Much like just about everything else in Skyfall, the opening titles are great.  Designer Daniel Kleinman did a terrific job in setting the tone and throwing in plenty of references to the movie without spoiling anything.  Watching the opening titles, it almost felt like a hallucination/premonition/purgatory for Bond, which was just another way of how the movie pushed the boundaries of its self-awareness.  The titles have always been the titles, but in Skyfall they could almost be part of the narrative.

Hit the jump to check out the titles.

This week on The Collision, we’ll be talking about spy movies, how they function post-Cold War and now in relation to the War on Terror, their current status in the action movie marketplace, their place on television, and then we move into talking about the latest James Bond film, Skyfall.  As always, we finish up with our recommendations.

Click here to listen to the new episode of The Collision, click here for the previous episode (“Video Games and Wreck-It Ralph“), click here to add the podcast to your RSS, and click here to find us on iTunes. To keep up to date with The Collision, you can follow us on Twitter at @MattGoldberg, @AdamChitwood, and @DrClawMD (Dave Trumbore). Hit the jump to check out the trailers for this week’s recommendations.

Last night I uncovered a gem from 2011 for the first time and my only regret is that I didn’t take the time to seek it out sooner. Writer/director Thomas McCarthy‘s dramedy Win Win is not only consistently funny but also chock full of both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. The performances are terrific all-around, the script is strong albeit somewhat easy to telegraph, and the wrestling scenes are even surprisingly intense at times (I mean, it was nominated for a prestigious ESPY for “Best Sports Film” after all). Matt gave the film his full endorsement when he reviewed it at Sundance 2011 and I’m doing the same here today.

Movie recommendations aside, in what was yet another busy week around these parts, the five standouts include our Skyfall interviews with Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, director Sam Mendes and more, a Beautiful Creatures set visit recap, the first trailer for Brad Pitt‘s World War Z, even more set visit goodness from Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s The Last Stand, and ongoing development news for the next Star Wars trilogy. Keep reading for brief recaps and links to all of the above.

For weeks, we’ve known that Skyfall was going to be huge. After the 23^rd film in the James Bond franchise rocketed through its initial international engagements two weeks ago, a giant US opening was all but guaranteed. Even so, Skyfall is now on track to be even more of a giant than we suspected. On Friday, Skyfall earned an estimated $30.8 million from its 3,503 locations, midnight screenings included. Add that to the $2.2 million 007 took in from his 463 IMAX premieres on Thursday and it looks like the secret agent could soar as high as $84 million by the end of the weekend. That would blow the previous Bond record of $67.8 million (set in 2008 by Quantum of Solace) out of the air. In fact, it’s possible that Skyfall could climb as high as $500 million worldwide by Monday. Given that Daniel Craig’s first two turns as 007 took weeks to reach that same mark, the achievement would be especially impressive. Big as it was, Skyfall wasn’t the only film making news at the box office. With its platform release in just eleven locations, Steven Spielberg’s critically-lauded Lincoln earned an estimated $268,000 on Friday, or an average of $24,376 per theatre.  We’ll have full details on this weekend’s box office tomorrow.

The James Bond film franchise has stood for 50 years.  It has lived, died, returned, died some more, returned again, and as the longest-running blockbuster franchise in history, it constantly walks the line between life and death regarding the series’ potency.  There likely will always be another James Bond film, but the character’s relevancy is always in question.  Can the modern audience accept Bond in a world where a grittier spy like Jason Bourne seemingly has more power to engage audiences?  Isn’t James Bond a relic that can’t convincingly survive in a post-9/11 world?  The latest Bond film, Skyfall, explores these question is a fascinating, compelling manner and does so within one of the series’ most exhilarating, perfectly crafted, and absolutely captivating entries to date.

At the recent New York press day for Skyfall, I was able to speak with Dame Judi Dench.  We talked about what’s been the best part of playing M for almost two decades, when she first heard that M would be a big part of Skyfall, what it was like to work with cinematographer Roger Deakins, how she prepares for a role, her upcoming film with Stephen Frears, and a lot more.

I absolutely loved Skyfall.  Director Sam Mendes has crafted one of the best James Bond movies ever made and it’s also one of my favorite films of the year.  While the Bond franchise is now 50 years old, Mendes has shown the best might be yet to come.  I really can’t recommend this film enough.  For all our Skyfall coverage including clips, posters, my set visit and more, click here.  Skyfall stars Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Helen McCrory, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, and Naomie Harris.  Hit the jump to watch the interview.

Bond is back with a bang in Skyfall, a smart, sexy, exciting action thriller that’s one of the best 007 films ever, ranking right up there with From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. It’s certainly the best of the Daniel Craig Bond films with its thrilling chase and fight sequences and the visceral way it reveals the vulnerable man behind the myth who relies on primal instincts and physical prowess to combat 21^st century techno-terrorism.

At the Los Angeles press day for the film, Daniel Craig, director Sam Mendes, and producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson discussed how Skyfall presented an opportunity to continue to regenerate the franchise and introduce new characters, how they wrote the role of the Bond villain specifically for Javier Bardem, why Mendes was drawn to directing the film, what inspired his decision to cast Bérénice Marlohe, how DP Roger Deakins contributed to the extraordinary look of the movie, and why after five decades Bond is still such a potent franchise. Craig also talked about what he’s learned from doing an action movie and working with Dame Judi Dench whom he considers an extraordinary woman and actress.  Hit the jump for what they had to say.

