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The Bond Corner

Film Stories

Nobody does it better.

As a new era for James Bond approaches, author and podcaster A. J. Black takes you on a journey with a litany of special guests into the vast, expansive and ever-evolving ecosystem of 007, seeking to explore what makes the character endure and why, in a rapidly changing world, we all still need him.

Welcome... to The Bond Corner...

A proud part of the Film Stories Podcast Network: www.filmstories.co.uk

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13 episodes
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#12
Saturday · 1 hr 10 min
007: First Light
Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, Tony is joined by new guest and fellow podcaster Kurt North to discuss Io Interactive's brand new James Bond video game, 007: First Light. The first game released in a while, First Light has taken the Bond world by storm, introducing Patrick Gibson's young agent with a vibrant new origin story. Is it the best 007 game ever made? We weigh in. Also, Kurt is asked the MI6 debrief questions about all things Bond... Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Kurt North Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk
#11
September 12 · 49 min
The 7th James Bond: The Contenders
Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, Tony is joined by recurring guest Mark McManus to discuss the contenders for the next 007, as speculation grows as to who might have been cast. With screenwriter Steven Knight suggesting Amazon have chosen the next Bond, they discuss contenders including Jack Lowden, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi and more, plus they chat their dream picks for Bond that will never now happen... Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Mark McManus Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk
#9
August 22 · 43 min
Pre-Titles Sequences of the 70s
Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, Tony is joined by recurring guest and podcaster Mark McManus for the first of an occasional series looking at Pre-Title Sequences of Bond movies across the decades. They continue with the 1970s as they discuss the lost opportunity that is Diamonds Are Forever; unpick the tonal swerve of Live and Let Die; take in the unexpected strangeness of The Man with the Golden Gun; bask in the iconic opening to The Spy Who Loved Me; and wonder quite what happened next time with Moonraker. Which one, however, do they consider the best? Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Mark McManus Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#9
July 25 · 50 min
A View to a Film (with Matthew Wood)
Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, Tony is joined by the founder of Shaken Not Stirred, Matthew Wood, to talk about his new photo book, A View to a Film. Revealing never before seen photos from the mine set of A View to a Kill, the book gives us a tantalising glimpse at Roger Moore's final film. Wood tells us the remarkable story of how these came to be, his work with Amberley Museum in Sussex to keep A View to a Kill alive, and more broadly his event work with Shaken Not Stirred and the associated fan club... Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Matthew Wood Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Buy A View to a Film: https://regency-radio-ltd-1.sumupstore.com/product/a-view-to-a-film-hardback-book-1 Become a member of Shaken Not Stirred: https://shakennotstirred007.com/join-now/ols/products/single-membership Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#8
June 13 · 52 min
Spectre in 2020 - Pt 2
"It's me, James... the author of all your pain..." Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, the second of a two-parter, Tony focuses on the penultimate Daniel Craig film, 2015's Spectre. Recorded originally in 2020 for an earlier podcast alongside podcaster and film scholar Dr. Carl Sweeney, the premise is to examine Spectre with, at that point, 5 years distance and ahead of the arrival of No Time to Die. What has changed in their perception of the film and its on and off screen story? And what might have changed for you in the years since? Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Carl Sweeney Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#7
June 6 · 47 min
Spectre in 2020 - Pt 1
"You're a kite... dancing in a hurricane, Mr Bond..." Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, the first of a two-parter, Tony focuses on the penultimate Daniel Craig film, 2015's Spectre. Recorded originally in 2020 for an earlier podcast alongside podcaster and film scholar Dr. Carl Sweeney, the premise is to examine Spectre with, at that point, 5 years distance and ahead of the arrival of No Time to Die. What has changed in their perception of the film and its on and off screen story? And what might have changed for you in the years since? Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Carl Sweeney Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#6
May 23 · 51 min
Pre-Titles Sequences of the 60s
Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, Tony is joined by recurring guest and podcaster Mark McManus for the first of an occasional series looking at Pre-Title Sequences of Bond movies across the decades. They start with, naturally, the 1960s as they wonder what a Dr. No sequence might look like; wonder as to the intention of From Russia With Love; observing the establishment of a template with Goldfinger; the advent of new technology in Thunderball; the grandeur of You Only Live Twice and the arrival of a new 007 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Which one, however, do they consider the best? Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Mark McManus Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#5
