Cracking the Code of Spy Movies!

Dan and Tom are joined by Vicky as they try to answer the question: DIE ANOTHER DAY - Can this James Bond movie be defended?  Listen to find out! DIE ANOTHER DAY is one of the most divisive movies in the James Bond catalogue.  Why is that? What about it make some people like it while many others despise it? We brought Pierce Brosnan fan, Vicky back to help us with this decoding.  Vicky is a huge James Bond fan and has a YouTube channel, Facebook, and Instagram called THE BOND ROOM UNLOCKED. What we will decode in this episode We look at the following to answer the question: DIE ANOTHER DAY - Can this James Bond movie be defended?  ·         What is it about those reporters in front of Buckingham Palace? ·         The scenes we like ·         The scenes we don’t like ·         What’s in the trunk of Zao’s Jaguar? ·         Easter Eggs, Easter Eggs, and more Easter Eggs ·         Is Madonna a positive or a negative for the movie? ·         Does the title song work? ·         Um, what’s up with the CGI? ·         The actors – was this movie Jinxed? ·         Zao’s problems with a diamond-studded ·         And of course, there is more! Tell us what you think about DIE ANOTHER DAY - Can this James Bond movie be defended? So, these are our thoughts.  Are we on track? What is your most favorite part of this movie? Additionally, what parts to you dislike? 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: http://bit.ly/44CiBZp

Dan 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.

Join us as Dan and Tom decode the 1967 movie THE DOUBLE MAN. This movie starring Yul Brynner has a great plot twist. But is it any good?  Listen to find out! This movie is set in the Austrian Alps, where we join CIA officer Dan Slater as he investigates his son's suspicious skiing death. Meanwhile, as he digs deeper, he uncovers a Soviet plot to infiltrate the CIA. The film blends Cold War paranoia with identity deception in a tense alpine setting. To sum up, this is an interesting example of a mid-1960s spy movie. Specifically, it is dark and tense with a lack of high action scenes. What we will decode in this episode These are the things we decode in this episode.  As a result, we answer the question: is THE DOUBLE MAN worth a watch? ·         The plot – does it work? ·         Yul Brynner’s performance as Dan Slater ·         The supporting cast ·         What works in the movie? ·         What doesn’t work? There is one big miss for us. ·         Why did we think of THE WIZARD OF OZ at one point? ·         How the Austrian Alps setting enhances the movie ·         Finally, did we like it? ·         And of course, there is more! Tell us what you think. What do you think of our analysis of THE DOUBLE MAN? So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you seen this movie? If you have, do you agree with our analysis? If not, let us know if you watch it after listening. 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/the-double-man

What makes THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS so good?  Join Dan and Tom as they dive in to discover exactly what does make it so good!  THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS introduced us to a new actor playing James Bond, Timothy Dalton.  This ended Roger Moore’s twelve-year run in the role.  With the new actor, the series shifted to a grittier, less humorous James Bond. What we will decode in this episode These are the things we decode as we answer the question:  What makes THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS so good? ·         Timothy Dalton’s changes to the portrayal of James Bond ·         The return to Fleming ·         The geopolitical shift in this movie. ·         Who were some real-world Russian defectors ·         The scenes that worked well ·         The Cold War intrigue ·         Mistrust and Manipulations ·         How real-world events at the time of this movie’s release strengthened the story. ·         Cary Edwards’ book, “He Disagreed with Something tht Ate Him” ·         What did Tom want to hire Necros to do for him? ·         The score and title song – good or bad? ·         And more! Tell us what you think. Did we do a good job explaining what makes THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS so good? So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Are you a Timothy Dalton-as-James Bond fan? To sum up, if you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our thoughts?  What did you like and what would you have changed about the movie? 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: http://bit.ly/4n31JTW

