Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Emily Hoferer
Diversions Editor
James Bond is, without a doubt, one of the most famous and idolized pop culture icons of all time. The words “shaken, not stirred” are part of the English vernacular. James Bond’s appeal is so broad that it goes across continents and even meddles with time.
The Bond franchise, which just released its 21st movie two weeks ago, is the second highest grossing movie franchise ever, right behind “Star Wars.”
These movies have achieved something that many franchises are unable to do, and that is remain popular, culturally hip and interesting throughout the decades. The first James Bond movie, “Dr. No,” starred Sean Connery, and it catapulted him to fame and fortune.
Since Connery, five other men have filled the shoes of the secret agent. George Lazenby was after Connery, but he only starred in one film, and it was never a great success for him professionally. After Connery came back for “Diamonds Are Forever,” Roger Moore took over for seven films. Timothy Dalton was next in line, starring in only two Bond pictures, and then Pierce Brosnan took over for the next four films. Now, the distinguished title belongs to Daniel Craig.
But the franchise would not even exist if it wasn’t for British author Ian Fleming, who created the character of James Bond and wrote 14 novels about him. The first novel, Casino Royale, was published in 1953, and it established the Bond that we know today.
Many authors continued the saga of Bond after Fleming’s death, and all of them kept true to many of the basic parts of the James Bond canon. For example, Bond is always British, he loves to smoke and drink, he is a famous womanizer and he is always portrayed to be in his late 30s or early 40s.
Bond’s past is not as clear cut as many other literary characters, and his birthplace and birth year are widely disputed, as well as where he attended college. One commonality is that Bond started his dangerous career in the British Navy, and climbed the ranks. The Bond with whom we are familiar today was given his “double-o” rank at the age of 38.
The franchise’s impact on pop culture is everywhere. Many films have taken liberties with the series, most notably SNL alum Mike Myers’ “Austin Powers” films.
The Astin Martin, which is Bond’s famous ride, is a real car, but only a rare few are for sale.
The role of being a Bond girl is something that has defined the careers of many actresses.
The success and critical praise attributed to the first blonde, blue- eyed Bond has been a breath of fresh air for the series. Most people believe that the Bond’s days were numbered when Brosnan announced that “Die Another Day” would be his last act as 007.
The green light has officially been issued for Craig to star in the 22nd Bond picture, which for now is titled “Bond 22.” It is slated for release in November 2008.
Brandy Williams
Asst. Diversions Editor
Newswire Official Rating: 
Xavier University’s Xavier Players presented Ariel Dorfman’s “Death and the Maiden” from November 9-12. The play received such good reviews and the demand was so great that the Players were forced to hold a special showing so that those who missed the sold out show could experience the drama.
The cast did not let the packed studio audience down. The three-character play was extremely provocative and engaging. Senior Christina Mason, who played Paulina Salas, and senior Paul Lieber, who played Paulina’s husband Gerardo Escobar, were very convincing in their husband and wife roles. The two were very passionate and heartfelt as the story unfolded about Paulina, who was held captive in Chile during a coup and was tortured by a doctor named Roberto Miranda.
Miranda, who was played by senior Dan Maloney, was introduced in the play as the accused villain. Maloney’s character left us questioning whether or not Miranda was actually the torturous doctor that Paulina professed him to be.
The play, written by Dorfman, is very unique in the sense that its purpose is to give the victims of the Chilean coop a voice. They were brutalized and exiled without proper cause and then they were forced to live alongside their abusers without any justice.
This play is extremely sensitive because it gives us a hypothetical situation where the victim, Paulina, is given a coincidental chance to come face to face with her abuser after he gives her husband a ride home one day. She is faced with the weighty decision of whether or not she will take justice into her own hands, and end up becoming the abuser that she despises, or offer forgiveness to the man who beat and raped her repeatedly.
What was so incredible about this cast is that the three of them carried this intense thriller without a hitch. They gave the audience emotion, suspense and at times even evoked empathy. The characters were so convincing that it felt as if I were watching a movie. The play’s director, Cheryl Couch, did a marvelous job of preparing the cast and crew with the background of the issues that many countries face when they go from a dictatorship to a democracy.
The play really caused the audience to think about the atrocities that constantly go on all around the world and reflect on how we should respond to those human injustices.
Jeff McMurray
Contributing Writer
Welcome back from break, everyone! Between the turkey and football, it has been a good week for pop culture.
The break started off big with the wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Reports of the wedding describe it as a lavish wedding in an old Italian castle. The guest list was just as impressive as the wedding itself. It included David Beckham, J. Lo and Jim Carrey. Brooke Shields was even at the wedding; I guess it was her way of agreeing with Tom about anti-depressant drugs.
It is sad to report, though, that Oprah was not invited to this amazing wedding. This seems like the appropriate thing to do after you jump on someone’s couch.
Those in attendance claim that the creepiest sight at the wedding was not their new daughter, Suri; it was the never ending kiss to consummate the marriage. It was so unnerving that guests yelled for it to stop. There is hope for those who wished they could have been there. The world of the Sims banded together to recreate the beautiful day. The video of the wedding is on the ever popular YouTube.
The TomKat wedding might have been the biggest news in the world of pop culture, but it was not the most shocking. That award goes to Mr. Michael Richards. Though not as bad as a Mel Gibson Jew-hating rant, Michael Richards and his words did set off a fire storm.
Every media outlet is calling KKKramer an insensitive racist, which is expected when you wish you could lynch someone. But don’t worry, Mr. Richards claims he “loves” black people and that some of his best friends are African-American.
He let America know this vital information on Jesse Jackson’s show “Keep Hope Alive,” though the title is a bit of a misnomer because there is no more hope for Michael Richards’ career.
Thanksgiving break came to a close with the movie “Bobby” opening in theaters across the country. I have to applaud this movie because any time you can portray Lindsay Lohan as a serious actor, you did something right. But you have to expect such a great movie from the man who brought you both “Mighty Ducks” and “Men at Work,” Emilio Estavez.
Well, I’m off to score some tryptophan. Enjoy!
Emily Hoferer 
Diversions Editor
Join the crowd at Go Bananas Comedy Club as five Xavier students battle five UC students over the title of the funniest comic. The winner will be decided by the audience vote so they need your support! The laughs are coming down at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at Go Bananas. Cost is $5.
Late Night Event
Student Organization of Latinos is hosting a late night event from 10-11 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30. They will be giving out free hot chocolate and pastries in the GSC lobby.
World AIDS Day
Help make a difference and spread awareness about AIDS. Come out at 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1st and watch the movie “Rent” in Kelley Auditorium. Buy and decorate a quilt patch on the Xavier’s AIDS Quilt. All proceeds will go to AVOC.
Xavier Christmas
In the Christmas spirit? Join your fellow students on the greenspace from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Monday. There will be a live nativity scene, petting zoo, luminaries, free hot cocoa, coffee and soup. You can also get your picture taken with Santa for $1. There will also be performances by the Gospel Choir.
