he liked its pre-title sequence in part due to some of the gadgets we'll call out.  So, some things we decode are:  How much fun would you have firing a flamethrower from a moving hovercraft?  The OMEGA Seamaster – ya gotta love Watch gadgets!  We also saw a very cutting gadget (yes both puns are intended). Once we see it used for its real function. Then later and again in a more nefarious use.  We talk about a gadget that used to be advertised in the back of magazines.  Did any of you ever buy one?  And even M gets into gadget development.  Um, if Elektra asks you to sit in a chair, be very afraid.  A Single Digital Sonic Agitator, really?   And sometimes you can't unsee what you can't see. That one was a lame gadget  So have a listen, getting a better understanding of these gadgets will enhance your viewing experience next time you watch THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH or DIE ANOTHER DAY.  Tell us what you think about the gadgets in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH and DIE ANOTHER DAY  Did we miss any gadgets?   Which are your favorite gadgets?  Did any gadgets strike you as believable?  If so, which ones?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4e26Rm0 

How many of the gadgets do you remember from Pierce Brosnan's first two James Bond movies, GOLDENEYE and TOMORROW NEVER DIES? In this episode, Dan and Tom decode about 30 of them.  We also let you know if we think a gadget is believable!  So, how many different pitons do we talk about in these two movies?  Do we think they are believable? Do you?  Tom calls out a favorite weapons/gadgets in any movie and how TOMORROW NEVER DIES enhances that!  How realistic is an exploding pen?  How about digital scopes with the ability to transmit data?  Would either of those things have worked in 1995 when GOLDENEYE was released or in 1997 with the release of TOMORROW NEVER DIES?  And, what was that thing in Wai Lin's lab that took the one thug out?  How many different uses did we point out for the remote controlled BMW and it's remote control?  So have a listen, getting a better understanding of these gadgets will enhance your viewing experience next time you watch GOLDENEYE or TOMORROW NEVER DIES.  Links we mentioned  In this episode, we mentioned an article about a guy who made a laser watch.  Here's the link to that article: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/home-made-laser-watch-is-real  Tell us what you think about the gadgets in GOLDENEYE and TOMORROW NEVER DIES  So, did we miss any gadgets?   Which are your favorite gadgets?  Did any gadgets strike you as believable?  If so, which ones?  Please let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4dBH705 

A Salute to George Lazenby Click here to watch the video version of this episode George Lazenby has announced his retirement from public life.  This is a well-earned retirement and we wish him nothing but the best. In this episode, Dan and Tom bring Mike Reyes back for a salute to the second Eon Productions actor to play James Bond.  George had huge shoes to fill in following Sean Connery.  We think he filled them very well. Some of the topics we decode include: How George Lazenby landed the role of James Bond The Hulu show “Becoming Bond” How his James Bond was introduced in the movie and his “This never happened to the other fella” line in the ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE pre-title sequence. The pressure of taking over for Sean Connery who emblazoned his version of James Bond in the moviegoers' minds. Lazenby's upbringing How his work on ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE shaped the role of James Bond for the rest of the series What they think the next James Bond movie George Lazenby should have done.  Hint, it isn't DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, which was the successor to ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE So, once again, we wish George Lazenby well in his retirement.  And we thank him for his work on ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. You can read Mike Reyes' articles on CinemaBlend.com. Tell us what you think Let us hear from you about George Lazenby.  What did you think of his performance as James Bond in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE.  Do you wish he'd done another Bond movie? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3X8RO4j

  What makes a spy movie great?  Are they built with common elements? Dan and Tom decode the blueprint that most spy movies use in creating their story.  From the protagonist, the villain and a variety of other essential elements we look at how to build a spy movie. What do we need if we want to build a spy movie? Some of the things decoded include: Obviously a spy movie needs a protagonist or spy.  But, what characteristics does that, or those spies have? What does he or she look like? Importantly, do they have different characteristics if the spy movie is gritty, an action spy movie, or a comedy? Next, what are the characteristics of the mission?  We look at some examples of different spy movies to highlight some of these. And of course, every spy mission's protagonist needs a villain. And these villains aren't all carbon copies. They each seem to have their own physical traits. Again, we look at some examples of successful spy movie villains. If you have a male spy, do you need a femme fatale?  What about allies? And what are some examples of how locations influence spy movies?  What are some successful locations that we've seen in spy movies. One area of contention is around how much of the movie needs to be action sequences and what are some of the ways a studio can blow these for the audience? As we often talk about, there is a moral ambiguity in most spy movies.  We look at this ambiguity and how it has two sides. Of course, there is more that we discuss, but this list gives you some good reasons to listen to this episode: How to Build a Spy Movie. Tell us what you think Are you ready to build your own spy movie?  Are there things Dan and Tom missed? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3AiYKCR

