James Bond: Top 10 Vehicles

Posted on 11 oktober 2015 by Jeppe Kleijngeld

In anticipation of SPECTRE, FilmDungeon.com editor Jeppe Kleyngeld lists his favourite things about the James Bond series in 12 unique features. Enjoy!

10. BMW Z3

Film: GOLDENEYE
Why Great? Who can explain it better than Q? Agile, five forward gears, all-point radar. Self-destruct system. And, naturally, all the usual refinements. Behind the headlights, Stinger missiles. It is a shame that this blue beauty is mostly driven by Bond’s CIA-buddy Jack Wade, and 007 told him ‘not to touch any buttons.’

9. British Balloon

Film: OCTOPUSSY
Why Great? This balloon is used to attack villain Kamal Khan’s hideout. Why is it great? We get to see Q in action for one thing. And it has her majesty’s flag, which is the best flag in the world, so thumbs up for this one, Q.

8. BMW 750iL

Film: TOMORROW NEVER DIES
Why Great? The look of the 750 is not the best BMW ever came up with, but the gadgetry Q came up with is. All the usual refinements – machine guns, a roof-mounted rocket launcher, self-sealing and re-inflating tires, a cable cutting device in the front hood emblem and a caltrop dispenser – are there. Add to that a GPS-tracking system with remote control. Bond uses it during a chase sequence in the Atlantic Hotel parking garage. Despite its armour that can easily withstand sledgehammer blows, the car sadly doesn’t make it to the end of the film.

7. Q’s Fishing Boat

Film: THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
Why Great? Hey, it’s Q’s boat, need we say more? Well it’s green for one thing, and it can achieve 80mph on the water. During the making of THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, it was discovered only by accident that its 350 horsepower engines could literally force the bow of the boat under water. The move was subsequently written into the film.

6. Acrostar Jet

Film: OCTOPUSSY
Why Great? The Acrostar Jet, also known as BD-5 Micro, is the world’s lightest jet aircraft. It has remarkable speed and Bond does the handling fantastically in the opening sequence of OCTOPUSSY. He manages to outmanoeuvre a heat seeking missile that he then uses to destroy the enemy base. He then takes it to the gas station. ‘Fill her up, please.’ Now, that’s James Bond.

5. Lotus Esprit

Film: THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
Why Great? Another great car with a few amazing accessories, very suitable for this marine oriented entry in the Bond series. It is a small submarine as well as a super fast sports car. And naturally, it is loaded with missiles for uninvited guests.

4. Aston Martin Vanquish

Film: DIE ANOTHER DAY
Why Great? Bond’s favourite car now has adaptive camouflage. Tiny camera’s on all sides project the image they see onto a light-emitting polymer skin on the opposite side. Furthermore is has all the usual features PLUS added target seeking shotguns. Not bad for a new Q (John Cleese took over from Desmond Llewelyn in this movie).

3. Jetpack

Film: THUNDERBALL
Why Great? Bond uses the jetpack during an escape from gunmen in the pre-credit sequence of THUNDERBALL. It just comes so unexpected, which makes it surprising besides spectacular. The Jetpack is actually a Bell Aerosystems Rocketbelt model, a fully functional rocket pack device. It was designed for use in the army, but was rejected because of its short flying time of approximately 21 seconds. Powered by hydrogen peroxide, it could fly about 250 meters and reach a maximum altitude of 18 meters, going 55 kilometres an hour and providing 1000 brake horsepower. Despite its impracticality in the real world, the Jetpack makes a spectacular debut in THUNDERBALL.

2. Little Nellie

Film: YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
Why Great? Little Nellie and her father Q arrive in Japan halfway YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE to aid Bond in his mission. Once Little Nellie is put together, it appears to be a toy helicopter, but it’s certainly not. She is equipped with two machine guns, two rockets launchers that fire heat seeking air-to-air missiles, two flame throwers firing astern, two smoke ejectors and a bunch of aerial mines, only to use directly above target. Little Nellie is ready for action and she gets some soon after. Nice.

1. Aston Martin DB5

Films: GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, GOLDENEYE, TOMMOROW NEVER DIES, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, CASINO ROYALE, SKYFALL

Why Great? The Aston Martin is perhaps Bond’s most famous ride. It is just a fine and classy automobile. Off course, Bond’s model usually features some Q modifications. As described in GOLDFINGER: Windscreen bulletproof, as are the side and rear windows. Revolving number plates valid in all countries. A tracking device. Smoke screen, oil slick and left and right front wing machine guns. The highlight according to ‘Q’: The passenger ejector seat, which Bond puts to good use in GOLDFINGER. The car gets an occasional upgrade in later films.

Read also:

James Bond: 10 Greatest Henchmen

James Bond: Top 20 Action Sequences

The James Bond Films Rated From Worst To Best (Top 10)

De hersenen en effectief werken

Posted on 10 oktober 2015 by Jeppe Kleijngeld

In een recente radiouitzending van NPO’s ‘De kennis van nu’ praatte Coen Verbraak met neuropsychiater, coach en consultant Theo Compernolle.