At the recent New York press day for Skyfall, I was able to speak with Javier Bardem.  We talked about what it was like to play the villain, why he wanted the role (he’s been very selective since No Country For Old Men), how this is a very grounded and realistic Bond, and more.  In addition, with Bardem currently filming Ridley Scott‘s The Counselor, we talked about why he signed on to that project.

Let me be very clear: I absolutely loved Skyfall.  Director Sam Mendes has crafted one of the best James Bond movies ever made and it’s also one of my favorite films of the year.  While the Bond franchise is now 50 years old, Mendes has shown the best might be yet to come.  I really can’t recommend this film enough.  For all our Skyfall coverage including clips, posters, my set visit and more, click here.  Skyfall stars Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Helen McCrory, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, and Naomie Harris.  Hit the jump to watch the interview.

At the recent New York press day for Skyfall, I was able to speak with Daniel Craig.  We talked about how this is a very grounded and realistic Bond film without the crazy gadgets, what it was like to work with Roger Deakins, was he more nervous to do Bond at the Olympics or host Saturday Night Live, what was the first thing he ate after they wrapped, how proud he is of Skyfall, and more.  In addition, I asked him if there was any update on the sequel to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (The Girl Who Played With Fire).

Let me be very clear: I absolutely loved Skyfall.  Director Sam Mendes has crafted one of the best James Bond movies ever made and it’s also one of my favorite films of the year.  While the Bond franchise is now 50 years old, Mendes has shown the best might be yet to come.  I really can’t recommend this film enough.  For all our Skyfall coverage including clips, posters, my set visit and more, click here.  Skyfall stars Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Helen McCrory, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, and Naomie Harris.  Hit the jump to watch the interview.

I can’t even begin to tell you what kind of fun you’re in for with Skyfall.  That’s partially because I’m not going to post my full review until the day before the film opens, but also because it’s one of the year’s best action movies, and also one of the best James Bond films ever made.  It’s a Bond film that not only has all the great stuff we’ve come to expect from the series, but also has a nice layer of depth that’s rare for the franchise.

I’m so excited to announce that that we will be giving away 10 pairs of passes to the Atlanta screening of Skyfall.  Hit the jump to find out how you can check out the film early, for free, and see Bond at his best.  Skyfall opens November 9th.

Sam Mendes’ James Bond flick, Skyfall, the 23rd installment in the famed franchise, opened strongly in the U.K. with $32 million, but has continued that trend to set a one-week box office record.  Pulling in $60 million, Skyfall beats out previous seven-day record holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which nabbed $57 million in 2011.  Internationally, Skyfall claimed $83 million (up from its initial estimate of $77 million) on its opening day and has since crossed the $100 million mark.  This achievement is especially remarkable considering there’s no ticket price uptick for 3D.  Hit the jump to see what other records Skfyfall has set, and what the positive buzz means for its domestic opening on November 9th.

After Skyfall opens next week, everyone is going to want more James Bond and want it quickly.  Several days ago, we reported that producers had hired Skyfall screenwriter John Logan to write not one, but a Bond duology, and he had set to work for scripts for both movies.  It would be a rare occurrence where the Bond films were linked as one big story rather than a loose connection like S.P.E.C.T.R.E. or Casino Royale to Quantum of Solace.  However, star Daniel Craig, who is contracted for Bond 24 and 25, has denied rumors of linked Bond sequels.

Hit the jump for more.

Due to MGM’s financial meltdown, there was a four year wait since the last James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.  The franchise’s producers aren’t going to let that happen again, especially since the new entry, Skyfall, is garnering ridiculously positive buzz.  It also looks like they’re sticking to one of that film’s successful contributors.  According to the Daily Mail, Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator) will return to write the next movie.  The key difference is that Logan will write the script solo.  The past five movies—Skyfall, Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale, Die Another Day, The World Is Not Enough—were partially written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, but Logan was called in to re-write Skyfall.  If Logan has helped to deliver what some are calling one of the series’ best films, then I’m glad to see that he’ll be back to write the next movie.

As for when we’ll see that movie, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are hoping to shoot at Pinewood Studios (and I’m sure at various exotic locales) next year for a fall 2014 release, which confirms a report from earlier this year.  Considering that the every Bond film since The World Is Not Enough has opened in November, I would expect to see Bond 24 land in November 2014. Hit the jump for more on Logan’s suspected two-part Bond treatment.

The buzz on the upcoming James Bond film, Skyfall, has been ecstatic, so of course it’s time to rush past the present and look to the future.  And the future could hold a black James Bond.  If that seems like a highly unlikely possibility, then it should come as a surprise that Bond producer Barbara Broccoli met with Idris Elba (Prometheus) for the role according to Skyfall actress Naomie Harris.  “I didn’t realize that there was this talk and then I did a film with Idris,” said Harris, “and he said that he met Barbara Broccoli and that it does seem like there is a possibility in the future that there could very well be a black James Bond.”

Hit the jump for more.

A new trailer has been release for Skyfall.  There’s only a little new footage, but it does feature Bond’s iconic introduction, so that’s always worth a watch.  The movie has been garnering ecstatic buzz, and I can’t wait to finally get a look at what director Sam Mendes has brought to the franchise (other than the influence of The Dark Knight).

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film stars Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Helen McCrory, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, and Naomie Harris.  Skyfall opens November 9th.