Film Art in James Bond Opening Sequences

James Bond endures. What a character. What a franchise. Who hasn't seen at least one James Bond film? Maybe not if you're a member of some far flung isolated tribe, but even then I wouldn't be surprised to find a Bond film poster on a thatched wall.

A constant with the 007 film franchise is the debate over who has been the greatest James Bond. Was it Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig? Or Barry Nelson, David Niven, or George Lazenby who also had short stints as Bond. Dalton didn't impress, although some say he was the most underrated. Moore could be suave, but compared to Connery, really? Brosnan has a sexy edge. Craig, yea, he's okay. He's got it going. But for me the all time best Bond was the original, Sean Connery. (For Bond trivia experts: True, the first Bond was Barry Nelson, but he portrayed Bond in a television show, not in the film franchise.)

Another constant with James Bond films are creative opening credit sequences. In celebration of these sequences is a new exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art called "... Is James Bond." (Art of the Americas Building, Level 2, through September 9.) Co-organized by the LACMA and Loyola Marymount University's School of Film and Television, the exhibit pays homage to the 22 opening sequences, created by Maurice Binder, of the James Bond films. 

For Bond fans, it's an exhibit made in James Bond heaven. For film fans, it's an interesting look at opening film sequences, the part of a film often overlooked, or not overlooked so much as rarely examined on its own. Watching the Bond opening sequences today, they may not seem so extraordinary, but when Bond films first hit the screen, the sequences were occasionally groundbreaking. Watching the openings one after another, it seems Binder got his stride and style early on and the later films' sequences are somewhat... familiar. But the exhibit is a fun, visual treat. And when you've had enough, you can always head to the bar for a martini, shaken, not stirred.  

Jazz Celebrated at SF Fillmore Jazz Festival

I'm not necessarily a jazz afficionado, but I like jazz. I appreciate jazz. I also enjoy a good street festival, so on a picture perfect, gorgeous San Francisco day I headed over to Fillmore Street to check out the 28th Annual SF Fillmore Jazz Festival.

Granted, SF is not part of the SoCal arts scene, but despite the title of my blog, I can't ignore some of the great things going on all over California, including NorCal, and my all time favorite, San Francisco. No matter how many years have passed since I lived in SF, it always feels like home when I return for a visit.

The Fillmore Jazz Festival is known as the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast and thousands came out to enjoy the sweet sounds of dozens of bands and musicians performing on three stages along Fillmore Street. While I was there, the Wayne De La Cruz B-3 Organ Band with Pamela Rose (above photo) were performing at one location while TSP: The Song Project (below photo) were on another stage. 

When The Song Project took the stage, almost immediately they had the audience in their pocket. They certainly had me. Many festival goers who were walking up and down the boulevard stopped in their tracks to catch more of their sounds. They were fun to watch, really into their music, having a great time on stage, especially trumpet player Mark Rapp and guitarist and vocalist Derek Lee Bronston. 

What I like about the band is their willingness to tread non jazz waters to create their signature jazz sound. What other jazz band is performing the White Stipes song, Seven Nation Army? Sure, there's Cole Porter and Miles Davis in their repertoire, but there's also AC/DC, Radiohead, and here's their version of Paul McCartney's "Let Em In" from a performance at Joe's Pub in NYC earlier this year:

Fillmore Street has a rich musical history. Jazz clubs dotted the avenue as far back as World War II. Billie Holliday, Duke Ellington and Count Basie were among the greats who performed on the street.  Legend has it that Louis Armstrong checked out Charlie Parker at the Fillmore Street club Jimbo's, which supposedly was the only time they were under the same roof. I don't know if this year's Jazz Festival ranks near that sort of milestone, but it sure was fun.