This past weekend, while hunting for movies I never had a chance to see, I decided to pick up Breach on DVD. Inspired by the real-life story of FBI Agent-turned-Russian spy Robert Hanson, the film is one of those rare spring gems that went fairly unnoticed when it hit theaters. Those looking for an excellent drama should definitely check this out and -- wow -- though I never thought it was possible, I might be starting to actually like Ryan Phillippe. I mention Breach because this spy stuff is pretty hot right now, and Variety reports Tom Cruise might be looking to get this feet wet in a film that sort of reminds me of a mix between The Fugitive and The Bourne Whatever. Columbia Pictures is in talks to have Terry George (who helmed the magnificent Hotel Rwanda) direct Edwin A. Salt, with Cruise potentially playing the lead character.

The film follows a CIA officer (Cruise) who is fingered as a Russian sleeper spy, and subsequently sets out on a mission to not only prove his innocence, but also reunite with his family -- all while attempting to elude those who want his head on a silver platter. The script was penned by Kurt Wimmer (The Recruit, Ultraviolet), while Lorenzo di Boneventura and Sunil Perkash are producing. Personally, this looks to be the perfect role for Cuise, who I've always found shines in parts that rely more on drama than non-stop action. And it also goes to show the man is looking to lose himself in some nice-looking films (Lions for Lambs, Valkyrie) instead of opting to jump on couches and offend depressed mothers. No word yet on whether Cruise will take on this film before those other two comedies (Men, Hardy Boys) he has planned, but here's hoping this film adds to a long line of upcoming Cruise vehicles that will definitely be worth our time.

We're back! James Bond touches land, air and sea in this episode as we talk about our favorite Bond cars, the Spy-Fi Archives exhibit coming to the Queen Mary, and the re-opening of the 007 Stage in London. We also talk to a special guest in this episode, screenwriter and Young Bond Dossier expert John Cox -- who takes us into the literary world of the Young James Bond novels, which are very popular right now.

Some links and highlights from this episode:

• The 007 Stage reopens: visit their revamped website and check things out.
• The James Bond Car collection: subscribe and have Bond replica cars sent to you.
• Spy-Fi Archives at the Queen Mary: on exhibit April 7th through September 2007.
• John's amazing Young Bond Dossier site: check out the links to the Young Bond "apache" gadget, and the new Centenary Bond novel coming out next year.

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There's arguably no better city for a movie lover in America than Manhattan. On a rainy Sunday you can head out to the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, which always has incredible screenings going on in addition to their amazing exhibits. You can go to the Ziegfeld, a huge, old fashioned, one-screen jewel that is probably the most beautiful movie theater I've been in. And then there's Film Forum, which shows a mixture of new independents, "lost" treasures, foreign films, and the classics. And all you Bond fanatics who reside outside of the Big Apple might want to sell your home (the money should get you a studio apartment for about three months in New York, if memory serves) and move to NYC because Film Forum is hosting a James Bond Marathon, starting next month.

The film fest runs from April 27 to May 17, and will be showing all of the pre-Dalton Bond flicks (except one, they took the liberty of removing Moonraker). Film Forum is also showing a bunch of non-Bond 60's spy films, such as Our Man Flint and The Ipcess File, and there's some great extras in the mix too: Five vintage Bond trailers will be shown before Live and Let Die and there will be a sing-along (presumably of the Bond themes) following From Russia With Love. Oh, and there's double features and a movie called Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine! With Vincent Price and Frankie Avalon! What are you waiting for? For a lot of younger fans who grew up watching these films on video and DVD, this is one hell of an opportunity, and you've got to support these events when they come to your town. Too many of these great theaters are disappearing.

With Casino Royale coming out on DVD next week, rumors abounding about Bond 22 everywhere, and a general love (on our part) for all things having to do with that certain British secret agent, we're bringing you our very first Bondcast. Filled with news, rumors, speculations, stories ... and co-hosted by the lovely and talented Athena Stamos from CommanderBond.net. We'll have a new episode every two weeks in which we'll bring you interviews, reports, and more news on the next Bond film.

Plus, be sure to let us know what you'd like to hear. Got a favorite Bond flick? We'll break it down for you. Want the skinny on a particular gadget and its background? We'll dig it up. One of the Bond girls really tickle your fancy? We'll interview her. The sky's the limit. A big thanks to Athena for co-hosting, and to CommanderBond.net for letting us poach her, and for having such a great website devoted to all things James Bond. Swing by and check them out.

Be sure and swing by Moviefone's Casino Royale page which is jam-packed with trailers, interviews, and a great Unscripted where Daniel Craig and director Martin Campbell interview each other.

Corrections: I mistakenly refer to Vesper's boyfriend as Argentinian, not Algerian, whoops. Hopefully he won't be coming after me. Also, the Wal-Mart Casino Royale DVD set does come with a deck of cards and a poker chip, but sadly no briefcase.