Compernolle begon zijn loopbaan als kinderpsychiater en promoveerde aan de UvA op onderzoek naar stress bij middelbare scholieren. Tegenwoordig is hij consultant en coach bij onder meer IKEA, de Rabobank, vele ministeries, Heineken en KPN.

De hersenen
Mensen hebben in feite drie hersengedeelten. Dat zijn geen afgebakende gebieden, maar eerder samenwerkende netwerken. Het reflexbrein verwerkt razendsnel informatie zodat we snel acties kunnen ondernemen. Dit brein ligt het dichtste bij dieren en gaat 600 miljoen jaar terug in de evolutie. Met ons nadenkbrein onderzoeken we, reflecteren we en kunnen we objectief onze mening vormen en beslissingen nemen. Het archiveringsbrein gebruiken we om informatie op te slaan in ons zeer uitgebreide geheugen.

Belangrijk om te weten is dat schakelen tussen de breinfuncties energie kost. En elke keer dat je gestoord wordt, of je jezelf afleidt met een mailtje, een app, een post of een tweet, kost je dat veel energie. Bij welk gedrag in de huidige tijd levert dat ineffectiviteit op?

Altijd online zijn
75 procent van de iPads bevatten coli bacteriën die alleen maar van een toilet afkomstig kunnen zijn. Kortom, zelfs tijdens een toiletbezoek zijn mensen tegenwoordig online. En altijd online zijn is bijzonder ineffectief voor de hersenen, aldus Theo Compernolle. Tijdens deze momenten heeft het reflexbrein juist even ruimte nodig om informatie te verwerken. ‘Even niks doen’ is dus zeer effectief, een broodje eten achter het scherm is zeer ineffectief.

Multi-tasken
Mensen kunnen niet multi-tasken, stelt Compernolle, omdat wanneer je brein bezig is met een taak, en je die onderbreekt, deze omschakeling veel energie kost. Continu wisselen tussen e-mail, een stuk schrijven, praten met een collega, bestanden managen in de cloud, en een WhatsApp beantwoorden, kost dus bergen energie.

Slaaptekort
Slaaptekort is ook funest, omdat je archiveringsbrein gedurende de eerste helft van de nacht je ervaringen van de dag verwerkt en het tweede deel van de nacht je dossiers voor de volgende dag voorbereid. De meeste mensen die wakker worden grijpen meteen hun mobiel en gaan Facebook berichten lezen. Daar gaat de goede voorbereiding die je brein voor je had gedaan…

Maak werken plezierig voor het brein
Hoe moet het wel? Verdeel alles in tijdsbrokken. Check pas om 10 uur je mail, en begin de dag met je belangrijkste taak. Dan wordt je zo 50 procent effectiever. Ook social media gebruik moet in brokken. Maximaal 4 keer per dag. Er zijn steeds meer mensen die verslaafd zijn aan social media zoals aan heroïne. De verschijnselen zijn precies hetzelfde, zoals een paniekaanval als je zonder mobiel komt te zitten. Dat komt omdat je voortdurend boodschappen krijgt toegezonden die wel interessant zijn, maar niet relevant zijn voor wat je aan het doen bent.

Als je aan een belangrijke taak begint, zet dan je mail uit, je telefoon uit, hang een bord ‘niet storen’ op voor collega’s (‘om 11:00 ben ik weer aanspreekbaar’) en werk onafgebroken aan je taak gedurende die tijd. Neem daarna een pauze voordat je aan je volgende taak begint. Dit vinden je hersenen fijn en je beloning is: meer effectiviteit.

Deze blog schreef ik trouwens terwijl ik eigenlijk een interview aan het uitwerken was en mijn mail aan het checken. Ik heb zelf nog veel te leren….

Hipstock

Posted on 10 oktober 2015 by Jeppe Kleijngeld

“The Schermerhorn Stud”

A Hipstamatic shot by Jeppy K.

James Bond: 10 Finest Bond Girls

Posted on 7 oktober 2015 by Jeppe Kleijngeld

In anticipation of SPECTRE, FilmDungeon.com editor Jeppe Kleyngeld lists his favourite things about the James Bond series in 12 unique features. Enjoy!

10. Christmas Jones
Film: THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
Played by: Denise Richards
Quote: ‘Was that a Christmas joke?’

How fine? Well very fine, but still Christmas is often considered to be the worst Bond Girl ever. Audiences should reconsider. Just look at those legs in her first appearance! Holy Jesus!! Off course it is ridiculous that this character is a nuclear scientist, but who cares about these things anyway? This was the first Bond film to win a Razzie as Denise Richards got one in the category Worst Supporting Actress.