Hogan's Heroes – a comedy spy WW II TV series “Hogan's Heroes” was a comedy series in the US from 1965 to 1971. But it was a spy, espionage and sabotage show as well – with plenty of violence.   It was based on a group of prisoners of war in World War II who were assigned to Stalag 13.  On this show, spy missions rule!  Decoding this show, we will show you why! Dan and Tom tunnel their way into this series by looking at the characters, the actors who played them, and many of their missions. And yes, “Hogan's Heroes” is a bit dated with some of its portrayal of Germans and women, but we still think it holds up today.  We talk about the German roots of some of the key people involved with the series and what Werner Klemperer required of the show for him to take on the role of Colonel Klink.  Klemperer was born in Germany and he had a specific demand. We also include clips from the show to highlight our points and bring fun to it as well. With the lunatics running the asylum, there are some classic lines in the series. Some Hogan's Heroes Influencers Some of the episodes we decode have ties to real-world events or other movies. For instance, did you listen to our episode THE HEROES OF TELEMARK-DECODED? Well, one of the “Hogan's Heroes” episodes had roots in the underlying mission portrayed in the movie THE HEROES OF TELEMARK.  We tell you which one. Another episode of Hogan's Heroes had similarities to the 1946 Sherlock Holmes movie, DRESSED TO KILL. Other episodes paid homage to TV game shows that were popular at the time. And what did synthetic fuel have to do with the war and this series? So, take a listen to hear about these and many more fun facts about this comedy spy series. Tell us what you think Have you watched “Hogan's Heroes”?  What did you think? Is it a spy series? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4dzxDSG

THE HEROES OF TELEMARK – Decoding a movie about real World War II heroes In this episode, Dan and Tom decode a movie about some real World War II heroes, namely, the movie THE HEROES OF TELEMARK.  This movie stars Kirk Douglas, Richard Harris, Ulla Jacobson, and Michael Redgrave.  Plus, many supporting actors in this movie have appeared in other spy movies.  We call some of those out for you THE HEROES OF TELEMARK is a dramatization of some real operations from World War II.  These operations were: Operation Grouse Operation Freshman Operation Gunnerside And the sinking of the Norwegian ferry Hydro. These operations all focused on the Allies' attempts at keeping the Germans from getting “Heavy Water”.  Heavy Water was used in the process of creating an atomic bomb.  The Allies had to stop or slow down the Germans so that the Allies could create the bomb first. We decode this movie against the backdrop of the real missions, while diving into what “Heavy Water” is and where it comes from. Tell us what you think Have you been involved in atomic bomb development? If so, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the accuracy of this movie's scientific information. Have you watched THE HEROES OF TELEMARK?  What did you think? Was the romance a negative for your enjoyment of the movie? So take a listen to hear what we think of THE HEROES OF TELEMARK.  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3A20ikR

MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY - Is it worth your time?  MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY is the much-anticipated follow-up to the 2020 action-comedy MY SPY. It reunites a wonderful cast led by Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman. The movie takes us on a feel-good adventure set in some of Europe's most storied destinations.  In this episode, Dan and Tom decode this movie, while not revealing any spoilers.  The goal is to enhance your viewing experience when you watch this movie.  Good or bad or both?  We think this is a good spy movie for some spy movie fans, while some spy movie fans won't like the lighthearted, comedic feel of MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY.  One of our goals is to ensure the right people watch this movie.   So:   If you are a teenager or a young adult, we think you are the target audience for this movie.  Listen to this episode to find out why.  If you are sensitive to some language, jokes targeted to the Catholic Church, or some nude statues, listen to find out if this is a movie you won't like. We spell out why this has a PG-13 rating in the US so you can make your own decisions. After all, not all movies are for all people.  If you are an adult who isn't sensitive to those things and who wants to watch a comedy spy movie, we think you'll like MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY.  So, in short, this movie has some good laughs, a pseudo-plausible plot, and a chase scene with a vehicle we've never seen in a spy movie before.  We like MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY, and this episode should help you figure out if it is worth your time.  Tell us what you think  So, have you watched MY SPY: THE ETERENAL CITY? If so, did Dan and Tom hit the mark?  If not, will you watch this movie?   Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3YdhWMl 