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So maybe the relative success of The Good Shepherd has inspired other studios to look for their own spy vehicles for the upcoming year. Earlier, Monika had the news that Johnny Depp was looking into producing a film about the mysterious death of KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko for Warner Bros. Now, Variety reports that Columbia Pictures has hired Michael Mann for a competing Litvinenko flick. They didn't stop there though, and have also picked up another spy property, although this one seems a little less political and a little more action packed.

The Hollywood Reporter had the announcement that Columbia Pictures had bought the rights to Kurt Wimmer's new spy-thriller Edwin A. Salt. Wimmer has a few credits to his name, including writing The Thomas Crown Affair remake, but the bad news is that he also wrote The Recruit and Ultraviolet -- which might not be the best example of his talents considering I thought both of those movies were pretty much duds. Edwin A. Salt will be the story of an American CIA officer who is falsely accused of being for a Russian sleeper agent. While eluding capture for a supposed plot to assassinate the President, Salt has to find the real spy to clear his name. Since Columbia has only just purchased a spec for the script, it will be most likely be some time before we see a director or cast attached.

[via Dark Horizons]

Unless you've been hiding under a rock or working on an off-world colony for the past several months, then you know that the 21st James Bond film, Casino Royale, will be hitting theaters this Friday. It promises all the explosions, car chases, fistfights and gunplay that you've come to expect from a Bond film, and an even more emotional Bond, which we might have to get used to.

In preparation for Friday, we're summing up all of the previous Bond movies by capsulizing the plots and picking out our key favorite moments. Oh, who am I kidding, these are my favorite Bond memories. I grew up on these films, reading the novels, playing the role-playing game, obsessively reading the Q Branch Manual to find out about Bond's gadgets. I also must have played GoldenEye on the Nintendo 64 a trillion times, so I like to consider myself somewhat of a Bond-o-phile. Roger Moore was the reigning 007 when I was growing up, but I watched the Sean Connery Bond films on tape, and was sold on his coolness vs. Moore's. This led to an enormous rift between me and my best friend, who idolized Moore (and his dad kind of looked like him). Although we both agree that the latest Bond films are a lot of fun, I think we still want to butt heads over who is the best Bond.

Luckily, you don't have to have seen any of the previous Bond films to "get" the next one, but this little history can help you appreciate all of the effort that has gone into the series. We're serving it up to you shaken, of course ... never stirred.

If you haven't seen any or all of the previous 20 Bond films, then you can catch yourself up by watching the trailers for all of the movies. Extremely enterprising YouTube user famouswillie (and other folks with an extraordinary amount of free time on their hands) have made us very happy Cinemites by doing the tedious uploading work for us.

After the jump check out the trailer for every Bond film up through Casino Royale, and some bonus video treats at the very bottom of the list.

These trailers also serve as a sort of visual history of film. It's especially eye-opening to contrast the Dr. No trailer with the one for Casino Royale. We certainly have come a long way, Mr. Bond.

With the new James Bond film Casino Royale rushing toward us at turbo speed (it opens on November 17 in the States), Cinematical tackles the question: Which Bond is the Best?

Most people have their stock answers ready to go for this one. It's either a quick, "Roger Moore" or "Sean Connery." Does anyone actually pick George Lazenby? I always end up feeling sorry for him. He went from hunk-of-the-moment in a chocolate bar commercial to potentially being one of the biggest stars on the planet. But would you want to follow in Sean Connery's shoes? Go rent On Her Majesty's Secret Service if you haven't seen it, it's worth a look. Plus it's the only James Bond film with a metareference. In the opening scene, Lazenby saves a woman from drowning and she slaps him before running away. He looks directly at the camera and says, "This never happened to the other fellow." Ouch. So, by default in our books, after only being in one film and forced to try to follow up the original, he's out of the running for best Bond. That leaves us with Connery, Moore, Dalton and Brosnan ...

Kate Beckinsale told MTV she won't be doing another Underworld movie until she's at least 55 (wouldn't that be hot?). For the time being, she's in talks to star in a Cold War spy drama called April 23. She was attracted to the film because -- who knew? -- she majored in Russian in college and she will finally be able to use her skills for a role. She also divulged the basics of the plot, which focuses on, "a Russian spy who comes into America and has to be completely undercover. He has a wife who doesn't know he's a Russian; it's actually a beautiful story. It's a serious drama."

Okay, so where does Beckinsale's bilingual ability come in? Does she play the Russian man? Or does his wife coincidentally speak the language? Maybe she's also a spy and it's simply a serious version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Hmm, Beckinsale sure is getting interesting with her choices of parts: A Russian man now, a 55-year-old vampire later (wait, it doesn't make any sense that she'd be older). At least it beats playing boring love interests again and again.

Anyway, if somebody starts filming this movie now, it could be released on April 23, 2007. Sure it's a Monday, but specially marketed release dates are hot for '07.

[via Coming Soon]