Going retro is cool and the straight razor is no different. Thanks to the most recent movie installment in the James Bond series, “Skyfall,” straight razors are popular again.

Online UK retailer The Shaving Shack saw a 123% increase in web traffic since the film was released in the UK. Traffic from Internet searches for “cut throat razor” and “straight razor” soared by a staggering 735% over the five days after the film was released.

What I really liked about this razor was the weight. Having never used a straight razor/shavette (the difference being with a shavette you can replace the blades), I had always seen them as being rather bulky and hard to control.

The other important factor was the way the weight was balanced from one end of the razor to the other. Initially, I had my reservations about the plastic handle, thinking it would affect the quality of my shave somehow, but it didn’t. The head of the blade was solid and just heavy enough to not have to apply too much pressure to my face when dragging the razor across my skin. It also wasn’t so large that it was hard to control, coming in at 24 cm fully open.

There really is no better feeling than a shave from a straight razor. When I was younger, my favorite part of getting a haircut was the straight razor across the bottom of my neck to eliminate any neck hairs, but the state where I live made them illegal due to health concerns. I would seriously sign a waiver to get that feeling after a cut these days. But what’s even better than that is buying my own and doing it myself.

That was another issue I faced: price. My assumption was that any straight razor would have to be expensive to be effective as most luxury razors retail for anything from $60 to $300. But at just $9.99, the Bluebeards Revenge Cutthroat Shavette/Straight Razor disproved my assumption. You could spend more, but why? You certainly don’t need to.

Another thing worth noting is that switching the blades was a snap… literally. It was easy to open the head of the razor and insert a new one. There really is no reason to not add a straight razor to your shaving repertoire.

The Cutthroat Shavette from Bluebeards Revenge is available here and is a steal at just $9.99.

At first glance, this disc looks like a bit of throwaway fluff, but after watching it? If you are a Bond fan, you will love this 60 minute “Top Gear” special. Period. Host Richard Hammond – who so very clearly loves Bond as much as we do – takes viewers on a guided tour through Bond film history, packed with clips, stories and trivia. Now, I call myself a Bond freak, but there are probably a half-dozen different behind the scenes stories Hammond relates here that were entirely new to me. One involved the procuring of the iconic Aston Martin DB5 for use in “Goldfinger”; another detailed a stunt for “The Man with the Golden Gun” with the AMC Hornet that could have gone disastrously wrong.

A great deal of attention is paid to the DB5, but an equal amount of love is given to the Lotus Esprit from “The Spy Who Loved Me.” Surely you remember that one? It’s the sleek white job that turned into a submarine and made cinematic history. Though the tech of 1977 wouldn’t allow for the actual creation of such a vehicle, Hammond puts today’s technology to the test by attempting to make a fully functional Lotus submarine. You have got to see this. If that doesn’t do it for you (though how it couldn’t is baffling), there’s also his comical attempt at making an invisible car with the help of flatscreen TVs and cameras!

You can tell Hammond’s a take no prisoners fan, too. When the series starts to go to shit in the Brosnan era, he takes it to task for its failure to create proper vehicular thrills. The special also features Hammond chatting up directors Guy Hamilton and Vic Armstrong, Roger Moore, Daniel Craig, and producer Michael G. Wilson on the set of “Skyfall.” Speaking of “Skyfall,” if you’ve not yet ordered your copy from Amazon, this disc will nicely pad out your order so you can get free shipping.

Just like a good scotch, it’s amazing what a little time can do for a movie’s quality. After the disappointing “Quantum of Solace,” it was imperative that the next James Bond film didn’t follow suit, and although the MGM bankruptcy fiasco that put production indefinitely on hold was worrying, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Not only does the story feel more polished as a result, but it features one of the best Bond villains in the series’ history. Javier Bardem’s platinum-haired cyber-terrorist doesn’t appear until the midway mark, but the actor makes the most of his limited screen time, including a particularly memorable introduction. It’s hard to imagine Bardem would have even been interested in doing a Bond movie if it weren’t for Sam Mendes, and the same could probably be said for the rest of the cast as well. Though he was certainly an unconventional choice, having a director of Mendes’ caliber behind the camera is something the Broccolis should strive for more often, because it’s clear from the start that “Skyfall” is in a totally different class than past installments. It has everything you could want in a 007 film – action, intrigue, style and even a little humor – resulting in Daniel Craig’s best Bond adventure to date.