Dan and Tom are joined by Dr. Wesley Britton to decode the 1987 movie THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY. This movie tells the story of a real Israeli spy, Elie Cohen. Without a doubt, he was one of the most successful spies in history.  Is this movie worth a watch?  This episode has two sections.  First, we discuss with Dr. Wesley Britton some of the information about Elie’s story and the making of the movie.  Then, we decode the movie in depth. Dr. Britton is the host of the online radio show and Podcast, “Flashback with Wes Britton” He has also written multiple books about spies in television, the movies, and real-life including Beyond Bond: Spies in Fiction and Film and Onscreen and Undercover: The Ultimate Book of Movie Espionage.  We have used both of these books in developing our podcasts. And, his website SpywiseSecretDossier.com is a treasure trove of information on spies. Elie Cohen’s story is a compelling look at real-world spycraft and dealing with spying while at the same time having a wife and children. What we will decode in this episode These are the things we decode in our look at THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY: ·         Details on this great cast. ·         Some of the challenges executive producer Harvey Chertok and Director Jim Goddard encountered in getting this movie made ·         How Elie Cohen helped the Israelis with his spying ·         Some discrepancies between the movie and real life. ·         Some of the differences between this movie and the streaming series “The Spy” which also tells Elie’s story ·         What is it like to be the wife of a spy? ·         And more! Tell us what you think about our decoding of THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you heard of THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY before this episode? How about Elie Cohen? As a result of listening to this episode, did you watch it? To sum up, if you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our thoughts?  What did you like and what would you have changed about the movie? 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/3TfU6f7

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1943 movie, FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO. Is this World War II movie a spy movie? Listen as Dan tries to convince Tom it is, despite Tom's uncertainty. The story with this menacing title follows the exploits of Cpl. John Bramble in June 1942 after he fell out of his tank in the North African desert.  Later on, he ends up meeting Rommel, The Desert Fox, himself.  Most of the movie takes place inside the hotel “Empress of Britain”. It is a great setting. Also, something is interesting there underneath the first floor. The people behind this movie are top-notch.  Billy Wilder directed and co-wrote it with Charles Brackett, adopting Lajos Biró’s play “Hotel Imperial”. It garnered three Academy Award nominations and has an excellent cast. Specifically, Anne Baxter, Franchot Tone, Akim Tamiroff, and Erich von Stroheim play the leads. This is a movie where you don’t want to be scanning your phone at the same time as you watch it.  You need to pay close attention. However, by listening to this episode, you will enhance your viewing experience.  We give you some things to look out for. What we will decode in this episode While we don’t give away the key answers for this movie, these are the things we decode in our look at FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO: ·         Details on this great cast. ·         How it had a real-world impact on the war. ·         The humor in this serious movie. For example, we include a clip from the movie about bedbugs. ·         Without a doubt, there is a tie-in to Boris Karloff. What is it? ·         The production, cinematography, costuming, and the score. ·         What Tom thought Bramble needed to have with him on the tank. ·         The use of the German language.  Authentic? ·         Opera in a World War II movie? ·         The dialogue - good, or bad? ·         Certainly, Rommel would not have said what he said at that lunch. Would he? ·         Answering Tom’s question of if this is a spy movie ·         And more! What we don't answer is what the “five graves to Cairo” are. You need to watch the movie for that. Where to download the movie As of the time of the release of this episode (June 2025), you can stream this movie for free at: https://archive.org/details/five-graves-to-cairo-1943-billy-wilder. Tell us what you think about our no-spoiler review of FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO. So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you heard of FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO before this episode?  As a result of listening to this episode, did you watch it? To sum up, if you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our review?  What did you like and what would you have changed about the movie? 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/3FtdIJD

