Why Amazon Controlling James Bond Might be the Best thing ever!
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
Release Date: 07/01/2025
20 Things You Missed in DR. NO!
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
In this episode, Dan and Tom show you 20 things you missed in DR. NO! You’ll be surprised by how many of these you missed. Watch to find out! You'll certainly learn something new. Every movie has questionable sequences and stuff that you miss, especially on your first time viewing the movie, and maybe your 5th time as well. Well, in this episode, we’re going to the beautiful Jamaica (and a few other places) to find out what we’ve been missing. Some of the questions we answer include: Is that a pistol in your holster? ...
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Killing James Bond: Bold Move or Betrayal?
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
NO TIME TO DIE shocked audiences around the globe by doing what no Bond movie had ever dared to do — killing James Bond. After decades of near-death escapes, 007 finally met his end in Daniel Craig’s last outing as the iconic British spy. But was it the bold, emotional conclusion the franchise needed, or an unforgivable betrayal of everything James Bond stands for? Now that the shock value has worn off, it’s time to reexamine this. Was it bold storytelling, betrayal, or a cop out? In this episode of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies from SpyMovieNavigator.com, hosts Dan and Tom...
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10 Things You Did Not Know About THE 39 STEPS
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
Step into the shadows of cinematic history with this thrilling episode of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies, where Dan and Tom uncover 10 things you did not know about THE 39 STEPS (1935) This 1935 Alfred Hitchock classic didn’t just entertain—it laid the groundwork for the entire spy genre, influencing everything from James Bond to Mission: Impossible. In this episode, we explore how Hitchcock transformed John Buchan’s novel into a suspenseful masterpiece, inventing iconic tropes like the “innocent man on the run,” the mysterious MacGuffin, and the romantic tension of handcuffed...
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James Bond’s Guns - What’s Real? Walther PPK, Colt, SIG 226?
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
James Bond Guns – What Is Real? Walther PPK, Colt, SIG 226? with Caleb Daniels, Author of Licensed Troubleshooter. In this explosive episode, we’re joined by firearms historian and author Caleb Daniels to dive deep into the iconic—and often misunderstood—guns of James Bond. Caleb’s new book, Licensed Troubleshooter: The Guns of James Bond, is a meticulously researched, visually stunning tribute to 007’s cinematic and literary arsenal. From the Walther PPK to the elusive WA2000 sniper rifle, we explore what Bond actually used on screen, what Fleming wrote in the novels, and...
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SPY BITS: The James Bond Gun Barrel Sequence
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
“Spy Bits: The James Bond Gun Barrel Sequence” is a sharp, focused deep dive into the James Bond gun barrel sequence. And it is brought to you by Cracking the Code of Spy Movies. Dan and Tom trace the sequence’s origin with Maurice Binder. They then look at its evolution from pinhole-camera shots and optical compositing to CGI, and how each Bond actor reshaped the pose, timing, and tone. The episode explains the visual language—Bond as hunter, not hunted. Similarly, we dive into the technical design of rifled barrels and blood effects, and how the sequence functions as one of...
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James Bond Movie Posters of the 1970s with Bill Koenig
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
Join Dan and Tom as they welcome Bill Koenig of to help decode the James Bond movie posters from the 1970s. These are the posters and lobby cards used to promote DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, LIVE AND LET DIE, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, and MOONRAKER. We are very happy that Bill was able to join us. His decades of knowledge of spy movies, TV shows, and novels, and his helmsmanship of The Spy Command have brought great insight, without a lot of hype, to the industry of reporting and commenting on spy entertainment. How much about these...
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20 Things You Missed in THUNDERBALL
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
In this episode, Dan and Tom show you 20 things you missed in THUNDERBALL! You’ll be surprised by how many of these you missed. Watch to find out! You'll certainly learn something new. Every movie has questionable sequences and stuff that you miss, especially on your first time viewing the movie, and maybe your 5th time as well. Well, in this episode, we’re going to the beautiful Bahamas (and a few other places) to find out what we’ve been missing. Some of the things we cover include: · An interesting cameo appearance ...
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THE FALCON AND THE SNOWMAN - Is it any good?
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
🎙️ Is The Falcon and the Snowman Any Good? In this episode, we dive deep into the 1985 espionage drama The Falcon and the Snowman, starring Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn. Based on a true story, the film explores Cold War paranoia, youthful rebellion, and the slippery slope of betrayal. But does it hold up today? 🕵️♂️ We break down: The film’s real-life origins and political backdrop Performances that toe the line between idealism and madness Symbolic props, thematic echoes, and narrative tension Why this movie feels like a spiritual cousin to Blow Out, Three Days of the...
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10 Classic Non-James Bond Spy Movies You Must See!
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
Dive into a curated list of 10 Classic Non-James Bond Spy Movies. This list is handpicked by Dan and Tom of Cracking the Code of Spy Movies. We spotlight hidden gems, wartime operas, Hitchcock staples, and movies that directly influenced later Cold War movies. Listen, Watch, Discover Quick takes on ten movies you should add to your watchlist, including plot hooks, historical context, key performances, and why each movie matters to the spy movie lineage. Notes on influences linking early spy movies to Bond, Thunderball, The IPCRESS FILE, and more. Links to full episode...
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SPY - the movie - A Fresh Look!
Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!
Join Dan Tom as they decode SPY – the movie from 2015. Find out if this spy comedy movie holds up. It has a great cast. But does it work as a comedy? This movie is written and directed by Paul Feig. It stars Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, Allison Janney, Miranda Hart, and others. But it is a comedy spy movie and there is a hit-or-miss track record for these movies. Can this writer, director, actors and crew pull this off? Listen to find out! Some of the things we cover in our look at SPY include: ...
info_outlineDan and Tom look at the pluses and minuses of Amazon controlling James Bond. Is it the best thing for the franchise? It just may be! On the other hand, what are the roadblocks they may encounter in making this a success? Listen to find out!
We’ve had a bit of time to digest the news of Eon Productions’ selling creative control of the James Bond franchise to Amazon. At the time, we released a fan reaction episode.
But now, producers and directors are being announced, so it is time to reexamine this dramatic change to this 63-year-old powerhouse. Furthermore, might this just be the best thing for the franchise in a long time?
What we will decode in this episode
We look at the following to answer the question: Is Amazon taking complete control of James Bond a good thing or a bad thing?
· Was Eon Productions tired of James Bond?
· The size of the bet for Amazon
· In addition to the initial costs, can Amazon use its industry power to succeed?
· What are our biggest fears about this takeover?
· Should the recent hiring announcements quell our fears?
· In what ways might Amazon expand the franchise?
· Should Amazon expand into TV, spin-offs, and the like?
· The need to get good content fast. Therefore, is there a role for the novels of the James Bond continuation authors here?
· How does Amazon’s global reach impact its potential expansion of the franchise?
· Does Amazon’s money allow it to expand the quality of what we see in James Bond movies?
· What can Amazon learn from Disney and its purchase of STAR WARS?
· And of course, there is more!
Tell us what you think. Is Amazon controlling James Bond a good thing or a bad thing?
So, these are our thoughts. Are we on track? Additionally, what do you think about expanding into different media?
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/4l7yj5C
Click here to go to Nathan Heller's article in The New Yorker.