The signs are all pointing to it - surely Skyfall is going to become the first James Bond film to be nominated for the best picture award at the Oscars? Yesterday it was reported that the Daniel Craig-starring, Sam Mendes-directed 007 flick has been nominated among ten films for a Producers Guild of America award. That usually means that a film’s in with a good shout of being nominated at the Academy Awards, given that the winner of the PGA has gone on to win the ultimate prize in 16 of the last 23 years.

Now further hope has been given to the Bond team with the news, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, that the Academy is to have a special tribute section to the Bond franchise as it celebrates 50 years. "We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday," said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. "Starting with Dr. No back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon."

Despite its enduring commercial success – Skyfall recently topped the $1 billion mark globally at the box office – the Bond franchise has never been taken seriously by the Academy. The 23 films have managed to muster just two wins and seven nominations between them, all coming in relatively minor categories; there’s been no nomination in any category since 1982. You have to believe that this year is going to be different.

What did we think of Skyfall?