The cult of James Bond movies

Hi All,

I recently read an article about the demise of an actor who played the villain character in Dr No. That triggered me to start thinking about how even villain characters played in James Bond films become so famous...( I know some of you might be tempted to argue with me that villain characters can be equally popular but let’s leave that argument for some other day)

James Bond movies have become a cult in the big screen space in modern times. At many times they were considered mile stones for the entertainment industry. They showcased to the world what the future held for the audience. From the gadgetry to the swanky sea side villas, JB movies really transported the viewers to another world. It was the vicarious thrill of watching Mr. Bond shoot down the baddies and romp around with damsels which captivated the attention of the common man.

The ever increasing arsenal at Bond's hands created an aura of anticipation among the viewers in every consequent film and more importantly sustain interest in the series. This demand was to a large extent quenched by the producers of the movies. But in recent times, this trend is being reversed. Bond is increasingly being shown as a character with deep emotional connections with his companions and the emphasis on his gadgetry seems to have been given a miss.

We all grew up watching James Bond as the ultra high tech guy with great guns [pun unintended...:)] and driving swanky cars in dangerous curves[again pun unintended]. The latest JB movies had an element of absence in them. Or at least that’s me. How do you guys feel about this latest trend?

China: Is the dragon just breathing fire?

Hi All,

China’s recent protest to Indian PM’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh (AP) sparked off a flurry of diplomatic activity in New Delhi. The Chinese ambassador was summoned to clarify his government’s stand and to understand India’s position on the issue. Indian ministers also wasted no time in asserting that AP was an ‘integral and inalienable’ part of India.

In light of this incident and various others that have happened, I just wonder what is China’s ultimate aim in claiming territory that is clearly not hers. It also puzzles me where does this atrocious claim lie in the ‘peaceful rise’ strategy that China is purportedly following.

A few nagging questions remain…

1. Is this claim a ploy to keep India ‘under check’?
2. Is it advisable to maintain relations with people who threaten your own existence?
3. With the military option being ruled out by our own armed forces chiefs, what other alternatives do we have?

We should try to find answers to the above questions; the faster the better!