Blu-ray Highlight: A review copy wasn’t provided in time to sample the bonus material, but between the audio commentary by director Sam Mendes and the 13-part making-of featurette “Shooting Bond,” it’s a safe bet that diehard fans won’t be disappointed.

It’s not every day that the author of a critically acclaimed novel gets the chance to adapt their book for the big screen, let alone direct it, but after watching Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing a better job. After all, Chbosky knows the material inside and out, and it definitely shows in this modest but heartwarming tale about finding your place in the world. It’s your typical coming-of-age story, but one that’s handled with a certain level of maturity rarely found in high school films, and though the comparisons to “The Breakfast Club” may be somewhat warranted, it’s one of the few movies about high school that actually gets it right. Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller deliver excellent performances in their respective roles (especially Miller as the openly gay senior that takes Lerman’s freshman under his wing), and Chbosky’s deft script earns every emotional moment. It’s just a shame that “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” got lost in the awards season shuffle, because it’s one of 2012′s very best.

Blu-ray Highlight: In addition to a short but sweet featurette about the close friendships formed while making the film, the Blu-ray also includes a pair of audio commentaries. The first track with writer/director Stephen Chobsky is definitely the more informative of the two, but the second track with Chobsky and his young cast is more entertaining.

Writer/director Ben Lewin’s “The Sessions” may sound like some really bizarre cross between “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “My Left Foot” – after all, it’s essentially about a disabled man (real-life polio survivor and journalist Mark O’Brien) trying to get laid for the first time – but this incredibly low-key and feel-good dramedy is about so much more, and that’s why it was such a big hit at last year’s Sundance Film Festival. Though it would have been all too easy to produce the kind of heavy-handed Oscar bait that you normally see with these types of true inspirational stories, Lewin never martyrizes his main character, instead relying on O’Brien’s charming personality and self-deprecating wit to lighten the mood. The sex scenes are also handled with a frankness and intimacy that you don’t see very often in films these days, and that, coupled with a pair of superb, award-worthy performances by John Hawkes and Helen Hunt, is what makes “The Sessions” such a joy to watch.

Blu-ray Highlight: Like “Skyfall,” a review copy wasn’t provided in time for press (blame Fox), but I’ll update this space as soon as I’m able to check out the bonus material.

This despite the fact that I and my Bullz-Eye compatriots have spent — and are spending — a fair amount of time actually writing up the Bond films for this very blog. (Check out the Bondian fan hub here.) Fortunately, the movie is turning out to be the most successful film in the uber-franchise in a long while — how long probably depends on whether you bother to adjust for inflation — so it’s going to be around awhile. That means the Bond celebration will also continue.

The Vesper, I should say, is a tricky and ironic drink among late period cocktail classics. Since it debuted in the very first James Bond novel,1953′s Casino Royale, and was created for 007 author Ian Fleming by his friend, Ivar Bryce, a fellow real-life spy, the supercool authenticity factor is off the charts. The scene in the 2006 film version where Bond finally orders the drink some 53 years after it was first invented was a special treat for diehard spy fans and cocktail lovers, and I’m both.

The downside here is that there are issues relating to the ever formulating changes in booze brands that has made the idea of the Vesper a bit more enthralling than the actual drink usually is. We’ll get to those, and a bit more history, after the very, very strong recipe below.

First, however, a word to wise boozer. If you drink a whole Vesper, you really should be done for the night. Mere mortals should not drink like functioning dipsomaniac superspies. You may want to consider cutting the portions here in half or pouring this drink into two glasses for you and a friend.

