Pre-order 'Quantum of Solace' On Blu-ray And DVD

Following up the recent announcement that Daniel Craig’s Quantum of Solace would be arriving on Blu-ray and DVD this March, James Bond fans in the US can now get their pre-orders in.

All three versions of the film–single-disc DVD, special edition DVD and Blu-ray–are now listed at Amazon.com at discounted prices, due for release on 24 March:

• Order Quantum of Solace (Single-Disc DVD)
• Order Quantum of Solace (2-Disc Special Edition DVD)
• Order Quantum of Solace (Blu-ray)

Amazon.co.uk pre-order links are forthcoming.

Click here for the complete press release regarding the DVD/Blu-ray release of Quantum of Solace, including special features, worldwide release dates and more.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most complete and up-to-date Quantum of Solace coverage on the web.

Sir Roger Moore Launches UNICEF Campaign In Dublin

Even at the age of 81, there’s just no stopping Sir Roger Moore.

The Irish Independent reports that the former James Bond star was in Dublin, Ireland yesterday to launch a brand new UNICEF fundraising campaign.

The initiative involves customers of the petrol station chain Topaz being asked to donate two cents on every purchase they make. According to UNICEF, every donation will fund the purification of 10 litres of water in the third world.

‘Irish people have well deserved reputation for generosity down through the years–and not just in the good times,’ said Sir Roger, who is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. ‘By supporting this initiative, people will be able to help UNICEF save children’s lives and make the world a better place for children.’

UNICEF director Melanie Verwoerd said the campaign could make a ‘phenomenal difference’.

‘If we have a good buy in from the Irish public, we estimate that we can make more than € 1 million,” she told the Irish Independent. ‘We are very privileged to have Roger Moore here to launch this for us. Somebody with his passion, his stature, his love for children and his commitment to the developing world.’

‘It’s an absolute delight to have somebody like him come and endorse the campaign for us,’ said Topaz chairman Neil O’Leary, and added that he was confident that ‘very substantial sums’ could be raised for the charity through the two cent donations.

Sir Roger will be honoured at a black tie gala dinner in the Burlington Hotel tonight and he will also attend a My Word is My Bond book signing at Easons on O’Connell Street tomorrow at 2:00pm.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond news and coverage from around the world.

'Quantum of Solace' Announced On DVD And Blu-ray

Quantum of Solace, the latest record-breaking James Bond film in the long-running series, has been formally announced on DVD and Blu-ray Disc today.

The movie will be available on DVD in a single-disc edition and a two-disc special edition. The Blu-ray edition will feature the same content as the two-disc DVD, but in high definition.

Quantum of Solace on Single-Disc DVD, Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

QUANTUM OF SOLACE: Daniel Craig Returns as 007 in the Multi Million Global Box Office Smash Debuting On Blu-ray Disc and DVD Worldwide March 2009 From MGM and Fox Home Entertainment

LOS ANGELES – The high-octane action of the world’s most famous secret agent continues when Quantum of Solace explodes onto Blu-ray Disc and DVD this March from MGM and Fox Home Entertainment.

A worldwide box office phenomenon, Quantum of Solace has broken countless records and scored among the top 20 film openings of all time in 67 international territories. Bond… James Bond remains one of the world’s largest and most successful film franchises with 22 films to date.

Starting shortly after Casino Royale ends, Daniel Craig returns as James Bond, betrayed by the woman he loved and determined to find those responsible for her death. His pursuit and determination lead him deeper into the criminal organization known as “Quantum” and into the company of Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), an environmentalist using his wealth and power to help overthrow a government in exchange for a barren piece of desert land that will allow him to control the country’s water supply. Forced to work without the help of MI6, Bond partners with Camille (Olga Kurylenko), a young woman on her own quest for justice, and together they travel across the globe in order to stop Greene and seek retribution.

The 22nd film in the James Bond franchise, Quantum of Solace features many familiar faces from 2006’s Casino Royale including Academy Award* winner Dame Judi Dench as Bond’s closest confidant, M; Giancarlo Giannini as René Mathis; and Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter. The Blu-ray Disc and two-disc Special Edition DVD contains special features including behind-the-scenes featurettes, crew files, plus a music video for “Another Way to Die” featuring Jack White and Alicia Keys.

*1999; Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Shakespeare in Love

Quantum of Solace will be available on Blu-ray Disc, single-disc DVD and two-disc Special Edition DVD as follows (product may vary by country):

• AUSTRALIA – March 18
• UK – March 23
• NORTH AMERICA – March 24
• NETHERLANDS – March 25
• SWEDEN – March 25
• SPAIN – March 25
• ITALY – March 26
• GERMANY – March 27
• MEXICO – March 27
• SWITZERLAND – March/May
• FRANCE – May 13
• JAPAN – June 16
• BRAZIL – June 24 (retail) / March 23 (rental)

Synopsis

Daniel Craig returns as James Bond in this thrilling, action-packed adventure which starts shortly after Casino Royale ends. Betrayed by the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. On a nonstop quest for justice that crisscrosses the globe, Bond meets the beautiful but feisty Camille (Olga Kurylenko), who leads him to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a ruthless businessman and major force within the mysterious “Quantum” organization. When Bond uncovers a conspiracy to take control of one of the world’s most important natural resources, he must navigate a minefield of treachery, deception and murder to neutralize “Quantum” before it’s too late!