May 9 · 1 hr 13 min
Bond, Queer Bond (with Mark O'Connell)
"What might begin as a thoughtful dive into an adjacent world of 007 fast becomes a rich, colourful and compelling manifesto about the queer DNA of a cultural icon– with LGBTQ names and beats, such as Lionel Bart, Richard Chopping, Truman Capote, Peter Hunt, Tom Ford, Doris Fish, Harvey Milk, John Sex, the AIDS crisis, the ballroom scene, pop art icons, and many more, forming the rainbow crosshairs of this book." Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, Tony is joined by 007 authority and author Mark O'Connell to discuss his brand new book, Bond, Queer Bond: The Fabulous Other History of a Spy. They dig into the book and its many facets, covering all 60 years of Bond history as Mark spans music, fashion, politics and the very making of the franchise, weaved around queer history and all kinds of people, from the super famous to the enormously cult. Consider this a primer for a book that will change your perspective on 007 forever... Host / Editor A. J. Black Special Guest Mark O'Connell Buy & read Bond, Queer Bond: https://markoconnell.co.uk/bond-queer-bond/ Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#4
April 25 · 1 hr 33 min
Ranking the Bond Movies (with Mark Harrison)
Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, Tony is joined by Film Stories writer and all round fellow 007 obsessive Mark Harrison to rank the Bond films to date. Choosing odd and even numbered films, and placing them jointly in a semblance of order, they use this opportunity to dig into all 26 Bond's (yes, including Never Say Never Again) and explore them, especially in the context of the subjective medium of ranking. What will reign supreme? And what will get a cold reception? Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Mark Harrison See our Bond ranking here (listen before opening!): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jEVpWsGrc4qp-hwCYxDaBI9Je-bACgpXv470DmHbwgo/edit?usp=sharing Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#3
April 11 · 1 hr 13 min
James Bond and the Body
"The body of James Bond represents—then, now, and later—the body politic in its portrayal of what we were, are, and may well be. The appetites of the unforgettable characters who populate his thrilling adventures—for food, power, sex, and killing—are our appetites." Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this episode, Tony is joined by academic and author Brian A. Dixon to discuss his book Sex for Dinner, Death for Breakfast: James Bond and the Body. This academic study of Bond, up to and including 2008's Quantum of Solace, tackles the intersection between 007 as a physical weapon and the broader meaning of his existence as a body affecting sex, politics, gender and culture. They discuss a range of books and movies, from Casino Royale to Die Another Day, unpacking a new way to look at Bond in the process... Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Brian. A. Dixon Buy Brian's book here: https://www.fourthhorsemanpress.com/library/sex-for-dinner-death-for-breakfast Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#2
March 28 · 1 hr 22 min
No Time to Die & the Death of James Bond
"The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." Welcome back... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this first main episode, Tony is joined by podcaster Mark McManus to discuss 2021's No Time to Die in the context of the death of James Bond. One of the most divisive moves in any 007 film, the death of Daniel Craig's incarnation marks No Time to Die as a unique outing in the Bond canon, for better or worse. But how do you kill Bond in the modern age? How can he ever return? And what do audiences struggle to grasp about the continuity of this immortal character? Host / Editor A. J. Black Guest Mark McManus Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'Chasing Shadows' by Rich Douglas.
#1
March 28 · 30 min
Who is James Bond?
Welcome... to THE BOND CORNER. Your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, takes you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. In this introduction, A. J. aka Tony, asks the fundamental question... who is James Bond? Exploring the span of 007's cinematic life, he presents a precis on the character, his world, the meaning of his stories, and just where he might be heading, as the podcast sets the tone for his continued relevance as our modern world threatens to overtake him. Check out after this our first main episode with Tony in conversation, discussing No Time to Die and the controversial death of Bond... Host / Editor A. J. Black Find A. J. on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ajblackwriter Find the podcast on Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/thebondcorner Join The Bond Corner Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebondcornerclub Support the Film Stories podcast network on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/simonbrew⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @filmstories Facebook/Instagram/Threads: Film Stories Website: www.filmstories.co.uk Title music: 'The Hero's Theme' by Hampus Naeselius (c) epidemicsound.com
March 6 · 4 min
The Bond Corner - Trailer
The Bond Corner sees your host A. J. Black, joined by special guests, taking you on a regular journey into the expansive world of 007, looking at the books, movies, games and wider subjects around the character and his universe. Firing directly at you on March 28th, 2026.

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