The Vesper

3 ounces gin (90 proof or above)
1 ounce vodka (100 proof or close, probably)
1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc
1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 lemon twist (garnish)

Combine your ingredients in cocktail shaker with a sufficiency of ice. Though heretical cocktail snobs will tell you to stir, this is an Ian Fleming cocktail and Mr. Fleming would certainly have you shake the drink. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or, if you really want to be classical, do as Bond asked the barman in the novel and serve it in a deep champagne goblet. Add your lemon twist, sip and surrender your car keys to the nearest trustworthy soul. Watch out for double agents.

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In the scene in the novel (included in the wiki I linked to above), CIA agent Felix Leiter expresses some skepticism about the as-yet unnamed Vesper, which Bond later names for the first of his two true loves, Vesper Lynd. It is a very big drink and not for pikers. It also a drink that, as cocktail historian David Wondrich and many others have admitted, hasn’t aged terribly well for a number of reasons.

First of all, all the ingredients have changed. Bond specifically requests Gordon’s Gin. Though it’s no longer considered on the high-end of the gin scale, I actually quite like today’s value-priced Gordon’s, but the flavor of today’s version can’t be the same as was back in ’53. Gordon’s is now only 80 proof. Back then, it was a higher proof and most, Wondrich included, now suggest using Tanqueray. This time around, I used the similarly high proof Beefeater, which seemed a bit more classical.

As for vodka, Wondrich and others seem to assume it would have been 100 proof. At $26.00 a bottle, I’m simply too cheap to buy 100 Stolichnaya, so I went with the $16.00 100 proof Smirnoff. I’ve never really been sold on Stoli and I doubt Bond or Mr. Fleming would have drunk a communist vodka.

Moving down the list of ingredients, I love Lillet Blanc. In fact, maybe my favorite thing about the Vesper is that it introduced me to this intriguing aperitif wine and occasional cocktail ingredient; it tastes like dry vermouth and sweet vermouth made love and birthed an independent-minded female child. However, it also apparently isn’t what it once was. Mr. Bond’s original recipe calls for the now long-gone Kina Lillet, which we are told had a bit more quinine than the present day Lillet Blanc.

That leads us to the use of the bitters, which are an attempt — some would argue a rather lame attempt — to compensate for the low level of quinine. Folks with more time and money than I have been known to actually purchase quinine powder. Since I’m not fighting a case of malaria right now, I chose not to.

So, what do I think of the Vesper? I’ve made this drink probably 10 times over the years and ordered it a few times in bars and, with a couple of exceptions, I’ve been disappointed in the taste while always enjoying the effect. A regular martini, either of the gin or vodka variety, will usually go down more pleasantly. Even so, if you want to drink the one drink that James Bond created on the spot, well, you’ve got no other choice. You’ll drink it and, by the time you’ve finished all that booze, you’ll like it.

In any case, it’s only human to want to try the drink James Bond made up.

The beautiful women from the James Bond films have intrigued us in many ways over the years, but seeing them join in on the action wielding all sorts of guns definitely added to the sex appeal. Above you’ll see a slideshow of some of the sexy Bond girls holding their firearms, starting the the sexy Tanya Roberts from “A View to a Kill” sporting her big hair from the 80s. Next we have an action shot of Olga Kurylenko from “Quantum of Solace” and then the elegant Daniela Bianchi pointing a gun at Bond in “From Russia with Love.” Michelle Yeoh handles some serious firepower in “Tomorrow Never Dies,” and then another action shot with Naomie Harris from “Skyfall.” The slideshow finishes up with three lovely Bond girls posing with their guns – Carey Lowell in “Licence to Kill,” Catrina Skepper in “The Living Daylights” and finally badass Grace Jones in “A View to a Kill.”

Barbara Bach points a gun at Bond in “The Spy Who Loved Me.”

Plenty of girls with guns in “Octopussy”

After a tepid last couple of months, Hollywood is finally gearing up for award season, and with it comes a host of really promising films from the likes of Steven Spielberg, Joe Wright, David O. Russell and Ang Lee, many of which are already projected to land several Oscar nominations. But perhaps the most highly-anticipated release this November isn’t an award contender at all, but rather the long-awaited 23rd installment in the James Bond series, which looks to be Daniel Craig’s best 007 adventure yet.

