You know Goldfinger is awesome even before loading it in the DVD player - it’s a pop culture landmark and a high point for the James Bond franchise. Even the title speaks “Bond” - much more so than a meandering one like The World Is Not Enough. There’s a professional (almost dare I say - golden) sheen to the whole affair, from Sean Connery’s comfort as the British spy to the heavy-set, slightly warped villans. Add as additional layers a brassy score, some cute ladies, and some inventive yet confident direction - and this film oozes class.

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My quest to watch all the James Bond films continues, and Dr. No was the first, starring a young Sean Connery who is a bit rough around the edges and looks almost thuggish. But the main elements are in place and it’s a bit stunning to see that much of what people expect from a Bond film today, was present right out of the gate back in 1962.

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I think I’ve just seen one of the best, if not the best, Bond film. Suddenly I “get” what Bond is about, and why so much time spent (and so many movies made) trying to replicate the suspenseful experience that is Thunderball.

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I’m currently watching all the James Bond movies, which are partly famous for their varied theme songs. What follows are my five selections as the best - and sadly, the five worst.

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Diamonds Are Forever, a 1971 James Bond (Sean Connery) film, is a fair return to the Bond franchise after the odd duck of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. However, there are some plot problems and Connery doesn’t seem into it. This was his last go-round as Bond (for some time).

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The Man With The Golden Gun, starring Roger Moore as Bond, starts off lame (possibly the worst Bond theme I’ve ever heard), but gets better as it goes along.

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Live and Let Die from 1973 starred Roger Moore as James Bond, for the first time. I remember watching it as a kid. Although it’s an action-packed adventure, it has elements from other films of the time that prove entertaining, but aren’t really about James Bond, spies, or espionage. There is also a noticeable comedy vibe - almost as if it’s lampooning earlier Bond movies.

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This James Bond film from 1969 is an odd duck. It has many things going for it, but other things are just wrong, and if the mistakes hadn’t happened, this would have been an awesome Bond film, possibly the best ever.

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You Only Live Twice, a 1967 James Bond (Sean Connery) movie, although an action-packed entry into the Bond franchise, at times crosses over into the realm of cinematic cheese. It’s mostly about excitement, as if the makers worry people may be tiring of the 007 formula. Therefore, everything zips along and as a result, certain scenes feel tragically rushed.

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I’m not a big James Bond fan but still find the movies reasonably entertaining. There’s enough of a mix between the standard Bond cliches (spy gadgets, car chases, nefarious evil-doers, hot babes) and unpredictable plot twists.

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