Now Playing Podcast Presents: The Fast and Furious Retrospective Series

After reviewing 25 movies released over the span of 50 years, Now Playing reaches the conclusion of its James Bond retrospective series--Skyfall. Continuing the rebooted spy stories starring Daniel Craig, Skyfall has already become the top-grossing film in the James Bond franchise, and there is even rumblings of Academy Award honors. But can it really best Craig's Casino Royale, and how does a life long Bond fan warm to this new take? Listen to Now Playing's ultimate James Bond review to find out! Plus the hosts reflect on all 25 Bond films, picking the best and worst actors, film, and songs from the franchise!

In 2006 we got a new take on an old hero with James Bond in Casino Royale, but while the film told of the spy's first adventure questions were left unanswered. Who were the mysterious people to whom Le Chiffre owed money? Who is the mysterious employer behind Mr. White? These answers were to be revealed two years later in the follow-up film Quantum of Solace. With Daniel Craig returning and a title taken from an original Fleming story, can this film live up to the high praise given to Casino Royale? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Brock's review to find out in Now Playing's penultimate James Bond review leading directly to this year's blockbuster Skyfall!

James Bond made his first appearance in Ian Fleming's novels in 1953 in the novel Casino Royale, and in 2006 a brand new James Bond makes his first appearance in a film based on that novel. Rights issues had prevented Eon from adapting the original James Bond story as part of their film series, but with the rights obtained they used that opportunity to present a new James Bond for a new generation. Not just a new actor in the role, but an entirely new take on the MI6 agent, showing his origin, his obtaining his double-oh status, and going on his first mission to win a high stakes poker game against international terrorist Le Chiffre. But did Bond need a reboot? And how does Craig stack up against the previous Bond? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Brock's review to find out!

It's James Bond's first adventure in the 21st century, and Pierce Brosnan's last time playing the role of the British secret agent. Partnered with Halle Berry's NSA agent Jinx Johnson, can the two stop a North Korean terrorist's nefarious plot? It's a film celebrating the lore of Bond, but not very celebrated by Bond fans. Is the reputation deserved, and what final impression does Brosnan leave as Bond? Listen to Now Playing to find out!

In Pierce Brosnan's third outing as James Bond he must protect an oil heiress against a mercenary out for revenge, and uncovers a plot that involves a nuclear bomb being detonated in Istanbul. Notorious for having Bond girl Denise Richards, is this movie enough to earn a recommend from Arnie, Stuart, and Brock? Listen to Now Playing to find out!

Bond has taken on evil in many forms, from expansionist communist regimes to maniacal villains who wish to destroy Earth, but can Bond take on the villain of the 90s--the media? In Brosnan's second film playing 007, he goes against Elliot Carver who hopes to foster a war between England and China to raise the ratings of his cable news network. The film has kung-fu, a helicopter chase, and a remote-controlled BMW, but is it Bond at his best? Listen to find out!

After the longest hiatus in the history of the James Bond flm franchise, Bond is back and now portrayed by former Remington Steele actor Pierce Brosnan. In a post-Cold War era, can Bond remain relevant to modern audiences? Listen to Arnie, Stuart, and Brock's review to find out!

Dalton is Bond, but no longer 007 when his License to Kill is revoked! When a drug lord goes after Bond's friend, the spy will stop at nothing for revenge. It's a Bond for the 80's, but does it hold up in the 21st century? Listen to Brock, Arnie, and Stuart's review to find out!

With Roger Moore retiring as James Bond the mantle was passed to British actor Timothy Dalton. Portraying a more modern version of 007, Dalton's Bond had a harder edge and a more action movie feel. Is The Living Daylights the living end for Arnie, Stuart, and Brock? Listen to their review to find out!

Anthology and horror have a long history together in comics, television, and film, with a heyday in the 80s with such films as The Twilight Zone, Nightmares, Cat's Eye, and the Creepshow films. But in 2007, Michael Dougherty made the most high profile horror anthology in over a decade with Trick 'R' Treat. Starring Sam, a character from Dougherty's animated short, as the sprit of Halloween, this film has plenty of recognizable stars and a high profile producer, but was unable to secure a wide theatrical release and ended up becoming a cult hit on home video. Now, due to listener demand, Arnie, Stuart, and Brock give their review of this underground favorite. Did they find it a treat? Listen to find out!