Single-Disc DVD Special Features:

• “Another Way to Die” Music Video
• Theatrical Trailers

Two-Disc Special Edition DVD Special Features:

Includes all of the above single-disc content plus additional bonus features:

• “Bond on Location” 24-minute special feature
• Start of Shooting
• On Location
• Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase
• Director Marc Forster
• The Music
• Crew Files

Blu-ray DVD Special Features:

Includes all of the above two-disc special edition content in spectacular hi-definition.

About EON Productions

EON Productions/Danjaq LLC is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced twenty-two James Bond films since 1962, including Quantum of Solace. The James Bond films, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, make up the longest running franchise in film history and include the recent blockbuster films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day and Casino Royale. EON Productions and Danjaq LLC are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles.

Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets – from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce – throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

Quantum of Solace – North America

DVD Price:

• $29.98 U.S. / $43.48 Canada (Single-Disc)
• $34.98 U.S. / $45.98 Canada (Special Edition)
• $39.99 U.S. / $49.99 Canada (Blu-ray Disc)

Order Due Date: February 25, 2009
Street Date: March 24, 2009
Catalog Number: M113466 (SD)
M113478 (SE)
M113508 (BD)
Total Run Time: 106 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Screen Format: Widescreen
Closed Captioned: Yes

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date James Bond news on the web.

James Bond Producers To Be Honoured With RAAM International Award

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson

James Bond film producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have been announced as the recipients of the RAAM International Award, reports Variety.

The producers will be honoured at the 5th annual RAAM awards ceremony for their work on the 007 film series, scheduled to take place at London’s Millennium Hotel on Wednesday, 4 February.

RAAM is a specialist cinema management consultancy serving the film and cinema sector throughout the UK and around the world and are acknowledged as the leading film and cinema conference and awards management company in the UK and Ireland.

Furthermore, Quantum of Solace will complete against the two other top box office stars of 2008 in the UK–Mamma Mia! and The Dark Knight for the film of the year award.

For further information about the RAAM awards, visit the official website.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most complete and up-to-date Quantum of Solace coverage on the web.

'Quantum of Solace' Earns Two BAFTA Nominations

At the beginning of this month, it was announced that Quantum of Solace had been included in seven categories on the BAFTA longlist.

Today, Variety reports that the final nominations are in and the latest James Bond film is featured in two categories: Special Visual Effects and Sound.

Special Visual Effects

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Eric Barba, Craig Barron, Nathan McGuinness, Edson Williams

The Dark Knight – Chris Corbould, Nick Davis, Paul Franklin, Tim Webber

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – Pablo Helman

Iron Man – Shane Patrick Mahan, John Nelson, Ben Snow

Quantum of Solace – Chris Corbould, Kevin Tod Haug

---

Sound

Changeling – Walt Martin, Alan Robert Murray, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff

The Dark Knight – Lora Hirschberg, Richard King, Ed Novick, Gary Rizzo

Quantum of Solace – Eddy Joseph, Chris Munro, Mike Prestwood Smith, Mark Taylor

Slumdog Millionaire – Glenn Freemantle, Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers, Ian Tapp

Wall-E – Ben Burtt, Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Matthew Wood

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony scheduled for Sunday, 8 February at London’s Royal Opera House.

Back in 2007, Daniel Craig’s debut 007 film, Casino Royale was featured in 14 categories on that year’s BAFTA longlist. Eventually securing nine nominations, including Best British Film, Royale ultimately came away with two wins: one for Sound and the Rising Star award for Eva Green’s portrayal of Vesper Lynd.

Keep your browsers locked on CommanderBond.net for the most complete Quantum of Solace coverage on the web.

Landmark Theatre Lines Up Three James Bond Screenings On 30-31 January

New Jersey’s Landmark Theatre has lined up three of Roger Moore’s James Bond films for the big screen later this month.

007 fans can catch The Man with the Golden Gun, For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy on Friday the 30th and Saturday the 31st of this month.

• Friday, 30 January:
• 8:00pm: The Man with the Golden Gun

• Saturday, 31 January:
• 3:30pm: For Your Eyes Only
• 7:30pm: Octopussy

The Man with the Golden Gun

When MOORE Bond Was Good Bond

Few fictional characters have earned such a lasting role in popular culture as the super secret agent James Bond, who first appeared in the novels and short stories of Ian Fleming but took on a life of his own on screen when first played in 1962 by Sean Connery.