9. Solitaire
Film: LIVE AND LET DIE
Played by: Jane Seymour
Quote: ‘The cards tell nothing to those who cannot see.’

How fine? ‘And Solitaire’s the only game in town…’ And she is fair game for Bond because her current boyfriend is fiendish druglord Kananga. Solitaire is a tarot reader who is initially confused when she draws the lovers’ card when reading for James, but soon she gives in to the romance. This beautiful, delicate woman is portrayed by the extraordinarily fine (and appropriately named for the part) Jane Seymour (See More get it?). Solitaire’s mother also worked for Kananga, but lost her power and became useless to him. Solitaire seems to be heading for a similar tragic fate, but luckily she meets James and all ends well for her. Check out Solitaire’s High Priestess tarot card, it is in the likeness of actress Jane Seymour.

8. Andrea Anders
Film: THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
Played by: Maud Adams
Quote: ‘I’ve dreamt about you setting me free….’

How fine? The stunning Swedish born ex-model Maud Adams plays Andrea. She is the highly attractive mistress of super assassin Scaramanga, but wants to get rid of him. She strongly believes that James is the man for the job. Unfortunately Scaramanga finds out about her betrayal and offs her. What a total waste! And Bond only had the chance to make love to her once. Luckily actress Maud Adams returns in OCTOPUSSY.

7. Natalya Simonova
Film: GOLDENEYE
Played by: Izabella Scorupco
Quote: ‘Do you destroy every vehicle you get into?’

How fine? Very cute Russian lady who has both the brains and the beauty. She worked as a Level 2 programmer at the Severnaya facility of the Russian Space Forces, and didn’t lose her cool when the treacherous General Ouromov and associate Xenia Onatopp caused a bloodbath within the facility. As the knowledgeable sole survivor, she is the perfect partner for James to take on his mission to track the missing GoldenEye satellite. As an intermezzo, they make love a few times.

6. Major Anya Amasova / Agent XXX
Film: THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
Played by: Barbara Bach
Quote: ‘Commander James Bond, recruited to the British Secret Service from the Royal Navy. Licensed to kill and has done so on numerous occasions.’

How fine? In Anya Amasova, Bond has met his equal. She is tough, professional and pretty. Initially, she wants to kill Bond as revenge for the death of her lover (also an agent). But after she executed a mission with James, she can no longer resist his charm. The perfect spy romance.

5. Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo
Film: ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE
Played by: Diana Rigg
Quote: ‘The only thing you need to know about me is that I pay my debts.’

How fine? When we first meet Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo, known as Tracy, she wants to commit suicide by walking into the Ocean, but she is rescued by James. This troubled girl is the daughter of a powerful business man and is used to getting all that she desires, but she is unhappy nonetheless. Until she falls in love with James and he with her. It is easy to see why. She is kind and has this sort of majestic beauty, so when Bond asks her to marry him, it feels 100% natural. Only tragically it cannot last. Right after the wedding she is shot and killed by Blofeld’s partner in crime Irma Bunt.

4. Pussy Galore
Film: GOLDFINGER
Played by: Honor Blackman
Quote: ‘You can turn off the charm. I’m immune.’

How fine? True, her name is a bit embarrassing, but whenever Bond calls her Pussy, it sounds like beautiful music. Pussy is a great pilot and very sexy. She works for the bad guy initially, but switches sides halfway after her intermezzo with James in the stables. The character is probably based on Blanche Blackwell, a Jamaican of Anglo-Jewish descent, who is thought to have been the lover of Bond creator Ian Fleming during his later life.

3. Melina Havelock
Film: FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
Played by: Carole Bouquet
Quote: ‘I don’t expect you to understand, you’re English, but I’m half Greek and Greek woman like Elektra always avenge their loved ones!’

How fine? Melina Havelock is a black-haired Greek beauty that is passionate about taking revenge on the murderers of her parents. Armed with a crossbow, she sets out to find them and meets James underway. He naturally falls for her beauty (that hair, my god!). And she falls for him as well, but not before she has had her revenge. Then he gets to see her whole beauty, but not the viewers. ‘For your eyes only, darling.’

2. Vesper Lynd
Film: CASINO ROYALE
Played by: Eva Green
Quote: ‘Am I going to have a problem with you, Mr. Bond?’

How fine? Vesper Lynd is a classy girl with a gorgeous appearance. She is without a doubt the most beautiful and sexy accountant who ever lived… Makes James want to quit his job, so that is telling of how fine Vesper is.

1. Honey Rider
Film: DR. NO
Played by: Ursula Andress
Quote: ‘You smell nicer already.’

How fine? The shot in which she comes walking out of the water in bikini is breathtaking. That image alone makes Honey Rider the iconic Bond girl. But besides beauty, she has substance as well. Her father was a marinist, looking for special sea shells all over the world until he disappeared on Key Crab, Dr. No’s secret island. Honey has picked up her father’s trade. She is a ballsy woman, not afraid to visit the dangerous island where the metal-handed Dr. No executes his evil nuclear plans. She shows her courage again when she attacks Dr. No’s henchman to help Bond. In short; very pretty, smart, nice and spicy. The perfect Bond girl cocktail.