Who: John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, Sarah Silverman and Jane Lynch
What: A video game villain sets out to fulfill his dream of being a hero, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.
When: November 2nd
Why: I was cautiously optimistic about “Wreck-It Ralph” when it was first announced, but after seeing the film, I can say unequivocally that it’s one of the best movies the studio has put out in years, and that includes the Pixar stuff as well. In fact, “Wreck-It Ralph” is the kind of film that you’d almost expect Pixar to make, because it’s a remarkably original idea that’s catered to both kids and the adults who grew up playing retro games. Director Rich Moore comes from a background that includes “Futurama” and “The Simpsons,” and it really shows in the type of humor on display, while John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman shine in their voice roles. The animation is also really gorgeous, especially the attention to detail between games, and the much-publicized cameos help bring an authenticity to the world that only makes it even more enjoyable.

Who: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Kelly Reilly and Melissa Leo
What: An airline pilot saves a flight from crashing, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals that he may have been drunk at the time.
When: November 2nd
Why: After spending nearly a decade helping pioneer motion capture technology with movies like “The Polar Express,” “Beowulf” and “A Christmas Carol,” Robert Zemeckis marks his return to live-action filmmaking with something that has a little more bite to it. Early reviews have been almost unanimously positive, with Denzel Washington singled out for his amazing performance, and though he may be considered a bit of a dark horse with so much stiff competition this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Academy rewarded the actor with his first nomination since 2002’s “Training Day.” The subject matter certainly carries the danger of becoming too melodramatic, but between the interesting premise and excellent cast, “Flight” is exactly the kind of riveting character drama that should help remind audiences just how good Zemeckis’ movies used to be.

Who: RZA, Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Jamie Chung, Rick Yune and Dave Bautista
What: A humble blacksmith defends his village from a band of assassins and mercenaries when they come to town in search of a fabled treasure of gold.
When: November 2nd
Why: Anyone who knows anything about Wu Tang Clan founder RZA is that he loves kung fu cinema, so you can be sure that his directorial debut is going to be nothing short of a love letter to the genre, albeit one with a hip-hop soundtrack. The fact that he’s managed to attract the kind of talent that he has is certainly a sign of the film’s potential, because let’s be honest, Russell Crowe is the last person you’d expect to show up in this type of movie, even if it only ends up being an extended cameo. With that said, however, “The Man with the Iron Fists” looks every bit like the kind of chop-socky B-movies that RZA grew up watching, so if you’re expecting something more along the lines of “Kill Bill,” there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to walk away disappointed.

Who: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris
What: As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
When: November 9th
Why: It may have taken a little longer than expected to arrive in theaters, but the MGM bankruptcy fiasco was almost a blessing in disguise, because “Skyfall” looks like the perfect way to celebrate 50 years of James Bond. Though Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007 left a lot to be desired following his fantastic debut, “Skyfall” could be his best yet thanks to the rather unconventional selection of Sam Mendes as the film’s director. Mendes brings a certain level of prestige to the proceedings that the series hasn’t had before, and while some were worried about his lack of experience shooting action, the trailers suggest that he’s done a more than capable job in that department. The cast is equally as exciting, from Javier Bardem’s platinum-haired villain to the underrated Ben Whishaw as a young Q. The only thing missing is Moneypenny, although if some sources are to be believed, that might be remedied by the end of this installment too.

Who: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Joseph-Gordon Levitt and Tommy Lee Jones
What: As the Civil War rages on, Lincoln fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.
When: November 9th
Why: Steven Spielberg’s passion project has been in development for years – so long, in fact, that its original intended star Liam Neeson was considered too old for the role by the time it went into production. (Strangely, Neeson is only five years older than his replacement, Daniel Day-Lewis). Though I probably would have been a lot more interested if Neeson was still involved, it doesn’t change the fact that this could be the film that finally ends Spielberg’s cold streak, because he hasn’t made a truly great movie since 2005’s “Munich.” The director always seems to excel at telling stories based in history (“Saving Private Ryan,” “Schindler’s List,” etc.), and he’s recruited an amazing ensemble cast of actors for his last epic. The list is too long to rattle off every name, but you can expect top-notch acting all around, starting with Day-Lewis, whose role as the 16th President is such blatant Oscar material that it’s his award to lose.