Build-A-Bond – What Does The Next Bond Need to Be? Dan and Tom look at how to Build-a-Bond.  In other words, what are the key elements of Bond over the decades that should go into the best Bond?  We will help Eon Productions here as we Build-a-Bond!  What were the positive qualities of James Bond for each of the previous six actors that Eon Productions has cast for the role? What are the qualities that they each brought that we think must be included in the next hire? James Bond has had a different personality with each actor to play him.  Yes, we all know that Sean Connery, with Director Terence Young's tutelage set the stage. George Lazenby brought a little more rough and tumble. Roger Moore brought more humor.  Timothy Dalton turned out the lights and made Bond dark.  Pierce Brosnan was cool. And Daniel Craig darkened things up again. So, we know all that.  But there's much more to it.  Dan and Tom dig deeper to find the personality traits that were common to all of the actor's portrayals.  Take a listen to find out what these are. Finally, what actors do Tom and Dan think are in their Build-a-Bond box? Tell us what you think So, did we miss any personas for the next actor to play James Bond?  What do you think of our list of persona needs?  And, who do you want to see take up the role of Bond, James Bond? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4bJFA6l

EYE OF THE NEEDLE – A WW II spy thriller  EYE OF THE NEEDLE is a 1981 spy thriller starring Donald Sutherland. In it, one key plot point exposes one of the acts of deception that we discussed in our episode “OPERATION BODYGUARD - Behind the Spies in Movies and Novels”.   In this episode, Dan and Tom decode EYE OF THE NEEDLE, discussing the high-level plot and 10 good reasons to watch it. The deception which is centerfold in this movie has its roots in the real Operation Fortitude – which frames the discussion. One big plus for this movie is Donald Sutherland. He gives an excellent performance playing Henry Faber.  He really knows how to play a villain. This DECODING session answers the questions: Is this an engaging espionage plot ? What of the atmospheric setting ? The character development? Does the movie sustain a  tense and suspenseful feeling? Strong supporting cast ? What's the movie's historical context?  What is the moral ambiguity? How visually impressive is this movie? Spy taxis? U-Boats? Abide With Me? This movie is an adaptation from a Ken Follett novel  Dan and Tom also discuss criticisms of EYE OF THE NEEDLE, weighing in as to whether they agree or disagree with the critiques.  Tell us what you think  So have you seen EYE OF THE NEEDLE?  What did you think of it?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!    You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.    Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3S0k2LP   

OPERATION BODYGUARD AND DECEPTION IN WORLD WAR II  Your field operatives, Dan and Tom, talk with author and historian Rick Beyer about the deception techniques used in the war.  Operation Bodyguard and its sub-operation, Operation Fortitude, which helped win the war, are highlighted.   Operation Bodyguard was an overall deception operation to assist the Allied Forces in World War II.  It is one example of how deception was an important part of the Allied success.  Operation Fortitude was designed to deceive Adolph Hitler as to the location of the Allied invasion of Europe.  You know the landing came at Normandy.  Listen to find out the ruses and locations the Allied Forces used to keep Hitler believing that Normandy was not going to be the landing location.  We also talk with Rick about a deception unit called Ghost Army of which Rick co-authored the excellent book, “The Ghost Army of World War II”.  Ghost Army deployed just after D-Day, so they weren't directly involved in D-Day.  But they are the source of the inflatable tank. Listen to find out what that means  Finally, we look at some of the spies who were involved in the deceptions, highlighting double agents who Hitler thought was working for him.   Without real spies, we have no spy movies or spy fiction!    Tell us what you think   So, prior to listening to this episode, did you know about these deceptions?  Would you like more episodes like this that talk about real-world spies and their techniques?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and your thoughts on this episode. Just drop us a note at info@spymovienavigator.com.  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We'll give you a shout-out in a future episode!     You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.     You can get Rick's book on his website: The Ghost Army of World War II | Rick Beyer.  Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3W85SuA