The recent hubbub over Daniel Craig’s “new” – and blond-haired – Bond is testament to the character’s enduring appeal. But the first and most intense controversy over the Bond series came when Connery grew tired of the role and was replaced by Roger Moore, who had become famous as television’s The Saint. The super spy himself never faced a greater challenge than Moore did in taking over a character that was so closely associated with another actor.

Connery’s die-hard fans still complain that Moore wasn’t as good. But the fact is that Moore made seven Bond films to Connery’s six (not counting the “unofficial” Never Say Never Again). And Moore stayed in the role for 13 years to Connery’s nine, all the while maintaining the franchise’s popularity.

Ticket pricing is as follows: General Admission ($6.00) / Seniors & Children 12 and younger ($4.00). Special Double Feature Pricing: General Admission ($8.00) / Seniors & Children 12 and younger ($6.00).

The Landmark Theatre is located at 54 Journal Square, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306.

For further information or to purchase tickets, phone 201-798-6055 or visit the official website.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond news.

Win The 'Quantum of Solace' Soundtrack

CommanderBond.net is giving forum members the chance to win the official CD soundtrack of the 22nd James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

Composed once again by series regular David Arnold, this 24-track soundtrack also features the title song ‘Another Way To Die’ by Jack White and Alicia Keys.

Quantum of Solace Soundtrack

This competition is open to all members of CommanderBond.net (CBn). You must be a registered member of the CBn Forums and answer the following question correctly to be eligible to win. Not yet a member of CBn? Register here now–it is free and only takes a minute!

How To Enter:

To enter, fill out the following questionnaire and send a Communiqué/Private Message on the CBn Forums to ‘CBn Competition’ (Subject: CBn Soundtrack) by Midnight EST on 31 January 2009 (simply click on the link in this paragraph).

1. Composer David Arnold has a writing/producing credit on all of the following James Bond songs, with the exception of:

1. ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ – Sheryl Crow
2. ‘Surrender’ – k.d. Lang
3. ‘Only Myself To Blame’ – Scott Walker
4. ‘You Know My Name’ – Chris Cornell

2. What is your CBn Forum Screen Name?
3. What country/state do you live in?

Daniel Craig Scheduled For 'Live with Regis and Kelly' On 14 January

Daniel Craig

Following up his last appearance back in November 2008 to promote Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig is again scheduled to appear on the lighthearted talk show Live with Regis and Kelly.

The James Bond star will be a guest on this upcoming Wednesday, 14 January. With his WWII Polish Resistance drama Defiance scheduled for a wide release this Friday in the United States, one can bet the interview will focus on that–but there may be that spare Bond question or two.

The show is broadcast at various times weekly. To find your local affiliate carrying the show, visit the official website.

As always, stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest news from the world of 007.

Art Directors Guild Nomination For 'Quantum of Solace'

Yet another awards nomination has come in for Quantum of Solace–this time for production designer Dennis Gassner.

The 22nd James Bond entry has been nominated in the Contemporary Films category for the 13th Annual Art Directors Guild, Excellence in Production Design Awards.

This nominated, credited to Gassner, places Quantum of Solace in the running against the four other films in this category:

Burn After Reading – Production Designer: Jess Gonchor

Gran Torino – Production Designer: James J. Murakami

Quantum of Solace – Production Designer: Dennis Gassner

Slumdog Millionaire – Production Designer: Mark Digby

The Wrestler – Production Designer: Timothy Grimes

For the full list of nominees, visit Awards Daily.

The 13th Annual Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Awards will take place Saturday, 14 February, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. The event, hosted by Breaking Bad Emmy winner Bryan Cranston, will also honor director-producer George Lucas with ADG’s Outstanding Contributions to Cinematic Imagery Award.

Keep your browsers locked on CommanderBond.net for the most complete Quantum of Solace coverage on the web.

'Quantum of Solace' Contributes To Record UK Box Office In '08

Quantum of Solace proved once again that there is no stopping James Bond in the United Kingdom.

Quantum of Solace

According to The Times, the latest James Bond film contributed heavily to a 5% increase in box office takings last year which led to a record £949 million total.

Daniel Craig’s second 007 entry ranked second overall with a year-end gross of £51 million. The ABBA musical comedy Mamma Mia!, starring former Bond star Pierce Brosnan, claimed the number one spot with an astonishing £69 million, becoming the biggest box office hit ever in the UK.

In third place, was The Dark Knight, which ended up with a £49 million gross.

Sean Perkins, research executive at the UK Film Council (UKFC), said: ‘Cinemagoing has tended to hold up well in a recession, but what has helped this year is that the releases have been good.’

More detailed data, including the number of admissions, is expected to be released this upcoming week by Nielsen EDI on behalf of the UKFC.

Keep your browsers pointed to CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date and complete Quantum of Solace coverage. Check out our continually updated box office report for all the latest news at how 007 is doing around the world.