Who: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Kelly Macdonald
What: Set in late 19th century Russia, aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky.
When: November 16th
Why: I’m a sucker for anything that Joe Wright does, especially when it involves Keira Knightley, but even I’m a little worried about his version of “Anna Karenina.” The literary classic has been adapted for the screen so many times before that it seems pointless for someone to do it again, despite the fact that Wright has taken a big risk by staging the movie in a way unlike any other. It’s exactly the kind of outside-the-box thinking that the story needed in order to prevent it from feeling stale, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to work. The ingredients are all there, with a strong cast led by Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and a screenplay by Tom Stoppard, the Oscar-winning writer of “Shakespeare in Love,” but whether that translates into a success remains to be seen.

Who: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver
What: After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and meets a mysterious girl with problems of her own.
When: November 21st
Why: The last time that director David O. Russell got this much talent together, it resulted in a movie that earned seven Oscar nominations (including two wins in the Supporting Actor and Actress categories) and landed on just about every Top 10 list in the country. But for as great as “The Fighter” was, “Silver Linings Playbook” looks even better. Based on the 2008 novel by Matthew Quick, the film has all the ingredients of a Best Picture contender, beginning with its excellent cast. Bradley Cooper has already cemented himself as a legitimate leading man, but this could be the role that finally proves he’s a serious actor, while Jennifer Lawrence looks to continue to build on her impressive career. Perhaps more exciting than the two leads, however, is the prospect of seeing Robert De Niro in a role that could mark a return to form for the aging actor.

Who: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Rafe Spall, Adil Hussain and Tabu
What: The son of a zookeeper is deserted on a lifeboat with a hyena, zebra, orangutan, and Bengal tiger after a shipwreck sets them adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
When: November 21st
Why: Hollywood has been trying to bring Yann Martel’s best-selling novel to the big screen for several years, with M. Night Shyamalan, Alfonso Cuaron and Jean-Pierre Jeunet all attached to direct at some point, only to move on to other projects. And just when it seemed like Ang Lee might be the latest casualty, Fox finally gave the director the greenlight, although he didn’t make it easy on himself by rolling every filmmaking vice – kids, animals, water and 3D – into one production. Of course, based on the early buzz, it seems to have paid off, because even if the film doesn’t dominate in the major award categories, it’s sure to land a few technical awards for the stunning visuals and incredible animal effects. (That Bengal tiger is entirely computer generated, you know).

Who: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel
What: A love story between influential filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and wife Alma Reville during the filming of “Psycho” in 1959.
When: November 23rd
Why: HBO’s recent biopic about Alfred Hitchcock and the making of “The Birds” was a dull, melodramatic affair that just didn’t sit right with me, so I’m really hoping that Sacha Gervasi’s take on the famed director during his time filming “Psycho” fares much better. At the very least, it appears to be a little more playful and lighthearted, tapping into Hitchcock’s darkly comical side, and the fact that it boasts such a great cast doesn’t hurt. Anthony Hopkins was an excellent choice to play the Master of Suspense (barely recognizable under all the make-up), and Helen Mirren is the perfect complement as his wife Alma. What remains to be seen, however, is whether “Hitchcock” can be as engrossing as the movies that made him one of cinema’s most respected filmmakers.

Who: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, Scoot McNairy and James Gandolfini
What: Jackie Cogan is a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game.
When: November 30th
Why: I wasn’t a fan of Andrew Dominik’s slow-moving Western “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” so I’m understandably a little hesitant about his follow-up, which is based on George V. Higgins’ crime novel “Cogan’s Trade.” With that said, however, Dominik has assembled an impressive group of actors yet again (including gangster film perennials like Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini), and Brad Pitt obviously sees something in the director to be teaming up with him for a second time. Having already played at a number of film festivals (most notably Cannes) and opening in other countries prior to its U.S. release, reactions to the movie have been extremely positive, although it’s still hard to tell whether it will appeal to a mainstream audience.