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the movie CRACKERJACK 3, from 2000. Is this third movie in the series worth a watch? Listen to find out what we think!  This is a “No holds barred” episode!  The first two CRACKERJACK movies were not spy movies.  They were closer to DIE HARD than a spy movie.   CRACKERJACK 3, however, is a spy movie, even though there is no train sequence! This one stars Leo Rossi, Amy Weber, Oliver Gruner, and Bo Svenson.  This one has an explosive device, a state-of-the-art cell phone, and a group of old retired spies. These are the things we decode in our look at CRACKERJACK 3: ·         Bo Svenson and the rest of the cast ·         The Pre-Title Sequence ·         The cinematography ·         Special effects? ·         Where’s the action? ·         What are the positives? ·         How having children in a movie can be creepy ·         What are the negatives? ·         Garden Gnomes can be helpful! ·         Is this movie worth your time? ·         And more! Tell us what you think about our no-spoiler review of CRACKERJACK 3 So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you heard of CRACKERJACK 3 before this episode?  Did listening to this episode make you want to watch it? If you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our review?  What did you like and what would you have changed about the movie? 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/4mxRW7Z

Join Dan, Tom, and Mike Reyes as they review (No Spoilers! ) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING – This movie stars Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames.  Listen to find out what we think! We’ve seen MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING, and the most recent before this one, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE DEAD RECKONING.   Now we see if they all tie together. In our no-spoiler review,  we dive into the following about MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING: ·         The Pre-Title Sequence ·         Callbacks and flashbacks to previous MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movies, and others ·         The music ·         The cinematography ·         What movies may have influenced this one ·         The sound effects ·         The casting - Do characters from the past show up here? ·         What are the positives ·         What are the negatives ·         Is there more they could have done? ·         What scenes impressed us ·         Deal or No Deal?! ·         Could they have done some things a little differently? ·         And more! Tell us what you think about our no-spoiler review of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE THE FINAL RECKONING.  So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE series?   Will you see MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING? If you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our review?  What did you like and what would you have changed? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought 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/45qE7SP

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1974 spy movie THE TAMARIND SEED. This movie stars Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif.    Listen to find out all the good and perhaps the bad! We’ve seen Julie Andrews in Torn Curtain with Paul Newman.  Now she is in a romantic spy movie with Omar Sharif.  Does the match work? In this decoding episode we dive into the following about THE TAMARIND SEED: This is a romance/spy movie.  Does that work? What we think of the pace of the movie Who was the director and what was his connection with Julie Andrews? Who did the titles? The cinematography What movies may have influenced this one The amazing cast What are the positives What are the negatives Where realism was used What scenes impressed us In what more modern spy movie have we heard of a Russian named Golitzyn? What James Bond stunt/henchmen appear in this one? Award nominations Some of the great lines An odd Merv Griffin tie-in And More … Tell us what you think about our decoding of THE TAMARIND SEED So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of this romance-based spy movie?  Does the romance work for you?  Are you in agreement with Dan and Tom about Julie Andrews’ performance? Was the pacing right for you?  And of course, is Tom’s Merv Griffin tie-in crazy or does it make sense? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought 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/4kqlK4z

Join Dan and Tom for their Character Spotlight on Fiona Volpe, played by Luciana Paluzzi in THUNDERBALL. Can she handle the harsh spotlight?   We know that Fiona Volpe was a tough, determined, and beautiful villain. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to get her job done.  And she wanted to take James Bond out.    In this Character Spotlight we look at the following about this wonderful character:  How was Luciana Paluzzi’s performance?  What traits does Fiona Volpe portray in her villainess role?  How important control is for Fiona  What was her relationship like with Largo?  Which is our favorite scene?  What part of this movie made Luciana Paluzzi’s husband fall in love with her?  What was in that bottle that James Bond ignited in the car?  Was there some importance of the blue dress Fiona wears to the Junkanoo? What sporting event do Dan and Tom liken the interaction between James Bond and Fiona Volpe?  And More …    Tell us what you think about our shining the light with this Character Spotlight on Fiona Volpe played by Luciana Paluzzi in THUNDERBALL  So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of the character Fiona Volpe? What did you think of Luciana Paluzzi’s performance?  Is Fiona your favorite James Bond female baddie?  If not, who is?  Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought 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/4d0gwdA